#ballista answers

[mercs-askblog]

ballista wtf isthat haircut bro

B: SORRY, YOU FOUND OUT MY SECRET, SO I HAD TO KILL YOU!

[itslilacokay]

Hi! May i request stick alan meeting the mercs?

sure sure!!

[vicagentstan]

[zofi-persson-quotes]

hear me out on this now-

Ballista would totally chase a cat toy-

Oh, ABSOLUTELY YES- You are SO right.

They just have the vibes of someone eho would do that.

But hear me out:

Ballista going crazy with a laser pointer

[lokh]

head in hands.

[bots-and-cons]

#2 Day of asking random ahh questions to the blogs I follow

Okay so since I can't really ask for HCs and stuff for your ocs bc obviously requests are closed atm, how about would Neutroshot and Ballista would meet each other at some point? Or are they just in their own separate stuff going on?

Oh boy Ballista is officially turning into my second TFP OC. And since I'm just unable to answer shortly, you get some stuff about the duo. This is kinda gonna complicate the things with my whole Arcee shipping thing, but oh well, I'll figure it out.

After that last ask, I actually decided that they're siblings, twins to be exact. They joined the decepticons together back in the day. They were pretty close back then but they sort of drifted apart when Neutro started her relationship with Starscream, because Ballista absolutely did not and still does not like Starscream. When the twin. first joined the decepticons, they were assigned to different duties but they still shared a habsuite. Ballista started noticing that she saw Neutro less and less, and when she was arond, she was always irritable and very snappy. The times she wasn't around, she was with Starscream. Ballista tried to knock some sense into her sibling, but she never listened, and even after Neutro and Screamer broke up, Neutro could never admit that Ballista had been right.

They actually deserted the decepticons separately, Neutro left first and of course this brought a bit of a shitstorm down on Ballista. She was questioned for a long time by Starscream and she became a bit of an outcast, because of what Neutro did. Ballista eventually ended up following in her sibling's footsteps and leaving the cons, but while Neutro didn't really hold a grudge, Ballista most definitely does. She was treated very badly after Neutro left and she especially holds a grudge against Starscream. Ballista deserted the cons too, and while she doesn't actively seek revenge against the cons, at least not often, but she does take it when she gets the chance. They both ended up on earth, Neutro more by chance and Ballista because she was following the Nemesis for getting some payback.

So yeah, here are some ramblings about the two and I've decided to ship Neutro with someone other than Arcee, at least in the future, maybe I'll develop some sort of drama between Arcee and the twins, but I'm pretty set with Arcee and Ballista.

[daistea]

I love love love the scenarios of Kabru with a person who is oblivious, but what about someone who is hyper aware of how other people feel towards them as a defense mechanism? Someone who is constantly aware of everything that's going on and it's something they can't turn off but as a result hates guessing games and won't act unless the other person is genuinely forward. They aren't bad and are polite but will blatantly ignore hints. I think there's another layer of hilarity in that one.

Ya! I don't know if I captured what you're looking for, to be honest. But I tried my best, and I hope you like it!

1600 words !

no tw or spoilers I don't think

Cracks - Kabru x reader

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Your heart was a fortress. There were moats and ballistas and canons aimed straight at anyone who dared approach. You weren’t sure when the fortress walls raised, but you knew when another stone was added, when they grew higher. 

And Kabru’s charming smile only piled more stones atop the wall. 

That smile was intended for another purpose, you knew. He’d realize that soon enough, but until then, you would maintain eye contact and nod along with his conversations. He didn’t talk about himself often, but he had stories to tell, anecdotes, theories. And he wanted your opinion on every single one. 

“What do you think?” Kabru asked. It was a line cast into the water with bait on the hook. It was the sliding of a chess piece across the board. And he didn’t mean to play these games, you also knew that. It was just how he was. 

“I don’t know,” was all you gave him. 

Kabru nodded to himself. He was good at covering up his disappointment, but you could practically see the gears turning in his pretty head. The only thing you weren’t sure of was why, exactly, he had wanted to see you today. 

Finally, he returned his attention to you, “Do I make you uncomfortable?”

You felt yourself tense. Your shoulders slumped a little and you uncrossed your arms— he was probably reading your closed-off body language, but that was all simply habit, not a result of discomfort. 

“No, you don’t,” and you meant it. You weren’t about to inform him of why you never took the bait, but you’d throw him a bone. “You really don’t. I just… Wait, that was a very straightforward question, Kabru. How uncharacteristic of you.”

“I can be straightforward when I want to be,” He sent you another brilliant smile, though the look in his eyes told you that it was genuine. 

“Why do you want to be at this moment?”

Kabru looked away. He stared at his barely-touched mug of ale, doing his best not to shift uncomfortably on the bar stool. Yet, you saw it; the slight bounce of his knee, how his nose wrinkled. 

Finally: “I’m figuring something out,” he said. 

“Aren’t you always?” You teased. 

And he sent you another genuine smile with a hint of something, you weren’t sure. How annoying. Was it affection? You decided to push the thought aside for the sake of your sanity. 

“Yeah, you’ve got me,” he put his hands up and laughed, then took a sip of his ale as if needing something to do with himself to ease the tension that was slowly seeping between you. Tension: a noxious, invisible gas. It was about to give you a headache. 

You turned on the stool to face him, “What’s on your mind?”

Kabru’s smile turned wry, “Now you’re the one prying.” Your heart clenched. That was another stone on the wall. He knew you and it made you want to run away as fast as you could. 

“I guess,” you said, “Yeah, I do that sometimes.”

“I don’t mind,” Kabru murmured. 

What a lie. 

˚ · • . ° .

“Why are you two like this?” Rin asked. Her eyes were narrowed and her hands pressed down on her hips. Both you and Kabru took in the sight and began silently reaching conclusions. 

Kabru was the first to answer. “What do you mean? What’re we like?” He wasn’t confused in the least but made a good show of it. 

“Like this!” She gestured at you both, how close you were sitting with thighs and shoulders brushing. “You’re constantly dancing around each other and, frankly, it’s obnoxious.”

She was right. One step towards each other always resulted in two steps back. Kabru would create a verbal maze that you would instantly get lost in. You knew the general layout and that you should go a certain direction, but you never did find the exit. 

“Sorry,” you offered, hoping it would quell Rin’s annoyance. (It did not.)

“Are you two aware that…” Rin paused. She seemed to choke on her words as her cheeks slowly went pink. You and Kabru both stared. And stared. And Stared. Finally, Rin groaned, “Nevermind! This is your problem to figure out. Not mine.”

True enough. 

“She’s right,” Kabru murmured after she left. He lowered his head and looked at you, trapping you beneath his spotlight. Unfortunately, you had stage fright. 

“Right about what?” You asked, standing up to create distance; that spotlight was uncomfortably warm. But the lack of that warmth from Kabru’s body next to yours only created a gaping hole in your chest. (You'd have to fill that hole with sweets and distractions later.)

Kabru pursued your attention, “About our feelings, of course.”

Your feelings? At that moment, you were feeling quite shaken as cracks began to run up your fortress walls. 

“What feelings?” You asked flatly. 

His hopeful little smile instantly fell and he started to shift uncomfortably, “Our feelings.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“Don’t make me say it.”

“I’m not making you say anything,” you corrected, taking a step backward, preparing your retreat. 

“Yes you are,” Kabru began to argue desperately, “I’ve spent months trying to give you hints! I told you ‘the moon is beautiful, isn’t it?’ and you started talking about how the craters kind of looked like Laois’s face. I compared our hand sizes together as an excuse to touch you, and all you said was that I have girlish hands!”

“You do.”

“You know me,” he grit his teeth, standing up from the bench, “you know how hard this is for me. I’ve given you so many hints, so many opportunities, but you’ve ignored them all!”

Hints. Even the word made you frown. Kabru wanted to play guessing games all day, while all you wanted was a simple game of truth and dare where everybody only picked truth. 

Sometimes, you couldn’t help but wonder why you loved this man. He always banged at the walls of your fortress and, recently, some stones had begun to crumble. You added more, but they would only fall when he decided to say something outright on rare occasion.

“I don’t like games,” was all you said. 

“I know,” Kabru exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair, closing his eyes, “I know. I’m trying, really. Usually, I’m pretty adaptable, but this is just… Different.”

“And… You don’t like it?”

“I–” his mouth opened and closed before he looked at you straight on, “I don’t hate it, honestly. It’s different in a good way, as if it’s forcing me to be better with my words.”

“You’re already good with your words. You’re too good with them, that’s the problem.”

Kabru watched you for a moment. You allowed him to analyze you despite how it made your skin tingle. After a bit, he nodded to himself. “Do you want to get a drink?” He asked. 

“...I brought my water canteen with me, so I really don’t—

“You’re just blatantly ignoring my hints, aren’t you?” Kabru announced. His eyes widened and he threw his hands into the air. Whirling away, he gripped his hair and groaned. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight. 

“Maybe you should try a new method,” you offered, patting his back, “one that doesn’t involve implications and guesses.”

Slowly, he lifted his head. He looked a bit dead inside, and his jaw tensed. You felt as if you were watching him force himself to eat a monster out of a sheer need to please. It endeared him to you, but at the same time, you couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the guy. The things Kabru put himself through simply to maintain good graces were endless and difficult. 

“I…” he paused, blinking a few times before he finally looked at you, “Would that work?”

Probably. “Think of it like therapy,” you said as you led him back to the bench and sat down beside him. “Try to be blunt with me. Practice.”

“Practice,” he echoed under his breath.

“Come on.”

His eyes narrowed, “Fine. Where do I start? Give me a prompt.”

Good question. You gave it a moment of thought, “Alright, try asking me on a date.”

“I just did a few minutes ago.”

“No, be blunt about it.”

A heavy pause. Kabru slumped forward a little, an intense look in his eyes. “Alright. Fine. Will you go on a date with me?”

“...Why?”

“Why?” Fear and horror and exasperation filled his eyes, "Shouldn't you already know?"

“I don't. So, why?”

“Because—” just like Rin did earlier, Kabru choked on his words. His hands went up and he made meaningless gestures with them as if that would assist in the process of being blunt. “Because I would like that?”

“Good job!” You patted him on the shoulder. “Now, bluntly tell me how you feel about me.”

The horror on his face, you wanted a picture of it so you would always have something to laugh at. “Really?”

“Really,” you sang. 

“Fine. I—” another meaningless gesture as he cleared his throat, brows furrowing, “You really want me to be blunt?”

“Yeah. Tell me the truth, the whole truth, don’t dance around it.”

“Okay,” Kabru snorted, “Okay… I want to kiss you, I want to hold you, I want your attention, I want to pin you down on the couch and—”

“That’s enough,” you put up a hand— your cheeks were burning— and smiled, “we’re in a public place. But I get the point, thank you.”

Kabru sighed in relief. He closed his eyes and fell forward, burying his face in your shoulder. You couldn’t help but laugh and pat his back. 

There was a lot of work to do. He still had another layer of walls to break through, but he’d learn how to defeat and conquer. He’d learn how to stop building mazes for you. And it would be good for him, if it didn’t drive him insane first. 

You buried your nose into his hair. He groaned, slack in your arms. Part of you wanted to run, retreat. The other part of you rejoiced in the moment. You weren’t sure which one to listen to, but you and Kabru would figure it out with time. 

You and Kabru would figure a lot of things out together from now on. 

[xjackjackx]

Alan Becker Analysis: Hazard's Mysteries (Or Maybe I'm Overthinking???)

Ok so unlike this last post about Victim and Glasses Guy / "Agent", this isn't really me bringing anything solid onto the table (well besides one or two things). This is just me overanalysing random shit that frankly is likely irrelevant.

Anyways this post is about Bathroom Sign Guy aka Hazard aka Warning aka Sign, the gray pictogram mercenary from Animator vs. Animation VI, and why he might have a deeper role (prob doesn't).

Part 1 - The Overthinking of Minor Details

Ok this is the part where I'm 100% convinced I'm just talking stupid shit due to rewatching the episodes too many times, but eh.

Let's start off with something... relatively normal actually, which I saw pointed out by others. When Chosen attacks the mers with lightning, Hazard has this shit happen to him:

This is... frankly weird and idk what it means. When Wanted first came out, this and his movement made me think Hazard was a robot, but since then I started believing he's just a normal stick figure like the others. Besides, this whole series is on a computer so everyone besides the Animator is an AI lol.

So if he's not a robot, perhaps Hazard is connected to technology, and thus taking away the ship's energy took away his? That's the only other thing I can think of.

The second one was actually told to me by a friend, and tbh even in this whole post this might be the biggest stretch, but I still think this is worth bringing up. When Orange and Chosen return to the Outernet, Hazard is seen looking... somewhere.

(btw agent looks so stupid here lmfao)

The most likely answer is that he is simply looking around, like Agent and Primal - the cave drawing - are seen doing like immediately afterwards. But my friend did point out that it could easily look like Hazard is looking up - in which case, he could've possibly noticed Chosen and Orange, and then chose to not tell the other mercenaries until Agent notices them and thus forces Haz to intervene. Likely just huge overthinking of a one-off scene, but still.

The last one from Wanted is this shot of the Mercenaries in the elevator.

In this scene, Hazard briefly looks at Ballista - the pixel gremlin - and then proceeds to look away when the little guy stares back at him. Is it most likely them just finding the awkward elevator silence uncomfortable? Probably yea, but it could also be a sign of Hazard and Ballista having a rocky relationship - we see Ballista is pretty aggressive, so maybe Hazard is nervous around such a batshit crazy dude?

In "The Box", the first Hazard scene worth talking about is the first of his reactions to Victim's torture of Chosen.

We know he is a mercenary and a villain, so it should be expected that he's a cruel bastard, but still, falling asleep while watching torture is just another level. What kind of shit did Hazard see, or do himself, that he finds Victim's actions purely boring?

...and yet, just a few moments more later, Hazard has an actual reaction to Victim pulling out a lasso.

Now, the three dots - and thus, Hazard's silence of a reaction - could mean anything. Maybe he's still bored, just awake now. Maybe he's curious to see what will happen. Maybe he has actual standards. But it's still interesting to see that Victim's lasso got a reaction out of Hazard (meanwhile Ballista just crosses his arms, prob in curiosity or impatience, while Primal stays completely still - I'll get to their personalities later).

Similarly, Victim ordering Agent to clone him also gets a small reaction out of Hazard, his head jumping a little (I don't know how else to call it).

This time, it's definitely just shock/curiosity/surprise that Vic is doing something new, and/or that the Box lets you clone people, but still worth pointing out.

A long time later, we finally get something worthy of note from Hazard, that I actually find interesting. While the other mercs are too busy looking through Chosen's memories, Hazard notices Orange returning.

I feel like this was actually an intentional choice. Like, why make all the mercs focused on Chosen's memories, excluding only one of them - and it's not even the most important mercenary that's the big bad's right hand? Also, why is Hazard so far away from the other mercenaries? While I consider this whole section of the post just major overthinking, this one moment specifically is actually pretty sus to me.

Now, to close off this section, there is Haz's reaction to Super Orange.

Mainly, how he and Victim are the only ones who are inarguably scared/panicking. Primal just leans in like "de fuk", Ballista flinches once and then watches in silence, while Agent double checks on both the small and large monitor. Primal and Agent are confused, Ballista is shocked(? idk how to call it), but Hazard and Vic are the only ones with a true "OH SHIT" reaction. What this means? Idk, again this whole section is just overthinking things.

Thankfully we can leave the part where I talk meaningless shit and get into the parts that hopefully actually have a point.

Part 2 - Hazard and His (Lack of) Personality

Another part I noticed since Wanted first dropped (part of the reason why I first thought Haz was a robot) was that, compared to the other mercs, he has so little personality... which might be intentional.

I mean, Agent. He also doesn't showcase a lot of himself, but we still see that he's cool, calm, loyal to Victim, kind of a taunting asshole who plays with his victims instead of instantly getting serious, and despite it all, not unbreakable - He panicked when Chosen attacked him with the iceberg, and he was caught off-guard by Super Orange like everyone else.

Ballista probably has the most personality out of everyone. His body language shows emotion pretty much all the time: most specifically, anger. Whether it's his fighting style, his pose, or walk cycle, Ballista is pissed off 24/7. It's implied it even makes his co-workers nervous. At the same time, the grin he flashes when jumping off the ship in Wanted shows he enjoys his job.

Primal is second only to Hazard in lack of personality, but there's definitely still something there. Mainly, is that he's a very fight-focused person that is basically an empty shell outside it. He's so ready to fuck up a rhino in Wanted, and sharpens his spear for another hunt while bored, but outside of fighting Orange?... he's pretty dull. Only a bit more emotional than Hazard. He seems like a Kraven-type character who just wants to hunt the biggest prey possible, while having zero life outside it. Also he has a Hulk-style form which reduces him to an animal sapience-wise.

Hazard, though? He uhh... he wants to get Chosen, is very focused on completing the job, and that's kinda it. He's such a blank it feels intentional. Perhaps he has his own goals and is hiding them?

Part 3 - He's Either Holding Back or He's Fucking Useless

Yea not gonna sugarcoat this. There has to be some sort of big reveal of Hazard's true power in later episodes, or this dude's so weak it's laughable to think he's supposed to be a threat.

I mean, Agent has a toolbar that makes him a Mini-Animator, and he can pause anything and anyone. Ballista can shapeshift his body and pull weapons out of his ass. Primal has a stronger form that can pick up a rhino without difficulty, and he probably has more.

Hazard?

He, uh... is good at dodging. He also has this one Shock Sign that killed a bird. Yeah.

Ngl if this is all Hazard has then it's impossible for me to see him as a threat on par with the other mercs, or even Victim. Hell, I wouldn't even be able to see him as above the Stick Gang in strength, with how slow Orange was in that scene compared to his fights in the AvM Shorts.

So yeah, on top of possibly hiding his true personality/hidden motives, Hazard was most likely holding back heavily in Wanted, which only makes him more mysterious.

Part 4 - The End

So, this is kinda it. Was Part 1 all overthinking, or did I get a few things right? Is Hazard actually hiding something, or does he only show little personality because none of his scenes let him show off anything? Is he holding back his true strength, or is he actually weak?

Frankly idk, but I am excited to see where things go with this guy, as he has tons of potential.

[colonelpancakes]

Watching The Dragon Prince Season Six Part Eight: We All Fall Down. I made so many distressed noises while watching this episode that I actually hurt my throat

Under the cut as per usual.

Already, the shots of the people looking up at Sol Regem combined with the music is making me so fucking nervous is Katolis about to get destroyed??? Nothing better happen to Barius and Jellybug you hear me, they better make it out unscathed.

sakfdljskla it’s okay Soren, I heard “physical exercises” too. This is why I watch shows with subtitles.

OH MY FUCKING GOD THAT ESCALATED. SHIT.

That’s really bad, oh my god. Fuck.

Oh noo, honey… She had to leave her toy behind no…

Oh thank God, Soren and Opeli are somehow okay.

Guys, I appreciate the efforts, but I DON’T THINK ARROWS ARE GOING TO DO ANYTHING. Ballista? Maybe. Arrows? Definitely not.

OKAY CRAP IT GOT WORSE. They burned the bridge??? Man’s really just trying to kill as many people as possible, huh. That’s. Oh my god.

Oh crap.

OH FUCK! SOREN!

Okay, shit that’s a lot of blood um. Okay. That’s definitely a concussion. Hat’s okay, that’s good. Fuck. Soren you need to survive this episode, you hear me? You are not allowed to die.

Oh my god, the score here is. Oh my god. It really drives home the sense of fear and tragedy. The composers are fucking killing it.

SORENNNNN!!!! MY BOY!!! I LOVE HIM SO FUCKING MUCH OH MY GOD. I love the fact that he prioritizes citizen’s lives over the castle because 1) it’s absolutely what Ezran would want done in this situation and 2) it’s a direct contrast to season two where Soren causes MORE harm by insisting that a dragon be shot down but then 3) it’s a continuation of his character arc from that episode because after he realizes he made a mistake, he frees Corvus so that he can help evacuate the town. And then here, he’s making the call to stop shooting, sacrifice the castle, and focus entirely on evacuating the people. I love Soren so much, look at how much my boy has grown.

Is he going to get Viren out of the castle?

SOREN. SOREN, NO. NO SELF-SACRIFICING you hear me? NO. You are GOING to reunite with Opeli and you are GOING to be there to take care of Hat, Soren, I swear to god-

Oh, Hello motherfucker! I am about to reach through this screen and start biting you. Is that a fight I’m going to win? No. But it would be cathartic.

Oh, wow. Viren’s facial hair has really grown since the episode before last. I guess he doesn’t anything to shave with so that makes sense. Sure caught me off-guard though.

Oh? He’s asking VIren for help, I didn't expect that.

Oh! Soren you are so smart, I would not have thought of that, that’s a really good idea.

There’s a lot going on here, but also, ooh that’s interesting. I’ve always wondered how staffs were enhancing primal magic but then this answers it! They have primal stones embedded in them. Cool, I like that detail. Now back to heart-crushing drama.

Ohhhh Soren… I love Soren. The way he’s prioritizing people’s lives over EVERYTHING else, over any moral objections to dark magic, over the potential cost of any ingredient. Soren… You are so good.

Oh, god, what’s the ingredient for this one. It better not be another situation where you have to kill your child, if it is, I swear to god, Viren-

Oh. Oh shit. Ohhh noo, that’s um. Oh. Okay. Uh. Fuck.

SOFNREN! SONR NO. SOREN. NO. Not allowed, nope. Given all the emphasis on Viren’s value of his family this season I don’t. Think that he would sacrifice Soren. But. Honey. Darling, Sweetheart, no. I reiterate what I said earlier, Soren, you are NOT ALLOWED TO DIE.

VIREN DON’T YOU FUCKING DARE.

Viren. Viren where’s Soren. Viren.

Oh, shit, Viren stabbed himself didn’t he. Fuck.

Yeah… Yeah, he did. Shit. That is. Yeah, that is a lot of blood.

I'm out of images??? Already??? Oh my god. Uh. Continued in reblogs

[novaursa]

Part 12

- Title: zōbrie ānogar

- Rating: Explicit (18+)

- Romance: (Aegon II/OFC)

- Warning: All flags are up for this work. Aegon is also a warning on his own.

- Summary: It was written by Archmaester Gyldayn that on the day Princess Vaella Targaryen was born she was supposed to die. Until she fed upon her twin, Baelon. And when she turned one and five, she sought her end in the lair of Cannibal, in Dragonmont. But instead of feasting upon her, the dragon wept with her. And Archmaester had written a lengthy thesis on how wild dragon recognized a kindred soul in the Princess, as they both dined on their kin.

- Word count: 9 000+

- Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, Final

The road to the Riverlands was long and winding, flanked by dense forests and rolling hills. Queen Vaella rode at the head of the column, flanked by Ser Criston Cole and Ser Gwayne Hightower. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the landscape, but Vaella's thoughts were far from the serene beauty around her. Her mind was focused on the mission ahead and the challenges they would face.

The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the creak of the wagons carrying their supplies filled the air. Vaella turned to Ser Criston, her expression serious. "Ser Criston, tell me about the siege weapons Lord Jason has at his disposal."

Ser Criston nodded, his face lined with determination. "Lord Jason has a formidable array of siege weapons, Your Grace. He has trebuchets, mangonels, and ballistae. Additionally, he has constructed siege towers and battering rams for a direct assault on the castle walls."

Vaella's brow furrowed as she considered this information. "What of the siege towers? How many does he have?"

Ser Gwayne chimed in, his voice steady. "He has three siege towers, each heavily reinforced and capable of withstanding substantial damage. They are equipped with drawbridges to allow troops to cross over the walls once they are close enough."

Vaella nodded, absorbing the details. "And what is his plan for Riverrun? The Tullys are loyal to the Greens, but old Lord Tully is in no shape to rule, let alone leave his bed."

Ser Criston exchanged a glance with Ser Gwayne before answering. "Lord Jason plans to encircle Riverrun and cut off all supply lines. His strategy is to starve them out and force their surrender. He believes a direct assault would be too costly in terms of lives."

Vaella considered this, her mind racing with possibilities. "And the state of Lord Tully? You mentioned he is bedridden?"

Ser Gwayne nodded. "Yes, Your Grace. Lord Tully is very old and frail. His health has deteriorated significantly, and he is not expected to live much longer. His heir, however, is more capable but remains loyal to the Greens. Jason's strategy is to use this loyalty to his advantage, ensuring the Tullys' cooperation once Riverrun is under control."

Vaella's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "We need to ensure that the transition of power in Riverrun is smooth and that the Tullys remain loyal. If Jason's plan is to encircle and starve them out, we must be prepared for a prolonged siege."

Ser Criston looked at her with admiration. "You think strategically, Your Grace. Your presence here will undoubtedly strengthen our position."

Vaella gave a small smile, though her eyes remained serious. "We must be prepared for every eventuality. The Riverlands are crucial to our control of the realm. We cannot afford to make mistakes."

As they rode on, Vaella's mind turned to the larger picture. The Greens needed to secure their hold on the Riverlands to ensure a steady supply of resources and reinforcements. With Riverrun under control, they could then focus their efforts on other key strongholds and weaken Rhaenyra's influence.

"Ser Criston," Vaella said, breaking the silence. "What do you think will be the most significant challenge in this campaign?"

Criston considered her question carefully. "I believe the most significant challenge will be maintaining the morale and discipline of our troops during the prolonged siege. We must also be wary of any attempts by Daemon or Rhaenyra to disrupt our plans. They may try to launch surprise attacks to break our lines."

Vaella nodded, appreciating his insight. "We must remain vigilant and adaptable. Our success depends on our ability to anticipate and counter their moves."

The sun dipped lower on the horizon as they continued their journey, the shadows lengthening across the road. Vaella's thoughts drifted briefly to Aegon, her heart aching with the distance between them. But she steeled herself, knowing that her duty to the realm came first. She would secure their position in the Riverlands and return to him as soon as she could.

As they approached the outskirts of Lord Jason Lannister's encampment, the sounds of soldiers preparing for the siege filled the air. The sight of the siege weapons and the disciplined ranks of troops gave Vaella a sense of purpose. She dismounted, her posture regal and commanding, ready to take charge.

Lord Jason approached, his expression one of curiosity. "Your Grace, welcome. I did not expect you."

Vaella inclined her head, her voice steady. "Lord Jason, I am here to ensure the success of our campaign. Let us discuss our plans in detail."

As they walked toward the command tent, Vaella's mind was already formulating strategies and contingencies. 

…

Inside the command tent, the air was thick with tension. Lord Jason Lannister sat across from Vaella, his expression a mix of skepticism and irritation. The maps of Riverrun were spread out on the table between them, dotted with markers indicating troop positions and siege equipment.

"Riverrun has more significant rations than we anticipated," Jason said, his tone laced with frustration. "They could last more than a year at this rate. A dragon would be useful now, don't you think?"

Vaella caught the sarcastic edge in his voice and felt a spark of anger. She kept her composure, her gaze steady. "Burning castles will bring us no support, Lord Jason. It will only drive other Houses to seek shelter under my sister's banner. Fear is a powerful motivator, but it is not the foundation of loyalty."

Jason opened his mouth to retort, but Vaella continued, her voice firm. "I have a plan. If it succeeds, Riverrun will be under our control by tomorrow noon."

Jason laughed mirthlessly, his eyes gleaming with doubt. "A plan? And what experience do you have in leading a charge, Your Grace? You're a woman, and you have no battle experience."

Ser Criston Cole tensed beside her, and Ser Gwayne Hightower's face darkened with a grimace. Vaella remained undisturbed, her voice calm and measured. "That is precisely why I brought these fine, strong, and experienced men with me," she said, gesturing to Cole and Gwayne.

Jason's grin faltered, his arrogance momentarily checked. Vaella leaned forward, her eyes locked on his. "You should get some rest, Lord Jason. We start early."

Jason's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Very well. I will see you in the morning."

As Jason left the tent, Ser Gwayne turned to Vaella, his expression one of admiration. "Your composure with Lord Jason was impressive, Your Grace. He is not an easy man to handle."

Vaella smiled faintly, though her eyes were weary. "Thank you, Gwayne. He is stubborn, but we need him. His forces are crucial to our success."

Gwayne's brow furrowed with concern. "You look pale and fatigued, Your Grace. Are you well?"

Vaella waved off his worry with a gentle smile. "I am well, Gwayne. Just tired. It's been a long journey, and there is much to be done."

Gwayne nodded, though his concern did not fade. "You should get some rest, Your Grace. We need you at your best tomorrow."

Vaella nodded, her thoughts already drifting to her children and Aegon. "I will. Thank you, Gwayne."

As she made her way to her tent, Vaella's mind raced with plans and strategies. The weight of her responsibilities pressed heavily on her shoulders, but she knew she had to stay strong. Her children and Aegon depended on her, and so did the realm.

Inside her tent, she lay down on the narrow cot, her body aching with exhaustion. She closed her eyes, trying to push aside the worries and fears that threatened to overwhelm her. Thoughts of Baelor and Daena filled her mind, their brave faces and hopeful eyes giving her strength.

And then there was Aegon. The image of him lying in their bed, wounded and vulnerable, tore at her heart. She longed to be with him, to hold his hand and whisper words of comfort. But she knew her duty lay here, on the battlefield, ensuring their victory.

As she drifted off to sleep, Vaella's last thoughts were of her family. She prayed for their safety and strength, knowing that she would do whatever it took to protect them.

…

The stillness of dawn was shattered by the clamor of soldiers running and equipment moving. Lord Jason Lannister was jolted awake by the sound of Ser Criston Cole shouting orders and the motivational calls of Queen Vaella. He sighed, irritation evident on his face, and reached for his sword before stepping out of his tent.

Outside, the camp was a hive of activity. The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the silhouette of Riverrun loomed in the distance. Jason saw Vaella, her presence commanding as she directed the troops. Siege towers were being readied, and the soldiers moved with purpose under her guidance.

"What is happening?" Jason demanded as he approached Ser Criston, his tone sharp.

Cole glanced at him briefly before returning to his duties. "We're taking Riverrun."

Jason's annoyance grew. "And how do you plan to do that with just one siege tower?"

Ser Criston didn't bother to answer, moving to assist his men. Frustrated, Jason made his way over to Vaella, who was overseeing the preparations with a steely determination.

"Vaella, what are you doing?" Jason demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Vaella turned to him, her expression calm and composed. "The same as Ser Criston said. We are taking Riverrun."

Jason's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "That siege tower is being pushed awry. Do you even know what you are doing?"

Vaella met his gaze, unimpressed. "If you won't help us push the tower, you can go back to bed."

Jason bristled at her words but could see the determination in her eyes. Reluctantly, he watched as their troops pushed the siege tower towards the moat and the raised gates of Riverrun. The Tully forces and commanders on the battlements watched in disbelief and confusion as the tower was maneuvered into position.

The siege tower was approaching from the wrong side, its empty interior facing the castle. The Tully soldiers muttered among themselves, undisturbed by the sight of a woman giving orders. They assumed her inexperience in siege warfare was showing.

But as the tower drew closer, the expressions on their faces shifted from confusion to panic. They realized too late what was happening. The Green troops pushed the siege tower over the moat with a tremendous effort, and it crashed down with a thunderous force onto the gates, breaking them apart and forming a makeshift bridge for the troops to charge inside.

"Go, go, go!" Vaella shouted, her voice ringing out over the chaos.

The Green troops surged forward, pouring through the breached gates and into the courtyard of Riverrun. The Tully forces, caught off guard, scrambled to mount a defense, but the momentum was with Vaella's forces.

Lord Jason, despite his earlier skepticism, found himself impressed by the ingenuity of the plan. He drew his sword and joined the fray, rallying his men to press the attack. "For the Queen! For the Greens!"

Vaella stood back, her eyes scanning the battlefield, her heart pounding with the adrenaline of battle. She had taken a risk, and it had paid off. The Tully forces were being overwhelmed, their defensive lines breaking under the relentless assault.

Inside the castle, the panic spread as the Green troops advanced. The defenders fought valiantly but were steadily pushed back. The courtyard was filled with the sounds of clashing swords and the cries of the wounded.

Vaella moved forward, her presence a beacon of leadership for her troops. She directed the soldiers with precision, ensuring they maintained their advantage. Ser Criston and Ser Gwayne fought alongside the men, their skill and experience turning the tide further in their favor.

As the sun rose higher, the battle continued to rage. Vaella could see the Tully commanders trying to rally their forces, but the initial shock of the breach had sown too much confusion. The Green troops pressed their advantage, slowly but surely taking control of Riverrun.

Jason, covered in sweat and blood, approached Vaella, a grudging respect in his eyes. "Your plan worked. We've breached the gates."

Vaella nodded, her expression resolute. "We need to secure the keep and ensure the Tully forces surrender. No unnecessary bloodshed."

Jason nodded, and together they moved forward, leading their troops deeper into the castle. The Tully defenders, seeing the futility of their resistance, began to lay down their arms. The sight of their overwhelmed forces and the relentless advance of the Green troops broke their spirit.

By noon, Riverrun was firmly under the control of Vaella's forces. The Tully banners were lowered, and the Green banners were raised in their place. The defenders were rounded up and disarmed, their leaders brought before Vaella and her commanders.

Vaella stood tall, her presence commanding respect. She addressed the defeated Tully commanders, her voice steady. "You fought bravely, but Riverrun is now under our control. Your men will be treated with respect and honor as long as they do not resist further."

The Tully commanders, beaten and exhausted, nodded in acceptance. Vaella turned to her own troops, her voice filled with pride. "Today, we have shown our strength and our resolve. Riverrun is ours. Rest now, and prepare for the next steps. We have much work to do."

As the soldiers cheered, Vaella allowed herself a moment of relief. The battle was won, but the war was far from over. She knew she had to return to King's Landing soon, to Aegon and their children. But for now, she had secured a crucial victory for their cause.

…

The Eyrie stood tall and impregnable, its white walls gleaming in the early morning light. Nestled high in the Mountains of the Moon, it was a fortress of unmatched strength and beauty. Yet, even in its lofty heights, danger lurked within its walls.

Lady Jeyne Arryn, the ruling Lady of the Eyrie, paced the Great Hall, her thoughts heavy with the recent news from the Riverlands. Her allegiance to the Greens had been solidified by Vaella's visit, but the shadow of war loomed ever closer. As she pondered the next steps, a distant scream echoed through the corridors, followed by the sound of clashing steel.

Lady Jeyne's heart raced as she rushed towards the source of the commotion, her guards following closely. The screams grew louder, punctuated by the desperate shouts of men. As she turned a corner, she was met with a scene of chaos and bloodshed.

Several of her guards lay on the ground, wounded or dead. In the center of the carnage, two masked assassins fought fiercely against the remaining guards. The assassins' movements were swift and deadly, their blades glinting in the dim light.

"Protect the Princes and Princess!" Lady Jeyne shouted, her voice carrying above the din.At her command, a group of guards surged forward, their swords clashing with the assassins' blades. The assassins, realizing they were outnumbered, fought with desperate ferocity. One of them managed to slip past the guards, making a beeline for the room where Prince Jaehaerys, Princess Jaehaera, and their mother, Helaena, were being kept.

"Stop him!" Lady Jeyne screamed, her voice filled with urgency.

But the assassin was fast, his determination unwavering. He burst into the room where Helaena sat with Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, the twins playing with their toys, oblivious to the danger. Helaena looked up, her eyes wide with fear as the masked figure loomed over them.

Just as the assassin raised his blade, a guard tackled him from behind, sending them both crashing to the floor. The assassin struggled, but the guard's grip was ironclad. With a swift motion, the guard plunged his sword into the assassin's chest, ending the threat.

Lady Jeyne rushed into the room, her heart pounding with fear and relief. She knelt beside Helaena, pulling the children into her arms. "Are you alright, my sweet prince and princess?"

Jaehaerys clung to her, his small body trembling. "I'm scared, Lady Jeyne."

Jaehaera, her eyes wide with terror, nodded. "Me too."

Helaena held them tightly, her voice soothing despite her own fear. "It's alright, my loves. You're safe now. No one will harm you."

The remaining assassin, seeing his comrade fall, fought with renewed desperation. But the guards were relentless. They closed in on him, their swords cutting off any chance of escape. With a final, defiant scream, the assassin fell to the ground, his life ending in a pool of blood.

Lady Jeyne rose, her eyes filled with fury as she looked at the fallen assassins. "Take their masks off. I want to see who sent these scum."

A guard complied, pulling the masks from the assassins' faces. The sight that met Lady Jeyne's eyes only fueled her anger. The assassins bore the insignia of the Blacks, a stark reminder of the lengths to which Rhaenyra's supporters would go to eliminate their enemies.

"Take their bodies away," Lady Jeyne ordered, her voice cold and commanding. "And send a raven to King's Landing. Inform them of this treachery."

As the guards carried out her orders, Lady Jeyne turned to Helaena, her expression softening. "You must be strong, my princess. Your family will protect you."

Helaena nodded, her eyes still wide with fear. "I knew we would be safe here. But I did not foresee this."

Lady Jeyne's heart ached for the young twins and their mother. "Your family needs you to be brave."

The raven was sent, its message carrying the grim news to King's Landing. Lady Jeyne watched as it disappeared into the sky, her resolve hardening. The Blacks' attempt on the life of royal children yet again was a heinous act, one that would not go unanswered.

Later, as the Eyrie settled into an uneasy calm, Lady Jeyne gathered her advisors. "The time has come to strengthen our support for the Greens. Rhaenyra and her supporters have shown their true colors. We must be prepared to defend our realm and our allies."

Her advisors nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. Lady Jeyne's decision was clear. The Eyrie would stand firmly with the Greens, and any threat to their cause would be met with unwavering resistance.

As the night fell over the Eyrie, Lady Jeyne stood on the balcony, looking out over the vast expanse of her domain. The stars twinkled in the clear sky, a stark contrast to the darkness that threatened to engulf the realm.

But Lady Jeyne knew that as long as there were those willing to fight for justice and loyalty, the light of hope would never be extinguished. She vowed to protect Prince Jaehaerys, Princess Jaehaera, and Helaena, and to support Queen Vaella and King Aegon in their struggle. 

With a final, resolute nod, Lady Jeyne turned and walked back inside. The Eyrie stood strong, a beacon of hope and strength in a world torn apart by war.

…

The atmosphere in the small council chamber of the Red Keep was charged with tension as the news of the assassination attempt at the Eyrie reached them. Aemond Targaryen sat at the head of the table, his face a mask of cold fury. The other council members exchanged uneasy glances, aware of the prince's volatile temper.

Lord Tayland Lannister was the first to break the silence, his voice tentative. "Your Grace, the raven from the Eyrie confirmed the attempt on the lives of Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Jaehaera. Thankfully, they are safe, but the assassins bore the insignia of the Blacks."

Aemond's fists clenched on the table, his knuckles white with rage. "Daemon," he spat, the name like poison on his tongue. "This is his doing. He cannot let go of his past failures."

Lord Jasper Wylde nodded in agreement. "It is clear that Daemon is desperate. His tactics are growing more reckless. But this only shows his weakness."

Aemond's one good eye blazed with intensity. "Weak or not, he is a threat that must be dealt with. I will personally see to it that my uncle pays for his treachery. When the time comes, I will deal with him."

Queen Dowager Alicent, who had been silent until now, spoke up, her voice measured but firm. "Aemond, we must be strategic. Rhaenyra and Daemon are still formidable opponents. We need to maintain our focus and continue to strengthen our position."

Aemond nodded, though the fire in his eyes did not dim. "You are right, Mother. We will remain vigilant. But Daemon's time will come. I will make sure of it."

Orwyle, standing beside Aemond, cleared his throat. "Your Grace, there is also news from the Riverlands. Queen Vaella's campaign has been successful. Riverrun is now under our control."

The tension in the room eased slightly at this news, and a few council members allowed themselves small smiles of relief. Lord Larys Strong leaned forward, his voice filled with respect. "Queen Vaella's strategic acumen has proven invaluable. Her actions have solidified our hold on the Riverlands and weakened the Blacks' position."

Aemond's expression softened slightly, a rare smile playing at his lips. "Vaella has always been formidable. Her success is a testament to her strength and intelligence. We must ensure she is supported in every way possible."

Lord Jasper nodded. "With Riverrun secured, we can focus on fortifying our other positions and preparing for the next phase of our campaign. The Riverlands will provide us with crucial resources and reinforcements."

Aemond looked around the table, his gaze sharp and determined. "We must capitalize on this momentum. The Greens will not falter. We will continue to press our advantage and ensure that Rhaenyra and her supporters are left with no ground to stand on."

Lord Tayland raised a cautious point. "We should also consider the morale of our troops. The successful campaign in the Riverlands will boost their spirits, but we must ensure they remain focused and disciplined."

Alicent nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The support of the smallfolk is also crucial. We must continue to provide for them and show that we are the true protectors of the realm."

Aemond's mind raced with thoughts of strategy and vengeance. The assassination attempt at the Eyrie had only strengthened his resolve. He would see to it that Daemon and Rhaenyra were brought to justice, and he would do whatever it took to secure the realm for the Greens.

As the meeting concluded, the council members began to file out, each deep in thought about their next moves. Aemond remained seated, his gaze distant as he considered the weight of their responsibilities.

Alicent approached him, her expression filled with concern. "Aemond, you must not let your anger cloud your judgment. We need you to be focused and strategic."

Aemond nodded, his voice softening. "I know, Mother. But the thought of Daemon's will to hurt my children... it fuels my determination. I will not rest until he is dealt with."

Alicent placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle. "We will face him together. But for now, we must continue to strengthen our position and support Vaella. Her success in the Riverlands is a beacon of hope for us all."

Aemond's expression softened further, his thoughts turning to Vaella. "She is remarkable. I have no doubt that she will continue to be a force to be reckoned with."

As the council members regrouped to discuss the next steps, Aemond felt a renewed sense of purpose. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but he was ready to face them head-on. With the support of his family and the strength of their allies, the Greens would prevail.

He stood, his gaze steady as he looked around the room. "Let us prepare for the next phase of our campaign. We will not falter. The realm will be ours, and justice will be served."

The council members nodded in agreement, their resolve mirrored in Aemond's eyes. Together, they would face the trials ahead, and with Vaella's success in the Riverlands as their foundation, they would forge a path to victory.

As the day wore on, Aemond's thoughts remained focused on their strategy and the challenges they faced. But in the back of his mind, the image of Daemon loomed large. He would not rest until his uncle was brought to justice, and he was determined to see their enemies fall.

With a final glance at his mother, Aemond left the council chamber, his heart filled with resolve.

…

The halls of the Red Keep were eerily quiet as Aemond made his way through them, the early morning light casting long shadows on the stone walls. The silence was broken by the distant, anguished screams echoing from Aegon and Vaella's chambers. Aemond's steps quickened as he approached, his heart heavy with concern.

As he neared the door, he saw healers hurrying in with another dose of milk of the poppy. Aemond's jaw tightened. The drug was meant to ease Aegon's pain, but it seemed to be doing more harm than good.

He pushed open the door and stepped inside, the sight that met his eyes wrenching at his heart. Aegon lay in bed, writhing in agony, his face contorted with pain. Alicent was at his side, her voice soothing but strained as she tried to calm him.

"Aegon, please," Alicent pleaded. "You need to take the medicine. It will help with the pain."

Aegon looked up, his eyes wild and desperate. He saw Aemond and managed to acknowledge him through his suffering. "Aemond," he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper. "Bring me my wife. Mother denies me, but you... you must bring her to me."

Aemond approached the bed, his expression grim. "Aegon, Vaella is in the Riverlands securing our position. She cannot be here right now."

Aegon's panic intensified, his breathing becoming more erratic. "No, no, you must bring her back at once! I will die without her! Please, Aemond, you must!"

Aemond observed his brother, the sight of him in such a state filling him with a mix of anger and sorrow. Aegon's voice rose to a fever pitch, his words frantic and desperate. "I will die without my wife! Do you hear me? I will die!"

Aemond's gaze hardened. He turned to the healers who were preparing the dose of milk of the poppy. "No more," he commanded, his voice cold and authoritative. "Do not give him any more of that drug."

Alicent's eyes widened in alarm. "Aemond, the milk of the poppy is the only thing keeping him out of pain. You cannot deny him that."

Aemond's voice was sharp as a blade. "It's making him pathetic, Mother. Look at him. He is a king, not a broken man who cries for his wife."

Alicent's face crumpled with worry. "But the pain... it is unbearable for him."

Aemond's expression did not soften. "He must endure it. He will never recover if he continues like this."

Turning to the healers, Aemond reiterated his order. "No more milk of the poppy. He will endure the pain without it."

The healers exchanged uneasy glances but nodded, stepping back with the medicine. Aemond turned to leave, his decision final.

Behind him, Aegon's screams grew louder, filled with rage and despair. "Aemond, you bastard! You will kill me! I will die because of you! Bring back my wife! Bring her back!"

Aemond's steps did not falter as he walked out of the chamber, the sound of Aegon's curses and cries echoing in his ears. His heart ached, but he knew he had made the right decision. Aegon needed to find his strength again, and that would not happen while he was numbed by the milk of the poppy.

Alicent remained by Aegon's side, her heart breaking as she tried to comfort her son. "Aegon, please, calm down. We will get through this."

Aegon turned his wild eyes to her, his voice a desperate plea. "Mother, please, bring her back. I cannot live without her."

Alicent's tears flowed freely as she held his hand. "She will return, Aegon. I promise you, she will return."

But Aegon's screams and curses continued, his pain and desperation consuming him. Alicent's heart ached with every word, every cry, but she held on, praying that Vaella's return would come soon and bring the solace Aegon so desperately needed.

As Aemond walked through the corridors of the Red Keep, his mind was filled with a storm of emotions. He knew the path he had chosen was harsh, but he believed it was necessary. Aegon needed to find his strength, to reclaim his place as king.

The day wore on, and Aemond's resolve did not waver. He would face the challenges ahead with the same determination and strength he demanded of his brother. The realm depended on it, and he would not allow weakness to undermine their cause.

In the depths of his heart, Aemond prayed that Vaella would return soon, bringing the strength and love that Aegon needed to survive this ordeal. Until then, he would stand firm, ensuring that their enemies did not exploit their moment of vulnerability.

…

The sun was setting as Queen Vaella and her escort made their way back to King's Landing. Ser Criston Cole and Ser Gwayne Hightower rode close to her, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Vaella was clad in her battle attire—a suit of dark green leather armor adorned with the sigil of House Targaryen. Her long pale blonde hair was pulled back into intricate braids, her indigo eyes sharp and alert. She rode a magnificent black stallion, its mane flowing like silk as it galloped along the road.

As they approached a bend in the road, Vaella's keen eyes spotted a dragon flying towards them from the direction of the castle Twins. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the dragon's distinctive shape and coloring. It was Vermax, ridden by her nephew Jacaerys.

Vaella reined in her horse, causing her escort to halt abruptly. "It's Jacaerys," she said, her voice steady. "I will ride out to meet him alone."

Ser Criston and Ser Gwayne immediately objected, their expressions filled with concern. "Your Grace, it's too dangerous," Ser Criston insisted. "We cannot let you go alone."

Vaella's gaze was unwavering. "I will go alone. That is an order."

With a reluctant nod, they fell back, allowing her to ride ahead. Vaella urged her stallion forward, the powerful horse moving with grace and speed as they approached the dragon and its rider. As they neared, Jacaerys dismounted from Vermax and began walking towards her.

Vaella halted her horse at a safe distance, her eyes never leaving Jacaerys. She dismounted gracefully, her armor glinting in the fading light as she walked to meet her nephew.

Jacaerys's face was a mix of determination and sorrow as he approached. "Aunt Vaella," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "You have made quite a bit of trouble for my mother."

Vaella's expression hardened. "Your mother killed my son and crippled my husband," she replied bluntly, her voice laced with pain and anger.

Jacaerys's eyes flashed with sorrow and anger. "Aemond killed my brother."

Vaella's gaze was unyielding. "And your brother took Aemond's eye. Neither of those acts justifies the murder of my infant son."

Jacaerys's face softened, his eyes filled with genuine grief. "My mother grieves for the pain she caused you, Aunt Vaella. She wishes to remind you of the bond we all once shared."

Tears welled in Vaella's eyes, but her expression remained fierce. "Tell your mother that at the end of this, she will have to face me. As one mother to another."

Jacaerys nodded, understanding the depth of her pain. "I will relay your message."

With that, Vaella turned and mounted her horse, her heart heavy with the weight of the conversation. She rode back to her troops, where Ser Criston and Ser Gwayne awaited, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.

"Your Grace, are you alright?" Ser Gwayne asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.

Vaella nodded, though her eyes were distant. "Yes, I am. Let us continue to King's Landing."

As they resumed their journey, Vaella's thoughts were a tumult of emotions. The meeting with Jacaerys had stirred up a storm within her, but she knew she had to remain strong. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but she was determined to face them with unwavering resolve.

As they rode through the night, the stars twinkling above them, Vaella's mind was filled with thoughts of her family. 

The journey continued, the sounds of hooves and the distant cries of nocturnal creatures filling the air. Vaella's heart ached with the memories of her lost son and the sight of her wounded husband, but she steeled herself, her gaze fixed firmly on the road ahead.

…

The night was dark and stormy as Vaella, Ser Criston Cole, and Ser Gwayne Hightower rode through the gates of King's Landing. Rain poured down in relentless sheets, soaking them to the bone. The torches lining the streets flickered in the gusting wind, casting eerie shadows on the cobblestone paths.

Vaella, exhausted but resolute, entered the Red Keep. She handed her dripping cloak to a servant and made her way through the familiar halls toward the royal quarters. The castle was quiet, save for the occasional roll of thunder echoing through the corridors.

Her first stop was the nursery where her children slept. Baelor and Daena lay peacefully in their beds, their faces serene in the soft candlelight. Vaella stood by their bedside for a moment, her heart swelling with love and relief. She bent down and placed a gentle kiss on each of their foreheads.

A servant approached and whispered, "Your Grace, a bath has been prepared for you."

Vaella nodded gratefully and followed the servant to her private chambers. The warmth of the bath was a welcome comfort after the long, cold journey. She soaked in the soothing water, washing away the grime and tension of the past days. Once finished, she donned a soft nightgown and wrapped herself in a thick robe.

With a deep breath, she made her way to the bedchamber she shared with Aegon. The Kingsguard stationed outside the door straightened and bowed as she approached. They parted silently to let her pass.

Inside, the room was dimly lit by a few candles, their flames flickering in the drafty room. Aegon lay in bed, his body still covered in bandages and healing salves. He looked pale and fragile, a stark contrast to the strong and vibrant man she had married.

Vaella walked quietly to the bed, not wanting to disturb his sleep. She climbed in gently, her movements careful and deliberate. Leaning over, she placed a tender kiss on the corner of his lips where the dragon flames hadn't scarred him.

Aegon stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He blinked in the dim light, and for a moment, he seemed disoriented. Then he saw her, and his face lit up with a mixture of disbelief and joy. "Vaella?" he whispered, his voice hoarse. "Is it really you?"

Vaella smiled, her heart aching with love. "Yes, Aegon. It's me. I'm here."

Aegon reached out with his good hand, grasping hers tightly. "I missed you so much," he said, his voice trembling with emotion.

Vaella leaned closer, brushing her fingers through his hair. "I missed you too, my love. Every moment we were apart was agony."

Aegon sighed, his body relaxing slightly despite the pain that still racked him. "Don't leave me again," he pleaded softly. "I can't bear it."

Vaella kissed his forehead, her lips lingering on his skin. "I won't. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

They lay together in the quiet of the room, the sound of the rain outside a soothing backdrop. Vaella held Aegon's hand, her thumb gently stroking his knuckles. She could feel the tension slowly leaving his body, replaced by a fragile calm.

"Aegon," she began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I need to tell you."

Aegon looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. "What is it?"

Vaella took a deep breath, her heart pounding. "I'm with child again."

Aegon's eyes widened in shock and then softened with an overwhelming wave of love and gratitude. "Vaella... truly?"

Vaella nodded, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Yes, Aegon. Another child. Another piece of us."

Aegon pulled her closer, wincing slightly from the pain but refusing to let it overshadow his joy. "This is the best news I could have ever hoped for," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I love you, Vaella. I love our children. I love our family."

Vaella held him tightly, her own tears falling freely. "I love you too, Aegon. More than anything. We will get through this, all of us."

The storm outside raged on, but within the confines of their bedchamber, a sense of peace and hope began to take root. Vaella and Aegon lay entwined, finding solace in each other's presence. Despite the pain and the challenges ahead, they knew they had the strength to face whatever came their way.

For now, they were together, and that was all that mattered.

As the storm continued to rage outside, the intimate warmth of their bedchamber provided a stark contrast to the turmoil of the world beyond. Vaella held Aegon close, her presence a balm to his wounded spirit. They lay in silence for a while, the rhythm of their breathing synchronizing, bringing a semblance of peace.

Aegon broke the silence first, his voice cracking with emotion. "Vaella, I... I'm scared. I'm scared I may never be able to make love to you again."

Vaella's heart ached at his words. She cupped his face gently, wiping away the tears that traced paths down his cheeks. "Aegon, don't think about such things now. You need to focus on healing. What's important is that you're alive and here with us."

Aegon shook his head, frustration and sorrow evident in his eyes. "But it is important to me, Vaella. You and I... our love, our intimacy... it's always been such a vital part of us. The thought of losing that..."

Vaella pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him gently. "Aegon, our love is not defined by that alone. We have faced so much together, and we will face this too. What matters is that we are here for each other, no matter what."

Aegon grasped her hand, his grip weak but determined. "I know, but it feels like... like I'm losing a part of myself. A part of us."

Vaella leaned in, her forehead resting against his. "Aegon, listen to me. You are not losing anything. Our bond is stronger than physical intimacy. It's about trust, respect, and the deep connection we share. We will find new ways to be close, to love each other. But right now, you need to heal."

Aegon's tears flowed freely, and Vaella's heart ached for him. She understood his fears, his longing, and his pain. "I can't stand the thought of not being able to hold you, to kiss you like I used to," he whispered.

Vaella kissed his forehead, her lips lingering there, conveying all the love and reassurance she could muster. "You are holding me now, Aegon. And that is enough. We have our children, our love, and the future to look forward to. We will rebuild together, step by step."

Aegon's sobs subsided into quiet weeping, his head resting against her shoulder. "Thank you, Vaella. Thank you for being my strength."

Vaella stroked his hair, her voice a soothing murmur. "We are each other's strength, Aegon. Always."

They lay together, the sound of the rain a comforting backdrop to their quiet conversation. Vaella's heart swelled with love and determination. She would be there for him, no matter what. They would face this challenge as they had faced all others—together.

As the storm outside began to wane, a fragile peace settled over the bedchamber. Vaella held Aegon close, whispering words of comfort and love until his breathing steadied and he drifted into a restless sleep.

In the quiet moments that followed, Vaella allowed herself to grieve the losses they had endured and to hope for the future they would build. The road ahead would be difficult, but she knew that with their love and determination, they could overcome any obstacle.

With Aegon sleeping beside her, Vaella closed her eyes and whispered a silent prayer for strength and resilience. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, and their love would be the beacon that guided them through the darkest of times.

…

The rain had finally ceased, leaving King's Landing washed clean but still under a pall of tension. The Red Keep stood tall, its stones glistening in the early morning light as Otto Hightower's carriage approached the gates. The journey from Oldtown had been long and filled with contemplation for Otto, who was now set to be reinstated as Hand of the King by his daughter Alicent, acting as Prince Regent.

The carriage rolled to a stop, and the guards saluted as Otto stepped out, his face a mask of stoic determination. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the challenges that lay ahead. As he walked through the gates, memories of his previous tenure as Hand flashed through his mind—both the triumphs and the regrets.

Inside the Red Keep, Alicent awaited her father's arrival with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. She had always relied on Otto's counsel, but the recent events had shifted the dynamics of power within the Keep. Vaella's influence had grown, and Alicent was acutely aware of the changes her father would have to adapt to.

As Otto entered the grand hall, Alicent stepped forward, a warm but formal smile on her face. "Father, welcome back to King's Landing."

Otto returned her smile, though his eyes were sharp with curiosity and concern. "Alicent, it's good to be back. The journey was long, but necessary."

They embraced briefly, and Alicent gestured for him to follow her. "Come, we have much to discuss."

They made their way to a private chamber, where a fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over the room. Once they were seated, Otto leaned forward, his expression serious. "I've heard much about the events that have transpired in my absence. Vaella's actions, in particular, have been... noteworthy."

Alicent nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and worry. "Yes, Father. Vaella has proven herself to be a formidable leader. Her campaign in the Riverlands was successful, securing Riverrun and strengthening our position."

Otto's lips pressed into a thin line as he considered her words. "I must admit, I underestimated her. We all did. I was wrong about her, Alicent. Keeping her under watch as a prisoner would have been a mistake."

Alicent's expression softened. "It's difficult to see the potential in those we do not fully understand. But Vaella has shown great strength and intelligence. She has earned the respect of many, including Aegon."

Otto sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Aegon... how is he faring?"

Alicent's face clouded with worry. "He is struggling, Father. The wounds, both physical and emotional, have taken a heavy toll on him. Vaella's return has brought him some comfort, but the road to recovery is long."

Otto nodded thoughtfully. "He needs our support now more than ever. And Vaella... she will be crucial in helping him find his strength again."

Alicent smiled, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Yes, she will. Together, they are stronger. We must do everything in our power to support them."

Otto leaned forward, his gaze intense. "I will do my duty, Alicent. As Hand of the King, my loyalty is to the realm, to our family. We will ensure that the Greens remain strong and that our enemies are defeated."

Alicent reached out, placing her hand over his. "Thank you, Father. Your counsel and strength are invaluable to us."

As they continued to discuss the strategies and plans for the future, Otto couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for Vaella. She had proven herself in ways he hadn't anticipated, and he was willing to admit his mistakes. The realm needed leaders like her—strong, intelligent, and determined.

Later that day, as Otto settled into his chambers, he reflected on the path ahead. The Greens were facing formidable challenges, but with unity and strategic thinking, they could overcome them. Otto's resolve was firm—he would support Aegon and Vaella, and he would work tirelessly to ensure their victory.

The night fell over King's Landing, and the Red Keep buzzed with the undercurrent of preparations and plans. Otto Hightower, once again Hand of the King, felt a renewed sense of purpose. He would guide his family through this turbulent time.

As the fire in his chamber burned brightly, Otto allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but he was ready to face it head-on. With Alicent by his side and the strength of the Greens behind him, they would forge a path to victory, no matter the cost.

…

The night was still, the storm having passed, leaving the Red Keep in an eerie silence. Vaella lay beside Aegon, his breathing slow and steady as he slept. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere both serene and unsettling.

Vaella drifted into a restless sleep, her mind plagued by the turmoil of recent events. Her dreams were vivid and disturbing, dragging her into a nightmarish realm where the boundaries between reality and terror blurred.

She found herself back in the birthing chamber, the air heavy with the scent of blood and the cries of pain. Her mother, Queen Aemma, lay on the bed, pale and weak, her life slipping away. Vaella looked down and saw herself as a newborn, silent and still, her twin brother Baelon lying beside her. The memory of his death, a day after their birth, flooded her mind, bringing with it a wave of grief and guilt

.In the nightmare, Baelon's eyes opened, and he looked at her, his gaze filled with accusation. "You lived while I died," he whispered, his voice echoing in her mind.

Vaella tried to speak, to explain, but no words came. Instead, she felt a terrible hunger growing within her. She reached out with trembling hands, but they were not her hands; they were claws. The scene shifted, and she was no longer Vaella but her dragon, Cannibal.

Through Cannibal's eyes, she relived his first moments of life. The egg cracked open, and he emerged, a small, ravenous creature. Around him, other eggs hatched, his siblings breaking free of their shells. Driven by an instinct to survive, Cannibal lunged at the nearest hatchling, his teeth sinking into its soft flesh. The taste of blood filled his mouth as he consumed his brother, ensuring his own survival.

The horror of the act seared into Vaella's mind. She felt every bite, every shred of flesh torn away, and the overwhelming hunger that drove Cannibal to devour his kin. The nightmare shifted again, merging her identity with Cannibal's, blurring the lines between dragon and human.

She was back in the birthing chamber, but now she was the one eating Baelon, her mouth filled with the taste of his blood. She screamed, a guttural, animalistic sound, but it was muffled by the flesh in her mouth. The horror and revulsion were overwhelming, the guilt crushing her spirit.

"Vaella!" Baelon's voice echoed in the chamber, a mix of pain and betrayal. "Why did you live while I died?"

Vaella awoke with a start, her body drenched in sweat, tears streaming down her face. She lay still, her heart pounding, her breath ragged. The darkness of the room was a stark contrast to the vivid nightmare, but the emotions lingered, raw and real.

Beside her, Aegon slept on, his face peaceful in the dim light. Vaella fought to control her breathing, swallowing the sobs that threatened to escape. She couldn't wake him, not now. He needed his rest, his recovery.

She slipped quietly out of bed, her legs shaky as she made her way to the window. The cool night air brushed against her tear-streaked face, offering a small measure of comfort. She looked out over the city, the lights of King's Landing twinkling in the distance, a reminder of the world outside her nightmare.

Vaella's mind raced with the images of her dream, the guilt and horror gnawing at her. She whispered softly to herself, trying to find solace in her own words. "It was just a dream, Vaella. Just a dream."

But the line between dream and reality felt thin, the emotions too real to dismiss. She thought of Baelon, the brother she never knew, and Cannibal, the dragon whose instincts were so intertwined with her own. The weight of survival, the cost of life, bore down on her.

She sat by the window, her knees drawn to her chest, and let the tears flow silently. The nightmares were a reflection of her deepest fears, her guilt, and the violence inherent in her lineage. She knew she had to be strong, for Aegon, for her children, and for the realm. But in this moment, she allowed herself to grieve, to feel the weight of her burdens.

As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, Vaella wiped her tears and took a deep breath. She returned to the bed, careful not to wake Aegon, and lay beside him, drawing strength from his presence.

…

The morning sun cast a gentle glow over the Red Keep as the healers worked diligently in Aegon's chambers, tending to his wounds. The air was filled with the scent of healing balms and the soft murmurs of the healers' voices. Aegon lay on the bed, his face contorted with pain, his body trembling slightly as the bandages were changed.

Vaella stood by his side, her presence a source of comfort and strength. Her eyes were tired, her face pale, but she remained steadfast, holding Aegon's hand and offering words of encouragement.

"You're doing well, Aegon," she whispered, her voice soothing. "The healers are almost done."

Aegon managed a weak smile, his eyes filled with gratitude and love. "I couldn't do this without you, Vaella."

As the healers finished their work, the door to the chamber opened, and Otto Hightower entered. His expression was serious, but there was a hint of hesitation in his step. He had parted with Aegon on bad terms, having been dismissed as Hand of the King for his insistence on confining Vaella further within the Red Keep, even after her formal support for Aegon had been announced.

Otto's eyes met Vaella's, and he gave a small nod of greeting. "Vaella."

Vaella returned the nod, her expression calm. "Lord Otto."

Otto turned his attention to Aegon, who regarded him with a mixture of pain and wariness. "Aegon," Otto began, his voice measured. "I have come to see how you are faring."

Aegon's eyes narrowed slightly, the pain making it difficult for him to keep his emotions in check. "I'm in pain, Grandfather. But I suppose you know that already."

Otto nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes, I do. And I regret the circumstances that led to our last meeting. I acted out of concern for your safety, but I see now that I was wrong."

Aegon's jaw tightened as another wave of pain washed over him. "You wanted to confine Vaella, to keep her under watch as a prisoner. Even after she stood by me."

Otto's expression softened, a rare display of humility. "I was wrong, Aegon. I see now that Vaella is not just your wife but a powerful ally. Her strength and loyalty are evident, and I underestimated her."

Vaella stepped forward, her eyes locking with Otto's. "Your concern was understandable, Lord Otto. But you must understand that I will do whatever it takes to protect Aegon and our family."

Otto nodded, his respect for her growing. "I see that now, Vaella. And I am grateful for your dedication."

Aegon watched their exchange, his pain momentarily forgotten. "Vaella is more than capable. She's proven that time and again."

Otto's eyes softened as he looked at his grandson. "You are fortunate to have her by your side, Aegon. I only wish I had realized it sooner."

As the tension in the room eased, Otto's gaze shifted to Vaella, taking in her tired appearance. "You look pale, Vaella. Are you well?"

Vaella forced a smile, trying to brush off his concern. "I'm fine, Lord Otto. I just didn't sleep well last night."

Aegon's eyes widened with worry, his focus shifting entirely to his wife. "Vaella, what's wrong? Why didn't you sleep?"

Vaella squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It's nothing, Aegon. Just a restless night. I'm here now, and that's all that matters."

Aegon's concern deepened, but he knew better than to press the issue in front of Otto. "You need to take care of yourself, Vaella. I can't bear the thought of you suffering."

Vaella's smile softened, her heart swelling with love for him. "I am taking care of myself, Aegon. And I'm taking care of you. We will get through this."

Otto watched the exchange with a newfound respect for Vaella's strength and resilience. He stepped back, giving them space, but his thoughts were filled with the realization of his past mistakes and the need to support this remarkable woman.

"Vaella," Otto said quietly, "if there is anything you need, anything at all, do not hesitate to ask."

Vaella nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Lord Otto. Your support means a great deal to us."

As Otto left the chamber, he felt a sense of hope for the future. Vaella's strength and Aegon's determination gave him confidence that they could overcome the challenges ahead.

Back in the chamber, Aegon looked at Vaella with a mixture of love and concern. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself, Vaella. I need you."

Vaella leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I promise, Aegon. We will take care of each other."

The morning light filled the room, casting a warm glow over the couple.

[mercs-askblog]

Do any of yall like lemons like just the lemon itself

[rocketco-official]

who here is the most down bad

🕶️ I’m about to stop answering questions at this point

No one even said your name

🕶️ I saw Ballista reaching for that A key

[mostrandomgallery]

And now, for the third member of the Cotton Candy Elephants, Franz von Varley!

Has anyone wondered if Bernadetta von Varley has a brother? The answer is Franz von Varley. He's basically a male version of her: purple, scared of everything, possesses the Crest of Indech, and an excellent sniper, and spends a lot of his time hiding from potential dangers. While Franz may be a worrywart, he cares about the safety of his classmates so much; he is glad to be fighting alongside Allegra von Hresvelg and the others. On the battlefield, he scouts out the area for immediate dangers and hazards. Despite this skill, he is no battle strategist; that honor would go to his classmate Anneliese Fulmina Charon, whom he seems to be getting along with lately.

Okay, time for Franz's stats:

Crest: Indech (major)

Heroes’ Relic/Sacred Weapon: The Inexhaustible

Strengths: Bow, Sword, Lance

Weaknesses: Axe, Authority

Hidden Talent: Brawl

Personal Skill: “Safety First”—If in range +1 of a protective terrain (such as a forest), will pull back any adjacent friendly units into said terrain and grant 2+ to Def, Res, and Spd

Ideal Classes: Fighter, Archer, Sniper, Bow Knight, Thief, Assassin

Learnable Magic: Thunder, Thoron, Sagittae, Wind, Heal, Nosferatu, Warp

Ideal Combat Arts: Curved Shot, Deadeye, Monster Blast, Schism Shot, Wraith Strike, Windsweep, Knightkneeler, Swift Strikes, Hunter’s Volley

Selection Quotes (Academy): "What? You want me to fight?" (normal) "Okay, let’s be cautious…" (mid-health) "This is a really dangerous situation!" (critical health)

Franz is the primary archer unit for the Cotton Candy Elephants. His best stats are Def, Res, and Spd. Although he can be promoted to Bow Knight as his Master Class, he is best left at being a Sniper. His skill in archery makes him excellent to use with a ballista, where he can remain safe from dangers.

For activities/support, Franz is not the best at choir practice, and Cha is not his best stat, so tea parties will need a little extra effort. For dining, his favorite dishes are Daphnel Stew, Country-Style Red Turnip Plate, Fish Sandwich, and Vegetable Stir Fry. He has unique dialogue when dining with Ignis von Albrecht and Anneliese Fulmina Charon. For gifts, Franz prefers the following: Dapper Handkerchief, Pitcher Plant, Coffee Beans, Armored Bear Stuffy, and a Ceremonial Sword. While he has supports with everyone in the Cotton Candy Elephants, supports outside his native house are limited to: Bernadetta, Ashe, Ignatz, Claude, Hubert, Dedue, Yuri, Hapi, and Hanneman. As for S-Support, he is locked to Female Byleth.

Fun Fact: Franz is a German name meaning "free". While that may not describe his personality, he does like keeping things "danger free". Also, the Cotton Candy Elephants may as well have two Bernadetta expies. Franz is Bernadetta but Male, and then there's Anneliese, who is Bernadetta but Orange (and possesses the Crest of Charon).

DO NOT REPOST!!! Also on deviantART

[zofi-persson-quotes]

🍫 A headcanon about food for Ballista?

Ballista is one of these people who eats the most atrocious food combinations known to man with a straight face.

They actually like to eat in general, and have snacks on them most of the time they're not doing anything, and stay pretty thin despite it due to how much they move + their abilities require a lot of energy.

They're probably one of the only people who willingly tried Neterwarts (they didn't like them, but still ate those damn things).

[Ask Game]

[eldritchtouched]

Weird Guard Behavior with Elphael/Haligtree/Malenia

So, in mysteries, there is a cliche about when "the dog doesn't bark."

The scenario in those stories is generally that something looks like a crime done by a stranger, but the guard dog didn't react to the presence of an unknown person. This is evidence in the story that the person was known to the dog and, thus, not a stranger.

Elden Ring has a similar thing going on with Malenia and the Haligtree, though a bit more complicated because the guard dog is a very simple thing. In cases where it's people instead of guard dogs, it's more a matter of, given what is established about the characters and/or factions, what would we expect given various details.

We have a general idea of their characterizations, and what the likely scenario is. So there's a few questions that are important to answer, to understand their behavior and work from that. First- do they know Miquella is gone? Second- what are they doing after they know that?

We have an answer to both.

Malenia knows Miquella is gone, as do the Haligtree soldiers. Malenia outright tells the player this information ("as I awaited his return") and her armor specifies that she was waiting for Miquella at the foot of the Haligtree. The quoted dialogue on her armor is specifically her consoling someone else and that Miquella "will keep his promise." The Haligtree soldier ashes, too, note that Miquella isn't there- that's why they're despairing.

A common idea in the fandom is that Malenia doesn't know Miquella is gone at all. Likewise, I've seen routine complains that the player cannot encounter Mohg before Malenia, then go to Malenia to tell her about Mohg and Miquella and getting her help to return Miquella to the Haligtree. This actively ignores that Malenia and the other people in the Haligtree all know Miquella is gone. (This taking off confuses me because Malenia outright tells the player that she's waiting for Miquella.)

We also know the other answer- what are they doing? They are waiting for him to get back. They are not searching for him, not even a little.

Haligtree soldiers are the only faction soldiers who are explicitly only found in the core of their structure- in Elphael. Godrick soldiers are found throughout Limgrave, Redmane soldiers are found throughout Caelid, Leyndell soldiers and knights are found in multiple places, etc. And Malenia remains at the foot of the tree, awaiting Miquella's return.

Likewise, they are guarding Elphael in such a strange way if they aren't guarding Miquella (and, again, they know he's gone). It's got some of the tightest security in the game in terms of how every possible path is a death trap that's absolute ass (that one stretch of Revenants at the bottom layer comes to mind) and/or a bunch of soldiers, along with them having multiple ballistae set up pointing at the paths someone would have to go down to get deeper into the Haligtree.

It seems that the Haligtree's guarding was intentional. For example, it's only after you defeat Malenia and the player tells Gideon that Miquella wasn't there that Gideon reveals that he heard the story that Miquella was cut out of the Haligtree. Gideon initially dismissed it and this is possibly why it's guarded like that- to hide that Miquella wasn't there.

My point is that the dog didn't bark. The Haligtree and Malenia did not react to Miquella being supposedly abducted, despite knowing he's gone, despite their continued loyalty to him. They instead expect him to return on his own.

[curioussubjects]

After spending the whole weekend grumpy and ruminating about Burning Shores, I think I finally figured out what has me so bothered about Aloy and Seyka's relationship. I wasn't gonna post anything about it beyond the one salty post because nobody needs to hear me go on and on about what's essentially an "I don't wike it" complaint. But the more I thought about the more I started to realize that my problem with Burning Shores is tied to the one big problem I have with Horizon as a whole, which is that Guerilla really seems to struggle with balancing Aloy's position as the protagonist and letting companions shine as characters of their own who can go on quests with Aloy without being useless or getting in the way (or both! too often both!).

I care about the gameplay mechanics less than the writing because the gameplay stuff seems more like level design growing pains than anything else. And we have examples of it being done quite well to (Varl in the tutorial portion of Forbidden West) annoying (here's looking at you Cauldron in Frozen Wilds) or, well, useless as combat support (always, in my experience, with the exception of how it was handled in Zero Dawn's final battle). However, I wouldn't have as much an issue with this gameplay fumble if it wasn't for the impression that the narrative wants me to believe Seyka is somehow immune to it. Or more of an equal to Aloy in terms of ability and responsibility than anyone else, which is just not the case. Everyone plays third fiddle to Aloy because Horizon doesn't actually have a party system! There's nothing special about Aloy and Seyka taking turns with a ballista, or whatever. Seyka was still surplus during combat, or straight up in my way, just like everyone else. That said, I don't know if the experience is different in higher difficulties because I play strictly on story mode, so make of that what you will.

So the writing. It actually pains me a little bit to write this because I love Horizon's story so much (and this should tell y'all something because I detest what if AIs were people plots). I love the characters and I absolutely am bonkers for its worldbuilding. No other game has made me cry as much or be as angry (fuck you, Ted). Yet, sometimes the characters do fall a little flat when they interact with each other. Conversations between Aloy and NPCs often don't flow well from one topic to the next, and they can end abruptly too, in a way that goes beyond the Aloy's conversational skills. The pacing is a bit wonky, too, in how quickly bonds develop or transition. Not that this is always the case since there are some great characters moments, and I also think introducing the Base was a solid step in making everything feel more cozy and believable. I guess what I'm trying to say is that too often I feel I'm being presented relationship concepts, but not being given the time to let those relationships develop organically. Perhaps also a case of growing pains; it just sucks that a game so well put together narratively can struggle with something so central to its interests.

But anyway, this post is actually about Burning Shores and why the whole romance subplot with Seyka and Aloy was so...bland to me. The problem lies primarily with how Seyka was conceptualized as character-- or, well, how it comes off: she really seems to have been created to be Aloy's love interest first, and a character in her own right second. It's like Guerilla just asked themselves what would make a great love interest for Aloy and, though the answer was someone who can keep up with her, they ended up careening straight into Aloyx2 with a Seyka veneer, and not much else.

Seyka is a great hunter and warrior, she bucks tradition to stand for what's right, she's kind of an outcast now, she has sister issues! She got herself a focus she wasn't supposed to have and it made it really hard for her to fall in line with the Quen's social structure! They even rappel the same! But who IS Seyka outside of Aloy and wanting to be with Aloy? How IS she affected by so suddenly stepping outside of her social role? She seemed to have been quite comfortable in it before, so how much is she struggling, really? How is her experience different from Aloy's since Seyka wasn't actually ever an outcast (and I mean the Admiral was in her corner the whole time). Did she have other ties to the tribe beyond her sister?

I don't know, guys, for a character that was meant to be so central to Burning Shores, I came out of the game knowing precious little about her. And as a result, there's a complete lack of tension between her and Aloy, and it'd be so easy for it not to be the case! Even their banter is more like stock competitiveness than anything interesting, which was a missed opportunity because there was an alternative to that was just begging to be leaned into more: Aloy didn't have to be the serious one for once! Their banter as the player explores Pangea Park was such a fun variation of usual commentary. Plus, Aloy's "miss me?" line when she comes back from exploring on her own was super cute. But to make their relationship compelling, Seyka would've needed to be her own person first, rather than a collection of Things She Has In Common With Aloy.

To make matters worse, what the narrative tells me is special about Seyka and Aloy's relationship isn't so special after all when it's echoed across Aloy's relationships with several other characters. How many times to we see characters be more than capable to hold their own in a fight alongside Aloy? How many characters are also shown to be smart enough to keep up with her? And how many characters are trying SO HARD to share Aloy's burden with her? Or who could share common ground with some of the things Aloy struggles with? And all the while, these characters are all very distinct not only from each other, but from Aloy herself and their dynamic with her. If Seyka is more successful than they are, well, why is she? And why aren't they? Because the plot demands it isn't really enough of a reason when you're shooting for character-driven storytelling.

Of course, it just adds insult to injury that the whole relationship develops in the span of what a month? At most? So that scenes like Aloy comforting Seyka halfway through the DLC don't seem like's it's been earned. It might have been a better bet to have swapped Seyka and Alva's introductions to the story. It's worth noting, too, that I only care so much because I'm not convinced Seyka is just a summer fling, so she really did deserve more than a speedrun of finding love during summer camp.

On a much much smaller note: I do feel a certain way about how other potential love interests kind got exited pursued by bear during Forbidden West too with Telanah (bisexual people exist, do not come to me talking about comphet) and Varl getting love interests of their own, and Nil becoming even more of a side character lolsobs Nil HZD you will always be famous to me.

I very much hope H3 does more for Seyka because as it is I'm so not invested it's not even funny. I also live in fear that the line from the Pangea movie about coming back because the love interest is home is gonna feature in some way in their reunion and it's Not Gonna Be Convincing. Incidentally, let nobody tell you writing romance is easy.

Secret good Seyloy that exists in my head save me, etc.

And, frankly, I know people like to rebuke some criticism of Horizon with "this isn't a BioWare game," but Guerilla could do a lot worse than taking point from Dragon Age and Mass Effect in how they handle companions.