#bring waltzes back to ice dance

[sunskate]

this one always makes me cry without fail - the most musical team ever, skating one of the most beautiful programs ever. so delicate, expressive, nuanced

[cryptidghostgirl]

Destruction//Creation (Vox x Alastor's ex!Reader x Alastor)

Pairing: Technically Vox x Alastor but also a little Alastor x Reader

Description: Alastor refuses to let the past die and Y/n would rather pretend it never existed.

Warnings: Mild angst. Mentions of a past unhealthy relationship. I'll write some fluff of my own accord soon, I promise.

Word Count: 1,523

Master Lists:

Master Lists 

Hazbin Hotel Master List

Click here and leave a comment if you want to be added to any taglists or send me an ask about it.

The party was supposed to be a fundraiser of sorts, designed to get the word about the Hazbin Hotel out into the world after their numerous previous failed attempts at doing so. Charlie had insisted all the overlords be there and even when Alastor had tried to leave the Vees off the guest list, she had caught him in the act and admonished him for it.

He cursed himself for not being quicker about it, more slick. Vox wasn't a threat but he was an annoyance and one Alastor would rather not deal with. The added threat of further dressing downs from Charlie should he fail to conduct himself in any less than perfectly pleasant in the mans presence was just the icing on the cake. Vox was screeching, he was haughty, he was overwhelmed by himself, he was-

Alastor's train of thought ran off, his breath caught in his throat. The man in questioned had entered, ready to join the fray, but that wasn't the distraction. No, the distraction came in the form of the charming little demon he was helping take off her heavy fur coat. Alastor watched as she smiled gracefully up at Vox, standing up on her tip toes and planting a tender kiss on his cheek.

How could he have forgotten? In the chaos of the past seven years, she had slipped from his mind. How had looking for her not have been the first thing he did when he was allowed any semblance of freedom? He could blame no one but himself. Now, she had fallen into the enemy's arms. Alastor bristled, seizing the opportunity of Vox bringing her coat over the to coat check Husk was running and using his shadows to appear at her side.

Y/n gasped as he materialized beside her, holding a hand to her chest in shock.

"Jesus... Al?"

Confusion marred her features as Alastor took her hand, whisking Y/n towards the dance floor.

"Hello, my dear." he smiled down at her as the music began.

It was a waltz, something by Shostakovich with all his wild rises and falls, all his nonconformity. The perfect soundtrack to their reunion, Alastor thought. Despite her shock, Y/n kept to the timing of the dance perfectly, never missing a step.

"But how... where..."

"I'm back now, darling. That is what matters."

Alastor dipped her and Y/n let out a sharp laugh. He assumed it was joy, it couldn't be anything other in his mind. She watched him in disbelief as he pulled her to her feet once again.

"I am so sorry."

She seemed only to be growing more confused by the moment. He reveled in her wonder as if it were the finest delicacy, a perfectly cooked steak. He had shown her the world again and again, he hoped never to stop having the opportunity.

"For what?"

Of course she would understand, wouldn't blame him, would know it wasn't his choice. She was always so unbelievably perfect like that, surprising him at every turn. Y/n fell into line without him ever even having to ask, it was just who she was. She didn't even have to try.

"For letting you fall into the arms of scum like that. He doesn't own your soul, does he?"

Y/n opened her mouth to speak but in his newfound joy, Alastor was unable to stop himself. How could he have forgotten? How could he have forgotten?

Her eyes, her smile, her sharp wit -- all of it. Y/n was and had always been, since the first day he had met her, the absolute center of his universe.

"It's no matter. That is easy enough to fix with a contract of our own."

"Alastor."

"Then everything will be all right, things will be just like the old days."

"Alastor."

He spun Y/n out, pulling her back in and catching her in his arms.

"Goodness, I've missed you."

"Alastor!" She pulled himself from his grip, panting.

They stood at the center of the dance floor, still among the whirling bodies. Y/n cleared her throat, smoothing the skirt of her dress. Alastor was thankful that the world around them seemed distracted for the moment, everyone too caught up in themselves and their own lives.

"My dear," he asked softly through gritted teeth, "what are you doing? You'll make an embarrassment of the pair of us."

"That's what I am trying to keep from happening."

"Whatever do you..."

Alastor trailed off, catching sight of Vox as he approached them, weaving in and out of the writhing mass of bodies. His eyes narrowed, his ears laid flat against his head.

Y/n leaned forward slightly, about to ask him what was wrong when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, a smile crept across her face at the sight of Vox.

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you."

Vox caught sight of Alastor now. Alastor expected the man to attack him, to boast, to do anything except what he did which was lean down to Y/n, his voice laced with concern.

"Are you alright? He didn't do anything to you, did he?"

Vox scanned her, looking for any visual signs of upset.

"No." Y/n patted Vox's hand reassuringly where it lay on her shoulder, "No I am fine, I promise."

"Alright, I am sorry. I just know..."

"I know. Thank you for remembering."

Alastor cleared his throat and Vox straightened as he and Y/n turned to face him.

"I have to ask you to leave my girlfriend alone." Vox stated.

His civility sparked something in Alastor, a familiar hunger.

"Your girlfriend?"

Before he could say another word, Y/n cut him off. She took a step forward as she spoke, Vox's hand falling from her shoulder.

"Yes, that is what I have been trying to tell you but you wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise, you never do."

"But..."

Alastor was completely at a loss for words, a rare occasion. His eyes flicked back and forth between Y/n and Vox.

"What can he give you that I couldn't? What can that bucket of bolts do better than me? I wasn't right, was I? Did you sell him your soul? I know I was gone but how foolish can you be, Y/n?"

She stiffened at the sound of her name on his lips.

"He lets me breathe, Alastor!" Y/n threw her arms in the air, adding emphasis to her words, "He lets me breathe. You never did that. With you, what you said went and I had to follow perfectly, I had to..."

She took a deep breath, her hands balled into fists. Vox took a step forward, they shared a look of reassurance.

"I was never happy with you." Y/n admitted, "I am with Vox. He is a good man, he treats me well, he listens, he takes me as I am."

"And I didn't?"

"No! No, you didn't. You wanted me blood hungry and ravaged, you wanted me as destroyer but that is not who I am. It never was."

Decisively, Y/n turned to Vox, his hand slipping gently into hers. Alastor watched in a mixture of shock and horror, unable to act.

"Do you want to go get a drink?"

"That sounds like a good idea. I think I saw Velvette already over by the bar."

"Of course." Y/n smiled.

The pair's locked hands turned into locked arms. Things had been good, he had thought they had been perfect. He had seen Y/n as the other piece of himself, the extension of the whole.

"I don't understand."

Y/n and Vox froze, their backs to him. With a soft pat to Vox's arm, Y/n turned to Alastor, her expression firm.

"I don't... I thought you loved me."

He was helpless, lost and floating. Alastor's mind ran wild, trying to regain any semblance of control over the situation. There was none to be found.

"I did." Y/n nodded sadly, "For a long time. I didn't know any better, I didn't know what love had the potential to be."

A moment of silence, a heartbeat.

"And he gives you that potential."

Y/n looked at Vox over her shoulder. When she turned back to Alastor, she was smiling. Alastor had never seen her smile like that before.

"He does." she confirmed.

"Come on, sunshine." Vox hummed softly from behind her, a hand outstretched, "Let's go get that drink."

Eagerly, Y/n ran up to him, their fingers entwining once again. Just as they were about to leave Alastor, standing alone on the dance floor, Y/n looked back at him. A wild hope flashed in his heart that was dashed when he was the conflict in her eyes.

"It was nice seeing you. I am glad you're alright."

"You too." his voice was weak, blurred. There was nothing he could do to stop it from being that way.

"I hope... this hotel seems good for you. I hope it works out the way you want it to."

---

Tags:

@willowshadenox @i-love-jafar @elfyeet 

@reader3

[sapphic-gardn]

i will

ellie williams x f!reader

summary: grief is complex and painful, ellie comforts you.

warnings: mentions of grief, nudity, ellie and reader take a bath together, mentions of boogers (yk when u have a runny nose from crying? yeah), no specific descriptions of reader other than having boobies and flesh, i dont think there is anything else but let me know!

word count: 1.3k

a/n: hi! i’ve returned from my hundred year long hiatus to torment you all. i started writing this comfort piece while i was experiencing life at Rock Bottom. i also found a lot of inspiration from the song i will by mitski <3 also thank you to @hier--soir for helping me with this one 💓 your writing inspires me, truly—i appreciate you tons & tons.

You find yourself curled up on the floor, the crisp breeze sweeping in from the crack under your front door. Chills dance over your skin, seeping into your body, coating your organs in a thin layer of ice. Your tears shed with a blue hue, painting your lips in a sheer lapis tint. Teeth chatter, bone against bone, reminders of the skeleton that is burrowed beneath layers of adipose tissue. Each exhale is accompanied by a dull ache.

Nights bring you here, disentangling your limbs from the warm confines of cotton sheets, calculated movements so as to not wake your girlfriend from slumber. The numbness creeps in through obscured dreams, visions of faces, now ghosts that haunt every distant memory. You emerge from the darkness, featherlight footsteps over creaky floors, loitering around the house amidst bewitching hours. You converse with the night sky, a one-sided interaction that mostly consists of your pleas—tell me why. Grief consumes you like tidal waves swallowing the shoreline. A mere particle of sand engulfed in foam, getting propelled further, further away from dry land.

The vibrations of Ellie’s bare feet padding on the wooden floor rumble through you. Her rasp breaks the silence. Baby—the only word that leaves her chapped lips, a pitiful tone leaking from her honeyed voice. Her hand caresses your tear stained cheek. Upon contact, a shrill sob rips through your larynx. You choke on anguish that rises like bile, it burns your esophagus as it creeps up.

Gentle hands guide your tenuous form to your feet, securing themselves at your sides. Subtle squeezes to the meat of your hips, wordlessly speaking—I’m here.

In your hazy state, you’re waltzed to the bathroom. One of Ellie’s hands fumbles with the light switch while she delicately maneuvers your entirety to sit upon the closed toilet seat. Cold porcelain hits the backs of your thighs, you hiss at the contact, a wince paints your expression. Ellie coos your name, a hushed thing that warms you from the inside. You study her features, a line forms between her furrowed brows, her green eyes searching for your own. Her gaze brings a settling feeling, something like a merciful wake up call. Ellie’s earthy scent mingles with the air. You inhale, the musky essence settles in your lungs, growing limbs and reaching for your heart; wrapping itself around the muscle in a tight embrace.

A tear slips past your waterline, her calloused thumb swiftly catches it as it trails down your cheek. A smile tugs at Ellie’s lips, “You’ve got boogers,” she gestures to your mucin coated upper lip with her pointer finger. An involuntary chortle escapes your mouth, alighting your saddened expression, “There she is, my pretty girl.”

Her focus shifts to the tub beside you, leaving the spot in front of you to turn the faucet on. Ellie peers over her shoulder to look back at you, “Let’s get you warmed up, yeah?”

Her digits fiddle with the running water as it warms, you examine the way her tendons tug at her knuckles, the freckled skin pulled taut with each swipe under the stream of water. Your eyes land on her side profile, you trace the shape of her nose and the protrusion of her pout like an etch a sketch to your brain. You count the freckles on her face, connecting them like constellations. Admiration blooms in your chest, you clutch your shirt where your heart beats faster.

Once the tub fills halfway, Ellie is undressing you—delicately tugging at the hem of your sleep shirt, pulling the thin material over the peaks and valleys of your body. Her touch is silken, it tickles your nerve endings, chills awaken beneath her fingertips. With each sliver of skin revealed, she whispers, beautiful, you’re so beautiful. And in these moments, you believe her, she utters the words with such conviction. You breathe with ease, allowing yourself to surrender to the woman disarming you.

She guides you towards the tub. Soft hands on your arm, your waist. That low, rasping voice in your ear, one foot, now the other… easy now, until you’re over the lip of the tub and being lowered into warm water. You let yourself sink a little lower, feel the water lap over your neck, your hair. You tilt your head back until everything is submerged except your face. Your eyes close, listening. You let the pressure of the water beat against your eardrums. Oceanic sounds bounce around inside your skull. For a split moment you are the sand and the sea, a shell burrowed in the earth.

When your eyes open, you meet the longing gaze of your partner. She admires the halo-shape your hair forms as it floats, the curve of your breasts breaking the surface, the way your tummy moves in waves with each steady inhale and exhale.

Your eyes wander to where Ellie is stepping out of her boxers, peeling her worn tank top over her auburn bed head, discarding the article in the tile. Her focus never falters from you. She looks so beautiful like this, the soft white light casting an illuminating glow to her supple skin. You sit up, folding your legs in, scooting forward—silent invitations. With two long strides, Ellie’s lanky limbs are climbing into the tub behind you. Your bodies mingle, arms and legs tangle and untangle, an uncoordinated tango.

Ellie surrounds you, she is everywhere. The warmth radiating from her coats every inch of your flesh like a blanket. Her thighs are pressed up against the sides of your own, caging you in, the physical security plucking away at your guardedness. Slippery arms snake around your middle, a vice grip pressing you against her front. You feel her heartbeat thump against your ribcage, feel her chest rise and fall with each breath. A connection so primal, so powerful, tethering you to her. Her lips graze the crook of your neck, a sigh escapes you, releasing the tension held in your abdomen. Taught muscles unfurl; a calmness washes over your senses.

Ellie begins to hum, short breaths tickling the shell of your ear. You recognize the song, familiar but just out of reach.

“What are you singing, baby?”

Ellie hushes you, “Shh, shh, just listen to me.”

Her gravelly tone recites the lyrics, “When all my hair turns grey, enter our twilight years,” you listen intently, the song bubbling at the forefront of your mind. A memory plays, placing a fragile disc in your record player, the needle spinning in its grooves, Ellie excitedly rehashing how she found it on patrol.

Both of you sat on the couch that night and tuned in, entwined and entranced. During the fourth song, Ellie stood, offering a hand—dance with me. And so, your bodies swayed around the living room as one entity. “And our friendships slip away, finding it hard to hear.”

Ellie memorized the lyrics, serenading you for weeks, “No I’ll never be afraid, as long as I still have you,” confessing her feelings through the Alessi Brothers.

And now, she croons the same song, “Together in an ocean of life / Just yours and mine / Motionless time / Love is the answer to eternal life.” Easing your mind, caroling the words that never come easy to her in conversation. Reminders of the fire you alight within her, the tenderness you pull out of her.

She is the breeze, the fierce wind that wrestles with the water. She reels you in from the deep end, a lifeline cast before you take your final breath. Her presence is a sanctuary, your vulnerability takes refuge in her arms—your safe haven.

[end]

a/n: hiii!! if you read this all the way through, thank you! it’s my first time posting an ellie fic so i’m a liiiitle nervous eeee! also im a little rusty on my writing so forgive me if this sucks 🧍🏽‍♀️ and i gave up on editing my last read through bc i need to get this fic out or i will never post it

i have an ellie series and a one shot planned out so hopefully it won’t take me a lifetime to post those!!! okieee byeeee 💓

tagging moots: @ilovepedro @gracieheartspedro @undrthelights @daydreamingmiller @chaotic-mystery @cavillscurls @amanitacowboy (idk who else to tag i dont have an official taglist lol why is this so embarrassing)

[looneyleyle]

bitchy kie ~ j. maybank

synopsis: midsummer's and john b's hospital visit seem to push kie to snap, at her best friend in the world nonetheless. snap crackle pop!

warnings: some kie hate

words: 1882 words

note: from my wattpad account, written april 18 2022

paisley pov

kiara and i rarely ever fought. sure, we'd have petty quarrels every now and again, but never any full blown fight. this, however, was much different than any other time, and i didn't have the slightest clue as to what i did wrong.

kiara had invited me to midsummer's, despite me being a pogue. her parents had essentially taken me in when i started working at the wreck two years ago. they had even lent me a beautiful dress for the occasion. it was short, wavy at the skirt, and light orange, paired with a beautiful moon necklace. mrs. carrera even made me a flower crown, which i couldn't thank her enough for.

everything leading up to midsummer's went just fine. kie and i got ready, throwing compliments at each other left and right. we blasted music throughout the room, dancing playfully like the two teenage girls we are. when we got to midsummer's, we made snarky comments about the kooks, and we had to hold each other to contain our laughter when rose cameron waltzed in with that absolute monstrosity perched upon her head. when pope arrived, the air was still light, the three of us joking around, trying to keep our minds off of the incident with jj earlier on.

i think it all went downhill when jj was being escorted off of the premises by one of the guards. as kie was going to speak up for him, i yelled out about how he was my date, and that they had no right to throw him out. kie had her parents watching, and us pogues were already on thin ice with them. it was best for them to be mad at me for bringing jj than for them to be mad at kie for bringing him and 'embarrassing the family name' or some other bullshit kook idea they have.

when the words escaped my lips, the guard pushed jj my way. i caught him and he put an arm around my waist, making my lie more believable. he then twirled me away from the scene to the music, downed some man's drink, and yelled for a mandatory pogue meeting at rixon's. holding my hand, he didn't wait for the others to follow behind us.

we all whooped and hollered, having a great time, before settling down for this mandatory meeting. john b brought up his treasure hunt again, leading me to look at jj skeptically. he squeezed my hand, motioning for me to keep listening.

i didn't look at kiara at all during the first half of the meeting, but when the name 'sarah cameron' was slipped, she went apeshit.

"you let a kook in on our secret?!" she screamed. they all went back and forth for a bit, kiara not calming down in the slightest.

when john b and kiara were done arguing, everything went silent.

"so…" jj trailed off, trying to find something, anything, to say. kiara raised her eyebrows at him, and then did the same to me. i looked at her questioningly, not understanding why she all of a sudden had beef with me. jj shifted a bit, making me aware of the arm that had been around my shoulders throughout the argument. i didn't pull away, however, and despite kiara's piercing glare boring into my soul, i found myself becoming drowsy. my eyes drooped as my head fell onto jj's shoulder.

when i woke up, i was in roughly the same position, but in the back of the van instead of around the fire pit. john b was nowhere to be seen, pope and jj were immersed in conversation, and kiara sat alone, staring out the window and towards hawks nest. i stayed in jj's arms, still teetering on the line between sleep and consciousness.

if possible, kiara's mood was soured even more by sarah cameron leaning over john b's limp body, crying, kissing his lips as if it were a disney movie. that mood continued as sarah insisted on staying by him at all times, waiting for him to wake up.

"i could honestly care less that john b decided to befriend that snake, but she acts as if she's the only one there for him! hello, he has four perfectly good friends right here who care about him way more than she could ever even fathom!" kiara ranted, the four of us sitting around the château. due to all the injuries agatha caused, there was a limit of two visitors per person in the hospital, and some mystery man and sarah cameron filled up those two spots before the rest of us could have a say.

"at least we know that he's in stable condition. he won't drop dead, it's just a matter of time before he wakes up." i suggested, trying to calm her down. she chuckled bitterly. a burst of anger went through my body, what did i do?

"if you have something to say, by all means, get it off your chest. you've been acting like a bitch ever since we left midsummer's." i told her, arms crossed in front of me. a quiet "ooooooh" came from jj, but i was focused on kie.

"it's easy for you to be all easy-going right now, isn't it? it's only john b in the hospital. but if your boy toy were in there, you'd be raising hell over the fact that we can't go and visit."

"my 'boy toy'? and who exactly is that?" i asked, irked and a bit genuinely confused as to who she's referring to.

"isn't it obvious? you two are practically joint at the hip! all you ever do is eye-fuck each other!" kie yelled. jj shifted against me, nearly glaring at kiara.

"drop it kie." he said lowly. she just laughed sarcastically at that, deflating. i didn't feel like talking to her anymore, so i dropped it and got up to leave.

"paisley? where're you going?" jj asked, also getting up.

"i'm going home. goodnight." i told him, already walking away. i heard him follow me, but i didn't protest.

surprisingly, jj didn't say anything for the whole walk. he stayed in stride with me, occasionally whistling a little tune. when we got to the little house i shared with my mom and siblings, he spoke up.

"you okay? i've never seen you and kie fight like that." a sigh escaped my lips.

"i don't know why she's being so pissy right now. we were fine up until midsummer's! then she's mad at me for trying to calm her down? like what the fuck was that all about?" i ranted. jj nodded, not saying anything.

"and then the whole 'boy toy' comment? like what was that?" at that, jj stayed silent for a bit.

"just give her some time, i'm sure she'll realize she's being crazy after all of this sarah stuff blows over." i nodded. the door to the house creaked open, making me jump. out of the door came my little brother, charlie. i crouched down and picked up his tired figure.

"hey charlie, why're you still up?" i asked, slightly bouncing him on my hip.

"i was waiting for you to come home. momma is at work and i need my night-night kisses." he said seriously, pouting. jj smiled softly at this and took charlie from me, holding him up in the air slightly.

"how 'bout i tuck you in while your sister gets ready for bed?" he asked in a slight baby voice. charlie gave jj a tired smile, nodding. my heart melted at the sight; two of the most important boys in my life together. jj carried charlie inside, holding the door open for me with his foot. i followed after the two quietly, not wanting to wake up anyone else in the house.

jj and charlie turned into the first bedroom on the right, while i crept further into the house until i got to my room. after wiping off my makeup and putting my hair up, i made my way back to the boys.

peering into the room, i watched as jj delicately placed the blankets around charlie.

"where are my goodnight kissies??" charlie whined tiredly. jj chuckled before moving some of charlie's hair out of his face and gave him a light kiss on the forehead.

"g'night buddy." he whispered, staying near the boy until his eyes closed and breathing softened. my heart squeezed as i watched the interaction. jj was so soft and loving with charlie and it absolutely melted my heart. i tiptoed in and placed a light kiss on charlie's head. i put his favorite stuffed animal in his arms and, together, jj and i walked out of his room.

i closed the door ever so slowly as to not disturb the sleeping child. when i turned around, jj was there, staring at me. the cocky smirk he usually held was nowhere to be seen. instead, a small smile played at his lips, his soft blue eyes focused on my face. for reasons i tried to repress for many months, i couldn't look at him for more than a couple seconds before fidgeting nervously. jj placed his hand under my chin and lifted it, gently forcing me to hold his stare. when his hand dropped, my eyes remained locked on his, anticipating his next move. however, after a couple moments passed by, jj looked away and scratched at the back of his neck.

"it's been a long day, let's get you to bed."

i let out a light chuckle at that, but followed him to my room regardless. he stood near the edge of my room as i grabbed my pajamas and, as i reach to take off my shirt, he turned around, giving me the privacy that i didn't even ask for. i stopped for a moment to take in the action before continuing to strip and change into comfier clothes. when i finished, jj was still turned around. off of a whim and slight exhaustion, i walked right up behind him and hugged him, burying my face into his back. all the emotions i had buried for the boy in front of me came bubbling up, making me squeeze the boy a bit tighter. he clasped his hands over mine, letting out a deep, content sigh.

"c'mon," he said quietly, shuffling us towards the bed. he crawled in after me, leaving a sizable distance between the two of us.

once settled in, the two of us simply stared up at the ceiling, deep in thought. after a while, i closed me eyes, taking in everything that had happened in the past couple of weeks, including what was happening in that moment.

"it feels like everything is falling apart." i whispered, not opening my eyes.

"yeah, it does," he replied. after a few seconds, there was a rustling besides me. i opened my eyes ever so slightly and turned, seeing jj laying there, giving me a soft smile.

"but we always manage to get through it together." he finished.

"together." i repeated, my eyes getting heavier, the weight of everything pushing down onto my body. and so, the two of us fell asleep, just a couple inches closer than when we first laid down.

[favouritefi]

Original catboy Jopson x dogboy Tozer anon here. I have no idea if or how it could be plausible in Purror & Erebark lore but maybe...?

1. Hickey manipulates Tozer into attempting to seduce Jopson for ??? scheming reasons????

2. Tozer witnesses the fabled Jopson x Hickey dance and feels inadequate because his marines upbringing did not permit for such frivlous training as dancing and idk asks Jopson for dance lessons and then they smooch about it?

3. ???????????????

4. Anyway like you said to other anon I'm also down for Jopson giving Tozer the slap to punish his audacity.

anon if im correct you're a jopson x tozer shipper and im sorry to say there isnt a lot of that in this au bc of the jopzier predominance but they do have some moments together. for example out on the ice jopson was one of the best hunters and initially when crozier ordered that the marines bring jopson they grumbled about it bc no way a fancy shmancy siamese like jopson knows how to hunt like proper dogs do. so tozer paired himself up with jopson to "compensate" for jopsons supposed lack and quickly realized that jopsons a helluva shot and they ended up being the pair that brought back the most meat that day. then when dundy starts brewing his mutiny and planning to abandon the sick tozer objects on the grounds that jopsons one of the sick and hes one of their best hunters. also, because of tozers crush on little, jopsons almost like little's scary older brother that tozer needs to impress to get his blessing to court little. i think tozer might drunkenly kiss jopson on the cheek and jopson would daintily dab it away with a hankie but im not sure jops really has the heart to pursue anyone besides crozier in this au.

marines arent trained to dance but they do dance for fun. sort of like hootenanny style rowdy throwdowns that occasionally feature spontaneous dogpiles / wrestling. no waltzing or ballroom and such (which is what jops and hickey do). tozer, like hickey, sort of sees past all the artifice of upper class cat/dogboy living but, unlike hickey, isn't drawn to it as a fancy shiny thing to obtain for prestige and safety reasons. which makes it all the stranger for him to be part of jfj's (wealthy) household. dundy deffo had to teach him some etiquette and maybe taught him some dancing too, but he'll always prefer a marine dogboy party over a soiree and he'd rather be yelling and clapping and twirling heather around than trying to avoid stepping on dundys feet. i felt the need to clarify this because tozer is probably the only person in the main cast who doesnt actually want this upper class life. he'd be happy doing what blanky's doing: running a bar and making enough to care for the people he loves.

[thewisecheerio]

Elden Ring's Soundtrack

I'm in love with the Elden Ring soundtrack, DLC and base game alike. I think every track does a great job of evoking imagery and feelings of the boss or environment it was designed for.

The post will cover the following soundtracks with more to come in other posts: Divine Beast Dancing Lion The Twin Moon Knight The Lord of Frenzied Flame

Part 2 contains Shaman Village/Elden Ring, The Putrescent Knight, and Messmer, the Impaler: https://www.tumblr.com/thewisecheerio/757701649550704640/elden-rings-soundtrack-part-2

Divine Beast Dancing Lion

The Divine Beast Dancing Lion is first and foremost an incarnation of storms. In its later phase, it deftly swaps between lightning and ice, pummeling the battlefield with frostbite and thunder.

The woodwind you can hear just as the music begins remind me of flurries of snow, zipping about in winter winds. The music's grandeur reminds me of the overpowering force of a blizzard or a hurricane.

Much of the soundtrack is in 3- or 6-counts, but this piece is in rapidly-paced 3-count timing. This is the same structure and tempo used for the Viennese waltz, a dance of frenzied spirals and turns. With the spiral being a sacred shape to the Hornsent, I find the use of music that evokes such a shape highly appropriate. Not just this, but look at how the Divine Beast moves during its breath attacks and just try to tell me that it isn't waltzing (1:38 if the timestamp doesn't take you right to it):

The punctuated bass voices that come in during the Phase 2 music transition at 1:30 bring the booming depths of thunder and lightning.

The pause at 2:37 brings a clarity reminiscent of clouds parting, perhaps as the eye of the storm passes over, only to close back up and bring forth more wind and rain.

The ending of the song is sudden. This is a storm that comes and goes with equal violence—not a gentle summer rain, but ferocious outpouring of the heavens that leaves destruction in its wake.

The Twin Moon Knight

Delicate percussion open this track, evoking a fine mist of starry glintstone sparkling through the air.

Like the Divine Beast Dancing Lion soundtrack, this song is composed in a 3-count, creating a sense of circular movement. But here I think we are bearing witness to the grace and elegance with which Rellana moves instead of a rapid waltz. She dances across the battlefield in a pattern carefully woven from her twirling body and swords.

I like to think that the gentleness of the Phase 2 transition that begins at 2:01 is a moment of contemplation for this highly intelligent Carian royal. In this instant, she dances out of the way to assess her options as she prepares for Phase 2 of the battle.

At 2:13, we are met with a powerful drumroll that signals the ignition of her swords with flame and sorcery. The music becomes more energetic to match her increased aggression.

I like to think that we can hear the dropping of her twin moons in the music at 2:55 with the delicately pealing bells.

The ending of her soundtrack is long, signaled by rolling strings and percussion, finally fading into nothingness. At least for me, this is how the end of her fight felt: not a sudden finale, but a victory slowly earned by chipping away carefully between her long combos. The adrenaline of the fight slowly fades out, just as the soundtrack rolls into a final goodbye.

The Lord of Frenzied Flame

Midra's soundtrack opens with a choral line, evoking a sense of beauty and the celestial. But only 17 seconds into the song, the chorus skews off-key. Something eldritch has entered the chat. The next phrase is rife with discord and cacophony as horrors ooze forth from the shadows.

A horrifying string motif begins at 0:31, but never really finds resolution. The lack of payoff creates a sense of unimaginable horror, a constant building of adrenaline as you wait for an unseen but easily sensed terror to stop chasing and finally catch you. Instead of resolving, it is overtaken by an eerie cello 10 seconds later, reminding you to fear that which is right in front of you—the Lord of Frenzied Flame—as well.

The music begins to respond to its own horrors: at 1:18, shrill strings mimic high-pitched screams of terror. At 1:55, these high-pitched strings decay into a sharp descending phrase, evoking a sense of something cracking or falling apart. Frenzy runs this business; the sane need not apply.

After the Phase 2 transition at 2:55, a violent and cacophonous sound ushers in Midra's Big Flame Explosion. The disruptive Chase Scene violins are back, this time amplified by brass, echoing the fight as Midra closes in on the Tarnished with increased fervor.

A supremely intrusive, distorted violin enters at 3:35 reminding us that something isn't quite right about this onslaught—as if we could forget while being swatted across the battlefield by the Frenzied Flame's chosen. I wonder if this sad, solo violin is meant to represent the crying of Midra's and Nanaya's child as the Inquisitors invaded.

The end of the soundtrack returns to the opening choral line, but this time dominated by tenors. Compared to the onslaught of the rest of the soundtrack, they almost sound peaceful. They echo the quiet that death brings for the long-suffering Midra, who so endured at Nanaya's request. Now, he can rest.

Access the Soundtracks

You can listen to the entire DLC soundtrack here:

You can listen to the entire base game soundtrack here:

[raainberry]

Last Waltz

« A last dance refers to the final opportunity for someone to engage in or enjoy an experience before it ends. »

Spy!Yeji x Vigilente!reader

Angst

synopsis - you and yeji’s ambiguous rivalry gets tangled in a last waltz

wordcount - 1.9K

T/W - Violence (?), Blood (mentions), Death (allusion but not really)

A/N - In celebration of Itzy’s latest banger and Yeji’s solo, may I present to you my latest piece of work that i finished half an hour ago but started two weeks ago. I did not mean for it to be as dark but alas, the voices. Too late Enjoy!

You squinted your eyes as you looked through the glass ceiling.

It was hard to focus when your own reflection kept getting in the way, staring back at you within such an obscure silhouette.

You struggled to see past it at times, but the changes you witnessed were necessary. You needed to become someone else to take on such a mission.

Cold blood was the most difficult trait you had to develop, you hated feeling it running through your veins. It’s been years now, and you knew it would never go back to the way once was, back to normal: warm and senseless.

Now it seems as though it could only run in two extremes.

Ice cold, when facing the enemy. Whoever it was, you couldn’t bring yourseld to care. Getting them out of the way is all that matters.

Burning hot was a rare one. Losing your cool was something you forbid to yourself, or else you’d be as good as dead. It only happened twice, and twice you escaped death by what you could only take as pity.

If her tongue held itself back, her eyes made sure to let you know.

She could have easily killed you both times.

Third time’s a charm?

You wondered as you reminisced about Yeji’s figure the last time you’d crossed paths. She seemed so flawless from afar. The way her dress fit her body, an accomplice in the act she put on around all those unlawful citizens…

Both of you had a past, one that lead to very different paths until they became one in this hunt of evil.

The chase brought you together, got you close enough to dance around danger and betrayal for far too long.

As far as you “knew”, she was part of that ring, attached to that man’s arm like candy he waved around to subdue whoever he needed.

You couldn’t blame anyone involved, she was stunning. Strikingly gorgeous in both literal and figurative sense.

She wasn’t your target. She never was, but it seemed as though she decided to be. You always ended up fighting her instead of her boyfriend.

A too powerful ring leader, one that caused harm on a much bigger scale than any criminal should be able to.

You couldn’t help but wonder how she’d landed by his side.

Such talent. Such beauty. It was almost too pure of a stain in the midst of all this filth.

To some extent, it felt wrong to feel bad for her. You certainly regretted it when it caused you to lower your guard the first time. When you let that sweet, tempting smile lure you to the harmful consequences of a brainless heart.

Waking up in need of stitches to several spots on your face didn’t prevent you from lowering it again a second time, weeks ago. She’d become too familiar. You’d gotten too comfortable. The bathroom of an underground Gala would have become the stage to your public execution if it weren’t for the public itself.

“Get in my way again, I’ll take you out of it for good.” You remember hearing.

Her voice was distorted, taken over by the ringing in your ear as the cold tiles beneath kept you conscious.

The sound of her heels against them as she left… It was identical to the one that had followed you into this third meeting.

A once cold and deserted hotel in which heat and chaos had emerged as you made sure to take everything out of your way…

It was obvious there was no one to care for what was within these walls in years.

The curtains danced in the wind welcomed by the missing bay windows as you slowly walked alongside them. Each step offered a new view, new information to take in.

The moon highlighted the dust on the ground, various trash items undoubtedly accumulated by some brave and rowdy teenagers. You made sure not to kick any of it, mindful of your surroundings.

The dim emergency lighting made it difficult to assess them, but you remained focused. Broken chandeliers glimmered, fighting for your attention along with the detailed marble floors.

The design was sophisticated. A perfect, oddly beautiful ambush spot you’d willingly stepped right into.

All because of her.

The air suddenly felt cold on your face, allowing it to breathe after so long in that mask you proudly wore for years now.

It felt good. If only your lungs were allowed the same breath as the skin on your bruised cheeks.

You choked up, feeling a fifth punch landing on your jaw. Not that you kept count, you couldn’t even tell how many of your own fingers if you were to hold some of them up.

That girl could fight. She’d rightfully earned her title in your books, all you cared about at the moment was to make it out alive.

Not because you had to live, rather because you couldn’t give her the pleasure of seeing you surrender to her blows.

That kind of pleasure she only could relish from pride. It made your blood boil.

If you could just get everything to stop spinning… Maybe you could try to bruise that ego of hers.

“I have to say, Y/N, you got me used to better.” You heard her say. Her voice was distorted again. Almost unfamiliar if it weren’t for the echo in your mind. “Get yourself together.”

Her foot found your stomach, making you aware of how low you’d fallen. That last hit had sent you to the ground, and the kick only made you sink further into it.

The marble felt as good as it looked earlier; cold to the touch and so relieving to your burning, wounded skin, but the feeling startled you.

You couldn’t give up. Not against her.

So you listened to her, pushing yourself up to your knees, and sitting back on your heels. You were thankful she allowed it, but wondered what she had in mind.

Her eyes were darker than you remembered. They looked so pretty just a few weeks ago, you couldn’t blame yourself for falling for them.

“So much for not showing me mercy, Yeji.” A broken smile pulled on your lips in an attempt to taunt her.

Months of rivalry. You knew her patience ran as thin as a strand of her own hair.

“The spy I know would have broken my back already.”

The moonlight betrayed her cold features, shedding light on the way your words managed to get to her.

It was for a split second, but you caught that eye twitch. It filled your worn out body with hope. You still had a chance.

“Spy…?” She repeated, out of breath.

You knew this whole time? Or had you figured it out? If so, how? When?

She’s been undercover so many times before. This wasn’t her toughest job, but you sure made it difficult. As if getting in her way wasn’t enough, you’d now just revealed yourself to be a genuine threat to her mission.

In her eyes, it was a permission to kill.

“Get up.” She ordered through her teeth.

The weak chuckle you gave in response only riled her up. She didn’t know what was with you, but something made her want to push not only you but herself as well to your absolute limits.

Some vigilente popping out of nowhere, sabotaging plans she’d spend days on, ruining a reputation she spent years building within her division—she could never let you get away unscathed.

Much less alive now that you’d blown her cover.

Though, if this was the last time she’d fight you, she had to make the fun last.

She reached for the collar of the rough tactical gear you mainly wore to look the part, furrowing her eybrows at the feeling of the fabric.

She hated the sight of it. It was as though you were mocking her silently, replicating and treating her uniform as a mere costume.

Your body suddenly rose closer to her, her pull strong enough to hold it there as she stared right into your eyes.

“Fight me.”

If that last laugh of yours hadn’t used up most of your remaining strength, you’d have done it again.

Was she begging? It sure sounded like it. What you were sure of was she certainly intended for her words to come out as an order.

Unfortunately, her voice betrayed her the same way her eyes had.

“I know you’re doing this on purpose.”

You smiled. She knew you so well.

You’d caught enough of your breath to retaliate, grabbing her waist and leg in order to pull her to the ground.

She barely had time to blink that her back hit the floor, the latter knocking the wind out of her lungs. The bit of air she managed to gasp for was soon trapped when your arm found her throat.

You made sure to look into her eyes as you applied just enough pressure to make her panic. You wanted to see it; her desperation to stay alive.

It showed she was human too, despite seemingly doing her best to hide it for that character of hers.

“All I’m asking for…” You panted, “Is you get out of my way.”

Taking that ring leader down was another job her boss had assigned to her.

You… You’d assigned it to yourself the day his power spread enough to reach your family.

She always got the job done, and she was set on completing this one too, going so far as going undercover and infiltrating the ranks as the leader’s girlfriend.

Unfortunately for her plans, you promised to yourself that man would be ruined beyond one could imagine by your hands.

“I was looking forward to this.” She managed to croak out.

She struggling as much as you were, but her words made you lessen the pressure on her throat as they made you realize something.

So were you.

Your eyes were defiant against hers, yet no pity in sight. The blood felt cold in your veins, despite her ever so provocative smile.

A soft chuckle left your lips in disbelief. You finally managed to overpower her.

Yeji fought to even get a couple breaths in, but she wouldn’t be caught wasting a single second to overthrow her opponent. She exploited that second of vulnerability your own body displayed against your will.

Another blink, and her hands shoved you away from her before her boots launched you back to the ground.

It was a last effort kind of move on her part, although not in the desperate way you might think. She was set on putting an end to this rivalry tonight, and nothing could stop her.

This was the last effort she’d put into this side quest. Her last attempt at getting you out of the way for good. It had to be.

She dragged herself up, making sure to look down at you as she walked to your side, priding herself at how weak she’d rendered you.

The glow in her eyes was entrancing. The longer you looked into them, the more you confused the weak fluorescent light it came from as sympathy.

“I told you to get out of my way…” She taunted from above.

You could only stare at her, following her hypnotizing figure as she lowered a knee to the ground. You would have loved to look at her a little longer before your eyes fluttered shut under her touch.

It was light as a feather. Her fingers were so delicate all of a sudden, it almost erased the blood she’d spilled from your veins.

“Why didn’t you listen?” She whispered.

She could draw a small shape with the amount of it on your face that night.

Maybe it was the fruit of your imagination. A last attempt at hope from your weakened brain as it fought to stay afloat.

You swore you she’d drawn a heart before plunging it under the surface.

[intcritus]

 Kaeya had spent a long time, living in the guilt of being a spy, of infiltrating Mondstat, but after all these years, he realizes it’s good to let go. To  live in the moment, have a little fun and never take life too seriously. The Cavalry Captain finds himself smiling, always enamored by Kaveh, even when he’s giving Kaeya the stink eye.

It’s another late night, Sumeru’s back ways and long pathways quiet, sans the occasional twitter from birds and wildlife. No more melons have been stolen, not yet atleast and if his thoughts seem to seep from him, the architect’s pointed look only makes him grin coyly, one hand reaching out to pull the other toward him, arm slipping around his waist to keep him close. 

❝ ━ Come now, Sunshine, you’re gonna make me feel bad. It was only one time,❞  It’d definitely happen again. How else can he convince his stunning companion to relax ? ❝ ━ Archons, I love your eyes. ❞  Free hand cups Kaveh’s cheek, thumb brushing along his bottom lip with an appreciative hum, ❝ ━ Every time you look at me, the color fascinates me. It’s like you’re looking into me, seeing all my secrets. ❞

A chuckle before he leans in to steal a quick kiss, ❝ ━ Thankfully, you’re welcome to all my secrets. I don’t think I’d want to hide anything from you. ❞  Which is a weird admittance for someone who simply didn’t tell anyone anything worth its weight in salt.

They’re secluded now, by the river, ripples in the water from frogs and moonbeams through the leaves giving the water an ethereal glow. It’s pretty but the person in his arms is far prettier, and he hardly wants to take his eyes away.

❝ ━ Let’s do something silly, yeah ? Dance with me. I’ll sing for you. ❞ He keeps his arm around Kaveh, but his free hand captures the blond’s, bringing it to his mouth so the Captain can brush a kiss over knuckles. It’s something he used to do as a kid, dancing while standing on his mother’s feet, waltzing around in the grass.

But he only leads now, keeping Kaveh close, cheek to cheek as they sway in the moonlight, Kaveh’s voice a melodic tenor as he softly sings to Kaveh. It’s only them, the moonlight and the sound of swaying grass as they dance over the blades.

He hadn’t realized what this emotion in his chest is – when he’s with Kaveh, it lingers there, expanding until his smiles are genuine, until he can no longer keep his besotted anywhere but the pretty architect. It feels a lot like warmth, like being frozen, lonely then getting to feel the first rays of sunshine, of the warmth that cradles him: it’s contentment. Soul-deep contentment and Kaveh will never see the dampness of Kaeya’s lashes but he’ll feel how he holds him a little tighter, that his voice mellows out, and the smile against his temple, and for Kaeya, this is worth letting his own walls down. Kaveh, he was so worth it.

in which, even ice needs to melt sometimes. / @avaere

[vulpes-fennec]

A Return to Autumn's Roots (3/3)

Summary: Eris Vanserra, the new High Lord of Autumn, has extended a Solstice ball invitation to Elain Archeron and Gwyn Berdara. Will a Court frozen in perpetual change break the stagnant mating bond between Elain and Lucien?

A lil @acotargiftexchange present for @sunbrightheart! I hope you enjoy this as much as I've enjoyed writing this for you! 🎄

Read on AO3 | Ch 2

WARNING: SMUT

He felt her presence first, even though he was on the other side of the great hall. 

Elain’s entry had made all the proud bachelors in the room turn their heads, which left Lucien feeling like his hackles were raised. He told himself to approach slowly, with sure confidence, instead of rushing to be the first male to throw himself at her feet. 

From the way she was staring at him from across the room, slightly open-mouthed, there was no need for him to hurry. It was clear to the other males that Elain Archeron only had eyes for Lucien Spellcleaver. 

Lucien wondered if she was trying to make a statement with her dress, for though the Autumn Court dress palette was typically in hues of red and brown, Elain wore a pale orange-yellow gown that was layered with fine, golden thread that reminded him of a misty sunrise. She seemed to radiate light, the warm tones of her dress bringing out a healthy glow on her pale skin. 

Elain’s chestnut brown curls were pulled back with a golden clip, accentuating her pointed ears and the iridescent pearls hanging from them. Pearls? Cauldron…she’s wearing the earrings, Lucien thought with amazement as he bowed and then extended a hand.

“May I have your first dance, my lady?”

“Yes, my lord.” Elain’s bare hand touched his, sending shivers down his spine. She smiled demurely, but her flushed cheeks gave away her emotions. Lucien spied Jurian and Vassa smiling at him from behind a column as he led Elain to the dance floor, with Jurian giving him a toothy grin and a thumbs up. Little did his friends know that he and Elain had already kissed. Lucien could already imagine Jurian losing his mind, then punching him in the shoulder and yelling at him for not sharing the news earlier. 

The Solstice ball was in full swing, with ice sculptures, fizzy wine, and richly spiced food in every corner. Garlands of holly and pine, red and gold ribbons, and floating faelights created a festive yet cozy atmosphere. Autumn Court nobility milled about, chatting and dancing. 

The waltz swelled, propelling the couples on the dance floor into motion. Lucien tried not to tremble nervously like an awkward adolescent as he placed a hand on Elain’s waist. It was a classic Solstice tune, one he’d danced to thousands of times before. Yet, it was different this time, with his mate in his arms. 

“You look beautiful,” he said quietly, dipping his head to whisper it into her ear. She smelled enticing, of honey and jasmine. 

“I’m glad the time I spent getting ready paid off,” Elain joked, tilting her head up to look Lucien directly in the eye. “You’ve cleaned up quite nicely yourself. Green is your color.” 

“So observant,” Lucien replied. “To be fair, the lady has been caught staring at me on many occasions.”

“Says the male who can’t take his eyes off me,” Elain shot back. Lucien laughed. “You’re a very good dancer,” she murmured, after Lucien spun her round before catching her in his arms again.

“Eris is far better a dancer than I am. Perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to take a turn around the room with him.” 

“Oh, I know. And I wouldn’t dare…Nesta is the only one who can keep up with him,” Elain recalled, remembering last year’s Solstice ball at Hewn City. Her sister and Eris had quick-stepped, spun, and leapt for three consecutive dances without ever needing to catch their breaths. Though it would be an honor to dance with the High Lord of Autumn, the prospect of doing so in front of all of Autumn’s nobility had Elain feeling queasy. 

***

Elain felt like a foolish teenage girl sneaking out to Lucien’s room in only her nightgown in the late hours of the night. Time passed far too quickly, and before Elain knew it, the Solstice festivities had come to a close.  They had just parted ways an hour earlier, having danced the night away at the Solstice Ball. She was supposed to return to Velaris tomorrow morning, yet…she didn’t feel ready to leave Lucien quite yet. 

Thankfully, there was no one in the hall to bear witness, and before she could change her mind, she knocked on the door. No turning back now, she thought. She could hear some sort of hurried rustling sound, the quick padding of feet occurring behind the door. A shirtless Lucien opened the door. Gods, did he always have his shirt off in private? She made a mental note to spontaneously show up to his room in Day Court, if she ever made her way there. 

“Hi,” she said, the greeting coming out more shyly than she’d intended as she ogled at his sculpted chest and abs. 

“My face is up here,” Lucien teased. 

Elain coughed, and straightened her back. Right. She came here for a reason. “Let’s pick up where we left off,” she said as boldly as she could muster. 

Lucien’s grin was feral. “You don’t need to tell me twice, sweet pea.” He swept her up with his arms into a deep kiss, plunging her into a heady concoction of desire and heat. Elain practically jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his waist and running her hands through his long red hair. One of Lucien’s hands was firmly hoisting her up from her bottom, the other securely on her back. He pressed her tightly against him, as if no inch of her lithe body should be left untouched.

She was vaguely aware of Lucien kicking the door shut behind them as he walked her to his bed. Of how he gently laid her down onto his soft bed, still warm from the heat of his body. Of how his body angled between her legs, and how his hands, tense with restraint, ran along her waist and hips. 

Elain wanted—no, needed—more of Lucien. His fervent mouth, his delicate hands, the strong press of his body against hers. His comforting scent of apple and sun-kissed skin, intertwined with the intoxicating musk of arousal. She whimpered lightly when he drew away, both of them panting for the air they’d put on hold while kissing. 

Lucien’s face beheld a question: what do you want? 

“Is it true that Autumn males fuck like they have fire in their veins?” Elain asked with feigned innocence, biting her bottom lip purposefully to incite a smolder in Lucien’s russet eye. 

“Are you trying to find out?” Lucien rasped, his mouth deliciously tickling her ear. 

“Do your worst, sir.” Elain let out a squeal of pleasant shock when Lucien tore the front of her nightgown in half with a loud ripping sound, exposing her breasts to the chilly air. His russet eye darkened as he beheld her, splayed out before him. 

“Cold?” he murmured playfully, trailing kisses down her neck. Lucien’s finger circled around her peaked nipple once, twice, before massaging her small breast with the warm palm of his hand. 

“I expect to be thoroughly ravished,” Elain managed to say in as prim of a voice as possible. She arched her back slightly, wanting to meld her bare skin against his. Lucien chuckled, brushing the hair out of her eyes. 

“It’s always the most proper of ladies who are the naughtiest.” He moved back down the bed, with Elain instinctively spreading her legs wider to accommodate. Lucien noticed and laughed softly, running his broad hands up and down her bare calves. He pushed the rest of her nightgown up around her waist, momentarily speechless when he saw that she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. “Just as I thought,” he half-choked. 

Elain clapped a hand over her mouth at the moan that escaped it. Lucien had licked her like a male starved, groaning loudly upon his first taste.  

“You can be as loud as you want, my lady,” Lucien said, emphasizing the last two words teasingly. He looked up with a devilish grin. “The room is spelled to be sound-proof.” He licked her again, more slowly and deliberately, making Elain cry out, louder this time. Graysen never went down on her like this before, so she had no idea how to act. Whether she was supposed to be doing anything…

Lucien pushed a finger inside, slowly sinking it into her warmth and driving coherent thoughts from her mind. She absolutely couldn’t do anything while Lucien was pleasuring her. Good gods…if this was just his finger…how would his—Elain moaned when he curled it slightly. 

From where she was lying down, Elain couldn’t see what Lucien was going to do next, which was why the sensation of his tongue on her as he was fingering her came as a surprise. Elain writhed again, core tightening with each stroke of his finger, each lick of her clit. She wasn’t even aware that she was making sounds until Lucien rumbled against her inner thigh, “use your words, sweet pea.”

“Please, Lucien.” Her legs were beginning to shake. “Please…oh gods…Lucien, I can’t keep going— ah!” Elain’s words turned into incoherent babbles when Lucien’s tongue brought her to completion. Waves of pleasure rippled through her body, ebbing away until she was pliant and soft, like lying on clouds. “Shit, I’m so sorry,” Elain gasped, realizing that her thighs had clamped tightly around Lucien’s head when she came. 

“Don’t be…I consider myself lucky to have suffocated between your legs,” Lucien said with a wink, licking the last bit of her slick off his lips. He sat up, hooking her ankles over his shoulders and stroking her pale legs. He regarded her as if she were a goddess, more precious than anything else in the world. Elain shivered with greedy anticipation at how primal he looked in the moonlight: gleaming red hair, broad-shouldered and muscled, and teeth flashing white. 

“You’re beautiful,” Elain murmured. To her surprise, Lucien blushed. “Now take your pants off,” she demanded with a smile. 

“Such a manipulative vixen,” Lucien sighed, undoing the buttons on his pants. “Very well, then.” A rustling sound, a shifting of the bed as he tugged the material off…and Elain’s jaw dropped when she saw Lucien’s cock. Long, hard, and already leaking with precum…she swallowed, wondering how it was going to fit. Noting her hesitation, Lucien pressed a kiss to her nose. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want—”

“No. I want to.” Elain put her hand around his neck and tugged him down so that they were nose to nose. His bare chest brushed hers, hot and musky and chiseled. Gods, she needed him more than anything at the moment. She could already feel the tip of Lucien’s cock brushing against her inner thigh, smearing precum along her skin, as if reminding her that this was really happening. “I’m just…it’s just…having sex with my…my mate.” 

She’d never referred to him so directly before. I’m having sex with Lucien, holy shit, she thought. I’m having sex with Lucien. Fueled by the adrenaline, her heart was beating so rapidly that she was sure Lucien could hear it. 

“Don’t be nervous…it’s just me.” Lucien swallowed thickly. “If you’ll have me tonight.” Elain’s heart broke a bit at the word “tonight”, as if Lucien didn’t really think she wanted him for more than a quick fuck. 

“Yes.” He took her hand in his as he fitted himself over her entrance, squeezing it momentarily when he began to enter her. Elain sucked in her breath sharply at the brief hint of pain, which flashed through her core when the head of Lucien’s cock slipped in. He froze. 

“Elain?” He asked, brow creased with worry. “You winced.” 

“I’m alright, Lucien,” Elain whispered, cupping his face. The amount of care and concern on her mate’s expression…she knew in her heart that he would never hurt her. That she would be safe with him. She hooked her ankle around the back of his muscled thighs, a subtle signal that she was truly fine. “I want you. I want you to keep going, please.” Lucien could only nod and continue, moving slowly and allowing his mate to adjust to his length.

Lucien kissed Elain deeply when he was fully inside her, his hand gently resting over her heart. Feeling just how quickly it beat for him. “You feel so good, Elain,” he said, voice thick with emotion. 

“You too, Lucien,” Elain whispered back. She sighed when Lucien began moving, slowly and tenderly, making her feel deliciously full. She squirmed pleasantly when he nipped her ear, moaned when he kissed the hollow of her neck. “Lucien?” she said after a few moments of gentle lovemaking. 

“Yes, my lady?” 

“Whatever happened to fucking like you have fire in your veins?” 

Lucien smirked and suddenly thrust into her, hard, eliciting a little oh from Elain’s lips. The force with which she jolted back into the mattress, the driving of his cock into the deepest parts of her made her euphoric. “You like that, don’t you, my lady?” 

Gods, every time he said “my lady” in that sensual rumble brought Elain closer to cumming. He pulled out and thrust into her again.

“Just like this,” she panted out. Lucien’s sharp thrusts seemed to drive every rational thought from her mind, heightening her senses to the point where nothing else mattered but his very being. The cool strands of his hair, brushing against her peaked nipples. His mouth, expertly kissing her neck, her collarbones, her shoulders. His scent, driving her wild. His voice, unabashedly praising her. 

“Fuck,” Lucien groaned, his hips snapping roughly against hers. She could hear the entire bed slam against the wall with each thrust. “You’re so fucking perfect, Elain.” 

Elain raked her nails down Lucien’s back as he pounded her harder, unable to keep her moans of pleasure contained. “Yes, yes, yes, Lucien,” she cried, each word punctuated by a thrust. Even though they were skin-to-skin, even though he was inside her, it was not close enough. “I want you to come inside me.” 

Lucien’s eyes grew wide at her request. “Wouldn’t you—”

“Gwyn gave me her contraceptive potion this morning,” Elain gritted out, squeezing Lucien’s cock lightly with her pelvic muscles. He swore, hips stuttering. “Please, Lucien.” 

“Shit,” Lucien muttered, picking up the pace again. “So godsdamn perfect, sweet pea.” Her mate’s pace faltered as he neared the climax. Elain pulled Lucien down, kissing him hard as he came, groaning “Elain” raggedly into her mouth.

She was so utterly worn out, she didn’t notice Lucien had left until he came back from the en suite bathroom with a warm damp cloth. “Impeccable,” Elain laughed softly as Lucien carefully maneuvered her limbs so that he could wipe her down. She was content to lay like a relaxed cat while he took care of her. “Incredible.” 

Lucien smiled broadly as he lay back down next to her. “I’m glad my performance lived up to your expectations. Sorry about your nightgown.” 

Elain chuckled, sliding the tattered garment off her body fully and tossing it to the floor. “I’ve always wanted a bodice ripper moment, anyways. I’ll keep it as a Solstice present.” Her mate propped his head up with an arm and laid his other arm across her stomach, stroking her waist. Elain traced the curvature of his chest, the lines on his abdomen, marveling at the muscles of Lucien’s figure.

“Will you stay the night?” Lucien asked.

Elain glanced up at him. “Do you want me to?” 

“I’d be lying if I said no.” Lucien admitted, with guarded hope in his eyes. Elain pressed a chaste kiss on his shoulder. “But I also understand if you’d prefer to sleep alone.” 

“I shall stay,” she murmured, snuggling up against her mate, savoring the warmth he provided after the post-coital heat evaporated into the chilly night air. I could get used to this, she thought contentedly, as Lucien’s steady heartbeat lulled her to sleep. 

***

They’d slept peacefully, so deeply that they forgot to wake up in time to take baths and wash their intermingled scents off. Lucien knew he and Elain had a dramatic welcome in store for them during breakfast the very next morning, but that didn’t quite prepare him for the stunned looks exchanged between his parents and his brothers. 

Eris nearly fell out of his chair mid-bite. His father began clapping loudly and whistling, winking at Elain. His mother hid her smile behind a napkin. His other brothers began to chuckle and shake their heads. Gwyn gasped. Meanwhile, Jurian and Vassa were looking around, confused, their human noses too weak to pick up what was going on. 

“Enough!” Lucien snapped, his face flaming hot. He glanced down at Elain, worried that his family was making her uncomfortable. Though her face was pink, she only grinned back. And intimately placed her hand on his lower back, pushing him towards the table.

“Hurry up, I’m starving,” she giggled.  “Oh. Oh.” Jurian’s jaw dropped, as he understood what was happening a minute too late. “You two just had sex?”

[blvckentropy]

Romance Ideas

Things EA could have added or hope they added to make this pack worthy of being an expansion

Hotel resorts/Running hotels/motels. What the point of a kit if you didn't make gameplay for it?

MORE GAMES!

could have brought back the love inspector, kissing booths, those swan boat rides/double paddle boats and other carnival games. OH double seated bikes! (all ages!!). Double seated toy cars for toddlers/child (I'm reaching for the stars w/ this one) Bring back matchmakers (as a career) from sims 3 as well (personally I think need more games because that big a** waste of space aint cutting it). Add event for date game nights 🤷🏾‍♀️ Actual plan a date night w/o having to immediately go on one so we can have multiple dates to your calendar (idk if we can do that alrdy)

I was literally talking about this a couple days ago. Bring back the walk of shame/pride walk. And add a system where I can call sneaky links an Uber/cab (i know there's no vehicles) but even if they just walk off the lot, it'll be funny just to have a pop up that said I guess the night didnt go well but can I call you again? Yes/No. and the if the answer "no", they walk off sad or sum shit (this is out the box thinking) if yes, they do the pride walk js🤣

I saw dance but are there going to be new dances? If they already making shit modders already done then hell put some more dance interactions (tango, waltz, slow dancing, slow wine, more culture dances (for all ages!!!!) Ice skating! bring back ice skating on water and in general

I thought we could write love letters at one point but idk. But can we send gifts through the mailboxes/love letters on pc too? Like little stuff like that w/ no effect would be okay. (again, idk if this already exists). You could have an update w/ HSY (they won't) have a system where teens can pass around love notes. Have a pop asking if they like you or not. Get a good/bad moodlet.

-Add an update to Horse ranch (even tho its broken) where you can go on a plan romantic horse ride on a trail with your partner/crush (teen-up) thru I think you can just do that regularly (I don't have the pack lol)

-------------------------------------

That's all I got; maybe someone have other ideas. But this is my opinion because EA exe lacks imagination and compassion 🤷🏾‍♀️

[dkniade]

something something Raihan (Pokémon Sword/Shield) and Kaeya (Genshin Impact) being more similar than I thought and maybe I just have a type in fictional characters

Not only in visuals (top heavy, dark colours, fancy jacket/equivalent) but in personality too I guess

Except Raihan uses difficult weather conditions to his advantage in Pokémon battles and Kaeya nearly died in a rainstorm night twice so that’s one difference at least. Also Raihan is performative ‘cause he’s got this athlete/idol persona like all other Galarian gym leaders (gym battles are like live sport events in Galar), and Kaeya’s performative ‘cause he does intelligence and has trust issues from unresolved trauma.

…these two should get together and have a chat.

Kaeya’s got a Cryo Vision, and dragon-type Pokémon (Raihan’s speciality type in Pokémon battles) are weak to ice-types so who knows, can Kaeya take down all of Raihan’s Pokémon by himself…?

(I’ve never actually played the Pokémon games and have only read the wikis so it’s just my impression of Raihan)

Note: Kaeya gets anxious at rain in second section but Raihan calms him down

“Quite the arena you have here, Mr. Raihan.”

“Thanks! But that’s just the standard here in Galar.”

“Oh? Well, it’d be exciting to play here, I bet.”

“Play? Oh, no no no, you’ve misunderstood. We do Pokémon battles here.”

“Oh?”

“You bring your best Pokémon to fight against other trainers, see who wins, yeah?”

“…Like Onikabuto fights? In Inazuma, pitching bettles in battles against eachother is popular, I’ve heard.”

“Yeah, pretty much. Hey, is that a Poké Ball you’ve got there? Got an ice-type with you?”

“In fact, I am an ice-type.”

“Huh?”

—

(Goodra has used Rain Dance, and it’s now raining in the area. Kaeya’s Cryo attacks go out of control)

“Finally showing your true power, huh? Well, bring it on! …Hey— Hey, Kaeya, relax! We’re just training here; not trying to seriously hurt them!”

(trying to appear calm but actually anxious inside) “Quite a rainstorm you’ve got here, Leader Raihan. Heh, this is going to get interesting…”

“Goodra, come back!” (Throws out another Poké Ball onto the field) “Turtonator! Sunny Day!”

(The rain immediately clears up and the arena becomes sunny. Kaeya calms but maintains Glacial Waltz.)

“My, my, are you pitying me, Galar’s strongest gym leader?”

“Kaeya! Are you alright?”

(Kaeya ends Glacial Waltz with a smile) “Why wouldn’t I be? We’re simply training, that’s all. But why hold back, hm?”

“…Look, I know you’re not a trainer, and I don’t know what you’ve been through, but Pokémon perform the best when they’re enjoying the battle. If you’re driven by anxiety or blind rage while fighting, you can seriously hurt yourself.”

“Quite the philosophy you’ve got there. Do all Galarian gym leaders share this view?”

“It’s something all good trainers should know. I know Unova’s champion and dragon-type leader sees it this way.”

“Hmm.”

“So what happened just now?”

“My! How bold of you.”

By the way, (Unova’s Champion) Iris’ and Kokomi’s outfits both seem to be based off of the daughter of the Dragon King (龙王) in Buddhism (I believe?) who lives in an underwater palace (?). The loop of cloth is what distinguishes it but Kokomi’s outfit seems very much stylized with the cloth only noticeable in her Burst.

[justnat15]

Christmas Cookies

Okay, this was supposed to just be lighthearted and funny all the way through, but then the waltzing started and it's my absolute dream to dance around my home with the love of my life someday just because we can. This became an indulgence and is a lot longer than originally planned. Oops. So, with that, I present to you this story. Over 1,300 words of pure indulgent Christmas fun.

So much thanks to my foxy wifey @writeforfandoms for encouraging me when I was worried about making our cowboy out of character. I love you!

Warnings: Um, Christmas? Country music mentioned? Dancing? Cookies. Fluff.

                     Christmas Cookies

A heavenly smell infused the air inside the modest sized ranch house. You danced around the kitchen to the Christmas music playing on the radio as you took a cookie sheet out of the oven and placed it on the counter top to cool. Moments later, another sheet of cookies was placed in the oven. Different colors of frosting and sprinkles littered the island in the middle of the room.

Jack “Whiskey” Daniels, special agent of Statesman, watched the scene with warm eyes from the entryway. It did his heart so much good to see the woman he adored more than anything be comfortable and at home in his house. With that feeling of warmth and love still radiating from him, he walked forward and grabbed you around the waist, spinning you to face him with a grin.

“Jack! You're home early!” His little darling cried with excitement, your smile making your eyes sparkle with joy. You stood up on tiptoe to press a quick kiss to the man's lips, giggling softly at the feel of his mustache against your soft skin.

“Hello sugar,” Jack murmured, whirling the two of you around the kitchen in a lively two-step. The cowboy's smile grew at the sound of his lover's laughter ringing through the house as he continued to spin you around to the music.

When the song ended and the dancing came to a pause, you were out of breath and rosy-cheeked. “What's got you in such high spirits today, cowboy of mine?” You asked, wriggling out of his grip to check on the cookies still baking in the oven.

Jack grinned salaciously at the sight of you bent over, reaching out to goose you. He chuckled at the yelp you let out, grabbing your hand as you whirled around to smack his shoulder. “I can't just be happy to see you in our home?” He bent down, his lips brushing against yours with each word.

Your mind blanked at the closeness between the two of you. It didn't matter that you had been in a relationship for over two years, Jack still managed to take your breath away and cause your brain to shut down at the drop of a hat.

Jack chuckled again at the bright blush spreading across your cheeks. He leaned down further and closed the distance between the two of you to properly kiss you. When he pulled back, he marveled at the flush that was somehow a deeper color across your cheeks. “Hello, darlin',” he cooed softly.

You blinked and smiled brightly up at your cowboy. “Welcome home, Jack. You're just in time to help me decorate the Christmas cookies.” You laughed as you spun out of his grip and turned back to the cookie sheet sitting on the space next to the stove. “The first batch should be cooled enough to put the icing on!”

The brunet laughed and followed you, enamored with how you shifted gears so quickly from being under his spell to being excited over Christmas cookies of all things. “Sounds like a plan, darlin'. Do you have the sprinkles this time?” He held back a snicker at the pout you sent his way over the reminder of the lack of sprinkles the last time you made cookies to decorate.

“Hush you! Or you won't get any of these! Not that you should, anyway. At least not until the company party, since Champ personally asked me to bring them,” you absentmindedly smacked away the cowboy agent's hand that was reaching for one of the sugar cookies waiting to be decorated. You giggled at the yelp and mock pout your lover sent your way.

“Now, sugar, taste testing is an important part of baking! It's for quality control! After all, you wouldn't want to take any cookies that didn't taste right,” Jack whined, wrapping his arms around your waist.

You leaned back in his embrace and sighed. “Oh alright. But just one!”

“From each batch?” Jack buried his face in your neck, knowing his mustache would tickle the sensitive skin there.

You screamed in laughter and tried to pull away. “Jack Daniels, you stop that!” Alas, his grip was too secure and you couldn't escape. After a few moments of delicious torture, he let you go and spun you around in his arms.

“Dance with me?” He led you in a slow traveling waltz as Frank Sinatra's “The Christmas Waltz” played in the background.

A soft smile tugged at the corners of your mouth as the two of you danced around the kitchen again. “You know this is my favorite Christmas song.”

Jack hummed in acknowledgment. “I also remember once you said that you always wanted to waltz to it with your partner.” He hummed along to the crooning of Sinatra as he continued to twirl you around the kitchen.

You perked up at his comment. You hadn't talked about that to anyone since... “That was years ago! Before you even asked me out on our first date! Wait, I didn't even tell you that. I was talking to Ginger at the first Christmas party I attended at the agency!” You leaned back to make eye contact. “Jack, did you eavesdrop on me?”

His chuckle vibrated in his chest as he pulled you in close. “I was smitten from the first time I laid eyes on you, didn't you know that, sugar? The brand new tech specialist working alongside Ginger. I gathered information to make sure I could capture your attention and keep it. I succeeded, didn't I?” He bent you in a quick dip before pulling you back up for a spin. He grinned as his shining brown eyes met yours.

You returned his grin with one of your own. “Yes you did, cowboy.” You stood on tiptoes to kiss your lover, happiness shining in your eyes.

The two of you continued to dance in a comfortable silence for the next few songs until the timer went off, reminding you of the cookies still in the oven. Jack sighed and let you go, watching as you bounced on your toes in excitement again at the prospect of decorating Christmas cookies.

“C'mon, cowboy! You won't distract me this time from icing these cookies!” You giggled, pulling the special agent to the kitchen island where you had previously laid out all the tools for your current mission.

Jack just shook his head and followed your lead. At least for a little bit. An hour into decorating the cookies, Jack smirked at you over the cookies and frosting between the two of you and stretched out a hand to you as George Strait’s “Christmas Cookies” played over the speaker you had hooked your phone up to.

“C’mon, sugar. Swing with me,” was all he said before he grabbed you and pulled you to your feet. You laughed and obliged, allowing yourself to be led into a country swing. 

The constant movements of spins, dips, and jumps kept you on your toes, literally and figuratively. You knew all the same moves as Jack, but you never knew too far ahead of time which move he would pull until he was signaling you with the press of his hands. He could move through a tabletop or two, twist you through the pretzel, or lift you up on his hip before leading you behind his back for a hand change. 

Dancing with Jack brought you exhilaration like no other. Sure, you had other great dance partners, but none of them had a thing on Jack. He made following his lead as easy as breathing. It didn’t hurt that his touch made you feel alive in a way no one else could ever hope to. 

As if reading your thoughts, Jack pulled you in close and murmured in your ear, “I love you, sugar.” He spun you out and then back in with a wide smile on his face. “Best dance partner I could ever have.” 

You grinned, breathless, as the Statesman agent led you into one last dip as the song came to a close. “I love you, too, cowboy,” you managed to whisper before Jack pulled you up into a sweet kiss. 

“Now, how about we finish up those cookies?” Jack asked once he let you go. You couldn’t do anything but laugh as you both got back to decorating.

[viacursecasting]

The Tune Of Our Hearts.

An Arte X Ivy Drabble

"You look ravishing."

"You're insufferable."

The response elicited Arte's laugh, a melodious sound that made Ivy's heart flutter. He then gave her a fond smile that complemented his sparkling cyan pools. "Thank you for coming. I was starting to feel lonely."

They stood in the solitude of the courtyard garden, a grand fountain acting as white noise, as Ivy gestured toward the lit mansion with dozens of dapper guests inside. "Even with all those people?"

"Especially so," Arte replied. "None of them are you."

She was glad that her mask hid her blush.

Arte offered his palm, asking, "May I have this dance?"

Ivy was confused. "But there's no music."

"We have the tune of our hearts," the feline said with a wink.

Panic seized Ivy—a reflex since she was so accustomed to keeping her distance. However, when she peered into those beaming aquamarines, an overwhelming sense of trust washed over her, and she melded her hand with his.

The cryokinetic's fingers were as cool as ice as he wrapped an arm around her waist, brushing the skin exposed by the low-cut back of her ballroom dress. The arachnid didn't even flinch; she had always been naturally cold.

Perhaps they truly were made for each other...

The first thing she took note of was his steady posture. Acting like the frame to her masterpiece, he effortlessly led her into a waltz as they glided across the courtyard, surrounded by the garden's flowers that sparkled with dew in the moonlight. She was surprised at how easily her footwork harmonized with his. On top of that, his steps were so floaty she felt like she was in a dream.

His trench coat billowed behind him like a superhero's cape, mirroring the way her full skirt twirled. But she hardly took note, for she was bewitched by his sheer proximity, by his cool, crisp cologne, by his platinum bangs that tickled her face like snowflakes.

They started to sway to a slower beat as Ivy chimed, "I had no idea you were such a good dancer."

"You learn a thing or two when you have parents like mine."

Her curiosity piqued. "What are they like?"

Arte shrugged. "Hardworking, I guess? Never around." He gave a hollow huff. "Typical rich folk, am I right?"

The cat was smiling but Ivy could see the sadness behind his eyes.

It was Arte's turn to ask, "What are your parents like?"

Ivy's movements, and in turn his, slowed to a halt, though they kept their arms around each other. "I actually don't remember much before my Infection," she confessed.

Arte's features softened. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

"Don't be," Ivy reassured him. "Besides," she added as she clutched his lapel, making his heart pound, "I'd much rather focus on the present."

She went to stroke his face, slightly brushing away his bangs to reveal his deformed pupil, shaped like a lambda. "That being said, I do feel responsible for your eye."

Arte took her slender fingers, bringing them to his lips. "I would do it all over again if it meant this moment," he confessed.

Ivy tried to ease her racing pulse by letting out an amused huff. "You say the most ridiculous things."

"Is that not what love does?" Arte teased. "Makes us do crazy things?"

"Surely," Ivy responded, cupping his face, "because falling for the likes of you has made me insane."

[styrmwb]

Favorite Final Fantasy Music (FFXI - Wings of the Goddess)

Expansion #4, the time travel one baby!!!!! The story for this one is neat, as it brings back what the base game had of choosing a nation and having missions based off that nation specifically, but also having a lot more of a unified storyline. You get to meet a lot of familiar NPCs from the past, but also get to revisit the base world, with slight changes. The entire world is at war, and all of the cities you're in are more like military forts. It's all very cool. The official soundtrack for this is weird; cause it includes Iron Colossus and Ragnarok, which are Aht Urhgan songs (Ragnarok being the final boss of that expansion (also fucked up that Odin is Iron Colossus and Alexander is Ragnarok)), but doesn't include its actual final boss theme, cause that was put in a different soundtrack later. I am not 1-to-1 following the official soundtrack for this list for this exception (spoilers whooaaaaaaaaa)

5. Snowdrift Waltz What if we made a song using the sound of throwing a rock against a very very large landmass of ice? That's this song. Which works! Cause it plays in a frozen tundra. I really feel like the title of this song fits it in particular, a lot more than a lot of songs; cause that's literally just what it is! It's a nice waltz that sounds like snowdrift. I don't have much to say other than it's a really good melody with a very unique sound in the back, perfectly fitting its purpose.

4. Run Maggot, Run! We've done a lot of parts for one game. The pro of this is I get to share a lot more songs that I enjoy because the game is so big. The cons of this though, are a few of the songs are just going to fall under the same general reasoning for why I enjoy them, because XI has that XI sound that I really like. This is ultimately, another XI battle song that kinda fits that same mold previous entries have, so I won't go too in depth other than I love the cool pan flute, the more intense than usual percussion, and the melody when the muted cymbal and starry noise come in.

3. Under a Clouded Moon This song was a lot like Tough Battle #2, where I hated it at first because of the really weird rhythm it had; but then I started really listening to it and I was able to find where the song was (does that make sense?). I love the strangely buzzy echo the song goes into when giving the main hits a break, especially when it adds the artificial choir sound on the second go. Finally, the part that plays right before that repeat reminds me of Dragon Quest IX's grottos, which makes me really happy cause I love that game.

2. Goddess Divine Hey remember when I made a whole paragraph saying that the actual final boss theme wasn't in the soundtrack? Here's that theme now! I feel like it's been a minute since I've put an actual final boss theme in the lists; RotZ's was good, but the first half is a little repetitive. And I never really cared for CoP's or ToAU's. But this one felt different. It's a lot more subdued than the previous examples. I love the choir in the start, giving you that same heavenly vibe that part 4 of Dancing Mad does, fitting the fight. The melody is beautiful, yet I wanna say the minor key it's in (I might be wrong on this) and the heavy strings/percussion bring in that sense of sorrow and tension that really reminds you 1) this is a fight for your timeline but also 2) this is essentially a fight against your friend. The final part of the song brings back that heavenly sound with the XI flair, and making the bells/glockenspiel an actually tolerable instrument! (middle school band has left scars on my heart) I also really liked the Dissidia NT version of this song, giving it a very techno feel.

1. Wings of the Goddess It's been a minute since I've used a final boss theme, and it's also been a minute since I've used a title screen theme. Other than Vana'diel March, Wings of the Goddess is my second favorite title theme. Whenever one of them starts playing as I boot up the game, I get nothing but a big smile on my face. While it has very similar percussion to a lot of the game, something about the snare in this one gives me more of that drummer boy to battle vibe than Vana'diel March had, befitting this expansion taking place during a war, but still giving you that hopefulness, that freedom, and that happiness in its main melody getting you ready for this open world. My favorite part is the final part of the song, with the horn solo playing off, and the flute repeating itself almost like it's fading away the song, telling you to start the game up already! It's a really nice composition that I love for a lot of the same reasons as Vana'diel March, but making it different enough to give its own story.

Honorable mentions this time are: March of the Allied Forces, Flowers on the Battlefield, Griffons Never Die, Echoes of a Zephyr, Thunder of the March, Royal Wanderlust, and Troubled Shadows.

[twizzleenthusiast]

Why does the ISU hate ice dance??? I was hoping we'd get a waltz next season, remember those? Remember how pretty? I don't want to see people shredding their knees and getting an entire element invalidated because they "didn't get close enough to the boards" wtf??? It has nothing to do with skill!!! Nobody is asking for this acrobatic silliness. The FDs are straight up getting as cluttered as the pairs frees. And don't even get me started on this half-a-pattern nonsense. All it'll do is demonize one of the partners. Anyway, I hope the ISU likes Stranger Things because it'll get 40 programs of it if it pushes ahead with this half-baked idea. I have half a mind to hold up a BRING BACK THE PATTERN sign at the next comp I go to (if I even bother to go).

Oh anon, I feel you soo much....waltzes...man I would give anything for a golden waltz season...or honestly even a ravensburger at this point. Just anything to make the skaters actually dance with each other again. And I could happily spend the rest of my life not seeing another tacky, jarring choreo step or knee-shredding slide or people lying on the ice in the middle of a program or standing still and doing some half-baked arm-ography. Honestly the addition of the choreo step to the rd this season is one of my absolute most disliked rule changes....my kingdom for an old school dance pattern :(((

[yourkimjaejin]

Saikai

(Here's a look at Juno and her relationship with her brother Natsuo. I hope you enjoy!! This post is conncected to my NCT AG at Mama post found here. p.s Saikai is Japanese for reunion. P.s.s. this gif of Mabel and Dipper is so precious)

Moxy was talking to Renjun, and subsequently Haechan (he refuses to be ignored) about the boys arrival in Japan when Juno waltzed in knocking Moxy’s phone to the floor and flopping onto her leader with a huge over exaggerated sigh

Luckily Moxy had a plush rug next to her bed. Thank you Jaehyun. 

“Injunnie, I think I’ve got a situation over here. I’ll see you in a week.” The call ended to the sound of Haechan’s whining. Moxy hung up the phone, turning her attention to her best friend lying across her lap. 

Moxy ran fingers through Juno’s hair, “Wanna tell me what’s up?”

Juno sighed again flopping onto her back, “My brother’s coming to see us at MAMA. Apparently he had business but he was given some days off.”

Fingers stilled for a moment before continuing their work. “You're not thrilled about this…I’m guessing.” Juno groaned in response. 

“Natsuo’s not big on jobs in entertainment. He thinks it's a one in a million chance that someone can be successful. And I get it. He-he tried and it didn’t work out.” 

Moxy sat up, surprised at Juno’s reveal. “Your brother was a singer?!” Juno shook her head, “No he was a children's model. Once he grew up no one really hired Natsuo anymore. After he ended his contract with his agent he focused on school. Became the star lawyer he is today.” Juno pursed her lips contemplating what to say. Both girls sat up, Juno moving to sit next to her leader resting against the headboard

“I love my brother but I also don't want to hear him harp on about getting back on the ice or studying for a career I don’t want to have.” The younger's eyes shifted to the bed following the finger tracing patterns across her leader's bedspread. “Sometimes it feels like he’s just waiting for me to fail.” 

The other girl took a second to respond, approaching her advice carefully, “Maybe you should tell him how you feel. Especially if this has been going on a long time. It’s not fair of him to put his fears on you.” 

“Yeah…..” Juno may have responded affirmatively but her brain was miles away. 

The members of AG were riding high. After three years, AG finally won at MAMA.

Not that they weren’t thankful for the fan’s choice award every year, they’re always thankful for NCTzen’s support. It’s just that the fan’s choice award was about the fans. Sure, they cultivated that kind of support but it didn’t feel like fan’s choice was something they earned by their own merit. 

But finally after three years, AG’s hard work paid off. 

Best Dance Performance - Girl Group

It wasn’t Best Group - Girl Group but that didn’t matter, they’d get there eventually. Right here right now it was about Best Dance Performance. The girls and their management were all riding on a high. For Juno she felt everything was finally coming together. AG won Queendom, their first studio album was extremely successful (Their repackage was shaping out to be the same), now this. The houston native felt nothing could bring her down

“Juno-yah! You’re brothers here!” Except that. 

At their manager noona’s words, the smile was wiped from her face. Juno’s members all turned to her all with different expressions. Moxy concerned, Hannah happy, Aurora questioning. 

“Juno?”

“Why didn’t you tell us your brother was coming tonight?”

“Obviously cause she's not especially excited about it.”

Juno avoided answering any question by making her way to the door. The manager placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll be here if you need an out.” The assurance took some of the unease away only for it to come back tenfold seeing her brother leaning on the wall. 

Now that she thinks about it, it's been years since she’s seen her brother. A part of the singer wants to run into her elders embrace and reacquaint herself with his unique scent of cedarwood and sage but something held her back. The inevitable. “When are you gonna start training again?” “You can't expect this to last forever right?” “You need a back up plan.” “You can always come home and I’ll help you study for whatever major you choose.” 

Just as Natsuo opened his mouth, Juno cut him off. 

“Maya—” “Don't even think about it.” 

The sibling stood at a standstill. Staff members moved around them, making sure the rest of MAMA went off without a hitch. Unaware of the tense reunion unfolding before them.

“If any other words besides 'congratulations little sister!’ are about to come out of your mouth save it! My group just put the icing on the top of our coming out party cake. We’ve had the best year of our lives. And if you're gonna come here just to spew your own agenda against all entertainment jobs you can walk away right now. I’d rather remember you as the brother who was too busy studying to see his own sister off!” Juno was panting at the end of her rant. The initial anger ran dry. An unknown feeling replacing it. 

Natsuo looked resigned. Despair in the corners of his eyes. The siblings stood frozen. In her peripheral, Juno can see Hannah ushering Aurora and Moxy away from the crack in the door. Giving the two estranged siblings a moment of privacy

As much privacy as you could get backstage at an award show. 

Tentatively, Natsuo took steps closer to his sister. Her not backing away was a good sign. The closer he got, Juno closed her eyes, prepared to open them to empty space. 

Brown eyes shot open at the embrace surrounding her. Sage filled her lungs bringing Juno back to her first figure skating event. She didn’t even place and these same arms wrapped around her. Encouraging to keep going. Reminding her that winning can’t be everything. 

“If you always won, you’d have nothing to work for. Hard work not only creates winners but better people.”

Juno sank further into the embrace. She missed this. She still fit perfectly. 

“I was wrong.” Juno tried to pull away to look her brother in the eye but he just pulled her tighter. 

“I shouldn’t have stayed back to study. I was just…..scared. And that's not an excuse but I couldn't bear seeing this world chew up your talent and spit you back out. I guess I should have known all the real talent went to you.”

“You have talent, ani.” 

“Not talent like yours imōto. I was a face.” Natsuo pulled away, bringing Juno into his eyesight. Juno felt his eyes trace her face, looking for what changed since they last saw each other all those years ago. 

“I’m sorry, imōto. For putting my failures on you. For not seeing past my own shit. For not acknowledging your star power. I hope you can forgive me.” 

“That's all I've wanted to hear.” Tears spilled from both their eyes. The dark cloud over the Okada siblings dissipates, leaving a rising sun in its wake. 

Once the tears dried, the two still didn’t let go of each other. Afraid the other would disappear, Juno intertwined her fingers with the elders, pulling him in the opposite direction of AG’s dressing room. 

“Aren’t you gonna introduce me to your members?” Natsuo laughed, letting his smaller sister lead the way. 

“They can wait. Another family reunion awaits. Did Haha tell you cousin Ruto became an idol too?” Juno navigated the halls of the arena like a pro. Natsuo couldn’t help but be in awe all the hustle and bustle going around them and how the staff seemed to part for Juno.

“Umm…NO! Haruto became an idol too!!” 

“Yeah, he performed earlier tonight. There he is! RUTO-YAH!! REMEMBER HIM!!!”