#but he has trouble understanding his own feelings and filtering them

[tracklessreason]

Professor X, but he isn't able to read certain people's minds. For reasons beyond metal and being blocked out.

For example, Logan has very well attuned senses, and particularly is hyper aware of threats. The feeling of Charles entering his mind is physically painful for him, it's an attack on his senses akin to the onset of a brutal migraine. Even just trying to sweep over him and catch the loud thoughts wanting to be heard can be an excruciating experience for Logan. While Charles' mental presence can pass over or through most people, Logan's mind makes an opponent of itself, rejecting the presence and bouncing it back. His pain can be felt by Charles as though it were his own.

As Logan gets more comfortable being around people, (specifically growing less wary of Charles) it hurts less when done without his knowledge, but for it to be a painless experience, Charles has to let Logan know he wants to search his mind to allow him to mentally prepare himself. Of course, this isn't the most effective strategy when he's trying to dig up something Logan is deliberately hiding from him, but trying to get access anyways would only result in Logan revoking trust.

Jean Grey doesn't actually know how to block Charles at first. Instead, the reason he can't read her mind is because of the mental barrier in place holding back Dark Phoenix. Jean Grey's conscious exists in three states simultaneously: what she perceives as herself, her personality and thoughts, then what's being hidden from her by the barrier, her darker persona, the limiters on her powers, memories relating to Phoenix and other things Charles believes she's better off not knowing.

What exists in between those two spaces is a sort of mental sinew binding those two personalities together, allowing Dark Phoenix to be submerged instead of morphing into a separate alter capable of swapping control of their body. Some things pass between spaces through here, it's why Jean has nightmares and trouble controlling her abilities. It's also why Dark Phoenix knows enough about Jean Grey to manipulate the other X-men when given control. I

t's all very complicated, and surprisingly fragile. If Charles should breach one space, then go to another, he risks creating holes in the barrier, or carrying over aspects from one personality to the other, which could cause both to muddle into a pseudo-schizophrenic mess. However, because of how strong a presence Jean's mind has, he can sense her emotional state without needing to read her mind, and this paired with how much she acts off her emotions and how well he knows her, means he can predict her thoughts and actions almost as effectively as if he did have free access to her mind.

Deadpool is an interesting case. He has no honed senses or mental tricks as part of his mutation that should allow him to block out Charles. Instead, he can feel Charles' presence, and even stranger, Charles can feel his. Most untrained/unmutated minds are like closed channels. Charles' can get in, but the person cannot block him, nor can they reciprocate unless prompted. Deadpool's presence in a room feels like a drape over everything, an awareness of everything around him at a level even Charles struggles to understand. It's also like the signal from a radio. Charles can feel that signal, and if he tunes in, it becomes a two way radio. Charles can see Deadpool's mind, but Deadpool can also shape how and what he experiences while there. In short, Deadpool's thoughts cannot be filtered, he can only see them as Deadpool wants him to.

Fascinatingly, Deadpool is also not alone in his mind, but not in the same way as Jean Grey, or someone with distinct alters. Yellow and White, as Wade refers to them, are perceived as separate entities, but are in fact merely vectors, a sort of devil and angel on Deadpool's shoulders which serves as the only filter for Wade's mind.

His initial thoughts are pure, they are his true intents and feelings, but once filtered, they warp, viewed through two extreme viewpoints. Yellow, a cold and calculated blood thirst that cleverly and intentionally disguises itself as chaotic and humorous. White, on the surface ominous and hateful, but actually a protective coping mechanism which shields all of Wade from what he fears through self deprecation and intimidation methods. Embodiments of dark humor and reactive defense which heavily influence Wade's behavior and thought process. You can't understand one of the three if you don't understand all of them.

Wade isn't impossible for Charles to read, but he is tricky, like a puzzle. Not that he's unaware or protective of that fact. Often the two will sit in front of one another in silence for extended periods of time, Charles roaming the labyrinth of Wade's mind, guided by these branches of his personality.

[mysticmilktea]

Just dumping some character HCs for the world I’m building in my expo 33 fic~

Verso: Hopeless romantic who wears his heart on his sleeve but never thinks he deserves love because of the baggage that would come with someone truly falling for him. His family is too intense, too messy, but he WANTS it. He wants a life of his own, unshackled from cycles of grief. A life of mortality because there is beauty to the finite, to dedicating limited time to those that matter. A bit of a social butterfly on the surface level but only a select few of his friends actually know the real him because facades of jokes and happiness are so much easier. Is a bit of an animal whisperer, not just his own dog but wild animals too. Plagued by nightmares and a fear of the dark as a child that he never truly grew out of though he does his best not to show it. Is a horrible cook. Very impulsive, disorganized, and passionate. His love for the arts is a huge outlet for his emotions but also a crutch that he uses in place of talking through emotions face-to-face. Collector of trinkets. Dyes his hair not because he’s concerned about the appearance of it white but rather so he can try to bridge the disconnect between the memories he has of the “real” Verso’s life and his own. The implanted memories of life beyond the canvas, the life that wasn’t his but he is expected to be a continuation of. Part of him hates that world’s Verso for the burden of it all, but the other part understands because he’s living in a world shaped by ghosts and he haunts these halls too.

Gustave: Book-smart genius who is extremely organized at work but messy at home because he doesn’t have time to lean or clean. Dedicated to those he loves through work but has trouble expressing that love through anything but work which can cause misunderstandings. School-boy level romance skills, historically fucks up romances proactively because it will all end eventually so why not now? It’s more efficient this way after all. Is an amazing cook but often eats alone. Very meticulous health regimen. Loves his sister but feels like her job is a bit of a farce, keeping morale up for a city of dying generations when they should be focusing all efforts on changing the future, not being complacent. Is a good advice giver and a bad advice follower. Is great with children because their needs are simple and there is nothing but truth and earnestness to them, no hidden social complexities.

Lune: 100 mph energy for work 0 mph energy for social engagements. Spotless home. Sees love as a bit of a science, molecular attraction, physical need….until she met Sciel. Has many of the same wardrobe pieces in different colors out of optimization of fit and ease of decision. Her passion for music is not something she prioritizes but she goes to sleep thinking about it every night. Not just the songs she knows but the songs she wants to write, the chords and notes that remind her of friends, melodies that match the personalities around her. If science is the language through which the world speaks its secrets then music is the language through which the soul speaks its truth.

Maelle: Child prodigy at fencing, aces almost everything she touches. Doesn’t have a social filter so often makes awkward jokes that may hurt someone’s feelings. Is truly a social butterfly and secretly likes the attention. Aromantic but loves helping set people up. Great at reading people, horrible at handling her own emotions. Loves to read. Low key thinks Sophie could do better than Gustave because he never really got his act together, though she does understand where he’s coming from just not the pain he put Sophie through. Thinks ghosts are real but still gives Verso shit for being afraid of the dark.

[highlordofkrypton]

Can we have a drabble about Tamlin dying his hair black pls

Yes, of course! I thought this was a cute opportunity to continue this baby Tamlin series. I've also posted it on AO3 too!

from the beginning

baby tamlin dyes his hair black

A delicate balance must be maintained between the two Courts. Rhysand cannot spend all his time in Spring, it goes against everything he was working towards and planning. Whenever he tries to leave, a pang of guilt pierces his chest and it worsens when he has to face those big, teary green eyes staring up at him. Rhysand is the only living person he remembers and to abandon a child—

He remembers what it was like to be alone in the moments where his mother was needed elsewhere. She rarely wanted to leave him, but his father took pleasure in driving a wedge between them. His father always came first, and he was his mother’s mate. His mind wanders towards Feyre and her name scrawled at the top of the parchment. All he needs is a bit more time. Azriel, Mor and Cassian will understand.

The doors to the emissary study burst open.

“Where’s Tamlin?!”

Rhysand blinks at the panting redhead. “I thought he was with you.”

“No, I told you that I had a meeting with the Summer emissary. The nursemaids were supposed to bring him to you when he had his morning bath.”

“You have told me sweet fuck all, Vanserra. Do not turn this on me.”

Lucien rolls his eyes and turns on his heels. “You better help me look, your lordship. ”

It’s Rhysand’s turn to roll his eyes. He’s a big believer in working smarter not harder, something Lucien may not be familiar with. He closes his eyes, letting the tendrils of his mind reach out to everyone in the manor and looking for thoughts of the little blonde lordling. He’s careful not to rummage around too deeply or jostle people out of their consciousness. Hints are all he’s asking for. He gets more than just a hint, recognizing Tamlin’s childish inner monologue, singing to himself one of his mother’s bath songs.

Lucien, he’s in the laundry room.

He moves quickly, meeting Lucien on the ground floor and descending the steps. From what he understands, the washing is done only a handful of times a week, excluding the current day, which means that Tamlin can hide away here and play on his own until someone passes by. Both of them peer into the room, light filtering from the high windows carved in the stone.

“Tamlin?” Lucien calls.

“Tam-Tam, it’s me, your favourite person,” Rhysand hums, louder than the emissary which earns him a glare.

“‘Am here!” Tamlin chirps from the back of the large room. 

Sheets hang to dry and large basins rest in the centre of the room with stools beside them. They’ve been emptied and will be refilled during the next washing day. Both faeries follow the sound of Tamlin’s humming to a small room where clothes are repaired and fabrics are re-dyed. Black stains the walls, the floor, the front of Tamlin’s shirt and his hair.

“Tamlin!?” Lucien chokes out, his voice cracking from shock.

“Hi,” Tamlin beams, waving his dyed hand at his friends.

Rhysand is covering his face, trying his very best not to laugh because it’s cute. He can’t imagine himself being the disciplinary parent; that’s what Lucien is for, anyway. His muffled amusement earns him a smack on the shoulder and he mouths ‘ what ’ at Lucien. He doesn’t see anything wrong with the scene before him.

“Hi, Tam,” Lucien says calmly, kneeling in front of him. “What’s all this?”

“Squink!”

“Yes, I’m aware that’s squid ink, but what are you doing?”

“Um,” Tamlin looks to Rhysand, then back to Lucien. He’s not sure if he’s in trouble, but Lucien doesn’t sound mad. He chews on his lip, then answers with a smile. “We match!”

Oh, Rhysand cannot contain himself anymore. He bursts out laughing so hard there are tears in his eyes. He has not laughed like this in a long, long time. It feels good.

[winloe]

okay, I know every stardew valley character could have a pretty decent argument for being autistic, but I want to say one character that I honestly don’t see being headcanon’d as autistic nearly as much and that’s alex!

before I start, I just want to say that you may disagree and that’s completely ok! you’re entitled to your own opinion and so am I ^^ I am also autistic myself, so this is mostly coming from my own experiences

one quote that sticks out to me is ‘oh wow...your shoes are a little dirty... but that's fine, too! different people have different tastes I guess’. alex is attentive to small changes, something that many autistic individuals are heightened in. he zeroes in on how your shoes look, something he may have noticed while avoiding eye contact and looking down to the floor rather than looking straight at you (an autistic trait is avoiding eye contact)

mentioning your appearance may be alex’s way to try and engage a conversation, but it comes off as blunt and even unintentionally rude when he says how your shoes are dirty, rather than how your hair looks nice or something similar. he seems to have realised his mistake and after a pause follows up with ‘but that's fine, too! different people have different tastes I guess’. to me, this seems like an attempt of smoothing over a mistake he may have only just realised could be seen as insulting, which highlights a struggle of social filters.

another quote which I think exemplifies alex’s difficulty understanding social cues is: ‘hey, you must be getting pretty strong working on that farm all day. maybe you'll reach my level some day. Something to look forward to, huh? why do you have that look on your face?’ (which alex will still say even if you’re 4 years into your farm and probably now jacked)

alex saying you ‘reaching his level some day’ as a goal may come across as egotistical and condescending, but it’s likely not intended that way (because of his later ‘why do you have that look on your face?’). I think this shows his unfiltered confidence (which isn’t always ego! It’s good to be confident!). he seems to just be proud of his physique and seems to be the only reason he’s been complimented before (including his appearance) so that’s what he wishes to show and talk about.

it may seem patronising, yet I think alex sees it as motivational or friendly banter. his ‘why do you have that look on your face?’ underlines his trouble at understanding nonverbal conversation. alex doesn’t immediately understand why his comment could provoke offence.

the player is, in other dialogue from characters, assumed to be reasonably quiet, which may be why alex finds difficulty when it comes to talking to them. 

when alex is insulted after asking if you think he’d ever become pro (and you say that he will fail and become a salesman) he snaps back with ‘that's insane. you're just jealous that I'm talented and popular and you're not. get away from me’. he reacts strongly to negative feedback and interprets it as jealousy, which could stem from how he reckons his dad was jealous of his youth and that’s why he called alex ‘worthless’ and the fear of failure (i.e. wasting his youth). for autistic people, self-worth can be closely tied to one or two abilities, and being questioned on their skill can make it very threatening.

alex also clings onto this idea of being ‘popular’ which may have been his school identity, being a jock and an all-star quarterback, which is a stereotypical popular archetype. this could suggest a difficulty in updating his self-image (and we know he has been outside of school long enough to get married and have kids, so he doesn’t have a reason to call himself ‘popular’ as there’s no context to be called popular anymore)

alex’s insistence on being ‘popular’ could be a form of masking. he shields his emotions from everyone but his dog dusty (and you once hearts are higher). he feels more confident in acting like this macho bravado than he would if he expressed his feelings which also ties into his toxic masculinity, which in turn goes to internalised homophobia. he feels as if he has to act ‘normally’, and being good at a sport and assumingly getting friends in school because he was good at that sport, would probably give him a tunnel vision that talking about gridball is the only chance of having another friend (why he only talks about gridball!)

and I know a lot of people would probably think that gridball is alex’s special subject if we’re going down the autism route, but I don’t actually think so. I could see alex having it as his special subject when he was younger, but as he grows up and as it becomes more of a goal and more of a job, he starts to forget the reason why he started playing gridball in the first place (because it’s a hobby, because his mum played catch with him). 

I can definitely see him struggling with autistic burnout, where he’s tried so hard for so long and still hasn’t seen success. this is why I can 100% understand why he’d like to work at the farm with the player, completely giving up his dream for a change in the current, a turn in decision. change can be frightening for autistic people, which could be why alex hadn't thought of doing anything other than going pro, but as you become his friend, he realises that he doesn’t have to stick to this one made-up persona for eternity and that he can be himself and subvert expectations.

no beta (me) we die like men... this may ramble and one day I'll reread this and cringe at the grammar... hi future me :P

[bringthekaos]

Jayce never liked going to the undercity, specially the lower levels. It's wet, cold, dark, the air stings and the streets are dirty

But since his "reconciliation" with Viktor, going there feels like a escapade from the poster boy duties, a place where he can truly be himself again. And Viktor's lab feels exactly as how their own lab felt, back in their golden days, organized chaos, coffe, and sense of familiarity.

He is home

Ughhhhh I love this one so much.

Jayce hasn’t felt at home in Piltover for a long time; if you were to ask him when it stopped feeling like home, he can’t really pinpoint a time… he just knows the last time he felt truly at home, felt content and safe and happy, he was in the lab, working with Viktor.

And he’s tried, in the many years since Viktor’s banishment, to get it back—to recreate a home for himself. He talks to a therapist that encourages creature comforts, surrounding himself with things that bring him joy. But this is more of a hindrance than a help, because Jayce doesn’t really find comfort in things. But he tries it anyway—collecting stones and gemstones like he used to when he was a boy. But walking on the beach alone to seek them out just reminds him of the people that used to take those walks with him—his mother, Viktor.

He tries his mother’s old recipes, the ones that used to make him run down the stairs as a kid when he smelled them cooking. He tries listening to his father’s vinyl records, the ones that are so burned into Jayce’s mind that the walls of his boyhood home practically echo with it… but all any of this does is make him ache with nostalgia—yearn for the days when he was a carefree boy with nothing but homework and schoolyard crushes to trouble him. No one idolized him, no one expected the impossible of him. He didn’t have to earn love. It was freely given.

And he was just about to give up—accept that he was never going to feel at home anywhere ever again. Accept that home is an idealized concept, and… not meant for people like him, who once took it for granted.

That is, until those first few nights spent at Emberflit after his reconciliation with Viktor. Viktor built air filtration vents into every room, so the house has a crisp, almost sanitized smell to it, but… Jayce finds that he likes it. Loves it, even—it smells like steam and hot metal… like Viktor himself. He loves the weak light and how it makes the space feel small and intimate. He likes that never-ending hum and tick of Viktor’s gadgetry, the gurgle of chemicals boiling in their beakers. It becomes like a symphony to Jayce’s ears, and he finds that without it, he feels uneasy—the silence of his lab in Piltover made all the more foreign.

He knows this is ass-backwards, that he should not feel so at-ease down in the depths of a city that despises him, breathing moderately-filtered toxic air and writing on a busted old blackboard with repurposed chalk. But he does feel at-ease, he feels safe and comfortable in a way he hasn’t felt in years. And he’s actually kind of embarrassed that it took him this long to figure it out. Home was never a building, it was never a collection of polished stones shining in a windowsill. It was never warm meals or music-filled halls.

It was this. Working into the wee hours of the morning, and sharing a mug of cold coffee. Dozing in uncomfortable chairs to the sound of another’s voice. Passing notes back and forth and leaving ridiculous and sometimes wildly inappropriate doodles on the page before handing it back.

He feels stupid, only just now understanding the meaning behind the saying “home is where your heart is.” It’s been said so many times, but it always rang hollow, it never really clicked. But he gets it now. He may return to Piltover, he may spend whole months up there at a time, splitting his obligations between his lab, his apartment, the Academy, the Council chamber. But his heart resides at Emberflit Alley.

[peddlestox-shinyrocks]

A New Perspective

would you believe me if I told you this was fourish months in the making?

7.1 spoilers ahead

A knock at her cabin door was not quite an uncommon occurance. After all, Thorne is more than happy to include her into his adventures and from time to time he and Hadrefort come to say hello if they know she's in. However the sight she is greeted with upon opening was neither a orange lalafell nor a very tall elezen. She was orange and very tall though.

"You... are Peddlestox...? The uh... goblin friend of my brother's?" And Kwas blinks but nods, slightly surprised at not being called a mobbie for once.

The hrothgar woman seems relieved by that, perhaps even bolstered. Kwas didn't know that the Vow of Resolve could be so shy... But then the woman stands straighter and the gobbie girl could see why her title befitted her. "My brother and I recently went to see the hhetsarro, that is miqo'te, on the plains of Shaaloani and... he has not returned." Her brows furrow in worry. "I come to you, not because I am worried for Tulliyolal's safety, but for him as... we.. learned a few things that I fear may be troubling him."

Kwas nods, but is still confused. "What can Peddlestox do that Uplander not do shhkk?"

Wuk Lamat sighs and looks out towards the open area to her right. "Koana... he's always done his best to protect me. Ever since I was really little and scared and new to our home. Even now he'll keep his own thoughts and feelings from me if he thinks it would harm or hurt or... make me unhappy in some way." She huffs in that fond-annoyed way that Kwas has come to learn is a noise only siblings seem to have. "He won't tell me what is on his mind... but maybe he'll tell you," she says softly looking down at her.

Kwawasei is not... so sure about that. And even if he would for some reason only the Twelve could fathom, it isn't as if she could give the man advice. She doesn't even know what the problem is! But hrothgar, she's coming to find, have those same puppy looks miqo'te have, down to the ears and twitchy tail and for all that they intimidate her at times... its looking to be that she can't say no to them either. There's a long drawn out sigh from her that sounds very much like the filter is expelling air. "Peddlestox see what gobbiefell can do."

And no sooner had the words come out of her hidden mouth does Wuk Lamat pick her up and twirl her around in excitement that, one makes Kwas understand why Inxli hates being picked up, and two almost makes her faint in fright.

Leaving for Xak Tural was both simple and not. As usual, she'll saddle up Lapis and tell someone where she'll be and when to expect her back. What wasn't usual was the insistence on someone coming along with her as well. And in this case it meant not only were Thorne and Hadrefort coming (as one rarely went without the other) but so were Inxli and Reckless. Kwawasei would like to think it meant more people to spread out and look for the missing Vow and not because she needed all of them.

Lapis was more than enough after all, considering he was more than capable of getting help. But no one was listening to that point so she didn't bother fighting for it.

And indeed once they got to Mehwa... ...Plains Shortstop and spoke to Hhwato and his people they did (reluctantly) split up. While the last place anyone saw the Vow of Resolve was near the Train Longstop they agreed to search the whole of Shaaloani in earnest, which made Kwas head back towards the tribe of hhetsarro to the confusion of everyone else, but, she reasoned, "If gobsearch, looksee allstops." And that was that.

With Lapis in sight and tools on her belt, the followed the rather large lake around, finding that it eventually fed down into the canyon, before beginning the loop around and back to the tribe. And she could see why the man was hard to find. Because if it wasn't for Lapis alerting her to him, she'd have never seen the very green miqo'te against the shrubs and grasses as he sat by the lake since he traded out his coat for the more traditional and familiar poncho.

She isn't quiet in her approach, and she sees his ear flick in acknowledgement, but he doesn't turn to look at her and she sits down next to him. A quiet presence.

"...Lamaty'i sent you to find me." It wasn't a question but she nods all the same. It was true after all. He sighs and sits down next to her. "I... have my answers about my parents." She looks up at him as he stares out across the lake. "There was a tturuhhetso, a rroneek reaver, causing unrest in the near by plains. The hhetsarro who warned us of its coming also spoke of a similar incident years prior that... matches the time I was... left." There's a very long silence, long enough for her to notice he did not escape physically unscathed... and for her wonder if his parents may have dropped him in a panic. "...There was a young couple who were trying to evacuate the tribe... asking for their son to be taken amongst those who were fleeing."

Or worse it seems. "I should be... relieved, that after all this time I was not... unwanted and yet I still cannot help but think that they could have... Is it not... wrong of me, to think such?"

"Peddlestox no think so; Wawasei doesn't think so." And that... that got him to look at her. She was facing forwards though, perhaps locked into memories of old. "I don't hate my parents," she says quietly, almost a whisper, breaking the longstanding gobbiespeak she's had since he's known her. "They aren't bad people. They just made a decision I don't agree with.

"And there's no point in talking to them about it. I've tried. 'You are not of the working class Wawasei, you should not have hands like them.' 'You are a young lady of good standing. Your husband will provide for you.' But its not what I want." She huffs, and it comes through the mask with a harsh shhhk.

"I want to make things - toys, jewelry, music boxes - things that make people smile and cherish each other and their memories. I want to make things that will last long after it has been paid for to be passed down through the family as an heirloom of something important. ...And above all, I want my parents to be happy for me and my choice. But they aren't, they never will be, and I am not going to be something I'm not just to make them happy or because other people say so."

"Is not same," she continues, slipping back into gobspeech. And though its familiar... there's something... different about it now that he can't put his finger on. "And no knowing if Uplander be more happy. But Uplander's thinkfeels are Uplander's. Nowtime, sad at what changepast be. Fartime, happy that family want them and when... nextsee share it. Is not wrong to have manyfeels."

"Thank you," he says simply. And she finally looks back at him. The smile is troubled but genuine... not that it matters because-

She snatches the broken pair of glasses of his face and brings out her tools with only an indignant "hey!" for her troubles. It doesn't take her more than a few breaths to synthesize them good as new, handing them back once done.

Koana looks a bit flustered, but better, less.. broken isn't the word she wants to use... but the glasses being literally broken was not helping her word choice. The silence between them is not comfortable which is why, she supposes, when Lapis warks they both startle. "Peddlestox fix," she mutters petulantly. "Not mendgobbie but..." and she hopes he understands.

"I will be fine." And she hopes so. Another wark has them looking at the pink chocobo who's staring off at something in the distance. Kwas sees the elezen man first, tall as he is, along with the rest of her group as they walk towards the two of them. "She sent a search party?"

"Asked Peddlestox come find. Everygob else said Lapis not keepsafe and came with."

As the group got closer, Reckless said, "O' course she'd find 'im."

"Are both of you alright?" Thorne asked.

"We are fine." Kwas eyes him half tempted to poke him where she thought she saw a bruise.

"Those dark lashes day otherwise," says the elezen.

"Wha' 'appened?"

"There was a tturuhhetso."

"A what?"

Koana shakes his head. "It has been dealt with. Just... not without some consequences."

Inxli eyed him. "I don't want to know."

"Then if everyone is good we can start heading back!" And with little else to impede them, they did.

divider by @thecutestgrotto because this thing is so long, its going on AO3 i'm posting here because i want to use pictures and I don't trust AO3 (or my self) to do it properly also this is officially the start of #guns and goblins ...let the ship building begin

[vinnysimmer]

My Mystery Stories #1

Chapter 4: The Guilt Party (Part 3): The ΩKB (Omega Kappa Beta)

After hearing the statements of everyone else, after Demetrius - who the red-haired detective noticed had more outbursts than facts of the incident - Luke, who dissected all the statements carefully, already had almost the entire puzzle of the party formed. He just couldn't fit any other suspect questioned as the supposed hooded man, there were still some loose ends that were difficult to tie up, but the testimony of the fraternity boys who threw the party would perhaps help more - he thought. It was during the break between classes that little by little, the fraternity boys came forward to testify… most of them seemed not to have seen much, but some gave important and crucial information and to his joy, Dominic Ward had been identified to testify. The influencer was led to the dean's office apprehensive - Dominic didn't remember much from the night before, just lapses of a fight and a mix of various feelings, and the angry messages from his girlfriend and the comments on his morning photo - which most called him insensitive - only left him more confused.

When he arrived at the rectory, there were some fraternity and sorority mates who had already testified, talking about what could have really happened to August and after seeing Dominic, they fell silent - with the exception of Grace who approached him and said almost inaudibly: 'You disgusting traitor, you're not going to end our friend, we'll end you first!' Without understanding much, he went in. Dominic stared at Luke for a moment and was surprised to see a detective almost his age, swallowing hard he sat down, trying to control his anxiety and began to force his mind to remember everything that had happened at the party and hoped that none of it would harm him.

“I can't say much about August, just that he was always a full-willed idiot and that everyone should do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted, and the only contact we had at the party was when he asked me convince Don to stay with him more than his own girlfriend, because for some reason, August thought I was his doormat, but I just ignored it and went to talk to Althea. Up until then, everything was going normally, except for Don, who was drinking almost all the hard drinks in the house! He had already been with a bunch of people when Luca arrived. In fact, I was the one who approached Don when he was getting on Luca’s nerves, I went up to him and said: ‘Dude, your girl is already mad at you and you still want to provoke more? You’re already crossing the line’ and then August arrived screaming and making all that fuss that everyone has seen on social media. I tried to get Dominic out of there quietly, but the trouble started to get to him and he froze there. And after all the trouble was over, it seems like he just wanted to drink more or something, he did it to get the courage to ask Luca to bed or… I don't want to accuse anyone, but Don gets a little weird when people tease him like that, I remember the day that weirdo Mayfield bumped into him by accident and didn't apologize, he beat Mayfield up and to this day makes fun of him wherever he goes. I'm studying psychology and I know it's not healthy for Mayfield to live like that, for your information he's the guy who appears several times in Don's stories with funny filters on his face. Anyway, I didn't see much after the August fight, because I was with Althea, and I didn't see anyone wearing a hood, but the ones who like to walk around with a hood are the crazy Blake when he wants to take pictures or gossip or Mayfield himself, according to Don.”

“Well, I spent the whole party drinking and making out with a bunch of girls. And Don was with me. We also started mixing the famous love serum to get more excited and hook up with as many people as we wanted without getting tired. I can happily say that I made out with more people than Don, but it was also Gus’ fault. He wouldn’t let me go, and if I were Don, I would have dumped him. It’s normal for these KAT boys to be all sentimental and annoying. I can say that I didn't see the fight, but I wanted to, because when the KAT boys or the KKT girls start fighting it's really cool, because they lose all sense and just want to punch or slap each other, but at that time I was in my room with… a KKT girl, only after she realized that the music had stopped, but even so we continued until… until I got sick and ran to vomit, because I think I had already drunk too much or it was the serum, it was Don who came up with the idea of ​​mixing that, he's on the A-List of the creators of the serum, you know? Anyway, when I got back, the girl had already left and left the door open, and then I saw Don walking by with Luca. His room is right next to mine and I heard absolutely everything, but not because I was curious or wanted to, it was just… anyway, after they finished I heard a door opening, and I don't know if it was Don's or another guy's, and I was… embarrassed by what I heard, and I spent the rest of the party in my room throwing up too. Until when I was going to leave, I bumped into Luca and Wosgi making out with each other, I was surprised, because Wosgi has always been a serious and reserved guy, and I've never seen him hooking up with anyone and I was even more surprised by Luca and then I ended up saying: 'Wow, Maglioni, I didn't know you were such a naughty boy, two in one night?' and then he looked at me in a way that made me realize I had said something stupid, and I stood there like an idiot with Wosgi and Maglioni staring at me and possibly thinking I was a real fool! And about the hooded person, the only one who could have left a party like that is Blake, all the ΩKB boys were aware that he could show his face at any moment, and he hated Gus because at the time, he was Luca's confidant and it was Gus who warned Luca that Blake was breaking into his room and stealing underwear, that guy is a pervert that you police should have arrested already! And now he may have killed someone!”

“I was enjoying our victory like all my frat bros from ΩKB and our colleagues from UBrite, I didn’t intend to hook up with anyone that night so I talked more than I kissed, unlike the other guys who seemed to be in a make-out competition. I saw August when he was drinking at the bar and then my friend, Elvira, asked him to take it easy, he turned her down and then went to yell at Maglioni. I hate trouble, so at that time I went to the bathroom and heard Troyer talking to himself, I knew it was him because he had his back to the urinal and when I passed I saw him, but he didn’t see me. He said: 'You need to stop caring about people who don't deserve it, you should let that idiot die alone even if he asked for your help, because you're a cool friend Troy, and he doesn't deserve to have your friendship', I didn't pay much attention, I just peed and we ended up meeting at the exit, I greeted him, but he just replied: 'I'm not available today and you're not my type!' and I just left. When I came back, the confusion was already over and I continued drinking with Elvira and she told me everything that happened. I felt bad for Maglioni, he's super nice to everyone and I'm also a fan of his, I loved his character in the third season of Plumbob Horror Stories and in the series Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, actually him acting as a wizard is amazing!… Sorry. I was already kind of stoned when Luca came to order a drink and he was so close that I could smell his perfume, and I guess I must have been staring, because he looked at me with those blue eyes and asked me if I was okay and I kind of froze, I'm really a fan of his and it was the first time I saw him in person, because almost no one gets to see him walking around campus, only those who are in his class or his fraternity and even then they say he's really fast! So my friend Elvira started to answer for me, until she nudged me and encouraged me to talk, and then I got the courage and started talking to him and wow, he's so nice and easy to talk to, before I knew it we were together up there… until Daichi showed up, he's a macho and annoying guy, he said some stupid things and then went back to his room, embarrassed. I know he was there the whole time after Regina came down from his room, he must have been afraid that Dominic would find out and end up beating him up like he did to poor Mayfield. And after that, Luca and I went to my room and we didn't hear or see anything different. About Mayfield, we at ΩKB always support each other, but I don't agree with half of what Dominic does, if anyone was capable of killing someone, it's him. By the way, I'm scared myself, because I noticed the angry looks he gave me when we were just talking, imagine if he knew what Luca and I… well, I think he was just really drunk, because he was talking to me normally today and didn't seem to remember much of last night.

"To be honest, I barely remember anything! Just some feelings that I don't really know where they fit in. But I remember watching the game with everyone, recording my stories… and you can watch them if you want, it's free for everyone… then I went to the party with all the ΩKB bros and when I found out I started drinking, and then my girlfriend… if I can still call her that, started picking on me like she was my mother and so I think I was a bit rude to her and kept drinking, just away from her. Then I remembered something I had and decided to put it in my drink, but Daichi insisted that he wanted to get some and share it with him too… it's not illegal, okay? Celebrities use it, including Luca, because it was his uncle who invented it. And after I drank that serum I started to lose my mind a little, and I only remember certain flashes! Gus, the girl from the debate club… I don't remember her name now… I tried to get with Troy, but he was always difficult… until Luca arrived. I remember more or less what happened from then on, I know I started messing with Luca until my friend, Lars, arrived and said some things that I didn't understand, and then out of nowhere Gus arrived and started saying a lot of things that I don't remember very well… he said that a lot of people recorded it, but no one showed it to me until now… I sincerely hope that none of this affects my image or if not my parents and my grandmother, Judy, will kill me. And I think that was when I started to get angry and… embarrassed… but then Gus left and after drinking and talking more with Luca we went up to my room… I remember I saw Regina coming down the stairs, and when she saw me she frowned, and I asked her why she was up there and she asked me why I was going up with Luca, and I made an excuse and she said something, but we didn't even care because we were crazy about each other… we made out and then I don't really remember what happened next. It's like my mind went blank… but I think we went down to the party and then I went to get another drink and Regina came at me all aggressive and I tried to cheer her up, joking, and she slapped me and when I realized her friends were all kicking me and slapping me and punching me… I just walked away and stayed in my corner. I even thought about calling Luca, but he was talking to Wosgi… he's a tall, strong guy and plays for the team… and I think that was when I started to feel jealous and kind of got up to go and dump Wosgi, because they were going upstairs, but I was already too stoned so I just followed them upstairs, and after I saw them entering the room, I went to mine and collapsed on the bed… after that I didn't hear or see anything, I just dreamed that I was being followed by a sinister guy in a sinister city. And then I woke up in the morning and everyone was blaming me for Gus' death, I liked him, but I didn't do anything at all, I swear! It was definitely that Lionel guy, I saw him penetrating me when the Gus mess started, he's an obsessive fan of Luca, who even filed a restraining order against him. Maybe, as you said you saw, the hooded man was him or that Reece Mayfield, he's also weird, I've seen him leaving Pimenta's Pub in a hurry and heading towards the forest. I really hope none of this has leaked to the media or I'll lose all my sponsorships!

Credits: Vinny & @jakisimmer

[kamreadsandrecs]

Title: Stars of Chaos (Sha Po Lang), Vol. 2

Author: priest

Genre/s: danmei, historical, alternate history, steampunk

Content/Trigger Warning/s: war, death, depictions of chronic illness and implied mental instability

Summary (from publisher's website): Four years ago, Chang Geng and Gu Yun parted in anger. When fate draws them together again, Chang Geng, a once-awkward teen, is now an elegant and adroit young man.

But storms lie ahead. As Great Liang faces foreign pressure from without, Gu Yun finds himself embroiled in turmoil within the imperial court. Meanwhile, as the curse in Chang Geng’s blood grows, his feelings for his godfather become more painful to subdue by the day. How much longer can he keep Gu Yun from learning his secret…and what will happen when he can hide it no more?

Buy Here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/stars-of-chaos-sha-po-lang-novel-vol-2/18879407

Spoiler-Free Review: This was a DELIGHT! The stakes are so much higher now than they were before - both in terms of world events, and the relationship between Gu Yun and Chang Geng.

First, on the happy(?) couple: they are not happy. At all. In fact, they are VERY confused, ESPECIALLY about their own feelings, and it is simultaneously hilarious and DELIGHTFULLY frustrating. Gu Yun is ESPECIALLY guilty of this, as Chang Geng seems to understand his own emotions much better than he did in the first volume. The trouble with Chang Geng is that he has the wu’ergu to deal with, and so frequently has to tamp down his feelings lest they get out of hand - which is certainly NOT helped by Gu Yun having the emotional comprehension of a toddler when anything concerns Chang Geng. This means that he has a tendency to miscommunicate with Chang Geng, who THEN interprets Gu Yun’s statements entirely differently.

This stands in direct contrast to the way they work together during a crisis. Whenever something dangerous or deadly happens, they are in near-perfect synch. Gu Yun stands up front as the feared and revered Marquis of Anding, leader of the Black Iron Battalion, while Chang Geng acts in the background as the mild-mannered, seemingly innocuous Prince Yanbei, using his knowledge and carefully cultivated connections in the jianghu to ensure that any and all of Gu Yun’s plans succeed. Chang Geng’s almost uncanny ability to know what Gu Yun will do next (something that unnerves even Gu Yun himself), and Gu Yun’s own trust and faith in Chang Geng, make this partnership work, as two major events near the beginning and near the end of this volume show.

While Gu Yun and Chang Geng’s interactions are thoroughly entertaining, the events that happen around them and push them to work together are just as fascinating, and really show off the worldbuilding the author is capable of. While there was plenty of steampunk imagery in the previous volume, there is even more of that in this volume, with larger and deadlier machines coming into play, especially towards the latter end of this volume. Interestingly, the consequences are brought sharply into view as well, with the use of the farming machines mentioned in the previous volume playing a key role in the events of the first half of this volume.

There are also clear parallels drawn to actual Chinese history: specifically, that period in history when European colonial powers were racing against each other to “open” China to trade with the West. The author appears to be trying a kind of “what if?” scenario with this series, playing around with the events of actual history and filtering it all through a steampunk lens. And so far, the author seems to be handling it very well, though whether or not Great Liang’s own colonial push in the lands of the “barbarian” tribespeople will be addressed remains to be seen.

Overall, this volume more than lives up to the promise of its predecessor. It progresses the relationship between Gu Yun and Chang Geng in a way that’s supremely entertaining, while also incorporating the progress of said relationship with the events of the wider world they inhabit. With events ending on a bit of a cliffhanger in this volume, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in the third volume once I get my hands on it.

Rating: five iron arrows

[lunaria1]

My Mk OC

This is my own original character for the Mortal Kombat franchise! Mostly to be used in the new MK1 game but can be used in the previous games and movies as well but with some obvious changes.

Name: Lunaria

Species/Purpose: Goddess of time and creation 

Age: Thousand of years old

Sexuality: Bisexual

Personality: Very much without a filter- she says what she thinks unless she knows it's offensive( for example she won’t say the N word or any type of slur no matter what). She does sometimes appear naive especially when it comes to earthrealm customs but she is still smart, just doesn’t show it off. She’s also very forgiving and will give people a second chance if they deserve it and will always fact check everything and see both sides of the story. 

Time powers: She can travel through time and different timelines as well as getting visions from the past, present or future if it will help the current situation/timeline. 

Creation powers: She can create anything that she wants as long as it doesn’t disturb the timeline and has some sort of purpose in it. For example she can cure tarkat but she won’t because it would disturb the timeline but she can create weapons for Scorpion’s clan. 

Weaknesses: As mentioned before she can't create things that will disturb the timeline. That isn't something that is a choice that she made- she literally can't. Her body and mind won't let her no matter how hard she tries to. She also gets nausea, dizzy and sometimes even sick if she uses her powers too much. The severity of the sickness will vary depending on how much strain she's putting her body through. Despite being immortal she can still get injured and temporarily die but she will always get back up again. The only way for her to die permanently would be for her to give up her powers and for someone to take her place.

Relationship with some characters

Liu Kang: She sees him as a friend and as the only person that can understand her struggles. When he was creating the new timeline she helped him in any way that she could. She respects him a lot and despite not always understanding his decisions she doesn’t question them. 

Raiden: Respects him and sees him as a friend. She understands why Liu chose him as champion and sees a lot of potential in him. 

Kung Loa: Finds his cockiness infuriating and has hit him on the head multiple times because of that. Though she tolerates him for Raiden’s and Liu’s sake. 

Tomas/Smoke: She sees him as someone that can be sweet and deadly at the same time. She likes spending time with him and is someone that will listen to his troubles no matter how small or big they are. She does feel horrible about what happened to him and wishes she could have stopped it.

Kauai Liang/Scorpion: She respects him a lot and acts almost like a mentor to him so that he can become a great grandmaster and so that his clan is strong enough for the upcoming war against Bi-han. She’s beyond happy about his marriage to Harumi but is worried because of what happened in previous timelines. 

Bi-han/ Sub-zero: As much as she wishes to hate him she can’t. She really wants to understand why he did what he did and still has hope for him. She’s curious and weirdly drawn towards him and she can’t explain why that is. She wants him to be good again for everyone’s sake. 

Johnny: She finds him entertaining and someone that won’t judge her for being silly. She goes to him first whenever she’s confused about Earthrealm customs and she’s interested to see his movies and how they were filmed. 

Kenshi: Respects him and sees him as a friend. She feels terrible about what happened to him and wishes that she could bring his eyesight back. 

Baraka: She treats him with respect and kindness and doesn’t see him as a monster because of Tarkat. She wishes that she could give him and the others the cure for tarkat. 

Syzoth/Reptile: Feels terrible about what happened to his family but is glad that he decided to join them. Same with Baraka she doesn’t judge him because of his species. 

Shang Tsung: Absolutely hates him and doesn’t see any hope for him in any timeline. She will gladly watch him die but she has to give him credit that he can be very convincing when he wants to be. 

Quan Chi: Same as Shang Tsung- she absolutely hates him. Arguably even more than Shang Tsung because of the things that he did to Hanzo and the Lin Quei in past timelines. 

Geras: She respects him and understands the burden that is on his shoulders because of the fact that he’s the protector of the hourglass and now has to look over multiple timelines so that the Armageddon event doesn’t repeat itself. 

Sindel: Definitely prefers this Sindel to the others and has way more respect for her here. There are certain choices that she doesn’t agree with such as the whole incident with Li Mei and Tarkatans but she knows that Sindel is trying to be a good empress. 

Kitana: Also respects her and tries to help her now that she’s in charge of the castle’s army. She does however worry about her and Raiden’s potential relationship. She has a feeling that they like each other but she’s worried that despite Raiden being better in this timeline, he will end up hurting her in one way or another. 

Mileena: She believes that she will be an amazing Empress, maybe an even better one than her mother was. She does feel that her tarkat may get in the way sooner or later and the same with Baraka feels terrible that she’s not able to give them a cure for it. 

Tanya: She respects her as a person and an Umgadi. She also approves of her relationship with Mileena but is worried that keeping it a secret isn’t the best idea but at the same time making it public also wouldn’t be a good idea. 

General Shoa: Better than his previous versions but still not good enough for her to even respect him. Doesn’t hate him as much as Shang Tsung and Quan Chi but still hates him a lot. 

Reiko: Doesn’t really have much of an opinion on this version of him. In her eyes he’s just blindly following his leader so she can’t really dislike him for that. 

Havik: Again doesn’t have much of an opinion on him but his plan to destroy Siedo and making Rain destroy it didn’t leave a good feeling in her stomach. Though she is willing to try to understand his point of view and why he did what he did even if she knows that it was wrong. 

Rain:  She doesn’t forgive him for what he has done but she doesn’t hate him. She can see that he regrets his choices/actions a lot and that he is willing to do anything to earn Mileena’s forgiveness. She hopes that one day he’ll be able to live a better life and not be tempted again by ambition. 

Nitara: She does feel sympathy about how her species is treated and the hunger that they have to face. She doesn’t agree with that whole breeding people in order to feed fiasco but she knows that she can’t interfier. 

Ashra: Feels happy that she was able to escape Quan Chi and to free Sareena from him too and being reunited. She does hope that one day she’ll achieve absolution though she does fear that she may misjudged some people because of the fact that her Kriss can sense evil in people- because of that Luna fears that Ashra may misjudge someone just because they have some evil in them despite everyone having a wicked side to them. 

Ermac: Seeing as he’s multiple souls in one body Lunaria can’t possibly judge him and have one opinion on him but the souls inside of him, which she can’t do because she hasn’t met them all and there’s too many of them to possibly keep track of. 

Li Mei: Respects her a lot and doesn’t understand why the royal family blamed her for Jerrod’s death without actually doing some sort of investigation first so that they knew they were punishing the right person. She is happy that she’s finally on good terms with the royal family and that she’s more at peace than she was before. 

Backstory: She doesn’t know if she was created or if she was born but she doesn’t particularly care. She lives in her little pocket dimension called the Inbetween because it's’ between all of the realms. She stays there in hibernation and only wakes up/leaves when she’s needed. No one knows about her pocket dimension and she won’t tell anyone. She is very lonely and wants company but she doesn’t let herself get attached to anyone since she will have to leave them eventually. She doesn’t even know what love feels like which is ironic since she can see when others are in love with each other. When it's time for her to leave she makes people forget about her using her time powers so that no one would go looking for her. It pains her to do that since it shows that she can’t have anything good for herself but there’s nothing that she can do about it. She doesn’t want to break the rules in fear of something bad happening. Her dimension doesn’t feel like home to her but she can’t live somewhere else. She also is immortal and the only way she can die is by killing herself; no one else can kill her but they can slow her down and injure her normally. 

[kaylatechheart]

Bathbomb Trinity Redesigns (Adoptables)

I made redesigns to my one time OCs that I made for a Deviantart Badge thing back then, and I'm very proud on how much of a glow up it has turned out. I decided to remake them so it be in a better condition for friend @Blacksun98 to work with. As well as providing and helping info that they would want for these characters, the info will be provided below. So hope you guys like it! Note: These guys takes place in a different city but within the same PPG universe area. Old Designs: https://www.deviantart.com/kaylatechheart/art/BathBomb-Trinity-Sketch-846257627

Bathbomb Trinity now owned by: @Blacksun98 PPG is owned by: Craig McCracken

Bathbomb Trinity Info: Ingredients: Shampoo, Soap, and Conditioner + Chemical H

Ages: All 8 - 10 Years Old (Around 9 current time) Species: Neko Fish (They are not Catfish lol)

Shayla:

INFO

Shayla, a very outgoing and chaotic girl who enjoys being the center of attention and within the spotlight of others, whether in a positive or negative way. She's often very brash but straight forward towards others, and will not be afraid to be hesitant to express her feelings and thoughts. Often or not this can hurt someone else's feelings due to lack of awareness or lack of filter, but because of that other people are able to understand her better as a person and her intentions are pretty predictable to anyone's knowledge.

With her being very expressive, it's not hard to tell how she feels within that moment, making her feelings easily readable, so when it comes to her trying to hide how she's feeling it can't fool anyone. She's also known to be hypocritical with her actions when calling out on others, though that makes it easier for her to identify other people's true intentions a lot more faster if she ever notices.

Although she's not your typical "good girl" she's not inherently a "bad kid" either. She's more much a wild card and has her handful of fair share of naughty moments, hence getting into a lot of trouble. She often likes to tease her brothers a lot, especially Connor as he is not outspoken as Sean, though if she goes too far with her actions she would feel very bad and terrible about it. She might not be the best sister but tries to be a good one at least.

Shayla often wishes she have a sister as she felt left out, being the only girl in the group her interests are sometimes far different from her and her brothers leaving her very few to talk about with them. She sometimes wishes that her brothers are either girls or that she is a boy herself so she wouldn't feel so drifted from them. Funny enough its the only thing about herself she never revealed as she wishes to keep at least one insecurity to herself for once. OTHER INFO

Has a pearl that can see all that's happening in the current time (within the vicinity of the city). It is used as their version of the "Hotline" and not a phone like the PPG, the pearl also glows upon a bad event that has happened within the city. It has an active ability as well that shows 5-10 seconds in the future, but only triggered when a life threatening situation occurs. (Meaning Shayla cannot trigger that ability herself, it has to happen on its own)

Loves a lot of Seafood, mostly fish meat related though or squid but she can eat other foods.

Surprisingly she's not a picky eater and will eat anything on the table unlike Sean. The food will have to be so bad for her to dislike it.

Is pan when she's older.

Has a good relationship with their parent, decent with Connor, but bickers head to toe with Sean. But she still loves Sean regardless, and sometimes even enjoy his company if they aren't fighting.

Secretly jealous of Sean's and Connor's brotherly bond, hopefully have something similar if she had a sister, or maybe with them as well.

Her signature color is Sandy Yellow, her main ingredient being Shampoo.

Since Sean doesn't hang out with her as much, usually she hangs out with Connor.

Is a decent swimmer, however is a really good listener from far away due to the lack of fluff in her ears.

Despite her and her brothers are all spoiled and loved, she has more toys and trinkets in her room than her brothers, though no worries its not out of favoritism, she just asks for much though understands if she cannot get said item (even if she is upset about it).

Her hobbies consist of reading (mostly comics), playing with toys, stuffed animals, doing outdoor activities (mostly be reckless), arts and crafts, watch TV and play video games. (She doesn't really play board games as it boring to her as it has no action to it) Connor: INFO Connor, a meek and soft spoken child, he is a shy and nervous little boy, often times spoke in a quiet and polite manner. Very sweet to others, though is very unconfident about his leadership skills, and himself as a person. Despite his 2 other outspoken, rowdy siblings of his, somehow he's is the self proclaimed leader of the group. Reason of that being his persona changes 180 when being under pressure, being able to successfully lead and get him and his siblings into formation and work through with his plans and save civilians and innocent bystanders successfully. Though kind, Connor is very smart and is not naïve towards people's bad intentions. An attempt in the past was made by him to switch his leader position to Sean and Shayla when his anxiety filled thoughts of responsibility as a leader peaked through the roof. It was proven both was unable to keep calm under pressure when put in a stressful and potentially life threatening situation, and then the group eventually realized Connor is the better option as a leader. Some believe that this sudden persona change from Connor is due to his survival responses kicking in, being in flight or fight mode. Due to his nature of being pretty much full of worry and anxiety filled. OTHER INFO

Obtains a trident that can summon lightning, water beams at will, can also give a fly boost during in a water setting or rain.

Enjoys Sea Plants as food, though does eat Seafood (Fish and Crabs and etc) and many other things.

Is bi when older but more straight leaning.

Has a good relationship with his parent and both siblings, and gets along with them pretty well.

His signature color is Seaweed Green and main ingredient being Conditioner.

Is a very good swimmer, due to his tail being sharp and slick.

His hobby consists of reading (mostly comics and novels), playing toys and hugging stuffed animals, knitting, watching TV and play board games or video games. Sean: INFO Sean, a very laidback and chill guy often enjoys things that are within the moment with no rushes or anything. Although is nice, often gets annoyed pretty easily and has a very short temper due to unable to convey of show emotions well or correctly. And even goes as far as to hide their emotions to not cause any disturbance, but only within his convivence as he doesn't have to deal with more things. Because of that he often butt heads with his sister, who they pretty much disagree on a lot of things with each other. Though despite that, Sean is very overprotective of his siblings and would do anything to protect them, whilst being the "oldest" he often has rational thinking and a clear head to make very important decisions, even have a good planning systems as well and take his time on thinking about it. However the drawback comes with being unable to think under pure pressure, when Connor attempts to give away his leadership title to him at the first time when he felt inadequate at being a leader. This ended up being a disaster when Sean had a panic attack trying to think his plan at a fast and quick pace which he wasn't used to. Sean often times can be seen as "cold hearted" or "emotionless" by strangers when in reality he doesn't know what to feel around them, hence a lot of other kids tend to be slightly afraid of them. Sean often feels insecure about his tail, as it was born defective, making him unable to swim properly, despite him and his siblings are born to swim, making him swim way more slower than the others. As well as how his tail looks. Often or not in dire situations, him swimming pretty slow had almost got him killed hence needing assistance from Connor to use his ability to cling onto him and swim away faster. He wishes he can swim like the others normally. OTHER INFO

Has a Conch Shell that can play music, summon a help call to alert his siblings, as well as summoning sea creatures to aid him and bubble rings to float but with a limit of 5 mins. It can also blow normal bubbles as well.

Enjoys Seafood, but specifically crustaceans such as shrimp, crab lobster and etc. Can eat other variants of seafood and other food items, he just prefers those mostly.

Is a very picker eater, but that's due to taste and sometimes sensory issues. (EX Pineapple stings their tongue and injures them)

Despite loving both siblings, he enjoys Connor's company more. Sometimes secretly wishes Shayla not being there when they are talking something they all like, and only wants Connor's company. Honestly, he even feels bad for even thinking that and never reveals that truth to any of his siblings.

Is gay when he's older, he at first thought it was because his experience with Connor and Shayla made it like this, but in reality he genuinely likes guys.

Has a good relationship with parent and Connor except Shayla. While Shayla sometimes enjoy his company, Sean really doesn't with her. Making the company with the both of them one sided. However masks the truth of it as he at least loves her enough to see her happy. He loves both of his siblings, but has heavy favoritism with Connor.

His signature color is Ocean Blue, his main ingredient being Soap. Funny enough the soap was heavily chipped off, maybe that was the result of the tail being chipped as well.

Is a bad swimmer, and although can hear far, doesn't has as sensitive ears as the others.

His hobby consists of sketching, reading (novel and manga but comics if Connor ever shows them) and puzzles. Especially the 3D puzzles. Sometimes plays board games with Connor or normal video games and even watch TV with him.

[magicalhideoutengineer]

Queenie & Grindelwald

Crimes of Grindelwald:

Alison Sudol: It's not so lovely for Queenie in this film. She has trouble because she doesn't speak French. She's not good at languages period. She has trouble with Newt's accent, so forget about Paris. So she's kind of getting a lot of information that she can't filter through in the way that she does. She's like clogged up by all of these information that she can't process, which is also part of the reason why it's easy for Grindelwald to manipulate her, because her instincts are not functioning properly.

- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - Makers, Mysteries and Magic: Chapter 6

Dan Fogler: I feel like she also reads heart shockers. If your intention is pure, then it confuses her. Even if you're an evil bastard, if you're intention is pure, she's like, "Oh, this person means well."

Alison Sudol: It's true, there's a purity … because her gift hasn't been something that she has been taught to use. She hasn't been mentored. It is literally, "Queenie, stop reading my mind." She could be one of the great witches of her all time with this gift, but it's seen as a nuisance. So, if you don't have mentorship, and you're taught that something about you is wrong – and you aren't developing it, it's only just happening to you – then the discernment between a pure intention and a pure intention of harm, you know, is quite confusing if it muddles the senses. That's what we encounter in this with her.

- Snitchseeker

I was wondering, wouldn't Queenie have noticed the change in Graves [Grindelwald]' thinking even though he looked the same?

JK Rowling: Occlumency.

- Twitter

Mads Mikkelsen: If I offer a character that is under distress and frustrated, alone, a misfit, if I offer some comfort and an ear that would listen, it's a smart way to get you followers.

Alison Sudol: Absolutely. You sense vulnerability and you use it, and it was painful actually. I know that might sound strange, but any time you are put in a position where you need to look more deeply into yourself or into humanity to learn about someone, I think it's really positive, because it just brings more understanding into the human condition really.

- Secrets of Dumbledore Interview

Alison Sudol: She made the mistake of believing Grindelwald could offer a better alternative. He used her vulnerability to his advantage, telling her what she wanted to hear, meanwhile separating her from everyone and everything she loved. He understands people's base desires and he plays into them. That's why he's so dangerous. It's something that happens in the real world all the time, a trap that so many young people fall into. We are not taught how to converse with our desires, we're taught to suppress them to fit in. It takes the considerable power of owning our feelings away from us and leaves it up for grabs, makes us a target for manipulation.

- Secrets of Dumbledore Production Notes

Alison Sudol: At the end of the second film, we see Queenie make a pretty shocking decision, something that no one really expected. But if you follow through the film, if you really think about it, she was sort of in one unfortunate circumstance after another because of the way that the wizarding world operates and the prejudice. Really all she wants to do is just be with the person she loves. The narrow-mindedness of the world she lives in puts her into a really vulnerable position where somebody that's really manipulative can tell her what she wants to hear, and that's gonna have an impact.

- Secrets of Dumbledore Press Conference

Alison Sudol: Well, Grindelwald told her what she wanted to hear, didn’t he? I mean, anyone with a little power of observation could see that she was desperate to be with Jacob legitimately, which was a much bigger deal at that time than it is today. She would do anything to be able to be with him. And because of the restrictions by the wizarding world, the narrow mindedness, the prejudice towards non-magical people, she was vulnerable to anyone who would say it could be different. Grindelwald pretended to be sympathetic to non-magical people to get her on his side. If the wizarding world had been more open-minded, she never would’ve been in this situation.

- Bearpost

Alison Sudol: In the last film, a lot of people were shocked by what she did, but then, as I thought about more and more about what happens in that film, she's abandoned by the people that she loves, and her sister's not there, and she and Jacob are fighting, and Newt humiliates her, and she's also up against a huge amount of prejudice, and Grindelwald offers what seems like an alternative to a world that is broken and is not allowing her to be with the person she loves.

- Secrets of Dumbledore Interview

“Grindelwald actually sounds like he’s all for love — if you love a Muggle, you should be allowed to be with them, and you should be allowed to marry,” Fogler reveals. “But wizards, he feels, should be on a pedestal. This is very tantalizing to some.

- Entertainment Weekly

Dan Fogler: Dumbledore can say the same thing and so can Grindelwald in his heart. That's why it's so easy for her. She's like, "Wow, he really believes this, that this can happen." This utopia that he's promising with his silver tongue. But there's a part of him that it's for love. So it's very confusing, which makes for really complex, dramatic, great scenes to play. Really interesting subject matter. 

- Sensacine

JK Rowling: We watch him corrupt an innocent, and we see his immense seductive duplicities, gift for speech in the final scene where we really see the danger of the man. 

If we look at what he is saying and analyse it, it does fall apart. However, if you're not paying a lot of attention to the substance and the inherent contractions in what he's saying, it sounds very seductive, very plausible, and it can persuade people that you or I might consider good people.

- ChicagoSciFi

'He's also a bit flirty,' says Sudol. 'It's the age-old thing of the good girl getting swayed by the bad boy.'

- Lights, Camera, Magic!: The Making of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Alison Sudol: Grindelwald is very skilled at reading people, at understanding when someone is vulnerable and what they need to hear, and he also sees a part of her that she hasn't accepted in herself, which is this extraordinary gift that she has. There's a power there and there's a pull. There's no doubt about it.

- Secrets of Dumbledore Interview

Alison Sudol: So she is scooped up by Grindelwald in easily the most vulnerable moment that she's had in her adult life. She has very little at this point left to go to, so she's not protected by anything in that moment and he comes in, and it's very interesting the way that Jo's done this. Basically, you think of a predator or an evil person, a bad person's gonna come in and they are gonna be like an ogre and horrible and being like killing kittens in front of you and you are gonna be able to see that they are evil, but the thing about Grindelwald is that he's a master manipulator. He's all things to everyone that they need, and that is why he is so dangerous, and to Queenie, he very quickly understands that the way to get to her is through her giant heart, which is very open and very sore, and he comes in, he's vulnerable to her and sort of appeals to her and also reacts to her gift, which is a gift of being able to read minds, but Queenie's never been told that it's a gift. She's always been shushed, and It's always been a frustration and an annoyance to the people around her, and here you have this very intriguing, mysterious man who sees her as this powerful woman, and also he's saying, "I want what you want. I want you be able to love freely." She's been rejected by Jacob; it's no wonder she gets swayed by Grindelwald.

- Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - Makers, Mysteries and Magic: Chapter 6 & The Archive of Magic : The Film Wizardry of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Poppy Corby-Tuech: I think this is the power of Grindelwald, that he doesn't... He could've poisoned her, he could've drugged her, he could've used a spell, but actually I think he trusted that she would come to him in a really natural way and it would come from hers as opposed to her being forced. That is really the way that he's persuading a lot of people to do his very dark things around and it's not through mind games or through torture. It's through the sheer power of the words. Obviously, there's manipulation at the intent of it, but it's like, "If we lay the breadcrumbs, they will come."

- Speakbeasty

David Heyman: I think the fact that even Queenie can go over is really significant. The fact is that for me, Grindelwald is a much scarier villain than Voldemort. Because Voldemort was pure evil. People follow Voldemort as much because of brute, his power and brute force than his power of persuasion. The thing about Grindelwald is he makes sense or he makes sense to people. He speaks to the needs that people have. He understands his audience and he gives them what they want to serve his own needs. So I understand Queenie who wants to be with Jacob but where the magical laws deny her that possibility. You can see why someone who tells her in his world, in the world that he will rule, that she will be able to have what she wants. You understand why she goes over.  And that makes it to me, Grindelwald is relevant. He speaks to today. But he's also, because history repeats itself, a timeless villain and I think he's incredibly scary.

- Empire Podcast

David Heyman: Grindelwald is to me a much scarier villain than Voldemort, because Grindelwald makes sense to certain people. Voldemort's power is fear and intimidation. As Callum said, Grindelwald seduces. As much as we may hate certain politicians because they do not speak our language, we have to understand that they are answering the needs and vulnerabilities and insecurities of others. Grindelwald is doing that. That's why Queenie goes over. He makes perfect sense. I understand why Queenie does what she does. I may hate it. I may not like it, it may make me sad, but yeah [it makes sense].

- Coup De Main

His eyes meet QUEENIE'S in the front row.

GRINDELWALD —and for love.

We pan across QUEENIE, now heart and soul his .. .

- Crimes of Grindelwald: The Original Screenplay

Secrets of Dumbledore:

Alison Sudol: Queenie made a choice to take marrying Jacob into her own hands in the second film, which set off a chain reaction of unfortunate events that ultimately left her vulnerable and alone. Ultimately, she made a choice to cross over to Grindelwald’s side. It was shocking for a lot of people, but she was wounded and reckless. There was a lot of chaos around that decision, and it happened in a split second. Now in this new film, things have calmed down and the sobering reality of the world that she now lives in has descended. It’s not a world that she fits into, but she’s had to assimilate. Grindelwald sees her as a valuable asset for her power to read minds, which puts her in an important position among Grindelwald’s minions. That doesn’t mean she’s safe. She’s navigating this as best as she can, and it’s intense!

- Bearpost

Alison Sudol: So at the start of this film, we find her in a world that is very different than any world she's ever been in before. She's also being utilised for this tremendous power that she has, that she's either had to hide in the past or she's been made feel guilty about, and there is something interesting about that, about a person who hasn't actually been able to live fully as who they are, and I think a lot of young woman can relate to that as well, of what happens when somebody sees that thing, that burning part of you that nobody else sees. It's a tricky, interesting position. We don't really know where she's really to go and who she is and how she's going to move forward, because she's at a point in her life where she has sort of two ways to go, but she's made a decision that you can't really just say to Gellert Grindelwald, "Sorry, I actually..." It's pretty creeping, so maybe she won't be able to get away or mabye she will. That's what her journey is now.

- Secrets of Dumbledore Press Conference

Alison Sudol: Grindelwald's on a mission to become the leader of the wizarding world by hooker, by crook. He's not the kind of guy that's gonna do it the right way. He's gonna do it the way that makes it happen, and earlier on, she observes him do something completely unthinkable and cruel, disgustingly cruel to an innocent creature for his own benefit, and it's shocking, and it's unclear what she's seen up until then, but I don't think it takes her very long to realise that she's dealing with seriously villainous people.

- ChicagoSciFi

Mads Mikkelsen: He's an odd man, because he picks some allies that he knows are not fully on his side. So there's a little game for him. He seems to take pleasure in manipulating people that he knows are not a believer of him. But obviously if you can turn them over completely, it's a win-win situation. If you can't, he will have a very fun and good time with them. But also it's an old saying, right? Keep your enemies very very tight, very close. But she's a fantastic tool as well. She has the ability to read people's minds, and that can come in very handy.

- ChicagoSciFi

Mads Mikkelsen: Oh, Grindelwald doesn’t trust her at all. But there’s something about Queenie—she can read other people’s minds, but she’s also a very bad liar at the same time. So, Grindelwald has a hunch he can trust her to the degree that she can’t lie straight to his face. And then, as was said before, both Dumbledore and Grindelwald have this tendency to manipulate people around them. The difference is that Grindelwald doesn’t mind people around him that could be dangerous for him. He finds it interesting. It’s a little game. Life becomes more interesting when you have people around you that might turn on you. It keeps him on his toes.

- Bearpost

[rainywerewolfmoon]

Tales Of Fairyland

Ao3 link here Tales Of Fairyland - Chapter 13 - Princessmh9 - Original Work [Archive of Our Own]

Chapter 13: Family Bonds

{Genevieve rushes through the castle, clutching the hairbrush tightly, her heart pounding with urgency. She knows that time is of the essence in their mission to rescue Elara and the twins. Her destination is the Royal Healer's room, where she hopes to find Reed, the healer who has tended to the royal family for generations. Reed's room is filled with the soothing aroma of medicinal herbs and potions. Shelves are lined with jars containing various remedies, and sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the space. Genevieve knocks on the door and, without waiting for an answer, enters the room.}

{Genevieve} Reed are you in here?

{Reed steps out from behind a bookcase and smiles at Genevieve.}

{Reed} Hello Princess Genevieve. What can I do for your highness?

{Genevieve holds out the hairbrush as she looks at him determined.}

{Genevieve} Elara is under a geas. And me and Ash believe its because of this hairbrush. Can you take a look at it please.

{Reed's expression shifted from a warm greeting to one of concern as he took the hairbrush from Genevieve.}

{Reed, with a hint of worry} A geas, you say? That is indeed troubling. Let me examine the hairbrush and see if there are any enchantments or curses on it.

{Reed carefully inspected the hairbrush, his experienced hands tracing over its bristles and handle. After a few moments, he began to mutter incantations softly, his fingers moving with precision.}

{Reed, his voice low} There is magic here, Princess. Dark and twisted magic. It's designed to bind someone's will and force them to act against their nature.

{Genevieve's eyes widened with worry.}

{Genevieve, anxiously} Can you break the geas, Reed? Elara and the twins are in danger.

{Reed, focused} Breaking a geas is a delicate and complex process, but it can be done. However, I need more information. Who cast this geas, and what were the circumstances surrounding it?

{Genevieve, determined} We suspect the Court of Shadows is involved. Elara and the twins disappeared mysteriously, and me and Ash believe they have gave her it.

{Reed, nodding in understanding} The Court of Shadows... A formidable adversary. If they are indeed responsible for this geas, it adds another layer of complexity to breaking it.

{Reed continued his examination, his brow furrowed in concentration. As he worked, Genevieve couldn't help but feel a growing sense of urgency. Elara's safety depended on their ability to unravel the dark magic that bound her.}

{Reed} Give me a few suns to work out a way to break it, your highness. I know time is of the essence, but we need to be careful as I am afraid it is a very powerful geas, the most powerful one I have ever encountered.

{Genevieve} Thank you, Reed. Please do keep me informed.

{Genevieve walks back out of the room and sighs. It's been a moon now since Elara went missing, and Genevieve misses her dearly. She makes her way back to Elara’s bedroom, the memories of her daughter making the room feel both empty and full of life at the same time. As she enters the room she smiled as she sees Ash standing at the window.}

{Genevieve} Missing our Little Star are we love?

{Ash turning his head to look at her} You know I am. I miss her everyday.

{Genevieve smiles softly as she turns to look at a painting of her Ash and Elara when she was five stars old.}

{Ash} I remember when we had that portrait done. Elara was glad that it was over.

{Genevieve chuckling} Yes getting her to sit still was very hard. And then remember what she asked for that Yule.

{Ash smiling} Yes a new sibling. I thought you were going to choke to death on your Meed.

{Genevieve} I remember that Yule very well. Elara always had a way of surprising us, didn't she?

{Ash} She did, and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's our Little Star, and we'll find her, Genevieve.

{Genevieve nods, her eyes glistening with determination.}

{Genevieve} We will, Ash. We'll bring her back home where she belongs.

{She leans her head on his shoulder.}

{Genevieve} Do you think when we find Elara we should give her wish?

{Ash} It's a lovely thought, Genevieve. Elara has always had a big heart and a strong desire to help others. If she still wants a new sibling when she returns, we can certainly consider it. Our family will always be open to more love and laughter. But what about you Genevieve? Being pregnant with Elara was not easy on you and the way I treated you when you were six moons was atrocious. And let's not forget that you almost died giving birth to Elara.

{Genevieve} You're right, Ash. The pregnancy and birth were difficult, and I know I put you through a lot during those times. But Elara brought so much joy and light into our lives. She's been our greatest blessing. If Elara wants a sibling and we decide to have one, I'll do everything I can to make sure it's a healthy and happy experience for both of us. After all, our love has always been a source of strength, and I believe it will guide us through whatever challenges may come.

{Ash} You've always been incredibly strong and resilient, Genevieve. I have no doubt that you'll handle it with grace and courage, just as you always have.

{They share a tender moment, grateful for their love and the hope of reuniting with Elara someday.}

{Genevieve} Thank you, Ash. We've faced many challenges together, and I know we can overcome whatever lies ahead. But for now, let's focus on finding Elara and bringing her back to our family.

{Ash} Agreed. Our priority is reuniting with our Little Star. Together, we'll make sure she returns safely to our arms.

{They hold each other close, determined to continue their quest to rescue Elara from the Court of Shadows. As they held each other close, Genevieve and Ash drew strength from their love and the unbreakable bond they shared. Their determination to rescue Elara only grew stronger, and they knew that no matter the challenges they faced, they would face them together. With renewed resolve, they began to make plans for their next steps in the search for their beloved daughter, trusting in their love and the support of their family to guide them through the shadows that lay ahead.}

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

{The dining hall was aglow with the eerie, purple flames of the candles, their flickering light casting long, dancing shadows across the grand room. The table was set in a regal fashion, adorned with fine silverware, crystal goblets, and a lavish spread of dishes, showcasing the culinary skills of the castle's chefs. There was Small, succulent quails had been roasted to perfection, their tender meat adorned with a rich and slightly sweet berry glaze. The crimson hue of the glaze glistened in the candlelight. There was a creamy risotto. There was also a whole salmon had been poached to retain its natural moisture and flavor. There were Garlic and Herb Roasted Potatoes, Steamed Asparagus Bundles, Fresh Garden Salad, Warm Bread Rolls.

The grand finale of the meal featured an assortment of desserts, including miniature fruit tarts with flaky pastry shells, velvety chocolate mousse, and a platter of fresh berries. Seated at the head of the table were Sablethorn and Nocturnia, exuding an air of authority and dark elegance. Starlessia, their prized daughter, sat next to them, her demeanor a mix of curiosity and obedience. Willow and Aurora, still adjusting to their new surroundings, sat nearby, their expressions a blend of uncertainty and trepidation. As they began their meal, conversation was kept to a minimum. Sablethorn and Nocturnia exchanged glances and whispered discussions in hushed tones, their plans shrouded in secrecy. Starlessia, though not entirely understanding the complexities of the situation, sensed that something significant was unfolding.}

{Starlessia looking at Willow and Aurora} Why ant you eating? Don’t you like the food?

{Willow and Aurora exchanged nervous glances before Willow finally spoke up.}

{Willow, hesitantly} It's not that, Starlessia. The food here is amazing. It's just... we're not used to this kind of food. This is dark food.

{Aurora, nodding} Yeah, we're just not used to such fancy dark dishes.

{Starlessia} Oh, I see. Well, you can try a little bit of everything. I'm sure you'll like it.

{Willow and Aurora smiled at her kindness and decided to follow her suggestion, taking small portions of the dishes to sample.}

{Sablethorn} Willow and Aurora are you enjoying you new life here?

{Willow and Aurora shared a glance before Willow nodded and spoke up.}

{Willow, with a smile} Yes, Your Majesty. It's different from what we're used to, but we appreciate the hospitality and the chance to learn new things.

{Aurora} And we're grateful for the opportunity to be with Starlessia and to have a safe place to stay.

{Starlessia nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with genuine affection for her friends.}

{Sablethorn} I'm pleased to hear that, my dear. You two are special to Starlessia, and we welcome you as part of our family. If there's anything you need or any concerns you have, don't hesitate to let us know. We want you to feel at home here.

{Aurora} Will me and my brother ever be able to go home?

{Nocturnia} No you wont be as this is your home from now on.

{The twins look at each other sadly at this.}

{Aurora, while still apprehensive, tries to understand the situation.}

{Aurora} But... we don't even know this place. How can it be our home?

{Starlessia, with a comforting tone} Aurora, Willow, you'll have us as your family now. We'll make this place feel like home, and you won't be alone.

{Sablethorn} And as for the castle, we're taking all precautions to keep you safe. It's for your protection, my dear we are moving it. The Sellie Court won't find you here.

{Willow} Can we at least visit our old home someday?

{Nocturnia} No you can't. Never again.

{Starlessia} We'll make wonderful memories together here, I promise.

{The twins, still uncertain, nod slowly and continue their meal as they all set in silence.}

{Aurora, while still apprehensive, tries to understand the situation.}

{Aurora} But... we don't even know this place. How can it be our home?

{Starlessia, with a comforting tone} Aurora, Willow, you'll have us as your family now. We'll make this place feel like home, and you won't be alone.

{Sablethorn} And as for the castle, we're taking all precautions to keep you safe. It's for your protection, my dear. The Sellie Court won't find you here.

{Willow} Can we at least visit our old home someday?

{Nocturnia} We promise to discuss that possibility in the future, once it's safe. Your wellbeing is our main concern right now.

{Starlessia} We'll make wonderful memories together here, I promise.

{The twins, still uncertain, nod slowly and continue their meal.}

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

{Aurora sat in her room, a space adorned with hues of lavender and silver. The walls were painted in soft lavender tones, adorned with delicate silver patterns that seemed to shimmer in the gentle candlelight. Her bed was draped in lavender silks, with silver-framed mirrors adorning the walls and reflecting the soft, calming glow of purple-flamed candles. The window, framed with lavender curtains, revealed the stormy night outside. Raindrops raced down the glass, occasionally accompanied by distant flashes of lightning and rolling thunder. Aurora's room felt cozy and safe, despite the tumultuous weather beyond. Aurora's eyes filled with tears as she looked around her room. She missed her old home dearly, and the storm outside only added to her sense of unease. A knock on her door made her turn around and Willow walks in with a sad look.}

{Willow} Sister, I miss mother and father.

{Aurora turned to face her twin, Willow, and saw the same sadness reflected in his eyes. She nodded, tears welling up in her own.}

{Aurora, her voice choked with emotion} I miss them too, Willow. And our old home. Everything's changed so quickly, and it's all so overwhelming.

{Willow} And Elara is different now. She not herself no more.

{Aurora's heart ached at the mention of Elara's name. She had noticed the change in her friend as well.}

{Aurora, softly} Yes, something happened to Elara. She's not the same. But we'll find a way to make things better, Willow. We'll help her and ourselves too. We have each other, and we'll get through this together.

{Willow} Can I stay with you please sister? I cant sleep with this storm.

{Aurora} Of course, Willow. You can stay here with me. We'll keep each other company and hopefully, the storm will pass soon.

{Willow climbs into Aurora's bed, and the two siblings huddle together for comfort as the storm rages outside. In their embrace, they find solace and warmth, facing the unknown future with a glimmer of hope.}

{Aurora} We'll get through this together, Willow. We'll adapt to this new life, and who knows, maybe things will get better in time.

{Willow, her voice trembling} I hope so, Aurora. I just miss how things used to be.

{Aurora holds Willow closer, offering him the comfort of a sister's embrace. As the storm continues outside, the two siblings drift off to sleep, finding strength in each other's presence.}

[tavs-corner]

most are here for regular bg3 content. filter #tav rambles if you wish not to see the content about my original characters

[][][]

current list of my tavs, who are all connected in some way despite sometimes (but not always) being from different universes:

1) Esker (eh-skerr) #esker tag

- half wood elf

- agender, he/him, lesbian

- circle of the moon druid, outlander

- motivated by: kinship, peace

- relations:

he and Yarran share the same father though Esker stayed with his runaway mother in the city who died early on (likely due to the lines of work she had no choice but to participate in), leading him to venture to the woods to meet his mentor

he and Karlach have a doomed romance; i.e., can't be together; hurt by being unable to be with her and tormented by his regrets, Esker spends a night with Mizora, creating a rift between himself and Wyll and Karlach, and garnering pity from other party members. this in part dooms his sought after kinship

Esker is rather impulsive because of his unsocialized background, which sometimes undoes his efforts toward peace

he and Gale are best friends, and he can understand all of Esker's regrets

- fun facts:

he has limited understanding of gender roles and expectations given his outlander background; he is very confused why people call him "she" all the time. he simply took on the pronouns of his mentor, and they work fine for him.

he is baffled by the pursuit of wealth, material things, and private ownership. this gets him in trouble sometimes.

he does not have a tattoo, but rather it is naturally made paint he applies every morning, in the shape of his mentor's own tattoo; through this process he honors him; this is very opposite to Yarran's tattoo

he has not and will not ingest a single tadpole, viewing it to be against nature; however, he has no ill will toward his Illithid protector

on this note, he is very moral and selfless though not idiotically so; he will do what he needs to do, but often feels self doubt and regret as though he's in a too fast-paced world; the death of Halsin and permanence of the Shadow Curse haunt him every day

2) Yarran (yah-rin) #yarran tag

- zariel tiefling [half wood elf] (+ part illithid)

- male, he/him, gay

- wildheart barbarian, soldier/mercenary

- motivated by: fear, then love

relations:

he and Esker share the same father, who Yarran unfortunately stayed with most of his youth (left around 14), suffering horrid abuse and the murder of his mother before he swore to get strong, and became a mercenary

he and Gale have a committed if somewhat negatively enabling relationship, but they get better

he and Astarion are very good friends, which is funny because Esker severely dislikes him

- fun facts

he has a soft spot for children, being that he was severely abused as a child. he will do stupid things to help children, but will also tell it to them straight since it's a hard world; Mol gets a kick out of this guy

he was actually relieved to find out Astarion is a vampire; he would not tell anyone this, but he is incredibly uneasy around elves because of his father

Yarran suffered extreme anti-tiefling sentiments as a child; his father, a wood elf, forcibly had vines tattooed up his neck and face, stating that he hoped "nature drags you back into the dirt;" he lives with this marking as well the guilt of, in his view, getting his mother killed for the crime of his being born - the effects of the illithid parasite on this tattoo are poet and tragic

though he is not as connected to nature as Esker, he feels a sort of call to it to return after being in cities for most of his adult life; he sees nature as a hand to cradle him which he wants desperately to nuzzle against, but fears it will crush him like his father tried to

his ambition is rooted in his fear, and his fear and ambition grow even larger once he falls in love with Gale and finds friends in the party to protect; both he and Gale stand on a precipice - but ultimately, their ambition shifts to focus on one another as they fall deeper in love, and they pull one another back from the ruin of the Crown of Karsus and illithid transformation

3) Aisling (ash-ling) #aisling tag

- drow

- male, he/him, bisexual

- college of swords bard, urchin

- motivated by: profit/power & pleasure

- relations:

he is of lolth-sworn background, but after framing his father (leading to his death) for his abusive mother's murder, he went topside. here he learned to be a bard, combining cutthroat drow upbringing with it to serve as a valuable cover for the gang of"druidic," nomadic criminals Esker and Yarran's father leads - before he too ran from them...robbing them all the while

he and Astarion have...a relationship. they screw, they have a mutually pleasurable feeding situation. they think it's a lot more casual than it is; spoiler: it's not casual, and Astarion's fate has never been more in Aisling's hands

basically only Astarion and, to a degree, Shadowheart like Aisling due to his amorality; however, his cult-like personality ensures most of the party backs him

fun facts

not everything about drows is true - except maybe a little, because Aisling does enjoy killing; it is not exactly an urge and he won't foolishly rush into battle, but he has no qualms about getting his hands dirty, and is rather opportunistic about others' suffering at the best of times, and sadomasochistic at the worst of times

despite all the roughness, Aisling does have his softness. he is snarky and rude but also a touch hilarious. he performs well, tells stories well and likes to tell them, and genuinely loves music - and often silly songs and styles at that (he perhaps coined the heavy metal voice paired with cutesy lyrics); he simply doesnt have as much patience for others doing so, liking the spotlight

he does not often step in to stop conflict. often, he is an enabler of conflict. for this reason, the grove ends up a massacre and he urges Wyll to kill an angered Karlach (and helps). he keeps Wyll in his rather lawless party by manipulating the man's sense of self worth after the murder of Karlach, lowering it as he gets Wyll to see himself as a hypocrite sworn to a devil and therefore a devil (and later monstrous half Illithid) himself. he too allows Shadowheart to murder Lae'zel, as well as kill the Nightsong in order to become a Dark Justiciar.

he is not particularly religious because his mother was so devout to Lolth. he does not forsake Lolth but in no way worships; he wears the markings of spiders (and respects female authority much more than male) as the large spiders native to the Underdark were the scarce few friends he could find, for his magic practicing mother had potions of animal speaking always on hand

his mother would put him through spells of psychic torture and use him for experimentation, going as far as to claim never to have done anything to him. his father was complicit in this, and Aisling was half mad when he ended them. because of the psychic torture, he has frequent nightmares he must keep quiet about, but also has an advantage over the tadpole; he and Astarion bond over their unseen scars from cruel masters

4) Odesa (oh-deh-suh) #odesa tag

5) Bryndis (brihn-diss) #bryndis tag

[casspurrjoybell-22]

Master - Chapter 54 - Part 6

*Warning Adult Content*

"By Ythene's Hand you are a fool," he chides, his tone as sharp and strict as ever but I could feel the wetness of his tears in my hair.

"How could you ensnare me when you had no idea what it would do to you?" his words are no longer lost to me as my mind filters in Therzya, our common tongue.

With the language blinders gone, I think back to what he'd been saying earlier, having no trouble understanding his sprouted words of me being an idiot but one that he loved.

That Ythene would have to bury me herself once he was done with me.

That he'd never forgive me or let go of again.

I smile, it shakes and wobbles and threatens to fall apart but I still smile against him.

It was strange, staring at him with all my memories in tack that didn't mix with the ones I had before.

It felt like my two lives or rather two separate worlds, were trying to bleed together again.

Zhoron continues to curse me, scolding me as if we hadn't been apart for decades before he finally pulls back, revealing a face streaked by black lines while he takes my face in hand.

"Truly, Zani. You must never do that again," his voice grows just a little softer, white eyes becoming haunted as he dips his head a little.

"You should not have..." Zhoron releases a shuddering breath. "It would've been better for me to endure..."

"You always endured," I snap back as I face his bleached eyes, the ones that always made everything with life run away but not me.

"I wanted to do something for once. I would do it again, all of it, for you."

White eyes sharpening, Zhoron studies me carefully, his wings slowly pulling tighter around us as if he was preparing to shield us from a threat.

"What did you endure, Zani," he asks very carefully, voice rotting.

I drop my gaze, not knowing how to share all that had happened.

Even as I remembered everything now, my life with Lincoln still felt just as real as my childhood in Ythene's realm, as did all the time I'd spent in that slave house.

The slave house.

All that time, I was suffering because of my own decisions.

I'd always thought somebody had abandoned me, left me alone in that dark place but the truth was I'd done it to myself.

I didn't go to the slave house, I never wanted that but I'd taken away any chance I could've had at avoiding it.

I wanted to hate myself but I couldn't because it was for Zhoron and if he were okay, then it would always be worth it.

"I will slay any who remain," he vows suddenly while the skies around us circled, darkening as his anger got a hold of them.

"Death has always been my friend and I am eager to reacquaint myself with it."

I hadn't said a word but Zhoron had always been good at reading my face, at spotting any pain and eliminating the source of it.

My chest warms knowing his words to be true.

"You can barely stand."

Zhoron doesn't say anything, not that he needed to.

I could remember him fighting, all the times I'd glimpsed him at work and then in the final battle.

Everything died when Zhoron was near.

He was the strongest of us and even if he were on his knees, Diablos wouldn't stand a chance.

"You need to rest," I say as I look him over, seeing the way his arms trembled just a little.

"I do not need rest," Zhoron sneers as if he were offended.

"And I won't allow us to part even a step from this place until you swear an oath that you will never do such a foolish thing again."

"Zhoron..."

"I will have nothing else but your word," Zhoron declares, his steady voice leaving no room for discussion.

"You must swear it, Zani. Right now."

"I swear it," I promise even though I knew in my heart that I'd sacrifice myself every time for Zhoron, no matter what we promised.

If Zhoron knew that, he chose not to say anything about it as he tries to stand on his own, his wings trembling slightly behind him but they still once he takes a deep breath that causes the dark patch beneath his feet to spread.

I could feel him sucking the life from the Earth, bleeding the life around him dry until there was nothing left to them but a chance to rot but I didn't worry even though it hurt to see because I knew I was the one who would give it back to them.

That's how it worked, how it was supposed to work.

I was the light and Zhoron the darkness, the 'angel' and he the 'demon.'

"I don't need rest," he repeats, voice firmer now as he straightens.

"Now, either you show me how to craft this small body or you shed this feeble skin so that we can..."

Zhoron's words cut off as something ripples through the dirt beneath us, a wave of magic that could only be Elven and there was only one other Elf on this planet.

Arias.

[echoestm]

It does, in fact, rankle something in Randall to be touched without his consent; but it's an old something, that has long gotten used to the world not catering to preference. Touch is common universal language. He can speak it and tolerate it— understands when no ill-intent is meant, no offense. This is a friendly touch, or thereabouts. Something that has started featuring more over time; tactile communications of comfort, encouragement, acceptance and so on. Reese means to show him solidarity and give him permission to do as he's come to do, but no sooner does she speaks the words than the Mission is making itself the last man standing, holding the line. Opened door becomes paddle shovel, gently putting her out with him and barring them both access to criminal hiding in belly of the beast.

Randall kicks the doorframe just to make his feelings known. Creep ass building can side with his brother if it wants. It'll get the same treatment. Something that rattles and hopefully bruises and stings, in whatever way that might translate. He wishes it termites in the privacy of his mind before turning to offer temporarily exiled vampire his elbow.

"He thinks he's so funny." The problem with holding and holding and holding, is that he is not a bottomless vessel. Eventually surface tension breaks and at least some of what he's holding will become a spill. Angry long-legged march away and into the night becomes narrated by ancient history. "You know he made me come pick him up at a bar once, when I was barely eighteen? Do the math. He's barely legal to be in there himself, right? And he wants ME to come get him. Because he's drunk and out of sorts and probably somebody had the good sense to cut him off for once." Face under groomed scruff goes warm like he's the one that's been drinking tonight. This is not entirely of his own volition. If he could bury old humiliations so no one ever knew, he'd take that option. Even reframing it as exposing Marc's mile long rap sheet doesn't soothe.

"Only bars with bouncers don't let in anyone under twenty-one. No matter how much I explain, and explain and swear that I'm not there to drink or cause trouble— what kind of plan would that be anyway, just walking up with real birthdate in print and showing it? But there I am, egg on fucking face, trying." Little brother version of the tale, filtered through lenses that are anything but rose colored. He sees insult where it's not meant, planning where there was none, and in regards to one Marc Spector has no good faith, gives no benefit of the doubt.

"Get taller, he says later. Then I can hang." Like it was just a matter of popping home for a car-jack to fix obvious problem. Jest meant to soothe unintentional irritation had become bigger plot. Proof that Marc schemed intentionally to put him through bad times and laugh about it. Like he was still holding homework pen up out of his reach suddenly, telling him to take it, like the three years worth of differently paced growth and development didn't exist or matter at all.

"Oh, I'll hang. We're going to buy an ax first. Then we're going to show him how well I can hang things."

Would he be surprised she has her own wounds when it comes to Marc Spector? That she often feels like an unloved or unwanted child in this game he plays? A game she isn't even sure she explains on the best of days? It isn't her own misguided feelings for him she considers now, she had buried those in a grave dug with her own claws and she hadn't let them fester because she knew.. Everything she needed to know. No. He's hurt her in other ways. More like a child disappointed and disgusted to learn their father wasn't the hero they always thought he was. But the hurt is there all the same.

And she knows the moment she's caught the crumpled tickets in her hand what he's done this time. She takes a deep breath before she shoves them into her pocket and moves to grip his shoulder before he could just stalk off. Was it a mistake? Would he defend himself against the rush of her unwelcomed touch?

"Yeah.. No rules. Just kick his ass." She hears herself mutter quietly, words hissed between her teeth in a betrayal she doesn't feel. There's been too many broken promises.

And how funny she'd find it if she ever knew he had just compared her to Sam and found her lacking. Ironic as she had once been jealous over the pretty girl with her deep eyes and killer smile. She'd pick her every time too. Hell. If she asked. She still might.

[traumanap]

“I don’t really....feel anything. And I s’ppose that feels great.”