#celebrity culture is poison

[clemencycomic]

They could never make me hate you, pookie

[popculturebaby]

Uma Thurman behind the scenes of “Batman & Robin”, 1997 💚

[conceptual-fic-sics]

Anything Tamaki eats, he can manifest, yes?

Consider: poison

It's organic! Most compounds are made by plants! And many animals eat things that are poisonous to steal and frankenstein for their own gain!

Reporter: “So, last question, what should you never do, living with Suneater? What’s a pet peeve of his?”

Nejire-chan: “Don’t ever eat his ice cream”

“Ah. Does that make him sad? He doesn’t strike me as a person that gets super angry, but you never know!”

“Eh, something like that, sure! Though, I'd only say that cuz he knows we know better. Well, the threat of heart attack is very real either way!”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. The day Suneater actually yells in anger is the day the moon blows up! Either that or there’s a break-in in the house. But in all seriousness, he'd probably just cry. And his sad kitten eyes are no joke.”

And then, a week or so later:

A home video is posted by the hero Lemillion. Only a pair of white socks are seen, likely Lemillion's. For a split second, a vivid purple butterfly is seen on screen on the lid of a jar filled with goldfish.

“So a lot of you guys are curious why, exactly, eating Suneater’s icecream is a very VERY big no no.”

The freezer is opened and the phone is set, camera down, on the edge. The footage goes black as a result. Lemillion is heard rifling through things.

“It’s not because he gets sad, or angry, or anything like that, though, yes, that might, theoretically, happen.”

The camera lifts, and an unlabeled tub of white ice cream with streaks of red is in view. It’s got a black butterfly, drawn with sharpie, on the lid, and several instances of ‘ DO NOT EAT ’ written all over it in various colors. Four strips of bright red tape keeps the lid closed.

“It’s because of his quirk. This right here is the Suneater Vanilla and Chocolate Special, aka vanilla and Pokeweed berry.”

The tub is put back in and the freezer is shut.

"Do NOT eat Pokeweed berries. They are VERY poisonous! You and I can’t eat them, but because of how Suneater’s quirk works, he can!”

There is a distant meow. A voice, possibly feline, possibly human, meows back.

“Anyways, that’s why no one should ever eat his ice cream. Because our very lives are on the line! Haha!”

The video cuts off mid-jingle of a small bell.

[wewontbesleeping]

honestly it’s weird to me that people are so obsessed with Tom Cruise and Scientology and have to bring it up anytime anyone talks about him but literally don’t have shit to say about Catholic actors

[dukeofankh]

I cannot express how jarring it was after being raised by a "Porn Addiction Coach" to get into a relationship with a woman and come face to face with the fact that she did actually want me to sexually desire her.

Like, in Evangelical Purity Culture, male desire was basically poison. It was a threat. It was this constant temptation that would destroy everything. And even after leaving, in the sort of queer, feminist spaces i spend most of my time in that wasn't something that pretty much anyone was spending time actively dissuading me from feeling.

But my desire is good. It's not something that I'm being accepted in spite of. It's a positive thing. It's a bonus. Not even just vanilla stuff, all the stuff I'd convinced myself were these weird terrible desires that were shameful to have.

It honestly took me over a decade to fully accept that. To stop dissociating during sex and confront that I was, in fact, being a massive perv and that was fantastic and preferable and that I could accept that into my self-image without shame or self hatred.

But it's important to do. It's important to leave relationships that don't welcome that part of you. To know that your sexuality is valuable and valid and worth owning and celebrating. Because the alternative is just...not being. Either existing as yourself and repressing the part of your identity that is sexual or allowing that sexuality to exist but turning off your self while it does.

[marsprincess889]

Basic themes of nakshatras

May edit this later, this is as far as I understand and have observed them, and I think it's pretty nice to see them simply.

Ashwini:

Newness, freshness, the unmanifest, speed, energy, vitality, instinct, healing, fast healing, unlimited energy, self-expression, selfishness, blocking outside noise, trusting yourself, self-empowerment, unfiltered actions.

Things that remind me of Ashwini: bees, the sun, horses, two white horses, golden deserts, horses gallopping, honey, long hair flying in the wind, apples.

Bharani:

Love, death, sex, the female, the feminine, limitations, the material, fate, destiny, coming into the body, struggling against limitations, struggling against fate, mind trapped in its own hell because of the inevitable, dealing with the harshness of life, harshness of mothers and mother nature, the hierarchy, privileges and deprivations, desire, going after your true desire, the immortality of the soul, adapting to changes, passion, tragic love, bravery, facing the truth, choicelessness, nessecity, revenge, violence, gatekeeping, reduction, denial of access, conquering your fate, everlasting beauty, immortality, eternal love.

Things that remind me of Bharani: hot pink and black, darkness, roses, the yoni, gateways, keyholes, caverns, boats, rivers, the damsel in distress, fantasy, high fantasy.

Krittika:

Adam, the main character, naming things, language, rationality, precision, sharpness, criticism, the poet, the "it" person, simplicity, cleanliness, expressing oneself, selectivity, the heat, the knowledge, the light, masculine ideals, stoicism.

Things that remind me of Krittika: knives, razors, lighers, sparks, fire, hearth, cooking.

Rohini:

Eve, sugar babies, growth, receptivity, enjoyment, pleasure, unrefined, doted on, subconcious, absorbtion, sharing, union, creation, the youngest daughter, naivete, feeling no shame.

Things that remind me of Rohini: sugar, stickiness, sweetness, heaviness, red, pink, flowers, the A.I(lol).

Mrigashira:

Distraction, realization, fickleness, adventure, running away, chasing, the hunt, excitement, softness, pleasure, altering conciousness, magic substances(iykwim), curiosity, fulfillment, insatiability, teasing.

Things that remind me of Mrigashira: silver threads, deer, green forests, green and blue, running in the woods, alcohol, the moon, Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

Ardra:

Disillusion, crying, lamenting, awareness of others, awarness of other's expectations, hyper-awarness of everything, intellect, the rational mind, pressures from society, rebelling against society, anxiety, hunting.

Things that remind me of Ardra: tears, water, storms, technology, teenage angst, emo culture, the rain, sad songs, dogs.

Punarvasu:

Mercy, forgiveness, permission, freedom, flying, expansion, gentleness, regrowing, realigning, returning, home, unconditional love and nurture, celebration, peace, peacefulness, centering oneself, sunlight, warmth, fostering, taking care, being taken care of, luck, unlimited fertile space, shelter, genuine kindness, believing in humanity again, cycles, patterns, seeing the cycles and the patterns, prophecies, the oracle, openness, second (and third, fouth...) chances, a comeback.

Things that remind me of Punarvasu: staying at home, pets, plants, cats, gentle rain, a bow and arrows, a target.

Pushya:

Asceticism, routines, self-restraint, servitude, control, self-control, working, working on yourself, patience, simplicity, striving for perfection, nurturing, nourishment, quiet ambition, symmetry.

Things that remind me of Pushya: milk, milkmaids, country life, milking, symmetry, goats, sheep, agriculture.

Ashlesha:

Manipulation, abuse, poison, emotional abuse, blackmail, resorting to everything for safety, protection, pent up energy, the nervous system, purity, water, sensitivity, cleanliness, energetic build-up, tension, restraint, preservation, self-preservation, virginity, feminine tactics, being "mean" for protection, lying for safety, sensuality, mother issues, agitation.

Things that remind me of Ashlesha: the color white, transparent things, cats, poisoning, snow white, Sofia Coppola films, teenage girlhood, ties, strings, knots, snakes.

Magha:

Royalty, power, ancestry, family trees, history, the past, regality, honoring the past, honoring the elders, honoring the authority, religion, tradition, customs, confidence, ego.

Things that remind me of Magha: crowns, thrones, churches, goth culture, smoke, big hair(like the lion's mane).

Purva Phalguni:

Pleasure, enjoyment, being spoiled as the feminine, loving to spoil as the masculine, procreation, sex, leisure, art, holidays, parties, exclusivity, pride, charisma, sexual dispersion, love as a method of self-expression, admiration, directness, active pursuit of your passions, indulgence.

Things that remind me of Purva Phalguni: fruits, eating fruits topless, rose gold color, the "rizz"(lol), the phallus, dramaticism.

Uttara Phalguni:

Favors from friends, family and partners, contracts, beneficial agreements, the perfect wife, likeability, popularity, friendliness, appearing cool, stoicism, beneficial arrangements, gain through partnerships, self-expression through relationships, wife/girlrfiend material, harvest, family associations, marriage associations.

Things that remind me of Uttara Phalguni: the "chads", simplicity, genuine friends, loyal companions, family business, the perfect male stereotype, the "rich heiress running away" trope, wheat, gold, power couples.

Hasta:

The earth, the veiled feminine, manipulation, denial of access, materialism, cheating, everyday matters, empowerment of women, deception, skill, seeking knowledge, wanting to be in control, activism, street-smarts, manipulation of masses.

Things that remind me of Hasta: the hand, Goddess Persephone, skilled hands, thieves, easy money, fairies, witches, scammers.

Chitra:

Crafting, building, perspective, truth, law, gems, sacrifice for your craft, vanity, stereotypes, aesthetics, the truth in stereotypes, building based on the law and the truth, the surface of things, the appearance of things, the substance reflected in the vessel, gossip, cliques, tricks.

Things that remind me of Chitra: the god Hephestos, martian gods in general, jewelry, fashion, make-up, drama, pettiness, the coquette aesthetic, pranksters, Olivia Rodrigo(ig).

Swati:

Space, the cosmos, shifting realities, love, rebellion, alternate realities, possibilities, seeing beauty in everything, inspiration, art, the cosmic egg, creation of the world, creation of worlds, microcosm and macrocosm, freedom through love.

Things that remind me of Swati: video games, the wind, plants beggining to sprout, the sword, technology, the Sims.

Vishakha:

The lightning, snapping, splitting, joining opposites, compromise, marriage, repressed anger, repressed aggression, alter egos, passion, enthusiasm, standing up for yourself and others, repression and then expression, energy, love and hate.

Things that remind me of Vishakha: lighning bolts, Zeus, Thor and other lighning gods, superhero "Shazam", celebrations.

Anuradha:

Friendship, devotion, depth, loyalty, unconditional loyalty, bonds, the occult, sex with love, numbers, gatherings, friend groups, groups, gentleness, humbleness, discipline, seriousness, organizing society, social groups.

Things that remind me of Anuradha: the color burgundy, dim lights, bunnies, "Sex Education" (tv show), sci-fi (for some reason), "The Vampire Diaries" (and very similar teen shows), frat boys, cheerleaders.

Jyeshta:

The battlefield, war, hunger, thirst, insatiability, conquering, the underdog, street-smarts, competition, strategy, extreme independence, mind games, the art of war, survival, ruling, rising above, self-reliance, wisdom, becoming the authority, the eldest, dryness, trust issues, enemies, destroying enemies, outsmarting all enemies.

Things that remind me of Jyeshta: grandmothers, owls, eagles, dry places, flags, marching, chess.

Mula:

Horror, the abnormal, the truth, the core, the center, the absorbing darkness, the black hole, the roots, violence against falsehoods, seeking the truth, seeking the cause, seeking roots, uprooting, chaos, from chaos to order, the unchanging truth, taming beasts, holding to your truth.

Things that remind me of Mula: "Phanton of the Opera", "Twilight", final girls, horror movies, dark murky green, the wilderness.

Purva Ashadha:

Art, beauty, alliances, artistry, ideals, fighting for the ideal, discrimination, exclusivity, philosophies about beauty and art, passion for love and art, attachments, secrecy, luxury, vitality, vigor, going for victory.

Things that remind me of Purva Ashadha: the sea, seafoam, goddess Aphrodite, seashells, mermaids, sirens, fans (the ones you hold in your hand lol), Arwen from LotR.

Uttara Ashadha:

Victory, loneliness, individuality, government, empowerment, independence, being looked up to, composed self-expression, ease, simplicity but regality, confidence, self-assuredness, melancholy and hardships of aloneness but contentment, stoicism, invincibility, unapologetic behavior.

Things that remind me of Uttara Ashadha: earnest people, goddess Nike, mint color for some reason.

Shravana:

Connecting everything, secret knowledge, interest in everything, reading between the lines, subconcious access, extreme sensitivity, holding the humanity together, secret agencies, percieving what others can't percieve, saving humanity, navigating, receptivity, mysticism.

Things that remind me of Shravana: Superman, Geralt of Rivia, Aragorn, King arthur, pathways, footprints, ear, color blue, spies, astrology, outcasts, fringe societies.

Dhanishta:

Celebration, celebrities, fame, visibility, aggression, agitation, action, bringing people together, idols, propaganda, wealth from fame, that which attracts attention, public image, benefits and downsides of fame, openness and flashiness, branding, movement.

Things that remind me of Dhanishta: supermodels, Princess Diana, dancing, rhythmic drums.

Shatabhisha:

Complexities, seeing everything, lurking in shadows, holding the knowledge, secrets, secrecy, hiding, technology, innovation, being ahead of your time, advising but manipulating, society, the collective, trends, the conciousness of masses, propaganda.

Things that remind me of Shatabhisha: midnight sky, stars, the seas, water reservoirs, the circle, the all-seeing eye of Sauron(lol), Lord of the Rings, rings, the movie "Stardust" (the book too), the evil advisor/black cardinal trope.

Purva Bhadrapada:

Notoriety, expansion, uncontrolled expansion, persmissiveness, growth to ruin unless restrained, fighting for your soul, the scapegoat, going against society, getting tested, the point of no return.

Things that remind me of Purva Bhadrapada: gangs, famous criminals, laziness, femme fatales, the grotesque, deserts, werewolves, the black sheep.

Uttara Bhadrapada:

Finding grace, hardships, working, inner strength, steeliness, resilience, patience, restraint, contol, self-restraint and self-control, bravery, honesty, stubbornness, fighting for your truth, perfect control, freedom through limitations, seeking a permanent foundation built on truth, working for the foundation, long-term goals, innocence, purity of soul, stillness, refinement, honor and glory.

Things that remind me of Uttara Bhadrapada: butterflies, clouds, baby blue color, Cinderella, warriors, knights, knight orders, ice, coldness, queens, ice-queen, dragons, water dragons, deep waters, deep sea and its creatures, wings.

Revati:

Ultimate freedom, creativity, wisdom, gentleness, compassion, guiding, herding, fun, laughter, mischief, lightnness, ease, finding peace, reaching the end, enjoying what you have, contentment, nurturing, open-mindedness, conclusions, gratefulness, freedom and free will, having choices, diversity, finding the truth, true wealth, parenthood, the guide, guidance, individuation.

Things that remind me of Revati: shepherds, herding, everything easy and light, the tricksters, the fool, jokes, Loki, The Joker, fish, comedy, the movie "A Fish Called Wanda", caring for everyone and everything, light and soft shades of green and blue.

[lilliankoo]

play you like a game, boy 🗡️ jeon jungkook.

chapter 3/8

genre: antagonist tribe leader jk x princess reader.

word count: 4.9k

previous chapter link chapter 2

synopsis: he looks like an angel but is a devil- well that's what your kingdom thinks. he is also the blessed leader of tribe "lav"; even a leaf cannot move without his permission but here he was in-front of you on his knees. while the whole tribe bows to him- he only bows to you. now, there are two paths presented to you- marry him & return his love or refuse & watch him conquer your father's kingdom. power is an evil yet a tempting apple-and now its in your hands- are you going to take a bite; taste the sweet poison or will you use it to tempt others? its an evil world with evil options.. do you think you can handle him?

warnings: emotional manipulation, power dynamics, forced marriage, mystical elements, manipulation, secrets, made-up culture and traditions, jealousy and possessiveness, mysticism and divine Intervention. made up goddess, tribe etc. calling the leader “mother” (clears throat), i made the reader a french princess caus…im french :D aayyyyyeeee, let me know if i should anything else

———————————-

You pass through the long hallways, heading toward the chambers you now share with Jungkook. The steady hum of the villagers' voices and the overwhelming weight of the day's rituals still echo in your head, leaving your mind dizzy and disoriented. The palace feels too grand, too foreign, and every step you take only adds to the suffocating sense of being trapped in a gilded cage.

But as you walk deeper into this side of the palace, something shifts. The air seems to change. The space opens up, revealing a vast courtyard that stretches out before you, bathed in the soft glow of the fading evening sun. The scent of lilies—your favorite flowers—floats in the air, and you pause, blinking in surprise. Could Jungkook have known? But no, that's impossible. You dismiss the thought with a shake of your head.

A gentle breeze lifts the soft pink curtains that adorn the arched windows, making them flow like ribbons in the wind. The sight makes you smile, a small, fleeting moment of peace in an otherwise overwhelming day.

“We are here, Mother Y/N,” one of the helpers says, pulling you from your thoughts.

You blink, confused. You’ve heard this word far too many times today. "Mother?" you repeat, the word feeling foreign on your tongue. "Why is everyone calling me that? I’m not a mother."

You yank at the ribbons tied around your wrists, frustration bubbling inside you. The bracelets, delicate and intricate, unravel with a soft rattle, scattering beads across the floor. The helpers gasp, rushing to gather them, but your focus remains on the older woman who spoke to you.

She stands with quiet composure, the first person besides Jungkook who dares to meet your gaze instead of staring at the ground. Her eyes hold something; calm yet unwavering.

“There are things only Jungkook can explain to you,” she says, her voice steady.

You straighten, the defiance in you rising. "So bring him here," you challenge.

The helpers freeze, the air thick with tension. You take a few determined steps toward the older woman, now standing face-to-face with her. The distance between you feels like the space between two opposing forces and you refuse to back down.

“If there are things only Jungkook can tell me," you insist, your voice firm, "then bring him here.”

She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t waver. "We cannot do that," she responds calmly. "The men are celebrating. They’ll be drinking tonight. There is a reason why all the women are kept here, away from the common ground. It can get dangerous."

For a moment, you consider backing down. You’ve never wanted to trouble others you're not that cruel. But everything about this marriage, these rituals, this forced life, weighs on you. You can't ignore the way you've been shoved into this new world, without answers or choice.

“I won’t enter the chambers until Jungkook comes here,” you declare, folding your arms across your chest.

The helpers insist again, but you stand firm. As they begin to leave, you turn away, frustrated and exhausted. The door to the balcony stands before you, an open escape from the chaos inside. You walk toward it, your thoughts swirling with questions. You gaze at the now visible moon, a silent witness to the mess of your life.

You close your eyes, a prayer escaping your lips, soft and desperate.

“Do you hear me?”

A voice behind you breaks the silence, and you whirl around, heart skipping a beat. Jungkook stands there, but he’s different now. No jewels. No elaborate mantle. His hair, usually tied back with precision, flows freely around his shoulders. He’s dressed simply; a vest and pants, casual and unadorned. He looks more human, less like the grand tribe leader from the ceremony.

Your heart races, and for a moment, you forget to speak. You square your shoulders, trying to steady yourself, and finally ask the question that’s been gnawing at you since you first stepped into this palace.

"Why does everyone keep calling me 'mother'?" you ask, the words slipping out in a mixture of frustration and confusion.

Jungkook’s eyes meet yours, but he says nothing. He simply stands there, admiring you with a gaze that lingers, like he’s memorizing every detail. You’re taken aback by the intensity of his stare. His silence feels like a puzzle you're not sure how to solve.

You wait for him to respond, but when the seconds stretch on, you can't help but snap, the tension in you breaking. “What? Drank too much already?” you ask, your voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jungkook’s lips curl into a small, amused smile. Without warning, he steps toward you and pulls you into him, his hands settling at your waist. His touch is confident, almost possessive, as he meets your gaze with that same quiet smile.

“I know you don’t like men who drink,” he says, his voice low and steady. “I gave up drinking a year ago.”

The words hit you like a cold wave. A year ago. He’s been plotting this for longer than you thought—since before you ever met him. Now you are sure that He knows about the lilies. He knows everything. And that realization sends a chill down your spine.

Before you can say anything, Jungkook takes your hands, leading you toward the chambers with quiet determination. You’re too stunned to speak, the weight of the situation settling around you like a heavy cloak. There’s so much you don’t know, and for the first time, you wonder; what else has he planned? What else does he know?

You can feel the walls closing in, but for now, you're too scared to ask any more questions.

—----------------------------------

The door closes softly behind you, the faint echo of it clicking into place still reverberating in the quiet chambers. The room feels warmer now, more intimate, with the fading light of dusk casting long shadows across the stone walls. Without a word, he gestures for you to sit on the bed. The silken covers shimmer in the low light, soft and inviting. You comply, though your mind still churns with the many questions Jungkook left unanswered. As you settle on the bed, he stands before you, his eyes dark with an intensity that makes your heart flutter nervously.

Without hesitation, he begins untying the delicate ribbons of the bracelets on your wrists. His fingers are surprisingly gentle as they work through the knots, each movement slow, purposeful, almost reverent. The bracelets fall away, beads scattering across the floor like tiny fragments of your old life. You can’t help but notice how his touch lingers, just a moment longer than necessary, before his hands move to your shoulders.

“Let me help you,” he murmurs, his voice low and calming.

Before you can respond, he guides your arms out of the intricate layers of clothing, leaving you in the delicate chemise that clings to your form. The thin fabric feels cool against your skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of the room and his presence. You suddenly feel exposed, both physically and emotionally, as his eyes scan you, though there’s no judgment in them; just an unspoken understanding.

His hands move to yours, gently cupping them, "I cannot tell you much just yet,” he begins, his voice soothing but laced with something else, something you can't quite place. “You will start to understand with time. This forest is blessed by a goddess, even though I am the leader, it is she who watches over us. She gave me this role, but she works with women. It is a woman’s power that sustains everything here.”

You listen carefully, though the words don't entirely make sense. Your mind reels with the implications. He continues, unaware of the storm of thoughts brewing inside you.“I am the leader, and you are my wife,” he says, his grip tightening on your hands ever so slightly. “People call you ‘mother’ in respect and because your presence will… fix everything.”

You blink, confused, your mind struggling to make sense of what he’s saying. The idea of being a 'mother' here, in this strange place, feels completely uncomfortable to you. But there's something about the way he says it—an undeniable weight to his words—that makes you wonder if there’s more to this than you understand. Still, you’re glad he’s finally spoken, giving you a sliver of an answer, even if it only raises more questions.

“I don’t understand," you admit, your voice barely above a whisper.

He doesn’t offer further explanation. Instead, his expression softens, and he tilts his head slightly. "In time, you will."

You’re still processing everything when a wave of exhaustion hits you, the weight of the day finally catching up to you. You rub your temples, your body suddenly craving rest.

“I’m tired,” you murmur, your voice heavy with the need to retreat from the storm of emotions inside you. “Where can I take a bath?”

Jungkook’s eyes soften at your words, his expression a mixture of understanding and something deeper you can’t yet read. He gives you a small nod and stands, his movements fluid as he gestures to a nearby door.

“There,” he says simply, leading you toward a door that opens into a private bathing area. The sight that meets your eyes is breathtaking—soft light from hanging lanterns spills over a marble tub filled with steaming water. The air is infused with the scent of lavender and eucalyptus, and you feel the tension in your muscles begin to loosen just by the sight of it.

Before you step into the bath, Jungkook pauses, his gaze shifting to a large wardrobe standing against one of the walls.

“Before you rest,” he says, a slight smile tugging at his lips, “let me show you something.”

You follow him over, and he opens the doors inside, you find an array of clothes—dresses, corsets, and fine fabrics, each one more beautiful than the last. In colours of deep emeralds, soft pinks, and silvery blues. The gowns are intricate, rich with embroidery and lace, while the corsets are designed with a delicacy that suggests they were made specifically for you. It’s clear that every item here has been chosen with care, each one fitting with the taste you’ve never even shared with him.

You run your fingers over the fabrics, astonished at how perfectly they seem to suit you. It feels like he’s known your preferences before you even had a chance to voice them.

“I know this is what your women wear…I mean back at your kingdom,” Jungkook says quietly, watching you with a hint of pride, “I made sure everything here was to your liking.”

You can’t help but feel a mixture of gratitude and unease. How much does he know about me? The question lingers in the back of your mind, but you push it aside for now. This isn’t the moment for doubts.

Instead, you turn back to the bathing area. “I’ll bathe now,” you say softly.

Jungkook doesn’t respond with words, only a quiet nod as he exits the room, leaving you in the privacy of the sanctuary he’s created for you. The bathwater envelops you in warmth, soothing your tired body. The tension slowly melts away as you sink deeper into the water, your mind drifting as you close your eyes.

But just before you can fully lose yourself in the bath, the door to the room opens again. You start, but it’s only Jungkook, now standing in the doorway. He walks toward you, and this time, there’s no command in his step, only an undeniable warmth. his eyes softening as he cups your jaw with his hand, the touch gentle but firm. He holds you there, looking at you as though he’s memorizing every part of you. Then, without a word, he leans in, pressing his lips to yours in a slow tender kiss. His warmth lingers, a contrast to the coolness of the bathwater. You can feel his breath against your skin, steady and calm, and in that moment, you almost forget the weight of the world outside this room.

He pulls away just slightly, still holding your face in his hands, and his voice is low, almost intimate. "You have a long day tomorrow, Y/N. I’ll be here to help you settle in—make sure everything is alright. I’ll make sure you feel at ease here."

His words carry a sincerity that catches you off guard, but the quiet reassurance settles something deep inside you. He doesn’t wait for a reply before stepping back, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he turns to leave.

—--------------------------------

The soft rustling of the curtains drags you from sleep. Sunlight filters through the delicate fabric, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. You stretch, feeling the lingering weight of yesterday’s emotions, but the restfulness of the night brings a brief sense of peace.

Then, a gentle knock on the door interrupts the quiet.

“Come in,” you murmur, not entirely awake.

The door creaks open, and one of the helpers enters, a polite smile on her face as she approaches you. Her presence feels like an invitation to begin the day, though you’re not sure you're ready for it just yet.

"Good morning, mother Y/N," the helper says softly, her voice carrying a hint of reverence. "It’s time to get you ready for the day."

You sit up slowly, rubbing your eyes as the helper begins to assist you, bringing you fresh clothing that seems to shimmer under the soft light. The gown she presents to you is stunning—something that would be seen during Marie Antoinette's time: a dress with a fitted bodice, flowing skirts, and delicate lace trim. The pale blue silk contrasts beautifully with your skin, and the fabric feels like a dream against you.

The gown is unlike anything the women in the tribe wear, and the realization fills you with quiet relief. Jungkook, despite his power, respected your wishes. He didn’t force you into tribal attire, the way most of the other women in the village wear. Instead, he gave you the freedom to wear something that resonates with your own heritage, something that speaks of who you are, not just where you are.

As the helper adjusts the delicate lace around your neckline, you notice that your hair is left loose. The lightness of the fabric and the freedom in your appearance feel like a small rebellion against the rigid rules of the tribe, though you know this could all change in time.

Once you’re fully dressed, the helper nods approvingly and gestures toward the door. “It’s time to meet with the council. Jungkook is expecting you.”

The thought of seeing Jungkook again after yesterday’s revelation fills you with a mixture of dread and curiosity. You follow the helper through the winding halls of the palace, your footsteps echoing against the stone floors. As you reach the entrance of the common ground, you take a deep breath, bracing yourself for whatever comes next.

—-------------------------------------

The common ground is bustling, filled with various figures of importance. When you step in, you spot Jungkook immediately. He stands tall and composed, wearing traditional tribal clothing, but there's something different about his attire. The materials are exquisite embellished with intricate beadwork and luxurious furs, signaling that even though he embraces the tribe’s customs, his status is unmatched.

He turns when he sees you, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His eyes soften as they meet yours.

“Good morning, Y/N,” Jungkook greets you warmly, stepping forward. “You look beautiful.” You offer him a small smile, though it’s tight around the edges, and nod in acknowledgment. There’s an underlying tension between you, but for now, you don’t speak of it.

As you walk further into the gathering, your eyes scan the room. You notice a few familiar faces, a handful of the tribe’s elders, and someone holding a stack of papers and a quill. The man looks at you and Jungkook, motioning for both of you to sit at the long table in the center of the room. There’s an air of formality to this meeting, and as you sit down, the weight of the situation presses down on your shoulders.

The man speaks first, addressing you with a calm, measured tone.

“Miss Y/N," he says, his words laced with an odd mix of politeness and condescension. "You are an outsider, I mean even though you are Jungkook's wife. You are still the daughter of a French king. Unlike us, you have strong connections with the people outside of this forest. You must want to stay in contact with them. Even though women hold superiority here, it is still the husband’s decision if he will allow you to leave the forest.”

The words hang in the air, and your stomach tightens. Your heart races, and you glance at Jungkook, but he’s looking straight ahead, his expression unreadable. The man turns his gaze to Jungkook, his next set of questions directed at him, his voice official and blunt.

“Do you allow your wife to visit her kingdom?” he asks.

Jungkook glances at you, and for a split second, you think you see a flicker of something—maybe hesitation, maybe understanding—but it’s gone before you can fully grasp it.

���Yes,” Jungkook says, his voice unwavering. “But only once a month, and I will accompany her.”

You blink, surprised by his words, but something inside you stirs. He still intends to control even that, though the small concession feels like a victory. For now, anyway.

The man doesn’t hesitate. “Do you allow her to stay overnight in her kingdom?”

“No,” Jungkook responds firmly, his eyes still on you, but the words feel like a physical blow.

A cold anger coils in your chest. The thought of never being able to visit your family without his watchful eye is suffocating. You never wanted this. Never asked for it.

The man pauses before asking, “Do you allow her parents to visit here?”

The question feels like a punch to the gut. You hadn’t even thought about that possibility, but now it feels like another sharp cut into your already wounded heart.

“No,” Jungkook says, without hesitation.

The room grows silent, the weight of the conversation pressing down on you. You can feel the anger building within you, the frustration at being trapped in a place that feels more and more like a gilded cage.

The meeting wraps up quickly after that, and without a word to Jungkook, you stand and make your way toward the door, your legs moving on their own accord. Your heart beats faster, every step toward your chambers feeling heavier than the last. The cool air outside is a welcome relief, but it doesn’t quiet the storm raging inside you.

Just as you’re about to step into the privacy of your chambers, Jungkook catches up with you, his hand gently grasping your arm.

“Y/N,” he says, his voice calm, though there’s a hint of frustration beneath the surface. “Like I said, you’ll understand with time. I still allowed you to visit, even though the forest forbids it. I’ve done more than what was required of me.”

You look at him, and for a moment, it feels like your heart might shatter. Tears threaten to spill, but you swallow them down, biting your lip as your frustration boils over.

With a short, bitter laugh, you turn away from him, your voice thick with emotion as you mutter, “Understand? I don’t think I’ll ever understand.”

—------------------------------------------------

You don’t go to your chambers.

Instead, you walk past the familiar halls and the rooms that have become a cage, pushing yourself deeper into the forest. The tall trees stand like silent sentinels, their shadows stretching across the ground, offering the solitude you desperately crave. you find yourself outside, near a quiet lake, the ripples of the water mirroring the turbulence inside you.

You stand there, staring at the still water, and allow yourself a moment to breathe. What now? You don’t know the answer. But you do know one thing: you won’t stay here quietly. You won’t let this place swallow you whole.

The peaceful stillness of the lake settles around you as you sit by its edge, lost in thought. The air is cool and calming, and the ripples of the water are the only sounds that fill the space.

Then, a voice breaks the silence.

"Ah, look at this angel."

You blink, snapping out of your thoughts, and instinctively turn your head toward the source of the voice. Across the lake, standing on the opposite bank, is a woman. Unlike anyone you’ve seen before, her presence is both serene and striking.

She has two earthen pots resting at her feet, their earthy tones contrasting with the pale blue of the lake. Her beauty is ethereal, almost otherworldly, and it draws you in. Her long, dark hair is partially hidden by a delicate veil that drapes around her head, but unlike the veils of the women in the tribe, this one doesn’t cover her face. Instead, it simply rests gently on her head, flowing with a soft elegance.

You can’t help but stare, captivated by her. Her green eyes—bright and vivid like the heart of the forest itself—hold your gaze, steady and unwavering.

She bends down gracefully, her movements fluid, like a dancer. You watch as she fills one of the pots with water from the lake, her hands steady and sure. The way she moves seems effortless, as though the world around her is just an extension of her being. The tension you’d felt earlier seems to ease just by watching her, and for a brief moment, you forget about the complications of your new life here. Her presence is so calming, so completely different from the chaos you’ve been swept into.

The air between you two feels thick with something unspoken, a connection you can’t quite place. As she fills the second pot, she never breaks eye contact with you, her gaze never faltering. There’s a quiet understanding between the two of you, as though she sees more than just your outward appearance.

A soft breeze moves through the trees, rustling the leaves, but still, the woman stands perfectly still, her green eyes locked with yours. You want to speak, but the words catch in your throat. There’s a strange pull in the air, a magnetism that makes your heart race in a way you didn’t expect.

The silence stretches, and you wait for her to speak, for her to break the connection. But she doesn’t. She simply looks at you, her expression unreadable yet full of something profound, as if she understands your confusion, your turmoil, perhaps even more than you do. After a long moment, she turns her gaze toward the water once more, adjusting the pots, as though nothing unusual had passed between you two. But the moment lingers in the air, settling in your chest, as if she’s left a mark on your soul.

The air is thick with the unspoken tension between you and the mysterious woman, As she adjusts the earthen pots on the ground, you finally gather enough courage to break the silence.

“Who are you?” you ask, your voice steady but curious.

She lifts her gaze to meet yours, and a soft, musical laugh escapes her lips. It’s not mocking, but rather a gentle, knowing sound. “I am not from here,” she says simply, her tone calm and smooth. “I am merely here to fetch fresh water.”

You nod slowly, taking in her words, but there’s something in her manner that makes you feel there’s more to her than she’s letting on.

“Is he troubling you?” she asks, her voice low but pointed.

Your brows furrow, a twinge of confusion passing through you. “Who?” you ask, not sure if you’re hearing her correctly.

Her lips curl into a faint, knowing smile. “Your man,” she replies, her gaze unwavering. She watches you carefully, as though reading the turmoil in your eyes. There’s a silent understanding between you two, though neither of you speaks it aloud. She doesn’t press further, instead turning her attention back to the pots she’s preparing to carry.

“You think you are defenseless here," she says, her voice low and cryptic. "But it’s him. He is at your mercy, not the other way around. He cannot hurt you like you can hurt him, he worships you."

Her words hang in the air, each one heavy with unspoken meaning. You try to make sense of them, but they only leave you more confused than before. There’s something about the way she says it—something in her eyes—that makes your skin prickle.

Before you can ask more questions, you hear a voice calling out your name. You freeze, and your heart skips a beat. It’s Jungkook’s voice, unmistakable and close.

You quickly glance back toward the sound, your chest tightening. When you turn around to speak to the woman once more, to ask her to elaborate, she’s gone. she vanished without a trace. There’s no rustling of leaves, no footsteps to mark her departure. She’s simply gone, as though she was never there at all.

Your breath catches in your throat as a strange feeling settles in your gut. You stand frozen, staring out over the lake, the strange woman’s words still echoing in your mind. The stillness of the water reflects the cloudy sky, but inside, your thoughts are a storm. What did she mean? What did she know? Who was she?

Suddenly, you hear footsteps approaching, and your heart skips a beat. You turn just as you see Jungkook breaking through the bushes, his eyes searching the area for you. The look on his face is a mixture of relief and concern. Without a word, he reaches you and pulls you into his arms, enveloping you in his warmth.

"Are you okay?" His voice is low, thick with worry.

You nod, still lost in your thoughts, but he doesn’t release you. His hold tightens as he pulls back slightly to look at you, his eyes searching yours, trying to read what’s hidden there. He asks again, softer this time, "Are you sure you're okay?"

For a moment, you’re still, not knowing how to respond. You had run from him earlier, angry, confused, needing space but now, standing here in his arms, it feels like the fury is draining away, leaving behind a strange emptiness. Your thoughts linger on the woman by the lake, the cryptic things she had said. The words she’d spoken, they haunt you.

You suddenly forget why you ran. You forget the frustration and the anger. All you can focus on now is the unsettling feeling she left you with. You turn your gaze back to Jungkook, his steady, concerned gaze pulling you back to the present. Without realizing it, you reach for his hand, holding it as you ask, "How many other tribes live in the forest?"

Jungkook’s expression shifts, his brows furrowing slightly. His gaze locks onto yours, and for a moment, the world feels suspended between you two. He studies your face, his own expression unreadable. Finally, he answers, his voice steady.

"One. Only one." He pauses, his grip on you tightening ever so slightly. "The Devti goddess only blessed the Jeons, and we are the last ones standing."

You don’t know what to say to that, but something feels off. You look away, distracted by the thought of the woman. She had said she wasn’t from here, but she didn’t seem to fit with the tribe, either. She had a familiarity about her, but it was different from the others.

“I saw someone, a woman,” you finally speak, your voice hesitant.

At the mention of the woman, Jungkook visibly tenses. His body stiffens, and his eyes narrow with suspicion. He doesn’t say anything at first, but you can feel the change in his energy, the way his gaze sharpens.

You continue, your words slipping out before you can stop them. “She said she is not from here, she’s here to get water.”

Jungkook’s eyes darted around quickly, as though searching for something or someone. His hand immediately drops from yours as he reaches around to his back, pulling out a knife from the sheath hidden beneath his cloak. He doesn’t look at you as he holds it in his hand, but his voice comes out low, almost urgent.

"Sometimes we have neighboring tribes come through here," he says, still looking around, his attention divided. "Picking fruits, collecting water... The Lav Forest is blessed, but other tribes don’t have enough to eat or drink. It’s not safe, they’re not always friendly."

Jungkook doesn’t say more, his eyes still scanning the perimeter as he begins to move you back toward the palace. He walks with purpose, guiding you quickly, but gently, back toward the safety of the palace walls. As you move through the trees, you can’t help but feel the weight of the unknown pressing against you—what did Jungkook know that he wasn’t telling you?

The forest around you seems to grow darker, more ominous with every step. And for the first time, you feel the real weight of what it means to be a part of this forest. You don’t know what to expect next, but the feeling in the air has shifted.

You’re no longer just a “visitor” here. You’re entangled in something much bigger than you thought.

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next chapter:

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taglist 💌: @jincapableoflove @voitier @koocreampie @kookxin @mysticprincessstrawberry @imwutim @synamon @withmuchluv-tannie @taekritimin123 @somehowukook @jungshaking @junecat18 @ilyjhseok let me know if u would like to be added to the list.

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author’s note: thank u so much for the love on my silly fanfic, im glad so many people are enjoying it. due to the nature of the story i have to wait a little before i write smut, hope da freaks understand >_< muaaah.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

wish lantern rewrite

I can’t be the only one that wishes we had actually traveled to a new location… that we had learned about a new culture and holiday… that Riddle had actually had more character development in Wish Lantern instead of being cooped up in the library, being forced to play pretend princess in order to get out, and give like maybe a handful of lines max in the second half of the event 😭 What we ended up getting was fun too, but I keep thinking about the missed opportunities and how great this story event could have been.

If Twst won’t give it to me then I will have to cook my own food 😤

Here’s how I would write Wish Lantern if I was in the Twst writing room:

Since Riddle is the SSR, I feel the story and its set-up should center him. I’m thinking maybe he’s invited to (or told by his mother to attend) some kind of conference or event in the Kingdom of Heroes or the Sunshine Lands for aspiring medical mages. Let’s say it is being held in the same place where the story of the Princess in the Tower originated because the Sundrop flower mentioned in the tale has miraculous healing properties (and the city/kingdom has since become known for its medical advances).

Riddle is uneasy about going there by himself (the implication being that this event is set after book 1 and, more specifically after book 6, when Riddle expresses to Azul he has been considering pursuing law instead of magic medicine/the career his mother chose for him). Maybe he mentions this unease around Deuce, that he feels obligated to go because “Mother knows best… She has always known what is beat for me, hasn’t she?” It could even be in the library. Say that Riddle is brushing up for the conference and happens to run into him, who is looking for a book to help with completing an assignment. After listening to Riddle’s woes, Deuce, being one of the people who knows about his dorm leader’s complicated feelings toward his mother and finding his own independence, offers to come along as emotional support.

As for how Jack gets involved, he’s Deuce’s club member. Maybe he overhears Riddle talking about sports medicine or panels presented by medical mages who work with athletes, or Deuce mentions it in a club meeting. Jack becomes interested because he’s the type of person that’s always looking for ways to enhance his training and to learn more about this subject.

Kalim can either join because he's conveniently in the library + wants to learn more about poisons and antidotes (on his own self-development journey to be more self-sufficient instead of relying on Jamil all the time) or because the Asims are sponsors of the event and he gets a free invite through his Rich Privilege.

Use the usual "Grim overhears and whines until he and Yuu get invited to go along" excuse or maybe have Yuu and Grim come because they, too, want to be emotional support for Riddle. (They could have heard from Deuce?) With that, we have all of the main characters for this event assembled.

Even though this is a rewrite, I'm going to try and follow the conventions of OTHER "hometown" events. That means most of this rewritten event will be exploring the new area, learning about its customs and traditions, souvenir shopping, and sampling food. This would be a great chance to, of course, throw in Tangled references. Because I proposed that this event be focused on a conference for aspiring medical mages, we can also learn more lore about what medical technology and practices exist in Twisted Wonderland and how magic has played a part in advancing medicine.

So it turns out, there's a festival going on in the area at the same time as the conference. That's because there's a holiday in this kingdom that celebrates the Princess in the Tower finding her way home by following a trail of lanterns. Since the conference doesn't start until the next day, we can go out and enjoy the festivities! (Riddle can be hesitant at first, but the others convince him to loosen up.)

The new outfits + hair can be explained away as part of local traditions. Everyone is provided with a potion that lengthens their hair so they can emulate the Princess in the Tower. Or maybe there can be a potion-making station, and length still correlates with the skill at which you were able to brew it. (In this version, the hair lengthening potion isn't made with super rare ingredients; it is something easily accessible for even non-mages to brew and can be made cheaply.) YES, THAT MEANS WE GET LONG HAIR GRIM.

Local specialties could include dishes mentioned or depicted in Tangled, like hazelnut soup (Rapunzel's favorite).

HERE ARE SOME CUTE INTERACTION IDEAS BASED ON RAPUNZEL'S OWN EXPERIENCES IN CORONA: the gang doing chalk drawings and clowning on each other's artistic abilities (or lack thereof), trying out cupcakes (the reasoning being that they're "single servings" so it's okay for Riddle to indulge), exploring bookshops, painting on the walls, and everyone joining in a big group dance! (For the dance, maybe there’s a competition to see who can drag in the most bystanders into the dance and Riddle gradually finds his footing in that + is crowned the winner?) There could even be a tavern that pays homage to The Snuggly Duckling.

While we're out having fun, there should be a consistent pattern of Riddle having to be convinced that it's okay to be participating in these activities. He feels that he should be focusing on studying for the conference, but the others are there to reassure him it's okay to take breathers.

"You won't perform at your best if you're always at 100%. In terms of a workout, you'd be asking to pull a muscle if you push yourself to exercise without end." (Jack)

"Mmm? But how often are we going to be in [name of city]? We're here now, so we might as well experience everything that's here!! The food, the music, the games, the people... You can't find that anywhere but here." (Kalim)

"I get the importance of preparation, but I'm kind of curious about the celebration that's going on. If Rosehearts-senpai wants to study, then he should do that. I'd feel bad exploring the city without him, though... He might miss out." (Deuce)

"Shouldn't you at least grab some grub first? I'm pretty hungry too! Let's check out the food stalls!" (Grim, maybe Yuu can also get a dialogue option)

At some point, the group decides to browse and buy souvenirs. They discuss who they are shopping for and come upon the subject of family. Kalim and Jack want to buy stuff for their siblings and Deuce thinks his mom might appreciate a locally made handkerchief with the kingdom's sun emblem on it. (As a trucker, Dylla often drives for long hours so she might find use in a handkerchief to wipe her forehead.) Yuu and Grim can also bring up potentially getting something for the Ramshackle Ghosts, who are like their found family.

Riddle becomes visibly uncomfortable when the topic of family is brought up. Everyone else sounds so happy talking about theirs, but he has no idea what a happy family is supposed to be like. Deuce (and maybe Yuu + Grim too) realizes why Riddle is uncomfortable and quickly apologize. Kalim and Jack, who aren't familiar with Riddle's background or his attempts to speak with his mother over winter break, are a little confused but the others feel it's not their place to explain why and Riddle doesn't know them well enough to elaborate on personal matters. (Here, Jack and Kalim serve as an in-universe reason to keep his family history vague so as to not spoil people who haven't gotten that far in the main story yet, but the awkwardness is palpable enough to imply something is wrong to serve the narrative of the event story.)

Now, "hometown" events tend to introduce a new character, typically a family member, to us. However, the new characters are not those who appear as the "trauma source" for the respective OB boy. (For example, Falena was not the character introduced to us in Tamashina Mina/Cloudcalling on the Savanna and we met Kifaji instead.) Following this trend, we will not be encountering Mrs. Rosehearts but rather MR. Rosehearts.

I realize that we don't have a ton of lore about Riddle's dad yet so everything I write about his personality is completely headcanon (primarily based on the personality of the King of Hearts). The only things that are canon in this depiction is that 1) Mr. Rosehearts is a medical mage like his wife is and 2) Mr. Rosehearts does not have a happy marriage with his wife.

Anyway, we run into Mr. Rosehearts out in the city. Turns out that he is one of the presenters at the conference and he was supposed to meet and receive Riddle. He's a quiet and slightly anxious man but overall is kind to his son (though we should get the impression that Mr. Rosehearts isn't good with confrontation and folds easily).

Maybe have a part where Mr. Rosehearts is surprised that Riddle has friends because uh... the last time he recalls his son having friends, it was because his wife ranted at them for 5 hours and banned them from their home. But hey, he's chill about it and promises Riddle this can stay between them and he won't tell his mom. Could insert a line or two that implies that the winter break talk didn't go over well. (This is just my headcanon, but you could also stick in a line that insinuates that the Rosehearts parents don't just outright divorce because Riddle's mom can't deal with the potential social fallout + realizing that she is "wrong" in her marriage.)

Every "hometown" event thus far has presented us with some kind of minor external conflict to be resolved. In this case, Riddle's conflict is more internal. He's wrestling with what he wants to do with his future and trying to cope with the reality that his mother isn't the loving, "always correct" woman he thought she was. This, of course, mirrors Rapunzel's struggle with Mother Gothel, who tries to keep her in the tower and doing as she commands.

We finally make our way to our quarters for the night (Riddle has his own room; everyone else has to share one), perhaps in tall tower to mimic Rapunzel's home with Gothel. Riddle knows he should retire early because the conference is first thing tomorrow, but he admits to everyone that after spending time in the city, he has become curious about the tradition of releasing thousands of wish lanterns into the night sky. It happens pretty late in the day though, so he brushes it off and says they should sleep.

... But the others get really hype about Riddle "finally getting into the spirit of the holiday" and decide they should see the lanterns!! The only problem is, Riddle is locked in his hotel room for the night. There could be a local superstition, tradition, or security reason for this. Like maybe due to the story of the Princess in the Tower (and Gothel locking her up), people who are indoors at a certain time of night can't leave until the next day?? Or maybe Mrs. Rosehearts had prepared Riddle's room for him in advance and instructed staff to ensure he doesn't leave because she has been paranoid about him "breaking the rules" again after the tart incident. I don't know, pick your reason.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS??? It's time for Jack, Deuce, Kalim, Grim, and Yuu to be Riddle's Flynn Rider + animal companions to break Riddle out. Our group represents the freedom and childhood wonders Riddle missed out on, the antithesis to Mrs. Rosehearts'/Mother Gothel's control. I can see Riddle using his long hair to hoist himself down, Jack using his UM to help everyone race to the water in time to catch the lanterns, Deuce being the muscle if they run into any thugs, Kalim using his social skills to quickly befriend the locals and ask for directions to the best vantage point or using his $$$ to rent the group a rowboat, etc.

We can keep the rhythmic/twistune from the original version of this event where Kalim, Deuce, and Jack were able to safely descend using Riddle’s hair but Riddle hesitates before he’s able to get himself to follow. The reason is the same; he worries about breaking the rules and how his mother would disapprove of him leaving the home. Riddle wonders if the Princess in the Tower felt the same, but ultimately his friends convince him it’s fine (by baiting him with the rules). He will be trapped in this tower forever if he doesn’t summon his strength and take the leap. If not now, then when? When will my life begin? “There are people waiting for me outside, so… it must be okay for me to leave. Right… Mother?”

Riddle keeps nagging everyone about how many rules and social norms they're breaking, but eventually he loosens up and even laughs a little at some of the dumb things they do. We can maybe have him thinking, This is just like… and then flashback to his childhood days with Trey and Chenya.

They're out on the waters just in time to see the lanterns being released. Alternatively, the even runners could be having trouble lighting up all the lanterns or something so Riddle has the opportunity to help with that (this way, we’d still get the other rhythmic/twistune featured in the original event). That particular rhythmic/twistune ends on Riddle with five lanterns floating overhead, which I think could be important symbolism (five lanterns -> five mentions of Heartslabyul).

It's beautiful. Everyone oohs and aahs at the sight--most of all, Riddle. He can say something like... "This city is known for its many contributions to magic medicine. I know that, and yet... I don't believe any magic or medicine could replicate what I am feeling in this very moment." There is some part of Riddle that acknowledges the healing and therapeutic properties of just... being allowed to have freedom, of allowing himself to live in the present and not stress about the rules or gearing up for a future someone else has decided for him all the time. He just doesn't know how to fully verbalize it + has not fully come to terms with it yet, so this is how he expresses it. At last, he sees the light.

While the new location they travel to + the conference provide us with the backdrop of medicine and health for this rewrite, I think there’s also something to be implied about the injuries we don’t see, the pain inflicted that isn’t physical. Both Riddle and Rapunzel were trapped in towers but were also emotionally controlled and prevented from leaving/made scared or the world and disobeying their mothers. When Riddle sees the lanterns, it’s sort of a “wake up” sign to his soul, a reminder of how healing it can be to just… live by one’s own terms, to not be ruled over by fear of disappointing someone else or failing to meet expectations. Rapunzel and Riddle bear scars on their heart from having been raised in the households that they were, and it is seeing the lanterns in-person that helps to “heal” what hurts them.

Riddle recalls the story of the Princess in the Tower and how she made a wish to see the lanterns, so now people make wishes upon these lanterns before releasing them into the sky. He lets go of his own lantern and wishes that, someday, he can be like the Princess in the Tower and this lantern floating up to the sky… and follow his own Road to Freedom.

Everyone sneaks back into their rooms and rest for the day. Uhhh, and there can be a scene of slicing off their hair for tomorrow. Riddle can talk about how the Princess grew her hair long because her mother told her to, but that it must have been cumbersome to walk like this. This way, by cutting off the hair like how the Princess does at the end of her story, it's a liberating act.

It doesn't matter what happens at the conference because what was important was the experiences Riddle had with his friends leading up to it. At most, maybe we see Mr. Rosehearts again while heading to the venue and they have a brief exchange where Riddle lets it slip he's a little tired. "That's so unlike you," Mr. Rosehearts remarks. "Well," Riddle replies with a small smile, "I am a growing young man, after all. I am changing every day."

I want to be clear that this does NOT mean Riddle has had a full character arc to come to terms with how he was raised. He would NOT feel 100% okay with rebelling against his mother by the end of this (hypothetical) event. The point of my version of Wish Lantern isn't to empower Riddle to fistfight Mrs. Rosehearts or to tell her off. The point is that it's supposed to be a small step in helping Riddle through the very complicated process of recognizing he was traumatized and/or abused, accepting that reality, and learning about how he can grow from it and his abuser (who is someone he thought he loved and could trust). This can take YEARS to process in the real world, and it would probably be similar to Riddle. Again, this is meant to be a SINGLE STEP he takes, NOT THE ENTIRE JOURNEY.

So in my rewrite, the event would be split up like this:

Episode 1: invitation to the event; gathering all the relevant characters, hopping through the mirror

Episode 2: arrival in the new location and having fun in the area

Episode 3: souvenir shopping, meeting Riddle's dad

Episode 4: retiring to room, changing mind and deciding to break out instead

Episode 5: seeing the lights, ending

As you can see, the structure is very similar to a traditional "hometown" event. I didn't want to stray too far from Twst's usual writing conventions, as it could mess with the cohesion with the rest of its story events. I did, however, try to change things up a little (like having an internal conflict instead of an external one) and tied in this (hypothetical) story with Riddle's overarching character development, as those are elements that I personally prefer in a story. I realize that the biggest change here is tying my rewrite much more strongly to the main story than similar events have 💦 BUT LET ME HAVE THIS, I think I cooked 😭

... What Wish Lantern could have been OTL Don’t get me wrong, though!! The version we did get wasn’t all bad. There was lore about the NRC library, lots of involvement from the staff, and fun character interactions with the whole student cast. I just feel like those could have all been used for a different event and not the Tangled one which could have been so much more interesting for Riddle and his character.

[evilminji]

You know what seriously doesn't get played with enough?

In the grand, shared, doll set of Danny Phantom?

The cultural alienation.

Is Danny up to date on Human Memes? Did he see that movie? Hear about that celebrity drama? He lives here, amongst us, WITH us. But? Feels... half out of the loop.

And? He can't SHARE his passions with us.

Is he REALLY gonna show his new lecture buddy that hot new Kryptonian Sci-fi series he picked up from the Zone's nearest mega market bookstore? Invite a neighbor over for some sparkling ectoplasm laced soda and a binge of this cool Alien animated film from a long dead planet's artist guild? They're trying new mediums, apparently! Danny thinks it's pretty cool, he hopes they make more.

Oh, but maybe he can talk about games!

Except he switched to the technologically far more advanced Z-Held, years ago. They have literally billions of billions of options, since every game maker in their region of the Zone designs for it. Has for millennia.

....music?

Ghost speak either creeps people out or actually hurts to hear, if they listen too long. And "normal" music... feels so FLAT. Emotionless. Yeah, he'll LISTEN... smile and agree it sound nice. But it's... it's so bland? Less then bland.

He can't even share his food! It's a one way trip to ER! If not the morgue. Half his spices are FROM the Zone now. And Zone plants? Heeeeeella poisonous to humans. Tasty af to HIM, but... yeah. No sharing.

So like... what does that LEAVE him? Dance? Hobbies? Sam n Tucker he can share his REAL interests with, but... they went to different colleges. And protecting people isn't a hobby. It's more of a Gotta, you know? He ALSO can't join any space related clubs because now he knows WAY too much about Space.

Like "above civilian clearance, no one on this planet should know that" a lot.

He gets distracted. Too excited. He KNOWS himself.

He would totally ramble on about Space.

He's a Fenton, man. It's genetic.

So... he's lonely. Adrift. A sad, sad, semi-feral noodle of a man. And you know who would never let that stand? Who also wants to know what THE FUCK he's listen too, because it's both giving him a headache and creeping him out? Kon.

This dude reminds him of Tim. Complete with the feral energy and fluffy hair. *snaps pick* lol, bro, is you. ANYWAY, this guy? Apparently the source of the Kent family splitting migraines. That sound has been KILLING them. They need to get this guy better headphones. Aliens gotta stick together, you know? Time to go make friends.

*floats over in his shades n leather jacket* Sup~!

[robertreich]

The Truth About Immigrants and the Economy

Immigrants are good for the economy and our society! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

For centuries, immigration has been America’s secret sauce for economic growth and prosperity.

But for just as long, immigrants have been an easy scapegoat.

One of the oldest, ugliest lies is to falsely smear immigrants as criminals.

It’s just not true. Crime is way down in America. Anyone who says otherwise is fearmongering.

And whatever crime there is is not being driven by immigration. Immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, are 60% less likely to be incarcerated for committing crimes than U.S.-born citizens.

Maybe that’s why border cities are among America’s safest.

Immigration opponents also claim immigrants are a drag on the economy and a drain on government resources.

Rubbish!

Quite the opposite, the major reason immigrants are coming to America is to build a better life for themselves and their families, contributing to the American economy.

The long-term economic benefits of immigration outweigh any short-term costs. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that adding more immigrants as workers and consumers — including undocumented immigrants — will grow America’s economy by about $7 trillion over the next decade. And those immigrants would increase tax revenue by about $1 trillion, shrinking the deficit and helping pay for programs we all benefit from.

Immigrants of all statuses pay more in taxes than they get in government benefits. Research by the libertarian Cato Institute found first-generation immigrants pay $1.38 in taxes for every $1 they receive in benefits,

This is especially true for undocumented immigrants, who pay billions in taxes each year, but are excluded from almost all federal benefits. After all, you need documentation to receive federal benefits. Guess what undocumented immigrants don’t have. Hello?

And of course, one of the most common anti-immigrant claims also isn’t true.

No. Immigrants are not taking away jobs that Americans want. Undocumented immigrants in particular are doing some of the most dangerous, difficult, low-paying, and essential jobs in the country.

Despite what certain pundits might tell you, immigration has not stopped the U.S. from enjoying record-low unemployment.

And as the Baby Boom generation moves into retirement, young immigrants will help support Social Security by providing a thriving base of younger workers who are paying into the system. The fact that so many immigrants want to come here gives America an advantage over other countries with aging populations, like Germany and Japan.  

What’s more, immigrants are particularly ambitious and hardworking. They are 80% more likely to start a new business than U.S. born citizens. Immigrant-founded businesses also impressively comprise 103 companies in last year’s Fortune 500.

And immigrants continue to add immeasurably to the richness of American culture. We should be celebrating them, not denigrating them.

It’s time to speak the facts and the truth. We need immigrants to keep our economy — and our country — vibrant and growing. They are not “poisoning the blood” of our nation. They’re renewing and restoring it.

[boymanmaletheshequel]

Symbolism of Dionysus

🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷

The dual-sided god of pleasure, of wine making, festivity, homosexuality and madness, sometimes depicted as a wise and burdened elder, sometimes as a careless, effeminate youth, Dionysus is a god of many facets of human nature, both good and bad, perhaps the most human of all the gods of Olympus in his personality, and his unusually relatable legends. Let’s go over some of the divine symbolism that he is represented by shall we?:

• 🌈 Colors:

- Purple: A god who is defined by his duality, of both elder wisdom, and nonsensical youthful madness, as well as his notable libido, and penchant for wine and the festive habit of drunkenness, there is one color above all others that generally seems to fit with all of these themes: purple, or lavender. A color associated with grapes, wisdom, homosexuality, and innocence!

• 🐴 Animals:

- Leopard: leopards are fierce, wild, roaming, violent cats, a perfect reflection of lord Dionysus, and he is often depicted in Ancient Greek artworks either riding or wearing the wild cat. In a poem by Oppian of Amea, it is said that the leopards were the incarnations of his past lovers who, after Pentheus offended the god, asked to be turned into leopards so they could tear him apart! It is also believe that he would sometimes take the form of wild cats like leopards.

- Tiger: during his journey through Egypt, the king of gods Zeus is said to have gifted Dionysus a mighty tiger which helped him to cross the mighty Tigris river, they became widely associated with him as a result of this great feat. Like leopards as well, many claim he often took the form of the tiger as well.

- Bull: bulls are an animal widely associated with themes of raw sexuality, and sexual aggression, as well as aggression in general, all themes of which fit the god of madness and violence, and of lust and drunkeness quite fittingly. They are also the key plot device in the Greek story of Dionysus and the sacred bull.

- Serpent: in the feats of Dionysus, the gods last feat was the feast of Dionysus, a meal which took place on a pirate ship he had hired to carry him to Naxos. The men tricked him however, so he turned the oars of the ship into serpents.

• 🌸 Plants and Flowers:

- Ivy: one of Dionysus’s key sacred symbols, Ivy is a vining plant that has long been associated with poison, and yet also claimed to be able to cure intoxication, representative of the sometimes dangerous or stark duality of Dionysus’s character and personality. It is said that his cult would wear wreaths and crowns fashioned out of the plant, and the leaves were utilized in his rituals.

- Khalanchoe: also called the paddle plant, khalanchoe is a plant which harkens back to the most ancient roots of Dionysus cults, back when he was not yet known as Dionysus, but rather the much older Greco-Roman god of Bacchus, from which his character derives, who was a god of vegetation and prosperity, who was often associated with this plant.

- Pine: In ancient Greece, the pine was particularly sacred to Dionysus and his worshippers. In the ancient city of Corinth, the Corinthians were ordered by the Delphic Oracle to worship the pine along with Dionysus as a god. In the ancient Greek culture, pine was long associated with fertility, one of the key attributes of the libido and festival stricken Dionysus, he is often portrayed in Romanesque and Ancient Greek artworks holding a staff topped with a pinecone.

- Grape blossom: perhaps the most obvious choice here, grape are synonymous with Dionysus’s character, emblems of his drunkenness, of his celebration, wisdom, femininity, and also of his vigor and fertility. Grape blossoms, and leaves, as well as obviously the grape itself, are unmistakable symbols of the lord Dionysus.

• 🍗 Food:

- Grapes: perhaps the most sacred symbol of Dionysus and his influence, the grape is the perfect metaphor for the god, and all he represents. It can represent fertility, with its plump and plentiful fruit, yet also infertility, as it can be used to make alcohol capable of ending a pregnancy. It is a symbol of innocence, a delicate fleshed fruit that is sweet and simple, yet also of wisdom, a fruit that is said to be the source of many secrets and stories. Grapes are Dionysus personified.

- Figs: similarly to grapes, figs have long been associated with drunkeness and foolishness, a fruit that is known to ferment much faster and more potently than most others fruits, and in Ancient Greek times, would have likely been one of the most accessible ways to get drunken! It’s seedy nature is also representative of fertility.

- Wine: of course, you can’t have Dionysus without a glass of wine to accompany him. Long s sign of royalty, festivity, and sexual promiscuity, Dionysus was truly the original wine mom gay, a chaotic manwhore, lovable, but almost always at least a little bit drunk off of the coveted crimson liquid.

• 💎 Crystals and Gemstones:

- Garnet: long associated with the crimson color of a fine wine, as well of a stone said to be imbued with strength and sexuality, garnets, particularly of the almandine or rhodolite variety, are great symbolic stones of lord Dionysus and his strong sexual nature.

- Amethyst: in Ancient Greek apothecary, it was believed by many that amethyst had anti-intoxicant properties, and in fact, some of the highest of Greek royalty drank from wine glasses carved purely from amethyst! At the time, the vast quarries of amethyst of South America hadn’t yet been discovered, and it was still considered to be a truly precious gemstone, often reserved only for royalty, royalty like Dionysus.

- Grape agate: a recent discovery from Asia, one of the many lands that Dionysus was said to have roamed and adventured in during his many great feats, grape agate is a variety of botryoidal cryptocrystalline amethyst (excuse the geologist nerd talk) that almost perfectly resembles a cluster of juicy grapes! I don’t think I need explain further why this stone is PERFECT for modern Dionysus devotees!

• 🪐 Planets: although Dionysus Is not traditionally associated with any of the planets in the Milky Way galaxy, (though some modern hellenists associate him with Jupiter) there are a number of celestial objects and bodies that have since been named for him: most notably perhaps, is the binary asteroid Dionysus 3671, discovered in the aptly named Olympus system in 1984!

• ☄️ Astrology: Dionysus is almost definitely a Taurus, his dual personality which can manifest as either playful or predatory is a trait that is shared by many a Taurus (as someone who knows a Taurus who can be both very fun and very terrifying, I can confirm this is quite accurate!)

• 🍇 Other symbols:

- Mental health: perhaps unsurprisingly, the many different facets of Dionysus’s ancient personality, the drunkeness, the madness, the torrential mood swings, the struggle of chaos he is often depicted of dealing with, has led to him being celebrated by many modern hellenists as the patron god of mental illness, and the neurodiverse! His dual personalities are a clear allegory for personality disorders, his mood swings and “madness” line up closely with modern understandings of ADD, ADHD, as well as autism and even major psychological disorders like schizophrenia. He is undoubtedly a god who is very closely related to his human worshippers, perhaps more than any other god on Olympus!

🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷🍇🍷

Like my posts? Consider giving me a follow if you wish to learn more about the gods of Hellen with me, and explore the many stories and Mythos of the Greek mythological universe! Blessed be your day 💙🏛️💙

[charlotteking23]

The Lion's Lamb - Chapter 5 - MV1/33

Max Verstappen x reader

The Lion's Lamb Series: Aesthetics, Ch.1, Ch.2, Ch.3, Ch.4, Ch.6, Ch.7, Ch.8, Ch.9

You were not the one to complain.

You knew the life you lived was one many dreams of having. As an American, you grew up hearing stories about the American Dream, but your dreams lay elsewhere.

The United States had beautiful places, cities, and people, but you felt your inspiration was elsewhere. So you left.

Your family wasn't happy about your plan, but if leaving was what made you happy, who were they to stop you?

For a year, you traveled around Europe, taking in the art and culture at every stop. Once you saw Monaco for the first time, you knew it would become your new home.

Moving there would cost money, and it was not in the price range of a struggling, traveling artist.

You had saved up as much money as possible, yet you still couldn't afford to buy, let alone rent an apartment.

You stayed not far outside the city-state and would often travel into Monaco when your work required it.

In doing so, you meet your saving grace and your worst nightmare: Amelia.

Amelia is your roommate. You often like to believe she is the devil reincarnated, but never voice your opinion because of what the girl's father is doing for you.

Amelia came from a prominent British family and her father, Michael, was a financial genius, making her more than well-off in life.

But the girl herself knew nothing of hard work, having had everything handed to her on a silver platter.

This caused her to become poisoned to the core in your opinion. She was a gorgeous girl, but her personality was nothing but ugly.

Many ask the young American girl, Why? Why would you live with someone you thought was terrible?

Getting a decent price rental in Monaco isn't the easiest. Most places are not affordable for a person in your income bracket, and the apartment complexes you could afford were designated for Monegasque citizens only.

And you haven't yet met the requirements to become a citizen. The young American girl met Amelia at an art show where she was being featured in Monaco.

Well, you had initially met the British girl's father, Michael, when he bought one of her pieces being displayed that night.

The two had immediately hit it off and it wasn't long until he offered you a room in his flat in Monaco.

They had developed a relationship, but not one many would expect from an older man and a younger girl.

He had seen you as a daughter and had hoped that in offering you a place to stay, your hardworking and sweet nature would rub off on his daughter.

Once you had moved in, Amelia immediately started bullying and belittling you. You couldn't figure out why you were being treated this way, but the British girl held a slight jealousy towards the younger girl.

Her father gave you a lot of attention and she knew that he wished you were his daughter rather than her.

You put up with her terrible behavior because her father was doing you a favor out of the goodness of his heart.

You had tried to make herself feel better about being there for free and tried to reduce the British girl's attitude towards you by cooking and cleaning, but that made it seem like you were the older girl's maid, and so you were treated as such.

Max had arrived home in the early hours of Monday morning. Usually, he would have gone out and celebrated his win with his team, but not this time.

Getting back to you, which was stuck in his mind, has become the most important thing to him.

Those around him didn't think twice about Dutchman, not attending the after-party, knowing, that even though he won, he always thought he could do better. This is mainly just due to his father. 

Jos Verstappen wasn't a good man and everyone knew that. He was an even worse father.

At a young age, he had drilled the idea into his son's head that there would always be someone better. 

"You will never be good enough," were the words that echoed through Max's head. 

He'd never been praised by his father, even after he won his first world championship. There was never a good job out of his father's mouth.

Because of this, the young driver had pushed himself. Not take a break, rarely celebrated, and devoted all of his attention to racing. Until now at least. 

Christian Horner knew the Dutchman better than most. He knew Max's parents and knew that the lack of childhood the boy had, had affected him greatly.

Don't get it twisted, most F1 drivers never had a normal childhood like everyone else, but Max's was much more extreme.

While the younger driver's father was present in his life, he still lacked the paternal figure he needed, and Christian filled that void. 

While it wasn't obvious to anyone else, the Redbull principal knew there was a certain pep in the driver's step after the race.

Usually after a race, Max is often seen with his head, buried in screens, analyzing every turn, every overtake, just trying to see what he needed to do to improve.

This time, that wasn't the case. Instead of immediately analyzing his race, he instead called someone.

No one had ever been able to take the driver's attention away from his job.

This immediately caught the attention of the British man.

He had seen the slight smile and the way his eyes lit up when speaking on the phone from across the paddock. He figured this wasn't just anyone Max was talking to, he knew this person had to be special.

The team principal knew how much stress his driver had been under recently, so to see him smile, even just a small one, made him extremely happy.

With how quickly the driver took off after their meetings, Christian knew there was a special someone in the young man's life.

The only hope was that this unknown girl brought the Dutch driver, the happiness he truly deserved. 

Early Monday afternoon, you received a text from your blue-eyed man.

7 PM dinner. I'll pick you up.

The text itself was straightforward and assertive, causing you to bite your lip and nervousness and excitement.

You were happy, though that he was true to his word about seeing you again. You just didn't expect it to be the day he came back home from a work trip.

You quickly responded with your address. You weren't the type to send your address to someone you had just met, especially someone she didn't know well, but this was different. Max was different

6:45 PM, and the knockhead resonated throughout the large apartment.

You quickly raced over to the front door, not only to keep your roommate away from the man who had caused your heart to skip a beat but also because you had missed him and couldn't wait to see him.

It was a strange feeling for you to miss someone, you barely knew, but you couldn't help it.

You knew he had been waiting on the other side of the door and you needed a moment to completely gather yourself. Your heart was racing as you wiped your clammy palms on the side of your dress.

You threw open your front door without a second thought, afraid that if you stood there any longer without opening the door, he would leave.

There he stood, on the other side of the door the most beautiful man, in your opinion, you have ever seen. He was wearing a white button-up, a simple blue blazer, and black slacks.

He emanated old money, and it wasn't a bad look on him at all. In his hands though, was a bouquet for the beautiful pink tulips.

You couldn't believe this man wanted to go out on a date with you.

"Hi," Max breathed out, holding out the flowers towards the girl in front of him, "these are for you."

In the blink of an eye, you had thrown yourself into the Dutchman's arms. He was surprised at this but responded to the hug almost instantly. Burring his face in your neck, feeling like, for the first time, he had finally found a home in your arms.

"I've missed you," the muffled voice said as your face was still buried in the driver's chest.

Chuckling, he pulled away regretfully and grabbed your chin tilted up towards him, "I've missed you, too, a little lamb."

Grinning, you looked down at the flowers in Max's hand before taking them, "these are beautiful."

A smile was plastered on your face as you walked inside to put the flowers in the vase. Max, followed after you but continued to linger in the entranceway, not wanting to intrude.

He watched as you continued to rummage through every single cabinet, trying to find a vase, or anything similar, so you could display the beautiful flowers.

You had been through all the cabinets before you finally sighed, realizing you'd have to go ask Amelia where they were. 

"Sorry," You had told the man in your doorway with an apologetic smile, "I have to ask my roommate where we keep the vases". 

Max had smiled back at you, reassuringly, not minding all as you walked down the visible hall before turning to face a closed door. Curiosity filled the man's mind as he watched his little lamb's entire body change.

Your shoulders had dropped, your steps had slowed, and the excitement you had held in your body just moments ago had completely evaporated.

He had found the answers he needed when he had overheard the conversation between you and your roommate. 

"Amelia," You said softly while knocking on the older girl's door.

"What!" the older girl responded with such harshness, that you were questioning how badly you needed the vase. 

"Do you know where the vases are?"

"God," the girl said exasperated and her words dripping with disgust, "How a

re you so fucking stupid that you can't find a simple thing like a vase?!"

"Sorry," you said meekly and started to turn away before you heard a voice that stopped you. 

"They're on top shelf in the cabinet above the fridge," Amelia stated. 

With a quick thanks, you quickly walked back to the kitchen, found the vase, and displayed the flowers, before telling Max you were ready to go. They left quickly after that. 

The ride to their date location was quiet. Usually, there was never any awkward tension between the two, but now, the car was filled with it.

You couldn't stop your hands from fidgeting, especially after noticing Max's hands white-knuckling the steering wheel as he drove. 

"We don't have to go on this date if you don't want to," You had finally broken the silence, not being able to sit there anymore, "I'm sorry if I did something wrong. I understand if you don't want to be around me anymore, you can just drop me back off if you'd like."

Before you could get another word out, Max quickly pulled the car over to the side of the road.

You thought that he didn't want to see you anymore, and he had pulled the car over as an indication that you should get out. Your eyes had started to water and your heart started to break. 

The Dutchman's head had whipped around to look at you so quickly, you were surprised he didn't get whiplash, "What are you talking about? Why would I want to drop you back off?"

"Well," You had started to play with your hands again, " you seem mad at me for some reason."

"Why would I ever be mad at you?" Max questioned with a soft voice. 

"Because I made you wait while I found a vase."

"Little Lamb," he had taken your hand in his, causing you to look up at him with those gorgeous eyes he adored, "I could never be mad at you."

"You're not mad?" You asked.

"I am mad, but not at you. Your roommate. The way she spoke to you had pissed me off. You never should be spoken to that way, no matter what."

Max had reached his hand up to caress your cheek softly. He wanted to make sure you knew that his anger wasn't directed at you.

He had been so upset with the way your roommate spoke to you, that he chose to keep his anger to himself instead of lashing out at you and possibly scaring his little lamb. In doing so, he hadn't realized that his sweet girl thought he had been upset with you.  

"You're beautiful, my little lamb," Max says, "Both inside and out. Please don't ever doubt yourself or my feelings towards you. 

A blush had erupted across your face, along with a shy smile. His words were nothing but sincere and you knew that. He quickly pulled you closer and left a quick kiss on your forehead, before turning back to the front of the car and continuing on their way. 

Max made sure to hold your hand the rest of the way. 

Taglist: @shelbyteller, @smithieandy, @fangirlforever2000, @herexpertcollector, @vip-access, @genevieve-blr

[ducksido]

Greek!Yuu

Grim:

“Wait, wait, you come from the land of the gods?!”

“So, like, do you know Zeus? What about Hades?! Are YOU a demigod?!”

Horrified when Yuu tells him about actual Greek myths.

The NRC Student Body:

“Wait, so your history class is just learning about gods and wars? That’s so metal.”

Everyone is obsessed with Greek food. "Can you make tzatziki? What about moussaka?!"

Tries to pronounce Greek words. Fails spectacularly.

“You celebrate New Year by throwing a pomegranate on the floor?”

Crowley:

"Ah, Prefect! Coming from a land so rich in history, you must surely be honored to be in my school!"

Thinks Greece is all about gods and overlooks the modern era.

"No, I will not let you break plates in the cafeteria."

Heartslabyul

Riddle Rosehearts:

“Your culture has so many rules and customs. You should have no issue following mine!”

Furious when Yuu insists tea is best with honey and lemon instead of milk.

Ace Trappola:

“You guys still break plates for fun?! That’s kinda badass.”

Tries to debate Yuu on Greek mythology. Loses.

"So you're telling me, the gods were all just messy drama queens?"

Deuce Spade:

“Your people were literally warriors?! THAT’S SO COOL.”

“Wait, you have a whole evil eye thing?! That's so sick!”

Trey Clover:

“Greek desserts, huh? What’s a loukoumades?” (Immediately loves them.)

Adds baklava to the rotation of what he cooks.

Cater Diamond:

“Your history is like, an endless soap opera.”

Goes around saying ‘Opa!’ constantly.

Tries to pose with Yuu for Magicam with a laurel wreath.

Savanaclaw

Leona Kingscholar:

“Hmph. You worshipped lions in your old art? Good taste.”

Skeptical when Yuu says ancient Greeks respected cats.

Has philosophical debates with Yuu. ("So you're saying Sisyphus' struggle is meaningful?")

Ruggie Bucchi:

"You guys really have a superstition for everything, huh?"

Learns about Greek street food. Profits immediately.

Jack Howl:

Super interested in Greek myths about wolves.

“Wait, so you guys just yell at each other all the time? And that’s normal?”

Secretly impressed by Greek athleticism.

Octavinelle

Azul Ashengrotto:

“Your homeland worshipped the sea? I see we would have thrived in ancient times.”

Horrified to learn the sirens in Greek mythology were not mermaids, but bird monsters.

Jade Leech:

“Tell me more about this Dionysus fellow. He sounds… intriguing.”

Loves hearing about Greek poisons and herbs.

Floyd Leech:

“MEDUSA WAS GREEK?! NO WAY, THAT’S SO COOL.”

Obsessed with Greek monsters. “I WANNA FIGHT A MINOTAUR!!”

(Trust me on this click this)

Scarabia

Kalim Al-Asim:

“Wait, your people had math geniuses AND warriors? That’s so cool!!”

Constantly invites Yuu to feasts.

Jamil Viper:

"So you just dance in a circle at parties?"

Respects Greek strategic warfare history.

Ignihyde

Idia Shroud:

Has a crisis learning Hades is nothing like in the movies.

“Wait, wait, your myths inspired half of my video games. That’s crazy.”

Ortho Shroud:

“So… are you related to Hercules?”

Diasomnia

Malleus Draconia:

"Ah, your people worshipped powerful beings and built temples in their honour? A fascinating tradition."

Secretly likes how dramatic Greek mythology is.

Lilia Vanrouge:

“I KNEW SOME OF YOUR HISTORICAL FIGURES! Ah, good times...”

Tries to make Greek food. Fails horribly.

(Lilia met Penelope 💯)

Silver:

Falls asleep mid-philosophy discussion.

Sebek Zigvolt:

"YOUR HISTORY IS AS GRAND AS BRIAR VALLEY! YOU HAVE MY RESPECT!"

Pomefiore

Vil Schoenheit:

“So beauty was important in your society? Naturally.”

“Your people invented theater and skincare? Hm. Acceptable.”

Epel Felmier:

"Wait, Greeks fought barehanded in ancient times?! THAT'S SO COOL!"

Obsessed with Spartan stories.

Rook Hunt:

“AH! The Greeks, the warriors and poets of old! Such a passionate culture!”

RSA & Noble Bell

Neige:

“Oh! Greece is so beautiful! You must miss it…”

Chenya:

Steals Yuu’s komboloi beads to fidget with.

Rollo Flamme:

“Your people worshipped fire? …Perhaps we are not so different.”

Meleanor & Young Lilia:

Meleanor wants to fight a Greek hero.

Lilia wants to party with Dionysus.

More Greek!Yuu Chaos

Argues constantly. It’s just a love language. Can name every Greek mythological creature. Teaches everyone Greek dance. Curses people in Greek under their breath. Has the strongest opinions on olive oil.

[hazardoomttrpg]

D&D 5E | Player Species: Gnoll

Ever since reading @dailyadventureprompts's post on gnolls, I've been thinking about playing as one. I've seen a few versions around on the internet, but I haven't seen a jump to the 2025 ruleset. This take on Gnolls was actually one of the jumping off points for my Folk of the Wilds project. And with their push into a more demonic direction in 2024 ('25) Monster Manual, it felt like the right time to put out a more humanoid version. Also included here is the Survivalist background; perfect for being someone who innately understands the wilderness.

Let me know what you think!

Art from Hex: Shards of Fate. Copyright Hex Entertainment 2016.

Gnoll Species Details

Gnolls are the quintessential survivors of the multiverse, living far from the farmlands and cities populated by humans, elves, dwarves, etc. While some gnolls, known as "The Hungry Ones," have succumbed to Yeenoghu's call and have taken on a more demonic nature, many continue to live in the wilderness in small nomadic clans following the migration paths of various herds.

While many outside of their communities may find their behaviors and culture as barbaric, Gnoll traditions are ultimately utilitarian: when survival is on the line, the definition of what is and what isn't useful has a much broader definition.

Some of these traditions are as follows:

Gnolls are laconic and candid when speaking. In times of survival, understanding the situation and transmitting that information as quickly as possible is the difference between life and death.

When a Gnoll dies, there is a great celebration to honor their passing. During this, the clan will consume most of the deceased's flesh: it is one final honor for the individual to provide for their pack.

Gnoll weapons and tools have hilts/handles made partially or wholly of the bones of the deceased. These will often be named after them whose bones were used in the weapon or tool, serving both as a reminder of the clan's history and as a method for the deceased to continue serving their community.

Gnolls' understanding of ownership is based on usefulness: if a tool would be best used by one member of the clan, it makes most sense for that member to be the holder of the tool.

While Gnolls not bound to the will of Yeenoghu aren't overly religious, they find some spiritual connection either to ancestral spirits or to gods of nature, hunting, and weather, such as Obad-hai on Greyhawk or The Wildmother on Exandria.

Gnoll Traits

Creature Type: Humanoid

Ability Score Increase (5E 2014): Strength by 2, Dexterity by 1.

Size: Medium (about 6-7 feet tall)

Speed: 30 feet

As a Gnoll, you have these special traits.

Darkvision

You have Darkvision with a range of 60 feet.

Carrion Feeder

You have the ability to stomach many foods which others cannot, such as rancid meat. You have advantage on Constitution saving throws triggered by eating and/or drinking. You also have resistance to Poison damage and advantage on saving throws against being poisoned.

Bite

Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Pack Tactics

Once per turn, you have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Suggested Backgrounds

Farmer (5E 2024), but re-flavored as Hunter-Gatherer: This background is perfect for a Gnoll whose primary role was as a provider for the clan's next meal.

Guard (5E 2024): You might have been assigned as one of your clan's protectors, whether that was from the wild beasts your clan would routinely encounter OR from marauding bandits who looked at your clan as obstacles to supplies.

Guide (5E 2024): With Gnoll clans being nomadic, you might have been tasked with leading your pack through the wilderness, finding places of shelter for rest and short-term habitation.

Folk Hero (5E 2014): You might have undertaken a great trial to protect your clan, such as single-handedly fending off the attack of a great lion.

Outlander (5E 2014): In many ways, this background is similar to the 2024 Guide, but adding extra emphasis to your knowledge of how to survive in the wilds.

Survivalist (Homebrew): As the name suggest, your upbringing taught you all about using your wits, skills, and tenacity while surviving in the wilds.

A little bit extra: Survivalist Background

* 5E 2014 Version *

Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: Leatherworker’s Tools and one other Artisan’s Tool of your choice.

Language Proficiencies: Druidic

Feature: Scavenger Crafting

As part of a short rest, you can use materials harvested from a slain beast, construct, dragon, monstrosity, or plant creature of size Small or larger to create one of the following items: a shield, a club, a dagger, a spear, handaxe, or 1d4 darts and/or pieces of ammunition. While doing so, you roll 1d20. On a roll of 15 or higher, the crafted item is well-made, and is considered to be a +1 non-magical item. To use this trait, you need to have a set of the appropriate artisan's tools. Add your proficiency to the roll if you are proficient with the tools.

Equipment: A stone dagger, a hunting trap, an assortment of animal parts (such as claws, furs and teeth), a set of traveler’s clothes, a belt pouch containing 10 gp

* 5E 2024 Version *

Ability Score Increase: Strength, Dexterity Wisdom

Suggested Feat: Scavenger Artisan

Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: Leatherworker’s Tools

Language Proficiencies: Druidic

Equipment: A stone dagger, a hunting trap, an assortment of animal claws and teeth, a set of traveler’s clothes, a belt pouch containing 10 gp

[zisurru]

it is legit mega interesting that the 18th century opera scene(s) had so much in common with modern day stan culture wrt the relationship between performers and admirers - that at least the tendency for people to attach themselves to an inaccessible and idealized celebrity love-object is not modern. however i think what modern stan culture is lacking is the sword duels, poisonings, and bare knuckle brawling in church

imagine if taylor swift was just constantly getting thrown in jail and then crowdfunding bail from her fans <- a real thing that happened to my friend giusto fernando tenducci

[dukeofankh]

Leaving toxic masculinity behind as a source of community is pretty much an unmitigated good, especially for men who are chronically underperforming in one or more metric by which hegemonic patriarchal status is measured (heterosexuality, whiteness, ability to perform violence, ect.). No real external spur is needed for leaving. It doesn't even require empathy. Just perspective. Relying on an abusive pyramid scheme for self worth is bad, actually.

But when you leave that, I dunno, call me a whiny incel who expects emotional labour from others, it would be cool if there was some sort of community or support structure in place for progressive men to find celebration and identity and acceptance. It would be nice if we had cultural conceptions of positive masculinity that could be emulated instead of individual, exceptional, disposable blorbos to be fawned over. It would be nice if being masculine wasn't viewed as something that negates or problematises my queerness. It would be nice to even be able to find media about masculinity that isn't poisoned by fascism or more interested in dunking on said misogynists for clout. I feel like I'm trying to build something new from scratch. Why? Why is this such a fucking wasteland.

I don't know about y'all, but I have never felt understood and accepted by any community ever in my fucking life. I have never felt seen. I have never felt at home. I'm not gonna become a misogynist about it but there sure isn't anything positive to lean on or collective vision for a positive future to fucking strive for, is there? Christ.

And like, because I know I do have to end with this, before you try some faux-hopecore bullshit on me that actually seeks to shift the blame right back onto me, I'm already donating to and planning to volunteer for my local left wing party for our upcoming federal election. I already signed up for more classes to fill my time, I'm married, I text my stupid friends who bail on me and don't text back. I have been to therapy several times. I have already poured hundreds of hours trying to build community in male feminist spaces online. Systemic issues do not magically become individual failings when we talk about men.