#connected. ☆ meli

[isleofmuses]

cont from x | @4fter-hours

Meli smiled almost triumphantly as she turned to Charlie. The expression of glee on her face could not be wiped and let out a giggle. Placing a hand on his arm briefly she lead him forward a bit. "Oh, come now, I didn't peg you for a scaredy cat. It's not that bad." Lies. The house didn't look much of one but it had potential. Given a little tlc from her brother in law.

"I'd only hate you if you stopped bringing me the good candies." Whatever she couldn't get from the island she'd ask him to get from the states. "Are you really telling me you're not the least bit curious? If you like how it looks on the inside, Andy's company can take care of it. Technically this property is up for grabs. Tell me you can't picture Anna and your kids here? If you take out the cobwebs and the dust. It has potential. This supposedly has two floors. If you don't come with me you'll have to tell my wife that you left me with the ghosts."

[isleofmuses]

"Baby, there are so many things that make us soulmates. That one didn't even cross my mind." She nodded her head with a smirk on her face. "Yes, I do. I have been calling him Koa. It means strong and it is related to the koa tree." She chuckled and shook her head at the whine. She knew her wife was ready to have the baby at home. She was already in love and she could tell. "A couple of weeks so that we can make sure he is okay. You can come visit him every day." She caressed the baby boy's head. The fact that he had a head full of hair made her smile. She knew that most babies that were born early were bald but not their boy. "I do think he will be able to breathe on his own. So, we will start to wean him off the oxygen in the next couple of days. If he keeps his oxygen level where we like it we will get him off of it completely. I don't think he will have an issue with breathing. We can do x-rays but they could change as they grow." She could see the concern on her wife's face. "It'll be okay. Wally rescued this boy and I was his first call not just to take care of him in here but also forever. We will find the balance."

Lena couldn't help but laugh at that. "You know, it makes us soulmates since our best guys share a middle name. Have you ever thought about that? A tree name? You have one in mind don't you? Damn my girl's brain just never rests." She smiled softly as she glanced away from the baby and up to her wife. Her face fell slightly at the mention of a couple weeks. " I think so. I'm already excited! But a couple weeks? Why so long?" That small whine was passive. She knew why it had to be that long but still felt impatient. "Do you think he's gonna be able to breathe just fine on his own?" She knew that having this little baby would be an added thing to their plate. With Wally's current condition and this little guy's, it was gonna be a lot.

[maranull]

I think it's almost funny, in a bit of a sad way, that this tiny plastic (or wtv) thing has helped me more than all the therapists I've worked with combined. It has carried me through actual panic attacks, depressive episodes and hell, it was my most constant support during my first appointment for hrt.

Why pay thousands of euros and dozens of hours in therapy when you can give twenty five once and a bit of time rubbing its tiny head with your thumb? Checkmate therapists.

[lionesslyra]

abaixo do read more estão algumas conexões que eu gostaria de desenvolver, mas também estou olhando as listas de vocês; todas são adaptáveis e estou sempre disposta a pensar em coisas novas! 

não irei desenvolver temáticas inapropriadas e/ou pesadas com personagens ou players -18.

gerais

colegas de estudo (khajols, nível II)

tutoria (khajols, níveis V-II)

inimizades com changelings pautadas no fato de que Aleera é filha do Imperador e da Imperatriz

amizades por interesse e status

amizade/inimizade

I. childhood friends (m/f/nb - khajols - ilimitada)

Aleera e MUSE se conhecem praticamente desde o berço. Quando mais novos eram inseparáveis, iam aos mesmos lugares e faziam as mesmas coisas. (Podem não ser tão próximos hoje em dia ou esta ser uma amizade puramente política, pela proximidade das famílias)

II.  bad influence (m/f/nb - 0/2)

Aleera gosta de se divertir. Ponto. Ela não mede esforços, e não tem medo de usar e abusar de seus privilégios de princesa para desimpedir seus caminhos e arranjar novas fontes de diversão. Sequer pensa se isso pode lhe acarretar algum problema depois, já que sabe que um favorzinho aqui ou ali sempre irão livrar sua barra. MUSE, coitade, é sempre arrastade com ela, para fora de sua zona de conforto com o intuito de que, nas palavras da Essaex, elu “experimente e conheça o mundo”.

III.  good influence (m/f/nb - 1/2)

A tendência de Aleera a fazer o que não condiz com a imagem pristina de princesa que exibe é algo que vem de família (de uma irmã em específico). @aemmc e muse são es responsáveis por tentar mantê-la fora de problemas e conter suas atividades.

III. enemies turned friends (m/f/nb - 1/2)

@corvinhc , MUSE e Aleera não vão ume com a cara du outre, mas acabam de sendo forçados a interagir por determinada situação, e acabam percebendo que e outre não era tão ruim quanto pensavam.

IV. friends turned enemies/strangers (m/f/nb - 0/3)

Uma amizade que, a princípio, era maravilhosa, mas que, após inúmeras discussões, MUSE e Aleera perceberam que a relação estava totalmente desgastada e não havia outro caminho que não o fim daquilo. (motivo e status atual da ex-amizade a serem combinados)

V. rivalry (m/f/nb - khajols - ilimitado)

Aleera é competitiva. Isso é um fato conhecido entre os estudantes e professores de Hexwood. Por buscar sempre um desempenho excelente em tudo o que faz, ela acaba encontrando rivais em seus estudos e atividades extracurriculares. MUSES são alguns deles; o que pode ter iniciado como uma competição amigável ou como algo silencioso com comparações discretas rapidamente evoluiu para enxergarem umes aos outres como rivais - o que pode ser algo saudável e divertido para alguns, mas o início de uma inimizade para outros.

românticas

I. unrequited feelings (neutral ending) (m/f/nb - 0/1)

Aleera acredita que não há espaço para o amor quando se tem em seu futuro um casamento arranjado, tampouco quer ter qualquer coisa com o sentimento para que não acabe frustrada. MUSE, porém, acreditava que poderia mudar isso sobre a garota, mostrando-lhe que frustração não é o único final possível quando se tratando da inomináveis quatro letras. Aleera, porém, seguiu com suas opiniões e os encontros casuais chegaram ao fim quando MUSE percebeu que não passaria daquilo.

II. keep it casual (m/f/nb - ilimitada)

Apesar de não estar aberta para um romance digno de livros, Aleera ainda adora flertar e não deixa passar uma oportunidade de se divertir com alguém, mas tudo muito simples, todos as cartas na mesa e, o mais importante, sem sentimentos. MUSES entendem isso (e podem até compartilhar de suas ideias sobre o amor ou não) e eles se encontram diversas vezes para tanto.

III. unrequited feelings (bad ending) (m/f/nb - 0/1)

Quando Aleera concordou em encontrar-se casual e frequentemente com MUSE, ela sabia que aquilo poderia ser um incentivo aos sentimentos alheios, mas sempre foi sutil e discreta em sua forma de dizer que jamais passaria daquilo. Quando MUSE encerrou o que tinham, sentindo-se enganade e iludide, Aleera não tentou fazê-lu ficar, ainda que nutrisse muito carinho por elu. 

IV i hate that i want you (m/f/nb - 1/2)

É um eufemismo dizer que @rcgnvndr e Aleera não se dão bem. Sempre que estão no mesmo espaço, é apenas uma questão de tempo para que a faísca entre os dois surja e uma série de alfinetadas (e uma possível discussão) se inicie. Contudo, a atração que sentem ume pelo outre é inegável e, por vezes, es dois escolhem dar vazão à toda a animosidade acumulada entre eles de forma diferente. 

[tommasopraxis]

Mesmo que Circe não fosse simpática ao contato entre homens e mulheres, havia alguém que Tommaso gostaria de ver naquela noite. Por isso, após voltar ao quarto e se colocar em roupas um pouco mais confortáveis, acabou enviando uma mensagem a @melisezgin, convidando-a para as dependências do jardim após o jantar. Ainda era um lugar aberto, mas tão bonito quanto o que o Beneviento normalmente procuraria para frequentar em qualquer outra situação normal, além do fato de que sentia-se em dívida com a filha de Hermes levando em conta a última vez que haviam se visto: não fora tão gentil com ela devido ao trauma e à quantidade de estresse no próprio corpo, mas isso não justificava seu comportamento na concepção dele mesmo. Por isso, no fim das contas, acabou aguardando a chegada da amiga enquanto finalizava um cigarro e, na outra mão, segurava alguns lírios que havia conseguido na conveniência. Provavelmente eram enfeitados para que durassem mais. E ele também era do tipo que acreditava no simbolismo das flores, por mais irrelevante que isso pudesse soar no século atual.

[isleofmuses]

"Please baby." She said in a soft tone needing her husband to speak to the doctors and act like he was her doctor. "I will pay you in kisses, or something similar." She winked at him. "If she doesn't get you the scooter, I will." She happily kissed him back. "He will definitely get you out of it if needed. But you aren't going to get caught." She made an innocent face. "Who? Me?" She knew he was calling her out.

Jamie faux gasped at his wife's request. "You want me to lie to them?" he poked fun as he whispered it wanting only to make her laugh. "Isn't she a nightmare regardless?" He couldn't help but throw in that playful jab about his mother in law. "Think after this she'll get me that really cool scooter I've been wanting forever?" He leaned in and gave her a kiss. "The things I do for you. Breaking about a dozen laws. Oh well, your brother can get me out of it. Yeah, reminds me of some other people I know who downplay injuries." He looked at her knowing she was one.

[hymnoeides]

Puppy Zag........ Do you have a Meli version? Is she also a puppy? Is she cat? Completely different animal?

I haven’t been able to like draw anything but chiikawa style guys, pls forgive me for not having a proper doodle but BUT

HWKDJSJE First instant thought was indeed cat, but as I thought about it more I def see a puppy fitting her!!!!! Hekate connection with her having hounds as one of her symbols :3 also Melinoë’s character just vibes as one to me… hear me out… just like her dedication but also kindness like like🥺🥺🥺

More of these thangs too bc I can’t stop

[yore-donatsu]

Shortly after the duo left

Hu hu hu ! Caught in his own trap. Assume Conrard ! 🤣

That pesky slip of the tongue. 😏

King and Queen headcanons- @yore-donatsu

[isleofmuses]

@clubsmarties - Lena

Meli loved her wife more than she'd ever be able to show. The start of their relationship had been rough but she would never be ungrateful that they found their way back to each other. She was so grateful they had kept their friendship going and strong despite the issues they faced. She was even more grateful that their friendship had grown into so much more.

She smiled watching the love of her life rock their darling boy in the rocking chair. Their sweet yet strong little miracle boy. "You were made to be a mama. I have never once doubted that." She knew her words held truth but also knew that the words could sting. "I love watching you with him. Let him get a little older and I would like to give you another baby. If you want another one that is." She knew her wife wasn't able to carry a baby for them but she also didn't want to believe that their family was done.

[imperatorcaesaraugustus]

Jahaerys, Rhaenys, Aegon, and Cole: The Brutality of War

(this is one section of my House of the Dragon Season 2 Review)

Like the other sections of this review, I have named this one after the principal characters discussed. This section, however, is in truth less a discussion of certain characters and more a discussion of certain events. Here we will analyze the consequences of the defining incidents of the beginning and middle of the season: Blood and Cheese and Rook’s Rest.

            The Blood and Cheese incident is the name given in the book to the murder of Aegon’s son, Jahaerys. Daemon, seeking retribution for the death of Luke at the end of last season, travels to King’s Landing to speak with a guard of the city watch and a ratcatcher of the Red Keep. He hires them to sneak into the Red Keep and kill Prince Aemond, but he does not give clear instructions on what to do if Aemond cannot be found. So long as blood is spilled, any blood will do. And so the two assassins, after encountering a series of obstacles and disruptions to their plan, finally stumble upon Helaena and her children, the twins Jahaerys and Jahaera. They decide that killing Jahaerys would be the best way for them to achieve their goal, a son for a son. After a moment of confusion, Helaena tells them which child is which, and they cut Jahaerys’ head off.

            The death of Jahaerys ripples out among the members of the Green faction. Aegon is driven to fury, desperate to exact revenge against Rhaenyra for what has been done to his family. Criston Cole is also motivated to act, but out of guilt. He was with Alicent when the incident occurred and therefore could not prevent it, but he cannot admit this fact, so he projects this onto Ser Arryk, sending him on an assassination mission to Dragonstone. Aegon promotes Cole to Hand of the King for this, dismissing Otto who is pushing for a more measured response, and thus his grief leads to the inevitability of greater bloodshed and the death of the possibility of more diplomatic solutions. Ser Arryk, for his part, is spotted by Ser Erryk, and so brother kills brother in an act of tragic violence that produces no greater ends. Helaena, meanwhile, says to Alicent that she does not feel as though she can grieve Jahaerys since so many others are also suffering in this war. She is correct in her understanding that everyone in the city is a victim of the war, just as Alicent is correct in saying that Helaena still has the right to grieve. When Rhaenyra first meets with Alicent this season, the death of Jahaerys is a major reason why they are unable to stop the war.

            The second event I want to discuss is the Battle of Rook’s Rest. In this battle, Cole and Aemond conspire to set a trap for the Black faction. They attack the seat of a member of Rhaenyra’s council in the open, hoping that a dragon will come to lift the siege. When one does, Aemond will attack with Vhagar. The plan starts off successful, with Rhaenys arriving on her dragon Melys, but before the trap is sprung Aegon shows up on his dragon Sunfyre. In the end, many die, including Rhaenys, and Aegon is left horribly burned.

            Rhaenys’ death is deeply felt among the Black faction. Rhaenyra looses her most capable dragonrider and one of the only members of her council who does not constantly doubt her, but more relevantly to the theme we are focusing on in this section, Corlys mourns her loss deeply. He questions his support of Rhaenyra, having already lost his daughter and, he believes, his son. In his eyes, the connection to Daemon and Rhaenyra has cost him his entire family. He begins to consider the future of his house in this difficult time, asking Baela to be his heir, but she turns him down. She is a Targaryen, not a Velaryon, eager to follow in the footsteps of her grandmother. Through this war, even one of the most powerful houses in the

            Aegon’s story after Rook’s Rest is the story of a discarded veteran. Before the battle, he was eager to fight, wanting to contribute to the war. Afterward, he is told by Larys upon waking that he will forever be remembered as someone who survived dragonfire, but materially he has been pushed aside, his throne taken from under him by the brother who burned him. The only one who seems not to forget him is Larys, who understands what it means to exist as a disabled person in the society of Westeros. Larys informs Aegon of the harsh reality of what his new life will be, consistently pushing him to improve faster so he may survive in an uncaring world.

            It is through Cole that we see the effect of battles such as Rook’s Rest on the common people. Cole is deeply traumatized by the destruction he witnesses, men burned to death and left as suits of armor filled with ash. He begins the season eager for war, doubling down once Jahaerys dies and he is made hand. After, he is unable to think of anything but the agonizing death that awaits so many when dragons are led into war.

            The question now is whether or not these stories and this theme worked in the show. Let us start with Blood and Cheese. I did not like Blood and Cheese, but my disappointment largely comes from comparing it to the book, and I want to try and examine the show on its own merits here. The beheading of Jahaerys was a truly horrific act, and it does serve to highlight how the cycle of revenge and the decent into war causes the death of innocents. But I do feel the gravity of the moment was somewhat undercut by the comedy of errors that was the infiltration of the Red Keep. One could read it as being part of a broader theme of poorly thought-out actions having serious consequences, in line with the death of Luke at the end of last season, but I just don’t think it really lands here. Helaena’s reaction to the death of her son, both in the moment and afterwards, seems to have been a matter of controversy among some fans. She shows very little outward reaction and later says that she does not feel like she can grieve. I personally had no issue with the immediate reaction, it seemed very clear to me that she was shutting down in response to the event, clearly traumatized even if she was not crying and wailing. As for her later statement, I read it at the time as Helaena not allowing herself to grieve rather than genuinely feeling no grief, but that is admittedly a charitable reading and I don’t know that her later scenes really supported that interpretation. The battle between the Cargyll twins was excellent, however, and solidly supported this theme with how tragic and ultimately pointless it was.

            In contrast to Blood and Cheese, I thought the actual event of Rook’s Rest was very well done, displaying not just incredible spectacle but also showcasing the horrors of war. As for the aftermath, each story supports the theme in a different way. Rhaenys dies, leaving behind a void that cannot truly be filled. Baela is inspired to follow in her footsteps, showing the ways in which the drive for war spreads and ensnares further generations, an ever-descending spiral of tragedy and revenge, while Corlys is left alone, his whole family lost to Rhaenyra’s war. Aegon lives but is physically disabled. He is given credit for the victory and for the death of Rhaenys and Melys, and Larys tells him that he will be forever remembered for the extraordinary feat of surviving dragonfire, but these platitudes do not change the position he is in. He has been discarded, left in his bed while his brother rules the kingdom. If he were to become to inconvenient to Aemond, he would be killed. The Grand Maester works to heal him, but it is Larys and only Larys who understands him. Finally, Cole is physically unharmed, but mentally he has been scarred by the battle. The things he has seen, things that he himself helped bring about, haunt him. Of everyone, Cole’s post-battle story epitomizes this theme the most strongly, though I think of them all Aegon’s story is the best done and one of the strongest in the entire show. It does stand out to me having written this that this particular theme is shown with the Greens far more than the Blacks, but I think that may just be an accident of where we are in the story, and we cannot forget that the season begins with the reaction to the death of Luke. Neither side is devoid of loss, and both will experience more, for that is the inevitable consequence of war.

[clubsmarties]

Send a 📸 to see 3-5 pictures that my muse has/has taken of your muse(s)

@isleofmuses pt 2.

—

The moment we not only came home with our first pup. This look is CRIMINAL and one you Bordeaux siblings share and often bring out unfairly. But I digress. Our girls have this look too.

Couldn't resist the snuggle fests I often come home to. Barely any room left for me.

[annabawritersdream]

Maiar in 'The Lady of Ithilien'

(to be updated with new information as the story progresses. As such, things may change)

Eönwë

Herald and banner-bearer of Manwë, the High King of Arda. He's among the most powerful Maiar in Valinor and the mightiest in arms. Military leader and High Commander of the Host of the Valar, he was one of the key fighters during the War of Wrath, which marked the end of the First Age of the Sun.

Birth: he entered Arda shortly after it was created.

Married to Elenna of the House of Húrin.

Fancast: Daniel Sharman

Ilmarë

Eönwë's younger sister and handmaiden of Varda, Queen of the Valar and Manwë's wife. Along with her brother, she's one of the chiefs of the Maiar.

Birth: she entered Arda shortly after it was created.

Eventually married to Eldarion, Crown Prince of Gondor and Arnor.

Fancast: Matilda Lutz

Olórin

Also known as Gandalf (one of his many aliases), he has served several Valar throughout the various ages of Arda. He's mainly associated with Manwë and Varda, but he also served Nienna, Valië of sorrow and compassion and Irmo, Vala of dreams and visions. (Olórin is a Quenya name and its meaning is something along the lines of "dream of mind")

Birth: he entered Arda shortly after it was created.

Fancast: Sir Ian McKellen (as Gandalf during the War of the Ring. He sticks to this form for a little while longer before switching back to his usual one); Bradley James (as Olórin)

(they give the same vibe tbh)

Wilwarin

Maia serving Irmo and occasionally Nienna. She's had a major crush on Olórin ever since she met him. She's not the sharpest tool in the box (sorry girl, I still love you), but she's kind-hearted and keeps to herself because no one wants to befriend her due to her perceived stupidity. SHE NEEDS LOVE AND AFFECTION, which no one has ever given her because most Maiar are stuck up and arrogant. Extremely naïve and completely clueless at times, she's been nicknamed "Wilya" (meaning airhead) by her fellow Maiar. She's obsessed with Olórin because he's the only one who's ever actually interacted with her.

Birth: She entered Arda at the beginning of the Second Age of the Sun, following the War of Wrath.

Fancast: Tuğba Melis Türk

Isilmë

Maia of Vayanna. Considered among the most beautiful Maiarin women to ever enter Arda, she has been obsessed with Eönwë ever since she first saw him. They had a brief fling following the War of Wrath, which, needless to say, ended very quickly (and badly). She's firmly convinced he's still in love with her and will do anything to get him back. Her name is Quenya for "moonlight".

Birth: she entered Arda following the War of Wrath (around the same time as Wilwarin)

Fancast: Beste Kökdemir

Isilya

Maia of Yavanna. She's Isilmë's close friend (or so she believes). She fails to realize Isilmë doesn't really love her or value their friendship, but simply uses her for her own purposes. She blindly follows her "friend" and indistinctly agrees with everything the latter says or does, as she's been brainwashed into thinking she's perfect. She doesn't seem to have a mind of her own, modeling her own behavior after Isilmë, as she's afraid to lose the connection they share. She's petty and very annoying, but not inherently evil and might even redeem herself eventually. Who knows. Her name is Quenya for "the third day of the week" according to the Númenórean calendar.

(It might sound odd, but I picked the name purely because it sounds similar to Isilmë and because I like the sound of it, not necessarily because I had a specific idea. I'm terrible at naming characters, I know. Please don't be mean)

Birth: she entered Arda following the War of Wrath.

Fancast: Dilara Aksüyek

Elenna's household

Four Maiarin ladies enter her service after her marriage to the Herald.

Handalimë

Originally a Maia of Vána, she is thoughtful, level-headed, smart and highly practical. Elenna is entrusted to her and she quickly grows fond of her new lady, becoming one of her most trusted servants and her main confidante. She's usually calm and collected and makes it her mission to protect her lady from anyone who might wish her harm—namely her sister Isilmë and a few of the Noldorin elves— and constantly worries about her. Her lady's well-being is her utmost priority.

Birth: she entered Arda sometime before the end of the First Age.

Fancast: Gülcan Arslan

Naráel

A Maia of Aulë, she's spunky and crafty but also naive and shy. She loves making rings and necklaces and will be gifting many jewels to her new lady. She can often be found chatting with Gimli, as she's never seen a dwarf before and wants to know all about dwarf customs and traditions (for fairly obvious reasons, I'd say). Kind-hearted and wiser than she lets on, she loves sitting by fireplaces (and lighting them).

Birth: she entered Arda at the beginning of the Third Age.

Fancast: Sophie Turner

Aranwen

A Maia of Nessa, she loves dancing, nature and poetry. She's not a great conversationalist, but when she does speak, one had better stop and listen. She loves reading and will spend many hours discussing books and history with her lady. She enjoys needlework and she's quite a good painter as well. She respects Elena greatly and often reassures her. Even though they get on each other's nerves quite often, she's great friends with Naráel. She too will spend a bit of time with Gimli, but only to try and convince him that ripping down trees is inherently bad. Nevertheless, she grows fond of the lord of the Glittering Caves- she and Legolas will try and teach him how to dance. Whether they will succeed is still unknown.

Birth: she entered Arda at the beginning of the Third Age.

Fancast: Rose Williams

Elenya

Maia of Varda (the name is kind of a giveaway).

She's sweet, kind and very protective of Elenna. She often likes to remark how similar their names are and loves to recount stories that most have forgotten (star-related, of course). She was lady-in-waiting to Ilmarë before she volunteered to join Elenna's household.

Birth: she entered Arda during the Years of the Trees.

Fancast: Yasemin Allen

[undyingembers]

1, 2, 18, and 22 for the WOTR mechanics asks?

What led the future Knight-Commander to take their base class?

Lenarius's devil ancestry also gifted him/her with an infernal sorcerous bloodline, which did not help his/her standing with the family at all. Rather than let his/her magic go out of control, Leonosa's family hired a magic tutor to keep his/her power under control. S/he probably would have chosen that path anyway. S/he prefers taking a methodological and measured approach to his/her magic than relying on instinct and force of personality like sorcerers do. Hence why s/he became an arcanist.

2. What led to the Knight-Commander picking their archetype, or staying the standard class?

None of the archetypes really fit? Len also really likes the arcane exploits too much to limit them or give them up for some other gimmick. S/he would very much like to stick with the wizard spellbook, and s/he'd prefer to keep his/her magic controlled, which leaves out Eldrich Font.

I did consider Arcane Deceiver when it got released, but the lack of arcane exploits was a deal-breaker. I depend on Dimensional Slide too much to let it go.

18. Did any of their companions multiclass or take a PRC they do not start with, and if so what is the story behind this?

Len did not multiclass any companions, other than Regill with Hellknight. I'm pretty basic, and I don't trust myself to make a good multiclass build.

22. What is the Commander’s opinion of their mythic patrons/advisors - the Hand of the Inheritor, Aivu or the Desnan Adepts, Zacharias, the Aeon in the mirror, Hal, Yozz and Noticula, etc.?

Len found it impossible to feel any strong emotions towards the mirror Aeon. It felt too much like evaluating and being evaluated by him/herself. The back and forth, answers and questions flowed in perfect motion. S/he reflects on all the judgements s/he made and sees the imperfections slowly being chiseled at. S/he walks away from these meetings with a sense of peace as s/he works towards fixing the world.

As for Melies, s/he would rather not deal with him. As an officer of the Crusade, he has every right to sit in on the judgements, and s/he will not infringe on that right. S/he is very uncomfortable with this devil. S/he's afraid that Melies might try to manipulate the shared connection the two have with the Hells, and of the reputational damage of him/her seeming to consort with a devil. S/he can ignore his advice safely enough.

[maranull]

can't explain it properly unfortunately, but

something about Meli's fire being connected to life and the world in general with how often her butterflies are found and how often they are next to campfires

something about how the theme of her character is life and hope and her being a fire (or rather a spark) in the darkness

[muppetjackrackham]

a lot can happen in a year. 

from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, i've been on six or seven new medications (give or take). i went from being unemployed for over a year and a half to having a part time job that pays the same as my last. i went from hardly ever leaving the house to seeing movies and going out with friends. i started doing therapy again. and i rejoined tumblr, something i wasn't sure I'd ever do again. i've never been overly fond of social media to begin with, and i wasn't sure if I was even making the right decision to start using it again. i had been in fandom communities off and on for years, with experiences far more negative than they ever were positive, and i couldn't be sure that this would be any different. 

i am so very glad to say i was wrong.

i've talked about elvis on a handful of occasions now, but allow me, if you will, the chance to be sentimental about its significance one last time. prior to june of this year i had no real concept of what baz lurhmann had planned when he released elvis 2022 into the world. yet another musical biopic, this time carried on the shoulders of a relative unknown? i have always had love for baz lurhmann's artistry, but this seemed like a long shot, even for him. 

still, it had my attention. 

i had given up on any attempts to connect with my family after years of false promises, spending most of my summer feeling isolated from most of the people in my life for one reason or another. i decided I'd treat myself to something after the way the year had gone thus far. knowing my dad liked elvis, i convinced him to go see the movie with me on its opening weekend, thinking we both might get something out of it.

it was, without a doubt, one of the best experiences i've ever had sitting in a theater.

i went on to see elvis seven more times in theaters, each time wondering whether or not the magic would wear off and it would lose its opulent, cinematic luster. in reality, it only ever burned brighter and brighter, giving me a love and appreciation of elvis presley that i wouldn't otherwise have beyond the simple enjoyment of music i had listened to off and on for as long as i can remember. it introduced me to a talent whose performance was so captivating it made me overlook tom hanks in every scene he was in. and, perhaps more than anything, it introduced me to people who were not only like-minded in their experience with this film, but were unwavering in their kindness and their friendship.

elvis is not the entity of my tumblr experience (this being my 4th time interacting on the platform). there are many other people and types of content i have interacted with since starting this blog and, if you have made it this far, i simply want to thank everyone for the memories they have given me at a time when I needed it most. 

to the people who colour my dash with their passion for the things they love most. my dash would not be the same without you.

@68special @aconflagrationofmyown @avengen @bcofl0ve @countesspetofi @fantuhsise @feverkitten @flwrs4aust @himbocampus @mamaspresley @obetrolncocktails @skinnyscottishbloke @slowsweetlove @stargiirl27 @steph-speaks @superbatson @thatonemoviefan 

to the people whose creations inspired me to rediscover the joy of what it is to make art

@floralcyanide @melis-writes @nathandrqke @she-is-juniper 

and finally to my friends, the people who have pulled me out of a shell i didn’t realize i was in. your kindness means more to me than you know.

@ab4eva @areacodefan @bisexualwvtson @burninlovebutler @cryingabtab @cutienerd13 @dreaming-of-hope @elvisfatass @gggoldfinch @itey @karamelcoveredolicity @lavenderelvis @lindszeppelin @lllsaslll @loving-elvis @luluthesandgoose @mxrspng @mymamalife @nora-nexus-34 @powerofelvis @samfangirls @star-shard @troubleinapinksuit​​ and my darling artemis, who is not on tumblr, but holds a special place in my heart regardless

i never expected to have followers, or an impromptu movie club, or even a blog to begin with. i certainly didn’t expect to end the year on a positive note. i am not someone who makes a habit of being particularly optimistic, but i dare to hope that maybe, just maybe, this next year will be better. to all of you reading this, wherever you are, may you find kindness and warmth and many blessings in 2023. may you eat well and heal and continue to grow. may you find comfort in the things you love, and may your new year be rich with the love and support of the ones you hold dear in your life, be it family, friends, or pets. whatever your year may have been, i hope it ends on a better note than it began on, and i look forward to not only sharing new films, but making new memories with all of you. 

in the immortal words of elvis presley, "til we meet again, may god bless you. adios."

all my love to you, 🦁❤️

[pepsiiwho]

[1/4] Hi, um. Entrusting you with this because I think you'd be a better steward of it than I, but RE: Waxwitch, right? Also, the ship name is so lovely. ÓuÒ So, theory: at least last I heard, the incident behind Melinoë's ghost arm stemmed from Icarus' desire to be "[made] whole." He's quite guilty about it, to the point he disappeared - what stood out to me is his wording of being unable to "...look at anybody in the Crossroads anymore." *Anyone* in The Crossroads. [Continued in next ask]

Hi anon! Thank you for the asks, I was excited to see so much thought— truly the Waxwitch community is ingenious. As usual with my thoughts on these two it's gonna get long. Also, some specific spoilers with Mel's arm. If you wanna avoid that keep moving Waxwitch family, I'll still be here.

So for everyone else, this is the entire ask question.

Hi, um. Entrusting you with this because I think you'd be a better steward of it than I, but RE: Waxwitch, right? Also, the ship name is so lovely. ÓuÒ [Thank you anon, I'm incredibly surprised everyone else has picked it up as well lol]

So, theory: at least last I heard, the incident behind Melinoë's ghost arm stemmed from Icarus' desire to be "[made] whole." He's quite guilty about it, to the point he disappeared - what stood out to me is his wording of being unable to "...look at anybody in the Crossroads anymore." *Anyone* in The Crossroads.

And Hecate called Icarus "that boy-shade," which to my overthinking mind feels lowkey very specific, given we have ghostly folks like Odysseus around (and then Achilles, etc. from the first game, but even so)? I'll try not to ramble too much about that theory too much (I'll just say "god-touched" and leave it at that)... but what I'm saying is, what if Icarus, pre-incident, actually had a form much more like *Dora's*? 

So he gets hands and fingers (and a face?) like he wants... but then Meli is hurt. Because of him. And there's no hiding it because she's the *princess,* and he's now stuck in this new humanlike body, and surely the shade community connected the dots (and/or spread rumors about a selfish little shade who "ascended" at great harm to their future savior). And the longer he stays, the more this "blessing" feels increasingly sour... 

Sorry for the angst. But also, I think Icarus The Shade - whether through a flashback or an unexpected plot-mandated "de-power" - would be just adorable (assuming my delusions of Icarus being an LI, LIs having multiple character portraits, and Icarus having a unique "vanilla" shade design hold ^_^;;). Thanks for, uh, letting me ramble!

Okay. Let's start with what I think is going on in the game. I've been talking to @meowtheextremechickenhorse about all this so you caught me at a great time, it's currently fresh on my mind. As I see it, in regards to the shades looking different theres 3 answers.

(In text lore reason) Since humanity is so vast, any unremarkable and uninteresting person that didn't do much of anything of note in their life is delegated to a more 'ghostly' form and they're the traditional shades we see the most of. Anyone from myth or legend or any human that had any real acclaim is given their human form to follow them into the after life, be that a positive or negative, and they're more recognizable that way. That's why Achilles and Patroclus, Theseus, (now) Odysseus, and Icarus (to name a few) have forms. They're important in some way or another and their bodies exemplify that.

(In text lore reason) Shades are given more human forms in relation to godhood. Everyone of note has interacted with gods to some varying degree, or they're somewhat divine or some combination of the two. This is just the previous reason but to the left.

(Meta reason) The game Devs didn't want to waste perfectly good game space on unimportant background mobs so they decided to have a simply drawn and easy to replicate/place model as a shorthand for the ghost infested world. Shades we readily and constantly interact with have forms because we see them often and if all of them looked the same that would get boring. Simple.

1 is the answer I'll be going with, and my HCS will follow as such but I think 3 is the objective truth lol.

Which is all to say that uh, I think that Icarus always had his form? Like I don't think the process of making him more 'whole' was to give him human form as much as it was to allow him to exercise that form on the surface again (and touch the love of his life—*loud police sirens ring out from behind me endlessly*). I actually have talked a lot about the implications of his death (and life) in the ship and it gets... weird, fast. So, my personal read of their time together goes as such.

Baby Mel and Baby (living) Icarus grow up together. His dad works with the gods or something making the hammers and tools so they're in close contact.

Around 15 or so, Icarus does his thing. Wings fail, he dies.

After having an entire lifetime of being able to freely interact and touch each other (and other things too) Icarus misses the wholeness a human form allowed him to have and he sets out to get it back. Mel helps.

She looses the arm, he leaves crossroads out of shame and guilt

they then meet up again now a few year(s?) down the line and reconnect (he's more whole then before, she's more shade then before). Back to current day events.

I like the idea you put out about Shades gossiping, because they so enjoy that, and attempting a form of isolation but I don't think it would work on him much. I think his own guilt is more than enough to have pushed him out and away from His Meli. But other then just not agreeing on general timeline and like, how he got his form, I agree with u fully anon... he feels horrible about what happened and is sick at the thought his hubris and ambition, his fatal flaw (literally) is what got her hurt.

Thankfully he'll have eternity to repent for it. By loving her. <3

Thank you for the ask, I hope I answered the question at all. I just started rambling. But this is going in the Drabble folder do not worry. The angst potential is toooo good to ignore...