#conversations with Luan

[whydousernamesevenexist]

How was your first day of school yesterday?? I had mine today.

Hiiii!

I mean… nothing bad in particular happened, but school is always bad… I woke up at like 4:40 and couldn't sleep again, so I just laid in bed lol, and then I had eight hours of school. I don't think I need to add that my braincells were completely fried.

And today I woke up at 4:20 (cool number but a shit time to wake up) because my nose was stuffy, and I couldn't fall asleep again (yay), so yeah, the whole day I was dead, my throat hurts, and my nose is runny, but I can't afford to stay home because there are even more important tests than normally (kill me pls), plus tomorrow I'm supposed to have a presentation with my friend, so I can't leave her alone to deal with that lol.

But I'm alive and I think I did okay on my history test today, so that's good.

What about you?

[whydousernamesevenexist]

Akskkdksms thank youuu <333

You get loved and cherished too, idiot /affectionate

[chimerical-daydreams]

so what if king related au meets king related au

theres the kid and the unfrozen crybaby that i know of

@vulpixisananimal The meeting of kings <3

Silly bonus I made while sketching

[sailforvalinor]

Even more respect to Luan for when he found out that Helena is Bia’s sister and has been keeping it a secret that she’s alive for ten years, his response is “GIRL WHY? THIS IS RIDICULOUS??” and he sticks to his guns on that point

[sillygoofyqueer]

CROWYUAN PEAK LORD REACTIONS PART TWO!! (part one heree) My workload was surprisingly brutal from learning today, so I've been slogging through it just to talk to all of you <3 LET'S DO THIS SHIT: Liu Qingge: Okay, come on, we know this guy. He will just register the demonic features and pull out Cheng Luan with NO hesitation, only to be held back by no less than three of his martial siblings as they try and say "nah, nah, he chill he chill, goddamn it!!!" He almost refuses to believe this because holy shit they've been manipulated by this DEMON and he's immune to it because he's been in contact with so many demons. Then he has a conversation with the demon and is bombarded with many questions about his hunts and SOMEHOW gets roped into promising to bring SY the carcass of the next beasts he hunts so that SY can explain their weaknesses in incredible detail to him. (He still thinks that maybe he too has been manipulated and bewitched, but that's at the back of his mind when SY SMILES at him) Shen Qingqiu: God, he hates this little demon thing - everyone else is drawn in by his weak charms, but NOT Shen Qingqiu. Oh, he sees past the disguise, he knows that this little...creature is plotting, is waiting for them all to let down their guards - but he WON'T. Just because his martial siblings are utter, blithering idiots, doesn't mean HE is. He will remain resilient and strong and-- what do you mean Shen Yuan is making himself comfy on Qing Jing Peak??? What. What do you MEAN he feels safe enough to be alone with SQQ and doesn't care about the rumours surrounding him because "they're tame in comparison to the things he hears about other demons"????!?!?!?! That's it. This demon is too silly to be wandering around by himself, who knows who would take advantage of his stupidity - ATTIC WIFE TIME (/j/j/j) Yue Qingyuan: This demon likes Xiao-Jiu, therefore he's chill- HOLD ON WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHEN JIU SMILES AT HIM ALL THE TIME?!?!? Yue Qingyuan is very pleased that Shen Jiu has a....*through gritted teeth* friend, at least he has someone to talk to - ALL of the peak lords like Shen Yuan??!? All of them?? HOW. SY has to teach YQY his ways because it has been impossible for him to get his shidi all in one place without them killing each other, and now they're all just...chilling with SY? With minimal arguments?? Damn it. (This is a joke, I think he'd be pretty pleasant with SY, but I wanted to make a funny read on the guy's reaction) ((I think Shang Qinghua is an enigma because they're both transmigrators and he'd just be like "YOOOOO, YOU'RE THE IDEA I DROPPED!!"))

[purgatoryandme]

I firmly believe if, during their first meeting, Shen Yuan didn't see Cheng Luan, he would have believed Liu Qingge was a woman. Which could lead to one of two hilarious scenarios: Either he thinks Liu Qingge is Qi Qingqi, the only woman the plot has spared from falling in love with Luo Binghe, or- He thinks that he has accidentally seen Liu Mingyan without a veil and that, because of him, she has decided to stop wearing one and joined Bai Zhan peak to protect herself from suitors instead. In either scenario, the risk of him noticing LQG's affections increases tenfold because his internalized homophobia can't take over. What ALSO increases, though, is his incredible panic about how likely he is to get murdered for stealing a wife or out Stallioning the Stallion protagonist somehow.

He's so scared that he somehow fails to notice LQG and/or QQQ's attendance of Peak Lord meetings, because the mere sight of LQG triggers his fight-or-flight reflex. His near-constant escaping is interpreted by LQG as SQQ's extremely thin face about his past actions, making LQG believe him way faster that he's changed and also giving LQG just...so much sadistic glee about embarrassing SQQ. SQQ should be embarrassed about how rude he was before! He should commit properly to making amends! LQG owes him anyway, so it's right and proper to approach SQQ, so what if he gets a certain sense of vengeance from the man's skittering???

LQG misses the fact that he's essentially pigtail pulling SQQ for AGES until SQQ demands that LQG hides his beautiful face so they can have a real conversation, and oop, now they're BOTH embarrassed to death.

[axolotlquestion]

Gunntech AU Villains: Romeo

I've been having trouble thinking of ideas for Romeo so this will be a part 2 to my ProJect Mask/Guntech AU season 1: Villains episodes and My ideas for the villains in Gunntech AU. I'll be breaking up this post so you can skip which one you don't like.

My ideas for the villains in Gunntech AU                                                     In season 1 Romeo would probably have been the last to leave while luan and Nori left around the same time. Additionally when he left the company would frame it as he disappeared rather then went rogue. I think he would use an abandoned warehouse (i know creative). Due to his inventiveness I don't think he would have to buy his supplies and instead make all of his inventions from scratch.

ProJect Mask/Guntech AU season 1: Villains episodes                           I think the episode where Ramo would be introduced would go something like this. Romeo would break into the Gunntech lab stealing the power crystals. The conversation goes as follows>

Connor "Roma where have you been you disappeared!"                         

Rameo "I'm sorry I left you kitten but I was just so tired of Gunntech wasting the tools at their disposal"                                                             

Greg "What, Gunntech is one of the most advanced labs in the world"                                                                                            Rameo "And yet they spend their time making lizard boys, a waist. These crystals are able to change the genetic makeup of anything it touches just think of the possibility.”                         

Greg “What my uncle is doing is save lives. That's what his research is for, not whatever you're planning!”                                                          

Romeo “No ones told you? Hah, I can’t believe your friends kept you in the dark. I guess the truth is harder to swallow for the more….sheltered.”

Amaya “This is not the time for this Roma. Give us the crystals.”      

Romeo “I would love to taunt you more but science waits for no one. By kitten.”                                 

After he gets the crystals he would cause the same type of shenanigans that he does in the original show. Miner things to test out the powers of the crystal. In the following season his experiments would get alot more intense but you’ll have to see what I mean in part.

That's all I have for now and as always leave any suggestions you have in the comments. I see how many people like and don’t comment, you know who are!! I'm geting my phone back for brake so might start an ao3 account and post some fics so let me know if ya'll want that. Stay safe and happy holidays❤️🎁

Credit to @elmushterri

[the-switch-conspiracy]

[Prev]

Chapter 5: [ctrl f]

“I will be sending Shen Qingqiu to Shuang Hu City.”

Light streams through the windows adorning the richly decorated walls which make up the Qiong Ding Peak meeting hall. The multiple beams of light intersect across the table normally crowded by twelve, now only seating two. Yue Qingyuan gently blows away the light haze of steam rising from his teacup, before sipping at the over steeped blend. His current conversation partner gripped at the hilt of his sword with one hand, his other hitting the table with a sharp thunk, his eyes narrowing dangerously on his face.

“Tch. And what does Shen Qingqiu have to do with my request to cultivate in seclusion?” Liu Qingge pauses, his mouth pursing in agitation before reluctantly continuing, “Zhangman-Shixiong.” His eyes dart away, staring stonily at the distant wall. Yue Qingyuan blinks placidly at his Shidi, placing his cup down with a decisive clink.

“Strange activity has been reported in the city. When this information was first received, Shen Qingqiu claimed it for both himself and his disciples as a training excursion.” He pauses, catching Liu Qingge in a heavy glance, “Shen Qingqiu has, as you’ve no doubt heard, recently suffered a rather severe Qi-Deviation.” Liu Qingge snorts, ignoring Yue Qingyuan’s sharpening glare, fingers tapping against Cheng Luan’s hilt frenetically.

“So? Give it to one of the other Peak Lords.” Yue Qingyuan raises an eyebrow at him, and his face drops to a scowl, “No-”

“Shen Qingqiu is quite capable, but both Mu Qingfang and I believe that it would be best he has… assistance with this mission.”

“Yet you are still sending him instead of someone else?” and me along with him was heavily implied in the stony silence that followed. Liu Qingge’s eyes sharpen at the glimpse of something seen in his Sect Leader’s eyes. A hesitance, consuming and dark, lingering in the depths. Zhangman-Shixiong was hiding information, and that information was in relation to Shen Qingqiu. Oh course it was.

“You’re hiding things.” He bluntly exclaims, as his hand once more slams the table. A crack forms in the wood. Yue Qingyuan’s eyes track the motion, his face an unmoving mask. His head tilts in the barest suggestion of a nod.

“We noticed… something after he woke. It’s likely nothing of harm, however…” He pauses, catching his Shidi’s gaze with a surprisingly solemn look, “It would be best to act cautiously.” Yet you’re sending him on a mission rather than examining him!?Your blatant favouritism… It was to be expected of the Sect Leader, even with the Qing Jing Peak Lord’s -everything- the man dotes on him.He stills a shiver, a foreboding sense of disquiet filling him.This mission would change things. The thought was sudden and disturbing in its certainty. Where this unease came from, he was unsure, but his instincts have yet to fail him.

Shen Qingqiu was…. uncomfortable to be around. It was a primal discomfort, the sudden involuntary tensing of Liu Qingge’s muscles in his presence, the awareness of his proximity. His instincts scream when he’s in a room with the other, the black void behind his eyes hurts him to see. Liu Qingge did not dislike Shen Qingqiu, no. For how could someone dislike the concept of an amicable human being? But even despite his admittedly undeserved discomfort in his presence, his feelings towards the other were mixed. Shen Qingqiu was locked into a constant battle against a person that doesn’t exist, the person he wasn’t; the person Liu Qingge achingly wishes he was.

A̮̲̼̱͆͊̽͘ ̧̼͎͖̓͐͛͠ţ͔̭͑̊̋h̯̮͒̓́ͅo̩̅u̖͊̊͜s̨̤͔͋̄̔a̭̙̣͓͑̔̍̏͝ͅn̦͆d̟̑ ̙̼̠̹̉́̊͟͝͞f̧̛̙̹̈̃̓͢ȃ͔n͇̻̺̑̋́s̘̝̩͕̪̄̽̉͂̎,̧͎̺͔͂͊̾͡ d̫̔r̻͓̋̈͋ͅop̻̯͙̜͊̆͐͡p͇̖̃̐i͔̠̿͊ň̪̺͋͋͟g̨̛̘̣͋̓ ̛̯̖̗͎͊̐̾̆͢ę͈̹̠̱̈́͋̎̿͋n̰̿̔͟d͙̬̯͊̓͗ļ̟͉̘͋̒͛̂ȩ̰̱̈̿̎̕͢ş̦̭̜̈̄̊̎s͚͕̒͒l̬̮̗̆́͝y̛̬.̠̬̲̓͊̏ ̩̯̾͘F̘̖̠̱̺̐́͌̾̕i͖̫͇͌́̎͘͢vè̛̙͖̙̬̓̿ ̟̉y̭̪̌̕e̠̬͓̟̼͑̑̄̐͞å͉͈̞̓͆̉͢ŕ͇s̙͎͒̽ ̻͐ở̰̻f͓̜̱̭̽̂̇̿ ̟͓̤̊̿͝ḻ̌o͓͋s̪̏͌͜ṡ̲̹͂͑ͅ.͉͙͚̆́̀ ̜̱̮̖̀͂̎́T̝̥̪̆̍̕h̻͎̝̱̫͆́̾̅̔ė̖ ͙̗͊̊ȩ̟͍̅͊͝n̝̪͍̋̽͗d̥̓ ̝̠̦̑̐̽d̢̊row̛̘̼̳̐̿n̛͎̳̥͈͑̓́e̦̼͋̆̚͟d͔͎̯̋̀̈́ ̢̧͎̎̊̆î͚͇̬͋͌n̤̗̱̮̿͛̌̀ ͚̗͉̼̀̄̊͆r̡̬͇͕̈́̏̀͘ed͈̱̫̖̂̍̐̇.

He grits his teeth, ignoring the sting echoing through his skull. Lunacy. The flashes, the unworthy thoughts. Figments of fantasy that will never exist, of a Shixiong who…. no. Enough! Madness. Perhaps he too was heading towards a Qi-Deviation of his own, it’d be fitting. His nails dig into his palm, the flesh straining, moments away from spilling blood. Barely perceptible shivers trailed through him, his pulse beat in his skull.

“Tch, possession? Or damage? Not that it matters,” he rises, tension flooding him as his agitation peaks, “you could replace him with a training dummy and notice no difference.” Yue Qingyuan’s face spasms, a quick cycle of anger, irritation, and cold distaste play, before setting once more on placid calm. His words however barely hide the barb they carry.

“He is still your martial senior, and deserves respect.” He pauses yet again, seemingly lost in thought, “He wasn’t always-” His words trail off as a distant expression appears in his eyes. Between a breath and the next, Yue Qingyuan went from sitting back straight and firm, to grabbing his head in his hands, an evident flash of pain crossing his face.

“Sect Leader?” Liu Qingge rockets forwards, one hand stretching towards the hunched over figure of his Shixiong.

“I’m…. fine. For a moment…” he stops, his eyes searching Liu Qingge’s own, before abruptly shaking his head. “No.No.I’m misremembering.” It comes in a mutter from under his breath, hard to hear even with Liu Qingge’s cultivation enhanced senses. Before Liu Qingge could even open his mouth, Yue Qingyuan looks away and concludes the conversation, “You will be joining Shen Qingqiu and his disciples to identify the cause of the deaths in Shuang Hu City.” It was an order, ‘play nice’.

“If Zhangman-Shixiong insists.” He spits it bitterly through closed teeth as he turns his back and strides from the room. His footsteps fade.

Yue Qingyuan sits alone, cold tea in front of him. Blood drips from the Sect Leader’s nose.

~O~

The dusky twilight coats the sky with swirls of purple and shimmering green. It was a beautiful night, brisk but warm enough to comfortably stand and watch the stars. It was funny how ephemeral these small moments between are, how bitter they can make you feel despite their beauty. Shen Qingqiu tilts his head towards the sky, the gentle light of the moon caressing his face.

Several days have past since his awakening and his discontent has only grown. Being alive was a blessing he wasn’t sure he deserved, but it was a blessing with many strings attached. Strings barely holding a sword of Damocles above his head, the heads of every living sentient being in this world. He doesn’t even know what the System wants from him, every question he asks of it only returns a ‘Please complete Tutorial Mission: The Skinner Demon 2.0. To unlock further information!’. His eyes linger on the lake, the air and water Qi rich and gleaming silver. He shivers, his breath catching, this memory at least was clear.

Silver sword, silver glare, sinking beneath the lapping waves.

He shuts his eyes, breathing deeply, the tension building behind his closed lids matching the hurt corroding his soul. When his eyes open once more, everything appears so slightly blurry. The sound of wings beating, as the cranes who call this place home take flight, reaches his ears. The sound of footsteps approaching follows soon after.

“Shizun? Begging Shizun’s pardon, but this disciple has brought food..?”

Ah Binghe, his voice hesitant but clear. Of everything that’s happened he’s strangely been the most reliable, the most like his memories suggest. After that first meeting sent pain through his heart at how different he seemed, Shen Qingqiu was expecting more of the same. Close enough to hurt, but different enough to seem like a stranger wearing a friend’s skin. Contrary to that expectation, Luo Binghe was just so… Luo Binghe!

That very evening Shen Qingqiu had sat down for dinner, expecting the bland fare Qing Jing was known for to appear, only for Binghe to show up with a banquets worth of divinely exquisite food. He’d slid seamlessly back into the place he’d once occupied, a helpful shadow at his shoulder. It was like he’d finally woken up from a nightmare, one of the only things that felt right amidst everything else. It was nostalgic in a way, yet melancholic, for even before this it had been something of a rare occasion. He, after all, had a h͍͂u̼͡ś̺b̡̢̭̮̍͂̔́a͇̟̺̮̓͆̃͠n̺̭̙̲̐͊̈̀d̨̖̄̋ to care for and coddle. He winces as a sensation not unlike having a needle stuck behind his eye appears, sharp and stabbing.

“Shizun?” Once more, closer this time, the wolf in sheep’s clothing scampering closer with a surprising lack of finesse. He turns to take in the sight of his disciple. Binghe was pink cheeked with a sheepish expression covering his face, his hair escaping the careful ponytail he had tied it in, and a smear of... flour? Covered his chin.

“Binghe was fetching this one for dinner?” Something to eat would be good while he went over the case files of the Shuang Hu city murders. Or the Skinner Demon murders as it were. He had asked the Sect Leader about it during one of his many, many, visits. Yue Qingyuan had seemed surprised that he was mentioning it at all. That surprise had quickly faded, but had brought about another one of the many searching looks he’s been collecting. Just what was so interesting about him? Hmm? Was he truly doing such a poor job at acting like their Martial Sibling this time? He sighs as he follows Binghe back to the bamboo house.

“Is Shizun still examining the info for tomorrow’s mission?” He nods, mouth stuffed full of the tastiest dumplings he’s had in a long time, the scroll balancing on his knee. So far nothing serious seemed changed. Still nine people dead, two of which were Master Chen’s concubines. All of them completely skinned. There was one slight difference… noticeable stitching on each of the corpses, detectable even in their state of decay. It was the slightest change yet….

Binghe was sitting across from him, cheek in his hand elbow on his knee, and staring at him with a smile. His eyes gleam with every bite Shen Qingqiu takes, a quiet but rapt attention directed towards him. Lit by the golden glow of the lanterns, he’d taken on a dreamlike haze, lending what would normally be an intense expression an otherwise sweet affect. In this moment, ignoring everything else, it was nice. It felt… simple. It was simple. Except it really, really isn’t. He places his chopsticks down, and once more picks up the scroll.

Everything has been sorted, the small handful of students he’s picked out for this mission would be meeting near the stables at dawn, Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying of course among them. All of them were senior disciples, ranked highly on exams focused around identifying demonic creatures, and practised in talismans. While it shouldn’t be too difficult a night hunt, it would be remiss of him to ignore the obvious. His prior knowledge is useless. Knowing that his charges were just that bit more prepared this time around… it was a weight off his shoulders.

“Binghe should head to bed.” He raises an eyebrow at the youth who should be over at the dormitories, “We have an early morning tomorrow.” His eyes steadfastly ignoring the bowls surrounding him, that was a job for later. Maybe. He’ll ask an outer disciple to tidy tomorrow before leaving. Binghe’s mouth curls into a frown.

“If Shizun insists.” …? Of course he insists!? Binghe rises to his feet in a single, graceful movement, and bows. “This one implores that he be allowed to tidy first before taking his leave. Shizun shouldn’t dirty his hands for this.” Binghe… that’s not… Shen Qingqiu feels the internal sweat drop forming, Did he seem so incapable of cleaning up after himself? Sure he wasn’t going to, but now it’s a matter of pride!

“Binghe needn’t worry about tidying, this Master is capable of cleaning a few bowls.” Luo Binghe’s mouth tightens, a wounded expression flashing across his face. Ah, he can’t handle that expression… pride? What is pride in the face of this? It was like kicking a puppy… “But if Binghe...-”

“Yes.” Don’t just agree to it! You don’t even know what I was going to say?! But his face was all but glowing, a slightly self-satisfied grin twitching on his lips. He gathers up the remnants of dinner with decisive movements, “This disciple will finish this quickly.” before scurrying off in the direction of the kitchen. Shen Qingqiu sighs, shaking his head with a smile, Binghe really is just Binghe. A little different, but…

He rises to his feet, and stretches. Exhaustion fills him to his very bones. Maybe on this night, sleep would finally bring the clarity he needs. Or, like the nights passed since he awoke here, his sleep would bring only terror.

~O~

Leather and sword oil, a hint of earth and forest, clean sweat and spicy soap. A familiar scent tickles his nose, his eyelids flutter open. He was sitting beneath a massive Ginkgo tree, each branch arching endlessly into the distance, a beautiful ever shifting golden ocean lay above him. There was a familiar man laying beside him, dressed in recognisable white and blue robes with golden leaves in his hair, asleep. His face was slack and soft in his slumber, lacking his ever present frown. His Shidi, Liu Qingge, lays peaceful in a way he’s never seen before.

Found you.

His head whips around, turning towards the source of the ever consuming voice. Black hair, glowing poison green eyes, that hauntingly well-known face, his pale reflection made flesh. A bitter smile lingers on those bloodless lips, his hands hidden by his flowing monochrome robes.

It’s been harder than I thought, getting through to you. We are quite adept at avoiding harsh truths. And it has been trying its hardest to stop us from reconnecting. He laughs, a shattered sharp thing. I know you’ve been gaining fragments, so at least some memories are slipping through.

This reflection… he remembers…

So you do remember this place, this space between dream and reality. It was like a spark of life had ignited in him, a frenzied energy appearing in his movements. That’s… something. Something good. It can’t monitor us here.

A flash of memory returning from the last visit to this realm- You said I’ve forgotten something? I… paid a price..? Is that why I feel so empty? What have I lost?!

Pity. That expression on that face…

You don’t know the half of it, you can’t know the half of it. Once more that ugly shattered laugh echoes through the still air. The price was paid in two parts. Certain memories had to be taken, and a sacrifice had to be made. His grin seemed more like a snarl, the expression only softening when his gaze fell on the sleeping Liu Qingge.

In the corner of his eye, a figure appears. Tall and broad, the outline suggesting a curly mane. Unlike Liu Qingge or the reflection, it was entirely engulfed in shadows and static, its form twisting and shifting constantly. With every look he feels a hopeless, desperate, love that equals the sweet joyous emotion he experiences while looking at his Shidi’s sleeping form. It was maddening, knowing somewhere lost to him was the reason behind that love. His copy follows his gaze, eyes filling with sorrow as they fall on the mysterious figure.

You’ll regain those memories in time, I swear. What I can give you, I will. The deep emptiness grows, coiling around his lungs, his heart. The only thing more noticeable than the emptiness was the fear. He was drowning in it. A terrible energy fills the air, a flicker fills his vision. He felt distant, as if his connection to the dream was fading. He has to know the answer, to the constant pain he feels, to the flashes of memory that shatter his skull.

And the sacrifice? You said a sacrifice had to be made? The feeling grows.

That’s harder for me to explain. So much had to fall in place for this to work, for it to do what it did for us. A billion calculations, all for the best possible chance of success… and this was the best it could- wait-

The figure drew closer, his reflection’s glowing eyes widen in horror.

A rumbling fills the air, bringing with it the thick scent of smoke. Ember and ash cloak the sky like a veil. The great tree, the golden ocean, set ablaze. And with a crack, it falls, bringing the inferno down with it.

~O~

Shen Qingqiu bolts to consciousness with a gasp, his pulse racing as Xiu Ya materialises in his grasp. All that was left of his quickly fading nightmare was the impression of flames. Luo Binghe startles where he’s standing at the door, once hand raised in an aborted knock.

“Shizun! I was just coming to wake you.” The gentle dawn filtered through the open slats in his window, carrying the cool dew-laden morning breeze. Luo Binghe’s face was pulled into a look of sweet concern, his hands were carrying what appears to be a bowl of congee. What time was it? Surely he should be with his students, readying himself to leave? Correctly identifying the concern on his master’s face, Luo Binghe is quick to interject.

“There is time to eat and dress, Liu Shishu is corralling the rest.” Oh? Liu Shidi was getting everything into- Liu Shidi? What do you mean Liu Shidi is here?! Shouldn’t he be in closed cultivation, or had that too changed?

“Your Shishu is here?” It fell from his lips in a daze. He’d expect this from his own Qingge, but this wasn’t his own Qingge. Binghe nods, a frown creasing his brow.

“Yes, apparently the Sect Leader sent him.” The Sect Leader thinks us incapable? Or is it a lack of trust? He feels his own mouth pursing, his chest squeezing. It would be good to see his Shidi alive, though he’s not sure he’ll be able to handle the sight of his face filling with suspicious hatred as it once had. He’ll take the small mercies as they come. With a nod of his head, he rises to prepare for the day.

The peak is engulfed in a soft haze of mist, the hems of his robes just barely brushing against the dew covered stalks of foliage surrounding him. The sight that reaches him fills his heart with a simple warmth, a lithe figure dressed in elegant Bai Zhan blues, alive and well. Liu Qingge stands wreathed in fog, arms folded in front of his chest, surrounded by a clutch of awestruck teenagers and Ning Yingying. Their horses stand, saddled and ready, snorting in the brisk air. He takes note of Shen Qingqiu’s arrival, Binghe half a step behind, and snorts derisively.

“Tch, took your time.” His gaze raked Shen Qingqiu from head to toe, before he stops and glowers at him. Though he appears to be looking Shen Qingqiu in the face, a closer check makes it clear his gaze was settled somewhere behind his head, looking through him. “If we head out now, we should make it Shuang Hu City by noon.” His head jerks towards a saddled mare, no carriage in sight. Surely his Shidi can’t be serious. He finds his eyes narrowing at the other man, put off by his blatant disinterest.

“Good morning Shidi, how are you enjoying this fine day? This master is grateful you’ve organised my students for my mission.” Syrupy sweetness not even trying to disguise the venom dripping from his tone, his fan in hand lightly fluttering in front of his mouth.

“It’s as Zhangman-Shixiong wills.” He brusquely states, the implied I’m not here for your sake, evident. His gaze finally meets Shen Qingqiu’s own. He pauses, the air between them growing taunt and charged, his eyes widening so slightly Shen Qingqiu would almost think he’d imagined it, if not for how dark they suddenly became. His mouth parts just the slightest bit, a sight that on most others would be easily ignored, if not for the fact it was Liu Qingge’s equivalent to being shocked dumb. It was perhaps one of the strongest reactions he’s gotten since returning here, for all that it is barely a reaction at all.

Shen Qingqiu can’t help but watch with burning curiosity as his Shidi visibly composes himself, his jaw noticeably clenching as he avoids his eyes and the tips of his ears flushing pink. Was he embarrassed? What could he possibly be embarrassed about? His behaviour? It’s unlikely, but the thought still fills him with a wicked glee. He smirks behind his fan. Maybe treat this Shixiong kinder if you don’t want to regret it! Ning Yingying takes the pause as a chance to chime up from among the other disciples.

“Begging Shizun and Shishu’s pardon, but this Yingying has called for a carriage. It should be here-” She stills herself as the sound of trotting hooves approaches. A low mumble sounding suspiciously like I should been the one to... came from behind him. His smirk becomes a smile, ah his little sheep... Liu Qingge however, visibly bristles.

“Shen Qingqiu, a carriage will double our travel-” He cuts himself off, eyes sharpening like the edge of a blade as he noticeably restrains his temper, “We will need to leave now if we want to make it before dusk.” he spits out, gesturing towards the carriage. Shen Qingqiu inclines his head, and his disciples leap into action around them. He turns and gracefully makes his way over to his transport, enters, and settles in for the long trip. Ning Yingying’s voice ringing in the morning air as she instructs the others to move out.

The carriage shakes on its axles momentarily and Shen Qingqiu briefly considers they must have begun moving, before he is once more face to face with his Shidi. His Shidi who was quite decisively settling in across from him with a focused stare. The Shidi who was looking at him like he was some sort of unidentified creature he’d stumbled across while hunting. Ah... this was going to be a long trip.

[First] [Ao3] [Next]

[pixelchills]

Adding to the recent conversation of my mutant OCs meeting Animutant Sun and Moon:

If Luan and Moon were to fight or bicker with each other, Sun would be the one to scold them both. Solros cannot scold. Not even Luan.

But Sun works with kids and scolds Moon anyways sometimes. He would try to make both of them behave hahah

...I think Solros would just cry and then Luan and Moon would both feel bad lmao

[silly-inky]

The King Boo's and Luigi

(This is linked to my other headcanons post about the King Boo's, if you went to see that, click here ★)

Luan=Dark Moon KB

Jovi=Party KB

Sunny=Super Mario Sunshine KB

His obsession did eventually come in, and it was probably the worst thing to obseses over for a Boo. A person. Boo's try to avoid this, usually stick to scaring or some thing small. But when it's a person it can become very messy. So when he realised his newly found obsession was Luigi, he was less than pleased. The obsession started out as hate filled curiosity, however, over time it slowly grew into infatuation, taking every chance he could to see Luigi, he started watching the kart racing after Jovi told him Luigi raced in them, and then started watching other events he was in such as the sporrs events and Mario Party. The other Boo's even joined in to watch because it was so entertaining.

What finally made him realise he had feelings for the green plumer was when he started to come to visit king Boo when he was in containment at E. Gadd's lab, keeping him company every now and then even though he

was still scared or the King. Their fights frilled him, but still wanted to have them spaced out by at least a year, not that he could completly help it with being stuck at the lab. But from his conversations with Luigi he learnt the type of person he was, and the amount of times he has to go help his brother with battles (most likely with Bowser) or saving people, or kingdoms, or even the bloody world once, and dealing with large events, and how much it overwhelms

him. Much like the king, he prefers the quiet, and isn't the best around

people, he doesn't lik how loud and busy it can get when he'snot prepared himselfbefore hand. This the king can actually sympathize with, but he is horrible at actually expressing his emotions when it comes to the situation that's why instead of just talking with luigi, he likes to play the game of cat and mouse. It's what he's familiar with, plus he is still a villian. He likes to capture Mario, who he dislikes anyways and any of his other friends, just to watch how Luigi fights to get him back, he's terrified Of ghosts but will still fight them to get his brother back, the fact he can pushaway his own fear like that is truly commemorable and genuinely doesn't understand why luigi is branded as a coward by the other villians

Luan isn't the only King Boo who has developed feelings for Luigi, infact

Jovi and Sunny both developed a crush on him. It happened after Luan explained his feelings to them both about him, so they wanted to see what was So special about him to be the person who captured Luan's heart of all people. Jovi didn't have much of an issue since he often partook in the same races and games as Luigi so he just started talking with Luigi between races and such. Also speaking with Daisy about him, since She and Luigi were close, so he got to learn about him, from Luigi himself, and someone Who spoke about him without any bias. Jovi and Luigi became friends, which Jovi could rub in Luan's face, he found himself looking foward to seeing Iuigi more and more, thinking about him more, and would just talk with him none stop, and then boom, a crush. Thankfully he is much more familiar and comfortable with his feelings so he recognised the feelings very quickly.When he told the others, Sunny just about lost it and spent a good 10

minuets howling through the phone while Jovi sat there in silence, Luan wasn't sure how to feel about it, but finally felt justified for his feelings and had someone to properly talk about them with.Sunny was very similar, however he had never actually met Luigi before, only his brother Mario and Princess peach, who he became good friends with, occasionally seeing Mario in his casino when he needed a brake from home. So when Luigi came over to visit Sunny was very excited to finally meet him, he was different to his brother in many ways but he also saw the similarities. He was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed his time with him, and was upset when Luigi had to go home. They talk almost every day on the phone and similarly to Jovi, he soon caught feelings, and told the other two.

This was so ridiculous all 3 of them liking the same man was just the funniest thing to them. Safe to say they talk about him together in the group chat. They debated on wether they should make it a competition for who wins Luigi's heart first. But they decided against it as some of them have unfair advantages, Plus the other two thought it would be very unfair on Luan. So instead they started dropping hints and asking around (Daisy) Who he may be interested in. Daisy told them she wouldn't disclose his feelings to them without his knowledge but did tell them Luigi is was pansexual and poly, which gave them a lot of hope.

Long story short Luigi first started dating Luan after an awkward accidental public conffesion and Luigi thanfully having already developed feelings for him. After a while he recognised he also had feelings for Jovi and Sunny and approached Luan about it, who was laughing to himself while he watched Luigi be so upset about it as he had convinced himself that they didn't like him back like that. After Luan broke the news, they all met up in person to sort it out,and now Luigi is happily dating all 3, which doesn't help the speculation on whether or not there are multiple king Boo's Iol.

(I am a multi-shipper and didn’t want to settle for one, plus I sort of liked the idea of all of them being with Luigi to begin with because of the fanfic that got me into the ship and King Boo as a character)

[whydousernamesevenexist]

27 (look it's the 27th and there's 27 days left)

Only 27 days to go!

Omg that's awesome I didn't actually notice until now xd

[wiyldefire]

Okay first session of Storm King’s Thunder the other day.

It started with Evyrelle’s flashback. It was them being exiled/sent away/something from their country of origin. When it ends, it’s Evyrelle and Caoimhe riding towards a town (blackstone?) and we go into my flashback.

It’s of Caoimhe finishing her pilgrimage up the Firesteep mountains and becoming a proper Cleric of Brigid (note she is mechanically a Druid). Charlie pointed out that he oh so graciously did *not* make a Candle Eater joke when Caoimhe lit the candle to finish her pilgrimage properly. He is lucky.

Anyway we end up going into Blackstone where we transition to Esmeray’s flashback. It’s the longest because Wyatt is insane and can’t make a normal backstory. Long story short, Esmeray is kicked out of Anauroch by her father the king because she won a duel and I think she’s supposed to be gathering information? Not sure.

Then we go to Valentine’s flashback. It’s of her at her circus (there are too many clowns in this group lately- Reverie alone was enough.) where she is walking a tightrope.

Cassian’s flashback was him escaping Anauroch with Luan. We think his boyfriend dies, and also he SUCKS at stealth. Charlie is not allowed to make fun of me for failing at stealth as Medeia ever again. He didn’t even have disadvantage he just rolled bad.

With the flashbacks over we cut to Caoimhe, as a healer, being directed to help the rest of the PCs. She does because she is mom. Evyrelle helps. Esmeray, despite being a cleric, does *not*.

Through some very awkward conversations it is established that we all want to go to the same place, Esmeray doesn’t care about people unless they have money, Cassian is awkward as hell despite being a charisma caster, Evyrelle is paying everyone except for Caoimhe to work as crew, and Valentine is a sweetheart.

[luansmysterymasteryy]

This Follow Episode Is Called: “The following journey with Lancé, Cello, Luan, Danielle, and Alindra.” (FIXED VER.)

[BEUEGEHEGEHEHUFFO]

ALINDRA: I remember.

LANCÉ: Who?

ALINDRA: Yuan? Luzi?..

LANCÉ: Oh.

LANCÉ: Luan! Yeah, my old friend!

ALINDRA: Our.

ALINDRA: She’s on my list, we need to get her.

ALINDRA: She is a powerful demon, and this might also count as revenge for the..

ALINDRA: Problems.. That she caused. Maybe even the suffering she caused for you, Lancé.

ALINDRA: memenrgrgrhh…maybe i’m pushing myself..

ALINDRA: But, it’s what HAS to be done!

ALINDRA: We need to keep the world safe, Lancé.

ALINDRA: I’m sure we all know who she is.

ALINDRA: Or what she is.

LANCÉ: I didn’t care if she was evil.

ALINDRA: Ew.

LANCÉ: Whatever!

LANCÉ: Besides that, how in the world are we gonna find her?

ALINDRA: She is a walking stereotype.

ALINDRA: We’ll get our chance in no time.

ALINDRA: You don’t miss her? Right?

LANCÉ: I..

LANCÉ: …Just….don’t think about it.

ALINDRA: What’s that supposed to mean?

LANCÉ: No! It’s just..We’ve never caught such a THING!! What if we DIE?!!!..

ALINDRA: I’ve got nothing to lose.

LANCÉ: Easy for you t’say.

LANCÉ: Everything would just be a waste for me. Dying for abso-bloody-nothing.

LANCÉ: It’s helpless!

ALINDRA: Oho, don’t worry. This is just the start.

ALINDRA: And i mean THEE start.

LATER

SYD: Duh, why would you wanna know if i have some kind of history with Luan?

SYD: I mean, sure you’re some sort of weird detective.

SYD: But she’s been dead for 4 years.

SYD: So? you’re stupid.

SYD: Really really stupid .

SYD: Get out.

ALINDRA: Syd, please.

SYD: Sad mart, loser.

ALINDRA: Syd..

SYD: No.

ALINDRA: SYDNEY JONES.

SYD: FINE.

SYD: Breaks starting anyway..

SYD: Okay, yeah she’s dead.

SYD: And she’s going to ruin the entire earth with her little hands?

SYD: She’s basically done for; she’s lost all her power.

SYD: I don’t know about you, but you’re going crazy.

ALINDRA: BUT.

ALINDRA: What if i told you she got it back?

SYD: What?

SYD: I told you before, she’s nothing to me.

ALINDRA: I just need information.

SYD: Sure, whatever!

SYD: You can get me fired from my job for free!

SYD: Spend all the time you want!

ALINDRA: Really?

SYD: Sarcasm.

SYD: But fine, you have 4 minutes.

SYD: “Go on.

ALINDRA: What is she to you?..

SYD: Luan isn’t that hard to remember.

SYD: She’s pretty much an old friend.

SYD: Or something…

SYD: I’m sure she remembers me too, i just don’t wanna assume anything.

ALINDRA: Why not?

SYD: Maybe she doesn’t really remember me, my hair was cut really short at the time, i had less freckles, acted like a freak.

ALINDRA: I guess that’s right.

SYD: Obviously, idiot.

SYD: Besides that.

SYD: I’m going back to work, do NOT call me.

ALINDRA: geggergrkggrgfrrhdh…

ALINDRA: y’know what..

SYD: Hurry up!

SYD: I’ll get fired.

ALINDRA: You could say that.

SYD: What?

ALINDRA: (oh my god dude why do I have to do this..)

ALINDRA: (or maybe that’s, like, the only thing I can do?)

ALINDRA: (…)

ALINDRA: Syd.

SYD: WHAT?

ALINDRA: SCREW IT!

SYD: H-

SYD: WHATAfFYEHEBWHWVWVGhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SYD: STAWPpp!!!

ALINDRA: DITCH THIS PLACE!!

ALINDRA: Okay, so now we are all just, kind of, together.

ALINDRA: Syd lost hope and probably will get fired.

ALINDRA: She changed her clothes..and yelled at us..

ALINDRA: But it’s okay, we’re cool!

ALINDRA: We invited Iree!

ALINDRA: And um..we invited a serious conversation.

ALINDRA: I am so sorry, Syd.

ALINDRA: But you can’t just stay at work knowing everybody’s gonna die and die and die and die and die and die and dieee!!..

ALINDRA: I-.. I must be freaking out, alot..ALOT..!

ALINDRA: But, i know that it’s absolutely wrong! They are after US, and, i’ve tried telling you!

ALINDRA: Maybe we’ll even get to the point where i’ll fricking sacrifice my own blood or flesh or something TO just..SAVE..your lives!?

ALINDRA: I’M OVERTHINKING AREN'T I???!?!?!??

SYD: Jesus Christ..

SYD: Okay. Fine.

SYD: I wouldn’t hesitate to admit that i’m sometimes freaked out.

ALINDRA: ..?..

SYD: Sometimes theres this scent lingering around my house.

SYD: I can feel someone. There..

SYD: And i can feel, and smell..it right now..?

IREE: Non.

IREE: Admettez-le.

IREE: You. Me.

IREE: Very different.

IREE: You know, i could always feel like there was someone that was watching below me.

LANCÉ: and…?

IREE: Ah, it has turned out.

IREE: I have been mistaken.

IREE: You’ve said you’ve seen the demons before?

IREE: That is in fact a clue.

IREE: But, only believe..

IREE: Once it happens again.

IREE: Eh? You get it?

IREE: If you really see it again.

IREE: Then it is thee time, mon ami.

IREE: To start the search.

ALINDRA: I feel better..i guess..?.

SYD: Dope, french people scare the shit out of me dude.

SYD: I’ll be facing towards the wall at night now.

IREE: Fermer la bouche.

IREE: I am telling the truth.

IREE: If you do see the trouble again..

IREE: You are the chosen! You are in a bad situation.

IREE: Ah, you know. Perhaps even for all of us.

IREE: It’s still your fault.

IREE: You’ve dragged yourself in the wrong path, you’ve gotten the wrong directions.

IREE: But i still do not believe you.

IREE: Remember, I say, do not hope for the worst.

IREE: I wouldn’t wanna say it twice♡︎.

IREE: They say you learn from your “little” mistakes♡︎.

IREE: I’ve learned too much♡︎.

IREE: Don’t be like me♡︎.

IREE: I didn’t know what to do at all after that♡︎.

IREE: You know it♡︎.

IREE: Anyway!

ALINDRA:

IREE:

LANCÉ: So..um..

LANCÉ: I-iree…

LANCÉ: I was wondering if you had feelings for Luan? Or were you just good friends?

IREE: Oh, don’t get all goofy.

IREE: She is very very much a friend.

IREE: It was in an idol crush way.”

LANCÉ: Really?.. I mean- Really?

IREE: Really! I mean-.. REALLLYY!!

LANCÉ: Don’t mock me..

LANCÉ: pfgghghgg....

IREE: Hey.

IREE: Seriously, to be honest..she was creepy.

IREE: But i’d rather not talk abo-

CRRRAASSHHHHSSHHhhshs.

ALL OF THEM: AAHHAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!

IREE: OUR LIVES!!!

SYD: MY JOB!!

LANCÉ: OUR FAMILIES!!

ALINDRA: MY FUCKING CEILING.

IREE: That’s what you’re worried about?

ALINDRA: ..We aren’t even friends.

SYD: I hate you all.

ALL OF THEM: AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

IREE: ….

IREE: (no no no noo..no….)

???: My..my..my..

LUAN: Look what the cat dragged in!!!

LUAN: ..Ughghsgfhfhhh, took you long enough to find an OBVIOUS “hiding” spot!!

IREE: Wh-…

IREE: HIDING SPOT-?..

LUAN: ..shhhhshshshhshshh…

IREE: A-!

LUAN: You, my friends.. Have gotttteeenn ssooooooooooo closeeee..

LUAN: To being shredded.

LUAN: But i gave your asses a chance, didn’t i?

ALINDRA: SHUT UP!!

ALINDRA: SATANIC BEAST!!!

ALINDRA: You aren’t killing my friends!”

ALINDRA: ..Not at ALL.

LANCÉ: friends..?

SYD:

LUAN: Alright, that’s it. Shut up. Now.

LUAN: Children, you’ve gotten into the best toy store in town!

LUAN: Where all the guts and blood and guts and blood and blood and guts….

LUAN: ..can be found!

LUAN: You’ll find your little sparkly dolls somewhere else.

SYD: I knew it..something was up!

LUAN: Ah.

LUAN: Not everything.

LUAN: I don’t recall you saying anything about knowing our history!!

SYD: History?

LUAN: You know!~

SYD: I seriously don’t.

LUAN: ..Me and Iree are great friends!

LUAN: Isn’t that right? Iree.

IREE: No, no! It’s not fucking true at all!

LUAN: Eeeek!!

LUAN: I hear a liar!

LUAN: A big one, if i do say myself.

IREE: Wait..

IREE: You..you’re the one who killed my parents..

IREE: Y-you..

IREE: M-

LUAN: Maniac? Malicious? Meatball?

LUAN: Monster?

IREE: YES!

IREE: You are a monster! You are..you are insane!..

LUAN: Aww, how cuteee!

LUAN: I don’t give a heck if i killed your parents!

LUAN: Maybe they deserved it.

LUAN: No guilt tripping me.

LUAN: Maybe they really needed that , i used a mach-

ALINDRA: We don’t need fucking details!

ALINDRA: Why would you do something like that?!

LUAN: Well..

LUAN: A little lady made it a little too obvious she loved her parents, and love is more of the stupid type..

LUAN: I’d assume i just didn’t like that whole thing, you know, family love?!

LUAN: You seemed better without all of it, and i wanted to mess up a strangers life.

LUAN: But you aren’t a stranger.

IREE: Wh—..

IREE: What?!

LUAN: Hush, kiddo.

LUAN: I’ve been clinging onto your tail for a while now.

LUAN: For a Looooooonnnooonng..time.

LUAN: I’ve observed how neglectful they’ve been, so i felt like doing the job myself!

LUAN: Not that i care, but because those screams are like heavenly musical instruments..

LUAN: It isn’t fun hearing you people whine, though.

LUAN: You have a few seconds to talk, since i’m out of it.

IREE: Wh-..

IREE: The police didn’t find my dad’s c-..c-corpse.

IREE: How..?

LUAN: He wasn’t there when i killed your mom..

LUAN: Pfft, like i care.. But maybe he should’ve been there so i could throw s’more..damage.

IREE: I thought you hid him?!

IREE: MYYYY DAAAADDD DIDNT DIEEEEE???

LUAN: Shut up! This is offensive! I wanted him to die!!

LUAN: Let’s get to the more serious point.

LUAN: I could..bring you to your mom..

LUAN: And let’s just say..you’ll be giving me the big favour back.

IREE: Anything, please..

IREE: I’ll do anything for you once you give them back!

LUAN: Now?

IREE: I really miss them..

IREE: I mean.. if shes in hell i’d not wanna..yknow.

IREE: But i miss her!

LUAN: Oh?

LUAN: You do?

LUAN: I know you do..

LUAN: I promise you..

LUAN: You’ll be happier there.

IREE: Wh-..

IREE: GUHP-..!!!…

ALINDRA: OH MY GOD!

IREE: G-..guyyys!!..

IREE: A-..

[bookcub]

Books I Read for My SFF Class Rated from Worst to Best

clearly this is the most objective list ever obviously (jk this is based on how much I got from reading the text to how useful it was in context)

also while this syllabus included movies and tv shows, I am focusing on the books cause this is a book blog

19. Islands at the End of the World by Austin Aslan- The worst of the worst. Contains racist ideology and a magic system that makes no sense. This is a book clearly written by a white outsider about Hawai'i. I am also far too old for dystopias. One upside is that there were no random romances and it was about familial love.

18. Survive the Dome by Kosoko Jackson- Despite agreeing with the ideology of this book, this was truly a horrible reading experience. Poorly written, annoying and bland characters, and very inconsistent.

17. Blazewrath Games by - You wouldn't guess that a book that's essentially The World Cup with Dragons could be boring, but you'd be wrong. Nothing significant in this text rip.

16. Peter Pan by J M Barrie- Unfortunately, this book makes sense being included in this context of children's SFF so I can’t say it shouldn't be included, but this book was agonizing to read. Beautiful writing. And yet, some of the most racist and sexist content I have ever read in my life!

15. Charlotte's Web by EB White- Pretty painless to read and interesting to discuss in the context of sff literature cause uh, not generally a book I would categorize as such. I didn’t think our discussions were particularly notable and I would have preferred another text.

14. The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline- *sighs* There are some incredibly important concepts in this text but woof. Again, I am too old for dystopias but unexpectedly I had a real problem with the way women were written in this.

13. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum- Again, this is helpful in context of a children's fantasy class and it was fun to read in context as a Wicked fan. If I didn't know it from related media, this would be super forgettable.

12. Bunnicula by Deborah Howe and James Howe- Fun, and a fantastic audio but there wasn't much to talk about here in our class but there's potential. Very funny.

11. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling- I am dreading the class on this but I am very excited for the critical readings and it was exciting to re examine the text as an adult with the knowledge I have now. I do think that we could have done a magic school section with books responding to HP instead. Again, interesting in the context of the genre.

10. The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen- One of my classmates had a lot of issues with the portrayal of Judaism in this text, so ideally this would be replaced with a text written by an author who did more research.

9. Feed by MT Anderson- I did NOT like this but incredibly relevant and scary to think this was written about 20 years ago. Good for the syllabus, not good for me!

8. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien- I didn't mind listening to this and it was another sensible inclusion. Occasionally boring but I'm supportive.

7. Haroun and the Sea of Stories by - I liked the perspective this book provided and it was a pretty fun read. I think this would work best as a readaloud text. It was also beneficial to read a book written by an author who wasn't American or British for comparison to the other texts.

6. A Wrinkle in Time by - Another classic that makes a lot of sense in its inclusion in the syllabus. Sparked really good conversations about the definition of genre. I enjoyed resisting this text as well, incredibly nostalgic for me.

5. Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova- A lot of fun! I love portal fantasies and this had a classic adventure but didn't feel trite at all. I actually enjoyed the love triangle and will consider reading the books later in the series.

4. American Born Chinese by Gene Luan Yang- This was a difficult book to read but it was incredibly rewarding. I had to sit with it a lot to process and I think the author asks really interesting questions. I would recommend this to most people.

3. Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo- Shockingly, the adult novel ranks 3 on my list. .. hmmm . . this was largely both because I loved it and hated many of the other books. Absolutely stunning as a novel, engaging, and downright magical. I love books centering family and slowly finding how much I enjoy multigenerational novels. However, it is interesting considering this class is about children's lit. . . I would highly recommend this to readers who want a story that isn't afraid to challenge normal.

2. Kindred (graphic novel) by Octavia Butler- I love Kindred and if this was the novel and not the graphic, it would be #1. An amazing book that does not stray from intense topics and makes history very accessible. The only time travel book I love. I adored presenting on this book and still believe Kindred is one of the best books I have read. Such a good inclusion on this syllabus.

1. Nimona by ND Stevenson- NIMONA MY BELOVED what is there to say. This is perfect for this class. It is certainly marketed to young adults, and uses elements of scifi and fantasy masterfully. Challenges conventions of the genre, asks the age old question of who is a monster and who is human. . .beautiful found family. . .funny as hell. Perfect.

[sillygoofyqueer]

P-PART TWO. (Part one here) PART TWO OF LIU QINGGE AND LEVIATHYUAN. OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD- So Liu Qingge has just woken up, swaddled in the skin of an animal that Leviathyuan had easily tossed around like a toy, and he's obviously disoriented. Cheng Luan is laid down beside him, blood mostly wiped off it (did Leviathyuan lick it off?....................NO. He used his raggedy-ass robes. Probably), and very pleased that its master is awake and alive right now. In the background, Leviathyuan is pattering around with raw meat and random plants he found in The Depths, trying to remember everything that other creatures from The Depths had told him about humans and what they needed to survive. They needed to eat, they needed to sleep (the human was already doing that!) and....they liked being warm! Obviously, having something leaking out from their body was also bad - although, this human's blood was a strange colour. Whatever!! The plants that help him when he's being attacked in his humane form by some cocky land demons should be able to help the human. They taste funky though, so the human can wash it down with the meat from the beast - surely humans can eat meat, right? It's really plain as well, he's pretty sure that there isn't any poison with this beast; they like to roam around The Cavern sometimes, so he gets into scuffles with them when he's bored, and they do basically no damage. Liu Qingge is being hand fed by this demon creature thing that has not once tried to kill him, and is even grinning at him (with blood-soaked teeth. No, this does not affect him in any way). It's hard to have any sort of conversation with it because the creature doesn't seem to understand his language, trying to communicate through different sounds instead of forming words - which is fine, because he hates talking. He's also swooning because like "...dude....you're providing for me and helping me?" He immediately asks Leviathyuan to come back to CQM with him, and the creature is just like "aight bet" (<- he has no idea what's going on). Something something, they get back to CQM and everyone is like "Liu-shidi, is that a fucking DEMON?!?!" and he's just like "yeah" and then goes about showing Leviathyuan the sect and doing whatever is necessary to accommodate him. This creature needs to eat? They have a lot of interesting times trying to figure out what he can eat. The creature likes to watch the disciples and clap for them? Let him join in the training sessions! The creature needs somewhere big enough to accommodate his leviathan form?....SHANG-SHIXIONG!!!!!!!! Oh god, someone's- someone's gotta stop Liu Qingge, he's lost his mind!! Surely Zhangmen-Shixiong- no...no, he seems far too pleased that Liu Qingge is learning what it's like to have to keep a feral person on a leash when they just accidentally destroy everything and want to go everywhere. Plus, it keeps Liu Qingge on the mountain more, so he's in meetings and actually training his disciples, even if it's just so this strange demon will smile and pat his head. What about Shen Qingqiu? He seems to despise demons, so surely he'll have something to say about this?- Ah, no, no, he was irritated by the demon at first, but then he found himself getting frustrated that nobody was trying to forge communication with this demon that Liu Qingge had KIDNAPPED (in his eyes). After some taunting from a certain source when he points it out (Qi Qingqi), he becomes determined to teach Leviathyuan how to speak and read and learn- Okay, but like, Mu Qingfang can think about the dangers of having a demon in the mountain sect??? Oh, he's far too busy following the demon around and trying to figure out how the fuck this creature works. He cries with each new baffling discovery he makes because he just wants to learn more about the other species that live in their world with them but nooooo, of course they have to be super confusing and make him want to give up and have a tantrum all at once.

[melsie-sims]

Much later that evening, Leo decided to venture into the woods with Luan and do some scavenging. After all, he still hadn’t gotten around to introducing himself to her…

Unfortunately, the conversation turned sour pretty quickly when Luan brought up her need for plasma.

“I was hoping perhaps you wouldn’t mind…” she hesitated, looking a little awkwardly toward his neck area. “Would it be too much to ask?”

Leo looked appalled and slightly afraid.

“Kallie and Eze planted two plasma fruit trees in the garden today,” he explained in a cool tone that told Luan it would indeed be too much to ask. “You can wait until it grows, just like we’re all waiting. We don’t do this here, we don’t feed off other sims,” he added sharply.

Luan was insulted. “Alright then, I was just asking. Some sims that have basic compassion for fellow occults would give plasma willingly… but I suppose you’re not one of them.”

She walked away from him without another word. She had some collecting to do.