#darkfire writes

[valya-kingoftherats]

May be stupid

You may be stupid.

Or just stunned. That's entirely a possibility.

You have found yourself lying on your back. In the middle of tía Elena's driveway. Crutches knocked away just out of your available reach.

Fuck.

Your head hurts. More than normal. It's a stabbing, splitting pinpoint pain along your left temple. You probably hit a rock or something.

You fell. You aren't entirely sure how. Just that one minute, you had successfully made it down the ranchhouse stairs and were headed out to see Julia is the pasture. And then there's a gap. And then you were on your back staring up at the sky. Head screaming. Body protesting equally as violently.

Between your head and your knee, it's all you can do to keep the tears from pooling in the corners of your eyes.

You probably should have listened to Julia. Shouldn't have tried venturing out without her or tía to help you. But you thought you could do it. Should be able to do it.

She can't know.

With any luck, your body will calm down just enough for you to be able to more accurately roll yourself over to get your crutches. And haul yourself back up onto your feet, up the stairs, and into the kitchen where she left you.

But right now, it hurts to breathe, so that's out of the question. Just need to hope that she has a nice long visit with the horses. Very long.

"¡Mierda! ¡Valya!" Well fuck.

There's just no winning. Is there?

"Hey," you raise a hand to give her a little half wave. Hopefully, it's steadier than it looks to you. "Care to join? The view is great."

She's above you now. Broke into a sprint as soon as she realized you were flat on your back, no doubt.

"What happened? Are you alright? Can you get up?" Five hundred questions at once. Not helping your pulsating head.

'Can you get up?' Forget you. It's her that's stupid. What kind of question is that? If you could, you would have already.

But if she thinks you're down here by choice....

"Just enjoying the afternoon," you try not to wince at how rough your voice sounds. Wheezy. Strained. "The sun feels nice."

She crouches down beside you, one hand coming up to block the sun from her eyes. "Suure," she hums, "then let's see you get back u-"

You grunt as your head is harshly grabbed. Pain shooting across your face, right behind your eyes. Doesn't she know how to treat the injured?

"Dios mío, Valya, you're bleeding!" She's loud. Right in your ear, and she's yelling. That isn't good, though. For several reasons.

"It's not. Not. Don't worry, I'm fine." Fuck. You need something here. Anything. Your mind isn't exactly in top condition right now. Wandering and latching onto tía. She's in the kitchen now, putting away the drink pitcher. Gently scolding your for not doing it when you had it out. "I'm fine. That's not blood, that's....Kool-Aid. Yep."

Never mind. It's definitely you that's stupid.

Hopefully, she's more of an idiot than you.

"Kool-Aid? The drink." She does not sound impressed. Or like she believes you. At least she's mercifully released your poor skull.

"Uh-huh. Drinking laying down is hard. I spilt it." If this works, you'll need to find a way to thank tía. You have no idea what the fuck 'sharkleberry' is, but it's the right colour and that's all you care right now.

"Right. So where's the cup?"

"Huh...?"

"Your cup, Val. If you were trying to drink, while laying in the middle of the driveway, you had a cup, didn't you?" Fuck you aren't awake enough for this. She's teasing now, you're sure. Towering above you. Smug grin plastered all over her face.

At least she's blocking the sun.

"Oh yeah. It's. Gone." Today is not your day. You're supposed to be good at this. "I dropped it. Obviously. And one of the dogs picked it up and ran off. Must've been thristy." You force out a laugh. It hurts. Real fucking bad. But hopefully, it sells the definitely humorous situation you're in a bit better.

"So you brought a drink outside. So you could enjoy the outdoors," the emphasis on 'you' feels unnecessary. You've become more acclimated to outside since you first meant. Harsh judgment. "And you spilt your drink, and the dogs made off with the cup." You do your best to nod. "And the crutches?"

"What about them?" That seems irrelevant in all this. Stupid detail for her to get stuck on. One you didn't think she'd notice.

"All the way over here. Behind you and out of reach." Fuck she's perceptive when she wants to be. When it's inconvenient for you.

"Working on being less dependent on them?" You offer weakly. That's a lie even the biggest idiot could figure out. They've been glued to you since you got them, and you're loathe to go anywhere without. Rehab be dammed. They make things nicer.

"Okay." Julia huffs. Poorly attempting to hide her laughter. You don't need this. To be patronized. The lecture about not pushing yourself in the wrong directions might even be better. "Let's get you back inside then, so you can wash all that dirt and juice off yourself."

She bends back down, and the look on her face is pure jubilation. Fuck. It's cute. You brace yourself for her to prop you back upright. Back on your unsteady feet.

You do not expect her to scoop you up like one of the barn cats.

She's got you cradled in her arms. One of them under your shoulders, the other behind your knees. Your own wrap around her on their own accord. You'd rather not fall again.

"I'll get your crutches after you're back in bed." You hate when she's playing the mind reader. She plants a gentle kiss on your forehead, "Val, try not to spill the next cup of juice." Fuck. She's definitely not letting you live this one down.

[god-blues]

Cid stares at him, eyes widening. “Are you one of the king’s knights?” For some reason, this appears to amuse the man, eyes shifting back to Cid as his lips twist subtly. “No.” No? But that means— “Fuck me, you’re the king,” Cid says, stunned, and the man—the King of Waloed, the Dominant of Odin, Barnabas Tharmr, arches a brow at him. “Mind your language around the children.”

a time-travel fix-it fic featuring cid/clive/barnabas as the main pairing, with a fun little dash of age-swapping (i.e. clive gets to be the old man cid and barnabas want to rail for once)

[miamicommune]

wish pokémon rom hack makers could manage the tone of pokémon games it's so sad

[ramshacklexprefect]

@fire-darkfire : What if they kissed?

"What if they kissed?"

"Rollo!" Yuu's call was carried over the dull chatter of the crowded. He had returned a year later to the festival. It had taken some convincing to get the Head Mage to agree to this return. Still, Night Raven was attempting to build a strong bond with the smaller college. He pushed his way through the crowd taking the other boy's hand. Yuu smiled at giving the hand a gentle squeeze. Moving closer the shorter male made his request. It had taken soft words being exchanged before the School President found himself in front of the stage. His hands locked with the magicless students. The festive music and laughter of the residents swept the pair up. Yuu found his grip lost once the dance changed. Rollo kept his face mute stepping away from the dance watching as Yuu was swept between dance partners. He almost left the boy there, his steps stilled seeing the housewarden reaching out to him. Yuu smiled watching Rollo pull him close. The low beat of the song mixed with the isolation from the residents made Yuu react. He cupped the mage's face pulling him down into a gentle kiss. His lips lingered for a few seconds longer, opening his eyes Yuu smiled at the red flush that dusted both their cheeks.

[turbofanatic]

Inks because I love inks.

I think Tiny's got four main weapons he keeps around. Writing on them under the cut.

-The Great Fairy Sword. His favorite by far. Currently used as a one-hander (I figure it's about five feet long in Majora's Mask) it's effectively a supersized macuahuitl and his best weapon for slaying monsters. It suffers in warfare though because it's heavy and the CG is further from the hilt and therefore trades nimbleness for power. He can kill most armored people in one blow with most swords anyways, using the Great Fairy Sword just tires him out quicker, and he's getting old.

-The Faster Sword. Look. He's dumb at naming things (and so am I). It's a larger replica of the Master Sword and is the one seen with the Hero's Shade in Twilight Princess. It's got a flared ricasso for half-swording (I think that's what that flared bit is... I dunno) and a few basic enchantments to keep it from breaking or rusting. This is the one he takes to war. Apparently knowledge on how to make these maintenance enchantments/sigils is lost by the time of Breath of the Wild... sorry Righty.

-The Gilded Sword. I'm going back on my idea that nothing but him, Skullkid, and the mask escape Termina (I was making the Great Fairy Sword be a different one before, but not anymore). Because guess what! The bow from Termina is probably the Hero's Bow in Twilight Princess. So he gets to keep some things (still no masks except the last one). It's very small for him now but it gets used as a parrying dagger in duels with quicker opponents (Tiny is extremely aware of how dangerous quick little guys can be).

-The Shattered Darkfire Fang. The head of Volga's spear during the War of Eras. Tiny lost his eye to the dragon but Volga lost more. Not very well suited as a sword as it was meant for the head of a spear, but it's a masterpiece when it comes to channeling fire and dark magic, two elements he's very good at. I may change this to be something else though, but he definitely ends up taking a weapon from the War of Eras back with him.

Despite being quite good with them, Tiny refuses to use two-handed swords after the War of Eras. The mere idea terrifies him.

[rippi-17]

Writing advice:

If you make a fan fiction about a character, but make that character act out of character and its an AU, are you just stealing their look/past relations whit other characters for your oc?

Whenever you write fan fiction, You have to simply write how would they act if something happened (basically, a what if...?)

For example:

(MHA/BnHA) What if Izuku Midoriya had a quirk? (Very basic, the tag 'Midoriya Izuku has a quirk' has tens of thousands of uses in Ao3)

However, We know Midoriya Izuku is a cinnamon roll, who would never kill someone and will always help the friends he has. Now let's look at another fic, that I like, that makes Izuku Midoriya not his self at all, called "What's in a quirk?"

WIAQ!Izuku is someone with hundreds of quirks that he stole from criminals and dying people. By night, he adopts a batman style, beat every criminal up, Sometimes killing people, other times leaving them in trauma, yadda yadda yadda.

But by day, he is the mysterious quirk analyst who is called "Deku", and has helped people with their quirks for free.

But when the time comes to join the UA academy "University version", he hides his Deku persona, and becomes a student that has a 7 meter tail (because he's basically pretending to be the brother of someone with a long tail with trauma). Then later he reveals that he is Deku, but to all might he reveals he has the power to steal quirks. Then he makes a 3rd persona that is supposed to be Deku...

Keeping up? You can also skip everything said.

Basically that up there is not the izuku midoriya we know. Right? Well, there is an argument to be had. You can still consider WIAQ!Izuku is still Izuku. After all, it's a "What if Izuku was born with AFO's power (that allows him to steal quirks)?", and call it "Growing up on the wrong side of the hood"

But there is a line between what is a parody of a character and what is just fused darkfire dragon. For example, I saw a MHA x Solo leveling fic where its literally solo leveling with MHA character's name and power system. Izuku? Thats just Sung Jinwoo with his own personality, but with green hair and more friendly.

Is that Izuku? Hell no. That's a fusion monster.

Conclusion. If you plan to add a big amount of What ifs to your fanfiction character, always make sure that another person would say "Its Denki (MHA character) but different!" instead of "Its an OC with Denki's name and face!".

Now, readers exercise: What is a FanFic you recently read that breaks this rule?

[valya-kingoftherats]

We're Together

"This is okay?" You fiddle with the cuff of your shirt. Nervous. So unbelievably nervous. And not just because of the button-up dress shirt.

You're going out for dinner. With your partner and your girlfriend. It's the first time all three of you have gone out together.

Anathema squeezes your hand, "Relax, Val. It's just a dinner date. Don't get all stressed out about it."

Easier said than done. While it's been long enough that you're sure the farm isn't looking for you, you're still on edge in public. Especially with two of the Rangers. Especially when ones the Marshal. And on top of that, the last time you were in a fancy place like this was with your Handler. Not something you'd like to revisit.

Too many factors that could make this go horribly.

You just want things to go nicely. Make sure you come off as normal and well adjusted. People know Anathema and Charge, you don't want to negatively affect them somehow.

Julia slings an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer. Pressed right into her side. "It'll be fun! Good food, couple of drinks," she turns and winks, "great company."

That makes your heart skip a beat. If she's anything, it's endlessly charming. And reckless. And an idiot. But charming. And very pretty.

You turn your head away to fight the blush that's taking over your face, but it's out of the pot and into the fire for you. You immediately lock eyes with Themmy, and their smile is enough that you feel like you may combust.

You're done for as soon as Anathema leans over and kisses your cheek. Ready to melt then and there. They're both right. You're overthinking. You've walked up to the restaurant now, all you have to do is go inside and get your table.

You've got this.

You stand up a little straighter, "I'll go check the reservation. See if they're ready for us." You smile and release their hands. Brush down the front of your shirt. "Be right back," and you leave them in the lobby to go check the front desk.

The waiter at the front is dressed nicer than you. Blue dress shirt, black vest, and tie. Immaculate. You immediately feel more out of place than you already did.

And despite being around the same height, he's looking down on you. "Sorry, I'm afraid we aren't taking walk-ins tonight. We are all booked for this evening." He speaks with a clearly fake French accent. This isn't a French restaurant. His shoulders are squared back, and his eyes are narrowed at you.

"I have a reservation, actually." You puff out your chest. You can be big too. "For me and my partners, table for three." You gesture back to where Julia and Anathema are standing for emphasis.

"You," he crosses his arms, "and them?" You don't like that look. Arrogant. Ghostly familiar.

"That's correct." At times like these, your training comes in handy. Small and polite. No need to escalate, even if you desperately want to.

"Not a chance. That's Charge and Anathema, and there is no way someone like you is with them." He flicks his hand as he speaks. Shooing you away. Out.

"Someone like me?" Keep your temper. Remember your training. You can't make a scene or then you will be in trouble.

"Yes, someone like you." The accent is gone. Replaced by something deeper. Snarky. "Dull. Homely. They are heroes of Los Diablos. You are the scruffy barista that makes my coffee on Tuesday mornings." Oh. Fuck, yeah you do recognize the bastard. Comes in like clockwork with a stupid complicated order. And doesn't tip. "There is simply no way you would be accompanying them, much less in any sort of relationship. Now I suggest you leave quietly before I call security on you for stalking and harassment."

"I haven't done anything." You take a deep breath and grit your teeth. Behave yourself. You will not make a scene. That would only make him more right than he already is. Nobody speaks it out loud, but your boost let's you hear them nonetheless. You don't belong with them. Don't fit in. No one assumes you're all dating. Friends at best. Indulging a fan at worst. "I'd like for me and my partners to be taken to our table. Please."

"And I won't ask you again. Do leave before you make an even bigger fool of yourself." The thoughts you pick up from him are enough to make you want to jump the desk at him.

They're also enough to make you take a few steps back before turning around and bolting out the door.

You choose not to hear the shouts from Themmy and Julia. Doesn't matter. This was a stupid idea.

Just who exactly do you think you are? That you could do this? Be one of them? With them?

There's a park a little ways down the street, far enough that you aren't worried about being disturbed. Hopefully, they'll give up and go enjoy dinner themselves.

You've sat yourself down behind the big water fountain in the center of the area. The babbling is relaxing. Unlike the constant ringing of your phone. Hasn't stopped. Messages from one, calls from the other. Nonstop. For fucks sake they need to take the hint. This is NOT helping your headache. You rub your temples, a futile attempt to make it hurt less. It never works.

Nothing does.

You turn and grab your phone from beside you. And pitch it into the pool of the fountain.

Finally. Silence.

"Valya!"

Fuck.

Fuck! Stupid hero instincts are going to be the death of you. No. You wouldn't be that lucky right now.

For a brief moment, you contemplate running again. But you aren't stupid enough to think you could outrun Charge.

And just to further prove that point, Julia is kneeling on the ground in front of you before you know it. Lips pressed against yours. Hasty. Firm. Her hands are on either side of your head, fingers interlocked at the back.

You just sit there like an idiot. Cursing yourself for not being more competent at this.

You're both out of breath when she finally breaks away. Still holdIng your head. Soft brown eyes refusing to look anywhere but at your own.

"I gave that camarero de mierda an earful." Julia huffs as she slides down beside you. "Why didn't you answer your phone?"

Before you can answer, Themmy plops down on your other side. They don't say anything. They just take your hand between their own and hold it. Waiting for you to answer, you'd think.

"I got rid of it." A simple admission. Not entirely deceptive. "It was loud. Headache." You pull away from Anathema. Tuck your knees up to your chest and push your face into them until you're seeing stars.

"Where?" Even without looking, you know Julia's trying to puzzle out where the hell you put the infernal device. You felt her braid whip against your head as she swung her head.

Themmy spots it first. "You're supposed to toss change in their you know." You brace yourself as they lean against you. "Though maybe bigger offerings means bigger wishes?"

"I don't...?" Julia must still be looking around. The braid hits the front of you this time. "Oh!" There she goes. "Valya! You threw it in the pond!"

"Technically, it's a pool, not a pond." At least you can laugh about this. Expensive a stress response as it was. It's better than the running away from dinner thing. Maybe they won't bring that one up.

They both laugh at that. "So you tossed your phone in the drink." Themmy snickers. "Any other property destruction you wanna get out of your system before we go eat?"

You release your legs. Sit back up and lean your head back on the edge of the fountain. "I'm sure I can find plenty around here to eradicate while you two are gone."

"While we're gone?" Julia's face pokes into your vision as she leans over you. Not an unwelcome intrusion. Curious. Worried. Pretty.

"No. I'm uh. I'll wait here." You can't do anything about it, but you will the both of them to just get up and leave. "You guys go eat," you force a smile, "bring me some take-out or something."

"Absolutely not." Anathema is up now. Standing in front of you. Standing on your toes to be more accurate. Hands stretched out towards you, hoping to haul you up to join them. "We're all going, and there's no reason otherwise."

"I. Am. Not. Going." You spring up to your feet, sidestepping around Anathema. "I didn't think - I can't. I just. This was a stupid decision." You try to drag a hand through your hair, it's long enough at the top to do that now. But Julia excitedly dragged you along with her today, and the lady put so much gel in it that you may as well be wearing a helmet.

You wish you brought your cigarettes with you. Badly.

"I don't belong in there. Probably never will." It's fine. You are fine. "Go. Have a good time. I'm going to grab a pack of smokes at a gas station or something. I'll see you at home," you nod at Themmy. "And I'll see you tomorrow or something." To Julia this time.

"Valya, wait!" In a flash, Julia's in front of you. You hop up on the edge of the fountain to go around her. You don't feel like doing this right now. "Seriously, are you really just going to let one waiter ruin the whole night?"

You turn on her so fast that she has to take a step back. "It isn't just one waiter! You don't get it! You can't! Neither of you! You don't know what it's like to be. To be -" You gesture to your head. "This. You can't hear them. I can. I don't fit in. Not with you both. Or even one of you."

What are you thinking? Running head first into destroying the best thing ever happened to you.

Just rushing along the inevitable.

No time like the present. All dreams end when you wake up.

"We hold hands, and people think I'm a friend or a relative. We can't be together. Not like that. They think I need to quit before I humiliate myself. Don't shoot my shot. There isn't a chance." Even when looking at the three of you together in public, no one believes it. You get those thoughts and opinions first hand. Regular people don't worry about projecting. "And you're both very public figures. And you're smart, funny, charming, and -" Your head is turned away, but you try to sneak a look at them before smartening up. "Beautiful. I just. I don't want to fuck with your image. Public perception. It can't be good, being seen with someone so...." Final nail in your own coffin. Your chest is clenched so tight you think you may stop breathing. "Homely. I'm just some scruffy barista. I'm out of my league here."

"Are you done?" Anathema's voice breaks though the pounding in your head. You nod.

And then they're both hugging you. Tight. Warm.

"Sorry you have to put up with all that," Anathema speaks quietly, tightening their grip on you. "But you know that doesn't reflect our thoughts, right? C'mon Val, give us some credit here."

Julia nods. Kisses your cheek. "If anyone wants to say anything, you can just send them my way." Another kiss on the corner of your mouth. You can't help but smile. "I'll show them exactly what Charge thinks of their assumptions."

Themmy props themself up on their toes to kiss you this time. "You aren't holding anyone back or bring us down." They drop back down and take a step away, still holding your hand. Big grin plastered on their face. "And you're handsome as fuck, Valya. Give yourself some credit too."

"Thanks." What else can you say? You aren't. Aren't good at this. Learned behaviour you hope. But everything feels warm and safe and much nicer than five minutes prior. You can feel your entire body heating up as you blush.

"So," Julia steps away now, doing a little spin on her heal, showing off the skirt of her dress. "I'm starving, and it would be a shame to waste this," she fingers at the navy blue fabric. "So how about we head back?" Bright smile. No a trace of smugness.

"Sounds like a plan, Valya?" Themmy holds out their free hand to make a sweeping gesture back towards the road. Smiling. All of you. Just like that.

It's easy around them.

"Yeah. Ready." You link your arms with them both. Happy to be here. Nervous. Still unbearably nervous. But it's a work on progress, you suppose.

They make it worth the effort.

[thezombieprostitute]

Was driving back home when VoicePlay’s version of Hellfire came on. Which of your babes goes best with it?

Protect me, Maria. Don't let this siren cast her spell. Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone. Destroy Esmeralda. And let her taste the fires of hell. Or else let her be mine and mine alone

Hellfire Darkfire Now gypsy, it's your turn Choose me or your pyre Be mine or you will burn 🔥 🎶

I had to think about this for quite some time. I'm very familiar with the song. I love all the rock/metal covers of it so much! It's the one song from that movie that will be firmly embedded into my memory, and not just because my childhood mind was blown by the fact that the guy who voiced Frollo also voiced Chairface Chippendale.

The thing about this song is that he hates himself for wanting her. He feels drawn, but doesn't want to be. He hates her for his interest. He blames her because he can't see his faults. I don't really write characters like that.

The absolute closest I can get is Nick from Last Christmas. He's still hung up on his ex, yes, but he doesn't take rejection from Reader well at all. He even trounces her boundaries with the surprise inspection (which could've put her job at risk) that almost gets her back to him. He continually sends her gifts she doesn't want or ask for. He doesn't back down from claiming he wants her and cannot seem to face the fact that he's still hung up on his ex.

[essie007]

Wheel of Time Season 2 Thoughts

Now that the season is over and I’ve had a few days to process I thought I’d put some of my thoughts about the season. No major book spoilers but I do make mention to some of the changes they’ve made while adapting the first two books. I might make a more book spoilery post later.

-Overall I really enjoyed the season. I think it was well written, tight and delivered both storywise and character wise. The costuming, special effects and art direction continues to be top tier and I found the season highly watchable and compelling. I did not love absolutely every moment and decision and definitely have a few nitpicks but as a whole I really liked it. I will say that I think a lot of the issues I did have with the season can be boiled down to the limited amount of time they had to tell the story they needed to tell. I really think this show would benefit from at least 10 episodes and season if not more, and I know that’s an opinion many have echoed.

- I loved all the White Tower stuff in the first half of the season. It was a good set-up for tower politics, different factions, how The One Power works and it introduced us to a lot of important characters.

-Hi Elayne! I love you and you are perfect girl!

-Nyneave’s Tower story and block was A+

-I personally didn’t mind Siuan’s book scenes being given to Liandrin. I think it was necessary to tell the story they needed to tell in the time they needed to tell it. And I thought Liandrin’s whole story, the explanation of why she turned to the Black Ajah was interesting both to make her a more compelling villain and to set up the stakes of the universe. We need to be worried that our heroes will choose the dark at some point, and for that to be a real threat we need good reasons why other have. All of her scenes were great. Loved her scenes with Nyneave, Egwene and Lanfear. And her petty fighting with Suroth. *chef’s kiss*

-I’m just gonna say it ok? Are you ready? I LOVE show!Alanna. Book fans can give me the stink eye if they want, but as she’s been portrayed on screen so far she rocks. The actress is incredible and the writing has done an excellent job as setting her up as a genuine, moral, strong and honestly necessary pillar of light in the dark. You really feel she is fighting on the side of good with everything she has, no matter what it costs her. She’s also a genuinely good teacher in the Tower! The way she fights for the girls, and for Moiraine, and later for Rand. We love to see it. Her story in many ways mirrors Moraine’s. The show has done a very good job of making her a character that you are strongly empathizing with and rooting for. And honestly book knowledge has only made me feel that more strongly. Knowing how many darkfriends she is holding the line against, you FEEL how necessary and important the work she does is. And I am starting to understand how she, like Moiraine and Siuan this season, and Rand in the story to come, might start feeling weighed down by that. My girl fits right in with the themes of the story. Sorry not sorry. I am weak for MILFs.

-Egwene’s entire storyline this season kicked ass. I think she had, hands down, the best story arc from beginning to end. I have very little to say about it because it was all perfectly done. And when she killed Rena, instead of sparing her like you’re expecting, oh boy did I cheer.

-Rand’s storyline, if you knew who Lanfear was from the outset was fun all the way through. Though I have it on good authority from @steel-wings that if you went in blind, it was quite slow in the beginning. I do have to say that the introduction to Rand this season being “he’s sleeping with an innkeeper for room and board” was the funniest and best thing I have ever seen. Dana The Darkfired from last season continues to give. No honestly, this is genuine foreshadowing (Selene is also *gasp* a Darkfriend) and character work. They decided to show Rand’s declining mental state and self esteem by contrasting how willing he was to sugarbaby this season with how against it he was last season. 10/10 no notes.

-Rand is a Mental Health Worker! I’m going to cry! Yes I know he has reasons for doing this but watching Rand with that old man, knowing he’s been doing this job for almost a year. Excuse me I need a moment.

-The Lanfear reveal kicked ass. She is so crazy and so evil and so manipulative. Love to see it in a villain. The scene where she “learns” Rand can channel was honestly hilarious. Although this was the moment that @steel-wings lost her patience with the storyline.

Steelwings: Ugh. This is so boring. She’s just there for his manpain. I can’t watch any more of this. It would have been better if she was evil.

Me knowing my wife is at the end of her patience and is about to abandon this show I love but not knowing how long they’re planning to draw the reveal out, pausing the tv: Do you want me to spoil you?

Steelwings: Yes! Spoil me! PLEASE tell me she’s evil.

Me: She’s evil :D She’s the most evil bitch whose ever lived. She’s so evil and so crazy and so manipulative. She’s Oppenheimer if he worshipped the devil and *horrifying spoilers*

Steelwings settling back in to watch: Love that for her. 🙂

-Perrin’s storyline was the least ineteresting and slowest of the mains but with the rest of the show so jam packed it felt like a nice break in some ways to have some breathing room with Perrin. We’ve got Egwene being tortured by the Seanchan and Mat being tortured by the Forsaken and Rand being imprisoned by the Amyrlin. Meanwhile, Perrin has met a cute girl and a dog. Good for him.

-MAAAAT. MAT! My baby boy Mat Cauthon. You are having a no good very bad life huh? And it’s only season 2 *cries* I did love the way he turned the dagger into a spear there at the end and also…HE’S A HERO OF THE HORN! I thought that was a perfect choice. Really made sense with his storyline and character arc. It also gives them a really good plot excuse for him to suddenly know how to fight with his big stick. Mat’s “I remember” and his Old Tongue and his immediate military Glow Up. So good. So fun. I will be screaming forever.

-Speaking of screaming forever the Cauthor reunion had me screaming and crying and dying. I will never be the same. It was giving big stars fading (but i linger on) by @butterflydm vibes. If you haven’t read it, it’s a fic that also adapts The Great Hunt as season 2 by saying “what if Rand just hung around Carhein playing Sugar Baby and getting dicked down while everyone else hunted for the horn?” (It’s really good and you should read it.) Hey @butterflydm how does it feel to be so smart and correct all the time?

-I was expecting the Mat stabs Rand moment to be caused by Compulsion, not friendly fire. It would have given him a really good reason to go searching for something to protect him from the OP in the future. But I’m not mad. We got some top tier cradling out of it. Although this is the second time Ishy has pulled that move (the first was with Rand at the Eye). Boy is not an original thinker.

-I know a lot of people were sad that Rand did not get cool sword battles this season. And look, I get it, the books lean hard in to the cool power fantasy moments with Rand, so if that’s your thing and what you came for, this show probably is letting you down. But I gotta say, as someone who has always been here for the characters and themes and narrative, I LOVE what they did with the battle here. AND with Rand’s learning curve.

-I love that Rand knows exactly one weave at this point, and that that weave is “make knife.” I LOVE that Lan is the one who taught it to him. (Miss me with your Lan hate.) I love that the first thing he did with it wasn’t fight an enemy but free Moiraine from her bonds, heal her, even though he’s not a healer. A knife is a tool and you can use it to heal or to fight. Just as Ryma used her healing weaves to rip Damane bodies apart, Rand uses his knife weaves to “heal.” I love that the second thing he uses that weave for IS to destroy Turak’s fighting force. I did not at all feel I had been robbed of a sword fight. I cheered! Excellent little Indiana Jones moment, right there. Rand WAS badass. And most of all I love that he wasn’t able to to defeat Ishmael on his own, that he needed Egwene and Perrin and Mat and Moiraine and Elayne and Nyneave. Like that’s the point! Lanfear is running around the city trying to dump the other Forsaken in the ocean. Ishmael is standing on that tower alone and betrayed with no allies. But Rand has friends! He has people who come to help him! And that is why he wins. That’s whole point. Hello theme of friendship and connection, I love you, never go anywhere.

-Also Moiraine being like I would kill thousands of people to help Rand made me snort and go “Ok Mom.” Yeah yeah scorched earth morality. Ruthlessness. She is on a mission to save the world even if she has to destroy the world in the process. But also Moiraine IS that meme from Parks and Rec. She has only had Rand Al’Thor for a year but if anything happens to him she will kill everyone in this room and then herself. Now fly the Dragon Banner.

-All that being said, there was one storyline this season that really did not hit for me, and I am sorry to say it was the Siuan Sanche of it all. I have spent a lot of time turning that episode over in my head and I still haven’t put all my thoughts together but ultimately I will say this. Yes, if you were expecting Siuan from the books her actions were definitely character assassination. She makes the exact opposite choices in the show. However, I understand why, both narratively and time wise those changes were made so I’m going to do my best to react to the story they told and the character they wrote, not the one I was expecting. The real problem I think with the story they told is that they didn’t give us enough time in Siuan’s POV and with Siuan’s story to really truly empathize with the decisions she’s making. We spend the episode in Rand and Moiraine’s POVs and honestly I think that’s a big mistake, because we don’t learn any new information about either of them. But in order for that moment at the end with Moiraine to truly be heartbreaking, in order for us to really understand why she’s imprisoning Rand at all we need to see her struggles and her fears and her beliefs. I talked earlier about how they do a good job showing what Alanna and Moiraine are up against but they needed to give us that with Siuan. We’re told she has enemies in the tower, we’re told she’s been depending on Moiraine and Rand to be the ace up her sleeve in the last battle, but we don’t see the emotional toll of that. And at the end there I think the writing needed to make it perfectly crystal clear that Siuan believes that Moiraine is black ajah. A casual viewer should understand and feel for Siuan who is doing this terrible thing because she believes she is saving the world, saving Rand, from a Forsaken and a darkfriend who has lied to her and betrayed her. But it's just not there. I understand that this plot point and this story serves a narrative purpose. It sets up Rand's relationship with the White Tower and the Aes Sedai as a whole. It draws a thematic parallel between the three Oaths and the Seanchan oaths and damane system. It brings up the theme of how power corrupts, how even good people who are doing their best to help the many, can use their power to do horrifying things when they believe it is necessary. But I think it still needed more set up and more character development and more room to breathe. I have…a lot more to say on the subject but I might need to make it it’s own post. I definitely think the writers have set themselves up for a headache when it comes to next season but that’s spoilers so I’ll end this here.

[pin-crusher2000]

if you had to write a comic issue about the super babes (Chris and Mari) what would it be about

Hmmmmmm

I semi-short story learning about their heritage.

Mar’i learning about how her mom was a slave, how her brother, Ryand’r the DarkFire sacrificed his life to let her escape, the battle with her sister, and escaping and meeting her father.

For Chris, maybe how Zods “family” was different from his upbringing (Chris was raised to be “soft” and spread kindness while his father was raised to be hard and warrior like)

[mortumslab]

WIP Whenever

Tagged by: @darkfire1177

Since I started writing for the first time this last month (I seriously never wrote a word of fiction before February 2024), I have one major WIP fic and a huge other project!

My current series for the Fallen Hero Universe, which I have logged on here and on AO3, is called Remembering to be Human. It follows my Sidestep Arya Svitkona in a fix-it fic branching from the current Retribution storyline.

My OTHER project, however, is a doozy.

The current WIP title is Remnants: Reawakening. It is (hopefully) a ~300k word IF and the first of 2/3 in a series. The blog for this is @bonewizard-fiction.

Currently, this is (hesitantly) 10% completed. But I'm having a blast and thankful to my beta testers (including DarkFire) for finding errors and swiftly alerting me to them.

There will be an open beta for the first part of the game soonish.

[jordan-lovelock]

Darkfire is a black flame spelltype that emits darkness instead of heat.

[More writing sounds]

I'm trying the ones that replace heat with something else. Shouldn't hurt

Spell of staticfire

Hey, did you know water is a carrier for electricity?

GLGKHFKSLFJGKDODLAMDKAKSNCNSKAKE

[valya-kingoftherats]

Fair Fight

Your back hits the mat with a muffled thud, and you swear for a second you can't breathe. Doesn't matter. You are back on your feet quicker than any human would have any right to be. Stand up. Square your shoulders. Feet apart but not too much. Ready for her.

"Again." You growl. Chest heaving with every breath. You aren't giving up. You can't.

She doesn't understand that when you fight her, you're fighting for your life.

"As much as I'd love to keep kicking your ass," stupid smug smile. This time, you are going to wipe it clean off her face. "Maybe it's time you took a break?"

The only reason she's doing any better off than you is because she's won every round today. Every. Single. One. Unacceptable. Pathetic. You need to do better. Have to do better.

You can't read her. Stupid static head that feels no different from them once it gets to trading blows. You need to be able to take her in a fair fight. Then maybe you'll stand a chance if the worst really does happen.

"Sounds like someone's looking for excuses to call it a day." You grin as you taunt her. She won't say no, she won't quit either. "Starting to show your age, Marshal? Thinking about retirement?"

"Given the current score, I'd say I'm not the one who should be looking into retirement." Got her. She's back on the mat and back in position. This time, you won't mess up.

"Esta vez vas a caer, idiota." You think you have got to have the advantage this time. Just because you've lost doesn't mean you never landed any good hits. Unlike you, she must be hurting some.

It's an unfair advantage, but for now, you'll take it.

You may have taught yourself how to fight, but you did a damn good job of it as far as you're concerned. Focus. Stay on the defensive initially. Figure out the normal way how she moves and what her tells for attacks are. It's simple. You can do that.

You dodge the first punch, and you're pretty sure she isn't putting in as much force with her right side. Good. That you can work with. Spin around quicker than she can regain herself and deliver a kick to the back of her shins. She doesn't fall.

Dammit.

She isn't talking anymore. No quips. No teasing. Both of you are solely focused on the fight. Blow for blow. Dodging and countering. When it gets like this, you don't, can't, see her. Just static that's no different from back at the Farm. Can't tell her from them. Spar from genuine fight. It gets hard to sort out the difference and still stay focused enough to remember where you are.

She's back around, and you take a swing only for her to seize your arm and yank you forward. Not so fast. Dead weight. You allow it, and the lack of resistance sends her off balance. The jab to her shoulder lands without a hitch.

See? You are capable. No doubt. Show them who's the weak one. Good for nothing but sitting all dolled up in some stuffy room gathering intel. Fuck that.

They never saw your potential.

You almost miss how her weight shifts. Right foot coming forward, oh so subtly. Not for you, though. You catch the kick coming a mile away and make yourself scarce. You can't keep from smiling. You finally did it.

This round is yours.

You know to lead with your non-dominant foot. Not to telegraph your every move. Just one kick. One to her chest is all you need, you can feel it. You'll have won. Beaten the horrible static, no powers needed.

And it lands. Beautifully. You relish the 'huff' that comes out of her as it connects. Finally. It's all you. No one can touch you. You'll stop them all. Never ag—

"¡Mierda!" Wind rushes by you. She's still quicker than you'd given her credit for. More agile. She took you by the leg and took you down with her. No, not just that. She used you to break her fall. Wind knocked out of you, you try to beat back the surge of panic because you can't breathe for real this time.

"Guess this means I won again." And she's right. She has you pinned. Again.

"Fuck!! Why can't I beat you!? ¡¿Qué carajo me pasa?!" You don't get it? Are you that reliant on being one step ahead? Reading your opponent's every move? Crutches. Too dependant. You need to do better.

You have enough strength to less then gently shove Julia off of you. Back on your feet. Nails digging deep into your palms to beat back the pinpricks of tears starting up in the corners of your eyes. Insult to injury. Pathetic.

"Valya, you good? It's just a sparing match." She's up on her feet and only a few paces behind. "No te tomes las cosas tan en serio."

Hands on you, and you flinch away from invisible touches before you realize you shouldn't do that. Breaths going from exhausted ragged to fearful rapid all too quickly.

She's going to question you about that later. You're sure of it. But she feels like them, and you can't help but react accordingly. Self-preservation. Learned responses.

More hands, but these ones have a presence to them. Tugging you off the mat and away from Julia. "Call it a day. I don't feel like dragging the two of you idiots to the infirmary." Themmy snickers, but you know they're serious.

More quietly, they add, "Hey, you're okay. Whoever you thought you were fighting, they aren't here." They sit down on the bench, and you slump down on the floor between their legs. Relax as they lazily drape themself over you, chin on your head and arms around your shoulders. This is okay. Safe.

You watch as Julia comes to sit on the floor a little ways in front of you. As she takes a pull from her bottle of whatever sports drink she's currently endorsing. That she swears up and down is good, but you're well aware of the way her eyes keep darting to your own bottle of regular water.

You know she'll drink it all in one go, so you down a little more than you really need to before tossing the bottle at her. Maybe with a little more force than needed, but you're still sore from the repeated training failures.

She gulps it down far too fast for someone whose own drink is 'refreshing' and 'good for you.'

You ease up more as Julia and Themmy bicker back and forth about if it's the winner or loser of the day that buys the drinks tonight. Themmy is still a warm presence on top of you, Julia's smile is bright and warm, and she's talking to them, but her eyes are on you.

You can relax. This is your life now. Has been for years. You're okay and need to remember that. Enjoy spending time with your friends.

And you know for certain that next time you'll win the training match.

[libraryofcirclaria]

24 September 1319

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Eleven: Peter Quora and Sophia Qalmers

Part One: Peter Quora

I cannot believe the audacity of the people here in Combria, both the workers and even my own colleagues.

I thought that the wages offered to the laborers from West Combria and East Gymia were enough to incentivize work on the Project. But they came forward with a petition demanding a 15 percent increase in the pay. While I have always sympathized with the interests of the working class, this demand would mean more funding from the Finzi Administration to keep things afloat. Finzi, of course, initiated a Mount Carris darkfire discharge to help generate such funding needed.

I have a feeling, though, that this is all about their disdain for the Darkfire Community and their willingness to throw whatever inconvenience they have at us in order to make our lives just a little more difficult.

Combrian nationalists...they were the ones who tried to kill me. They are such reactionaries. Combria has not been its own nation since the rise of the Republic way back in the 1240s. It's bad enough to refuse to acknowledge the legalization of darkfire and passage of the Fourth Amendment of the Retunian Constitution. But to refuse to believe that the Chartered State of Combria is no more, despite its fall 70 years ago is just beyond...I cannot even think of the word do describe the stupidity of what these workers believe in.

When I first got here, before the incident with the gunman, I saw media displays of people marching down the street carrying the five white stars on the blue background, that being the Combrian provincial flag, along with the signs reading things like "Resist Finzi." I thought it was a joke at first, or one of those adolescent prank-protests designed simply to cause a disruption rather than achieve an actual political purpose. But when I realized it was full-grown adults convinced that they have said political purpose, I learned how lacking they were of intellect.

And then there is Colin Madrey, who has neither returned nor even responded since June 18, despite promising that no matter what, he would certainly make himself known to us by September 16. Eight days have passed. I have been writing him on a daily basis, giving him regular updates on Project matters, and still...nothing.

I have made my stressors known to Rose Anne, Susan, Meona, and the others. No one seems to take me seriously.

Moreover, Ceri Mains, soon after arriving and hearing what I had to say, pulled me aside and blamed me for everything, accusing me of my apparent "condescending attitude toward everyone around me." She accused me, falsely if I may stress, of being convinced that I was an absolute prodigy and that I had a toxic sense of self-righteousness amounting to a personality no better than the nationalists, and a personality not fit for someone my age.

I will say that this is not even remotely true. I just have a passion for dymensional planecrafting. I do not think that I am a prodigy by any means. I just simply happen to observe around me that most people, primarily Combrian nationalist workers, lack the education, and even the intellect, to understand planecrafting.

And Ceri went as far as to insist that perhaps Colin left me for the same reason as Sophia. She said that I need to listen more, and even threatened to have the workers vote me out if I did not start "doing a better job."

"True leaders listen to their followers without having to say so," Ceri told me.

I have been, though. I know to do that. I mean, I am thirty-eight years old. I have the maturity. How could Ceri question that? I got the additional funding from Finzi for the worker demands. What more can I do to get Ceri and everyone else to understand!?

Oh. And Sophia Qalmers did finally send me a message today. She said that she still respects me and is supportive of my project, and even is considering what I experience in my "vision." She said, though, that she was simply staying in North Kempton for now over fear of abrasion with the Combrian nationalists.

And we talked things over. She insisted that I return to North Kempton for the same reason, to which I told her I understood but that my presence was needed in South Masonia until November at the latest. She responded by asking that I at least take a weekend off to visit her, and even bought a gyroplane ticket. I told her that I would oblige if she bought me an airship ticket instead, an agreement to which she obliged.

So I do listen.

I will give Ceri and the others a benefit of the doubt though. Perhaps I do gripe a bit much.

<- 07 September 1319 <- || -> 16 October 1319 ->

[arlydarkfire]

🔴 ARLY DARKFIRE IS NOW LIVE ON TWITCH DOT TV! Kyaaa~ any joke text I could write here would seem disrespectful to the sad lesbian backstory of this chapter WaaahhhH~~~~~

[valiantroyalty]

@fire-darkfire

(for Esme!)

Name: Rollo Age: 19 Do you like to cuddle?: ...yes Can we make-out?: //scribbled answer, unredable A night in or dinner out? Ice cream or chocolate covered strawberries? What makes you a good Valentine?: I can at least be... there? Would you cook for me?: Yes. I'm a good cook. Would you let me cook for you?: Of course

Color her surprised at the application from no other than Rollo! Esmerelda seemed pleased enough, except she’s curious about some answers. So she went to find Rollo but she didn’t do what other people did, oh no.

Esme slid right onto his lap! “So, I accepted your little offer! Though I couldn’t read your hand writing. What was that about kissing?” She’s teasing (or was she?)