#dear lord make me the biggest star

[lanitashiddencrackstash]

[evilminji]

Hey Minji! A thought for your Star Wars things!

Who ever said the SI-OC was the only one to get dumped in SW? Just. A Creche that has several Reincarnations/Transmigrants.

Oh? My god? Just... the FIRST thing that popped into my head? Was the image of one of those "we are so Unbelievably Overworked We No Longer Fear You Nor Death" Sort of office workers/team of workers(nonspecific)?

Just... fuckin EVERYBODY knows Star Wars. Not everybody focused on the same PART of it, but the DO know it. So OBVIOUSLY? The Force decided it should bring in an A Team.

It Did Not ASK the A Team.

They are... like? 4. And sitting in a soft foam, brightly colored Creche, in their lil Jedi rompers, all sitting in a circle, looking at each other like... ( -_-) (-_- ) you too, huh?

Yeeeeeep. (God does Jerry want a cigarette. Jerry gave them up in his 20s. But he's KINDA GOING THROUGH IT, okay?!) (Sarah is hyperventilating in the corner. Her KIDS! Oh GOD. Her KIDS! She was on the way to pick them up from SOCCOR PRACTICE!!!)

Just? This whole ass team of "yeah, we know the LORE, but buddy, pal, we had LIVES! What the FUCK. Star Wars was a HOBBY!" Type adults? No one is happy and everyone wants to choke the metaphysical concept of The Force with their itty, bitty lil baby hands.

They may RIOT.

And like? Do to sheer NUMBERS? They make up ALMOST a full Creche?

Almost.

There is like... one? Maybe two? Actual Jedi Babies™ in their group? It's A Team... plus our collective children. Whom we parent. The MOST baby of babies. Also the spokesperson when they want to fool anyone into thinking they're "normal".

I want Jerry to have a fake cigarette. He's looked up death sticks and like FUCK is he putting that shit in his body, but dear LORD are the oral fixation and mental effects of a past addiction still both real, and a pain in the ASS.

If you try and TAKE his fake ass, hand made, bespoke not-a-cigarette from his itty bitty lil baby hands? He will take your KNEES. These FUCKERS won't even let him have COFFEE. Let him HAVE THIS. *hisses from the walls*

I want them to be ☆~Nightmare Children~☆

They have the power of The Force, various past life skills, an uninterrupted access to the galaxy's BIGGEST LIBRARY, close proximity to FAR too many senator AND their living spaces, and? An actual negative number of fucks to give. They can take shifts. Tag team. Be creepy, horrible, terrible, God awful nightmare creatures climbing out from your WALLS.

Somehow they keep escaping.

Down through the lower temple as they examine the hidden tunnels and escape routes. Through the vents. Forcing other jedi to become VERY familiar with where those pathways are. Sure hope THAT won't someday save your lives! Ya ungrateful, "you're grounded, stop sneaking out younglings" BASTARDS! So rude!!

The camp out in the Corrie Gaurd office. Bring the babies.

Here, you seem stressed, random gaurd. Hold a Jedi Baby. They radiate sunshine and good vibes. Are literally the Anti-Old-Man-Sith. We brought caffeine and food from the temple. Are willing to follow you around like "adorable ducklings" on patrol under the excuse that we're "training" for when we get our own soilders.

Sure is INCONVENIENT for all these asshole senators to has a witness, huh?

You gaurd my back, I'll gaurd yours. And if a certain long neck trips near the stairs? You didn't see SHIT. I'm BABY. How could I POSSIBLY have the control to do that? Now excuse me... we need to practice our "we Jedi Children can stare into your SOOOOOULS, we See All Your Sins." Wide Eyed Unblinking Predator Stare.

(O.O) (O.O) (O.O)

[k-s-morgan]

TGSTLTH related

Ok so I decided to do it here cuz I don't know will AO3 allow me to write essay hahahahah 😂😂😂

I don't even know how to start this. I've been reading fics for 13 years straight, like I don't remember the period of my life where I didn't read them cuz I always have some ship active and I'm crazy BL fan. Only a small number of them can make me crazy to the point I don't wanna sleep, eat, skipping my obligations, killing the pain and your sebaciel did everything. I haven't felt like this reading fic..,maybe ever? This is totally another level of me being fascinated by some writer.

I adore sebaciel, I'm in fandom since 2016 but the biggest problem I had with their fics is that - either people go too much OOC with them orr they rush up the things between them, going quickly with sex and feelings. It bothered me so much so I was crawling for good SC fics as crazy!!

After some break with SC, I came back to ao3 and saw your long fic. I started reading it but I dropped it after 3 chapters, I got bored cuz I thought you are gonna just re-type manga and do classic thing which another people do. Quickly, I got disappointed with another one and idk how but I decided to give your fic one more chance and dear lord......that was one of the best thing I have ever read. Maybe even the best.

Like, how smart are you? What's your IQ? Your manage to explain me some things about Kuro plot which I haven't udnerstand by myself. And the way you write Sebaciel relationship. That's everything I have ever wanted. Everything. They have normal conversation and that's it, that's all I need cuz there is everything. I feel electric every time when they talk, fight, do things together, goood the little touches svbjhsdjvbvbvbvbvbsdjvhbdf. I was tense whole fic. I read it for like 10 days, abandon everything until I finished it and now I feel sad ahahhaahha. But you are really something special, cuz I always used to say that manga itself is the best fiction cuz Yana knows the best how to create good Sebaciel energy. You, next to Yana, did the best job. You kept them as they are, never broke the character, and that's what I am most grateful. Slow burn, with drama and angst, love and attention, all misunderstanding, you put all necessary spices for 5 star meal. My fav part is when Ciel told Sebastian to add slamming doors to his most dramatic moments of his life ahahahahahahhaha 😂😂 I laughed like crazy, they are so precious♥ And I really wanted kiss to happen when Ciel lied Sebastian about another demon, that was sooo svbjhsvjhjhvbdf. But okay, you know the best, I trust you fully with this♥

The fact that they are ready to kill each other before they have normal conversation about their feeling is my fetish. I am in love with toxic things. Ciel ready to throw all game just to prove Sebastian that his value is not only his soul, right after he told himself for 1000 times he needs to stay on distance..... I LOVE ITTTT!!! I also need to say that you find PERFECT balance for good plot and romance. Your games and their cases...I just don't know, deep bow for you queen🔥💯After all, you didn't retype drama ahahaha but you manage to keep it canon without changing anything but still adding your spices so it's not ordinary Kuro plot we see every day....

I just have one question. From time to time, I was like a Bard ahahhaha, so sick of their games and my head hurting me, but on a good way. I am clear about Ciel but what about Sebastian and his disgust for Ciel's nicer, soft, emotional side? I know Ciel doesn't have it a lot, but would Sebastian still be grossed out about it as he was at the beginning of a contract or not? Keeping in mind that he is more and more obsessed with a boy?

So, that's all. I don't know how to use Patreon/PayPal, but for you I'll try cuz I only have credit card and that's all I know ahhahaha, I like to keep money in my hands😂 I'm sad about the situation in your country and all under - war countries. It's not bringing any good for anyone, specially for civilians. I hope you are okay and I wish you alll the best, the good karma must hit you really quickly cuz you made one person really, really happy here♥

Looking forward how will you finish this story, have a nice day❤

PS - this is the longest comment for fic I have ever left ahhaha, it's crazy how you got me sooo hyped up bjcvsdghvbds.

Hi! Ooh, thank you so much for your amazing, wonderful essay! I can't tell you how happy it made me! I think the electricity was already started being cut off when I got it, so I could see I have some really lengthy ask, but it wouldn't load. It was the torture of the most delicious kind :D

Like you, I've been reading fics for ages now, and the moments where I find some fantastic story that won't let me sleep or work or even blink are always the happiest and the brightest spots I remember. So it's extremely flattering to know that my story has become something similar to other people.

I love writing about smart characters, but most of them are definitely smarter than me! The benefit is that since I'm writing, I can think and plan everything in advance. In real life, I only wish I were as quick-witted and inventive. Alas, the best ideas and arguments come to me when they are no longer needed.

I love slow burns, and I love characters who abhor the idea of expressing their feelings, so Ciel and Sebastian have the most perfect dynamic in my eyes. I feel like I could spend the eternity just enjoying their Gothic world with their games, arguments, plots, and so on. Them antagonizing each other only to instantly team up against the common enemy is my most favorite thing in the world.

As for your question, right now, Sebastian would be thrilled if Ciel were to show a softer and more vulnerable side - at least in relation to him. Well, a part of him would feel the automatic need to mock him for it anyway, some habits don't die easily, but Sebastian's feelings have evolved a lot, plus Ciel is cold more often than he is not. So Sebastian treasures every word of praise, every hint of appreciation and need because they are so rare - he's come to crave them, and he has memorized all known cases of them by heart.

And no worries about supporting me! I really appreciate you taking your time to leave such a fantastic review, it made my day!

[wen-kexing-apologist]

Ships: every SCOY pair

I see you, villain, I see what you are doing and it is not going to work. I will not rewatch SCOY. 

I love this show for what it says, I love getting a chance to see all the “undesirables” getting romance, and not just getting romance, but being actively pursued in those relationships. Never know what you’re gonna get out of Cheewin, but I am forever grateful to him for this show. 

So, without further ado, here is what I think about every SCOY pair. 

Toh and Nuea 

[by the way, I wrote this and then saw @ginnymoonbeams response, so please note I did not copy her, that just how Toh and Nuea are, and I thought the similarities in our responses were too funny to change how I wrote about them]

You’ve heard of bi4bi, you’ve heard of t4t, but you know what I don’t think we ever get enough of? Freak4freak. 

Part of the reason I do desperately owe this show a rewatch is because I fully skipped through a lot of the first couple episodes because I was extremely uncomfortable with Toh’s obsession with Nuea and how he was collecting things from him. But, now I love my little fucking freak, and love Toh and Nuea even more knowing that Neua a) knew that Toh was stalking him from the jump and b) was Here For It! 

So I want to go back and watch it from the beginning, without skipping through those parts this time. Billy and Seng have great chemistry, once we actually get to them in a relationship I feel like Toh and Neua make sense together, and I believe their attraction to each other 100%. I love how horny they both are for each other all the time, and how much they want to just be making out in the car instead of actually participating in necessary life tasks, like going to school. I swear to God I have never seen a character with such visceral stars in his eyes as Toh has when he looks at Nuea. Nuea and Toh are so obsessively in love it makes me homophobic, and I wish them many more happy years of collecting Nuea’s straw wrappers and recycled soda cans. 

Also, I love that they are verse. 

Also also, and I am so sorry but I do just have to say that the first thing that always pops in to my head when I think about Toh and Nuea is how fucking sweaty Toh is all the time. Billy and Seng worked well together, they are phenomenal actors, but dear lord did it pull me out of a scene sometimes seeing Toh just absolutely drenched. 

Sky and Khaojao 

This is how you do blushing maiden. I have never been in a romantic or sexual relationship with anyone before, and I will attribute some part of that to uncertainty and anxiety. There is some part of me that really believes that I too would struggle with initial physical advances, and so I love every single character that both reacts to their own anxieties around intimacy while at the same time being brave enough to push past it. I love the scene where Jao pulls away like he’s timid and shy about making out or having sex with Sky, and Sky puts a stop to the action, only for Jao to be like “you don’t have to stop”. Incredible. Phenomenal. Show stopping. 

I love watching Jao’s self confidence and security blossom throughout the show as he started letting himself believe Sky wanted him and loved him. They are so great together, I love how much of a unrepentant fool Sky is for his boyfriend. I want Sky and Jao to be fucking all the time so I can systematically steal all of Sky’s shirts while he is otherwise occupied. 

And I seriously don’t know what they are putting in the water at Idol Factory but again, Heng and Surprise had incredible chemistry. Such good chemistry in fact that I despite knowing they wouldn’t actually do it, I would Not Be Mad if Dr. Chalothorn met a certain handsome technical specialist while working with the detective force…all I’m saying is another show with a HengSurprise match up? I would like to see it. 

That said, I think my biggest difficulty with their plotline is that Secret Crush on You is about how all the people that are normally sides in these shows, the neurodivergent freaks, the trans kids, the fat kids, etc. are also attractive, worthy, and deserving of love but Jao isn’t fat. And it’s a hard thing for me because I love Surprise, I loved Surprise in that role, I don’t think I would have wanted another actor in there, or that the chemistry would have been the same. But I wish Jao had been fatter. 

Intouch and Daisy 

Shan, I am being so incredibly serious when I say Intouch and Daisy mean everything to me.

I will never ever be over these two. I wish, I wish with my whole entire being that we had had a bit more time with them. I don’t need a whole show. But Daisy is such a beloved character, she is oh so very dear to me, and with the emotional rollercoaster Daisy went on over the course of this show, she really deserves some dedicated time to be loved. I’ve said before one of the things I love about Thai BL is how frequently you have non-cis people just living life, vibing, existing etc and how that feels revolutionary. But despite how frequently I see non-cis people in Thai BL, I feel like we are still severely lacking in ~Gender~ romance. We have Yok in Only Friends, we have Mae in 3 Will Be Free, Molly in The Warp Effect, Ah Jain in About Youth and that’s pretty much it. 

Every moment Daisy and Intouch were on screen together, there was instant joy, and to this day, almost a year after I watched that show for the first time, I still get fleeting thoughts about the translator’s note that said (paraphrasing here) “wish there was a way to explain how Touch’s way of speaking is so respectful to Daisy’s identity”. Like?????? That’s poetry to me. 

They are a gorgeous little couple and I love them dearly. 

Kongkwan and Fon 

Becky and Freen have incredibly tangible chemistry that makes it so easy to read these two as girlfriends immediately. We got like thirty seconds of them but within that time frame we did at least get sexually suggestive jokes, and an obvious and confirmed relationship between them. To that I say let’s go lesbians!

Send Me a Ship and I’ll Share My Thoughts

[shapeshiftinterest]

Hang In There, Weegee!: bowser x luigi (CH 1)

based on THIS comic by @dibujos-de-la-orilla + some of my replies on that post

kamek thinks he hears an intruder in the royal office and goes to investigate

story under the read more

Hang In There, Weegee! (also on ao3)

Chapter 1, Chapter 2

“Mwuah! Hehe.”

Kamek stopped in his tracks, the sound of muffled giggling coming from behind Bowser’s royal office door. Who in the world would have the audacity to do such a thing in the king’s personal office?

The magikoopa adjusted his glasses with a huff; not on his watch!

BANG!

“Who is trespassing on royal property!?!” Kamek shouted, wand blazing. He would be sure to restore the lord’s honor even if-

Oh, it was just Bowser.

The koopa king crossed his arms, smoke billowing from his nostrils. Even while sitting he was easily 5 times as big as the royal advisor.

“King Bowser?!” Kamek exclaimed, confused. He could have sworn he’d heard a second voice. There was no way he was that old... was there?

“You just gonna stand there or what?” Bowser snorted impatiently, tapping a claw against his arm. “I’m still busy doing all this paperwork, ya know.”

Said paperwork was scattered across the desk and floor, probably a result of the advisor’s hasty entrance. Flushing in embarrassment, Kamek quickly waved his wand and whisked the documents into organized piles.

“Many apologies, Your Industriousness; I thought I heard...” Oh dear. The older koopa felt rather silly now, taking his glasses off and cleaning them on his robe to give his hands something to do.

“Well? Out with it!”

The king scratched around his collar in irritation.

“A-ah, it was nothing, Sire. Sorry to have disturbed your paperwork, I’ll be going now.” And with a quick bow the magikoopa fled in a puff of smoke, not wanting to anger the king any further.

...

“Phew!” A loud sigh was heard from behind the large koopa’s shell, The green clad Mario brother hopping down from the other’s spikes. “I almost-a thought he caught us!”

“Uuuuggh,” Bowser groaned, sliding down his seat. He wasn’t worried about the tears in the fabric, it was self fixing, like most of the furniture in his castle.

Rubbing a paw over his eyes the king lazily turned to look at his secret human boyfriend of 3 months, offering his other paw for him to take. Luigi smiled and placed a gloved hand in his, Bowser tugging him into a side hug.

“Crud,” He sighed, giving the plumber an affectionate squeeze. “We really gotta tell someone ‘bout us soon. Sneaking around’s fun but it’d be so much easier if you could just come into the castle without immediately getting attacked, y’kno?”

“Maybe the next-a time you go to-a capture ‘Princess Peach’,” Luigi winked.

“Oh shut up,” Bowser laughed, giving the other a little shove before unclasping his collar and rubbing his neck. “I think you actually gave me a hickey, Green Bean.”

“Really?” The plumber went to touch the other’s neck, Bowser leaning a little lower so he could reach. “Does it hurt?” He asked, gently pressing against one already starting to bruise.

“Psshhh, naw. I’m the biggest, baddest brute around, and don’t you forget it!” He boasted.

Luigi hummed. “Okie dokie.”

“I’m lightning in a bottle! I’m an earthquake in a can! I-” Bowser would have kept going if it weren’t for the feeling of Luigi’s tongue laving over his bite marks. The king shuddered, eyes struggling to stay open when the other kissed his jugular.

“H-haaah.”

The plumber pulled away and grinned up at him. “Why don’t-a we make-a some more, then?”

Bowser gulped.

Oh boy.

BONUS:

'there was no way he was that old... was there?' is talking about old age and deafness

bowser was scratching around his collar because he was worried kamek would see the bite marks so he was trying to cover them more with his hand

'I'm the biggest, baddest brute around, and don't you forget it!' and 'I'm lightning in a bottle! I'm an earthquake in a can!' were taken from the list of bowser quotes from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

[themonotonysyndrome]

Hello !! I just wanted to share some of my headcanons if you don’t mind :DD sorry if its too long :((

Sometimes I just can’t help but think about the Baroness’ feelings the moment Castin presented lingerie to them as a gift before their courting. Adding onto that, I also think about the way they feel during and early on in their marriage with Castin, and I’m talking about SUPER early. Like, “got married 2 hours ago” married.

Courting is a two way street in both nations, both parties agree to court and be courted. Although the motives for such things are different when it comes to country, social class, etc., what remains are the courting methods that they do.

As I said before, the motives are different for each country. In the Coastal Empire, it’s more common for nobles to court each other to get more leverage in life; more money, more connections, more land, you get the gist.

The same motives can’t be said about Intacia, their motives of courting aren’t exactly the same. They don’t care about the type of gift that they give, so long as the recipient accepts it. To them, it’s the thought that counts, no matter how inappropriate the gift / timing is.

How does this intertwine with the burning ache in Castin’s chest whenever he sees the Baroness smiling, laughing, or just having fun in general? Well I’m glad you asked <3

I like to think that the Baroness and Lord Reyes made an agreement when they were still in university. The agreement says that if they are both 27 years old and still unmarried, they would court each other, then get married to one another. Why 27? Because married couples who are 25 and older get some tax benefits, doesn’t matter what type of married couple they are, as long as they’re married.

Lord Reyes was already 27 at the time the Baroness broke the news of them and Castin courting, the Baroness on the other hand, was 26 and there were only 2 months before their 27th birthday.

The Baroness made their Intacian debut on their birthday month, with two of their friends in the audience as they were then embarrassed to the point of tears in front of hundreds of nobles. The Baroness looked to the king for him to reprimand the crowd and his dear, guarded brother, only to be met by Rhett minimizing their feelings, saying to “not make a scene”.

Adding insult to this newly inflicted injury was the realization that this could all be avoided if Castin knew the protocols to gifting someone a gift deemed too inappropriate for the public, especially nobles from both respective countries. If the gift was something like a sex toy, condoms, herbal contraception tea, or in this case, lingerie, he should’ve put a pink star on the packaging.

Hello, Neptune! Dude, dude - don't apologise about how long your headcanons are. I LOVE READING IT!

I love how Intacia and the Coastal Empire view courting differently; your ideas fit with the cultures perfectly! The Imperial sees courting and marriage as something to elevate themselves in love (though marrying of love does happen every now and then) while the Intacians put great value in the thoughts of who would be their future partners and the meanings behind every courting gift.

(Still though, lingerie at a first meeting? Castin, I really, REALLY, wanna know your thought process behind that one!)

Having the Baroness and Lord Reyes discuss their possible future was a good move, honestly. Even if Lord Reyes' feelings for the Baroness is nothing more than platonic, they would make good allies.

AND OH MY GOD, THE MOMENT RHETT SAID TO US NOT "TO MAKE A SCENE!?" I WOULD'VE GIVEN HIM AND CASTIN THE BIGGEST ATTITUDE EVER! IF I CAN'T RESORT TO VIOLENCE, I WOULD GO OUT OF MY WAY TO MAKE RHETT'S LIFE FUCKING HELL! I WOULD LITERALLY MAKE THE QUEEN ASCENDANT CHOOSE BETWEEN ME OR HIM; I WANT THIS MAN TO FUCKING GROVEL ALONGSIDE CASTIN!

...so yeah. I have some opinions about how Rhett behaved during our Intacian debut.

But again, cultural misunderstanding is definitely a thing and wait - did Castin ever apologise for humiliating the Baroness?? He had that whole confession about how he wasn't like the other Intacian boys, always struggle to fit in and yada, yada yada, but did did he ever shown genuine remorse about the lingerie incident!?

I... I can't remember.

[acourtofthought]

Who is guilty of considering the novella a cute little Hallmark Christmas special?

That would definitely be me 🙈

I don't think I ever really read it, I mostly skimmed for Feysand scenes during my first read through and have used it to search for Elucien / Elain / Lucien parts since then (occasionally catching moments involving the others).

But I finally did today and I was shocked with how much information it seems SJM is giving us for the future of the series.

I've always argued in favor of Elucien's book being next and the novella left me feeling like it's still a very real possibility even though there are hints of future storylines for all the characters.

The following paragraph seems like it could set up Azriel’s story and it makes sense when you consider that his biggest obstacle is overcoming his issues with the Illyrians:

Perhaps we needed a permanent presence out here, until the Illyrians remembered things like consequences. But the war had impacted us all, and with the rebuilding, with the human territories crawling out to meet us, with other Fae kingdoms looking toward a wall-less world and wondering what shit they could get away with … We didn’t have the resources to station someone out here. Not yet. Perhaps next summer, if the climate elsewhere was calm enough.

Yes, a presence here was needed. But later.

He would be the perfect character for Rhys to assign as that permanent presence (which Az will riot over, no doubt, however Rhys loves putting everyone in places they don't want to be only to have it be the best thing for them in the end). But it doesn't sound like we're ready for his book just yet.

"if the climate elsewhere was calm enough". "Yes, a presence here was needed. But later."

The Illyrian storyline didn't happen in Nessian's book because "the climate elsewhere" is still not calm enough.

Things currently affecting the climate (not the weather kind 😂):

(1) Mor felt more than saw Feyre stiffen beside her at something Eris had said. Her High Lady answered Eris, “Your father is forbidden to cross into the human lands.” No room for compromise with that tone, with the steel in Feyre’s eyes. Eris only shrugged. “I don’t think it’s your call.” Rhys slid his hands into his pockets, the portrait of casual grace. Yet the shadows and star-flecked darkness that wafted from him, that set the mountain shuddering beneath his every step—that was the true face of the High Lord of the Night Court. The most powerful High Lord in history. “I would suggest reminding Beron that territory expansion is not on the table. For any court.” Eris wasn’t fazed. Nothing had ever disturbed him, ruffled him. Mor had hated it from the moment she’d met him—that distance, that coldness. That lack of interest or feeling for the world. “Then I would suggest to you, High Lord, that you speak to your dear friend Tamlin about it.”. “Why.” Feyre’s question was sharp as a blade. Eris��s mouth curved in an adder’s smile. “Because Tamlin’s territory is the only one that borders the human lands. I’d think that anyone looking to expand would have to go through the Spring Court first. Or at least obtain his permission.”

Rhys’s cold face turned contemplative, though. She could easily read the reluctance in his eyes, the annoyance at having Eris tip him off, but information was information.

As if he’d known that sleep had been futile for me last night after Eris’s not-so-subtle warning about Tamlin and his borders.

(2) “I am not going to disband the Illyrians. There is nowhere for them to go, anyway. And if we try to drag them out of those mountains, they might launch the very assault we’re trying to defuse.” Az said nothing. “But perhaps more pressing,” I went on, jabbing a finger on the sprawling continent, “is the fact that the human queens have not returned to their own territories. Beyond that, Hybern’s general populace is not too thrilled to have lost this war. And with the wall gone, who knows what other Fae territories might make a grab for human lands?” My jaw tightened at that last one. “This peace is tenuous.”

(Rhys and Az are talking about the issues with the Illyrians but he notes that even more pressing than their issues with the Illyrians is their issues with the Queens on the continent and other territories).

(3) If we sweep in, even to stop them from triggering another war, we’ll be seen as conquerors, not heroes. We need the humans in other territories to trust us, if we can ever hope to achieve lasting peace.”

“Then perhaps Jurian and Vassa should deal with them. While Vassa is free to do so.”

(1.1) Azriel arched a brow. “You mean to visit the Spring Court?” I wished I could say otherwise. But I instead told him what Eris had implied: that Tamlin either might not care to enforce his borders with the human realm or might be open to letting anyone through them. I doubted I’d get a decent night’s rest until I found out for myself.

Rhys to Tamlin: “And,” I went on, “she was as disturbed as I was to learn that your borders are not as enforced as we’d hoped.”

SJM is again drawing attention to the fact that Rhys is extremely worried over the thought of Tamlin not enforcing his borders, to the point that he's lost sleep over it. And as we find out later in the novella and Silver Flames, Tamlin has still not been enforcing his borders (also, his military forces aren't where they need them to be) and he's not any closer to getting to the point where he will. In SF, the action they take in response to all of that is to station Lucien there to be their eyes and ears and contain any damage because it's such a pressing concern.

So that makes three major issues affecting their climate outside of the NC. The problem with the human queens (only Briallyn was dealt with in SF so the others remain) and territories on the continent, their need for the humans to trust them, and the fact that Springs borders are not being enforced which is a concern because of Berons (and the other territories) desire to expand.

Every single one of those concerns is strongly connected to Elain and Lucien. Spring / Beron because of Lucien's connection to them both and the hints of Elain in Spring. Building trust with the humans which is very Lucien-centric at the moment as he's living with Jurian and Vassa and has helped them rebuild and sort out their politics. The queens across the sea, who Vassa (housemates with Lucien) has a vendetta against because they sold her out to Koschei. Not that the BOE would defeat them all however I imagine there will be conflict. The concern that other Fae territories will try to push into the human lands (Lucien connection again). And Elain is connected to those things through her visions, her past with Graysen and the humans, and Nesta (in SF) reminding us that Elain had always wanted to travel to the continent.

I found another possible Az storyline. I think he'll be the one to hunt down Bryaxis:

“No word on Bryaxis, I take it.”

Az studied the floor as well. “Not a whisper. Or a scream, for that matter.”

I’d planned to hunt Bryaxis down for months now—to take Feyre and let her track down the entity that, for lack of a better explanation, seemed to be fear itself. But, as with so many of my plans for my mate, running this court and figuring out the world beyond it had gotten in the way.

“Do you want me to hunt it down?” An easy, unruffled question. I waved a hand, my mating band catching in the morning light. That I hadn’t heard from Feyre yet told me enough: still asleep. And as tempting as it was to wake her just to hear the sound of her voice, I had little desire to have my balls nailed to the wall for disrupting her sleep. “Let Bryaxis enjoy the Solstice as well,” I said.

I think Az facing off with a creature who is "fear itself" would he amazing considering we'd get a glimpse into the darkest, scariest corners of Az's mind. But again, it doesn't seem to be a pressing concern at the moment.

There's a lot going on in these spin-off books and even more has been thrown in to the mix since SF and the crossover but when SJM made a few mentions of the most pressing issues that were at the forefront of Rhys’s mind, I can't stop myself from thinking Elucien being next is a strong contender.

[madwomansapologist]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last ten people however many you want who reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals & followers!! <3

*omg, omg, omg. she's here, don't act weird. stop starring at talent people, they might get embarrassed* thank you for that @sotwk 🪩

1. The Tigger Movie

i'm sick and tired and couldn't do a damn thing, but that movie always makes me feel better. it's so kind, and friendly, and it tastes like sweet tea and freshed baked cakes.

2. The Hobbit

I've already watched the movies, but never had the courage to finally read them. I was scared that the translation of a almost centurie old book would be just impossible to read. But then my brain started to work. If I watched the movies and not only understood but also enjoyed, then it couldn't be that difficult. And also, it was written for children. Its intention wasn't to be impossible to be undertood, quite the contrary.

I just started it, and I am pretty sure my family thinks I am crazy because that book make me laugh so much. It's just 🐉perfect🐉

3. Jão

That man is $#@@&)¥~®£¶. Dear lord. Jão is a brazilian artist. He's a singer, performancer and songwriter. I will go to the opening night of his tour, and I am already planning my clothes.

But the part that make me really happy is that I will bring my brother with me. He's like the biggest fan of Jão that ever existed. And he's such a nerd. He's the type of kid that talks oh that song that he covered was actually written about this and that and that choice of words was done to pass through the censorship during the millitary ditactorship. He almost cried when I showed him the tickets.

4. Pride and Prejudice

I'm re-reading it and.... it never go out of style. I think I've watched the movie at least 8 times. Jane Austen deserves the world.

5. Undertale

I finish it with my brother I guess two weeks ago. It didn't stopped haunting me since then.

[yourassimcomingforit]

Gonna go sob my thoughts of season 2 into this enjoy spoilers under the cut

So the ending of season 2 it was something

Beeelzebub(beez) and Gabriel are queer as hell and fucked off together

The girl kissers like each other but aren’t dating yet cause they need time

Aziraphale(az) and Crowley kissed but aren’t together

Az is leader of heaven and tried to make Crowley an angel

Crowley was likely a high ranking angel

We’re gonna start off talking about number 5 cause that’s the easiest one and I really wanna talk about my hc that Crowley was Raphael the archangel. So first the little things in heaven everything is a pure white the walls the floors the pillars their outfits the only people not in pure white are the archangels in a light gray and the metatron in a dark gray/black. Now Crowley when changing his outfit to fit in goes with a metallic off white which while may be just cause he’s a demon the fact that he was trusted with a task like creating stars and nebulas which we see were created along side Saraqael who I cannot remember whether they were specifically mentioned to be an archangel but I believe they are. And the biggest thing is that Crowley could access confidential files that only higher up angels can even open and he did it with ease.

Onto another point number 1. God I loved Beez and Gabriel together I’ve done been shipping them and the way they fell in love and we got to see snippets of it was amazing. And the hints throughout it with the fact that it was a fly that came out of the box and who else but the lord of the flies would have something to do with flies. Gabriel being mentioned to come in regularly with someone but we didn’t know who and it turns out to be Beez and the way they have a song that’s special to the both of them. The song is a simple little love song and Gabriel doesnt even know what a song or music is but he loves it simply because Beez does and miracles the Jukebox to only play that song and the way he remembers it even with his memories gone. The entire thing is sickeningly sweet with them confessing their love to everyone by holding hands they’re just so precious.

Point number 2 while it hurts me so much that out girls didn���t end up together I love that way it was done Nina had a toxic ex we see throughout the season and getting into a relationship right out of that just wouldn’t be healthy for either of them seeing Maggie pine for Nina but not doing anything cause she respects her to much to do that when she’s already in a relationship. The season ending with them acknowledging each others feelings but leaving it at that cause Nina isn’t ready is just so bittersweet.

Numero tres out dear ineffable husbands finally had their kiss!! But it wasn’t at the right time it’s just so bitter sweet it’s right after az said that he’s going to lead heaven and wants to make Crowley an angel which goes against everything about having their own side no heaven no hell. Crowley gives az a final kiss and just says I like you but I can’t be with you the way you want I won’t be an angel and lead heaven alongside you that goes against everything I want and believe in and az just can’t believe that Crowley doesn’t want to be an angel again which just shows a fundamental misunderstanding he had about Crowley. It leads to Crowley just confessing his feelings kissing az and just watching him leave him to go up to heaven.

Now the final point number 4. Az accepting the deal and wanting to make Crowley an angel again. Az clearly loves Crowley and he knows it so he wants to have Crowley by his side when he does this but he just isn’t ready to take the leap like Crowley is and to make a side purely their own no heaven or hell. We can see since the beginning how’ve they’ve already drifted apart since season 1 with Crowley no longer feelings it’s their side but his and az thinking that they have their own side but it’s clearly still aligned with heaven as we see later in the season dying our little grave robbing sesh. While it is before Armageddon’t this is az thinking back on it and we can see how he still thinks he did the right thing trying to fix our little grave robber so she stops being so “monsterous” so while az definitely had some big brain thoughts about what’s right and wrong from that experience he still thinks he did the right thing. Going back to the original point az when offered the opportunity to help change heaven to something better he jumps at the opportunity to go back to heavens side and even take Crowley along as an angel even!! Which isn’t what Crowley wants he’s happy as a demon on his own side he doesnt want to be doing work for hell or for heaven and az just can’t understand that who wouldn’t want to go back to being an angel, so he leaves Crowley and his bookshop behind going up to heaven with the metatron leaving the place he loves the store he built and loved and man he adores and wants to spend the rest of his life with. Much like Nina and Maggie they don’t get together but there’s not as much hope of them ending up together as with those 2, az and Crowley are going their separate ways apart from each other.

Wahoo if you somehow finished this entire jumbled mess have a gold star ⭐️

[rogueshadeaux]

Chapter Two - False Hopes

He was immediately recognizable; one of the two dudes that were window shopping, in an Adiad tracksuit that seemed way too thin for the middle of winter. He had black hair, a scar running along his forehead, and a fucking gun in his hand.

4k Words | 13 min read time | TRIGGER WARNINGS: guns, assault.

Getting home was an event in itself, Dad taking unnecessary loops through neighborhoods and avoiding main roads as we left Portland in our wake, headed home. Home was Chapman, on a 5 acre lot hidden behind some comfortable, unclaimed woods. The only sign anyone lived at all on this road was our mailbox, bricked in after an accident involving a moped and a wild turkey. Our gravel driveway jerked the truck around, making me drop my phone as I browsed Reddit and causing Brent’s head to smack rather hard against the window he was napping on. “Wakey wakey,” I joked as he groaned, massaging his temple.

He tried to punch my leg in retaliation.

Dad shook his head in the driver’s seat, chuckling to himself as he said, “Alrighty, kids, school night, so I want you both to start headed to bed when we get in there, okay?” 

“Thought we didn’t have to listen to you anymore?” I teased. 

Dad rolled his eyes, meeting mine in the rear view mirror. “You’ve got a month till then, ma’am. And I’m still gonna make you two sleep at a decent time after that. I’ll turn off the Wi-Fi,” he threatened. 

“You monster.” 

Sleep, though, was hard that night. My mind just couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. The brick. The bomb. Was the world really that full of hate? These Conduits couldn’t help what they were. Who they were. Just like people couldn’t control skin tone, or height or something. 

But those protestors…that was hate. Enough hate to get someone charged with destruction of property. Enough for them to not care that there were kids. 

Enough to threaten to kill my Dad. 

Losing him…that was one of my biggest fears. It was hard enough, growing up without Mom there. We had no remaining family; grandparents, uncles, all gone before we were even thoughts in Mom and Dad’s relationship. If we lost Dad, that’d be it. I’d only have Brent. 

The thought terrifies me.

Thankfully, though, he was there as we woke early the next morning, pulling a waffle from our waffle iron when I stumbled into the kitchen, yawning and in the middle of a French braid. “Good morning my dear Jeanie!” He chirped.

“Dad, please. It’s 6 am.” I groaned. “Why are you happy?” 

“Because, my dear. My love. My shining star,” he exaggerated, pirouetting with the plate high above his head and spinning towards me. “I get to see you two off. I’ll be here when you get back.” 

He offered the plate to me. “Sounds terrible,” I teased, taking it. “But if it comes with breakfast every day, then sure.” 

“I knew you only loved me for my cooking.” 

“Dad, you can barely cook.” 

Brent was next in the room, immediately bolting for the coffee pot and starting the brew. That was his job; coffee making. Didn’t know how, but he could make a delicious, albeit strong, cup of joe. Plus I don’t think either of us were going to function today without it; winter exams were in full swing, and being Seniors, they carried so much more weight. Especially with FAFSA looming in the new year, and college applications due just as soon. 

I finished plaiting my braid, letting it fall to my back as I absolutely smothered the food in syrup. Maybe these waffles held the secrets to memorizing pre-cal. Lord knew I needed it. 

Brent plopped beside me with his own stack of waffles, skipping the syrup and just digging straight in like a heathen. “I was also thinking,” Dad paused, pouring more batter into the iron and closing it, “That this will be the first Christmas break I’m off. Ever. I haven’t bought you two presents yet, so what would you say to a vacation?” 

I couldn’t say anything at all. Brent, however, elected to choke on his waffle. 

“Vacation?” I finally worked out, my eagerness barely audible over Brent’s coughs. We haven’t been on vacation since 8th grade, when Dad took us to Disneyland out in Cali. It’s just been too crazy for all of us; Brent was caught up in sports, I had started my art portfolio and gymnastics. Dad began his activism around that time too. 

And after a hellish time like exam season, I was ready for a getaway. 

“Yep!” Dad said, filling a glass with water and passing it to Brent. “Not sure where. But I can do my work from a hotel just as easy as from the den. Figured you two are old enough to tell me where you want to go. I will say,” he opened the waffle iron, “This may count as your birthday gift too — I’ll still get you both something small, sure, but everything would go to a vacay.” 

Oh, that word sounded weird coming out of his mouth. 

Brent, throat now lubricated, asked “But we get to decide?” 

“Sure,” Dad shrugged. “Within reason. Not taking you two to the Red Light District in Amsterdam or anything—“

“Damn, there goes my choice,” I sighed, giggling as Dad rolled his eyes. 

“And keep it local, we wont be able to update your passports in time. But you two talk it out, and tell me before break. I have so many miles from work I can easily book us cheap tickets.” 

That made it so much easier to get to school. 

Brent and I immediately started debating on a place when we entered the courtyard of Linus Pauling High School, finding a tree to shelter under and nurse our coffees. “MOMA? Really?” Brent scoffed. “You want to go to New York to visit an art museum?” 

“Hey, I’ve heard it’s cool!” I threw my empty hand up defensively. “Besides, they’re doing a showcase of all of Delsin Rowe’s tags he left in Seattle.” 

That got his attention. Delsin Rowe, the Conduit’s Abraham Lincoln. The man that stormed Seattle for a week, changed the entire landscape of the world, and then ran off never to be seen again. He was like a real life Batman, freeing people from tyranny and then disappearing into the night. 

I loved his art. Brent loved the story. 

But apparently, not enough to get him to consider NYC. “I can look up the pics for free,” he shrugged, sipping his coffee. “Besides, New York City is the East Coast’s Hollywood.” 

I grimaced at that. Hollywood was a part of our Cali vacation I’d love to forget, and yet be forced to forever remember. 

“Yo, Brent!” 

Our heads turned, looking at the group that was coming close. Tommy, Brent’s best friend, was leading the pack, arm wrapped around Theresa, my bestie. Had to admit, they were a cute couple; I just hoped it would last, because the nuke of their breakup would cause irreversible damage to our friend group. Cat followed close behind her cousin, the dinosaur hat she chose to go with today pulled down close to her skull, shielding her from the cold. Dominic lagged behind, scuffing his boots in the snow, off in another world where you’d always find him running away to. Mei was nowhere to be seen. 

I didn’t miss how Brent deflated a bit beside me at that. 

Nonetheless, Brent recovered, getting up to dap up Tommy, Theresa escaping his grasp and coming to sit beside me, snatching my coffee from my hands and taking a sip. “Wh-, give that back!” I laughed indignantly, swiping for my tumbler that she kept just out of reach. 

“Give me back my black dress then we’ll talk,” she teased, taking another sip. 

I blushed slightly, “Shit, I keep forgetting about that. Why don’t you come over and get it today?” 

Tommy heard, chiming in with, “Aren’t you two grounded still?” 

Brent went on to explain what happened, how Dad benevolently released us from punishment in exchange for being able to keep a close eye on us. 

Explaining why he was working from home, though, was less exciting.

“You sure Lifeline left that behind?” Tommy inquired. “Y’know, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a bomb-making Bioterrorist—“

“Tommy, they threw a brick at us,” I interjected before he could continue on with his bullshit. The token Devil's Advocate. Didn’t help his Grandfather was ex-DUP.

Dominic finally entered the stratosphere, repeating, “They threw a brick at you?” 

It was my turn to narrate, explaining the day we had yesterday — minus all the cleaning. How Lifeliners spit at Dad, how they targeted us and didn’t even care we were still kids. Not for long, but still. 

At least Tommy had the sense to look ashamed for being their advocate. 

I finally got my tumbler back from Theresa, throwing back the little bit of coffee she left me and gulping hard. Coming down, my eyes caught flying hands, Cat trying to convey something getting lost in the boy’s banter. 

My ASL was getting better — especially now that Linus Pauling offered sign language as an elective. But Cat, being so proficient, flew with those fingers so fast that I only caught one word: ‘safe.’ “Hey, Tommy, what’s Cat saying?” I asked, breaking up guy time. 

Tommy hummed, turning to his little cousin. Cat was our designated baby, a sophomore we all guarded with our life because of her mutism. She was sweet, full of spirit, eccentric — but entirely silent. Which of course, caught her a bunch of shit with the bullies: caused some arguments from me and Theresa, with some reinforcement punches from Brent and Tommy. 

“Oh, she asked if you guys will be safe? After everything,” Tommy translated, leaning over to whisper, “Remember to go a bit slower, these noobs can’t keep up,” in her ear. 

I shrugged. “We should be? But…after yesterday,” I sighed. “I don’t know.” 

“We will be,” Brent interjected. “Dad knows what to do,” 

The bell rang, signaling for all its little livestock to mosey on to their first stop of slaughter. Meaning, for me, Pre-Cal. 

Yay. 

We all dispersed on promises to catch up at lunch, submitting ourselves to the torture of final exams. I wasn’t made for math. Formulas and number crunching just didn’t compute in my mind, like I was a computer using dial up. I finished my exam early, probably more a sign of my lacking knowledge than utter genius, being excused to the library by Mr. Emerson. 

I found a comfortable corner to hide away in, pulling my sketchbook out of my backpack and opening to my last page; a partially done practice session of drawing realistic looking hands that, honestly, weren’t looking too realistic.

Realism wasn’t my attraction, though. I wanted to be a comic book author. Write my own stories, draw the art. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to expand my arsenal and become well versed in everything I could to grow my portfolio. Realism, abstract — hell, even did a few furry things for Cat. It all had to go towards building the life I wanted. Especially since the art school I wanted to go to, Giverny Institute of the Arts, was very competitive.

That big dream, comic books? Wasn’t gonna be easy, though. Comics died out in popularity after the Empire City Catastrophe, and haven’t really made a solid comeback since. Superheroes that were all the rave back then seemed taboo after The Beast, and were all but discontinued. Nearly every big name franchise went bankrupt save for a comic adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, and Manga — which wasn’t really my deal.

‘Course, there was also rule34, but…no. Just no.

I’d probably have to enter animation or something, which was fine. I could deal with that. It was way more secure than comics, at least. My last semester was predominantly electives, since my summer classes put me ahead of schedule, and I planned on taking every Rendering and Animation class Giverny sponsored through the school district. Maybe one day, I’d be one of the lucky ones. The type of person to beat all odds and achieve my dreams, to have a rather lucrative career as a comic artist. Maybe.

But for now, I’d have to hock away at these stupid hands. Why are hands always so hard?

I wasn’t alone for long, though, the familiar thump of heeled boots announcing another friend. “Hey Jean,” Mei greeted. 

“Hey, didn’t see you this morning,” I looked up, sheepishly closing my sketchbook. Just ‘cause I wanted to be an artist didn’t mean I wanted anyone to see the work when it was still under construction.

Mei shrugged off her messenger bag, setting it on the floor and plopping beside me. “I was studying. Was going to in a minute, too. Just wanted to stop and say hi.” 

“So then why did you sit down?”

“Cause I’m tired of studying.” Mei reached into her backpack, pulling out a ziplock bag. “Rice cake?” 

I’ll always say yes to food. 

Taking a bite out of the rice cake, I said, “Hey, by the way, thanks for talking to Dad. He ungrounded us and it’s all thanks to you, Mei-flower.” 

Mei grimaced, “Oh god, I hate that you heard Sobo call me that. But, you’re welcome. It was good practice for my Debate exam, too.” 

“Had nothing to do with him still wanting to rat you guys out?” 

“Only partially,” 

I laughed, taking another bite and exercising my bad manners by speaking with my mouth full. “Y’know, now that we’re ungrounded, maybe you and Brent could quit with the gross puppy eyes and go on a date. He’s free for the rest of the month. Rest of his life, if you’re willing.” 

Mei rolled her eyes, muttering, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But there was no lying with her face that red. 

“Oh please, if I have to sit through one more muttering mess of a convo—“

“Stop.” Mei giggled, accepting defeat. Sighing, she became crestfallen. “Besides, I don’t know if Brent is all that into me.” 

“You’re kidding, right? Smooth talking, bad boy Brent that can’t even talk without st-st-stuttering around you?” I scoffed. 

“You don’t know for sure if he likes me,”

“You’re saying you know him better than his twin?” She didn’t retort. “Just — give it a chance. Maybe winter formal? Since we can go to that now,” 

That struck something in Mei. She wandered away in her mind, nibbling on her rice cake absentmindedly. “Hmm. Maybe. But that’s, what, this Friday? Would he be ready for a dance by then? He said he wasn’t going,” 

“Please,” I shook my head, smiling. “You ask him out, he’s gonna demand we go to the mall today.” 

“Hey so, Dad,” Brent started from the backseat of the truck after losing a round of rock-paper-scissors for shotgun. “You think we can go to the mall?” 

Looking in his rear view mirror and waiting for a car to pass before he backed out, Dad cocked his head slightly. “The mall? Why—“ 

“Oh my God, did she ask you?” I interrupted, spinning to look at him. God, he was so pink. 

No will to pretend, he simply asked, “You knew?” 

“Pfft — knew? I told her to.” 

“May I please be clued in, dear children?” Dad interjected. “Especially if it demands my money.” 

“Mei asked Brent to the formal,” I spurted, ignoring Brent’s protests behind me. “About time too, hopefully you two will stop being so weird around each other.” 

Dad now spun in place to look back at Brent. “Did she, son?” Brent nodded. “Well,” Dad shrugged, putting the truck in reverse, “You’ll need a suit, then,” 

���Oh, can I have Theresa come hang out?” I begged Dad. 

Brent, finally deciding to buckle in, added, “Tommy too? I wanted to get his opinion on outfits.”

Dad pulled forward, joining the terribly long queue out of the parking lot. “My God, do you guys not want to hang out with me? I’m cool. Hip, groovy, based or whatever the kids say—“

“Dad, literally no one says that,” I laughed. 

But Dad, not one to miss my lack of denial, whined, “You don’t! I’m just chauffeur for you guys, aren’t I?” 

“Don’t forget bank.” Brent joked.

“Hey, you want that new suit or not?” But sighing, Dad relented. “Fine. Invite them. I needed to get some new stuff since I’m working from home now, anyways.” 

We were on our phones texting before he finished the sentence. 

Unfortunately, that meant a 45 minute ride into the city — which easily turned into an hour and some change, with rush hour traffic. Wasn’t too bad, though; it was fun being able to see Dad immediately after school instead of waiting for him to stumble home from the office at, like, 9 PM. It did mean we were subjected to his playlist — and worse, his singing. 

Okay, so maybe he wasn’t that bad a singer, but if I told him that, he’d sing more often. And he always got way too into it. 

We were finishing up a hilarious and passionate rendition of ‘Dear Maria, Count Me In’ when we pulled into the mall parking lot. “Alright, I’m going to Office Depot. You guys message me when you’re done. And Brent?”

“Yeah?”

“Send me pics. I’m the one that has to wear those monkey suits for work every day,” Dad pulled his phone out of his back pocket, along with his wallet. “I’m gonna send you $150 — suits can be so expensive. Jeanie, do me a favor and take this,” he continued, yanking a crumpled $50 out of his wallet. “Hate carrying cash.”

 Well I loved it, especially if it was free.

We separated, Dad going off to buy office supplies while Brent and I headed for the food court. “What about Miami?” Brent randomly asked. 

I snorted. “What, the coke capital of America? Dad would not take us there,” 

“I just really want to have a summer Christmas,” Brent sighed. “White Christmas’ get old.” 

Like a lightbulb, an idea popped up in my head. “Do you think Dad would do Hawaii?” 

“Hawaii?” Brent thought about it, a smile growing wide on his face with every second that passed. “That would be so cool.”

“Right?” I spun to face him, walking backwards. “Sandy beaches, good weather,”

“Probably a couple good trails,” Brent added. “I could try surfing again,”

“Volcanoes! That’d be awesome!” 

He nodded. Hawaii. The best Christmas present. “We’ll talk to Dad about it, yeah. I like that idea.” 

And knowing Dad, he would say yes. Man loved the beach. 

We met up with Theresa and Tommy, managing to pull the two lovebirds apart for a while to go our separate ways. Theresa was quickly informed of our Christmas gift, the possibility of spending it in the ocean breeze, and immediately insisted we try to find a good few dresses for it — which I’d be down for, if it wasn’t the middle of December. 

But goddamn, if the woman wasn’t a magician. Swear her New Marais roots came with some voodoo magic. She pulled me into a Booker’s, finding a sundress in their clearance rack that I immediately fell in love with; it was peach, with white flowers, an asymmetrical skirt flowing down to my ankles. 

Or it would, if I put it on. But it was 32 degrees and I liked being warm. Couldn’t help but imagine how beautiful it’d look though. 

“So, do you want it?” She asked, curls bouncing in excitement. “I swear if you don’t get it I will,” 

I laughed, “Yeah, I’ll get it, jeez.” 

Post-register, Theresa dragged me from the Booker’s to a hair care stall, talking to the vendor about their options for moisturizing dreads overnight since she was thinking about getting them back in. I scuffed my shoe and looked around a bit before breaking in boredom, telling her I’d be back after grabbing a snack. They had a Cinnabon in here somewhere, I know they did. I could smell ‘em. 

Like a leopard on the hunt, I followed my nose, the prize surprisingly far from where I left Theresa. Either the batch was fresh, its aroma floating freely through the near-abandoned mall, or I was a fatass. It was more than likely the latter, though. It’s a wonder how I stayed a decent weight, to be honest. 

The mall was huge, two stories and multiple wings — meaning they also had more than one food court. At least, they had a few pseudo ones, a stall selling pretzels or those little ice cream dots right next to a specialty food store. Like the Cinnabon I was after. I ordered my own treat and drink, with enough cash left over from Theresa’s deal hunting to get her her own stuff, messaging her to meet me at the seating by the stall in the mall’s walkway so we could chow down. 

‘K, almost done’ she messaged back. 

So that meant I probably had 15 minutes. 

I shed my jacket and hung it on my chair, hopping on my phone to watch some videos as I waited. I loved Theresa, but her perception of time absolutely sucked; the only reason she got here at a decent time was because Tommy drove. She had a chronic issue with being fashionably late, which meant I was often left to my own devices. 

So I was well versed in passing time on my own, watching some VClipz of people’s realistic speed drawings and hoping that I’d absorb their talent through some wild form of osmosis. I’d glance up on occasion, looking around for Theresa and hoping that maybe this’d be one of those times she actually was timely accurate — but no dice. It was just me, the Cinnabon worker, and these two dudes in all black tracksuits sort of meandering about, taking window-shopping very seriously by not stepping into a single store. 

15 minutes had already passed with no signs of Theresa, and I sighed, opening my Cinnabon. No use in letting it get cold. I ate away absentmindedly, watching more VClipz and biting on the food, moving to pick up my drink and take a gulp. 

And of course, in my reasonably clumsy ways, I managed to set my drink down on the stack of napkins, it immediately keeling over and spilling onto my lap. 

“Son of a—“ I groaned, scooping up my phone before the soda could soak it. Of course I’d spill food on myself. Could never eat without making a mess. The Cinnabon worker, an absolute saint, rushed over with her mop, a spray bottle in the other hand and a dish rag over her shoulder. “I can clean this, why don’t you go clean off? I can watch your things.” 

“You sure? I don’t want to be a bother—“ 

“It’s fine,” she assured me. “If you go around this corner, there’s a restroom along this wall,” she said, pointing past the Cinnabon and to the junction of the next breezeway. 

I thanked her, waddling my cold crotch to the bathroom and trying my best to sop up the mess with paper towels. That did nothing for the stickiness, though, and I absolutely hated being sticky. Did I have enough money left to maybe get some new pants? I pulled out my wallet, partially to count my cash and also to make sure my stuff was salvaged from my Diet Coke when the door to the women's restroom opened. 

And in walked a man. 

He was immediately recognizable; one of the two dudes that were window shopping, in an Adiad tracksuit that seemed way too thin for the middle of winter. He had black hair, a scar running along his forehead, and a fucking gun in his hand. 

I spun around, dropping my wallet on the ground and lifting my hands to show there was nothing. All I had, every bit of the $17 and some change left over, was scattered across the tile of the restroom, a quarter running away from the confrontation. “Please,” I begged, my blood running ice cold as he raised the hand with the gun. This was it. I was going to die over $17 fucking dollars. 

But instead, he swung the gun at me, the butt of it slamming against the top of my head and making my vision swim. 

I stumbled into the sink counter, slamming my lower back against it. The pain in my spine joined the pain in my head as both throbbed, forcing me to brace myself against the counter so I didn’t collapse on the spot. 

And I admit it; I began crying. Why wouldn’t I? There was a random guy in here beating me with a fucking gun. He raised his hand again, swinging the gun down to hit me in my head once more.

And this time, my vision faded out.

[evanzbuck]

THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI MY BELOVED! MY MOON!! MY STARS!!! I am wishing you the absolute happiest of birthdays! You deserve nothing less than the greatest day ever because you are without question one of the greatest people ever! It’s only fitting! I am so, so, SO thankful to have you in my life. I could never fully express what your friendship means to me, but I hope you know just how much I adore you! Meeting you has been one of the best delights! Nothing makes me happier logging on here these days than to have our long-standing, all caps conversations 😂 You are so kind, hilarious, talented, and so freaking dynamic! I count myself lucky to be able to call you a friend. I hope today is filled with joy and adoration for you, that you’re celebrated wholeheartedly and feel all the love we all have for you! You’re sincerely one of my favorite people ever. The universe really came through in creating you, my dear. Now we all get to benefit! I will continuously LOATHE the fact that we live on different continents because I want to do nothing more than to scream the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! to you in real time and give you the biggest bear hug while ensuring you get lots of cake! I love you so much, Thai! Happy happy birthday!! May this year bring you continued happiness (and, if we manifest it enough, more spontaneous Rafa content to disrupt our workdays and make us spiral together) 🥰💕💜🥳🎉🎊

KIM, MY LOOOOVE!!! My god you absolutely were trying to make cry with this huh and mission accomplished because aaaaaah I can't even begin to express how much you mean to me. All I can say is that I'm so thankful I have you in my life seriously you're an incredible person and I'm beyond grateful, your friendship is one of the most precious things to me. Thank you so so so much, my darling, for making me smile every day, for this and for truly everything!!! Also, YES caps lock everywhere because it's only we can express ourselves properly lolol. Good lord, I love you SO muchhh and hell yeah he has no chance against us we're way too powerful 😌💖💖

[cupid-catcher]

Dear lord , make me the biggest star the world has ever known , so that's I can make far far away from this place.

[mosstafavie]

the man you love preens at my praise

he has the forbidden fruit under his gaze

how much longer before he steps inside my maze?

his undeveloped brain stuck in a haze

tell me why doesn't your anger raise?

when your image gives chase

to all temptations, setting them ablaze

why don't you answer my call?

as I was the one who took the fall

as I gave you my all

both devotion and fear

how is it Adam who you hold dear?

can't you see how his sickness is severe?

and how his flawed tainted voice is not sincere?

if his disgusting shortcomings were flickering lights

I could build Heaven's biggest chandelier

look how cruel and basic are his fights

his presence fouls even the atmosphere

even eve wants to take flight

as the sight of him reappears

there is no need for eyes with much might

to see how his virtue disappears

I saw you as benevolent lord of lights

yet your esteemed creation's fault is clear

as he ravages with delight

and I watch with disdain how he turns the gear

what else should I do ? so you answer

to what other whim should I bend like a dancer

what other way I can serve?

so you tell me of your grand plan

the way you used to before all this began

tell me before I become a madman

your silence tears me apart

there isn't much time left before my rebellions start

if I lose your blessing as I depart

I will make it a work of art

for it is only your presence that I desire

words nomatter laced with what will set me on fire

as I tie you to the name of my empire

I wasn't like others your subject

I cherish you , it's your attention I try to collect

if my whole existence is incorrect

I shall burn for eternity just so I can reconnect

with you as my old lover , wheather you protect

me or drown me in neglect

and regard me as a failed project

I shall waite every morning and pray

I know you never abandoned me away

give me a sign that one day

I will once again be your lamb,not a stray

I am your morning star's ray

I never left your way

then break the silence and say

that one promised blessed day

you finally see me as I am and may

even get rid of that statue of clay

I don't care if it's millenas later

or if it will happen today

tell me we shall become one again, like the morning of yesterday

[winterkittenreads]

Review: A Kingdom of Bitter Magic by Alaya Wells

Audience: 18+

Stars: 4.35/5

Fav quote:

"Ivenrail Levestan." His name was poison on my tongue. "I'm going to start with his fingers, slicing them off with a delicate touch. I'll grin at his screams, then turn my attention to his toes. He'll feel it when I cut off his legs at the knees and his arms at the elbows."

                  "I'll hold him down for you.”

"And then I'm going to filet the skin off his back and chest."

                  "I'll enjoy watching that.”

"And only when there isn't any part of him left to rip apart, I'll slice off his head."

                  "I'll mount it on the highest castle spire.”

"Thank you." I snuggled deeper into his arms. 

...

dear radish,

CHECK OUT MY MURDER BABIES. Hahaha. But actually they spent more of the book building up to getting steamy, being teases, and then getting steamy. But that's all good. Steam is nice too. 

Can't lie, I picked up Kingdom of Bitter Magic because of the phrase "stalker-like tendencies" from the male lead in the synopsis. And you know what? It delivered heh heh.  

My biggest gripe is that the pacing slowed in the middle-end part, but in no way will that stop me from picking up the next book in the series! Looking forward to it!

(Also, two review in one day! I'm on a 🍣 roll :))

Synopsis:

A dragon rider seeking revenge for the death of her brother. A ruthless fae lord with his own agenda. A love that will drop the fae kingdom to its knees.

I’m nothing but an orphan, a dragon trainer in one of the many border fortresses. When beasts attack the villages, I ride, driving them back to the hellscape they crawled from.

When my adopted brother’s killed during battle, I discover who’s controlling the invading beasts—the brutal ruler of the neighboring fae kingdom. A gruesome plot is brewing beneath the glimmering fae surface, and he’s responsible for it all. Now vengeance is all I live for. No matter how powerful or well-guarded the king is, I will avenge my brother. This I swear.

To infiltrate the king’s court, I’m forced to make a deal with Vexxion, a devastatingly beautiful and equally malicious fae lord. In exchange for getting me close to the king, I’ll allow Vexxion to collar me at the upcoming Claiming. He’ll train me, and I’ll give him access to my supposedly dormant magic. Little does he know I have no power for him to harness.

Surrendering to Vexxion’s seductive allure could fracture what little remains of my heart. Falling for him could destroy my wounded soul. But learning his wicked secrets could shatter me completely. A Kingdom of Bitter Magic is Book 1 in the Kingdom of Blighted Thorns trilogy. Expect spice, suspense, a ruthless, determined woman, and a fae lord with stalker-like tendencies who will stop at nothing to claim her as his own.

[ihatepeanutss]

dear lord…i need this, make me the biggest star the world has ever know and the gf of a man who looks like eddie or steve and make him use a ghostface masc 😩

halloween party and while eddie goes as ghostface, you go as something ethereal— a fairy, an angel, a princess… and he cannot keep his hands to himself. he needs to touch and grab and kiss and bite and caress, screw whoever is around. you seem to bask in it anyways. you’re cute and sweet and delicate and nice to everyone, it’s like there’s glitter all around you in his eyes, like a light just shines from within you, and he’s the one that’s got you? dressed in all black as opposed to your soft colors and sparkles, but somehow you fit together so well he can’t dwell on in for too long. you’re his girl. his girl who presses her glossy lips to his every once in a while; his girl who keeps his hand or at least his pinky in hers at all times; his girl that makes sure he’s always included in every conversation; his girl that shares his likes and nerdy ways; his girl who wraps her arms around his waist over and over throughout the night; his girl who does not give a damn if others judge her for being with him; his girl that seems so fucking proud to introduce him as her boyfriend, hers!; his girl who presses a kiss to his mask and he leaves the imprint there the whole night; his girl who drags him outside the house party to share a joint because she wants him to herself; his girl that calls him “pretty”; his girl that manages to say “i love you” at least ten times before she’s even high for him to use that as an excuse for her affections. his. and maybe he’ll be lucky enough to keep her forever.

[sunnyhoneyshimmermagic]

I can say without a doubt that while the strip clearly starts running out of steam around 2015, and to me, March-April 2016 was when it began being bad, there were still enough decent arcs and strips from 2016 to 2020 where I wouldn't call it TOTALLY terrible, more like an on and off period.

2021 to today is where it loses all control. I genuinely struggle to even remember the arcs I liked during this time. It's all so repeated, and what's "new" is almost always something refreshingly bad.

Examples:

That may 1st 2022 sunday where a girl actually likes Nate for once so Kim threatens to tear her arms off and NO ONE CARES.

Nate and Kim checking a haunted house, a 2-3 week arc where the big joke besides ha ha kim is a bitch is it was Chad playing the oboe.

Countless and I mean countless arcs of Nate having an idea but instead of us actually getting to see it fail it's his friends all making the same jokes you've seen 1000000 times, and none of which feel like they are being said by anyone else, all his friends turned into damn Francis.

Too many school arcs, Peirce has got to branch out from there. Even Gina arcs are less fun because you know now that no matter what, Godfrey and Gina will win.

Nate in general has really lost his old winning chances. I think he won some sport arc at one point, that's about it.

The knitting arc, 3 whole weeks for the most predictable result imaginable with nary a twist.

Nate sharing a locker with molly only the locker has none of the fun random stuff of the past and Molly is just Francis.

All the characters do is argue now.

Nate trying to stop eating Cheeze doodles, that totally didn't happen in a similar arc (it wasn't a bad arc but you get my point).

Hey, Chad, instead of being the fun and bright spot you are, how about just making food jokes?

EVERY. SINGLE. GIRL. BEING. SUCH. A. BITCH. Two girls just walk up to Nate randomly and start laughing at him. HE WASN'T EVEN DOING ANYTHING.

The arc where Nate and Francis break up, talked about it before, you know the drill.

Dee Dee is just... An egomanaical bitch. None of her once sweet nature, nor her realness with Nate are there. Now she's just girl Francis most of the time, and when it's time for some drama, she's become a real jerk. Oh, but wait, only Nate can get called out on that, carry on.

Oh, a golf/dog for christmas/Artur/Ailurophobia/school picture/sports/kim arc, gee, I wonder if there will be any variety at all, outside of Gram joining in on the golf once.

To me, the biggest change from the old days is the lack of adventure and story telling. Outside of the pretty decent school budget arc (and I guess the Nigel arc but I think that could have been less mean and more interesting), we just don't do story anymore. There are no totally different arcs you've never seen before (and if their are they're Nate in love with a tiktok star), no adventures, no quests, no big moments, barely any cliffhangers. Now it's just "here's a joke you've seen 100000 times with barely any twist, I bet it's funnier this time!".

And no, I don't care for the excuse "but it's hard to think up jokes after all this time." No it's not. I'm an inexperienced fanfic writer who hasn't even begun film school and has zero credits to his name, and I can come up with tons of original arcs!

In short... Dear lord are these last few years terrible. I literally went through 2023 at one point to get something for the AMV and I was like "wait this happened? wait, this was an arc?"