#eastern palace spoiler

[funsizedcrow]

im playing oracle of ages and im in the fourth dungeon and i got to the boss and i was like hey wait this is familiar and then i realized that i fought it in echoes of wisdom. like the exact same boss!!

[marsprincess889]

Intuitive messages

Random and symbolic. This may or may not be for you, trust your intuition.

Disclaimer: I start to channel with images, feelings/vibes and random symbols, then I see storylines and then other messages come too. These might be ??? to you in the beginning but please, trust that if you truly think that you picked your group correctly, then there is, most likely, a message there for you, even if it's not obvious at first.

Note: I have a lot of love for all of these three groups and collectives, a lot😭 I think we'd get along really well irl if it's not weird to say. Sending all of you compassion and love. Wish all of you luck🤍

Picture 1:

Signs: lizard, iguana, Slavic, name Irina, "The Great"(2020-2023), candles, Eastern Orthodoxy, Orthodox Christmas(happy late Orthodox Christmas guys🤍), "Slavic bimbo" aesthetic, goose/geese, pine tree forest, mandarin orange, Barbara, a barber?, brown colored desserts, Claire/Clarisse/Clara, Tchsikovsky, berries, Alina, Shadow and Bone(the whole of Grishaverse but specifically the S&B part of it). Nakshatras of Shatabhisha, Ardra, Ashlesha, Dhanishta, Vishakha.

"Oh Irina..."

Hello Irina.

If you're not named Irina or something similar, it might be the name of a person relevant to you or this reading. Or maybe you just like the name/it means something to you.

I'm seeing darker colors of Winter. I got a distinct Slavic vibe for this group, but might be somewhere else.

Now I'm getting the word "malina", which means raspberry, and the name Alina.

I think I'm seeing Alina and being reminded of "Shadow and Bone" so that I can channel the message...

It does not have to be relevant to you.

Anyways, Alina is the protagonist of "Shadow and Bone"(book trilogy and a show), for those who don't know, and she's the Sun summoner(only one of her kind), representing light that is eventually going to fight the darkness. That theme of light and dark and their interplay is the perhaps the most obvious theme of that work.

Spoiler alert😭 sorry.

Alina repressed her powers in the beginning, while being tested, so that she would not be discovered, fearing that if she did in fact have powers, she would be taken away from her best friend from the orphanage, not wanting to be apart from him. They were children then.

For context, she could have had any power but the power of the Sun Summoner had been prophesized and highly desired, not only by grishas(basically, people with powers in that universe) but for also saving the kingdom of Ravka(Slavic coded) from the fold(it's a wall/passage of void and darkness). So, she gave up a life in the palace, that grishas get, to stay in the orphanage with her best friend, unknowingly depriving the nation of the Sun Summoner for years as a result😭.

There might be a theme of willing or concious concealment, most likely of yourself.

There are many variations of this: some of you are doing it for noble reasons, some of you do it for survival, some of you do it just... because, reasons.

A version of this is that you have hidden your views, opinions, preferences, thoughts, feelings and/or small actions, because you think people around you will harm you? This sounds intense, I'm sorry if this is true. Maybe not physically harm you, but you guys just have a concious need or desire for extreme privacy and secrecy. It looks to me like you're doing this to reach a specific goal.

For some of you, most likely a minority, I'm getting that this is a pregnancy, and that it's not from a committed relationship or a marriage.

For others, it's a course you decided to take in life, maybe about choosing a degree or wanting to learn something(literally taking a course for a skill) on your own.

For the rest, this might be just passivity and silence around others when there might be a tense situation. This is probably the only instance in this group where I'm guided to say that that is not the best choice at all, in fact, it might be setting you back.

"Don't assume when you don't see"

"Don't express what you don't know"

Interesting... I think you guys are not only concealing your truths, but also sharing things that mean little to you. You might be speaking a lot about politics, for example, when it's of little interest to you, and your opinions might be strong too. Or you might partake in gossip about people you don't care about at all. You might be wasting your energy on outside things that keep the life around you going in some way, but deep down you feel ignored and jaded, keeping your world a secret. A feeling I'm getting while writing this is exhaustion, and a string of hope, fleeting, barely there. It's like you have a little eagerness and enthusiasm for sharing your opinions/choices/reality(whatever you're hiding) all the while it's getting trampled on over and over and over...

This is torturous. You should be able to feel included in the life around you. Your values are imperative and they should reflect on your outward reality. I know that you are concealing them in hopes of working on making them manifest in reality, but no. Your struggle is not worth whatever can be achieved by this. It might make things way worse...

Trust yourself and don't listen to me if you think I'm wrong, especially if your situation does concern pregnancy or a huge life choice, but please, hear me out too if you can.

"There is a sign" is what I've got. You might be given a sign about where you will be heard, valued and supported. Something about the letter U and nuts is what I'm getting already😭. These, and the sign you might get can be signs of a place or a person, of where or to whom you should go to if you're tired of pretending and in need of a relief.

"Your mother loves you". This is definitely for someone. Most likely a feminine. Maybe for Irina.

I'm hearing "you have everything". There is so much that is a treasure around you, even if it seems like everything surrounding you only restricts you. You have that passion inside, and other people have not managed to erase your dreams completely, have they?

You might be close to reaching the finish line of whatever you're trying to achieve. This is an encouraging and proud sign that you are on the destined path, driving on the destined road. Keep going, it's right there...

Picture 2:

Signs: Shakespeare, drama, existentialism, period movies/tv, longing for love and passion, medieval fantasy/history/films/cosplay/comedy/anything, Aidan, Gwen/Gwyn, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, USA, The Witcher, Ciri from The Witcher, daydreamer, Phantom Of The Opera, past life regression attempts(successful or not), 124, Jack, Jackson, "liar liar", emotional/intense music, poems, boarding school?, "Jack and the beanstalk", rainy weather, Monty Python, quiet kid, bug/bugs. Nakshatras: Pushya, Bharani, Mula, Krittika.

Jack, this is the pile of Jack.

I don't know who this is. Jack might even be a character. It might be something different for everyone.

Ohhhh I got "Jack and the beanstalk", okayyy...

Someone here is non-binary, I'm also getting gay men in their younger years.

Middle child or youngest child?

Some of you love theater, but that's an obvious explanation of the images I'm getting. There's a flavor of dramaticism and theatrical behavior.

But the soul of Jack or whoever is reading this is that of a dreamer. And the dreamer that they are, dreams big. You have a wonderful, rich, spectacular mix of stories, feelings, aspirations inside of you, and that world is the highest, most precious thing for you.

Jack climbed the beanstalk, went higher and higher than his mundane world. And I think that's what the theme of the message is, in a way.

There's something fiery with the way you guys present yourselves, something filled with passion and real, intense but self-aware care. You seem aware of your nature and delight in it. There's something airy and "larger than life" about you, but at the same time_ aware and grounded. I don't think I'm describing it properly but that energy feels very beautiful to me.

Might be off topic but the images I'm getting here are: a redhead young woman with blue eyes(or is she blonde?) with her hair flying and she has a very present/aware but dreamy expression, red and black plaid, Scottish highlands, rainy/gloomy/misty weather in mountains, fire, colors red and green in general. Someone here might be from Scotland, have Scottish ancestry or maybe they just love the country to the point where it means a lot to them. For the rest, you might have been getting signs about it, or seeing Scotland as a sign? Anyway, it's a sign you're being given now.

"Jack and the beanstalk" is a fascinating story because it's describing an ambitious but mostly go-with-the-flow, relaxed boy, and him climbing the beanstalk and believing the person who gave him the beans can make people describe him as having his "head in the clouds", and also having the fiery drive to just climb it😭. Aries energy is just like that, so maybe you have Aries(sidereal, but ig can be tropical too) as an important placement. But I'm also getting air signs, and earth signs, and Pisces.

So when Jack came back from the land of the giants, he brought gifts. Gifts that he had stolen btw but let's not dwell on that😭

Weirdly I don't think this is a message about "be true to your dreams, believe in them and share their results with your loved ones" as sweet as that is, because you're way past that like that is not your focus at all. It's also not the message of "you have to ground your dreams somehow in the practical reality". I don't think that's an issue for you. Even if it is, I think there's a different message here and I'm not sure what it is yet...

Someone realized something that made them have clarity. It's you. You have seen/heard/realized something. I'm getting you laughing about it, maybe from relief, happiness and/or irony.

I'm getting a situation that concerns a person you know. They either helped you or you want to help them/have helped them. I don't think you're super close with them. They don't seem like a family member. But the situation is close to your heart, spirit and soul... You might think this is karmic, something you have to do. Like, if you help them you'll be rewarded and free of a burden.

"Jack is in their head"

That was said to me from my intuition. Why are you in your head? (All of you are Jack now for a second ok?😭 all of you are named Jack, for all intents and purposes)

"Jack is a good kid"

I know. You are. Maybe you needed to hear this.

Why is this connected to your "head in the clouds" or your character though? Maybe I needed to get into your energy.

I'm getting names Mabel, Mary, Harley and Holly now. Ok. Got them quickly. Might be you or someone else, maybe that person. Isla? Something about a cage, a secret understanding between you and that someone?

Are you worried? You are trapped somehow, feeling sad about it? But you were not harmed, at least that's not how you see it. You might feel guilty or sad for someone, and a lot. Oh I so did not expect this to go here. It's like a very engaging story.... which I got in the beginning. The drama, the story, the realization. What is happenning?

Did that happen already? And then you realized something and were done with it?

(Note: so I got up and walked around, hoping to get more info. This is what came to me, some of these details nay resonate with you but the message stays:)

"Jack is a kid(you might be in your early 20s at most). He lives in Scotland, has an older brother and a younger sister. Jack has great leadership potential and a character that suits it inside him, but he's too "over it" and has a grounded but high perspective that prevents him from engaging or caring too much, and makes him more deatched, kind if like you(so Jack is like me huh). Jack saw something he shouldn't have seen, realized something he shouldn't have known. He went and apologized to whomever it concerned and then left that situation. Now Jack feels even worse, worn out and guilty. In his mind, that situation is over, he does not want to go back to it, and he does not have to, but he must have peace of mind. Jack is a good kid. That girl(maybe that other person is a female. I'm getting Isla or and S name that has I in it?) will talk to you and give you relief. Don't worry Jack."

Wow. So that already happened. You might have any of the pronouns btw, I just wrote "he". So you know what happened and most don't. Maybe, in that situation, someone from your family has wronged that person or you indirectly/unknowingly harmed them, or thought you did. You went to explain yourself and be rid of it. I think it has really worn you out, made you think too much. And that situation is also a secret that you were not supposed to know.

If you have not resonated to a single thing in this reading yet, idk what to tell you. But here's the theme: you have a high perspective and understanding, against your will, but you also like it most times. You will reach success?? I'm getting success for you, congrats, mainly in self-development/dreams/career for some. Some of you might be on your way to fame actually, minor or major, but only take this if it makes sense for you. It might be unexpected though. You have to stop thinking too much about whatever that situation is that dragged you down energetically. If that part of getting invloved in a secret mess resonates, then that other person is going to, most likely, say thanks/apologize/acknowledge your actions.

You can take that experience as a lesson and a turning point. You might remember it with a lot of feeling in the future, reminiscing on it with quiet comtemplation or vivid memory.

I still don't know the whole story of this. Is there a secret child involved? Let me know maybe...

Either way, I hope you have a good day, Jack😉🤍

Picture 3:

Signs: clean white sheets, linen, horses, color white, green meadows, wired earphones, clear blue skies, cloudy evenings in summer, youth/childhood, 33, rivers, washing clothes in a river, nymphs, lambs, calf, distrust of older males, visible joy, hidden suspicions/fears, Annie/Annika/Anne/Anya..., golden brown/ light blonde or long and dark brown/black hair, white tea, Bern(Switzerland)(big sign), Geneva(Switzerland), Lorraine(Germany), white flowers, Jasmine(name or flower), Elizabeth/Liz, initial T(might be of anything). Nakshatras of Punarvasu, Jyeshta, Uttara Bhadrapada.

I'm getting something about a rural environment, maybe about a family home there. It's in the mountains and there is a lot of green there in the summer.

This is most likely a memory or a previous wish/dream. I'm hearing now it was something that has happened and something you have a clear/vivid memory of, still.

I'm getting a sense of a (extended)family gathered together somewhere. I'm seeing it's in Summer months but it could've been anytime. It seems like a happy and carefree occassion. There might have been a man/male, someone older who raised hair or set off a silent alarm within you. You, the person reading this, might have noticed something or just gotten a gut feeling about him that gave you an ick, a huge ick actually. What's interesting is that I think only you noticed it, there certaiy was not much validation from others when it came to that.

"You were not imagining it"

"Someone was wrong"

"Children notice a lot"

I am so sorry but I am getting creepy and disgusting energy from that person. An older female(maybe a male for some of you) in your family/in that group might have defended him or told you you were being silly, imagining it, making things up from little evidence. But you were not. I am getting, strongly, that you were right. I have no idea why this is coming up though. For most of you, I'm getting this is not something traumatic to you, at least not really, but if it is, I hope you get your justice, however much you need. You should not doubt your childhood self is the message for you.

Validation from wherever I'm hearing this messages(😭my intuition?) is here. I think you're revisiting that time in your life or just remembering how you felt then and realizing you're not so different from that version of you. This is going to give you a lot of validation and true confidence. When others ignored or doubted you, you held on to yourself. Good for you. But I have to say that you were most likely around 12-13 at most, for most of you, which makes your self-respect even more impressive. There were so many attempts, councious or not, at killing the trust you had for yourself. Maybe the years after tried to do it again but wow, even though you almost slipped, everything arrayed against you just fell away, on its own. And now you have come back to that place of an untainted perspective.

This message was for you if you had longer, brown hair then, or very light blonde, and/or if your or some other person's name there was Anne, Annie, Annika, Anya, or any variation of it. Even if not, that still might've been for you, but that was just confirmation for a collective.

(Added note: when I wrote "might've been" just now, I wrote "might've bern" at first. Bern, Switzerland might be of relevance to this, or the whole country of Switzerland, actually. Adding that to signs😄)

"Annika, you are spot on"

I'm going to feel embarrassed if none of you are named Annika or a similar name but that's what I got😶 maybe that name means something to you, even if you do not have a real-life person in your life who is called that.

Another name I'm getting is Liz, or Lizzie, Eliza... you get it, any variation of it. If someone here is named Elizabeth, then they most likely get addressed by a shortened version of the name, or were then.

I'm getting Annika and Anne names much more strongly though.

So going back to the message, anyone who invalidated you, made you feel like you were insane, they do not know what they are talking about, and never did. At least regarding your perspectives and your inner world in general. It is hard when family makes you feel unseen, alone and abandoned, but give yourself a break for a moment and realize, that you have been the one with the clear vision all this time, you are the one who has the best awareness.

I feel something like irony and calm reminiscing. You have grown so much, only to become the same person you were that time. And I still call that growth.

(Another note: when I wrote "same" I wrote "sane" at first. You ARE sane, have always been.)

I am truly sorry for those people who made you feel insane because they are going to be really put through an experience. Not that you care for it much. I think you guys are good at having a "birds eye view", a high perspective that allows you to see the whole picture clearly. You are not petty at all, and prefer peace and calm as your vengeance against those who wronged you. Those people are about to have the rug pulled from under their feet. They are going to feel like the earth has bern opened beneath them. A blessing that they have never gotten_ the truth revealed. You have known it all along.

I think you guys forgot about that situation, and now, going back to it emotionally or mentally, or even psychologically, might feel like you're yourself again, whole.

If you guys have not hit a milestone yet, then I'm seeing success for you. At the very least, I'm seeing mental assuredness and spritual security in you, calm(on the outside) passion and contentment in general, a lot of independence too. True freedom from unecccesary imposter syndrome is also there. A momentum is going to be picking up in your life, like a ball rolling and getting bigger, picking up more as it goes. Independence, validation, balance, peace💕 and you're looking good I see, you're feeling fresh, healthy and true, natural.

Do not go back to anyone who has wronged you, even if they want to apologize and want your forgiveness. It's rude not to do so for some people, but your momentum cannot bear to be affected by that familiar, harmful energy. Try to be as distant with them as possible, and try to spend as little energy on them as possible, preferrably, none at all.

I'm seeing travel for you guys and I want to congratulate you. Do not know why, but maybe the fact that you have arrived in this flow is enough.

👑 here, for you.

Please comment or reblog to let me know if and how this resonated. I'd love to know more.

[highlynerdy]

2024 year end Cdrama list

It's mid January and I'm finally getting around to finishing this up. I watched quite a lot of cdramas in 2024. Like. A lot. 28 dramas! (Plus a rewatch of Nirvana in Fire and Joy of Life 1) That might not sound like that much but the previous 2 years I watched 5 and 4 respectively. I was really inspired by @dangermousie 's wrap up list but decided to group mine by how much I enjoyed them since I watched both older and current dramas. Also, this list is just my personal opinions so if there's a drama on here that you loved and I didn't, that's just preference and not an attack on your taste. Secondly, this may contain spoilers for semi-recent dramas. And finally, I really did try to not be long winded but...yeah. Here we go.

❌ DROPPED SUPER EARLY Are You The One - the look of the drama and just the first two episodes were both nah for me.

Go East - I unfairly only gave this one episode so maybe I’ll check it out in the future but I just wasn’t vibing with the premise at all. I usually don’t go in for comedies to begin with. 

Princess Royal - I love both of the lead actors but I couldn’t get into it.

Love’s Rebellion - Nope. Two cutesy and not my style.

Mysterious Lotus Casebook - I tried three separate times to get into this drama and finally made it to episode 6 or 7 before realizing I just couldn’t do it.

⭐️ WATCHED A LOT BUT STILL DROPPED Love Game In Eastern Fantasy - This was so cute and funny and also gorgeous visuals. Yu Shuxin just shines in comedies. But somewhere around episode 24, I realized I had just been 2x speed going through everything for like three episodes so I dropped it.

The Story of Pearl Girl - I adore Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning and I was so excited to see them together. But wow, this one was an absolute snoozefest. I gave it 16 episodes and I wish I had quit earlier. Uninteresting, uninspired, just a blah fest of a show.

Till the End of the Moon - this one might get me straight up assassinated because I know how much people love this show but I just could not get into it. I kept waiting and waiting to care and finally bailed after 36 episodes. The costumes were eye candy but that’s all I can say.

Destined - I wanted more Bai Jingting after watching him in Reset and New Life Begins but this drama just never grabbed me. I think I made it to episode 17 or 18 before calling it. 

In Blossom - Liu Yuexi is absolutely gorgeous in this drama but even his amazing gray streaked hair and beautifully haunted face couldn’t keep me interested in this drama after the reveal. 

Love and Redemption - another one that might get me shot for dropping because I know it’s a beloved classic. I gave it 31 episodes - more than halfway through the 59 episodes - before realizing that I hadn’t really cared all that much and watching an episode felt like a chore. I may try to pick it up again one day but life is too short and there are too many dramas to watch something I’m not vibing with.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ FINISHED AND LIKED BUT NOT LOVED The Romance of Tiger and Rose - I picked this after finishing MJTY and it was a fun little romp. Zhao Lusi is so comedically talented. But ultimately this was just a fun watch I didn’t think much of after I finished it.

Legend of Fuyao - this was a long one. It had some great moments, clearly defined arcs, and interesting characters. I finished it and enjoyed it while watching but I haven’t thought much about it since the end.

Story of Kunning Palace - I wanted to love this one. The opening scene was so fucking fire but the rest of the series didn’t really grab me. I think Zhang Linghe and Bai Lu just don’t have a believable chemistry to me. I shipped her with the princess far more.

Kill Me Love Me - This one started out like a rocket! The incredibly believable chemistry between two grown ass adults, the sex appeal, the unhinged potential. But it was a classic case of cdrama ending falling all to pieces. Too many hands in the pot lead to a WTF conclusion.

Lost You Forever 2 - Part 1 is one of my very favorites this year. But part 2 was a serious case of censorship absolutely destroying the logic of a story. I almost didn’t even finish it after what they did to CX’s character/the dream revelation but I still powered through to a thoroughly meh ending. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REALLY LIKED Eternal Brotherhood - it took me two tries to get into this one but I’m glad I did. The three main ML’s had such an amazing relationship and I loved the complexity of their characters and their relationships. Love of Nirvana - The way they transformed the main couple from "trying to murder you repeatedly" to "you’re the only one for me and I'll die for you" was shocking and yet it was so believable?? Stellar. People had a fit about the ending but I thought it made sense for the story and that’s all I really care about.

The Rise of Ning - Zhang Wanyi getting to show off his patented smile turning into a terrifyingly menacing murder face?? Sign me up. He and Ren Min were a delight to watch together. 

A Familiar Stranger - my first mini drama! Cheng Lei was fire. Even though it was short, it somehow packed an entire story in there. I can’t wait to check out more mini dramas.

Snowfall - where were the censors?! Did the creators of Snowfall lock them away in a basement? This drama was a fever dream of WTF and it was so enjoyable. Gao Weiguang is one fine specimen and he played an eternal vamp so well. Ouyang Nana was a star too. 

Under The Skin 2 - Though I didn’t love this season as much as the first, it was still so enjoyable to see the gang back together again. And to see just how GAY they could make it. I struggled with a lot of the logic in some places but still enjoyed the look into the darker side of Shen Yi. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ LOVED My Journey to You - A visual fucking feast and was the most beautiful drama I’d ever seen until Fangs of Fortune (unsurprisingly also a GJM drama). I loved soft Gong Ziyu and poison baby Gong Yuanzhi.

Under The Skin - my first modern and my first cop drama. Honestly I only gave it a try because I needed more TJC after Lost You Forever. It was a great story, killer chemistry, and the art was incredible. 

The Double - a supremely satisfying revenge tale with killer performances from both leads and the main villain. Also gorgeously shot.

New Life Begins - I only checked this one out for more Bai Jingting after loving him in Reset. I’m glad I gave it a shot because even though it isn’t my normal kind of drama the cast and story were lovely and engaging. So much humor and sweetness.

The Story of Minglan - Epic. It’s a beloved classic for a reason. Minglan is a brilliant, patient, resourceful character who survives and thrives within the bounds of tough society and it’s heartbreaking and satisfying and moving throughout. It’s also like watching a play on screen because there are entire episodes that stay in one scene, with one camera. 

The Legend of Shen Li - silly, beautiful, romantic, angsty, action packed. Two grown ass humans in a gorgeous xianxia. The relationship was so satisfying to watch from beginning to end. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕ ABSOLUTE FAVES THAT REWIRED MY BRAIN Reset - This show was so incredibly done. Pacing, story, characters, the actual pressure I felt as they tried to figure it all out. Bai Jingting and Zhao Jinmai were brilliant separately and together. There was a side character in this that made me cry with happy, hopeful tears and I’ll never forget him. Cat apostle, my beloved. 

Lost You Forever - It was my first time watching every single one of the leads and I fell in love with every single one of them. I was addicted so early on that it was wild. Yang Zi as Xiao Yao played a FL that is allowed to be messy and unforgiving and broken. So much trauma from every single character that made sense within the universe. My very first ot3 vibes from XY/TSJ/XL too. 

Blossom - What an unexpected story for the end of the year! Meng Ziyi and Li Yunrui as two outrageously smart, hyper competent, constantly motivated leads?? No dumb, constant misunderstandings? Acting true to their character within the universe? Just a solid plot, Song Mo’s gorgeous gray wig, romance like you wouldn’t believe, and time travel! 

Fangs of Fortune - This show. THIS FUCKING AMAZING SHOW. The trailer made it look interesting, but there is no way in hell I expected the full choke-hold this story had on me. I woke up at like 7:30 in the morning to watch the new episodes. It was a visual feast that I’m not sure will ever be topped, unless it’s by another GJM drama. And the poly vibes were glorious as were the found family moments. I also cried so much in the last few episodes that my glasses were covered in tears and I could barely breathe through my nose. Wouldn’t have missed a single moment and I can’t wait to watch it again.

Joy of Life 2 - My beloved Joy of Life. It's truly a masterpiece of storytelling and acting. It was such a long wait between 1 and 2 that I was more than a little worried it wouldn’t be able to hold up, but ohhhhh it did. Almost the entire cast was back and on their A game. The balancing act of humor and drama was so perfectly done. A good continuation of the plot plus new characters to fall in love with and shenanigans to get into. Just. I can’t actually explain in words how much I love this story. 

FAVORITE MALE CHARACTERS

Fan Xian (Zhang Ruoyun), Joy of Life 2 - my favorite drama character of all time. He is at turns irreverent and serious, funny and devastating. He is smart, thoughtful, idealistic, and traumatized and through everything he still uses his power to fight injustices. Watching him try to balance everything is heartbreaking and inspiring and just so good.

Zhao Yuanzhou (Hou Minghao), Fangs of Fortune - HMH absolutely owned this role. A tortured, ancient demon who wants nothing more than to die as an escape from his suffering and regret finds so many reasons maybe living wouldn't be too bad. His story truly broke me.

Song Mo (Li Yunrui), Blossom - From a child who escaped a terrible father and grew up with his military uncle to an unyielding and honorable adult. He took his trauma and used it to make the world better place. Righteous to the point of endangering himself and others, and willing to do whatever to protect his people and uncover the truth.

FAVORITE FEMALE CHARACTERS

Xiao Yao (Yang Zi), Lost You Forever - She!!!! Messy, broken, at times unforgiving, fiercely loving, loyal, playful, smart. One of the most of fleshed out female leads I've found in years of watching cdramas.

Dou Zhao (Meng Ziyi), Blossom - kind, smart, savvy, resourceful, and level headed. Yeah, she had a bit of a cheat code on take 2, but she utilized it so well without it being Girl Boss unrealistic.

Sheng Minglan (Zhao Liying), The Story of Minglan - watching her grow from a child to a girl to a woman and all the struggles she had to overcome was so enjoyable. Watching her confidence grow with the MLs steadfast support for her to not be a pushover was so pleasing. The moment she stood up to her family was a scene I watched over and over again.

NEEDS TO BE MURDERED

Almost every single fucking Cdrama dad! But especially the dad from The Rise of Ning, both leads dad’s from The Story of Minglan, and Song Mo’s dad from Blossom.

BEST BAD GUYS The Emperor (Joy of Life 2) - The Emperor's charismatic nature that we saw in S1 definitely had some obvious and brutal slips this year. Orchestrating truly baffling scenes, executing vocal opponents, encouraging infighting with his sons, and then showing his power at the flower festival. Terrifying character.

Li Lun (Fangs of Fortune) - The exact kind of bad guy I love. Yes, I get why he was upset. Does that mean he had to go down the road he did? No. And that's why it was so satisfying and moving. At the heart of it he was just a broken soul who was abandoned and it festered. His redemption was beautiful and meaningful and became the reason I mad ship ZYZ/ZYC/and him.

“ARE THE CENSORS DEAD” AWARD

Pretty much could just point at almost all of Fangs of Fortune, most of Snowfall, and good portion of Kill Me, Love Me. I hope they continue to be off chasing butterflies somewhere.

FAVORITE SHIPS

Zhao Yuanzhou x Zhou Yichen/Wen Xiao/Li Lun (Fangs of Fortune) - I know only WX and him were canon but like. We all know what was going on. You can't have someone that magnetic, gorgeous, and powerful, who has bonkers chemistry with everyone, and not ship him with everyone in different variations.

Dou Zhao x Song Mo (Blossom) - It was outrageously satisfying watching these two be at odds with each other and even more so when they finally came together. The two of them were so in sync and supportive and just down to do whatever for the other. The wedding bracelet scene was just!!!

Shen Li x Xing Zhi (The Legend of Shen Li) - Two grown ass humans who are perfectly capable on their own, but even more capable together. The tension between them and the journey to break the bindings that trapped them both was a show to behold. He happy to be bossed around by his tiny wifey was 10/10. Plus they're just so gorgeous to look at.

FAVORITE SCENES

I have no idea how I could possibly narrow this down to a reasonable number because there were so many scenes that will live in my brain rent free forever. But ones that just pop out.

Fan Xian (Joy of Life 2) - watching the censor being executed was brutal in a way that I wasn't prepared for. But just like Teng Zijing's death in S1 being super formative to FX's character arc, this pain and unfair punishment also fueled his rage and righteousness. And ZRY's control and display of his emotions is unparalleled.

Shen Li (The Legend of Shen Li) exploding into flames and fury to become the phoenix and plummeting into the ocean to defeat the villain. Holy shit, what a visual.

Xiao Yao (Lost You Forever 1) kissing Tushan Jing's scars like. It was so tender and emotional and impactful. I swooned and squealed and fell so much more in love with them.

I don't know if it's a "favorite", but it is definitely one I will never forget. The rain execution scene in Eternal Brotherhood with Di Lun and Zichuan Xiu. The devastation he felt at this moment, I FELT.

Almost every scene in Fangs of Fortune. But every time a demon died, them turning into gorgeous sparkling light was a visual I'll never get over.

BEST COSTUMING

Fangs of Fortune - the work that went into the costuming on this show is bonkers. The detailing of all the motifs for each character, the fabrics, beading, accessories. I just want to bow down to the design team for how hard they went on this drama.

FAVORITE 2024 CDRAMA SONG

Yuanzhou's Youth (Hou Minghao), Fangs of Fortune - the way this song grows and builds and showcases not only HMH's lovely voice, but the essence of ZYZ's character made it my favorite of this year. The entire soundtrack is stellar though.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Lost Your Forever 2 - Just. The It Was All A Dream bullshit made me want to throw my tv out the window. It was a no for me.

BIGGEST GOOD SURPRISE

Fangs of Fortune was the biggest surprise for me for sure. But I was also pleasantly surprised by Blossom and Reset.

2024 DRAMAS I HAVEN’T SEEN THAT I MOST WANT TO WATCH

I still want to check out Love In The Desert, Dashing Youth, Riverside Code at Qingming Festival, and War of Faith.

MOST ANTICIPATED

Veil of Shadows, A Dream Within A Dream, Legend of the Female General, and Love of the Divine Tree. But I'm sure there will be many more!

[blues824]

How about Female ubuyashiki in the remarried empress.

👩‍🦯A ill noble woman who is known for her heat of gold and motherly figure for most nobes they all call her mother in a respected manner.

🌸Her being there for navier when she is having difficulty with rattrash and sovieshit and calming her down even staying a couple of months in the eastern empire.

👩‍🦯How would everyone react to her slowly dying of her illness but she doesn't care about it she cares more about others than her health and always treats people with respect.

🌸imagine kosiar being her husband and how caring he is about his lovely wife and them already having children because they never know when she dies so her children whoud be there for kosiar when she passes away .

👩‍🦯The children don't have the same illness as their mother so they will have a normal life unlike their mother so kosiar whoud not have to worry about them dying before he does.

🌸How would everyone react to kosiar being a father of twins (spoilers navier get pregnant with twins later in the Nov ) and that the children are absolutely angels like the mother.

👩‍🦯Imagen the twin children of the female ubuyashiki and kosiar hanging around navier and them being more behaved than rattrash and them being loved by everyone.

🌸Imagen rattrash trying to spread rumours about her because she thinks she is a easy target because of her personality and illness only for people to get mad at her.

👩‍🦯Imagen rattrash pushing her and trying to make herself the victim only for people to help her up and ask her if she okay glaring at rattrash and people wanting her to apologise for pushing her even sovieshit can't do anything but to say she needs to apologise.

🌸She has always a person guiding her because of her losing her eyesight and loves to walk in the gardens to enjoy the beauty of natures.

👩‍🦯Her training crows to speak and sending a few to navier and the crows singing happy birthday to the and Queen and the crows vibing.

🌸What whoud be there reaction is she died because of her illness and seeing all the nobles morning her death and sending there regards to kosiar.

(I don't know why but that crow in the picture is so adorable)

Preface: You are a part of the nobility who is loved by all because of your motherly attitude towards everyone. You are married to Kosair, which makes you Navier and Sovieshu’s sister-in-law. Your children, one boy and one girl, are the perfect mixture of you and Kosair.

Sovieshu

He also considered you a ‘motherly’ figure, as you always offered him guidance in both political and personal matters. His earliest memories consist of him leading you through the palace gardens as he told you about problems he was having in his daily lessons. Needless to say, you were very close.

Even when he took on Rashta as a mistress, you gently asked him if he thought that he made the best choice for the Empire. You did not discriminate, even when he made mistakes, and that’s what he appreciated (and no, he did not harbor romantic feelings for you). Even after you were wed to Kosair and had children, the closeness between you two was not severed. He still went to you for advice. 

He was originally going to name one of your children the Crowned Heir of the throne if he and Navier did not conceive, but Rashta was pregnant so that threw a wrench in his plans. Still, you harbored no resentment. You even congratulated him on the news (although, you knew that it wasn’t his).

However, he also knew of your sickness. That was mainly why he had to lead you through the gardens, since the illness left you blind. He was aware that you wouldn’t live long, as your family was often cursed. It was typically thought that when you take the last name of another man, your illness would be cured but you chose to keep your last name. Your children had the name of Trovi, though.

When you inevitably passed away, it was the first time that everyone in the Empire gathered together to mourn. Even some people from different Kingdoms and Empires attended the funeral procession. Tears ran down Sovieshu’s face, and he held his wife to comfort her. Your spirit, before ascending, was happy to see that the Emperor and Empress came together for one final time.

Rashta

You were the first person to make her feel welcomed into the palace, and she appreciated it. However, she realized that since you were loved by everyone, both high-ranking and not, ruining your reputation would do good for her because all of the negative attention wouldn’t be on her anymore. Plus, you knew that the baby wasn’t Sovieshu’s. You had told her that you didn’t judge, but she felt threatened.

She invited you for a walk in the garden, and you accepted as long as she would guide you through. An odd request, but she agreed. Within the garden, she led you to the center, where she pushed you to the ground and screamed. A guard heard and went to investigate, only to find you on the ground. Rashta tried to say that you had tried to attack her, but the guard told her that you were blind.

That guard reported it to the Emperor, and he was angry at his mistress for daring to harm his ‘mother’ and try to paint herself as the victim. However, you argued that you weren’t terribly hurt, and maybe just got a bit of a scratch at the most. Thus, the punishment should fit the crime.

Of course, the fact that you were blind caught your attention. So, she asked a servant to bring her to see you, and you gladly accepted her into your chambers. There, you opened the conversation with ‘What is wrong, my child?’ She didn’t know how to beat around the bush, so she directly asked how you became blind. You smiled before giving her a painfully honest answer. It made her tear up a bit, to be honest.

When you passed, she did not attend the funeral procession. She was advised by the Emperor as well as Duke Ergi not to, as the people were still angry at her for hurting you even though that was. However, once you were buried, she placed a single white tulip upon your grave. She has been told that it would be best, as it is a symbol of an apology.

Navier

Since you were her sister-in-law, it was no wonder that you both were very close together. She too seeked out your wise counsel when she went through times of despair. It was a surprise to no one that a lot of the nobility had given you the honorary title of ‘mother to all’. She often leads you through the gardens whenever she is troubled about something, and your conversations always leave her mind at peace.

Your twins were her niece and nephew, and she loved them dearly. They were quiet and kind, just like you, but they weren’t afraid to stand up for the people that they love, just like Kosair. Navier loved it whenever she heard them yell her name and she would kneel down to hug them. She was happy that they did not inherit your disease, as that meant that she would only lose one person that was important to her.

Speaking of your illness, she also knew of it, and she saw how you pushed through it day after day. There were times where you couldn’t get out of bed without major assistance, which did make her uncharacteristically upset. She could tell that your twins and her brother were silently suffering at seeing you sick and weak.

She was definitely angry when she heard that you had been pushed to the ground by the mistress, but she was surprised to see you arguing that you weren’t hurt badly and thus any punishment given to Rashta should be light. But, she was not going to argue against you, as you always knew best.

When you passed away, she stood with her older brother and her niece and nephew as she cried. It was raining that day, and black umbrellas as well as black attire under a sky of rain clouds were all that could be seen. Sovieshu surprised her by wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and she let a few tears fall. She swore that she could feel your spirit next to her.

Every year, for her birthday, the same crows that you trained would come and sing her Happy Birthday.

Heinrey

He had first met you at the ball, and he could see that you were basically like a mother to all of the noble families. So, he chose to get to know you since you were a motherly figure to Navier. Almost immediately, you both were sitting down as you listened to the problems that he was having.

This is where he accidentally lets it slip that he is the bird that keeps visiting Navier, and you smile as you say that you can’t see anything, so you can’t say anything. Heinrey had noticed that you weren’t looking at him throughout the whole conversation, so now he realizes that you are blind. Your husband, Kosair, actually led you everywhere.

During his visit at the palace, your husband brought your children to see Navier, which was the first time that the Prince got to see them as well. From what he could tell, they looked like Kosair but acted like you. They seemed to not have inherited your curse as well.

Unfortunately, he was not informed about your declining health, as it was deemed to be untimely since his brother was on his deathbed as well. So, when he inherited the crown of the Western Kingdom and went to visit Navier, he was wondering where you had gone. Unfortunately, the wound was still fresh when he asked Her Imperial Majesty.

It felt like he actually lost his mother all over again. He mourned, and he did not take the grief well. However, your last words to him were in a letter, and they were to make the Empress happy. So, he would do that to the best of his ability because it’s what you would have wanted. 

Kosair

You both first met when you were children. Sure, you both were betrothed to one another considering it was believed that if you got your husband’s last name then you were exempt from the curse, but he still loved you with all his heart. However, for some unknown reason, you stuck with your original name. As sad as it made him, he did not argue against your choice.

The twins that you had given birth to were his entire world aside from you. His daughter and son had him wrapped around their fingers. He never told you this, but he was glad that you chose to give them his name, Trovi, instead of Ubuyashiki. But, you were still suffering from the curse, so he believed that it was his job as your husband to help you.

He loved leading you through the garden that you both had grown because it was a symbol of how you built a life together through the struggles. You loved that he cared about you so much, and it was always a wholesome moment. Eventually, your children would inherit the Manor and the garden, and you hoped that they would continue to help it thrive once you had inevitably passed.

Unfortunately, your health had deteriorated to the point where you were bedridden. Kosair held your hand and placed a kiss on the back of it as he spent as much time as he could by your side. Your children cuddled up next to you, which made you smile. Your crows were perched on the window sill, letting out sad cries.

Then, you passed away peacefully in your sleep. Because you were loved by everyone in the Empire, your funeral procession was one that would be typically for the Imperial Family. Everyone, aside from Rashta, attended. Kosair and your children as well as Sovieshu and Navier stood front and center as the High Priest said some words over your casket. Once the casket was covered with dirt, your husband placed your wedding ring within the dirt so that it would be buried with you.

[katarh-mest]

the real overarching theme of Apothecary Diaries

It's anti-primogeniture: The first son isn't necessarily the one that should inherit everything.

(Spoilers for the novels released into English up to volume 10-ish, with some speculation beyond that, so I'm putting this all behind a cut to keep those who are anime only or manga only safe unless they wanna read it.)

The idea that the "first son should inherit it all" in some cultures (although ironically, more often in Western than Eastern cultures) fails to take into account a lot of different variables.

Sometimes the first son (or only son) isn't suited to the job and there is no one else who can do it. (See: the former Emperor.) That's why his mom ended up becoming Empress Regent and ruling in his name, and doing the unspeakable in the hopes that one of the young girls might still bear her a grandson. (In any other clan, she could have just adopted a branch family member, but doing so with distant relatives in the Ka clan would have probably caused a civil war, since they were all in other named families.)

Sometimes the second son is far more suitable to the job, and the first son has talents that would be better placed elsewhere (Lahan vs Lahan's Older Brother.) The oldest brother might be in denial about it, but it's clear to everyone around them that that boy belongs on a farm, not trying to arrange family members like pieces on a shogi board like Lakan or Lahan are capable of doing.

Sometimes there's only a daughter, and she is perfectly suited to take over the job, if only someone would give her the proper training and the opportunity! (I believe that eventually Maomao will be the head doctor of the Rear Palace, taking over Luomen's original family business, so to speak. Even if she's also forced to become a princess consort in the process. The two positions are not incompatible.)

Sometimes the oldest son is suited to some parts of the family business, but not other parts. (Jinshi would probably be okay as an actual ruler, but as a monogamist to the core, finds the idea of a harem of concubines repulsive.) And so he wants no part of it and wants out of the line of succession.

Sometimes the family business really should be handled by the ENTIRE FAMILY - see the three sons of the metalworker. Only the youngest son had the talent of their father, but the two older sons had their own roles within the family business, and between the three of them, the business will thrive.

It's really an examination of the family version of the Peter Principle - it's entirely possible to force a family into extinction by making people unsuited to govern fail upward.

Speculation time:

The Yi clans and the Shi clans fell because their families got too ambitious. They wanted to rule for the sake of ruling, instead of focusing their talents on their historical strengths, and supporting the family that did currently rule.

Now, when the former emperor and the empress regnant were still in power, it made sense to consider trying to seize the throne - the succession hinged on a lone surviving male (the current Emperor) and it appeared that the Ka clan was in danger of dying out because of the "curse" that kept killing his children (leaded facepaint.) The Yi clan were wipe out by the Empress Regnant (still waiting for the details on that in the next volume or two) and the Shi clan plotted to take out the last surviving threat, the Moon Prince. That plot failed because of Maomao.

Unfortunately for them, the current Emperor is suited for the job of ruling the country, and knew what shogi pieces to send to stop them from their rebellion.

[semisolidmind]

How did Wukong find MK and decide to adopt him?

non-spoiler answer: wukong found mk when he was small, had a rare moment of empathy, decided to adopt him and raise him as his own.

(season 4 spoilers: context taken from later episodes in the season. also bad end mk lore, ig)

spoiler answer: stone egg.

mk comes from a similar place as wukong; made from the same stone, although mk came out as a young child instead of a fully formed adult. despite having a small thought about "sparing" mk the pain of a life as a monkey demon by killing him then and there, wukong decides to adopt mk and raise him to be as strong as he can. think of it like an extra middle finger to heaven from the monkey king (that and the fact that the only person wukong ever would have felt comfortable having kids with has been dead for thousands of years and he isn't sure if she's gonna reincarnate, so mk may be his only chance at having a legacy).

i have a theory that the reason mk looks human in the show is because he saw humans when he wandered into the city, so he unconsciously changed his form to look more like them. like, the magic that created him knew he'd be safer if he looked human.

however, seeing as villain wukong decided to adopt him and raise him alongside the other monkeys of ffm from the beginning, mk's form in this au is similar to the monkey form we see in the show. he has better access to his powers that way, on top of swk actively discouraging him from looking human.

it's like the reverse of what we see in the show. mk has been raised (by wukong) to believe that humans are mostly terrible, so he should be happy being a monkey demon. when he does his gold magic glitch-out thing from the later episodes, he looks human during said glitch. it's a sort of reflection of his mental state; he's come to see himself as more human because of his exposure to mortal society and his changing ideals, but the distrustful, cautious side of him can't face that fact.

the mk of this au has some considerable differences from the normal mk. the biggest one being his skill level in combat. in this iteration, swk has been training him from day one, so that classic mk clumsiness is practically nonexistent. the kid's basically a living weapon (almost) on par with one of the greatest fighters in the world. there's an innate power and grace in his movement.

he's a lot more brutal in his fighting style as well. you get trained by a villain notorious for going all-out, you learn to not pull your punches no matter the opponent.

this is compounded by the fact that mk has his own staff. villain wukong isn't about to give up his signature weapon, and it doesn't seem like that much of a stretch to just...go steal another magic pillar from the eastern dragon palace.

"Like that old codger could stop us. C'mon, kid, let's go get you a real weapon."

another difference is mk's general attitude. sure, he's still a fairly happy kid, but he was raised to always keep his guard up. strike first, ask questions later. his first meeting with mei was an all out battle, because he didn't understand that this dragon decendent wasn't trying to hurt him. he's a bit more serious here too, and it's mei who's the upbeat one between the two of them. she's also the one that introduced him to pigsy, sandy, and tang. she's kinda his safety net as far as mortal interactions go, teaching him the ins and outs of mortal culture.

this version of mk can kick red son's ass stupidly easily. the whole dbk family, really. to the point that red son's terrified of him, though he tries to hide it behind a superior attitude. this could go for all the demons in the show, really. mk scares all of them to a certain degree.

he wouldn't reallyneed his friends help, in this au. he's got this idea in his head that he shouldn't be dragging his much less powerful friends into fights he can easily finish on his own. he's been raised with a "help yourself, because noone else will. in fact they'll be in your way" type mentality when it comes to battle.

his story in this au is more of a "allow people to get close to and care about you, not everyone is trying to kill you" arc, instead of a power-up, training arc. mk needs to learn to let people help him, and allow himself to be open.

to sum it up; mk is seen as a monster like his father, and is learning to be less of a monster. he wants to be a hero.

"I...I don't wanna be like him. I wanna be better, I want to use this power to help people, to protect them! I just...don't want to be what the world thinks I should be."

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

edgar allen poe + twst??

***Spoilers for book 7 part 4!!***

In the latest main story update, Lilia tells us about the princess of the Briar Valley (ie Malleus’s mom) and a fae messenger that went to an human fortress to the east (Malleus’s dad). If you’ll recall, Malleus tells us in present day (in his Birthday Boy vignettes) that his “only living relative” is his grandmother, which implies his parents are gone. The update leaves us on a cliffhanger where Lilia and co. are at the eastern fortress while the humans are launching a surprise attack on the palace where Malleus’s mother resides. It is very possible that she will die as a result of this encounter (for as powerful as she is, the humans greatly outnumber her). His father had gone missing prior to this while going to deliver a message to the humans. It is not confirmed if he is dead or just… missing at the moment.

Both Malleus’s mom and dad are referred to by name, but the fandom is finding it difficult to settle on one variation until an official English localization of book 7 comes out. “Mallenoa” appears to be the commonly accepted term for Malleus’s mom, whereas “Levan/Revan” is for his dad.

Well… what if we looked at the works of Edgar Allen Poe?? More specifically, at the two poems Lenore and The Raven? 🤔 Stay with me here—

The first poem, Lenore, was written by Poe to cope with his wife Virginia contracting tuberculosis. It speaks of the passing of a young woman (Lenore), and those who mourn for her. Important to note is that Lenore is described as “the queenliest dead that ever died so young”.) Her intended is not crying at the funeral, so others accuse him of not caring for his now deceased fiancé. He counters by claiming the other mourners are the ones who never really cared for her. The poem finished with Lenore’s husband-to-be saying that she is in a better place now than this “damned earth”.

What does this have to do with Malleus’s mom? Look at how her name is written in TWST JP (the two characters that follow the name refer to her title):

Now notice how Lenore is written. All of the characters match except the missing first one (which is understandable, since that is the “Malle”/“Mare” part missing). I confirmed this by typing in “Mallenore”; the end result was the exact same writing as how Malleus’s mom’s name is written in game.

Knowing that Mallenoa is in a dangerous situation that puts her life at risk and Lenore is a poem all about someone who has passed... PLUS Lenore is a woman who is described as “the queenliest dead”, and Mallenoa is the princess of Briar Country, destined to be queen one day... AND how their names are written matching up, it’s possible that “Mallenoa” will be localized as “Mallenore”.

But what about Malleus's dad? Well, I see two possibilities: "Levan" could be a reference to "levin" or lightning (something which Maleficent is associated with) OR it could be "Revan", which is just raven with the vowels swapped around. (It's difficult to know for sure which one would be "more" correct, as the /r/ and /l/ sounds tend to blend together in Japanese.) As we all know, Maleficent is also known for Diablo, her pet raven. Levan/Revan also serves a very similar role as Diablo did for Maleficent to his wife and princess (ie he advised her and acted as her right-hand man; hence why he was the one who departed for the diplomatic trip).

Edit: TWST EN has confirmed that the official localization for Malleus's dad's name is "Raverne". Back to Lenore for a moment, Levan/Revan could be filling in for the role of the upset husband-to-be. Thinking about it, after his wife has died (and assuming he is still alive at that point), the world really would be like a "damned earth" to him. His wife is gone, his country in tatters because of how the human invaders have ravaged it, etc. And worse yet, if he is fae himself then it will be years and years before he is able to rejoin his wife in death.

This brings us to The Raven, which was published 2 years after Lenore and serves as a sort of companion piece to it. The Raven refers to a creature that visits an unnamed man, who laments the loss of his love, Lenore. (Note that even though the same name is used here, it’s not clear if this Lenore is the exact same as the one in Lenore.) The bird continuously antagonizes the mourning man and drives him to madness, reflecting the poem’s sentiment that lingering grief can interfere with one’s ability to live in the present. The Raven, then, is said to be the spirit or presence of Lenore paying a visit to her lover and/or “haunting” him.

The Raven doesn’t have parallels as clear as the ones between Lenore and Mallenoa—however, the motif of the raven itself would match up with what we know of Diablo. “The Raven” is a bird that refuses to leave the mourning man’s home no matter which room he goes to. This could refer to the relationship between Malleus’s parents, between princess and her trusted aide that follows her like a shadow. Alternatively, since the mourning man is Lenore’s lover, this could be foreshadowing. It could mean that Levan/Revan (again, assuming he is still alive by the time his wife dies) will be deeply affected by his wife’s passing.

All of the canon details and stuff aside, this makes some sense thematically if we think about Poe’s general themes. He often talks about death and the loss of loved ones, both of which are major themes in book 7 and now, as we can see, in the history of Briar Country.

So 👁️ 👄 👁️ in conclusion, you should read Edgar Allen Poe… 👉👈

ADDENDUM: HER OFFICIAL NAME IS MELEANOR, BOYS... We were so close...

[silviakundera]

another snippet from the Grand Princess novel. I am going to be SO ANNOYING about this. (spoilers for their first life! )

Although he didn’t want to admit it, Pei Wenxuan still remembered that at the beginning of their marriage, when he lifted Li Rong’s veil, she raised her head and looked up at him with embarrassment and curiosity. Then, when they exchanged cups of wine, she said in a frank manner: “Wenxuan, no matter how we came to be together, having become husband and wife, I still want to live with you for the rest of my life.” At that time, he also seriously thought that he would live with Li Rong, have children and live peacefully for the rest of their lives.

That was, until Li Rong found out that he liked Qin Zhenzhen.

In truth, he didn’t even know what kind of feelings there were between him and Qin Zhenzhen, whether it was love or merely responsibility. They grew up together as children, and he only had her in his heart and hoped to live with Qin Zhenzhen for the rest of his life, but he could not do so.

Later on, Qin Zhenzhen married Li Rong’s brother, Crown Prince Li Chuan.

As Crown Prince, Li Chuan was a good Crown Prince but not a good husband. He married for political reasons, so although he was just the Crown Prince at the time, he already had a Princess Consort and four concubines. Qin Zhenzhen had a mild temperament and was unfamiliar with Palace affairs. If not for the Crown Prince’s favor and Pei Wenxuan’s help, she would have been long buried in the schemes of the Eastern Palace.

He helped her. Li Rong naturally knew about it, but she didn’t mention it at first. Later on, when he secretly rescued Qin Zhenzhen at a palace banquet and almost was exposed, Li Rong could only step in and help him with arrangements.

That day, they were sitting in the carriage on their way home, and Li Rong was silent. He was a little panicked at that time and wanted to explain, but he didn’t know what to explain because he felt that no matter what Li Rong said, she would be right.

Then, Li Rong returned home and after entering the bedchambers, she walked to the table and poured tea for herself. She turned her back to him and asked: “Do you like her?”

Pei Wenxuan stood at the door. He actually intended to say no, but he felt that it would not be completely truthful, so he replied honestly: “I can’t forget her.”

“What is your relationship with her?”

Li Rong held the cup of tea and looked very calm. Pei Wenxuan still told her the truth, their engagement when they were young because they were childhood sweethearts. After his family had fallen, the Qin family annulled the engagement, and Qin Zhenzhen was forced to marry into the Eastern Palace…

“I just wanted to help her,” He said in a low voice, “No other intentions. She’s the Crown Prince’s Side Consort now. There’s nothing else I can do.”

After he had spoken, Li Rong didn’t speak for a long time. That silence became a deeply engraved impression of that night for Pei Wenxuan.

He saw that Li Rong kept drinking water, one cup after another. After a while, Li Rong seemed to calm down. She turned her head, stared at him and only asked: “Will you betray me?”

“No.” He answered immediately. He looked at her, “You’re my wife.”

“I’m not your wife.”

Li Rong looked at him with a serious expression: “I’m just your ally.”

These words stunned Pei Wenxuan. Li Rong turned and looked out the window and calmly continued: “In this marriage, you and I had no choice and only did it for power. Truthfully speaking, there’s not one bit of love between us. You have someone in your heart, and I have someone in my heart. It’s just that we didn’t make it clear before and had some misunderstandings. Now that it’s clear, it doesn’t matter.”

“It’s not a big deal either,” Li Rong laughed, her tears seemed like they could fall at any time, “Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

Pei Wenxuan stared blankly at her. He wanted to deny it, but he felt that Li Rong wasn’t wrong either. There was no such love between him and Li Rong because it was impossible for a person to truly love two people at the same time. He already had Qin Zhenzhen in his heart, so how could he make room for Li Rong?

Seeing that he still had not spoken, Li Rong lowered her head and softly said: “If you make it clear, then it won’t be a problem. We will live as we have in the future, but I hope Pei daren remembers this in his heart:

I’m not your wife, and you’re not my husband. I don’t care who is in your heart, and you don’t need to care about who I am with. You and I will have our own lives, and we will each have our own happiness.”

“As long as Pei daren promises me,” Li Rong looked at him, her eyes sharp as a hawk, “You and I are allies, so we must never betray one another.”

That evening, it also rained.

Just like now, the rain was pouring down.

[greay-rosewood]

So, I've gotten my hands on Echoes of Wisdom this past Friday, and after playing it for three days straight, I believe I have reached the halfway point in the story, and figured I should compile my thoughts and share them.

For some context, I've recently been going off of that for games I know all i need to do to play them is to buy the game I try to not look into the story and try to avoid spoilers, but for games I know I won't be able to play I don't really care all that much on spoilers.

I started to do this part, at least the part of avoiding spoilers, when Echoes of Wisdom came out, so I've been playing, AND STILL AM, playing the game blind. So please no spoilers for the latter half of the game

Anyways my thoughts are all in point form under the cut, and have spoilers so if you don't want those, avoid clicking the button

Compleated the Zora, Gerudo, and Hyrule Castle rifts.

Death count: 2

This is shocking because I suck at most video games lmao.

Found the character designs were well done

Favorites are, Lefte, Dohna, Seera, and Kushara.

When I first saw Tris friends, my mind thought they looked like bells for some reason. I think its because of how they are only yellow, and their faces look similar to holes on bells. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Really like the word-play done with the english names for General Wright and Minster Lefte.

The use of dungeons in the overworld not being actual dungeons but still there was smart

Seeing Goo Spectors is slightly concerning, given how they are only in Links Awakening. (And the Angler Fry, but I only learnt when looking up more info)

Certain enemies, bosses and locations solidify that this game happens during the downfall era. (Gannons appearance, the eastern palace, Zols, ect. ect.)

I thought we would be getting to save Link during the second dungeon, and wanted to strangle the dark link during the boss fight.

Similarly, I had the same attitude during the Gannon fight, but mainly with the Echos that I was summoning. I eventually just said “Fuck it” and used the sword to beat him.

I really like how Link, while not well known, was still helping and inspiring people in the game. (one of the Gerudo soldiers by the oasis said she was inspired by Link to join the guard, and Link would constantly save others from the rifts)

I also really like how there is a story reason for why Link doesn’t talk, and it is explained very early on in the game. (the rifts fucked with Links voice.)

The cut scene when you are leaving the Stilled Hyrule Castle after beating Gannons ass, was neat to set up the second half of the story.

On that thought train, I actually thought that the rift at Hyrule castle was the final rift, and left so I could get the rest of the map, and only realized that it was the third dungeon when I was trying to figure out what the hell the Eternal woods are.

I’m assuming the thing that broke the wall in the Gannon boss arena is the games final boss.

I also found it kinda funny that Link was just using a stick to bat the arms away from Zelda and Tri, and how when Link and Zelda reached for each other (which was cute) the moment was ruined by another crystal slamming down onto Link, and him getting yoinked off to wherever the hell the final boss is vibing.

When that happened I said “woaw that’s some irony right there”

I do like how the next set of rifts are in story connected with what I can assume is Din, Nayru, and Farore. I could be wrong

My only complaint would be that, there wasn’t really a lot minor things in this game that are in almost all of, if not all of, the other games.

Things like how the theme for the ranch, Kakariko village, and other locations have a different theme and don’t use the motifs from the other games, and how some characters, namely Malon, aren’t found.

Wtf is up with the stamp cards!? When I saw the first stamp I was taken off guard by how it was more realistic compared to the rest of the game lol

I am mildly sad we don't get to ride Epona, but it makes sense as to why we don't, and how the horse we do get is more similar to the horse in BoTw and ToTK.

[somethingclevermahogony]

OC Intro: Akard

Note: (Left) Akard as the Pabaket, (Right) King Akard

As promised, the last poll was a tie between Dati and Akard, I already did the intro for Dati, so now it's Akard's turn! As with other characters I'm going to try to avoid most spoilers, I don't think its too big of a surpirse to say that Hutbari is killed since that's what the entire story revolves around, so the events described in this intro will end there.

The new poll will be up soon!

Name: Akard (Written below in Kishite and its Apunian equivalent)

As a noble Akard is named in the traditional style of a Kishite noble (Click here to see more). He is named for his ancestor, King Akard "The Sailor". Akard was born into the line of Asher (Asherdul), however upon taking the throne of Labisa, he declares the start of a new line, The Line of Akard, Akarddul. He marks the 53rd monarch of Labisa and the beginning of the 8th royal line.

See the timeline of the rulers of Labisa below the cut!

Family

Father: The Deposed King Kurush (Dead)

Mother: Unnamed Apunian Servant Girl (Sanapi) (Alive)

Brother: Prince Hiru (Dead)

Uncle: King Hutbari (Dead)

Aunt/Ex-Stepmother: Unma (Dead)

Aunt: Tamyras (Dead)

Aunt: Saaket (Dead)

Aunt: Ladara (Dead)

Aunt: Duccarin (Dead)

Aunt: Zibatha (Dead)

Cousin: Bazus (Dead)

Cousin: Kota (Alive, Married in Apuna)

Cousin: Hiru (Dead)

Cousin: Unma (Alive, Married in Ikopesh)

Cousin: Ladaru (Dead)

Cousin: Asher (Dead)

Cousin: Sema (Alive, Married in Shabala)

Cousin: Fifina (Alive, Married in Apuna)

Cousin: Uridush (Dead)

Cousin: Ninma (Alive)

Homeland/Place of Origin

Born in the City of Nashawey, Apuna

Ethncity

Eastern Kishite (Labisian) and Apunian

History

Akard was born 27 years before the events of the story. His father, Kurush, was unseated from his throne through the machinations of his brother, Hutbari. Though Kurush was the elder brother, Hutbari's strength and charisma allowed him to forge strong alliances within the Labisan court, including with Kurush's own wife, Unma. These alliances enabled Hutbari to successfully seize the city, with his followers killing or capturing any nobles loyal to the old king.

When Hutbari, accompanied by the lords Farut and Haman and their soldiers, entered the royal chambers, they found Kurush’s son, Hiru, instead of Kurush. Despite being only eight years old and barely able to lift the ancient sword he held, Hiru fought with the bravery of a lion, reportedly even cutting down one soldier before his sword was taken from him. Though Unma begged for her son's life, Hutbari killed him. Hiru’s sacrifice was a distraction, allowing Kurush to be secretly carried away from the city. The shame of this decision haunted Kurush for the rest of his life.

Kurush was hidden in the cargo of a slave ship headed from Labisa to the coast and then transported to the Apunian city of Nashawey. Kurush hoped to gain the support of the Fapacha in reclaiming his throne, but the ruler of Apuna was not interested. However, out of a sense of hospitality, he allowed Kurush to stay in his palace and sent notice to Hutbari claiming that Kurush’s body had been presented to him, thus ending the search for the fugitive king.

Living as a permanent guest of the Apunian court, Kurush was showered with luxury and opulence but suffered greatly. His illness, Asherdul's Bane, worsened, disfiguring him. He refused to learn the Apunian language and was hostile to the servants. In an attempt to lift his spirits, the Fapacha sent him many beautiful men and women, hoping he would take one to wed. However, Kurush showed interest in none except Sanapi, a peasant girl fluent in the Kishite tongue. Akard was the result of a single drunken night between Kurush and Sanapi. Afterward, Kurush disregarded her and ordered her removal from his chambers.

Kurush never saw Sanapi again and didn't think of her until a servant brought a young child before him. The child, named Rebru by Sanapi, was two years old when he was found half-drowned in a decorative fish pond. Wearing rags, the boy began to babble his father’s name, Kurush, which Sanapi had taught him. At the Fapacha's urging, the child was brought before Kurush. Initially, Kurush shunned the child and attacked the slave who brought him. For his safety, the child was taken away from his maddened father.

That night, after many bowls of Apunian beer, Kurush had a dream. He saw a great king, dressed in lion’s skin, standing tall as a cedar tree before the walls of Labisa, driving darkness away with bow and spear. Beside this great king stood another, burning with a wrathful fire. Kurush believed this vision, sent by the sun god Re, showed him retaking Labisa with his son by his side.

Upon waking, Kurush called for his son and declared that the savior of the Kishites would not bear an Apunian name. He renamed the boy Akard, after Akard "The Sailor," the Drowned King. Kurush ensured Akard was well-educated. By four, Akard was bilingual in Apunian and Kishite. By five, he was learning to use a bow; by six, to ride a chariot. Kurush also taught his son about the great kings of old, Tamel the Mighty and Nasib the Lion, instilling a deep hatred for Hutbari.

At 14, with Kurush’s eager approval, Akard traveled with the Fapacha's soldiers to the deserts of Pyria, driving the chariot of Apunian general Batkhet. Over the next decade, Akard, known as Akarat to the Apunians, earned renown fighting the tribes of Pyria and the kingdoms of Namut. His charisma and bravery won him much love from the troops, though it also earned him the ire of old-blood Apunian commanders who saw their men fawn over the young upstart.

Kurush maintained contact with informants in Kishetal, hearing of Hutbari's failings. He formulated a plot to retake his kingdom, supported by Barunaki, ruler of the city of Bur, a vassal of Labisa. However, Kurush's failing health made this plan seem increasingly unlikely. At 23, Akard led his first battalion against the Namutian prince Qirush, capturing him despite being outnumbered. For this victory, Akard was given the noble title Pabaket, a Mouth of the Fapacha.

Around this time, Akard began showing symptoms of Asherdul's Bane. His father, now almost entirely bedridden, was mentally and physically deteriorating. Kurush had neglected to tell Akard the nature of their family curse, until then. Knowledge of his terrible affliction, and the thought of sharing his father’s fate, lit the fires of ambition and intensified the feeling of righteous fury within him. Shortly after Akard’s 25th birthday, Akard, in an act of mercy, killed his father by strangling him, disguising the evidence among the sores on Kurush’s throat.

Akard reached out to his father's contacts in Kishetal, winning their favor with his fire and fervor. He swore to avenge his father and wipe Hutbari's line from Labisa, promising to bring a new, greater line to Labisa. He even sent messengers to the roving tribes of Makur and the Sea Lords of Ikopesh.

With the Fapacha's blessing, Akard boarded a ship to Kishetal, carrying his father's ashes in a satchel of lion skin. Hutbari welcomed the venerable Pabaket into the throne room, unaware that the handsome young Apunian diplomat before him was not only his nephew but also his doom.

Appearance

Akard is a man of average height with a broad chest, narrow waist, and a fit physique. His arms and chest are marked with the scars of battle. When he first arrived in Labisa, he concealed the sores on his skin with makeup to prevent Hutbari and his family from discovering his true nature. His features and hair resemble those of his Kishite father, but he has the terra cotta-colored skin of his Apunian mother. His hazel eyes are framed by long eyelashes. While living among the Apunians, he adorned himself with their decorations, painting his eyes and face gold and blue, and combing sweet-smelling oils through his beard and hair.

His handsome features will one day be marred by the ravenous spread of Asherdul's Bane.

Personality

Akard is charismatic and passionate. His actions and thoughts are driven by his ambitions. He has a strong sense of justice and of honor and will pursue these alongside his ambitions, his dreams of creating a better Kishetal, to terrifying lengths. When he wishes to, he carries an aura and power which draws people to him.

He can be kind and empathetic, a gentle and good ruler, however ultimately history will remember him as a conqueror.

Though usually reasonable, he is driven the fear that his escaped cousin, Ninma, may one day act against him, taking revenge against him as he did against Hutbari. For this reason, he obsesses over the fugitive princess.

Gender/Pronouns

Cis-man He/Him

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Relationships

Akard is close with his men. He acts as a sort of father figure to the warrior, Zatar (though whether Zatar also views their relationship like this is uncertain). He falls in love and in time is married to the seer, Zenit, once a slave of his uncle Hutbari.

His relationship with his family is absolutely terrible, after all he is responsable for the deaths of all but the runaway Ninma and those whose marriage had taken them out of the circle of Kishite influence

Favorite Color

Cyan

Favorite Food

Menam-hewud, a traditional Apunian stew made primarily of beef and onion

Biggest Fear

That the progress and prosperity he has brought to the people of Labisa will be destroyed, either by inner turmoil or Ninma's revenge.

Sage?

No

Literate?

Yes

Excerpt

Context: Akard confronts the oligarchic rulers (The Bidani) of the city of Chibal

" I did not come to this city to hear a greasy merchant babble about why they thought it appropriate to waste my time." Akard barked.

Wadikir dropped to his knees to grovel.

" I didn't mean to offend, Great King. Please forgive me." He leaned forward to kiss Akard's feet.

" Don't touch me, rat."Akard snarled, kicking at the merchant's face. "It seems obvious that incompetents rule this city. As recompense for your wasting my time, I will be taking this city and your heads." He announced coldly. 

This caused the other Bidani to protest loudly.

" You can't do that! There is an agreement that the heads of the cities may not kill each other. You know as well we do. You would be breaking a trust between the city states."

Akard shook his head." That applies to kings, my friend. You are not kings. And besides, who would enforce that agreement? What Kishite king cares so much for your lives that they would rush to condemn me, and who would have the might to do so?"

" We'll have you killed before you even reach the docks! Guard!”

One of Bidani’s guards stepped forward, brandishing his spear threateningly. There was a flash, a spray of red, and yelp of terror from the watching Bidani. The guard collapsed as Zatar pulled the spear from the man’s gullet with a soft squelch. Most hadn’t even seen the spearmaster strike The other guards who had started to move to stand next to their companion tripped over one another in their effort to distance themselves from the spearman. 

Akard chuckled dryly. " A valiant effort, but fruitless. If you did by some twist of fate manage to kill me and my friends here, my men waiting outside the walls would still take this city and slaughter each of you. Whereas if I lead the attack perhaps, just perhaps I'll have a change of heart and decide to spare you, perhaps."

" And if we surrender now?"

" I'll have you all executed, as is deserving of those who would abandon their posts so readily. Good day, see you all again soon."

@patternwelded-quill @flaneurarbiter @skyderman @blackblooms

@roach-pizza @illarian-rambling @dezerex @theocticscribe

@axl-ul, @persnickety-peahen, @surroundedbypearls, @elsie-writes

@mk-writes-stuff, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @the-golden-comet

[laxmiree]

[CN] MLQC Lucien’s Poison Date translation (Part 2/2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a date that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

⚠️ Content Warning: Suicide. Please proceed cautiously and prioritize your mental and emotional well-being when engaging with this material

I've committed unforgivable sins, drunk the incurable poison.

Your sweet voice has set my reason ablaze, beckoning me to follow you to the depths of hell.

So kiss me, my love, with those poisoned lips of yours.

-

Previous Part-> [Here]

-

[Subbed Video - Turn on CC!]

Lucien being over the top and dramatic with his villain narrative is a bit comedic LOL, it is not something that you hear every day. Also, that end part….. the despair is very painful to hear and watch huhu.

[Part 3]

Tonight, the audience in the theater consists only of the Pope and me, so the opening applause is naturally a bit sparse.

After the melodious music begins, the curtain is drawn open.

On the stage, the simple set pieces appear to be a palace.

The music gradually slows, and the sound of footsteps approaches from one side of the stage. I follow the sound, and in an instant, my breath catches.

Even the Pope beside me can’t help but take a sharp breath and sits up with great interest.

A magnificent crown, a dark-colored robe…

For a moment, I almost believed it was the spirit of my husband, resurrected and standing before me.

MC: Lucien….

Xu Mo doesn’t look like Xu Mo at all now. After taking the specter, he is almost identical to Lucien.

Xu Mo seems quite pleased with the reactions of the two of us in the audience. He winks at me lightly and raises his voice.

Xu Mo: (dramatically) Another long and endless night.

Xu Mo: I’ve spent countless hours on lengthy and tedious scriptures, and now I have to deal with the infatuation of that boring princess…

Xu Mo: …I gave up being a servant of God and immersed myself in the secular world, but when will my ideals and ambitions finally be realized!

MC: This is…

I listen in shock to Xu Mo’s arrogant speech, and amid it, an indescribable fear creeps up from my heart.

On the stage, Xu Mo appears like a true king. He gracefully reclines on the throne, casually toying with the scepter with one of his hands.

Bloody, withered bones spread beneath his feet, and amid the dimming flames, he continues to pour out his ambitions.

Xu Mo: I can’t wait any longer.

Xu Mo: Perhaps I should instigate an impeachment, a rebellion, and crown myself with the blood of countless people?

Xu Mo: But what about my wife?

Xu Mo: The poor little princess is too delicate. Her ears can only bear the beautiful music of the harp; the sound of weapons would frighten her.

His words, with their ups and downs, are filled with a cruel chill that seeps into every fiber of my being.

———What on earth is Xu Mo performing?!

Xu Mo: Wait, I’ve thought of it.

Onstage, Xu Mo tosses aside the scepter, and, as if performing magic, he now holds a captivating bouquet in his hand.

Oleander, Aconite, Gelsemium… each one of them is the dazzling poisonous flowers that Lucien once told me about.

Xu Mo: An Eastern sorcerer once taught me an unnamed formula, and that colorless, tasteless powder will surely help me realize my dream.

Xu Mo: Perhaps tonight, I should set up a banquet and invite that foolish and ignorant king.

MC: ….!

Banquet. King. Hellish memories flow back into my mind like a stream of mud, and I tremble all over.

On that day, Lucien hosts a banquet and invites my father and the Pope. I can’t attend due to a sudden high fever.

After the banquet, while I was still ill, I received shocking news-

My father dies at the dining table, and my husband, whose plot to poison the Pope and usurp the throne is exposed, is executed on the spot by the surviving Pope.

Within a single day, the two most important men in my life have left me in this way.

But these are royal secrets, and I have never told Xu Mo about them. How did he find out?!

At this point, the music for the second act has already started, the lights are dimming, and the execution table is about to be brought onto the stage.

MC: No…!

Unable to bear it any longer, I suddenly stand up and stumble out of the theater.

——————————————————————————

After the girl’s fleeing figure disappears, the music and the performance immediately come to a halt.

Xu Mo raises a glass of wine, walks down from the stage, and approaches the Pope.

The actor still wears a magnificent royal robe, his voice composed.

Xu Mo: Unfortunately, there is only one audience member left now. What do you think of this performance?

The Pope leans back in his seat contentedly and perfunctorily claps his hands.

The Pope: Outstanding performance. It even had our esteemed Princess MC completely engrossed.

The Pope: However, the plot does seem a bit too long. It’s about time for the curtain to fall, don’t you think, Xu Mo?

Xu Mo: Indeed.

Xu Mo: Then please, have this glass of wine to celebrate the end of this great performance.

Xu Mo hands the wine to the Pope, who smiles as he drinks it all in one go before leaving happily.

——————————————————————————

After returning to the palace, I pull all the curtains closed and bury myself in the corner of the bed.

Thoughts in my mind become a tangled mess, and amidst the chaos, that most secretive and terrifying thought uncontrollably resurfaces.

—Perhaps there was never an actor “Xu Mo” who traveled from the East, there’s only…

Just thinking of that name alone, my heart feels like it’s being twisted by a knife.

I don’t know how much time has passed, but my bedroom door is pushed open, and the candlelight illuminates through the darkness.

Xu Mo: Madam, I know you’re here.

The source of light is getting closer, and Xu Mo has already taken off his costume, his expression gentle as if nothing had happened before.

Xu Mo:(gently) You’ve been like this before, after being frightened, you would extinguish all the lights and huddle in the corner of the bed without moving.

Xu Mo: Every time, I had to coax you for a while, using sweets or kisses to persuade you, before you’d finally come out like a little rabbit.

He sets down the candlestick and leans slowly towards me. His voice is so gentle that it could drown anyone.

Xu Mo: Actually, the play I had prepared wasn’t this one, but because of an unexpected audience, I had to perform this kind of scenario.

Xu Mo: I’m sorry, did I frighten you tonight?

I open my mouth as if unsure of how to find my words, and after a moment, I speak with difficulty.

MC: …Who are you really?

Xu Mo: Who do you think I am?

His voice is soft, like a ghost’s whisper, but his breath is warm, landing gently on my forehead, repeatedly scorching that small patch of skin.

MC: ….

MC: You are…

That one word is too heavy; once spoken, it would shatter the resolve I’ve built up over these past few years.

In the long silence, Xu Mo can’t wait for my response, and he lowers his gaze.

Xu Mo: I’m a little disappointed, young princess.

Xu Mo: I believe I’ve taught you enough, you should be able to taste that someone has poisoned your drink at today’s banquet.

Xu Mo: Now you should… Ugh! [gasps]

His calmness completely ignites my anger; I swiftly throw off the blanket and lunge towards him.

Xu Mo gets caught off guard, and I push him down onto the bed.

The anger of being played with completely drowns my reason, and I only want to repay him with all the torment I’ve endured over these years.

But my body is too weak, and my struggles in his eyes probably resemble nothing more than a bedroom game. With little effort, he manages to restrain my wrists.

Xu Mo: Be good, now is not the time to be angry.

Without the need for elaborate attire, Xu Mo’s voice regains the composure befitting his high position.

He used to always use that kind of voice to coax me, kiss me, making me willingly ensnared in his web.

I used to be so enamored by his composure, but now I can only let out a bitter laugh.

MC: Do you expect me to weep tears of joy at your “resurrection”?

MC: Why can’t I be angry about your deception?

MC: Why do you think I wouldn’t want to kill you, Lucien?

Ding-ding- [sounds of bells]

————————————————————————-

Outside the castle, a mournful tolling of funeral bells suddenly echoes, startling countless crows into flight.

A towering blaze erupts from the cathedral, and the priests, in a panic, try to rush out but find the entrance surrounded by layers of soldiers.

Priest: You…?!

Soldier: The Pope is dead, and until the new Pope arrives, no one is allowed to leave the cathedral.

[Part 4]

Neither Lucien nor I care about the deafening tolling of the bells and the cries from outside; none of it has anything to do with this room.

I take a deep breath, reaching for my concealed dagger, and at that moment, a cold gleam flashes within our locked gazes.

Lucien:[gasps] ….!

A rare surprise flicker in Lucien’s eyes. In the blink of an eye, he only manages to reach out his hand to block the dagger.

The blade slices through his palm, and the tip of the knife stops at his throat.

Crimson droplets of blood slide down the silver blade, landing on the hollow of his collarbone, one drop after another.

Lucien:[gasps] ….

Despite the pain he’s clearly experiencing, a smile blossoms on Lucien’s face.

He even opens his other hand, baring his chest, as if inviting me to do as I wish.

Lucien: Okay then, what’s the reason for my wife wanting to kill me?

MC: Isn’t the act you’re putting on today the reason?

Lucien: Did you really believe it?

Of course, I didn’t believe it.

When the pope told me back then, I never believed that Lucien would poison him and usurp the throne.

I know his ambitions and ideals, and I believe he must have secret trouble and is unjustly accused.

I know better than anyone the kind of person my beloved, whom I mourn day and night, truly is.

So when I tasted the poison in the holy water, I thought it was just the Pope torturing me, wanting me to follow him to his death slowly.

-But now, the glaring truth in front of me shatters my wishful thinking.

I don’t apply more force, and Lucien doesn’t release the blade either.

As if my silent response is more unbearable to Lucien than the pain in his palm, he tilts his head slightly, then turns back again.

Lucien: I’m sorry.

Lucien: From the beginning, you shouldn’t have trusted Lucien.

My gaze blurs and then clears with his words, and suddenly, a tear falls on Lucien’s cheek. Only then do I realize my tears have gathered on my chin.

MC: So, then, that day… Was it really you…?

Lucien: It was me, but it wasn’t me at the same time.

Lucien’s response seems ambiguous, but in reality, both he and I know exactly what we’re talking about.

Lucien: I was just a bottle of poison in the hands of the Pope; wherever he needs me to be used, I will be used.

Lucien: The Pope realized that he couldn’t destroy your father’s reputation, but he couldn’t wait any longer, so he used my prescription.

Lucien: I was afraid he would eliminate you as well, so I added something to your food that caused you to get a fever that day, sparing you from attending the banquet.

The truth has shaken me so badly that I can hardly hold the knife handle steadily.

Lucien takes the opportunity to hug me tightly, prying open my fingers and stripping the dagger away, but his words continue to haunt me.

Lucien: The Pope has discovered my little tricks. He promised not to harm you, but he has given me new orders.

Lucien: He shifted all the blame onto me, had me executed, and Lucien ceased to exist in the world, leaving him as the sole ruler of this land.

MC: Then “Xu Mo” rises from the grave and goes to a neighboring country to continue working for him, right?

Lucien nods.

MC: Then why are you here now?

Lucien: Because my plan has come to an end, and it’s time to reclaim what’s rightfully mine.

MC: What’s rightfully yours… the Papal throne?

Lucien: Mm.

Lucien: And you.

Lucien’s expression at this moment is filled with deep love and regret, but it makes my inside feel as if they’re being squeezed.

His slender fingers carefully trace over my throat, confirming my heartbeat, as they leave red traces on my skin.

Lucien: The poison in the wine at today’s banquet was quite potent. Fortunately, it was detected early, but you might have trouble sleeping for the next few days.

Lucien: But now is not the time to discuss this. Accompany me to the cathedral, okay?

Lucien: The Pope is already dead, there won’t be any danger in the future… [gasps] Huh?

His fingers pressing on my pulse suddenly stiffen.

MC: ….You finally figured it out, didn’t you.

I slowly, very slowly, start to show him a grave smile.

MC: Why did you believe I wasn’t poisoned? Always so sure that everything was under your control?

Arising emotions and the effects of the drug cause an unusual flush on my pale face, and Lucien’s breath freezes.

Lucien:[his breath hitches and his words shaken] No…

MC: I should thank you, Lucien.

MC: Thank you for not letting me die at the dinner table a few years ago and from the poisoned wine tonight.

MC: I’m also thankful for the pharmacology lessons you gave me, which allowed me to taste the subtle sweetness in the holy water I drink every week at the cathedral.

Every time I went to pray, the sealed wax on the silver chalice, the faintly sweet water, and the Pope’s hypocritical smile made me nauseous.

MC: You said all your poisons have their rightful place, does that include me?

MC: Lucien, you’re murdering and saving me at the same time… Why?!

Lucien grips my wrist tightly, and for the first time, a look of panic appears on his face.

Lucien: What if I told you I didn’t know about the poison in your holy water… Since you knew it was poisoned, why did you drink it?

He suddenly lifts his head, his voice trembling.

Lucien: -How long have you been drinking it?!

A smile forms at the corner of my lips, my heart feeling relieved and liberated.

MC: Because I’ve been missing you all this time.

MC: …I’ve missed you for so long. That’s how long I’ve been drinking it.

Lucien’s pupils contract in shock. He stumbles out of bed and starts rummaging through a dark cabinet, pulling out one bottle after another.

Lucien: (in a panic) Not this… not this one…

Lucien: Why did I develop it in the first place… why did I give it to him…

Lucien: Yes, MC, drink this first. It can’t wholly detoxify you, but it should provide some relief.

He finally finds a medicine bottle. He anxiously half-kneeling in front of me and bringing a small bottle to my lips.

I gaze at him steadily, not making a move for a long time.

I’m well aware that relief is only temporary, and everything has come too late.

——————————————————————————

As dawn breaks, the guards in silver armor knock on my door, and they say, “We’ve come to welcome the new Pope.”

Lucien: And the new Queen.

He supports my weakened self, walking into the bright light.

My coronation ceremony is even grander than our wedding, with flower petals showering down as if to squander all of spring.

Unfortunately, I run out of strength before reaching the end of the red carpet, and amidst a flurry of gasps, Lucien carries me to the throne.

Lucien: …I am honored to crown you.

His kiss, along with the crown, descends onto my forehead, its weight almost too heavy for me to bear.

—————————————————————————–

My body deteriorates further, and Lucien asks me to wait for him, to give him time to concoct an antidote and to see his true heart.

Actually, he doesn’t need to go through all this trouble.

I’m incapacitated by the poison, unable to do anything, while he is a wise and astute Pope who will lead the nation to prosperity and order.

Yet, he insists on seeking my opinion on every decree, whether I’m in a coma or awake.

And when he formally proclaims them, he always adds the phrase, “In accordance with the Queen’s will.”

I transform from a pitiable woman of ill omen into a resourceful Queen who’s been working hand in hand with her husband, who faked his own death, to overthrow the tyranny of the previous pope.

Even though no one has ever seen me, they all sing praises for me.

It’s really funny. If my fingers still had strength, I’d love to play a scherzo for them.

Lucien continues tirelessly to research and search for an antidote for me. However, the increasing duration of my unconsciousness has left his face more and more grim.

——————————————————————————

When I wake up this time, I find myself carefully wrapped in a feather bed, and there’s a bouquet of purple bellflowers by my side.

Freshly picked, with dewdrops still on the petals.

MC:(smiles) …Poison-free.

My voice startles Lucien, who sits at the desk, and he suddenly looks up.

Lucien:(gently) Is my wife awake?

I softly hum in response. I can’t bring myself to be resolute with him. At least now, we can talk calmly.

I blink drowsily, and my gaze shifts to the desk.

MC: What are you writing?

Lucien: Just some decrees to be issued in the future.

MC: Why do you have to write so long?

The spread-out parchment scroll drags on the floor, and I can’t help but be surprised.

But Lucien doesn’t explain. He picks up a small vial and leans down in front of me.

Lucien: Recently, a physician from the Far East has arrived in the capital. This is a prescription we formulated together. Try it, okay?

His tone reminds me of “Xu Mo”. I press my tongue against my teeth and manage to say, “Okay,” with difficulty.

A spark of delight lights up in his eyes. He carefully administers the medicine to my lips, eagerly awaiting my reaction.

Lucien:(with a bit of hope in his voice) Is your head still hurting?

MC: It still hurts.

Lucien: Are you breathing better?

MC: No.

Lucien: ….

Lucien:(quietly) And… your heart?

MC: I feel… like it’s not beating anymore.

For a moment, I can almost see the invisible despair crushing down the man in front of me.

He lowers his head and gently buries his face in the palm of my hand.

Lucien: ….You’re punishing me, right?

MC: I’m not punishing you, Lucien.

I feel the salty dampness in my palm, sticky and wet. It’s as if we are already trapped in an unsolvable situation.

MC: My innocence and romance had already come to an end on that day, and I… I’m just very tired.

MC: I want to hate you, but I know I can’t hate you. I want to love you, but I don’t dare to love you.

MC: It’s me… I hate myself that’s like this.

Deathly silence pervades the dimly lit room until the sun sets in the west and the morning dew dries up. Then, Lucien’s hoarse voice finally breaks the silence.

Lucien: If Madam doesn’t dare to love Lucien, can she perhaps show some mercy for Xu Mo?

He has never begged like this before; I can’t refuse him.

MC: …Okay.

MC: Xu Mo, my most loyal servant, could you please reenact the scene from the first time I saw you?

Lucien nods, his face obscured by the twilight glow, only his melodious voice reaching my ears.

Lucien: I’ve committed unforgivable sins, drunk the incurable poison.

Lucien: The secret elixir is as sweet as honey at times, and as bitter as chicory at others; Once you taste a drop, your soul will perish.

Lucien: Your sweet voice has set my reason ablaze, beckoning me to follow you to the depths of hell.

Lucien: So kiss me, my love, with those poisoned lips of yours.

As I listen to his soothing voice, my vision gradually blurs. In the final scene, I see Lucien taking out that dagger, pointing it towards his own chest.

–In the final moment, I remember.

The reason I brought Xu Mo back that day is because he performed a beautiful play of lovers ending their lives together for love’s sake.

———————Fin——-—————

[Afterwords]

Before I share my thoughts- I want to remind y’all that this story is fictional and shouldn’t be taken as encouragement or inspiration for any harmful actions, particularly self-harm or suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with such thoughts or feelings, please seek help and support from a mental health professional or a trusted person.

Okay, let’s talk a bit about the date. Honestly, I have a bit of mixed feelings about this date. On the one hand, I like that PG finally has the guts to have a bad ending; it’s beautifully written, and I LOVE all the tropes being used here, but on the other hand… I feel that because the date is so short, it doesn’t explore much of his motivation and detail of his plans, making his plan feel flimsy and his character a bit OOC. I mean, the Lucien that we know wouldn’t be ‘dumb’ enough to trust someone like the Pope.

But, well, I can only compromise, so here’s my take on what might have transpired. At that time, when the Pope sought to eliminate MC’s father, he may not have wielded much power. Consequently, he might have had no choice but to acquiesce to the Pope’s terms. After his ‘death’, while doing the Pope’s work as ‘Xu Mo’, he also secretly gathers power (ie. the soldiers at the end might be his people) to reclaim the papal throne for him and the Queen’s throne for MC. He is a loyal servant to his master, but his real master wasn’t the Pope, classic Lucien double agents trope, I must say. It’s almost reminiscent of the main story, especially with his connection to NW.

Perhaps he already did everything he could, like teaching MC how to recognize the poisons, so if the Pope tried to poison her, she could acknowledge it promptly and avoid consuming it. However, he didn’t take her deep feelings for him into account, didn’t consider that she would rather follow him into the afterlife after his ‘death’ :”.

After many years, he finally came back for revenge. Coincidentally, MC is also bringing him back to the palace, and as Xu Mo, he takes care of her needs as her servant. The stage play is indeed for the Pope to see; the purpose is to relax the Pope’s vigilance. By acting as the villain as MC’s watch, he proves ‘his loyalty’ to the Pope. This act lulls the Pope into a false sense of security, and it’s only when the Pope’s guard is completely down, Lucien finally can ‘let the curtain fall’ as he poisons the Pope.

It’s understandable why MC gets mad at him. First, he faked his death, leaving her for years with her grief and depression, only to find out that he was alive all along. Second, although she doesn’t believe in the stage play, he still deceives her and indirectly kills her father. And yet, despite everything that’s happened, she can’t bring herself to hate him.

AND THEN, here comes the final twist, just when Lucien thought he could finally reclaim everything that was rightfully his. He found out that everything was not under his control. Just like in the Main Story, MC is always outside of his control. His composure crumbles the instant he learns of her impending demise. The throne, the power, and the land mean nothing to him if there’s no MC by his side. What’s worse, it’s his own prized poison that slowly kills her. He saves her, yet at the same time, he is also the one who indirectly kills her. Ironic, isn’t?

(By the way, the coronation scene is excellent; it’s just ugh so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time)

Although it’s painfully clear that there’s no way to save her, Lucien still relentlessly and desperately tries to find a cure. Really, as long as she's alive, he will never give up even a trace of hope because he believes in the future when he will rule the kingdom together with her, so even when MC was seriously ill, he was still writing decrees and trying to discuss it with her. He clears out her name and prepares his death by writing that long decree for the future (at least the kingdom will be okay, I guess :”D).

But when MC utters those heart-wrenching words, telling him that her heart no longer beats after he gave her the antidote, he gives up all illusions, all his status, power, wealth, and fame, without any hesitation and directly chooses to die together with her. The last thing he could do was beg for her mercy.

–In the final moment, I remember.

The reason I brought Xu Mo back that day is because he performed a beautiful play of lovers ending their lives together for love’s sake.

This last scene :””. MC brought back Xu Mo because the act of dying out of love touched her. It gave her some relief that perhaps dying for love wasn’t so bad. By using ‘Xu Mo’ play, Lucien also dies out of love, completing this ‘play’ doomed from the start.

[animeandfilmotaku]

烏は主を選ばない-[A Raven Does not choose its master]: Outside world through Inner lenses (Non-spoiler Free review)

“The world isn't in your books and maps, it's out there.”-J.R.R Tolkien

On the last episode I feel it’s emptiness and yet it’s beauty as we close with Yukiya acknowledging Wakamiya as his master- you may wonder why I chose the subtitle- similar to an episode in the second half of the series, while I praised the first half for its tasty court drama, the second half zooms out to the world of Yamauchi, and it’s conflicts which affect its intriguing characters which made me proclaim the best series I watched to date (well alongside Fullmetal Alchemist, Fruits Basket, Dororo and Mononoke), and since we reached its conclusion, I would love to go to an in-depth review on this hidden gem since I touched it so briefly in my previous review (And yes I get to read the manga so yes, I got a different outlook of that gorgeous series.)

(FYI I am hiding this behind, in case you do not like to get spoiled by the plot points)

The 1st half is painted on the inside world of the Yamauchi-the court; ministers conspiring on court affairs, 4 consorts in their ‘bird-cage’ Sakura palace, fighting with one another to win the Kin’u’s hand. And those close to these noble court feeling the tidal wave of its affections, similar to every court intrigue drama which I thought of The Tale of Genji in my head.

We see two persons that are entwined to the ‘court’ world- Asebi (The Eastern consort); naive and kind- entering a glided world where she unfortunately holding little straws to the cut-throat inner world of Sakura Palace; and Yukiya-a ‘blockhead’ from Taruhi Village- a prominent point in the North prefecture; whom by unusual circumstances is called to serve Nazukihiko (I.E Wakamiya), a true Golden Raven (I.E the Kin’u), which it is emphasised through interactions between the clever Yukiya and the mysterious Wakamiya.

I would say navigating through a complex maze of court intrigue proves to be tantalising to me, because no one expect any moment of each character’s intakes whenever it was the stern Lord Natsuka, the strong-willed nature of Hamayuu or Atsufusa- one of Natsuka’s followers. You are introduced to backthroat court world, at a flip of a coin, he could either be a great ally or a cunning enemy that is willing to stuff a chicken in your robes to pretend you are stabbed by a burly bodyguard (Looking at you Atsufusa), having the two anchors which are Asebi-a kind-hearted consort with no allies holding this line out from Tennesse Williams -'A Streetcar Named Desire' (I will always depend on the kindness of strangers) energy, a moth intrigued by the bright blinding lights.

and Yukiya whose battle with his own conflicts of identity and purpose, both plunged into a world where facades are not what it seems and one must keep its toes up in order to survive.

You may wonder about who shall be his consort, well- it was an unexpected choice. Neverthless that twist of Aesbi on the end of the consort selection contest haunted our minds, which I am still reeling over- a beautiful flower that hid rot within her core (I need to mention that I wish to see the Empress' reaction on knowing Asebi's evil intentions to be animated because when I read the manga, it would be delightful but I see why it is edited out due to pacing purposes)

With the choice of the consort out of our mind, we pave for the second half, which Yukiya went home for a brief moment after a year in service in court. If the 1st half of Raven is about the inner politics; the 2nd half sees a world beyond the confines of Yamauchi- which make the selection ceremony a minor ripple in the pond , as always you are always keep up to your toes with our characters and its motives- expect it is no longer inner conflicts of ladies who desire Wakamiya’s hand with their courtly backstories. Instead we follow a young girl Koume who survived a village massacre and the rumours of a drug that cause its residents to go berserk.

You may think that we, like Yukiya can rest on our laurels on this case- however it went much deeper like the medicine that circulate the veins, this second half is when I fell truly in love with its series- because the real meat is here, a sheltered bubble threatened to burst. It is never what it seen, we explored the seedier areas only briefly explored on the 1st half, where the threat rippled at every crevice, which we hold our suspicions on Koume's truth if she is the carrier of the drug. As always- it is not a simple incident that concidently built up overnight, akin to a full course meal, with intriguing flavours, each moment enchant a truth or hide a lie, and Yukiya despite being jaded from witnessing the court’s cruel acts especially on Asebi, changing from a stubborn boy who desired to protect his small village, to a loyal and steadfast ally to Wakamiya, carrying the burden to protect his folk, his change proves to be gradual which made the last episode which he call himself a 'lowly servant' impactful.

I would say the Wisteria Arrows scenes are my favourite because the choice of music and animation made these scenes haunting, and tangible that someday that bubble could break anytime.

In the end, we no longer see Yukiya as charming “blockhand”, but as a young man with his eyes open upon the world that is beyond, it is a cyclical change for all characters, and in the end, akin to that Tolkien quote; the world is not simply written in books or whispered by scheming court officials but expanded through different lenses, neither good or evil, but layers of grey that one must journey.

If there is a flaw- is that the court intrigue drags a little longer and it may pull people off, which I can guarantee- it is not,it is a pity that it really flew under the radar among the packed anime season (BTW I did not follow much), because the plot and characters proves to be intriguing with unexpected twists and all.

I really hope for a Season 2, with that post-credit scene; I would love to dive to the world of Yamauchi again following Yukiya's devotion to the Prince, in the meantime I am going to try to catch up the manga with the translated scans, as much as I can (I actually finished A Raven of All Seasons Manga which dealt the 1st half of the series, and I tell you, it is soooo good)

[moonglide]

echoes of wisdom hours 6 and 7

-smallant skipped the entire fucking water temple. went from start to finish in what seems like five minutes. i'm going to flay him alive. i wish i'd thought of that

spoilers under the cut for end of zora questline, the eastern palace, and (non-plot) parts of gerudo desert

-the water temple boss was very fun. i had to think.

-i know i said i wanted to kiss kushara but now i want dradd to kiss kushara

-the song the zora play is nice.

-TRI STOP TALKING ABOUT THE POWER OF FRIENSHIP. these two are clearly going to bang as soon as we leave.

-god. is there just. an optional dungeon? just sitting there? i love you nintendo

-the cloud boss at the end of the eastern temple was fun. I spammed octoroks.

-what?? i get a damage reducing acessory from this? hell yeah

-i walking around and i can't believe they ripped this portion of the map just east of castle town straight from alttp. it's great

-walked through castle town. did a little acorn minigame.

-ok what is the deal with these stamp platforms? i keep finding them but idk what to do with them. I know there's stamp guy or whatever but where is he.

-went to kakariko. the slumber dojo has a sparkly katana. i want it. i'm coming back for it.

-upgraded my sword.

-death #4 to some sandslash level two caromadillos in a cave in the gerudo highlands.

-horse!!!!!

-my main man what do you mean you can't find the horse. it took me exactly two seconds to find it.

-he says i can borrow any horse. i try to hop on a horse. he says i can't have it because it already belongs to someone.

-guys i tried to ride a cow

-horses probably aren't great in this game anyways because of all the elevation changes

-on my way to the oasis. is that the ruins of the goddamn second dungeon in alttp????

-did mango minigame. got a fan! oh, it's just a collectible. damn. i thought i'd be able to fight people with it.

-got an anti-knockback accesory.

-went to gerudo town. beat someone in a race.

-"only authorized personnel can come in here" yeah just try stopping me.

-there's no secret entrance???? damn they stopped me. never thought i'd see the day.

-oh no this teenager lost her voice in a rift and now she's depressed??? someone call kushara we need more anti-PTSD harp music

-checking out the rift. trying to kill a redead so i can use it to kill my enemies. i got too close. it one-shot me. i wasn't even paralyzed. it didn't even hit me, it just bent over to start screaming and i died bc i got too close or something. that's death #5.

-fave monster is spikes again. the ai in this game is kinda stupid and it's hilarious. everything keeps dive-bombing them and like. honey. can you not see it's made of spikes.

-ok edit forgot to mention but does Zelda dislike general wright??? Like, with lefte she just took her hood off but with wright he approached her, and she jumps back, and THEN reveals herself. What beef do they have????

[blues824]

You know I love a good crossover but can I please request the gravity falls characters reacting to female douma in the remarried empress.

🌈They got iskaid in the remarried empress and were captured along with the douma mc her at that time she was pregnant at the time with kosiar child.

💐Imagen her being extremely calm explaining that she will not be killed because she is valuable by everyone and she is dies it whoud not be good for the people who captured her.

🌈Her being good with the younger pine twins and Mabel being in love with her clothes because they are the most beautiful thing she has ever seen but they see the lack of emotion she shows .

(just imagine her wearing This makes the eyes pop and I absolutely love it)

💐Later on they get saved by the eastern and western empire and they get rooms in the western empire with clothes that make them fit in and seeing people bow and pray to her like she is a goddess.

🌈Who whoud figure out that most of her emotions are fake and that she is just faking them but is extremely good at reading people and their emotions .

💐How would they react to her used to being the queen of the western kingdom but let heinley become king so he can make navier empress again.

🌈Talking about navier how would they react to her being pregnant along with the douma mc and them now being sisters and seeing how close they are(spoilers navier get pregnant with twins a boy and girl) .

💐Kosiar and heinley being extremely protective over them because they are family that want to downfall the eastern empire and especially rattrash.

🌈How would everyone react to living in such a luxurious Palace that makes the NorthWest mansion look like a shed and them being able to live there because of douma mc her "generosity".

ColorMyTree is open! Feel free to leave a message on my Christmas tree. It’s free, so no money required. I also set it so that you don’t have to log in.

I write my requests on Google Docs, and I copy-pasted this request onto a page… and it took up the entire page.

Fem!Reader

Mabel Pines

First of all, the Pines twins was absolutely flabbergasted when they were just transported on the ship that was bringing both you and Navier back home. You put on the blank smile as you took in the twins, who were fascinated by this new world.

Mabel was specifically fascinated with your clothing, both maternity and not. You clapped as she put on a fashion show with your clothes, giggling as she strutted on the floor of your cabin upon the large ship.

Because you’re both just girls, you both spilled a lot of tea to each other. For example, she told you about a crush she had back at school… and you told her about your late and present husbands. The first was for convenience, and Kosair was for love and understanding. You had a lot of advice to give the thirteen-year-old.

When you all make it to the Western Kingdom (Empire), she was amazed at the level of respect and admiration you received from your people upon your return. As you led the Pines twins through the large crowd, you walked with grace, making sure that every move was calculated… and Mabel was just fangirling her new-teenager heart out.

It was all over for her when she saw that she would be living in a palace until you helped them find a way back to Gravity Falls. She could have died a happy girl right then and there. Don’t get me started when she realized that she would have her own servants during her stay. When they finally found a way home, she started whining and crying about it.

Dipper Pines

He was, first and foremost, very skeptical of you. He was able to see that your smile was fake, as was your welcoming body language. Every move you made was cold and calculated, and you always kept a level head. However, your powers as a demon were very fascinating to him nonetheless.

It was almost annoying that you got along with Mabel so well… and you told him that it was because you saw yourself in her. Constantly going the extra mile to be extra… and she was just absolutely adorable anyway. (Teehee… alliteration).

Anywho, you had a lot to tell him about not just your world, but also the Eastern and Western Empires. You gifted Dipper a few journals to use, and one of them was filled with just you, your eyes, your powers, and the supposed cult you both ran and currently run. That last part was very concerning to him, but you just breezed past it as though it were nothing.

When you all made it to the Western Empire, you and Navier walked side-by-side as the people bowed down to the ground for you. Dipper took note of that, and he definitely felt uncomfortable because of it… mostly because he didn’t like being the center of attention.

But when you showed them their rooms in your Dowager Queen palace, he was constantly taking pictures and photos so that she would be able to brag to Pacifica back in Gravity Falls. Your palace could probably fit more than three Northwest Estates, and he was definitely going to rub it in her face that he was able to stay somewhere that grand.

[phantombanquet]

Main Story: Diasomnia Book Chapter 4 (Translation)

7-63: State of Concern!

⚠️ DIASOMNIA SPOILERS. PLEASE BEWARE!

Land of Briar - Campsite

Lilia: Baul, you ended up having another three servings of “risotto”.

Was it that good? Kufufu.

Baul: O-On second thought, there was no crime in the food.

Sebek: I'm glad it suits your taste!

Baul: Ahem! Even... so.¹

Lilia: Ahh. Those Silver Owls have been frequenting this side of the Whistling Wind Valley² lately.

Baul: They ravage the Land of Briar as if it were their own….. Those lowly thieves!

Lilia: Around 100 years ago, one small ship barely landed on a cape where the sunrise could be viewed from the top of a high mountain.

However, in a blink of an eye, those guys grew in number and outnumbered the fairies living in this country.

Now, the Whistling Wind Valley from the east is completely their home.

Baul: Grrrr…… Those humans~~~~!!

If that was the case, we should have just driven them out!!

Lilia: I'm certain Her Majesty The Queen didn't think they would be this much of a handful back then.

Sebek, Silver: ……

Lilia: If they had respected nature, animals, and lived modestly, I would have left them alone, however……

I can't stand that they continue digging up all over the mountains and forest.

We must hurry and deliver Mallenoa-sama's letter to the Eastern Fortress.

Grim: Mallenoa-sama? Who even is that?

Sebek: You bastard³, do you not know of Mallenoa-sama? She is the Young Lord's….. Ah!

……Mallenoa-sama is the Princess of the Land of Briar.

Lilia: It's as the youngster says.

She is the only daughter of the current Queen Maleficia, our master and the Lord of the “Wild Rose (Heidenröslein) Castle”⁴.

Silver: “Wild Rose Castle?” The Royal Castle in the Dragon Capital, and not the “Black Scale Castle”⁵?

Lilia: A green field with a wetland spreading throughout the south side of the Land of Briar.

In the center of it all, a fortress glares at the scoundrels coming from beyond the Coral Sea and the Whistling Valley…

That is the “Wild Rose Castle”.

Baul: Mallenoa-sama, who commands the Royal Guards, is the keystone of this country's defense.

We, as the Royal Palace's guards, will be the delegation that delivers a written request to the “Silver Owls” from Mallenoa-sama.

Today, we had just left the Wild Rose Castle.

Sebek: When you say “written request”......

Baul: Isn't it obvious! It is an ultimatum to immediately stop the ill-mannered behavior of the “Silver Owls” in our country!

Lilia: Hah…… If I could fly by magic, I could easily reach their fortress.

Silver: Is there any reason you don't use flying?

Lilia: The delegations that carried the letter to the Eastern Fortress before us have been disappearing one after another.

Sebek, Silver: Eh!?

Lilia: Our job is to deliver the letter.

Next is to search for the missing ones on the way to the destination. And…

To find and destroy the “Silver Owls” who continue mining without the permission of the fairies.

Baul: Guh…… Diplomacy is primarily the work of the aristocrats. Why must the General be forced to do so!

Lilia: Fairies are much fewer in number compared to humans. Ever since the “Silver Owls” showed up, there has constantly been a shortage in labor.

Moreover, the aristocrats were so unreliable that the mere scent of iron made them swoon.

Mallenoa-sama must have also had that in mind, and chose me instead.

Baul: That is…

Lilia: From now on, we will pass through the Forest of the Night, travel along the green fields, and walk towards the Whistling Wind Valley.

After passing through the Whistling Wind Valley, we will search for the missing ones in the Red Field and at the slope of the Dragon Mountain while aiming for the fortress of the “Silver Owls” at the eastern continent.

Silver: ……It's going to be a long trip.

Lilia: Kufufu. Are you frightened?

Hey, messengers of Night Raven College. Does it look like I still have spare time to attend school?

Sebek, Silver, Grim: ……

Lilia: Even if you break your bones to follow us, you will only be taking a risk and there is not much good left for all of you.

I won't say anything bad, so go back to your school.

Silver: ……No! Now that I have heard you talk like this—!

My desire to have Vanrouge-dono enter Night Raven College has grown even stronger.

Lilia: Ha?

Silver: Indeed, there is not much “magic” we can teach you. However……

I am certain that school life will become an irreplaceable memory for you.

Sebek: Silver……

Silver: That's why, the moment we finish this mission, I will invite you once again—

To our alma mater, Night Raven College!

Lilia: I still won't change my mind once this mission is over…

…Even so, do you still intend to stick with us?

Silver: Yes!

Lilia: Even if your life is in danger?

Silver: YES!!

Lilia: ……

I don't know much about humans…… Could it be that Night Raven College is filled with fairly weird guys among the humans?

Silver: Certainly, there are many of them who are fairly unique.

Sebek: The origins, race, and even culture… It's diverse.

Silver: That is why we learn so much every day.

Lilia: Ha… Have it your way. I don't know anymore.

Silver, Sebek: THANK YOU!!

translation notes:

¹ - I just want to note that Baul said 「それにしても……です。」 です is a Japanese copula (grammatically links subjects and predicates), and is commonly for politeness. The way I formatted the text was the only way I could think of on how to express what he said. Tldr: Baul is still trying to be polite even if he's being teased so bad rn

² - 「風鳴き渓谷」 Whistling Wind Valley; it contains the kanji for wind 風 and the kanji 鳴く, which is commonly used as “to sing (bird). I decided to literally translate as to not drastically change the original text.

³ - 「貴様」 Sebek usually uses this (as well as Baul and, sometimes, General Lilia) i just wanted to make a note of it lol. Kisama is a derogatory way to address someone, and the closest translation for it is “You bastard”.

⁴ - 「野ばら城」 I believe 野ばら (translation: Wild Rose) is also a reference to Heidenröslein, a poem written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe about a young man plucking a rose despite the rose's warning not to or else she will stick to him with her thorn forever.

⁵ - 「黒鱗城」 (くりんじょう) Black Scale Castle; it contains the kanji for black 黒 and the kanji for scale 鱗 (of fish, snake, etc. but in this context it's probably dragon scales). Again, I decide to literally translate it as to not drastically change the original text.

personal note: i decided to translate ONLY this chapter because it contained important locations to know for the world building lore. i won't fully translate the entire chapter 4 because of its length.

[karama9]

Echoes of Wisdom

Mild spoilers after the cut

I really love how some landmarks from A Link to the Past are back. Totally geeked out seeing an Eastern Palace AND the ruins of the Desert Temple.

But Nintendo, why is my old house completely gone? Just one little chest now? A shop would have been so cool, like Ravio is gone but a shop stayed...