#elend is more than good this time

[belovedfarseer]

i have literally so many thoughts about that finale but suffice to say that hero of ages > final empire >>>>>>>>> well of ascension (and hero of ages might be one of sandersons best books, period)

[cosmerelists]

Favorite Video Game Genres of Cosmere Characters

As requested by @thesternest :)

1. Silence

Silence: Don't know why, really, but I like casual games, games that are just like real life. Silence: Something about doing your daily life, but in game form--very relaxing. William Anne: Uh, mama? I think "Silent Hill" is a survival-horror game. Silence: It is? How so?

2. Marasi

Marasi: [Looks around nervously] Marasi: I...well, I like first-person shooters. Marasi: I-I just like to pretend I'm in the Roughs, like Wax! Marasi: I don't want to be Wax in real life or anything, but...it can be fun in a game!

3. Dalinar

Dalinar: In real life, war is a terrible necessity. Dalinar: In games, war is fun. Dalinar: ... Dalinar: I like tactical RPGs.

4. Vin

Vin: Huge fan of platform games. Vin: Jumping from ledge to ledge, controlling my speed and trajectory, occasionally swinging from hooks or managing double jumps... Vin: It's just like moving through the city as a Mistborn! Elend: Your high-score is RIDICULOUS, Vin! Vin: I'm also REALLY good at it.

5. Yumi

Yumi: I wasn't allowed video games for a long time, but now that I can play them... Yumi: [eyes sparking] I've become a HUGE fan of visual novels! Yumi: It's like Seasons of Regret, only *I* can be the one making the choices!

6. Leshwi

Leshwi: Like many Fused and Singers, I find myself quite taken with Rhythm games. Leshwi: Now that it is no longer appropriate for me to fight the Windrunners, I do like to challenge them to Dance Dance Revolution instead. Kaladin: OH COME ON I DEFINITELY HAD THAT Leshwi: I always win.

7. Steris

Steris: I used to think games were a waste of time, but then Wax introduced me to these construction simulators. Steris: My city is a paradise with excellent infrastructure, logical layout, and plenty of greenspace. Wayne: You should try to mod that makes a tsunami hit your city! Steris: Oh please, I beat that mod yesterday on my first try.

8. Navani

Navani: Recently, I've gotten into Tower Defense games. Sibling: I can defend myself, thank you very much.

9. Vivenna

Vivenna: Love a good roguelike. Vivenna: It's something about trying it over and over again until you're perfect. Vivenna: The victory is sooo sweet when you've worked hard to achieve it, dying many times. Siri: Oh me too!! I especially like Hades--the art is AMAZING. Vivenna: (scoffs) You mean a rogue-lite? Siri: I'm telling you--you should try one! Getting powerups in between runs is pretty sweet. Vivenna: Hedging out a difficult victory after hours of blood, sweat and tears is also fun! Siri: If you say so...

10. Lightsong

Lightsong: Soooo addicted to Candy Crush. Lighsong: Can't even tell you why. Llarimar: Perhaps your divine eye is drawn to the bright colors. Lightsong: Whatever makes you feel better, Scoot.

11. Adolin

Adolin: Lately I've become completely engrossed with life simulators. Adolin: I make my character get up, make breakfast, go to work, go on dates, learn the piano... Adolin: WHY IS IT SO ADDICTING?? Shallan: This may be a sign that your actual life is incredibly stressful and the allure of a simple, daily life is drawing you in? Adolin: No, that doesn't sound right... Shallan: You want to date a bisexual vampire? Adolin: ...That could be it.

12. Rlain

Rlain: I'm quite taken with these cozy farming games. Rlain: You just build a nice farm, meet the villagers, explore around. Renarin: Rlain, please, it's been six hours! Rlain: Just one more day...

13. Tress

Tress: I've been enjoying survival games! Tress: It's fun to gather and cook and build a base! Tress: A little bit unrealistic, because the rain doesn't make anything explode, but I guess they wanted to make it easier than real life, not harder.

14. Shallan

Shallan: It has to be MMOs for me. Shallan: I like a game where I can do pretty much anything I want. Shallan: Advance the story, collect every type of mushroom, fill in the whole map... Shallan: Plus, I like leveling every class and giving each one their own outfit and personality. Veil: You named the rogue after me, I see. Shallan: It's a compliment.

15. Kelsier

Kelsier: There's only one type of game for me: and that's a game where the name of the, uh, game is survival. Kelsier: And I especially like it when you have to survive as a team. Kelsier: Especially against great odds--like lots and lots of real-life players. Kelsier: Yup, yup. Kelsier: It's all about Fornite for me.

[gallium-spoon]

Disclaimer: I've only read Stormlight and Mistborn era one, but I'm sensing a pattern in Brando Sandos strengths and weaknesses as a writer (people who've read more of the cosmere than me feel free to tell me if I'm on to something or talking nonsense)

Sando is really strong when it comes to writing internal conflict (Kaldins struggles with depression or Sazeds crisis of faith) and small scale interpersonal conflict (Vin and Elend 's insecurities in their relationship or Adolins resentment/hero worship of Dalinar)

But, where he tends to drop the ball is in handling the large scale social conflicts. For instance, Kaldins arc about structural classism gets less and less page time each book. The singers/listeners and the whole plot line of their enslavement and near total genocide often feels like set dressing to the main conflict of the books. And of course all the hand wringing about how the Lord ruler meant well and was good deep down actually (despite engineering multiple genocides and instituting wide scale slavery)

It kinda feels like the larger scale the problem is, the more difficulty Sando has writing about it proportionally

I'm still looking forward to reading Mistborn era 2 and the next Stormlight book because I love the characters and world building in these books but I'm nervously watching for this trend now

[cheesearchives]

-Mistborn: Final Empire SPOILERS-

I just finished the first book and obviously I'm HOOKED enough to continue. I generally love books that have to do with heists and overthrowing the government. The only problem with the latter is that sometimes the books that come after aren't as interesting but let's see.

As for Final Empire itself, I loved it. I had a feeling that there would be a 'oh but what was the lord ruler holding back?' moment where they realise he was actually also useful apart from being a tyrant. That trope is a 10/10.

I did not expect Kelsier to die ngl. I figured one of them from the crew would die. Someone Vin was close to. Didn't expect it to be Kel himself. What a brilliantly written character though. I really enjoyed the writing in itself + the world building? *chef's kiss*

Have I understood allomancy entirely? No. Do I enjoy reading it? Yes.

I wish Mare being alive was some form of plot twist but I guess that's wishful thinking and an overdone ploy in books.

The best part about this book is that it doesn't fail to keep you surprised. Kel's death definitely. But also Marsh in general. The Kandra. The skaa uprising. The Inquisitors!

I'm not very fond on Elend but he wasn't as relevant in this book so I understand. He seems naive to me but again, let's see how the second book goes.

Vin though is a little stereotypical in the sense that she looks weak but is immensely strong and all that. But! The character development and the way she grows has been written really well. Especially the lines slowly leading us to understanding just how powerful she is and can be as time passes by. Especially with her detecting metals through a coppercloud. Her crush on Elend is understandable but also we didn't dwell on it too much.

As in, as a reader I feel like I was with her and empathizing along the way when it came to her being a theif and then growing into a powerful Mistborn. Her relationship with Kel, Sazed and the others. Her crush on Elend though felt slightly rushed to me. But what do I know? Perhaps I feel like this just because I agree with Kel about nobility more than I did with Vin - still thinking that there are some good men. Of course I understand in the long run that Vin is right. But that's just my opinion that Kel was right.

Another unnecessary opinion I have is that the Pits should not have been destroyed. I understand Kel's rage and motivation but in the long run? Should've kept the damn pits. You need atium. Let's see if they find the stash of atium or realise that the lord ruler was using atium to keep that deepness thing at bay. No clue.

But honestly, overall the book is a solid 8.5/10. Would recommend.

[shunnao-addict]

Brandon Sanderson and his "genre-shaping" exaggeration

Let me start by a disclaimer: I actually enjoy Brandon's books, most of them get five stars from me. So please take it under consideration while reading. It's a criticism, not hating.

This post was something I've been thinking on writing for a long, looong time. Ever since Brandon took over The Wheel of Time (which is how I know of him) I got into reading his books, and enjoyed them. Then, over the years, I've read many articles praising him more and more, each book indicing newer superlatives, so when this year I've started re-reading his books (so I can read whole Cosmere in one go, awaiting final installment) I found myself disagreeing with most of them.

To sum it up, mostly he's being called genre-shaping because of:

Unusual, never seen before magic systems, that no other writer tops

Amazing wordlbuilding that also doesn't have anyone else standing up to him (some even call him "new Tolkien")

Characters that are complex, easy to remember, even easier to love and follow

Outstanding writing style

Ideas that no one thought before of, showing that fantasy still has something new to offer

I'll try to address every one of those, as to not get too tangled in my own thoughts.

Let's start with magic system. Now, Brandon's magic systems are unusual, that's for sure. They're complex, they're reaching into quite new ways of using world around us, they always have a high price, and boyyy, the rules they have! They're not, though, above some of the other magic systems I've seen in the literature. The Wheel of Time has just as complex system, with many new ways of using The Power appearing with each new volume (even before Brandon took over). N.K. Jemisin created her own system, that (in my own opinion, of course) is truly something we've never seen before. Trudi Canavan, with her blood magic, was also onto something that was refreshing and new. And don't get me started on Naomi Novik or Susan Dennard. What I'm trying to say - Brandon's magic systems are good, but they're hardly antyhing above average. Are they compelling? Yes. But did they change anything in the fantasy genre? Not really.

Cosmere, in its own huuuuge scope, created a whole plethora of worlds, each unique in its own way. Worldhoppers and idea of visiting different worlds stirred readers along the world, stating they've never read anything like this. Except, they could've. Because that's what Le Guin's Hainish Cycle is about. Each world having its own multicultural countries? We've got that in The Wheel of Time, in Eriksson's Malazan Book of Fallen, and in many other fantasy books (even those written by YA authors). So far, Brandon hasn't created anything original enough to call him another Tolkien, no one also took an inspiration from any creature he crated, and, sorry to say, with so many books being loosely tied to Cosmere it's hard to treat them as a whole. While Easter Egg hunting may be interesting for some, that does feel a little pushed. Personally, I dislike the fact that books I've read years ago as a stand-alone novels, are currently "Cosmere novels" with new content. Looking at it without any personal bias I can see those few ties, but it looks more like a marketing strategy, than actual "original" idea.

Now we get to my main pet peeve when it comes to Brandon's supposed brilliancy - his characters. I'm a big fan of character-driven stories, hence The Wheel of Time is my all-time fav, but Brandon... well, he doesn't know very well what to do with his characters. Take, for example, Mistborn. While there are two or three main characters that undergo a change, everyone else is a cutboard, two-dimensional stand-in that doesn't get much depth. I was truly intersted in Elend's advisors, but through two books I couldn't say more about them than "well, this one is smart, and this one is a coward". Also under his pen WoT's characters lost their depth, some of them becoming a caricature of themselves. I tried not to judge him by this, because, honestly, it's extremely hard to take over a story started by someone else, but this trend continues. Take Elantris - there are three characters I can think of, that were nicely written. Everyone else was just in the background, moving almost as if on strings. This isn't a bad writing - most of them were entertaining, lovely characters we could feel for, but when it comes to character-building (especially for characters that are not main characters) Brandon's writing is very, very average. Joe Abercrombie or Brent Weeks are much, much better in this regard.

While we're on topic of writing, I'm a fan of Brandon's style. He can easily convey hard topics, can keep you on your toes, is very quotable, and, in all honesty, his books are somewhere in between high and B-tier fantasy writing that doesn't force you to give 100% attention to what you're reading, but also doesn't allow you to skim easily over the text. It's a great balance, but you can't call it a penman mastership never seen before. It's a trait he's sharing with authors like Joe Abercrombie, Brent Weeks, Mark Lawrence or N.K. Jemisin. But it's nowhere near levels of Tolkien, Le Guin, Sapkowski or Rothfuss. Their style, their use of language or creating new terms is on a different level.

New ideas is a touchy topic, because (don't feel attacked) most people don't read outside of their chosen fiction genre. They don't even go outside of sub-genre. Which is why ideas that were introduced somewhere else (like Le Guin's ethnologists going around planets to get a feeling of their magic, politic and geograpy; or many science-fiction books where main hero goes to other planets for specific thing, like Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison) or plot-points (different takes on "how to prevent a war/obliteration", even on philosophical side), or even religion that is always a Big Thing in each of the books (also A Thing, e.g. Mark Lawrence's books or Malazan), or a character that seems to be the main character, but dies (GRRM)... Brandon just takes those ideas and shows us them in his own way, but the archetype? It's still there.

So while I would say that Brandon is an amazing writer, I wouldn't say he's a genre-shaping wonder. He plays around with the same toys as everyone else, and manages to sometimes get better, sometimes worse when compared to other authors. He definitely has bigger following, a true devoted fanbase, and lots of Tor's marketing went his way. He's also an extremely prolific author, who doesn't always produce high quality books (Skyward and The Reckoners being an example).

tl;dr he's an amazing writer, who has lots of good stuff going on, but originality isn't his strongest suit. And that's ok. Good book is always going to be a good book, even if it's about Tortured Boy Who Saves The World for the Nth time.

[scienter]

Three Wind and Truth Chapters today!!

Let's get into it.

CHAPTER 7

So Kaladin's suspicion was correct: the Wind is a spren.

I love the imagery of Adolin riding Gallant in the air. Being a child of the 80s kid I immediately thought of Rainbow Brite. lmao

Instead of riding a rainbow, Adolin rides the winds.

I love Maya in these chapters. I can't wait to see how she progresses.

Kelek: “It is this: just because something is fleeting, do not imagine it to be unimportant. [ ] And likewise, just because something is eternal, do not assume it to be… to be relevant…”

🤔 Does anyone else think Brandon was warning the readers?

“Adolin Kholin, highprince, son of the most powerful man on the planet, renowned swordsman, was secretly one of the goofiest people she’d ever known.”

Yes, he is. That’s why we love him.

Dead eyes fade from the physical realm once they’re forgotten. Hmm. . .

“I am afraid.” Did Shallan just swear another oath? Or was that an old oath? I’ve lost track. . .

CHAPTER 8

Kaladin can hear Nightblood! Has he done this before? I don’t remember . . .

Will there be snacks? the sword asked. I’m supposed to ask if there will be snacks anytime we go somewhere.

“Who told you that?” Szeth asked.

Lift. She says it’s important. I don’t think I can eat snacks—maybe cut them up though? But if it’s important that they be there, I want to know.

“I’ll bring snacks,” Kaladin said. “Szeth, let’s meet at the Oathgate in two hours. All right?”

Oh, Lift! 😂

I love Lift btw. I'm hoping she goes with Szeth & Kaladin to Shinovar because I really loved LIft's interactions with Szeth in Oathbringer, and I want to see some Kaladin & Lift scenes. Can we get them in this book? 🙏

And of course, Kaladin’s bringing Tien’s small toy horse. He wouldn't leave without that. I wonder who packed the rock though? Tien's spirit?🤨

Dabbid attracted an honorspren! Good for him. Love how everyone except Dabbid noticed that he's attracted an honorspren. 😊 And Syl thinks Lustinia is a bore! HA!

CHAPTER 9

All agree the first key moment came when Kaladin Stormblessed listened. Though not an Edgedancer, he did a fine impression of their oaths. —From Knights of Wind and Truth, page 8

Kaladin listened to the Rhythms or the Wind? Probably the Rhythms.

I looked up the Edgdancer oaths as a reminder:

“I will remember those who have been forgotten.”

“I will listen to those who have been ignored.”

Yeah, I can see Kaladin as an Edgedancer. If he wasn’t a Windrunner then he’d probably be an Edgedancer. I wonder what the significance of this is though. I'm guessing it's related to the Wind and the Heralds leaving or something.🤔

“Not supposed to be,” Kaladin said. “I have reason to worry though, and Wit implied something… storms, like I might not be coming—”

“You’ll be back,” Skar said.

“I don’t know if I will, Skar. Not this time.”

“I was there when the storms tried to claim you. We went out to cut down a corpse, and found you alive. There’s more than a bit of the wind to you, Kal, and the east wind sees tomorrow before anyone else does. You’ll be back.”

WHAT’S WITH ALL THE DEATH FLAGS, BRANDON?

Is this foreshadowing or a misdirection? Why does Brandon want us to think/worry/anticipate Kaladin not making it back?  

I’m trying to remember whether Brandon has ever been so blatant about hinting at a character’s death. (I’m re-reading Warbreaker right now, and Lightsong talks/thinks about giving his divine breath away, but that’s the whole point of being Returned.) Was Brandon this blatant about Wayne’s death? Or Vin and Elend’s? Or was he more subtle? I didn't pick up on Wayne dying until half-way through the book (the goodbye scene). So, I’m just wondering why the flags for Kaladin are this blatant especially when a previous chapter set up Kaladin as Dalinar’s heir. Does Kaladin leave Roshar with the Wind and the Heralds?

In any case, I hope Skar is right.

Oh, and Syl has things???  Ok then. She's acting more human with every chapter, and I'm interested in seeing how this develops (especially knowing about Ishar's spren experiments).

"Reality,” Shallan hissed, “is what I decide it to be."

😯

[kalessinsdaughter]

Mistborn – The Final Empire, Epilogue

Kalessin reads cosmere

Prologue | Chapter 38 | Wrapping up my thoughts

Okay, this epigraph hints at some pretty major things. We know that the Deepness is sentient (or at least that's what the Hero of Ages says), and that it's a thing of destruction, madness, corruption. But here, there is a hint that there's an opposing force of some kind (equally sentient?), which has been guiding the Hero through prophecy and possibly other means, too. If that's right, then I wonder if the mists have something to do with it. And the last line—that another will come to finish his work if he fails—makes me even more inclined to think Vin is the next Hero of Ages.

I'm as relieved as Vin that everyone else seems to be ok.

My guess, that the Lord Ruler was both a Feruchemist and an Allomancer, seems to be confirmed. And if Sazed is right, so is my guess that he used Allomancy to turbocharge his Feruchemy (although the process as Sazed describes it is a little more complicated than I thought).

But this only answers how he could extend his lifespan without aging. I don't think it explains the healing abilities that allowed him to survive lethal injuries, again and again.

I'm also not sure that this explains his immense Allomantic power, since Vin seems to have a similar capacity. And she isn't a Feruchemist. At least, not as far as we know.

Vin is right, there is a lot they still don't know. They don't even know for sure if Allomancy already existed in the world before the Ascension.

Elend is apparently leading the new government, as king? Good for him, but I think he's going to have to work hard to prove himself worthy. There's bound to be resentment among the skaa, who might feel that a nobleman has usurped leadership from the skaa rebellion. And I guess some among the nobility might resent him, as well.

And while it makes good pragmatic sense to keep the obligators around, to keep the bureaucracy running, I can see a potential for problems, there, too.

There's also a lot that remains to be explained about Inquisitors. Eleven spikes? Why? What do they actually do? And, more than one person was killed to turn Marsh into an Inquisitor? Plus, there's their enhanced healing, too. And apparently, there are still around ten Inquisitors at large in the Empire, besides Marsh.

Which reminds me that so far, the rebellion has only taken Luthadel. What about the rest of the Empire? And those parts of the Luthadel Garrison still out chasing the remnants of the first rebel army? Sure, control of the capital and the bureaucracy counts for a lot, but it feels like a lot still needs to be done to consolidate their victory.

(also, if Marsh wasn't broken into giving away what he knew about Kelsier and Renoux, and word still hadn't reached the Lord Ruler about the destruction of the Pits of Hathsin, then how and why did the Lord Ruler know to lay that trap for Kelsier?)

Isn't Vin being a bit unfair to the kandra? I can understand her feelings to some extent, but it didn't do anything to Kelsier that he hadn't explicitly instructed it to do. Also, I'm curious as to why Kelsier thought Vin might need a kandra. And I wonder what it knows, that it might tell them. Because if I'm not mistaken, it acquires the memories of the dead people it devours.

I cannot get over that there is no atium in the treasury, and that it just gets mentioned in the most off-handed way. Sure, they didn't need it for the rebellion, in the end. But where did it all go?

Vin's thoughts at the end there, before she decides to actually go to Elend. There's that feeling of her thoughts trying to beat her down again. And then her mood lifts, and this time I'm almost certain that the mist is involved in her mood change.

As for the questions about what the Deepness really was, and if it's still around: if Vin is the new Hero of Ages, then the Deepness is still around. And I think she's about to find out what's going to happen now that the Lord Ruler is no longer around to do … whatever he's been doing "for mankind".

And I still don't know who or what the koloss are.

[underthetree845]

Screaming

I was just introduced to a new character in a book and this isn’t good. His first appearance was only five pages and I’m already down bad.

He had that whole playful noble boy thing going on. Doesn’t care for status, sympathetic towards the servants, wears his tie loose, cheeky and charming to a fault… oh dear. The kind you start out hating but grow to see the charms and good in (in reference to the protagonist of the story. I know his character type, and was hooked immediately). A lot kinder and more noble than he lets on. Will do the valiant thing in the end. The banter 😭 AND HE READS TOO. I was smiling, putting the book down to scream internally, will 100% be rooting for a romance between him and the main character.

The subtle flirting that gets you questioning whether he’s really doing anything or if it’s just you projecting.

Sneaks away to the balcony at balls.

“But I don’t know how to dance very well….” “Then that makes two of us.”

The type to just casually not mention that he’s the heir to one of the greatest noble houses in the empire.

The careful eye, able to see through the shimmer and silk of the other noblemen and recognize what sets the protagonist apart.

Cocky but still respectful, knows where to draw the line.

I CAN TELL HE’S LOYAL TOO. As his secret infatuation grows, as does his devotion and under the table protectiveness over her head.

“Because I’m a gentleman”

He sees her for who she truly is, who she wants to be, and he strides up to her with a foxy grin, calling her “pretty girl” just to see that cute pout on her lips. She remains unaware of how she makes his heart beat with her quippy remarks, each time he grows more entranced by how different she is.

All this over five pages, dear lord.

Anyway, if you’ve stayed this long, thank you for listening to my ramble and characterization of Elend Venture from the Mistborn trilogy. I don’t care what the character description says, he will always be a cocky blonde teenage boy in my eyes, no older than nineteen.

I will begin jumping in happiness whenever he shows up in the book.

-

Have a wonderful day/night/morning/evening!

[painted-fanbird]

Y’know, the start of The Hero of Ages is giving me big Inkdeath energy. In a “oh my god everyone is having the worst time right now” kind of way XD

The apocalypse is upon us

Marsh is trying to kill himself

Sazed is still grieving

Breeze is trying too hard to make everyone laugh

Elend is wearied

Vin is… well, she’s almost used to this. But she’s also very, very tired

I don’t like that Elend has more raw power than Vin. This is exclusively because I want Vin to be the coolest and most powerful Mistborn on the block, because she has been for two books and she is my girl okay!! I love her. Sanderson don’t you dare let her be overshadowed by her husband because I will literally never forgive you

Poor Sazed hasn’t gotten over Tindwyl and has lost his faith. Can’t say I blame him, it makes sense. Though my friend also says Sanderson does something weird with him at the end so catch me wondering what the heck that’s going to turn out to be

I also don’t love the fact that Breeze and Allrianne are together for real, but that’s just because the gap is kind of weird. She is in her 20s, and arguably old enough to make that choice for herself, and we know Breeze is generally a decent guy, the numbers are just bad for my brain XD

TenSoon is back though!! Which is great news because I love him!! His prospects are not looking good, but alas lol. He’s said his piece to the council and rip Vin, she’s getting more responsibility lol

The koloss are proving interesting now that Vin has put her foot in the door and started asking questions. I hope we get more of that

And Spook!! He’s out here doing things!! He also has wildly unnatural senses now from flaring tin so much! I was wondering if we were ever going to come back to the idea in book 1 where Kelsier said don’t burn tin and pewter all the time because you’ll mess yourself up lol

ALSO VIN IS WRITING THE CHAPTER PRELUDES THIS TIME!!! ASDFGHJKL!!!!!!! I DONT HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD IM JUST SCREAMING!!!!!! <3 <3 <3

[kunaiman]

Kunai Reads Cosmere Update!

Since my last post where I read Rhythm of War, I've since read three Cosmere books. I finally branched out from Stormlight archive.

This post will contain spoilers for Dawnshard, Mistborn: The Final Empire, and The Alloy of Law

DAWNSHARD

This one was a lot more focused on merchant stuff than combat, which I thought was going to bore me. Heck, I got the book in November and I didn't finish it until now despite it being a quarter the length of a normal Stormlight book, so I thought it did.

As it turned out, I just needed a break from Roshar. Once I came back, I was having the time of my life! Rysn is such a good character, and I'm so glad she got her own book. Also, Lopen's Third Ideal was honestly kind of touching. I wasn't expecting his Ideal to be "I'll stop (or at least rein in) the pranking." It made me really happy that he got that character growth, especially considering the fact that I was thinking he would be a relatively static character.

MISTBORN: THE FINAL EMPIRE

My first foray into Scadrial! To be honest, I don't typically read dystopia much, and there were some things about The Final Empire that I thought was just Sandman laying it on a bit thick.

Seriously. A law that says you can sleep with any Skaa woman as long as you kill her? Makes no sense from a logistics perspective.

But the characters were *so* much fun. I loved Ham's philosophical questions, I loved Breeze in general, Kelsier is a *Dork* and I love him. Even though I knew beforehand that Kelsier died, I was still heartbroken when he did.

Vin as a Protagonist seemed a bit... eh? I did like her more as she went on, but after being introduced to the Cosmere with Kaladin, I was hoping for an equally strong protag. Hopefully I'll get there with Well of Ascension. I did really like Elend, though.

MISTBORN: THE ALLOY OF LAW

I'll be honest, I picked this up because I didn't own Well of Ascension or Hero of Ages yet.

WAX IS SO GOOD. I LOVE THIS MAN.

His interactions with Wayne, his thought process, the fact that Steris had a 20 Page Marriage Contract and he was just like "Well. Someone's Thorough."

Steris better show up more in book 2. I've seen people say that she starts out terrible, but she's so good. I love my autistic noblewoman.

Marasi is a really good protagonist, too, for the exact same reasons as Wax, to be honest. I hope she shows up more, her Allomancy is really interesting!

Since those are done, I've started reading other Cosmere books. I am currently reading The Well Of Ascension, Warbreaker, and Edgedancer. Edgedancer gets priority, but I've also made it to chapter 17 in Warbreaker. So far, I love Siri and Viv.

Once I Finish those, I'll work on Hero of Ages exclusively. Then I'll read Shadows of Self and Bands of Mourning. After that, it'll be Secret History, Sixth of the Dusk, and Shadows for Silence.

[luminouslumity]

THOUGHTS ON: THE COSMERE SERIES

So I said last year about how I was going to be reading the Cosmere books for the first time, one book/series at a time, and I've finally done just that!

So I started with Elantris and it was... eh. Yeah, I can see why this one isn't really talked about much. I didn't even hate it, tbh, but I still found it to be pretty boring overall. I know it was Branderson's first book, though, so I'm willing to cut him some slack here. Hopefully I'll enjoy the sequel more, whenever it comes out.

Next was the original Mistborn trilogy, which I've actually been wanting to read for awhile now! I can certainly see why it's Branderson's most popular work and I myself really liked it, too! Kelsier is probably my favorite character since I love how many layers there are to him. Elend is a close second, and considering what happens to the latter... Yeah...

Speaking of villains, I still can't tell if we're meant to pity Rashek or not due to things like this:

It's calling him "a good man" is what has me thrown off. I know his actions were at least in part due to Ruin's influence, but still! As for Ruin himself, again, I love Chessmaster characters! I do however think I would've preferred it if the Hero of Ages did turn into a tyrant, just because I've always loved this sort of trope, but I'm not too bothered about the twist, either.

So since I finished Era 1, I decided to read Era 2 while I was still on Scadrial, and as someone who's not too fond of Westerns in general, I thought the Wax and Wayne series was okay. I was feeling so bad for Wax throughout it, though! And I'm also really looking forward to the inevitable big crossover that's been teased at this entire time after getting a taste of it in a main book.

And now we come to my favorite of the Cosmere books, Warbreaker! And it's just fun! Really, really fun! Of the PoV storylines, I think I liked Vivenna's arc the most and how determined she was to rescue her sister, but Siri's was still a close second. Favorite character in general, though, Bluefingers. I repeat, I love a good Chessmaster! But more than that, I really liked how sympathetic he was, just trying to free his people, but he and his supporters ended up taking things way too far! Which brings to what is really my only big complaint with the book, and that's how abruptly it seemed to end, especially where the conflict with the Pahn Kahl is concerned, so for better or worse, I really hope their fate gets explored in Nightblood. Which reminds me, I loved the chaotic sword, too!

White Sand was next and it was another story I found to just be alright, both the graphic novel as well as the prose version.

Now comes The Stormlight Archive, another I've been wanting to read for awhile now, though I know it won't be completed for a few years now. I actually read the audiobook to the Prime version of TWoK first, so it was fun to compare it with the official release and I really hope we get more Sanderson Curiosities in the future! All that said, I'm really enjoying the story so far and how grand everything feels, but oof, did these scenes make me cringe:

On one hand, I totally get scolding Kaladin for just automatically assuming the worst of everyone who's a lighteyes and being fed up with his cynicism. At the same time, though, I also really hate how dismissive Shallan comes across in this chapter. At first, I thought that was the intention, but then we get this:

This isn't even the first time I've felt like anger towards oppression was being dismissed in one way or another, btw (again, Warbreaker, my beloved), these are just the moments that stood out to me the most. It'd be one thing if it were just condemning extremists, but when you have scenes like Shallan's talk with Kaladin and... Yeah... Again, I totally get the intention, I just wish the scenes had played out better, because I actually do like Shallan otherwise.

Anyway, I ended up reading Arcanum Unbounded afterwards, as well as Dawnshard, and I liked them just fine. Secret History is probably my favorite of the short stories, and I really hope Nalthis gets a short story eventually. I also received Aether of Night literally yesterday (thank you, 17th Shard!) and it was interesting seeing the similarities between this and other Branderson works, such as Ruin and Decay.

If I had to rank them from favorite to least favorite, it would probably be Warbreaker, The Final Empire, Wax and Wayne, The Stormlight Archive, White Sand, and finally, Elantris.

So yeah, great stories by someone who seems like an overall great guy, I just question some of the writing choices.

[emrystheedgedancer]

I posted 335 times in 2022

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Also I would like to add my love for Marasi too. I love that she loves comfort and being clean. I love that she’s feminine without being a damsel, but not the all-too-common-these-days “strong woman who is so powerful they don’t need anyone and have no personality” type character

I just think that Marasi and Steris (among others) are living evidence that it is possible to write more traditionally feminine women who are still strong in their own ways without making it a cliche.

151 notes - Posted October 4, 2022

#4

Me every time a random word is capitalized in the Cosmere:

214 notes - Posted November 18, 2022

#3

I also love that Brandon made Wax an older man. I love a good 20 year old adventurer but I think that putting him in his 40’s and still trying to figure himself out was such a good move. It lends a kind of gravitas to the story and also proves that you don’t have to have everything figured out by 30.

Wax goes through so many struggles and redefinitions of his character. It’s refreshing to see an older person still have a journey to travel in fantasy

261 notes - Posted October 6, 2022

#2

Sometimes I can barely believe that Warbreaker is a Branderson novel

268 notes - Posted August 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

“Idealism should have a cost”

This is from Brandon’s chapter annotations of the Well of Ascension. It’s for chapter 38, the chapter where Elend officially and finally gets deposed from the throne.

And I just love this. Elend Venture is one of my favorite characters in fiction because of this idea. Idealism has a cost. Honesty has a cost. And Elend learns that the most brutal way he can and then is STILL a good man after.

I think in fiction there’s a tendency to make fun of good men. Most people I know tend to be more interested in the Kaz Brekkers or Darklings or Phantoms or Snapes instead of the Mals, Raouls, and Harrys. There’s nothing wrong with that but I do wonder if it’s because most writers don’t bother to give their good men interesting things to do and challenging ways to develop like Brandon does. They tend to put their heroes in challenging situations to learn some lesson but rarely ever show much of a change inside. They don’t test their morals at their core, they only show how those morals are applied to the world.

Elend is a brilliant character because he shows what it is to truly have your morals tested. That last part in chapter 38, where only Elend and one other person in the room know that the law says they can change their vote- it’s so good. Many men would have lied. Elend knows that lying will keep him his throne. But he doesn’t. And because of his honesty and idealism he has to sacrifice what he knows is best and what he wants.

I just appreciate the attention that Brandon pays to good men rather than having flat good men and interesting grey men or villains as so many others do. Elend is a good man. Kaladin is a good man. But they are also flawed men, who still have to learn and grow and sacrifice. Kaladin sacrifices for his idealism all the time.

I just really love Elend Venture okay

272 notes - Posted October 27, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[cosmerelists]

Mistborn Era 1 Characters Read The Mistborn Era 2 Books

As requested by @foxofscadrial :)

[Spoilers, as you might imagine, from all of Mistborn Era 1 & 2!]

I've done this for Stormlight a couple of times: Stormlight characters read the The Stormlight Archive (link here) and they also read just the Kaladin chapters (link here). Now we're going to have the characters from Mistborn Era 1 sit down to read the Era 2 series: how will they react?

Now, just for the record...some of these characters are in both eras. For those characters, it's their Era 1 version doing the reacting, if that makes sense--like they're seeing their own futures.

1. Vin Live Reactions

Vin: This world seems so beautiful... So green... So vibrant... I'm gonna cry... Vin: THE STATUES OF ME AND ELEND 😭 Vin: Wow. I wish *I* had guns. Guns seem cool. Vin: It.....feels weird that everyone wants to be me. Like, sometimes I barely wanted to be me. Vin: ....Allrianne set the gender norms? I'm so sorry, women. Vin: TENSOOOOOOON! That speech about me...I can't take it... Vin: Killing a whole building of people, huh? Been there, Wax. Been there. Vin: I'm kinda glad Sazed became god. It seems like a hard job. Glad I didn't get it. Vin: ...Man. I REALLY wish we had guns!

2. Lord Ruler

Lord Ruler: Ugh, it's even worse than I imagined. Lord Ruler: Everything was so STABLE and SAFE under my rule. Lord Ruler: And now people have "freedom" and "fun"...and giraffes for some reason. Lord Ruler: You all are gonna do SO bad in the Cosmere-wide fight. Lord Ruler: Good riddance. Lord Ruler: ... Lord Ruler: Also, that guy who ends up taking over--Lord Mistborn or whatever. Lord Ruler: Who even is he???

3. Sazed

Sazed: ... Sazed: ... Sazed: I seem stressed.

4. Marsh

Marsh: ... Marsh: So, it seems that I never escape from my brother's shenanigans. Marsh: ... Marsh: Strangely comforting, I'll admit.

5. Elend Live Reactions

Elend: Heck yeah. Democracy. Elend: Huh. The noble houses stayed, huh? I just...don't know how I feel about that. Elend: Wait a sec....did they just recreate the noble/skaa divisions but with hereditary nobility versus workers? Elend: No...don't be crazy, Elend. At least it's not horrible slavery. Things are better! Way better! Elend: Ugh, are they abusing the outer cities too?? That train system is so horribly inefficient!! Elend: Is it too late for me to tutor Spook in legislative philosophy???

6. Breeze & Allrianne

Allrianne: Omg, Breeze, can you believe it? Our ancestor is the hero! Breeze: Seems like quite a...scruffy independent fellow. Allrianne: Not a Rioter OR a Soother, though... That's unfortunate... Breeze: Wears nice suits in the Rough, though. Now THAT I can get behind. Allrianne: I think we did good. 🩷

7. Spook

Spook: Well. Spook: Huh. Spook: Knowing that my street slang is gonna be High Imperial one day... Spook: That might be just enough to get me through all this alive.

8. TenSoon

TenSoon: I could imagine many fates for myself. TenSoon: Serving humans and the Lord Ruler forever. TenSoon: Being killed. TenSoon: Undertaking the Resolution and turning back into a mistwraith. TenSoon: ... TenSoon: Inspiring a line of stuffed toys for human children was NOT something I ever considered. TenSoon: I'm so glad I met the Ascendant Warrior.

9. Tindwyl

Tindwyl: It is...gratifying to see that the Terris people have survived. Tindwyl: And that feruchemy has survived with us. Tindwyl: *tsks* Naming a street after me, though. It would be more valuable for them to come to understand the real us, rather than mythologizing us to such a degree. Tindwyl: Wax naming his daughter after me, however... Tindwyl: ... Tindwyl: That honor I will accept.

10. Kelsier Live Reactions

(Note: This is the living Final Empire version of the character)

Kelsier: ........There are HOW many metals?!? Kelsier: Heh. Flowers. You would have loved that, Mare. Kelsier: Oof, no Mistborn. That's kinda harsh. Kelsier: YOU'RE FUCKING KIDDING ME--THEY CALLED IT ELENDEL?! (muttering) They could have at LEAST called it Vindale. Kelsier: "Ascendant Warrior," huh? That's my girl. Kelsier: "High Imperial." LOL. Kelsier: Omg, Marsh?! Marsh?!? Kelsier: SAZED IS GOD?! Kelsier: Heh, nice to know I have a crew in any reality. Kelsier: Yeah. I think I'm gonna be fine.

[lunasmusemenagerie]

Name: Elend Venture

Race: Fae, Sianach (Mistborn, allomancer)

Type: Canon Divergent (Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson)

FC: Miguel Bernardeau

Background:

Heir to Venture house, Elend is more than just the Rogue first born son. when he was a child, he was beaten nearly to death to see if he was an Allomancer, at the order of his father. Having being trained by his mother to hide the abilities even if he did 'snap', he was able to hide them from his father, who thought his son was dissapointingly ordinary.

At 13, his mother was found murdered on the Venture grounds, Elend finding her as she lay dying. unfortunately, nothing could be done to save the woman and she died before the healers arrived. Elend became convinced that this was another attempt by his father to get him to snap, and punishment for his mother that she couldn't provide another son, and that his son was not an allomancer that he knew of.

it was during this time that Elend sought comfort in another young noble, whom he'd grown close to, however, due to both their families stance on it, both boys tried their best to keep their relationship under rapps. Straff however, was just as clever and caught them, tearing elend away from the other boy and dragging him away to cane him as punishment. the other boy was taken, framed as a rebel and sentenced to execution. Straff made Elend watch him be killed, the boy's blood peppering his face and body. afterwards, Straff decided it was time for Elend to 'become a man' and sent him to a brothel, forcing him to sleep with one of the girls there. afterwards, she was killed in front of him, to ensure there wouldnt be any bastards that came from the event. from that day, Elend swore he'd take down his father and the men in his circles.

he and a few of the younger nobles started forming a small crew to try and overthrow them, working with a theiving crew with Kelsier at the head of it, who promised the young nobles and the downtrodden a way to bring those in charge to heel. Elend witnessed Kelsier's execution, and found himself partially in charge of the underground rebellion of mistborn and allomancers at 22 years of age. he is often written after his 'martyrdom' for the rebellion, being killed by an inquisitor named Marsh. after he awoke from his injuries sustained during that near death experience, he realized his death did more good than being alive for the rebellion, and left the court fully.

v: zorro

after his 'death' at the hand of Marsh, he was sent to recover with his mother's family, the De la Vega

Elend is bisexual, homoromantic. Aged 22 - 28, usually around 25.

[mylittlecomfortplace]

The Well of Ascension (The Mistborn Saga #2) [Book Review]

➺ 3.5/5 🌟

I felt like an outsider after seeing so many high ratings of this book, but I just couldn't give this higher than this. It was actually already generous of me to give this 3.5 rating. I was about to give this book maybe a 2.5 or 3 stars, but the last 150 pages bump up the rating for me. It was exactly that part where I genuinely enjoyed this book for the first time.

For the first 600 pages, I felt like only two things are repeatedly happening. First, Vin's internal struggle: whether she deserves to be Elend's woman, or wondering if she's really just a tool being used, or if it would make her a different person if she wears a dress, or if Elend would see her as a monster because of her power, or if eloping with a mistborn like her is the right thing to do, blah blah blah. I know her insecurities and I can sympathize with her. Girl went through a lot since childhood, I am clear of that. But spending that amount of pages going on about it is frustrating for me.

Second, Elend trying and failing to secure his position as the emperor. I appreciate every effort he makes and it's clear that he's sincere in making the empire better, but I felt like every decision he made didn't really achieve anything. The more he decide something, the more his throne is slipping away from him. It was absolutely true that he's a good man, but not necessarily a good king. Maybe for now. Watching him struggle to fight for his kingdom in his own idealistic way without changing anything is exhausting me.

I'm more invested in exploring the truth about the mist and the Well of Ascension, and we got to that part eventually, but for the most part, all I can remember is that most of Vin and Elend's decisions only made things worse. The whole situation declined the more I continue reading and I know that should make this more exciting to read as it would make one look forward to what will happen next, but I think what frustrates me the most is that this middle book of a trilogy only served as the accumulation of the characters' failures and introduction of more problems, stretching it so much to make this thick book. I don't even know if my complaints make any sense to other people but all I know is that I'm not a big fan of this book, not until the last 150 pages.

I felt slightly disappointed that I didn't like this the way I wanted to and I felt genuinely sad about it, but I still have high hopes for the last book. The last part of this book actually did a good job in making me anticipate what will happen next.

[jolienjoyswriting]

The Dummkopf from Distant Lands (ft. Kristhal Jonsdottir), Ch. III

Chapter 3 of 3 for "The Dummkopf from Distant Lands," a fan fiction story. Co-written by AI Dungeon (Griffin 2.0)

The Following is 100% Non-Canon to the Source Material!! While the written prose does try to keep things in line with established lore, some characters within may act slightly out-of-character at times. Additionally, it is a completely self-contained work and has no impact on any works past or future outside of its own storyline.

A clash of blades and tactics comes to a dramatic end!

Word count: 2,119 – Character count: 12,474 Drafted: April 2nd, 2023 Revised: April 2nd, 2023 –

Kristhal Jonsdottir and related characters and concepts created by and © dayax19 Joseph Dominique and related characters and concepts created by and © Jo Li

[ ← Prev. Chapter | Next Chapter → ]

    Joseph fell back, thrown off-balance as Kristhal effortlessly shoved his blades away.  She wasted no time in slashing straight across his midsection, quickly leveling the playfield.  He howled in pain and rolled away, bringing his swords back up in a defensive stance.  She swept his leg with hers, again, and he rolled back before jumping forward.  Their blades met once more, a resounding clash of metal echoing through the night as they both tried to shove the other into a submissive stance.  Then, they both hopped away and took their respective neutral poses.

    "I admit it," Kristhal said, "You're not bad… for a dummkopf."     "This 'dummkopf' made you bleed," he panted.  "Your leg looks like hell…"     She glanced down, grinning.  Her calf was completely soaked in red…     "I'm not done yet," she said, sounding both determined and kind of energized.     They both backed away, swords out, each waiting for the other to make a move.     "Not gonna lie…"  Joseph gave a pained grin.  "I don't think I'm gonna last much longer if we keep going at this pace."     Kristhal snorted.  "Is that your way of saying you give up?"     "Hardly."  He shook his head, chuckling.  "Just saying… if I start making mistakes, it's 'cause I'm getting weak."     "'Getting' weak?  Dummkopf, you are weak."     "That's right."  He chuckled a little more, holding his pose despite his aching body telling him to give up.  "I'm not afraid to show weakness to someone I care about."     "You're still playing that game?"  She took a step forward, her blade still held out defensively.  "You can't mess with my head that easily, narr."     "I'm not trying to mess with your–"     "Du ein elender Wicht!"     She charged forward, their blades meeting in another loud clash of metal and sparks.     "I know what I am!" he cried out with a grin, holding her at bay.  "And unlike you…"     He suddenly dropped down, rolled forward, and lunged upward, trying to tackle her.     "I'm not afraid to admit it!!"     Kristhal threw her hands up and he slammed into her, knocking them both to the ground.  She quickly got up, as did he, both grinning with pain.     "You're not very good, are you?"     "Admittedly," he sighed, "I was hoping you'd stay down if I caught you with–"     Faster than lightning, Kristhal struck!  Joseph managed to block the attack, but he wasn't prepared for what came next.  In a very impressive display, she used her blade like a fulcrum and twisted his wrists, disarming him!  Before he knew it, he had been knocked to the ground again.

    "I know what I am, dummkopf," she laughed, stepping on his chest and bringing her blade to his throat in triumph.  "Thanks."     "And…" he swallowed, "what is it that you think you are, Kris…?"     Kristhal's expression grew serious.  She noticed that he didn't look or sound afraid.  It wasn't that he thought she'd spare him… It was more like… he didn't care if she did.  He'd gotten to spend more time with her.  That was enough for a fool in love…

    "I'm out of practice is what I am."

    Joseph blinked, genuinely stunned.  She had withdrawn her blade… and extended her hand to him.  He shakily accepted, getting to his feet and nearly collapsing against her body.  He blushed a little, feeling how warm her skin was… but only for a second.  She helped him stand up straight and lightly slapped his back.     "Next time, dummkopf!" she exclaimed with a big smile.  "I'll win hands down!"     He nervously smiled…  "'Next time', huh?  Okay…  It's a date, I guess."     She punched his shoulder… then blinked and grabbed him before he could fall.     "Wuss," she joked.     "We're… haa… both bleeding…" he panted.  "Like, a lot…"     She cocked her head to the side.  "Don't be such a baby," she spat.     "But… you're hurt, too," he pointed out.     "'Tis but a flesh wound!'" she said in a faux-British accent before laughing.  Honestly, she made a really convincing case…  Despite the large, bleeding scar on her leg and the smaller one across her belly, she was standing pretty firmly.     "I… never stood a chance.  Did I?"     "No," she replied with a softer sort of laugh.  "But, hey!  That was the most fun I've had in a while, so…"     Seeing Kristhal act so cheerful made the man's heart feel warm.  His face warmed, too.  As the sun rose over the horizon, he found himself admiring the white-haired girl anew…  Her ponytail had come undone during combat, letting her shoulder-length hair drape down, matted and messy.  She was a little shiny from sweat and there was a bit of blood on her clothes and her pale skin.  Despite all that, though… she was smiling.  It wasn't a condescending smile.  It wasn't a cocky smile.  It wasn't even a particularly warm smile.  It was the smile of someone who had genuinely enjoyed herself.  And for him?  That was good enough.

    "I… should go to the hospital," was the next thing he told Kristhal.  "Um… are you gonna be okay?  I get the feeling you're not gonna come with me…"     "I'm fine," she repeated.  "I just need to be quiet for a bit and I'll be fine."     "Okay." He nodded.     He looked down, then he looked back up.  She was still loosely keeping a grip on him.     "Is it weird that… I kinda wanna hug you right now?" he meekly asked.     Kristhal laughed out loud and pushed him away… which caused him to go tumbling to the ground.     "You never stop, do you, dummkopf?" she said with a smirk.     "Hell's bells…!!" he gasped, feeling the pain of his injuries all over again.     "Yeeaaah… you should probably get to your hospital."     She stretched, cracking her spine and grunting.  When she finally let herself wince… Joseph looked up with concern.     "Are… are you gonna be able to make it home?" he asked, shakily sitting up.  "That leg looks pretty bad…"     "It's okay," Kristhal replied, grinning.  "I'm fine.  You should go."     "You sure…?"

    "What, do you have potatoes in your ears?" she snapped, suddenly looking angry.  "I'll be fine!  You get to the hospital, dummkopf!"     "I… uh… I'll try…"     "Ugh, don't make me carry you…" She rolled her eyes.  "Wuss."     Joseph somehow found the strength to get up back.  When he started to rip up his torn sweatshirt, though, she just gave him an odd look.     "What are you doing…?" she asked.     "Making temporary bandages…"     "I told you, I'm fine!" she yelled.     "They're not for you…"     "Oh."  She paused, actually blushing a tiny bit.  "Uh, carry on.  I'll… get out of your–"     "Hey."     "What?"     He offered a smile.  "Thanks for the great sparring match…"     She paused again.  "What?"     "Our swordfight," he said as he started wrapping thick pieces of ripped sweatshirt around his leg.  "I enjoyed it."     She rolled her eyes.  "You sure are a masochist…"     "Maybe pain turns me on…"     She backhanded him with the flat of her sword, giving him a look of genuine disgust.  Obviously, she didn't appreciate that kind of talk.     "S-sorry…" he whispered.  That got her to relax, at least…

    Once Joseph was patched up, he headed into his apartment and traded his blades for car keys.  As he hobbled to his vehicle, he noticed that Kristhal was still standing there… and still bleeding.     "What?" he called.  "Why are you still hanging around?"     "Just making sure you actually leave."     "Aww, you care about me!"     She didn't sneer.  She didn't smirk.  She didn't care.  Instead… she smiled.     "Have to make sure my new sparring partner stays alive long enough for me to make use of him!" she said without a trace of irony or sarcasm.     Joseph weakly smiled.  "F-fair…"

    The man entered his car and drove off.  Not long after, Kristhal finally fell to one knee.  She was a veritable fountain of swear words – most of them in Germanic languages.  She quickly ripped a piece of her shirt off and wrapped it around her leg, hissing as the stained cloth stuck to her open wound.  Not long after, she started to hobble away from the area, heading back home. –

    "Whoa!  What happened to you?!"

    Kristhal arrived at her place of residence late in the afternoon.  She was still wearing her jean shorts and a ripped-up tank top, but she had white bandages with a little staining around her abdomen and right leg.  She had stopped somewhere and gotten properly patched up.

    "Mind your own business, Dylan!" she snapped as she pushed him out of her way.     "No way!"  He quickly followed her inside and asked, "Are you okay?!"     "I just need some sleep…" she sighed.  "I've had a busy day."     "Doing what?!" he cried, genuinely concerned.  "You're all beat up!"     "Schweigen!!" she shouted.     By this time, Jessica and Jonathan had found their way into the living room.  They, too, were curious as to why their friend and roommate was in such bad shape.     "You seem to have sustained some rather large injuries!" Jessica gasped.     "Yeah!" Dylan added.  "She's all beat up, too!"     "Mind your own business!" Kristhal repeated, starting to get frustrated.     "But–"     "Leave her be."     The trio looked over to the tall form of Jonathan.  He was looking at Dylan and Jessica, watching them with calm eyes.     "B-but…"     "Thanks, Jon…" Kristhal said, gently tapping his arm as she walked by.     Dylan frowned, looking ready to cry.  "What happened to her…?" he asked, rhetorically.     "Do you suppose someone attacked her?" Jessica asked with a nervous expression.     "Maybe they kidnapped her!" he answered, going wide-eyed.  "She was still in her PJs!"     "It… it may be possible that–"     "She'll be fine."     Once again, all eyes were on Jonathan.     "You sure, big guy…?"     When he nodded, Dylan just sighed…     "Well, if you're sure…"     With that, the trio dispersed, going back to whatever they were doing before Kristhal came home.

    "Stupid Dylan… getting everyone worked up over me…"

    Kristhal lay in her bed hugging a pillow.  She was grumpy, kind of hungry, and really tired.  She was also annoyed with all the fuss her friend caused.

    "I told him I was fine…" she sighed into her pillow.  "Why's he have to care so hard?  I can take care of myself…"     She looked down, hiding her face as she bit into the pillow.  She was blushing a little and kind of lost in thought.  Nothing, in particular, came to mind, though.  She was just… letting her mind wander.  Eventually, though, she let out a big yawn and closed her eyes.     "Gottverdammt… I'm spent.  Need to sleep…"     And just like that… she was out like a light.

    The next morning, Kristhal felt completely renewed!  Sore, but renewed.  She slipped into some comfy jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, then she walked out into the living room.  She chatted with Dylan for a bit and they laughed about some silly Internet meme that was going around.  She eventually noticed the apprehensive look on her friend's face and knew what was going through his mind…  He wanted to ask about her injuries.  However, she never brought it up, so neither did he.  Apparently, Jonathan's words were sticking with him.

    When everyone decided to go to town and do some shopping, Kristhal stayed behind.  She said she wanted some "me time", but really, she just didn't want to go back outside for a while.  She had gotten enough exercise dueling Joseph overnight.  Once everyone had left, she grabbed the laptop computer and checked for new messages.  There were none.  For some reason… that made her feel uneasy.     "Hey, nerd," she typed to him.  "Hope you recovered.  I'd hate to think you're too weak to take a little punishment!  Anyway, take care of yourself.  See you whenever, alright?"     She paused… then she grinned.     "BTW, no more creepy comments on my pics.  You know I can kill you, now!"

    She sent the message away, not caring if he responded.  At least… that's what she told herself.  Truthfully, she was kind of interested in keeping tabs on the man.  She always thought he was kind of a creepy stalker type – a thought that she seemingly confirmed the first time she went to his apartment.  On her second trip, though… she saw a new side of that loser.     Joseph was someone that wasn't willing to back down.  He was willing to fight for what he believed in.  And infuriatingly… he was someone that was just as stubborn and bullheaded as her.  He was pretty competent with those twin blades of his, though.  Granted, she was better with her zweihander… but at least he could keep pace.

    Kristhal flopped back against the couch with a sigh.     I can't wait to fight him again… she thought with a genuine smile.  Hope he heals fast!