#family: maybe it'll be a best seller!

[burningthetree]

why is trying to explain your writing (fanfiction) to your family so hard and why do I get so embarrassed

[aladaylessecondblog]

Severed Destiny, pt. 18

Orvas appeared later in the evening, and laid out to Haj-deek the route they would take after she went over what had happened to bring her back there.

"My smugglers have caves all over the Bitter Coast," he said, "But I would prefer not to tempt them with your presence if it can be helped. Almalexia is no doubt already spitting and screaming for your capture, so I don't wish to give them reason to stab us both in the back."

"But don't they work for you?"

"Indirectly. They're loyal to their pockets above everything else. Lord Dagoth is working on them...but he has asked me to be as careful as possible, and that order I shall obey."

"So what--what's the plan, then?"

Orvas laid a map on the small table between them, and pointed to a spot in the north before tracing down. "Northeast of Khuul, there's an entrance to Foyada Bani-dad. We simply follow it down this way...and up this path here, we'll come to Kogoruhn. One of your esteemed uncles lives there. That is where I leave you - though I would have made the whole trip, should it have been an option."

She wanted to protest that she could have gotten there on her own, but kept silent. She COULD have, maybe, but depending on how fast Almalexia could get to the ordinators...probably not. Nerevar reborn or not, with all the help she'd gotten, there was only so much she could do against a goddess.

He chatted on a little longer, something about the goddess's anger and her father's protection, and only after he said something about preserving House Dagoth did she think of a question to ask.

"Have you ever met any of the Dagoths? My--" The word was a bit strangled, uncertain as it came out, "--family?"

There was a sudden pain in the back of her neck. The dovahfly (so the knife-seller had called it) was clenching tightly at her skin. Then it started double-tapping, over and over.

NO. NO. NO.

"Lord Dagoth has come to me on numerous occasions in the dreams that he sends to his faithful. But in person? No, I have never had that honor."

"And...Lord Dagoth himself?"

The word "father" she had said many times in relation to the man that occupied a sort of mythical and far-away space in her mind. But now, confronted with the idea of soon seeing him, having all this become really real, she felt both awkward and fearful.

"I would suggest using the title of Lord until you're told otherwise. Politeness will get you quite far with the Sixth House...and even more so, considering you're one of them. I've told Lord Dagoth of your upbringing, so he may underestimate your ability to speak in the noble fashion."

"I can make do," Haj-deek said, "Talking to you, the Duke...Vivec, Almalexia..."

"Of course." Orvas gave a slight laugh she didn't like at all. His eyes didn't leave her face for a moment. "You'll do fine, once we've delivered you safely to Kogoruhn."

NO. NO. NO.

Sunchaser protested at the dovahfly's flurry of movement, and Haj-deek shushed the cliffracer as best she could.

"We'll be able to hide you well enough to get you onto the ship with an invisibility potion...it'll work on the cliffracer, too, but it being seen won't be the problem."

"I know a calm spell...and I just learned a silence one not too long ago. What about when we're ON the ship?"

"Well," Orvas said with a slight smirk on his face, "My Camonna Tong ARE well known for smuggling..."

-----------------

The answer, as it turned out, was "a hidden compartment". It wasn't a particularly large room, it didn't have much room to walk, but Haj-deek was assured she was safe. That particular corner was filled and then ignored until the time came to unload the ash statues or skooma or whatever else he was smuggling--and she had to share room with a few boxes of the latter...

But it wasn't that bad. She had enough food and water, and there was enough room for her to sit and lean over one of the boxes to write...which she did the moment she was sure Orvas and his group were gone.

She pet Sunchaser until the cliffracer calmed down from the inability to make noise or fly about, and then grabbed a stump of charcoal from her bag and a piece of paper.

The dovahfly crawled down from her shoulder and didn't do anything - until she wrote on the page the words To Vivec,. It tapped wildly at the name until she had to pull it back.

"I can write the note and he'll get it," she said quietly, "I don't know how. I can even tear it up after and he'll still find it...and he can write back."

It tapped and scratched at the charcoal.

"You want me to say something to him for you?"

What WAS this thing?

It tapped once. YES.

"Let me finish writing this first. Then you tap on any letters you want me to write for you. Understand?"

YES.

Almalexia found my mother's journal and figured out everything. Someone who says they're a friend of my father's offered to take me to Kogoruhn. It used to be the seat of House Dagoth, he said? When I went to the Clockwork City to see Sotha Sil, she cornered me, said she would make me a martyr. I can't come back. I don't know what to do.

While I was in the Clockwork City I found a dwemer gauntlet on Sotha Sil's body. And a little dovahfly dwemer thing. It seems intelligent...and wants me to write you some words I'll put down now:

Haj-deek watched the hovering dovahfly turn and look at what she'd written. Then it moved down, its head rotated slightly, and it tapped as it started to sidle about.

SI ALIVE. SHED SHELL. YOU SUPPORT DAUGHTER OF DAGOTH? WATCHMEN OF GHOSTS HELD.

Haj-deek wrote it down, and then let the paper lay. She looked at the dovahfly, thinking - maybe some element of Sotha Sil had rubbed off on it. Ghost stories were common enough - sometimes, sailors said, if someone died violently - and clearly Sotha Sil had - an echo of them could remain. But those tales usually involved angry spirits or wailing ones, not ones as intelligent as this thing seemed to be.

"Now I just have to wait. When he writes a reply it just sort of...appears before me."

It tapped again at the paper.

"You want me to write something else?"

NO.

"You want to talk to me?"

YES.

She paused...thought for a moment, and then turning over the letter she'd written to vivec, wrote out the alphabet and made a gesture to the dovahfly. It began to tap at the letters.

NEREVARINE? FRIEND WITH VIVEC?

"Yes. And he trained me," she said quietly, "In the spear, in...a bunch of things. Said it was his fault my mother died..."

Really, she knew it was weird to be talking to something like this. What if it was spying on her? But if it WAS a spy, how would it talk to anyone - most would probably swat it down, or it could get attacked by something wild, before it ever got to 'speak' to anyone.

It didn't seem too eager to fly off, considering Almalexia's situation. She'd just have to make sure it didn't get very far.

DAGOTH?

"My father," she said quietly, "My mother...was the last Nerevarine. She...she loved him, but...knew she couldn't do anything for him, so she left. And then I happened. I want to help him but I don't know how."

COMPASSION KILL YOU.

"Well I have to try, don't I? I don't have much of a choice now. He's not going to kill ME, so that's a start. And Vivec gave me something that might help, but...I'm not supposed to say the words until it's time."

It still ran beneath her skin, whatever it was. And feeling the confinement of the room she was eager to distract herself. So for a second time she wrote the words that Vivec had told her.

AE GHARTOK PADHOME CHIM AE ALTADOON

"He seemed to think it would help my father..." she shook her head. "One of the Tribunal made you so I guess you hate him as much as anyone else in Morrowind, but...I want a father. I want a family. I've never had either."

It was a hollow feeling, and a shameful one. Hollow for missing what she'd never had, and shame for that same thing considering all the Argonians had done for her. Im-Kilaya had actually wept when she left, loved her like a father, and this was how she repaid him?

But a moment later she thought, maybe he wouldn't be upset. He'd always been very understanding of her wanting a family like the other Dunmer children in Ebonheart had.

You are not bad for wanting a mother and father.

Tapping, against her hand.

Haj-deek sat up, realizing that Vivec's reply had come while she was distracted. She looked over it.

Haj-deek, it read in small print,

I will not say you are not in danger. I will also not say to be careful, for you are wise enough to know that for yourself. Considering Almalexia's reaction to your parentage, to be at Kogoruhn or Dagoth Ur itself may very well be the safest place for you to be right now.

You know the stakes. You know what may happen. For now, be no more than what you wish to be - and by that I mean, in your desire to know your family. We may form a plan for more later. Write me again only if you are in danger or you have access to fire, that the letters I send may be burnt or better disposed of.

To the dovahfly: I knew not that you would manage such a feat, but I am glad. Yes, I support her. A plan is in place but if you are well enough to render aid so much the better. I did not know the watcher of ghosts was available; perhaps it is best to remain silent on it for now.

Haj-deek tore the note into as many small pieces as she could - and apparently on noting what she was trying to do, the dovahfly zapped a few of the pieces until they were ash. She had no clue what was meant by the 'watcher of ghosts' but - maybe it was the dovahfly itself? Maybe it was meant to report on whether things in the Clockwork City had died back to some sort of superior?

"I don't know what you are, but...it'll be nice to have some company during this trip...what do you think, then? If I can save my father..."

NO CHANGE POSSIBLE.

"Well I'm going to try it anyway. Maybe I can do something my mother couldn't."

And then after a pause she could only call frustrated - the dovahfly tapped out a word she'd only ever read in an Imperial history book in the chapel in Ebonheart.

NUMIDIUM.

"What's Numidium have to do with my father?"

------------------------

The trip was lengthy, and Haj-deek quickly lost track of time. One day bled into another, and only a time or two did Orvas come back to speak to her and to remove a box or two.

(The last time he took one, a single bottle of skooma rolled unnoticed across the floor and on impulse she picked it up and tucked it away.)

Soon, he'd said the last time, but soon didn't come quickly enough for her. By the time that false door opened again she was half-ready to break it down herself, damn the consequences. Sleep had gotten hard, and she didn't dream of her father at all - or if she did, she didn't remember.

The ship had stopped in the dead of night and the rowboat raised and lowered several times. Orvas gave some instructions to some of his guards she couldn't hear, and with whatever it was sorted, they proceeded forward, alone.

"You might want to put that helmet of yours back on," he said, while in the process of donning his own, "They've not kicked up yet, and the blight winds may not affect you, you might still find them unpleasant."

She just nodded, and obeyed. Beneath her cloak Sunchaser and the dovahfly seemed to be bickering - the former was giving its slight cries, while the dovahfly kept tapping out NO. NO. NO.

The ensuing walk was one of the most unpleasant she'd ever engaged in. The sandals she'd put back on didn't help keep the ash out very well, and it was somehow more unpleasant than the sandy grit of Ebonheart.

But she kept walking anyway, down the path that seemed endless. (No, she thought, it was just that she hadn't slept well.)

The blight winds kicked up not too far in, and she almost didn't notice that they'd been joined by someone else as they passed some sort of cave. Someone who muttered "the Sixth House welcomes you" and fell in line behind her.

The uneasy feeling started, and only grew as they walked.

After what seemed like an eternity (and how could she tell even what time of day it was, with this storm on?) Orvas finally turned onto a path to the left. Up they went, until--

Is this Kogoruhn?

The building looked like a palace, even compared to the Duke's castle in Ebonheart. As they mounted the stairs someone emerged from one of the doors to the left - a creature with trunks hanging from its face that immediately made her recoil.

They were encouraged to come inside, and while Haj-deek was taking off her helmet the creature seemed to be thanking Orvas for his service. After something was handed over to him, he turned, placed a kiss on her hand, and left.

"We are glad you have finally come," the creature said, speaking in a voice that put her in mind of flutes. It took her by both hands and bowed just slightly. "I am Dagoth Ulen, and Lord Dagoth has appointed me your guardian."

"My guardian?"

"The trip from here to Dagoth Ur--the building, that is--is lengthy, and there are some who are mindless and would attack without thinking. With my presence - no harm will come to you. Now, Lord Uthol--"

He muttered a few other things as he lead her along, but spoke aloud of her father's gladness that she was here - here, and more importantly, safe, away from the machinations of Almalexia.

Around and down the stairs, she was finally lead to one that seemed vaguely familiar. Her feet ached and she wanted to rest, but that word - family - rang in her head. At least one of them was here now, before her.

"Well," the man said, on turning around, "You'll pardon me for disbelieving you at first, but the resemblance is clear as the rising sun. Through the ash and blight, we welcome you to House Dagoth. I am Dagoth Uthol."

There was a pause and a wry smile with a stare as if he were remembering something.

"I will leave it to your father to properly name you one of us, but no trouble will you have from me."

[milky-fixx]

misunderstanding

childe x reader // genshin impact.

—when it comes to childe, it's difficult to define what you two are. or is it? maybe you've been misunderstanding him this entire time.

You didn’t even think you and Childe were anything.

After all, neither of you have bothered to label the strange arrangement you have. Sure, he likes to off-handedly mention you visiting his family in Snezhnaya whenever he’s around, and yes, he does often joke about starting a family, but you thought those were just friendly things. Something a family man like Childe would say to any fuck buddy.

(Though in hindsight you suppose there are things that make it seem like more than just that. Like the fact that he came over to make you borscht when you were sick, even if he'd just come from a month-long Fatui excursion. And fed it to you by the spoonful, jokingly commenting about being by your side "in sickness or health." Or the fact that apparently even Teucer knew who you were, and kept saying he was excited to meet his "big brother's girlfriend."

But surely, surely these could all be misunderstandings, right? Childe hardly seems like the relationship type.)

From your perspective, you and Childe are nothing more than two comrades who spent time battling and fucking it out. Nothing more and nothing less. But when you step out of your room in Inazuma, intent on picking up some tonkotsu ramen for dinner, you're certainly not expecting to open the door and for your entire field of vision to be blocked.

You blink.

Upon closer inspection, it looks like a ginormous whale plushie, nearly as tall as you. Big enough to fill your doorway.

You poke your head out the door, looking around. There's no one in sight.

After lugging the whale plush into your room—it really was a ridiculous size, certainly something a child would love--a note affixed to its fin catches your eye.

You open it, only to snort. It's an invitation.

Dinner with me, tonight? Be at Uyuu Restaurant by 7.

(You don't even need to ask who left it. The whale is his signature animal after all.)

“Did you like the present?” he asks you as you slip into the seat across him. The restaurant is alive tonight, bustling with customers, mostly couples.

"Was it a reference to our first fight?" He seems puzzled by your question, cocking his head slightly. "You know... when you summoned a giant Hydro whale to slam me into the ground?"

He laughs good-naturedly. "Oh, so you do remember!" You glare at him, pouting as you swipe some of his tempura. He already ordered everything on the menu. Classic Childe; spares no expenses to get the best. "I didn't pick it in jest, though. I'm... surprised you remember our first battle. It seems so long ago."

"How could I forget? It knocked me out, you asshole."

He laughs again, and you decide to drop the banter, at least a little. "It is a cute gift, though," you say, softer now. "It'll help me make much fonder memories with whales."

A wide grin stretches his face. "Of course. Only the best from Snezhnaya’s Number One Toy Seller.” He says it so earnestly you can't help but laugh yourself.

"Of course. How could I forgot you're not only the big bad Harbinger, but also a hard-working toy seller. And you have enough time to keep a lonely, little thing like me company? Truly, a man with many commitments."

"Ah, but you're forgetting." Something in his demeanor changes. He shifts slightly in his seat. "The last one is just as important as either of the first two, especially now--"

The waitress arrives with your drinks, setting down sake along with two small cups. You thank her, looking up to notice that Childe is staring at you peculiarly, with that same serious intensity he often slips into, so unlike the playful side he often shows to others.

“That necklace you're wearing..." he says suddenly. "I haven't seen it before. Where's it from?"

"Ah." You grasp the pendant. It's a simple but elegant necklace of cor lapis, Rex Lapis' symbol engraved into it. "Zhongli gave it to me. After the whole... Liyue fiasco. As thanks."

Childe's stare turns peculiar. "Have you... been wearing it since then? I haven't seen it on you."

"No! Just occasionally."

"Occasionally, huh," he repeats, before bringing his thumb to his chin, seeming to think. You pick a piece of karaage off his plate, munching. You think you catch him muttering something about "that sly old man making his moves," but snort, deciding to let him work through whatever he's thinking.

He looks up suddenly, as if he remembered something suddenly.

"I did get you another gift."

You swallow roughly, nearly choking on the piece of chicken. "Another—Childe, you didn't have to! My room can't fit anymore plushies."

"It's not a toy," he says, reaching into his back pocket, before pulling out a plush velvet box. He opens it, showing you an intricately designed silver necklace, set with bright rubies.

“I was thinking... we could match," he says, pointing to his ruby earring.

You're stunned speechless for a beat. "Childe..." Matching jewelry? The plushie? The dinner? While he's always spotted you food, and you've never thought twice about it, the gifts are a lot. They seem to hint at a more serious relationship between you two. "Are you sure you want to—"

"I..." He runs a hand through his hair in agitation. "It doesn't go well with Zhongli's gaudy gift though."

“Gaudy… you mean the necklace? Well, I could wear both.”

His smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I dunno... I think red suits you better."

"Childe..." You stare him down. "Don't tell me you're jealous. Over a piece of jewelry."

He shrugs offhandedly, toying with his rice. Hilariously, his chopstick skills are still terrible; he's spilled rice grains all over his table. Yet he pretends he's still eating it.

"Maybe you could wear the necklace off whoever you're thinking about. You know. As a sign."

"I'm not thinking about Zhongli right now," you say in exasperation. "Are you serious?"

He locks eyes with you.

"It's a gift from a friend! Of course I'll wear it."

"Then..." He pauses. "Then do you mind wearing mine? Dear friend?"

You take off the gift you're wearing, and Childe stands up to help you latch the necklace on. Sitting back down, only then does he seem to relax into his seat, seeming much more at ease.

"I just think it suits you better."

"...You mean having your claim on me suits you better?" you say wryly.

"Exactly!"

You sigh.

Does he think you're Teucer, his little brother? Easily swayed by shiny objects? 

You eye the beautiful necklace he's gifted you, the way it seems to drape around your neck perfectly. He really did put a lot of effort into the gift.

Maybe he's right.

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?" you say.

He shrugs off your complaints once more, seemingly back to his cheery disposition now that you're wearing his necklace. Now that you've chosen him, in a sense.

He truly is a piece of work.

"Also... this really isn't a way to ask me to be your girlfriend, you know."

Childe’s eyes widen. “Comrade…” Now he sounds exasperated. “You mean you didn’t know…? I'm not one for labels, but I thought we’ve been a thing this entire time!”

[xxscarletxrosexx]

SpyxFamily x Ultrizon: Banquet Series -- Acrylic Stands (Part 1)

The limited edition Ultrizon collab was my first full-set purchase of the Spy x Family acrylic stands and acrylic keychains. I recall that I had paid 20 acrylic stands, 20 acrylic keychains, and 2 washi tape. The only thing I did not purchase were the buttons simply because I don't collect buttons. Also, the price quickly became expensive because of TWO international shipping (China > Thailand > US). The proxy seller I had purchased from ordered on my behalf.

If you'd like to try finding them yourself, I've provided some info below:

Title: Spy x Family x Ultrizon - Banquet Series Series/Model: Banquet Series Release Date: April 29, 2024 - May 7, 2024 (?) Company: Ultrizon Origin: China Price: $11.50 Shop: Chibishiba Shop

My understanding is that all collab merch should be treated as limited edition merch. However, what made the Ultrizon collab rare is that these acrylic stands must be pre-ordered at the time of the event, which took place between April 29, 2024 - May 7, 2024 (or maybe May 7 was the second round of orders? I can't remember). To my knowledge, two of my moots and I were the only ones who ordered them in our discord group at the time. To increase our chances of getting a full set, each of us purchased a few more acrylic stands. That way, if any of us got duplicates, we'd be able to provide what the other was missing. I, on the other hand, was paranoid as fuck that I was not taking any chances, so I bought 2 full sets (18 acrylic stands) and 2 more just to round up.

Hear me out: the seller didn't mention that there was an option for purchasing a complete set. I was only asked how many acrylic stands I wanted to buy (so obviously, I did the same with the acrylic keychains). And because this was also my first time purchasing a gacha (random) product, I was under the impression that it was really gonna come down to luck; so that added more fuel to my anxiety. that there was a possibility that I'll end up with multiple dupes rather than getting a complete set or two.

Fortunately, all three of us got the complete set. I also ended up getting 2 complete sets and 2 extra dupes of different characters. We were all so happy about this. This had to be the most stressful proxy purchase I've ever had so far.

Reflecting on this experience, I realize my decisions were actually quite wholesome despite being such a financially stupid decision--I admit that I did lose a lot of money for it (because I forgot to factor in shipping fees when selling it off to them at the time), but it made me feel happy that I had unawaringly provided a second chance for our moots to get them and deepened our bond and rapport. That being said, unfortunately, I had quickly sold out in a matter of days.

Loid Forger (Ver. 1)

Loid Forger (Ver. 2) -- Mercari

Yor Forger (Ver. 1) -- Mercari

Yor Forger (Ver. 2)

TwiYor

Anya Forger and Bond Forger (Ver. 1)

Anya Forger and Bond Forger (Ver. 2)

Yuri Briar -- Mercari

Damian Desmond -- Mercari

Franky Franklin

My favorite chaotic clown energies (also Loid but not pictured with them):

As of today, the Ultrizon acrylic stands are incredibly difficult to find. A moot of mine reported that she could not find them on Amiami or Buyee. One did pop up on j.mercari some time ago, but the price speaks for itself:

I went to look for the above image via Google image, but the link to the site is gone. Therefore, it can be concluded that these acrylic stands have been taken down due to being purchased.

Fortunately, there is a seller I know who is selling her dupes. I have provided links to her Mercari shop for those who are interested in getting them. Personally, I would not put these stands off simply because they are rare finds for collecting--and unfortunately, I am aware that once this post goes live and circulates on social media, it'll become a first come, first serve basis. Second, the price is the best deal. It's ideally the price the seller had paid after adding sales tax and the double shipping fees. But in the US market, I can tell you that this acrylic stand is probably worth $25 - $30 (without tax included). Scalpers will most likely take advantage of this and blow it up to $100+ because of their rarity as evidenced by the screenshot above.

In conclusion, I hope this post has been informative about the Ultrizon collab experience (at least from my pov, lol). Look out for part 2 with the acrylic keychains. I'll update this post once I've finished it and linked it here. You can also find it on the master post.

Best of luck to fellow SxF acrylic stand collectors! I hope you can get your hands on this rare limited edition merch! ^^

Edit:

Loid just sold! (It definitely wasn't my influence.. okay, yes it was. My moot saw it and I remembered she loves Loid, and now she took him xD)

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