#hope ablaze

[richincolor]

We've got five different books on our radar this week! Which ones have caught your eye?

Kindling by Traci Chee HarperCollins

Once, the war was fought with kindlings—elite, magic-wielding warriors whose devastating power comes at the cost of their own young lives. Now, the war is over, and kindlings have been cast adrift—their magic outlawed, their skills outdated, their formidable balar weapons prized only as relics and souvenirs. Violence still plagues the countryside, and memories haunt those who remain. When a village comes under threat of siege, it offers an opportunity for seven kindlings to fight one last time. But war changed these warriors. And to reclaim who they once were, they will have to battle their pasts, their trauma, and their grim fates to come together again—or none of them will make it out alive.

Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School by Tiffany Jewell Versify

From preschool to higher education and everything in between, Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School focuses on the experiences Black and Brown students face as a direct result of the racism built into schools across the United States. The overarching nonfiction narrative follows author Tiffany Jewell from early elementary school through her time at college, unpacking the history of systemic racism in the American educational system along the way. Throughout the book, other writers of the global majority share a wide variety of personal narratives and stories based on their own school experiences. Contributors include New York Times bestseller Joanna Ho; award winners Minh Lê, Randy Ribay, and Torrey Maldonado; authors James Bird and Rebekah Borucki; author-educators Amelia A. Sherwood, Roberto Germán, Liz Kleinrock, Gary R. Gray Jr., Lorena Germán, Patrick Harris II, shea wesley martin, David Ryan Barcega Castro-Harris, Ozy Aloziem, Gayatri Sethi, and Dulce-Marie Flecha; and even a couple of teen writers! Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School provides young folks with the context to think critically about and chart their own course through their current schooling—and any future schooling they may pursue.

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park & translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort Delacorte Press

In a world of constant winter, only the citizens of the climate-controlled city of Snowglobe can escape the bitter cold—but this perfect society is hiding dark and dangerous secrets within its frozen heart. Enclosed under a vast dome, Snowglobe is the last place on Earth that’s warm. Outside Snowglobe is a frozen wasteland, and every day, citizens face the icy world to get to their jobs at the power plant, where they produce the energy Snowglobe needs. Their only solace comes in the form of twenty-four-hour television programming streamed directly from the domed city. The residents of Snowglobe have fame, fortune, and above all, safety from the desolation outside their walls. In exchange, their lives are broadcast to the less fortunate outside, who watch eagerly, hoping for the chance to one day become actors themselves. Chobahm lives for the time she spends watching the shows produced inside Snowglobe. Her favorite? Goh Around, starring Goh Haeri, Snowglobe’s biggest star—and, it turns out, the key to getting Chobahm her dream life. Because Haeri is dead, and Chobahm has been chosen to take her place. Only, life inside Snowglobe is nothing like what you see on television. Reality is a lie, and truth seems to be forever out of reach. Translated for the first time into English from the original Korean.

Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal Rana Wednesday Books

All My Rage meets The Poet X in this electric debut that explores a Muslim teen finding her voice in a post-9/11 America. Nida has always been known as Mamou Abdul-Hafeedh’s niece - the poet that will fill her uncle’s shoes after he was wrongfully incarcerated during the war on terror. But for Nida, her poetry letters are her heart and sharing so much of herself with a world that stereotypes her faith and her hijab is not an option. When Nida is illegally frisked at a Democratic Senatorial candidate’s political rally, she writes a scathing poem about the politician, never expecting the letter to go viral weeks before Election Day. Nida discovers her poem has won first place in a national contest, a contest she never entered, and her quiet life is toppled. But worst of all, Nida loses her ability to write poetry. In the aftermath of her win, Nida struggles to balance the expectations of her mother, her uncle, and her vibrant Muslim community with the person she truly wants to be. With a touch of magic and poetry sprinkled throughout, Sarah Mughal Rana's Hope Ablaze is heartbreaking, often funny, and ultimately uplifting, not only celebrating the Islamic faith and Pakistani culture, but simultaneously confronting racism and Islamophobia with unflinching bravery.

Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury Margaret K. McElderry Books

Sunny Behre has four siblings, but only one is a murderer. With the death of Sunny’s mother, matriarch of the wealthy Behre family, Sunny’s once picture-perfect life is thrown into turmoil. Her mother had groomed her to be the family’s next leader, so Sunny is confused when the only instructions her mother leaves is a mysterious “Take care of Dom.” The problem is, her youngest brother, Dom, has always been a near-stranger to Sunny…and seemingly a dangerous one, if found guilty of his second-degree murder charge. Still, Sunny is determined to fulfill her mother’s dying wish. But when a classmate is gruesomely murdered, and Sunny finds her brother with blood on his hands, her mother’s simple request becomes a lot more complicated. Dom swears he’s innocent, and although Sunny isn’t sure she believes him, she takes it upon herself to look into the murder—made all the more urgent by the discovery of another body. And another. As Sunny and Dom work together to track down the culprit, Sunny realizes her other siblings have their own dark secrets. Soon she may have to preserve the family she’s always loved or protect the brother she barely knows—and risk losing everything her mother worked so hard to build.

[nikdwings]

Finally watched Trolls 3!

I love Trolls, but I hardly draw them because I think they look weird in 2D hahaha

Hope this drawing is at least enjoyable

[reineydraws]

Is the renkaza a crackship?

nope! on ao3, they're the third biggest kny ship and the biggest kyojuro ship, actually--not that popularity automatically means a ship can't be crack? hm.

the definition of crackship is debateable lol but to me they're not cracky 'cuz the things akaza was saying during their mugen train fight and akaza's human backstory provide a lot of give in terms of connection points to kyojuro.

they're a ship for all the people who love enemies/rivals-to-lovers plots, and ships that involve a lot of physical fighting and/or searching for humanity, which are some of my fave things to look for haha. they can also just be deeply convoluted and toxic when romantically involved, which is its own brand of fun! (tho i personally tend to look for stuff that ends more wholesomely. angst with a happy ending my beloved. 💞)

i will say that while they're not a crackship, the au's where akaza just fucks off completely (like my au comic haha) or where kyo goes all-in on being a demon right away can come off cracky, but i think that's less "crackship" and more "crack taken seriously".

i hope this makes sense!

[eugeneplace]

Kismet from "A touch of magic" Au

By @nigtmarerin and @2blueberrylover2

Finished your desings, guys! Come look!

I made one for height comparison and also individual pictures, so you have more detailed refs

Link of the fic for anyone who wants to check it out. It's really cool And that's coming from someone who doesn't like magic

[mispatchedgreens]

hey listen, hey. hey. wang baoxiang says i hate my brother. he lies, and lies again when he says my brother hates me but he burns with the belief of this lie. and even after he's helped make the world unrecognisable and unliveable bc esen is no longer in it, he will make his brother's disdain for him justifiable, he will turn himself into a wretched terrible thing because esen's non-understanding and discomfort and hurt must must must be justified, he must be all that is right and good in this world whether or not he's in it. hey. does this help at all?

[andromeda3116]

salivating at the idea of texas flipping for harris

[fxrest-bcrn]

A starter for @iron-hearts-ablaze

Tavrayn hated sitting by the fire alone: he needed to talk to people... even if half of camp would rather not be talked to. The half-drow bounced his knee as he glanced around, ears flicking as he glanced around the tents; such a disparate group, brought together by... by some tadpole? (He'd heard of mind flayers, of course... even heard of people being infected by them. But his companions seemed, well... rather uninfected.) But who could he ask about such a sensitive subject? Tav looked around again.

... And settled on the member of their crew least likely to drown him in a lecture or bite his head off... or simply ignore him. So he stood and ambled over to her tent. As he stopped in front of her, he waved a bit, a lop-sided grin tugging at a corner of his mouth.

"Hey... Karlach. I was wondering if I could, y'know, maybe ask you some questions?"

[teamfreewill56-blog]

This is how the movie poster should look ❤️❤️❤️❤️ he’s so beautiful

[disastrousduckss]

Soooo uhhhh, I posted the first chapter of my Kismet fic

Let me know if you guys would like more chapters in the future^^

[bumblingbabooshka]

Tuvok says that Vulcan children are very well behaved and have a lot of emotional control by the time they’re ~elementary school aged which makes sense but also makes me want to see what a Vulcan toddler or kindergartener acts like since they can’t be reasoned with as well (can’t really meditate) + are babies and also brimming with near irrepressible violence/emotions.

Vulcan toddler is just quietly accompanying their parent along on an errand. They stop and point to a toy of some sort and ask politely if they can have it. Their parent explains that they have enough toys at home. The toddler immediately throws the tantrum of the century. Just turns into an absolute wild animal in their rage. Other Vulcans are just like “aaa I remember when my children were that age” but any aliens around are like “oh my god is that thing OK??” I imagine even older Vulcan children would have issues with emotional control given that they’re also children! Though they’d of course know they needed to control themselves and behave...sometimes you just slip up. Vulcan children are playing together harmoniously. Then one breaks the established rules of the game. “I made contact with your arm. You are now the chaser.” “You did not make contact with my arm. I dodged your attempt.” “You dodged unsuccessfully. I made contact with your arm.” “I did not.” “You are cheating.” “I believe you are the one cheating.” And an adult has to rush over as one pounces on the other and they both begin screaming and clawing at each other’s eyes. The rest of the children are watching with interest or perhaps grabbing implements to assist their friend.  Little lapses in emotional control would probably be common until they reached like....highschool age. I can imagine an eleven year old Vulcan hearing they can’t sleepover a friend’s home and immediately shattering a vase before apologizing and cleaning it up.  It also seems like bullying would be very prevalent on Vulcan. Spock is canonically bullied frequently and it seems natural that Violent, Extreme Emotions in teenagers would lead to that kind of behavior which isn’t outwardly unacceptable (like crying, laughing, etc) but still satisfies an illogical desire towards cruelty and establishing dominance.  Vulcans schools probably have so many ‘Bullying Is Illogical’ seminars that do nothing and everyone makes fun of behind their teacher’s backs. Two Vulcan teenagers bullying each other, trying to see who has the more emotional reaction. If you cry or get mad you lose. Only babies cry and get mad...seems pretty illogical(cringe).  Vulcans seem to be very focused on respectability so I’m sure that as bloodthirsty teens there would be a lot of accusations and rules...if you hang out with X then Z,H and Y won’t talk to you. If you apologize too soon then they might accuse you of behaving too emotionally and gossip about you...if you don’t apologize at all they might accuse you of behaving too emotionally and gossip about you. It’s very stressful. Tuvok also said when he was a teenager in that one flashback that he was ready to fight over the girl he had a crush on (saying he’d “issue a challenge” or something) so I’m implementing that into my personal understanding of Vulcans...like adults do NOT want these kids to fight but amongst other teens they’re like:  “Seynar is my boyfriend.” “I disagree. He sat next to me during meditation three times this week.” “Only because I was absent.” “Then he is fickle and will be mine soon enough.” And then they challenge one another to a secret duel after school. Dueling to the death is very cool and grownup v_v (teens rarely die from such duels though bc either the other teen stops or someone told an adult). It makes sense to me that teenagers with violent urges would fight one another in a way that they consider acceptably adult. (mimicking the marriage ritual thing or even pon farr...romantic and cool.) Imagine being a teen Vulcan and your crush starts hinting that they have another person who might be interested in them....hmmm.....and you know you’re gonna have to duel for them or lose em. Such is life. Vulcan teens seem like they’d either date a lot (emotional whims) very non seriously (because they’re all betrothed) or date not at all because they’re gonna get married to their betrothed anyway. Loving someone other than your fated match is probably a pretty big trope in Vulcan romance stories...or maybe the opposite? Like someone bad tries to steal your heart but you remain resolute and return to your fated match as is logical. Anyway all this to say that I think Vulcan children and emotional control is something that’s fun to think about. Especially regarding how Vulcan children would act around adults vs other children. Vulcan child to adult: I will do my best to get along with my sibling. (2 seconds later once mother has left)  Vulcan child: You may play with the red toy. If you play with the blue toy I will harm you. Bodily. Meanwhile their older sibling is rolling their eyes like ugh....threatening violence is for babies....now to prepare for my logical and very adult duel for the love of my life whom I have known for three months. v_v

[ongreenergrasses]

15 or 28 Joe/Nile?! ahhhhhh Joe/Nile!!

BIG JOE/NILE FAN RIGHT HERE, thank you for the prompt!! there’s so many that I feel could fit them perfectly, I picked 15!

15. necklace

When she loses her cross necklace, Nile doesn’t cry.

It would’ve happened eventually. That’s what she tells herself. She’s restrung the charm hundreds of times on thin chain after thin chain, over the years, but the charm itself was starting to wear through.

It would’ve happened eventually, but at some point between the time they get on the ferry and the time they dock at Te Waipounamu, her necklace has fallen off her neck and disappeared, onto the deck or into the sea, she doesn’t know.

It would’ve happened eventually.

She locks herself in the bathroom at the port and stares at her reflection in the mirror. All those years, hundreds of years, and her constant has been that necklace. Everything else is different. Everything else has changed. The last thing of her old life, the true last thing, is gone now.

Nile thinks that the others have probably gone through this. They’ve probably tried to keep one thing and lost it, too, but she doesn’t know if she wants comfort right now.

“I lost my necklace,” she says over dinner that night. “On the ferry.”

Quỳnh doesn’t say anything. Just stares at her plate. Nile suddenly realizes how inconsiderate she is.

“I’m sorry, Nile,” Joe says. “It was a beautiful thing.”

“It was,” Nile says around the lump in her throat, and goes back to eating.

She likes Aotearoa. Likes Te Waipounamu, it’s her first time on that island, and she throws herself into the work, into the mission. She tries to pick ones where she feels they’re really doing good. Sometimes that’s killing. Sometimes it’s volunteering at an animal rescue. Sometimes it’s handing out meals. Sometimes it’s abducting human traffickers and making sure nobody ever finds the bodies. It depends.

Slowly their lives settle into a rhythm, the way they always do when they’re in one place long enough.

They stay for six months. Nile almost wishes they could stay for longer, but they’ve done what they came to do.

Nile turns the lights off, takes one last look around their apartment, and moves to close the door before Joe steps back inside the apartment with her and closes the door behind them.

The light flicks on. Nile squints a little bit.

“We should go,” she says, confused.

“This is for you,” Joe says, handing her a box.

Nile opens it and can’t hold back a gasp.

It’s a necklace. Her necklace. Only, she realizes, not quite. Something’s slightly different. The proportions, maybe, or the finish is slightly shinier, and it’s so subtle that she can’t tell, but it’s enough that she knows it’s not her necklace. Not really.

“I didn’t want to make it an exact copy,” Joe says. “Then all you would do is think about what you’ve lost.”

“You made this?”

Joe shrugs. “We had some spare time.”

“Will you put it on me?” Nile blurts out before she can think it through.

She and Joe have been orbiting each other for a while, closer and closer. This is the first move he’s actually made, and it’s such a grand gesture that Nile doesn’t have any idea how she could ever do something that would meet him in the middle.

Maybe he’s trying to sweep her off her feet.

Joe looks at her for a long moment. “Turn around?”

She turns and passes him the necklace over her shoulder, and she feels him carefully put it on her, latch the clasp in one try, and then she feels him gently press a kiss to the space where her neck meets her shoulder.

Nile closes her eyes.

“Let me,” she says finally. “Let me do this right. I’ll do it right, Joe, I’ll treat you right.”

Joe laughs behind her and spins her around. “I look forward to it,” he says, just before he leans in and kisses her.

one word prompts

[bobcat-pie]

if the only canon art of blorbo doesnt 100% perfectly fit the canon description it is null and void and I canmake my own design 👍

[coffeeshib]

Dude I came here for supercorp and stayed for show recommendations. I’m glad WoT is back but I wish there were more shows with established wlw couples. With the protests going on I feel like we’re gonna go into LGBT drought in TV. 😪 also the “forbidden love” trope in Lioness reminded me of the Jasmine Throne book series. I highly recommend it!

ohh man been feeling that wlw drought ever since sg ended + warrior nun s2. if tv shows don't got me (understandably), video games got me (for now)

[stella-sanguis]

plotted starter for @iron-hearts-ablaze

" I...could I speak with you for a moment? " Astarion is nervous as he approaches Karlach's tent, all of his usual swagger and bravado absent. " I...wanted to thank you -- for helping me kill that devil. I know you didn't approve of me making a deal with Raphael, but you helped me anyway. So...thank you -- truly. " There's something else, something more as he shifts nervously on his feet before the tiefling.

EVER since Dammon had temporarily fixed Karlach's engine, he'd been expecting the question of sex to come up. The poor girl hadn't been touched in over a decade, and with...whatever this relationship was between them, Astarion was the clear choice for a partner. If it had been weeks ago, back at that night in the grove, he would've pounced at the opportunity, using it as a chance to manipulate Karlach into protecting him. But now -- now that things between them were real, now that he was quite certain he had screwed up and fallen for the fiery tiefling...it was a bit more complicated.

" WAS...there something you wanted in return? " The vampire is hesitant as he asks the question, almost as if he is bracing himself for her answer. Though Karlach had proven herself a steadfast friend and companion to him time and time again, experience had taught Astarion one hard truth: people only helped you for something in return. And hadn't this been what their relationship had been leading to all along? Why else would she have stuck alongside him all this time? Why else would she have helped him, if not to gain sexual favors after a decade of celibacy? He would be stupid to think anything otherwise.

[pyrriax]

Ok so I just read the latest chapter of wtds. and I just have to say, Haunt you FUCKING OUTDID YOURSELF!!!! omfg it is literally one of the best things I've ever read, I cried and they were semi happy tears!! AND OMFG PANDORA IS SO FUCKED UP I LOVE HIM. that demon has demons and I'm FUCKING living for it.

in short Haunt, thank you for existing and making that amazing work of art. /genuine

IM ACTUALLY GONNA SOB DANE . I WILL CRY!!

i promised good things happening soon and i meant it!!! :D he is SO fucked up and we're getting to the point where things start unraveling and IM SO EXCITED for the next chapter its gonna be FLUFF (with angst at the start but then its FLUFF!)

ALSO a small thing i changed because i NOTICED a thing is that i adjusted "is he the animal, or the hunter?" to "is he the hunter, or the hunted?" :3

and im so glad to hear you enjoyed the chapter!! <3

[voiddemon]

outfit i wear during the skirfluff trivia gameshow (deadly)