#i hope i didn't miss anything lol

[bylrndgm]

JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS (2020) // JULIE E OS FANTASMAS (2011) 1.01 - Wake Up // 1.01 - Enfrentando Fantasmas -> Julie meets the Band.

[akirathedramaqueen]

Is the knowledge of magic gatekept by Hell's elite?

Time for another shitpost speculative analysis. And, suddenly, no conclusions—just some facts I’ve gathered about the topic from the show and a bunch of questions for you. Because this time, as much as I would’ve liked to deliver some hot details, there isn’t enough information yet, and I prefer not to claim anything without having at least some degree of certainty in it.

So let's just talk and make some fun, semi-educated guesses, shall we?

Yesterday, @tealvenetianmask released a wonderful post about Blitzø and his insecurity regarding his intelligence. Give it a read—it's a topic that isn’t discussed enough. One of the points raised was his limited access to education, which made me think.

Grimoire.

An infinitely powerful artifact possessed by Stolas Goetia is central to the series, at least before The Full Moon episode, as it is the only way for Blitzø to access the mortal realm. While it serves its own purposes for bringing together—and ultimately breaking apart—Stolas and Blitzø, it also has many interesting properties and details that allow us to speculate on magic as a whole.

It made me think: Who theoretically can use this grimoire or other spell artifacts? Why is it that no one but Stolas is permitted to use it? Are there genetic and/or biological reasons for this, or is the restriction societally driven?

Namely, would all hell beings be able to use magic if given the chance to learn it?

Let’s examine the evidence we have and try to answer at least some of these questions.

Clue one: Using the grimoire by anyone other than Stolas is illegal

It is clearly stated by Stolas himself in these two episodes.

You know, I have been... permitting you to access the mortal realm less than... legally for quite some time now? S1EP1, Murder Family, 8:31

You will be able to go anywhere you want in the human realm without fear of consequence. Without breaking demon law. You no longer need my grimoire. S2EP8, The Full Moon, 19:05

The question is, why? We know it’s not crucial to have Goetia blood to channel magic from the grimoire—Loona has read spells from it, as we'll discuss later.

Could the reason be that the Goetia family wants to keep their powerful artifacts a secret and maintain their hold on power?

Clue two: Magic books are written in runes

The grimoire and Stolas's book about Asmodean crystals are written in runes, suggesting the potential existence of a language barrier when sharing magic-related knowledge.

Left - S1EP6, Truth Seekers, 17:44 Right - S2EP1, The Circus, 19:45

It is oddly convenient if you want fewer people to understand the sacred information you wish to keep to yourself.

Clue three: Stolas does not need his grimoire to cast spells from it

It is briefly discussed in the Seeing Stars episode.

[Blitzo]: No chance you can conjure us a couple of those, can ya? [Stolas]: Sadly, no. I'm afraid without my grimoire, my powers are just a tad limited in the human world. [Blitzo]: What, you can't memorize your fucking spells? [Stolas]: Oh, your memory's so great?  S2EP2, Seeing Stars, 6:33

See, Stolas does not deny Blitzø's assumption and gets annoyed when his memory is belittled. Therefore, I believe we can safely deduce that it is indeed a matter of only remembering the necessary chants to cast a spell. It is still possible that the artifact holds power on its own and Stolas needs it to access magic in the mortal realm, but it doesn't seem like the absence of the book prevented him from making two poor little human beings soil their little fancy trousers.

S1EP6, Truth Seekers, 19:11

And he does not need the book to summon the portals, it is seen multiple times throughout the series.

S1EP6, Truth Seekers, 20:10

Not mentioning him performing small magic tricks quite regularly:

Left - S2EP6, Oops, 7:42 Right - S2EP8, The Full Moon, 2:00

So, can we make a conclusion the grimoire is not so unique after all, if to memorize all the spells? Not sure, because... okay, I promise, we will get back to it later.

Clue four: Loona can use the grimoire, even though she is a lower-class demon

And she can shapeshift without any artifacts, which might suggest she has more magical abilities than other members of I.M.P. Her ability to read runes is also noteworthy.

Shhhit! I can't... I can't read the spell in this light! I can't see dick! S1EP6, Truth Seekers, 17:43

Do you think she could become a skilled magician with proper education? It's quite impressive that she knows the rune language to begin with, given her origin!

Clue five: Blitzø, Millie, and Moxxie are never seen using the book

Is this accidental, or are they simply unable to use the book? If the latter, is it because they are physically incapable of channeling magic (e.g., due to being imps), or is it because they don’t understand the language of the spells?

I noticed them bantering about replacing Loona because of her horrible attitude once or twice (such as at the beginning of the Seeing Stars episode). Does this mean they could take on her responsibility of opening the portal, or is it just bluff? There’s no way to know for sure.

If I'm so terrible, how about you just grow a pair and replace me? S2EP2, Seeing Stars, 3:03

Clue six: The I.M.P. crew is never shown trying any spells from the book other than those for portals

I.M.P. never tries any spells other than opening the portal, which seems strange, especially since they could have used disguise spells, as mentioned earlier in clue three.

Is it because they physically can’t use other spells, or is it an unspoken rule not to meddle with a powerful artifact whose true implications they might not fully understand?

Clue seven: Without the grimoire, the I.M.P. crew is not able to access the mortal realm

And it is posed as a big deal—the whole Season 2 setup revolves around Stolas freeing Blitzø by calling off the transactional agreement and providing a grimoire replacement, the Asmodean crystal.

Official Music Video, Just Look My Way, 0:11

This seems to contradict clue three. Perhaps there are specifics we have yet to learn or understand.

Why? If simply remembering the spell is enough, they would only need the book once. If Loona can read runes, she could write the spells down when Blitzø stole it, making the entire ordeal unnecessary.

Maybe, just knowing the spell isn’t enough to use it without the book. Maybe, special education or training is needed to prepare the body for it. Or, maybe, being born into royalty is a prerequisite for channeling magic without artifacts.

Maybe, if not conclusions, let's at least make a guess?

So, here’s everything I’ve gathered on the matter.

Without additional information, it seems a bit contradictory, and I admit, I sometimes get the feeling these might be plot holes left because this isn’t the focus of the story. This would be surprising though, as the show is usually very detailed and well-built in terms of worldbuilding.

I’m going to try to fill in these gaps with my speculations, just for fun. Please don’t consider this as making any claims; it’s more about me engaging in some mental gymnastics because I’m a lore geek and love figuring out how the fictional world works in media.

So, my take on whether the knowledge is gatekept or not: in short, it is.

If not so short:

I speculate (like highly speculate, because I have no proof), that any hellbeing could theoretically learn and use magic. It might require certain genetic preconditions, natural talent, and extensive training, but success is possible to varying degrees;

Artifacts assist in channeling magic for those who are untrained—like the grimoire helps the I.M.P. crew open portals;

Magic knowledge is encoded in runes to complicate the learning process for those not taught in it;

This knowledge is kept secret and shared only within royal circles, with different branches having their own secret techniques and specialties;

There are also laws prohibiting the sharing of this knowledge with lower-class demons.

Why? It’s simple—power wouldn’t be power if it could be used by just anyone. Withholding resources and granting access to it only to the wealthy is a characteristic of non-democratic regimes, and, mind you, Hell is an absolute monarchy at best.

But what do you think? Share your opinion via poll, reblogs, and comments!

Instead of my usual funny giggles at the end, I’ll reiterate from my reblog yesterday:

FREE AND ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION FOR ALL

Because only by sharing knowledge and making it public can the community truly prosper.

[yujeong]

Time was at a standstill. Vegas was holding his breath without noticing, and continued to hold it when he did - he was afraid of what would happen if he exhaled loudly enough to draw attention to himself. His gaze was shifting between Pete and the man who was standing before them in the doorway, blocking their entrance. Vegas had never seen him before, but even so, he recognized Pete in him enough to know who he was. A dangerous aura surrounded him. There was an edge to his presence that Vegas would only come across people of certain circles. He was a fighter. A muay khao. Pete's father. Shame coursed through Vegas' body, smearing his skin, settling in his lungs, rendering him speechless. I thought he was dead, he wanted to tell Pete if he could. He wanted to scream at him, I thought you killed him. Pete was the one who broke the stillness. As if awakened by something, he took a half-step back and made a motion with his arms, almost raising them to his chest, but not quite. In an instant, Pete reverted into the pet Vegas had been keeping at the safehouse, bound by handcuffs and afraid of his belt hitting flesh and drawing blood. A lump formed in Vegas' throat. "Have you stopped practicing? Your form is off." The uncanny similarities between Pete and his father appearance-wise didn't mean a thing when it came to their voices. Vegas shivered. Was this what Pete would sound like in a few decades? (Were these the condescending words he'd choose to spew? Was Pete going to embody his father? Was Vegas embodying his?) "What are you doing here?" Pete whispered. "They let me out for a few days, so I came here to collect some money. Imagine my surprise when I found out my offspring left the job someone found him worthy enough of doing to... do what exactly? Yaai didn't want to tell me." He crossed his arms, waiting for an answer. Vegas didn't know what he was allowed to say. If he was allowed to say anything at all. "It's none of your business." "I'd say it very much is my business, as well as yaai's business who was dependent on the money you were making being some rich asshole's human shield." A choked sound scratched Vegas' throat. He didn't like getting reminded of Pete being the main family's bodyguard, even though he stopped being one mere months ago. Especially like this. That was the first time Pete's father stopped looking at his son and turned his head to look at Vegas. For a moment, there seemed to be recognition in his eyes. Did he know who Vegas was? Did he care? A snort came out of his mouth. He leaned on the door. "Oh, I see how it is." He laughed, scratched his neck. "I never expected you to whore yourself out for money. Tell me, is it preferable to the path I carved out for you?" Vegas could sense the disgust in his voice. He could also see it on Pete's face. He was too astonished to share it, but not enough to be unable to speak. "Khun, there has been some misunderstanding-" "Don't bother. I can recognize a faggot when I see one." Pete's movements were too fast for Vegas to stop him. A direct jab to the nose; his father fell like a pack of cards, groaning like a wounded animal. Surprisingly, no blood - Pete held back. Vegas didn't know what to think about that. "That was a pathetic attack, even for you." "Get up." "We're not in the ring, son." Pete growled. Vegas could see his hands trembling as he was keeping them in the air, maintaining an offensive stance. "That never stopped you before." "You were too young to understand what I was doing back then. What I was preparing you for." Pete was silent. "The world isn't kind. It'll fuck you over one way or another." He got up, spat on the ground. "You still haven't learned a thing. You're too old to afford being naive." He turned around, and without sparing a look at Pete again, said: "Now get the fuck out of my house." (For @musictooth, whose posts about Pete's father have reignited my passion for this specific concept and for @wretchedamaranth, whose comments on my writing are always lovely and precious ❤️)

[halsingf]

SIM DUMP #1

from left to right: alex, norah, alysia, sade

hair, genetics, makeup, & tray files included

download: sfs

tou: please do not change their genetics if you're going to post them. you may use them as a base for personal gameplay. tag me if you use them!! i'd love to see them in action.

[girlivealwaysbean]

it's not sinking in that today might be the last day in my house and town for many months to come

[buttercup-art]

hey

[what-is-it-to-be-pk-esque]

My partner finally finished BG3 but has no idea that his ending was actually bad cause he was a pro-Vlaakith githyanki who rode off with Lae'zel but got NO EPILOGUE where Withers points out y'all died im 😭😭😭

they have no idea what happened with Gale or anyone else (who was still alive) after flying away 🙃🙃🙃

[desertfangs]

Reassurances Armand/Daniel Mature (blood drinking, adult language) ~2,800 words

I don't know if this really counts as aftercare, but that's the prompt I wrote it to. There's some nice cuddling at the end? I'll probably put this on AO3 later.

If someone had told him that the Villa would be full of immortals a year before, Daniel never would have believed it. And now the house was packed with them, filling the parlors and rooms, roaming The Night Island, and taking their boats to the mainland. It was incredible, the notion that Daniel could sit in the same room as people who’d witnessed the fall of Rome, of those who’d seen history unfold, and speak to them! And to Louis! How incredible to be in the same room as him again! 

When Daniel had imagined being a vampire, it had always been with Armand at his side, but he’d never really considered the others. The two of them had been alone in their own world for so long. The other vampires—the few he knew of by name—had felt more like mythical figures to Daniel by the end. And yet here they were, crowding his house.

Tonight, Daniel had gone hunting with Marius. He’d been hesitant at first, and half sure Marius only wanted him to drive the boat. In truth, the ancient vampire had seemed unimpressed with Daniel when they’d first met and hadn’t shown much interest in him since. And in addition to being something of a mythical figure in Daniel’s mind, he was Armand’s maker. They had a history Daniel knew very little about. Armand had let bits and pieces slip over the years, of course, but never the whole story. 

This was the first time he and Marius had really had a conversation one on one. Marius mostly asked about the Night Island, its creation and purpose. How Armand had conceived of it. What it was for. “What do you mean, what is it for? It’s an all-night shopping center and plaza, an elite tourist destination.” 

Daniel had asked a few questions about Armand, though Marius was guarded with his answers enough that Daniel had joked about seeing where Armand got it from, which only earned him a slight frown. Back on the Night Island, Marius had thanked him and then disappeared inside the house. The whole thing felt like some sort of test and Daniel was not sure he’d passed. But it had been exhilarating hunting with a vampire so old and practiced, and he wanted to get to know him a little better, given how important he was to Armand.

Inside, the Villa was noisy. Not just from the vampire voices or thoughts that filled the rooms now, but from the hum of electricity from the light bulbs and appliances. Sounds he’d never noticed with his mortal hearing. He could hear the waves crashing on the shores of the beaches so much more clearly, and even the distant sounds of the shopping center from the other side of the island. 

He wandered from room to room, finding most of the living areas occupied. The house had seemed absurdly massive when it had been just him and Armand but it felt impossible to find a quiet place to sit now. He found himself going through the back of the house and out the back door to the garden. 

Up around the side of the house was a patio made of paving stones that was perched on the cliff overlooking the ocean. Daniel sensed someone up there, but in the dark, dim way he could sense anyone. He could hear no thoughts, catch no hint of their mind. Which meant it could only really be one person. 

He walked the path up and saw a shock of auburn hair over the top of the Adirondack chair. Daniel sat in the empty chair beside him. He glanced over at Armand. His auburn hair was long and curly, its natural length. His face was ghostly pale, the stark white of a vampire who had not yet fed. He wore a blue t-shirt and jeans and a petulant expression that made him look closer to his mortal years.

In the sky expanding out before them was a thin strip of moon with dark clouds passing overhead. From here, you could see a hint of their private dock and he noted a couple of the boats were out. 

“Nice night,” he said. 

Armand turned his head slowly to look at him, a long, agonizing stare that seemed to pierce Daniel’s soul. “Hm.” 

Daniel snorted. “Don’t hold back.” 

Armand narrowed his eyes.

“What’s got you in a mood?” Daniel asked. Armand had always been mercurial but these past weeks since they’d arrived back home with the others in tow, he’d been particularly moody. 

“I’m not in a mood.” 

Daniel sighed. He considered getting up and walking away, finding someone who would appreciate his company. But he wanted to spend time with Armand. It had been hard to get a moment alone with him, except in the quiet dark of the coffin they now shared. But Daniel passed out too early and woke so late that even that time was short. 

“Fine, if you say so.” 

Armand turned back to the horizon, his gaze cast out over the dark ocean. 

“I went hunting with Marius,” Daniel said. 

“I’m aware.” His tone was flat. Was he annoyed? Bothered? Daniel studied his impassive expression. He could see all of the little capillaries, blue and thin with lack of blood, beneath his white skin. He could see the fine lines in his lips and every single eyelash. But he couldn’t tell what Armand was thinking. 

“He’s as cagey as you when it comes to discussing the past. Is that where you get it from?” 

“Is that why you went with him? To pester him about my past?” 

Okay, there was a definite edge there. Daniel reached for his cigarettes. “Yes, Armand, I dragged your maker to Miami so I could get him to spill all your secrets.” He lit the cigarette, taking a deep drag and letting the hot smoke fill his dead lungs. He exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl into the air and disappear. 

Armand sat statue still in his chair. 

“Don’t worry, he didn’t spill any,” Daniel said. He took another drag on his cigarette before stubbing the butt in the ashtray on the table between them. 

Then he stood. He reached down, extending his hand. Armand stared at it like it was a bomb that might explode in his face. Daniel thrust his hand toward him again. Armand finally took it. Daniel used his vampiric strength to lift Armand to a standing position.

“Come on.” 

“Where are we going?” Armand asked. But he didn’t resist as Daniel pulled him down the path back to the Villa. Armand walked with him into the house. Daniel led him past a room where he saw Louis and Khayman having a discussion and then down the hall to the grand staircase. 

Upstairs, he pulled Armand into his bedroom, where he’d spent most of his days sleeping fitfully as a mortal, blackout curtains pulled over the giant picture windows that looked out over the ocean. The curtains were perpetually open now. He closed the door and flicked on the light. Armand went over to the dresser and studied the detritus gathered atop of it. An ashtray, clean only because the housekeeper had emptied it, coins and sticks of gum. Armand slid one of the pennies around on the wood with his finger. 

“Are you upset I went hunting with Marius?” Daniel asked. 

Armand looked over his shoulder, surprised. “Why should I be?” 

Daniel ran his fingers through his soft blond hair. He could feel the trail of his fingers over his scalp and his hair fell immediately back into place. It had never done that when he was alive. “I don’t know. Jealousy?” 

Armand gave him a wry look as if that were absurd. Daniel didn’t think it was. Armand had held him close several times around the others and put a possessive arm around him in the car as they traveled to Miami when Lestat had jokingly flirted with him.

Daniel dropped his hands to his sides. “Something is bothering you. And I can’t do anything about it if you won’t tell me what it is.” 

“Perhaps it’s not your problem to solve, Daniel.” Armand’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper. 

Daniel moved toward him, wrapping his arms around Armand’s chest and pulling him back against him. He kissed his throat and said into his ear, “Let me try.” 

Armand leaned back against him, arms curling around Daniel’s. His body was cool against Daniel’s blood-warmed form and he pressed against him as if trying to absorb his warmth. Daniel bent against his hair and breathed him in, the scent of his floral cologne mixed with the shampoo he’d used in their shared shower two nights ago, the faintest hint of metallic blood, and beneath that, the faint, unmistakable smell of Armand.

After a long moment, Armand said, “We’re surrounded by other immortals.” 

Daniel laughed, even though he constantly thought the same thing. “Yeah, well, whose idea was that?” 

“I seem to recall you singing the praises of Night Island as a haven for our kind,” Armand said, but there was no edge to his tone anymore. He almost sounded amused.

And Daniel had done that. He’d been so proud of the Night Island, of this thing Armand had built—with his help, yes, but it had been Armand’s idea and design. He’d eagerly told any of the others who would listen all about it. It had not entirely been his idea for them all to come to the island at once—he’d envisioned them all coming to visit in small groups. Perhaps it had been Lestat who suggested it. But Daniel had certainly planted the idea. 

“Do you not want them here? We can ask them to leave.” 

Armand glanced up, his expression unreadable “I’m happy to host them all, Daniel, I merely worry that being surrounded by so many of them might make you—“ 

He stopped, cutting himself off. Daniel frowned down at him. “Make me what?” 

Armand pulled out of his arms and turned, leaning against the dresser. He stared in Daniel’s eyes for so long that Daniel thought he might lose himself counting Armand’s eyelashes. Wasn’t that a thing vampires did? Have the compulsion to count? 

“It might disabuse you of the notion that I am anything exceptional.” 

Daniel stared at him. Then he laughed. He laughed so easily these days but that was too funny. Armand did not look amused. He pulled away from Daniel and moved to the bed, sitting on the edge of it, his shoulders sunken.

“Armand, you’re the most exceptional person I know. No one can match you for curiosity or passion.” 

“I’m merely a vampire, Daniel. As you are now, along with all of the others in our house. You no longer have need of me.” 

Daniel laughed again, unable to help it. Such a ridiculous notion! “What, you think I’m going to replace you?” 

Armand stared at the floor. 

God, that was it! What an absurd thought! Daniel faltered, trying to imagine where this was coming from. But of course, he’d been enamored with Lestat immediately, and captivated by seeing Louis again. He’d been disappearing with Jesse. Desperate to talk to the others, to ask them all questions. How could Daniel not be curious about all of them, and a little starstruck by some of them? 

Tension gathered in the room like fog. Daniel swallowed, his mouth dry. He stared at Armand, who often seemed larger than life, now looking small on the edge of his bed.

He sat down next to him. “I don’t want anyone but you.” 

Armand made a soft noise of acknowledgement, still focused on the hand-woven rug on the floor. 

“You want to know the truth?” Armand’s eyes flicked toward him. “I don’t think Marius is all that impressed with me.” 

Armand looked up, face softening. “Then he’s a fool.” 

“He has to be,” Daniel agreed. “He let you go.” 

Armand huffed but there was a slight smile dancing on his lips finally, the barest hint of something other than solid blankness. “It didn’t happen quite like that.”

Daniel shrugged. “All the same.”

Daniel ran fingers through Armand’s soft auburn curls and then cupped his chin. He leaned over and kissed him. His mouth was cool and the touch of their tongues was electric. Every kiss felt deeper now, like a meeting of their souls. When it was over, Daniel felt breathless and desperate to get it back. 

“I love you,” he breathed.

Armand titled his head, studying Daniel’s face, even as his fingers caressed his cheek. Lately when Daniel said it, Armand would question him, asking if he was sure, if he really did. Daniel thought he was being sardonic, but now he worried that Armand truly feared he didn’t love him.

This time, though, Armand said nothing. He kissed him back, climbing on top of his lap and straddling him as he did. He kissed him with such intensity that Daniel fell back against the bed and Armand landed on top of him, mouth still connected to his as if he might die if their lips were parted. 

Armand’s fangs nicked Daniel’s tongue and blood exploded into the kiss, hot and charged. Armand moaned as his tongue licked the blood from his mouth, trying to get every minuscule drop. When the kiss ended, his lips trailed down Daniel’s chin to his throat, and left little kisses over the soft skin. Each one sent tingles down Daniel’s spine. Incredible how the tiniest touch could rack his entire being now. 

Armand sucked on his neck, mouth suctioned around the skin over his artery like a vacuum hose. He licked and sucked with vigor and Daniel writhed beneath him, thrusting his cock up against him out of sheer habit, though it no longer responded as it had when he’d been alive. Not that it mattered. Every cell in his body was a raw nerve now, every caress and lick and touch as intense as anything he’d ever felt. 

Daniel clung to Armand’s back, holding him fast, urging him closer against him as Armand sucked vigorously at his skin and Daniel thought it might break open from the force. A sharp pain jolted Daniel as Armand’s fangs pierced his skin. He tightened his grip on Armand, fingernails digging into his t-shirt. He loved this feeling, the way Armands lips moved slightly over the wound as Daniel’s blood rushed into his mouth and filled his veins. Daniel’s heart hammered against him, struggling to hold the blood he’d drunk from the evil doer on the shore. 

And then the connection clicked in his mind and he could see images from Armand’s. Images of Daniel in the Compound, surrounded by the others, Daniel wandering alone, Daniel with Louis, with Lestat, standing at their sides, talking, laughing. Armand was there but never beside him. 

His heart lurched as Armand swallowed another mouthful, bringing him back to the present. Armand against him, on top of him, connected to him. These were the thoughts Daniel tried to send back, that he wanted to be like this, together, linked, never apart. 

Their hearts warred with each other, Daniel’s straining against Armand’s, which tried to overtake him. Daniel panted as his blood roared through his veins, rushing toward Armand’s mouth. Pressure built inside him and threatened to overtake him.

And then Armand released his throat with gasp. He panted against his neck, his breath warm against Daniel’s skin. 

He sat up. Daniel could see the color in his white skin, just the faintest shift to a pinker hue. He’d have to kill to achieve more. Daniel sat up with him and kissed him again, chasing his mouth, wanting that connection back. 

Armand stood and Daniel reached for him, grabbing at his t-shirt to pull him back. Armand smiled at him, a soft, genuine smile that warmed Daniel’s heart.

“Don’t go. Let’s just hang out here for a while,” he said. 

Armand hesitated but then nodded. Relief washed over Daniel. He crawled up to the side of the bed he always slept on, grabbing the knit blanket at the foot of the bed as he did.Armand lay down beside him. Armand put his hand on Daniel’s chest. Daniel covered them both in the blanket and then put his arm around him, holding him close, his other hand threading fingers through Armand’s hair.

“No one could replace you, you know.” 

Armand’s grip tightened around Daniel. “Eternity is a long time, Daniel.” 

Daniel shook his head. “And now we have it to spend together.” 

Armand relaxed against him, the tension bleeding out of his muscles. “My Daniel.” 

“Always, boss.” Daniel rubbed his back gently, reassuringly, feeling the weight of him against his body, the way he clung to Daniel’s side, the feeling of his cheek pressed against his chest. This was what he wanted. Forever like this, with Armand. 

[wolfylch]

Later :

Some shots of a scene from our AU that will live rent free in my brain forever ✨️

[thesmokinpossum]

I'm 30 years old and I was just confronted with a punch being spiked at a school event for the first time in my life, 00's teen comedy ass moment

[seaofreverie]

So busy with Sparkstember that I almost forgot that I go back to school on tuesday

[mikodaiyo]

[skfw] The Inn Encounter

Summary: Sesshomaru is looking for Kagome.

  Day 1: Courting

  Word prompt: Love Letter

  Scenario Prompt: Character A has been acting strange so character B confronts them.

Sesskag Fluff Week Prompts ♥️

  “Kagome isn’t here.”

   Sango smiled apologetically to Sesshomaru while Rin abandoned training to hug her hogosha.

That morning, with the children all stuffed into her hut for their warm ups again, Sango had decided it had been raining for long enough and ushered them out onto the dewy lawn.

From above, Shippou worked out his magic by providing them the coverage of a large canopy, though it looked like a large towel struggling to stay stretched out in the breeze. Sango had relieved him of his duty several times just for him to refuse, saying a village hero such as he could at least do this much.

Sesshomaru noticed the sweat that beaded down the child’s form as soon as it ran down his sleeves, interrupting his reunion. Sighing, he released his moko into the air and it swirled and swirled, startling the large towel with a bushy fox tail as it became a large cloud all its own, shading them all from the rain.

“Enough, Shippou.” He said, and it was. 

Shippou released himself and fell to the earth unsteadily, his little paws holding him up still. 

“Well done, Shippou!” Rin applauded him, walking over and patting his panting back. He looked at her and then at Sesshomaru, grinning shyly when even he nodded.

“Rin. Jaken is making your favorite dish.” 

“Break-time!” Rin translated. She grabbed Shippo's hand but froze mid stride, now looking to her Master Sango.

Sango nodded, “You heard Lord Sesshomaru. Jaken is making everyone’s favorite dishes!” She smiled at her children standing at attention behind her, “You better hurry.”

The relief of children’s laughter filled the wet air, the sound of Slayer uniforms slapped the earth and Mokomoko followed the children to keep them dry. The rain fell on the adults again but they didn’t mind it. The rain was a refreshing blessing as well as natural conversation cover.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Come again another day

Inside the Inn we will decay

And though the keeper will let us stay

It's been – and we want to play

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It was just something to pass the time, Kagome insisted to them. A phonetic rhyme that would help them keep track of time, if nothing else. But to the children it was a blessed chant from Priestess Kagome, a chant that if they sang loud enough it would make the rain go away. They sang it so much recently that Sango didn’t even notice the number of rainy days, she just knew the children were blessedly occupied with a suitable answer instead of asking her to teach them how to beat it up.

Sango stretched her arms and they both heard her bones popping graciously, “You hurry too. What if you catch a cold?” She walked toward the entrance of her home and kept the door open by invitation.

“This one does not get colds.” Sesshomaru followed after her calmly.

“You never know. Stranger things have happened.”

“Such as?”

“You, looking for Kagome.”

“This One is always looking for Kagome.”

“You’ve become such a romantic, Lord Sesshomaru! That nearly made my old heart skip a beat.”

“Old?” Sesshomaru raised his brow. He rested his swords against her door frame and took a seat at her low table, “even demons in my court would question your slow aging.”

“My Lord,” Sango guffawed, moving to another room with a screen dividing the view, “You are making me blush. May I remind you I am a married woman.” 

After removing the armored guards of her uniform, she worked on the wet leather itself. Sesshomaru closed his eyes and listened to the rain, listened to all the patterns in the mud, the grass, the farmers footsteps. He sifted through the noises, searching for a particular Priestess’ heavy footfalls.

Reemerging refreshed, Sango set fire to her hearth and began preparing her favorite tea set, an adorable white and purple accented gift from The Lord of the West with his red, hexagonal crest glazed into plates and the handles built like gold clouds were whipped against the porcelain cups. The set had instantly become the main reason Sango entertained guests.

“Speaking of being the only married woman-”

“You did not speak of that.”

“Did you know I am the only married woman in the whole village?” Sango fixed, “Speaking of which-”

“This one is looking for Kagome.” Sesshomaru emphasized, as if to say it wasn’t his fault that she was the only one. Sango placed the tea set down and then sat herself with a mortar and pestle, grinding sweet smells into the air.

“She’s been so busy lately.” Sango sighed, “Everyone has been; Demon sightings are picking up in neighboring villages, Kaedae can only be in one place at a time, Kagome goes everywhere else. Miroku wrote that he and Inuyasha have been making more progress rebuilding east.” Sango stretched then, as though talking about everything worked out the knots, “More children want to be taught to be Slayers so I get to see Kohaku only briefly while he and Kirara drop off more to me and take the ones I’ve trained to study further in the mountains.” 

The kettle whistled and Sesshomaru got up, to which Sango sighed in appreciation.

She lightly brushed her mixture into their cups and Sesshomaru poured in the hot water. Hers first and then his own. 

“You are all busy.” Sango breathed in the steam, her eyes closed but one peeking open. “ Yet, I seem to always find you.” 

She worked with children all day. She had three of her own.

So, Sango could tell when a little pout was forming and it was such a shame Kagome was missing it.

“Well, I mean, it’s not like Kagome to not want to be found, is it?” Sango mused. Sesshomaru, who had been lifting his own cup, paused. He hadn’t considered that.

Just because he could not locate her, didn’t mean she didn’t want to be located.

In fact, when did she ever stay away from Sesshomaru? Kagome didn’t even hide from him when she had good reason to.

“When was the last time you spoke?” 

“Hmm… what the…” Sango squinted, staring hard into the empty space above to try and form the image of the last time she had seen Kagome. “Actually, It’s been weeks… has it been weeks?” 

Sesshomaru knew she wasn’t asking him and the irritability of the unknown began to tense his form. So no one had answers, for this long?

“This one last saw her before the rain fell.” He supplied.

“Rain, rain go away…” Sango mumbled, her hand coming to rest on her chin in deep thought. If she concentrated, she could hear the children singing just that morning. Sesshomaru didn’t dare break her concentration.

“Come again another day, inside the inn I’d rather not stay, and the keeper would let me stay, but it's been… it's been 12 days and we want to play…”

They shared a look.

According to the children who sang songs and chants that Kagome taught them when they were bored, it had been raining for two weeks.

                                                           -

   For the past week, Kagome had been staying at an Inn. It wasn’t the largest or most lavish like Miroku preferred, nor as sparse as Inuyasha preferred. There were five rooms, an outdoor pool and an old Innkeeper who liked chatting in the mornings while they drank their tea and didn’t charge Kagome on account of her status. Graciously, Kagome offered to clean the rooms for the Innkeeper and bless it regularly, just in case her presence brought misfortune. 

There was plenty of room for her goal; According to the Village Leader, women had been disappearing. Kagome had asked the Leader to keep him informed, but upon receiving no reply, Kagome let her gut instinct kick in. She only told Kaedae she’d be gone and hopped on the last cart of that night, napping amongst the hay and waking to an Ox licking her cheek, she and the farmer arriving at the inn. 

Kagome huffed, the cool night air materializing puffs that lifted her bangs. While she was stuck, waiting, how many girls were being taken in by that orange, malicious energy that filled the sky? The one she noticed sipping tea with the Innkeeper while they chatted? The dawn that pooled across the sky like blood and tricked regular people into thinking it was a normal sunset?

They sat there in the evening, after Kagome finished cleaning the floors and the Innkeeper made sure the snack portion was doubled. They sat and Kagome smiled and traded pleasantries and hid her unease behind her teacup when the Innkeeper remarked they’d never seen such a beautiful sunset. Kagome lost sleep these past few nights just watching the Innkeeper, making sure it wasn’t the beginnings of hypnotism. But so far no change. Just she and the Innkeeper and the orange blood hiding a perfectly good sunset.

Again, she wished she had time to learn how to work with shinigami. Or time to train a messenger bird. What kind of Priestess didn’t travel with a companion? Even her bike would have sufficed.

Had she known it would take so long for another lead but she didn’t know because she always worked in groups, and in a good group like hers, everyone did their fair share. It never seemed like there was a moment's rest because someone or someone else was always gathering information.

But now, Kagome was all alone and there was all at once too much to do and nothing to do. Too much information to work with and none at all. The perfect time to take Intel but, Intel on what?

“Perfect time to invent e-mail.” She muttered into her cup.

“You’ve been grumbling since your arrival yesterday, dear.” said the Innkeeper. “Have I become such a poor companion?” 

“Yesterday...? Oh! No! Not at all.” The truth sounded so unconvincing. Kagome cleared her throat, “It’s my fault really. I’m not working hard enough.”

So lax in fact that what felt like a week to her had only been a full day at the Inn.

“You’ve done nothing but work since you’ve been here, dear. This tea is the only way I’ve gotten you to take a breather.” The Innkeeper tapped their brass kettle and laughed, “You’ve left me no choice but to break out the good stuff in fact!”

The Innkeeper closed one eye and leaned into Kagome, peering into her personal space, “Are you sure you’re not a swindler? How old are these robes?”

Kagome jumped, her body moving almost against her will away from the Innkeeper’s hands and eyes and questions. Setting the tea aside, Kagome tucked her knees, turned to her host and bent at the waist.

“I’m sorry!”

Her youthful energy nearly knocked the Innkeeper backwards, “I promise I’m not swindling you and if you have been swindled before, specifically by a Monk wearing purple robes, I’m sorry for that as well!”

The Innkeeper blinked, “Ah-well, thank you. I haven’t been swindled by a purple robed Monk yet, Priestess, but I’ll be on the lookout from now on. Thank you.”

Kagome was so happy her face was shielded from view. Her embarrassment should only been seen by the nicely polished floorboards after all. Why did she react so strongly?

“Do you perhaps have any parchment and ink?”

The Innkeeper smiled, wide and perfect, “Ah, so that’s it. You’re missin’ your lover!”

Kagome sat ramrod straight with a blush that could match the sky and the Innkeeper guffawed, rising slowly and steadily and a little shakily from their seating cushion. Kagome could hear them behind her saying things about youth and young love. Kagome swore right then to take her shinigami training much more seriously. 

                                                          -

   Night fell and Kagome was left alone with her bone white incense burner, parchment, ink, a slop of orange stars in the night sky and a freshly brewed pot of tea.

Would Sesshomaru know anything about this? He had become her encyclopedia on demonic tactics, trickery and horrors that befell sleepy villages that women disappeared from. Or would he be just as blind because he didn’t even know she was here? Was he waiting for her at home or had he come and gone to tend to more important matters?

She could write Sango, Sango slayed thousands of demons and had even begun record keeping but could Sango afford to leave? When Kagome left, it had just been them and Kaedae. Five days changed many things but not the distance it would take the boys to get back home to take up guard duty.

She wished Inuyasha were here.

She could send it to Jaken…

“Maybe I should ask Rin.” Kagome mused, figuring if she was going to think ridiculous things she may as well say ridiculous things. Then, only smart things would be left. 

She put pen to paper and decided whichever name she wrote down would be the person she asked.

Dear Sesshomaru,

She blushed again. She never called him dear. Focus

I don’t know why I’m writing. It’s only been three nights but I miss you a lot so, maybe that’s it? Do I miss you?

Sighing, Kagome crossed that out and tried again.

Dearest Sesshomaru,

I miss you. 

Sleep isn’t as restful and tea isn’t as sweet and, have you ever seen an orange sky? Not like the afternoon, we’ve had some of our best afternoons up there. Not like persimmons either. It's a strange, runny, bloody orange. I figured I’d ask you, being the blood expert. Let me know if I should’ve written Myoga instead.

I’m not very good at writing letters. I need your help.

Kagome held the parchment up to her red face, pursed her lips and inhaled. Then she placed the page face down, turned her face upwards and exhaled.

She hoped her words reached him.

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

When Kagome woke up the next morning, it was groggily facing the window. She had only come to this inn yesterday, but she was so tired. No matter, the Innkeeper said she could have free lodgings if she helped prepare the rooms and Kagome was eager to get to work.

She cleaned all four rooms quietly to not disturb the Innkeeper, she blessed the grounds and then, a bath sounded nice.

                                                              -

When Kagome woke up the next morning, it was groggily facing the window. She had only come to this inn yesterday, but she was so tired. No matter, the Innkeeper said she could have free lodgings if she helped prepare the rooms and Kagome was eager to get to work.

She cleaned all four rooms quietly to not disturb the Innkeeper, she blessed the grounds and then, a bath sounded nice. 

                                                              -

When Kagome woke up the next morning, it was groggily facing the window. She had only come to this inn yesterday, but she was so tired. 

No matter. The Innkeeper said she could have free lodgings if she helped prepare the rooms and Kagome was eager to get to work.

She cleaned all three rooms quietly to not disturb the Innkeeper, she blessed the grounds and then, a bath sounded nice. 

                                                               -

When Kagome woke up the next morning, it was groggily facing the window. She had only come to this inn yesterday, but she was so tired. 

No matter. 

The Innkeeper said she could have free lodgings if she helped prepare the rooms and Kagome was eager to get to work.

She cleaned three rooms quietly to not disturb the Innkeeper, she blessed the grounds and then…

                                                               -

   When Kagome woke up the next morning, it was groggily facing the window. She had only come to this inn yesterday, but she was so tired. No matter, the Innkeeper said she could have free lodgings if she helped prepare the rooms and Kagome was eager to get to work.

She cleaned her room and the guest room quietly to not disturb the Innkeeper, she blessed the grounds and then… 

Huh? 

Kagome stopped cleaning the floorboards. 

Why was she still at the Inn? The village was still up ahead. 

Far off in the distance where she could see it touching the blood orange sky she definitely saw a village. 

She definitely saw it. 

If she just turned around and looked it would be there still and she could put one foot in front of the other without bidding a proper farewell to the Innkeeper and continue on her mission.

But, her head wouldn’t move.

Her body wouldn’t move. 

“Thank Heavens,” said the Innkeeper from far away, from above, from below, “You know girlie, you used up all my water.”

                                                                -

“Lord Sesshomaru!” Rin’s voice rang out and Sesshomaru heeded her immediately with Sango in tow, Hiraikotsu firmly in her grasp.

“Mama! The rain is clearing up!” Sango children crowded around her hips gleeful and fed and Sango leaned down to them.

“And how long was it raining?”

“14 days!” Her eldest daughter piped up, her siblings agreeing.

“What is it, Rin?” He watched the girl and Jaken attempt to gather all of the fur into their arms to avoid getting dirty as they made their way to him but the mud hardly mattered. Why was Mokomoko leaning at all?

“A message appeared, My Lord!” Jaken squealed from behind, his stubby form holding up the latter pelt while Rin stood on tip-toe to reveal its underside. Sesshomaru’s frown deepened and he reached for the soggy thing and it dried immediately before affixing itself around his shoulders. It was heavy with holy magic and would remain sluggish until the holy magic was removed and Sesshomaru only knew of one Priestess who could place such intent upon him at such close proximity.

It was even in her handwriting. And as the weather cleared, her scent came at him with a force it hadn’t had in fourteen days. His hand gripped the pelt tighter when Sango came over to survey the message. 

“Dearest Sesshomaru, I miss you?” She read aloud.

With his free hand Sesshomaru waved his palm over the words and captured the false letters in his hand then placed his palm up. The letters evaporated like steam and he caught whiffs of tea and polished floors and blood not her own. 

Sango could say she’d never seen steam with feelings until her eyes caught those last glimpses of Sesshomaru’s stoic face crack in anger before clouds of billowing smoke swallowed him up until he vanished.

                                                           -

…Was that snow?

“What trickery is this, witch?”

Kagome squinted. 

No, not snow, though the consistency was similar. Small, white petals fell from a large, white cloud that descended from above the grounds, creating a flurry that threw the Innkeeper off kilter as it clumped into their ears and nose and sucked into the Innkeeper’s indignant maw.

A larger shadow fell over Kagome and she felt instantly relieved.

Sesshomaru made time for the brief caress of her cheek and Kagome swooned a tad before Sesshomaru caught one of the falling petals on his fingers and pressed it to Kagome’s lips. 

“Sesshomaru,” Tension easing from body, Kagome nuzzled her cheek into his palm, “I did miss you.”

He brought their faces closer, “You were expecting Myoga.” He accused her.

“Obviously.” She giggled, “But you’ll do.”

While Kagome waited for the feeling to return to her legs, Sesshomaru surveyed the area for irregularities. 

… There. The strange, orange liquid attempting to bubble itself back into a brass teapot sitting on the veranda. That was irregular.

Sesshomaru shot out his hand and produced his poison whip, snapping it across the liquid surface and causing it to bubble. The Innkeeper retook a human form from the reaction, their yowl agonizing and arms blistering.  

“Guess that means my letter worked?”

”Well enough.” He lifted the side of mokomoko that her words ink-stained into the underside.

“I can get that out.”

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. The Innkeeper was struggling so he tightened his grip. 

“I just need to get–” 

He turned and shook his hair to the side, revealing her weapons attached at his hip. Even with his back turned, Sesshomaru could feel Kagome’s grateful expression while she removed the bow and quiver. 

He harshly flicked his wrist and sent the demon skyward to screech and snarl into the blood orange sky. Above all else, Sesshomaru could not stand much more of the noise that was drowning out their conversation. At least this way he could admire the way Kagome adjusted her aim.

“This One had already been looking for you.”

Kagome could barely concentrate on charging her arrow when he was being such a sweet-talker, “Thank you for finding me, my Lord.”

Her arrow struck the teapot and Sesshomaru’s acid did quick work of the false form.

As the demon puddled to the ground, Kagome placed her sleeve over her mouth as she approached. She waved two fingers in a uniform pattern across the puddle and it purified. Then she raised her fingers and chanted, and the sky began to resemble the sky, the sun was setting, the horizon was empty and her mission was complete. 

Sesshomaru stepped next to her when it was done and offered her his hand to take. She obliged, then laced their fingers together.

“What of the Inn?”

“I’ve been purifying it for the last few days. The spirits left easily enough because they didn’t want to be there in the first place. They wanted to keep walking toward the horizon.”

Sesshomaru looked to the horizon, but all he saw was the sunset, “Was there something there?”

“Something for anyone who's looking.” Kagome answered in her strange way. Sesshomaru was certain she didn’t even notice when she spoke nonsensically.

“Hungry?” Kagome questioned perkily, “Only the tea was cursed. The snacks weren’t bad. And we have the whole place to ourselves.”

Kagome led Sesshomaru back to the Inn.

“Pardon the intrusi–Ah!” She stumbled backwards, caught by Sesshomaru’s big frame. When had he removed his armor?

“This One had been looking for you prior to your ‘invitation’.” His hand tightened in hers and Kagome gulped. Something was rubbing salaciously between the pleats of her hakama.

“O-oh? Well, you found me. Did I thank you for that yet?”

“You are about to.” Sesshomaru bent over her and her body followed slightly until they were both on their knees at the door.

Kagome could always see things behind her but it was a different thrill entirely to somehow feel the grin slipping over Sesshomaru’s lips. 

“Pardon the intrusion.” He whispered.

[graveyarrdshift]

good morning sluts

[msdk-00]

god when i go into yearning after a failed romantic endeavour im scraping the walls howling at the moon coughing up hairballs like i'm grateful for the experience but the Aftermath of horrific feelings for months and months makes me wanna throw up. i can logically be like it never would've been forever for reason a b and c but still i see their face and wanna delete every social media ever and live in a monastery until i'm normal about them again

[meowmeowmessi]

Always lowkey hated how he stepped back and didn’t go to man city in 2020.. but right this moment? I’m absolutely mad that he didn’t go. Because if he had pushed harder against barto and not been the sentimental guy, we wouldn’t be here right now.. moving to mls when he still has so much football in him. ugh. And i thought it couldn’t get worse than psg. Welp, he proved me wrong.

[therhythmafterthesummer]

it's been a while rhythm!! how is everyhting??

i have yet to read some of your latest works, but life has been a little bit hard lately and i found myself missing our dearest pack 🥺 unfortunately i don't have time rn to re read my fav one shots, but this week it's being kind of a parenthesis and i can breathe a little 一some needed rest before i dive in university life again.

i've seen what other anons said about the girls gang (wereroomies, i mean) hanging out together and supporting each other. even with their hobbies, and i keep finding confort on pretty because i feel like i have so much in common with her. those asks helped me a lot because university is a lonely period, at least at the beginning and in my experience, so reading about how they enjoy their time together made me realise i have to appreciate those little moments i have with my friends (who aren't studying the same degree as me, unfortunately i don't see them as much as i would like to).

these months have made me more mature, but in a good way. i have been carrying a very heavy load for years and little by little i'm noticing how it weighs me less and less, so i'm very happy rn. i'm in that kind of mood when i want to spread that happiness with everyone (so if you're reading this, known that you're amazing and loved and you deserve so much more that you think you do ♡).

oh, i also remember one time you mentioned that one hobby that pretty has is crochet!! i started this summer haha i crochet when i'm stressed, with a nice playlist 一which reminds me of skz's comeback!! what are your fav songs?? (mine comflex and cover me 🤭).

what i wanted to ask (this is a very chaotic ask i'm sorry) is how did pack members cope with loneliness and stressful seasons in university?? especially when they felt like there was no one they could tell how they felt, if that was the case...

i know i don't interact a lot, but i missed talking to you. have a nice day/night rhythm!! ily (❤️‍🩹)

things are doing fine! i'm tired but soon i'll be on holidays so i'll be able to rest lots hopefully~

don't worry, baby. my works will be there for when you have time💜💜💜 no need to stress about that, you've got enough of that in your life.

makes me happy that you can find some comfort in the silly conversations we've got going on in this blog. i'm glad people are kind enough to send in their thoughts and we can just have some fun with them together!

good friends should really be appreciated, and it's always worth it to nurture and maintain friendships, even if it's in a sort of cactus way (as in, maybe you don't meet often, but you know you can rely on them when you need them, you know what i mean?). that's really especial, so i hope you get to enjoy it to its fullest!

yes! i like to think pretty does crochet as a hobby, she just seems like she would, for some reason??? so yes hahah. i want to include it on an actual instalment at some point. it's cool that you picked it up too, though! it's really fun imo. putting a nice playlist or some video essay on youtube while you crochet is a good way to de-stress mewhehe.

i think my fave songs from the album so far are megaverse and social path (kor ver). all of them are good, but those two have me in a chokehold for sure.

as for your question...... here's the thing. werewolves live in packs for a reason, right? so, their pack was probably the biggest support they had in moments like those. i suppose they would've tried to lean on their friends, or to try and step back for a moment to put things into perspective. engaging in activities outside of school was probably a good outlet as well (like going on wolf runs, or going for a walk), just things they could do to remind themselves that there was life outside uni, and that ultimately it wasn't a race, they were there to learn, so as long as they learnt a bit, they could take their time.

i feel like Chris particularly would've struggled a lot, considering he was living alone alone during his first and second year. i can see him making the extra effort to meet with changbin and jisung weekly (or every two weeks) to avoid lone wolf syndrome.

thank you for dropping by and leaving this message! i hope that weight you're carrying continues getting smaller and smaller💜