#i know how important this role is to crystal so i can't wait to watch it

[preciouslikeacrystal]

Crystal Reed as Ellen Sharpe in "Pinball: the man who saved the game" ❤️

(Coming March 17th 2023)

[tallbluelady]

the rumor mill's already started.

Hythlodaeus sighed at the concept in front of him and set it on top of the other crystals. You'll need more revisions yet, little one.

He started the kettle he kept in his office and watched the rain patter on his window. Some found it strange to use devices to perform such trivial tasks, but Hythlodaeus found that taking the time to wait for water to boil let him think on projects he wasn't actively working on. It was this sort of strategy that found him as Chief of the Bureau, or so his predecessor had claimed. On top of that, he had the first of his many meetings of the day soon and couldn't afford to get caught up in the minutiae of any one project.

He was deep in thought when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in; tea should be ready if you want any," he said from his chair.

Who came in his office was a surprise to him - two members of the Convocation, masks of red immediately catching Hythlodaeus' eye.

"Emet-Selch, Lahabrea! If I knew how important this meeting was, then I would have prepared a much more impressive spread." He stood and gave a small bow to the both of them.

"We wanted to keep this meeting off of any official record. Not that it'll do us much good..." Lahabrea said dismissively.

But Emet-Selch smiled warmly. "This will do Hythlodaeus, thank you."

Tea poured and Convocation members seated, Hythlodaeus took a sip before asking what it was the Bureau of the Architect could do for the Convocation.

Emet-Selch turned to Lahabrea, uncharacteristically taciturn in the moment.

"The rumor mill's already started, Emet-Selch. You may as well get it out while the words are yet yours." Lahabrea sipped his tea.

"Ah, very well..." Emet-Selch set his tea cup down and steepled his fingers. "Hythlodaeus, it is not the Bureau that I seek aid from, it is from yourself. If what Lahabrea says is true, you may have heard that... that I am concluding my term as Emet-Selch."

"Oh, congratulations." Hythlodaeus felt his mouth go dry as he tried to say more. Is he...?

He felt the world spin as Emet-Selch removed his mask. His eyes shone a brassy color as he spoke. "There remains one task that I must complete ere I return to the Star. I must name my successor. Hythlodaeus, I would ask that you take up the mantle of Emet-Selch as I leave this mortal coil."

"I... I can't." It was all Hythlodaeus could say with how tight his throat had gotten.

Lahabrea's mouth formed a thin line, but he said nothing else.

"It is in part of your humility that I ask you this," Emet-Selch continued. "If there is naught else but your estimation of your own skills to dissuade you, then I would ask that you trust in my estimation of them. But I will respect your reasons as to why you're refusing."

Quietly sipping his tea, Hythlodaeus took a few moments to regain his composure. Many had complimented him on his unflappability, but this was far too much for him.

"I must thank you for the compliment of the offer, Emet-Selch, if nothing else," Hythlodaeus started. "I just don't feel that I am suited to such a position of power that the Convocation holds. Working alongside - guiding individuals to a proper concept, yes. But to lay laws and hold others accountable, not just in Amaurot, but the entire Star... no. No, that is far beyond my powers and limitations. I often have problems expressing authority to those who work beside me, and I would have to do so for all of Etheirys. I'm sorry, but I must refuse the seat, Emet-Selch."

Emet-Selch nodded gravely. There was a bit of a sigh as he watched his hands and mask. "And nothing I can say will change your mind?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

Turning the mask, Emet-Selch still spoke with his face bared. "Then may I ask you for your opinions on the other candidates? I believe you know both of them quite well."

"Both?" Hythlodaeus cocked his head. "I do know Hades rather well, but I fear I cannot think of another who would suit the role quite as well as he would."

Lahabrea tilted his head to Emet-Selch in a I-told-you-so type of manner, but the other Convocation member was unperturbed.

"Yes, of course Hades is the obvious candidate, given his studies into the Underworld alongside me. But even if he does not take the Third Seat, I am confident his life's work would still be in that realm. He is confident in his abilities, often brushing into arrogance. I had hoped that he would learn from your humility if you took the Seat, but he may still learn it from the responsibility of the Seat. Or from the other candidate, Minthe."

Hythlodaeus blinked behind his mask. "Minthe? I would more likely suggest her for Emmerololth due to her interest in toxicology... She pointedly avoids any work with the Underworld. And not just to avoid Hades, either."

"Do you know why that is?" Emet-Selch asked. Something told Hythlodaeus he knew the answer, and it was for a different reason than Hythlodaeus would give.

"She told me once that it was loud enough that she could hear it standing to an aetheryte. To a soul as sensitive as hers, I imagine that the Underworld would be overwhelming."

"The only reason she is so attuned to it is because she visited it as a child. Minthe and Hades found a well to the Underworld as children; that is how we all became acquainted in the first place. Hades understood the power of the place, but Minthe understood the depth and nuance. It frightened her as a child, but I had hoped she had grown past that... Despite her sensitivity, she is quite the powerful mage, correct?"

Hythlodaeus put a hand to his chin. "Not powerful in the same way that Hades is. Hades... it's akin to being adrift in the ocean during a storm. But he's in control the whole time, like an orchestra conductor. Minthe... she channels aether through the eye of a needle at times. All it takes is one mote of aether to take a compound from a poison to a medicine and she can switch it without batting an eye."

"If only she would commit to making concepts herself..." Lahabrea muttered into his teacup.

Hythlodeaus gave a small hum at that. Minthe was always creating concepts. He had seen many of them, and her self-driven projects were always novel. But that was the rub - they were novel, not immediately useful. She was creating solutions to non-existent problems... which ironically would lend herself to solving other's issues. He relayed that to the Convocation members, hoping it would help Emet-Selch with his decision.

"That is something I had yet to consider between the two..." Emet-Selch muttered. Then he shook his head. "But, ah, we must be overstaying our welcome by now - Lahabrea has finished his cup."

Lahabrea nodded and stood. Hythlodaeus followed suit, and the two of them waited for Emet-Selch to replace his mask.

"If you do change your mind, Hythlodaeus, please do let me know. I still feel strongly that you would do the Convocation proud." The Third Seat nodded, and he and Lahabrea exited the office.

The Chief Architect waited for a few moments before he slumped back into his seat. He picked up his docket, set it down, and canceled the rest of his meetings. He had done enough for one day.

Thanks for the prompt!

[drishtithakkar]

Movie / shows review

Black Mirror Season 1

"The National Anthem" (Episode 1): So, in the first episode, the Prime Minister has to do something super weird on live TV to save a princess. It's this crazy mix of political tension and media frenzy. Visually, it's intense, and you can feel the discomfort. It made me think about how much power the media has and the pressure that social opinions can put on people in the public eye.

"Fifteen Million Merits" (Episode 2): This one's set in the future where people pedal bikes to earn points in a weird society. The visuals are so cool, with this sterile but striking environment. The story got me thinking about our obsession with TV shows and how virtual success might be taking over our real lives. It made me question what we value and what's truly important.

"The Entire History of You" (Episode 3): Now, imagine having a chip that records all your memories. This episode dives deep into relationships and the consequences of perfect memory. Visually, it seamlessly shifts between past and present. It got me thinking about the importance of memory and the potential downsides of having access to all our past moments. It sparked contemplation on the significance of memory in shaping who we are.

"Be Right Back" (Episode 4): This one is an emotional rollercoaster about grief and technology. A woman brings back her deceased partner through a virtual version. Visually, it's so real, creating this uncanny feeling. The story makes you wonder about the ethics of using tech to cope with loss and the thin line between real and virtual connections. As a student, it pushed me to think about the consequences of blurring the boundaries between the digital and the emotional.

"White Bear" (Episode 5): Imagine waking up with no memory, and everyone around you is filming. The visuals are eerie, building this suspenseful atmosphere. The story gradually reveals a dark reality, challenging societal norms and questioning the impact of public surveillance. It got me thinking about entertainment's role in our lives and the potential dangers of living in a society obsessed with watching others.

I'm still watching the show but this is just a gist of what went through my mind while watching these episodes, they're like mind-bending puzzles that make you question everything. The visuals are not just eye candy; they're a crucial part of the storytelling. It's not just a show; Black Mirror is like a "What if?" scenario The visuals are mind-blowing, and each episode feels like a deep dive into possible futures. It's not just entertainment; it's a wake-up call to question where our tech obsession might lead us. Can't wait to see more and keep my brain buzzing with all these thoughts!

"The Social Dilemma": A Recap in Everyday Terms

So, "The Social Dilemma" is a documentary that takes you behind the scenes of our social media obsession. Imagine scrolling through your feed, and suddenly, algorithms are predicting your every move. The story is told by insiders from big tech spills the beans on how our online lives are being kind of manipulated.

Visually, it's a mix of real-life stories and a fictional world inside your phone. Characters representing algorithms are literally pulling the strings in people's lives. The shots show how we're being watched and nudged without even realizing it. It's a wakeup call about the not-so-glamorous side of our favorite apps.

As someone watching this, it's a bit unsettling because it's not just facts; it's showing how our phones have become puppet masters in our lives. The visuals make it crystal clear that our screens are not just harmless gadgets. It's like a journey into a speculative future where our phones know more about us than we do.

So, after watching this, you'd probably rethink your relationship with your phone, maybe question who's really in control. It's like, "Wait, I never thought about social media this way!" It's a reality check about the real cost of those likes and swipes.

So, diving into "Love, Death & Robots," I caught two episodes that blew my mind: "The Secret War" and "The Witness."

"The Secret War": Picture World War II but with demons. Yep, that's "The Secret War" for you. Visually, it's this gritty blend of historical war and creepy fantasy. The shots take you to this alternative reality where soldiers are fighting supernatural beings. The storytelling is a wild ride, and you're left wondering if history could've taken a seriously twisted turn. It's speculative in the coolest way, making you question what could have been if demons joined the battlefield.

"The Witness": Now, "The Witness" is a mind-bender. You witness a murder, but then the witness becomes the witnessed. The visuals are like a neon-soaked fever dream, with each frame telling a piece of the story. The shots are like a puzzle, and you're piecing together this surreal chase through a city. The storytelling is a rollercoaster; you're questioning reality until the very end. It's speculative in the sense that it messes with your head about time, perception, and what could happen if our world was a bit more twisted.

As I saw "Love, Death & Robots" in class, I couldn't stop myself from going back and watching more, and these are a few I gave a shot.

As a first-time viewer, these episodes are like a crash course in speculative storytelling. The visuals are insane, pulling you into worlds you never imagined. It makes you wonder about the possibilities and what could be lurking in the corners of our reality. "Love, Death & Robots" is not just a show; it's a gateway to speculative dimensions you never knew existed.

[givemeyourcrunchbars]

Sequestered

Fern x f!reader

If there are any warnings I need to add, please let me know :)

The weight of the crown on your head was too much to bear today. You gently set it down onto the grass, next to you in the shade of the giant oak trees above you.

If someone were to ask you what it's like to be a princess, you would say it's a curse. For the past 15 years you've been raised, your father was stern and barely paid any attention to you. Suffering from neglect, you slowly watched him become more and more corrupt with power, forcing the entire kingdom to stay within its walls. As far as the common people knew, the outside was a mysterious place not to be messed with.

That's what power does to people. To have all these abilities at your hands, is a great responsibility. But most rulers toss those away, like a bag of trash being disposed into the garbage can.

You sighed, gazing across to the opposite side of the clearing you were sitting in. You raised your head to look up at the sky. Oh, what I would do to have a different life...

The rustling of leaves caught your attention. You gasped, quickly backing away into the shelter of the trees. Dad can't catch me being here!

"Hey."

You froze as relief washed over you. It wasn't your father.

You weren't allowed to leave the kingdom. Finding loopholes wasn't easy, so you didn't know what you'd do if he found out.

Carefully, you stood up, squinting at the figure standing at the opposite end of the meadow. Slowly, they- or it- stepped into the sunlight. You recognized him from your past adventures. Fern the Human.

"Hi," you replied warily. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, you know," he said. "Just exploring." Fern wore the same expression he did normally, a blank set of eyes and his mouth set in a straight line.

You nodded, your eyes darting around the clearing, at anything but him. You rarely interacted with outsiders, especially since you weren't allowed outside of your kingdom. So you didn't know how to act. All your social skills started chipping away because you were forced to stay inside all the time. "Princess duties".

"I haven't seen you around here before," the grass boy remarked. "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" I repeated. That was a good question. Every single decision I've had to make and every emotion I've had was decided for me. So much so, that I wasn't sure there was any "me" left.

"I'm Y/N," you replied. Fern tilted his head.

"Where are you from?"

"Um." You struggled to find the words. He couldn't know about the kingdom, or else you would find yourself kicked out. What was even the purpose of telling him? It could only end badly. His curiosity would get the better of him, driving him him to see the kingdom for himself. Would Fern even try to save us?

Even though you wanted to rescue your people badly, the thought of them roaming around aimlessly in the Land of Ooo scared you. They barely knew anything about the outside, and the only information they did know altered their perspective to think of it in a bad light. Besides, what could Fern do to help? He's just one person.

"It's none of your business," you ended up blurting out. "I have to go." Your father wanted you home for the evening anyway. For what, he didn't say.

You turned away before you could hear Fern's reply, dashing off into the dense forest.

Taking a deep breath, you began to form an image of a raven inside your mind. Shapeshifting was still something you weren't good at. You were supposed to follow a certain set of rules as a princess, one of which being that you couldn't shapeshift into your raven form in the presence of other people. It was seen as impolite.

Focus on shapeshifting! You commanded yourself. Finally, you were able to fly, ruffling your wings a bit. You missed being able to soar.

"Wait!" Fern's voice yelled from behind you, his footsteps trodding through the layers of leaves on the forest floor. You sighed, flapping up to the tree tops and taking off. A feeling of dread gradually grew in your chest, facing the reality that you had to go back to your secluded life, with people that ignored and misunderstood you.

As the dark green leaves of the forest zoomed by beneath your feet, you began to wonder whether you should've listened to what Fern had to say. Eh, it probably wasn't important.

Directing your thoughts back to your destination, you vowed to come back to your happy place as soon as possible. It helped clear your head. Hopefully, Fern won't be there next time. The idea of talking to people made you uncomfortable. The people that you've trusted in the past have all either broken your trust, or just didn't care about you at all.

There's a crown here in the bushes, Fern observed, lifting the heavy piece of gold. It was a big ring, with an arm extending upwards, holding a small, rugged black crystal. Interesting.

Turning it over in his hands, something strange caught his eye. A carving on the back of the crown. It was barely illegible, but Fern could make out one name. Y/N.

"Where is your crown?" The Raven King hissed angrily. "The suitors are already here!"

"I don't know, Dad!" You frantically racked your mind, trying to remember where you had left it. A princess' crown was a part of her, as a role model and a symbol. But this time, it represented worth.

"Why are you making me marry someone I don't even know anyway?" You hurriedly glanced at your father, brows furrowed. Your father had invited a group of suitors to compete for your hand in marriage. They desired only the princess' heart, but it wasn't true love, like what you dreamed of as a child. They just wanted land, wealth, and power. Marrying you was their key to a happy life. Without your label as a princess, they would have no opportunity at all.

"You know very well why!" Your father growled. "This is going to be beneficial for the kingdom! Don't you want me to prosper?"

You started walking down the spiraling staircase that lead to the main hallways, unable to stay calm any longer. "I want the people to prosper," you replied, sending a spine-chilling glare to your father behind you. Before he could respond, you stomped away, into the main hallway where a line of antsy suitors stood waiting.

You definitely have a thing for walking out on people.

"Heya, Fern!" A boy wearing a worn, dual-toned green backpack greeted Fern, holding open the door that had separated the two just moments before. "Jake just made some meatloaf! Want some? It has your favorite- I mean our favorite garnishes." Finn grinned.

"No thanks," Fern replied, distracted. His eyes wandered all around the giant treehouse that stood over him, almost menacingly. Despite what Fern wanted to think, there was something about it that made him uneasy. When he thought of the treehouse, he thought of Finn, which in turn caused him to obsess over the fact that he wasn't Finn. Then who was he?

"No probs." Finn sounded a little disappointed, but cheered up when Jake called out that the meatloaf was ready from somewhere inside the house.

"By the way, can I ask you something?" Fern asked, taking something out of his backpack, which tumbled to the ground, causing him to groan in frustration. Finn turned back to his grassy friend while taking a plate of food from the unseen Jake. "What's up?"

He gasped when he saw the golden crown gleaming in the sunlight. "That belongs to one of the princesses!" He picked it up and handed it back to Fern.

Fern nodded, stowing it in his backpack. "I found it in the forest near Tree Trunks' house. I think this girl dropped it," he said.

"Whahf girl?" Finn said, trying to chew meatloaf at the same time. "PB? Fire Princess? Slime P?"

"No." Fern shook his head. "I've never seen her before, and honestly," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "She was scared of me." He sounded frustrated, his voice trailing off.

"Dude-"

"Why doesn't anything ever work out?!" Fern said in anguish. He curled his fingers in and out of his palm, trying to release the tension trapped in his mind.

"Calm down, dude," Finn exclaimed. "I can help you find her, don't worry! I've never seen this crown before either, so we can go together." He placed a hand on Fern's shoulder, trying to comfort him.

"No!" Fern protested. "I wanna do it myself," he said, softer. "Can you just tell me how to find her?"

Finn looked taken aback for a second at his grassy friend's outburst, but nodded regardless. "You can ask the Candy People and the other kingdoms, they probably know who owns that crown." He handed Fern a map of the Land of Ooo, sketched out on a yellowed piece of paper.

Saying their goodbyes, Finn left Fern on his solo quest to find the mysterious princess.

The long and chaotic day was finally over. You sank down to the floor, your back against the door to your room. You stared at the king-sized bed. I hate this. I hate everything.

After you left your father standing on the stairs, you had awkwardly walked into the main hall. But that must have been the last straw for your father, because he still didn't join you, even after five minutes. He ended up sending a replacement to accompany you after a long time of waiting. You wished that the suitors didn't keep glancing at the spot where your crown was supposed to sit while you stood with your hands clasped in front of you, staring at the doorway your father was going to follow you through.

I still have to get the crown back, you thought. Where did I leave it? The only place I would've lost it would be... Then you realized. The clearing! Of course! Oh no, I have to go there right now!

You raced over to the small window in your bedroom, peeking your head out. Seeing practically no one outside, you transformed into your raven form and hopped on the windowsill. Suddenly, an object was hurled at you from below. Looking down, you saw a small child chucking pieces of corn at you.

"Get out of there, you stupid crow!" He yelled. Close enough.

You carefully flapped your wings, flying high above the kingdom. As soon as you were out of reach, the child gave up trying to knock you out of the sky and returned to his home, resuming the quiet atmosphere the kingdom always held during evenings.

Night had almost fallen over Ooo when you finally arrived at your meadow. Landing in the spot where you had sat earlier that day, you turned back into a human and rummaged through the bushes for your long lost crown. As the minutes ticked by, you began to grow more frustrated. Where is it?! If I lose it forever, I'm done for.

"Huh?" You said out loud. Prying apart the branches of a blueberry bush, you found a few grass blades attached to the rough leaves, reminding you of Fern. You stood up. Why not just see if Fern had it? He wasn't the scavenger type, but something as mysterious as an unknown princess' crown was sure to fascinate him.

Ugh, the sun is setting. You sighed in defeat, vowing to visit Fern the next day to take back the circlet. Another day that's ending, another gloomy morning to look forward to. But this time, you had a mission to accomplish.

[bogkeep]

Completely random question I know. But if the Iphimery royal family had a family board/card game night who of the currently existing royals would be best at which types of games?

FUN AND INTERESTING QUESTION....... let's see if i can. wring my brain for some Thoughtse on this. i absolutely do not have the bandwidth to worldbuild iphimeric board games so i'm just gonna substitute with irl games.

(also the royals i haven't designed yet DO exist but their shapes are still so vaporous in my mind i will let them take the time they need to crystallize)

- the queen is superior in all strategical longform games like risk and settlers of catan. i don't actually know these games very well because i can't even handle the idea of playing them but i IMAGINE they require BRAIN LOGICS and STRATEGY and PLANNING and adafera is really good at that. she's just got a really sharp mind for it that she hones like a fine blade on a regular basis. nobody wants to play these games with her because she just outmatches everyone instantly and it takes all the fun out of it. it is, however, a very fun time to invite an unsuspecting ambassador or another important political figure to a game night and watch them get destroyed.

- alphecca is like, ACTUALLY good at these games too, but they ALSO have a habit of overthinking it a little too far. it's like, they think the perfect strategy to win, but then they KEEP thinking, and have thus overcomplicated their plans and ideas to the point where they just start losing. if they had a little bit more confidence in their gut instincts...! they do a lot better in card games, but not card games that require bluffing, and only turn based card games and not the fast grabby stress ones. also yahtzee. they have ridiculous dice luck and they do not trust it.

- aljanah is good at the bluffy card games as well as the dice games. he COULD be sharp at longform strategy games as well, but those take EFFORT so he prefers to find troll strategies that don't let him win necessarily, but are massively annoying to others and entertaining to him. he has pretty nimble hands for fast games that don't wait on turns as well, and it's a lot easier to drag him into those. he hates waiting for turns So Much. it's also worth noting he takes his role as family dissappointment very seriously and his goal is to either 1) not participate in game night or 2) ruin game night for everyone else. do not EVER play uno with aljanah if you value your sanity.

- adhila has a lot of bravado and shit luck in games. she is pretty good at Fast Games that require quick short-term thinking. she takes every game VERY SERIOUSLY and will, 9 out of 10 times, end up in a heated rivalry with her brother aljanah who is obviously playing just to rile her up. if she is able to focus on her goals she is a formidable player, but she always gets so swept up in getting back at aljanah. her PRIDE IS AT STAKE. HER HONOR. HER NAME. i would say she's an overall all-rounder, but i think she would love some of my personal fav boardgames that i have from czech - one called 'gold castle' (zlatohrad) and one called 'dragon heart' (dračí srdce). also carcassonne and citadel and yknow what if it's got castles she's into it.

- they would also invite florence fable to game nights sometimes if they can coax him out of whatever project he's deep into! he's a chess guy. he'll even beat queen adafera at chess. how much of a danger he is in more multiplayer games will depend largely on how invested he is. if he's just there to chill and be social he will just go with the flow and sort of hang back and let the drama between aljanah and adhila unfold like a personal theatre show, while his mind is still occupied with Engineering Project. but if he feels properly challenged and enriched he will meticulously take apart his opponents piece by piece and they won't even know until it's too late. it's a roll of the dice what you'll get at any given night haha