#i love having archers that are a death sentence.

[orcelito]

My favoritism is Obvious

Tfw I spent all the rest of my money buying bow upgrades for The Boy

In an entirely predictable move, I'm pretty sure he's my favorite

[wangxianficfinder]

Fic Finder

Sep 5th

~*~

1. Hello :)

I'm looking for this fic where lwj, jwy and maybe some others use wwx's inventions to travel back in time to before wwx was brought to yunmeng after wwx died and both lwj and jwy have all these plans to make wy's life better. lwj wants to bring him to gusu while jwy is planning to make his mother treat him better.

But, plot twist, the years pass and wwx hasn't been found and the time travellers start theorising that because it was his invention, maybe it pulled him back w/ them. later on, my is killed further establishing their theory that wy is alive and avoiding them. this goes on for years until the wen discussion conference when the top shooter is an archer from the wen sect named wei ying. the closing line of this fic was jwy, lwj and the others thinking that the sunshot campaign has been lost before it even started.

Also, there was a flashback showing that wrh's spirit had lingered after his death and he saw everything that happened after. so, when he saw them making the time travel array, he entered and went back with them. also, he was the one who killed my, I think by slitting his throat.

I don't remember if this was a multi chapter fic or not (I'm only like 60% sure it was), but I remember one of the author's notes saying that while jwy is saying that he'll make his mother treat wwx better this time, he knows deep down that this isn't true and that his form of love is selfish.

Hi again. I'm #1 from the sept 5th fic finder and I'm sorry, but it wasn't sunset, sunrise. It was more jwy-centric, and it's implied that wrh is still planning a war

NOT FOUND! Sunset, Sunrise by Ariana Deralte (ArianaDeralte) (T, 41k, WWX & WRH, WangXian, WIP, Time Travel Fix-It, Crack, Temporary Character Death, sorry I killed a-Yuan for a few paragraphs before the time travel, WWX is a Wen, Genius WWX, WRH gets to rewatch the series as a treat, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, in this house we acknowledge that all the sects have flaws, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, WWX Has ADHD, Bad Parents JFM & YZY, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Autistic LWJ)

FOUND? Lost Oppurtunities by Scarlet914 (T, 5k, JC & LWJ, WWX & WRH, Canon Divergence, Time Travel Fix-It, JC Needs a Hug, Sad JC, JC is Bad at Feelings, JC-centric, Golden Core Reveal, Sad LWJ, Sad LXC, BAMF WWX, YLLZ WWX, POV WRH, Qishan Wen Sect Wins the Sunshot Campaign, Gusu Lan Sect, YZY Bashing, Bad Parent YZY, Mentioned JYL, One-Sided WangXian, WWX is a Wen, Inventor WWX, Genius WWX)

~*~

2. hi thank you for all you do! i’m looking for a fic that starts during the cloud recess arc. wei ying steals lan zhan’s clothes/blankets and makes a nest on his bed? and lan zhan notices someone is stealing his laundry but doesn’t immediately realize it’s wei ying? @hashtagad

FOUND! this mattress is a desert island by bbyminmaki (E, 19k, wangxian, A/B/O, no sunshot au, mating cycles/heat, nesting, omega WWX, alpha LWJ, getting together, scenting, pining, friends to lovers)

~*~

3. Hello! I have a request for ficfinder!

I don't remember much about it, but Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian were married (it was not post canon) and Wei Wuxian was walking in the woods at Cloud Recesses without his sword, and Su She attacked him. Wwx was able to dodge Su She's attacks. Su She was insulting Wwx and his relationship with Lwj, and Wwx was taunting him for being jealous. But then Lan Xichen showed up and was really angry at Su She. I think Su She got exiled and Wwx was kind of uncomfortable with that punishment, but the Lans were like "he attacked an unarmed person in the woods, even if you weren't married to Lwj, exile is a light sentence." I cannot for the life of me remember anything else about that fic, just that I think it was kind of long?

Thank you all so much!

FOUND! 🧡 Stunted, Starving Juvenility by TomatenMark (E, 859k, WangXian, WIP, Fix-it of sorts, Talisman master WWX, Not JFM Friendly, Study Arc, Getting together, Fluff and Angst, Engagement) They aren't married yet when that happens, but very engaged.

~*~

4. Hi! This is for fic finder. Ithink this fic is about LWJ and WWX in arranged marriage. I think its for LWJ protection (? Not sure about this part). Then WWX is sent to a war but failed to come back and declared as dead. LWJ become a widow (it is a correct term?). Because he is still young, many pressed him to remarried, but he use a griefing period to avoid that. I think he write a poem and become famous because of those romantic poem and ballad using a fake name. And then near the end there are a negotiation to exchange prisoner and WWX is not one of them (?) It was revealed that someone want him dead and dont want him be rescued (i think it was yxy?). A yuan, who should not be there tells lwj about wwx. Wwx then rescued and the three of them in the inn. As wwx rest there, JWY visited and talked. Lwj then bring wwx and a yuan to his house in capital. I think there are a sheep/goat involved?. Wwx healed but there are some injuries that cant be fully healed. I think because of that he cant do something he was proud of doing. I dont remeber if it was his hand or leg or maybe his eyes?. I think then lqr teach wwx something. Thats all i can remember. Thanks

FOUND! ❤️ Where the nightingales are singing, and a white moon beams. by Moominmammashandbag (M, 52k, wangixan, jin zixuan & lan wangji, no powers au, grief/mourning, aftermath of war, angst w/ happy ending, reunions, fluff & smut)

~*~

5. Hiiii, can u pls help me find a fuc where lwj plays cleansing gor wwx coz if he does that wwx will be free of resentful energy but his body is literally held together by resentful energy so it almost kills him but wen qing saves him and the core secret is also revealed. Pleaseeree help me find it, thanks!

FOUND? 🧡 decay by antebunny (G, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Angst, Misunderstandings, Miscommunication, Fix-It, Angst with a Happy Ending, the fluffiest ending, Hurt/Comfort)

FOUND?🔒A Heart Undying by NonsensicalRambling (M, 114k, WangXian, Undead WWX, Canon-Typical Violence, canon-typical dead things the burial mounds, Fix-It of Sorts, Canon Divergence, Eventual WangXian, No Yīn Tiger Seal, Morally Gray WWX, Animals Eating People, WWX's questionable choices, Morally conflicted LWJ, Oblivious WWX, WWX Creates a Sect | Yiling Wei, YLLZ WWX, Sect Leader WWX, LWJ & WQ have an Understanding)

~*~

6. Hi! For the fic finder

I have scoured ao3 dark lan zhan tag and similar but I still can't find this fic. I remember Lan Zhan gets like cursed (i think he got the curse from a junior accidentally) and the curse like lowers his self control and amplifies darker urges so he takes wei ying to a cottage to live his domestic dreams but at some point wwx realizes lwj is isolating them and wwx tries to trick him to send a letter to lan sizhui. This doesn't work abd LWJ doesn't realize he is cursed. The curse like hides the mark too i think?? It ends happily I think.

I wonder if I'm mixing fics or it's been deleted bc I just can't seem to find it?? Thank you in anycase!

FOUND! Clouded by diamondbruise (M, 15k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Getting Together, Case Ficish, Curses, Dark LWJ, It's a curse, Dubcon Kissing, Jealousy, Sharing a Bed, Angst with a Happy Ending, Dubious Consent, no sex in this fic just in general)

~*~

7. Hi! This is for fic finder. Qin Su ressurected someone (either wwx or jyl im not sure but i think it was wwx). Whoever in that body now do qin su duty and trying to make her own power without jgy knowing. And then there was a flood. She help people there as expected, but she do her duty too competent. JGY now suspect it was not QS in that body and confront her. Thats all i can remember. Thank you! @idontknowwhattowriteforusername

NOT FOUND!🔒Everyanything by deliciousblizzardshark, lingeringdust (E, 46k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Franken-canon, Gender Identity, Gender Dysphoria, Trans WWX, Protective LWJ, Accidental Baby Acquisition, tCanon-Typical Misogyny, Fluff and Angst, Vaginal Sex, Canon-Typical Major Character Death)

NOT FOUND! the problem with authority by isabilightwood (M, 139k, wangxian, qingli, Canon Divergence, Sacrifice Summon, slightly dark!JYL, wq lives because i said so, Angst with a Happy Ending, Chronic Pain, Mild Sexual Content, Top/Bottom Versatile | Switch WangXian, manipulative relationship (background xiyao))

~*~

8. Hello! I'm trying to remember the name of a long fic where wx are hooking up, no relationship. Wwx will come to lwj's super nice modern apartment, they'll have sex in lwj's big modern bed with a moving headboard that exposes restraints and then after wwx will take a bath and sleep in the guest room. Does this ring any bells?

FOUND? A Sure Thing by vesna (mrsronweasley) (E, 95k, WangXian, Modern, Sugar Daddy, Sex Work, Light Dom/sub, Aftercare, Semi-Public Sex, Exhibitionism, Bondage, use of sex toys, boundary setting, Relationship Negotiation, many baths, Barebacking)

FOUND? show me a quiver, give me tonight by spookykingdomstarlight (E, 115k, wangxian, lwj/others, communication failure, mutual pining, artists, demisexual wwx, angst w/ happy ending)

~*~

9. please help oh wonderful mods : a favorite Cloud Recesses Study AU with injured talisman genius Wy, ace Jin Zixuan, good mother Jin, WY explodes badguy Wen’s heads - couldnt find it again!! @oldoni

FOUND! 🧡 To have and to hold by Moominmammashandbag (M, 78k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Major character injury, CQL verse, Happy Ending)

~*~

10. hi i’m looking for a fic i read a long time ago. it was a post-canon jc & wwx reconciliation fic. i believe it was jc and an oc jiang disciple on a night hunt where they ran into wangxian who were also working on that case. i remember there was some sort of misunderstanding regarding this (i think he found some letter?) but not the exact details of it. one scene i remember clearly was jc finding out wangxian were married and being a little hurt that he wasn’t invited. after they opened up, wwx told him he was there for it and when jc realized he meant the two bows in the jiang ancestral hall, he said smth like jyl would be rolling in her grave and demands a proper ceremony i think @nalalie

FOUND!🔒asunder by alessandriana (M, 51k, JC & WWX, JC & LWJ, WangXian, Post-Canon, Hurt/Comfort, Whump, Twin Prides of Yunmeng Dynamics, Reconciliation, Golden Core Reveal, Violence, Implied/Referenced Torture, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Child Death, Case Fic)

~*~

11. Hello to fic finder so here's what I'm trying to search for I remember it as a podfic and I remember it was in Lan zhan POV I think and it was like him thinking about wei ying leaving the cloud recesses soon and I remember one Pacific scene where Wei ying was teaching the baby Lan how to sew their clothes

FOUND? [Podfic] And Yet Here You Are by zaffre (T, 1-1.5H, WangXIan, Post-Canon, Domestic Fluff, Location: Cloud Recesses, settling down, LWJ needs a hug, Separation Anxiety, Teacher WWX, People being nice to wwx is my kink, And probably lwj's kink too huh, very light angst, Chief Cultivator LWJ, And Yet Here You Are by cosmicmilktea)

~*~

12. hi! i’m looking for a fic where lan zhan has a type of hanahaki where he has a tree/plant growing roots in his back that he removes a few times. i believe he also worked with textile production and the fic itself had a very stylized writing and was quite angsty. thank you!!

FOUND? The Roots Grow Riotous by hansbekhart (E, 104k, wangxian, modern, fashion au, garment company, casual sex, group sex, implied/referenced cheating, switching, recreational drug use, angst w/ happy ending, single dad WWX, panic attacks, implied/referenced self-harm, grief/mourning, catharsis, body horror, floral horror) is the absolute masterpiece , Roots Grow Riotious by Hans Bekhart , it's taken off ao3. however I have a copy and I've gotten permission to share from the author, DM your email so I can send you a pdf. @/the-marathon-continues-nip

~*~

13. Guys~ I love u blog and am so desperate so I will cut to the chase:

There was this wangxian time travel fic where they meet their younger selfs and go back again. I think it was 7 chapters. Pov was mostly LZ (Young and old) and young Lz was confused about why he "didn't" marry Wwx ( Wwx introduced himself as mo xuanyu)

Hanguang-jun’s Husband by lilacevergarden (T, 6k, Time Travel, post-canon wangxian being disgustingly in love, wwx bullying teenage wangxian, Yeah that’s it, Jealous WWX)

~*~

14. Hello, hope you’re doing well! I’m asking about a fic I read a while back. Lan Zahn and Wei Ying meet as children, but Lan Zahn doesn’t take him back to the cloud recesses. Instead, years later, they meet during the disciples visit to Gusu. Lan Wangji remembers Little Wei Ying as Wei Wuxian, but Wei Ying has no memory of him.

Highlights include drunk lan wangji with other disciples, su she getting punished for trying to assault lan wangji, and more I don’t remember. I read this in 2019, so my memory is pretty spotty.

It’s probably been deleted, but I really enjoyed this one. Thanks for your help. @myshallweplay

FOUND? Sun on a rainy day by MiiMi (M, 194k, WangXian, Canon Divergence, Childhood Memories, Childhood Friends, Idiots in Love, Happy Ending, First Love, Fluff and Smut, Angst, Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Reversible Couple, Bottom LWJ, Top WWX, WangXian/XianWang, XiCheng, Top LWJ, Bottom WWX)

~*~

15. Hello! I'm looking for a Wangxian fanfic. It took place in a modern au. LWJ and WWN's entire family were gathered for a barbecue, and Wangxian was fighting. There is a moment when Lan Wangji is about to eat something spicy, and Wei Wuxian stops him from eating, but they continue to fight. I remember that at some point, Wei Wuxian is eating this spicy dish, and Lan Wangji gets up to kiss him. And horrified by this situation, Jiang Yanli spills a glass of wine on Lan Wangji's shirt. I remember the story ended with Wei Wuxian saying that her husband was a knight with him and them going away to clean Wangji's shirt @a-ghostking

~*~

17. This is probably some sort of canon divergence, not post-canon. I think it might take place somewhere after WWX busts out the Wens but before the shit hits the fan. Anyway, the specific detail we're working with here: WWX asks how the yin iron pieces were destroyed, please don't say you just chucked them in the volcano, then tells the sect leaders they fucked up and Qishan is going to explode with resentment if something is not done soon. Thank you 🖤 @linderel

I don't believe I've read this before, and I'm pretty sure the fic I'm looking for was neither crack (treated seriously or otherwise) nor time travel, but I'll certainly mark it down for later!

NOT FOUND! 🧡 built by the fires of volcanoes by isabilightwood (T, 26k, wangxian, time travel, crack treated seriously, canon divergence, fluff & humor)

FOUND! 🔒In search of safety by SomeDumbGuy (M, 22k, One-Sided WangXian, Canon Divergence, Angst, Hurt No Comfort, Incomplete Fix-It, Unreliable Narrator, JZX Lives, distruction of the yin tiger seal, Is it still hurt/comfort if it's comfort then hurt?, Blood and Gore) Here is a quote from chapter 3: “What do you have on the destruction of the Yin Iron at Nightless City?” Wei Wuxian asked. “We don’t have anything. It was thrown into the lava in the aftermath of the battle,” Lan Xichen replied.

~*~

18. Hello

I'm looking for a fic published @ 2020 or so

Idk if it was dark lwj, but at the meal in Yiling, LWJs inner monologue was very critical, on how Yuan had no manners and the Wens were very bad for WWX.

Wwx might've also been outwardly hostile, but put up w it for the food @midnightlighthowlite

~*~

19. Hiii, hope you're having a nice day :)) i was searching for a certain fic in which both wei wuxian and lan wangji are assassins and housemates. They both dont know that the other is an assassin too but they keep coming across on their missions.(i think they were competing and sometimes lan zhan was just watching wei ying do his job? idk) i remember wei wuxian accidentally revealing his identity by talking?? Something like that! Hope you can find it bc i've been searching for it nonstoppp T-T anywayss thank u in advancee!!! @for13years-i-play-inquiry-foryou

FOUND? silhouettes to steal this night by moonsteps (T, 51k, WangXian, Graphic Depictions of Violence, Modern, Assassins & Hitmen, Roommates, Rivals to Lovers, Fluff and Angst, Identity Porn, Violence, Blood and Injury, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, Secret Identity)

~*~

20. Hi! This is for fic finder. Its modern with magic (i think? Because the tech is not showed much) and single parent wwx. I think that lwj is sent by an institution to make wwx accept a contract to familiar because he didnt have a familiar for years and usually people who didnt have a familiar for yearst went crazy/died (i think it was a familiar. Not sure about that). In wwx house, lwj meet lsz. He then tried to confince lsz to study in institution. After that, i dont remember much. I think lsz transform and became a dog that kinda declared to the world that he is a wen. Lsz is left by wq as a baby and found by wwx. Wwx then raised lsz. I think they have a cat (or crow) that reminded wwx of wq. Lwj found out the reason why wwx didnt go crazy/die is because wwx make a clone of himself and killed it. Lwj found the corpses in wwx's backyard in a grave. That grave is near a tree. Long story short, at the end of the story, it was implied that wwx faked his death with jyl, jwy, jzx, and lwj help and moved to england (?). Thank you! @idontknowwhattowriteforusername

FOUND! Howling by MimiSpearmint (E, 40k, WangXian, Modern with Magic, Mortal Instruments Fusion, Horror, Eldritch, Domestic Fluff, Single Parent WWX, Witchcraft, Getting Together, shifter!lwj, yllz!wwx, Intercrural Sex, Hand Jobs, Angst with a Happy Ending, Switch WangXian, a bit of a degradation kink, anti-STI sex talismans, Anal Sex, Oral Sex)

~*~

[holdmytesseract]

moodboard by the wonderful @chennqingg <3

Taking Risks [EoH]

Daryl Dixon x fem!Reader feat. Teddy & Marlo

Summary: A group including Daryl leaves to face the Reapers and to bring back food - much to your dislike. A few fearful days are ahead of you...

Warnings: TWD stuff, angst, tooth-rotting fluff, dad!Daryl, swear words

The Commonwealth Era!

Word Count: 2,6k

a/n: I absolutely love this! I hope y'all are gonna like it as well! 🤗

EoH Masterlist °☆• Daryl Masterlist °☆• Masterlist

"I am honestly not convinced by that plan," you said; crossing your arms over your chest and looking in the round. "Well, we don't have much of a choice, do we? Our people will starve, if we're not going to get that food," Maggie reasoned - and you understood her. Of course you did. You knew what was on the line, but- "I'll go." Your thoughts got interrupted by your husband's voice. You looked up at him, to where he sat across the table on a chair and giving him a questioning and shocked look. "So do I." Gabriel was the next who spoke up; willing to accompany Maggie. And faster than you were even able to say something, it was decided... The group around Maggie, a few of her people, Alden, Negan, Gabriel and Daryl would leave tomorrow morning.

You watched Daryl heading out of the visibly marked conference cabin, the others which were convinced by the idea following. Only you, Rosita, Aaron and Carol stayed behind; all of you against Maggie's proposition and not amused at all - but also knowing that you weren’t able to change their minds.

You took a deep breath, exchanged a worried glance with your friends and left as well; quickly following Daryl. You assumed he was on his way back to your shared house. Logically thinking that he'd immediately prepare his things for the mission - and you were right.

"Daryl," you addressed him; standing in the doorway of your bedroom and watching him packing his backpack. "You can't be serious about that. We both know that this is a suicide mission! If it's true what Maggie told us about the Reapers - which I highly believe, you all are most likely running straight into your death!" Your husband grunted and grumbled in response; throwing a flashlight into his backpack. "Don't ya think I know that, Y/N? I know damn well that tis is dangerous, but we ain't havin' another choice, don't ya see? I ain't lettin' you, the kids and our friends starve." Dog, who laid on the bed watched his parents fight, his eyes darting from Daryl to you and back; wincing softly.

You closed your eyes for a moment; taking a deep breath. "Yes, but... Fuckin' hell, Daryl, we'll find another way! We always do! What if you're getting killed, huh?! What do I tell our sons?!" Your last sentence caused Daryl to stop dead in his movements. He looked over his shoulder; seeing the tears gathering in your eyes. You didn't want him to go.

His face softened, "Y/N..." and he let the bag fall carelessly to the ground, before walking over to you. The archer's hands found your waist and gently pulled you against his body; forcing you to rest your hands against his chest. "I ain't goin' to die. I told ya before and I'll tell ya again... I'll always come back to ya and our boys. I promise."

A single tear ran down your face. "If you don't, I-" "I will, sunshine. Ain't lettin' these bastards take me away from ma family." You answered nothing, just slung your arms around your husband's neck; hugging him. Daryl engulfed your smaller frame; holding you close against his body.

On the next morning - the sun had barely risen, you stood with little Marlo on your arm at the gates towards your home; saying goodbye to your husband. Since it was still quite early and the boy had been too tired to get dressed, you quickly wrapped him up in a way too big jacket and decided on carrying him around - even though he got quite heavy now after a longer period of time. Your youngest had turned already four this year, so no wonder...

Marlo was still halfway dozing off in your arms; head resting on your shoulder. You managed to hold him with one arm from time to time, so that you could run a reassuring hand through his short, Y/H/C curls. Teddy stood close beside you; the teenager watching his father leave as well.

Once everyone was ready and everything packed, Daryl stepped over to you and the boys. You immediately went to hug him, but carefully; sandwiching Marlo between the both of you. "'M gonna be back soon." You just nodded against his shoulder; still not really okay with what he - hence, what all of them were about to do. Then Daryl leaned in for a kiss, which you granted him, of course. "I love ya," he whispered against your lips. "I love you, too." Your voice was shaky; already close to crying again. You didn't want to be this weak and you actually weren't. You just hated to see the man you love leave. You always did, but this time especially.

Daryl's gaze drifted to the sleeping Marlo on your arms. He smiled; cupped the boy's head and pressed a lingering kiss against his cheek.

Last but definitely not least, he turned to Teddy, and without even blinking wrapped the teenager up in a hug - which he gladly returned. "Let me go with ya, dad. I can help. I-I know how to fight." Daryl pulled back and laid both his palms on Teddy's shoulders; shaking his head. "I know ya can. You're strong, buddy and a damn good fighter, but... Nah. I ain't lettin' my son put his life on the line. I need ya ta stay here. Fight for your home. Look after your lil' brother and the other kids, okay? Protect 'em." Teddy nodded; blue-greyish eyes meeting his similar ones. "I will, dad. I promise." Daryl gave Teddy a smile, which the young man returned, before hugging him once more.

After saying goodbye to his friends and of course Judith and RJ, it was time to go. "Dog! C'mon, boy!" The faithful canine let out a loud bark, before following Daryl through the gates.

You couldn't sleep that night. Not at all. Your mind constantly wandering towards Daryl; hoping that this would go well. Tossing and turning in the empty, way too big and cold bed, you gave up. You sat up and searched blindly for the little package of matchsticks; burning the candle which stood on your bedside table. Running a hand over your face and through your hair, you took a deep breath. The scent of Daryl's worn sweatshirt gave you at least a little comfort and caused you to get quite a bit lost in the moment - until you heard small footsteps approaching.

Seems like you weren't the only one who couldn't sleep.

According to the sound of the steps, you were pretty sure that it was Marlo; making his way to your bedroom. Last time you checked on your boys, the little one had snuck into the bed of his big brother and ended up sleeping cuddled against his side. Well, apparently not anymore...

Throwing the blanket aside, you stood up and made your way to the door; cautiously - not to scare Marlo, opening it. You looked down the hallway and saw the flicker of a flashlight heading your way. "Marlo?" You whisper-yelled; trying to get your son's attention. It worked. The flicker of the light moved faster towards you, until Marlo rounded the corner and came to stand straight in front of you. "Mommy..."

You immediately squatted down to be on eye-level with him. His hair was a total mess and his pyjama slightly crinkled. "Baby, why are you up, huh?" You asked; brushing his curls back. "Can't sleep. I miss daddy." Your heart threatened to break at your son's words.

"I know, peanut. I miss him, too." You gave him a half smile and took the boy in your arms. It was a hug Marlo definitely needed.

"Wanna sleep in mine and daddy's bed tonight?" The boy nodded. "Uh.Huh." You smiled, "Come on then." and lifted your son up to carry him inside the bedroom; closing the door behind yourself. "Is your big brother still sleeping?" Again the boy nodded. "Good... At least one of us is able to sleep..." You muttered under your breath and sat Marlo down on the bed. He immediately crawled underneath the covers, and as you joined him, cuddled against your side. You welcomed him with open arms, blew out the candle again and pressed a kiss on Marlo's head.

The combination of being snuggled against you; safe and protected in your arms, and the smell of his father on the sweatshirt you wore, seemed to help the little boy sleep in peacefully. As for you, you still had trouble sleeping... Each following night Daryl wasn't there.

The heavy storm which hit Alexandria was for sure a distraction, but not a very welcomed one... After a night of trying to fix damages in the wall and fighting off intruding walkers, you were more than just exhausted and utterly frustrated. The storm hadn't quite helped your situation and brought more damage than resurrection. You just were glad that everybody had made it out alive... Especially all the kids.

"Y/N, go home and please for God's sake have a nap. You're exhausted. I can tell," Rosita came to stand beside you with little Coco on her arms, as you were helping clear the 'former' Grimes house from all the dead walkers. With a sigh, you dropped the body beside the pile of other bodies; turning to Rosita.

"When was the last time you had a healthy amount of sleep?" You shrugged your shoulders. "Four or five days ago? I dunno..." Your friends face twisted in concern. "It's because of Daryl, right?" You just nodded. "Just can't switch my brain off... 'M worried." Rosita gave you a compassionate look and leaned in to hug you - carefully, not to hurt Coco.

"I'm worried, too. I just hope the price to get this food isn't too high..." You relished in your friend's comfort; nodding once more. "Yeah, I hope so, too."

After retreating from the hug, Rosita demanded again that you should rest. In the end, you gave in; feeling the exhaustion crawl up on you. That was probably the reason why you didn't even make it to the bedroom and just passed out on the sofa; your body forcing you to sleep now.

You slept for hours; almost through the whole day - and Teddy let you, of course. The teenager knew exactly how much you needed this. He wasn't stupid after all. Plus, he had absolutely no problem with looking after his little brother.

Therefore, you did not notice how the gates got opened and the survivors of the dangerous mission returned with the food. Well, until...

"Mom..." You felt a hand on your shoulder; gently trying to shake you awake. "Mom... They're back!"

Teddy's soft voice managed to wake you up; slowly blinking your eyes open, you sat up. "They're back?" You were still a little sleepy; your brain needing a few moments to process your son's words. "Yes, they're back." Once your brain did catch up, your eyes widened; heart rate picking up immediately. "A-And your father? Is he...?" Teddy started to smile brightly; nodding. A relieved breath left your lungs. "Thank god..."

Teddy gave you another sweet smile - the same his father would give you, and nodded to the door. "Go, mom. I'll get Marlo." You returned the smile, of course, and immediately stood up. After pressing a lingering kiss against your son's forehead, you rushed towards the door. As fast as your legs could carry you, you sprinted down the street and straight towards Alexandria's community hall.

A little carriage stood in front of the visibly demolished house by the Whisperer; filled with wooden boxes. Food, you assumed. Beside the carriage stood a lot of people already; all welcoming the survivors home. Your heart sunk at the fact that a lot of them didn't make it back, but then you saw your husband...

He was sweeping up Judith and RJ in a hug, after they had ran to their 'uncle'; happy to see him. You were beyond happy as well, of course. Tears stung in your eyes as you watched him; heart hammering against your chest in sheer joy.

"Daryl!" You almost yelled; a tear rolling down your cheek. Hearing you calling out his name, the archer lifted his head; blue-greyish eyes immediately searching for you. Once he found you, he gave Jude and RJ a last squeeze, before letting go of them and quickly walking over to you.

You met him halfway; throwing yourself into his strong arms. Daryl lifted you off the ground with a sweet grunt; holding you close against his body. "You're back," you whispered through tears and buried your face in his neck; inhaling his scent.

"'Course 'm back. Promised ya I'll always come back to ya, sunshine." He did, indeed. You giggled, still crying and only cuddled closer; clinging onto him.

After what felt like an eternity, he slowly let you down again; his hands still resting on your hips. You looked up to meet his gaze; palms on his shoulders. "You okay, sweetie? You aren't hurt are you?" You asked; immediately scanning his body for injuries. The archer only shook his head and gave you a small smile. "'M fine, Y/N."

You nodded, "Good..." and cupped your husband's cheeks; his stubble scratching your skin. Daryl got the hint, of course, and dipped his head to capture your lips with his in a sweet, yet desperate kiss. You relished in the touch of his lips; feeling how all the worries and fears of the past few days left your body.

You had him back in your arms.

"Mom, dad, c'mon, there are children present," Teddy's amused voice caused the bubble you and Daryl had been in to burst. Your lips were leaving his with a soft pop, as you turned in your man's embrace, seeing your sons standing a few meters away from. Your oldest looked at you with a crooked smile on his face. Your littlest was standing in front of his big brother. In one hand, Teddy held Marlo's hand and with the other he covered the young boy's eyes.

This sight caused you to giggle and Daryl to blush.

"Teddy!" Marlo started to squeal then; trying to claw at his big brother's hand which was still shielding his view. "Wanna see daddy!" The teenager immediately took his hand out of the younger boy's face. "Sorry, peanut. Go ahead."

Marlo blinked a few times; needing to reorientate himself first. But when his Y/E/C eyes landed on his father, there was no holding back anymore. "Daddy!" Marlo started to sprint towards you and Daryl with a big smile on his face and Y/H/C curls bouncing. Marlo didn't care in the slightest, that he almost stumbled a few times over his dad's angel-winged vest he wore, because the leather garment was way too big for his kid body. The archer had left it for Marlo; knowing that he loved to wear it and perhaps helped his little boy to not miss him that much. It worked. It always worked.

Daryl let go of you and knelt down; arms wide open for his son to run into - and Marlo did. "Daddy!" The force of the young boy's hug almost caused Daryl to lose his balance. He wrapped him up in a tight hug; feeling his aching heart healing again. He had missed his family terribly as well.

"Hi, peanut. Ya missed yer dad?" Marlo nodded big times; his little arms looped tightly around Daryl's neck. "I missed ya too, lil' one. And..." The archer stood up with Marlo still wrapped up in his arms and walked over to his eldest; placing his free hand on Teddy's shoulder. "...I missed ya as well, buddy." Teddy smiled; wrapping an arm around Daryl in a half hug. "Missed you too, dad."

You always hated separations. It was never not a hard thing to do - but the reunions were worth all the worries and fears.

Tags: @angelwings-crossbowstrings @mayday2007 @erebus-et-eigengrau @dixons-sunshine @km-ffluv @secretsicanthideanymore @fictive-sl0th @belitoxx @marvelcasey05 @loz-3 @mischief-dream @whore4romance @stitchintimefan @bigbaldheadname @making-the-most-0f-it @0-aubrie0 @sweetz1919 @mikaela-granger @dilfdixon @txtttttttttttttt @stiveroon @cakesandtom

[royboyfanpage]

Hi, I love your page! What are your thoughts on Roy and Connor's relationship?

Hi! Thank you so much, I'm glad you like my posts :) and thank you sososo much for this ask, I love Roy and Connor's relationship and I'm glad I have an opportunity to talk about them. Sorry it's taken me all day to answer, but here you go :)

Short answer? That's his little brother.

Long answer?

I know that "fanon Batfam is canon Arrowfam" is tired and overused, but I really do think that, especially with Roy and Connor, there is some truth to it. While they haven't had too many interactions in canon, there's still a clear arc their relationship takes which I really like.

I don't like Chuck Dixon's Green Arrow run, obviously he's a shitty person but also his writing just isn't for me, but one of the few parts of it I did enjoy was Connor's first meeting with Roy in Green Arrow (1988) #97, prior to Ollie's death. It first establishes one of the most present themes in their relationship, which is the differences in relation to Ollie, and the contrasting experiences of being their father's sons. Roy's the son who grew up with Ollie, he knows him personally, the good and the bad, but his status as Ollie's son is still constantly in question, you can see it back in Longbow Hunters, Ollie calls Roy his son but still denies that that word has meaning ("Roy's a hell of a kid, but he's not mine. Not really.") Whereas Connor, there's never been any doubt that he's Ollie's son, he's his flesh and blood, but he never knew Ollie until he was already in adulthood. He knows Oliver Queen through magazines, but not personally. That's why when Ollie storms off after finding out he's Connor's dad Connor's shocked, but Roy isn't surprised when he hears that from Connor. He knows Ollie, and he knows how his fears of commitment would make him act. While this is only a minor theme of those specific issues where they first met, Roy helping Connor understand what it means to be Oliver Queen's son is one of my favourite parts of their later interaction.

After Ollie's death, there is some tension between Roy and Connor, particularly around Connor joining the JLA in Ollie's place and becoming the new Green Arrow, first mentioned in Teen Titans (1996) #12-

-which is later expanded on in Arsenal #2.

This is really the first time we see Roy and Connor have a heart to heart, and it shows Roy's inferiority complex. Due to tumblr photo limit I can't show more pages for this, but I think the one I chose is the most poignant because, at least in my eyes, it shows the insecurities both of them have in terms of their relation to Ollie, and how each of them address that. Roy's loud, he'll openly speak his mind and say what he feels, and that's why it's primarily about him (that and that it's his mini and Connor's a guest). Roy openly admits feeling inferior to Connor in his position as Ollie's son, even after Ollie's death. Connor, he's quieter about it, and gets spoken over by Roy before he can actually talk about his feelings (which is a pretty consistent problem Connor faces where people expect him to listen but not talk). But you can still see it in his body language, the shadow over his face looking downwards, and while he isn't allowed to finish his sentence you can still tell what he's about to say, that Roy's more of Ollie's son than he is. They both know that the other hasn't actually done anything, but they're not to blame for each feeling their own individual emotions.

They also address the topic of legacy in relation to Ollie in #3, and how there's this unspoken standard to live up to that neither of them ever really can. Roy's Ollie's mentee, his protege, he should be Ollie's legacy, and yet he's not Green Arrow, he's not in the JLA, and he's still coming in second place. Whereas Connor, he is Green Arrow, he's Ollie's legacy, he's in the JLA, but he's a better martial artist than archer.

I wish they'd gotten more opportunities to interact while Ollie was dead because there was SO much potential for them during that period, but alas.

And now, I get to talk about one of my top five comics ever: Boys' Night Out, Green Arrow (2001) #32. Yeah, sure, the whole issue only happened because Ollie wanted Connor out of the house, but it's also the first comic to really explore the brotherly relationship between them, particularly in terms of Roy being older. Roy takes Connor bookshopping despite his own boredom-

-And then takes him to a strip club, where they have another heart to heart.

This page specifically is so important to me, because it's one of the few instances where Connor's actually being heard. Particularly in the 2000s but also in the 90s, a lot of Connor's character was defined by him being the voice of reason, the one who'll talk people down and listen to their problems, which ignores the fact that he's actually a pretty young guy, usually younger than the people he's helping (I suck with ages, I'm pretty sure he was 18 when he was first introduced which, by rough estimate using the Lian Method, would make him around 20-22 in the 2000s). I'm not saying that diminishes his emotional intelligence, he's clearly very emotionally intelligent, but it is a lot of pressure to put on someone that young to constantly be the one holding his family together. That's why I think this whole issue is so important for Connor, it's his chance to actually just be, and Roy's the best person for that. Despite what some fanon and canon characterisations suggest, Roy is absolutely not emotionally immature. Hell, you could make a pretty solid argument that part of the reason he took Connor to a strip club in the first place was to bring up the issue of Connor's sexuality. While asexuality wasn't as popularised as a term back then as it is today, the idea of Connor being queer was very present during Green Arrow (2001), albeit often used as a punchline, and while they're there Connor even gets referred to as a "friend of Madonna" by one of the workers. And while in Roy's head Connor was either gay or just had a low libido at that time, his "you're you and Ollie loves you" speech could very easily be interpreted as acceptance of his sexuality, even before Connor himself had figured it out. It acknowledges that, while Connor's good at helping other people work through their own problems, he's still a young person struggling with his identity, not understanding why he's so different to those around him, even his father. And Roy picks up on that, and tells him that it doesn't matter who or what he is, that what matters most is he's Connor, and him being Connor is enough to warrant love and support.

But Roy also doesn't treat Connor any differently to how he'd treat anyone else. When Connor says something Roy disagrees with, he calls him out

And I think Roy's treatment of Connor as an equal is very important. He doesn't depend on him or treat him like he's this pinnacle of wisdom, but he also doesn't coddle him and treat him like a baby. He calls his ass out, when he needs to! Roy's still a very loud and outspoken person, and he's not gonna change that because he and Connor had a heart to heart. I feel like a big problem with a lot of characters who enter into a family dynamic is that sometimes their writers change who they are at their core in order to have them fit into a specific role in the nuclear family, and while yeah, Roy's absolutely playing the role of an older brother in this issue, he's still Roy Harper, which I think is crucial. And conversely, Connor also calls Roy out when he does something he doesn't like!

I'm running low on the photo limit so apologies for the quality of this collage, and I couldn't fit it in frame but for context Roy just knocked out a robber who Connor was trying to talk down. Connor explains to Roy his reasonings, and Roy apologises! I think this also highlights the differences in terms of their characters. They're both very protective of their families, but Roy tends to act first whereas Connor thinks things through. Roy saw Connor with a gun pointed at him and immediately took action, which contrasts Connor's reaction when Roy gets shot in Outsiders #6

Connor's more of a rational thinker in times of crisis, and he tends to try and think things through and avoid rash decisions, whereas Roy's very much an immediate responder if his family's at stake.

And then it ends with them actually acknowledging each other as brothers!

The ending of Boys' Night Out is so important to me, honestly, and it demonstrates one of the most important features of their relationship- trying to figure out what brotherhood means. There's not a big hug at the end, there doesn't need to be. Just an acknowledgement that they're in each others lives, that they're brothers, and it doesn't matter what that means. It's cool. I adore this issue so much, I had to make like half the post about it because it's so good and it's such a good example of why filler issues are needed. Sure, Williamson's run has it's sweet moments, but an issue like this where two characters just get to interact in a low stake scenario will always be so much more impactful than one hug in a big event.

So, yeah, I think my short answer sums it up pretty well. They're the brothers ever.

[cultofdixon]

A peaceful moment

Daryl Dixon • She/Her Pronouns • When the chaos settled, the two finally got to as well…preparing to bring a little one into the new world • ANGST/SFW/NSFW - Nudity • TW: Pregnancy / Anxiety

Requested by: Anon

The archer quietly enters the house expecting no one and nothing going on, and for the most part that was true. He placed his crossbow by the door before making his way to the bedroom. To his surprise his partner was awake and he immediately brought himself up behind her wrapping his arms around her.

“Why are you awake?”

“Why did you come home late?”

“Don’t turn this on me, woman.” Daryl scoffs, pressing a kiss to her shoulder before pulling away about to lay in the bed when he noticed everything scattered on the mattress. “What’s all this?”

“The maps are of the communities. A few books on farming, composting,…uh. Infrastructure…”

“Why yea taking on all this stress when we’ve got somethin’ coming in two months?” The archer pointed to the belly on his now annoyed partner as she tosses the books she was holding onto the mattress, the baby books that Maggie has found/given to her. “Yeah Carol gave me one, but should’ve gone to yea if you had so many”

“Why are they all different! They all have the same scary things that could happen to me or the baby—-LIKE THE APOCALYPSE WASN’T ENOUGH” She snaps only for Daryl to push aside everything on the bed and making her sit down.

“Y/N, everything is different cuz of the apocalypse. But everything right now is fine” Daryl frowns sitting beside her trying to soothe her anxiety by rubbing up and down her leg. “Shouldn’t take on any extra stress, there’s a fuckton of people to take care of everythin’ else”

“I’m usually the one preaching that to you” Y/N giggles for a short lived moment as she looks down at her belly resting her hands on the bump. “…I just..”

“Hm?” Daryl gently nudges her, not receiving the rest of that sentence for a while as he brought himself closer. “Sunshine?”

“It’s just hard…having all this control back when he’s still around” She frowns feeling her hormones get the best of her, making the tears fall on the matter.

“He’s not gonna come anywhere near yea, unless he wants a death wish. You’re safe, we’re safe…he’s locked up and we gotta enjoy these moments”

“Before your attention is only on our son or daughter?”

That made her partner glare for a split second before bringing his arm around her shoulders pulling her in.

“If they’re anythin’ like you, it might be difficult to give yea both my undying love” Daryl jokes listening to her giggle as she smacks his chest.

The next morning came and the static from the radio picked up the voice from the other line. Daryl groans slightly when he heard it go from nothing to a clear voice.

“Daryl? You copy?”

“What” He sighs holding the radio up to his face as he returned to his laying position.

“You helping us today on the runs or the farming plans—-“

“Nope” Daryl cuts him off tossing the radio back on the nightstand before turning away wrapping his arm around Y/N who was half awake for that short lived conversation.

Then the static from another radio made both groan to the sound.

“Y/N, you around? Daryl cut me off. Was it poor connection?” Rick voices came through Y/N’s radio that she only had for emergencies or when she was a bit more involved in the rebuild since the Savior’s war ended. “I could really use him today. So please chime in. He’s most likely—-“ Y/N took her radio, turning her channel off before tossing the radio into her nightstand then returning back on her side already uncomfortable.

“He’s going to come to our door”

“I’ll punch him if he does” Daryl mumbles into her shoulder once he brought himself back against her.

The two slept in for a little while longer until Daryl got up to go make breakfast for his partner. He approaches the front door looking through the peep hole seeing the retired sheriff approaching, only for him to lock the door and continue on with his day.

Once Y/N eventually made her way to the kitchen after smelling something good, even if it took her a few minutes just to get out of bed. She noticed the front door was forcefully opened that when she rounded the corner to see Rick’s apologetic expression along with a red blotch getting worse on his face. She debated turning around and leaving.

“I thought y’all got hurt for ignoring and cutting my channel off”

“So…you broke in…with known residents that have PTSD?”

“When yea put it like that, then I don’t gotta have Daryl apologize for punching me in the face” Rick scoffs as Daryl came into view with a plate of food for Y/N noticing her debating expression.

“I’ll apologize when he fixes the door—-and yea ain’t eating this in bed” Daryl states setting the plate down and smacking Rick’s hand when he tried taking a piece of toast as Y/N quickly (in her own way) swiped the plate and eating her food in the kitchen.

“If y’all wanted a day off. Yea couldve—-“

“I’m seven months pregnant I shouldn’t have to ask”

“And I’m her husband”

“So you don’t have to ask because you’re the baby daddy?” Rick asks as he watches both of them turn toward him with an immediate glare. “Alright. I’ll fix the door tomorrow, give y’all the day” he got up from the table and went on his way, not knowing how he’ll explain the growing bruise on his face to Michonne.

Y/N started to laugh at the situation while eating the breakfast of toast, eggs, and fresh vegetables, Daryl prepared for her. “You should’ve asked, he would’ve said yes”

“I asked Michonne, she should’ve told Rick”

“She was most likely watching Judith, and forgot. I wonder how she’s going to react to the wound on her man”

“Like yea when I’d come back hurt”

“…I do hope Michonne doesn’t kill you, because that’s what I did last time” Y/N reminds Daryl as she brought herself back into the dining room taking a seat.

“She better be as feisty as you are” Daryl sat beside her resting his hand on her belly while she continued to eat.

“Think it’s gonna be a girl?”

“Mmm. I’d like a girl”

“Not a boy?”

“Well, do yea want me to tell yea I’d like one of each with yea when we haven’t even experienced one yet?” Daryl smirks with a bit of a head tilt as Y/N thought about it before smacking his forehead gently with her empty hand. “Yeah. We’ll see if she’s a monster and that’ll determine—-“

“He will not be a monster! May have your attitude but—-“

“Oh I’ve got an attitude?” Daryl leaned back crossing his arms as Y/N gave him a look that made him fold. “Alright. Sometimes. But she’s gonna come out more like yea”

Y/N snickered a bit, setting down the fork as she gestured for him to give her his hand which he did. She immediately places it on the part of her bump that is feeling a lot of the baby’s kicking.

“She is kicking the shit out of me—-and you are a feisty over-protective beast of a man, she’s turning out like you and I’d prefer it”

“So…we are agreeing on she?”

“If you agree on her personality being more like you” Y/N smiles taking another bite out of the tomato.

“She will have my strength, our feistiness, and if she’s over-protective with whatever it may be when she’s around? It could be either you or me” Daryl kept his attention on the baby as they continued to talk.

Once breakfast was done, Y/N made her way to the nursery while Daryl filled her canteen up again before meeting up with her.

“Should we get started on this?”

“Nah, no ‘we’”

“Seriously?” Y/N laughs, taking the offered canteen as she watches her husband push the rocking chair that Ezekiel gifted them into a clear corner. He then gestured her to come sit which she’ll happily do at this stage of the pregnancy.

“You direct and I’ll do. But I gotta get my tools for half of this” Daryl states taking a quick note of everything he’d have to hang up and as he did so, Y/N went through the basket of toys gifted and what Daryl has found on runs. “Alright I’m gonna—-“ he stopped when he noticed Y/N start sobbing while holding a plush bunny.

“Look how cute it is”

“Y/N…”

“It’s gonna be our baby’s! She’s gonna snuggle it at night and cry to you to check for monsters in the closet, reassure her and her bunny.” She continued to sob as she played with the bunny ears on the plush, feeling Daryl’s presence over her as he leans down just enough to wipe away her tears and give her reassuring kisses. “Oh my god we better have a girl”

“And why is that?” He says softly, brushing the hair away from her face and the stray tears.

“Daddy’s little girl…I can just picture it” Y/N smiles through the joyful tears. “This sweet little girl just attaching herself to you…always being held protectively by her daddy…you reading her bedtime stories, checking for monsters under the bed, always making sure she has her favorite plushie with her…you’d even cave when she has nightmares and wants to sleep with us. Her just fast asleep on your chest while you rub soothing circles on her back…”

Daryl can definitely picture it now, and this baby better be a girl. He’ll always make sure both his girls are perfect.

“You’re gonna make me cry if yea keep going”

“Okay…okay, go get your tools and let’s get some of this room done so we don’t stress later”

“Mhm. Not like she won’t be in a crib in our room for the first few months of her life”

“Oh I know she’s going to be on your side. You’re going to hog our baby” She laughs wiping away the dried tears as Daryl kisses the top of her head.

“Only seems fair cuz you’re carryin’ the little pumpkin for nine months”

“Oh I know my love. But unlike you? My breasts are useful” Y/N adds only to laugh after when he scoffs to that comment.

“Instead of us fightin’ for the baby, it’s gonna be me and the baby fightin’ over yea” Daryl made one last comment before going to get what he needs while Y/N continues to laugh and think about their little girl.

The archer worked on the nursery for a couple hours while listening to his girl talk about their baby and following her occasional instruction. She continued to talk about how this little girl will be his little princess that he wouldn’t dare let anything happen to her and a few moments he would have to stop to console his wife when she would start crying all over again at the thought. He even started to go on about how overwhelmingly in love he’ll be at the sight of both his girls together. Even in the apocalypse, he will try to get both his girls to match because he always thought that was a cute idea.

For someone whose exterior is mean and scary, he’s a total softie inside and that will only ever be shown to his girls.

“Think we should stop here”

“Yeah, thinkin’ I’ll shower before making yea dinner”

“Or…we could take a bath together and make dinner together after”

Daryl pondered the thought for a moment before ultimately agreeing, even if it’ll be a bit of a squeeze getting both in the tub.

Once they eventually got in and relaxed, Y/N leans back into Daryl after a moment in the bath looking up at him comfortably as he presses a kiss to her temple.

“You think…I’ll be a good mom?”

“Of course I do” He frowns wondering where that came from. “Everyone’s seen how you were with Judith…and Carl…even Sophia back then…”

“Yeah…but this is our baby, it’s going to be different”

“Yeah, it is…but just like the others, we have a village in case we need anybody. You’ve got me first though. Not like you’d need my help anyway”

“I’ll always need you, D” Y/N shifted slightly feeling Daryl’s arms wrap around her and continuing to leave occasional kisses to her temple. “It’s just scary. You’re a natural with kids, and you’re saying I am too…but this is going to be our first baby. I’m just scared of messing it up”

“Y’know messing up comes with the parenting job right?” Daryl chuckles lightly resting his cheek against her head. “It’s okay to fumble. We’ve got each other and we’ll be great in our own way. Baby ain’t even here and we love her to pieces”

“She’s going to be perfect”

“Yes she is…”

She’s going to be perfect because of you Daryl thought as the two were now back in their bed hours later, Y/N fast asleep facing her partner as he had his hand on her belly keeping an eye on her for a little while.

Before falling asleep himself and keeping close to the both of them. He really enjoyed these peaceful moments…

And can’t wait to spend it with both of them.

[heystephen]

Onto the results for Lover!

Lover’s tracks as ranked by the fandom:

Cruel Summer

Cornelia Street

Death By A Thousand Cuts

Daylight

The Archer

Paper Rings

False God

I Think He Knows

Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince

Lover

Afterglow

It’s Nice To Have A Friend

All Of The Girls You Loved Before

London Boy

ME! ft. Brendon Urie

The Man

I Forgot That You Existed + Soon You’ll Get Better ft. The Chicks (tie)

You Need To Calm Down

Last year, ME! claimed the bottom spot (what a grammatically weird sentence). It seems ME! has climbed up a few spots and managed to get out of the bottom 3 completely. Cruel Summer, as expected, retains the top spot. Can't complain about that, it's amazing. 2 and 3 also remain the same, and London Boy has fallen a few slots. I wonder if something happened in the past year that has made people like london boys less..

[cherrytreegrove]

Fyodor Lebedev

Fyodor’s family worked for the royal Archer family for many years, using their magical abilities to help them. Fyodor had had enough of being disrespected by everyone around him. He thought he’d humble the royal family by showing them that they weren’t immortal, he slipped poison into their foods and watched as people ran to help them. The king, without any sort of evidence, blamed Fyodor for the poison. With the crime of Treason over his head, Fyodor was executed publicly. His last words being a curse to haunt the royal family with death and misfortune. In death be became a demon and plagued the deaths of any descendente of the royal family.

Fyodor is my twisted version of Rasputin from Anastasia. With elements of Mello from death note, Muzan from demon slayer, Fyodor Dostoevsky from bsd, and Sebastian from black butler

Princess

Princess Annabella Archer was the “daughter” of the king that Fyodor hated. As Annabella was the product of a affair, The king left her to be raised by servants, including Fyodor. Fyodor grew to love the little princess, she was like his daughter. She was 18 when Fyodor was sentenced to death, but she was not allowed at his execution. Because she wasn’t the blood daughter of the King, Annabella and her family were saved from Fyodor’s curse but he had to watch her live, grow old, die, and watch her legacy die.

Lady Fyodor

In his life, Fyodor used magic to disguise himself as a women to frame the King of adultery, causing the Queen to divorce him and start a war on his Kingdom.

Oc x Oc

Fyodor is in a poly-relationship with @althea-and-alcestris ‘s Louise and @sickle-stick ‘s Yuhang. Their Ship name is Dark Kingdom

Unique Magic

Fyodor’s UM is called “Curse of the Crime”

His UM causes small, horrific, bat like creatures to attach themselves to an individual. Those creatures then feed of that person’s desires, fears, and repeat thoughts. Once one of the creatures touches someone, it will never disappear, even if Fyodor undoes his UM. That curse says on that person and can activate at whatever moment, the curse can even effect their dreams and cause hallucinations.

[medusapelagia]

Eddie's month day 11 + Whumptober Day 5

written for @eddiemonth and @whumptober-archive 

Prompts: Eddie’s month day 11: Pirate | The Last in Line - Dio  | Adventurous Whumptober day 5: “It comes and goes like the strength in your bones.”

Cold Compress | Infection | “I don’t feel so good.”

Rating: Mature Relationship: Eddie Munson/Steve Harrington WT: injuries, sickfic WC: 2265

Being a pirate wasn't exactly Eddie's dream.

He wanted to be an artist and travel the world while playing his lute, but his father thought that it would have been easier selling him to the pirates than trying to raise him after his mother’s death, so Eddie lived all his childhood on a boat, learning how to make a sailor knot and avoid a noose around his neck.

But even being one of the most famous pirates in the world couldn't help him when the royal guards found him in a brothel and sentenced him to death.

Hazard of the job.

He has had a nice life after all, he has traveled all over the world, met people of every color, and even found himself a lovely second in command.

Yes, because after the big storm that almost destroyed the Black Fire, they found a lifeboat with a young boy an inch from his own death.

That's how Steve Harrington, the only heir of the Harrington dynasty, quickly became Eddie's second in command.

Eddie looks at the sun that is rising, it's probably the last time that he can see the dawn, so he tries to enjoy it.

There is a moment when the blue of the night shifts into red and then pink, and Eddie thinks about the color of Steve's lips.

He laughs a dry laugh. He should have said to his second in command that he was deeply attracted to him instead of going to a brothel to take off the steam.

Well, he will have time to think about that in hell.

The telltale sounds of footsteps and keys clanging one against the other catch his attention.

He asks himself if they are going to send a priest or not, he is not the religious type but he would gladly exchange a couple of words with someone before leaving this life.

The metal around his wrist is cold and harsh, but he doesn’t complain. He always knew that sooner or later he would have ended like that.

At least Henry Creel will not have his treasure. He hid him too well to let someone as stupid as him find it. The only one who has a possibility is Steve, and Eddie is very pleased with that. Maybe he will think about him when he will spend all the doubloons that he will find.

Sweet Steve, never killed anyone but managed to terrify the Black Fire’s men enough to make them obey his orders.

He will fucking miss waking up and seeing him still asleep a few feet away from him.

“Are you having a nap in there, Munson? Maybe I should come later.”

Eddie turns toward the door, seeing the familiar face of his second in command.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Freeing you? Or do you have other plans? The boys are ready to sail as soon as we get there, so step back and move your stupid ass from the door.”

Steve takes the keys and opens his cell.

“How?”

“Later. Now move. It will not take long for Creel to find out that his men are having a rest!”

Eddie nods and follows him, running toward the exit of the prison.

Steve stops, pushing Eddie behind him “Fuck.”

“What?”

“They are waiting for us. I have seen at least three archers. There is another exit?” he asks.

“How the fuck would I know! They didn’t exactly give me a tour, Steve.”

“Fine.” Steve kisses the golden necklace with the crucifix that he has worn since the day they met each other. The one that became so hot under the sun that left a burning scar on Steve’s neck “Here goes nothing.” he wraps Eddie into his arm and then starts to run, shooting at the leg of the archers.

“Kill them! Kill them!” Eddie yells, but Steve keeps moving, dragging Eddie with him until they get to a little boat hidden in the dark of a tunnel.

“Give me your gun.”

“Eds…”

“Give me the fucking gun!”

Steve sighs but gives him the gun and starts to paddle toward the secret cove where the others are waiting for them.

A couple of arches point at them and Eddie shoots them in the head, feeling almost merciful.

“Muson!” a familiar voice screams and he sees Henry Creel’s blue eyes pointed at him.

He is holding a quiver and Eddie has no more bullets.

“Shit.”

Someone pulls him from his jacket and Eddie falls in the water.

When he reemerges he notices that Steve has flipped the boat, using it as a shield.

"Genius idea, Harrington!” he praises him, while they keep swimming toward the cove.

When they get there the crew cheers them and they quickly leave the bay.

“You know what? Almost dying made me want to live even more adventures! What do you say? Are we going to have some fun?” he asks the crew, Steve is a few feet behind him, smiling at him.

Everything is fucking perfect.

***

The next few days everyone on the ship is excited about the new plan for assaulting a boat that is transporting species from the Indias. The only one who doesn’t seem enthusiastic is Steve.

Even if they sleep in the same room they almost don’t see each other.

Eddie is worried. Did he say something wrong?

He tries to give space to the boy but on the third day that he is ignoring him he goes to him, locking them in the hold.

“So what? Did something happen, Harrington? Is your conscience giving you shit? I did what I had to do. I kept us alive!”

Steve nods, without turning.

“Come one, Steve. Look at me! Tell me what the fuck is wrong!” he yells, turning the boy harshly.

“I… I don’t feel so good.” the boy replies before falling to the ground.

“Steve?! Steve?! Help! Someone! Help!” he yells, but he is the one who closed the door, so the crew has to break in.

“What happened?” Henderson asks, getting closer.

“I don’t know. He told me that he didn’t feel good and fell to the ground.”

Will Byers gets closer to them “He is burning up.” he states and in that moment Eddie notices that the golden skin is covered in sweat.

“What the fuck?”

“Bring him to his bed.” Will says, while running to his cabin and gets back with many potions.

“Hey, Steve? Stevie? Can you hear me?” Eddie calls him while washing his face with a wet towel.

Will strip him and they see it, a red angry wound on his left arm with a dirty bandage around it.

“When did this happen?” Eddie asks, looking at the crew.

“He was ok when he came to rescue you!” Dustin protests, and when Will removes the bandages they see the point of an arrow stuck in his flesh.

“Creel.” Eddie growls, looking at the injury.

“We have to take out the arrow. It’s causing an infection.” Will states, taking a little knife and sanitizing it with a burning candle.

“Hold him.”

As soon as the hot blade touches Steve’s skin his eyes open wide and he starts to trash around, but they are holding him tight.

“Bite this.” Eddie says, giving him his own belt to bite.

He sees tears in the eyes of the boy while Will opens the wounds and finally removes the point of the arrow, and then he loses consciousness.

“Steve?”

“He passed out. It’s for the best because I have to clean the wound.” Will says without stopping his work until he feels satisfied, then he stitches the wound and puts another bandage on.

“What now?” Eddie asks, looking at the feverish boy.

“Now we pray.” Will replies, washing his hand in a bowl “We have done all we could. Now it’s his body that has to fight the infection.”

Fuck.

“Try to make him drink something and keep his temperature down with some cold compresses. How far is the nearest island?”

“At least two days.” Lucas replies, looking quickly at the maps.

“Make it one.” Eddie orders.

“But…”

“I don’t give a fuck Sinclair. I want Steve to see a doctor as soon as we can and I don’t give a fuck if you will have to blow on the sails.”

“As you say, captain!” he replies, running back to the helm “Have you heard fleabags?! We have to run! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

When Eddie is left alone with Steve he takes his hands into his, kissing the knuckles and feeling the sweat on his skin.

“Steve, you can’t leave me. Do you hear me? You can’t  fucking leave me! Not like this! Please. Come back to me. Come back…” he whispers, changing the cold compress on his forehead and winching at the warmth that the boy irradiates.

***

Will comes a few times during the day to address his condition, the wound seems better but the boy has never gained consciousness. They manage to make him drink some drops of water and keep his lips wet, but the fever is still high.

“He needs medicine stronger than the one I have.” Will explains to him “I can’t do miracles Eddie!” he complains when the black-haired man starts to yell at him that he has to do something.

Eddie is not a religious person, but that night he prays to every single god that he knows, he even takes Steve’s necklace with the crucifix and hides it under his shirt, he doesn’t want to risk that anyone would steal it.

When they finally get to the closest island Will and Dustin go to find a doctor and bring him on the boat.

“This will cost you. It will cost you a lot.”

“I’m Eddie Munson, Captain of the Black Hell. It’s your own life enough of a payment?” he asks, holding his knife at the man’s throat.

“You don’t do my kind of job on this island without meeting some pirates. I want the money.” The man replies unamused.

Eddie growls but takes some doubloons and throws them at him.

“Half now and half if he survives.”

The man smirks, taking the money and then looking at the injury.

“Your boy did well, the wound is well cleaned, his body just needs some help to fight the battle.”

He takes some liquids and starts to mix them, but when he tries to make Steve swallow the medicine it just falls from his lips.

“Shit. Do you have something that could help? We have to push the medicine in his mouth. It’s not like you can kiss him, right?”

He absolutely can.

“How much?”

“All the vial, if you can.”

Eddie takes it in his mouth and then pushes the bitter liquid into Steve’s mouth, trying not to lose even a drop of the precious medicine.

“What now?”

“He will need another dose in a few hours. And after that, he is on his own.”

Eddie stays with him, cleaning the sweat from his face, doing his best to keep him hydrated, while he keeps staring at the vials on the table.

He will give the second vial to Steve and if it will not work… he will follow him.

He writes a few notes for the crew, holding Steve’s hand all the time.

When it’s time he takes the vials in his mouth and pushes it in Steve’s mouth, licking his tongue for a moment. 

If this is going to be their only kiss he wants to enjoy it as much as he can.

Steve’s tongue twitches under him.

“Steve?” he calls, astonished.

The chestnut boy opens his eyes “Eds?”

“I’m here. I’m here.” he replies holding him tight “How are you feeling?”

“I don’t feel so good…”

“I know, baby. You gave me quite a scare, but now you are better. Aren’t you? Come on, drink some water.” he pushes a cup of water against Steve’s lips.

“I had the strangest dream…” he tells him, his bright-for-fever eyes staring at him “I dreamt that you kissed me.”

“Did you?”

“Yeah…”

“And did you like it?”

Steve blushes and nods “I did. I’m sorry if it’s not appropriate or…”

“I kissed you. And I’d love to kiss you again. It’s that alright?”

Steve nods and they kiss. It’s just a peck, a simple touch of lips but it’s the best kiss ever.

“Now sleep a little. I’ll be here with you.”

When Steve falls asleep Eddie takes the doubloons and gives them to Dustin “Bring this to Murray and go have some fun, As soon as Steve is feeling better we are leaving.”

The boy nods, smiling.

Eddie looks at him running through the crowd.

Garreth, his oldest friend, gets closer to him “Did something happen?”

“Something did happen, Gar. Something did happen.” Eddie replies with a smirk.

The other sailor nods “The two of you will be ok if I go have some fun too?”

“We will.” he answers “I think that we are going to be more than ok.” 

When he comes back to his cabin Steve is still asleep, but his breath is calm and regular and he is not burning up anymore.

Eddie gives him back his necklace with the crucifix and then takes a doubloon.

“You are going to be a nice addition to my collection.” he says to the golden token.

A few months later Eddie has the same necklace with the crucifix Steve has and they share not only the cabin but also the bed.

[whovianwatchingstartrek]

A Whovian Watches Star Trek for the First Time: Part 032 - T'Pol's Repressed Memories

Star Trek: Enterprise - Season 2 Episode 7 - The Seventh

Looks like we've got another Vulcans want Enterprise to run their errands episode. Specifically T'Pol has been requested to pick someone called Menos up, and hand him over to the Vulcans. Of course, in typical Vulcan fashion, she is very vague about the details of her mission.

She also took Travis with her. I'm not sure why when it is just her who was requested by Vulcan command and she only directly asked Archer to come with her, but at least Travis is seeing some long overdue action, right? No, he's basically put to the side again. This is a repeated problem with Mayweather, the show just doesn't do anything with him, even when they decide to bring him along. He didn't even get any lines until well over three quarters of the way into the episode. He might as well have been any other faceless nameless member of the crew. It's making me start to question why they wrote him into the series at all if they're so reluctant to do anything with him. I can't even really call him a waste of a character, because they never set anything up for him either. Does the show ever get around to doing anything with him?

This is definitely T'Pol's focus episode though. This episode really shook her faith in herself with her repressed memories coming back, and her actress was really good at showing her subtly breakdown over it. The subtle cracks in her voice as she talked about killing Josen were amazing. Jolene Blalock is easily the best actor in this show, and she really got her opportunity to show off here.

The atmosphere in the alien bar was excellent. I love when sci-fi does the whole Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy thing, this was a great example of it. Everything here is so dark and grungy, which is a nice change up from the usual clean sleek ships we've been seeing so far.

There was a nice comedic B-Plot with Trip running the Enterprise while Archer and T'Pol were out. It's a small detail, but I like that Trip has picked up the captain's interest in Water Polo from back in Vox Sola. I loved this stuff. Seeing him go through all sorts of shenanigans as acting captain to prevent the Vulcans finding out that Archer went down to the planet with T'Pol was hilarious.

Parts of the episode kind of reminded me of the Doctor Who episode Boom Town, from the 9th Doctor era. You have the similar personal moral conflict of "We have prisoner, do we have the right to hand them over to the authorities if it means their death sentence. Are they lying to get our sympathies or do we believe them?" Which was a really compelling theme there, and it was here to.

I enjoyed myself here, and I really enjoyed the Character Work with T'Pol. I'm excited to see where this goes for her character arc of embracing a more Human way of thinking about emotions. Really good episode!

[dubiousdisco]

TIL about Barbosa who was like. branded a criminal his entire life because he failed a penatly or something in the BrazilNT in the 50s. Have you ehard of him? (I could not find his full name for some reason??)

I DID NOT KNOW THIS OH MY GOD?? i found more about him on wikipedia tho

"Moacyr Barbosa do Nascimento (Campinas, March 27, 1921 – Praia Grande, April 7, 2000) was a Brazilian footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Although he was considered one of the greatest archers of his time, Barbosa is best remembered for his participation in the defeat of the Brazilian national team in the 1950 FIFA World Cup Final, against Uruguay, in particular for the second Uruguayan goal, scored by Alcides Ghiggia. Because of the defeat, known as Maracanaço, goalkeeper Barbosa was accused of having failed to take the defeating goal and carried the burden of defeat until his death. After the World Cup, he returned to Vasco da Gama, where he was applauded for being a reference in the team's history, but suffered nationally with the stigma of the goal conceded in the World Cup."

and of course he was a Vasco player

a pic of him

Words about him by Armando Nogueira: "Certainly, the most wronged creature in the history of Brazilian football. He was a master goalkeeper. He worked miracles, dodging poisoned balls with the wrong hand. Ghiggia's goal in the 1950 Cup final fell on him like a curse. And the more I see the move, the more I absolve it. That game Brazil lost the day before."

"What is the maximum sentence in Brazil? Isn't it 30 years? Because I've been serving more than 40 years and no one forgets. If I were a common criminal, I would understand. But what was my crime? What was my sin ?" said former goalkeeper Moacyr Barbosa Nascimento to Helvídio Mattos in 1993.

everything i checked agrees that he was being persecuted not because of the goals, but because he was a black man. Once again, it was racism all along. His family and his daughter in particular fought for his image and for reparations.

it also says that after Brazils 7-1 brazilian public was forced to admit a goalkeeper is not the sole responsible for a teams defeat.

by the end of his career he got his leg broken and couldn't compete for a while, and he became depressed, but he recoved he the hospital he was in started to line up his fans who wanted to visit him, it says he realized he was still loved by the fans from rio.

He was presented with a statue in Santos (city) and vasco's training center is named after him, which i didn't know! i knew the name but didn't know who he was!

It also says he was called "rubber man" because he was short but would seemingly elongate his body and catch everything

also i'm impressed with how much stuff he actually won, here's the titles with vasco and santa cruz:

(!!!)

with brasil nt he won:

Copa Roca: 1945

Copa Rio Branco: 1947 e 1950

Copa América: 1949 (!!!!!!!!!)

(also it's cute that brazil and argentina and brazil and uruguay had their own cups omg)

and by himself he won Third Best Brazilian Goalkeeper of the 20th Century which, wow.

he also said several times he was proud of the second place, and it should be more celebrated and i agree.

[sakuraswordly]

※ Punch Whalen and Derora belong to @PunchSakura

Derora is Jewish. Her original before being born as a human was similar to Fox Mulder in Tsubasa of Phantasia. Derora her will and her wish are the same as Tiné Chelc from Fate/ Strange Fake...

and Esmeralda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Esmeralda is a Romani or Gypsy woman residing underneath Paris, in the hidden catacombs known as the Court of Miracles. Even when she is finally captured, and seconds away from death, she remains fiercely defiant, knowing her worth, and refusing to degrade herself by surrendering to Frollo.

If you notice Tiné Chelc from Fate/Strange Fake even though she had power in her grip, why she didn't use Gilgamesh to destroy this country?

Normal people thought because she was just a child but remember, Tiné is very a strong person. She made her decision and accepted everything in her life no matter how the consequences will come to her in the future. You did see her first appearance right? Tiné appears during the summoning of False Archer and cuts off his original Master's arm, and she becomes his Master afterward. It was not, at first, her intent to kill him, but the man, driven by wild rage, blasted an unbelievably immense amount of magic at her. It should have killed her immediately. But she spoke a silent chant, and an enormous fiery maw erupted between the two mages. The chant is described as ' a spell that had been compressed so far that it became soundless—a chant of overwhelming power.' But even so...

The same goes for Esmeralda as well. She was the sole individual in all of France to downright rebel against Frollo during his reign and was openly against the judge's accusations of claiming the Romani culture to be a gang of thieves who engage in unholy practices of witchcraft. You did see Esmeralda had unholy practices of witchcraft talent right? Then why did she not use her witchcraft talent to kill Minister Frollo like Jack the Ripper anyway?

Because Esmeralda and Tiné Chelc are ultimately a kind, loving selfless soul underneath. For someone who cares for everyone even if they are the people they don't know both of them love and care for them like their family. And this is the reason they cannot have absolute power or dictatorship. The same way goes for Albert Einstein as well, if he wanted to stop the war he could use his power and his brain, war was a disease and he called for resistance to war. But in the end, he said "I made one great mistake in my life because I made that atom bombs". He hates the war the same way as Esmeralda then why is he heartbroken because of the atom bombs?

 "Being a Jew myself, perhaps I can understand and empathize with how black people feel as victims of discrimination"

This sentence is also the same though as Derora as well. This is the reason behind Derora too. She is non human and she can use them to kill everyone but she chose not too because she's ultimately a kind, loving selfless soul underneath.

#I mean Tine reminds me of people who want demanding justice freedom and equality of skin colour. I'm not surprised that Gilgamesh tell that

This is the true weakness of humans that King Gilgamesh told about but that is what makes King Gilgamesh like humans because humans are weak but they have very strong hearts and are not oppressed.

What I had to create Derora was to focus on Jewish, Real-Life Judaizers and Muslims' feelings. (Even though I don't know much about them. ^^;)

[dlaprobably]

Servantember, Day 2: Ötzi the Iceman (Avenger)

Next up is Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, a rare posthumously famous Servant, known as one of the oldest and most well preserved mummies due to his unusual status as an ice mummy. While his cause of death was initially inconclusive, it was later found that an arrow to the shoulder most likely killed him, and he's determined to pay back the deed.

Lore Notes:

-A straightforward, practical man of few words, point him to an enemy and he'll dispatch them with ease. Any distraction from the arrow embedded in his shoulder is a welcome one, and all attempts at removing it have proven futile, as it's seemingly attached to him in this summoning. He's rarely in a good mood on account of this, but who could blame him? That said, his wrath is only ever directed at the vague idea that exists in his mind of his killer, so his coldness toward others isn't ever meant personally.

-While he seems relatively well adjusted compared to his fellows in the Avenger class, he lacks most memory of his target or of his life in general, leaving him in a rough spot compared to those who know full well who they're after. He's sure he'll know who they are when he sees them, but as someone entirely unknown to history up to now aside from being "Ötzi's killer", what are the odds they'll ever cross paths? Despite the seeming futility of his quest, he presses on, as it's not like there's much else he can do.

-His Noble Phantasm, Fineilspitze, recreates the circumstances of his death on the icy Alpine peak and inflicts it upon his opponent, but stops short of killing them, instead freezing them and sentencing them to the same immortalized fate as he was. Unfortunately, this does cause Ötzi's own injury to flare up with pain, causing him some damage as he strikes at his opponent.

-As a seasoned hunter, he could also qualify for the Archer or Assassin classes, but would be less powerful due to the lack of any remarkable legends regarding his own deeds. He has no recollection of the others whose blood was found on his belongings save for a faint memory of a hunting partner, but it seems the blood on his weaponry is proof enough of his qualifications.

-While some have spoken of a "curse of Ötzi" surrounding those involved in his discovery, he dismisses the notion entirely, bearing no ill will against them even though their actions made his summoning possible. His going down in history was an accident, and while he's grateful in a way to be remembered, he would've rather it happened some other way that didn't see him brought back like this.

-His status as one of the older Heroic Spirits out there has earned him a place of respect among his peers, and while he doesn't feel as if he's particularly worthy of it, he supposes it's better than the alternative.

Design Notes:

Ötzi came to mind while trying to think of figures who'd qualify as Servants that were older than Gilgamesh, as Ötzi died around 3230 BC, while the oldest reckoned date for the writing of Gilgamesh isn't until about a thousand years later. I thought a more scaled-back, simpler Avenger with a simpler vengeance could be interesting, and his design was intended to reflect that, his clothing and axe based off reproductions of those found with him and lacking the typical edgelordery that comes with Avenger class Servants (which I love, for the record!). I initially considered drawing him shirtless to show off the tattoos he had, but I didn't and still don't trust my grasp of anatomy enough to draw him as jacked as he deserves, so maybe some other time!

[scare-ard--sleigh]

tagged by @maplefiasco 8 shows to get to know me uhhhh in no particular order!!

tagging (no pressure tho!) ;; @cauldronofmorning @angellspt @spacephrasing @ambrwolf @wesninskijr @rolodextra @zapkilikan and anyone else who wants to do it !

what we do in the shadows: wwdits caters to me so heavily. it captures all of my genders. everyone's hot and fucking each other and they're all so fucking stupid. i've watched it 90 billion times and i still laugh bc the jokes still make me laugh.

midnight mass: we're setting aside my taste in men for a minute here. midnight mass does a really excellent job capturing the more horrifying aspects of growing up as an outsider in a very tight-knit religious community. i've never seen that done in a way that's resonated so much. i talked about this show a lot in therapy. plus okay fine; father skinnyjeans thee vampire [chef's kiss.]

the magicians: idk how to sum up the everything about the magicians in a few sentences. i have an eliot prayer candle lmao, his arc and his friendships and the way he does masculinity are so important to me despite the writing having a few missteps (mind the warnings definitely.) the fandom experience is unlike anything i've ever had, yes derogatorily but also in a really good way--my writing got so good because of the things that i created for this show.

steven universe / sailor moon: i combined them because while they're separately very important to me, it's for a lot of the same reasons and i don't feel right putting one without the other. i'm very saccharine underneath everything, i wanna believe love and friendship can heal anything. i grew up on sailor moon, and i think su would have had the same impact on me if i was the right age.

daredevil: where do i even start :( human disaster matt murdock is just like me fr. foggy nelson is who i wish i was (he also reminds me so much of my husband.) i almost went to law school bc of this fucking show. it's the first time i ever saw two guys crying during an argument bc they love each other that much (nelson v murdock is a treasure of an episode.) i didn't dig s3 as much and i hated the defenders but god the rest of it's so good.

bob's burgers: it's less because i think it's deeply telling and more because it's 100% comfort food. if i'm sick or stoned or sad or trying to find a crowdpleaser, bob's is always my go-to. their family and bob & linda's parenting methods are a lot of what i picture for myself when the time comes.

death note: death note was the thing i was obsessed with as a teenager and while i missed a lot of the point of it, it also is what started making me smarter about media consumption, interpretation, and analysis. mello is also like thee gender of all time.

succession: the latest and greatest "oh jeez that's me." like firstly i love watching shows about terrible rich people but to dig deeper: some of the dynamics hit soooo fucking close. i feel like the portrayal of mental illness and abuse are done almost too well: proceed with caution.

honorable mentions:

buffy the vampire slayer: buffy was the first show i ever got like really, really obsessed with (as well as the first canon i ever tried to make an oc for) but it's almost impossible to recommend for actual viewing bc of how badly it's aged. i didn't rewatch it for the many years, cringed through the last one, and am at permanent hiatus since we've entered the Joyce Is Dying arc which is just like painful to watch on top of the uhhh. joss whedon writing.

archer fx: i don't think archer's necessarily required viewing to get to know me, but i've definitely done some of my best writing for that canon and if you're willing to listen to me talk ad nauseam about archer and cyril's dynamic i'll probably love you forever.

[gghostories]

Will Giovanni and Archer Ever Go Steady?

They've been circling around each other for almost as long as Rocket's been around at this point. They've got interest, they've got chemistry, so what's the problem?

Toxic masculinity and trust issues, mostly.

Giovanni doesn't want to seem weak and have his love for Archer be used against him. But do any of his enemies actually NOT know? I mean, the fact that his second in command is such a valued asset alone is a "vulnerability" in itself. Anyone who knows anything about Rocket knows Archer is a juicy target, but if they're smart, they know fucking with him is basically a death sentence. If Rocket's rivals aren't targeting Archer, they either don't care or know better than to try anything.

As for Archer, I'm pretty sure he just has abandonment issues and is afraid of rejection. What if Giovanni says no? What if it spoils their existing relationship and makes things weird? What if Giovanni sees him as compromised and removes him from his position? All pretty unlikely circumstances, but Archer seems like the paranoid type.

But the most important question is: What are we calling their ship name?

[agniratha]

look I've been a Melly stannie since I first played the original XC1 way back in twenty goddamn sixteen and I'd still do anything for her at the drop of a hat but there's a new girlboss High Entia in town and I'm going to have to ask you to vote for her. buckle up gang, because it's time for a Eunie propaganda post!

Eunie's just fantastic. she's a standout character from the get-go and the presence she commands throughout the game from the main scenario to the side quests is truly something to behold. she's crass, she's snarky, she packs a punch and a half but she's also sensitive and caring and always looking out for others.

and Eunie clings. she clings on to her friends lest she loses them like so many others. she clings on to her life as if it could slip away from her grasp at any moment. she clings on to her fourtune clovers because she's just a few shy of seven and surely once she has them all she'll have nothing to be afraid of?

she sees Ashera throw caution to the wind and race toward oblivion without a care in the world and it infuriates her. it infuriates her that someone could be so callous with their life when her own weighs so heavily on her shoulders.

unlike the rest of the main cast, eunie's grief isn't directly tied to any one person. but it's still very much there. it's there when she cusses out a consul for seeing her fellow soldiers as nothing more than a means to an end. it's there when she's out hunting for fourtune clovers because collecting all seven of them would keep death away. it's there when she asks Taleb how anyone could put up with the curse of outliving the ones they love. just like everyone else in XC3, eunie is haunted by death. she's seen so much of it, even her OWN

and it's just so. i just LOVE how there's so much to her. she's soooo fun and full of spunk and every other sentence that comes out of her mouth is comedy gold (kitty archer absolutely KILLED it) but underneath all the fire and sparks she's so distraught and shaken and feels like she's constantly running for her life. she's such a multifaceted character and i can't stop thinking about all those different aspects of her and how they come together to give us one of the most compelling protagonists the series has ever had.

[grimm-rider]

Entry 10

Once Edeya was healed up, we made our way past the final set of doors and forward into the Eon Pit.

What we expected was one final test from Jadrenka. Maybe one final upset. Maybe her cheating or throwing something virtually impossible at us because she was bitter and losing her mind. Maybe even having to fight the Warden herself.

What we didn’t expect was to enter the Eon Pit in the middle of a ritual. Jadrenka was floating over the pit as she always was. Before her, on the other side of the pit, was Xanthadon, casting something ritually. Chained beside her was Ratabor, held by a Mirror Man.

As if we needed any more proof that time was completely fucked.

Jadrenka was surprised to see us, saying she hadn’t expected us to arrive so early. What had she expected the Croning Ritual and her pet birds to keep us THAT busy? She underestimated us.

Then that centaur we’d been seeing in illusions and visions, and his giant many legged fiendish friend came charging in, declaring ‘death to witches’, before faltering in confusion at the sight before them. Apparently we weren’t the only ones caught off guard by all of this.

The Mirror Man began playing something on its face, forcing Ratabor to look at it. I couldn’t make out the details at the time—although I got an unfortunately closer look later, so I know most of what was playing on it. An image of Queen Elvana, sitting by a cold fireplace, with a journal in her hands. She was flipping through the pages, until she came to one particular page. Then she turned the book around, to show the contents of the book. I never saw what was in the book, and I don’t ever want to. Whatever it was, it caused some really screwed up things to happen next.

When Ratabor saw whatever was in the book, yellow ichor began to run down his face from his eyes. There was a flash and the room had rearranged itself. We were on a platform over the Eon Pit. Below were the three statues of Artrosa—somehow smaller, beneath one of three platforms that formed a triangle around us. Three versions of Jadrenka surrounded us—Maiden, Mother, and Crone: one for each statue.

On another platform, Xanthadon still stood casting next to Ratabor, who was on the ground dazed, with what almost looked like yellow tears running down his cheeks. The Mirror Man was still there, looming over him, although the image was no longer playing on its face.

And all around us, a very ominous yellow fog was roiling in from below, joining the winds of the Eon Pit, becoming a wall of yellow and…something else. Just beyond the fog was something that writhed and gnashed and blinked with more tendrils and teeth and eyes than I could comprehend. I knew, deep down, that falling into that was a death sentence. Maybe worse than a death sentence. Whatever was in there…I hope I never meet it. I hope I never have to know what it really was.

Before us were the centaur and his fiendish companion. They had apparently decided that even though their mission was ‘death to witches’, they were going to start with us and not the three very witchy-witches surrounding us.

The fiendish many legged…centaur thing…whatever it was…charged Aenland. Its lance pierced the elven archer despite him being in the protection of his cauldron.

The regular centaur followed up alongside him and tried to take a swing at Greta with his warhammer—but she dodged out of the way with practiced ease, and now the idiot was right in range for her to counter attack.

I love watching her fight.

Too bad I needed to focus on things for myself. Namely, the Crone Jadrenka decided she was going to make things personal and threw a Phantasmal Killer at me. I managed to pull myself from the brink…with, admittedly, a little talk from Aenland snapping me out of it right before it took hold.

Okay, I decided, if she was going to go after me—let’s see how she likes it. I aimed a full force Boneshatter at her. I could hear the bones splinter from where I stood. It was…very satisfying after what she tried to pull.

Unfortunately, one of her younger selves used a contingency on herself to go off when she was hit with Boneshatter—causing her future self to be hit with a cure spell. Cheating bitch.

Aenland shot a number of those demon bane arrows I gave him into that fiendish creature—easily taking him down, and then turning the rest of his arrows on the centaur. I knew demon bane would come in handy eventually.

Greta finished the job against the centaur. Like I said, it was stupid of him to run up to her. She’s damn good at what she does.

It looked like things were going well.

And then things got worse.

The Mirror Man vanished from its spot on the opposite side of the arena, and reappeared next to Edeya. Reflected on the Mirror Man’s face…was Edeya. Another Edeya, not just Edeya’s reflection, but a second Edeya. She spoke in Edeya’s voice, saying ‘die traitor’, before the Mirror Man took a swing with its electric charged blade—right at Snezhinka.

Nestian stepped in the way, throwing Snezhinka away from the blow and taking it instead. Definitely saving the little familiar’s life.

Mirror Edeya, or whatever we should call this fake Edeya copycat in the Mirror Man, said that we shouldn’t underestimate Edeya Karanasi and that she’d be back, and “see you again, sister”.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think twin sisters, but Edeya would have mentioned before now if she had a twin. And besides, the one in the mirror called herself Edeya Karanasi, too. I don’t think it’s some future Edeya. Edeya wouldn’t betray us. That wasn’t Edeya. She didn’t act anything like the Edeya we know. And Edeya wouldn’t have attacked us or Snezhinka. There’s nothing that I can imagine short of mind control that could change her that much. No, there has to be some other explanation. Like that shapeshifter doppelganger creature we saw back in the Ivory Tower pretending to be Lady Argentina.

The Mirror Man seemed to go limp on the opposite end of the arena, back by Ratabor and Xanthadon. I could no longer make out a face on its mirror. It seemed that, whatever Mirror Edeya had been here to do, she was done.

But the fight wasn’t done.

Xanthadon finished the spell she’d been casting. She seemed to see something beyond the fog, and suddenly doubled over clutching her face.

But that didn’t really matter because what really mattered was that a big rift had just opened up, and out of it was stepping the biggest gods-damned frost giant I’d ever seen.

Mostly because he wasn’t just any frost giant.

He was Kostchtchie. The Demon Lord Kostchtchie.

And he was eyeing us up like he wanted to smash us under his misshapen heel.

Ratabor’s torq was glowing like the real deal now—before the trinket he’d been wearing had looked dull and broken. But Ratabor still looked dazed and seemed to be unable to fight off whatever had been done to him.

Aenland began firing off arrows at the Crone to put her down. The four of us had slowly been unravelling how this ritual worked, and so far we understood that we needed to take down one aspect of Jadrenka to cause the field protecting another to fall. Aenland’s arrows easily shot down the Crone—even when the Mother tried her contingency trick again with a Breath of Life, it didn’t do nearly enough to bring her back.

Unfortunately, then the Eon Pit’s second line of defense activated. Shadows appeared around the battlefield, headed up by a Greater Shadow.

About this time, three others appeared on a platform far beyond the one where Xanthadon, Kostchtchie, and the Mirror Man were.

First Master Keisuke appeared—fully in his Kitsune form this time, not in his human guise. I couldn’t quite hear over the roar of the Eon Pit, but he seemed taken aback by what he’d stumbled in on.

Next, Xanthadon appeared—not the Xanthadon currently on the ground clutching her face, but instead a Xanthadon I assume Aenland would recognize from our own time period. She seemed to exchange words with Keisuke.

Finally, Jairess appeared. She looked…really freaked out, for lack of a better term. Like, seriously, she did not look like she wanted to be there.

The three seemed to greet each other…then each flung a Destruction spell at one of the others.

What. The fuck.

Okay so those three don’t get along. And they are all powerful enough to just throw out a destruction spell on a whim. Even Jairess, who we have *killed* before.

I reiterate: what the fuck?

I mean I knew Master Keisuke knew Xanthadon and didn’t like her, and I knew he knows something about Nestian, which I suppose implied he might know Jairess, but it’s still a little weird that they all know each other…and apparently hate each other so much that while the world might be ending they decided to have their own personal spat in the background.

Master Keisuke and Xanthadon were both eyeing the Torq. I don’t know anything about Xanthadon’s motivations, but from what I know about the Torq I’m not too surprised that Master Keisuke would be interested in it. He’s shown an interest in Mythic Power before. It only makes sense that he’d be interested in it.

Anyways, I didn’t really have much time to muse on any of this at the time, beyond the most basic of thoughts. At the time, I was busy dealing with a shadow clawing at me and sapping my strength from my body—and worse, seeing that Greater Shadow manage to do the same to Greta. I can afford to lose some of my strength, I have spells that don’t rely on that. Greta is a front line fighter. She can’t afford to have shadows sapping her physical strength.

Also I just don’t like seeing it happen.

So I stepped away from the shadow that was after me and turned my attention on the Greater Shadow. I forced my will onto it, casting Command Undead. My will overrode its own, and it became docile—and prepared to attack whatever I pointed it in the direction of. I heard Master Keisuke’s voice over the roar of the Eon Pit, calling over to tell me how proud he was of my abilities.

There’s never been someone in my life I’ve gone out of my way to try to impress or to try to make proud. I know my own worth. I don’t usually need the acknowledgement of others to feel good about myself. But…it did feel good to be acknowledged by Master Keisuke. Probably because he’s such a powerful spellcaster, and he started me on the path to being a spellcaster myself, and there was no reason he should have taken an interest in me to begin with but he did. So it felt good when I could impress him with what I can do.

Nestian swung his axe over me and under Aenland, taking out the shadow that was harassing me.

With things clear, Aenland began laying into Jadrenka the Mother.

Kostchtchie made to begin moving towards us, heaving his huge warhammer out. However when he did, Ratabor snapped out of his stupor. He attacked Kostchtchie, and bound him in place with the chain of light that connected them through the Torq. Kostchtchie turned his fury upon his mortal self, and began wailing on him instead—but Ratabor took the Demon Lord’s blows with an inhuman endurance.

Mythic Power is…absolutely phenomenal.

The Mirror Man activated again, and began moving towards us. It was playing that video on its mirror face again. We knew that meant soon it was going to flash whatever sign had caused the horrible reaction Ratabor had gone through—and unlike him, we didn’t have Mythic Power to push through it.

As we prepared to rush it to try to take it down before it could reach that part in its recording, the Eon Pit’s third line of defense was summoned. A veritable horde of fast moving hoarpanther zombies, as well as a stubby porquipine looking creature that kept yelling at us in draconic (which I don’t speak and I didn’t have tongues up so I have no idea what the little creature had to say), and a whirling air elemental looking thing with horrible tendrils coming out of it.

We were severely outnumbers, and there was no chance we were breaking through in the mere seconds it was going to take before the Mirror Man’s image showed whatever had kicked all this off with Ratabor.

Still, we had little choice but to try.

I directed Levi to go after the closest panther zombie. At the same time, I drew out the pocket watch and empowered a Sands of Time spell. I grabbed the panther zombie closest to me, and the winds of time around us began to break it down into specks of sand.

Through the red haze I see when using that watch to manipulate magic, I could still see Master Keisuke clearly. He looked pleased.

I didn’t have time to give it much thought, because the big elemental thing was creeping up behind me. Thankfully, Edeya took care of it with a Phantasmal Killer, making it drop dead instantly. Aenland took out the Mother, then tried to take out the Mirror Man—but it remained standing.

The Mirror Man approached. It caught me in its sights. I saw Queen Elvana beginning to turn the book around. I averted my gaze. I could hear the flipping of paper from the Mirror Man’s reflective face. I didn’t look up until after it had fallen silent for long enough that I felt comfortable believing the image was gone.

A moment later Greta rushed past, and smashed the Mirror Man’s face in with her axe—laughing. It wasn’t going to get another chance to try that again.

I didn’t get time to celebrate—again, too much was happening. This time it was the little quilled fucker, who hit me with a Ray of Enfeeblement. My entire body felt heavy suddenly. It was hard to even muster up the strength to move under the usually negligible weight of my bone armor.

I sent my new Shadow after that little quilled fucker, and let him have a taste of his own medicine, having the Shadow begin draining the strength from his body.

Aenland shot a flurry of arrows into Jadrenka—the last remaining Jadrenka, the Maiden, the first version of her we’d met, then he flew for the platform where the Crone had been. He was going to begin the counter ritual.

At the same time, Edeya ran for the Mother platform.

With Jadrenka the Maiden unconscious, that gave me an opening to go for the Maiden platform. I activated the speed boosting ability of the Blessings of Fervor Edeya had given us, and strode towards the platform.

A boulder sailed over my head as Kostchtchie tossed a rock over his shoulder in an attempt to smash Edeya—but she ducked out of the way.

I stepped onto the platform. And as I did, the final line of defense of the Eon Pit activated. An enormous spider—Snezhinka identified it as a Bebilith—appeared, towering over me. I was in a *very* bad position.

I quickly backed off while the spider was getting its bearings, regrouping by my Greater Shadow.

Unfortunately, it got its bearings quickly, and it immediately followed after me. It lashed out, sinking fangs full of Abyssal rot into my flesh. I could feel the rot trying to take hold within my body. Rot and decay trying to tear me apart from the inside…

I refused. I was not going to fall before decay—to Urgathoa’s domain. I am meant to master such things. I drew on the Black Rider’s power and forced it from my body.

A moment later Nestian was at my side, bringing his axe down upon the grotesque arachnid. Greta followed suit a moment later. I dodged around and put Nestian between myself and the spider—I couldn’t afford to risk another bite, I didn’t have any more power to spend if that rot got into my blood again. I needed Nestian’s protection—and he tends to be happy to provide it.

My Greater Shadow joined the fray, abandoning the fight with the pesky little hedgehog to instead begin draining the strength of the bloated arachnid.

The spider struck Nestian, but missed with its gnashing rotting fangs, and only managed to dig its claws into him. Nestian retaliated—and sliced straight through the Abyssal spider.

I darted around our bear friend and stepped onto the final platform. I began the final part of the counter ritual, the bring the ritual down slowly and not blow up the entire world as we knew it.

Oh yeah, did I not mention that part? Jadrenka was in way over her head. She was going to inevitably fuck up this ritual, and when she did the ritual was going to collapse and have a huge shockwave effecting distant reaching corners of the universe. It would have been bad, even if we weren’t right in the epicenter of the whole thing.

I finished the counter ritual—just in time to see Aenland do something completely out of his mind reckless. He dashed across the battlefield and went to scoop up Xanthadon from practically beneath Kostchtchie’s feet. He got hit head-on by the Demon Lord’s warhammer—but kept going. He managed to grab her, and crash landed on the platform where a moment earlier Master Keisuke, present day Xanthadon, and Jairess had been. They seemed to have all taken their leave for some reason while we were finishing the ritual.

Kostchtchie grabbed Ratabor, deciding that if he was going to keep them chained together, then he’d just take his personal ball-and-chain with him instead of letting him hold him back.

The Demon Lord turned towards us, and leapt across the gap separating our platform and his.

Suddenly he was right there, on the same platform as me, towering over me with his warhammer in hand.

Then an armored figure appeared, ripping back open the portal to the Abyss.

Jadrenka the Maiden woke again, and she grabbed the Demon Lord’s head, casting what appeared to be Modify Memories on him.

Ratabor flung himself into the portal to the Abyss—dragging Kostchtchie and Jadrenka with him.

The portal closed.

Everything went silent.

The yellow fog cleared as some winged tiefling who looked like he was playing at being a psychopomp flew down from killing the last of whatever had been lurking up there. He and the armored figure took their leave.

The only one of the mysterious group who stayed behind was a being made of wood and plant life. Once Aenland joined back up with us, after whatever he talked to Xanthadon about, the person spoke to us. They called themself A’opala, and they made us an offer. They said that their group had once told Baba Yaga to destroy the Torq, and had predicted that terrible things would come of it if she didn’t. I told him that we’d heard something of his group before—he shot back that he was surprised we hadn’t heard more, and directed a comment to Snezhinka. Calling her ‘Mrs. Karanasi’. But he was definitely referring to Snezhinka, not Edeya, in that moment. Snezhinka had been trying to tell Edeya in the battle that someone was coming who would help us—and clearly these people were who she’d been talking about.

The Torq was lying on the ground now, the only sign that Ratabor had ever been there.

A’opala’s offer was that their group take the Torq, so they could find a way to properly destroy it. And in return, they would give us a decoy Torq. One with just enough power in it to make a being think they had undergone mythic ascension for a short time. He knowingly added—long enough for, say, one fight with four adventurers.

It was an ideal solution. Aenland didn’t have to throw a fit about time being changed—because nothing was really changing. Our past selves wouldn’t know that it was just a decoy—and neither would Queen Elvana or Queen Jadwiga. We would all play our parts exactly the same as we had with the real Torq. Assuming it had been the real Torq then and we hadn’t already made this deal and that was already the decoy…

Gods how does Master Keisuke keep up with time travel? This is too much to think about.

Regardless, we were all in agreement that this sounded like an ideal solution we’d be fools to pass up. So A’opala took the Torq, and passed me the fake Torq.

As he left, he said something ominous about how he hoped we didn’t like any of the people who had been here, because they were going to be dealt with.

It seems Master Keisuke might have some powerful enemies, if I’m reading the room right.

Anyways, there was nothing more we could do in the Eon Pit. No one was going to risk going into it after what just happened. Too bad. I was between either manifesting something I really want to get for Greta or taking the ability for the Pit to slow your aging since it went and stole five years from me last time. But I guess I’ll just have to find some other means of getting longevity.

Well, preferably immortality.

Regardless, the important thing is: we had nothing left to do there, so we left. Jadrenka was dead or being tortured in the Abyss. Ratabor was dead or being tortured in the Abyss. We had the key we’d come for—dropped by the Crone when she fell.

I think it left a sour taste in all our mouths. No one was particularly chatty initially on the way back.

Then Nestian mentioned the possibility of saving Jadrenka. He felt going back in time and saving her was the right thing to do.

She had said something in her final moments about regretting ever becoming Warden. He felt going back and keeping her from becoming Warden—convincing her she was being manipulated before Queen Elvana really had her claws in deep—could change everything for the better.

Aenland exploded.

He went off, about how Nestian was still going on about wanting to change time, about how he never listened to Aenland, about how no one was taking the dangers of changing the past seriously enough. Nestian pointed out that we might already be in an altered timeline—right from the start—and who’s to say which time is right? Aenland said that doesn’t give us the right to go mucking it up worse. Nestian asked if Aenland could really choose not to change time when someone needed help, when they had a regret they could fix for the better. Aenland said that our regrets make us who we are, and if you change them then you kill the person who they were. Nestian asked—what if changing time could save a life? Aenland countered that this would change the lives of all the people affected by the loss of that person. Anything inspired by the loss would be gone.

Edeya pointed out that we were talking about this like we had a way to go back and change things. I agreed with her, pointing out that the clock didn’t take us where we wanted to go—it took us where the Hut felt we needed to go. So there was no guarantee we had any way of going back to ever see Jadrenka as she was again.

Nestian conceded that it was impossible, and tried to disengage with Aenland—but Aenland refused to let it go. He said it didn’t matter if it was impossible. The fact that if they arrived at the Hut and Zorka told us that we suddenly had the means to time travel freely, Nestian would use it to go back and change things, meant that Aenland couldn’t trust him.

Nestian told Aenland that just because they disagreed on one thing didn’t mean they couldn’t still be friends and allies. They didn’t have to agree on everything. Aenland was acting like they had to agree on everything. Aenland disagreed, saying this wasn’t just some little difference of opinion—this was life or death, not something they could just brush off.

Nestian tried to disengage again, and Aenland got pissed, snapping and saying something about how he was sick of Nestian and my attitude, always treating him like a child.

That’s rich, coming from him. Mr ‘oh look at the cute younger races aren’t they so adorable and ignorant’.

If he’d dragged me into it again, I was going to tell him that, too. I have a lot of thoughts about why he doesn’t deserve the respect he seems to think he does. But this was Nestian and Aenland’s argument. I didn’t feel terribly inclined to insert myself into it.

I do feel like something needs to be said at some point, however. I’m tired of coddling him.

Anyways, long story short, Nestian and Aenland came to some sort of understanding. I don’t really get where they came to see eye-to-eye in the middle of all the arguing, but in the end they hugged it out. And I think Aenland was crying.

Not long after we made it to the Hut.

Zorka greeted us immediately.

She asked were Ratabor was. If we’d found him.

So we had to break the new to her that her one long time friend had been dragged into the Abyss with his Demon Lord other half and was probably being tortured for all eternity now.

Aenland and Nestian tried to find a way around it. Futilely. We didn’t have keys to reach the Abyss. We didn’t have a way to control the time travel.

Worse, from what we began to piece together, we began to believe that Jadrenka really hadn’t been meant to be Warden of Artrosa at all. She had been manipulated by Queen Elvana to protect her from her mother—she’d been put into the position to receive the honor of Warden and banish her mother.

So that meant we were leaving time all wrong, which irritated Aenland, and we were leaving people dead who we otherwise could have saved, which upset Nestian.

Still…there was nothing we could do about it. All we could do was follow Baba Yaga’s trail and keep pushing forward.

We decided to rest for the night. I read a bit, then got some rest. As much as I could after the day’s events.

When we woke, we reconvened in the cauldron room. Zorka threw in the dragon scale and the golden nugget—but she couldn’t find the clock.

Aenland spotted it. He told Nestian to throw it in. At first it seemed like he was still in a mood—until he punted it out of Nestian’s hands in his usual fashion.

So it seems we have Aenland back. For better or worse.

Zorka stirred the pot for a time—until the liquid stuck in place and she couldn’t stir anymore. The room hadn’t changed, which was weird since last time when we’d gone from Irrisen to Ioberia the room had changed. Still, Zorka said we must have arrived at our destination.

So we exited the Hut.

Nothing could have prepared us for what we saw next.

Literally nothing.

We stepped outside and were back in Ioberia. Standing not far from the Hut’s front doorstep were two figures.

One was Jadrenka.

The other was Baba Yaga herself.

The moment we stepped from the Hut, Baba Yaga cast a Mythic Timestop—stopping time for everthing but herself and us. She turned to us, and noted that it was very interesting that three riders were coming out of her Hut—one a rider twice over.

She told us to elect someone amongst us who was the most eloquent to speak on our behalf and explain to her why we were here.

Aenland and Nestian immediately pointed to me.

I would have been flattered if I weren’t busy being somewhere between awe and terror of the woman before us. Obviously I could handle it, but talking to Baba Yaga was walking a very dangerous tightrope.

Baba Yaga noted that Ioberia was a very interesting place, temporally. She said she trusted I wouldn’t say anything I shouldn’t. So warning her about Queen Elvana’s plans were right out the window.

Instead, I agreed with her that Ioberia is an interesting place when it comes to time. I told her that as such we had come to inform her that it would be in her best interest to not make Jadrenka the new Warden of Artrosa. She was going to make some unfortunate decisions due to a poor choice in friends, and it would have dire consequences.

Baba Yaga asked me what I would have her do instead. I told her that I felt it would be most prudent to simply keep the current Warden in her present position.

Baba Yaga thanked me for the advisement—and for being so polite. Then she said it was no wonder she had made me a rider twice over—she never did that.

So that’s a thing. Apparently I was one of Baba Yaga’s other riders in the past year.

Shit, if I hadn’t lost my memories would I have been one of those bodies hung up on display in the market in Whitethrone…?

How did I do so much in just one year? I was an agent of the Winter Witches, I was Baba Yaga’s rider, I learned magic from Master Keisuke after dying…I had one really busy year.

How does one of Baba Yaga’s riders end up in Taldor with amnesia?

My life makes no damn sense.

Baba Yaga dismissed us, telling us to return to the Hut and be on our way.

So obviously we did as we were told.

When we got back into the Hut, Zorka told us that the soup was able to be stirred again. She stirred it, and this time the room changed as we really did change locations.

Suddenly we were in a large courtyard, with paths snaking off in each direction.

Also the area around the cauldron was a bit more crowded than it had been a few moments before. Seated at his usual spot by the fire was Ratabor, as if he’d never left.

And standing by him was Jadrenka.

We asked Zorka if she remembered what had happened. Zorka told us she remembered two sets of events. The timeline we’d been through—and another one. One in which Jadrenka had been brought to the hut many years ago, not long before Ratabor. Ratabor ended up in the Hut in the exact same way he had before.

Honestly even though she was trapped in the Hut instead of in a Statue now, she seemed a lot happier and more stable. At least now she had companions to share her time with—and she seemed close to Ratabor.

It was around this time that we noticed that Edeya hadn’t been with us this entire time. We figured she must still be in her room—wherever that was in this new layout. We decided to explore and see if we could find her.

We decided to go clockwise, starting with the northern-most path. I felt the Geass tug at me—seemingly informing me that this path through the woods was leading to my room.

Aenland darted ahead in his cauldron when he saw a strange tree—which turned out to be a Treant named Dawnbark. She was…not all there. She wouldn’t divulge what was wrong to Aenland, so I cast Tongues on myself and went to talk to her.

I managed to convince Dawnbark to open up. The sentient tree had some kind of mental ailment that made her violent and want to do harm to others. I surmised that a Heal spell would be the easiest magic to get ahold of that might heal her—although that wasn’t necessarily the only spell possible. Certainly not my forte. More something Edeya might be able to do at some point.

She also expressed a desire to leave this place, with the use of a plane shift spell. That might be…complex. But not impossible.

We’ll save thinking about that for later.

As we made for the next room, Aenland flew around wildly, apparently deciding that now that he wasn’t moping he was going to play with his cauldron. He contacted me with the Stone of Farspeech, and began giving each of us code names through it.

Honestly they weren’t terrible, I think his one himself was probably the most nonsensical. He was ‘Wooden Duckie’, I was ‘Ivory’, Nestian was ‘Pappa Bear’, Edeya we decided would be ‘Summer’ for the irony, Greta is ‘Mean Queen’, Nadya is ‘Firebrand’, and Jadrenka is ‘Trinity’.

Around the time he finished thinking up codenames, we arrived to his room. We found a bunch of killer plants around it and cleared them out, then moved on. Nestian’s room was much the same—two giant flytraps were planted outside his room, and we took care of them as well.

None of us felt a Geass tug up the next path—so we figured this one likely lead to Edeya’s room.

On the way up the path, we saw what appeared to be a cat sitting upon a stump. The cat spoke to us, introducing herself as Syvet and calling us over, as she had something to tell us.

Aenland warned me that the cat had ‘Gentle Repose’ cast on it. So it was an undead of some kind. Also the log under it was moving slightly.

However, I sensed that the cat genuinely had something it wanted to tell us.

I decided it made the most sense for me and Levi to approach the strange log first, since I was most adept with undead. Nestian insisted he come along to watch my back—a sentiment I did not disagree with.

I approached Syvet, along with Nestian and Levi. The cat asked if we knew who she was. Nestian and Aenland had identified her as the familiar of Queen Yelizaveta, the 13th queen of Irrisen, so I confirmed we did.

Syvet told us that her master had been trapped for some time, but that she had felt her master’s soul move on peacefully some time back. She paused, her eyes widening. She told us that she had much she’d like to tell us, but that for now all she could tell us was that if we killed her we would kill the thing beneath her.

Then the thing beneath her lunged at us with a flurry of tentacles, no longer an innocent log.

And behind us two Red Caps made their presence known as well.

Despite our suspicions we’d walked right into their trap.

Nestian, Levi, and I took a bit of a beating from the creature. But then we gave back as good as we took, and the others joined in as well. It didn’t take long for us to cut down the Red Caps and the creature masquerading as a log and puppeteering the familiar’s corpse.

When all was said and done, Nestian and Aenland insisted that we use our only Raise Dead scroll on that cat, since Gentle Repose would keep the body fresh for resurrection.

I tried to reason with them, that we might need that scroll for someone in our group, but they really wanted to bring back the cat. So I relented, and cast the spell.

Never thought if I was going to genuinely bring someone back to life it was going to be a cat.

Anyways, Syvet was grateful. She even offered us some magic, no strings attached, should we introduce her to Snezhinka. So even though she wasn’t here Edeya was really the one who got the most out of this.

And we got a cat out of it, I guess.

Don’t get me wrong, she’s a cute cat. I’m just still not totally convinced it was worth a Raise Dead scroll.

Anyways, we knocked on Edeya’s door and entered in time to see Edeya staring down that Mirror Edeya in her reflection in the mirror. Mirror Edeya was talking about how much they could accomplish together…and then Edeya reeled back and punched the mirror, shattering it.

Afterwards she flinched and noted how badly glass shards in her fist hurt. But she had it handled—she dropped a healing spell to cure herself.

Something was different about her. It was subtle—the markings on her arms were a different color. They had been a pale color before, similar to Greta’s eyes, now they were brighter.

I didn’t focus on that for long, though, because a moment later she said she had someone to introduce us to. She called in a little fairy dragon.

The dragon stood with her hands clasped behind her back, as if she wasn’t a tiny cute little dragon, and spoke to us. She introduced herself as Illivor Karanasi—Edeya’s aunt and the head of the Winter Witches.

She was also Snezhinka up until today.

So that explains a lot.