#i love them both equally but i was highly curious

[sweet-sampaguita]

[obessedwithfictionalmen]

You want my jacket?

John Egan X W.A.C! Reader

Summary: Y/n wants Bucky's jacket, but they have a little competition before...

Warning: Swearing/ sport inaccuracies (Wikipedia stats)/ use of Y/n/ flirting/ mention of erection/ kiss/ sexism (little bit)

Word count: 1.1k

The music was loud, Y/n and her friends made their way through the room, it was a party in their honor, and someone’s 25th mission. The W.A.C division Y/n was in just got transferred to Thorpe Abbotts. Y/n was a weather broadcaster, she was going to brief the men on the conditions they were going to fly. She liked her job, sure it was boring sometimes, but she got the insight on big mission and her job was important. She felt like she was truly having an impact on the war, not a big one, but still.

When John Egan learned that W.A.C were coming on the base, he was like every man on the base; excited. Unlike Buck, he didn’t have anyone to write to at home, he was single and loved woman! When his eyes stopped on Y/n, he knew that he needed to talk to her. Her uniform fitted her so good; her curves were highlighted, and he always loved woman with curves. So, when he walked up to her, he was a little nervous, but he tried to hide it.

‘’Hello ladies’’ he said, looking at all the woman, then he looked at the one he wanted. ‘’Hi, I’m Major John Egan, but please call me Bucky, what’s your name, gorgeous?’’ he flirted. Y/n blushed and hid a giggle. ‘’I’m Y/n, nice to meet you’’ she extends her hand for him to take. The other girls were a giggling mess. When Bucky took her hand, she felt something pass through them, maybe she was just nervous, but it felt weird. They went to sit at a table and Bucky ordered drinks. ��’So, Y/n, what are you doing here?’’ he asked, looking at her. ‘’I’m the new weather broadcaster, so we’re going to see each other a lot’’ she flirted. Words of his reputation had got to Y/n’s ears, when the Colonel briefed them on the attitude of the men at the base, the woman were warned about Major Egan. Y/n was curious to see if his reputation was true. ‘’You’ll be Miss Sunshine?’’ he asked, with a grin on his face. ‘’Exactly, but with this English weather, I’ll be Miss Cloud, Rain and Fog’’ she joked. He laughed at her joke, he always thought English weather was shit. ‘’Maybe your presence will bring more sun over the base’’ he took a sip of his drink. Y/n tilted her head, before taking a sip of her drink.

‘’I highly doubt that, but hey I’ll probably die of cold, you on the other hand, you’re going to be okay with that beautiful jacket’’ she smiled. He looked at his jacket, then looked at her. ‘’You like my jacket?’’ he asked, with a crooked eyebrow. She nodded as she finished her drink. ‘’Yeah, they didn’t give us any jacket, they didn’t have the money for us’’ she chuckles. A wicked idea came to her mind, she was a fan of baseball, so was he… ‘’Okay, what about a quiz, on the subject of your choice, if I win, I get your jacket, if you win, what do you want if you win?’’ she says. ‘’I want a kiss’’ he grins. ‘’Then if you win, you’ll get your kiss. You in?’’ she asked. He nodded and called Curt, he was a fan of baseball and knew the Yankees. ‘’I’m on, and by the way, I hope your baseball knowledge is good, you know the Yankees, sunshine?’’ he teased. He was 100% sure he was going to win; nobody knew baseball as good as him, but that’s what he thought. Y/n was grinning like a devil, she was getting that jacket!

‘’Ok, last question since you’re both equal in points, Spud Chandler broke the record for what this season?’’ Curt asked. Y/n thought for a second and then took the apple, it was their buzzer. ‘’Y/n?’’ the room went silent; money was changing hands around the bar. Their little competition was the main entertainement right now, soldiers couldn’t believe that someone knew baseball better than Bucky. ‘’ Lowest earned run average in a season’’ she said, smiling. Curt pushed his tongue on his cheek before looking at other guys. ‘’That’s right, you officially win!’’ He exclaimed, making the woman and some guy’s cheer for her. Bucky’s jaw was on the floor, that woman knew baseball, was supporting the Yankees and she just beat him. Now he had to give her his jacket! Bucky looked at the woman, she was smiling proudly. He smiled as he shook his head. He went closer to her. ‘’Let’s get out of here, sunshine’’ he said, she nodded, and they went outside.

‘’How come you know that much about baseball?’’ he asked. They started to walk around the base. ‘’Weather girl wasn’t my original plan, I wanted to be a sport reporter, but because I’m a woman, it’s impossible, but I know a lot about sports’’ she explained. He thought he was dreaming; this woman was surreal. ‘’That was really impressive, even though you beat me, it was amazing’’ he said, he truly meant it, he was in awe before her. ‘’Thank you, but I think you owe me something’’ she grins. Bucky rolls his eyes before taking his precious jacket off. ‘’Take care of it’’ he said, before giving it to her. ‘’Can you help me put it on?’’ she asked. Her back was facing him, he helped her put the jacket on, smelling her perfume properly for the first time. She smelled good, too good, it was going to be stuck in his mind now. Seeing her in his jacket kina turned him on, he didn’t know why, but it was a problem. ‘’Thank you, Major’’ she smiled proudly. ‘’I wish I could say it's my pleasure, but that would be a lie’’ he said, laughing to hide his pain. Y/n giggled as they continued their walk.

‘’That’s me, I have to go to bed early. I’m waking up at 0500 tomorrow I have to do my job’’ she smiles. Bucky nods quickly, expecting her to walk to her building, but she stays in front of him. ‘’Since we were equal, it’s only fair that you get your part of the bet’’ she says. Before he could process what she meant she quickly kiss him on the lips. By the time he acknowledges what just happened, she’s already at the door. ‘’Good night, Bucky, thanks for the jacket’’ she says, his name sounding like a prayer on her lips. ‘’Good night sunshine’’ he said. She blew him a kiss before entering the building, with his jacket on her. Yep, his problem was definitely growing more…

[apomaro-mellow]

King and Prince 30

Part 29

Steve wasted no time appearing in town to challenge Jason. Eddie accompanied him, keeping a low profile as the horse he rode on again. Steve dismounted when they got to the butcher’s shop and Jason came out immediately as if summoned. He probably just saw them through the window the moment they arrived.

“Well look who decided to grace us low folk with his presence.” Jason’s apron was bloody and he was wiping it off his hands also.

Steve’s expression was stony. “Did I ever make you feel low? Even when we were alone?”, he asked.

“I always knew there was something off about you. That alone was enough.” Jason tossed the red stained cloth over his shoulder. “Why are you here?”

“I want you to rescind your blasphemous lies. I am no longer an agent of my homeland. I didn’t come here intending to invade this kingdom.”

People began to gather, first because of the brilliantly black horse, so rich and fine, then because of Steve who was equally fine. Folks began to murmur, speculating that this was the man who had their king so enamored. Jason was good at both gauging a crowd and turning them to his favor. And he saw opportunity.

“What happens if I refuse? I haven’t been shown any proof to the contrary.” Then he projected his voice. “Will you smite me? Or will His Majesty? If I’m wrong, reveal it to be evident. But if I am simply silenced, everyone here will know your true face.”

Steve’s frown deepened. “Will you not seek a more honorable path?”

“And what, pray tell, is the more honorable path?”, Jason questioned as his parents stepped out, curious about the wealthy looking man on their porch.

“I challenge you, Jason Carver, to a duel”, Steve said.

Jason smirked. Something about it reminded Steve of a predator. But he stood strong. The best man would win and that was him. Jason held out his hand, smears of blood still on it.

“I accept.”

Steve held his own hand out and shook it. But then Jason didn’t let go on the downswing as the crowd’s whispers began to rise. Steve tried to pull his hand back but Jason held firm. He took too many steps forward until he was in Steve’s space. 

“You’re going to regret this.” He was grinning still until the horse whinnied and pushed his head threateningly between Steve and Jason, causing Jason to rear back.

“Easy, easy, I’m fine”, Steve soothed, petting the horse’s snout. He continued to shush them as he got on its back. “A messenger will be forthcoming with the details.”

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

The duel was set for a week’s time and in the following days, Eddie unfortunately saw Steve less and less. It wasn’t for lack of trying too. When he heard that Steve was taking on knights in the training room, he had come right over, gift in hand. They were gloves for his lovely hands so that he would never need to touch the likes of Carver ever again.

But before he could even enter, Dustin barred him, hand in his face.

“You can’t come in”, Dustin said.

“And why on this green, verdant earth, not?” He wasn’t in the mood for whatever Henderson was playing at.

“Steve told us he can’t be distracted while he trains.”

“I wouldn’t be a distraction”, Eddie argued.

“He specifically said, ‘if Eddie comes, don’t let him in’”, Dustin echoed.

“Mhm, but since when do you listen to whatever people tell you to do?”, Eddie challenged.

“Steve promised to show me a disemboweling move if I did”, Dustin said. “You got something to top that?”

Eddie highly doubted Steve was going to follow through with that promise, so he wasn’t going to one-up him just to satisfy Dustin. If Steve wanted to focus on the duel, he would respect that. The door opened and Lucas stuck his head out, allowing Eddie to hear the ruckus going on just beyond it.

“Dustin! Get back here! It’s so epic!”

There were cheers at least a dozen strong that supported Lucas’ claim and Dustin rushed to get back in and shut the door behind him, leaving Eddie all alone. He sighed, forlorn, before picking himself up. If Steve was throwing himself into this, so would he. It had been some time since he had to make a show of power to his people.

Eddie coordinated the dueling venue, erecting an arena in a dusty, flat area. During fall and winter, it was a congregation for demobeasts as it got cold and hard. During the warmer parts of the year though, it was either empty or frequented by youngsters playing their own games. By the week’s end, there was a view box for the king and his entourage, benches for the other spectators, and a ring in which the fighters would battle.

It wasn’t just people from the town immediately outside the castle that came. Word traveled fast and people from neighboring cities came as well. When dawn arrived of the duel, Eddie wondered if there would be proper accommodations. In the form of a raven, he flew over the duel grounds and saw that while the morning mist was still evaporating, people were already gathering to claim their spots.

That all suited him just fine, he decided. He would be announcing his courtship officially and the more ears the better. 

The sun rose higher and the time was nearly here. Eddie had behaved and not distracted him at all, but he couldn’t resist coming into his tent as he prepared.

“Did you-did you cut your hair?”, Eddie nearly squeaked as an attendant tied leather to Steve’s shin.

“I do that sometimes for the summer”, Steve said, sitting on a stool. It wasn’t much of a change to be honest but it still drove home how Eddie hadn’t seen Steve in days. Just a couple inches off his hair felt like an immeasurable distance.

“You look as dashing as ever”, Eddie said easily, taking steps forward then realized they weren’t alone. “You may take your leave”, he ordered.

The attendant left, closing the tent behind themselves. There was a crowd ebbing and flowing outside but they were in their own little world now. Not a servant or chaperone to be spoke of. Eddie knelt down before Steve and finished the job, tying up his other leg. Steve was suddenly very conscious of his own breathing, of the way Eddie’s eyes focused on the task before him, of the tip of his nose, of the way his hands lingered. 

In order to tie down the protective layer, he had to touch his calf, the back of his knee, his ankle. His clothing stood between skin to skin contact, but that didn’t stop the touch from warming him. It was the reverent way Eddie did it. It was having a king on his knees. It was Eddie adding something to protect him.

“In case you were wondering, this is why I couldn’t have you watch me train”, Steve said, his voice just ever so slightly breathless.

Just to be cheeky, Eddie kissed his clothed knee. “I heard you put on quite the performance.”

Steve moved to stand and Eddie helped him to his feet. Their only point of contact was their hands and yet it felt like so much. Not for the first time, Steve was trying to remember why he wasn’t allowed to kiss Eddie right now. He wanted to. Eddie wanted to. And Eddie seemed to have the same realization as his eyes met Steve’s. He brought the prince’s hand towards him to kiss the tips of his fingers, then the palm of his hand.

Eddie’s lips ghosted over the inside of his wrist when a blast of fanfare broke the illusion of privacy. But there was a moment still, where they both considered stealing just one more second to act on their desires. But then Eddie pulled away.

“Our public awaits”, he said, starting towards the tent’s opening.

Steve walked out with him, but they had to part ways so that Steve could enter the arena and that Eddie could go to his viewing box and announce the start of the duel, as well as lay out the terms to all in attendance. 

“Enjoy the show”, Steve said with a wink.

Part 31

Taglist CLOSED

@thesuninyaface @only-evanescent  @snakeorsquid  @ignoremyworld  @theclichefortunecookie 

@goodolefashionedloverboi  @just-a-tiny-void  @0body0disphoria0  @cinnamon-mushroomabomination  @samsoble 

@jamieweasley13  @y4r3luv  @xtkxkrzrizir  @un-knownperson  @greekgeek24 

@justdrugsformethanks  @potato-of-the-lord  @notaqueenakhaleesi  @swimmingbirdrunningrock  @queenie-ofthe-void 

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@lil-gremlin-things @littlebluejane @puppy-steve

[elysiansparadise]

Hello my sunshine!

I noticed your ask box was open! I'm so happy!

Could you please do an interpretation of Mars in 11H. I have this placement. Thank you.

Have a fantastic day and a wonderful week.

Stay warm and cozy. ❤️

Hello my love, hope you're doing wonderfully. ❤️

Mars in the 11th house

Here we have natives who are more likely to rationalize when something happens that bothers them, they are not usually so impulsive when it comes to reacting and they may want to see things from different perspectives. They are very ambitious people who, once they have a plan or project that they are passionate about, dedicate themselves fully to it and not only think about it, but do something to achieve it. This placement favors those who want to start their own business, as it indicates that they can earn a lot of money working on something of their own or being their own boss. Since I mention bosses, even if they do not like to command, they have leadership skills and ensure what is fair both for themselves and for members of their group or other members of society. They are the voice of those who are marginalized or ignored and many people can feel taken into account by them. They have no problem approaching and talking to other people, in fact some tend to give the impression of being extroverted, but they highly value their time alone and doing things on their own. This is an ambivert placement.

Now talking about friendship, these natives tend to be funny, motivating and supportive friends, they have a curious way of taking care of their friends and they are not initially emotional, but rather take care of them in more practical ways. They may feel more energetic after spending time with friends or a group of people and are sometimes the person they turn to when a difficulty or problem occurs. These natives are those who tell you the truth no matter how painful it is, and honesty is something they value above all things in their friendships. They may attract more friendships with people with masculine energy, protective people, strong temperaments, or people who motivate them in some way. There may be some drama in your circles, arguments, or just having somewhat boisterous friendships. It is very likely that they prefer friends with similar ideas or perspectives in order to maintain a harmonious environment, as they stand out for defending their ideals tooth and nail. They like to defend causes linked to freedom, whether identity or expression, which is why it is a common placement for activists, feminists, people who fight for equal rights or justice for marginalized sectors of society. They have a healthy empathy in which they do not put others above them, but instead seek to understand and support them.

Although these people are open-minded when it comes to meeting many people, it is somewhat difficult for them to open up emotionally, they tend to be really defensive with their emotional world and may feel that they have to appear strong, if accompanied by other aspects of style, it can make them feel difficulty expressing their most vulnerable side. One of the good things about this placement is that they are very firm with their boundaries and do not stay in places where they are crossed or ignored. They would much rather be alone than in bad company and they have no problem with being alone at times. They seek to form friendships with more practical parameters without getting carried away by just feeling happy with the other person. They need friendships in which they feel they can trust and with whom honesty and loyalty is guaranteed, so even if they appear friendly, they remain alert and observant. In the sexual area, these natives are very open and experimental with their partner, they really like to surprise and be surprised in intimacy, and they always make sure not to fall into monotony. They don't just care about their pleasure, for them it is important that their partner also feels pleasure and feels satisfied.

[flipflopsavy]

Just curious what's everyone's opinions on each other?

( Sorry, if this is a really hard question)

🧐 🦇🦋🕷️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🃏

Nastasia and Bleck: Nastasia is Blumiere's best friend, he's more open about seeing her that way than he used to. Their friendship has grown healthier that they're equals. He's playful with her at times and tends to be the more soft one of the two. He feels deeply bad he could never return her romantic feelings. She sees Blumiere as an equal of sorts. It took a long time for her to get over him but when she did, she really blossomed. Especially in the world of business! She still has deep feelings for him but they've moreso evolved into these close familial- friendship bond. Despite technically being *his* boss at Bleck's B&B, she still calls him Sir, feeling uncomfortable to call him both Blumiere or Bleck.

Blumiere and Timpani: Gotta keep this one veryyy short LMAO. Love of his life ofc. Absolutely openly sweet as a button to his wifey Timpani, completely playful with her loving husband Blumiere. They are very much opposites, he's more introverted and hesitant around others (post and pre-SPM) and she's extroverted as a social butterfly and bold, always speaking her mind. She's been his entire existence ever since they met at 19/22 (I see her as three years older than him), overcame their differences of being different species/classes and became social outcast best friends. (She was the only human in her village of Yold Town due to a rare mutant genetic and he was a Tribe of Darkness.) Both respect each other extremely because of their love of taking care of other people and love of the worlds. Timpani forever won't completely forgive Blumiere for SPM events and she has a tendency to assertively take control of their relationship at times out of coping. Their main insecurities come from the fact that Blumiere has a fear of hurting her again, she has a fear of being hurt by him again. But despite old wounds and healed scars, everything between them is usually done with a deep conversation and mutual understanding, even with their massive differences. Their relationship is basically messy rekindled flames and they try every day to keep it afloat. They love baby talk and overwhelmingly affectionate to each other, especially now that they have seven kids.💙🦋

Blumiere and Mimi - He sees Mimi as loud and flashy, a bit intimidated by her energy but also knows when to tell her to stop. Happy that she loves to babysit the kiddos. Mimi sees him as a stuffy old man now but still occasionally flirts with him for kicks. He doesn't like that.

Blumiere and O'Chunks: He's learned to express his kindness to O'Chunks outwardly more since the SPM events, along with the other minions. Both are kind souls in nature (although O'Chunks still loves a good fight obviously.). And although Blumiere is still a bit hesitant to spend time with the minions because of everything he did, he tries to.

Blumiere and Dimmy - Blumiere sees Dimmy like a nephew of sorts. He knows that's the clone of Dimentio, but it also pangs Blumiere's heart to know Dimmy was in Castle Bleck alone for years until they found out about his existence. Blumiere knows Dimmy wants to "destroy him" but takes pity on that fact. Mainly because he knows Dimmy likely is just voicing his frustration about his identity crisis. Dimmy only hates Blumiere because he feels like that's what he SHOULD do as "Dimentio", but secretly can't find a reason to because Blumiere has been nothing but nice to him, same with the other minions/Timpani.

Nastasia and Timpani - Nastasia highly respects and idolizes Timpani, admiring Timpani's love of the world and everyone in it. She feels no feelings of competition against her. Timpani finds her idolization and patterns a bit weird but still bounds with her when they get the rare free time to. I like to think they mutually bond over being these incredibly powerful women in their respective fields. (Nastasia being a businesswoman and Timpani being a protector of Flipside.) Timpani is a very jokester type of person when she isn't serious about protecting everyone. Whereas Nastasia doesn't usually express emotion. So there's definitely an element of lighthearted teasing from Timpani there.

Nastasia and the Minions - She tends to see the minions as "lazy" in their jobs at the B&B, but it's just because Nastasia likes a lot of order and it helps her mentally to cope with everything/autistic coded. Mimi is probably the one who can break her stoic personality and get under her skin. O'Chunks she can grow tired of, but respects how much the B&B customers are a fan of his cooking, (yes he's the Chef in Bleck's B&B! Even has his own Cafe.) Like the others, she sees Dimmy as just a punkish kid who needs structure in his life. Mimi and Dimmy see Nastasia as a workaholic killjoy boss, O'Chunks usually tries to be polite to her, he used to have a little crush on her but not anymore. (Literally anyone remember that in SPM?) Mimi and Dimmy see Nastasia as a workaholic killjoy.

O'Chunks and Mimi - Absolutely BESTIES. They've actually known each other before joining Bleck for a long explanation reason I'll go into someday. They always treat each other kindly and like to go on wild parties/events out post-SPM.

O'Chunks and Dimmy - O'Chunks was the one who became like a foster parent to Dimmy when they first took him out of Castle Bleck. O'Chunks is very fatherly kind and optimistic to Dimmy, even if the feelings are very much not mutual, at least outwardly by Dimny. Even if O'Chunks can be a klutz and accidentally burn their apartment down at times too. They balance each other out.

Dimmy and Mimi - She picks on him lovingly like a big sister while he HATES it. She taught him everything about petty theft, that which is apart of his foundation today. He's the second closest in the gang to her, only surpassed by O'Chunks. Secretly views her as a cool older sister.

Timpani and the Minions: With Mimi she views her as a bit eccentric but enjoys Mimi's blunt personality as that's something they both share (although Timpani is more thoughtful of her words to others than Mimi). Both of them are Flipside's biggest gossipers along with Saffron and Muffy. O'Chunks post-spm she finds him a big sweetie, he's a lot like Blumiere and is great with kids, even if O'Chunks is clumsy. She has the biggest soft spot for O'Chunks and O'Chunks is always polite and happy to be around her! Dimmy she sees as a punk kid, as Dimmy likes to do petty theft around Flipside. She was pretty cautious around him at first seeing how he's a clone of Dimentio. But her heart felt incredibly sadden to realize he was just a lifeform who was suffering alone and isolated for the first part of his life. Dimmy sees her as an irritating cop that ruins his plans, although secretly thinks she's cool.

Blumpani and their Kids - Do I need to write this one out? They definitely have their own relationships with each of their kids that would take a long time to type out lmao. Blumiere is afraid to punish them usually because of his trauma with his own father. However, he is still very openly affectionate and playful with his babies. Timpani is a very motherly mother, her kids are literally EVERYTHING to her besides the safety of the dimensions. She sometimes gives them tough love if they misbehave but it's also very loving and affectionate.

The Minions and Blumpani's kids: Nastasia is NOT a kids person, lol. Kids make her feel slightly uncomfortable. But she respects and addresses them with proper terms. Dimmy can't stand the kids usually. Mimi and O'Chunks are pretty much the hands on playful Auntie and Uncle of the kids. They especially love to babysit when Blumiere and Timpani are gone.

Dimmy and Harpi: Harpi basically has Dimentio's magic abilities but since she's only two they haven't appeared much yet. Harpi absolutely adores Dimmy, and sees him like a big cousin, Dimmy is a bit jealous of her skills for sure, being magicless himself.

Merlon and Timpani:

Ever since he found her after being attacked by Blumiere's father, he's had a rather close attachment to her. When she comes back to Flipside with Blumiere, she asks him to become his student. He can be serious and tough when it comes to teaching, but also gentle and shares the same deadpan humor Timpani finds hilarious. She feels he's become her father-figure (especially losing her parents at relatively young ages) and takes that role for him seriously.

Dimmy and Dimentio: .......

To be continued.

[borgialucrezia]

okay i know you've mentioned/answered this a million times but i would love to get your top recommendations for borgias published books and content.

i haven't really ventured into those selections but i really want to take the leap into that realm and buy/borrow some books and read them..!

(also i'm curious if you read many fanfictions for the borgias, and if so do you have any good recs?)

💞

hi <33! no worries at all! i love being asked questions about everything related to the borgias, as i get very enthusiastic about them. now, let's start with my favorite borgias biographies:

maria bellonci's 'lucrezia borgia' because i'm very obsessed with accuracy and avoiding cliché biased narratives. it's such a solid read really! it also portrays lucrezia in a way that i've always believed she was—a completely misunderstood woman who is a pawn in the power and ambition games of her father and brother. but deep down, she's just a silly, pretty poetry lover who's guilty by association. this book also debunks cesare's supposed "jealousy" towards juan as the shows how much he loves him (based on the letters to each other) and that rodrigo has always loved his children equally, which is a cherry on top lol.

emma lucas's 'lucrezia borgia.' while it's not entirely accurate because it satisfies my beloved (but not accurate) 'lucrezia is a femme fatale and not saintly' narrative (which i love, by the way), i'm fascinated by how it unexpectedly delves deep into her family, especially rodrigo, cesare, and juan. it also provides great anecdotes about the characters so there's that. despite having negative reviews, the biography is actually very well-written and highly entertaining! fuck the gossip!

christopher hibbert's 'the borgias and their enemies.' for some reason, i keep forgetting to recommend this book to my friends. i tend to get easily investedwith any borgia book that focuses on the pope and his children, providing narratives without forcing you to choose what to believe. the author obviously conducted extensive research before publishing it because when reading a biography (not historical fiction), i prefer to avoid biased perspectives that can be heavily misleading. i also appreciate the fact that machiavelli (and other important figures) plays an important role in this biography because i'm always excited about him.

ferdinand gregorovius' 'lucretia borgia according to original documents and correspondence of her day'. it's also a very unbiased excellent piece of history that is full of validated source. and i just adore how the author is pro-lucrezia as well.

samantha morris' 'cesare and lucrezia: brother and sister of history's most vilified family' is also well documented and well researched! while cesare was given more depth than lucrezia, still, lucrezia's character in this biography is more colorful. obviously the most popular narrative for the borgia family is them being incestuous, corrupt and violent, a family to be feared, but the author suggests otherwise as she sets out to prove this is not the full story and she does make a good argument! as she detailed how they've been portrayed by mainstream media as well as detailing what happened to their descendants.

sarah bradford's 'lucrezia borgia.' okay, so this one isn't a favorite of mine, but i'd recommend it to you or anyone who's a huge fan of ceslu. it's written like a love story biography exclusively about them. while i like how she wrote about ceslu, i heavily dislike how she wrote about juan and rodrigo and how she portrayed them based on narratives from the family's enemies. the author also manipulated a letter about the envoy boccaccio, which is supposed to praise both brothers. but instead, the author just one-upped him with cesare by dunking on him, which i personally find lame and intensely inaccurate since juan borgia was pretty much loved by his wife, his family, and his friends based on the retrieved documents and letters. that being said, i do enjoy the ceslu parts, of course, and i believe any fan of showtime's 'the borgias' who ships ceslu would enjoy this book and its fluent writing and can easily ignore the negatively inaccurate narratives about the other members of the family.

that's all for the biography books! now let's start with historical fiction:

sarah dunant's 'blood and beauty'. one thing about me is that i'm never gonna stop praising this book because it is absolutely my favorite historical fiction book about this extraordinary family! again, i get so invested in any book when the author does extensive research. also, if you're looking for a book about this family that reads like an episode of showtime's 'the borgias,' then this book is your go-to! full of interesting dynamics, and yes, cesare is as cruel and megalomaniacal as history and machiavelli portrayed him, lucrezia as a victim of her father and brother's political ambitions game, and juan as the flawed kid who was eventually sunk deep when he got dragged into his father's ambitions game. while the book doesn't provide a deeper exploration of the characters' psyche, it's more focused on the story by making it very engaging and sheds light on their complex relationships and their rise to power. and every character is highly sympathetic as the author brilliantly humanizes them. in short, it is emotionally intriguing and a must-read for the borgias enjoyers.

mario puzo's 'the family'. you know, i wasn't even surprised a bit that this book's writing and story being groundbreaking because after all, it is written by the author of 'the godfather'. the family is such a compelling book, such tender writing when it comes to lucrezia and cesare. the story becomes intriguing the more you read. i also loved puzo's portrayal of rodrigo as this family man who deeply loves his children yet he uses them as pawns (which is also similar to jeremy irons' portrayal). while i gotta criticize that the characters have no depth and his version of lucrezia as this damsel angel for her father and brother is, uhhh… quite boring. i like her when she's multilayered lol. i also think the way he tried to present cesare and give him the "from zero to hero" trope in order to make him relatable is also lame because cesare's success as a historical figure is because he was calculating and wicked, and definitely not a bitter loser. i mean, i could absolutely ignore the bitterness part, but at least françois arnaud's cesare added so many layers and swag in the characters, therefore you could ignore it. but i can overlook all that when there's an engaging story and great writing, no matter what the characterizations are like. so overall, it's impressive and entertaining, and you will definitely enjoy it.

regarding fanfiction; i'm sorry but i never read any because i feel quite satisfied by all 'the borgias' show canon that we have and all these historical books. i wish i could help with recommending fics :/

thank you very much for the question, and i hope this post answers it. have a great day 💕🫶

[lookinghalfacorpse]

You don't have to respond to this one, but @ your last tags on the found family trope post, I can't say I haven't been curious if anything like that was ever the case. You've been so careful in painting everyone's relationship to be on trust and healthy reliance on one another in times of need, and Techno + Dream definitely have something more intimate and close going on (which I deeply appreciate btw- I couldn't bear it if someone tried to stick itwall!Dream as a brother to Techno, or put him in alongside Wilbur as a son figure to Phil :shudders:), so I'm VERY curious how detailed those thoughts have gotten at any point in time /lh /but genuine

(talking about my semi-cursed tags on this post)

yes i can talk about this all day !! i think the dynamic that doomsday trio brings is fascinating, and i don't blame those who see it as a nuclear family dynamic because i think the comparison does work in some places, but it's more complicated than that. i touched on it (in vaguely poetic terms) in this post, but i can give more detail here.

c!philza is an old man and an experienced father, and his instinct as a guardian is strong. this is the closest we get to a nuclear family format in itwall; phil definitely calls on some of his skills as a father when he helps dream, but it's a bit more complex than that. phil recognizes that dream is an adult in human years and doesn't need to be babied (hell, he doesn't even baby Wilbur, his own son who's around the same age!). dream needs care, he needs a mentor, and he needs a better self-preservation instinct before he kills himself. i think their relationship is closer to ancient grecian mentorship than fatherhood/sonhood, the only difference is that the mentee is on death's door for a while and needs some extra attention. phil sees himself in dream, dream sees phil as someone he might like to be, and there's a level of mutual respect there.

i also think that techno and dream have a sense of brotherhood, but in the same way that two athletic teammates have a brotherhood. they have a long history of trust between them, with room for playfulness and teasing. there's a lack of touch aversion (which is HUGE for dream), and dream initiates more of their touches (as opposed to phil, where he tends to be more submissive) (i'm thinkin about ch 12 & ch 19).

and, of course, techno & phil have a complicated relationship of their own. i'm always annoyed by headcanons that techno is phil's son-- we see plenty of interactions where they mutually worry over each other and care for each other. the will is Not written like a boy talking to his father. these two are lifelong partners, and that letter is written to someone who techno knows will understand him and trusts to carry out the more sentimental, intangible tasks, like talking to niki and ranboo, with very little instruction.

highly oversimplified but this is the idea. Techno and dream have similar relationships with phil but it's not really sonhood. all built on trust. they've proven to each other that they will keep each other safe.

and honestly.. none of those relationships would have to exclude sex or intimacy. equals/partners can have sex. comrades can have sex. mentors/mentees can have sex (i think people feel weird about this one, but again: think Ancient Grecian). i have Quite A Few scenes in my head about how their sexual relationships might work (especially in the early days when dream isn't feeling good...). i guess in light of everyone being more open about shipping i would consider writing them, i'd just keep them here instead of ao3.

i think both phil and techno consider dream to be heartstoppingly lovely. i think dream would love to be loved. i think phil&techno and techno&dream may have had some encounters Before the start of itwall, so it would just be a matter of tying it all together.

[winter-sol]

Spoilers for Lesson 11!

About Solomon, MC and their relationship with demons.

There's this pretty interesting thing I noticed about Solomon's perspective compared to MC's when it comes to their vision towards demons.

Solomon made clear he sees demons and angels as creatures that underestimate humans and won't ever treat us as equals. I don't actually blame him for this, as he is not even wrong. We've seen them call us "mere humans" or belittle us for being humans in both games. So his approach to demons is mostly from a utilitarian and confrontational point of view.

He needs to prove humans can be equal or surprass them, and for that, he's willing to do anything. He's willing to use demons, become more powerful and defend humanity above anything else. He was even teaching MC his way of dealing with demons, as in "leveling the playing field" to face them because "When it comes down to it, that's what negotiating with demons is all about, really".

He then proceeds to talk about how he plans on changing that, and to almost manipulating us into making a promise about siding with humanity no matter what. That, in a place that probably binds us to said promise or something like that. It was... shady, but if anything I got even more intrigued about his intentions. (as a Solomon enjoyer, I'm living for how his character keeps getting more complex).

Then we have MC.

See, I'm really curious about how this game will deliver its promise about making choices matter because if there's an intereting branch in this game, it's probably about MC either siding with humanity/Solomon, or the demons they love so much.

No matter what we choose in L11, MC will end up handing out the grimoire out of their own will, and making a promise on either protecting them or letting them find joy. And I think that speaks loud about MC's vision on demons and how it's opposing to Solomon.

MC refuses to see demons as potential enemies, and their approach is not confrontational like Solomon's. It's from love and understanding.

MC was able to do something Solomon could never, and that is making a pact with the Seven Rulers of Hell, and actually gaining their trust for these powerful demons to be willing to obey them on their own will (even if, magically speaking, they are being forced). And the main difference is, MC didn't achieve it through becoming the most powerful sorcerer or taking advantage of them, like Solomon did with Asmo.

At the end of the day, the seven brothers chose to have a pact with MC, and keep choosing MC no matter what.

Solomon and MC have opposing views. They've been working as a team, but they will inevitably collide.

So, what will happen next? I'm waiting for next lesson! But for now I'd like to wonder.

I'm not sure if MC will have to deliberately choose to side with either party, since I believe MC wouldn't purposefully betray the demons because they're too important for them and already proved they're on their side. Also, I don't think MC would like to turn against Solomon, as they still trust him and need his guiding. But how long will it last?

I want to believe our choices regarding our relationship and trust in Solomon will affect the plot.

If MC is too passive and diplomatic, Solomon could end up having his way, whatever that is, since his intentions are one of the biggest mysteries of Nightbringer. I'm not necessarily trying to frame Solomon as a villain or antagonist, that still remains uncertain. But I think we can all agree he has a very important role, and that role is highly related to his ambiguous morals and actions.

If MC is too reckless, they might end up messing up with the timeline, their relationships and the demons themselves or even Solomon and humanity. (does anyone else want bad endings??)

I wonder if MC's trust in Solomon, and vice versa, will eventually break, or they'll find a way to work it out. He already seemed dissapointed at us handing out the grimoire instead of using it, as if we're already proving we don't have the same intentions he has regarding humanity and demons.

What kind of decisions should MC make in order to keep a balance between humans and demons without betraying either side?

Does MC actually care about balance, harmony and humanity's well being? Or will they only act based on their feelings, wherever that takes them?

I love Obey Me's MC, I think they hold great potential, but they've been relying on others' help a lot. It makes sense, since they've been just learning about this world and building their own way to grow and become more powerful. But I'd like to see them deciding and facing bigger consequences for their actions. And I'm dying to see how this plays out ;)

As always, I'm open to talk more about this :) Bai-bai.

[theloverscardtarot]

Joe Quinn's Next Relationship

General Energy

Queen of Swords: Well, well we meet again.👀 The queen is all about logic and intellect. She has a way with words. She may be witty and funny. She may be a writer or a counselor or is just good with communication in general. She may be the "logical thinker" between the two and she may help him sort through problems.

Again: blue-grey eyes; dark brown, black or silver hair; fair to pale skin.

Chariot: I believe either of them are trying to steer themselves in each other's direction. There is a sense of control here. They both may currently be trying to control certain aspects of their lives. Or, someone may come off a bit direct or controlling in the relationship. One of them might be set in their ways.

Queen of Cups: They may have a compassionate and nurturing relationship. They may connect with each other on an emotional level and fulfill each other's emotional needs.

8 of Pents: "Love is like cultivating a skill" they may both work hard on this relationship to bring it to its full potential. It could also mean they are both career oriented and are a master at their craft. They may appreciate this about each other.

How he sees her

Justice, 6 of Wands Queen of Wands, Knight of Cups Side

She may be someone that does right by others and makes sure Joe feels equal and treated with fairness. She may do whatever she can to make him feel seen and heard.

She may make him feel like he has won in life when he meets her. There is a sense of victory and achievement. There may be a sense of determination. Maybe he chases her and succeeds.

She most likely is open and honest with him and tells him like it is. She may have a sense of confidence that gets his attention. But she is compassionate and loving to him as well.

She could have a romantic side and be a dreamer. He could find her very charming and beautiful. But there may be times that she is too emotional. She may have an overactive imagination or is a bit moody.

How She Sees Him

Ace of Swords Side, 5 of Swords, 2 of Cups, 8 of Wands, 2 of Swords

Joe may have a breakthrough or "aha" moment about her, but his judgement could also be clouded. She may feel like he can be clear about his wants and needs one moment and the next not be able to read him at all.

She may feel like he doesn't disclose his full feelings for her at times. He could be emotionally closed off or seen a bit dishonest about how he truly feels. Or that he's just holding back from telling her some things.

They could start out as friends or he may approach her in a friendly manner. Maybe showing support in a certain way .

And maybe very quickly after they meet, there will be potential for more. Once he decides he wants to pursue something there will be quick progress in the relationship.

I think they will recognize heartache in each other. They may bond over their stories and be able to work towards healing each other. Showing each other what real love could really look like.

Overall Dynamic

Page of Swords: This may be a highly energetic relationship. They will be curious about each other and may talk for hours getting to know one another. I also think they will have open communication with each other. They may be able to have hard discussions and deep conversations.

[utilitycaster]

I'm curious what your thoughts on the (non-)resolution of the group talk in the beginning are. How do you think this will impact the group in the near future? Personally I'm really disappointed because the talk between Laudna and Imogen was so strong but then nothing else happened. The whole situation feels unfinished and unsatisfying like this.

So on the one hand I agree the part with Imogen and Laudna was fantastic and the rest was like ok this has lasted way too long and involves so many false comparisons (Orym and Dorian are not imo ticking time bombs; Fearne and Ashton are just people with terrible impulse control at times but are unlikely to be taken over by anything but their own poor decisions; Chetney and Imogen's likelihood of being taken over is highly situational and they have both taken steps to control it) in the service of like, this is a D&D story and you're not going to be like hmmm maybe you SHOULDN'T go to the arctic under the influence of Delilah Briarwood.

However, "this single conversation was kind of unproductive since, demonstrably, love and togetherness are not working" does not to me equal "unsatisfying." It's an ongoing campaign! I'd love to see this blow up in their faces! If Delilah does represent a ceding of agency and Laudna's giving her more and more, then what happens when she attacks someone else in the night, or turns on them in combat, because she's wielding the most cursed weapon of all? Laudna said she'd take it from there when they've gotten Ludinus, but that doesn't mean the Vanguard or Predathos will be stopped by then, and I don't think she has a plan, so are we just delaying the inevitable?

I suppose what I mean to say is that, while the talk with the rest of Bells Hells was definitely...well, see my WBN posts, I'm not a touchy-feely person both for abrasive northeasterner reasons and also because I genuinely believe people often use warmth and softness and "we're all friends here" to hide a lack of stern but genuine kindness and goodness and this felt like that kind of situation, I also didn't expect this to be resolved in a way that actually fixed anything in one episode. The options really are "we go to Aeor having decided this is a risk we're willing to take" or "we go to Aeor having decided we have to, but everyone's mad at each other" and both leave room for conflict and Delilah fuckery wide open.

[astrogurujimayanksblog]

Love & Astrology: The 7th House Ruler's Clues to Your Future Spouse’s Personality

Astrology offers fascinating insights into our love lives, with the 7th house in astrology specifically associated with partnerships, marriage, and committed relationships. The ruler of the 7th house, determined by the zodiac sign on its cusp, provides clues about the personality of your future spouse. Let’s explore how each house position of the 7th house ruler reveals unique traits, behaviors, and inclinations that your future spouse may embody.

1. Understanding the 7th House Ruler in Astrology

In astrological terms, each zodiac sign governs one of the 12 houses, and each house represents a different facet of life. The 7th house is the realm of relationships, marriage, and partnerships. To uncover traits about your potential spouse, find the ruler of the zodiac sign on the cusp of your 7th house. For instance, if your 7th house is in Leo, the Sun is the ruler. Then, locate where your Sun is positioned within your natal chart for clues on your future spouse’s character.

2. Ruler of the 7th House in the 1st House

If your 7th house ruler is in the 1st house, your future spouse will likely be assertive, ambitious, and self-focused. They may exude confidence, independence, and have a tendency to take on a leadership role within the relationship. Often seen as the "boss" in their endeavors, they strive for personal achievement, bringing a proactive and slightly competitive edge to the partnership.

3. Ruler of the 7th House in the 2nd House

With the 7th house ruler in the 2nd house, your spouse could be grounded, financially savvy, and deeply invested in building long-term security. They prioritize stability, valuing relationships built on loyalty and trust. Their sense of self-worth may directly correlate with the success and stability of the relationship, making them committed partners who offer both financial and emotional support.

4. Ruler of the 7th House in the 3rd House

A 7th house ruler in the 3rd house suggests a spouse who is intellectually curious, communicative, and youthful in spirit. They might love engaging in deep conversations and have a natural ability to make you feel heard and understood. They’re likely to be supportive, enthusiastic learners, always open to new ideas and keen on evolving the relationship through open dialogue.

5. Ruler of the 7th House in the 4th House

When the 7th house ruler is in the 4th house, expect a spouse who is family-oriented and values emotional connections. This individual could be highly protective, nurturing, and dedicated to creating a secure and harmonious home environment. They might prioritize family gatherings, love cooking for you, or enjoy spending quality time with loved ones.

6. Ruler of the 7th House in the 5th House

A 7th house ruler in the 5th house often indicates a spouse with a romantic, playful personality. They are likely to keep the relationship exciting, prioritizing romance, spontaneity, and adventure. Expect a partner who loves to keep the honeymoon phase alive, planning surprises, dates, and ensuring that monotony doesn’t seep into your relationship.

7. Ruler of the 7th House in the 6th House

The 7th house ruler in the 6th house suggests a spouse who will play a significant role in your daily routines. Practical and supportive, they’ll assist with day-to-day tasks and bring structure to the relationship. They could be health-conscious and may prioritize wellness, often looking after your needs and bringing consistency to the partnership.

8. Ruler of the 7th House in the 7th House

With the 7th house ruler in the 7th house, your spouse views relationships as sacred and integral to their sense of identity. They are highly committed, devoted, and may view the marriage itself as a vital part of their life’s purpose. This placement suggests a spouse who values balance, equality, and is deeply committed to the marital bond.

9. Ruler of the 7th House in the 8th House

A 7th house ruler in the 8th house signals a partner who is intense, passionate, and interested in exploring the depths of life and love. They might be a little possessive but offer transformative love that brings growth and change. Financially, they may come from a wealthy background or benefit from inheritances, adding a layer of shared resources to the relationship.

10. Ruler of the 7th House in the 9th House

If the 7th house ruler is in the 9th house, expect a spouse with a love for learning, exploring, and personal growth. They might have a diverse background or a strong connection to different cultures. This person values freedom, adventure, and may view the relationship as an avenue for mutual learning and shared life philosophies.

11. Ruler of the 7th House in the 10th House

A 7th house ruler in the 10th house often means that your spouse is career-oriented, responsible, and ambitious. They may prioritize work and aim to build a stable life for you, often viewing success in career and relationships as interconnected. Dependable and serious, they bring a solid foundation to the relationship, striving to make you proud.

12. Ruler of the 7th House in the 11th House

With the 7th house ruler in the 11th house, your spouse may be social, idealistic, and forward-thinking. They’re likely to have a broad social network and might even consider you as both their lover and best friend. Expect an open-minded partner who may prioritize social causes, personal freedom, and encourages individuality within the relationship.

13. Ruler of the 7th House in the 12th House

A 7th house ruler in the 12th house indicates a spouse who is deeply compassionate, spiritual, and possibly even mysterious. This placement suggests a soulmate connection, where words aren’t always necessary, and emotions run deep. They may be private, understanding, and bring a mystical, almost otherworldly quality to the relationship.

The 7th house ruler offers a window into the traits and tendencies your future spouse might embody, providing valuable insights into how they might express love, handle responsibility, and support the partnership. For those intrigued by the subtle hints astrology provides, exploring the position of your 7th house ruler can deepen your understanding of romantic compatibility and prepare you for a fulfilling partnership.

[houkagokappa]

More Yuri, More Manga

It's been a year since I embarked on my journey to read more yuri manga and it's time for a second update!

After all the yuri manga I read for my previous post, I set my eyes on josei and came to the conclusion that josei that either focuses on wlw or contains wlw relationships, is the best kind of manga there is. I read a lot of josei, and as for works that were also yuri, I read Love My Life, Indigo Blue and Free Soul by Yamaji Ebine, based on a recommendation from @theurbanfuturesoftherecentpast (thank you!!!). Yamaji Ebine has a neat minimalist style and she writes messy complex characters. All her manga had a realistic feel to them, which I enjoyed.

I explored other queer works and stumbled upon Yuri to Koe to Kaze Matoi by Renjouji Mei, which is a yuri manga focused on two asexual women and their relationship. Once again, I found the characters highly relatable and realistic. It's nice to see some asexual representation, but at the same time, I wouldn't have minded more development between them, although that might be on me and the expectations I have when I pick up a new yuri title, that unfortunately didn't fit this manga or topic. Both characters were ace, but the protagonist felt romantic attraction whereas her crush didn't. While they got a happy ending, I didn't feel fully satisfied, and would've liked if the manga had explored the partially unresolved feelings more, mostly due to personal reasons, even if the conclusion would've been the same (which it probably would've).

Back to some high school yuri, I finished Omoi no Kakera by Takemiya Jin, which I actually started reading early last year. It's another manga that's relatable to me, as it portrays characters with different sexualities, who befriend each other due to the shared experience of being young, closeted queer people. We got wlw/mlm solidarity, and characters who are more secure with their sexualities looking over those who are still trying to figure theirs out. The interactions and communities reminded me of the queer youth group I used to be part of :') In addition to that, I liked the portrayal of different kinds of attraction, and how the focus was on the life of a queer person, rather than a specific romance they experienced, since there's indeed more to being queer than some singular love story. Out of all the manga on this list, this is one of my top recommendations, and at some point I should check out Takemiya's other works. She's out as a lesbian, and you can tell she writes based on lived queer experiences.

One day when I didn't have anything else to read, I picked up Luminous=Blue by Iwami Kyoko (same author as Kyou wa Kanojo ga Inai kara). It had the same beautiful artstyle as Kyou wa Kanojo ga Inai kara, was slightly less toxic, but equally messy when it came to the relationships. Luminous=Blue is about a transfer student who loves photography. She starts taking photos of her two new classmates, who unbeknownst to her used to go out with each other, and still harbour some lingering feelings towards each other. I was a fan of the different relationship dynamics and happy with the direction the manga and the relationships took, although the last pages included a twist which felt a little out of place. It's a shame, because if it had been given more time, it could've been a very interesting and welcome development, and I'm curious if Kyou wa Kanojo ga Inai kara will go in a similar direction, since it has the prerequisites for it.

I also read Toumei na Usui Mizuiro ni by the same author, which had an interesting premise of a girl with a crush on her female childhood friend, who was dating their other, male childhood friend. Normally I like this kind of setting with love triangles that include both straight and queer relationships, but since this was only 3 chapters long, the characters and their dynamics weren't established enough for the story to feel as cohesive and satisfying as it could've. At least the art was gorgeous once again, and I enjoyed the messy relationships. The volume contained two one shots as well, which I think were kinda fun, but I cannot remember that well anymore.

Next up, I read Moonlight Flowers by Tsukumo Mutsumi, based on a personal recommendation from someone who has since escaped tumblr. It's one of the older yuri works there are, as it was written in 1989. It's only one volume long and contains two stories about women who are pressured to marry men, and end up in miserable marriages, until they decide to leave their husbands to be with the women they love. It has a strong feminist message and I've seen a lot of people praise it online, but I wasn't too fond of it. I couldn't quite connect with the characters, and because of that, I didn't particularly enjoy reading about women lacking rights, or homosexuality not being socially accepted. However, I can see how others might be able to feel inspired or empowered reading about characters who overcome the obstacles in their way. It was also quite dramatic, but I will always be in favour of that (even when it's ridiculous, like it was here).

I continued with Sakura no Sono by Yoshida Akimi, which was another recommendation from the same person. It's another old manga, first published in 1985, about the romances of four girls in a drama club of an all girls high school. I found Yoshida's style charming, but it's not among my personal favourites. Some characters looked quite similar and were hard to distinguish. It was disappointing to realise that only one chapter focused on a girl crushing on another girl, while the other romances and the majority of the manga were about straight characters/relationships. If I would've known that from the start, I could've adjusted my expectations accordingly, which is a shame, because now I'm mostly disappointed by the lack of yuri, and it's harder for me to appreciate the work as a whole. It was decent, but quite forgettable.

Then I completed Watashi no Muchi na Watashi no Michi by Momono Moto (same author as Yuunagi Marbled and Kimi Koi Limit from my previous post). I first started reading it 5 years ago, but didn't finish it due to the scanlation taking its sweet time. Now I read it from start to finish. It's about a woman in her early 20's, who's spent all her life pleasing others, and is on the path to marry a male childhood friend of hers, simply out of duty to him and her mom, before her female coworker steps in and swoops her away. The manga takes a weird turn after that, as it turns out the coworker might've had some ulterior motives getting close to our protagonist, but it's interesting, until a somewhat abrupt ending. It was nice to read about a young adult who never cared for romance until she fell in love with her coworker, and for once I didn't even mind the plot point where she was about to marry a man, since it made sense for them and he wasn't overly vilified for how he reacted to her rejection or the reveal of her relationship with another woman (not that it was great either). The art was nice and I liked all the characters. It wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it was a fun read.

Another recommendation from @theurbanfuturesoftherecentpast was Maka-Maka by Kishi Torajiro, an adult manga about the close relationship between two best friends, Jun and Nene. The manga is two volumes long with short chapters in full colour, which required some adjustment from me as I'm usually only reading manga in black and white. It didn't feel like any other yuri I've read, in a good way! My absolute favourite part was how comfortable Jun and Nene were with each other, with a strong mental connection, and frequent, casual sexual encounters. Their relationship felt real and I loved how they kept smiling throughout the sex scenes, which made for an interesting combination of wholesome and horny. I highly recommend this manga, as I'm still thinking about it months later...

Next up, I read Watashi no Sekai wo Kousei suru Chiri no You na Nani ka. by Amano Shuninta. It's about seven university students and their ever changing relationships. Once again, the protagonist was a whole mood as she complained about all her friends having boyfriends which she hated, having a very relatable crush on one of said friends, before getting to live the fantasy of ending up with her. I looooved the inclusion of a toxic lesbian (and her toxic lesbian clique) who would sleep around and toy with others, letting lesbians be flawed people too, but also having wholesome and genuinely good people in the cast, as a counterbalance and showcase of the whole spectrum of different people with different views on love and sex (especially fitting for the university age/setting). There were happy times, but also angst and heartbreak, and bittersweet love, between women who truly cared for each other, but weren't suitable for each other as they had different needs when it came to their relationship and sex life. At first it was a little challenging to keep track of seven different characters, but by the end of it I really enjoyed the various relationship dynamics and the somewhat unlikely friendships that formed between them.

I also read Sweet Guilty Love Bites by Amano Shuninta, which consisted of three short stories about four cabaret girls. The first story was about one of the cabaret girls taking in a random woman she came across, which I didn't care for that much. The second story was about a single mother who unknown to her, hooked up with her child's kindergarten teacher. First she freaked out, thinking she'd be judged for her profession, but the kindergarten teacher was chill and only looking to date her. It was very sweet to see them take care of the child together. I also loved the third story about two cabaret girls who were best friends and roommates, with one of them being very vocal about her love towards women and other cabaret girls, which is a trait I always appreciate. Seeing her pining for her friend/roommate/coworker was great, and precisely the kind of stuff I love! Amano has a lot more in her library and after enjoying these two manga, I think the rest are worth checking out as well. I especially like how her characters are allowed to be horny, but there’s more to her manga than just sex.

Then I picked up Kimi to Shiranai Natsu ni Naru by Keyyan, thanks to the premise which sounded relatable. It’s about two women who are at the end of their university studies and looking for work in Tokyo, facing rejection after rejection. They’ve had enough of it and decide to run away from all the expectations and responsibilities to a small island. First of all, what a mood. Second, I really liked the art, especially the character expressions, and how well their excitement was conveyed. The island setting was also A+, and I loved the portrayal of young adults who were in an established relationship, with no uncertainty or drama about the same-sex relationship itself. They were devoted to each other, and the reason both of them wanted to work hard, so they could provide for one another. Besides that, my feelings towards this manga went back and forth quite a lot. First I enjoyed the escapism, but then I had to take a break because it became too idealised with conveniences you can't count on in real life. Once I picked it back up again, I realised that the story actually does stick to reality, when the characters start to worry about money and finding permanent work on the island. While I was happy with that development, it backfired as I was reading this while I was away from home myself, and anxious about my own future in regards to my education and employment, so reading about their struggles felt a bit too real and stressful. Unfortunately, it seems like the series got axed, because the ending was sudden and can be interpreted in two opposing ways, one depressing, one hopeful, and neither fits the story I can only assume the series wanted to tell. It's still a manga worth reading, but maybe in the right mindset.

Although I try to stay away from ongoing works, Dore ga Koi ka ga Wakaranai by Oku Tamamushi seemed fun, so I couldn't help but check it out. It’s about a girl who is unable to confess to her high school crush of 3 years, and starts university determined to find a girlfriend. And oh boy does she find potential girlfriends! She instantly meets and falls for five different women, who also become enamoured with her. What follows is a bunch of flirting, some deliberate, some accidental. The catch is, she doesn't know which one to pursue seriously. The tone is lighthearted and comedic, and the series is best described by the tagline to one of the chapters as "an endless conveyor belt of yuri encounters". I like all the girls, the girls and their embarrassed or flustered expressions are very cute, and instead of the setting falling apart with five people never confessing or trying to seriously pursue the main girl, some do, while others have believable reasons to hold back. The pace is quick enough for any interruptions or miscommunications to not feel aggravating, with several encounters each chapter. I'm curious to see how the manga will continue and potentially end, with some ships seeming more likely than others, since there has been some actual development! I'll also throw it out there, that this manga is a good example of why dark haired girl/light haired girl is an established pairing, since the main pursuer at the moment has light hair and bangs like the protagonist, and it can be a little difficult to tell them apart from some panels or angles.

Another ongoing work I began reading because it ticked the right boxes for me was Sukeban to Tenkousei by Fujichika. As the name suggests, it’s about the somewhat unlikely relationship between a delinquent girl and a sweet transfer student. The manga is set in the Showa era in the 80s and has very charming art. I thought it would be pretty lighthearted and fun, opposites attract type of story, but then one of the characters saw how romantic love was defined as feelings towards the opposite sex, heartbroken by the fact there wasn't a name for her feelings, and I was in tears thinking of anyone who's ever felt that pain. Otherwise, it's mostly a comedy and a fun, easy read, with not that many chapters out yet.

Finally, reaching the anniversary of my year long yuri journey, I finished reading the manga adaptation of Murasakiiro no Qualia, by Ueo Hisamitsu and Tsunashima Shirou. It's a sci-fi series with psychological and mystery elements, about Yukari, a girl with purple eyes who sees humans as robots, and Gaku, the protagonist who befriends her. There are a lot of twists and turns to the story, and it gets gory and dark, as Yukari uses her abilities to help the police solve murder cases and later gets involved with a secret organisation. It's also very philosophical and a bit difficult/slow to read at times, when characters get surprisingly deep into quantum mechanics. I liked the narration a lot, because there's a lot of repetition and Gaku, who's telling the story, jumps back and forth on the timeline, giving the reader more context and insights each time. I was also a huge fan of the character development she went through, starting to exhibit truly unhinged behavior to a level that's hard to find elsewhere, but also oddly reminiscent of Madoka Magica? The ending was satisfying, and it was cool to see it circle back to the beginning. I didn't know anything about this manga beforehand and after a curious start, it kept getting better and better. I originally found out about it in the tags of a tumblr post complaining about variety in yuri, so this is me giving back to the community and passing on the recommendation.

...That was a lot more yuri to add to the library, and there are still so many different works I look forward to reading! I don't know if I'll continue documenting my journey, as I'm probably going to slow down on the yuri a bit, but who knows if the bug bites me again and I won't read anything else for months on end! Again, thank you for reading through all this, I hope you're inspired to read some yuri yourself, and if you have any recommendations I'm always happy to hear them!

[mikuni14]

Sing My Crush

I binged Sing My Crush and absolutely loved the series. I liked practically everything, from the main and side characters, the interesting and innovative type of the villain and the conflict he created, the fact that the "11th episode drama" has its mostly external causes, that one of the ML falls in love twice and it's treated completely normally, that the story is interesting and well narrated, both MLs are equally likable and I was cheering for both of them, there was no separation at the end, which I totally expected, all problems were solved practically right away.

What I also liked is how both MLs reflect the "cat and dog energy", but in a way that is not irritating. I especially mean how typical a "puppy-golden retriever" is Im Han Tae. But he is the way I like, that is, this "dog" energy gives him only good features, i.e. absolute loyalty, optimism, willingness to help, the need to save and to care for other people, sincere and bubbly personality. And what's especially important to me about the "puppy/sunshine" personality type, which the series NOTORIOUSLY fail to do right, is that these characters sometimes come off "stupid", BUT THEY ARE NOT STUPID. It's just that someone else is taking advantage of their good nature and good intentions, and their belief in the goodness and good intentions of other people, or that they're being caught off-guard and need time to think.

Unfortunately, many shows create scenes for characters like this, often intended to be comedic, that "puppy" literally behaves stupid, or like a pre-pubescent boy in a man's body, and in some extreme cases like someone who, sorry to write this, appears to have some intellectual and developmental disabilities. The perfect example of this type of character for me was this guy from Love Tractor, which made me unable to finish the show because I felt so bad watching this 20 year old man act like he was raised in the jungle, who doesn't understand what's going on with him and his body and is completely freaking out. To me, mentally he was literally a child, I felt sick watching him as a love interest of a grown man.

Being child-like is ok when it is part of a personality that is open, trusting, cheerful, eager to explore the world, and curious. Being child-like as a mental level of an adult person is not ok, to me it's just creepy.

When I started watching Sing My Crush and I saw Im Han Tae I thought oh boy, here we go again, another man-child. And you don't know how happy I am that I was wrong. Im Han Tae has all the best features of the golden retriever personality type and is also smart and acts like a guy his age. Unlike many characters of his type in movies and series, he never runs away from his feelings, he confronts them and confronts Han Ba Ram, and when he needs time to think, he doesn't spend it avoiding and hurting in the process his love interest, or feeling sorry for himself and freaking out, but actually thinks the situation through . Like an adult. And he always, ALWAYS, tries his best not to hurt Han Ba Ram, even when he's angry with him.

Similarly, Han Ba Ram, who is portrayed as a typical "cute" and withdrawn character with "cat" energy, is not stereotypical, but also smart, has his own life outside of the romance, his own worries and desires that he doesn't want to "burden" other people with and is a good person who worries about others, and definitely tends to be self-sacrificing. And yes, he's incredibly cute and cries prettily (I thought I'd die and just turn into a puddle of goo when he started crying after boxing class 🥺🥺) and he's soooo adorable and I'd do anything for him (as well as Han Tae who is such a great character).

Ok, I will stop here, because of the chaos of my thoughts regarding this series. Unfortunately I binged the series with only one break, instead of writing my thoughts after each episode, which is the best way not to miss and organize all my reflections about the series 😉 Anyway, I highly recommend this series, I don't think there are any major, or even minor flaws (ok, maybe too much music, but the title says it all, also the singer's voice is really nice). Wow, this year Korea is spoiling me, this is the third series that I like so much 🤩

[themosleyreview]

The Mosley Review: When Evil Lurks

I tend to have a high tolerance and high expectation for horror films. When it comes to films about demonic possession, they're constantly all about how religion factors in or the standard set by the original The Exorcist with all the head spinning, levitating and gross out body horror tropes we've all come to know. Evil Dead Rise earlier this year was fantastic, but that is more of the extreme and fantastical nature. The last great grounded possession film I've seen was The Last Exorcism of Emily Rose and maybe The Last Exorcism. Both had their flaws, but delivered an engaging story and creepy visuals. What makes a great supernatural film is the ability to deliver a tension filled story that is not only compelling, but unpredictable. You have to really go places where most wouldn't dare and remove the common safe guards in place for certain characters. It has been a very long time since such a film has existed and has left me in a state of shock. What I really enjoyed about this film was that it was straight forward and gives you the right amount of lore and exposition that keeps you on edge. The sense of dread and tension is so thick throughout the film and I loved every second of it. Sure, there are moments of terror you could see coming, but you're still shocked once it happens and the sheer brutality of it was insane. Like any horror film, there are illogical character moments that are frustrating, but in this case it serves the story and highlights the flaws of the characters. That's how it should be done and I'm glad this film excels where almost all fail.

Ezequiel Rodriguez was excellent and endearing as Pedro. I loved his steadfast decision making, but man did he seriously put everyone in danger when it wasn't necessary at times. I did love that he was the most capable and smartest characters in the film as he saw what was coming when nobody would believe him. Demián Salomon was also excellent as his loyal and somewhat softer brother Jimmy. I loved their chemistry and even though they were on edge for the majority, I was happy to follow them both through this nightmare. Jimmy was one of the major catalysts in the most clever way that if you weren't paying attention, you'd miss why. Paula Rubinsztein was awesome and probably the only kind soul in the film as their mother. She delivers the ultimate lore dump and setting up the rules when dealing with a possessed or as referred to in the film as "The Rotten", and man it was so fun and creepy. Silvia Sabater was awesome as a Cleaner or the film's version of an exorcist. Her scenes were so intriguing and she adds that perfect level of strength in her faith herself and wisdom.

The film is well shot and what I loved is that there isn't any major visual trickery or CGI that tries to add to the look of despair. The make-up effects were top notch and equally grotesque in the best way possible. The physical horror was amazing and creepy in execution when it came to a scene involving Pedro's family. Like I said before, the tension in this film is thick and it never really lets up as the story continues to drag you through the hellish nightmare Pedro and Jimmy go through. I can't stress enough how this film goes for the unexpected and how unrelenting the violence is. This film has definitely raised the bar on how to deliver a perfectly paced demonic possession story that has thematic elements about grief, family and how it touches on faith, but it doesn't overtake the nonstop terror. This will hands down be the best horror film I have seen for the remainder of 2023. It is currently in theatres for a limited time and it will soon come to the horror streaming service Shudder. I highly recommend it for this spooky season for the curious, but it is NOT for the faint of heart. Let me know what you thought of the film or my review in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

[abitohoney]

Hello dear! 😊 I couldn't help but read the tags of your reblog of my Grayson/Mel fanart!! I also happen to know that you have very good headcanons and write equally good stories 😉 No wonder, that I got curious and decided to drop you this little ask about my favourite ship, hehe. So, what are your thoughts about Grayson x Mel, what kind of dynamic can you imagine them to have?? 🤓 Also, I've happened to see your queue of fics your working on and almost fell off my chair in excitement, because it lists "power bottom Grayson"!!! I've always seen her as top, with Mel being more of a power bottom/brat. But I also hc that Grayson has her moments where she doesn't mind Mel being the top. What do you say? Does this spark any ideas that you might provide for further inspiration? 😇

Oh my goodness, I can barely get past your first sentence. You called me "dear". You've got me over here blushing. That's so en-dear-ing! 😜 And then you follow that up with such nice compliments?! *blush intensifies* Thank you!

My thoughts on your favorite ship? Well, I honestly hadn't even considered it until I saw that lovely art of yours, but here are some thoughts that come to mind at the moment. I did try to sorta organize my thoughts, but not sure I did so well. My apologies for that. Also, a little lengthy, so below the cut...

(Bonus: a couple of my fav screenshots of these two)

SFW

So I could actually see their relationship starting out as a friendship or a sort of mentor-type relationship. Mel doesn't seem to have the best relationship with her mother, so I could see her really leaning on Grayson not only as someone with more life experience, but also as someone who more aligns with her own beliefs and values than her mom. Grayson is certainly no pushover, but she is considerably more compassionate and empathetic.

Of course, that friendship would eventually bloom into romance. (Not sure how either could possibly resist the other.)

I could see either being the one to finally take it to the next level. Or honestly, it could be neither of them. It could just happen naturally, perhaps without either even realizing it.

Maybe they go on lunch dates initially (as friends or even colleagues depending on if we're talking canon universe or AU). But their conversations always tend to start drifting to more personal subjects. And eventually, it may even lead to a majority of their chats being personal.

They both start to slowly incorporate soft, intimate touches. Like Mel placing those delicate fingers of hers on the backs of Grayson's hands whenever Grayson is feeling weighed down by her work. And Grayson pressing her hand against the small of Mel's back when she guides her through the crowds. Or pulling her chair out for her. (I love to think of Grayson as being very debonair. Such a gentlewoman.)

Then lunches turn into dinners at a fancy restaurant, and those eventually turn into home-cooked dinners at Grayson's (that they cook together!) Next thing you know, they're sharing a bottle of Chardonnay and their true feelings start to bubble to the surface.

I also HC them being big on witty banter. They're both highly intelligent and quick-witted. Lots of flirting, teasing, and just a battle of quips. And really, I think they'd be evenly matched. One of them would have to break eventually, but it changes from day to day.

Gonna throw in a random idea here for... IDK, a prompt, or maybe just how they end up starting to see more of each other. Perhaps the council is suddenly in danger. Maybe a series of death threats are made to the council. So each member ends up being assigned a high-ranking officer to be a bodyguard of sorts. And wouldn't you know it, Mel is the lucky one to have Grayson as her protector. So of course, they end up spending quite a lot of time together. And with time, feelings arise. Plus there could be some thrilling moments in which Mel does actually find herself in danger, where her heroine Grayson has to save/protect her!

NSFW-ish

I 100% agree with you that, at least in most cases, Mel is very much a power bottom (and rather bratty about it).

Also, I see Grayson primarily as a service top. More than happy to oblige Mel.

I imagine Mel being a bit impatient, but playfully so (goes right along with the whole bratty bottom). She's not mean or nasty by any means. Sort of teasing Grayson for taking her damn sweet time when they are between the sheets. Not that she doesn't enjoy or even expect some foreplay. She just has her limits.

But Grayson would enjoy just playing along. She'd dish whatever smart remark Mel makes right back at her. More of that fun, witty banter dynamic I mentioned earlier.

"Grayson, honey, if I'd wanted nothing more than a massage I'd have brought in a masseuse."

"So sorry darling, I had no idea you had someplace to be on this Saturday evening."

Although I think Grayson could also just simply play nice and indulge her impatient, albeit sweet, Mel. Tame the brat with sweet words, agreeing to anything Mel demanded with a whispered, "Of course, love." Or "Yes, darling." Following each up with a tender kiss or a gentle touch.

Okay, so maybe this one is a little random, but seeing how much Mel likes to paint, I could totally see her insisting that she paint a nude portrait of Grayson. It would probably take some convincing. Not that Grayson is shy, but more so that she is a bit modest. But with enough of Mel's smooth sweet talk and flattery (commenting on how gorgeous Grayson is) I think Grayson would cave.

Also, in regards to the power bottom Grayson request in my queue; that poor thing has been sitting there for months. I've been too distracted by other things and then I had some trouble deciding how I wanted to implement it. However, it is with my beta right now, so hopefully it will be posted soon!

Thank you for the ask! It was fun to think about this rare pair! <3

[why-raven]

character associations — yiuno.

Tagged by @miqojak. Combined from 5 Things, and Character Features.

emotions & feelings.

apathy. / bloodlust. / cynical. / inquisitive. / melancholic.

greetings.

curt nod. / offhand wave. / raised eyebrows. / sideways glance. / tight-lipped smile.

body language.

crossed arms or legs. / finger on lips. / hands in pockets. / pinch nose. / rest chin on hands.

clothing.

as yiuno — high necks. / hoodies. / three-piece suits. / trench coats.

as yiune — far eastern. / high-cut silt dresses. / over-the-knee boots. / stockings.

colors.

monochrome. / neutral palette. / dark and cool themes.

objects.

a curious deck of tarot cards. Can be used both defensively (as shields) and offensively (as throwing blades).

flip cards with binder ring. For summoning familiars (in the form of black owls) to do scout work for him.

leather-bound necklace with a wind-aspected crystal. Used as a voice changer for some of his disguises.

scents.

freshly-brewed coffee or tea.

rain-scented air after a drizzle or shower.

smell of battlefield; of blood and gunpowder.

vices.

chaotic alignment. Only motivated by his own goals and agendas, he has no qualms to switch allegiance or betray people according to his own needs and wants.

manipulative liar. He’s highly mistrustful towards people and fairly unwilling to open up to others, preferring to conceal his real self behind multiple layers of deception. He also charms or tricks them into getting his own way or to do his bidding.

mercenary. If you want his assistance, he expects reasonable payments for his troubles. He doesn’t operate on benevolence.

sadistic. He enjoys watching people being punished; occasionally he may take a more active role and torment others instead.

aesthetics.

blood splatters on snow-covered fields.

dusty tomes and abandoned libraries.

heavy fog over mountainous landscapes.

secret hallways and hidden alleys.

whiskey on the rock, served in lowball.

songs.

over the clouds — alan.

The moon that quietly soaked in sadness Paints the land red and disappears Can you hear my voice? In this bloodthirsty era Can I continue to be myself?

rapport — tatsuya kitani.

In the tranquil solitude I wished for a quiet end I felt sad for something inside me that was slowly going cold But it didn’t matter To love someone and to want to be loved It means that there is an equal amount of pain involved That’s why I kept my heart closed But now you have entered deep into it

song of lamentation — kokia.

Every time I tried to protect something Someone was sacrificed Wondering what we’ve been fighting for My heart lamented in silence

I thought that as long as I live, I’d be fine Until something I treasure was taken away from me I felt like I could hear the sound of my heart breaking Is it okay to go on like this?

truth — arashi.

I can’t return (after the tears that fell) Memories swirling (the colors of freezing tears) At the end of this world where everything was taken away

No matter what kind of ending I create, my heart remains a mystery Like the darkness that approaches the truth No matter what kind of world I create, I can’t see tomorrow Like a lily, pure and untainted My wishes remain transparent

weight of the world (japanese) — keiichi okabe ft. marina kawano.

This is my curse The depth of the sins I’ve committed Even with my corrupted soul I’ll still redeem your wish

This is my curse The pain of killing a promise With the final dream I threw away I’ll still atone for your wish

All lyrics translations (except “rapport”) are by @why-raven. Please credit if use. Do not claim as your own.