#i want to reread these now xD

[fitzrove]

for book asks, 107 and 121!

107. your favourite book in a different language

👀 I will take this to mean "different than English", and I'll also assume translations don't count - most of the books I've read in my life have actually been translations into Finnish.

It's so hard to pick just one!! Back when I read it I really liked Kudottujen kujien kaupunki [UK release: The City of Woven Streets, US release: The Weaver] by Emmi Itäranta (fantasy book that deals with dreams quite a bit; I also got it signed by her hehe and had some really vivid and interesting dreams the night after, which was funny), for the mystical worldbuilding as well as the writing :D But there are many other great Finnish books as well (I really need to get back into reading new Finnish literature because I feel embarrassed when I read the culture pages of HS and don't know what's going on)

121. a book that makes you nostalgic

All of them :D

Something recent-ish that makes me feel that way is actually a weird one (also it's in Finnish and hasn't been translated rip), it's Abiturientti by Harri Sirola.

It was published in 1980 when the author was just out of high school himself, and I remember really relating to parts of it (the main character, headed for med school but feeling quite unable to cope with the pressures of the stifling atmosphere of his upper middle class Helsinki private school and family, fucks around and finds out - in 2020 I was getting really fed up with the pandemic and the Finnish "double burden" of the uni entrance exam PLUS matriculation exam system) and finding the descriptions of the time period and setting interesting. (There was a big scandal when the book came out because it's partly set in a real school that the author attended.)

The title of the book is what high school "seniors" are called in Finland, and I read it around the time I was about to graduate from high school - I think if I were to reread it, it would def feel nostalgic already 😁

[rafyki]

I have a question, because I'm now rereading the series and I don't remember: does Nico ever find out about the Prophecy and the fact that Percy did so much to protect him from it?

[daughterofhecata]

2, 3, 6 and 25 for Hugenay? (And maybe for Milo if you want (cause I'm obsessed 🙈))

[character ask game]

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

Victor: On one hand, I'm admittedly a sucker for the whole gentleman thief thing, but on the other hand, I also do love the tension that comes from the original episodes vs the german episodes/translations, because uh. he *does* make people almost crash their cars on more than one occasion. And also, "no violence" or not, he's still manipulative af and I do love that.

Milo: Almost everything??? I love how kind he can be and how appreciative of people (that moment in Time Bomb where he says to Alex "I think you're worth listening to. I always thought so" lives in my heart) and how protective he gets (both of Rick, esp in Murder Book, and also of Alex - that one scene in Survival of the Fittest is A Lot). And honestly, I may have my problems with Kellerman in some regards, but I will always be grateful that he decided some time in the fucking 80's to just. write a crime novel series prominently featuring a queer cop.

3. Least favorite canon thing about this character?

Victor: I don't think have a least favourite thing? I'm probably supposed to mention the Brittany thing but, I genuinely think that was pretty fucked up but also very interesting. He can be absolutely awful and I love that.

Milo: that part in Over the Edge, idk if you remember, where he goes on a tangent about murders in the queer community/scene, that shit was uncomfortable as fuck. Also the newer books sometimes have him make weird digs at "PC culture" which. ugh.

6. What's something you have in common with this character?

Victor: Probably nothing. Nothing canonical at least. Fanon/head canon wise an interest in literature, I guess. (And a disinterest in romance, if we're reading that into his interactions with Vivienne in Mord unter Palmen xD)

Milo: Gay? 😄 Also, always make sure to tip at restaurants etc? (even if I can't afford the same level of tips) And *also* interest in literature, he did study it after all.

25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

Victor: Well. I heard Mr Claudius say "Hugenay kann. Der ist so raffiniert, dass er es kann" when I was approximately eight years old and I've been in love with him ever since. I *am* however making an effort to acknowledge his less gentlemanly sides lately.

Milo: Genuinely do not remember my first impression, I picked up one of the later books as a teen on a whim and it initially didn't leave a bigger lasting impression than other crime novels I liked, I didn't really think deeply about it. Nowadays, Milo is absolutely one of the most important fictional characters for me, because I sincerely don't know if there is *anything* like him, a cop in a mostly mid long running crime novel series who just so happens to be gay. 90% of the time it has no bearing on the story really, he just *is* gay. And that means a lot to me.

[phoenixiancrystallist]

Month 2, day 1

Did a little work on Flick tonight. I needed a break from animating and it was nice to do some relaxing shading on a ridiculously ornate sword n_n

[thevampireforthesetimes]

Lestat writer recognizes Lestat writer.

Me and my too many tvc characters and too many ocs. Lestat lives in my brain tent free though.

*throws interactions and positivity at you*

💙💜💖

- thevamplelio / xxmelpomenexx

@thevamplelio

*dances in the positivity (and interactions)*

Jk. But, honestly, I... am incredibly surprised, touched, and overwhelmed by your kindness at saying all that. I generally haven't followed other Lestat's on this blog BUT, there are so many others whose threads I've seen and whose interpretations I deeply admire and adore.

[bluebunnysart]

ok

it's 4:17 AM and I posted a sequel to my Miku/Teto fanfic just now

I'm finally free 😂😂😂

[kuiinncedes]

ahhhhh

[inlovewithl3vi]

As a personal head cannon I like to think that one of Belphies powers allows him to almost act like the monster under your bed that you had as a kid.

Of course that one wasn’t real, but Belphie is. And sometimes, he sneaks underneath your bed only a few minutes before you walk in to go to sleep for the night.

You would think his powers wouldn’t be able to be used for good, I mean he’s a demon. But instead of scaring you by making noises that cause you to panic, or making that shadow look like a person, he instead makes sure you’re sleeping ok.

He’ll come into your dreams and make sure that you never have a nightmare, and somehow you always dream of something comforting. Like how some dreams are just weird and don’t make sense, you never dream like that. Because Belphie is right there. He knows sometimes with the chaos of living in the devildom you might want some comfort at night.

On the rare occasion where you do have a nightmare, he’ll lay in your bed and hold you close to him before entering your dream and fixing it.

He’ll never admit it but sometimes he’s scared when he goes into your nightmares. Not because anything you can dream of would scare him but because he hates to see you suffer.

In the end, everything is fixed and you sleep peacefully. But every time he sees you in a nightmare it reminds him of what he’s done to you, how he was the monster in your nightmares. Except it’s wasn’t just a nightmare you could wake up from.

He killed you, he watched his older brother hold your lifeless body and sob. He now regrets ever using you to escape, he regrets ever hurting you too. He feels like you won’t trust him and that he’s not worthy of your love, he’s not like his brothers. They’ve been with you from the start, even if they didn’t like you too much back then. Your nightmares remind him of these thoughts, it reminds him of your suffering.

After anytime you have a nightmare you go to bed alone but wake up with him curled up on top of you, holding you tightly as if he expects to lose you. You never mind it though, you know deep down that you never liked waking up alone. You enjoy waking up and seeing the brothers in your bed, sometimes there’s multiple of them. It makes you feel safe and wanted.

Sometimes you wish you could tell Belphie you know what he does, the nights he’ll stay under your bed to go into your dreams, him changing your dreams, and even saving you from nightmares.

You just wish he knew that you love him, and he will forever be worthy of your love.

I wrote way too much XD I wrote this at 2am so I might delete it in the morning if I don’t like it. I also usually try to proofread a little bit (it’s not always perfect but whatever) but I am NOT rereading all that.

[jessamine-rose]

Aahh thank you so much, dear!! This reblog is long overdue and for that, I apologize. I hope my comments in the tags make up for it ^^;

So I decided to redraw damsel again since I still occasionally come back on read @jessamine-rose and @bye-bye-sunbird 's fanfics, which I've read too much of

So here's damsel and another drawing of her :3 and also an extra doodle of damsel

And her eye colour, which I may change later on to red, I will most likely draw either saviour or kitty next

[rayroseu]

I drew this for @chernabogs story Elegy !!! The way they wrote this scene was just so tender and soft, I HAD TO DRAW IT ‼️‼️😭😭🙏🏻💖💖✨✨ it was such a perfect treat considering how the previous chapters was "coarse" with how the story handled Malleus poor coping skills with loss, I love reading and rereading the chapters lol

I wishhh i was eloquent enough to verbalize how much I loved reading it 😩😩😩 The repeated questions of am i ill or that ever repeating quote that love is for the lonely then it gradually changed to its meant to be or or the way in every chapter there is always an element of Malleus wanting to get to know Yuu WAGHHHDJDBIEB JUST THE YEARNING OF IT ALL!!!!

ALSO ALSO ONE THING I NOTICED.... all the chapter names relates to a lament for the dead, and i just think thats such a devastatingly beautiful detail to add considering that even until the ending Malleus will still lose Yuu from death and he'll be alone just like how he always fears JUTSGUEGKFGDKBCHFKN i know it ended on a happy note but the chapter titles makes me think of that quote where "there WAS love but it didnt change anything" or smth😭😭😭

also love how "Malleus in a crisis" was written as well,,, malleus was so on character omfggg I swear Ames' characterization of this guy makes me feel like Yana Toboso is ghostwriting with them/lh ☠️☠️ LIKE HELLOOO the way the story sways erratically between Malleus accepting Yuu made an impact of his life and Malleus wanting to go back to being alone where he didnt know anything at all and wasn't quite in distress about having relationships, thats soooooo GOOD 😭😭💐💖💖💖 granted i cried from it though aihskwbks

Dont even get me started on the buildup????!!! and conflict that was all resolved in the final chapter was AUGHHH THATS BEAUTIFUL IM SO GLAD I CAN READ 😭😭✨✨✨ And and the realization that Malleus fears is not death but them?? Beautiful!!!!! 😭🙏🏻✨✨💖💖 Cuz really its true throughout the whole story he was more stressed that he's so attached now XD AND AND I LOVE HOW ALL THE MESSAGES(?) FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS MAKES A CALLBACK TO THE FINAL CLIMAX LIKEEE "He can be bold. He can be brave. He can say this.“I was not ill that night, nor are you at fault for that. I was… I am afraid." PEAK LITERATURE!!!!!!! I LOVE FORESHADOWS AND REPEATING THEMES, MAKES ME GO YELL ABOUT IT ALL 😭😭😭💖💖💖💚💚 I love the kobold on the last part as well lol he is a promoted therapist now 😭✨✨✨

also going back to the way the chapter titles are meant to be lamenting for the dead, "A new memory for each day he outlives you. He can capture those memories, store them in a glass ball so that he may watch them whenever he pleases. You will never truly be gone if you can both make it work." HELPPP THE RESOLUTION,..... AUUGHH IT MAKES ME CRY AIHWLDHOSHSK 😭😭😭💖💚💚

anyways my favorite part always ehehe grim fishing with lilia✨✨✨🥺🥺 and malleus having the naive expectation that first kiss is magical and wanting to test it out again skgixgsk😂

I love the part where Meleanor would raise an objection the moment its a human hes been contemplating about, this story just made me think.... LMAO MALLEUS IF MELEANOR SAW YOU LIKE THIS,,,, XD i feel like she'll tell you that if you fear living alone, just go out first and damned the other person about it instead JSKHDKDHHK i think it was really tragic how Lilia seemed to be set on dying for Meleanor only for the tables to turn ☠️

yes i did reference that acheswan dance from honkai star rail on lilinor part lol

[adrift-in-thyme]

Can I hear your thoughts on this panel?

I feel that Hyrule looking at Legend as Four says that is important somehow... What do you think?

Hmmm

Well one thing I’ve noticed in the last couple of updates is Hyrule and Legend have been around each other A LOT

Practically ever since Hyrule finished healing Twilight and helping Four they’ve been hanging around each other. In close proximity too. Which, given that Legend usually only stands close to the people he trusts (principally Sky) is a big deal.

If Dawn pt. 5 is any indication, it seems that Hyrule is mostly initiating this lol

But Legend is letting him

Excuse me while I fangirl over the downfall duo for a moment. ALDNDLSDJSLDNSL THE BROTHERS EVER

Ahem ok let’s continue

Now, I’m overdue for a LU reread so correct me if I’m wrong BUT I seem to recall that they’ve never stayed this close to each other before. Could just be that they take comfort in one another’s presence. Seeing the panel you shared, though, I’m gonna say it’s more than that.

Idk if they’ve figured out their place in the timeline yet (I’m assuming not due to how everyone acted in Timeline Talk pt. 1). That doesn’t mean, however, that they haven’t begun to guess. Jojo has hinted at many interactions that the Links have had offscreen. Plus, Legend and Hyrule met up before they ran into the others. They’ve had time to get to know each other. I guarantee they’ve got suspicions about their places in time.

Which leads me to believe Hyrule is afraid of losing Legend. He must have figured out that Legend was a hero sometime before his journey began. Meaning, somewhere along the way he perished and the darkness he struggled so hard against spread over Hyrule anew. With Twilight just having escaped death (plus the cryptic comments he continues to make regarding Time’s fate), I’m sure untimely demises are on Hyrule’s mind.

I don’t think he knows Legend’s fate (unless there’s something in his games that hints toward the previous hero’s fate). But I believe he wants to. I can’t be the only one who sees the striking similarities between Legend and Time. He likely came to the realization that a guy like Legend will most likely die a wanderer or a warrior (doesn’t mean he did. I don’t like to think he did. One blorbo with a tragic end is enough XD But still). And being a hero and Legend’s friend he’s wondering if maybe, just maybe he can change that.

If it’s possible to know a future occurrence, it could be possible to transform it, right?

All image credits to @linkeduniverse

[fillinforlater]

(T)highly likely

Male Reader x Choi Lia

Length: 1234 words

Tags: dialogue only, smut, professor/student dynamic, basically prostitution, sex for a favor, good student/bad girl, degradation, overstimulation, dirty talk, bullet vibrator, clit stimulation, clit play, biting, marking, fondling tits, thigh fucking, cumming on thighs, thigh kink?, bimbofication, wet orgasms, dom/sub dynamics, professor!You

TW: dialogue only, barely edited

Inspiration: studying sucks, @midnightdancingsol does not. They just told me to and my "brain" came up with something

(A/N: it ain't much, but I hope y'all like my 111 fic xD)

“Professor, I need three points.”

“Good morning, Miss Choi. Sit down first, please. There is no need to hurry.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.”

“It’s rare for you to be so stressed and blunt; did something happen? Did anyone—did I misgrade your latest exam?”

“It’s not that, it’s just—look, Professor, I read your reasoning and then I reread it and I understand it, but it’s not enough, you know?”

“I do not know, Miss Choi? If I remember correctly, your latest exam was very good, and you definitely don’t need to panic about any of your grades. You are one of the best in this field.”

“But it’s not enough! ‘Very good’ and ‘one of the best’ is not it. Professor, it’s just not enough. I need to be at the top.”

“Miss Choi, this is not high school. You should be old enough to accept that in this University, being on your level is great, excellent even! If you keep these grades up your future will not be in peril. I think you can live with not ‘winning’ an imaginary competition.”

“Three points.”

“Hm?”

“I calculated it. Miss Shin gave me all her grades and all I need are three points to pass her, so—”

“Miss Choi, if you believe that I will give you these three points and thereby risk my integrity and future at this facility just so you can have your childish feel-good award, then you are very wrong. I ask you to lea—”

“I offer myself, my body, for three points.”

“Miss Choi—!”

“You can do everything you want, touch me and fuck me however you like!”

“Miss Choi—!”

“I know how to keep a secret, and I swear, I’m so good at—”

“Miss Choi, shut it! I think you are incredibly moronic for even suggesting this. This offer, for something so insignificant, laughable…

“But if you want to sell your body for some points, then I recommend you wear clothing befitting of a whore. This will not do, I can barely see the benefits of your offer. Return only if you’ve put some effort into it, even better, forget about this all. I don’t believe you are stupid enough for this.”

“I-I…”

“Now get out.”

#

“Hello, Professor.”

“Good evening, Miss Ch—now that is more like it.”

“So~ you like what you see?”

“I like your commitment to your new, real self.”

“My ‘real self’? What do you—hng!”

“You are a slut, Lia, a whore, selling her body for favors. I’m sure this is just the beginning. From now on you will do it over and over again.”

“T-that’s not true! I-I’m smart enough to—”

“If you were truly smart, you wouldn’t accept my hand under that skimpy dress; you’d run out screaming at the touch of my tongue on your clavicle and chest. But no, you even start to moan and become wet. Your thong is already drenched.”

“Professor~”

“Turn around, Lia. Pull up that dress and show what you’re selling. 

“God, the first time I saw a glimpse of your thighs on campus I knew you’d one day realize their value. Damn, even your butt is quite nice.”

“Is it worth three points~?”

“We’ll see about that. Lia, do you know what this is?”

“A bullet vibrator, Pro~fessor.”

“Put it on your clit. Now.”

“O-of course. Ah, fuck!”

“Don’t control your moans. Curse and don’t stop pressing it down on your clit. I want you to tremble, tremble like the nympho bitch you want to be.”

“Ahhh, Professor, I, I—”

“You are so fucking needy already? Show me! Show me how you cum and wet your fat thighs while I—”

“N-no, I’m so close~!

“Ah, not my tits!

“Professor, I—Ahhh!”

“Look at you! I’m groping your bimbo tits for one second and you are already squirming and squeezing your juices out. Lia, I bet you are hornier than I am.

“Let me question your intentions: Is this really about the three points or do you have some kind of fetish for this?”

“P-points, Professor, just—hng—points!

“Not there, ah!”

“Tell the truth, Lia. I won’t be as gentle with your clit… or your throat… or your blonde hair, you fucking slut.”

“It feels so good~”

“Answer the question, slut!”

“No, I-I’m cumming a-again! Yes, right there, oh God, yes—

“H-hey, no! Why did you stop?”

“You know exactly why. I’m totally down for not letting you cum the rest of the night, hell, even the entire weekend. Your disappointed, needy face underneath those blonde curtains is quite attractive.”

“Hmph, you’re an asshole, Professor.”

“For wanting the truth?”

“For… for not finishing it.”

“Well, the chances of your next orgasm rise the faster you answer my question. Come on, Lia, you are smart enough to know this.”

“F-fine, fucking fine!

“Yes, I need the three points, b-but you… is what I really want.”

“You want me?”

“Yes.”

“You want to sell yourself to me?”

“Y-yes…?”

“That did not sound very convincing.”

“Yes! Yes, I want, I need men like you, Professor. I-I don’t get satisfied by anything else anymore.”

“Very good. I like your honesty. However, I think the basis for our agreement has changed. You should be begging for me to use you, to not ignore you—but I will be merciful today.”

“Ah, fuck, that hurts! Pr-professor, what are you doing?”

“I’m marking you. I’m going to use you however I like until you get your degree. You will come to all of my readings, study hard and then I will use your curvy body and pretty face all night.

“Sounds good?”

“People will see the mark, they’ll ask questions!”

“Oh please, as if a girl like you doesn’t get laid and likes it rough. Now stop complaining, the bite suits you.”

“B-but I—oh my God! Hm, fuck!”

“Moan, Lia. I’m tired of hearing your complaints.”

“S-so—ahhh—sorry!”

“Pull the top of your dress down. I want it wrapped around your slutty little waist while I wrap my fingers around your smooth and tiny throat.

“Your tits bouncing while you ride the vibrator… it’s kinda cute. Now drool on them. Make them as wet as your thighs.”

“Professor, ugh.”

“Only moans. Scream when you’re about to—”

“Hm, ahh! Ahh, fu-fuck!”

“You’re such a whore, fuck, cumming like a waterfall down those thighs.”

“Pro-professor~ I can’t stop!

“Wha— wait, oh my God! You look so big!”

“Your thighs are so soft, even softer than they look. I’ll use them like the rest of your body, all the fucking time, fuck!”

“I-It’s huge~”

“Look as it leaves your fat fucking thighs. Imagine me splitting you open with it, hitting all your sensitive spots again and again, while I pull your hair.”

“P-pull it now, please.”

“What?”

“Pull my hair, Professor, please!

“Ah, ahhh!”

“Your hips are already… w-working in tandem with mine. Your entire body was made for milking me.”

“You have to try my mouth at some point.”

“And your ass.”

“M-m-my ass?!”

“Lia, I will use every inch of your body. You will have cum everywhere, your skin will shimmer white, even your insides will be white—and I’ll start with those round trunks.”

“Oh Lord, Professor! It-it’s so warm, ah! So much cream, I—”

“I could fuck those thighs again and again, they are as perfect as a pussy.

“Get on your knees.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Clean my cock.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Be my personal slut.”

“Yes~ Professor~”

[sensitiveheartless]

@originalaccountname holy shit Fukuchi with Statler and Waldorf tagging along and making fun of him everywhere he goes (also I did base Fukuchi's appearance off of them XD)

Statler and Waldorf have the special ability Peanut Gallery which renders them fully immune to physical damage, rendering Fukuchi's frequent attempts to murder them completely ineffective!

also THISSS oh my gosh ok I've been having thoughts—

So, you know the whole thing of people in bsd developing abilities based on trauma?

Same thing happens in this AU, but they also become muppets at the same time! So pretty much every muppet was once a human, unless they're like Adam or Elise or Demon Snow and are projections of a muppet ability user. (Adam is a robot muppet built by a muppet [dr. Wollstonecraft, very smol]. He is very comfortable with this.)

This means that Chuuya, who doesn't remember where he came from, is worried that he might be a fully artificial muppet who was never a human being to begin with. This isn't helped by the fact that he joins the Sheep, who are all humans, so for most of his teen years Chuuya has to feel weird about being the lone muppet in his group of peers. This changes a bit when he joins the mafia, because suddenly he's around a lot of fellow muppets (and Dazai, who can temporarily turn Chuuya human again, which Chuuya really hopes is proof that he was in fact human at some point)

And Verlaine IS a fully artificial muppet, created to house a singularity, and he has decided to make it everyone else's problem! He is a murder muppet, in fact. A murppet. (Also I have been cackling over "Chuuya's a real muppet you're just sad you miserable pile of felt" ever since I read it thank you so much Nawy, every time I reread it it sends me off again skfjksdfj)

...So in the end I guess I have given Chuuya the exact same crisis as in canon, just with an extra layer of existential muppet dread over the top of it all. Hmm.

And now, other comments on my previous post that I want to highlight because they have been filling me with such joy:

^I feel like that last one works really well with what I've come up with for stormbringer, because the stitches/stain can be Chuuya's proof that he did in fact exist before the lab (Mori finds records of a muppet having to be patched up after a fight with a kid) and thus was not created in the lab (although he was already a muppet)

[ameriatenebrae]

Updated version

Why was Bellamort always canon

Delphini Riddle;

I actually don’t believe Delphini was born in 1998. I think it was in 97.

The reason is that in the books, Bellatrix is absent from the entire book. (Except that event in Spinner’s End, which happened in the summer-autumn of 96 and after that we see Bellatrix at the Death Eater meeting, which happens in July 97 but that's in the Deathly Hallows).

That means Bellatrix was absent for at least nine or ten months in that book. You think that’s just a coincidence? And where was she?

In my opinion, after rereading the books for I don't know how many times now (xD) she was glued to LV, who was in my opinion, fully aware of her pregnancy. And since he was traumatized by his mother dying in childbirth (which is also implied in the books), it also makes sense that he wanted her by his side. Another thing is that he certainly didn’t want anyone to see her pregnant. Because I think the death eaters were aware of something going on between them two and LV didn’t want anyone to know that Bellatrix is, indeed, pregnant with his child.

Bella wasn’t there, when Dumbledore was killed. Which I consider strange, because if you like it or not, Bellatrix was a very powerful witch and the highest ranking death eater, considering Lucius failing LV over and over. And no, Snape wasn't the highest ranking either, since LV didn't trust him 100%. LV sent Peter Pettigrew to Spinner's End so he and Snape could spy on each other basically (xD, very mindful, Tom, very demure). (And do you know why? Because Bellatrix had been telling Tom constantly that she doesn’t trust Snape, it seemed like LV ignored her opinion but I think he rethought it and sent PP there just to be sure.)

So why on earth ?! From a strategical point of view, it doesn’t make sense for Bellatrix not to be there?! And LV was aware of that so it must’ve been his meant decision to not send her there.

Just think… It had to be something really, really important… She would’ve been there if it wasn’t.

Delphini could be born in May – June 97. (It would be actually ironic, if she was born the same day Dumbledore died, 30th June 1997… Just a thought!)

Bellamort;

Secondly, I know it’s hard for some people to accept this, but Voldemort did CARE… He maybe didn’t love her or maybe he did, in his own twisted way, because we aren’t talking about fairytale love with these two. But he certainly wasn’t ignorant towards her. (opposite of love). It was unhealthy and toxic but at the same time they were kindred spirits who just accepted each other and even tho LV would never say it out loud, they also needed each other.

“But hE TrEaTeD hER BaDLy”

When exactly did Lord Voldemort treat Bellatrix badly? I can’t recall one time he was harsher to her than to other death eaters. And if you want to bring up that scene at Malfoy Manor, when he humiliated her and the Malfoys. You're right, he did, he enjoyed humiliating people. And yet, he took the shame from her in the next few sentances and focused solely on the Malfoys, because Lucius failed the Ministy mission, not Bellatrix. And he even made it up to her in the next paragraph. He didn't have a reason to be mad at her.

He actually treated her with the most respect he could.

He never punished her badly. Not so harshly like the Malfoys. She is described as unharmed after that fiasco at Malfoy Manor. And what’s more, she is by LVs side in public shortly after, whereas the Malfoys are home prisoned and I think Lucius might've been tortured even. He personally trained her, put his energy and time into her, because he saw potential in her. He saw her madness as a source for her powerful dark magic, not something she should suppress, that’s also why she was so devoted to him. Because he was the only person who respected her for who she was. Because in the end, they were both just two extremly broken souls (pun intended).

Further:

He was the happiest he had been in 14 years when she escaped from Azkaban. You may try to say that he was happy because he had 10 more death eaters. That would make sense if the other page wasn’t talking mainly about Bella. (Remember, JK Rowling was intentional when writing, it’s not a coincidence, that she’s focusing on Bellatrix after that statement. She chose every word of all their interactions and Harry's perspective on them intentionally).

He called her “Bella”, a short version of her name, that only few wizards, mainly her family used. He even called her Bella when he was angry about the borken prophecy.

She was the only one, who wasn't scared to speak first when talking to him or touch him even when he said no.

He entrusted her with his soul, whereas he gave the diary to Lucius just to get it to Hogwarts, never telling him that it’s his horcrux. But the cup was given to Bellatrix for protection. And it’s even symbolic, because that cup was Helga Hufflepuff’s, the founder of the Hufflepuff house which stands for loyalty… and who’s the most loyal servent of the Dark Lord?

He rescued her from the Ministry, I think that’s obvious. He certainly didn’t have to. And yet he did risk the whole operation and exposed himself to the whole Ministry. And we’re still talking about the most selfish man here… but he did it… and he did it just for HER, because he CARED. There’s no other logical explanation to this. He came the second she called him and rescued her because he didn’t want her in Azkaban again.

And you can see the difference in LV's behavior towards Bellatrix, Lucius and the other DEs. He didn't help Lucius to get out of Azkaban right away. Instead, he tasked his only son to kill a man, he himself wasn't able to kill simply to mock and torture him mentally.

Yes, from Dumbledore’s words, we were made to think that Tom really doesn’t care for anyone other than himself. But Dumbledore wasn’t aware of Bellatrix’s status at all! Because he didn’t suspect that Voldemort would give his horcrux to her. But we know, Voldemort did just that. And another problem with Dumbledore's preception on this is that he didn’t know much about Tom’s life (certainly not his private life) after his years at Hogwarts, so he couldn’t know about Tom’s realtionship with Bella. It was just his opinion, not a fact. He said, he *thinks*.

And Voldemort’s reaction to her death… That made everything clear, He cared for Bellatrix more than for the piece of his own soul living in Nagini. He had a worse reaction to Bellatrix's death than to, mind you, Nagini’s death… and she was HIS LAST HORCRUX. He lost the control of his magic (which doesn't happen often, since we're talking about THE Lord Voldemort here). He was so furious that McGonagall, Kingsley and Slughorn (all three very powerful wizards) were blasted through the air because: "Voldemort's fury at the fall of his last best lieutenant exploded with the force of a bomb. Voldemort raised his hand and directed it at Molly Weasley" he even tried to avenge her death and kill Molly. If Bellatrix hadn't meant so much to him, why would he waste his energy and time on killing Molly? Have you seen him avenging the death of someone else except Bellatrix? And if Harry didn't intervene, he would do just that. Because he lost it at that point. Death took another person (first his mother), who loved and admired him uncoditionally. All of his other DEs fleed or died. He knew he was alone and mortal. A human.

In my opinion they led, let's call it a Dual Relationship. As Bellatrix implies that LV tells her everything and yet he tells her to be quiet often. He calls her Bella when they're is just the two of them and mocks her in front of others. There's a disconnect between his behaviour towards her. So, in my deduction; there was Bellatrix Lestrange, the most loyal sevent of Lord Voldemort: which was basically their work mode. (And I'm a bit sad we didn't get more of their team work while fighting because I think they made an excellent work duo.) And then there was Bella and her Lord and their private life. Bellatrix wouldn't be against it being public, I'm sure about that. But I think LV didn't want others to know about him having some feelings or a soft spot for her, it would make both of them more vulnerable = since as you can see above, he lost control over his magic because of her dying. But he didn't manage to hide it that well because even Harry (from whose perspective are the books written) notices that there is something between them; "As to a lover"...

And on top of that, Bellatrix was the ideal match for Tom; a very beautiful, powerful witch from a pureblood family. Devoted solely to him.

So Bellamort had been canon even before the CC was released.

But the biggest question is; Why would Lord Voldemort want a child? A hard one… yes

Some explanations:

a) to continue with the Slytherin bloodline.

b) it was an accident, but he let Bellatrix keep the child, so she could be later trained into really powerful weapon (just like Bella)

c) it was that reward beyond Bellatrix’s dreams, he mentioned earlier in the series. He talked about it in the fourth book when he said that the Lestranges will be rewarded beyond their dreams.

d) last possibility, the most out of Voldemort’s character; In the case horcruxes failed, he would be still “alive” through his daughter. – I personally don’t believe this was the case… but who knows?

To sum it up: Bellamort makes more sense than people think. And the CC just confirmed it. period.

Delphini could be conceived around October 1996 and could be born, not in 1998, but in 1997 (before the Battle of Hogwarts). THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS <3

[eri-pl]

Silm reread 18: Tears Unnumbered ye shall shed

So, we got here. But first, B&L get an epilogue.

First, a tidbit about reembodiment: B&L take their physical forms again in Doriath. I guess they go from Mandos to there in spirit. (It's all "allegedly", anyway). Everyone is happy and afraid when seing them (very reasonable reaction I think) and Luthien heals Thingol from (depression, more or less).

Melian looks in Luhien's eyes and is sad. She "realized they will be apart till the end of the world and after" (huh?) and again, we have Pengolodh's favorite stylistic tool: "nobody ever suffered more from any loss than Melian suffered then".

Oh, I found the quote in original: “But Melian looked in her eyes and read the doom that was written there, and turned away; for she knew that a parting beyond the end of the world had come between them, and no grief of loss has been heavier than the grief of Melian the Maia in that hour."

B&L go to Ossiriand, it vaguelly feels like they don't neet to eat anymore? But unclear.

Anyway, back to the proper plot Feanorians. Maedhros gained hope, because he saw Morgoth is not untouchable. He starts creating the Union, but the wording about him doing it … even without knowing the story, if I read it carefully, I would probably be worried about how it will go.

And we have a clear reminder of the Oath and all that. Orodreth doesn't trust the Feanorians because C&C (makes sense I guess) (Finrod would probably join the Union but anyway). Gwindor joins Maedhros, going against his king's orders… we know how this will end for Gwindor.

doriath. Mae&co had sent brash letters to thingol along the lines of "you will be our enemy if you don't give the Silmaril back" and Melian advised Thingol to give it to them! But he is angry at their tone and at C&C, and also B&L have suffered so much for this jewel…

Sidenote: If your main claim to a piece of treasure is "but I/someone have sufferred so much", keeping it is probably going to end badly.

Also thingol wants to keep the Silmaril, because it is this jewel's power…. wait what? "And every day that he looked upon the Silmaril the more he desired to keep it for ever; for such was its power." [original] WHAT.

Ok, that is new. So, the Silmaril is canonically addictive? Or is it only because it has been in Morgoth's crown?

So, anyway, Thingol sends Maedhros a dissing answer and Maedhros leaves him be, because the Union is more important. Yay, Maedhros, great job, you are doing well! (For now :((( )

Unfortunately C&C threathen Thingol with genocide, after they win the wart. Which they assume they will. So thingol fortifies and doesn't go to the war. (Mablung and Beleg go, but Thingol allows them reluctantely, so they end up better than Gwindor)

Bór! :) and Ulfang :(

Maedhros plays his hand a bit too early :(

Also, another mention of Morgoth's spies (plural) and traitors. So, I guess the fallen Men, enslaved Elves and shapeshifting wannabe-Saurons sabotage the Union as much as they can.

Battle, Fingon doubtful, problems, suddenly: Turgon! First good surprise of this battle (it will be a whiplash…)

The Noldor want to charge too quickly, but Hurin stops them, because he is wise.

Morgoth wants to kill Fingon especially. Why? Probably to break Maedhros. (Also, revenge for the rescue, maybe.)

Gwindor gets unlucky chance (that's what happens when you go to war against your king's orders, I suppose)

The Noldor get really motivated and almost win. Morgoth is trembling of fear XD as they bang at his door. This is pretty cool of them. But then they all die. :(

Another turn: the Noldor might have won, but Ulfang. :( [Maglor kills him and it's probably the only named character that we are told is killed by Maglor, which is interesting]

Also, Glaurung is there.

Fingon dies. Also, his banner is silver and pale blue, which I did not remember.

Hurin, Turgon, foreshadowing for Earendil. Maeglin hears it all, but does not comment, and he remembers it and I have no idea why the book tells us that, this line feels so odd. "Maeglin, Turgon's sister-son, who stood by, heard these words, and did not forget them; but he said nothing" It's apparently odd to more people because there's a reddit thread about it. huh, ok, makes sense.

So, Hurin is brave and great and I will need to make a post about how the story is an ecosystem and the benefit of one character's heroics sometimes lands to another character's lap and it's painful but also quite real. So. Hurin. But we'll get back to him later.

Morgoth is happy, because divides and betrayal and stuff like that. :/

Also this (Ulfang) is why the Elves don't like Men anymore (except the Edain).

Cirdan is besieged, allo we learn that there are Orcs who can use explosives, and orkish engineers and what not. Interesting. they destroy the ports, Cirdan&co escape to the sea and to Balar.

Turgon again sends ships to Valinor, again it doesn't work (again I suppose he didn't ask Ulmo about his opinion or ignored it), and we are told who kills those sailors: not the Valar. "Only one, Voronwe, was saved by Ulmo from Osse's wrath". So yea, it's the "not rebel, but not not-rebel" sea guy. Don't blame the Valar for this.

Turgon is the rightful king of the Noldor (says the book), Morgoth hates him, because Fingolfin, and because he's a friend of Ulmo, and because Turgon's vibe scares him. We have a wonderful line about how even back in Valinor Morgoth was anxious every time he saw Turgon and tbh this is criminally underexplored in fics (this whole period is) and must have been quite hilarious.

Hurin disses Morgoth, Morgoth curses him and his wife and kids, takes him high up, and curses him again for a good measure.

Results of that: in the next chapter.

[cephalog0d]

This isn't helpful as far as saying which things are good vs not, BUT if you're looking for where to start or how to figure out what events happen in what order:

DCU Chronologies has quite a few character chronologies (mostly for New52 onward)

Comic Book Reading Orders has a bunch of different options as far as pre-crisis, post-crisis, post-flashpoint, etc. for the overall DC universe. (They have character ones, too, but they're hit and miss. Big names like Batman are pretty comprehensive, but more minor characters are pretty spotty.)

(And here's those spreadsheets! I love them because they can be sorted/filtered, because I'm EXTRA nerdy like that.)

(Shamelessly tagging a few more Bat-related recs on at the end here:

Cass's 2000 Batgirl run is very well regarded for a reason, it's extremely good overall

Steph's 2009 Batgirl run is one of my forever favorites (because Steph, my girl)

Robin & Batman (by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen) is basically a collection of all of my personal favorite bits of canon mushed into one Robin origin story with Nguyen's beautiful artwork and I love it so much

I always want more people to read Ostrander's 80s Suicide Squad run because it's imprinted into my DNA but I get 80s comics aren't everyone's jam. That said, it's the origin of Babs as Oracle!)

I have a confession to make!

I don’t know how obvious it is, but I actually haven’t read any comics 😅 I know, I know haha, it’s just I haven’t had the time! Luckily, I mostly follow blogs that I know are comic readers so I know what’s fanon and canon mostly. But since I will have free time in the summer, I was wondering if you have any recommendations on what to read and where to start?

Oh man I WISH I could be one of those blogs who snaps out the long scroll that just rolls down the hallway with a concise cross referenced list of top hits from every era and where to start with each character! But I am a book hoarder with not enough time on my hands so I haven't even read half of what I have, let alone all the back issues 😅

Here's some stuff that I really enjoyed as a new-to-comics-and-DC reader and in general (in mostly chronological order because that's how I arrange my comic books):

Batman: Dark Victory

I really enjoyed the mystery and early Batman days, plus Dick Grayson's debut! He is a delight. I didn't read Long Halloween which comes before this so I missed some context but I picked it up easy enough (also according to some reviews the mystery can be repetitive if you have read Long Halloween sooo win for me ig?)

Robin: Year One

I am determined to read this one soon. I've heard great things about it though so it's being added

Batman: Prodigal

I read this without reading a single page of Knightfall because I was getting interested in Nightwing and this was the earliest book that my library had available (I have given up on a chronological reading order since those early foolish days). I knew nothing and still really enjoyed Dick!Bats and Robin!Tim together. I need to reread this soon

Formerly Known as the Justice League

A limited run, 6 issues I think. Honestly I should just say Justice League International in general but I started with this mini for Booster Gold and Blue Beetle after seeing some funny panels online and I fell in love with that whole cast of losers (affectionate). It's not BatFam but so so fun to read (and JLI has some really poignant moments too)

Young Justice: A League of Their Own

SO FUN. Tim and friends dealing with just ridiculous scenarios LOL I'm only halfway through but it's great

Batman: Hush

I haven't read a lot of just Batman titles but I enjoyed Hush. It had some good character moments for Bruce that helped me understand the way he thinks a little more. I also hear Bruce Wayne: Murder/Fugitive is very very good but I haven't gotten around to it yet (a running theme)

Batgirl: Point Blank

Cass is a treat. This was the first volume I found of her's, haven't read the others yet, but even lacking context I really enjoyed her as the main character and her interactions with Steph, Babs, and Bruce.

Teen Titans (Geoff Johns)

This was one of the first series I started reading and it was a good intro for me, a completely new DC fan. It's Tim and his friends but more serious than YJ. I've read vol 1-2 and part of 3

Under The Red Hood

Classic for good reason. I haven't finished it yet (teehee) but the first half has been entertaining. Jason has had some um... interesting writing in his time. But I really enjoy the way he's written here. It's a good baseline imo. I've heard Lost Days is also good

Nightwing (Tomasi run)

I love Tomasi and this run was a lot of fun. Dick is funny while not losing his serious, capable edge, he interacts with people in his circles, and has some interesting introspection moments. There's a weird part of the plot about midway that definitely uses bad Asian stereotypes which is so disappointing. But after that it gets normal again 😅

Batman & Robin

This comes right after Tomasi's run and it's a mixed bag for me. It's definitely interesting seeing Dick and Damian learning to work together but I was still new to DC with little context for things and was also *so* put off by the art style that I don't remember it well. But I thought I'd add it anyway since it's an iconic moment for Dick!Bats

Batman and Robin (Tomasi)

I adore Bruce and Damian struggling together to discover what being father and son looks like for them. I adore Damian having growth. That's volumes 1-3. 4 is post Damian's death (and damn issue 1 is a well written look at grief), I haven't read 5 or beyond yet.

Nightwing (Rebirth)

The first Nightwing title I read. Looking back, the characterization is a bit weak in some areas, doesn't quite match how he's written in older runs, but it had good moments and kept me entertained. Especially!!! In vol 3 with Humphries's Judge arc

For more current runs, I'm really enjoying World's Finest. Waid's writing is good and Mora's art is just *cartoon heart eyes*. Bats, Supes, and teenage Dick Grayson are a fun trio. Amid other runs that had me tearing my hair out in disappointment or frustration, WF is a breath of fresh air.

Titans United: Bloodpact is a 6 issue limited that was also a really nice read. It's Dick's Titans but Tim is there too and I enjoyed everyone's writing.

The Human Target (Tom King) but honestly I was just losing my mind over Greg Smallwood's art and paneling the entire time. A masterpiece. I want to frame every page. I cheered when he posted inspiration threads on Twitter.

Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen

It's not Batfam but hear me out!!!! This comic had some of the sweetest moments between Supes and Jimmy and I wanted to grab literally anybody by the shoulders and shake them until they looked at the Lois, Clark, & Jimmy in the helicopter panel and GOT IT!!! Also it is so delightfully wacky and funny, I was genuinely laughing out loud. Steve's Lieber's art is the perfect pairing with Matt Fraction's writing.

AND SPEAKING OF!

This isn't DC at all but it's the series that made me (and so many others) really love comics and their storytelling potential. Matt Fraction's Hawkeye run, volumes 1-4. Between his writing and David Aja's artwork and color theory (and Steve Lieber's guest issue that literally gut punched me and changed how I saw later parts of the story, it was never just a filler issue to me, Steve) you get a great story that says so much with so little (in the best way) and is a visual treat as well. Chef's kiss.

Some other non-DC comics I really enjoyed are Die (imagine Jumanji but D&D and novels and oh look the consequence of your actions has grown up), Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 (I am not a horror girly but I really enjoyed this, in no small part because of Dell'edera's art), Eight Billion Genies (the world population hits 8 billion and now everyone gets a genie, what could go possibly wrong), and Paper Girls which I'm about 2/3 through (picture stranger things but with time travel, spaceships?, and oh shit is future me lying??)

Damn, I guess I really did have a scroll's worth. 😭 Anyway, my recommendation for where to start with this list is...what does your library have available? Don't forget about the Hoopla app too, that's where I read some of these digitally. Or the used bookstore which is where I got 90% of my comics from.

But seriously! Just pick whatever sounds the most fun or has the character(s) you're the most interested in and go from there. Skip around on the timeline or go in chronological order. Whatever floats your boat! I think that's the really unique thing about comics. Plus if you can't figure out the context of what you're missing or what is happening simultaneously (because writers & editorial used to care a little more) you can do a quick google or (and I wish I had this with Batgirl) @cephalog0d has a pinned timeline master list. Incredible.