#i wanted house of the dragon not season 8 the prequel

[fukutomichi]

Just finished reading GRRM's blog post on HotD and oooohh he's piiiiissed! Straight up spoils Season 3 lol. Them erasing Maelor was a giant red flag for me at the beggining. I'll always be confused on why the showrunners decided to go forward with the story like that. They had everything set up for them. EVERYTHING. And still messed it up.

[susellesie]

my opinion on s2 Alicent is that house of the dragon needs to be different from game and thrones, and that most of the criticism of house of the dragon is a reactionary instinct to relive certain beloved characters and tropes from game of thrones.

let me be clear; house of the dragon as a show is already going into characterization with a lot of options for characters and tropes off the board because they've already been done in game of thrones. they're already going to have to work with the instinctual assumption from the audience to relate back to what they know. rhaenyra = daenerys, otto = tywin, and alicent = cersei.

now, obviously these aren't exact matches. i'm talking about sweeping personality and the tropes they march. cersei, specifically, is the trope of the feral mother. she kills for her kids (in the books at least - technically in the show too, but that was revenge and i'm talking about premeditated murder) she lives and dies by her kids. her ethical code, goals, all of it rests on her children.

and cersei is an amazing character. she's fascinating to read and watch, and lena headey's performance will live in my brain forever. but cersei is one of the main characters throughout game of thrones. and say what you want about season 8- god knows i won't defend it - but her arc ends there, for better or for worse, after all her children have died before her.

now, years after watching game of thrones slowly decline and eventually bomb in the final two seasons, the show writers are tasked to explore these new characters in a prequel. to be the first "new" asoiaf content to air on television since. the reality of house of the dragon is that it has to be different from game of thrones. it just does. hotd has to be its own show with its own characters.

so, here's what i'm getting at; alicent is the deconstruction of the trope of motherly devotion.

alicent in season one has the exact same ethical code as cersei; do whatever to protect my children. even if that means taking the throne from my childhood best friend, even if that means forcibly removing her from power. and in driftmark, this escalates, if only temporarily - alicent shows a willingness to harm a child to avenge the harm that has been done to hers.

asoiaf have always asked tough questions of the reader. what do you do if someone hurts someone you love? how do you act with honor if honor gets you killed? cersei's character asks an audience a question: what would you do to protect your children? and to the audience, that question is simple, it's easy. anything. it's the thing that redeems cersei when her actions are irredeemable; she does it out of love.

alicent's character asks a different question is season two, one that i think will be explored more in season three. what would it take for you to stop supporting your children?

no matter what joffrey does, cersei is a bystander to it, and often an accomplice. that is the devotion that makes up her character, and the trope she represents in the story. alicent is the deconstructed answer cersei's dilemma, and i think ultimately what cooke, condal & co. are trying to say is that there is a reality where "a mother's love" is a trope.

think about media today. think about the characters we think of when we think about mothers. cersei, cat, rhaenyra? all mothers so devoted they die for it. the concept of a mother's love is so idolized by the media that we don't think about the woman behind the mother. the woman becomes more mother than person, a shield for children both good and evil. (not talking about George's wrting - i'm talking about the way people view these characters commonly.)

and it's unrealistic. it just is. for every mother who is completely and utterly devoted to their good, well behaved child there is another who has raised a child who ended up committing sexual violence, or domestic abuse, or hurting others in general. and that's not to say children/people who grow up to do these things do not deserve to be loved by their mothers - that's to say the expectation that mothers should always be not only forgiving, but silently accepting and an accomplice to the actions of their children is not the feminist trope people might think it is.

cersei is already the example of the dedicated mother. we saw that arc play out on screen. Alicent is the deconstruction of the devoted mother who is tested beyond belief. who is challenged in the worldviews she has held her entire life. and the decision at the end of season 2 - the decision to choose rhaenyra over her son, half dead, who never took ruling seriously, who sought revenge by killing innocents, is something many dedicated mothers have had to do in their lives too.

it's not an easy thing to stomach, because we have been told through media our entire lives that a mother who does not choose or defend her children is the evilest of evil. but that is an antiquated trope for a reason.

we have to be able to move past the reactionary instinct to desire the things that make us comfortable, and one of the things that makes us comfortable are the tropes we rely on. alicent's s2 characterization is the deconstruction of that trope.

[thephantomcasebook]

I wanted to know more about GRRM and his deal with HBO. I always thought this idea to create some Marvel Cinematic Universe using prequels set in Westeros was dumb and wouldn't work in the long run lmao. Do you think the strikes, on top of WB's money problems, and HOTD probably not doing as hot in ratings as HBO tried to PR spin means less and less ASOIAF-related shows will be greenlit?

He signed a sight-unseen development deal with HBO in 2013.

He's been developing "House of the Dragon" since about 2016.

They began serious development on it in 2019, since HBO didn't want to continue to keep GRRM on salary when he hadn't been contributing since around 2015 - when he broke with David and Dan on "Game of Thrones".

"House of the Dragon" was a toxic project that no one wanted to take after the disaster of Season 8 of "Game of Thrones". But at the time, Ryan Condal had been fired from Amazon after the head of their Network canned his adaption of "Conan the Cimmerian" show that he was developing. And, having read his treatments, GRRM hired him to help him write the scripts for "House of the Dragon". However, they still didn't have a show runner. But, after reading the scripts that GRRM and Condal wrote, HBO was confident in the project and went hunting for a showrunner ...

And they settled on Sapochnik ...

At the time, he had absolutely refused to come back to ASoIaF due to his hatred of both the franchise and the fans. But, HBO was so desperate to get the show on the air that they dumped a bunch of money in front of him and promised him complete creative freedom.

So, the first thing he did, was gut GRRM and Condal's scripts and hired Sara Hess to be script supervisor on set so that they can rewrite them on the fly. This is also the time in which Sapochnik's wife suggested that they turn Alicent and Rhaenyra's friendship into a secret closeted Lesbian romance, which was not in the original scripts - as confirmed by multiple sources, including Emily Carey. Sapochnik and Hess also decided that the angle they should take for the narrative was to turn a dynastic civil war into an allegory for Intersectional-Feminism.

The budget on "House of the Dragon" Season 1 was about 250 Million Dollars - one of the most expensive shows that HBO has ever produced. The ratings were the best that HBO had since "Game of Thrones" but it didn't reach anywhere near GOT levels.

Now, Season 2 has been a quagmire of a production. They've turned in terrible scripts that had to be written multiple times - GRRM had to come down and rebreak the story several times. Then the scripts were given to a story editor that Warner Brothers had to pay out of pocket. The production was so delayed that they lost out on a majority of their location shoots in Spain. The two main actresses have been flirting with disaster in pissing off the fanbase - Olivia Cooke especially. And there's just bad feelings all around over how its all shook out.

So ...

No, I don't think that GRRM is getting a blank check after the strike. I think that "Game of Thrones" is too big of a brand to ever let go. But I think all the grander plans for sweeping epic Prequel series are at an end. I think they'll green light "Dunk and Egg" and they'll rush to finish "House of the Dragon" in Season 3. And then that'll be it for ASoIaF on Television. Smaller more grounded stories that require less of a budget to shoot beyond what you might find on a BBC or ITV period drama.

[think-pieces]

Sunjoy signing on

if there's one thing i love it's a good show. as television declines, i find myself attaching onto nearly any show that's bottom line mediocre in it's writing. House of the Dragon, Bridgerton, hell even Law and Order SVU. Be sure we'll get to the others soon, today. I have a gripe against Bridgerton.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in love with it. There's something to say about good worldbuilding, and Bridgerton does it well. You're swallowed whole by the show in the best way. It's a well done show. However, when you adapt from a book to a show, everyone will have something they hate about it.

"it's not book accurate" "The characters aren't right" "It's not even historically accurate"

And truth be told, they're valid arguments. I get it. Especially the character thing, and the historical accuracy. And a secret third option, using the other books that exist in the same universe!

In the books, you make up in your head what they look like, yet all the Bridgerton siblings look the same. "Dark chesnut hair" is the most used description. Although, the show did good in differeing Daphne and Francesca, it breaks up how they appear, instead of a wash of similar actors you get a, oh god I hate to say this word, but diverse group of siblings. However, having Violet be a more reddish brown (she was dirty blonde in the books), would be amazing. I digress and bow to the casting director for choosing Ruth Gemmel, she embodies Violet Bridgerton to a near T.

My main issue with historical accuracy is that hollywood doesn't care. It's nice when they take more care into to purposefully making it seem more historical based. God, Pride and Predjudice 1995?? Stunning, Fabulous, I'm so in love it's seeping out of my pores, it doesn't work for Bridgerton. Bridgerton is truthfully a fantasy, casually set in Regency England. The books take a skinny slice more historical accuracy, not much. to me, perosnally, It's really a fantasy romance; therefore, i can slightly forgive how accurate it is. The costuming is by far the most glorious of it. I really want a behind the scenes in making this solely for the costume designs.

I have read so much of this series. All 8 in the OG Bridgerton set, the prequels, and the first book for the smythe-smith (smith-smythe? smythe-smith? I can't remember). The writers had a real chance of sprinkling in this lore of the Rokseby's and the smythe-smith (they did in queen charlotte, that's a whole other thing), and they didn't. It would be such an amazing easter egg to see it done.

AND ANOTHER THING

Julia Quinn's book series, as books would translate terribly onto film if done, scene for scene, line for line verbatim. the only reason it worked for pride and predjuice, is that it was done to a near complete T historical accuracy. (is it fully accurate, no of course not. but damn if it ain't close.). in the first season, the reason why it is the way it is, about 75% of julia quinn's book is smut. season 1 is formatted pretty close to the books. even the books themselves don't have much of a difference in format.

Exhibit A: in the duke and i, about halfway through the book, they get married and the issue of children comes up, and it's all internal thinking done by the characters. which is why what happens, (it didn't need to) but it gives more insight as to why everything happens and how it's resolved. which is why for season 2 they switch it.

Exhibit B: we as viewers flock to rewatch season 2 over and over before considering season 1. season 2 has a stronger B plot (The featheringtons), more filler scenes, and it uses the shitty 8, hour long episode structure better.

Exhibit C: it morphed from a book to screen from season 1 to a drama in season 2. which makes for a better story structure, that's what film is for. To be a tv show, not a book. yes be accurate, but, the truth is, book to screen content exist as a multiverse. NOT an accurate retelling. thinking of it that way is better for your brain. Yes anyone and everyone could sit and talk for hours, and for me days about the inaccuracies, but at some point you gotta except it's a multiverse, not the same thing. and sometimes, it's better that way. (other times not as much, which is my theory on why season 2 is much more different between book and movie)

signing off

Sunjoy

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

So HBO scrapped the Stark based prequel in favour of a Targ one. D&D’s season 8 legacy, they ruined House Stark but martyred Dany making her and House Targ more popular then ever, ironic

[sweetestpopcorn]

I’m disappointed with the joke of that show House of the Dragon. Why can’t HBO just leave my Targaryens alone?

Hi there! 🤗

If we don’t know what’s about, it’s about money. Because they want to make money. Because G*T gave them sh:t tones of money and awards and they want more and they are doing everything they can to get it and spending fortunes on adversiting it as much as they can.

After G*T though, my surprised is that any Targaryen and Dany fan still follows H*O and expects anything (positive or neutral) from them. I can’t be disappointed because I think season 8 killed my ability to be disappointed by asoiaf adaptations but I get what you are saying since I had negative expectations, and everything that comes out still manages to surprise me at how bad it is. 

Bonus: To anyone curious of my thoughts on anything else that came out, I think it’s even worse than I expected it to be. Everything I see just validates my thoughts and when it contradicts them it’s to tell me that I was still being too optimistic. 

Since I have no wishes to give H*O what I want though - money and free publicity and promotion - I don’t refer to them or their shows by name. I don’t share photos/edits of it. I won’t share or like any fanart or fanfic inspired by it. I don’t want anything to do with it and I just want their show to be over and the hype to die.

I am a fan of Fire and Blood and of the ASOIAF universe, I am against any adaptation, this or subsequent ones. We vote with our money, and my money is voting no.

Furthermore, let’s say that although the shows are very far away from canon (because they are and if you think otherwise read or re-read the books) and are just a loose adaptation, could I still enjoy them? Yeah, some adaptations aren’t very faithful and they are still ok. But think about what universe this prequel is taking place. A universe in which currently House Targaryen is gone (because Jon is a Stark let’s not forget season 8). Half of the Targaryens are crazy (in show canon), and one of the most promising Targaryens of all time became an EvIl QuEeN killed by her nephew after saving everyone’s ass*es. So my question is, why in this universe would you care about knowing more about Dany’s family? Unless you hate her and you just have a sick fantasy of wanting to see just how degenerate and insane her ancestors were, I don’t see a point. So even if I saw it from the lenses of “Ok this isn’t canon, it’s a loose adaptation”, I still can’t care given the Universe in which this is taking place. And then the time period they chose. Lol, anyone thinks it’s an accident? That they are choosing one of the darkest periods of House Targaryen?! Of course it isn’t! 

I wish the best of luck to any Targaryen and Dany fans planning on watching this. Y’all will need a LOT of cognitive dissonance to get through this. To antis, OH, it will be a field day!

All the best to you 🥰

[anotheruserwithnoname]

HBO Max just released the new (and I think first full) trailer for the House of the Dragon prequel series to Game of Thrones (note the clever use of the OG title - guess the lesson learned when people didn’t get that Enterprise was a Star Trek series is still in place).

It looks good but I am very disappointed. I never judge anything by a trailer anymore - so if the show ends up being different, great - but the fact is this looks like a Daenerys do-over. Similar beats, similar dialogue it seems. It’s also asking another “who will take the Iron Throne” question like the one we spent 8 seasons wondering about only for the answer to be underwhelming. The only difference is the contenders seem to be within the same family. And you can already probably predict who will win if you listen carefully to the dialogue.

I’m among the many hesitant to invest in another GOT series after being burned by the original (if you want to interpret that as a pun, feel free). The fact Matt Smith is in this, along with Olivia Cooke who I liked in Ready Player One, is of interest. And much as I was disappointed in GOT I’m still a fan of Emilia Clarke, so maybe Emma D’Arcy (who plays her equivalent in HOTD) will reach that same height. And of course I’m rooting for Matt to do well. But so far, factoring in the Lord of the Rings prequel which interests me as much as contracting pernicious anemia, and a disappointing House of the Dragon trailer (at least from an apparent plot POV), Jenna Coleman’s The Sandman is still the only “event” series coming up in the near future that I have real enthusiasm for.

[collectorscorner]

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MARVEL COMICS Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover A Arthur Adams), $5.99 Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover B Patrick Gleason Webhead Variant), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover C Ron Frenz), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover D Ron Lim), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover E Skottie Young), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover F InHyuk Lee), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover G Alex Ogle), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover H Steve Ditko Hidden Gem Variant), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover I InHyuk Lee Virgin Variant), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover J Joe Jusko Marvel Masterpieces Variant), AR Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Cover K Iban Coello Stormbreakers Venomized Variant), AR Avengers Tech-On #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Eiichi Shimizu), $3.99 Avengers Tech-On #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Peach Momoko), AR Captain Marvel #33 (Cover A Iban Coello), $3.99 Captain Marvel #33 (Cover B Gerald Parel Spoiler Teaser Variant), AR Captain Marvel #33 (Cover C Joe Jusko Marvel Masterpieces Variant), AR Champions #10 (Cover A Toni Infante), $3.99 Dark Ages #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Iban Coello), $3.99 Dark Ages #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Meghan Hetrick), AR Dark Ages #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Bryan Hitch), AR Dark Ages #2 (Of 6)(Cover D Ryan Stegman), AR Darkhold Alpha #1 (Cover A Greg Smallwood), $4.99 Darkhold Alpha #1 (Cover B Superlog), AR Darkhold Alpha #1 (Cover C Greg Smallwood), AR Deadpool Black White And Blood #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Kev Walker), $4.99 Deadpool Black White And Blood #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Salvador Larroca), AR Deadpool Black White And Blood #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Stan Sakai), AR Defenders #3 (Of 5)(Cover A Javier Rodriguez), $3.99 Defenders #3 (Of 5)(Cover B Kevin Nowlan), AR Defenders #3 (Of 5)(Cover C Joe Jusko Marvel Masterpieces Variant), AR Eternals Celestia #1 (Cover A Esad Ribic), $3.99 Eternals Celestia #1 (Cover B Nelson Blake II), AR Eternals Celestia #1 (Cover C Rob Liefeld Deadpool 30th Anniversary Variant), AR Excalibur #24 (Cover A Mahmud A. Asrar), $3.99 Excalibur #24 (Cover B Rian Gonzales), AR Excalibur #24 (Cover C Joe Jusko Marvel Masterpieces Variant), AR Hellions #16 (Cover A Stephen Segovia), $3.99 Hellions #16 (Cover B Todd Nauck), AR Hellions #16 (Cover C Joe Jusko Marvel Masterpieces Variant), AR Killraven Epic Collection Volume 1 Warrior Of The Worlds TP (not verified by Diamond, $44.99 New Mutants #22 (Cover A Martin Simmonds), $3.99 New Mutants #22 (Cover B David Lopez), AR Runaways By Rainbow Rowell Volume 6 Come Away With Me TP (not verified by Diamond, $24.99 Savage Avengers #25 (Cover A Valerio Giangiordano), $3.99 Savage Avengers #25 (Cover B Cory Smith), AR

MARVEL PRESS Spidey And His Amazing Friends Meet Spidey Team Board Book HC, $7.99

ONI PRESS Dirtbag Rapture #1 (Cover A Kendall Goode), $3.99 Dirtbag Rapture #1 (Cover B Malachi Ward), $3.99 Dirtbag Rapture #1 (Cover C Brian Level), $3.99 Orcs In Space Volume 1 TP, $15.99 Rick And Morty Presents Snuffles Goes To War #1 (Cover A Devaun Dowdy), $4.99 Rick And Morty Presents Snuffles Goes To War #1 (Cover B Megan Huang), $4.99 Rick And Morty Rick’s New Hat #3 (Cover A Fred Stresing), $3.99 Rick And Morty Rick’s New Hat #3 (Cover B Sarah Stern), $3.99

REBELLION / 2000AD Megatropolis HC, $25.00 Slaine Dragontamer HC, $19.99

SCOUT COMICS By The Horns #6, $3.99 Cherry Blackbird #3 (Of 5), $3.99 Redshift #3 (Of 6), $3.99 Snatched #2, $3.99 Solar Flare Volume 1 Fort Myers TP (New Printing), $19.99

TITAN COMICS Monday Monday Rivers Of London #4 (Cover A Abigail Jill Harding), $3.99 Monday Monday Rivers Of London #4 (Cover B V. V. Glass), $3.99 Monday Monday Rivers Of London #4 (Cover C David Buisian), $3.99

VAULT COMICS Last Book You’ll Ever Read #3 (Cover A Leila Leiz), $3.99 Last Book You’ll Ever Read #3 (Cover B Jen Hickman), $3.99 Last Book You’ll Ever Read #3 (Cover C Leila Leiz Black Bag Variant), $5.99 Money Shot #15 (Cover A Caroline Leigh Layne), $3.99 Money Shot #15 (Cover B Caroline Leigh Layne Black Bag Variant), $5.99 Vampire The Masquerade Volume 2 Winter’s Teeth TP, $17.99

VIZ MEDIA Blue Exorcist Volume 26 GN, $9.99 Chainsaw Man Volume 7 GN, $9.99 Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 12 GN, $9.99 Moriarty The Patriot Volume 5 GN, $9.99 My Hero Academia School Briefs Novel Volume 5 SC, $10.99 My Love Mix-Up Volume 1 GN, $9.99 One Punch Man Volume 23 GN, $9.99 Seraph Of The End Vampire Reign Volume 22 GN, $9.99 Spy x Family Volume 6 GN, $9.99 We Never Learn Volume 18 GN, $9.99 Yona Of The Dawn Volume 32 GN, $9.99

WAKE ENTERTAINMENT Ascencia #8, $3.99

ZENESCOPE ENTERTAINMENT Belle Headless Horseman #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Igor Vitorino), $5.99 Belle Headless Horseman #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Harvey Tolibao), $5.99 Belle Headless Horseman #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Josh Burns), $5.99 Van Helsing Beast Of Exmoor #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Sean Chen), $5.99 Van Helsing Beast Of Exmoor #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Igor Vitorino), $5.99 Van Helsing Beast Of Exmoor #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Tristan Thompson), $5.99

GAMES

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT Yu-Gi-Oh Tin Of Ancient Battles, AR

NECA/WIZKIDS Dungeons And Dragons Icons Realms Figure Kobold Warband, AR

PAIZO Pathfinder Fists Of The Ruby Phoenix Pawn Collection (P2), AR

SIRIUS DICE Maple Leaf Dice Set, AR

USAOPOLY Rubik’s Cube Disney Princess, AR Rubik’s Cube Disney Villains, AR Rubik’s Cube Garbage Pail Kids, AR Rubik’s Cube Hocus Pocus, AR Rubik’s Cube Iron Maiden, AR Rubik’s Cube Jurassic Park, AR Rubik’s Cube South Park, AR

TOYS - T-SHIRTS & COLLECTIBLES Avatar Lab Gallery Zuko PVC Statue, AR Demon Slayer World Collectable Figure Presence Of Muzan 12 Piece Blind Mystery Box Figure Assortment, AR Demon Slayer World Collectable Figure Presence Of Oyakata-Sama 12 Piece Blind Mystery Box Figure Assortment, AR Lil Dumpster Fire 7 Inch Plush, AR Lord Of The Rings Deluxe Action Figure Assortment Series 2, AR Masters Of The Universe He-Man Black T-Shirt LG, AR Masters Of The Universe He-Man Black T-Shirt MED, AR Masters Of The Universe He-Man Black T-Shirt SM, AR Masters Of The Universe He-Man Black T-Shirt XL, AR Masters Of The Universe He-Man Black T-Shirt XXL, AR My Hero Academia 6.5 Inch Plush Series 3 Assortment, AR My Hero Academia Amazing Heroes V13 Izuku Midoriya Figure, AR Transformers Series 1 Minimates Box Set, AR Vinyl Soda Boruto Uzumak With Glow In The Dark Chase, AR Vinyl Soda Masters Of The Universe Stinkor With Scented Chase, AR Vinyl Soda Ragnarok Hulk With Helmet Chase, AR Vinyl Soda Super Chicken With Glow In The Dark Chase, AR Vinyl Soda Super Friends Jayna With Vampire Chase, AR Voltron Pilots Blue T-Shirt LG, AR Voltron Pilots Blue T-Shirt MED, AR Voltron Pilots Blue T-Shirt SM , AR Voltron Pilots Blue T-Shirt XL, AR Voltron Pilots Blue T-Shirt XXL, AR

[yocalio]

If HBO really wanted to do a Game of Thrones sequel with Daenerys and Jon still in it you know damn well it would be to double down on their Mad Queen, virtuous, man pained King narrative. They’ve already done this multiple times despite the massive s8 backlash with commissioned artwork, clothing, and various other types of merchandise which make Daenerys out to be the villain and Jon the saintly reluctant hero who was forced to put her down.

As for this sequel thing as a whole, I don’t believe for a second this is in anyway a credible rumor or that this thing will ever get another spin off or sequel, and in my opinion the house of the dragon will likely get canceled before it even makes a pilot. But given all of that, if we were to just entertain the idea of a sequel to season 8 for a second, does anyone honestly think Emilia would be on board to further desecrate Daenerys’ character? Not likely. A sequel would mean that Dany is still the greatest mass murderer Westeros has ever seen and Jon is still a Kinslaying coward. The damage is done and no sequel or prequel can ever fix that. What’s done is done. Redo the whole last season or throw it all away. 

[cricketnationrise]

Reading Roundup: June 2021

previous reading roundups

like 80% of these are from my local library | averaged 1 book per day

The Ladies Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite: book 1 in a series. romance. sex on the page. wlw lady scientists! historical! astronomers pretending to be men in order to be published!

Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes: book 2 in the Chilling Effect series. should definitely read them in order. rag tag cargo ship crew gets more and more embroiled in an intergalactic conspiracy

Milk!: A 10,000-Year Food Fracas by Mark Kurlansky: non-fiction, the history of milk and its by-products. examines how cultural norms around drinking milk has shifted as well as how gender roles in a dairy have shifted. contains delightful sketches of milk-producing animals and funny chapter titles.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: wow wow wow wow wow wow i love this book so much. i didn’t know i wanted stuck-in-a-time-loop-wlw-riding-the-subway romance but that is for sure what i got. features a scene that directly makes fun of Bella Swan googling information about vampires. so that’s fun.

The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite: book 2 in a series. romance. sex on the page. older women protagonists, a beekeeper and a woman who runs a printing press. interesting historical backdrop. don’t need to have read them in order.

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman: alternating pov YA novel. what happens when you get contacted to do art by your favorite niche podcast and it turns out to be made by the person who lives across the street from you? chaos. chaos happens.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles: towles’ debut novel. set in NYC from Dec 31, 1937 - Jan 1, 1939. rich people problems as experienced by a person who is not rich. 4 parts, each labeled with a season.

Hitman Anders and the Meaning of It All by Jonas Jonasson: a hitman, a motel receptionist, and a priest come up with increasingly convoluted ways to make money. they accidentally start a religion. humor.

People I Want to Punch in the Throat: True(ish) Tales of an Overachieving Underachiever by Jen Mann: non-fiction/memoir, taken from and expanded blog posts, follows Jen Mann through meeting her husband and having kids and having to deal with living in the suburbs and all that that entails

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld: reread. book 1 in the Leviathan trilogy. alternate universe WW1. the son of archduke ferdinand of austria is spirited away the night his parents are assassinated in order to protect him. deryn is a girl disguising herself as a boy in order to join the british air force. their paths cross. alternating pov. very cool worldbuilding that is vaguely steampunk-ish.

Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language by Gretchen McCulloch: non-fiction. a look at how the internet has changed language/writing. fascinating read.

Song for a Viking by KJ Charles: short story set in the Think of England series. follow up to Think of England. sex on the page.

Think of England by KJ Charles: historical m/m mystery romance. sex on the page. stuck in a manor house mystery. warnings for blackmail, kidnapping, murder, being left in a cave, violence, period typical anti-semitism/racism/homophobia

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld: reread. book 2 in the Leviathan trilogy. must read in order.

It’s In His Kiss by Julia Quinn: book 7 in the bridgerton series. historical romance. sex on the page. don’t need to read in order, but it helps.

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn: book 8 in the bridgerton series. historical romance. sex on the page. don’t need to read in order, but it helps.

Proper English by KJ Charles: historical f/f mystery romance. prequel to Think of England. sex on the page. stuck in a manor house mystery. warnings for murder, violence, period-typical racism/homophobia

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas: literally read it one sitting. YA m/m romance. trans male protagonist. accidental ghost summoning, dia de los muertos. warnings for youths with shitty home lives, homophobia, transphobia, kidnapping, violence against children/teens, blood

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn: book 1 in the Rokesby series, a prequel series to the Bridgertons. historical romance (revolutionary war era england). sex on the page. frenemies to lovers.

Sabriel by Garth Nix: book 1 in the Old Kingdom series. fantasy. when her father, the Abhorsen, who’s job it is to make sure the dead stay dead, goes missing in the land of the dead, its up to Sabriel to figure out what happened and how to save the Old Kingdom where magic is alive and kicking.

The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn: collected short stories. a second epilogue for each main book in the bridgerton series. also contains violet (the mom’s) story

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin: book 1 in the Inheritance trilogy, fantasy, with her grandfather stepping down as emperor, he names 3 heirs who must duke it out to the death. the gods are watching and in some cases, meddling.

How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole: book 2 in the Runaway Royals series. do not need to read in order. f/f romance. sex on the page. sort of an Anastasia retelling.

To Seek and to Find by Tamryn Eradani: ...look its just straight up erotica okay? BDSM. safe/sane/consensual. m/m. book 1 in a trilogy.

Hands of My Father: A Hearing Boy, His Deaf Parents, and the Language of Love by Myron Uhlberg: non-fiction. growing up in the depression in NYC as a hearing boy with 2 Deaf parents and an epileptic younger brother. includes how his parents met and fell in love.

Nevertheless, She Persisted: Flash Fiction Project: tor.com published short stories by a variety of authors including Seanan McGuire and Charlie Jane Anders. All start with/feature the phrase: “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”

To Have and to Hold by Tamryn Eradani: ...look its just straight up erotica okay? BDSM. safe/sane/consensual. m/m. book 2.

To Love and to Cherish by Tamryn Eradani: ...look its just straight up erotica okay? BDSM. safe/sane/consensual. m/m. book 3.

Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan: YA f/f romance. private school. warnings for racism, homophobia, toxic relationship, alcohol use, teen on teen violence (one girl gives another a severe allergic reaction).

Highfire by Eoin Colfer: the last dragon in the world just wants to be left alone in the swamp where he is hiding to watch TV. Squib just wants the police officer to stop hitting on his mom and make some money. the crooked police officer wants to take over the local mob boss’ operations. their lives intersect. warnings for: kidnapping, violence against women/children, murder, blood, removal of toes, dismemberment

[corkcitylibraries]

Ireland Reads | 10 BorrowBox Picks for Children and Young Adult Readers

by Jordan McCarthy

The Ireland Reads day offers the perfect opportunity for every kind of reader to celebrate the magical gift of reading. Regular readers, new readers and those who are about to rediscover the wonders and joys of reading, can enrich their lives during a time when our daily routines need it more than ever.

While our libraries may be closed, the online resource, BorrowBox, is one of the real gems being offered by libraries during lockdown. More and more readers are using the platform which has thousands upon thousands of wonderful eAudiobooks and eBooks.

And better yet, this online service, like all the others offered by Cork City Libraries, is free to all library members. If you haven’t yet joined, you can do this for free at www.librariesireland.ie/join-your-library.

Whatever we choose to read or listen to this month, we know that we are nourishing our health and wellbeing in doing so. The possibilities a good book – or magazine, comic, newspaper or whatever you choose to read - can bring to our lives are endless.

“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” – J.K. Rowling’

Below are ten of the top picks currently available on the Children’s and Young Adult section of BorrowBox. Like all great kids’ books, they will prove gripping and engaging for many adult readers, too.

So, squeeze in a read this month. You can find out more about the Ireland Reads initiative by visiting irelandreads.ie. And don’t forget to pledge your reading time!

  Long Way Down  by Jason Reynolds - Young Adult

(Available on eBook and eAudiobook)

‘‘Now

I’m wishing I would’ve

laughed more

at his dumb jokes

because the day

before yesterday,

Shawn was shot

and killed.’’

This remarkable Y.A. thriller is set over the course of 60 seconds. Written in lyrical, verse-like prose, it tells the tale of a revenge-seeking William, whose brother has been shot dead.

But when Will sets out to get his revenge, some ghosts from his past appear in the elevator on his way down to the ground floor.  Will he go ahead with his murderous plan?

There’s a sense of urgency in this fast-paced novel, though he soon realises; it is a ‘long way down’ from the 8th to the ground floor.

  Hero On A Bicycle by Shirley Hughes – Children (10+)

(Available on eBook and eAudiobook)

‘‘He stopped and slung his bicycle against a nearby wall to get his breath back and consider the situation. At that moment someone came up silently behind him and clapped a strong hand over his mouth.’’

Set in Florence, Italy during World War II, this is historical fiction at its finest. The Allies are closing in on Nazi-occupied Florence and 14 year-old Paolo has been taking secret bike rides late every night to beat the boredom of life under curfew. He misses his dad – an anti-Fascist who is in hiding - and rues the fact that he is too young to join the military.

However, when Paolo receives a frightening message on his way home from one of his late-night treks, he suddenly becomes involved in the thick of the action. Can he become the hero during his hometown’s greatest time of need?

This is an excellent novel, which captures one family’s struggles during war.

Not suitable for younger children, some upsetting themes.

   Zom-B; Underground  by Darren Shan – Young Adult

(eAudiobook)

‘‘Can you hold on to your humanity when you're a monster....’’

This fantasy-horror, dystopian novel by the ‘Master of Horror’ is book two in the Zom-B series.

B Smith is the main protagonist in this story, which is set during a zombie apocalypse. When she wakes up in a laboratory-style military camp, ‘B’ learns that she has become ‘Zom-B’.

Can she meet the demands of her captors or is she doomed?

Will she be a monster forever?

  The Dog Who Lost His Bark by  Eoin Colfer – Children

(eAudiobook)

‘‘In his short doggy life, Oz has suffered at the hands of BAD PEOPLE. Somewhere out there, he believes, is an AWESOME BOY – his BOY. Maybe when they find each other he will learn to BARK again ...’’

Patrick comes from a very musical family and he has wanted a pet dog for a very long time. When he rescues an abandoned puppy on his summer holidays, he calls him Oz, and so begins a strong friendship between a boy and a dog – at least that’s what we hope!

Oz is a nervous little creature and he can’t bark, or at least he doesn’t bark when he moves to his new home. Will he ever bark again? Maybe the musical family will be able to get him barking again!

This heart-warming children’s tale, from the creator of the Artemis Fowl series, shows how important music can be in the healing process.

  Rugby Spirit by Gerard Siggins - Children

(eAudiobook)

‘‘A new school, a new sport, an old mystery ... the first instalment in Gerard Siggins’ beloved and bestselling Rugby Spirit series.’’

Eoin Madden is the grandson of a legendary Irish rugby player. When he starts a new school in Dublin, leaving behind his GAA playing days in Tipperary, his rugby adventure begins.

In Casterock College, rugby is everything! But Eoin has never even held a rugby ball before. And the bully, Richie Duffy, is making his life even more difficult. Can Eoin make an impact in his very first season on a school rugby team?

This is one for fans of sport and fiction. It provides lots of insight into the game of rugby, too.

   Once by Morris Gleitzman – Children

(Available on eBook and eAudiobook)

‘‘Once I saved a girl called Zelda from a burning house.

Once I made a Nazi with toothache laugh.

My name is Felix.

This is my story.’’

Once is the first book in Morris Gleitzman’s Felix and Zelda series. Set during the Second World War, this novel is a tale of hope, friendship and survival.

Felix is in a Catholic orphanage in Poland in 1942. The son of Jewish booksellers, he fears that the Nazi’s are burning Jewish books and believes that his parents’ store could be next.

The young Jewish boy departs the orphanage, longing to find his mum and dad, and to warn them about the Nazis. Felix soon discovers that his hometown has changed utterly. A race for survival ensues.

Not suitable for younger, some upsetting themes

   Sabrina; Season Of the Witch by Sarah Rees-Brennan – Young Adult

(eAudiobook)

‘‘To be a witch is to kiss the moon.’’

Inspired by the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, this fantasy novel is a prequel to that Netflix series. It is the story of what went before the "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" show.

Sabrina is half-mortal, half-witch. Before she turns 16, and becomes full-powered, she realises how scared she is of joining the dark side and leaving her mortal life behind.

Can she discard her boyfriend Harvey, and her other mortal friends? This is her origin story; a spooky adventure for fans of the Sabrina series.

   Ultimate Football Heroes; Rashford  by M & T Oldfield - Children

(Available on eBook and eAudiobook)

‘‘When the referee blew his whistle, Marcus started his well-practiced penalty routine:

Four little shuffles to the left,

then short steps forward to try to fool the keeper, and then BANG!’’

The Ultimate Football Heroes series is a biographical story of the life of a star footballer. It charts the rise of some of world football’s biggest names, from the playground to the pitch.

Marcus Rashford is one of the most exciting players in the English Premier League. The Manchester United star has been one of the standout stories over the last year, with his campaign to keep free school meals available for children in the UK.

In Rashford, we learn about the life of Marcus – from when he would watch Man Utd playing on TV as a baby, to scoring important Champions League goals for the Red Devils.

A fast-paced story, full of action, it is one for all the family to enjoy. Others in the series include Kane and Delli Alli, which are available on BorrowBox.  

   Slam! You’re Gonna Wanna Hear This by Nikita Gill – Young Adult

(eBook)

‘‘Poetry is the language of Fire, Fury and Freedom,’’ says Nikita Gill.

Slam! is a collection of poems performed at ‘slams’, or spoken word competitions. It features established and emerging voices, with themes such as home, kin, protest and desire among those in the collection.

Slam! highlights the importance of poetry for the times we live in. It provides an ideal introduction into modern poetry and is a terrific publication.

   The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien – Children

(Available on eBook and eAudiobook)

‘‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.’’

J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy novel is the prequel to his Lord of the Rings saga. Tolkien wrote the story for his own children before it was published into a worldwide bestseller. First published over 80 years ago, it continues to be enjoyed by young and old.

This otherworldly tale features the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who has been recruited as a burglar by Gandalf for an epic quest. Expect trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves, giant spiders, and the dragon, Smaug, as Bilbo and the gang make their way across Middle Earth in search of treasure.

[nightqueendany]

“Evidence” for Night King/Queen Theory

Mostly flimsy stuff but take it as you will. This is the new hill I wish to die on. Bury me with the words “Night Queen Dany” on my tombstone.

1) “We could stay a thousand years. No one would find us. “We’d be pretty old.”

2) There must always be a Night King (according to leaks, Bran has a vision about this). This would be quite the line to drop in with no follow up. We’ve got to see a new Night King/Queen.

3) These differing leaks possibly all being somewhat true to form together this theory:

Drogon allegedly takes Dany’s body away after Jon kills her and leaves Jon inexplicably alive.

Other leaks had Jon and Dany riding off on the dragons.

Some leaks say Jon will head back North to “form a new Night’s Watch”.

4) “What if the Seven Kingdoms were ruled by a just woman and an honorable man?” Oh Davos baby, they will be, just not in the way you thought.

5) Night King’s symbols pointing to the last two Targaryens taking his place (Aegon the Conqueror could have seen this symbol in a vision (vision from the Night King) and this is why he made it his House sigil).

6) Dany’s HOTU vision from the show, the only throne she will sit on is one covered in snow, because she’ll be up north in the Lands of Always Winter:

7) This artwork for 8x01:

This is official artwork for the series (HBO commissioned Robert Ball to make this art, there’s one for every episode of the series). The art series is called “Beautiful Death” which in and of itself is a pretty interesting title.

But since Ball has made these obviously prior to the episodes airing, he knows how the series ends. And at the bottom of this one for 8x01, you can see Jon and Dany together and they appear to be in front of the waterfall...but the waterfall looks suspiciously like:

The fortress of the Night King and White Walkers.

8) Chekhov’s gun of the season - Pregnant Dany. This was so heavily foreshadowed last season and hasn’t happened yet. And I mean, GOT has killed pregnant women before (RIP Talisa), but if there needs to be more white walkers, what better way than bringing dead-pregnant-Dany back so she can birth an undead baby?

9) Matt Bellamy’s “Pray” on the new GOT inspired album:

“We can bring her back.” Well, Jon may certainly try.

10) The Power is Power lyrics:

11) Kinda fits Azor Ahai...? Jon kills the love of his life by stabbing her. Gains the power to deliver the world from a darkness - the darkness being the greed of men.

12) There’s already been a Night’s Queen (corpse queen) in the books - the 13th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch fell in love with a woman with “skin as white as the moon and eyes like blue stars” and “skin was cold as ice”. Jon was a Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.

13) As @cleemail pointed out in another post, Dany dreams of something similar: “Beneath her coverlets she tossed and turned, dreaming that Hizdahr was kissing her … but his lips were blue and bruised, and when he thrust himself inside her, his manhood was cold as ice.”

14) This video:

Some of this is strange but I LOVE the point about Brave Danny Flint being at the Nightfort (where the Night’s King and Night’s Queen ruled) and her possibly turning into the Night’s Queen after she was raped and killed by the Black Brothers.

15) Kimmel asked D&D “Are we for sure done with the White Walkers” and Benioff said “We’re not gonna answer that.”

16) This is why D&D made the executive decision to have neither Jon nor Dany kill the Night King - because they’d both take up his post eventually.

17) Book!Dany calls herself “Mother of Monsters” and we’re meant to believe the monsters are the dragons, but what if they’re the new white walkers?

18) Jon and Dany have both been called the “Prince that was Promised” so what if the Red Priests got it right, but didn’t know what the PTWP actually was and ended up being the very thing they thought they had to fight against?

19) Dany wanted to “break the wheel” but she will sadly have to become a part of the wheel to keep the realms of men in check (the wheel being that there must always be a Night King).

20) Isaac Hempstead Wright said, “It won't go the way some people want. It will be too happy for some people, or too sad, or too whatever.” A Jon/Dany Night King/Queen/White Walker babies might just be too happy for some people who were hoping they would both just die tragically and stay dead. He also said they end it in a very “Game of Thrones way” and the opening scene of the show was about the White Walkers - the last scene could be White Walker Jon/Dany.

21) Emilia’s “What Daenerys is” quote - the “what” being the Night Queen.

22) The prequel series will focus on the first Long Night so it may explain why there needs to always be a Night King.

...

Anyway, add more. My brain is fried now. But I’m sure people have many!

[orangeflavoryawp]

Jonsa - “A Violence Done Most Kindly”, Part 1

Alright, it’s here.  I’m fucking doing it.  This is my Jonsa tour de force, my magnum opus.  My ultimate fix-it fic.

This is going to be a Season 7/8 AU. To summarize the major plot points up until now, this 'verse branches out roughly post Battle of the Bastards in canon, the mass murder of the Freys by Arya still stands, Cersei has been killed but her murderer hasn't been determined yet, Daenerys has only just landed in Westeros, the occupation/battle over Riverrun never happened as the Freys were slaughtered beforehand, and both Edmure and Brynden Tully are still alive, Bran found his way to Winterfell while Jon and Sansa dealt with ruling the North and preparing for a war with the dead, as well as the shifting power dynamics in Westeros now that Cersei has died. This story also assumes established Jonsa. Soft E. Dark. Politics and magic and murder and sex. That's essentially the gist of it.

I HIGHLY recommend that you read 'Bruises' before getting into this. It serves as a prequel of sorts, and it's only a one-shot so it reads pretty quickly. 'Bruises' really helps to set up the tone of where Jonsa is at the start of this fic.

“A Violence Done Most Kindly”

Chapter One: Hunger

"There is an old sort of magic to sacrifice, after all." - Jon and Sansa. Stark is a house of many winters.

Read it on Ao3 here.

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 fin

* * *

It would be a lie to say that Sansa understands Cersei now – here at the end.

           Here where she warms her brother’s bed.

           Sansa imagines Cersei looked at Ser Jamie like this once, watching him in his sleep beside her.  Or perhaps not.  Perhaps theirs was always a quick, furtive fuck.  A blinding instant of lust and need, smothered in dark alcoves and behind garish tapestries, a secret, silent thing – clawing at them from the inside.

           Perhaps they’ve never slept the night through beside each other.

           Perhaps she regretted it – gurgling out his name while she choked on her own blood.

           Sansa reaches up to trace a hand down the side of Jon’s face, trailing past his jaw, along the cords of muscle flexing in his throat beneath her touch, whispering down his chest as he groans to wakefulness.  She slips her hand to his growing hardness with a surety that might have been foreign to the little dove Cersei once knew.

           But then, maybe that is also a lie.

           “Sansa,” he groans, head thrown back along the pillow, voice rough with sleep and desire.

           She braces her lips to his neck, imagines the rush of blood just beneath her mouth – pulls him from slumber with a selfish, desperate yearning she does not regret.  “I need you,” she breathes into his skin, teeth sinking down.

           Jon growls his answer, grabbing her by the hair, yanking her head back and kissing her hungrily.  He turns her easily, bracing her back along the bed as he covers her with his weight, already hard and ready in her hand.

           Some small part of her wishes Cersei had been her kill.  A different, equally intense part of her, is relieved beyond words that she isn’t – that she would never be, now.

           But more than that – more than a vengeful wrath she’s spent too long feeding to ever be free of hunger, to ever be satisfied with a mere raven scroll and the somber, even way Bran announces the news – more than that –

           She just needs Jon.

           “Come back to me,” she whispers against his mouth, moving with him in the dark.

           No, she doesn’t think she’ll ever understand Cersei.

           But as she feels Jon slip inside her, as she cradles his groan in the hollow of her throat, as she catches her lips at his temple – she thinks she doesn’t need to.

           It’s a different hunger she feeds now, after all.

* * *

           Sansa recognizes the sound of Baelish’s footsteps well before he’s made it to her side.  He slinks like shadow easily enough across stone and wood and dirt, but here in the godswood, trudging through snow in the womb of winter, his steps are almost awkward, clunky.

           He does not belong here.  She knows this now with a certainty she hasn’t felt in years.

           “My lady, I had hoped to find you here.”

           Sansa only sighs, glancing away from the red weirwood leaves to meet his gaze over her shoulder.  She offers a silent nod in greeting.

           Baelish makes his way toward her, smoothing his hands over his robe when he settles beside her.  “You have not forgotten what we spoke of when last I found you here, I should hope.”

           Sansa tugs her furs tighter around her shoulders, eyes drifting back to the weirwood branches.  “How could one forget?”

           “Yes,” he murmurs, eyes drifting down her face and trailing the length of her throat.

           She tries not to swallow, not to give notice of her discomfort.  He takes a step closer.  She resolutely does not take one back.

           “This is a very crucial time for us, Sansa, you must know that.”

             “Cersei is dead,” she says in answer, and she thinks maybe it should feel different along her tongue.  Lighter, perhaps.  Sweeter. Instead, it’s nothing but a stringent tartness.

           “Yes, and by whose hand?  None of my people seem to know the answer to that, except for whispers of faceless girls. Dead end gossip.”  He looks at her out of the corner of his eye, appraising.

           Sansa gives him nothing to appraise.  “Is that what matters right now?”

           He stays quiet a moment, and then, “It is, until we can ascertain whose side her murderer is on.”

           Another silence.  Sansa stretches a gloved hand out to catch the faint flecks of snow falling from the branches.

           “We can’t let this opportunity pass us by.  Cersei’s death has lead to infighting amongst the houses.  King’s Landing is in near shambles with no discernible sovereign.  Qyburn has fled without the support of his queen.  The Mountain hasn’t been seen since reports of Cersei’s death. Citizens are fleeing to the other kingdoms as we speak, and even Daenerys Targaryen has seen the uselessness in conquering King’s Landing at this point.”

           She knows this.  She knows this already and she’s tired of hearing it.  It only ever ends one way.

           Baelish reaches for her, grasping her arms and turning her to face him, his gentleness forced and rushed – a falsity.  Sansa blinks up at him.

           “We have to consolidate power.  If we wait too long, this chaos will be of no help to us.”

           “Then go.”

           Baelish furrows his brow at her answer, his fingers flexing along her elbows.

           She swallows tightly, face a blank visage.  “Go to King’s Landing then.  Consolidate.”  She lifts her chin.  “Go.”

           His throat flexes, poison tongue pressing back behind pursed lips.

           “You can’t, can you?” she asks, not unkindly.  “Because your power lies here.  With me.  And with the Vale.  You can’t abandon either of us without giving yourself a disadvantage.”

           “Sansa.”  It’s almost a warning.  As much a warning as Baelish ever gives – all smooth tones and invaded intimacy.  His head inclines toward hers.

           “Jon won’t go South.  Not for that.”  She extracts herself from his hold slowly, gently, without offense.

           Baelish smacks his lips, a minute flicker of irritation crossing his eyes, but it’s all he will allow her to see of his disturbance.  “The King can be persuaded.”

           “Not in this.  The dead occupy him on all sides.  He won’t play the game.”

           “Not even for you?”

           Sansa doesn’t think too long on the way his eyes flick to her lips for a fraction of a second.  “You overestimate my influence.”

           “Oh, I think not,” he says lowly, a curl to his lip that reminds her of purple-faced boy-kings and hound-fed bastards.

           No, he does not belong here.  Not in the white and cold and wind of home.  Not here where her mother used to brush her hair and her father used to beg her hand to dance and her brothers played their knightly parts in her tales dutifully.  Not here where she had wanted to bury Lady those many years ago.

           Wanted, and never could.

           Sansa realizes suddenly, that Winterfell is not yet free.

           And neither is she.

* * *

           In the wake of Cersei’s death, the ensuing vacuum of power nearly cripples the kingdoms, with the remainder of the Lannister forces rallying behind a mourning, vengeful Ser Jaime, intent on securing the Reach and the Stormlands. Dorne wastes no time to declare its independence from the Seven Kingdoms entirely, and shortly after the suspicious slaughter of the Freys by unseen Northern hands both the Riverlands and the Vale swear to the North under the threat of a coming dragon queen.

           Jon has no time for such politics.

           Sansa rails against him openly in the Hall of Lords, demanding his attention to the ensuing fight for the crown, but the dead take precedence in everything he brings to court, and it’s not long before ravens are sent to all corners of Westeros begging aid in the coming fight.

           Bran watches placidly, neither arguing for or against either of them. Sansa would call him not unlike a piece of furniture if she hadn’t better manners, and most days her pleads for his council lands on deaf ears.  She ends most gatherings of the lords rife with frustration and nearly frothing at the mouth.

           She doesn’t need to glance at Baelish to know the look he gives her.

           “You think just because Cersei is dead that we are free from the South? That they will not land their hooks into every inch of the North until we are chained to them once more?” Sansa seethes, shutting her door once Jon is through it.

           Jon heaves an unsteady breath, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. “That’s not what I think, and you know it,” he grits out, sending a dark look her way.  “Stop twisting my words.”

           “Then stop ignoring mine.”

           “I’m not!”  He stalks toward her, stops before he can do anything else.  His hands itch at his sides.  “Sansa, we can’t keep this up – this back-and-forth.  We can’t afford such a divide, not now.”

           Sansa takes a purposeful breath, hands folding before her.  “I’m with you, Jon, I am but – ”

           “Are you?  Sometimes I wonder.”  He can’t help the scoff that leaves him.  He stares at her, keeps her gaze a moment longer, and then he’s turning to the far window, a hand raking over his face.  He’s just so tired, suddenly.

           Sansa is deadly still.  So still he can’t even hear the rustle of her skirts on the cold stone at their feet – can’t pick up the scrape of air she pulls through anger-fused lungs.

           “And how is your show of the dead going with the other kingdoms, hmm?” she bites out.

           Jon snaps his head to her, his eyes narrowing so quickly she might have missed it.

           Sansa takes a step toward him.  “Are they simply jumping to aid us?  Are they gathering the entire might of their forces, marching the sum of their armies North, all on your word?”  Something sharp glints in her gaze and Jon swallows his reply back instantly. She scoffs, head thrown back.  And then her eyes are eerily blue on his – instantly staggering him.  “And have I ever demanded evidence?  Have I ever once denounced your claims of the rising dead before the lords?”

           Jon has no answer.  None that would satisfy, at least.

           Something in her softens at his silence, another step taken toward him. “I’ve never asked you to prove anything to me, Jon.”

           Jon, she calls him – always.

           (There was never anything to prove between them, after all.)

           Jon closes his eyes, takes a long, deep breath, exhales just as evenly. When he opens his eyes, she’s still there.  Still copper-crowned and winter-poised.  Still every inch his sister.

           And every inch not.

           He thinks maybe it’s a sickness – this craving of his.

           Jon steps into her, the stiff silence descending upon them like a cloak. He’s so close.  He’s so unbearably close, and even though he has yet to touch her, the heat suffuses him – a stifled winter, a burrowing need.

           He can see the way her chest heaves at the sudden proximity.

           (She’s always been his, even when she won’t admit to it.)

           Jon thrums a tentative hand along her side, fingers grazing the line of her hip.

           Her tongue darts out to wet her lips.

           It’s a lost cause, he knows.  Since the moment she opened her door to him, this was only ever going to end one way.

           “I know you’re with me,” he tells her on an exhale, roiled in heat.

           She arches a single, fine brow.  “Do you? Sometimes I wonder.”  She almost smacks her lips with self-satisfaction.

           A low snarl eases from his lips, his hand bunching in her dress, dragging her to him.  She lets him, hands alighting on his chest.  He leans into her, nuzzling his temple to hers, breath ragged already.

           She makes it so easy.

           He’s already panting for her.

           (She makes it so hard.)

           “Sansa,” he groans out, fingers trembling as they reach for her laces.

           She takes his face in her hands, pulls him back until his eyes are locked with hers.  He doesn’t still his unlacing of her.  He couldn’t even if he tried.

           So unbearably close.

           (He just needs to touch her.)

           “You lose one war, you lose them all,” she tells him, arching against him.

           She’s right, he knows.  She’s right, and yet –

           She comes undone so easily in his hands – they need to stop ending their arguments this way.

           Because this – the splendid way she hisses beneath his tongue and the subtle way she arches into his hands and the ragged pant of his name (his name) along her bruising lips – is a war they can’t afford to lose.

           (This is a war they haven’t even begun to fight, not truly – not by the light of day.)

           “I’m with you,” she whispers against his mouth, and he knows.

           He knows, he knows, he knows.

           And even still –

           Some wars aren’t about who’s right.  They’re only about who’s left.

* * *

           Arya returns to Winterfell in the dead of night.  Ghost clambers to wakefulness at the foot of Jon’s bed, the sharp rap on his door jolting him from sleep.

           It’s Davos at his door.  “In the hall, Your Grace,” he says, and nothing more.

           Jon rushes from the room, following his Hand and the faint shadows Davos’ torch casts along the walls.  When he turns the next corridor, he sees Sansa emerging from her own chambers, Brienne at her side.  Her sworn shield tugs the fallen slip of Sansa’s robe over her lady’s bared shoulder at Jon’s presence, and the motion does not go unnoticed.

           “What is it?” Sansa hisses in the night.

           He shakes his head, throat parched.

           It happens moments later.

           It happens when they breach the shadowed hall.  It happens when Arya turns from her appraisal of the room, eyes a slate grey that should be comforting, familiar – but are only haunting.  She is perfectly still in the filtering moonlight through the tall windows.  She is perfectly winter-poised (an eerie reflection of the sister beside him, and distantly, he wonders if either of them knew they’d ever grow to be thus).

           It’s a crack, a fissure – a lung-scraping quake that sunders through the silent hall.  

Ghost is the first to break the stillness, trotting up to Arya with an ease that staggers Jon’s heart in his chest.  But Arya smiles – smiles – and it’s a faint curl of her lips, before she’s bending like reeds in the wind, reaching for the direwolf’s great maw and threading her fingers through his thick fur, hands gliding over Ghost’s face and ears and neck.  Something of sorrow and fondness sweeps over her face then. “Hey, boy.  You’ve been keeping watch for me?”

           Jon is breaking toward her then, something splintering inside him he hasn’t a name for, and then she’s in his arms, and he’s lifting her up, up, and up, her feet off the ground, her arms around his neck, his broken gasp of her name smothered in her hair, and he’s trembling, absolutely shaking against her, absolutely shattered – here, to be here – with his little sister in his arms.  He holds her for an immeasurable amount of time, for eons and epochs and yet he’d hold her still, if only he could.  It never seems enough.

           Jon dips her back to the floor, breathless, glancing back at Sansa, and he stills suddenly at the way she stares at them.

           Arya keeps a hand at Jon’s elbow, her smile receding.  A soft, keen quiet overtakes her.  Her eyes shine with tears.  “Hello, Sansa.”

           Sansa takes a step, hand outreaching, and then stops herself.  She takes a sudden breath, and Jon is too overcome to think much of it, so he braces a hand at the small of Sansa’s back, urging her toward their sister.

           He doesn’t catch the way Arya’s eyes trail the intimate motion of his hand.

           “Arya.”  Sansa’s voice catches, and then she’s stumbling into her, arms wide, drawing her little sister to her chest.

           Arya’s eyes shutter closed for a moment, breathing something of relief against Sansa’s breast, her hands fisting in her robe at her back, but then she’s blinking those grey, haunting eyes open to Jon.

           He feels cracked open.  Bloody and bare.  Jon swallows the trepidation back.

           Their sister is returned.

           His hand burns beneath the memory of Sansa’s heat at his fingertips.

* * *

           Arya knows.

           She knows, Sansa thinks when she catches the derision in her little sister’s eyes from across the courtyard.  Somehow, she knows.

           Sansa steps purposely away from Jon as they walk together below the ramparts.

           He furrows his brows at the motion, a hand going to her elbow.  “Sansa,” he begins.

           She huffs her frustration, staying his hand.

           He’s always been terrible at pretenses.

           “Our sister is watching,” she mutters beneath her breath pointedly, and she can see the way his spine straightens, the way his shoulders stiffen.

           She is Sansa Stark.  And he is Jon Snow.  And not for the first time has she lamented this – though perhaps not so much as now.

           Now when he is close enough to touch and yet the chasm widens ever farther.

           This chasm called honor.

           (But there is nothing honorable about the ways in which he touches her in the dark of night.)

           Jon is silent for long moments, before he comes to an abrupt halt at the edge of the courtyard.  Sansa turns to find him staring at his boots, brows furrowed.  He heaves a sigh, a calloused hand wiping down his face, and then he’s turning swiftly, walking back the way they came.  Sansa watches him go, something constricting in her chest not unlike grief.  She looks back across the courtyard to see Arya still watching her.  Her jaw locks, her barred teeth caught behind perfectly poised lips.

           There are some things Arya will never know, she reminds herself.

           She will never know the way Jon’s eyes grow dark by candlelight, or the way his throat flexes beneath the press of her tongue, or the tremble that racks through him when she slips to her knees at the edge of his bed, bracketed by his thighs.

           And perhaps there is something secret and selfish still living in her. Perhaps there is a part of her that revels in the knowledge that while she may not be the favorite sister, she is the only sister who can drag such whines from his throat, who can reduce him to pleading, who can have him panting and desperate as he throws his head back, hand curling in her copper tresses as he pushes her mouth down on his length, hips thrusting shallowing up to meet her.

           No, Sansa reminds herself.  Arya will never know the dark visage of Jon when the last of his control snaps, when he’s pouring filth from his mouth too base even for brothels, when he’s rutting into her mouth like something feral, spilling hot and frenzied down her throat as he growls her name through clenched teeth, over and over and over again.

           No. Arya will never know the way he looks at her in the aftermath, the way he curls a quaking hand along the curve of her jaw, thumb brushing over her mouth in something perhaps too feverish to be called tender, but just as searing.

           She thinks this when she departs from the courtyard.

           She thinks this when she feels Arya’s gaze following along her back.

           She thinks this when she closes the latch behind her to Jon’s door that night.

* * *

           “You’re our brother,” Arya says like a demand.  “You’re her brother.”  It comes out slightly searing this time.

           Jon grips at the mantle over the hearth, his back to her.  “I still am.”

           “How could you be?”  Her scoff is lined with something faintly like disgust.

           Jon closes his eyes at the sound.  He draws a deep breath in, lets it to air.

           Arya shifts somewhere behind him.  “Robb would never have touched her so.”

           “Aye, and Robb isn’t the brother she begs for at night, is he?” he spits just as harshly, whirling on her.  He realizes what he says a moment before he catches the look that passes over her face.

           It’s not a look she’s ever directed at him before.

           Jon swallows thickly, the words dying in his throat.

           Arya looks away, lips pursed tight.  She’s so utterly still.  This whole while, her entire time at Winterfell, she’s been nothing but stillness.

           Jon wants to shake her suddenly, just to know she’s still there.  Just to know he isn’t the only one missing what they used to be.

           He has to tear his gaze from her – has to focus on the lick of flames in the hearth, the flare of copper too familiar to cool this rancid heat in him. “But I’m not Robb, am I?” he whispers, almost like regret, almost like penitence.

           (Almost, but not quite.)

           “No,” Arya answers, so low he might have imagined it.  “No, you’re not.”

           He isn’t sure what it is he hears in her voice, and he doesn’t have the heart to turn to her then, to see for himself, to know the damning censure of her gaze, even when her voice is indiscernible.  

           She leaves him then, the heavy door of his solar sliding shut with a nauseating finality.

           She doesn’t even leave a shadow.

           (But he thinks he should have expected this.  He thinks he should have expected a lot of things.)

* * *

           Jon has known the permanence of betrayal, the way it sinks into your marrow until you are rife with it, until the sharp tang of it has festered long and sour beneath your tongue, until it is behind every look over the shoulder and every false greeting.

           Jon sneaks a glance at Sansa beside him, catches the upturn of her chin while she listens to Lord Glover in the Hall of Lords, the resolute crispness of her blue gaze as she sits regally at the head table.

           His hand strays to the ends of her furs hanging over the arm rest.  He catches the material between his thumb and forefinger, a small comfort.  An anchor in the storm.

           He glances back out across the hall.  All eyes are on Sansa.  All but a lone, accusing pair.

           Jon catches Arya’s glare from across the hall, nearly missing her lithe frame amidst the shrouding shadows of the Stark banners.  The flicker of torchlight is not enough to obscure her frown.

           His hand slips from the edge of Sansa’s furs beneath the table, his throat dry with an apprehension he’s never felt before.

           They sit staring at each other for long moments – everything and nothing passing between them – the lords airing their complaints and their needs like a fog around him.

           “Do you agree, Your Grace?”

           Sansa’s voice comes to him like a gale.

           Jon snaps his gaze to her, blinking rapidly.

           He suddenly remembers.

           He remembers that Sansa has seen the evidence of betrayal marring his skin. She’s seen the gashes along his chest and not withheld her touch.  She’s smothered his sobs of recollection to her breast when he’s recounted the nooses – the way their feet swayed in the wind like a condemnation.

           Sansa has never been party to his betrayal.

           Sansa will never be his betrayal.

           His fingers search for the ends of her furs once more, gripping tightly beneath the cover of the table – no longer an anchor, but the thing that drowns him.

           “Aye,” he agrees, never needing to know what he agrees to.

           Sansa eyes him with something of sharpness.

           Jon looks back across the hall.  Arya is gone.

           He does not relinquish his hold.

* * *

{“Why did you bring her here?”

           Bran looks up at Sansa’s question.  It is a face she used to know once – but not anymore. She holds tight to this image of her brother like sand sifting through her fingers. She wonders if it is not perhaps easier to simply let him fall.

           She looks away finally, her hands gripping at her skirts.

           The hearth spits another log to cinders before them, and she thinks he means to keep this damn silence always, until, “Because she is needed.”}

[bpdanakins]

Name ten favourite characters from ten different things (books, tv, film, etc.) then tag ten people

I was tagged by the dear @gffa who clearly enjoys making these lists and seeing everyone else also struggling with just choosing ten. It’s hard but I shall do my best sdfk <3

1. Lara Croft - Tomb Raider Okay, let’s just get it out: I prefer reboot!Lara. idk I know some people think she sucks and the games suck for whatever reason, but I found the games and their mechanics super fun, and Lara’s story really compelling. She was a young girl who was determined to make her own way in the world, and instead went through something extremely traumatizing. She kept pushing through, kept getting back up no matter what the world threw at her. She went on this clear journey that was compelling and fun and messy. She wasn’t perfect. She pushed people away, she fucked the world up because she was determined to find the answers she felt would make all she went through make sense. Her survivor’s guilt was present really well in RotTR but most especially in SotTR. People were dying but she was so focused on finishing her personal mission. She was numb to it despite the fact it still horrified her. And her arc ended well. She finally was able to reach a place where she was able to let go of her losses and try to join society again. And I’m gay for her. So, you know.

2. Senua - Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice I cannot recommend this game enough. It’s tough to play bc it’s not just a horror game but you feel a lot of Senua’s anxiety, which is part of the point to the game. Senua’s a Celtic warrior who suffers from psychosis, and the game devs worked directly with both professionals and those who experience psychosis. There’s a whole mini doc to it which is great, even if you can’t stomach horror. You’re in Senua’s head with her throughout the game. You see what she sees, you hear all she hears, and she talks to you directly at times. But the beauty of the game is Senua’s true journey. She goes on a quest to try to rescue a loved one she lost to Vikings, but the real story is about a girl realizing she’s not a monster for seeing the world differently. That the abuse and ableism she faced weren’t her fault at all. There’s so many little things I can point to in this game that just made me so emotional, and it’s such a beautiful and necessary story to tell. Senua is great and deserves a hug.

3. Anakin Skywalker - Star Wars If you asked me at what point in my life Anakin became one of my favourite characters, to the point I frequently talked about him even on my main blog at random intervals, I couldn’t tell you. I haven’t the faintest idea; he just was. And if you asked me why he was a fave early on, I also couldn’t tell you lmao. It might partially be that I grew up on the prequels, and maybe at such a young age I didn’t really grasp at first that this was a story about a guy who was already revealed to be a villain, but I haven’t the faintest clue. He just is now, and I’m so passionate about his story. He’s complex and difficult and written so well. You want him to be happy, you feel heartbroken seeing a good character fall so deep, and you want to smack him upside the head a whole lot. You laugh at his silly dialogue (which he has as Vader too smh), you cry when you see him struggling, you become horrified by his actions. His story’s also a great inversion of the Chosen One trope - whereas usually we see Chosen Ones struggle, become imperfect and undoubtedly traumatized, they remain heroes the whole time. Anakin doesn’t. He becomes the bad guy, one of the worst in the series (Palps takes the award tho). But even then, when you think this guy has nothing to offer but an intimidating villain, he’s shown to have good. And then we see how much good he had all along, the good he forgot and was punished for and hated himself for. His heart that had good intentions but he chose the worst actions. He’s complicated and I love him. And more over, I love how many people who struggle or have mental illness can relate to him. I love that he wasn’t treated as a guy whose actions were glorified, but that were honest in both the good ones and the bad ones. Anyone can fall, and anyone can get back up, if they choose to. I just. Love him. He means a lot.

4. Commander Shepard - Mass Effect I know that Shep is technically the player’s character and can be any combination of person, but anyone who’s played Mass Effect would get why they were put here. The original trilogy for Mass Effect touched on so many things, and was a really emotional one. You had your great moments with friends, you had your struggles against both unknown horrors, and horrors close to home (so to speak). There are so many small moments that stick out to you, and idk how many people can say that playing this story didn’t impact their life in a meaningful way, bc I can’t see how it couldn’t. I’ve played the games many times, but even after all of this, there are moments that I not just still get emotional to, but take on new meaning as I go through my life. And Shepard’s the hero of the story. They’re not perfect, and they can downright be an ass if you play them that way, but their story is one of perseverance, of fighting on even when entire worlds are being lost and everyone is still looking to them. Everyone needs them to find a solution. But even then, it’s a story about friendship too. About tons of amazing characters that all have their own motivations, their own pasts and goals and hopes and failures. About how all these varied characters become a found family. And so Shepard’s the hero of the story, but their companions aren’t just there to be sidekicks, but end up with all their own accomplishments and arcs and you go on this journey with all of them. idk the whole series is great dsalkkljads

5. Lexa & Clarke - The 100 Let’s not talk about how terrible this show got and how messy it was because we all know. But it started with a really compelling story that was interesting, and to see two characters on screen who were flawed but understood each other, and to have them both be women - one who was a lesbian and one who was a bisexual?? It made me so excited and it’s a really flawed show but it meant a lot to me at the time to have a couple like that on a tv show, and so despite all its flaws, that relationship still means a lot to me. 

6. The BAU team - Criminal Minds Yeah, I put the entire friggin team down, and that means all of them. There was only maybe two or so characters that were on it I didn’t like so every iteration is put down. Criminal Minds isn’t exactly a complex show; it’s a typical crime drama, and its unique feature is that it looks into the behaviour and minds of criminals instead of finding the science, like we saw with CSI. But the episodes were compelling and entertaining to watch, and, what do you know, there’s a found family at the center of it all and naturally I’m a sucker for it. Strangely enough this show is kind of a comfort one to me, bc it’s entertaining but not always overwhelmingly emotional. I can put it on at any time and just have it on in the background, or when I’m not feeling well, and I’ll enjoy myself. Also strangely enough, I’ve seen almost every episode enough times that there’s a game in my house to see how long it takes for me to recognize the episode and its plot once a rerun is put on lmao. There’s a lot of good shows like this out there - I enjoy SVU a lot too - but something just draws me to the characters on this one. We’ve been with them for, what, 14 seasons?? And we’ve seen them go thru some shit, we’ve seen them grow and change and they’re all really unique. It’s not a complex show but it is good enough to just binge. A part that plays in it is probably the time in my life I started getting into it too, but I’m alright with standing by it.

7. Korra - Avatar: The Legend of Korra I probably don’t need to wax poetic about atla or atlok much at all. I just love her journey, as a brash and overconfident girl who realizes that being the Avatar is hard, the people expect so much and there’s a lot put on your shoulders. That, when things go wrong, people will blame you. She went and became this giant blue monster thing, but her struggles were all human. Her PTSD was shown really well, despite it being a kid’s show. She’s fun and her journey is lovely and it’s definitely true that Korrasami did it way better, and both characters are bi women too (◡‿◡✿) We Do Not Talk About That Dumb Love Triangle Nonsense Though

8. Chloe & Max - Life is Strange What can I even say about this game? I don’t know. If you’ve played it, you’ll know why it’s here. It’s.... way deeper than you’d think it’d get at first. I love the story, and I love the journey Max and Chloe go on together. I love their friendship, how Chloe was always trying to uplift Max and encourage her to follow her dreams, and Max just doing the impossible for Chloe. I love their relationship, because it was built on support and love and struggle. I love their complexities, their flaws, their strengths, their times together. I just fskljdjlksfd love them, I love this game and all its various stories and character arcs. It’s all so beautiful and raw and unique and yay, another pair of ladies loving each other is on this list.

9. Solas - Dragon Age: Inquisition Okay. There’s a TON of characters I adore in Dragon Age, and to be honest, I don’t know he’d be my absolute top one. But I do like his story. I love Dragon Age companions, because, like in Mass Effect, they’re all their own characters with their own stories and journeys. Solas is flawed. Like, really flawed. Here’s another guy on my list who went and fucked up the world a bit. His worst actions (and the consequences of them) were built on good intentions, on his desire to help his people. We can get into the way this direction BW went with the elvhen religion was icky, but it’s a different conversation. I adore elvhen lore and I love exploring theories on it all the time. For Solas, I just like that he’s complex. I mean, he’s still silly and kinda weird, and he loves to hear himself speak on topics and loves Lavellan for encouraging him to never shut up, but most of all I kind of like their relationship? A friendship with Solas is still great, but I like that it’s an asexual one (don’t fight me on this, idc, it’s how I see it). It’s soft, built on mutual respect, one with no pressures or expectations. Solas asks for time and Lavellan gives it. There’s no fade to black s.ex scenes that so many times aren’t optional in BW games. I just really like my asexual wolf god egg ok

10. Mulder & Scully - The X Files Okay, it’s super hard to choose characters for this holy heck. BUT I really, really, really love their relationship. Mulder is an idealist who believes in the supernatural, and Scully his pragmatic scientific counterpart. And we could talk about how Scully’s character as a woman in science meant to a lot of people, and how Mulder’s tenacity to not give up on his beliefs is a nice one (when it’s not getting him into trouble). Their relationship is the slowest of slow burns in television history, I think. But it’s good that way. Scully starts out thinking Mulder’s just a delusional guy, one who’s intelligent but wastes his accomplishments, and he knows that. Then they go through shit, they’re a team and many times it’s them against a whole bunch of unbelievable stuff (and their own government). What I loved most was also their son, and I’m literally deleting all knowledge of the new seasons from my brain bc I think it was gross and took away from the story, but I liked that they were so close, loved each other so much despite there not really being a romance yet, that Scully trusted to go to Mulder to donate to her bc he was the only one she could think of for this. It’s another asexual relationship on screen, and it’s built on a love that happens over time. I just fljksdfkjl could go on about it too.

-

This was hard lmao. I wanna give an honorary shout out to Peggy Carter since she had wonderful lines like: “I know my value. Anyone else’s opinion doesn’t really matter.” Which is *chef’s kiss*. Peggy was the true unsung hero of the MCU and they gave her and Steve a weird ass ending.  

idk who to tag bc I’m not sure who’d be into this, but if you’re willing, I’d love to hear from @sapphicfinalpam, @mariaromanovs, @vinterskald, @zombiefishgirl, @nb-aziraphales, @serkonans and anyone who feels like doing it. Feel free to obvs ignore this, or only make a list without rambles, idk. I am never too sure about who’s into this or not, but if I didn’t tag you and you wanna do it, you can just say I tagged you and I definitely wanna read what you have to say!

[chlostertalks]

I Think I Know Who the Night King Is

It's Aegon the Conqueror. Here's why.

Background/A Reason to Fight for the Throne

Aegon I of House Targaryen, also known as Aegon the Conqueror, was first of his name and rode Balerion the Dread (the largest dragon skull shown in S7E2) to conquer all seven kingdoms. He was the first king of the Andals and the First Men, and Protector of the Realm. We hear more about him through the books Shireen used to read; he’s not to be confused with Grand Maester Aemon's brother, Aegon V. 

He also had a sword, Blackfyre, the most popular Targaryen sword and one of the most powerful made of Valyrian steel; Talk the Thrones brought up that the Golden Company (the sellsword army working with Cersei) may still have this sword in their possession.

According to the books, Aegon I married both his sisters (ew, but it is known that House Targaryen traditionally committed incest to keep their bloodline going) and had a child with each: Aenys (pronounced like Enes Kanter) and Maegor. Aenys was a sickly boy, and ruled in a way similar to King Tommen on the show. Maegor's reign was cruel, and he rode Balerion to continue his tyranny. 

These three kings were the first to rule Westeros, so they have claims to the throne. Especially in Aegon I's case, the ability to conquer lands means that he could do what he want with them, including the possibility of cutting down sacred trees. This action would anger the Children and give them reason to stab a man with dragonglass.

Fun facts: Aegon's sister-wives' names are Rhaenys and Visenya. Lots of repeating of prefixes through the years. Also, Balerion had four riders before his death at age 200 (how many dragon years is that?). 

Qyburn and Cersei in front of the skull of Balerion the Dread.

Only Targaryen can ride dragons

Dragons are smart. They know Targaryen blood when they sense it. That's why in last night's season premiere, Jon Snow was able to ride Rhegal (named for his father, coincidentally enough). This is also why Rhegal and Drogon sneered at the sight of Danaerys and Jon kissing at the waterfall, even though incest was common practice in House Targaryen. Even though the Night King had to shoot down Viserion in order to make the dragon part of the Army of the Undead, it would still take some sort of blood bond to ride the mysterious animal.

 The Night King can temporarily extinguish fire as he walks–a more OP power than Danaerys

This reminds me of a scene in Naruto: Shippuden when Madara Uchiha points out that Lady Tsunade is not as powerful as her grandfather. For those unaware, Madara was a major villain in the series, and Lady Tsunade was the leader of her village, the title being hokage. Tsunade had the power to heal herself after suffering critical wounds, but she wasn't as powerful as her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, First Hokage. He could transform landscapes, fight nonstop for a day and still be fresh to continue, and heal quickly. In fact, his cells were used for amputations and mutations in the series.

Danaerys can walk through fire, an incredible feat within itself. However, the Night King can extinguish fire temporarily with a single step; moreover, his clothes do not burn as he walks over fire. Could Danaerys' power be a strand of a greater power of her enemy?

The White Walker army is not immune to dragonglass and Valyrian steel–the two weapons of the Targaryen family

We know that dragonglass can kill White Walkers, for that is why Jon and Danaerys are mining it for the war. I also believe the Children stabbed through their target with a dragonglass dagger to create the Night King in the first place. Jon has also killed a White Walker with Longclaw, his blade of Valyrian steel. Being that the Old Valyria is extinct and full of grayscale sufferers, there are but few Valyrian steel weapons left in the world. In addition to Jon Snow, Arya Stark, Brienne of Tarth, Jaime Lannister, and Sam Tarly have such weapons.

Based on the below family tree, Aegon I was the son of Aerion Targaryen, Lord of Dragonstone, and Velaena Velaryon of the Old Valyria. House Velaryon and House Targaryen have married each other several times throughout the course of history, and Valyrian steel soon became closely associated with House Targaryen. Could it be that the White Walkers are not immune to these two weapons because their leader's house used them?

Targaryen family tree. Reddit. Also, lol at Robert Baratheon hating Targaryens when he has the same great-grandfather as Danaerys. 

Aegon I parallels to William the Conqueror, just like the show parallels the War of the Roses

Obviously, England and France didn't fight a thousand-year-old villain like the Night King, but this parallel may be important. William the Conqueror conquered and united England in 1066, just as Aegon I conquered and united the England-shaped Westeros. William's reign led to interlinking dynasties and wars between England and France, just as Aegon's reign led to the same results with Westeros and France-shaped Essos. Of all the major players in the War of Roses and Game of Thrones, one of the only major players in the former that has yet to have a place in the latter is William the Conqueror. Now would be a perfect time to introduce him to give us a backstory on how Westeros came to be. Not only does it set up a motive for a villain to return to his throne, but it also sets up the future Game of Thrones prequel.

Spiral patterns similar to the Targaryen crest

We've seen spiral patterns that the Army of the Dead leaves behind throughout the series. It didn't dawn on me that the spiral resembles the Targaryen crest until Beric sets Ned Umber and the pinned arms and hands on fire last night. 

THEORY: Either Aegon I or his sons, Aenys and Maegor, conquered too much and destroyed lands, causing the Children to interfere and stab one of them against the tree.

PROBLEM: 

Aegon I died of a stroke four years after his last trek throughout Westeros, according to the books. There also could be a continuity error in the series, as the Night King has posed a threat on Westeros for thousands of years. Plus, to me, the man tied to the tree resembles more of Aenys’ appearance than Aegon I. 

But why make a character secondary to his father the main villain of a series? Anyway....

HOW THIS COULD PLAY OUT: 

The Targaryen crest has three dragon heads. Each of the three dragons we've come to know and love has a rider of Targaryen blood. Plus, in the intro to every season of GoT, the last animal shown before the GoT logo is the animal of the family who is in power; for seven seasons, the last animals on the sundial were a lion and a stag for Houses Lannister and Baratheon, but season 8′s last animal is a dragon as a comet blazes by. The final battle is a fight to the death (possibly at this new location called Last Hearth), with one of the Targaryens coming out on top.

But who will it be? 

[naomimakesart]

Tagged by @chaos-of-the-abyss! Thanks for the tag I love answering questions about ASOIAF!!!

1. Who is your favorite character and why?

I think I’ve answered this a lot, but I love Daenerys the most out of ASOIAF characters, but I’ll sum up the reasons here: I can relate to her story while not completely projecting myself onto her, I believe she genuinely has a kind heart, I can criticize that she does not always make good decisions but she learns from them and she is a survivor and I admire that the most.

2. Have you ever felt any sympathy for Cersei at all?

Yes I can sympathize that Cersei has been constantly treated as less by her father for being a girl and I understand her frustration about that. Cersei is a really interesting character to me because she doesn’t do a lot of redeeming things but I don’t hate her? I enjoy reading her chapters, she can do/think things that I find really entertaining. I do think that she gets ahead of herself a lot though.

3. If you could choose, which character would you take as your ruler?

Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons.

4. Your opinion of Rhaegar Targaryen?

So this is a really loaded question. This is a question that I haven’t answered before, but I’m going to keep things simple. I do like Rhaegar’s character and I can do that while also being critical of his actions. Do I approve of everything he did, or the way he went about things? No. Do I wish things had turned out different? No. Because had he not done what he had, we wouldn’t have the story that we do now. Would Daenerys be the first female head of House Targaryen or feel responsible for their restoration if he hadn’t? Would Jon even be here? In the simplest words I can possibly muster his actions progressed the story so much, and gave us some heart-wrenching conflict and as a reader I couldn’t ask for more. 

5. Favorite historical Targaryen?

Favorite historical Targs are Visenya, Alysanne, Daemon and Bloodraven. 

6. What do you think of Young Griff so far?

I like Young Griff, but I kind of believe he’s a Blackfyre. I still like him though. I actually think it would be great if Daenerys married him and Jon, is that an unpopular opinion? I think it would be a great reverse of Aegon/Visenya/Rhaenys. Daenerys can be Aegon, Jon can be Visenya and Young Griff/Aegon can be Rhaenys. Lets just squash the conflict between house Targaryen and House Blackfyre with marriage. lol That’s too simple of a solution but can you imagine Dany with two cute husbands?? She deserves it!! 

7. Your opinion on Shae?

My opinion on show-Shae was that she wasn’t half bad, but book-Shae was..........an acquired taste. I thought it was a little redundant for the show-runners to expand her character when they were just going to give her the same ending as she had in the books? I liked them giving her more dimension but at the same time they kind of baited us with a tragic backstory and then never delivered. 

8. Who is your favorite actor in GOT?

I love Emilia, but the actor I think that was absolutely perfect in every scene and I will never forget is Charles Dance as Tywin. What a perfect perfect choice, he deserved a damn Golden Globe, and I have actually missed him so much since season 4. I think Tywin would be more of a force to be reckoned with for Dany if he was still around though, so I’m not too heartbroken over his absence. 

9. Who do you think is Cersei’s “younger, more beautiful queen”? Daenerys, Margaery, Sansa, or someone else?

I honestly think it’s Dany, but it could be Sansa too? I think Cersei really believed it was Margaery, and I think she probably believed it to be Sansa for a while as well, but never expected it would be Daenerys bc Dany wasn’t even on her radar and that’s why I believe it’s Daenerys. 

10. Who is your favorite member in Daenerys’ court (aside from Dany herself)?

Missandei is cute, in the show and the books, I love how smart she is and her innocent humor is very adorable too. After Missandei I really loved Barristan Selmy and will forever be salty that D&D killed him before he was supposed to die. I hope we have a lot more interaction with Barristan in the remaining books and that GRRM decides to keep him alive for a while. 

11. Who is your favorite couple?

In just ASOIAF or the entirety of GRRM’s universe? I have always liked the aesthetic of ice and fire ships like Rhaegar/Lyanna & Jon/Daenerys but I am also a huge fan of Targaryen ships like Bloodraven/Shiera, Aegon/Visenya/Rhaenys, Jaehaerys/Alysanne, Baela/Alyn, and Daemon with every woman lover he ever had I guess haha. I’m also a huge fan of Cregan Stark and Black Aly Blackwood. My favorite I guess would be RxL because I’ve drawn them so much and consistently since 2013. 

Now, I’ll ask my own questions:

1. What are your top 3 favorite houses in Westeros?

2. If you could live during one era in GRRM’s universe what era would it be? (Age of Heroes, Valyrian Empire, Conquest of Westeros, Dance of Dragons etc.)

3. What is your favorite episode/scene from the Game of Thrones TV Series? 

4. What ruler do you think brought about the most change in Westeros, be it good or bad? 

5. If you could ask GRRM one question what would it be?

6. If GRRM could write a short novel/series about one other family or historical time (besides the Targaryens) in his universe what would you want it to be about? (My choice would be Nymeria’s Journey!)

7. What was your first introduction to ASOIAF/Game of Thrones? Did someone tell you about it, did you see it online or did you come across it at a store/shop?

8. What’s one thing that bothers you about GRRM’s series?

9. What’s one thing you unabashedly love about GRRM’s series?

10. What are your feelings about the prequel series in development at HBO right now for the Long Night? 

I’m tagging: @chillyravenart, @thousandeyesand-one, @joannalannister, @madaboutasoiaf, @ofwickedlight, @xxthewolvenstormxx, @thenightsmellsofjasmine, @vxsxnyx, @lastxdragon and anyone else who’s interested! Also feel free to ignore, I tagged people who interact with me a lot and I’d like to see your thoughts!