#i've not moved on and i shan't

[copia]

the mortifying ordeal of attaching papa to a tattoo enquiry form

[frobby]

Lets all name fanfics that formulatively changed our lives

Ill go first: there's this haikyuu kenhina fanfic where Kenma works at CVS and every time I see a CVS I think 'Kenma work there'

[hellaverse-critical-confessions]

(from this video)

[krshush]

Today's been fine at work, it's just also been a lot of things all at once along with the news that I'm going to keep being here for more hrs than I would like that have me like,

[archivedsorrow]

// ivan actually making me be eager to write now has me battling the ponderings of whether or not he deserves his own blog. this was meant to be mostly as a tester muse, but i didn't expect him to rekindle that spark in me.

[luveline]

hiiii not sure if your requests are open but if they aren’t just ignore this😭

imagine getting into an argument with james, sirius, and remus because you brought a stray kitten or something home and you really don’t have the room for a kitten

“but look at him🥺”

“no”

“🥺”

“… no” *less convincingly*

You hold the kitten in your hand. Remus strokes her head, her little damp ears. “It's not about that, Remus, I just couldn't leave her there, the box was falling apart and… I thought that only happened in movies.” 

Sirius leans forward on his knees to give the kitten a stroke of his own. “She's lovely,” he murmurs, scratching under her chin and grinning when she moves into it for more. “It's too bad the flat's so small. Otherwise we could keep her.” 

She's tortoise shell with a white half circle around her mouth, eyes squinted closed as she shivers. You've wrapped her in a tea towel like a blanket. She is, without a doubt, that cutest and saddest creature you've ever seen. “Where is she supposed to go, Siri?” you ask gently. 

“People love cats.” Sirius puts his hand on Remus' thigh casually, giving it a loving squeeze as he settles in. “Everybody wants a kitten.” 

But not everyone will be nice to a kitten. She feels like your responsibility now; how can you leave her? She's burrowed into you from the moment you picked her up, shushing and murmuring, your knees sodden in the puddle of rainwater beneath you both. 

“We have to keep her, please,” you say. 

There's a mutual surprise. “Dove, we can't,” Remus says. “The bathroom barely fits the toilet, shower, and sink, we'd never be able to have a litter box.” 

“It wouldn't be fair,” Sirius agrees, “on us or the kitten, she'd have no room once she turns into a cat.” 

You bring the kitten close to your chest and show them her helpless face. “But look at her,” you say softly, widening your eyes gently, your brows bunched together in the beginnings of heartbreak. 

“No,” Remus says, shaking his head sympathetically. 

You frown at him and Sirius in turn, your bottom lip jutting out ever so slightly. 

“No,” he says again, sounding unsure. 

Sirius rubs his leg. “Stay strong, my love.” 

“There's just not enough room.” 

You fear you may be losing this battle, and if they really don't want a cat, maybe you shouldn't force them. But then your trump card comes out of the bathroom with a towel around his neck, shirtless, grey joggers low on his hips, and you know you still have a chance. 

“Wow, Jamie,” you say, not having to act very much to give your voice a hoarse rasp, “you might need to shower again.” 

His smile is magnetic. “Yeah?” he asks, immediately delighted by such a brazen comment. “How's the little sweetheart? Reckon we can leave her alone?” 

“She's cold still,” you say.

James visibly melts at your sad tone, while Remus rolls his eyes. “She's just trying to get you on her side, James. I've said we can't keep the cat and she's–” 

“Taking advantage of her feminine wiles?” Sirius suggests. 

“Cheating,” Remus finishes. 

James leans over the back of the sofa between your head and Remus to kiss behind your ear, a brief press of the lips. “Why should I care? Doesn't she deserve her own way?” 

“It's not as though I'm lying,” you say guiltily. 

James laughs and kisses your jaw. You bring your shoulder up to your chin and flush with heat at such a simple thing, trying your hardest not to jostle the kitten in your hand as he wraps an arm around your front, resting his face against yours. The wet curls of his hair are cold on your skin, and the straight line of his jaw digs in. “I know,” he says. 

“Catch on, Jamie,” Remus says. 

“Shan't, won't.” Another kiss to your cheek. 

“Please, Remus, I promise if you don't want her then I won't make you, but if it's about room, of course there's enough. The four of us manage to squeeze in, don't we?” You lean into James’ embrace, eyes melty-soft. You're practically batting your eyelashes at him. 

Sirius flops into Remus’ lap with a resigned sigh. “If you don't say yes, I will anyway. Look at her.” 

You don't know if he means the kitten or you, but you choose to believe it's you he's complimenting, and you react accordingly, your little smile pushing Remus completely over the edge. 

He sighs. “Yes, alright. Fine.” 

You pass James the little warm parcel of fur and use your freshly emptied hands to grab Remus by both arms. “Thank you! Aw, thank you, Remus. Sirius. I'll be so absolutely clean and if it does seem too small I promise, I won't make anyone suffer.” 

“I never thought you would,” he says. “If you really want to keep her, I can't stop you. I'm your boyfriend, not a prison warden.” 

“Well, we share a home–” 

“I know,” he says warmly, “it's alright. Keep your kitten, dove. Looks like you've found her for a reason.” 

You laugh happily and gather him up for a hug. “Oh, I love you.” 

“What shall we name her?” Sirius asks around you. 

“I'm not fussed. What do you like?” James asks. 

Sirius meets your eyes as you and Remus pull apart. “You always get your way, hmm? Why don't you name her?” 

Oh, you could hug him to death too. He looks comfortable where he is, his face on Remus thigh, hair fanned out over his joggers, and you don't want to disturb him (he's not quite as tactile as the others), so you stroke a curl from his cheek and offer him a cheeky smile. “Don't you have any ideas?” you ask. 

“About you, or the cat?” 

You laugh at his teasing. “Which one do you think?” 

Remus nudges you in the ribs. “Don't start. If we're keeping your cat, we need to go out, don't we? You'll have to go get dressed again.”

You give them all a glowing smile and clamber off of the sofa to find your shoes. 

[askvahmedoh]

Alright, good morning Medoh. I've finished my morning workout and am fueled up with coffee. How do you want to start this drill training?

You'll be pleased to know I've been practising my turning manouvers and the control placement regarding canon three in preparation so I shan't have the same difficulties as last year. Not to mention I've been brushing up on those notes you printed for me in regards to your unlocked features. I'm sure I shall master them immediately as I do with most things.

Just...please don't make me parallel park you until at least lunch time. I simply don't have it in me to endure that trial again this early in the morning. I still have nightmares about last time. I'm simply not convinced that trial is even possible....

Good morning, Champion "Revali."

Your drills will begin with the standard piloting procedures, then you will proceed to cannon controls and firing sequences. All four cannons are currently available, but are not ready for active combat due to damaged micro-reactors.

After that, you will move onto the new course, the Alternate Forms Course. This is a new Advanced course that will see you learning how to fully access the alternate forms and switch between them during combat or during patrols. This course will take several hours to complete.

The Parallel Parking Course is the final training course for you, as the last time you tried this ONE HUNDRED and FIVE years ago resulted in a chunk of the Village Spire Perch to fall off and land in the waters below. We must avoid causing accidents like that.

[llamagoddessofficial]

📚 pretty please?

I shan't give too many details about this one, because I am pretty dedicated to writing it at this point - but Farmtale Sans is on the cards. Here's a teeny extract from the first chapter I've written out.

---

You sat down at the kitchen table. The chairs smelt of wood varnish. You had no idea what you were going to do for food, the last store you recalled passing on the way here felt like hours ago. You had no heating, no lights. No gas. Almost definitely no hot water. 

You felt like just laying down on the floor and crying forever. 

A knock on the front door. 

You jumped out of your fucking skin. Someone was at the door? Suddenly, a bunch of horrible thoughts started racing through your head. Did you get the wrong house? Was the will wrong? Did the key just happen to fit? Is this someone’s home, and you just came in, kicked their carpet and sat at their table? You scrabbled over to the door, rattling the handle and eventually shoving it open. 

... A massive, lanky skeleton monster stood before you. 

“HELLO THERE!” He spoke extremely cheerfully, but in a volume that made you startle. He was wearing dark blue overalls, heavy black rubber boots, and an orange gingham-patterned top. “WHY, IT’S LOVELY TO FINALLY MEET YOU! I’M PAPYRUS, YOUR NEW NEIGHBOUR!”

He stuck out a huge hand, covered by a garden glove. 

You stood there for a moment, dumbfounded, blinking up at the skeleton. He was... how did he get here so fast? Eventually you snapped yourself out of your rude gawking and took his hand, shaking cautiously.

“... Neighbour?” you managed to say. But there weren’t any houses around for what felt like miles...?

He nodded enthusiastically. “MY BROTHER AND I OWN THE FARM JUST OUTSIDE OF THE TOWN. WE’RE A HALF HOUR DRIVE AWAY.”

You paused. “You came out all that way, just to greet me?”

He seemed confused, for a moment, but quickly smiled again, even breaking into chuckles. “OH! YOU MUST BE FROM THE CITY, RIGHT? NYEHEHEH, YOU MUST THINK HALF AN HOUR IS A LONG DRIVE! NYEHEHEHE!”

... What a strange feeling. You’d never before met someone who could laugh right at you, yet not feel malicious at all. He still made you feel like he was laughing with you. Papyrus’ smile reached his eyes (eyesockets?) so much that he had smile lines in the bone.

You smiled yourself, a little. “Y-yeah, I guess I do think that’s a long way. I’m (y/n). How did you know I’d arrived?”

“TORIEL HAS BEEN LOOKING AFTER THIS HOUSE FOR A FEW YEARS. WHEN I HEARD IT WAS FINALLY GOING TO BE PUT TO USE, I STARTED DRIVING PAST EVERY DAY, TO BE CERTAIN THAT AS SOON AS OUR NEW NEIGHBOUR MOVED IN I’D BE ABLE TO GREET THEM LIKE A PROPER NEIGHBOUR SHOULD.” He spoke so fast, but so confidently. “I’M SO GLAD I WAS ABLE TO MEET YOU BEFORE I REACHED ONE HUNDRED VISITS!”

You couldn’t help it. You laughed. “Th... thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“ANYWAY. NOW THAT I’VE INTRODUCED MYSELF, I MUST INSIST YOU JOIN US FOR DINNER!”

What? “Huh?”

“OF COURSE!” He nodded again, as if agreeing with himself. “IT IS NOT ONLY THE POLITE THING TO DO, BUT I HIGHLY DOUBT YOU HAVE IMMEDIATE DINNER PLANS THAT ARE HEALTHY OR NUTRITIOUS CONSIDERING YOUR LONG TRIP! I MUST INSIST THAT YOUR FIRST MEAL IN YOUR NEW COMMUNITY IS A GOOD ONE!”

... You could’ve cried. Perhaps this wasn’t going to be as nightmarish as you thought.

“I’d love to. But I’ve really got to unpack everything first, and clean this old place out. We could exchange phone numbers?”

“I’LL HELP YOU UNPACK!”

You stared incredulously at the monster before you. Was he real? “I-I,”

“I’LL CALL MY BROTHER. I CAN’T GUARANTEE HE’LL BE HERE BEFORE WE’RE FINISHED, THOUGH, HE’S SUCH A SLOWPOKE.”

[jaymoriarty-knight]

"Father found you?" Scott asked, sitting upright and looking between his two fathers.

"He did. He promised he would come back and he did." Charles smiled, reaching over Scott to take Erik’s hand.

"I'm a man of my word, Charles."

"But then what happened? Wasn't the Prince following you?"

"Indeed he was," Charles nodded.

"How did you return to me? I was told you were dead." Charles gasped against Erik’s mouth.

"I shall tell you, but we must keep moving." Erik slipped his hand into Charles’s and tugged him further along the path they'd been following.

"Why?" Charles questioned but willingly went with Erik.

"Your beloved is following us."

"You are my beloved."

"That pleases me to hear." Erik gave Charles the rogue's grin Charles was so fond of.

At the top of the hill, Prince Sebastian and his entourage paused, looking down at Erik and Charles.

"Hah!" Erik grinned. "Your useless fiancé is too late. A little further and we'll be into the Fure Swamp."

"The fire swamp? We shan’t survive!" Charles protested, yet followed Erik further.

Erik shrugged with a grin. "You only say that because no one ever has."

Charles felt apprehension rise up his throat as Erik led him into the forest. He remained close to Erik, clutching his hand. The ominous sounds of the swamp had Charles nervous. Some kind of creature was howling.

A series of popping noises had Charles doing his best to remain calm and collected. He didn't want Erik to think him a coward. Until a hissing caused Charles’s pants to catch on fire.

Charles yelped as the flame licked up his calf. Erik caught Charles as he fell and lowered him gently to the ground, tapping out the fire.

"You alright?" Erik asked.

"I think so." Charles looked down at his leg to see burns. The fabric had rested right against his skin. Charles gasped and whimpered a little.

"Oh." Erik frowned at the burn. "I'll take care of that once we get out of the swamp. It shan't be too bad."

Charles nodded. Erik stood and helped Charles to his feet. Pain shot up Charles’s leg and he collapsed into Erik.

"I've got you my love, I've got you," Erik wrapped his arm around Charles’s shoulders.

"It hurts a little," Charles said with as much dignity as he could manage.

"I don't doubt it." Erik supported Charles as they continued through the swamp.

"But I really must know. How have you come back to me? How are you alive?"

"I was attacked by pirates, that's true. Only their Captain is a rather nice fellow. Nice young man, blue, got a bit of fuzz. Calls himself Kurt. You might recognize the name Nightcrawler?"

Charles nodded. "I've heard of him."

"The Nightcrawler is Kurt. He's a lot nicer than you would think for a pirate. I was traveling with a rather corrupt crew. Kurt left them stranded, but took me aboard his own ship. He was fascinated by the things I can do, and delighted in my stories of you. He helped me reach the fortune I needed and helped me back to you. He didn't know of your engagement. I found out shortly before your kidnapping."

"Well this Kurt sounds delightful. I should like to meet him sometime."

Erik smiled. "I should like that too."

Charles smiled and took a step further. Erik's hand slipped away from Charles's shoulders as Charles dropped through a vat of quicksand. Erik reacted quick as a whip, slicing through a vine and holding tight to it as he jumped down after Charles.

It didn’t take long for the couple to re-emerge from the quicksand, coughing and gasping. Charles was holding tight to Erik.

"Lord, what more terror can we experience?" Charles gasped.

"Well," Erik dusted himself and Charles off. "There are three horrors of the fire swamp. The flames, which you showed us how to avoid. The sands, which we now know what that looks like. And the rodents of unusual size. Which are of unusual size so they should be easy to spot."

At that moment a rodents of unusual size lunged at Charles, sinking it's teeth into Charles’s burn.

"Agh!" Charles fell backward as Erik grabbed his rapier. He cut the rodent's head clean off and gently pulled its teeth out of Charles’s calf.

"Dammit." Erik tugged his over shirt off and tied it around Charles’s leg, stemming the blood.

"I'm not having much luck here," Charles mumbled.

"It'll be over soon Charles, I swear it. We're nearly out." Erik scooped Charles into his arms and carried him through the rest of the fire swamp.

Once a grove of birch trees and a clear river lay ahead of them Erik lowered Charles’s feet back to the ground. "Can you stand?"

Charles nodded, testing his weight on his injured leg. He remained upright.

"I promised it would soon be over."

Charles started to smile but the sound of horses stopped him. Erik heard it too and was instantly on guard, stepping in front of Charles to protect him.

"Surrender!" Sebastian called out.

"You mean you wish to surrender to me?" Eeik taunted. "Very well I accept."

"What is a pirate doing with the Prince?" Sebastian scoffed. "Charles, come here."

Charles gripped Erik’s arm, trembling. "No. My true love has returned to me. I shan’t let him go now."

Sebastian whispered something to Azazel, who nodded. Azazel teleported behind the couple and, with a solid kick, knocked them both unconscious. Sebastian slid off his horse and scooped up Charles, placing him on horseback. "Azazel, see to it that this miscreant," he gestured to Erik’s prone form, "is thrown into the Pit of Despair."

"It shall be done." Azazel replied.

Sebastian and his entourage took off on horseback while Azazel took hold of Erik.

@cherikdogfood @star-lights-up

[iguana-eyanna]

To Miss Laurant... Pt. 1

Pairing: Lord Alfred Debling x Reader

Summary: What happens when two souls who had not found love find it within each other?

a/n: okay a bit late on watching bridgerton (don't come at me please) but I feel like Debling is a well written character and would love to see him more so mwUAH! I also wanted to give the reader a name so the last name is Laurant.

"There, one of my greatest works!" Madame Delacroix said as she finished the hem of your dress.

You admire the beading by your sleeves and how it flows by the end of your gown, which was also adorned by a cape.

"It's just us, Genevieve. You can lose the accent" You said, looking back at your childhood friend.

"Oi. I have to keep appearances, you'll never know who'd walk in those doors." She said in her regular voice. You both laugh as if you two haven't seen each other since your family moved to France. You then became a traveling performer, singing for the largest of crowds and now back home to sing for the biggest event.

"I still can't believe you're back home, and performing for the queen no less. Are you nervous?" She asks.

You press your hand on your stomach, feeling the butterflies.

"Very. I never sang for royalty before. I thank Lady Danbury for opening her home to me for my stay and offering counsel on how to approach her majesty."

"Well, the bachelor's will swoon by your talent, wit, and beauty for tonight." Madame Delacroix, she said, kneeling by the end of your dress to fix a hem.

"I'm afraid that's where you lose me Gen. I faced too many heartbreak in my life, sometimes I don't believe in the words I am singing."

Genevieve tsks at you and rises up, placing her hands by your shoulders.

"You shan't forsaken your passion for love. Who knows, maybe you shall meet a certain suitor tonight."

"Perhaps..." You said, looking back at the mirror, unsure that you believe in the feeling.

+

"My Lord, welcome back home." an older man said, offering his assistance to Lord Debling.

"Only temporary Buford, I do wish things do recover." Lord Debling replied, as he looks down at his cane.

Upon his mission to save a rare mammal during an unforgiving snowstorm, Lord Debling lost his footing on a weak stone by the side of a cliff and fell 20 feet down. It was remarkable that he survived the fall, but he broke his leg and he had scars around his face and torso from the turbulent fall.

His crew helped him find the nearest physician and was told he must return home to recover for the sake of his health. With much dismay, he returned back to Mayfair, hoping he could leave to complete his mission.

"Yes sir, a speedy recovery you shall have." Buford replied as he helped the Lord get into his carriage.

They rode off to the estate, where Lord Debling looks outward to the town. He accidentally made eye contact with a few townspeople and they began to whisper. The Lord whipped the small curtain closed and inhaled, catching his breath.

"Your return has spread quickly here, they've said you've cheated death." Buford said with caution.

"What I've cheated on was my mission. If I'm not back by the end of this season, the creatures would not survive the rest of the winter." Lord Debling said.

"Of course sir, my apologies. If you like, I can provide on the latest news since your last visit."

"I suppose that wouldn't hurt."

"Well, the queen is having a ball at the palace. You did also receive an invitation."

"I do not wish to entertain anyone for the matter, Buford." the tired Lord replies.

"If I may speak freely, you have not been seen in ages, my Lord. I believe some live entertainment shall lift your spirits momentarily."

The Lord ponders for a moment.

"Well, I guess I shall use my night wisely. Thank you for your counsel, Buford. Live entertainment you said?"

"Yes, a singer. She's an accomplished musician who's toured around the Americas, Asia, and Europe. I have her flyer here." Buford offered a folded paper to the Lord.

Alfred Danbury looks fondly, reading out loud your last name.

"Laurant?"

"Are you familiar with her?" Buford asks.

Lord Debling shakes his head no as he folds back the paper.

"No, I'm afraid not." He replied as opens back the window, looking outward.

As the night arrived, Lord Debling felt like he was out of practice around the high society. People often shared condolescences on his accident and women would near him, they're faces would be etched with pity.

He wanted to crawl out of his skin and be in the confinement of his home. It was like the walls of the room was closing in and rushed out as fast as he could. He slowly took off his coat and vest, leaving on his white button shirt.

He managed to get by the gardens and sat down, hissing as the ache in his leg was acting up. He drops his clothes and cane to the side and tends his knee, closing his eyes.

"Are you alright?" a soft spoken voice is heard.

He opens his eyes and faces you, as you sat in your plain dress by the quiet fountain that were etched with baby angels.

"I wish I could stop hearing that." He grumbles to himself.

"I'm sorry for asking." You said, huffing as you turned away.

Lord Debling felt horrible as he straightens up as best he could.

"Forgive my manners, all night I've been consoled and pitied for. I do not wish to feel like a wounded creature." He says, showing his cane.

You turn your head towards him again. You bow your head, understanding.

"It's alright, my apologies for striking a sour chord."

Lord Debling couldn't help but laugh and cracked a smile, a manner he has not done since his accident. He offers you a seat by him and you obliged.

"What is a maiden as yourself outside for?" He asks.

You struggle to find the right words and looked at him with kind eyes.

"This is my first ball, I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself."

"It's impossible, I do not know you well but you carry yourself with such poise." Lord Debling says.

You couldn't help chuckle, not believing his words.

"We must not let fear get to us tonight. Life is too short to squabble in the mist of doubt."

Lord Debling was beguiled of your wisdom.

"Well said, miss..." he trailed on, not getting your name.

You were about to reply till the bell tower rang.

"Oh no, I'm late!" You said, grabbing your dress and quickly running off.

"But wait, I don't know your name!" Lord Debling said, getting up.

You turned towards him, screaming out your name.

"What is yours so I may remember?"

He was about to say his title, but he stopped. You seemed so free from high society, he didn't know who you were or what your ranking was. He just saw you for, well you.

"Alfred!" He yelled back.

"We shall meet again, Alfred." You said, before running off.

Lord Debling placed his hand on his heart, feeling it race like gazelles.

He had kept his heart from ever loving something more than protecting the innocence of wildlife, and yet, you ran away and he longed for your presence once more.

He placed his outer garments, grabbed his cane and walked with purpose back at the ball, trying to find you in the sea of people. Soon, the floor cleared and an announcer walked on the platform.

"Our dearest guests, we have brought you a special talent for tonight. As she prepares to travel to the pacific this summer, she has graced us with her voice for this season. I present to you, Miss Laurant!"

Everyone cheered and a figure slowly walked onto the platform, with an almost glowing dress that illuminated more by the lights. She looked outward to the crowd, afraid with those memorizing eyes.

That's when Lord Debling knew it was you.

You looked upward to the queen, as she gave you grim look of disappointment. You looked away and tried to find peace in your stirring mind. That's when you made eye contact with a familiar face.

Alfred.

He shook his head to you, almost indicating that you had enough courage to go on.

You straighten upward and faced the orchestra by the side and you began to sing.

Lord Debling stood like a statue. Your voice captivated his ears like a songbird, and he was too afraid to move in fear you would stop.

You didn't leave your gaze on Alfred, as he was your anchor through the storm that filled your head with dread. For once in your life, you begun to understand the words you've sung about love. Something ignited you, and it was proven as there was a roar of applause that was for your performance.

You look back at the queen and she nodded in approval, smiling contently. You bow in her presence and left the platform.

The orchestra resumed the delightful tune of dance as you were congratulated by the court. Lady Danbury walked up to you, beaming with pride.

"My dear, I understood you've sung for a living but I underestimated that voice. Do not let me doubt you again." She says lively.

"Oh, you're too kind, Lady Danbury. It is you I have to share gratitude for. Thank you for having me into your home."

"Anytime, my dear. I also bring good news, her majesty is requesting a private audience with you during your stay here."

Your mouth dropped into an 'O' and you hugged Lady Danbury, then a split second letting go as you straighten yourself.

"Apologies, but this news has elated my mood of late. Thank you." You said, as Lady Danbury just gave you a beaming smile.

She was about to say something until something caught her eye. "It seems you have made an impression to a particular someone."

You don't understand what she's saying until you see Alfred, now dressed formally. He walks towards you two and bows his head.

"Lady Danbury, it's a pleasure to see you tonight. Miss Laurant, I did not expect you were tonight's performance."

"You two know each other?" Lady Danbury asks.

"Br-Briefly. We exchanged words by the garden." You said, confused as you thought Alfred was a footman of sort, but dressed similar to those in the court.

"I was blown away by your performance tonight, Miss Laurant. Perhaps when I am in the best of health, I can escort you to the dance floor sometime."

"Lord Debling, I thought you never dance at balls." Lady Danbury teases making him chuckle.

"Lord?" You ask, your eyes wide.

"I am sorry if I did not share my title at the time-" Lord Debling tried to explain but you took a step back.

"Lady Danbury, I must rest before meeting her majesty this week. Thank you both for your kind words, but I must go." You bowed before you left them in confusion.

"Did I offend her honor? I did not know my title would have her leave." Lord Debling asks, feeling as if he'd hurt you.

Lady Danbury could see his sincere features and tried consoling him.

"It is not you, my Lord. Before Miss Laurant arrived to London, she has told me she has had a troubled past. It appears you may have reminded her of something that she can't escape."

Lord Debling could only look at the direction where you left, wondering if you were alright.

Soon, you hailed a carriage and traveled to Lady Danbury's residence. You sank by the wall and began to cry, holding yourself for some comfort.

You thought Alfred was like you, free from title and expectations. You thought that maybe, you could love him.

But you can't give your heart to a Lord,

not again.

To be continued...

[diazsdimples]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday

Hi, it's new wip time. I started watching Man in the High Castle and had the biggest hit of inspiration I've had in weeks. The TV series is based off the premise of "What if the US lost WW2 and were occupied by Japan and Germany?" Here is a snippet, with context and tags below the cut!

Buck shifts restlessly from foot to foot. It’s stiflingly hot in the station, the air oppressive and suffocating. Every glance from an officer seems condemning, as though they suspect something. Beside him, Lucy is the picture of tranquillity. Her hand rests gently on the swell of her abdomen, cradling their – no, her – baby as she waits. Sensing his unease, Lucy lays a hand on his arm. “What’s the matter, darling?” she asks. From the outside, it seems like nothing more than a concerned wife checking in with her husband, but Buck can read the subtext. Quit fidgeting, dickweed, you’ll blow our cover. Buck moves towards her, his lips ghosting over her ear as though leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Omnis nox mox vertetur in diem” he whispers, repeating the code they’ve spent days mulling over. The only clue Nash had given them about the identity of their contact. “How do we know which one he is?” Lucy reaches up and brushes a curl off his forehead, smiling sweetly. “Best hope he’s got a great fucking sun on his shirt, hadn’t we?” She pats his cheek, outwardly reassuring, but he knows she’s reminding him of their situation. One slip up could end them both in the cells, beaten for information until they spill. She might not actually be his wife, but Buck feels a sense of duty towards Lucy and her unborn child, at least until they’re through the checkpoint and he’s met the contact – night turning into day or whatever the fuck that means. The line moves forward, and Buck takes the opportunity to scan the people waiting on the other side. There’s an elderly couple, the lady clutching a handy to her chest as she waves at someone behind him, a severe looking man in a black trench coat and a hat – far too obvious to be their contact – standing beside a harried looking couple with four young children, all clamouring for their parents’ attention. A man catches his eye. He’s tall, brown hair flopping over his eyes as he eyes the people in line. A thick moustache rests on his upper lip, but he’s otherwise clean shaven, smooth brown skin that vanishes into the crisp, pressed collar of his shirt. He looks to Buck to be of Latin descent – something he doesn’t come by often in the East. Beside him stands a young boy, leaning heavily on a set of wooden crutches. His legs seem to be bent, but if he’s in pain he hides it well. He looks up at the man – presumably his father – with wide and trusting eyes. Waiting for the return of their mother and wife, Buck assumes. Lucy takes his arm and ushers them forward again, jolting him from his daze.

Context: In this fic, Buck is a member of the resistance and escapes the German East with Lucy (also a member of the resistance) so he can deliver information to R. Nash in Los Angeles. Lucy only goes as far as Colorado. Eddie is also a member of the resistance, living in the Neutral Zone. He and Buck meet in Colorado and travel together the rest of the way to the West, where they finally reach the resistance stronghold in LA. And the rest I shan't say. But here's a snippet, beneath the cut to save your dash!

Tagging @theotherbuckley @daffi-990 @hippolotamus @spotsandsocks @buckera

@steadfastsaturnsrings @actuallyitsellie @bigfootsmom @jesuisici33 @rainbow-nerdss

@lonelychicago @monsterrae1 @watchyourbuck @bidisasterevankinard @wikiangela

@cal-daisies-and-briars @tommybuckleykinard @bibuckbuckgoose @wildlife4life @bucks-daddy-issues

@dorkydiaz @queerdiaz @bucksbignaturals @exhuastedpigeon @slightlyobsessedwitheverything

@alliaskisthepossibilityoflove @kitteneddiediaz @thekristen999 @perfectlysunny02 @inell

@epicbuddieficrecs @bekkachaos and anyone else who wants to share something (lmk if you want to be added or removed)

[starleska]

barges in/ WHAT ABOUT BTAS JERVIS X READER?

OWO

why, thank you for asking 😉 i've had this persistent concept knocking around my brain wherein Jervis earnestly tries to move past his devotion for Alice...only to tumble straight back down into obsession when he meets You 😳

Jervis Tetch x Reader First Meeting headcanons

🎩 although it pains him to admit it, the years of unrequited love have taken their toll on Jervis. his Alice is long gone—departed from Gotham with her now-husband (filthy brute), with a new name and her hair dyed a mousey brown. as far as he can tell, she's dropped off the map entirely, and it's been nearly a year since he last caught any trace of her. months in yet another cold, lonely stint at Arkham leave his soul more empty than ever before...and he decides, one lovelorn night, that such suffering should not befall a gentleman. although the thought sickens him, Jervis resolves that when he gets out, he is going to make a fresh start...even just for a while.

🎩 when finally he next escapes (his technology being instrumental in a jailbreak largely orchestrated by the other rogues, of course—no need for him to do their dirty work), Jervis makes good on his promise and leaves Gotham for a few cities over. he travels in civilian clothes and fights the urge to wear any sort of hat, fearing that even a simple cap could betray his identity. yet the experiment is a success. within days he has sequestered himself in an unassuming little apartment, and even ventured out to speak with a neighbour or two, none of whom recognise him as The Mad Hatter. it's a queer feeling, not seeing fear reflected in the eyes of those around him...and it gives him a quiet thrill which makes him forget himself, leaving Jervis grinning far too wide.

🎩 still, Jervis is a man with certain compulsions. he's partial to an afternoon walk, and at 3 o'clock exactly makes his way out into his new city, looking for nothing in particular and simply enjoying air without walls. however, he soon comes across a quaint little teashop, its sign scrawled in a delightful Shakespearean font and the windows ringed with English ivy. "How serendipitous," Jervis murmurs to himself. "I shan't pass up an opportunity such as this...after all, you'd only have to whisper a hint to Time, and round goes the clock in a twinkling!"

🎩 Jervis orders his usual beverage without incident and takes a seat which gives him an excellent view of the whole teashop. his discerning blue eyes scan the room, but it isn't until he's cleared half the customers that he realises he was searching for a glimpse of Alice's golden hair. Jervis sighs, and takes a long, sad sip of his tea—only to splutter when he spots You in the corner of the room. You are tucked up with your legs crossed, your nose buried in a book. there's a little half-smile on your face, and Jervis watches with interest as you chuckle at something you read. he stares at You and the book, and an icy chill of recognition works its way down his spine.

🎩 before he can stop himself, Jervis abandons his tea and makes his way over to You. for a full minute he looms over You quite unnoticed, so absorbed You are by your book. after quietly clearing his throat does not catch your attention, Jervis opts to take the direct approach. "Excuse me, my dear." You look up, curious. Jervis smiles with all his teeth—too bright, too intense. "I do hope you'll forgive my impudence, interrupting you on a fine day such as this. But may I ask...what are you reading?"

🎩 "Oh!" You say with a giggle. You turn the book towards Jervis, revealing the cover. "I'm reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It's my favourite story."

[amoransia]

Really late, but here's my ekuoto chapter 70 commentary. Nothing special, just me freaking out. You know. The usual.

Watch out for spoilers!

Dante got a very special dialogue balloon with "..." in it. Which is curious to me. I'm sure it means some sort of reflection or surprise happening within him; I really want to what he's thinking. How do you feel? Knowing that the that child you were entrusted can't even bear to be awake anymore? That he runs to escapism? Must suck. Anyway.

On the other hand, dearest Daniel is real composed. Good job on getting info out of Belphegor. That's not really a high bar, though lmao... I mean, how are you a demon and can't LIE? Embarrassing... Go back to demon high school or something. Fall from grace again! The whole premise of your existence is being a lying thing that leads people to sin, and you're here having communication issues??? Dude. That's so moe.

Everyone thinking Belph's got something up his sleeve is fucking hilarious. No. Sorry. He's not Kira or anything like that. It's not all according to his "keikaku". He's just kinda dumb and suffers from Villain Monologue Syndrome...

Him saying "my witch", though... ough! (takes critical hit)

Really funny how he showed him off sleeping and everything. Why are you bragging? Is this something to show off? I guess it is for you... I'd be embarrassed if all my coworkers suddenly saw me sleeping on a plasma 100" inch TV, though. Maybe have a little consideration! Also, I don't think anyone's mentioned this before, but I think it's a cool detail that Priest's in a fetal position. Not only does this position bring one comfort, but it can also represent how he's about to be "reborn" as a witch of Sloth. The sphere he's sleeping in can kinda be a uterus, right?

Belphegor and Mikhail replying to each other while Leah was suffering out of confusion was funny. She got the straight man role forced onto her. Miha's "I see!" was cute. Very casual, as if he wasn't talking to a Demon Lord lol. To be fair, Bel is not really intimidating.

Meanwhile, Vir is busy trying to lead his shounen manga team to victory... (or not really.) They'll definitely get some piece of Belphegor though. I wonder what it'll be... he doesn't have anything like Asmodeus' eyes sticking out, so this is a mystery to me.

Me when I get excited about an interest of mine and end up yapping too much

Dante and Vergilius are heading to the same place, so they'll meet up again... I'm looking forward to the mess that comes out of that 👀.

Imuri needs to step up her game, or I'll be taking matters into my own hands because this is ridiculous. Femme Fatale? Wtf are you talking about. Fraudmuri. The Demon Lord of Fraud. Her true title.

Her biggest crime so far is being more in love with the idea of being in love with Priest than actually caring for him. Does that make sense? So far, she hasn't done any effort in actually coming to know him. She needs to KNOW!!!! At least I can respect that she also takes male rivals seriously... and her aggressiveness towards them. Lole.

She doesn't call Priest "sleepyhead" in the JP raws. I don't really mind the addition, but I thought it was worth noting here anyway. Makes it cute.

"It'll be over soon" Naw bro Imuri is coming at you with a fucking sledgehammer. Watch out.

Tiny Imuri is so fawking cute. I've been craving these Imuri flashbacks for forever because we know virtually nothing about her. What moves her. Why does she long to love!! We'll know in due time, I guess. But please show me a bit of it, Aruma-sensei...

Asmodeus being considerate enough to make sexual things vague to Imuri is nice, but it confuses me a bit. Well. I shan't dwell on it, lest my head blows up.

Imuri seems to have some complex about being a demon with no demon power, because she keeps asserting that she is a demon? Am I explaining this properly? Like in this chapter (ch.70) and chapter 3.

Anywho.

Imuri imagining the BL route... save me... my fucking sides... I burst out laughing the first time my eyes laid on that panel. True to her succubus nature, she didn't even consider the possibility of them using blood or whatever else instead of straight-up KISSING. Those are still bodily fluids, right?? Calm down, girl! Stay put!!!

"I'm not letting his first kiss go to some guy that just appeared!!" HE'S BEEN THERE FOR A DECADE! YOU ARE THE NEWCOMER!!! IMURI, GIRL!! You absolute buffoon! Clown, even!

Whew. Lmao.

This arc also feels like a callback to that one "sleeping beauty" comment from chapter 3.

...except their roles have switched.

This time, Imuri will be the one kissing Father on the cheek to wake him up, and it'll be so, so cute. Trust. Trust me. This will happen. (Going insane).

Go and make him your witch, Imuri... Dew it... Make a move... (screaming and crying)

[siena-sevenwits]

April 2025 Reads

I did a lot of incomplete reads, I fear. I put it down partly to exams/helping lead music during the Triduum/production week and performance of the middle school play/some frantic job hunting due to a possibility my summer work might not be available /moving house. I didn't complete any books, but I am partway through the following

The Robe - still reading aloud little by little to my brother

The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Anne Catherine Emmerich - I read about two hundred pages of it over Holy Thursday and Good Friday. I've stopped for now because It's not as Easter-ish of reading, but I think I'll return to it in a couple of weeks.

"A Man For All Seasons" - I have read it a million times, so I skim-read it before the discussion I led on it, but spent enough time with it that it deserves a little mention.

Adorning the Dark - Most of my creativity is going into theatre and lesson plans right now, but I want to prime myself for the theoretical upcoming day when I can enjoy other forms of creativity again.

The Brothers Karamazov - I fear this book has commandeered me for the third time and I shan't be putting into port for some time. <3 I'm going a lot more in depth with side research on this read through, and it's really enriching the experience for me.

[lilolilyr]

Reader Wordcount Tag Feb 2025

Yeah I'm still doing that xD 2024 • January '25

I've read 4 million words in fic this February!

When it comes to books, I've also read Agatha Christie's very first Poirot, 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles', in an anniversary edition that had her original ending as well as the one amended by her editors, which was an interesting comparison to see! Also, I think I should be able to start guessing who the murderers in crime stories are because in the last three crime novels I read and two films I watched, it was always my favorite minor character! xD I also continued the Discworld novel 'Moving Pictures' but only made it a chapter or so further in, not because I don't like it - the shenanigans of wizard university students in particular were hilarious - but just because other things were more interesting to me at the moment. Oh, and I read some chapters in a non-fiction book about birds! I got it for my dad at the library because I figured that as an avid birdwatcher he might find it interesting and I was right :D and once he finished it I also started reading and I can only recommend it, it's very interesting! 'The Bird Way' by Jennifer Ackerman. Funnily enough my dad used a bookmark I gave him a couple years back with of a painting with a bird in a tree on it, made by @amysnotdeadyet :D

My fic reading and thus my recommendations of the month are a bit more varied than just Star Wars this time - though we've still got a whole bunch of that! Other fandoms too, though: The Witcher (mainly Geraskier, especially anything related to the Accidental Warlord series by @inexplicifics - I read a Star Wars adaptation to that by @bairnsidhe, the Accidental Verd'Alor series, months ago that I absolutely adore and when I went back to it saw it was inspired by the Witcher fic and I love that one just as much!), DC (SuperBat) & Warehouse 13 (Bering and Wells - the gift exchange was so much fun and I ended up reading even more fics after I went through all the new ones!) :)

Unrelated but fitting to my still ongoing Star Wars obsession - shoutout to @toboldlynerd and the badge maker at their university! I absolutely adore these and they'll take pride of place on my coat and laptop bag :D

No-pressure-tagging everyone who sees this to make their own rec list of their favorite February fics, and/or share what books you've read recently- or to just remember to use the Ao3 bookmark-rec function a bit more in the future :D

~~~ continue reading ~~~

I also read a couple of great Harry Potter longfics but we're not talking about that above the readmore, no Sir, because jkr sucks with her bigotry and thus any HP content shan't be advertised. If you're already in the fandom tho, there are a bunch of fics by queer and anti-jkr authors in there, and in general well written fics!

~

Reader Wordcount Calculation: History 5,242,138 - to read: -896,597 (several works, I also did the excel calculations here instead of counting them one by one bc it was several Ao3 pages long lmao, so many this month mostly bc of the Accidental Warlord thing - I always opened the inspired-by fics and bookmarked them to read later, bc I didn't want to confuse myself by reading AUs of the AU in the middle of the fic lmao), - to continue reading: 824485-143206-73343-87257-59903-18578 - didn't read yet -8018-3503 + external source: 20000+6000+6000+9000+74000+42668+30989 → Total: 5242138−896597−442198−11521+188657 = 4,080,479

The authors I've read most fic from this month, %es figured out by copying the author column from the excel history sheet (so it's not entirely accurate, but ish), and checking them in https://wordcounter.net/: winner by a wide fucking margin @inexplicifics inexplicifics at 14%, then @kitastrophea local_doom_void 3%, @whispered-story whisperedstory 3%, and at 2% each @penandinkprincess penandinkprincess kaedwenitome shadowfoxdemon27 just_another_dax @sparrowrising sparrowrising musicalgalaxy1000 falconer54 :)

&, both because of the fic recs and to make you look at the pretty badges, adding my still short Star Wars tag list: @toomuchactionforme @the-willow-that-weeps :)

In case anyone's curious, this is the bookmark from my dad's bird book - it has clearly suffered some under my dad so I didn't want to put it above the readmore bc this really doesn't do the art justice anymore lmao, but it's still very pretty! And I didn't find the exact art on Amy's blog to link here o.o

[avatar-legends-confessionblog]

I'm a maiko blog and I recently made a post about being disillusioned with maiko so lemme explain one thing: I do NOT blame Zuko for leaving Mai through a letter. I've typed those words so many times I have auto complete suggestions of it.

Was it a jerk move? Yes. But in his head, he was doing it to protect her! Zuko leaving Mai for the Gaang is his one infraction against her that I'm willing to COMPLETELY FORGIVE.

What I don't like is after: it would've been so much easier to put stock in him saying he did it to protect her if he'd been worried about her after TBR, which he wasn't!!! Show-dont-tell, his dialogue falls flat when not supported with action. (And before I get misunderstood again, lemme tell that I THINK IT'S OOC FOR HIM) I can't imagine Zuko not being worried about her; no matter what way I twist it I just can't.

Except he wasn't. He doesn't even think of her until she shows up again.

The previous anon post said he's bad at relationships in general and that's true! He was nasty to Iroh too but!—He's not generally uncaring by nature, only Mai the exception to this? Why? He practically grovelled before Iroh and the Gaang. But not Mai. That makes it look especially bad.

Maiko romance is the easiest thing to write, it doesn't even have to be the main plot of a comic. But they still keep fumbling. Maiko is NOT doomed or unfixable—unless the writers refuse to fix them.

As of now, Zuko has only hurt Mai and not done anything to make it up to her. I know the actual reason is because the writers don't care and not because Zuko doesn't love her because he absolutely does.

But if they keep doing it; I can't help it. It's become a pattern of behaviour for him and I can't keep defending him by calling something he keeps doing OOC.

And anon doesn't have to feel guilty; you know how many times I've watched the show and read the comics hoping to catch something that strengthens maiko I hadn't before? What's the definition of insanity? Keep doing the same thing and expect it to give you different results? Yeah. It's mentally exhausting to ship them when canon is actively, gleefully tearing them apart. If there's anyone to blame, blame avatar studios. And even if maiko fandom was full of people that never said anything negative about it, I'd still notice these discrepancies. If anything, maiko fandom being candid has actually helped me stick around for as long as I have. I don't think I'd have been able to stay with a bunch of delulus like another fandom that shan't be named.

Who knows? Ashes of the Academy might pull something good. It's very possible because I would like to reiterate: MAIKO ISN'T HARD TO WRITE, NEITHER IS IT DOOMED! Unless the writers are hellbent on making it that way, which is what my observation has been so far.

P.S. if my words are misunderstood again i'mma stop talking entirely and take a vow of silence. It'd be for everyone's well-being.