#idk; i just feel like the marriage being chosen for her makes a lot of sense

[rainybraindays]

Also, going to say, after finishing rereading all the books agin, I stand by my thought that Genevieve didn't get to pick wo she married after her Ethan died. Its very likely the marriage was planned even before everything happened, and I'm basing this on the fact that she seems to hold no connection to her spouse. Hes never mentioned outside of the family tree, the only man she talks about is Ethan Carter, all her energy as a Sheer is spent watching her descendants and helping bring Ethan L back.

Genevieve very likely wouldn't have wanted to marry, seeing as shes still heartbroken even in death. Her father forcing her to marry, maybe because he didn't want to deal with her, maybe due to his own grief, or because she was the only person who could carry on th Duchannes bloodline at that point, isn't a huge stretch. All we know about her father is that he loved his wife, he didn't like EC, and that he traveled for business. Theres a non insignificant chance he was gone when everything happened and came back to no home, and only one daughter who had just cursed their entire bloodline going forth. Theres nothing definitive from what I can see, but the lack of affection for her husband, the fact that she doesn't even stay in her home in the Otherworld, it doesn't make me think the marriage was exactly her idea

[changbinsboobs]

Changbin as husband is next I'm curious for his and hyunjinss

This is the longest fucking reading I've ever had so i just HAD to split it in 2 parts so bear with me. I love him but i hate him right now😩 (no i don't)

Husband Series: Changbin pt. 1

Ugh...that guy🫠 i bet you if i let him use up my whole deck he would. The amount of "ok last card" i had to say...and yet there was still so much gushing put...and ugh, i just can't stress enough how much into details he is and how much he wants to stress on them and make sure they don't go unnoticed or get misunderstood or overlooked. Reminds me so much of my audhd friend😭. Anyways back on track - tho i don't even know where to begin from, i really think he used up half my deck. I just counted 23 cards😳 i do indeed draw a lot for the others too but thats just next level. Not on topic but i think he's a really chatty drunk😂 now i wanna read on them when drunk🙌🏻😂

Ok soooo since i have so many cards ill try to combine them as much as i can and keep the messages as concise as possible so this post doesn't become a novel - the overall energy i noticed here is not so much emphasis on him as a husband but overall him as a partner in a committed relationship. Which leads me to believe he himself doesn't view marriage with such dread as the others did (there wasn't really any dread with felix bust still a certain anxiety around responsibilities, meanwhile that with changbin is absolutely nonexistent). I would say he seems himself as capable and even ready to take on that responsibility and role if the opportunity presents itself and i think he believes he'll do a good job. He's responsible, capable and can take care of it. I actually sense a feeling of pride in him about that.

Another MAJOR theme is him being a "simp" for his partner (he insists on wife). There are many cards that im trying to sum up:

He's very protective over her and doesn't let anyone say shit about her, he's giving me guard dog vibes. Also a big bodyguardy. I can see him when being out with her eyeing people and being on alert and just idk, looking scary as to scare of any weirdos before they even think about trying something. And to clear any misunderstandings up, im really not getting this coming from jealousy (not that its not there, it is😂, but its just 10% reason, out of 100), but rather because he wants the woman he loves to feel safe and protected around him. He wants her to be able to relax and trust that he will always have her back and keep her safe. He wants her pretty little witty head not to be bothered by ANYTHING!

More from the simpy train - looks up to her a lot and kinda puts her a bit on a pedestal. This is not a very debilitating energy but feels rather like something he has made peace with and accepts - which is that she is indeed better than him and he can never be able to reach her, which means he is incredibly lucky and appreciative of the fact a woman like that has chosen him and he tries whatever he can to live up to her standard and continue to give her reasons to stay with him and continue to love him. Although she can never love him as much as he does (thats his thought🥲). But as i said this doesn't feel victimy to me at all but rather just seems realistic to him and he's a big boy and can accept reality for what it is and choose to feel lucky instead of beating himself up for not being good enough and self sabotage. Im actually really shocked looking at his energy because i can really feel the strength of his mind and ughh just how innovative and flexible he is. His will is just astounding and making me really happy, despite him obviously having some issues he doesn't let himself be defined by it and chooses to spin them to him favor. What an amazing guy💗

Back to the reading - so he spends a lot of time in his head, doing A LOT of 2 things. One is being thinking of his girl and what he can do to make her happy, analyzing previous conversations to see if he missed something or if he has remembered everything. Contemplating if she maybe gave him a hint about something, or if she maybe looked hesitant with something. Maybe her body language was off? He notes that. If there was any difference in her behaviour today, if she looked different. He's really putting LOTS of energy thinking about her and analyzing her and her behaviour. Again this doesn't seem to come from distrust (although he thinks of that as well, its just not his motivator, he just considers everything, thats why) but rather for his own feeling of safety. I think he is a very thoughtful and analyzing and sensitive person in nature so this may be something he always does, except when its something very important to him, and a relationship at that - he does it even more intensely. He doesn't only think about and analyze her tho. He does that to him too, to their relationship as well. He just wants to have a good understanding and overview of everything that is happening in the relationship so he has a sense of control and safety. You can always fix something if you know its broken. Or beginning to bend. You can fix the problem before the branch brakes i think is what he wants to say. And he wants things to run as smoothly as possible with them, and once again he has taken on the responsibility to make his girls life as easy and carefree as possible and how can that happen if he leaves the whole relationship in her hands?! He can't, so he doesn't his part very diligently and tries to keep up on the same level as her, emotional-intelligence-wise.

He also doesn't to just thinking but planing & organizing. So i think he takes lots of care for other stuff too like planing and booking fun dates. If he cant attend then books fun stuff for her. Provide her with the needed tools/means for her to be able to create, to indulge in her hobbies. He really loves that feminine creator energy and really wants to do his best to encourage and provide an encouraging environment for his wife to get in her feminine creator energy and bring him joy with it. Also thats really random but he's always ready and loves giving her massages😂💗(after her long day of crafting). He just loves hearing about it, seeing the excitement in her voice and face. It charges him.

He also spends lots of time fantasizing about her. Reminiscing wonderful dates, imagining potential future ones, creating scenarios etc. He's just A LOT in his head, his mind is really really active, and its very occupied with his love. Also another random message, commitment and love are tied with him somehow. Im seeing he cant commit if he doesn't love but he also cant love if he can't commit. So i would say he's very extreme-y. Like he's either all in or all out. No middle ground. What i mean is he HAS to be this intense in a relationship because for him thats commitment, THATS expressing love. And if he's not able to do that, then his love and interest and enthusiasm begin to fade away. He HAS to be able to be like that in a relationship and i think often he has been labeled (or was) just WAYYY TOO MUCH for the girls he has been in a relationship with. Im seeing he can get very overwhelming and overbearing if the person he's with just isn't the person to enjoy that kind of commitment and effort. But to go back to the cards, he also fantasizes about physical stuff too, for example he's riding in the car, and for the whole ride he's imagining and giggling and wiggling his feet and twirling his hairs because he plays over and over how that one time while they were still just dating she looked him in the eyes with that wet sexy look, and how his whole body got shivers and his stomach dropped and his heart skipped and his palms got sweaty and he swears some saliva started dripping out the corner of his mouth and his knees got weak and he almost felt like he was gonna black out and by the time he came back to his senses she was already sooo close to his lips and them BAM. Fireworks everywhere. He can never forget how that wonderful kiss felt and how sweet the sexual tension and anticipation before it was. He plays stuff like that OVER AND OVER again the whole damn day.

While being on physical stuff, he is pretty horny ill say. But not in a bunny way,m where he wants to fuck 5 times a day, but rather when around his girl he's always half way up, always ready to rise for the occasion iykwim. I think he gets *excited*👀 very easily and is just really weak when it comes to his girl. He's always ready to deliver whenever she ask, whatever she asks. Als im seeing once again he's a giver (and despite him loving head so much) he's focused on her pleasure and he can off just from watching her enjoy...whatever it is. So yeah thats that😂

Bro im so tired im thinking about doing this in 2 parts😭 im just halfway. Ok yk what im splitting it.

[gigigle]

I really hate how ursa is done in the comics idk

Like I'm done with the arranged marriage and her and ikem but I hate the other stuff.

1. Her and azula

I kinda wish they made her and azulas relationship more complex and nuanced instead of it being that ursa loved her all along and never favored zuko

Because I just think that's a little lazy. I feel like if ursa had favored zuko it would've made sense like if we keep the ikem part of all of it then I think it would be interesting that ursa favored zuko because he reminded her of her past and ikem. Also that with zuko she could at least pretend he wasn't ozais.

But with azula she couldn't pretend at all. And then coupled that with the fact that azula had a spark in her eyes that zuko didn't and she saw how ozai reacted to that and how he treated zuko that she would feel like she would need to protect him even more. I think it would be an interesting thing if zuko reminded her of her old life while azula reminded her of her present life.

And that would cause a rift between them. And then we would have azula acting out for her mothers attention and acting more and more similar to ozai which would just further increase the rift. Because ursa would struggle to separate her daughter from her abuser like she can with zuko. Especially since azula would also spend most of her time learning from ozai and listening to him.

Im also not saying she would a horrible mother either. Because I think even with this scenario that she is still nuanced because she got forced into a situation she would have never chosen and is just trying to get through it day by day. I think it would be that like ursa, azula was just a casualty of azulon and especially of ozai. Because had ozai not been there I think she would have been a much better mother.

Like idk I just feel like with how the comics wrote ursa and ozais relationship this would make even more sense than her being just a slightly flawed mother but she was trying her best. Idk I'm not very articulate.

2. The forgetting thing

It sucks. I hate it so much actually. It's just so bad, like I feel like the writer couldn't think of anyway to make it make sense that ursa would never go back to her kids but tbh I can think of some ways.

Like ursa is definitely terrified of ozai and he knows where she went and she would still go back to her hometown.

So maybe ozai knows this and every now and then he sends soldiers around there to just do a bit of patrol maybe even have them raid her parents house as a way of telling ursa that if she does something her parents and ikem are gonna be the price. Which I think would work.

Also I think with azula and zuko that she just kept telling herself that zuko had Iroh and that azula was ozais favorite. She probably just repeated those constantly like how zuko does with azula always lies. And soon after like a year she believed it.

Also I think she wouldn't get any information on them because ozai would make it harder and like we see in canon not that many know of or recognize azula and zuko. Like in the beach episode kids who seem to have noble parents don't even know about them so I think it would make a lot of sense that the royal family is way way way more private esp during ozais reign. Because yk ozai killed his father,stole his brothers birthright, and In ozais opinion had a failure of a first born. And maybe ursa was also too terrified of what shed find out or just to leave hir'a/her hometown.

Also part of me thinks it was lazy writing so that they wouldn't have to have ursa have difficult conversations about why she never went looking for them or just a conversation with azula because we never actually get a real ursa and azula convo.

3. Kiyi

I hate her. Like she just feels like such a a replacement and lazy writing. Like they wanted zuko to have a healthy brother sister dynamic with someone and they didn't know how,didn't think of, or just didn't want to write that with pre established characters, they decided to make a character that was everything azula wasn't and was the perfect little sister and daughter.

Like I think she could be fun but I also think she was just so that zuko could have that dynamic without having to put in the work of writing azula a semi redemption arc or smth.

But also I think maybe they could've given zuko that brother sister dynamic with katara or toph. Like we see zuko jealous of sokka and katara and maybe we get stuff we're zuko and katara will act like sibling or like the relationship he always wanted with azula but then gets reminded that he can't have that.

Also It feels like a way to also give ursa the perfect daughter but I do think rewritten she could work. I think she's a fun concept.

End

Tbh I just wanted to rant because I feel like so much was done that was just kinda boring and lazy.

[dearinglovebot]

oml hi! what are your headcanons for claire and owen when they were at school? here are some of mine:

claire would defnitely be on good tersm with everyone, i feel like she'd be popular in the way that she knew everyone

but she's classify everyone as aquaintences though and call it 'networking'

would be super annoyed by everyone in her class constantly talking abt marriage and kids like thats the only option for her (alas i wish she was in my class i'd have someone to survive those trenches with 😔)

straight A+ student ofc

owen wouldn't really care for school i think

he'd get like alright grades

he'd be like 55% class clown if that makes sense?

super good at PE tho like he'd be the Pe Kid (TM)

i think he had a pet dog or cat (or both?) but they died

i kinda hc that his parents were pretty shitty. idk why but i do. (shhh let me project)

constantly getting into fights with vic hoskins but everyone agrees vic is annoying as HELL so eh he gets a pass socially-speaking

also:

in dodgeball the teachers always put claire and owen on the same team bc the two of them against each other means the match lasts FOREVER and if it does end it's a tie followed by an argument of who won that lasts for two weeks. like claire vs owen in dodgeball would be legendary. and like +340% hype bc everyone's 10 and dodgeball matches are IT when ur ten (can u tell i miss primary school dodgeball 😔)

hello anonnie! brace yourself cause this is a level 5 yapnado

I don’t agree with EoC a lot (...most things) but it hits my high school headcanons very well. that is to say, she is weird and off-putting to the general public. particularly sheltered midwestern kids who absolutely will be raised on the housewife/breadwinner-husband cool-aid in the 90s. they’re all obsessed with settling down with kids in the same town they were raised in while she’s trying to escape to a big city and get a master's degree. they’re doing the 90s equivalent of calling her woke blue hair liberal with pronouns. not outright bullying her but like... side-eyeing her. she's not really being invited to parties. which is fine! (it is not fine. she is lonely).

she has sooooo many autistic traits that i do just consider it part of my personal canon and that will NOT help her. her hyperfixation is going to college and she stims by doing homework (exaggerating. but only partially). i love my queen dearly but she does not have cool autism that makes you do cool art installations. she has collecting alaskan postage stamps from the 1800s type autism. she is a loser that few will truly appreciate <33 like fine wine

claire being from no-where wisconsin in the 80s-90s is sooo vital to understanding why she is #likethat. small town midwest is basically the deep south politically except in the south people will straight up say "women belong in the kitchen" and in the north they'll go "oh. you want a degree? how quaint [condescending tone]". she's used to everything being a backhanded compliment and proving that she deserves what she has. it makes her super defensive and lean towards interpreting things as malicious even when they're not. which is why, on the island, people don't really like her. she's the mean boss lady who won't even do small talk with her peasants

she absolutely is a straight A student. that is PRESIDENT of the debate club to you. she's a teacher's pet who Will do the extra credit work every time and has perfectly chosen her extra curriculars based on what will look best on her college application.

i also think she'd start working about as soon as she legally could. not only is that the smart financial move (start saving as soon as possible) but it looks amazing on college applications too. she is absolutely maximizing what she is able to accomplish in a day

overall, it really isn't an experience she thinks of fondly. she spends most of her teenhood devoted to trying to escape the poor, rural lifestyle she was born into. it's another stepping stone in her 10 stage plan to conquer a small nation. and she wouldn't regret any of it until her life inevitably comes crashing down (indominus incident) because only then does she realize she's been chasing material wealth instead of internal happiness for her entire life

owen has none of the crazy ambition claire does bc he's normal. he would take it one day at a time with vague goals of where he wants to end up. as long as he does the bare minimum of passing the class then he's doing pretty good. best subject science, worst subject literature

owen is from the 80-90s deep south which also heavily influences how i view his characterization. as a funny guy who enjoys very traditionally masculine things like construction and sports, he's going to be very well liked. everyone likes someone who makes you laugh. but overall it's pretty surface level. nobody asks about his day. he's gonna be like "damn is this really all i am to them??". but it's not like he can say that cause then he's being weird and emotional (toxic masculinity culture). so whatever. he keeps balling. (represses vulnerability and compensates by going even harder into funny sport guy routine)

so really he's the guy everyone "knows" but they're gonna lose contact the moment he leaves town. which is whatever. he has his wholeeeee life ahead of him to make some #real friends (his only long term friends include barry, the raptors, and sometimes claire)

he has proven time and time again he has no problem speaking his mind so yeah he's punching every hoskins that comes along and getting a few days suspension over it. he would not gaf tho bc his internal sense of justice is stronger than any school related punishment

he's the kind of kid who mows the lawn for your mom for pocket change and volunteers at the animal shelter

not the worst but yeah he's not that interested in reliving that

not including much about their individual family dynamics because thats an entirely different yap session

also:

in a hypothetical au where they're in the same high school, i believe it would go like this: claire is brilliant and smart in every class they share meaning he's enamored with her big words, she thinks all sports guys are meathead jocks and actively avoids them, she tutors for extra cash after school and he's on the verge of failing lit, she takes him on as a client and he's like wowza the whole time, she's like can you focus on the themes of shakespeare already and stop looking into my eyes longingly every few minutes i'm starting to think you aren't even interested in the deeper meanings of the rivalry between the veronas and capulets (she isn't picking up on a single hint), and now he is actively pretending like he doesn't understand any of the assignments to "get her guidance" on them (she still doesn't get the hint and is wondering if he got a concussion at some point)

[paperstorm]

Some thoughts on the synopsis:

1. None of this feels like new/unexpected info lol

2. No mention of grace makes me feel like they aren’t going to do something drastic like kill her off or breaking up her and Judd. And with this season possibly(probably) being the last I think they’ll come up with some reason she needs to be away. Maybe a sister emergency or taking a better paying job now that she’s the primary provider? Idk, if it’s just one season they could sell something like that. Don’t think I could forgive them killing her or breaking up my most perfect couple.

3. Everyone seems so convinced Tarlos is gonna wind up worth Jonah permanently???? And I get that theory, but I also don’t think it’s the ONLY option. Maybe Enzo is moving there, or wants them to take Jonah for the summer while he does some work thing, or takes care of an ailing parent idk. I think the “could change their lives forever” (emphasis on could lol) might mean lots of things including them (Carlos) just changing their minds on kids but not having Jonah forced on them forever. We will see.

4. Overall V excited for the new season. I will also be out of the country for two episodes but since I wait for seasons to be over before watching it won’t affect my viewing experience much lol.

(I love an itemized list)

Agreed! there is nothing in that synopsis that I am shocked about, it's more or less all things I was thinking were possibilities.

I've been so deeply curious what they're going to do about Grace, and as somewhat awkward as it will be if she's still technically around we just never see her, that's much preferable to them killing her off.

Tarlos getting Jonah is my prediction for now mostly because heteronormativity is strong as HELL and I feel like there are so so so many people who genuinely seem to believe that marriage and kids is the only way to have a true happy ending. I mean we already have everyone on this show paired off. They could have chosen to tell the story of characters like Marjan or Paul or even Owen finding a happy and fulfilled life without the pursuit of romance, but they went the route of everyone needing to be coupled instead. BUT, it does say 'could'. So we will see.

Overall me too!!!! I just want our family back, I dont' even really care what the storylines are. It's gonna be good no matter what because it always is.

[arkham-assassin]

Hi... wow. It's been a really long time.

I'm alive and well. This year has been really, really, REALLY hard, in almost all fronts... relationships, house issues (foundation AND roof work in one year, lucky us), work AND personal life

Uhhh Idk if anyone is still around who knew me back when I was active here; if you are, maybe this will be a shock, maybe not

I was diagnosed with autism at the end of August

I first suspected in April... I had to wait that long to get tested just because my preferred office was so busy... so I had that weighing over my head all summer while I planned my first-ever comic con for work... and had to take intermittent medical leave so I was only going in 3 days a week...

I burnt out. Bad. I'm still feeling the effects. Most days are okay. Others I find myself clawing my way to doing the barest minimum.

But the diagnosis itself? Relieving. Freeing. Explained so much. I'm medicated and working with a therapist specializing in late-diagnosed neurodivergence, who is trauma- and polyamory-informed.

I have an additional romantic partner now. I've known him my whole life. Husband knows and enthusiastically consents. We've both done a lot of work on ourselves and our marriage to make it work. I'm so, so proud of him. I feel so lucky to have two men who love me and take care of me - differently, but in ways that I need.

Last week I started my stomach tattoo for scar coverup. Last year I had started a concert sleeve on my right shoulder. I see beauty in my physical appearance now where I only saw imperfection.

I have never felt more connected to myself. Alive. In love. Loved, and BELIEVING 100% wholeheartedly that I AM loved and with my people. My chosen family.

There is a reason I am the way I am - open to going against the grain and living outside societal norms. Drawn to fandom and the occult, tarot, tattoos, kink. Intense interests (Eminem, Batman Forever, Kingdom Hearts, horses). Intense emotions, which I'm working on managing. Feeling like I'm a robot. Not programmed like other people. Anxious and awkward and missing social cues and terrified above all else of being misunderstood. Needing Loops at work, needing Beats and sunglasses to go shopping. Why I hate the holidays - sensory and social overload leading to more meltdowns.

None of this means there's anything wrong with me. My whole life I was led to believe that. It was a lie.

The truth is: now I have all the information about myself that had previously been missing. That information is leading me to deeper understanding of myself. I can take care of myself better. I can communicate my needs better. My trauma care is being informed by the autism care and vice versa. It's all connected and I see the whole picture now.

The truth is: I am whole, enough, just as I am, with the people I'm with. I don't know for sure who I am without the double mask of trauma and autism -

But I think, who I am with my boys, my people, is who she is. And I'm falling in love with her, too, at 33 years old.

Take care <3

[inscrutable-shadow]

69 votes haha nice

thought i might as well tell you which one is which, eh? reverse sorted for the lulz, bonus some sneeps

Beach Feelings Time Part 2 - a second chapter of take my hand on the shore of my suffering in which thanatos actually talks about his trauma for once. the lack of interest will not stop me from writing it most likely

There's a Harpy in my Garage (And She's Hot) - Ivy & Jean, wlw urban fantasy romance that remains stubbornly unpublished and mostly unwritten. will i finish it? maybe. probably not. ivy doesn't talk to me the way she used to but i still love her <3

Therapist Somehow Still Manages to have an Attitude After Weeks of Starvation - Trials of Thanatos. my plans for chapter 3 fell through so i just kinda have to figure out where i'm going again. i've been really wanting to write it lately so we'll see

Arranged Marriage Fiance Actually Kinda Hot - prized possession au, in particular Chosen to be His Trinket? My Life as the Prince's Prized Possession which is unpublished. i write this when i feel like it and lately anchors has been taking up a lot of space but i've been vibing with it again the last couple of days. have a thingy.

His father was silent for a while before he spoke again. "It's a request for your hand in marriage." "Oh." Thanatos was nineteen now, and the other lords smelled blood in the water. It was well known that the son of House Iuventae was a bookish, timid lad only barely fit to rule, and he'd already had offers, usually accompanied by visits and gifts, from many with ambitious daughters ready to rule through him. He didn't begrudge the practice. If anything, he hoped that his sister Della would find a husband like that, she had much more of a head for politics than he. It was just that the idea of marriage filled him with such concentrated, unadulterated dread he thought he might dissolve into a pool of bituminous slime.

If You Feed a Vamp Your Magic - the next segment in the anchors series, we've a lot of starving faithful. it is. nsfw. than has a monumental, delusional crush and doesn't know what to do about it. there is blood drinking. there is oral. it's got it all. idk what to tell you.

It wasn't as if he'd really been getting any in the latter part of the war when being recognized had been a death sentence. Months when he touched nothing but door handles and dirty floors, years when the only skin contact he got left bruises. Spending nights crammed into coat closets, holding his own face in his hands just for some fleeting facsimile of comfort, how pathetic. It was no wonder that the instant he was treated with some semblance of human decency that his hormones and neurotransmitters went wild. It meant nothing. It would all go away in time.

Death Game? What Could Go Wrong? - An Umbral Arena, upcoming scifi vampire bloodsports novel. currently stalled due to plot issues though i do have over 30k worth of manuscript for it. will probably post sometime this year but i should stop making promises

“Really? You don’t think it improper?” “Of course not. You’re my sire. Sure, we’re basically peers now, but it’s not unprecedented for me to want to protect you with my body, especially given the stakes of the mission. Just come here, will you?” I settle myself against her body, and she wraps her arm around my chest. “Comfy, yeah?” It is. I feel incredibly safe, probably the effects of an arch-class aura in such close proximity. Fatigue crashes down on me now that it’s not being held at bay by anxiety, and my eyes flutter. Avrae laughs again. Her laugh is like a warm river over rocks. “Good night, Bea.” “Good night, Avrae.”

Turns Out Sleep Deprivation is Bad for My Latent Mental Illness - Is It You or Is It Me? a three-chapter whumptober fill I have in progress for the doc. they have a nasty habit of staying up for 60+ hours and expecting not to have manic episodes or psychosis. there's also an old febuwhump fill with vaguely the same premise that i might also finish some day

"What is it?" she asked as she prepared the dosage. The Doctor knew they didn't have time for this. "Amnestic agent. Should take care of the last hour and the next two. Will you hand me the suction, at least? This bleeding will not resolve itself." "The post-traumatic stress—" "Will be less unpleasant than death! I informed you at the outset that my intention was to commit medical malpractice. If you had wanted to recuse yourself, the ideal time to do it would have been then. Now either administer the dosage or give me the damn suction! All you are at this moment is an obstruction, and if they die on the table this really will all have been for naught."

Hitting on a God is Somehow Working - In the Hall of Reality, Thanatos and the Archfey's love at first sight story. thought this one was gonna win for a bit lol. i will probably finish this. someday. a bit of chapter three for you

He stretched languorously and pushed himself to a sitting position. "Pleasure to have been of service. I've had an amazing night myself, but I suppose I ought to be going." Sorting out his clothes from the floor was going to be a chore. "No." "No?" "I still have need of you. You have more knowledge of this sexual pleasure, do you not? I sense I have barely scratched the surface. You shall not depart until you have exhausted your knowledge on the subject." 

and, last but not least (you guys really liked this one lol)

I Think BDSM Would Fix Me - command me to be well, another installment in the anchors series. the archfey returns from aer long absence, but thanatos doesn't feel worthy of aer anymore. they... change their dynamic a bit to compensate.

"What is it, child? Make your supplication." There. That was what he needed. A cold shiver ran through him at the authority in the Divine Reality's voice. "I want to be yours." "You are mine." "I want to serve you. Need to- be useful to you, I can't just take without giving. I've taken so much and given nothing back I can't- Divine Reality, I beseech you. Use me. Command your most faithful servant, I'll fulfill any-" "Oh?" The cold wind that swept through the room wasn't his imagination. He heard the various latches, fastenings, and shutters on the doors and windows slam into place, creating a private sanctum and plunging the room into darkness save for the flickering candlelight and Reality's internal glow. Ae didn't move from in front of him, and yet he felt a presence behind him, ghosting over his shoulders, murmuring in his ear. "You are a creature of contracts, vampire, I am sure you understand the severity of the pact you propose to forge now." Magic crackled in the air behind him, but he didn't dare to turn around.

i hope people like these they took a long time to pick out and even longer to write XD yes ao3 links and not tumblr links cause it's just so hard to find things on my own damn blog

if you want to hear about my work or add requests to my slush pile send me an ask!

Badly Summarized WIPs Poll!

i am. incredibly late aha

tagged by @crash-bump-bring-the-whump, a significant percentage of these are from anchors so i hope you're happy XD no clue what i'm doing fr let's gooooooo

Rules: Pick a bunch of your WIPs and summarize them as badly as possible, then ask your followers to vote on which one they’d be most likely to read. Multiple/all/none options are completely optional.

i feel like this vastly overestimates the amount of porn i write. or maybe it doesn't. you decide.

tagging... fuck it uh... @speculative-scintillation, @albatris (idr if you've done it already???) @liminalpsych, @noveldivergence, anddddd @coffeewritesfiction no pressure just trying to remember who's active on my dash and who's done this already XD

[slowlydifferentbluebird]

taeyeon post made me think of aespa as older sisters so can i request aespa members' reactions to their group mate dating their lil sister? ( idk if i worded it right but for example giselle's reaction to her lil sister dating winter. if that makes it more clear 😭 )

Aespa reaction: their reaction as older sister to the Reader dating one of their member

Requests are open

Hello Anon! Don't worry, your explanation was super clear. Thank you for your request (it's such a cute idea) and I hope you enjoy it 😄

Aespa members X GN!Reader

Karina

When Karina was chosen as leader of group, she didn't bat an eyelid, after all it was like being an older sister for other three person, besides you. The secret for a good relationship was the sincerity, according to Karina, so imagine her face when she just found out of nowhere you and Giselle hanging out on your own. She was so dumbfounded. Honestly, She needed a lot of time to accept that now you were old enough to have a romantic relationship, moreover with one of her members, but now she's cheering for you.

Giselle

Giselle as sister is always been super jealous of you. Always worried about someone coming and taking you far away from her. One day though you and Winter went in her bedroom together, anxious about telling something to her. When that "something" changed in "Me and Minjeong are a couple", Giselle was so happy about it. I mean, you being in a relationship with one of her best friend? It was like a dream for her. In that way you could be and CLOSE to her. Now, expect to her questions about your marriage very often.

Winter

Minjeong sometimes could play dumb, but actually she's really smart and observant. So, when you and Ning started spending more time together, she obviously noticed it, but initially she thought about a friendship. It's when passing in front of Ning's room and seeing you two kiss, She realized what was the matter between you two. To be honest she didn't know how to react to that news. Should she be angry? Or maybe happy? The more she thought about it, the more her confusion grew bigger. At the end she choosed to just wait you to tell her and follow her heart in that moment. A problem for the Winter of the future.

NingNing

NingNing shipped you and Karina from the first moment you and her met each other. She didn't have an actual reason to do it, but there was something that, according to your sister, "would have make you two a great couple". Initially you just joker about that fantasy, but over time you started to feel a real attraction towards the leader of the group. So, after knowing her a bit better, you decided to confess your feeling, and, surprisingly, she reciprocated. "I KNEW IT" started to scream your sister when you told her about your new love story. Now the problem is that she didn't want to leave you two alone because she want to watch your "drama-like relationship".

[shirakumos-sandwich-shop]

❄️Arranged Marriage ❄️

SCARAMOCHE X FEM READER X TARTAGLIA

Part 1.

You caressed the delicate petals of the newly bloomed silk flower. It was much too cold in snezhnaya for such a plant to exist but with the gentle coaks of your dendro vision all the buds on the exquisite bush unfurled their petals. The warm sweet scent from the flowers contrasted dramatically with the flurries of snow you could see outside of the humid greenhouse. This is where you were happiest, in the small glass building behind your parents’ mansion. Here you could be alone to study your beloved plants as much as you wished. You collected the seeds from the silk flower for replanting. The door behind you creaked open letting in a burst of cold.

“For goodness sake close the door, it will damage the plants!” You spun around to confront the maid that had entered. The girl jumped to close the door behind her.

“I’m sorry for yelling, just please be careful. I’m working on a new specimen.”

“It’s alright Miss Y/n, I’ll be more careful next time.” She stepped forward. “Miss, your parents wish to speak with you about an important matter. They said for you to come right away.”

“Whatever it is, they can wait till I’ve finished collecting these seeds.” You returned to your meticulous work.

“They said right away Miss y/n.” The maid said urgently.

“Alright, alright, I’m coming.” You tucked the last of the seeds safely away in a drawer and pulled on your warm fur lined coat. You followed your maid out and carefully closed the greenhouse door behind you. Trudging through the snow to the large house.

You found your parents quietly discussing some important matter in your father’s study. As you entered the room they stopped talking and looked at you.

“Y/n, I told you to come quickly, yet here we are waiting around for you.” Your mother said forcefully.

“It’s alright y/n,” your father interrupted. “Have a seat.”

“What’s this about?” You asked while sitting in the uncomfortable wooden chair.

“Should you begin or should I?” Your father asked your mother.

“You tell her, she listens to you, not me.” Your mother said grumpily.

“Well, your mother,”

“And your father.” Your mother interrupted.

“Yes, and I.” Your father spoke patiently. “We have decided it’s time for you to get married.”

Silence deadened the room as you stared at them in shock.

“….what?” Is all you could say. You had expected something like this to happen at some point but it was still a surprise.

“Yes y/n, it’s time for you to finally do something for this family. I will not allow you to fritter away your days like you have been.” Your mother chided.

“I’ve been studying! Not frittering away anything!” You raised your voice.

“Don’t speak to me like that! It’s all planned, we have a suitable young man already chosen.”

“I don’t even get to decide who it is?” You sputtered, standing up out of the chair.

“Y/n,” your father broke in tiredly. “Sit down.” You did as he asked. “I do think this is the best thing for you. I wouldn’t let it happen if I didn’t think so.”

Hot tears were threatening to burn your eyes now.

“If it makes you feel better he has not completely given his answer yet. He has his own conditions.”

“What are they? You're supposed to give him loads of money or something?”

“No,” your father chuckled. “Nothing like that. He wants to meet you, but anonymously. Tomorrow there is a celebration being held in honor of the Tsaritsa. He asked for you to come so he can meet you.”

“I won’t know who he is? Is that it?” You asked.

“Exactly.”

“How cliche…” you sighed.

“After he has met you, he will give us his final answer.”

“You better be on your best behavior tomorrow.” Your mother scolded you like you had already set the table clothes at the celebration on fire.

There was no escaping it, once your mother had her mind made up she wouldn’t stop until you gave in.

“Fine…” you got up and left the room.

———

Your mother had micromanaged your whole day leading up to the celebration. Your hair had been arranged, taken down, and rearranged so many times your head was aching. Yet she was never satisfied. You utterly rejected the frilly pink monstrosity that was the dress she had prepared. Once you threatened to vomit on the dress you finally had your way. You chose from your extensive closet a long gray dress with embroidered lavender flowers. Your dendro vision hung on your back. Night was beginning to fall and your mother was rushing you out the door.

The party reminded you of a ball out of a fairytale. You would have enjoyed the visual splendor if not for the anxiety growing in your gut. Your parents made their way through the crowds chatting and greeting random equantances. You headed off by yourself to find an empty table to sit at.

“Y/n!” A cheery voice said behind you. You turned to see your childhood friend Childe running up to you. “Fancy meeting you here?” He flirted.

“Oh shut up Tartaglia.” You nudged his side and he chuckled. He held out his hand to you.

“Well?” He said.

“What?”

“Aren’t we dancing?” He questioned.

“Ugh fine.” You rolled your eyes. As soon as you took his offered hand he whisked you onto the dance floor into an energetic waltz. Is the waltz supposed to be energetic?

He occupied your time with friendly chatting. You slowly became more comfortable with the whole situation, he always had that effect on you.

Could he be the one my parents were talking about?

Doubtful, why would he have needed to meet me first then. But… maybe, it could be. You dared to hope it was. The thought of marrying him was oddly comforting.

“Whatcha thinking about?” He asked curiously.

“Oh uh… nothing.” Your cheeks blushed at the thoughts you were just having.

“You were thinking about me huh?” He pinched your cheek teasingly.

“No! Shut up!” You huffed. “Just a lot on my mind is all.”

Should I tell him about the marriage?

You decided against it. It wasn’t even official yet.

“Can I sit down? I’m pretty tired out now.” You told him.

“Sure, y/n.” He led you to an empty seat next to the dance floor. Immediately someone who looked vaguely important started talking to him. He was a harbinger after all, many things occupied his time now.

“Y/n,” Tartaglia caught your attention. “I need to take care of something. I’ll be back okay?”

“Okay, see you soon.” You gave him a smile and you noticed a dusting of pink appeared on his cheeks. He spun around and left you alone once more.

Time passed slowly. You watched the people dancing and sipped on a cup of Monstat’s dandelion wine. Several men came up to you in this time and asked for a dance. You declined them all. If one of them was your potential fianc�� you hoped he had been turned off for good. The touch of a hand lifting your vision from your back startled you and you wiped around. A man with dark purple hair and startling violet eyes raised an eyebrow at you.

“A dendro vision.” He said simply, running his finger over the green glassy surface of your vision. “Very unusual.”

“Yes? what about it?” You snapped. “Would you give it back please.” You held out your hand, you were almost surprised when he placed it into your palm.

“Not many people have those. I’ve only seen one, maybe two.” The unknown male said.

“So what?” You glared at him.

He smirked at your hostility. You found him oddly familiar, you knew you had seen him before but couldn’t place him. He walked over and sat next to you.

“Who are you?” He questioned.

“Why do you want to know?” You folded your arms.

“Because I’m interested.”

“In what? Me or my vision?”

“Both.” He said decidedly. He leaned back in his chair and unbuttoned his suit jacket. His questioning stare bore into you.

“Well?” He said.

“Y/n L/n.” You looked away quickly. In doing so you missed the sudden surprised expression on his face.

“I’m Scaramoche.” He said.

The realization of who you were sitting next to dawned on you.

“6th of the Fatui Harbingers?” You finished for him.

“You know who I am then?”

“Only by reputation.” You stated.

He got up from his chair and stood in front of you. You tried to avoid his piercing gaze but to no avail. He held out his hand to you.

“Coming?” He said.

“What?”

“To dance? I’m not asking twice.”

~ IDK IF I WILL POST THE OTHER PARTS TO THIS OR NOT, IF YOU LIKE IT AND WANT MORE LET ME KNOW~

[pebblysand]

Hi!!! Happy travels! (is that thing in French or English?) soooo, I see you're going to read Evelyn Hugo, and this is my official request that when you finish it you come back here and give your opinions on it! I have A LOT of feelings/opinions about it, but I'd like to hear from you! Have a nice day!

hey anon! thank you! i don't think "happy travels" is a saying per se, but the french is "good travels", so i get what you mean <3.

okay so i'd actually started evelyn hugo this summer, and finished the rest on the plane yesterday, so i'm happy to report back! spoilers below the cut.

i gave it a 4/5 in my own little book rating system, and overall, i really, really liked it.

what i loved:

i loved how queer it was (which i wasn't expecting), but also how realistic it was in terms of queer stigma - not only with its time, but also with the film industry in general. i loved the conversation where one of them is like "elton john's been out for years" and the other one is like "yeah, elton john isn't living off his straight sex appeal though." it's kind of true. say a male-gaze beauty icon like megan fox was to come out as gay, i'm not sure she'd be as marketable, etc. so, in sum, i loved that aspect of the book. i loved the struggle everyone experiences with the sexuality, and how hard being in the closet also is, lying to everyone all the time. i thought this was great.

i also loved the way the book deals with the passage of time, and the phenomenon of getting old, especially in the public eye. i love how it blurs over whole sections of evelyn's life, in a "life just happened" sort of way, because that's also the truth, isn't it? years just pass sometimes.

i also very much loved (i think this might actually be my favourite thing about the book) how much value it puts on friendship, and chosen families, rather than biological families. i thought this was very unusual and refreshing, in adult literature. children's literature often puts a lot of value on friendship, then it all becomes about romance, and what the fuck do these people do with their friends, you know? and i felt like the relationship between harry and evelyn in this book was every bit as important as her relationship with celia, and treated with the same level of care and respect, which i very much appreciated. the fact that the happiest time in evelyn's life seems to be when they were all living in manhattan together felt so very precious. i frankly started bawling (in public, on the plane lmao) when harry died, and didn't stop until connor died. that's also perhaps something i wasn't expecting about this book. it is sad.

what i loved... less:

the reason why this book is a 4 ⭐️ and not a 5 ⭐️ is two-fold.

first, whilst it was well-written (and, if i ever manage to write an original work of fiction to this level, i will be very happy), the style didn't make me go "wow". the prose was great, it was lively and definitely enjoyable, but it didn't have the jaw-dropping factor i sometimes find in novels like incendiary or normal people. those are my five-stars, and this just wasn't to that level.

second, and most importantly, i just didn't like the end. i felt like the final reveal fell... flat? at least, for me. if the story of monique's father was going to be the front and centre of her relationship with evelyn, i would have wanted more... context? on her life, on her parents? i feel like if that was going to be The Story, then why spent all that time on her failing marriage? when the reveal happened, i was like "wait, who is james grant?" 😆. i just wasn't as shocked as i feel i should have been. i feel like this part of the story was unnecessary, didn't really answer anything, and if the gayness of her own father was going to be the question, then this reveal should have occurred maybe mid-book, and given monique more time to react to it/sort it out? idk. i just felt like the evelyn story was so beautiful and intense, it could have stood on its own, without that final reveal.

additionally, i'm a bit annoyed that nothing was said about the way that monique seemed to think moving the body in the car was Perfectly Okay until she found out the dead guy was her father, at which point she freaked? i would have loved for her to have a conversation with evelyn (or at leats it be addressed somehow) about how morally reprehensible actions against people you don't know, often feel a lot more justifiable than morally reprehensible actions against people you do know. this was totally not addressed, and it frankly pissed me off.

so yeah, overall, i really liked the book, but it had its flaws. but i'm curious, what are your thoughts? ❤️

[butterflydm]

wot reread: the fires of heaven (chap 22-chap 23)

spoilers for the fires of heaven

1. Mat never introduces himself as ‘Matrim’ that I can recall, yet so many people call him that. Let people have nicknames. I feel the same way about people calling Min ‘Elmindreda’. Just let people have the nicknames that they’ve chosen for themselves. idk maybe I’m forgetting him using it as an introduction somewhere, but it just feels like it always comes from other people. And we know he thinks of himself as 'Mat' in his internal narration.

2. The memories really have settled very firmly into Mat’s head at this point. And some clarification: “nothing after Artur Paendrag Tanreall and nothing before Maecine of Eharon”. So it’s a fairly specific (if large) time period.

3. Yeah, he is somewhat uncomfortable about Melindhra placing an exclusive claim on him but that seems... fair? He didn’t actually agree to anything. She’s just making a lot of assumptions. A relationship is (or should be) an agreement between people, not one person picking someone out and saying, “That one is mine,” without consulting them about the matter. I mean, Melindhra does have... other reasons for her behavior, but it’s treated as standard and acceptable in general in the series. Once you are Claimed, you don’t get much of a choice, except in extreme extenuating circumstances.

4. For all that Jordan was trying to flip standard gender norms/stereotypes (by making men responsible for the ‘original sin’ event, etc) he definitely falls into using them uncritically at various points. I’m guessing those are the norms that he doesn’t even realize are norms. That he believed they were literally baked into biology rather than being influenced and created by society (the gender essentialism of the series that draws some pretty reasonable complaints). He couldn’t imagine a society without it any more than he could imagine a society where not every other man is constantly smoking a pipe, it seems.

5. “He was not about to be owned by any woman, no matter how pretty she was.” I am sad, y’all. Anyway, Melindhra is absolutely giving the Aiel version of the ‘for glory’ pitch. I’m not sure whether or not I noticed that the first time around. She’s trying to stir up some jealousy of Rand in Mat. Which is... not one of the issues at play in Rand and Mat’s relationship, so it is a swing and a miss.

And Mat is distracted by trying to figure out how giving a woman a gift (having done the same for many other women) has somehow landed him into an involuntary exclusive relationship. And it’s a valid question and concern! I’m just really noticing this time around how little choice Mat is actually given in his love life in general.

6. He just sounds so depressed at the idea of marriage in the future. And like... it sucks that so much narrative and story stuff tells us that marriage is a requirement for life? Let the guy not be married if he doesn’t want to be married! Not everyone needs to get married!

7. Mat has figured out what his medallion does. Because he is clever, even when people don’t give him credit for it. And Rand has warned Mat about the Black Ajah. Apparently, no one else thought to warn Mat about that.

I’m thinking here of Elayne and Nynaeve specifically avoiding mentioning the Black Ajah to Thom and Juilin because they thought it would spook them. Communication! These books would be so much shorter if people just communicated.

8. And the Darkfriends who attack specifically use the warcry of “Sammael and the Golden Bees”. So Sammeal either is trying to lure Rand into a trap or someone else is trying to get Rand to attack Sammael. And Mat notes that the attack was doomed to failure -- didn’t even make it past the first line of defense.

9. Ah, while the distraction attack was happening down below, Draghkars were sent to the part of the camp that Rand is staying in.

10. “He could make her tell, catch her between her oath to him and her inability to lie straight out. No, he could not. Or would not. He would not do that to someone who was trying to help him.” Ugh, Rand has such a good heart. And there’s another note here that holding saidin makes Rand look/sound colder.

11. Another LTT memory comes out while he’s talking to Asmodean. “He tried to bait me into attacking him once in the same way, at Serendahar”. And he freaks out internally when he realizes that he said ‘me’. He also remembers Sammael’s face and how he resented that the One Power couldn’t make him taller. Whenever he’s exposed to any Age of Legends stuff or people, LLT memories tend to seep out.

12. It occurs to me that gai’shain also function as the supply chain in battles. Noncombatants that everyone respects as noncombatants.

13. It took four days for the group to get through the pass in the Spine of the World.

14. Ah, the ‘don’t act like a child, if Rand says you don’t owe him anything and didn’t betray him, it’s silly of you to be so certain that you do still owe him a debt’ punishment from the Wise Ones for the Maidens who failed to guard Rand the night of the attack.

15. Rand with Mat, ‘Nateal’, the six clan chiefs, and thirty-ish Wise Ones, as they approach another town that was destroyed by Couladin and his Shaido Aiel.

16. And Egwene is so certain that Rand’s coldness when laying down the rules for the clan chiefs comes from arrogance. Again, she’s able to recognize that he needs to have that cold command but still attributes it to arrogance rather than necessity.

17. Egwene does not understand Rand’s heart at all. She knows the sword was a gift from Aviendha, but is baffled that Rand continues to carry it. She has missed a hilarious number of super-obvious clues that not only is Something There between Rand and Aviendha, but literally all the Maidens are aware of it and keep teasing her over it. Maybe it’s because she, uh, ‘gifted’ him to Elayne that she doesn’t see it? Though she was also hilariously unaware of his true feelings in that scene as well.

18. “As I am still alive, it is still my day.” Sorilea does amuse me, a lot of the time. And she supports Rand in laying down the law with the clan chiefs. But stop matchmaking poor Aviendha!

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hellooooo! How are you doing? Today I wanted to ask you about one of the most irritating moments on the show for me i.e. that moment when Arnav tells Anjali that he only started loving Khushi after marriage. He married Khushi in that way for Anjali's sake; this much is true. But how can he say that when he married Khushi he didn't love her. The way this scene is acted and shot, it seemed to be a sincere declaration but how could it be? It makes no sense, because clearly we had a "I love Khushi" realization (the night Arnav thought Khushi was in an accident) and a "I have to declare my feelings" moment (the day of Payash wedding, after Anjali's accident). And the contract marriage period was clearly him struggling with not being able to erase his already existing feelings despite his best efforts NOT grappling with brand new feelings he couldn't control. So he's clearly lying but my question is, who is he lying to? Only to Anjali, to pacify her, or also to himself? Does he really think he didn't love Khushi when he married her? Ugh I hate the delivery of that line because Arnav is bad at lying but he looked straight into Anjali's eyes and said it so idk what they wanted us to take away from that dialogue. Maybe I'm overeacting and the writers just didn't think all that deeply about that scene as I am but honestly this is SUCH a crucial plot point involving the very crux of the show, how could they leave any ambiguity around it? Sorry lol went on a mini rant in your inbox. Love your blog, thank you for taking the time to entertain our asks :)

Hello Anon!

I'm doing well, thanks for asking!

Arnav was telling the truth to Anjali - that he loved Khushi - but only lied about when he fell for her. I think Arnav was trying to tell Anjali that he isn't choosing Khushi's version of the truth because he loved her - he didn't love Khushi when they married.

I think he's telling Anjali that he went through hating Khushi, being suspicious of her and all, but her words and actions over the months compelled him to fall for her. He has gone through misunderstanding Khushi, and he has chosen Anjali above Khushi.

Anjali significantly softens and is happy for Arnav. He found the love she dreamed for her brother.

This whole track was a bit of a mess to be honest. The dialogues over here was extremely confusing because I do not see how it helped anyone or anything? In fact I feel sadder for Anjali because no one tells her the truth of everything and here Arnav is like "Di I married her for you and now I love her and she's saying the truth" so Anjali tries to be more civil to Khushi.

Then it brings me to the question that what was that scene? It's a beautiful scene... but really makes no sense to me either. Like on one hand Arnav is confessing his love to Anjali, on the other he has "NO" idea why Khushi is behaving stiffly with him as if he didn't ruin her birthday and call her the biggest mistake of his life 72 hours ago.

Was Arnav confessing for the audience? Was this to assure the public that hey, Anjali is pro ArShi and is happy learning her brother is in love and so please stop hating her?

There's way too many plot holes in that situation. I don't see why Anjali would be happy to hear Arnav is in 'love'. I don't see how it fixes her insecurities. Anjali knew her brother was in love days before the wedding. And whatever Arnav does with Khushi in the following days is weird. A man in love doesn't use his wife's phobia to win a challenge. It's all over the place. The acting is A+, but logic and narrative is really out of the window. I think they were really rushing through this because a lot of people were hating Anjali and this track so they presented:

LOOK HERE ARNAV IS IN LOVE WITH KHUSHI OK. YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO GET THEIR LOVE. ALSO LOOK ANJALI IS HAPPY THAT ARNAV LOVES KHUSHI. SEE.

And then makes it almost look like Khushi is unreasonable for holding a grudge against Arnav because the audience has seen him confessing his love? I don't know at this point to be honest. It's just too problematic and off sync on various levels!

No no don't apologize - I went into a little rant myself too!!!

Much love,

- JWB P.S: Hope you caught this week's Sunday Samachaar

[vrishchikawrites]

About YZY leaving YMJ/JFM with her kids Post-WWX Arrival

Dear Dee, feel free to delete or ignore this or post it, whatever floats your boat. This just stuck in my head after those posts and I had to blurt it all to someone. Thanks for taking the time to read my word vomit.

So I had to do this instead of an ask because it got long and I wasn't sure how many asks it'd need or how short I could cut it down without losing parts of the argument. And then other things came up as I was writing and, well.  Well..... >_>;;;; 

But you know, after that post/ask you had about YZY fics saying 'Fuck U' to YMJ/JFM & leaving both with her kids, I had a sarcastic 'yeah right' attitude about it. Mainly due to a lot of negation emotions to such an abusive (and delusional) bitch, partly due to how she wouldn't do that since it doesn't seem to be something her sort of character would consider either because she'd think of it as 'losing' (losing what, IDK, it's why I consider her type of person crazy) or she legit wouldn't think about such a viable action.

But then later, in the shower, I seriously went 'Wait, she can't fucking do that' and it wouldn't be about how MXTX uses her as a part of the narrative but entirely about the/their culture in the novel; the actions that have and would be taken in response; and her entire toxic personality as well.

1) We already know that the sects and the cultivation world in general is sexist, elitist and so Capital T 'Traditional' to the point that it's starting to petrify and any deviancy from this is an exception rather than the norm. YZY might be a madame of a great sect (for what that's worth considering how shit of a madame she's been and the titles she's chosen for herself) but she's still a woman even with her high rank and the things she's personally accomplished.

Even if she was in her rights to leave a 'bad' marriage, she'd be the one who'd get scolded more instead of JFM by her natal family, her former husband's family and by their entire society at large even if she had a few singular supporters. Because That's Not How Things Are Done in their society and I do believe that such a thing was rare even when it was accepted method by the upper echelons. Especially since it would have to be done by more than YZY simply deciding that She Wants Out and just- goes and Gets Out. With no serious allegations that would allow her to divorce or separate from YMJ/JFM without the input from her family, JFM's family and, I think, possibly some measure of compensation as well. And no, having or bringing in a 'bastard child' is not a serious enough offence for such a humongous decision. I think something more along the lines of treason or crimes against multiple, high-ranking parties would be more along the lines. Maybe.

And even if she does this, she'd be considered 'Used Goods' (such a terrible comment) and there'd be no other good/proper marriage prospects for a divorced woman with children let alone a woman like YZY with her entire abrasive personality and attitude put off even easy-going JFM.

(If she'd been widowed then it'd be more forgiven but I consider that a Real Bad End since, IMO, it would lead to the sudden and inevitable decline of YMJ either via mass exodus of disciples and/or residents of LP; being merged with another sect due to it's unstable leadership; or create an internal political war 'cause I bet you anything that the YMJ Elders/relatives (if they have any) Would Not Want YZY in charge of YMJ when she's already proven herself such a shit betrothed let alone madame.)

2) Speaking of families, while YMJ/JFM/LP as a whole might be glad to see YZY's back, I don't think her natal sect, MSY, will be glad to see her come storming back after all the effort they put into getting that particular marriage alliance with YMJ. And if she brings her children with her? Oh man, oh boy- mother or not, that could be considered as kidnapping or line theft (is that a thing?) especially if YZY is also seriously considering divorce proceedings and raising them as Yu and not Jiang. That could give leave to, for anyone more unforgiving and maybe JFM if he's pushed enough, disown both JYL and JWY from the Jiangs through no fault of their own (though I'm sure YZY would make it so as well as blame JFM for her own decisions and mistakes).

Therefore, any inheritance or benefits they might gain for being legitimised children of a great sect are forfeited. JYL will likely lose that betrothal with JZX because JGS will drop it like a hot potato and JWY won't be a sect heir because YZY literally decided to remove that by deciding to raise JWY as a Yu, no matter their blood relation to JFM. They leave him, they leave YMJ and everything attached with it. Which is if YMJ/JFM doesn't demand MSY to give back their heir/ess and to punish YZY for her actions. Or send all three of them back for the appropriate reactions/decisions.

Their society would demand no less in reaction because, to them, it would seem like YZY had gone mad and JFM would look weak (or weaker) and imply that YMJ is vulnerable and exploitable if JFM doesn't do something in response to her actions. That's not even getting into what the other smaller sects may try to do in an attempt to curry favour with YMJ or what LLJ or QSW would try in order to destroy or diminish YMJ. And whether JFM chooses to demand his children back or not, it may not change the fact that this may give him reason enough to choose a nephew or niece to be the new sect heir especially if, even after getting rid of YZY's poisonous influence, JWY grows up to be his mother's child more than his father's or even his own person.

Either way, such a thing would bring great backlash on YZY, and MSY as well as the collateral. No one would want to give face to her or her children because it would bring up some very uncomfortable questions and scenarios to the other sects- specifically, what would happen if the female members of their clans/sets decided to follow the footsteps of YZY and leave with their children and heirs. Especially if they use it as an excuse to leave for their own comfort and whims and not some legitimate wrongs and dangers. That would create some more restrictions on women thanks to YZY

3) And lastly, if any one of those idiot YZY stans think that she'd ever give up the status of being a madame of a great sect they'd be as crazy or crazier than her. YZY is all about status and power and face. Specifically, her status, power and face and how people in her reach reflect her or 'insult' her. She is a selfish, terrible, abusive and toxic person and can only see people in regards to how they would benefit her and the elevation of her and in no other way. Especially her family. They cannot be their own person, they can only be an extension of her and gods forbid they go against her.

We can see this in how she treats the people she supposedly loves. JFM? Arguments day in, day out along with accusations and slander of cheating, having one(1) supposed 'bastard' and being 'in love' with CSSR. Which all seems sus as hell. And that's when she's actually there and not out 'night hunting'. Even her 'training' seems to border on unhelpful rather then helpful if my vague recollections of juniors fainting from exhaustion can be relied upon (please call me out if they're not or find proof).

JYL? Berated by not being 'strong' but not helped at all to be 'strong'. It doesn't help that YZY seems to believe in the same standards strength in their society- that is, of martial masculine strength which does not and should not apply to JYL who has been said to be sickly. Which means h should have been learning a different way of cultivation/fighting anyway.  If that was something she wanted and had been offered in the first place- which I doubt. That isn't even getting into her repeated generational trauma mess of a betrothal which was decided only by those 'sworn sisters', accepted by her as a way out of her terrible home life and puts her squarely within reach of JGS who we know to be a womaniser, rapist, predator and a possible ephebophile considering we don't know the exact age of his youngest 'conquest' or the age of MZY's mother when they met which could be anywhere from 14 to 21.

JWY? Gods, so much meta on him and his(non-) relationships with his parents that I don't think I can contribute more to it. It's been all said and done. Unless people want me to stir the pot by saying that, maybe, just maybe, YZY resents JWY as much as she 'loves' him.Either because he's her son and yet never manages to 'accomplish as much' as WWX or because he's a boy and therefore, more benefits and allowances than a girl/woman- more than anything that YZY ever got without either a fight or screaming at someone about. *shrug*

So, in conclusion to this sudden an unexpected essay that I wrote(I'm so sorry about that, I thought it would be shorter -.-;;;;), YZY leaving YMJ/JFM with her kids? Impossible. Not without some sort of personality transplant or a complete AU. She's too prideful, too bitter, too angry, too everything negative and little positive. She's a resentful product of the values and restraints of her society taken to the extreme negative with a willingness to inflict her pain on others to an abusive degree. But she's also too obsessed and reliant on those same values and restraints to keep up the image of her status. So her? Giving those up? You'd be more likely to see WRH as a doting grandfather than that.

---

Dee - All of this is true and yes YZY leaving YMJ is highly unlikely. While there will be consequences if she decides to leave, she does canonically lives separately from her husband. They seem to be in a situation where they are married but living separately, which was a common way to end a marriage (at least in spirit) back then. She essentially had all the perks of being Madam Jiang but fulfilled none of the responsibilities.

Afaik, her training the Jiang disciples is a donghua thing? I may be wrong but I recall she spent most of her time nighthunting.

As for taking her children along with her- that's completely impossible. At that point, children were the property of the father. She could leave but she would've never been allowed to take JC.

[crashingmeteorz]

rich kid runaways (ft. yuexzukoxtoph friendship)

for my 100 Followers Celebration - credit to @aroacebitchboi for this amazing idea!

zuko faces his father in the agni kai, and when he is told what he must do in order to be welcome in his homeland again, he just says “fuck this” and runs away.

he’s not sure where he’s gonna go, just that he has to get out, and fast, because his dad’s gonna kill him. like. for real. so he stows away on a fire navy ship headed Literally Anywhere Else (and maybe the soldiers don’t care! because he’s 13 and hurting children is a disgrace! maybe they sneak him food and blankets idk!)

yue, meanwhile, in the north pole, has just been told she is going to enter an arranged marriage for the good of her people when she turns 16. respectfully, she asks her father what exactly this marriage will do, politically speaking. the north isn’t at war with itself, in fact they’re more united than ever. maybe if it were a southern water tribe boy, sure, but no, it’s going to be a northern boy.

her father just tells her it’s imperative to the stability of the tribe that they uphold tradition. yue, realizing this is bullshit, even at the tender age of 13, says “fuck this”, and runs away.

she is all but screwed without waterbending or any practical survival knowledge - except, she’s been chosen by the moon spirit. when she steals a boat and heads south, the moon takes pity on its ward and keeps her safe, at least on her waterbound journey. once she lands on the northern shores of the earth kingdom, yue depends on the kindness of strangers to survive.

zuko, meanwhile, is angry and mistrustful and afraid when he ends up on the western shores of the earth kingdom, and he depends entirely on his determination to survive. he learns to live off the land the hard way, and avoids major cities and towns for fear of being found out as a firebender. of course, if he’s ever spotted, he’s regarded with pity and empathy because of the festering burn on his face, but zuko doesn’t realize that.

yue never stays in one place too long, bouncing from family to family and learning more skills in a few months than she was ever taught in her whole life up north. she cooks and cleans and sews, yes, but she also farms and skins hunted animals and does house repairs. she is happily taken into homes because of her ability to heal - though never a waterbender, yue still learned basic healing with the other northern women, and can manage even bad wounds all on her own.

afraid she’ll be recognized by her vibrant hair, however, yue continues her journey south, considering running to the south pole for sanctuary. she wonders how their women are treated. zuko, meanwhile, lives alone in the wilderness most of the time, and moves very slowly up the west coast.

they’re 14 when their paths cross. three fire nation soldiers harass yue while she’s journeying along a rural road, asking her for a made-up toll. usually trading in work, yue has no money to speak of. the soldiers threaten violence, and, though he is afraid of being caught by his countrymen, zuko was never one to let bullies have power over the innocent.

he emerges from the forest, swords in hand, attacking the soldiers. at first it seems like he has the upper hand - and then he stumbles, and the soldiers laugh and pull him up to beat him. zuko panics and relies on instinct - firebending at the soldiers and burning them badly. they run away yelling, and zuko panics, certain that he’ll be caught out. he goes to run, but yue stops him.

“you’re hurt,” she says, pointing to where he’d been cut by the soldiers’ swords. “please, let me help you. it’s the least i can do.”

“you’re not scared of me?” zuko asks in confusion, looking around wildly, afraid his father will pop out of the trees and strike him down.

“you saved me,” yue says, just as confused, because between the rescue and the obvious burn mark, she doesn’t really think this boy would have any reason to hurt her. also he’s kinda shrimpy, and yue, who has built up some strength through hard work, is pretty sure she could take him. “come on, i have some herbs. is there clean water nearby?”

shocked that anyone in the earth kingdom wouldn’t call for zuko’s arrest on the spot, zuko leads yue to a stream in the forest. yue silently patches his wounds, and then eventually asks if she can get a look at his eye. apart from the initial work of the fire nation healers, zuko hadn’t really done much to treat his eye, and it’s so badly crusted he can barely see out of it. when yue reaches for him, he jerks away.

“i don’t need your help!” he snaps, standing and shaking himself off. “if it weren’t for you, i wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.”

“excuse me.” says yue, standing as well, because who is he to talk to her that way? “i didn’t ask you for help, you chose to do that. and you’re mad at those soldiers, not me, so why don’t you try being a little nicer?”

they stare at each other furiously for a moment. then yue sighs and says “i think i can help you with your eye, so that you can see. let me do that and i’ll leave you alone.”

it’s painful, and a very slow process, but with water warmed by zuko’s bending (”just heat up the water.” “someone could see!” “we’re in the middle of a literal forest! who’s spying! the frogs???”) and a few medicinal herbs, yue manages to clear away most of the crust and dead skin over zuko’s eye. when he finally opens it again, he’s shocked to find that he can see.

“well, i won’t bother you anymore,” yue says huffily, moving to leave the forest. as she does, she realizes she doesn’t know where the heck she is. zuko’s still marveling at how different the world looks with two eyes.

“umm, which way is out?” yue asks him. zuko snaps back to reality and says “oh, um. i’ll show you.” because he is, admittedly, grateful.

of course, when they try to leave the forest, they run into bandits and barely escape. then yue reccomends they take a country road, and zuko reluctantly agrees, except they run into more bandits. after the fourth round of bandits in two weeks, they’re convinced they’ve been cursed with bad luck.

“can we just go to a town or a city?” yue asks, panting from their desperate escape. “we’re not having much luck living in the wild.”

“i was fine until you showed up!” zuko retorts, panting as well. “fine! then i’ll leave!” yue yells back.

“wait,” zuko says, and yue turns, tapping her foot impatiently. “i’m sorry,” zuko says, to yue’s shock, because if her few weeks with this kid who calls himself lee has taught her anything, it’s that he does not apologize. “i don’t really...understand, um, local people and-“

“let me do the talking,” yue says, gentle as always, reaching for zuko’s arm. he smiles at her, a real, happy smile, and they make their way to the nearest earth kingdom town.

after that, yue and zuko are inseparable. they argue a lot, naturally, but they become good friends, too. yue says she always wanted a sibling, zuko says he always wanted a different sibling, so it’s nice, to have each other. without going into too much detail, they bond over their shared experiences of pre-determined destinies and overbearing parental figures (“my father said i have to get married for the good of the people! what does that even mean?” “tell me about it, my father got mad that i talked out of turn, so he tried to kill me.” “...he what?” “hahaha just kidding that’s not a normal thing that happens.”) no matter how scary it gets, they agree, the earth kingdom makes them feel freer than they ever have before.

does the food they cook suck because they’ve never had to cook in their lives? yes. do they sometimes put all four feet in their mouths because of how they speak to the poor people of the earth kingdom? yes. have they ticked off a lot of fellow teenagers for acting bratty? yes. (“what, so, you don’t have palaces around here?” yue asks. “yeah, where are the royal gardens?” zuko asks. “leave before we rock your shit.” says Every Teenager They Meet.) but at the end of the day, they’re happy.

at 15 they reach a city called gaoling. by now they can both do enough odd jobs that they always have some pocket money on them, although yue still struggles to behave in a way that isn’t dainty and delicate, and zuko still struggles with basic social skills.

they’re getting ready to move along, when they’re stopped by a girl. she’s young, about 11, and entirely blind. she’s being chased by a loud crowd, who seem to be just around the corner.

“please!” the girl says. “help hide me! they’re after me! i think they’re going to kidnap me!” yue and zuko, who are the captains of the child-protection-squad, immediately move to protect the girl.

“this way!” zuko says, and the three of them run down narrow streets and alleyways, in and around shops, until they’re stopped at the city gate by the mob going after the girl.

“alright, kid,” the leader, a tall, buff man with long greasy hair says. “you’ve stolen from us for the last time.”

“how many time do i have to tell you?” the girl bellows, much different than her sweet and innocent pleas from before. “i won fair and square! you’re just mad because you got your butt kicked by a little girl!”

before zuko and yue can even react, the girl pummels the mob of men with an avalanche of rocks, and then launches the earth they’re standing on into the air, landing them far outside of the city limits in a dizzying display.

“woo! that was awesome!” the girl says gleefully pumping her arms. zuko and yue are both trying to wrap their heads around what just happened. “thanks for the help. not that i needed it, i just didn’t want my parents’ guards to see me bending...i wasn’t really planning on running away, but, i mean, i doubt they’ll even notice i’m gone-”

“just a second,” yue says, collecting herself. zuko’s jaw is still hanging open. “who are you?”

the girl grins smugly. “name’s toph. who are you?”

i cannot fully express how much i love this idea. top-notch. god-tier. thank you again!

[whencallstheheart]

We’ll find out tonight if our predictions are correct! 

Responses to the written questions are under the cut.

Where is Ned and what is he doing?

No idea

Business trip

Dealing with some financial issues.

Doing business in UC or Hamilton. Nothing major

He stayed behind next episode and will be back in the finale.

I think planning something for Florence, maybe expansion for the mercantile?

I don't know

I have no idea, wth!?!?

Yo i have no idea. I'm gonna take a wild guess and say he's trying to contact Florence's daughter who wasnt there for the wedding

Maybe he's visiting his daughter? Or expanding the Mercantile somehow

With Mike. Oil pipeline

Hiding

It sure

I have no clue honestly, maybe planning a surprise for Florence?

Perhaps...expanding his store? Or ordering something new to begin to be shipped to his.

something related to factory

Sussing out suppliers

Maybe something to do with the Wyman guy?

visiting his daughter

Buying a new house or a surprise for Florence

Visiting Abigail

Planning something special for Florence

He is doing something with his daughter

No clue

With his daughter

Planning to expand the mercantile to include deliveries (Hope Valley Amazon) lol

Not sure

I really dont know!

Made out a Will since he now is married to Florence

Business in Union City

Business, but he’ll be back

I don’t Know

I dont know. This one threw me!

Literally have no idea

maybe he will come back with his daughter who will come to live at HP

some sweet surprise/gift for Florence

He is involved im some growth in HV.

Taking care of business.

He's making a business deal somewhere

I have no idea. I think it was a weird to put in o.O

Making purchases for the store.

Business stuff somewhere

I don't know

i don't know

ned things

He just took the long way home...

Adopting Flo's son

Hiding

He is picking up a surprise order gift for Florence, and it’s taking longer than expected.

Fighting attempt to take over mercantile

Talking to a divorce lawyer. Or putting a pillow over Abigail's mom's face so she can bury her already and come back to Hope Valley for his buddy Henry's sake.

Honestly I’m not sure but interested to find out!

Idk honestly. Probably actually doing something sweet for Florence but she doesn't know it.

What's up with the Pinkertons?

Not sure

A storyline to bring a change of pace to the show.

I really Don’t know

Not sure, but I don’t think it will be resolved this season, maybe it’s the cliffhanger?

I don't know

They’re hired thugs like they were in S1, just there to show Walden is a bad guy despite appearances

Factory related

Up to no good! Don’t trust them.

Yo i dont even know. They look totally sketch but they are probably the good guys actually. I'm predicting they are after someone who's been wanted for a long time. I think it may be too easy to link them with the guy who took Jesse and Clara's money

Not sure yet

Working for Waldon

Railroad

Sneakily buying land

I couldn't care less about them

Perhaps something is in the cabin/someone they don't want found.

No idea

Something to do with the mine disaster (even though it's been ages).

we will see in season 9

Setting up a good storyline for season 9

Not sure maybe something to do with the new factory that might be built

Maybe it has to do with Henry

I have no idea, but I do not like them!

No good

Buying all the land

They have Jesse. Someone wants to reopen the mine and seek revenge on Elizabeth for his son going to jail (Spurlock).

Looking for some kind of hidden good

Shady dealings going on

Guarding the future factory site. But something extra at the cabin connected with Spurlock.

Trouble

?

An even bigger I dont know on this one. Like, what in the world???

Holding Jesse captive

I think they kidnapped Jesse because he found out what they were up to but I have no idea what that is

stumped on this one

That is difficult. He is apparently connected to S1 Spurlock. Is he there for revenge? Or, just a heavy hand like his relative?

Revenge? They want to take over Hope Valley.

Something sketchy, probably bigger than just whatever is going on with the cabin though.

Land grab

No clue but they'll be one of the big bads next season

They are probably the goons of the Industry dude

They are working for somebody bigger.

They want to take over the town

I don't know

i'm worried about Nathan

idk they are the bad daddys of the season

they can only be there to cover up a crime, or some valuable find

No clue

They’re wanting to uproot Hope Valley for better business by destroying the town.

Keeping identity of mastermind safe from townspeople.

Maybe looking for Ned, who alternatively is a serial killer and now on the run. Possibly for the murder of Abigail's mother?

I’m so confused lol

Creating a monopoly & doing some villain nonsense (as it would seem the show is hinting).

Any other thoughts going into the finale?

No

There will be at least one surprise- not sure what

There are too many loose ends to tie up in one episode and I just want Elizabeth and Nathan together (and perhaps quickly married in this episode!)

I’m honestly really nervous, I’m rooting for Nathan but I have a feeling she’ll go for Lucas, I really don’t mind Lucas as a character but like what storylines can they do with them as a couple? The manuscript is finished, they’ve gone on every sort of date at this stage and she’s been in his office. What else can they do? With Nathan they can do the being scared because of his job again but making it different, there’s children involved now, it’s not just Elizabeth. Jack won’t understand but Allie will 100% feel worried for him. Also Allie having a mother figure, especially at this stage in her life, how could you not want it! The blended family as the main family would be so nice for this show, I know it’s been done before but they will be fairly front and centre in the show. Sorry for the rant, I love your blog so much! I don’t have tumblr so I can’t leave comments or like your gifs but I thoroughly enjoy all your theories and opinions!!

Just ready for this stupid love triangle to be over!

I’d love to actually see Henry meet up with Abigail, but doubt it. I hope they have Clara do something heroic for Jesse, but also doubt it. Henry will definitely be putting Hickam in charge at least temporarily. I think Ned will return but we won’t get a full explanation yet. And the dramatic ending won’t be the triangle choice, it’ll be Elizabeth losing the school.

Allie’s adoption finalized and reaction to Elizabeth choosing Nathan is something we should see.

Glad the triangle will be DONE!!

I hope that Elizabeth follows her heart and not pick someone who is a safe option.

I wish Faith were leaving instead of Carson. Also, I think there will be lots of set up for problems with the school board and Elizabeth. Also, I want more little Jack scenes but i don't think we'll get much since child acting laws and covid combined make that difficult

Excited for Elizabeth to move on from her past and enter a new adventure with either of the two men and really just everything else (Rosie and Lee, Fiona, Henry.)

I hope Faith doesn’t end up with whoever doesn’t get chosen by Elizabeth.

hopefully the finale will clear up the drawn out love triangle

The triangle was waaaaay drawn out. Be done and choose.

Nathan and Faith......would be great......

No matter who Elizabeth chooses I'm SOOOO READY to get this over with!

Kindness matters - no matter who she chooses. Isn't that why most of us watch the show

I am so over the love triangle and just want to know who Elizabeth picks.

Worried about the fandom more than anything

Elizabeth please pick Nathan

It's just a TV show and no matter what , it's there for our entertainment. I do think they're setting things up for the return of Abigail in some way.

The must be a Season 9!!!

I hope Fiona does not get involved with Mike.

Hopefully things get back to normal for Elizabeth and Rosemary

Interested to see the other storylines. I want Elizabeth to choose Nathan but I think JT will throw us off. From the promo pic, it looks like they will try to put Faith with Nathan.

- I just want Elizabeth to chose so that this storyline can come to an end and we can finally get to see her marriage and functioning has a wife. - Wonder what will become of Lucas once her choice is made. - I would like Lucas to have a proper storyline that doesn't involve Elizabeth or the love triangle. - I would love to see Rosemary and Lee finally become parents however that may happen. I feel like the writer just left them in limbo about it and keep teasing but never delivering on anything.

Hopefully will end with Nathan but the very last minute. I would prefer more romance before the finale

Elizabeth will have to decide on what’s important with school.

Jack might make an appearance in a dream scene?

So excited! I hope I don't wake up my kids while watching.

I hope they don’t pick Lucas

CLARA DISCOVERS SHE IS PREGNANT

?

Just excited for this to be over. I know we needed it and I think overall it was handled decent enough, but I'm glad to finally move on.

Why is everyone so scared?

The whole season has been about getting over your fear. Elizabeth doesn’t have to deal with her emotions or real life with Lucas because school is out for the summer and she is working on her book. She needs to make up with Rosemary and get over the loss of Jack and fear to be with Nathan.

this season has been totally not what I expected...I thought the hug at end of season 7 was definitive and we'd get at least some Nathan courtship, not a complete U-turn to Lucas (with hopefully a turn to Nathan at the very end). I now think Season 9 will be what I expected season 8 to be, and I am very much looking forward to that.

Something sudden will allow Elizabeth to bring her feelings to light for everyone...Nathan. I think she will have decided by the time she takes of the rings, but will not have the opportunity to share with the man until later. Until she faces the prospect of him being in danger again? Full circle from the end of S7.

I need Elizabeth to really apologize to Rosemary. Rosemary has always been there for Elizabeth.

I’m so afraid :(

Hated the triangle

I am so ready to finally move on from this triangle!

They put waaaay too many storyline in the last 2 episodes, they will never manage to conclude them all and we'll have another weird random cliffhanger which will not tie in with the Christmas episode (If we're getting one ?)

I hope the guy who loses, has a good life in later seasons

The annoying love triangle will finally end. Elizabeth/Nathan are endgame, unless Jack suddenly comes back from the dead. But, I doubt it. I hope Lee/Rosemary are pregnant, or decide to adopt children. I just want Lee/Rosemary to have children. Can't wait to see how this season ends. Hopefully, it won't be a cliffhanger.

Nervous as hell

Elizabeth and Nathan get married

i kinda hope someone dies tbh it would make everything more interesting

Elizabeth was so tiresome this season, they could have told her story of overcoming grief in a much more relatable way. Why did they not just have her talking to Rosemary about how sad or exhausted or numb or angry she feels all the time? You know, something a widow would actually go through. At the very least she could have been stoic, instead she was just kinda bitchy.

Faith and Nathan will have some sparks; Elizabeth will choose Lucas and they will kiss twice one being at bridge one being at her home inside with baby jack present.Carson will leave; Jessie will be found; Ned will come back safely.

Lucas endgame, Nathan and faith have sparks, Rosemary paper, Jessie and Clara make up.

I think Henry will take his own advice and leave to find Abigail to see if there is still any hope for them. Though I like his character, I want him to finally be happy, and if that means staying with Abigail, then that’s what it means. I don’t think TPTB will bring back Lori soooo.... that means Henry would be the one possibly leaving. I also think some scare will happen with Nathan between him and the Pinkertons. Then it may come full circle at the end where Elizabeth runs to him like she did last season, but instead of hugging him, she’ll kiss him instead.

Hallmark execs dictated ending and will cut salaries to bring back Abigail, hence Paul leaving.

My condolences to whichever guy gets to look forward to being bored by Elizabeth for the rest of his life. Are we sure Jack's death wasn't a suicide?

Ready to see how it ends and already looking forward to next season!

I will be really disappointed if she chooses Lucas but I’m afraid that’s where it’s headed. Either way I don’t understand how they’ll end in “the healthy place” they’ve said it will be with so much left for one episode.

[rsmrymnt-tea]

Must one make good points?? Is it not enough to be incomprehensible in the face of a good idea?? /j. Just so we're clear you are very comprehensible and I enjoy all of your input!! (also noticed you apologise for making long replies, but do you see my asks?? Do you think I would care if you rambled nonsense for a million words? I would read all of the nonsense and enjoy it!!)

Anyway I'm probably sending two asks with this. I have had a lot of Thoughts™️ about the arranged marriage au, there's so much to say. I am just throwing pasta at a wall to see what sticks with this so if anything feels like meh or ew just discard it!!

So I wanted to mention this idea, and I will come back to it but it's not super relevant for the most part: consider the Lord titles being inherited. Sort of like how they do with like kings and queens, if the Lord of Masks dies or abdicates the title then his kid (or less often an appointed person) inherits the title.

Anyway, you're right about royal politics being A Lot, so I am just gonna be vague about it, but my ideas in terms of backstory are thus: (gonna reference LoM's dad, he'll be called FLoM short for father of Lord of Masks. And we're considering Dola's family to be artists).

Once, perhaps when Dola was a young child, her family got on splendidly with the Masks family. The family served as patrons to Dola's for generations, and they visited fairly often. FLoM values art you see, and on these visits he would bring the little Lord of Masks to be with him, hoping to instill a love for the arts. And perhaps, once or twice, only for a moment, the LoM would catch Dola peaking at him and his father from around a corner before being shooed away by a grown up.

Something happens. Petty drama, perhaps. Or the family pushing just a little too hard, and the favour of FLoM snaps like a shitty hair tie. Whatever it is FLoM is furious and Dola's family meets that energy a touch too enthusiastically. And Dola and the Lord of Masks grow up hearing their family badmouthing the other's.

FLoM dies when our LoM is still a teenager. And his new role does bring him back onto Dola's family estate (something about reintroducing himself, now as their Lord or maybe re-establishing his patronage). He doesn't meet Dola, but he does see her art and it has.. A profound affect on him.

Sometime when he's more settled into his lordship, I think Dola's family requires his assistance. Financial trouble, or finding themselves in hot water with another lord, it doesn't really matter. They now owe him and they hate it.

Eventually the time comes for Masks to take a spouse. It's Dolasach, obviously. His mind drifts to fuzzy memories of a face peering at him from around a corner, and the art that touched his heart when he thought that perhaps all that was left for him to feel was grief and anger. And he does try to justify it of course, her family is incredibly influential, and it's spiteful to steal their best artist from them, and with her new title her work would only be worth that much more... And it would be a favour to allow the family to repay their debt so cheaply. But he knows a lie when he hears it, especially coming from his own mouth.

So I do feel that, on Dola's family's side. Losing the favour of FLoM, they were suddenly unable to get away with their sketchier behaviors, so they did lose members to the dungeons, and perhaps there were members who received fines that pushed them into financial ruin. And idk being bored rich people maybe killing people on the side has just been a hobby for certain branches of the family, so when Dola is chosen to be married to Masks, there's a lot of pressure for her to revenge them.

Anyway I've been considering how to translate certain aspects of Satan into the Lord of Masks. And I think that maybe Masks' father was a very opinionated, angry person, and Masks inherited these qualities. Maybe his father encouraged the suppression of all emotions that were not anger too. And upon his death, the LoM begins to recognise the prejudices that were put in him by his father, and his inability to properly contain his anger, the apparent absence of any other emotion. He recognises he wants to be better than that and begins to work towards it.

And of course we've got to have some tension with the Lord of Corruption. Consider: there being a common rumor that Masks is the bastard of Corruption. The trouble being that if it's true, Masks loses his rights to his lands, to his people, to his title. He can then only hope to be the next Lord of Corruption. And then perhaps also things going awry in the early days of his Lordship, and the LoC having to step in to stop things falling apart.

So I am thinking that maybe to get the polycule into the au that maybe Dola and Sol are childhood sweethearts? Dola being sent to stay at his castle to train under the kings most beloved artists for a time, and she and Sol having a cute forbidden romance thing? Sol asking Dola to run away with him but she says no because she's not ready for that yet!! Being forced to split when Dola's training is finished and she's sent back home. (the entire experience catalysting Sol leaving to pursue magic and explore the world)

Maybe once the pair have been married for a while, Dola takes an interest in magic, and Sol happens to be passing through and in need of some money, perhaps he's the only one who meets Masks' high standards for a teacher. Or perhaps Sol breaks into the castle with the intent to steal an artefact and she catches him in the act!!

I know I just suggested Masks and Dola being connected via childhood stuff, but I consider that to be more one-sided (perhaps Dola was too young to remember his visits) than her and Sol being sort of first loves for one another.

Honestly though, realizing that the LoM knows something is going on with Dola elevates the entire concept? He feels something is wrong, but despite being able, does not force her confession. Wanting her to trust him, and wanting to trust her even though he knows it's a bad idea. One night, finding her when he's drunk, and pleading with her to lay her burdens on him, that they can work through it together, that he will support her every endeavor if only she let's him, and her turning him away. And then when she finally tells him, he feels all her masks slip away. He feels for the first time she is not hiding anything, and that is when she tells him for the first time that she loves him??? Ajdjsksksjdjdms

- 🐝

oh my god nonnie this whole thing sdhjkshdfjg I literally woke up less than a minute before this was sent in and this woke me up so good like shdjhsfdjg this honestly only loses out to the other concept because I adore the idea of scrappy runaway noble Dola having a rivals to friends to What Are We story with Sol

Plus I've got this idea stuck in my head (that I'm going to write I swear to god) of Dola resting at a little camp in the woods at night after an awful day, when Solomon suddenly shows up because he just happened to be around and saw sensed a familiar presence around the campfire. They have a little talk, for once not on the subject of whatever artifact they're fighting over, and Sol learns a little bit more about her now that they're just... talking.

(but really he just happened to be there during the worse part of Dola's day when something went horribly wrong and wanted to check on her >.< this whole short thing being before the rivalry becomes companionship but after Sol starts feeling that urge to help and mentor here aaaa)

But oh my fucking god nonnie this is all so so so good!! There's so much in here that I wanna mix into the other one somehow bc sdjhsdfjg holy hell

The whole thing with the family falling out of the FLoM's favor is so *chefs kiss* and little Dola and little LoM meeting but never really interacting???

And the bold move of the LoM choosing to marry Dolasach despite the bad blood between the families!!! I feel like no matter how he explains it, it's just going to come off as a move fueled by spite by the LoM even if his reasons for choosing her are entirely sincere and actually based off of positive emotions shdjfhdjfg

Honestly, the reasons for him choosing her are so... ;w; The vague memory of curious eyes, and the much more vivid one of actually feeling emotions that aren't just anger and hatred and grief when he looked upon her work. An attraction that formed from what he knows isn't enough basis for a real love, but he can't help himself, he's beyond curious and just has that gut feeling that this is something he needs to explore somehow. Even if all he knows of her is the face she presents to the public, one that allows her to succeed and thrive despite the disgrace her family has fallen into

(And perhaps a vague memory of seeing her and those curious eyes during her time in the castle)

Which, speaking of!! A foRBIDDEN ROMANCE WITH SOLOMON??? I'm not sure how old you envision them to be but like it's so sdhjk both ways, whether they're incredibly young or it being more recent, like in their later adolescence or early adulthood. Thinking of Sol being royalty at the time and trying to convince her to leave with him to his country, only for her to refuse because being that far from what's familiar and so young is so terrifying!! So cute if they were something like pre-teens, and bittersweet if older and actually capable. Both their hearts would be broken because who knows if they'd even ever see each other again because Sol comes from across the sea, and once he's older he'll struggle to even leave his castle.

So when they meet again it's the most thrilling and startling thing. I like to think that the LoM wouldn't have been aware of the secret romance at all--the two were amazing at keeping secrets after all,and the young lord was too busy to really pay attention to them.

When the LoM brings Solomon to Dola's studio within the castle, the tension is there and clear as day to the LoM. He gets an inkling that there's something the matter, but when he asks them if there was, the sorcerer's insistence that there's nothing wrong only registers as something not entirely true and he waits for when he and his wife are alone for him to ask for the full story.

AND THAT LAST PARAGRAPH!! Nonnie help me I am dying... just the absolute risk he's putting himself in by not forcing her to confess everything she's hiding to him like he would with any other person... Drunk LoM being so openly vulnerable and desperate, she's so close to finally cracking because it does kill her that she's doing this to him... But she's saved by the alcohol, and she gently lays her betrothed to bed, quietly crying as she caresses his face in his troubled sleep because she doesn't know what to do sdhkjshdfgkj

God nonnie this is all so so so so SO good beyond words like every little thing in here is making me wanna run around the house yelling!!!