#in roughly ascending order

[sunderwight]

Concept: Wei Wuxian and Hua Cheng as Luo Binghe's younger biological brothers, but it's like, a lot younger.

Like centuries on. TLJ's recovered from his mountain-flattening to the point where he has roughly the strength and capabilities of a decent human cultivator. The world has changed. The boundaries between the realms have gotten stronger, and the potency of demon blood based powers in the human realms have accordingly weakened. Lots of cultivators have ascended, and the current ranks of them are not nearly as impressive as they used to be. Luo Binghe and his husband have withdrawn into the demon realm to try and keep the peace and maintain stability, but TLJ doesn't feel such an obligation and prefers the human realms even when his power is a lot weaker there, so as the boundaries grow thicker, he just sort of sticks around on that side of the divide.

Eventually he takes on the persona of a wandering cultivator, observing the changes that various human sects and societies undergo. As true immortals become much more rare and the cultivation methods and philosophies change, TLJ starts taking on different personas every few hundred years, just to avoid becoming too conspicuous. He observes with interest as the various cultivation sects shift from meritocratic to dynastic inheritance, as the old sects either ascend too far from humanity or else fall into obscurity, while the new ones that take their place provide ample fodder for his soapy RPF stories and gossip mill. The boundaries between worlds become so thick that only beings of extreme strength can pass through, with the most prominent "demonic" forces in the human realms becoming resentful spirits and ghosts, although even so sometimes an item or creature still manages to chance upon a weak spot and cross over.

Beasts and cursed items that would once have been mere trifles for cultivators to deal with instead become major sources of conflict and nigh-indestructible foes. TLJ feels at times like he's watching insects wrestle with the consequences of someone carelessly discarding a piece of garbage in their path, fascinated by the lengths they must go to in order to deal with it, but then he too has his limits these days on how much he can even help (if he chooses to do so, which he doesn't always).

At one point he decides that he'd like to try living life more from the perspective of some of these barely-above-mortal level cultivators. Like choosing to play a game with extra handicaps on, just for the challenge of it. He takes on the identity of a new young cultivator, recently bereft of a master and looking to join one of the great sects, and takes on the name of Wei Changze. Striking up a friendship with the young master of the Jiang sect isn't difficult, and playing the role of servant and subordinate is pretty entertaining.

TLJ is not expecting to encounter one of Su Xiyan's reincarnations in the midst of all of this, but that's life for you.

The new Xiyan, Cangse Sanren, is a lot sweeter than the cold and cutting sugar daddy of days gone by. But she's still quite ruthless when she wants to be, and extremely talented, and she still falls into TLJ's orbit even when she has much more practical options at hand. How can he not fall in love all over again? Even when he thought she orchestrated his betrayal, he never fell completely out of love. He might be a jillion years old by now, but at heart he still wants his Xiyan to pamper and spoil him, and to return the favor as much as he possibly can.

TLJ's no saint. He's as greedy as any Heavenly Demon, especially when it comes to love. So he doesn't refrain from stealing his new Xiyan, Cangse, away from all rival suitors when the opportunity presents itself. When she gets pregnant, he becomes nervous about history somehow repeating itself. He sort of wishes she hadn't. But she's excited, and he never really got to experience this with her the first time. He's greedy for any and all experiences with her, in the end.

The baby is cute. TLJ likes him. This new son also takes after his mother, which is good too. He's not much like Zhuzhi Lang except for being a bit simplistic (because he's a baby) but TLJ feels a stirring in his heart strings not unlike the sentiments he once held for his poor doomed nephew, a stirring that grows in time to become genuine affection.

Intriguingly, this son of his doesn't show many signs of his heavenly demon heritage. It isn't potent enough to require a cradle seal. There are hints of it, here and there, but only to one who knows how to look for the signs of true demon blood. Which actually isn't all that surprising in the end, hybrids can turn out any number of ways. Still, TLJ feels confident that by the time he starts walking and talking, little A'Ying could survive on his own.

Humans tend to raise their children longer for that, though, and Cangse is very attached to their son. So TLJ is like, oh well, no need to cut the apron strings even if this third wheel stuff is dragging on a bit (Wei Ying is four). He's maybe even actively enjoying parenting! He's pretty sure he's improving at it as well, like he always makes sure his son has enough money to buy food before they leave him alone for a few weeks, even though the boy is big enough to hunt small game. Spoils him, really.

But of course, then tragedy strikes again. Despite being stronger than most stuff, TLJ is not nearly as powerful as he used to be, and he sometimes sucks at guesstimating the actual differential between him and some of the malicious ghosts out there. His attempt to satisfy Cange's ambitions and take on the Burial Mounds go disastrously, with Cangse once again dying on him, and TLJ ending up trapped in the resentful mire of the Burial Mounds, body nearly destroyed (again).

So he spends several years locked in a depression fugue state and also very slowly regenerating his destroyed parts, lost in memories and grief, eating a lot of dead humans (never his cuisine of choice, but he isn't rich on options) when one day some rancid little upstart throws down a corpse that isn't a corpse, and is also very familiar.

Why, it's Wei Ying! And he's basically a man now! TLJ's not sure exactly how much time has passed, but given how badly humans age these days, it's probably less than a century. Wei Ying is injured and having a rough time of it, it looks like his human cultivation has gone badly somehow, but he still has enough potency to his heavenly demon blood that he'd need to be dismembered and probably eaten before death would really stick. He's not entirely lucid, though, and the malicious ghosts in the Burial Mounds aren't helping.

TLJ figures, well, he is a father after all, and Cangse was so attached to their little dumpling. He'll help out! Just until the kid gets his legs back under him again. So as Wei Ying scrabbles in the dirt and writhes in torment against the dark energy of hostile ghosts, he also gets to hallucinate his father's half-rotted visage talking him through the basics of some demonic cultivation techniques that ought to help him crawl back out of this pit.

It's a good day when Wei Ying manages it. TLJ wishes him all the best, he truly does, and then he goes back to wallowing. For like five minutes (to him). Then somehow his clingy second son returns to the region, if not to his specific pit, and brings with him a gaggle of humans in varying states of distress and poor health. TLJ finds that the neighborhood has become noisy, but at least this noise involves some interesting news and gossip, and Wei Ying appears to be mastering some kind of hybrid ghost/demon cultivation technique that is pretty fascinating. Trust Cangse's son to be so creative! And he farms, too! Badly, but. Well. TLJ certainly can't throw stones, he's never once gotten the hang of gardening himself either. The only thing he's good at growing is parts of his own body, haha!

He's actually pretty upset when the human cultivators turn up and his son ends up getting torn apart and devoured by the backlash of his own innovations. TLJ briefly considers tearing himself out of his shallow not-grave to kill everyone involved, but that does sound like a lot of effort, and in his experience revenge just never works right anyway. So after a while he just crawls his way out more sedately, saves his energy and uses it to cross back over to the demon realm for a while.

He revisits his eldest son, and is like hmm this is how you decorate a palace? No no it's fine I guess. Where's Mobei Jun's little hamster man, has he written anything new lately? By which I mean in the past thousand or so years. Oh he has! Great! Also you had a younger brother for a while there. Yeah no he's dead now. But he did exist, I actually liked him, very creative boy. Shame about the angry mob.

To which Luo Binghe's response is basically some flavor of "I don't care" whereas Shen Qingqiu is genuinely distressed that Binghe had a brother and didn't even get to meet him.

TLJ hangs out for a while, reads through all of Airplane's latest works, recovers his strength, does some "bonding" side quests with Binghe courtesy of his son-in-law's meddling (doesn't really work), and then eventually decides to go back and see what's going on in the human realm again. He can't help it, he's just not really into demon culture that much, there are only so many years he can spend lounging around the place before he starts feeling itchy and recollecting every agonizing hour of youthful displeasure and boredom that defined his life as a prince.

Getting back to the human realm is even more difficult by the time he leaves again, though. The Heavens are being annoying about it. There are tiers of Heaven, of course, and lately the lowest tier (closest to earth) has been taking a fairly hard stance about keeping the realms apart. Probably because all those gods are still weak enough that even TLJ's failson could just smash them to pieces if so inclined, and the higher tiers have been consumed with their own celestial matters, so most of these junior gods haven't had much guidance and are convinced they are responsible for the order of the universe.

Imagine being less than a thousand years old, coming from the era where most cultivators don't even ascend anymore, and thinking you're hot shit just because you moved up a single rank in divinity. Whippernappers, all of them. TLJ would scold them but that sounds too much like hard work, and anyway they don't even know that he can listen in on their noisy little communication arrays and settle back with some popcorn to watch their dramas unfold. It's like his own personal television channel.

Though he doesn't let himself think directly about it too much, he is also on the lookout for another reincarnation of Xiyan. Things ending in tragedy twice can only make it more likely that they should go well the third time, right? Or, even if not... the tragedy might be tolerable, so long as there's a reprieve of togetherness beforehand again.

Alas, TLJ is not in luck for quite some time. In a moment of weakness he even settles for the pursuit of a spirited young commoner with a just-similar-enough kind of temperament to soothe the ache, before making him feel all the more unsatisfied in the aftermath. It's not that he imagines himself keeping faithful to a woman who has been dead (again) for ages and may or may not be reborn one day, it's more the feeling that having something near to the right thing is, in its way, even more unsatisfying than nothing.

Anyway, the young lady eventually tracks him down with news that she's pregnant, which TLJ supposes could plausibly be a result of their tryst. He gives her some money and tells her to contact him if the baby is weird, which does end up being the case (red eyes, clear demonic tendencies) so he provides some more compensation, at least until the kid is big enough to survive on his own. Then he just sort of peaces out to keep looking for Xiyan-Cangse Mark III, good luck to Third Son, it's not like this world is especially dangerous to a heavenly demon with blood that potent anyway.

Or rather, it shouldn't be, but plot twist: Third Son didn't get the regenerative abilities in the hybrid lottery. He dies on a battlefield. TLJ doesn't even hear about it, though he does eventually assume that the kid must have died because he's not hearing anything about a red-eyed conqueror or such after a few decades and that's unusual for Heavenly Demons. He's not too bothered in this instance, however, because he didn't let himself get attached this time. Smart of him. That whole Wei Ying business was just awful, he still thinks about it occasionally and he'd really rather move on.

Eventually a new ghost city crops up. TLJ doesn't think he'll find any version of Xiyan there, but he goes to check out the night life. Lo and behold, he finds himself spying a familiar face at the new gambling den, too. He's never heard of a Heavenly Demon becoming a ghost, but again, hybrids can be weird like that, and ghosts have filled a lot of the ecological niches left behind by the absence of demons. Ghost King, huh? Turns out Third Son is conquering his way across these piddly little realms. Good for him! Good for him. TLJ opts not to interfere. After all, he's not needed, the kid doesn't owe him anything, and he's mostly just in the city to collect gossip and enjoy the market. They get some interesting books.

He does cheer for this "Hua Cheng" when the kid beats a whole bunch of junior gods into the dirt. This must be the appeal of children's sports teams. The divine communication arrays start buzzing about this calamity, as the youths call it, and TLJ decides he's once again doing pretty good at this fatherhood business. Two interesting sons out of three isn't half bad!

The show gets even more entertaining when it turns out that Third Son has been carrying a candle for a particular disgraced god (Heavenly Demon romantic hyperfixation strikes again) and said god ascends once more, and this time there's all sorts of intrigue and plot twists in the heavenly court. It's so good that TLJ even goes to the effort of placing a call to the demon realms and magically livestreaming some of it to his son-in-law, who was so disappointed to miss seeing Wei Ying in action.

Unfortunately, the event he manages to livestream also features Hua Cheng dying. Whoops?

Well, it's a fittingly dramatic end to the story, even if his eldest son is pissed at him for upsetting his son-in-law with such things. His intentions were good!

As it happens, too, his divine livestreaming was a little more strongly broadcast than intended (well, he had to get it through the realms, that's not easy these days) and someone picked it up on the other side of the celestial divide as well. Specifically, one of the higher tiers of heaven. Which is how TLJ finds out that Wei Ying had actually come back from his first death, in a new body (smart kid!) and then subsequently hooked up with one of those Lan boys and ascended to godhood together.

After reuniting, Hua Cheng also proves resilient to the whole dying business, and so TLJ decides to make things up to Shen Qingqiu by organizing a family reunion.

His efforts initially garner interest from Wei Ying, coldness from Lan Wangji, glacial indifference from Hua Cheng, and some very cautious encouragement from Xie Lian (his sons all have impeccable taste in men), before the reunion finally happens and the gates of hell spring wide to bring forth the ultimate evil (Luo Binghe) and his better half, armed with some delicious banquet dishes and gifts for Shen Qingqiu's new brothers-in-law.

[wooyoungmybelovedhusband]

I HAVE A THOUGHT SBJABSKR

Note: this fic is pillow princess! Reader

Imagine Wooyoung makes you lay on your back, your legs up in the air with your pussy in his reach, all open for him while hes driving. And then he gently orders you to finger yourself, knowing how inexperienced you are at pleasuring yourself. He guides you to slowly push one finger inside your dripping cunt, groaning at the sloppy noises that are mixed with your whines.

"Fuck, daddy, I can't, i can't, want your fingers please."

Wooyoung almost moans at the way your whiny voice called out to him, trying to keep his eyes on the road. You almost squeal when his veiny fingers finally reach out to your pussy, slapping your clit twice before adding two of his long fingers inside you along with your own pumping fingers. "Don't pull out your fingers, baby." Your moans were almost audible to passing cars as his fingers are almost knuckles deep when he thrusts his fingers back into you.

"Rub your clit for daddy, princess." Your hand immediately comes down at his command, to meekly rub at your clit as your legs twitch up in the air.

Feeling you clench around his fingers, Wooyoung fastens his pace, roughly slamming his fingers inside you as your slick drips down to his black seats. A faint 'daddy' from you was enough for him to know you were close to cumming, "Go on, baby, cum for daddy."

A loud yelp leaves you as your cum squirts around his fingers, which still pace inside you at the same pace. Your hands coming down to hold his wrist for balance as your hips twitch from the orgasm.

Pulling his fingers out once you were a bit composed, Wooyoung pats your pussy which could be mistaken for slaps. "Good girl."

[IM ASCENDING RN SAWFGBRAEHHBDE]

[wordsfrombudha]

�� Moon Men: The Ultimate Male Fantasy

Before exploring the themes of Moon men, we must first understand the role of the nakshatras in the zodiac. In English, the word nākṣatra roughly translates to "that which does not decay," pointing to something timeless and beyond the reach of change. Unlike the material world, which is subject to constant flux and dissolution, the nakshatras, as the fixed stars, remain steady and embody the enduring essence of manifestation. They symbolize unchanging rta or universal order amid the shifting currents of cosmic activity. By offering a stable framework anchored in the heavens, providing an emphasis on divine principles, the nakshatra system allows for precise ritual and calendrical alignment, even as the positions of the Sun and planets continue to shift over time. This is why Vedic astrology maintains its reliance on sidereal calculations, despite extraneous factors like precession.

Unlike the rashis, which are solar in nature and express themselves through tangible resources and qualities of the material world, the nakshatras are lunar in nature. Rather than representing resources themselves, they reflect the management of those resources, the experiential dimension that shapes how we interact with the world. They are shakti, Parvati’s yoni for Shiva’s lingam. In this sense, the nakshatras are more personal than the rashis. For example, while Taurus, ruled by Venus, represents natural wealth and abundance in the world, it is through Krittika, Rohini, and Mrigashira that one becomes driven to engage with this wealth. Think about it: fruit without anyone to eat it has no experiential quality, no power or desire arising from external attachment. The rashi reveals the structure, while the nakshatra reveals the flow of prāṇa that is either projected onto or inherent within that structure. By understanding this, we begin to grasp the function and potency of the nakshatras and what they truly represent.

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Now that the technical foundations are in place, we can begin to explore how certain nakshatras manifest. In the Vimshottari dasha system of Jyotish, each graha governs three nakshatras. In this post, I will focus specifically on the nakshatras ruled by the Moon, with particular attention given to the themes that arise in men influenced by these asterisms. The nakshatras ruled by the Moon in Vimshottari are Rohini, Hasta, and Shravana, though I will primarily focus on their shared expressions as revealed through their trikona (trinal) relationship rather than their individual qualities.

Across time and culture, certain male figures have captured widespread attention. These are the men who dominate the social landscape, holding attention and admiration simply through their presence, ascending to a position of power and influence that others can only dream of. They are the ones who rise above the ordinary and whose natural status seems unassailable. They possess a magnetism that draws people in, and their standing places them above reproach.

Some examples:

It is within this ideal that the ultimate male fantasy begins to take shape.

Few figures embody this archetype of allure and magnetism as much as Chandra, the Moon in Vedic mythology. Myths surrounding Chandra always portray a magnetic power that draws others in without ever striving for overt control. As a god, Chandra is not one to assert dominance in the traditional sense, nor does he seek to command the world through force. His power comes from his very presence, in the way he influences the world around him simply by existing. The Moon's light is gentle, in contrast to the harsh radiance of the Sun. It turns something overbearing into a more welcoming and soft reflection. His presence commands attention in a way that feels both effortless and inevitable, and this engenders desire in others. This can be seen in the way his favoritism toward Rohini stirred jealousy among his other 26 wives, leading him to be cursed. Yet despite the conflict he tends to provoke, Chandra never seems desperate to claim what he desires. His very existence elicits admiration, drawing people toward him without effort. Even his curse, which causes him to wax and wane, only serves to deepen his mystique. It’s this constant shift and this subtle ebb and flow that enhances his magnetic appeal. Chandra’s story is one of subtle dominance, where influence is exerted through an inherent presence of gentle power, an aura of being effortlessly seductive and magnetizing, never needing to strive for what he already commands through his intangible influence.

We can also indirectly see the nature of Chandra through Vishnu's lunar incarnation: Krishna. Born into the Dvapara Yuga, an era of intense desire, struggle over wealth, and the pursuit of pleasure, Krishna moved through the world as someone whose charm and presence naturally pulled people in and elevated him to the position of authority with access to unparalleled pleasures of the era. Though his life was filled with complexity and contradiction, such as political turmoil, familial conflict, cosmic responsibility, he never lost the magnetic ease and sensuality that defined him.

From his earliest days, Krishna was adored. As a child in Gokul, his mischief and beauty captivated everyone, and as he grew, so too did the reach of his influence. The gopis of Vrindavan abandoned everything for a chance to dance with him under the moonlight. Radha, the soul’s deepest longing, became synonymous with his name because of the irresistible draw he created by simply being. As an adult, Krishna’s magnetism only intensified. He became a king, yet never ruled through fear or austerity. He had sixteen thousand wives. Yes, you read that right... sixteen THOUSAND. He did not acquire them through conquest or pursuit, but as women he liberated from captivity, who then chose to initiate a union with him. Despite the sheer number, each believed she held his full attention, each felt seen and cherished. His marriages echoed his ability to be everything to everyone, without appearing stretched or strained. Even Draupadi, though married to the five Pandavas, turned to Krishna in times of need. He was her protector, her confidant, the one whose presence alone brought reassurance and power.

Krishna's battlefield role in the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita is yet another window into this lunar quality. He never picked up a weapon. Even though he possessed an unparalleled ability in combat, he vowed not to fight. And yet, he was still the most powerful force on the field. As Arjuna’s charioteer, he guided without command, advised without imposing, and altered the course of an entire war through speech, presence, and subtle intervention. He wielded no blade, yet even the gods deferred to him. Yet despite all of his well-meaning glory, Krishna’s life is filled with acts that invite contradiction. He lies, steals, teases, loves many, and yet remains beloved and exalted. His wrongs are not punished but rather celebrated as plays of divine mystery. The rules that bind others seem to fall away around him. This quality of being above consequence, of being endlessly desired even when he disrupts the status quo, mirrors the archetype formed by Chandra. It is not through aggression, control, or rigidity that he gains influence. Rather, it is through a natural charisma and a sense of being restrained that is so deeply rooted in his essence that it shapes the world around him without ever needing to assert itself. Generally, it's said that Krishna was born during the 8th day of the waning moon, on the 8th night of the dark fortnight of the month Shravana. His birth is also associated with the Rohini Nakshatra, where most accounts of his kundli place his Moon and Ascendant.

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Among all the nakshatras, those governed by the moon are the ones most preoccupied with artha, or material wealth. All three moon nakshatras are situated within the earth signs. The element of earth corresponds to artha, which is the dominant pursuit in the Treta Yuga. Artha is not financial gain, but the broader focus on stability, status, resources, and the means by which one maintains and enhances their position through control in the world. In its highest sense, artha is the structure that supports dharma. It is the foundation upon which right action and spiritual growth are sustained. A person without artha (without land, wealth, or social footing) finds it difficult to fulfill obligations, care for others, or pursue deeper meanings. Thus, artha is not seen to be the same as greed; it is a rightful engagement with the material plane. It is power with purpose. Yet artha also carries a shadow. When detached from dharma, it becomes an end unto itself, status for its own sake, accumulation without higher use. In such cases, the pursuit of artha distorts perception, causing one to identify too closely with the outer symbols of value rather than the inner worth they represent. To master artha is to master one's place in the world. Not to renounce it, but to wield it without attachment. The moon, always waxing and waning, teaches that no possession is eternal. One important thing to note about Artha is that is directly opposed Kama, which is the desire for sensual pleasures. The more pleasure one seeks, the more wealth they will expend, and the more one is focused on preserving their wealth in a miserly way, the less pleasures they will be granted from their status. A wealthy man who never spends his money is not treated like a wealthy man at all. Artha is the dance of holding and letting go, of rising in influence only to remember one’s impermanence and loss. Those who understand this move through the material world like kings whose thrones are made of mist, ever present, powerful, and yet unattached.

When the energy is balanced, Moon men, gravitate toward artha not purely for luxury, but for security, belonging, and influence. They are the most loose with their wealth, so they constantly need to be attaining more to sustain their pleasure-seeking proclivities. This doesn’t only apply to money but also to social capital. The more someone is adored and respected, the more they can get away with. When the energy is imbalanced, Moon men will still seek artha, but their pursuit becomes detached from its original purpose. The accumulation of wealth, status, and influence becomes a form of self-definition, a way to assert their existence among others. What was once a means of securing one's place in an unforgiving world transforms into an obsession with control and image, where the lines between need and desire blur, and the pursuit of artha no longer serves a greater good but rather feeds an endless cycle of self-validation. As mentioned previously, their power lies in magnetic allure rather than force, and they draw wealth and status through visibility, favor, and social capital. This is especially evident in nakshatras like Rohini, where the pursuit of artha merges with beauty, charm, and sensual engagement with the world's abundance. This energy can be seen in multiple media examples where the conflict of the plot centers around accumulating wealth and power for various reasons, such as security, need for admiration, etc.

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Now that we have an understanding of the Moon’s energy in its nakshatras, we can begin to observe how it manifests in modern media. Media offers a valuable lens for recognizing the subtle influences of a person's energy, especially since the nakshatras operate on a subtle, implicit level. With that in mind, I want to explore some portrayals that I think reflect the nature of moon men and show how the energy of the Moon nakshatras comes to life through them. Ok, so first we need to understand what men in general want because it precisely these projections that shape moon men into who they become. So what is it men fantasize about? Once we understand this, we are well on our way to seeing how moon men move in the world.

The first thing many men fantasize about is to be sexually desirable. While women share this longing as well, it’s far more common for men to have to pursue women, rather than the reverse. What men want is the sense of being wanted without having to try or care. They want to exist in a state where they don’t have to perform, where desire is offered freely, and they are irresistibly magnetic to a point where it’s expected for people to fawn over them for doing nothing. Men crave the ability to be effortlessly charming, highly desired by women, and envied by other men, yet without the need for commitment or effort. Moon men often get to experience this magnetic appeal, particularly during certain stages of their lives where the moon's influence is heightened. It’s at these points that they rise to become the ultimate "sex symbols," embodying the archetype of passive indulgence, a kind of allure that says “I’ll give you what you want, but you have to come and get it.” The Moon, being the most sensual of the planets, carries with it an attraction that is inherently sexual, sometimes leading to infidelity or the conflicts inherent to forbidden romance.

One of the most evident ways this manifests is within the adult film industry, where Moon men are especially prevalent. Because they naturally draw more attention due to their sexual appeal, and they are focused on pursuing artha, their magnetic energy and widespread appeal can put them in situations where they use their attraction to make money. This can translate into a level of idolization in the adult entertainment world, where certain male porn stars or sec workers achieve a near-mythical status. The most famous and envied figures in the industry, such as Rocco Siffredi, Johnny Sins, Manuel Ferrara, Jason Luv, etc. are all Moon men. Their combination of sexual charism and effortless appeal resonates with male audiences, while their passive dominance and sensual passion appeals to female audiences, altogether making them icons in the world of adult entertainment as well as symbols of virility and unattainable sexual fantasy for many men.

This can be seen in the media portrayal of Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights.

Along the same line of physical prowess and sexual desirability, men want to embody strength and dominance in a way that commands respect and admiration. It is less so about wanting to fight and more so about knowing they’ll be able to effortlessly dominate if they do. They want to be noticed for their impressive physicality and stature. Moon men capture this ideal well. They are in a lot of action hero, lone wolf type roles, where they are never the ones to antagonize but still draw in conflict. They are quiet, brooding, and unshaken. Their presence alone is a challenge. They don’t speak often, but when they do, people listen. They don’t go looking for trouble, but they carry themselves in a way that says they could end it if it came. Their strength is not just physical but psychological. They do not need to prove anything because their capability is obvious. In a world full of noise, they are still. In a room full of people, they command the air. It is like a football captain or sports star whose physical aptitude elevates his status. It’s the kind of physical ability that makes others look up to you and grants you additional social power. In this context, being at the peak of athletic or physical performance is an expression of superiority in both the literal and social senses. I think overall Moon men are more concerned with how easy and enjoyable life is from a position of high physical status. They care more about how they look and are driven to chase the aesthetics as a way to cement themselves a stronger position in society. They seem like they don’t care, but they do. It is not uncommon for them to be bullied or outcast early in life, so many of them are seeking social prowess as a way to cope with the lack of belonging or respect they experienced in the past. It is also sometimes the case that they will isolate themselves to avoid judgment. Yet even when they do that, they are functioning from an external locus of control.

This gif is of David Laid. He was bullied for being skinny, so he started lifting not to fight but to be seen. Aesthetic bodybuilding gave him control. He wanted to be impressive, so he trained to change how people looked at him. The goal wasn’t to gain strength. It was about the visual, perceptive impact. His body became the answer to every insult and every time he was ignored. Now people can’t help but notice. He doesn’t need to act tough because he looks untouchable. What started as insecurity became his weapon. He built a body that speaks for him. Strong, captivating. It makes people look twice and automatically affords him a great deal of respect. It makes them want to be around him, love him, include him, and that’s all Moon men really want for themselves. Moon men tend to be very invested in self-improvement along with the obsession of being the best at everything.

A good example of how this looks together is the show Blue Mountain state

In line with the broader male fantasy of physical and social prominence, many men don’t want to chase or risk rejection. They want to be the gravitational center, drawing others in without having to prove themselves. They crave admiration without exertion, longing to be desired without having to reach. For Moon men, this is more than a fantasy; it is more often than not their lived experience. It is what they strive for, and in the case of many moon men, their presence alone becomes magnetic enough to invite attention, curiosity, and affection. They do not pursue as much as they attract. This passive allure is one of the most recognizable traits of Moon men. In relationships, they are in control and take on a more dominant role, always influencing things, but even so, they are rarely the ones to make the first move or to be the ones actually making decisions. While there are countless media examples that showcase this archetype, I’ll focus on just a few to illustrate how this dynamic plays out in narrative form. The important thing to pay attention to is that the Moon man is almost never the one trying to get someone else's attention or trying to pursue or dominate a woman (or man). The other person almost has to throw themselves at him or chase him down, and only then will he demonstrate his passion. Moon men are even partial to indulging the desires of those they have no initial attachment to. If someone pursues them, they kind of just go with it. They are very passionate and sensual, but this is not exclusive. Like the other Sattvic planets (Sun and Jupiter), Moon men are prone to giving of themselves indiscriminately, but because it is usually short-lived, it is much easier to sustain compared to something like Jupiter, which is all about union, commitment, and generosity. To think of it differently, the moon is like food, temporary but satisfying in its ability to nourish. Jupiter, on the other hand is like fat. It is protective and more lasting than food itself. Food comes and goes, but fat stays with you. It stores what is valuable. It prepares you for the future. The moon gives you what you need right now, while Jupiter ensures you’ll have enough later.

One example of this is Jack Reacher

Another example is Henry Cavill's Portrayal of Superman

You may be starting to notice another pattern in these examples. Each of these men carries a kind of freedom or superiority that places them outside the reach of ordinary consequences or limitations. They can feel that they do not have to answer to anyone, or even if they do that punishment won’t be that dire. This is not because they rebel against the system, but because they exist on the outskirts of it. Whether through wealth, charisma, status, luck, manipulation, or thievery, they have the ability to move through the world according to their own rules. This untouchability is part of their allure. They are not bound by expectations or emotional obligations in the same way others seem to be. Others naturally adjust themselves around these men without needing to be told. In this way, these men can feel above or exempt from the emotional negotiations and social rules that govern everyone else. This usually appears as quiet rule-breaking, con-artistry, underground criminal mischief, subtle disregard for rules, and an implicit belief that they are operating on an entirely different level that they become hedonistic and destructive.

I think hands down the best example for this is the show White Collar. Mirroring Chandra's curse, even though he is technically limited, it really doesn't make much of a difference in terms of the pleasures and luxuries he is able to enjoy. One important difference between sun and moon men is that sun men will steal and break rules out of necessity and a sense of justice, whereas men will steal and manipulate to get rich and because it brings them enjoyment. Moon men are good at it, and it’s fun for them.

Another good example is Catch Me if You Can. He can talk his way into anything, and the standard barriers just don’t seem to apply to him.

A recurring theme that begins to emerge with these examples is intelligence. Many Moon men are portrayed as brilliant minds, particularly as strategists, code-breakers, or hidden geniuses who see patterns others miss. Their intelligence is rarely loud or performative in real life, but in media, it gets hammered hard, with them frequently being portrayed as gifted geniuses and eccentric prodigies.

There are many examples I could give for this as well, from Imitation Game to Good Will Hunting to The Pretender

Ok, that's all that will fit into this post. Thank you for reading! My next post is goi in ng to be about their relationships and bonds.

[tyquu]

Absolutely love your prosthetic Ezra AU. Arts so wonderful and stunning (Sorry if I spell it wrong, English is not my first language)

If you don't watch Asoka show you can ignore my question, because of spoilers)))

I have a bunch of little questions. Ezra spent almost ten years in other galaxy. What is the quality of his prosthesis when he returned home? How did he deal with breakdowns without the right tools and parts?

Anyway, love your AUs and amazing art style!

Wahhh thank you so much! Glad to hear you like the AU!

So I haven’t actually finished Ahsoka (I know, im sorry 😭) but at this point I feel like I know roughly enough to take a crack at this! So here’s what I came up with;

So, Ezra’s cybernetic, as discussed in the post where I went into detail on it, requires pretty regular maintenance in order to function. Stranded on Peridea and without access to any med care/tech from the chimera, Ezra’s cybernetic would begin to go faulty within months.

At most he’d probably be able to make things just about work for three months post crash before it would have to come off. Grabbing a stick to use as a cane, there would be a few months where he has to really go back to basics, and it is not ideal.

However, Ezra would get crafty! Either with supplies he’d have stolen from the chimera or gathered on his own, and he’d end up with various self made peg legs! They aren’t perfect but with every iteration tend to get a bit better.

After staying with the Noti for a while, he’d finally have access to better materials and craftsmanship, and make a final design for his post crash prosthetic. It includes an adjustable buckle, prosthetic knee mechanism, and polished wood transtibial prostheses below the knee.

Obviously it would still need the occasional part replacement due to wear and tear as time goes on, but I don’t think it would change drastically from this point onwards, not until he gets back to lesser space of course, where I’m sure he’d go get checked out by a whole med team and possibly get his cybernetic replaced

But yeah!! That’s all I’ve got. I’m not a massive Ahsoka believer tbh, and I kinda split off in the middle to dabble a little bit on what an “Ezra and Thrawn in wild space adventures” prosthetic situation would end up being like. Especially with the possibility of introducing the ascendancy. But I decided to halt that train of thought for now so I could address the Ahsoka show specifically 🫡

Thanks again for the ask! Hope this sort of makes sense (and please do let me know if it doesn’t!) :D)

[nightlyrequiem]

Hey there, I love your writing! (you may know because I'm always around hehe). You're smooth, set a good flow even with the one shots, I look forward every Saturday to read a new chapter🥺 It's definitely the best girls for the girls writing!!!

And, I have a request hehe, I just read 'Weeping Angel' and I had the thought about Valeria finding a girl that works in her cartel who is the opposite, instead of crying she gets on with Valeria atitude.

Something about Valeria been rude, that harsh and mocking tone she has that's chef kiss, she screaming with her crew? Barking orders with her brows narrowed? Reader LOVES IT, just staying around looking with doe eyes at the cartel mami being a sexy leader all day.

Hiii Infeeeerno!!! I see you in my notifs all the time. Always makes me smile 🫂

I'm glad you're enjoying my writing, as a self-proclaimed girl lover, I naturally like to write for them

I can't even lie watching scenes where Valeria is angry just does something unspeakable to me. Something about aggressive outspoken women is just so... I say I want her to yell at me like that but I'm probably more like Reader in Weeping Angel

That being said I wouldn't mind her making me cry anyway

Tags/Warnings: Valeria Murders a Man, Valeria is Mean to Reader, Reader is Into it

Yell For Me

Valeria is yelling again. Someone messed up a shipment and it was costly. She's all but throwing a fit over it. The two men responsible are forced to face the brunt of her fury. She's throwing things and cursing. It's the most beautiful thing you've seen. Raw passion and emotion clings to every insult and curse she hurls at them. Valeria waves her arms around as she rants, the muscles in her biceps flexing with each movement.

"-Fucking idiots! How do you mess up such a simple thing?"

You almost feel ashamed over how attractive you find her when she's angry.

The men try not to react when she prowls closer. The smell of violence is in the air. She doesn't even hesitate when she pulls out her gun and shoots one of them in between the eyes. So sure of herself and her decision making. Valeria is a woman that knows what she wants and isn't afraid to be vocal when she doesn't get it. Before the other man can process what happened she's grabbing him by the hair and dragging him back roughly. Throwing him to the floor. You hear the breath knocked from his lungs.

You watch, entranced, as she beats him. Balling up her fists and repeatedly pounding into his face and chest. It's quick and efficient. Though he's still left twitching. It seems Valeria is feeling merciful today. She leans down close to his ear and hisses out a warning.

"Fuck up again and you'll be drifting home in pieces."

You want her to hit you and threaten you like that. Please, lord, just once let it happen? She stands and steps over his body like it's trash on the sidewalk. Valeria stalks past you and you turn and follow her dutifully.

You two walk into the elevator and wait while you ascend. Valeria's gray tank top has a few specks of blood staining the front. Speckled just under her rosary. She's still tense which has her flexing her arms unknowingly. You want to run your fingers over them. At a closer look you see small, silvery ropes of scar tissue littered among her arms.

"What the hell are you looking at?" She snaps, breaking your focus. Your eyes snap up to hers. Meeting her glare head on.

"Nothing." You murmur. 

"Well cut it out, pendeja." She growls. "It's rude to stare. Ya deberías saberlo, imbécil."

"Sorry." Though you're not really sorry.

The elevator doors slide open and she's out. You follow close behind like an over eager puppy.

"You!" Valeria says harshly, pointing at a man going over inventory. He jumps and looks at her.

"What?"

"Go to the warehouse by fifth and make sure everything is accounted for." She demands. Brows lowered. Valeria has one of those voices that commands attention even when it's not barking orders at you. When she's not yelling, she's usually being sarcastic and sneering at whoever she's speaking to. Like they're stupid and inconveniencing her by talking to her. The man nods and scurries off. She rubs a hand over her face. Something she does when she's getting a headache - and you're delighted to be privy to that information. "We have paperwork to do." she says.

Valeria can feel your eyes boring into the side of her head. She tries to ignore you while she works. You're weird. Valeria thinks of you as strange. She's seen that look on your face whenever she's bitching someone out. Eyes wide and glazed over, lips parted like she's giving the most compelling speech to ever grace your ears. Even when she's yelling at you for doing something wrong you have that look. She suspects you're into that kind of thing. It's not like she purposefully puts on a show for you sometimes. Playing up her anger to worse than it is. Even if she was, so what? Valeria isn't the type of person to be looked at with awe, and while she does revel in the fear and hate, it feels nice to be looked at differently.

It's hard to find someone who is able to withstand her temper and sharp tongue. Not only are you able to withstand it, but you seem to like it.

"You're staring. Again." she drawls. Looking up at you with an unamused expression. Anyone else would look away under her withering glare, not you though.

"Sorry."

But you're not. She leans back in her chair and rests her forearm on her desk. Not subtly flexing it for you. "Did you do anything productive, or have you been staring this whole time?" She snaps at you. "You told me you could handle this work, but it feels like something as simple as paperwork is too hard for you."

"I can do paperwork." You reply. Your voice is quiet but not because you're hurt or scared.

"Then do it." she says dryly. You look down and return your attention back to your task. You're weird, but Valeria likes that you aren't scared of her. Valeria likes the way you look at her, like you're five seconds away from pouncing on her.

It's hard to focus on your work when Valeria is only a few feet away. The desire to look at her face, mature in a way that only age and stress can do, is strong. She's strong, and aggressive, and homicidal, and so, so hot. You need her to scream at you, then you'll die happy.

"When we're done, we're going to go bet something to eat." She says. It's a command, not a request.

"Like, you and me?" You ask hopefully.

Valeria sighs irately. "Do you see anyone else in the room I could be referring to?" She asks dryly. 

"Right." You smile.

Valeria shakes her head and mutters under her breath.

"So..." You pipe up after a few minutes, watching her scowl when you do anything besides work. "Are we going to dinner in a date way?"

"Did you inhale paint fumes as an infant?" Valeria retorts. "Yes, it's a date. If you keep asking me dumb questions it won't be anymore."

"Sorry." You reply, still smiling dumbly. Forever unperturbed by her words.

[areyoufuckingcrazy]

“The Butcher and The Wolf”pt.2

Commander Wolffe x Princess Reader

R4 trilled while plugging data‑spikes into the sleek shuttle’s nav‑computer; TC polished the boarding ramp as though senators would rate its shine. Inside, [Y/N] sealed a crate of festival gifts—kyber‑laced lanterns, citrus‑spiced tihaar—when the hangar doors parted.

In strode Master Plo Coon and Kenobi, with his most innocent smile. Behind them Commander Cody and an impeccably straight‑backed Commander Wolffe.

Kenobi surveyed the scene, eyes twinkling. “My lady, I trust Coruscant treated you… memorably?”

Plo’s mask inclined. “Yes, I understand you’ve already formed a—shall we say—effective working rapport with our best security personnel.”

TC’s head swiveled. “If you refer to last night’s flawless briefing, Masters, I assure you my presentation notes were—”

“—copied from my schematics,” R4 beeped smugly.

Kenobi chuckled. “Quite. Though some reports suggest the princess herself gathered more… field intelligence than anticipated.”

Wolffe’s helmet visor dipped a millimeter; only Cody saw the pained grimace. He murmured, “Steady, vod, you’ve faced droid armies—Jedi teasing won’t kill you.”

[Y/N] kept a serene smile. “Coruscant was enlightening, Master Kenobi. Your commanders are… thorough.”

“Thorough,” Kenobi echoed, barely suppressing a grin. “An admirable quality.”

Plo produced a data‑chip. “Your Highness, these are revised escort protocols for the festival. The Council looks forward to cooperating.”

Cody added, “Wolfpack leads the clone detachment. We’ll rendezvous in orbit over Karthuna.” He patted Wolffe’s pauldron. “Commander is eager to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

Wolffe managed, “Honored to serve, Princess.” Translation: please let the floor swallow me.

R4 gave a warbling laugh. TC translated dryly, “R4 suggests the commander already has extensive knowledge of our customs—particularly nightlife.”

Kenobi coughed into his sleeve; even Plo’s mask seemed to smile.

[Y/N] ascended the ramp, pausing beside Wolffe. Low enough for only him: “Try not to judge anyone before second breakfast, Commander.”

He answered just as quietly, “Next time, title first, drinks second.”

Her wink was pure mischief. “Where’s the fun in that?”

With diplomatic farewells exchanged, the Jedi departed, Cody dragging a still‑smirking Kenobi. Wolffe lingered as engines warmed, visor reflecting the princess who had upended his meticulously ordered world.

R4’s hatch closed, TC waved primly, and the shuttle lifted skyward—toward open borders, a five‑day festival, and a reunion sure to test the Wolf’s composure more than any battlefield.

⸻

Commander Wolffe had survived orbital bombardments, trench sieges, and General Grievous’s cackling—but nothing tested endurance like the embassy’s protocol droid at full lecture speed.

TC strode the aisle between jump‑seats where Wolffe, Boost, and Sinker buckled in.

“…and the Festival of Dawning begins with a kuur‑vaan procession. That translates roughly as ‘dance of a thousand sparks,’ involving micro‑kyber filaments that ignite in sequence—quite breathtaking, provided you wear appropriate eye shielding. Now, the correct greeting is ‘Gal’shara’ with palms outward—never inward, or you imply the listener lacks honor. Also, avoid offering your left hand—historically used for bloodletting rituals dating back—”

Sinker slumped. “Commander, permission to eject myself through the air‑lock.”

Boost whispered, “Could be worse—could be a Senate speech.”

TC continued, undeterred. “—and if you’re offered sapphire tihaar, remember it’s an apology drink, not casual refreshment. Accepting without cause is tantamount to admitting fault. Speaking of fault, did you know the northern fault‑line—”

Wolffe pinched the bridge of his nose. “Droid, compile this in a datapad. My men will study quietly.”

“Oh, certainly, Commander. I have already prepared a 312‑page primer, complete with holo‑graphs.”

Sinker mouthed three‑hundred‑twelve?! Boost mimed choking.

⸻

[Y/N] sat cross‑legged in her cabin, R4 projecting a secure blue holo of King Talren—silver‑bearded, stern eyes softened only for his daughter.

“Little Dawn,” he greeted, using her childhood nickname, “I won’t waste time. Loyalist scouts uncovered three insurgent cells. Extremists insist reopening our borders is betrayal; some whisper of Separatist aid.”

A map flared beside him—red sigils in mountain passes.

“I need those cells silenced before the festival opens,” the king said. “You know the terrain. Take whatever force is required, but keep off‑worlders uninvolved. This must look like an internal matter.”

[Y/N] bowed her head. “It will be done, Father.”

The holo faded. R4 beeped a query.

“Prep infiltration loadouts,” she answered. “Low‑flash sabers, sonic mines, and two squads of Shadow Guard on standby. We strike first nightfall.”

R4 warbled approval, projecting tactical overlays. She added waypoints, carving silent routes Wolffe’s clones would never notice.

⸻

Later, passing Wolffe in the corridor, [Y/N] offered a casual nod. He paused, as if sensing undercurrents, but protocol kept him silent.

Behind him TC called, “Commander, I neglected to mention Karthunese dining order—if the Princess serves you last, it’s actually a sign of high esteem—”

Wolffe muttered a prayer for battlefield blasterfire to drown out etiquette lessons.

In her quarters, [Y/N] traced insurgent sigils on the holo with a gloved fingertip, resolve hardening. Opening Karthuna’s doors to the galaxy meant showing strength the old way—quiet, decisive, unseen.

And if the Wolf and his troopers never learned how the festival stayed peaceful, all the better.

⸻

The twin suns of Karthuna cast copper light over the obsidian‑paved sky‑dock as the Republic cruiser settled with a hiss of repulsors. King Talren stood flanked by honor guards whose sun‑metal armor threw brilliant flares into the air. Behind him waited the planetary senator, Senator Vessar, and the ever‑skeptical Governor of Interior Works, Governor Rhun.

The ramp dropped. Out strode Masters Plo Coon and Kenobi, Chancellor Palpatine in ceremonial crimson, a cluster of senators, and the clone detachment led by Commanders Cody and Wolffe flanked by Boost and Sinker.

Talren bowed with a warrior’s economy. “Karthuna welcomes the Republic. May the Force greet you as friend and guest.”

A respectful murmur answered. Yet even before introductions concluded, his daughter slipped to his side, murmured, “Urgent Shadow Guard matter, Father,” and—still in civilian vest and braid—beelined for a sand‑silver speeder.

Wolffe’s visor tracked her, but protocol held him. Engines howled; the speeder vanished down a cliff‑side lift‑tube toward the high passes.

Talren inhaled—the first lie ready on his tongue.

⸻

Kenobi stepped forward, large smile in place. “Your Majesty, we look forward to your famous Festival of Dawning.”

“As do we all,” Talren replied, steering the party toward the citadel’s balcony overlooking the festival valley—far from launch bays or military comms.

Chancellor Palpatine clasped gloved hands. “Your daughter leads the festivities, does she not? I had hoped to congratulate her.”

“She prepares a…surprise presentation,” Talren said smoothly. “Artists’ temperaments, Chancellor.”

Governor Rhun muttered just loud enough, “More like a warrior itching for mischief.”

Senator Vessar chimed in, tone dripping dry humor, “I assure our off‑world partners the princess habitually vanishes moments before debuting something spectacular—or spectacularly dangerous.”

Talren fixed them both with a steel‑edged smile that promised discussion later.

Plo Coon shifted his weight, Kel‑Dor mask unreadable. “Your Highness, Clone Commander Wolffe will require coordination with your security captain.”

“Of course.” Talren gestured toward the fortress doors. “Commander, my staff will relay schematics over luncheon. Meanwhile, allow me to show the Chancellor our kyber‑terraced gardens—quite safe, I assure you.”

Wolffe’s unspoken protest died behind the visor; duty bound, he followed Cody toward a briefing alcove where TC awaited with yet another data‑slab. Talren breathed easier: one crisis delayed, if not averted.

As the king guided the diplomats through colonnades, Governor Rhun leaned in: “You risk interstellar incident if the princess sparks bloodshed while the Republic picnics outside our walls.”

Talren’s voice stayed velvet, danger beneath. “Better insurgent blood in the mountains than senator blood in the streets.”

Senator Vessar added, half‑teasing, “If she returns with soot on her boots, I shall schedule extra press holos to reframe it as heroic cultural demonstration.”

Kenobi caught the whisper, grin curving. “Your court seems…spirited, Majesty.”

Talren allowed the tiniest exhale of amusement. “Karthuna has waited fifteen years to step back onto the galactic stage, General. We intend to give a performance worth the ticket.”

Above them, fireworks crews tested micro‑sparklers; bright hisses masked the distant roar of a speeder blazing toward insurgent territory.

In a quiet moment against the balcony rail, Talren gazed over valley tents blooming for festival week, mind split between choreography of diplomats and the razor‑work his daughter undertook beyond those peaks.

He whispered to the wind, “Return swift, Little Dawn.”

⸻

By mid‑afternoon the princess was still missing.

Commander Wolffe stood on the citadel parapet overlooking the valley’s bustling festival city, visor fixed on the distant scar of mountains her speeder had taken.

Local Sun‑Guard Captain Arven stepped up, spearhaft tapping stone.

“Enjoying the view, off‑worlder?”

“I’d enjoy it more if your crown heir were within com‑range,” Wolffe replied. “Transmit her last coordinates.”

“Princess has classified authority.”

Wolffe’s servo‑joint clicked as his gauntlet clenched. “My mandate is to protect every Republic dignitary on this rock—including her.”

Arven smirked. “Karthuna protected itself centuries before troopers in white armor needed it. Stand down, Commander.”

Cody’s voice crackled through Wolffe’s comlink: “Easy, vod. Diplomacy first.”

Wolffe never took his eye from the peaks. Diplomacy ends when the VIP bleeds, he thought—and weighed the odds of “borrowing” a gunship.

New LAATs screamed in, disgorging Jedi and clones.

Anakin Skywalker and Ahsoka Tano with the 501st, assigned to guard Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo and a cadre of Core‑World legislators.

Masters Mace Windu and Ki‑Adi‑Mundi arrived with Commanders Ponds and Bacara respectively, doubling ground strength.

Skywalker clapped Wolffe’s pauldron. “Heard your princess pulled a disappearing act—sounds like my kind of trouble.”

“Not helping, General,” Wolffe growled, though Ahsoka’s sympathetic grin eased his temper a notch.

Senators debarked in a flurry of aides, holo‑recorders, and fashion impractical for mountain air. Festival staff hustled to reroute them toward reception halls—distraction, Talren hoped, until his daughter returned.

Master Yoda, leaning on his gimer stick, sought King Talren atop a sun‑warmed terrace strewn with kyber wind‑chimes. The diminutive Jedi regarded the monarch’s sun‑metal cuirass and the twin‑bladed saber at his hip.

“Strong in the Force, your people are,” Yoda began. “Yet light and dark you name not. Curious, this is.”

Talren inclined his head. “Master, on Karthuna we are taught: there is no dawn without night. Deny darkness, and daylight loses meaning. Balance is not the absence of shadow, but its harmony with light.”

“Hmmm.” Yoda’s ears twitched thoughtfully. “Unnatural, you say, to void one side?”

“As unnatural as silencing half a heartbeat,” Talren answered. “We do not fear the shadow; we fear imbalance.”

Wind‑chimes chimed like distant sabers. Yoda closed his eyes, absorbing the resonance.

“Much to learn, even I have,” he murmured. “And much to guard, we both must.”

Talren’s gaze drifted to the mountains. “Agreed, Master Yoda. Balance must sometimes be defended by hidden blades.”

⸻

Sunset torched the valley when a sand‑silver speeder roared through the citadel gates. Clone guards scrambled aside as [Y/N] leapt off, still in dust‑streaked vest and combat shorts. She vaulted a barricade, sprinting for the grand foyer.

“Hey—civilian access is restricted!” bellowed Commander Fox, Crimson Guard staff lowered across her path.

She halted, breath steady despite the climb. “I live here, thanks.”

Before Fox could run ID, Chancellor Palpatine emerged from a delegation knot, eyes narrowing with fox‑like curiosity.

“My dear, racing through secure halls in such…practical attire—is something amiss?”

[Y/N] offered a flawless court bow that contrasted sharply with her grime‑spattered boots. “Merely last‑minute festival preparations, Chancellor. Please excuse me; I must dress for the gala.”

Palpatine’s smile sliced thin. “Ah, duty never rests. I look forward to your presentation this evening.”

Fox straightened as realization dawned. “Wait—you’re—”

She winked. “Classified, Commander.” Then slipped past, leaving red armor and red robes equally bemused.

In her chamber, TC fussed with brocade gowns while R4 powered a sonic shower.

“Your Highness, the schedule is punishing: welcome gala at nineteen‑hundred, holo‑address at twenty‑two, and saber exhibition by dawn.”

“Then we’d better look lethal and lovely,” [Y/N] said, toweling off. She chose a floor‑length gown of midnight silk that clung to sculpted muscle, high slits revealing thigh holsters for compact hilts. Sun‑metal pauldrons mirrored her crown, but the gown’s sleeveless cut displayed the lattice of scars down both arms—plasma burns, shrapnel lines, duelist nicks—each a story she refused to hide.

TC clipped the circlet into her damp hair. “Might I suggest gloves to soften the, ah, impression?”

She flexed scarred fingers. “No. Let the galaxy see what Karthuna’s balance looks like.”

R4 projected her entrance route. She studied it, then smiled. “Time to charm senators, silence rumors, and—perhaps—make a wolf squirm.”

⸻

A fanfare of crystal horns cut through conversation. Doors parted, revealing Princess [Y/N] radiant in midnight silk and sun‑metal crown, scars on her bare arms glinting like silver filigree. Senators gasped—half at the regality, half at the unapologetic battle‑marks.

Master Kenobi murmured to Skywalker, “Grace and menace in equal measure—definitely your type, Anakin.”

Skywalker smirked. “She’d have me for breakfast.”

Padmé Amidala complimented the gown’s craftsmanship; [Y/N] returned praise for Naboo’s relief programs, steering talk away from rumored insurgents.

Master Windu approached her, he attempted to discuss security perimeters; the princess assured him Karthuna’s Shadow Guard had “every shadow covered.”

Across the room, Governor Rhun whispered to holoreporters, stoking stories of her “reckless mountain excursion.” TC hovered, intercepting leading questions with cutting etiquette lessons.

Commander Wolffe, helmet clipped to belt, stood near a terrace arch with Cody and Plo Coon. When [Y/N] approached, conversation faltered like a blaster misfire.

She offered a delicate curtsy—mischief in her eyes. “Commander, I trust the briefing notes were…illuminating?”

“They were extensive,” Wolffe said evenly. “Yet somehow omitted your talent for disappearing.”

“Ah, but every good security test includes an unscheduled drill.” She stepped closer, voice just for him: “You passed—eventually.”

The faintest flush darkened Wolffe’s neck. “Next time give me a comm frequency, not a cliff to chase.”

[Y/N] arched a brow. “And deny you the exercise?” Her fingers brushed the edge of his pauldron as she glided past. “Meet me on the terrace at midnight—strictly business, of course.”

Wolffe exhaled—half growl, half laugh—as Cody elbowed him, grinning. “Careful, vod. That one dances with both halves of the Force.”

Strings struck up Karthuna’s dawn‑waltz. Jedi mingled with diplomats while clone troopers ringed the hall’s perimeter. Suspicion, politics, and bright music braided in the air—yet for a heartbeat, harmony held.

In the high galleries, R4 scanned faces, feeding the princess data on a Separatist envoy concealed among trade delegates—tonight’s real threat.

Midnight loomed, and outside the terrace doors, mountain winds whispered of balance, blades, and a wolf answering a princess’s call.

⸻

Princess [Y/N] leaned against the balustrade, moon‑silver kissing the scars on her shoulders. Commander Wolffe stood close, arms folded—attempt at stoic ruined by her playful tug on the strap of his pauldron.

“Still on duty, Commander?” she teased.

“Always.”

“So devoted,” she murmured, fingers ghosting along the seam where synth‑skin met armor. “Makes a woman wonder how else that focus might—”

A scarlet bolt sizzled through the ballroom windows. Shouts. Glass rained like crystal hail.

Inside, Governor Rhun lay sprawled behind an overturned buffet, cloak smoking at the shoulder. Clone guards returned fire toward upper galleries; a masked shooter vaulted onto a chandelier cable and vanished in a flash‑grenade’s glare.

Skywalker, Ahsoka, Windu ignited sabers; Cody’s troopers fanned out. Wolffe ushered [Y/N] through the shattered doors into the throne corridor, senators scrambling behind.

⸻

Heavy doors slammed. Present: King Talren, Chancellor Palpatine, Masters Yoda, Windu, Kenobi, Commanders Cody, Wolffe, Ponds, Bacara, Senator Padmé, and a handful of shaken delegates. Rhun, arm bacta‑wrapped, was dragged in by medics.

Tension whipped like live wire.

[Y/N] broke the silence, voice flat: “Pity the shooter missed.”

Gasps; Wolffe’s helmet snapped toward her.

Rhun snarled. “Should’ve been you that got shot!”

She advanced, eyes blazing. “I opposed reopening our borders. Tonight proves me right. We invited every power broker in the war to one valley—painted a target the size of a moon.”

King Talren’s tone cut ice. “Peace requires risk.”

“Blind risk courts massacre,” she shot back. “Insurgents in our mountains, Separatist agents in our ballroom—now assassins under our roof.”

Palpatine interjected silkily, “Surely, Princess, the Republic can strengthen your security.”

“More soldiers won’t erase the bull’s‑eye you represent, Chancellor.”

Mace Windu’s gaze narrowed. “You suggest isolation while the galaxy burns?”

“I suggest survival,” she answered.

Arguments flared—senators citing diplomacy, clones citing protocol. Wolffe stepped between factions, voice drill‑sergeant sharp: “Focus. Assassin is still loose. Mandates later, lockdown now.”

Plo Coon, calm amid storm, nodded approval.

King Talren exhaled. “Commander Wolffe, you have joint authority with my Shadow Guard. Hunt the shooter.”

Wolffe met [Y/N]’s gaze—heat of earlier flirtation replaced by razor respect. “Princess—coming?”

She clicked twin sabers to her belt. “Lead the way, Commander.”

Rhun blanched; Padmé exchanged a knowing look with Kenobi—battle partners born.

The moment the throne‑room doors slammed behind them, [Y/N] was already moving—midnight gown gathered in one fist, the other dropping her double sabers into waiting palms.

Wolffe fell in at her shoulder, DC‑17 raised. The marble corridor echoed with their synchronized footfalls.

“Shadow Guard breach tunnel’s this way,” she hissed, sweeping aside a wall‑tapestry to reveal a spiral stair cut straight into obsidian.

He nodded once. “After you, Princess.”

The air grew cooler, alive with a faint crystalline hum. Iridescent kyber veins glowed within the stone, casting violet and jade shadows across their path.

Wolffe switched his helmet lamp to low‑band; [Y/N] didn’t bother—her people’s Force‑attuned sight caught every shimmer.

A blaster scorch on the stair railing.

“Fresh,” she murmured.

“Means we’re close,” Wolffe replied, pulse settling into the calm that preceded battle.

The stair disgorged them into a vast cavern—kyber pillars rising like frozen lightning. At the far end, the assassin’s silhouette leapt between crystal spires, cloak tattered by security bolts.

Wolffe’s comm clicked twice—Boost and Sinker sealing exits above.

“Corner him,” Wolffe ordered.

“Alive,” [Y/N] added. “I want intel before he bleeds out.”

They split wordlessly: Wolffe low along a mineral ridge, [Y/N] sprinting the high ledge, gown whipping behind like a war‑banner.

The assassin spun, twin WESTARs barking scarlet. Wolffe dove, bolts sparking off crystal as [Y/N] sprang from above, sabers igniting.

A vibro‑dagger flicked from the assassin’s wrist—met by Wolffe’s gauntlet, beskad plating deflecting the strike. He slammed the butt of his pistol into the assailant’s ribs.

“Yield,” the commander growled.

A hissed curse the killer smashed a detonator against the pillar. Kyber screamed as fractures spider‑webbed, light flaring.

[Y/N] threw Wolffe back with a Force‑shove and thrust both sabers into the crystal, channeling energy away in a surge of blinding radiance. The explosion muted to a concussive thump; shards rained harmlessly.

When vision cleared, the assassin lay dazed, binders already clamping on under Wolffe’s practiced hands.

“Who hired you?” the princess demanded.

The prisoner spat blood, defiant. “Karthuna’s own who crave true freedom—and the Confederacy rewards such courage.”

Wolffe’s visor tipped toward [Y/N]. Confirmation.

⸻

Governor Rhun’s voice boomed across the ballroom remnant—holocams hovering:

“This outrage proves openness invites anarchy! I petition immediate curfew, martial oversight by local forces, and expulsion of unnecessary off‑world elements!”

Several senators, rattled, murmured agreement. Separatist sympathizers whispered through the crowd, feeding fear.

Master Windu folded his arms. “Governor, the assassin wielded Separatist tech. Cooperation with the Republic, not isolation, thwarts such threats.”

Rhun’s smile was razor‑thin. “Yet my princess would see me dead; perhaps the Council should examine internal loyalties first.”

King Talren’s reply was cut short by the distant rumble of kyber—catacomb fight vibrations reaching high halls. Panic rippled anew.

Wolffe and [Y/N] emerged, armor and gown dusted in crystal powder, prisoner in tow. Gasps rippled through assembled officials.

“Governor Rhun,” [Y/N] announced, voice carrying. “Your assassin failed. And he’s confessed to Separatist backing—backing that feeds on fear you happily sow.”

Rhun’s complexion drained.

Palpatine stepped forward, tone silken. “A grave accusation, Princess. Proof?”

Wolffe activated the assassin’s cracked vambrace: a holo‑sigil of the Techno Union flickered. That, plus recorded confession from his helmet‑cam, filled the air in chilling blue.

Yoda’s ears drooped, sad but certain. “Darkness invited not by borders, but hearts seeking power, yes.”

Arguments flared, but now the tide shifted: senators demanding inquiry into Rhun’s dealings, Jedi reinforcing joint patrols, clones and Sun‑Guard sharing data rather than territory. The assassin was led away.

In the aftershock, [Y/N] turned to Wolffe, adrenaline still bright in her eyes.

“You kept up,” she said softly.

“You lit up half a mountain,” he retorted, relief threading the words.

A grin tugged her lips. “Balance, Commander—little light, little dark.”

His chuckle surprised them both. “Next time, maybe just a dance.”

She offered her arm—scarred, unhidden. He took it, escorting her back into the fractured ballroom where a new balance—uneasy, hard‑won—waited to be forged.

Previous Part

[katyspersonal]

Do you think there’s any connection between Heolstor and the “Lord of Night” tbh at the Eternal Citiess were trying to create?

So far I definitely think so! My last notable moment in Nightreign was that I've found a Larval Tear in the Eternal City as Wylder, when there was an implication that he got an idea to become a new Nightlord to save Duchess from getting nuked together with the Roundtable! Pretty sure I've unlocked some secret ending with that, but the fact that Nox' practice is involved in the very act convinces me!

I would of course like to get all pieces of the puzzle, but so far seems like the Lord of Night is a status that you can be born/created into (there is an implication that Recluse has an infant like that that I am yet to see with my own eyes because I suck at playing as her) or be REborn into (like how Heolstor was raised from the dead and is no longer the person he used to be, or whatever Wylder is going to do). Which is fair, because one can't be chosen by the Two Fingers, simply because Lord of Night appears to be antagonistic force to Two Fingers, and perhaps even the Greater Will itself!

(Sorry I had screenshots but I forgot to copy them) I did point this out in this ( x ) post already, but to repeat: in the original Japanese script, Ranni swears that the Night is "now infinitely far away", rather than it is coming now.

A back-and-forth with localisations or not, but I believe that notion, because so far I can see it confirmed with my own eyes: Ranni removes the Elden Ring very far away from anyone's reach, so no one can use it to tamper with fates and laws of nature and instead people return their "true" fates written in the stars, whereas Heolstor claims and corrupts the Elden Ring! I wonder whether Ranni convinced the Black Knives to help her with the promise to bring the "Night", but turned out her actual plan was to simply not let anyone have the power to bring it, and the reason Black Knives attacked Blaidd and Iji was actually because they've learned they got scammed XD

Before Nightreign launched, I thought that maybe Lord of Night was supposed to take turns with whoever currently claims it for the Gold/Sun/Light, similarly to how Lord of Dark was supposed to take turns with Lord of Light in the Dark Souls trilogy (before Gwyn ruined the course of nature)! Now that "artificial" nature of the Nightlord feels more apparent, I think it were instead Nox who at least attempted to change the course of nature!

The initial Greater Will's plan was to create life, and have Elden Ring/Beast as a tool of changing nature by whoever the Two Fingers choose. Marika is not called 'Eternal' for no reason, of course; she attempted to become the one and final owner of the Elden Ring, destroying any risks of her Erdtree era ever falling (more notably Gloam-Eyed Queen, Fire Giants or Nomads that allegedly worshipped Frenzied Flame). Although the Two Fingers chose other Empyreans, it doesn't seem like Marika never letting anyone else rule wasn't strictly against their ideas; she was still doing her job as an Empyrean/God! However, changing owners of Elden Ring or not, but Nox were the ones who considered themselves worthy of the same power as Two Fingers! The fall of their civilisation happened long before Marika ascended it seems, I think they were roughly contemporary with Rauh? But in a way, they wished to kill God and take its place and its power, and Lord of Night was their equivalent of choosing an Empyrean! It is the story of hubris! Or, perhaps, an actually heroic rebellion?

(@sahashbelvanie sorry I took your images from the post ( x )) Heolstor seemed like a very good candidate for the Lord of Night, being naturally antagonistic to the Erdtree and Golden Order already. He is being held back by the golden runes, albeit in vain! Apparition of the gone Erdtree is the last power to stand against the Night. Meanwhile, Heolstor's people were wiped out by Godfrey, and even in the base Elden Ring his sorrow causes endless rains ( x ).

Now, I really don't think that some Nox girl basically dug him out of the pile of corpses and appointed him fdshfhds What I do think happened, is that in Nightreign, somewhere roughly past the events of the Shattering, Nox kept working underground and succeeded at creating the essence of the 'Night' itself! And this essence is "homed" to find a worthy vessel for the anti-GW ideals Nox put it on! Someone that despised Erdtree and Golden Order, the latest iterations of the Elden Ring's power, worked well to worm its way into.

Again: an actual antagonist of the Greater Will is Frenzied Flame, but the Night is antagonistic in terms of authority! So, no Outer Gods and not Two Fingers but men would choose the course of nature and the person to rule it, and they would never be forced in the "caged divinity" like Marika or others! 'Stars' were a decent compromise, because true fates of humans are aligned in the stars and it was better than Greater Will, and then Two Fingers, basically appointing the guy to make fates of humans. Nightlord is what Nox believed was a way to fix things that seemed unfair, and maybe they were even right?

[elminx]

Enery Update: Mars Retrograde 2024-2025

From December 6, 2024 to February 26, 2025, Mars will retrograde from 06° Leo to 17° Cancer. As this is a personal planet retrograde and it encapsulates most of our winter holiday season, it is a fairly long term aspect that we should all keep our eyes on.

The SetUp

Due to its position in our solar system (close to the Earth but past its position relative to the Sun), Mars is the planet that goes retrograde the least frequently, roughly every 26 months. Although we know that its backward motion is an illusion, astrology always views planets in their relationship to our home, the Earth. When a planet moves in retrograde motion, it retraces its steps through the horoscope wheel, repeating degrees that it has recently passed through. This creates an opportunity for a cosmic do-over as the world experiences these repeating degrees thrice: once when the planet enters its pre-retrograde shadow, a second time during the retrograde, and a third time after it stations direct once more in its post-retrograde shadow. This puts intense emphasis on these areas of life represented both by where it falls in the horoscope wheel and how it interacts with every person’s natal birth chart.

Mars is our planet of action. It is the planet that governs our drive and our energy levels. It rules the sign of Aries and the 1st house and co-rules the sign of Scorpio and the 8th house, along with the planet Pluto. We all have Mars placed somewhere in our charts. This placement shows what motivates us and how we go out and get what we want. Mars is also considered to be the Lesser Malefic in Traditional Astrology because it governs anger and strife. Mars needs a purpose – generally to move forward and accomplish a goal – or else it can easily become a bad actor.

When Mars moves in retrograde motion, it moves backward through the horoscope wheel. This is unfortunate as Mars prefers to gain and improve constantly. Retrograde planetary motion is all about looking back over the path that has been traveled and making the necessary changes to correct course. Some Mars placements (Virgo, for example) tend to be more comfortable with this than others. The big flex is to lean into the energy of this retrograde energy and work with it rather than against it.

As this Mars retrograde stretches from 06° Leo back to 17° Cancer, it crosses from a fixed sign back into a cardinal sign. Mixed sign retrogrades are more challenging to understand until you have a good grasp of astrology. What I want you to understand right now is that this retrograde will affect people with personal planets between 00-06° and people with personal planets between 17-29°.

This Mars retrograde will most strongly affect the following groups in the order written. Remembering, this is a compounding effect; the more categories you meet, the stronger the retrograde will be.

Those born with Mars from 00-06° Leo or 17-29° Cancer, and all Aries and Scorpio Sun, Moon, Ascendant, or Mars

Those with Mars in Cancer or Leo that do not meet the above degrees

Anyone with a personal planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) from 00-06° Taurus or Scorpio (square) or Aquarius (opposition), or 17-29° Aries and Libra (square) or Aquarius (opposition)

Anyone with a person planet from 00-06° Aries or Sagittarius, or 17-29° Scorpio or Pisces (trine)

Anyone with a personal planet from 00-06° Gemini or Libra, or 17-29° Taurus or Virgo (sextile)

Anyone with Mars in the 1st House or Mars conjunct their Natal Sun

Keep in mind here that as a personal planet, Mars’ retrograde will impact everyone to a greater or lesser degree, and it will impact our daily lives as a collective as well. You can determine what area of life Mars will impact by looking at the retrograde and how it relates to your chart by sign, house, aspect, and degree.

The Nitty Gritty

I want to reiterate from the start that although traditional astrology says that retrogrades are Bad and Mars retrogrades, in particular, are bad, this is not a foregone conclusion. Retrogrades are a change in the energy output of the planet in motion, and it takes clever awareness to adapt and work with rather than against this energy. Mars retrogrades tend to be the most challenging for humans for one simple reason – humans are, on average, very adverse and reactive to change. Mars wants to charge forth and exert its will upon the world, whereas Mars’s retrograde moments tend to call for pauses and reflection before action.

It is to our advantage that this Mars retrograde coincides with Fallowtide and the retreating of the light. It is disadvantageous that it coincides with our greater holiday season with all of its rushing and potential family disputes.

There are some almost inevitable truths to a Mars retrograde cycle: anything that requires action (be it your job, physical exertions of all kinds, the court systems, etc.) will move much slower than average. There will inevitably be people who can’t handle this slow-down and will lean into emotional reactivity and violence. Along with Venus, Mars is one of our relationship planets, so its retrograde can lead to relationship issues and breakups. (it’s worth noting here that Venus will retrograde as well in the coming spring, which will exasperate relationship issues as these two retrograde cycles overlap with one another)

Mars retrograde cycles tend to illuminate the areas of our lives where we are not getting what we want. This may be because of misplaced goals or poorly thought-through strategies. Or, quite simply, life isn’t fair, and effort rarely equals payout. Mars retrogrades show us how we and our Others react when we are stymied. It may lead to pessimism or depression in those prone, especially as this cycle coincides with our dark season, so stay aware and practice the self-care necessary to weather this rough transit if necessary.

In particular, this retrograde cycle crosses from our fixed fire sign, Leo, backward into our cardinal water sign, Cancer. Immature Mars in Leo energy can be egotistic and self-serving; immature Mars in Cancer tends towards emotional manipulation to get what they want or need. These will be the two battles of this retrograde season. Immature Mars in Leo energy says, “I deserve this,” and immature Cancer energy says, “And I will do what I must to keep this.”

I intentionally use the word immature here because there is a mature form to both of these energies, and discovering this is part of Mars in retrograde energy. Mature Mars in Leo energy is “We ALL deserve this and I will work to make that happen,” and mature Cancer energy is “When we work together to accomplish our goals, we both win.” I also want to reiterate here that we all exhibit immature behaviors now and then, which doesn’t make us bad people. We are all imperfect human beings. The goal with retrogrades like this is to recognize when we are being immature or unfair to others, and to course correct.

As mentioned above, retrogrades all happen in three phases: the pre-retrograde shadow, the retrograde proper, and the post-retrograde shadow. This can explained through the silly analogy of falling in a hole:

Oh no, I fell into this hole! I didn’t know that it was there. There was no way of avoiding it! (pre-retrograde shadow)

Oh SHIT! Did I just fall into that same fucking hole? I should learn to avoid that. (retrograde)

(and hopefully) Oh hey – look at that hole! I don’t need to fall in that – I can walk around it. (post-retrograde shadow)

In this way, many people will face a lesson somewhere in their lives around the themes of the specific retrograde. Of course, whether they learn from it depends on many factors, such as general awareness, ability to think critically, and general maturity level. A person who isn’t willing to change will never get much from a retrograde cycle; on the other hand, someone who is open and willing to look critically at themselves and their own actions may gain a great deal.

Mars makes several aspects to our outer planets, the lunar nodes, and our asteroid Chiron, which shows that this will likely be an especially momentous retrograde for many. During this journey, Mars in Cancer will sextile Uranus in Taurus, trine Neptune in Pisces, and square Chiron thrice and trine Saturn in Pisces twice. Additionally, Mars will oppose Pluto thrice (once in Cancer and twice in Leo) and trine the North Node thrice (twice in Leo and once in Cancer).

This switchover between signs is especially important here. While Mars is moving backward between Cancer and Leo, Pluto is entering Aquarius for good, and our lunar nodes are switching from the Aries-Libra axis to Pisces-Virgo. This is part of a greater story evolving throughout 2025 as both Neptune and Uranus will also change signs. We can see that the cosmic pause of this Mars retrograde is likely necessary because everyone on Earth is undergoing a drastic shift in energy. We need the space to realign, even if it doesn’t fit our perfectly crafted 5-year plan.

If you aren’t where you thought you’d be during this Mars retrograde, know you are right on time. Pay attention to what is going on around you and discern if perhaps it is where you are meant to be and you just haven’t realized it yet.

Some big changes may be in order; there is no denying that. But holding on (the immature Mars in the Cancer specialty) doesn’t really keep things the same, even when we want it to.

If you want to do magic to help with this retrograde, I would encourage work around Pathfinding and Discernment. When the roads fade away, you may need to pave your own or hedge-trim your way through life until the way becomes clear.

The Details

10/04 – Mars enters its pre-retrograde shadow 17° Cancer 10/06 – Mercury in Libra square Mars in Cancer 10/08 – Venus in Scorpio trine Mars in Cancer 10/13 – Mars in Cancer trine Chiron in Aries (1) 10/14 – Sun in Libra square Mars in Cancer 10/25 – Mars in Cancer sextile Uranus in Taurus (1) 10/28 – Mars in Cancer trine retrograde Neptune in Pisces (1) 11/2 – Mercury in Scorpio trine Mars in Cancer 11/3 – Mars enters Leo, Mars in Leo opposed Pluto in Aquarius (1) 11/17 – Mars in Leo trine North Node in Aries (1) 11/27 – Sun in Sagittarius trine Mars in Leo 12/06 – Mars retrogrades 06° Leo 12/12 – Venus in Aquarius opposed retrograde Mars in Leo 01/02/25 – retrograde Mars in Leo trine North Node in Aries (2) 01/03 – retrograde Mars in Leo opposed Pluto in Aquarius (2) 01/06 – retrograde Mars enters Cancer 01/12 – retrograde Mars trine Neptune in Pisces (2) 01/15 – Sun in Capricorn opposed retrograde Mars in Cancer 01/23 -Mercury in Capricorn opposed retrograde Mars in Cancer, retrograde Mars sextile Uranus in Taurus (2) 01/25 – Venus in Pisces trine retrograde Mars in Cancer 2/3 – retrograde Mars in Cancer square Chiron in Aries (2) 2/9 – retrograde Mars in Cancer trine Saturn in Pisces (1) 2/23 – Mars stations direct 17° Cancer, Mercury in Pisces trine Mars in Cancer 2/26 – Mars in Cancer square Chiron in Aries (3) 3/08 – Sun in Pisces trine Mars in Cancer 4/4 – Mars in Cancer sextile Uranus in Taurus (3), Mars in Cancer trine Saturn in Pisces (2) 4/6 – retrograde Venus in Pisces trine Mars in Cancer 4/8 – Mars in Cancer trine North Node in Pisces (3) 4/18 – Mars enters Leo 4/19 – Mars in Leo trine Neptune in Aries (3) 4/20 – Sun in Taurus square Mars in Leo 4/26 – Mars in Leo opposed Pluto in Aquarius (03) 5/02 – Mars exits its post-retrograde shadow 06 Leo

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[leifygreeens]

brain rot hours 👀? you said nsfw was cool sooooooo what do you think shane sounds like in bed lol

This ask made my brain rot even worse so I did all of the bachelors LMFAO. This is kind of all over the place, and I veered off tangentially on a few of them, but I did my best to stick to the topic. I also went ahead and situated them in (what I think is, anyway) ascending age order, so younger bachelors are first. Some are longer than others but that does not reflect my feelings for them. No favoritism here, bay-bee. Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Thank you very much for your request hkjhlashfiloveu. :)

Warnings: Mentions of sub/dom dynamics, explicit language, GN!Farmer, praise/degradation/dirty talk, a few bits of dialogue, and mentions of oral sex. Enjoy!

Sam

Sam is fucking loud, okay?

Lead singer of a band and you really think he doesn’t have a set of pipes on him?

You’ve reserved your escapades to the farm only, because Haley and Emily would get an earful if you fooled around at his place, and you don’t need any incidents with his family overhearing his loud ass, either

He is loud, and he is shameless, and whether it’s moaning, whimpering, whining, or groaning—you’ll hear it out of him

Mans is versatile

Pathetic is one of the only words I can find to describe how he sounds in bed though if I’m honest

This guy definitely doesn’t have too much experience, so it’s easy to rile him up, and holy fuck if he isn’t sensitive as hell

He’ll make noise even if you're just kissing him

And he’s needy

“You’re too far away, come here” “kiss me more”

This boy has a filthy mouth on him

And he begs like a little bitch lol

“Please, I’m so close, it’s right there, just a little more, fuck please”

If you were expecting him to be a dom you’re on the wrONG BLOG LMFAO

Tie him up and treat him a little roughly, and this boy is drooling with fucking heart eyes, I promise you

But yeah, doesn’t matter if you’ve got your hands on him, if you’re blowing him, or if y’all are fucking, he’s gonna make noise no matter what

When he’s close, his voice gets higher and comes out faster, so every other breath he’s making noise

The only time he’s completely and utterly silent is when he comes

He’s the type to hold his breath when it hits him, and it only lasts a few seconds before he’s gasping and moaning again

And even if all of the attention is on you, and you’re not touching him, this man is gonna be loud

If he’s fingering you? Definitely gonna spill a few curses at how you feel on his fingers

If you let him go down on you? He’s moaning, and lord help him, if you start pulling his hair and forcing him this way and that??

Lights out, goodnight, he is officially gone.

Sebastian

Depends heavily on circumstance, I think

If you’re in control, he’s moaning and gasping, and his voice is so fucking pretty

A little scratchy from his smoking habit, if I’m honest, but it’s still a very nice voice

Especially if he’s the one in charge

And if he is in charge, he’s groaning, and hear me out—he laughs at you.

Not meanly! (kinda meanly) just, yanno

Some slight degradation

“Hah, does it really feel that good? I haven’t even done all that much to you yet and you’re already like this?” 

Hnnnghghffsebastianjustonechanceplease

Probably a little insecure about his voice, but if he knows you like it, that’s all the information he needs

He just wants to make you feel good, so if there’s something he can do to make it feel better, he’s going to do it

That said, he mirrors you quite a bit

So if you’re loud, he’s gonna be loud (what do you expect from him, really? It’s not his fault you sound so good), and if you’re quiet, he’s gonna be quiet, too

He’ll never be completely silent, just because he doesn’t have that kind of self-control, but he’s definitely quiet

It also depends on how heavy you’re going

So if it’s rough, his voice will also probably reflect that: lots of groaning, heavy breathing, some curses here and there.

Soft sex will be quieter, but he’ll also be a little sweeter. There’ll be more praise, probably some “I love you’s” sprinkled in there, and he’ll try to muffle his higher noises into your lips or any other skin he can reach

Overall, I think sex with him will go one way or the other

Sub or dom? Whines or groans? Flip a coin and lemme know how it goes lol

Alex 

He’s the kind of person who won’t make a lot of noise

he’s panting and breathing heavily, and that’s probably it

But he talks quite a bit

And we all know that deep down this boy is a hopeless romantic(hello, ten-heart event!), so his dirty talk def reflects that

Get ready for PRAISE. SO much praise

“You feel so fucking good, baby,” “I’ve been waiting for this all day,” “you’re doing good for me, just like that,” etc.

If he’s really into it, especially when he’s close to cumming, he’ll stutter a lot or just give up halfway through his sentences lmao

Don’t misunderstand, it’s not that he refuses to make noise because he thinks it’s weird

He just prefers the way you sound, yanno? So he’d rather keep it down to hear you better

But if you let him know that you want to hear him more, he’d make an effort to let some sounds loose

But he wouldn’t fake them, and he’s not gonna suddenly start blowing out your eardrums

The first time he properly groans, he feels the effect it has on you

It could be the most pathetic, shaky, and quiet sound ever, but your reaction is immediate

Goosebumps over your arms, subtle trembling/shivering, bro, if you grab him a little bit tighter???? 

and now that he can see with absolute certainty that you enjoy his voice?

His confidence will sky-rocket, and you’ll get wayyyy more noise out of him from then on

He will take the opportunity to tease you about it after you’re done though

“Damn, you like my voice that much, huh?”

I am also a firm believer that he prefers positions with a lot of proximity and skin contact, so lots of missionary, back-to-chest, etc. (he also likes positions where he can show off his strength and stamina, but that’s neither here nor there)

He loves anything where he can press in close and have as many points of contact as possible

Which makes it way easier to dive low and spit romantic filth into your ear, you with me?

Lives for the reactions he can drag out of you with just his voice

It might be his favorite part about sex with you if I’m being realistic

It's nice to see tangible proof that you’re enjoying yourself because of what he’s doing, obviously, but the fact that he can have you reduced to such a mess with just his voice?

This man is absolutely gone on you, I swear

Elliott

Lordt have mercy

I think in terms of volume, he’d be pretty average.

Like he’s not going to drown you out, but he’s definitely not quiet

Having said that

Moans, praise, and sappy declarations of love are his modus operandi

Elliott is a poetic soul: he’s got a way with words, and a romantic heart

Intimacy is important to him, and the more connected you are, the sweeter he sounds

He doesn’t curse nearly as much as any of the bachelors, either

While the rest of them spit filth at you with a good helping of swearing tossed into the mix, he’s a little more classy and eloquent with how he goes about it

“You sound heavenly, my love,” “how was I so fortunate as to meet you,” “so good to me, my precious flower”

what a cheese lol elliott pls i’m begging i would give you everything

One hundred percent convinced y’all are soulmates

And it’s kind of obvious during sex

He hates not being able to see your face while you’re in bed together

Wants to be able to kiss you while he’s making love to you, and will absolutely moan into your mouth while doing so end me

But he’ll be at his loudest when you’re indulging his desire for intimacy

Hold his hand during sex. I dare you.

Cup his cheeks? Tell him you love him while he’s mid-thrust?

Lol if you’re at his cabin on the beach, you better hope Willy took his boat out for some ocean fishing because otherwise, he’ll definitely hear

But enough about volume

Elliott’s voice is smooth like butter, and fairly deep

listening to him fall apart feels like pouring warm honey down your spine

He sounds so good, and he’s not shy about it

Will only beg if he wants you both to come at the same time—otherwise everything is pretty neutral—no dom/sub dynamics, he just wants to make love to you

I wouldn’t say he’s vanilla by any means, but that’s a story for another time

Shane

If he’s in a Mood™, this man is nasty.

Point-blank, no bullshit.

He doesn’t moan, or whine, or whimper—you’d have to overstimulate the shit out of him to get a reaction like that, but unless you’re willing to deal with the consequences, I don’t personally recommend doing that lol yes I do

But for the sake of the ask, let’s say you don’t

Grunts and groans—that’s all you’re getting as far as sounds go

But not to worry, because dirty talk is his specialty

Will praise you while degrading you

“Look at you, drooling and drunk all for my cock,” “Wish you could see how pretty you are, baby”

Hnngf anyway

He’s at his loudest when you agree with him

Sound confusing? Here, have some examples.

“I’m the only one who can fuck you like this, aren’t I?” “no one could make you feel the way I do”

Say yes to anything like that? ^^^

And this man is yours.

He’ll get SO loud, and he’ll dive head-first into dirty talk like his life depends on it

Oh, you thought he was filthy before?

Lmao anyway yeah he’s possessive and likes it when you indulge him

But if he isn’t in a Mood™, and you catch him during a good moment, he veers a little more toward Elliott’s territory

Like definitely still possessive, but less vulgar about it, and not as cheesy

This guy has low self-esteem, and a lot of his insecurities stem from not feeling adequate for everyone in his life—including you

So if he’s feeling a little softer around the edges, and you take the moment to remind him that you’re in it for the long haul and have no intention of going anywhere

He’s groaning praise and loving filth in your ears

Definitely has a breeding kink I mean what I didn’t say anything

Anyway yeah lots of “so good to me,” “can’t believe I got this lucky,” “do you have any idea what you do to me?” etc., etc., etc.

Shane sir my husband my favorite chicken man just one chance please I beg

Harvey

A crier

Lol jumping straight into it LESGO

Pathetic little sobs because he’s so overstimulated and it feels just a little too good

Stutters quite a bit—he likes giving up control to you so he doesn’t have to think, but that often means he loses his ability to speak coherently

this man is so stressed all the time and he just wants you to help him shut his brain off

Is a blushing, sobbing mess

Probably hiccupping a little if it gets to be too much

His crying is probably due to a mix of embarrassment and pleasure if I’m being realistic

But I personally hc him as someone who enjoys feeling a little stupid and sex-drunk, especially because of how much you seem to enjoy seeing him get like that

Don’t get me wrong, when it’s casual sex and not in the midst of a scene, this man is just as loving as any, but there’s a certain empty-headedness he gets when he feels too good

Doesn’t really talk much, again, he can’t think straight long enough to string anything together

If he does manage to get anything out, it’ll be a lot of one-word compliments and simple begging—also he slurs his words quite a bit

“Feels s’good, please don’stop” “please, s’pretty,” “like that, right there—hnngmfuck!”

I am dead

Sex is probably one of the only times he’ll cuss actually

Now I don’t imagine him as a goody-two-shoes-pure-boy-do-no-wrong-innocent-mind

Definitely not

But yanno, he’s not swearing up a storm in his day to day, or accessorizing every other sentence with “fuck” and “shit” like a certain someone abby i’m lookin at you babe

But he’ll definitely lose his filter during sex

My brain has collapsed after this jesus christ

[is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not]

Falconer FLC-8R 'Xander' (3153)

Mass: 75 tons Chassis: McLarren-75C Composite Power Plant: GM 300 XL w/ Supercharger Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph Jump Jets: Devil A7 Jump Capacity: 120 meters Armor: Valiant Platemail Clanspec Ferro-Fibrous Armament: 4 ER Medium Laser 1 ER PPC 1 Small Pulse Laser 1 Light Gauss Rifle 1 Laser AMS (THB) Manufacturer: TharHes Industries / Zellbrigen Stables (refit #1) / Skobel MechWorks (refit #2) Primary Factory: Tharkad (original) / Solaris (refit #1) / Terra (refit #2) Communication System: TharHes Calliope ZE-2 (enhanced with Neutron Star CEWS) Targeting & Tracking System: TharHes Ares-7i Introduction Year: 3153 Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-X Cost: 25,320,750 C-bills

Overview The Falconer was designed at the order of Hanse Davion to create a 'Mech that could tame the Jade Falcons and defeat a Clan OmniMech in one-on-one combat. This particular Falconer began life as a LCAF machine, constructed in 3079 by TharHes Industries - serial number FLC8R-964777. "Old 777" was one of the last Falconers off the line before damage from a Word of Blake attack led to the shuttering of Falconer production. The 'Mech (along with its pilot, Hauptmann Jess Dietrich) was taken as isorla by Star Colonel Xander - a direct descendent of the famed freeborn warrior known as Horse - of Clan Jade Falcon, in the early 3130s. When Khan Malvina Hazen rose to power in 3135, Xander made his protests unignorable - he struck the new Khan full in the face. Escaping to the arena world of Solaris with his 'Mech (by now renamed "Jess"), Xander made a living for roughly a decade as a small-time talent with Zellbrigen Stables.

Capabilities By 3153, Xander's Falconer is powered by a General Motors 300 XL engine that, when coupled with it's supercharger, propels the 'Mech to a top speed of 86.4 km/h. This speed is enhanced with greater mobility by four Devil A7 jump jets that allow the Falconer to jump the considerable distance of one hundred and twenty meters. This Falconer also saves weight and internal space by using a composite chassis, and carries twelve tons of Valiant Platemail Clanspec ferro-fibrous armor plating, which gives the Falconer nearly the maximum amount of armor protection for it size. The weapons loadout was not overly changed from the stock -8R Falconer, though it has been enhanced by the use of Clan technology. A Clan-spec ERPPC (with an attached capacitor) is paired with (after Operation TOUCHDOWN) a Clan-spec light gauss rifle with two tons of ammunition. A quartet of Clan ER medium lasers and a small pulse laser provide close range firepower, while an enhanced laser AMS system - mounted in a directional mount for 360 degree coverage - assists with defensive operations. A Neutron Star CEWS system (patterned after the Nova system) ensures connectivity with the rest of Xander's Star as well as electronic warfare superiority, while an extensively uparmored cockpit and armored cowl ensure the safety of its pilot. Eighteen Clan-spec double heat sinks - along with extensive tuning done to the onboard weapons - ensure that heat levels are kept to a minimum even during a full alpha strike.

Deployment Xander used his Falconer as a gladiatorial steed for nearly 10 years before becoming Dispossesed by Clan Wolf in the 3140s. Eventually reclaiming his 'Mech and leaving Solaris VII in early 3152, Xander made his way to Terra, where he - along with the extensive library of real deadtree books stored in the 'Mechs head (once owned by the famed Aidan Pryde, these volumes would come to be known as 'the Pryde Collection') - rejoined the Falcons during the latter stages of Operation PERSUASION.

History Regaining his old rank of Star Colonel and winning the Bloodname of Pryde, Xander would accompany Khan Stephanie Chistu on various missions, including a mission to reunite with the Jade Falcon remnants in the Hinterlands. At the conclusion of this mission, Xander would ascend to the post of Loremaster of Clan Jade Falcon, as well as take command of the famous Falcon Guards - fittingly the very same unit in which his ancestor Horse earned much of his glory.

Type: Falconer Technology Base: Mixed (Unofficial) Tonnage: 75 Battle Value: 3,044

Equipment Mass Internal Structure Composite 4 Engine 300 XL 9.5 Walking MP: 4 Running MP: 6(8) Jumping MP: 4 Double Heat Sink 18 [36+4] 8 Gyro 3 Small Cockpit (Armored) 2 Armor Factor (Ferro) 230 12 Internal Armor Structure Value Head 3 9 Center Torso 23 34 Center Torso (rear) 11 R/L Torso 16 25 R/L Torso (rear) 7 R/L Arm 12 24 R/L Leg 16 32

Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm

Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage Talons LL/RL dw abt it 2 Jump Jet LL 2 - 2.0 Supercharger (Armored) CT 1 - 1.0 2 ER Medium Laser RT 2 5 2.0 Laser AMS RT 2 3 1.5 Double Heat Sink RT 2 - 1.0 Light Gauss Rifle Ammo (32) RT 2 - 2.0 CASE II LA 1 - 0.5 Small Pulse Laser LA 1 2 1.0 ER PPC LA 2 15 6.0 2 Double Heat Sink LA 4 - 2.0 PPC Capacitor (Armored) LA 1 - 1.0 Nova Combined Electronic Warfare System LT 1 - 1.5 2 ER Medium Laser LT 2 5 2.0 2 Double Heat Sink LT 4 - 2.0 2 Jump Jet RL 2 - 2.0 Armored Cowl (Armored) HD 1 - 1.0 Cargo (0.5 tons) (Armored) HD 1 - 0.5 CASE II RA 1 - 0.5 Double Heat Sink RA 2 - 1.0 Light Gauss Rifle (C)* RA 4 1 11.0

* = Heat 1, Dmg 12, Min.Rng 2, Short.Rng 1-7, Med.Rng: 8-16, Long.Rng: 17-24, Tons: 10, Crit.Slots: 4, Ammo/Ton: 16

Features the following design quirks: Accurate Weapon (all), Battle Computer, Combat Computer, Cowl, Easy to Pilot, Extended Torso Twist, Improved Communications, Improved Cooling Jacket (all), Improved Sensors, Multi-Trac, Nimble Jumper, Reinforced Legs, Stable, Variable Range Targeting, Illegal Design (overweight; mounts custom equipment)

[bloopitynoot]

What I Read This Week: 03/16/2025

I am a librarian, and unrelated to stereotypes about my profession, I do read a metric shit-ton in a week. Most of it is fanfiction but hey, I thought maybe it's time I share my reads?

This is what I read this week:

1 AN IDIOT'S GUIDE TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE by tagteamme (156, 682)

Summary: In order to pay off a debt that's not his, Shang Qinghua agrees to marry a man that's as cold and unyielding as he is stupidly rich.

“Marriage?” His voice breaks over the word like it’s a curse. “Really? Doesn’t it feel a bit irrational?” “Are you planning to pay off an eight-figure debt with this job and a host job?” Mobei Jun asks, and Shang Qinghua almost wants to throttle him. Though, if his wallet didn’t have a direct funnel to his dad’s bank account, Shang Qinghua might actually have been a little comfortable. “That’s not what I meant!” Shang Qinghua huffs, his head still spinning. As far as being a married man goes, Shang Qinghua is nowhere near ready. “What?” Mobei Jun raises a single eyebrow. “Were you looking to marry for love?”

THIS WAS SO GOOD. What a solid start to my reading week!

I cried several tears reading this- and not even because it was tragic. The way the author writes emotional vulnerability had me in a choke hold.

Moshang cuties!!! Side luo bignhe/shen yuan

Ugh no notes, such a good modern day au.

2. Heaven Official's Blessing by MXTX Chapter 63-67

Summary: Born the crown prince of a prosperous kingdom, Xie Lian was renowned for his beauty, strength, and purity. His years of dedication and noble deeds allowed him to ascend to godhood. But those who rise, can also fall…and fall he does, cast from the Heavens again and again and banished to the mortal realm.

Eight hundred years after his mortal life, Xie Lian has ascended to godhood for the third time. Now only a lowly scrap collector, he is dispatched to wander the earthly realm to take on tasks appointed by the heavens to pay back debts and maintain his divinity. Aided by old friends and foes alike, and graced with the company of a mysterious young man with whom he feels an instant connection, Xie Lian must confront the horrors of his past in order to dispel the curse of his present.

I am roughly 2/3 through book 4! I'm reading about a chapter a day and live blogging the experience. you can follow along on the Bloopitynoot reads TGCF tag

NO SPOILERS PLS.

I am so soft for Hualian

3 Taking Small Steps Towards You by machiemellow (59,315)

Summary: All it takes is a chance encounter between a young cultivator dressed in olive and gold and the son of a prostitute to send the world barreling full speed in a new direction.

(Aka exploring what might have happened if Meng Yao was made privy to what a scumbag his father was much earlier. And oh, he adopts a bunch of younger brothers in the process.)

I love fics that are Meng Yao centric and allow him to eventually thrive. He does go through it in this fic but he makes it through

we get 3zun!!! Yes yes yes! Though there is trauma

side wangxian; and they are cute.

Meng Yao is everyone's emergency contact.

Everyone we love gets a good ending.

4 Xicheng by Glicker (94,849)

Summary: What happens after Guanyin Temple is destroyed? Do the brothers reconcile? How does Lan Xichen get over his betrayal?

Y'all know I am weak for Xichen going through it and healing- especially with a Xicheng plotline and this was that.

The characterizations were a bit ooc but I was in it for the story less so for the writing.

I especially enjoyed how the healing arc perspective shifts between Wen Ning & Lan Sizhui, Lan Xichen & JIang Wanyin, and Lan Wangji & Wei Wuxian with the occasional epistolary thrown in (I love some romantic letter writing).

Happy endings all around, this was what I would classify as a solid palette cleansing fic/easy read (it is very straightforward in the story telling).

5. Lost and Found in Limitless Clarity by TGP (75, 325)

Summary: When Shen Qingqiu died again, a final time, Luo Binghe knew it was all his fault. How could it not be, the way things ended between them? It would be a reward to follow after him, so Luo Binghe must instead live within the consequences of his own actions.

He grasps for anything to distract himself from the aching hole in his very soul and that's when he meets Shang Yuan, a man just as hopelessly miserable as he is.

(Or, the one where Luo Binghe is extremely depressed, runs away to the middle of no where, and makes a hatefriend with a Past that he maybe wants to kiss a lot.)

What an emotional journey- this fic was incredibly written!

CW: suicide, suicide ideation, self-harm, depression

This is perfect for those, like me, who like to see their fav blorbos go through the worst emotional turmoil (but also recover and make it through to the happy ending).

It has a solid ending I swear!!! It really is such a good fic!

6 Hanguang-Jun and His Beloved Pet Rabbit by 96qutie (In progress fic, read chapter 34 this week)

Summary: A gentle touch stroked his back, and Wei Ying stiffened in surprise. He looked up to find pale-gold eyes staring down at him intensely.

He gulped.

“Are you hurt?” The young cultivator asked in a soft voice, as if he expected an answer— even though he was already prodding Wei Ying’s ears and legs to see for himself. When he didn’t find evidence of injury he seemed to relax. “Are you frightened?”

If Wei Ying were human, he would have blushed and tried to crack a joke to hide it. As a rabbit, he could only kick his feet like a shy toddler.

“Wangji? I heard a commotion. Is everything alright?”

With the swiftness of a child being caught up past their bedtime, Wei Ying was shoved inside a billowing sleeve.

“Mn.”

—

This is a ‘The Disabled Tyrant’s Beloved Pet Fish’ AU for Wangxian. That series captured my heart, so then this happened. For those who don’t know that story; you don’t have to read it to read this. I don’t follow the plot at all, and I even changed the premise a bit. It’s only loosely inspired by it.

Also just to be clear: Wei Ying is not a rabbit 100% of the time.

This is a good read in general, it is an in progress fic!

This fic has a unique take on WY ressurection/life/abilities? and I really love that about it

This chapter was pre angst for sure! We got some paperman WY.

7. In your arms by luobinghelover (52, 176)

Summary: The brightness from a computer screen was the only guiding light he could use in the dark. Hands fumbled for an inhaler, the sound of ragged, loud wheezing in the dark room. Vision blurring, it was clear there just wasn’t enough time. Not enough time. As he reached for it, his finger hit it, and knocked it out of sight. Without any balance, he stumbled to the floor, and crawled towards it, his eyesight darkening.

By the time he reached it, his body was weak, and there was suddenly a blinding light. His eyes fluttered shut. Was this what it meant to die? Did he struggle for years on end, just to die so meaninglessly? But he hadn’t even finished the shitty novel he loved dearly—nor college, and he didn’t get to tell his sister he loved her again, or hold his niece. It wasn’t fair. It all just wasn’t fair. Everything he’d done, and this was all it would amount to?

-+- Shen Yuan nearly dies and wakes up in another world. For better or worse, it was his favorite, shitty novel, and in a strange twist of fate, he is Shen Qingqiu’s biological brother. Can he survive?

Yay for disabled and trans representation!

The author felt young or was a new writing but honestly the story was good! I am surprised the metrics on the fic aren't higher.

luo binghe/shen yuan relationship BUT Shen qingqiu gets a happy ending too (Liu Qingge is wonderful in this) :'3

Worth a read honestly. I will note cw mentions of sexual assault and some dubcon from sex pollen tropes.

8 Beyond the Rose by DizziDreams (52,852)

Summary: Shen Yuan wouldn’t call himself a romantic. That said, when he was offered the helm of The Bachelor, his favorite guilty pleasure show, he couldn't say no. He had a vision and was eager to get going. Things were going to change under his guidance. No longer the awkward, semi-scripted drama that plagued the last decade of seasons under Shang Qinghua’s leadership. Now that he was in charge, things were going to be different. Things were going to be real. Luckily for Shen Yuan, he’d found the perfect bachelor to execute his vision. A young man who was as accomplished as he was handsome…and he was very handsome. He was also courteous, a good cook (don’t ask him how he knew, it wasn’t his fault the man insisted on bringing homemade baked goods to casting), and physically…suitable. Very suitable. Yes, Shen Yuan thought this season was going to be different. With Luo Binghe as The Bachelor and a cast of truly remarkable and beautiful women to woo him, they were sure to make a romance for the storybooks…

I'm crying LOL this was absolutely absurd in the best of ways XD The miscommunications were truly outrageous

The embarrassment I felt was enough for me to ascend it was so rough at times (I live for this though so like 100% am into the most embarrassing scenarios).

I LIVE for a reality TV au- they always bring such crack! fic energy which brings me so much joy

This was so well written. I am glad I end my reading week on this one!

That's what I read this week!

What a mix, honestly so many good fics. I hope yall find one you haven't read in this list that you like!

I am down to 1 page of MFL on AO3 (sadness) and will be doing a sweep soon- specifically for some MDZS fics (maybe a little svsss but I still have a bunch to read through).

As usual if you have any banger recs and feel like sharing I am always open and love getting them!! In addition if you want a personalized fic list I am offering lists for Wangxian (some other MDZS pairings) and bingqiu (and some other SVSSS pairings) -just send me a dm with your theme and criteria!

[maggiecheungs]

poems in episode one of the story of kunning palace

in episode 1 of kunning palace, xuening grabs a book of poems in order to trick her maids into thinking she keeps a ledger. my knowledge of classical chinese isn't particularly high level, but it's good enough to at least identify which poems are on the page that she opens to, and i'm certain they were deliberately chosen because of their relevance to the characters and themes of the show 👀 so i thought i'd do a post about them :)

this page contains three poems by the tang dynasty poet wang changling (698–756): 芙蓉樓送辛漸 (farewell to xin jian at lotus tower); 閨怨 (boudoir lament); and 春宮曲 (spring palace song). detailed analyses under the cut:

1 - 芙蓉樓送辛漸 (farewell to xin jian at lotus tower):

my translation

poem summary: the poet's friend came to wu on a night when cold rain was pouring into the river, and departs again at dawn. the poet accompanies him on his journey as far as the chu mountains [but cannot carry on journeying with him because he must stay at his official post in wu]. as he bids goodbye, he asks his friend to tell his family back in luoyang that his heart is still pure and resolute.

key themes: loneliness and solitude; duty; having a pure heart and noble character

analysis: this one is a fairly famous poem about parting before setting off on a long journey. it's particularly notable for its final line, 一片冰心在玉壺, which roughly translates to "my heart is as pure as a piece of ice within a vessel of jade"... which could easily have been written as a summary of zhang zhe's character.

however! while there's a definite emphasis on having a pure and guiltless heart, when you combine with the previous line, the couplet as a whole also gives a sense that the speaker wishes to be remembered by those they love as someone pure and righteous ("tell my family back in luoyang that my heart is still pure etc"). this seems to be a theme of xuening's second life: wanting to correct her past wrongs and treat the people she cares for better, and to prove to zhang zhe that she can be a good person in future

in particular, this poem makes me think of xuening's last moments in her first life. the poet's final request before he bids farewell to his friend? for his companion to tell his family that he is still noble at heart. xuening's final request before she dies? for xie wei to take her life in exchange for that of zhang zhe, as her way of repenting for being dishonourable and ruining his life... 🤔🤔🤔

2 - 閨怨 (boudoir lament):

poem summary: the young wife in her boudoir knows nothing of sorrow, but as she completes her toilette and ascends the emerald tower, she suddenly sees the hue of poplars and willows on the roadside and regrets letting her husband leave home to pursue official position and power.

key themes: love and marriage; abandonment; ambition (and the effect that ambition has on love)

analysis: it's essentially about how the husband's ambition causes him to abandon his wife to grief and loneliness, which seems like a clear parallel with xuening's willingness to abandon her faithful lovers for the sake of her ambition; there's also the implication that political status is ultimately less meaningful than a loving marriage.

i think it's worth noting that the character 怨 (yuan) in the title is fairly hard to translate, as it implies a mixture of grief and anger/resentment, or even hatred. it's fairly common in boudoir poems about women left behind by their husbands, and in that context it's often translated as 'lament' or 'grief', but i think the ambivalence of the term is fairly important, particularly if you apply it to kunning palace and the mix of grief and anger that xuening inspires in her old lovers in her first life.

3 - 春宮曲 (spring palace song):

poem summary: the wind is mild, the flowers are in full bloom, the moon is full and bright. the emperor has fallen in love with one of his sister's singing serving women, and is showering her with imperial favour and bestowing brocade robes upon her to keep out the spring chill.

key themes: happiness, success, security. (however, with contextual knowledge, there's also the implication of future doom, and that nobody can stay on top of the world forever)

analysis: i didn't quite catch the full significance of this one until i googled it and realised it's a poem about a real historical figure: wei zifu, a song-and-dance girl serving the princess pingyang, who wins the favour of pingyang’s brother, emperor wu of the han dynasty, eventually becoming his second empress (the second-longest serving empress in chinese history!).

wei zifu's story is essentially about a young woman of humble origins who survives numerous palace intrigues and eventually manages to ascend to the position of empress, trusted by the emperor to the extent that she was allowed to rule in his absence. however, after maintaining her position for over three decades, she eventually fell afoul of a conspiracy against her and her son, and committed suicide rather than allowing herself to be deposed.

i mean… the way this links to jiang xuening's first life is so obvious i don't even feel the need to explain it.

[anecdotist]

actually i have a bunch of loyalty hcs (thanks to chatting with joly and tas) that i keep forgetting to post so i'm just gonna do that now while i'm thinking about it

generally known as Loyalty, but in elvhen would be Melaras

during the first generation of born elves, dirthamen was initially fascinated and ordered loyalty to go make a family. despite the initial panic and circumstances of their courtship, loyalty did find a partner and started a family. the partner's name is isethari. over the centuries, loyalty's family has grown so large that most of the family become part of his staff

(yes you read that right, isethari as in feyn's clan :) just when loyalty thinks everything is going to go badly, he sends a gaggle of kids and a couple of adults to the rebellion in an effort to save some of his family. those kids and their kids and so on go on to eventually form clan isethari during the formation of the dales, having clung onto family names for a long, long time. feyn very specifically looks uncannily like loyalty--any ancient elves around pretty much do a double take if they ever spent any significant time near dirthamen's court)

(also i say "sent to the rebellion" but more specifically, he sends them to Hope @ancientimpudence. the letter he writes explicitly states that even though that might be a title and position they've left behind, that feeling and symbol is needed now more than ever, and he's sending his family towards hope and a future)

i've mentioned before that loyalty was one of the first spirits to follow dirthamen. whatever falon'din and dirthamen were before, loyalty was within their court then as well. he was an incredibly powerful spirit then (in a different timeline, he probably could've tried to ascend, but truthfully he's always been more concerned about helping and loving The People than he has in ruling) and chose to help nurture, protect, and assist in creating a body for the fragment of that deity that later became dirthamen. because of this, dirthamen and loyalty are forever bonded to each other

loyalty is roughly 7'6" in their natural form, which is slightly taller than dirthamen (7'2") and nearly eye to eye with elgar'nan (8'0")

has full body vallaslin that is a shimmering gold/silver/bronze that glitters and changes color as he moves. to show it off, he generally will wear darker blues, greens, purples, and blacks, with clothes that leave his arms bear and shear panels/cut outs along his chest and legs. dirthamen worked hard to make loyalty "pretty" (loyalty was drop dead gorgeous without it but dirthamen is extremely vain). when attending court, his hair would be intricately woven with additional metallic threads and his makeup would include iridescent eye shadow similar to a raven's wing.

his oaths are to protect and guide dirthamen, protect and nurture the people, and protect and raise his family. these all rather regularly come into conflict

speaking of the "going to go badly" in the third bullet, loyalty grasps the fact that elvhenan is crumbling and rotting from with in just shortly before solas leaves to start the rebellion. the biggest clue is watching Hope punished for their loyalty (i have a spectator drabble idea on what was going on in dirthamen's side of the room that some day i'll actually write). still, he stays because 1) he is still loyal to dirthamen and he does think he can save him and 2) even if he can't, he thinks he can mitigate the horrors better if he's on the inside

eventually his conflicting loyalties start to cause loyalty to weaken. this has a physical manifestation (because elvhenan was both literal and metaphorical) of the area over his heart crystalizing and fracturing out in little veins.

(there is part of him that would join the rebellion because he can't stand what's being done to the people en masse. they don't deserve their trust betrayed like this. but leaving dirthamen's side would be breaking his oath. likewise, staying and being a part of the problem is actively breaking his oath to the people. the only thing he can do is try to save his family, which is barely accomplishable due to his position and the scrutiny his family is under. it's a lose-lose-lose situation)

last one: due to his overall weakening, when dirthamen finally turns on loyalty, there's nothing loyalty can do to fight back. had he left earlier, he might have been able to escape, but as it is, he's quickly forced into a new form and tied tightly to dirthamen's will as dumat

[astrologer04449]

Understanding Your Rising Sign for Emotional Balance

When it comes to astrology, most people know their sun sign, which governs personality, ego, and identity. But fewer understand the power of the rising sign—also known as the Ascendant—which plays a critical role in how we interact with the world emotionally and psychologically.

If you’ve ever felt like your sun sign doesn’t completely describe you, it's time to look deeper. Learning about your rising sign can help bring emotional clarity, behavioral awareness, and even improve relationships. For personalized guidance, you can chat with astrologer on platforms like AstroSevaTalk and unlock a deeper layer of self-awareness.

What Is a Rising Sign?

Your rising sign is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact time and place of your birth. Unlike the sun sign (which changes monthly), your rising sign changes roughly every two hours, making your exact birth time crucial for accurate analysis.

The rising sign determines:

How you appear to others

Your instinctive responses

The way you process emotional experiences

Your coping mechanisms

Your outer behavior in new or stressful situations

It is the “mask” you wear in the outer world—but not in a fake sense. It’s your automatic, reactive self.

Rising Sign and Emotional Balance

While the Moon sign reflects inner emotions, the rising sign shows how you respond to emotions in real-time. Understanding this can help you develop emotional intelligence, avoid impulsive reactions, and nurture stronger relationships.

Let’s explore how a few rising signs affect emotional expression:

Aries Rising: Quick to react, passionate, but prone to emotional outbursts. Needs mindfulness and physical outlets.

Taurus Rising: Appears calm but may suppress emotions. Needs security and routine for emotional peace.

Gemini Rising: Processes feelings through conversation. Needs mental stimulation and social connection.

Cancer Rising: Very sensitive and nurturing. Needs emotional validation and a secure home base.

Leo Rising: Seeks appreciation and admiration. Needs creative expression to feel emotionally balanced.

Virgo Rising: Analytical and practical. Needs order and health routines to avoid emotional overwhelm.

Libra Rising: Strives for harmony. Needs beauty, partnership, and balance in interactions.

Scorpio Rising: Intense and private. Needs emotional depth and trust to feel secure.

Sagittarius Rising: Optimistic but emotionally detached. Needs freedom and purpose.

Capricorn Rising: Reserved and responsible. Needs structure and long-term goals to feel safe.

Aquarius Rising: Unconventional and distant. Needs intellectual space and social causes to feel engaged.

Pisces Rising: Dreamy and empathetic. Needs spiritual connection and creative outlets.

To discover how your rising sign interacts with your sun and moon signs, it's best to talk with an astrologer who can study your full birth chart and explain these dynamics in detail.

How to Find Your Rising Sign

To calculate your rising sign accurately, you need:

Date of birth

Exact time of birth

Place of birth

With these details, a Vedic astrologer can create your Kundli and identify your Ascendant sign along with its ruling planet, house placements, and planetary aspects.

You can get started with a free chat with astrologer on AstroSevaTalk to calculate your chart and understand what your rising sign reveals about your emotional life.

Benefits of Understanding Your Rising Sign

Better Emotional Regulation: Recognize your emotional triggers and learn how to manage them.

Improved Relationships: Understanding your outer behavior helps you relate better with others.

Career & Social Growth: Helps in aligning your personality traits with professional goals.

Personal Healing: Know your weak points and work on inner balance through astrology-backed remedies.

Personalized Emotional Guidance with Astrology

Every individual is unique, and your rising sign alone can’t tell the full story. The real magic happens when you combine it with your Moon sign, Sun sign, and current planetary transits. If you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally stuck, or simply want to grow, you can chat with an astrologer for customized advice.

At AstroSevaTalk, expert Vedic astrologers are available 24x7 to guide you in understanding your full personality map. You can also enjoy a free chat with astrologer if you're just getting started.

Why Choose AstroSevaTalk?

✅ 24x7 Live Astrologer Support

✅ Verified Vedic Experts

✅ Confidential and Secure Sessions

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✅ Instant Kundli Generation

Whether you’re curious about your rising sign or looking for deeper emotional support, our astrologers are just a click away. You can begin with a free chat with an astrologer, and when you're ready, talk with the astrologer for deeper insights and remedies.

Final Thoughts

The rising sign is a gateway to understanding the subtle ways in which we react to life and express our emotions. It shapes how others see us and how we experience the world emotionally. By knowing your Ascendant, you’re not just decoding your outer personality—you’re paving the way to true emotional balance.

If you're ready to discover the emotional blueprint written in your stars, start today. Chat with astrologer or schedule a full talk with astrologer session at AstroSevaTalk. Your journey to self-awareness begins now.

👉 Explore your rising sign—start a free chat today.

[sillylovingpupper]

I want to talk, uh, about Firefly. There will be spoilers for Honkai Star Rail 2.0

So the driving force behind 2.0 is Firefly; the current arc we're in has wider implications, but 2.0 was pretty clearly set up to introduce you to Penacony and get you to emphasize with Firefly. She is clearly designed to tug at your heartstrings. It's...pretty naked what the writers were hoping to invoke, but I want to rewind a bit. I want to talk about a certain scene, and how it relates to me, and...probably quite a few people reading this. I want to talk about Entropy Loss Syndrome.

I have very little doubt we'll hear more about it in the coming content; I keep myself away from leaks so I don't know if it's confirmed or not and I don't want to know. Everything I want to talk about is in this cutscene right here. Entropy Loss Syndrome is described as "irreversible chronic disassociation of your physical structure." Essentially, your body slowly breaks apart. Firefly explicitly says that it happens so slowly that it's hard to even notice from the outside.

This is the part that made me sit up and take notice, though.

Because while I can't tell you the date? I can tell you the year I noticed this happening to me.

This is the part where I need to tell you a bit about myself.

I was...a relatively healthy person, once upon a time. I wouldn't say I was in the peak of health, but physically I was quite capable, especially when it came to stamina and endurance. I prided myself on being able to walk further, last longer, and do more than other people. I couldn't go as fast as some or lift as much as some, but I could do it longer. And that was taken advantage of. I was a lowerclass American, of course it was. From the age of 17 to the age of roughly 29, the only period longer than six months that I didn't have a fulltime job was the semester and half of college, and the CNA training, that I attended. And in each of those jobs? I made myself indispensable because of the stamina I prided myself on. I'd work doubles, I'd work days in a row, I'd skip breaks, all without complaining. Which leads me to 2019.

After a year of difficult work as a CNA, involving...a lot of interpersonal drama at around the same time I was realizing I was transgender, I...buckled, in 2016. I left that line of work and took the first job that accepted me; McDonalds. At that point, I lived alone with my cat, and I had come to accept that was my fate. I would live alone, work at McDonalds until something happened, and move on to...a similar job, and so on until I died. I simply lost my desire to live, a desire that wouldn't return until early 2018 where, for some reason, against all odds, I pulled myself to a therapist. In 2019, I had, without any true intent on my part, ascended to the role of manager, and found myself shuffled to night shift. I took pride in my work, humble and underpaid as it was, and applied the same stamina and endurance to it that I had my previous jobs. ...until something changed. It was slow at first. I didn't even notice it, I wrote it off as a series of bad days...but thoughts were slightly out of reach. The amount of sleep I needed started to increase. The amount of time it took me to complete an order or clean an area increased. The distance I could walk or ride my bike started to shrink. I ran out of breath slightly easier. Truthfully, this had started happening when I was a CNA, but only on great exertion. I can't say it came from being less active, because of anything, I was more active, as I didn't have a car or the ability to drive...but increasingly I found myself unable to do anything but go to work, and even then, I needed more rest than before.

Fortunately, I was able to move in with some friends in mid 2020, and I haven't worked since, not for pay. I did promise them, in exchange for supporting me, I'd do housework; cook, clean, and support them however I could. A promise I have kept to this day, to the best of my abilities. But those abilities were continuing to shrink, and still do to this day. They noticed then, and they do now.

I went from being fiercely independent and active, to relying on a cane to keep myself stable and prevent falls, to now, where I can't even grocery shop on my own without leaning on the cart or using a motorized cart. I own a wheelchair for especially bad days. ...my thoughts and memories escape me on a nearly daily basis now, and I've found days, every now and again, slip through my fingers.

I've seen doctors, and none of them understand it, not entirely. There's been...theories, and a handful of things that contribute. Dehydration, sleep apnea, issues with my inner ear, even my HRT. Nothing that explains the fullness of it, though. Words like Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia are being thrown around, but we can't even point to a clear infection that could have triggered any of those. And all of this terrifies me. There's a part of me that just keeps telling myself that I'm getting older, that it's normal to slow down as you age...or that maybe it's diet, or getting the wrong kind of exercise. But at the end of the day...I'm losing abilities that I prided myself on. Abilities that I loved. I've found myself largely bound to my house and...

To be honest, I've told myself I'm fine with that. I've painted for myself a beautiful picture where I keep myself at home, take it easy physically and even mentally, and live a peaceful life. There's a part of me that even sees this as the best possible ending for me, but... with even my cognition slipping away from me...what kind of life can I have?

I've gotten through so much of my life, done things that I would have thought were impossible, simply by convincing myself they weren't. That nothing was impossible to a mind that believed. So Firefly means a lot to me because while she has a name for it, and I don't...both of us find ourselves in a body that's slowly betraying us. And Firefly was the first time I've seen someone on screen who had the same kind of struggle as me, and who also chose to keep walking forward and dreaming despite of it. I don't know what kind of life I'll have. I still don't even know for sure if this...whatever it is, is even real and not a result of me overreacting to getting a little slower and my mind filling in the gaps. But...whatever lies ahead of me...I hope that I can still live it brilliantly. I hope maybe one day, I can be the kind of person I was once again, even if I have to take it in smaller bites.

[tribbetherium]

Insects, just as on Earth, have become tremendously successful on HP-02017: overshadowed by the hamsters and their spectacular descendants, but nonetheless unimaginably numerous, diverse, and vital to the balance of the countless ecosystems and biomes that have flourished across the planet for millions of years, from cold polar tundras to temperate forests to scorching deserts and, in the Middle Temperocene, a time of flooded coasts and expanding oceans thriving with life in its sunlit shallows, even the seas itself.

Many dipteran flies and a few hymenopterans too have taken up partial residence in coastal areas, convergent with Earthly brine flies, whose larvae live in shallow, salty tide pools and whose adults gather in massive swarms by the beach, where they in turn feed a wide array of wildlife such as ratbats, pterodents, rattiles, shrabs, squoads and more. But few live out in the open ocean, a realm whose arthropod inhabitants are instead governed by the shrish, their numerous basal krill ancestors and loads upon loads of nondescript zooplanktonic crustaceans. Yet the presence of coast kudzu, an unconventional, fast-spreading sea grass that floats entirely on the surface and can blanket whole square kilometers of ocean surface in favorable regions, provides a suitable habitat for the most unlikely of marine insects: the kudzu seatle (Thalassoscarabus spp.)

Descended from freshwater diving beetles that likely in turn descended from the darkling beetle Tenebrio molitor, one of the planet's earliest colonists, the kudzu seatle's ancestor was among the many victims of coastal storms that were swept out to sea and became unwitting pioneers. While many unfortunately perished and a lucky few made it to oceanic islands where they flourished, others, of more salt-tolerant strains, remained out at sea, some making it to the patches of coast kudzu where their descendants have flourished ever since.

Kudzu seatles spend much of their time clinging among the tangled floating forests of leaves and stems, to rest, hide themselves from predators, and to lay their eggs. Their eggs, laid in clusters of up to a hundred at a time, are attached to the stems of coast kudzu, where they hatch within a few days' time into small, bristly larvae that cling to the coast kudzu with their six thoracic legs to feed on microbial aggregations, algae, plankton and organic detritus, but are capable of swimming actively through jerky wiggling motions of their abdomens. When at rest, the larvae cling near the surface and extend an abdominal breathing tube to the surface, in order to breathe air, quickly diving and holding their breaths when disturbed by waves and ascending once more as the surface calms. As the larvae grow, they become ever more voracious, soon after graduating to feeding on the coast kudzu itself in its later instars. Once it reaches a full size of roughly two inches, it stops feeding and prepares itself for its transformation.

Yet in the open sea, there are few, if any, places for a larva to safely hole up in and become immobile for a prolonged period of time. As such, the kudzu seatle has an unconventional adaptation: a motile pupa, capable of swimming actively through contractions of its abdomen and possesses a specialized reserve of fat to fuel its motility, separate from its energy sources that guide its transformation as it does not eat for the two-week duration of its pupation. It now breathes at the surface through two thoracic tubes, and spends much of its time at the surface, diving back down when disturbed by vibrations and shadows.

At last, after an average of 14-16 days, the adult finally ecloses as a mature beetle, clinging to the surface of the coast kudzu to allow its elytra to harden. The pupae, guided by hormonal and light triggers, all emerge simultaneously just after sunset where they are much safer from predators. By dawn their exoskeletons will have hardened, their elytra now serving as oxygen tanks where they store bubbles of air, and now, swimming along with the aid of bristly legs and possessing excretory organs derived from their gut lining that clear their bodies of excess salt, the adults begin the final phase of their life cycle, being active hunters of zooplankton and larval shrish and pescopods, as well as feeding on the sap of coast kudzu as a supplement of energy-rich carbohydrates, throughout their adult life that can last as long as six months to a year depending on the species and local climate, throughout which they constantly mate and reproduce incessantly, with each female able to produce as many as 600-1000 eggs in a lifetime.

Various species of kudzu seatle are found across the oceans of HP-02017, such as the most common coastal kudzu seatle (Thalassoscarabus larsoni), which is predominantly a omnivorous plankton-feeding denizen of shallow tropical seas, to the larger pelagic kudzu seatle (T. shocirus) that is a more active hunter of smaller invertebrates in coast kudzu patches in open waters far from shore, to the forest kudzu seatle (T. puget) that thrives in the "emergent layer" of seagrass forests and experience massive population booms each summer that become a feast for predators of all kinds. The latter species, ranging around the shores of South Ecatoria, are very familiar to shore-dwelling calliducyons such as the baywulves and riveners as their breeding explosions seasonally blanket the surface with millions of larvae, many of which wash ashore and are considered a seasonal treat by the ocean-side foragers: though "sea bug season" does not last, as, while the larvae and particularly the fat-rich pupae are a favorite of theirs, the hard-shelled adults they eventually metamorphose into are considered bitter, chewy and highly unpalatable. Due to the somewhat shrimplike appearance of the larva and pupa, the calliducyons do not distinguish them from shrish and merely consider them as just another species of shrish, or "seaswimmer bug": though the resemblance of the adult to terrestrial beetles has not gone unnoticed by the riveners who call it in their dialect as "sea land bug", the paradoxical statement of which is the subject of local rhymes, songs and amusing folk stories.

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