#it should be intimate and a life-altering experience

[sharper-than-a-serpents-tooth]

Athy, Lucas, Ijekiel and Jennette sharing the same mana is sadly so underutilized in wmmap fanfics. These four are all connected with one another: Lucas has been eating Athy's mana since she was eight, Jennette was created from Lucas' mana and he later took away her imperial blue mana when he turned her jewel eyes from blue to green (that's a two way exchange) and lastly Ijekiel who had to accept Lucas altering his body and pushing his mana inside him if he wished to survive his encounter with Aeternitas.

[sugary-daydreams3]

Quiet inbetween [Sukuna x Reader]

Summary: Collections of quiet, cozy, intimate moments you share with Sukuna, who thinks you two won't last a year. Someone who used to live a wild, fast-paced, loud lifestyle couldn't possibly be fit for a long-term relationship. But he doesn't know that you're the one he needed this whole time.

Word Count: 3.7K words

Rating: Mostly fluff with a little spice (sexual content) at the end, but no full explicit content. Mostly T with a little M.

A/N: Happy holidays y'all. This might be my last fic posted in the year so I hope you guys transition into the new year safely. Goodness, do I love writing my A.U. version of Sukuna. So fun and flirty that he makes me blush sometimes and I control what he says. But I guess that's a good thing, right. Sadly my next fic is dealing with a not so fun topic, haha. (It's Gojo-centric, so you might know where I'm going with this) Anyways, stay safe out there and I'll see you again in 2025. Enough yapping from me, enjoy!

Normal, quiet moments tend to bring discomfort within Sukuna. Dating trouble as a teen limited his time to sit and enjoy the small pleasures of life. He was all about the grand, overwhelming, taboo pleasures that one wouldn’t dare chase but rather daydream about. Or worse, make simulation games about and live out their guilty pleasures vicariously through fictional characters. But with taboo pleasures come consequences which landed him in jail for some time.  

Within the year after his release, he met you which slowly inspired him to alter his fast, vicious lifestyle. You introduced him to things he never would have found himself participating in. Things he used to tease his twin brother for being a sheep for society for. A mom-and-pop coffee shop was one of them.  

“How do you drink this shit?” Sukuna sticks out his tongue. Tanned liquid trapped in your mouth almost spills. Air blows from your nose, signifying your amusement at Sukuna’s first experience with coffee.  

Swallowing down the first sip of your coffee, your eyes admire Sukuna’s childlike distaste for your go-to morning beverage. “Because I order mine with cream, sugar, and caramel. You’re pretty much drinking burnt black water.”  

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”   

You give him a “really?” look. “I said you should start out with the caramel Frappuccino but you said, and I quote.” You notch your voice down several pitches lower. “The hell I look like drinking that sissy shit.”  

“You could have recommended me any other drink but this. This was a terrible first impression.”  

“I can order you another one to make up for it.”  

Sukuna pouts. “I’ll pass. I fear I’ll be disappointed again.”  

“Sukuna, you just drink straight black coffee, you can’t write the whole thing off just because you had one variation of it. That’s like saying “I hate potatoes” because you ate unsalted, lukewarm fries.” Sukuna scrunches his face.  

“That’s not the same.”  

“Yes, it is. It’s a perfect comparison.”  

“It’s two completely different scenarios. You really thought you schooled me with that, huh.”  

“Shut up. I’m ordering you a new drink.”  

Waiting for his redemption cup, Sukuna stares at you typing away on your laptop computer. Your hair curtains over part of your face, tempting Sukuna to reach over and fix it. Yet the messy hair curtain highlights your beauty so effortlessly, he couldn’t stop adoring your natural radiance.  

The strong smell of roast occasionally makes its mark. Ranges of chatter mingle with the loud cycle of brewing and baking. Quirky, cheesy posters hang all over, providing a drowning sense of positivity and relatability. Generic chill music slithers through the atmosphere, failing to chill Sukuna’s social anxiety. Thankfully, his new drink just came to save the moment.  

Taking a drink from the flat white laced with sugar and cream, he sits back to allow his brain to register. His eyebrows raise with a small smack of his mouth, giving you some hope that coffee redeemed itself on the oh so great Sukuna’s tastebuds.   

“Well?” You ask impatiently.  

“Not bad. Could use more sugar but it’s drinkable.” Sukuna reviews. A pleased smile killed your worry. “I’m glad you gave it a second chance. I hope we can have more coffee dates like this.”  

Sukuna narrows his eyes. “This is a date?”   

Your eyes roll. “No this is a job interview.”  

“I’m not one for customer service but if I get to look at you all day long and the pay is good then sign me up.” You hate that something as corny as that made you blush.  

“Hush Sukuna, of course this is a date. This is like our twelfth time seeing each other, I like to think all of the time we spent together so far wasn't a waste of time.”  

“Ooh someone’s no-nonsense.” Sukuna smirks, large arms crossed.  

You sigh, “I’m just over the hookups and the flings. Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t just one-and-done me.”  

“Eh, all of the one-night conquests and strictly sex ordeals were starting to get stale. You got a nice face with a body to match. You’re on no bullshit and are fun for the most part. You haven't bored me yet so I don’t mind continuing this.”  

“Yet?”  

“I tend to get bored with my women so I wouldn't hold hope of this lasting past a year. Just letting you know so the heartbreak will hurt a little less.”  

You smirk, amused by his lack of filter. “Well, a year will be record breaking compared to my recent relationships these last few years. So bring it.”  

Your polished nails navigate the grassy fields of dusty pink, natural hair oil inked on your fingertips. Your poor thighs are weighed down under his dumbbells for arms. Your other hand caress Sukuna’s right bicep, fixating on the jet black tattoos contrasting with his pale skin. He rubs your left knee as he rests against your stomach.  

Sukuna releases a deep sigh, letting go of the temporary stresses of life. He’ll rather die than admit it but this is what he mostly looks forward to when he goes about his day. It took him a while to get used to you being positioned behind him, often side eyeing the first few times you two were like this.   

Call it trust issues. Slam the non-medical diagnosis of PTSD resulted from a rough upbringing and life as a criminal. Or if we’re really getting psychological, throw out the fancy “internalized misanthropy” word. Re-fucking-gardless, he’s always been highly aware and on guard whenever people are in close proximity to him, ever since he was a kid.  

Now, the more he allows himself to turn his brain off in your lap the easier you hear him lightly snoring within several minutes. You giggle as his resting figure emits loud snores thirty minutes in of scalp scratching and head caressing.   

“Sweet dreams.” You reach down to peck warmth on his forehead.  

Your wishes go unnoticed as child-like ease warps itself across face tattoos and a sharp jawline. A surprisingly dynamic clash.  

Your laughter saturates the kitchen space accompanied by music from the vintage radio. Flour dressed your behemoth all over, making it the sight of the century. Sukuna frowns as he attempts to smooth the pizza dough with the rolling pin. Tears edge your eyes; the catastrophe he was causing was funnier than any standup comedy.  

“Hush. You're breaking my focus.” Sukuna was struggling to knead the dough enough to be a thin foundation. It usually ends up shaping to be a deep dish or just a regular sized pizza. This was his third effort to mold the pizza, with two “epic failures” baking in the oven.  

When your laughter demoted to light chuckles, you rub his arm for support. “You know I can help you shape the dough. It took me fifteen tries before making an objectively decent pizza.” Sukuna shakes his head.  

“That’s because you were the one making it. It’s gonna be perfect this time.” Sukuna smooths out the dough and smirks at his “perfectly” thin pizza. You roll your eyes and walk over to gather the cheese and other toppings.  

The pizza rises within the oven, gluing the toppings within the cheese. Sukuna watches it carefully from the kitchen island, like his life depended on whether this Thursday night dinner was great or not.   

A marathon of T.V. commercial ramblings was bugging background noise as you tidied up. The other two pizzas sat on the cooling rack, being forgotten tasty mistakes. Flour ages his hair many decades, snowing down his chest with every tiny movement. He turns to see an unlikely troublemaker look down at him, a small hill of flour ready to be thrown from your palm. Sukuna narrows his eyes with a challenging look.  

“You’re playing a dangerous game, darling.”  

“Game on.” You threw it, igniting a two-man war.  

The remaining time for the perfect pizza to cook filled with flour fights, spotting majority of the kitchen with white powder. The cooking timer goes off as you two lay across the table exchanging flour and zeal between prolonged smooches.

This epic fantasy was seducing your imagination during the mundane hours of the late evening. You sense Sukuna spying on you and your book from the corner of your eye. However, the clever arrangement of words trailing above your bookmark helps you ignore him.  

“How do you read these things? That shit looks bigger than The Bible.” Sukuna pokes at the spine of your novel, trailing over the gold-engrained lettering.  

“I don’t judge stories based on length. If it’s engaging enough then I wouldn’t mind reading three hundred-plus pages of something.”  

“Where do you find the time to invest in a story that long?” Sukuna wasn’t even teasing at this point; he was genuinely curious.  

“People watch 10 seasons worth of television or animes with more than 100 episodes.”  

“Watching TV and reading are different no matter how much you try to make them feel the same. I can simply turn on the T.V. and watch 100 episodes of something without exerting much energy. You have to sit up, read so many words, and decipher hundreds of pages worth of story. It’s not the same.”  

“True, I’ll give you that. I just find it funny that people draw the line at consuming a story through reading only because you have to put a little more effort in it.” You bounced back.  

Sukuna rubbed his chin. “I remember being into poetry and haikus a lot as a teenager. But I started getting involved in other shit so I lost interest along the way.”   

You snap to him, no longer being a silent witness to a passionate kissing scene. “You like poetry?”  

“I suppose. I always liked how poets managed to craft thoughts so elegantly. Perfectly describing the complicated or unsaid.”  

“You know the local bookstore down the street has a whole section of poetry books. What’s your favorite poets? I could buy you some of their latest work.” Your comforter became a temporary bookmark with your book lying face down.  

“Hmm, I don’t really have a favorite poet. I used to buy a bunch of random poetry or haiku books and kept the ones that stuck with me. There is one writer that I really like though...”  

You wait in anticipation as you witness him in thought. Simple things like racking his brain makes him a cutie. Sukuna snaps his fingers.  

“Ahh, Yosa Takahama is his name. His work is usually written in Japanese but some translators re-publish them in their mother’s tongue. His work is hard to find around here though. I don’t even know how I managed to snag one of his books in the first place.”  

Despite the challenge, you were determined to get it for him. “I’ll figure out a way to get you one. That way we could be reading buddies.”  

“You don’t have to do all of that, doll. You’ll rip your hair out trying to find those books. I’m fine watching you ignore me in favor of a book that can knock your teeth out.” You chuckle.  

During the rest of the night, you noticed the boredom on Sukuna’s face as he mindlessly consumes television. The least you can do is try to hunt down this haiku book for him. Dating him for some time, he confessed to losing touch with so many hobbies he grew up with over the last few years. You wanted to bring that inner child back to life, killed by proving to the world how tough he was.  

Getting him to read something that actually interests him can be another way to embrace the innocent pleasures in life. You can tell he misses that wild delinquency some days, but you hope he doesn’t miss it enough to end this relationship over. If you can find it, hopefully it can be a building block that rebuilds his new path after leaving the old behind. Anything to help you be closer to him.  

6 weeks later 

Sukuna emerges from the bathroom. The odors of the food he cooked from his restaurant today were replaced with standard soap and his natural scent. Like every other night, you sat with your book, seemingly ignoring Sukuna’s lingering stare.  

After dressing himself, he sinks on the mattress and attempts to lay against his pillow. His thick neck isn't met with the soft cushion but instead a hard surface in the middle area. He stares at his pillow, offended for it not providing comfort, so he lifts it up. A white hardcover book reveals.  

“What’s this?” He asked, not turning to you yet. You shift from the words to your boyfriend’s confusion. “I don’t know where that came from. Maybe the book fairy paid you a visit.” You played dumb.  

“You’re so corny.” He holds up the book.  

“A corny girl you’ve been dating for almost a year now.”  

“Quiet. I’m trying to see what this is.” Sukuna didn’t even examine the title, the pages of the book flutter until he lands on a random page. He reads aloud.  

“Vindictive winter / A white, mighty rabbit looks / betrayed by the king / ...wait.” Sukuna looks at you and you copy his shocked expression.  

“This is Yosa Takahama’s stuff. How did you even get this? This must have cost you a fortune.”  

“It was costly and took me weeks to find a readable copy but the look on your face right now makes it worth it. I wanted you to read with me instead of being a T.V. zombie. Even if that means reading mind fuckery haikus.” You chuckle.  

Sukuna grabs your waist from the side and unleashes many wet pecks around your cheek, neck, and upper chest. You giggle as you brush his hair and hug him back.  

“I appreciate it.”  

“No big deal.” You replicate his cool cat version of “You’re welcome.” that he usually throws at you. Sukuna smirks at the playful imitation.  

The rest of the evening is spent with you two lost in your own worlds of literature. Your brains mixed imagination, broadened perspectives, and emotional intelligence from honeyed words inked against the white.

“I’m too big for this tub. You barely have any room to stretch your legs.” Sukuna commented.  

He adjusted his position behind you, the bubbles shifting from his large body. Your feet rested on the tip of the tub to keep from smushing against the porcelain. You turn to him, offering a reassuring smile. He snickers at your ridiculous face mask, particularly the cucumbers concealing your eyes.  

“No, you’re not. You say that every time you get in with me. You’re fine Kuna, really.”  

Sukuna rests his arms around the top edges of the tub, leaning back to make himself comfortable in his slightly cramped soak. The warm water, Epsom salt, and meditation music playing from your phone kneads away the hidden tension that plagues his body from the everyday.  

“Before I met you, I haven't taken a bath in almost fifteen years.” He confesses.  

“That sounds so disgusting out of context.” You cringe. Sukuna chuckles.   

“You know what I mean.”  

“I can’t imagine going that long without a bath. Baths are way better than showers.” You admitted.  

“Showers are for a quick wash. Baths are more for relaxation.”  

“I shower for fifteen minutes minimum, thirty-five minutes max. I spend about three minutes just letting the hot water hit my body and think about whatever. There’s no way I can just shower for ten minutes or less.”  

“Is that why you’re so smoking.” Sukuna flirted. You shake your head, “That was so corny, Kuna. C’mon you can flirt better than that.”  

“You’re right. I just wanted to see your reaction.”   

You two enjoy each other’s company. The heat protects you from winter and the sheet of bubbles float around and pop within. Sukuna arms lay over yours, rubbing over your wrist. Sukuna focuses on your face and develops a sense of mischief.  

“Babydoll.”  

“Yeah?”  

“Turn around for me.”  

You quirk a brow but obeyed by slowly turning his way. In a swift motion, Sukuna moves forward and bites off the cucumber sitting on your right eye. Your right vision sees Sukuna munching on your edible eye mask.  

“Really, Kuna? You couldn’t resist temptation to eat that?” You scolded. You take off the other cucumber, abandoning your hopes to keep your eyelids nice and fresh. Sukuna steals the other cucumber from your hand and flings it in his mouth.  

“You’re impossible to relax with sometimes.”  

“Thanks for the snack.” Sukuna mumbles through chewing.  

You sigh then lay against his chest and close your eyes. If he was going to interrupt your beauty routine the least he can do is be your pillow.

Sukuna big toe hugs your own after caressing your right foot. Both of your feet poke out from the thick blanket, suffering from the gentle lashes of the nippy air condition. You rest your head on his squishy but firm chest, goosebumps forming from his rough hands brushing your skin.   

“We should light the fireplace.” You suggested.  

Sukuna let out a lazy sigh, “What you really mean is that I should light it.”  

“Yeah, you should.”  

“I could but I fear I’ll turn into a popsicle.”  

You giggle. “Hey, at least you’ll taste good.”  

Sukuna smirks, “I already taste good. You should know out of anyone.”  

You playfully shrug. “Eh, you’re alright. No fine dining though.”  

“Oh really?”  

“Yep.”  

“How about you taste this then.”  

Sukuna leans down and traps your lips in the moment. His lips were smaller than yours yet they managed to govern the heat stirring between each lingering kiss. The frigid air in the room is forgotten in your minds as you and Sukuna make out under the grey blanket. After a couple minutes of sensual touching and lip pulls, Sukuna goes for your neck.  

“Well?” Sukuna lands soft bites inches under your chin.  

“I was just kidding earlier but that was...”  

“Better than fine dining?”  

“I don’t know what’s better than fine dining but, yeah, better than that.”  

Sukuna chuckles, “Glad to remind you.”  

Sukuna “accidentally” lands a hard bite just above your collarbone, caging a pleasured groan within closed lips. Sukuna kisses the forming red patch, “Sorry baby, got a little greedy there.”  

“I hope I give you a brain freeze.” You joked, trying to take your mind off the aching spot.  

Sukuna hooks his finger around the side of your silk underwear, his other hand slowly appreciates your ass. “I’m sure it’ll be worth it.”

Your body slowly rocks on top of him, the yellow and orange from the fireplace illuminate your dips and curves. The aftershocks of your second orgasm calm down, giving you the signal to stop riding him. One hand caresses the trimmed hairs sprinkled across Sukuna’s chest. The other traces the small gold chain decorating his pecs. Sukuna squeezes the body fat from your hips then pats your left butt cheek.  

You hop off and lay down on the blanket you set down for your second round. Sukuna pulls off the condom and gets up to throw it away. The contained fire warms your naked body from a distance, defending you from the army of white cold. You hum while the fire entertains you until Sukuna comes back. He’s wearing the boxers he had on earlier with the embroidered knife patterns. Where he got those kinds of boxers you may never know.  

Sukuna drops the pillow he stole from the couch then sits down on the blanket. He pulls you towards him and you two lie down together. You perform his signature trait, pushing his hair back, enabling his wild look. Sukuna traces your spine, quietly admiring both how strong and weak one’s bone structure could be.  

“I never thought I would enjoy silly things like sitting in front of a fireplace during winter.”  

“It’s silly?”  

“Not really. I guess I just associated this with Christmas activities. Christmas always seemed too cheesy to me so I associated things like this as silly holiday stuff.”  

“Yeah, I get it. Sex in front of the fireplace, just silly wholesome Christmas activities.” You joked. You instantly felt Sukuna’s laughter rumble throughout his chest. After calming down he gives your arm a light pinch.  

“You know what I mean.”  

“I’m just happy you allowed me to bring some mellow in your life. I remember when I met you, you were always in some crazy illegal trouble. It seemed like I could barely keep up with you and your fast-paced lifestyle.”  

“Yeah, it was fun for a while, I’ll admit. Even getting caught had some sort of thrill. Now that I’m pushing thirty, I just feel over it.”  

You chuckle, “Not a spring chicken as you used to be.”  

“Yeah. I suppose every hot shot has their limit.”  

“Well, I’m proud that you’re beginning to settle down. I know your brother is too.” You rub his cheek.  

“I was surprised when he offered to help me set up my fight clubhouse. He’s usually against violence and shit.”  

“Maybe he thought that it would be a nice distraction from your life with crime. Even if it meant supporting you doing something he also doesn’t like. Like a lesser of two evils kind of thing.”  

“I never knew someone so predictable yet unpredictable at the same time more than him.” Sukuna said. You giggle then sprawl your hands across Sukuna’s abdomen, trailing over the ridges in a playful matter. Sukuna tender gaze studies your features as he softly pulls little cushions of your skin.  

“Thank you for sticking with me.”  

You look up to see the wild orange shadowing his strong features. His usual too cool-for-school attitude was replaced with a loving nature only reserved for you. A nature molded by small, seemingly insignificant moments sparked by a mutual agreement of casual dating. You plant a few kisses against his jawline then lay back on his chest.  

Before your eyes close for the night, you slur a few words that gets a smile out of Sukuna. “Guess you’re stuck with me now.”  

[seafoamreadings]

week of november 24th, 2024

these are written predominantly for the *rising* signs but they are also intuitively "channeled" enough that they should work for any dominant energy you have! (try your sun if you don't know rising, or more advanced readers can try moon, anywhere you have a stellium, etc and see what works best for you!)

aries: this week's activity centers primarily around your 9th house; it is a great time to go (back?) to school, make philosophical or religious (re?)considerations, and plan for distant travel, although i would hold off until after mercury is direct again to actually buy any tickets or such.

taurus: while the energy is rather fiery at this time it is not so much a time for action as it is for passionate planning. any shared resources should be handled with caution and new ones - debts, loans, stocks, properties? - should not be added on or altered significantly for a while. on the other hand it's a pretty sweet time in intimate relationships, or for occult practices.

gemini: jupiter is still in your sign of course so nothing is going to go TERRIBLY awry, but be watchful for relationship turbulence. things may seem to go backwards and new things (issues, questions, or excitements) will pop up towards the end of the week too.

cancerians: a new moon this week puts you in a phase of intention-setting - but not quite action on those intentions yet - and ideally these plans and intentions are set around your routines and bodily wellness. if things don't seem to take off immediately, they're not supposed to. play a long game.

leo: fire vibes suit you very well and no retrograde can really slow you down when it comes to that. the new moon at the end of the week can be a bit emotionally heavy but really, even that is in sagittarius and makes a good indicator that you should be having a good fun time. a new romance may also spark.

virgo: sure, if you're a more mercurial virgo a mercury retrograde should never be discounted. but consider that you might be more heavily influenced by ceres, who this week sextiles neptune in your 7th house. this is good for romance, so you can have a lot of fun with this, although bear in mind that the vibes are not extremely great for turning romance into responsible commitments.

libra: don't let anyone scare you about mercury retrograde stuff this week. do be careful, of course, with messages, emails, and especially your vehicle if you have one, but all in all this is a pretty auspicious week for you, especially if you go a little bit out of your way to experience/learn some history of your local community and connect to the land you are on.

scorpio: while all mercury retrograde protocols always apply, this time around be cautious about your spending, finances, and values broadly speaking. it won't hurt to reconsider what really matters most to you in life, and what wealth is other than money.

sagittarius: if you're uncomfortable with the spotlight i have bad news for you. so much is happening in your sign that you can't help but be a focus. granted, you may not be under as much scrutiny as it feels. still, best to act with integrity and not get caught in any dishonesty or sordid affairs. a new moon in your sign at the end of the week is actually great for your sense of identity, your self concept, and your first impressions - so use that to your advantage.

capricorn: huge amounts of activity occur in sagittarius all week - likely your 12th house. keep a cool head. no addictive behavior if possible and no substance abuse, or, preferably even use if it can be managed. no flying off the handle or trying to escape the hard reality of what is. i'm preaching to the choir here, likely, but reality only improves for you if you handle it. no sweeping it under the rug.

aquarius: friendships fade in and out of your life over time, and sometimes back in again. retrogrades, starting with mercury this week, can create the illusion that you have lost some social connections you'd rather keep. but it really is an illusion; either that or that person was really not good for you in some way and it is a blessing they have retreated.

pisces: if you were planning to make any big career moves consider them hibernating or in torpor. it's temporary but it's a slowdown. delays will turn out to favor you, so don't despair. it's good for now to lie low and stay out of the public eye; a mysterious air about you will also benefit you.

watch the transit posts in real time to have the best guide through your week. want a little more? have a look at my patreon or ko-fi.

check out my etsy for a private reading or dm me to set up a reading through venmo, cashapp, or paypal.

[muirmarie]

Some ideas about Substances and Vulcans [suggestive]:

(yes this is just tos mcspirk not-fic i yam who i yam)

If two Vulcans partake of alcohol (or another mind-altering substance) and then mind meld, they will both become intoxicated. It's an intimate exercise.

If a human is intoxicated and their Vulcan mind melds with them, the Vulcan will feel the affects (Amanda and Sarek discovered this one, and Spock gets SO pissy about it lmao)

If, say, two humans are bonded to a Vulcan and each other, and the Vulcan mind melds with one of them, and the one the Vulcan mind melds with is intoxicated, it turns out both the Vulcan AND the other human BOTH become intoxicated.

Ask Jim Kirk how he found that out. It's a funny story about his two boyfriends getting freaky in their quarters while he had an important video meeting with an admiral. It's a very funny story, don't let Kirk tell you it's not, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Okay yes, Kirk will lie and say the time they discovered that aphrodisiacs ALSO transfer quite nicely through the bond in the same way is funnier, but that's just because he's a sadist who still thinks it's funny that Kirk and Spock accidentally had McCoy hiding a boner while trying to give a presentation at a medical conference.

"He was light years away, Bones!!! How were they supposed to know what would happen!!!"

Bite me.

Also Spock found out, to his chagrin, that if he gets a little too high on Vulcan weed (oh, sorry Spock, sure, "special herbs that Vulcans inhale in order to find inner calm in mediation during high stress times", right) – if Vulcans get a little too into their CALMING HERBS (wink wink) and meditate a little TOO hard about how much they miss their boyfriends (oh sure, sure that's definitely not what you were doing Spock, our bad), they can in fact somehow transmit a contact high through the bond to BOTH of their boyfriends, even though neither of them are in a mind meld, if both boyfriends just so happen to be human. Isn't that neat. Isn't that a neat thing. Isn't that a neat thing to find out while we're on a practice landing party training new recruits.

Jim, should we kill him?

Actually Spock, Jim makes a great point. We're both gonna get drunk and then focus really really hard on the bond while we fuck and see if we can't manage to tip the scales towards the humans ruining their Vulcan boyfriend's life for once!

Okay, I mean, Spock, the point was to see if we could affect you through the bond, if you come in here and watch, that's not –

I mean if you're touching us it's obviously –

Ugh fine, FINE, just get naked and get in the goddamn bed, we'll experiment a different time.

THAT'S NOT THE TYPE OF EXPERIMENTATION WE –

You're SOOO smug thinking that you always get your way. Laugh it up, pal, your day is coming.

I said your day is coming, not –

[sigh]

Yeah, yeah, I love you both, too.

Unfortunately.

[kryptonbabe]

to a degree, if taste in art did not reflect a personality it would render the art meaningless. it's supposed to evoke a feeling. if there is nothing inside you that speaks to the art, it truly is just pure consumption and nothing beyond that.

Here are the posts about this for context. Yeah, of course one's taste in art might reflect aspects of their personality. That being said what we consider a personality is vast and multifaceted, your taste in art can reflect your fears, your desires, your past experiences (positive and negative), your views of the world - these can be intimate, or surface level. However I should say it at once: our actions and how we affect each other in real life are the only mesures by which we should be judged. To ponder over a disturbing theme is not the same as commiting a disturbing act. As Susan Sontag says in Regarding the Pain of Others: “Nobody can think and hit someone at the same time.”

Art can speak to facets of our psyches that are surface level, based on a recent experience in school you might look for a book on fishing, you never fished, you don't even intend, but your teacher talked about it in such a vivid way it spoke to you, so you borrowed a book, read it and never thought about it again. What motivated you then? Empathy for the dear teacher, a fleeting desire to experience that, a sudden curiosity?

On the other hand, art can speak deeply to us, as I felt when I first read Light in August by William Faulkner, a book dealing with parental abuse and race prejudice to a mixed race person, who was not a "good" person by the way. Still, my own past, as a mixed race person with some traumatic experiences made me really connect to the character, the book is also beautifully written despite its violence. Books like the Xenogenesis series by Octavia Butler also explore disturbing themes of violence and abuse in a graphic manner, and still, they can speak of a message that does not endorse these subjects. And I am fond of that kind of fiction, they open paths for me to understand my own traumas, intrusive thoughts and other undesirable feelings that have been part of my life for a long time. I developed coping mechanisms that take advantage of the fact that we are imperfect beings and there's acceptance in that. This is my experience however, there are no wrong ways to enjoy or appreciate art, even if those reasons are aspects of yourself that you're not proud of, a bad memory, a bad thought. According to E. H. Gombrich in his book The Story of Art:

“I do not think that there are any wrong reasons for liking a statue or a picture. Someone may like a landscape painting because it reminds him of home, or a portrait because it reminds him of a friend. There is nothing wrong with that. As long as these memories help us to enjoy what we see, we need not worry. It is only when some irrelevant memory makes us prejudiced, when we instinctively turn away from a magnificent picture of an alpine scene because we dislike climbing, that we should search our mind for the reason for the aversion which spoils a pleasure we might otherwise have had. There are wrong reasons for disliking a work of art.” The art objects he's talking about of course are not relevant, the focus is on our approach to a piece of art and how our prejudices can alter our perceptions of a given work.

I have't even touched on the matter of curiosity, the unconscious and the historical context of transgression in art - which is so interesting. We could talk about for instance if the philosophers and writers (Epicurus, Hume, Dostoievsky) who pondered about the problem of evil and wrote about it were all deranged human beings, if the researchers / teachers of literary studies who dedicated their lives to understand works of Marquis de Sade are all perverts. Why were they thinking about these things? Why would they dedicate so much time to make sense of those awful works of art. But then, why shouldn't we think about these things? They might be frightening, painful, uncomfortable aspects of life, but they are not going away any time soon. We do live in a society after all... and in that way we feel like part of its mess. We are not evil by nature like that silly Thomas Hobbes used to think, but we do have the potential for it and we often act on it, why? That is the place of science, philosophy and yes... art to answer. Until we find out, we keep trying.

So yeah, art can and will reflect characteristics of our existence, collectively and individually (as in what we can call personality), on the surface level as momentary interest or deep and emotionally, or yet as curiosity, intellectual concern, it might be instead an unconscious parts of our being (the Jungian shadow-self), who am I to pick and choose what moves others, people I don't even know and never met, towards any given art work? I don't even fully know my own self.

Sorry for the long ass answer, now let me just finish with another Susan Sontag thought, also from her book Regarding the Pain of Others: “Someone who is permanently surprised that depravity exists, who continues to feel disillusioned (even incredulous) when confronted with evidence of what humans are capable of inflicting in the way of gruesome, hands-on cruelties upon other humans, has not reached moral or psychological adulthood.”

[kurimiaki]

May I please ask for Primrose and Cypress with Malleus?

flower prompt list is courtesy of ddarker-dreams

tw: yandere, female reader, abuse, allusions to bodily experimentation

Primrose - In the yandere’s ideal world, what would their relationship with their darling be like? 

Initially, he’s not entirely sure. You, child of man, will wither with time, one human lifespan comparatively ephemeral to an everlasting faerie. Malleus loves you, he does, but you do not fit into his life. You’re an inscrutable puzzle, a final piece that simply does not have a place in the kingdom to which he is bound. He’s meant to rule Briar Valley, and you simply lack the tenure and experience his future partner must have. Although overzealous in his lavish, ever-intimate proclamations of love for you, your prince is not delusional by any means. Malleus’ advisors try to dance around the blaring emergency that is you, bastardizing creature that you are, sneaking in portfolios of potential candidates and foreign crown princesses Malleus may deign to take as his queen. They know better than to overstep their bounds and outright declare you a threat to his position, a hindrance, only vaguely attempting to sway their heir apparent away from a human of no notable existence. Malleus initially makes no move to refute their persistent endeavor to find him a partner, disregarding it for as long as you’re unaware of their deriding chatter. It’s true: you’re not fit to rule. You could hardly gain a modicum of the experience he’s gathered in your lifetime; and again, that quality of experience is something the current queen demanded Malleus gain before he assumed the throne. Why would his future wife be exempt from such a cardinal expectation?

You are no one of significance, not in anybody’s eyes but his, or so he’ll tell you. A fleeting life, with your comparatively barren mind, that wisp of a presence. You’ll die unknown, loved only by the man who pried you from what creatures dared to.

These are qualities Malleus is very well capable of forcing out of you. If he wills it, your humanity can easily be reworked into something transient of time. Operating beneath his public’s watchful eye, or rather, shielded from it, he has the necessary resources to remold you in his image. Perhaps his grandmother, dutiful in her fervent maintenance of tradition, of a pure royal bloodline, one flush with magic, would have no qualms offering up knowledge of millennia-old transformation spells, should her devoted grandson request it. Given how rich with magical history Briar Valley is, vast and transcendent, it’s not beyond the bounds of reason to suggest that a human’s genetic makeup could be altered with the proper arcane wisdom. Malleus is capable of forcing his fanatical ideals, his hopes of a fully committed life with you, to take true form in reality. As you are now, a human born without magical reserves, his hopes are left an impossibility. As you are now, biologically unfit to rule alongside him. But you will be, in time. Your body’s very framework is collapsed, broken apart by his deft hands, and built you back up to the standard he’s subconsciously yearned for you to achieve. By making you something else entirely, a creature so fundamentally different from what you once were, he can openly claim you as his with no external complaints.

Cypress - How does this yandere comfort their upset darling? 

Hesitant as he is to admit it, Malleus hasn’t a clue of what to do when you inevitably suffer a mental break. Entering Briar Valley, a domain you’ll be constrained to for the foreseeable future (requests to visit outside are denied, denied, and denied again), proves to be the catalyst for your mental ruination. Malleus loves you ardently, to be sure. Any harm he inflicts upon you, intentional or otherwise, does not bring him a modicum of pleasure— but that’s not to say he suffers any guilt when you’re thoroughly rearranged to suit his needs. Whatever good humor you once bore is snuffed out, replaced by a despondent, melancholic countenance he doesn’t exactly know how to approach. And, regrettably, the irreparable damage you’ll imminently face as his lover, the pain of being reborn into something new, is not something he shows much pity for.

Your physical health, at the very least, is something Malleus is fully equipped to care for. Truly, he went to great lengths to ensure your sedation and complacency while work was done to distort you; to his luck, and your misfortune, his diligent efforts to keep you unconscious resulted in a foggy remembrance of the entire ordeal. Initially, there’d been a great display of defiance, a strong abhorrence and rejection of his monumentally deranged proposal to make you into something ‘eternal’. You fought, bucked and wailed and resisted, tried to flee, but even still awoke an ill-defined amount of time later, changed, exactly as he promised you’d be. The tether of your fragile mental integrity is something he snapped without care. And now, dealing with the aftermath of his recklessness, he must learn patience. The patience to rebuild you in another way, more gently now, to nurture your mind back to the quality it once was. It will feel as if your brain was carved out and sewed into the skull of someone new; even if, by large, your looks have hardly been altered. Malleus cannot be as hasty in meddling with your mental state as he was your physical— it’s a fickle and inscrutable thing, the mind. Even more so when you feel it’s not your own. Patience is something so easily applicable to every other facet of his life, with how rapidly time flits by. He’s never minded waiting, but of course, it isn’t the same with you.

For a time, he’ll try to justify his actions— although Malleus doesn’t truly believe he’s committed too grave of an offense towards you. It was for your benefit, he’ll claim, soft whispers while he soothingly stokes your hair. If it weren’t for what he did to you, the utterly dehumanizing dichotomy between his treatment and yours within his castle would go unchanged; hush-hush as servants and courtiers alike struggle to keep their rigid prejudices at bay. Without magic, in such a sacred place of sworn nobility, you would be eaten alive. Malleus disregards the complete truth. That, in reality, what he did to you was more irrevocably cruel than any derisory words uttered could ever prove to be.

The best way he knows to display comfort is to offer you an embrace. He hugs you quite often, in private, with a frequency that will grow to annoy you. It’s a light and tender hold, but not too lax, always tightening in some jarring manner should you attempt to pull away. He pets your head, soothes your back, rubbing up and down, an endlessly repetitive motion. He touches as if he were analyzing you, memorizing your every dip and curve, and enjoys sliding a lone finger up and down your spine, enjoying the way it makes you bristle— how you lurch forward, gripping his shirt, trembling and vulnerable. Like grabbing a kitten by the scruff of their neck. Malleus embraces you with the intent to soothe; but, selfishly, subconsciously, turns the intimate act into something akin to torture, for you. But, ultimately, if Malleus’ words ever seem to lack in sincerity, his touch will make up for it. At some point, you’ll come to intrinsically understand the extent to which he’s monopolized your every relationship— he’s all you have left. And so, if you turn away his offers to touch you, be it a hug or massage or something overtly sensual, there won’t be any opportunity to ask the same of another person. When your tears dry out, and all you’re able to do is helplessly gag and gurgle on the heady affliction that is your despair, he’ll be there to kiss your throat, to sweetly coddle you in the distorted way a true lover would.

[sorcerous-caress]

Another human kink idea that pop up in my head

Imagine how elves wizard who study magic for hundreds of years to realize that they are on the same level of 20ish yo human wizard

I hope you are doing well btw

— RED anon

Yes! That fact never made sense to me either. For example, if Gale, a human who's clearly in his 30s, managed to become an Arch-Wizard, then what's stopping elves with lifespans ten times his own.

Theory A

Humans are born with an invisible xp multipler. Since at the end of the day, the dnd universe functions by game rules, and characters do, in fact, "level up," but they're not aware of it themselves.

To make up for their short life spans, all short lived races either are born with an xp multipler that lets them achieve more faster, or elves are born with a xp multipler that has a negative penalty.

So if a human by themselves has a multipler of 100% per year of magic study, then elves would have a 10% multipler. While dragonborns would have 110%. Kenku and Goblins get a 140% etc.

What about immortal creatures? Simple, they start with 100% or whatever their base race multipler is and suffer a decay penalty the more years they live past their age. But i feel like there should be a cap, maybe it can never get less than 1%.

Theory B

All races have the same xp multipler, but elves tend to fuck around doing nothing all day more. Maybe study one page for week and call it a day. It's not on purpose but their perception of time is really altered, what feels like hours to us might be seconds for them.

So if an elf really wants to, they can study all their life and actually become one of the most powerful arch-wizards. But they just...don't for some reason. Maybe it's the way Corellon made them, maybe being a wizard is scoffed at amogst their ranks because they are all born with inherited magic and the idea of learning and borrowing magic from the weave is insulting. Like how in drow society, most wizards are male, because if a women can study or do magic then it's considered much better to become a priestess of Lolth. Being a wizard is an insult.

Theory C

Because humans are speical and I said so :"((((

Because what if they really are? What if elves have been genuinely trying their best to become wizards and study all their life but for some reason, it's just not enough, yk. Maybe the weave prefers the short-lived, maybe Mystra prefers the humankind. Who knows.

Magic is Not like math, at least not like non-quantum math bc god knows that shit is the closest we will ever get to actual magic. People have been trying to marry it with actual physics and our normal math for years to no avail.

That's why kids are so much better at magic, you see. Magic is limited by your own brain, your own creativity and how you bend the rules.

What are humans known for? Their endless potential and creativity. What are they best at? Breaking the rules.

Maybe the human brain just clicks with magic. Our entire evolution of becoming really good problem solvers. Maybe solving puzzles for fun is a unique experience for humans which is why most of them end up falling in love with magic.

Anyway, that's all for the theory, kinky smut below about wizard elves and humans.

Okay so hear me out. You're a child prodigy in magic, far beyond your years and your understanding of the weave is so personalised and intimate that by a young age you started writing books to teach others your own ways.

As the years went by and the more wizard study certificates you've collected, you decided to teach at a magic university. You were so far known but the one thing everyone glosses over was the fact you were human. It was never mentioned in any of your books or writing.

So you're this cute young human professor at this prestigious high elf magic academy for wizards. Standing in front of rows of people much older than 4 or 5 of your generations combined. Having to teach them and be stern.

But they're being so stubborn and petty about the fact that a meek human is trying to act like their superior. Especially being high elves and all. They're tried to not take you seriously and skip your class but found out later that you're one of the mandatory classes for them to graduate so they begrudgingly attended.

Maybe they start thinking of you as eyecandy. Shamelessly glancing at you when you bend over to help look at someone's paper, maybe they start dropping the prof honorific and address you by a name or a nickname in elvish you're not aware of. Maybe even that elvish word has a perverted meaning that flies over your head when you happily answer to it and think they're warming up to you.

They try to become really close, inviting you to their hangouts, inappropriate parties, and everything that a professor shouldn't be attending. They hand you drinks and watch you swallow them down, coaxing you into showing them your cute human games, truth or dare it was called right?

One student dares you to sit on their lap, they coo and run their fingers on your body. Another skips turns to dare you to take your blazer off, why are you wearing formal clothes here?

[madfatandhungry]

10 books for 2025

Tagged by the wonderful @theawkwardterrier! Thank you, Leah ♥.

His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life by Jonathan Alter - Since his passing a saw a CNN snippet of President Carter's life, and now I'm determined to learn more about his life and work after the White House.

Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire by Julia Baird - I added this to my list after listening to an episode of Noble Blood about Queen Victoria and now I need to learn more.

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado - What sold me on this book is that the theme revolves around the idea of rebirth and questioning new beginnings within the LGBTQ+ community.

So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow - I found this one on a list of titled, "if you liked Bridgerton, you'll enjoy these books."

Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans - First of all, the cover is adorable and feels very nostalgic. Second, this is a collection of poems that explores the journey to adulthood as a queer Black woman. Sold!

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazz - A novel that switches perspectives between two women whose friendship is ultimately changed because of race.

The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware -The writer worked with dying patients for many years and this is a summary of what she gained from that experience. Should be interesting.

The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole - I'm interested in reading more classics and it seemed like this one seemed more accessible and interesting.

Cher: The Memoir by Cher - Who doesn't want to learn more about Cher? She seems like a fascinating person and I'm excited to hear more about her experiences from her perspective.

Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative by Keke Palmer - The ultimate meme queen! I recently watched her movie One of Them Days and now I'm down a Keke Palmer rabbit hole. Apparently her real name is Lauren?!?! The more you know.

Lowkey, no pressure whatsoever tagging: @romanticmoonchild, @pixiestickers, @bethanyactually, and anyone else that would like to participate!

[thelostgirl21]

One of my favorite parts of the Radskier romance?

The emotional maturity and healthy relationship expectations of Prince King Radovid when it comes to Jaskier.

Romantic infatuation needs to be nurtured to be given a chance to grow to turn into actual romantic love.

And when someone has developed an emotionally intimate (and potentially queerplatonic) relationship with another person for over 20 years; and built themselves a family also involving that closest friend's romantic partner (Yennefer) and his Child of Suprise (Ciri), you should expect that romantic interest of yours to make that family their #1 priority.

You should find their ability to deeply commit to the ones they already love, and not suddenly lose interest in them as soon as they find someone shiny and new, as a very good sign.

Because it's extremely likely that - should the romantic infatuation you now experience evolve into genuine love - they won't grow tired of you, and/or lose interest in your relationship easily.

You'll become a part of their found family, too.

Sincerely, when I met the man I've now been with for 17 years, if he'd dropped his weekly D&D game nights with the friends he'd had since he was a kid to freaking date me, I'm pretty sure I would have broken things up with him right on the spot!

Actually, one of the first things we did, when we started dating, was meet each other's closest friends, to see if we'd be a good fit in each other's lives.

You often learn so much more about a romantic interest by watching how caring and devoted they are to those they've already emotionally bonded with, than by interacting with them all on your own.

Yes, you also need to take the time to build some intimacy; but your life together as a couple, if you ever reach that stage, is going to be filled with people sharing both your hearts and your time!

There's a difference between that romantic crush of yours making the effort to integrate you into their own lives, and making time for you so you can get to truly know each other and build a connection; and them suddenly neglecting their platonic and/or alterous relationships and no longer making them a priority in their lives because "Hey, look! I've got a romantic interest now!"

If they are neglecting the people they love because you suddenly showed up, I'd consider it deeply, deeply worrying.

17 years later, my partner still plays D&D once a week (and the boys are awesome friends to us both), I have my own personal tribe (my dance troupe) that I'm deeply close to, and one of the girls came to live with us for 2 weeks Sunday night, because she broke up with her boyfriend recently, needs a place to stay, I freaking love her to death, and we're family.

When I asked my partner if he was fine with her staying over and sharing our home, there was no hesitation on his part in saying "Yes".

We care for and support our family, regardless of who our friends are the closest to.

Because, obviously, there is no need for a romantic partner to grow as emotionally close and intimate to some of your best friends as you are. Ex: They don't need to know all of their secrets, listen to them for hours, and hold them in their arms to provide emotional support when they are going through a hard time the same way you would.

But there needs to be respect and support of those relationships. They need to allow you space and time for you to listen to them for hours, and hold them in your arms to provide emotional support when they are going through a tough time.

And vice versa.

When you are helping someone you love through a tough time, the last thing you need is to be worried about your romantic partner being jealous and resentful over the time you are giving others.

And sometimes, you find yourself connecting more strongly with some of their own friends on certain matters, and suddenly becoming their confidante, too. For example, my romantic partner is a monoamorous heteroromantic heterosexual, and I'm an ambiamorous panromantic demisexual pansexual.

When one of his best friends started questioning if he might be polyamorous, and needed someone to talk with to help him figure out his feelings and how best to approach the subject with his romantic partner, my partner immediately went "It's not that I don't want to support you or listen to you, it's just that I've a feeling you should be talking to my girlfriend about this. She'll be more likely to have some intimate understanding of what you're going through, and she's been professionally trained in counseling."

He's got great respect and acceptance of queer identities (wouldn't be in a romantic relationship with me if he didn't), but he gets utterly lost in them and all the definitions and concepts.

I, however, love discussing and exploring them. So, that best friend and I got to learn a lot about each other during our talks, discovered a lot of shared interests, and grew very close.

Actually, we realized that we were extremely alike in many ways, and that Frédérick (my partner) just might have a "type" of person he's more likely to build an emotional connection with, platonically or otherwise.

I'm also aunt and godmother to wonderful children I've got absolutely no blood relations to.

Found families matter at the very least as much, if not sometimes even more, than romantic partners.

And I believe that the way Jaskier is speaking about the people he loves, the lengths and the risks he is willing to go to in order to protect them, is deeply appealing to Radovid.

In Radovid's world, relationships are commodities to be used to gain influence or power.

You "love" what serves you and makes you more politically relevant and influential, and you can potentially drop them as soon as you find something (i.e. someone) that can bring you more influence or be more useful.

He's been forced to live in a toxic, dangerous, and downright deadly environment, filled with relationships based on lies and deceit, where he had no purpose, and was deeply unhappy.

And I think that he wants to have a chance to build a family of his own based on genuine emotional connections, and/or would be delighted to be given a chance to become part of Jaskier's own found family.

He asked "does the Witcher know how lucky he is to have you?" with a sense of wonder for what it must be like to have someone love you the way Jaskier loves, and to be free to love that person back.

Besides his affection for his brother, perhaps, there was nothing holding Radovid back from leaving the castle and the only life he'd ever known behind.

And truth is, I can't even say how healthy his relationship with his brother truly was.

Most of the time, Radovid was pretty much cheering Vizimir from the sidelines and feeding into his narcissism... But, at least, his brother being King gave him an illusion of safety, I think, until the "Hedwig incident" drove home that no one - not even the freaking Queen herself - was safe with Dijkstra and Philippa around.

In terms of his own emotional, psychological, and even physical well-being, Radovid had everything to gain by getting out of there and following Jaskier.

He could thus afford to "leave everything behind" to follow someone he'd met like 5 times in total in his life. In this context, Radovid truly was choosing himself as much as he was choosing Jaskier.

But Jaskier? He's got a family having made a permanent home in his heart, people that he loves, people that rely on him, and emotional connections that he'd give everything to protect.

And so, Radovid chose to help Jaskier keep his own heart safe, by offering to go help him find and protect his family. He wants to be there with and for him.

Radovid very much seems to understand that Jaskier's family means everything to him. He gets it. That's likely one of the reasons why he finds him so special and attractive in the first place.

Jaskier having a family to go to, and having built bonds of love and loyalty, is what makes it worth it for Radovid to leave everything behind for a potential partner that is healthy enough not to.

Jaskier's a freaking keeper, and that prince is smart enough to know one when he finds one!

And, by showing his full respect and support of Jaskier's other close relationships, Radovid is demonstrating that he'd likely be a good romantic partner to him as well.

Someone that would love all of him, including the parts of Jaskier that Radovid would have to share with others.

Perhaps that's why if it weren't for the writers themselves being a potential threat to their relationship, I could definitely see it work.

Of all the people in his life, Jaskier approached that relationship essentially telling Radovid: "This is who I am an what matters to me... The idea of fully settling down at court gives me urticaria; but I'd be willing to do it, at least for a time, if that kept my little niece and her adoptive parents - the people I love more than anything in the word - safe from threats. I'm not always in the mood for songs, or especially "entertaining" to have around. I've been broken hearted and hurt before, and have developed certain trust issues when it comes to relationships... I'm deeply loyal and devoted to those that have gained my trust and have grown very emotionally intimate with... I might lash out to protect my heart, but reassess in light of new evidence that the other person was hurting, too, and trying to keep their own head above water (or downright on their shoulders). I can forgive mistakes and still love regardless... Oh, and from that whole scene you witnessed with Vespula when we first met, I'm assuming that you've already deduced I sort of have a strong, adventurous approach to my sexuality, and am not exactly the monoamorous kind. Should we ever form a romantic couple, I can't guarantee I won't also have other sexual encounters with some of my dearest friends, but also potentially strangers."

And Radovid's like "Yup! That's the man for me, and I'd love to follow you out there in the world if you'll have me!"

So, it's hard for me not to feel at least a bit optimistic.

And, while Radovid obviously can no longer do that (follow him into the world, that is... At least, for now...), I think he might have a realistic enough approach to life and relationships that, should Jaskier try to offer him creative solutions to make it work as best they can in a world filled with uncertainties, he might be able to listen to his ideas, offer solutions of his own, and adapt.

They're two brilliantly empathetic queer boys in love... They've got it!

If they aim for anything conventional or traditional, they're screwed (and not in the fun way)!

If they make their own rules, and design the relationship to fit the way they love rather than how others would want them to love (i.e. pay no heed to what others say to sing, by going with their own needs instead) there's a world of possibilities for them to explore together.

They could have enough together, and be enough for each other.

And, from the way Radovid's been listening to everything Jaskier's been saying (and singing) since they met, and showing a concern for his own safety, well-being and happiness, given the opportunity, he just might be the one to surprise Jaskier and show some very creative thinking of his own.

Because when Radovid decided that what suited him in life was to help Jaskier protect his family, he immediately went into problem solving mode, was very effective, and showed resourcefulness (forget about baths! I need you to take my cloak and everything I have with fur to turn them into money that might help us on our journey).

He's like Jaskier's own Jaskier, in a sense.

"Look, I'm growing very attached to that guy, and if keeping his family safe is such a huge part of who he is, then I'm going with him to look after him!"

Can you imagine if Radovid had successfully gotten out of that castle, though?

You have Geralt ready to declare war on anyone that stands between him and his daughter.

Jaskier coming along to help rescue Ciri and look after Geralt.

And Radovid coming along to help rescue Ciri and look after Jaskier.

Geralt: This is Jaskier, my emotional support bard... and Radovid, my emotional support bard's emotional support Prince.

This is like Darcy Lewis, Jane Foster's intern, having her own intern.

Next thing you know...

Seriously though, each part of the season had such different vibes...

Season 3, part 1: Finally! Jaskier's been adopted into a forever home, and he's got people looking after him and openly appreciating him now! Was about time!

Season 3, part 2: JFC! Not again! *Heavy sigh* Can someone please, please adopt that ridiculous puppy of a Prince?! He needs a forever home and people to look after him, too!

So really, when it comes to how Radovid appears to be handling relationships, that freaking sense of entitlement and self-importance that would have him become a villain absolutely isn't there.

Book Radovid was a 13-year-old boy that was deeply upset that no one noticed him and his mother, and showed them the respect he believed they were owed!

He couldn't wait to show the world what he could do!

He was portrayed as an immature entitled brat to begin with!

This version of Radovid is the exact opposite.

He's like "Look, I'm just useless to the crown and terrible at politics, spying and being a prince... I just want to follow my heart and get out of here!"

He doesn't want the world to see or notice him, he's constantly hiding himself in window alcoves, corners, and trying to make himself as small as he can, for frak's sake!

He even introduced himself to Jaskier going "Ah, Radovid... Comma Prince", putting his Royal identity last.

At first, I thought it was done for humorous purposes, but it's quite telling, actually.

Being "Prince" is like some ball and chain he's been dragging behind him, weighting him down, rather than a source of pride and personal worth.

Having him magically turning into a villain would make absolutely no sense...

I'm not saying they won't do it. But the character's psychological foundations are miles away from the infamous "dark triad".

Will he allow Philippa and Dijkstra to do terrible things in his name? Perhaps. Stockholm syndrome might kick in, and he might find himself emotionally bonding with them to survive and make sense of a world that would otherwise drive him mad.

As someone that's been trauma bonded to a malignant narcissistic mother for almost 3 decades, I know how powerful Stockholm syndrome can be as a psychological protective mechanism.

But I can't fathom Radovid being inherently cruel or tyrannical.

Convincing himself that Dijkstra and Philippa really "like him" and are looking out for him and the Kingdom's best interests because of being unable to face how hopelessly fucked he is? Sure!

Now that he's been violently thrown into the spotlight and deprived of his usual safety mechanisms, Dijkstra and Philippa might capitalize on this by brainwashing him into perceiving them as "misunderstood", and the only people that have ever truly cared about him and/or respected him.

Survival instincts can be a bitch to fight at times and totally cloud your mind. The absence of cruelty becomes read as "kindness", and your ability to comply with their expectations becomes perceived as a way to "control" what happens to you. And thus, you wind up feeling like you have power over the actions of your abusers (the real threat) through your ability to constantly pacify them.

So yeah, if you want to use Stockholm syndrome to make him go against his very nature, and fall prey to the mind controlling skills of two very dangerous people, with very high sociopathic tendencies?

Yeah, that could realistically happen. And Jaskier would become the most dangerous adversary they would ever be facing in the whole freaking Continent.

Every platonic, alterous, or romantic friend or love interest of mine, that my mother didn't approve of and couldn't fully seduce and control, too, she would make sure to drive away.

My mother only ever tolerated the friends and lovers that fed her own ego and reinforced the level of influence she had on my environment and myself.

And it usually worked. I would be adopting her P.O.V. on my relationships, and breaking up with significant others to avoid risking to lose her approval.

Until I met someone that made me feel so unconditionally loved, respected, and emotionally safe - someone that was capable of loving me the way I was, resolve conflicts without seeking to dominate or control me, and always strove for "win-win" scenarios and balance between my needs and his - that her attempts to play the victim and "expose him as the true threat" to my happiness and well-being utterly failed.

Stockholm syndrome / trauma bonding can be broken by someone showing you that you'll have people that love you, support you, will believe you, and will be there to fight by your side should you be brave enough to oppose your aggressor(s) and attempt to break free from their control.

Your mind will start noticing their violence, and let you realise you've never been safe with them when you stop subconsciously believing that you have no way of ever truly escaping their influence, and the situation is hopeless.

So yeah, if Radovid believes everyone in the castle is under Dijkstra and Philippa's control, and there's no one he can trust to follow any order that would go against their will, he might comply, do what they want, and instinctively create a narrative in his mind that would give them the role of allies and protectors.

But Jaskier's one of the most influencial voices of the Continent. "Blood Origin" (that I absolutely loved, by the way... Don't know what so many people seemed to have against it...), was all about showing the power of stories, and the way they could be used to bring Empires down.

Jaskier could likely break their hold on Radovid, and put the power back in his hands, if it ever came down to it.

So, having Radovid become "dangerous" to others, by adopting Dijkstra and Philippa's P. O. V. without being psychologically able to fight their influence on his own until someone makes him snap out of it, and offers him better alternatives?

It's believable.

But him inherently being a genocidal maniac at his core? That would make zero sense. He's way too empathetic and caring about the emotional well-being of others for that.

Jaskier: "I need to find my family."

Radovid: "Here, let me give up my claim to the throne, sell my valuables, and come help you rescue those you love because you need my help, and I want to be there with you."

Yes... That's... That's what sociopaths do... And they weep over their dead guards' bodies while hiding in corners, especially when they're alone and have no one to put a show for.

That's how people start burning witches at the stake. Makes sense...

[kaelyx-zac01]

Hot take: Crowley and Aziraphale are aromantic.

Okay, look, I get it. I'm pretty much sure the majority consensus concerning the nature of Crowley and Aziraphale's relationship is romantic. And I have nothing against it. In fact, I enjoy viewing them as a romantic couple. I know the significance of the nightingale song and its lyrics (although I still think it still applies even if Aziraphale and Crowley's relationship is alterous or platonic). And, given the ending, it really adds a certain pain when you know that they are both romantically into each other. And yet, character flaws and forces around them hinder them from getting together, something that we all have been hoping to see since the beginning.

HOWEVER, I would argue that viewing their relationship as a platonic or alterous bond between two aromantic, asexual, agender beings makes more sense and creates a different depth to their relationship. For starters, they are angels (well Crowley's a former angel). And, as hammered throughout the second season, they seem quite unsure about how human romantic love actually works --- a shared aromantic experience, honestly. We may know that it happens or understand the scenarios that can spark said attraction. After all, we see them in fiction and real-life stories. But, we don't really GET it, y'know.

Remember Nina and Crowley's conversation about him and Aziraphale being romantic partners? Crowley denies, of course. I don't think he has never seen their relationship as romantic. But, he knows they have a deep and intimate bond. And this conversation leads him to rethink his relationship with Aziraphale, hence his concerned look after their conversation.

First off, he cares about Aziraphale. Deeply. He can't see a future without them. Aziraphale is the only being he can be himself with these past 6000 years -- the only one who made him forget how lonely it is to be a demon who just goes along with Hell as far as he can. Aziraphale --- a bastard worth knowing and liking. Their partner. The only one who saw the goodness beneath the cool demon bad boy facade they've had for all these years. Without a doubt, he loves him. Is it romantic or not, who knows? But, he loves him. And he's worried about losing them, especially as he involves himself with Gabriel.

Now, fast forward to the end of the whole Gabriel-Beelzebub affair. Metatron comes in and speaks with Aziraphale. He's worried about them of course. But, more importantly, something bubbles inside him. Seeing Gabriel and Beelzebub choose each other reflects how he feels about Aziraphale. Because for the last 6000 years, this demon has been choosing Aziraphale time and time again. Aziraphale may be a bit hesitant at first to accept how bonded they are. But, for Crowley, his side is with Aziraphale --- always have and always will. And in his heart, he's hoping that Aziraphale confirms that he feels the same. And with Nina and Maggie's talk about how he should share his true thoughts, he gains the courage to let his bubbling feelings spill out for the first time in millennia.

And then, Aziraphale brings up Heaven's offer. He pushes through with his confession with all vulnerability he has to offer, hoping desperately that his feelings will push Aziraphale to choose him. But, Aziraphale still chooses his former side. "Nothing lasts forever", Aziraphale says and Crowley took that and applied it to their 6000 year-bond, evidently breaking his heart. Thus, as a desperate plea to make him stay and convey how much he loves him, he does what he's seen humans do in similar situations -- he kisses him . He and Aziraphale love humanity, understand humanity in a way. And here, Crowley uses it to convey how much Aziraphale meant to him.

And yes, I know it can be seen as a desperate romantic gesture, that Crowley's been suppressing his romantic feelings all this time and pours out 6000 years worth of romantic pining in one kiss as a way to tempt him to stay. I've seen people talk about how the kiss reframes or starts the transition of their relationship from a platonic to a romantic one. And although perfectly acceptable explanations, for me, it feels lacking. Worse, it also undermines how deep and meaningful platonic or alterous love can be -- that it isn't possible for them to be "just" friends since they are each other's special person.

I think it feels more accurate and meaningful to think of it in an aromantic perspective. Do they get the human romantic attraction and feelings behind kisses? Probably not. But, do they get that humans kiss the people who mean a lot to them, the person they love? Yes. And that shared understanding of humanity becomes a shared language they can communicate with. The kiss becomes more meaningful as Crowley uses it to express the depth of love he feels for Aziraphale in a way only the both of them can understand. Which makes it MORE painful when Aziraphale continues to reject him nonetheless.

In the end, Good Omens is a love story. The depth of their love is evident from the way they look at each other to how they look out for another. However, I just don't think it's a romantic one. I get how it can be interpreted as such. But, personally, given they are angels, I honestly find it more plausible for them to be aromantic: two aroace idiots who deeply love and care for one another. I can't wait to see what Neil Gaiman has in store for them

[kafus]

Anon for my safety <3 I have DID as well prof diagnosed, and reading your posts hit home. It hurts so badly when I see kids who were similarly abused and developed a literal last resort disorder just to survive, only to be called “cringe” and “attention seeker” when they genuinely seek help. God forbid a trauma victim find joy in life, you must suffer forever in order to be valid.

Me and my host are in a dedicated relationship with eachother, we love each other so openly and emotionally in a way you can’t feel with a “real” (/s )relationship. Our minds are forever intertwined, our existence built on abuse and terror no child should ever receive. And yet, in midst of all the chaos, the lost time, the confusion, we learn that loving each other is loving ourselves, and I would have it no other way.

the love for her is healing for me, it is a reminder that we live and we love, that we are not broken and insane as the media portrays us. There is something so domestic about it, and perhaps we are even saving money on the grocery bill. The situation is not ideal, the circumstances are not great, but being alive, even as nothing more than an “alter” as all and everything I could have ever asked for.

I hope that ever person who similarly suffers as we did seeks help and receives gentle and tender care. As much as I would like to pretend, we are still ill and must still fight the demons of trauma that were imposed on us. This disorder is not an easy one, but it is not a curse either. Let your alters know you love them, appreciate them for the memories they hold, similar to yourself. When you care for them, you care for you.

i am not as eloquent about the subject of in-system dating in public spaces such as tumblr because i. have been notably hurt over it before. so i am awkward. however i wanted to thank you a lot for sending this message because i don't think i've ever actually felt like someone Understands the seriousness of my relationship and the... specific kind of love that emerges from dating an alter, someone who is both you and not you and who intimately knows you in your actual darkest moments and who only exists because of those memories. someone you change from being forced to spend your life with and instead choose to spend your life with. someone who embodies healing from the worst of trauma. the sort of love that is both loving another and learning to love yourself. Overcoming. Living. etc. so thank you for helping me/us feel Seen today tbh. all my posts this morning were spawned from a nightmare i had last night and it was really ruining my mood today but this cheered me up a little bit.

like you said DID is not easy and the situation is definitely not ideal but it is not a curse, it's proof that we survived. learning to love and care for your alters is learning to love yourself and all the fragmented parts of you. anyone who is suffering with this hell deserves the care and assistance to be able to get to a point where there is joy and it's not nothing but constant suffering. not people on the internet further shoving them away from recovery and telling them they're wrong for wanting to experience joy and not hate themselves for eternity. it is so pessimistic to believe that people with DID will never be happy. it is hard to be happy but it is possible! we make the best of it even when it fucking sucks!! that's survival babey!!!

idk how clearly i worded this sorry if anything came off a little weird i am super switchy and disoriented today actually </3 but hopefully what i was trying to say came thru anyways

[idigitizellp21]

Navigating Intimacy While Battling Cervical Cancer: Tips for a Healthy Love Life

Cervical cancer can be a life-altering diagnosis, affecting not only your physical health but also your emotional well-being and intimate relationships. Many women undergoing treatment for cervical cancer experience changes in their bodies, self-image, and sexual health, making it challenging to maintain intimacy. However, with open communication, self-care, and the right support, you can navigate these challenges and maintain a fulfilling love life.

Understanding the Impact of Cervical Cancer on Intimacy

What is Cervical Cancer? Understanding how its treatments such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy can bring physical and emotional changes that affect intimacy. Some of the most common challenges include:

Vaginal dryness and discomfort: Radiation therapy and hormonal changes can reduce natural lubrication, making intercourse painful.

Fatigue and low libido: Cancer treatments can cause exhaustion, affecting sexual desire.

Changes in self-image: Surgery and treatment side effects may lead to body image concerns, affecting confidence in intimate situations.

Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, and stress can make it difficult to feel emotionally available for intimacy.

Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward finding solutions for you and your partner.

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Love Life

1. Communicate Openly with Your Partner

Honest and open communication is key to maintaining intimacy. Share your feelings, fears, and physical concerns with your partner. Let them know what feels good, what doesn’t, and what adjustments might help make intimacy more comfortable and enjoyable.

If verbalizing your thoughts feels difficult, consider writing a letter or using a couples’ therapist as a mediator.

2. Explore Non-Penetrative Forms of Intimacy

Intimacy is not just about sex. Kissing, cuddling, holding hands, and sensual massages can help maintain closeness without the pressure of intercourse. Focus on emotional connection and enjoy each other’s presence.

3. Use Lubrication and Vaginal Moisturizers

If vaginal dryness is an issue, using a water-based lubricant or vaginal moisturizer can help reduce discomfort during intimacy. Speak to your doctor about safe options, as some lubricants may interfere with treatment.

4. Prioritize Self-Care and Body Positivity

Cancer treatments may change how you see yourself, but it’s important to remember that you are still beautiful and worthy of love. Engage in self-care practices that make you feel confident wearing a favorite outfit, meditating, or doing gentle exercises like yoga to regain strength and flexibility.

5. Seek Professional Guidance

A gynecologist, oncologist, or sex therapist can offer guidance on managing the physical and emotional effects of cervical cancer on intimacy. If needed, couples counseling should be considered to navigate relationship changes together. For expert care, consulting The Best Gynecologist in Mumbai can provide the support and treatment needed during this journey.

6. Set Realistic Expectations and Be Patient

Healing takes time. It’s okay if intimacy doesn’t feel the same as it did before your diagnosis. Be patient with yourself and your partner as you adjust to new experiences.

7. Join a Support Group

Connecting with other women who have faced cervical cancer can be incredibly empowering. Support groups provide a safe space to share experiences, advice, and encouragement from those who understand your journey.

Embracing Love and Intimacy Beyond Cancer

Cervical cancer may change your body, but it does not define your worth or your ability to experience love and intimacy. With understanding, support, and a compassionate approach, you can nurture a fulfilling and meaningful romantic life. Embracing emotional connection, mutual respect, and a willingness to adapt can help you and your partner navigate these challenges together, strengthening your bond.

Remember, you are not alone, support is available, and love can thrive even in adversity.

[yhwhrulz]

Morning and Evening with A.W. Tozer Devotional for January 23

Tozer in the Morning Man - The Dwelling Place of God - What We Think of Ourselves Is Important

THE MAN WHO IS SERIOUSLY CONVINCED that he deserves to go to hell is not likely to go there, while the man who believes that he is worthy of heaven will certainly never enter that blessed place.

I use the word "seriously" to accent true conviction and to distinguish it from mere nominal belief.

It is possible to go through life believing that we believe, while actually having no conviction more vital than a conventional creed inherited from our ancestors or picked up from the general religious notions current in our social circle. If this creed requires that we admit our own depravity we do so and feel proud of our fidelity to the Christian faith. But from the way we love, praise and pamper ourselves it is plain enough that we do not consider ourselves worthy of damnation.

A revealing proof of this is seen in the squeamish way religious writers use words. An amusing example is found in a cautious editorial change made in the song "The Comforter Has Come." One stanza reads:

"O boundless love divine!

How shall this tongue of mine,

To wondering mortals tell

The matchless grace divine -

That I, a child of hell,

Should in His image shine!"

That is how Dr. Bottome felt it and that is how he wrote it; and the man who has seen the holiness of God and the pollution of his own heart will sing it as it was written, for his whole inner life will respond to the experience. Even if he cannot find chapter and verse to brand hint a child of hell, Ins heart indicts him and he eagerly accuses himself before God as fit only for perdition. This is to experience something profounder than theology, more painfully intimate than creed, and while bitter and harsh it is true to the man's Spirit illuminated view of himself. In so confessing, the enlightened heart is being faithful to the terrible fact while it is singing its own condemnation. This I believe is greatly pleasing to God.

It is, I repeat, amusing if somewhat distressing to come upon an editorial change in this song, which was made obviously in the interest of correct theology, but is once removed from reality and twice removed from true moral feeling. In one hymnal it is made to read,

"That I a child of SIN

Should in His image shine!"

The fastidious song cobbler who made that alteration simply could not think of himself as ever having been a "child of hell." A finicky choice of words sometimes tells us more about a man than the man knows about himself.

This one instance, if isolated in Christian literature, ought not be too significant, but when this kind of thing occurs everywhere as thick as dandelions in a meadow it becomes highly significant indeed. The mincing religious prudery heard in the average pulpit is all a part of this same thing-- art unwillingness to admit the depths of our inner depravity. We do not actually assent to God's judgement of us except as we hold it as a superficial creed. When the pressure is on we back out. A child of sin? Maybe. A child of hell? No.

Our Lord -told of two men who appeared before God in prayer, a Pharisee who recited his virtues and a publican who beat on his breast and pleaded for mercy. The first was rejected, the other justified.

We manage to live with that story in some degree of comfort only by keeping it at full arm's length and never permitting it to catch hold of our conscience. These two men are long ago dead and their story has become it little religious classic. We are different, and how can anything so remote apply to us? So we reason on a level only slightly above our unconscious, and draw what comfort we can from the vagueness and remoteness of it all.

But why should we not face up to it? The truth is that this happened not a long while ago, but yesterday, this morning; not far-away, but here where some of us last knelt to pray. These two men are not dead, but alive, and are found in the local church, at the missionary convention and the deeper life conference here, now, today.

Every man lives at last by his secret philosophy as an airplane flies on its electric beam. It is the profound conviction that we are wholly unworthy of future blessedness, that, we are indeed by nature fitted only for destruction, that leads to true repentance. The man who inwardly believes that lie is too good to perish will certainly perish unless he experiences a radical change of heart about himself.

The poor quality of Christian that grows out of our modern evangelistic meeting may be accounted for by the absence of real repentance accompanying the initial spiritual experience of the converts. And the absence of repentance is the result of an inadequate view of sin and sinfulness held by those who present themselves in the inquiry room.

"No fears, no grace," said Bunyan. "Though there is not always grace where there is fear of hell, yet, to be sure, there is no grace where there is no fear of God." And again, "I care not at all for that profession which begins not in heaviness of mind …. For the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and they that lack the beginning have neither middle nor end."

Tozer in the Evening Superstitious Shadows

Faith honors God by accepting the biblical revelation of the divine character. Faith lets God be what He says He is and adjusts its concepts accordingly. Superstition degrades the reputation of God by believing things unworthy of Him. One rests upon fact and the other upon fancy.

As I said before, there is probably a streak of superstition in everyone, even in the genuine Christian. Any notions we may have of God that have not been corrected and purified by the Word and the Spirit are likely to have some element of error in them, and the religious beliefs resulting from them will of necessity contain a certain amount of superstition. The Christian who flares indignant at such a statement as this and denies that it describes him is not therefore free from superstition; he merely compounds his faults by adding bigotry and anger to the rest.

But if superstition dishonors God, is it not an evil thing and is not the Christian who harbors it guilty of serious sin against the Majesty in the heavens? . . .

Copyright Statement This material is considered in the public domain.

[othernaut]

Character Creation Challenge 2025, Day 5: Infinity The Role-Playing Game

Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.

It came upon her like a shift in seasons, if such a thing could occur all in an afternoon. Awash in nothing-work, women's articles penned for pay on one of the rare, good afternoons when the thundering pain in her head had weakened and the stiffness and shivers fled from her fingers, she found herself a fey revelation: What if all this world around her was an illusion? At first the thought was an amusement, a tinkerer's toy rattled and rotated in the hands of an idle child, but like the alteration of the seasons, it asserted itself more fully until its splendor entire could not be denied.

The heaviness of the quilted wallpaper and stuffed sedan seemed to gain a papery quality, so thin as to barely bear the pressure of a single finger pressed to its surface. Moths fled the glimmer of the gaslamps and not even a trickle of dust remained to mark their passage. A lightness befell the world, an insubstantiality, as if all that was heavy and real around her became a ghost of itself, springtide cloth woven from intimation and memory.

Memory, that came to her, too. Percy Florence, that still-living warmth within her breast, and all the shades of bygone days that patterned the wall behind his vital figure: these seemed an architect's outline of emotion, a soap-bubble caught momentarily in a spray of starlight. These weighty emotions, that meant so much to Mary as to define her soul entire, lost all heft and heaviness second by second; they were the washed and bleached bones of themselves; a fact stated but unfelt; a museum exhibit to be remarked on by an idiot and then passed by in search of a biscuit and tea. Percy...

Was this how a celestial spirit might remark upon the world? She thought to herself, her pen paused mid-sentence, her suddenly unformed and unreal body splayed upon the sedan. Should a Creator look down upon his Creation, would he see it the same way? The outline of nations, the planning of days, the edifices great and small built, at a remove, out of dry twigs and onion-paper. Even her own self seemed assembled as an amusement. Her hands, one at her lap and one at her board: pocked with age and shriveled by illness and yet, all at once, as plump and youthful as they had ever been. As if no time had passed at all. As if no time could pass, at all.

Percy...

Mary rose suddenly from her seat with an ephemeral ease that had evaded her for decades. To her box-desk, which she had avoided writing at for months due to the stiffness of the chair disagreeing with her age-weakened frame. Her hands shook like wind-rattled trees in early spring, just remembering how to bud, as she picked at the lock on the drawer. Opening the thing was a Sisyphean labor, so heavy it was to drag the little brown partition closer, centimeter by centimeter.

But inside was all the weight of the world, at last. At last. His heart, Percy, uncremated, wrapped in its dearest production. Those little locks of lost childrens' hair, so small, like leaden things rattling around a world drained of matter and meaning. That little book, battered and timeworn, where life's early love scratched back-and-forth across the pages. A smile etched its way across the filmy suggestion of her face. It was all here, after all: all that ever mattered in the world. She reached forward the assumption of a hand to touch it.

The world unfolded like a kaleidoscope image.

Mary was standing, young and strong as she'd ever been, in a bright white room built of no material she had ever known. An alien thing in her head whispered a slow trickle of information, as if from the aether, into the heart of her. She knew, now, the veritable falseness of her memory and, paradoxically, the false verity of how that life and love and experience had felt as if she had experienced it in truth. It was built into her and she was built around it, her body a box to hold this guesswork personality, and from the aether some vast and companionable intelligence was welcoming her into itself, welcoming her to recognize herself, welcoming her home.

The box-desk in front of her (now salvaged, she knew, from an auction warehouse on a distant Earth mere weeks before it flooded) was still open, still there, still real. But there was no more heart inside of it as there was inside of her.

Instead, there was a gun.

*****

Mary Shelley (with a gun)

Agility 10, Awareness 12, Brawn 6, Coordination 10, Intelligence 12, Personality 12, Willpower 10. Custom Lhost: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Built For: O-12 (50 Asset debt) Infinity Refresh Rate: 2 Homeworld: Earth Social Class: Middle Home Environment: Happy Home Youth Event: Changed social class/Gained an extended family Education: White Collar Adolescent Event: You fell passionately in love with one of your father's political followers, lost your virginity on your mother's grave, and eloped to travel Europe. Career: Academic Career Events: Gained notoriety as a writer, futurist, and feminist; Was remembered in the wills of relatives.

Skills: Education (Signature, Expertise 3, Focus 2), Persuade (Signature, Expertise 2, Focus 1), Lifestyle (Expertise 1), Observation (Expertise 1), Stealth (Expertise 2), Command (Expertise 1), Medicine (Expertise 1), Science (Signature, Expertise 2), Discipline (Expertise 1), Tech (Expertise 1), Ballistics (Expertise 1), Psychology (Expertise 1) Talents: Fame (1 extra Momentum on a successful social tests, but all Stealth tests are one step harder); Charismatic (Reroll 1d20 on Persuade tests), Disciplined Student (if at least one success is rolled on an Education test, may roll an extra d20) Languages: English, German Character Traits: Ardent Passion Earnings: 3 Cashflow: 6 Assets: 11 Gear: Cube 2.0, Neural Comlog, Stims, Laboratory (3 month lease), Geist (The Heart), Armored Clothing, Assault Pistol, Bioscanner + Medical Supplies, Cosmetics Kit, Fake ID 3

Stress: Firewall: 12 Resolve: 11 Vigour: 6

Bonus Damage: Infowar: +3inf; Psywar: +3inf; Melee: None; Ranged: +3inf.

*****

Oh boy, is Infinity a lot of game.

I was briefly obsessed with the thing. I don't remember where I fell off (probably somewhere between the willingness to buy and paint tiny little Combined Army sniper aliens and a total unwillingness to actually fight other people with them), but Infinity as a world has experienced one of the biggest swings of fascination to disinterest I've experienced in a property. Much like my character for Burning Wheel, my character for the Infinity RPG was built as much to realize a concept as it was to analyze my own response to the property - to examine my initial interest as well as question why it didn't stick.

And oh boy, is Infinity a lot of game. It's a lot of everything - the world is intensely detailed and every interaction with it is fiddly and just unfamiliar enough with the rolling systems that I find it difficult to intuit at a glance just what the hell I should be doing. This is true of the wargame, too, this simultaneous depth and width of design that's so very easy to appreciate at a remove but so very difficult to engage with as a system. The fact that there's so much goodness inherent in it doesn't, at all, detract from just how much is there - curiosity is, as always, subordinate to time.

Infinity is like going to the Lindor factory and coming home with an entire shipping crate full of assorted chocolates, including all the weird ones and the one-offs they do as promotions or seasonal things. It's all good, and it's good in a lot of variety, but that's still an untenable fuckload of chocolate, and you can't eat chocolate for every meal.

Out of all the characters I've built, this one wound up with both the strongest central concept as well as the weakest understanding of how to actually wield her in-game as of yet. In delving into the options, the lifepaths, the backgrounds, the world, I found myself giddy at just what level of conceptually-insane anime-scifi bullshit I could weld together. I had two other, full character concepts before I got ambushed by the gothic spirit of past futurism at 4 AM while making hot dogs, and both were as functionally intriguing and as narratively apt as Mary Shelley With A Gun. The world of Infinity is a compelling one, partly because it's exactly what I like about history superimposed on the future - no big plot moment, like an apocalypse or one technology that changes everything, but a nested series of developments compacted with a whole lot of Humans Acting Like Humans leading to a central conflict that feels as likely as anything we've ever done so far.

But oh fuck, is it a lot. Flipping through the book, looking for talents and equipment, I'd stumble upon entire other sections as if they were complexity landmines - "Oh god, the hacking section," "Oh god, there's an entire psyop mechanic," "Oh god, right, space." Infinity the RPG is, no joke, probably more complex than Shadowrun. I mean, fuck, it's probably more complex than Rifts. And that complexity is as wide as it is deep, with the ability to turbo-customize your biomechanical warfighter destined for combat death or, fifty pages away, run a social media campaign to tell people that aliens are real and they're coming to get you.

This entire exercise, then, is as much of a success as it can be - I found both the reason I initially fell in love with Infinity as well as the reason I stopped engaging with it. And if I want to carry that love forward, it won't be a matter of reading and digesting a book over an evening - I'll have to sit with this thing for months, chewing passages like hard jerky. By the power of futurist romance, I just might.

Next up: Punching people with a building.

[lightningmcqueen07]

Experience the Thrill of Gold Coast Fishing Charters

Nothing is as thrilling as scoring an angler's fishing adventure to connect with the Aussie coastline at its best. Both the scenery and marine life are beyond words on the Gold Coast, making it a real paradise for any angler. From the peaceful estuaries to the wide open sea, Gold Coast fishing charters have it all for every angle-greatly experienced or a novice merely eager to toss out a line.

Exploring the Water of the Gold Coast

The tropical climate is what gives the Gold Coast its rich diversity in aquatic ecosystems. With fishing charters Gold Coast deals, you will be able to check out lively reefs that house snapper, mackerel, and tuna species. The adventure begins when you board a comfortable vessel, with experienced skippers ready to take you to the best fishing spots. These charters are not only ensuring you spend one productive day of fishing but are matched with flawless natural views, such as the breathtaking coastline and iconic hinterland.

Why Seek Fishing Charters?

You can make your experience private through private fishing charters Gold Coast so whether you have a family outing or a corporate event, your private charter can satisfy your requirement. Imagine spending all your days by the sea with loved ones, having a picnic, and being free to fish however and whenever you wish. Charter services often offer everything you might need - rods, reels, bait, and tackle - and let you experience purely the thrill of fishing and not the hassle of logistics. So, how do you maximize your treasure hunt of fishing? What should you look for in those fishing charters so that you get what you want for your adventure? Here are some gold coast fishing charters deals pointers to give you the best out of your day on the water.

Those who do not want to spend too much while trying to get the most from their fishing experience will be able to find fishing charters Gold Coast deals. From guided tours to all-inclusive meals, there are so many packages offered that it could alter the total cost in off-peak seasons or group bookings to make it fun fishing for all. Booking these deals doesn't only guarantee an exciting day out but can also enable you to relate with other anglers, which is definitely deepening your experience through memories and suggestions from each other. Family-Friendly Gains and Learnings

Gold Coast fishing charters are fun family-friendly activities where both children and adults can participate and learn about marine life, fish-cature techniques, and environmental conservation. Charters have learned guides who love to share their expertise and make it not merely a non-fishing trip but an experience to learn, all while fishing together. Imagine teaching your child to cast their first line or identifying which species of fish you catch-those moments create lifelong memories.

Sustainable Eco-Friendly Fishing

Most boat charter services gold coast are environmentally concerned. There exist numerous eco-friendly Gold Coast charter services that will ensure that the fishing experience creates no harm to the aquatic environments of these fragile ecosystems. Most green fish charters center their activities with catch-and-release fishing, the protection of the fish stock, and responsible fishing. With such an eco-friendly charter, you enjoy catching some fish while being cautious not to destroy it for the following generations.

Book Your Gold Coast Adventure Today!

Ready to have the adventure of a lifetime? The Gold Coast fishing charters are waiting. Reel in your catch as the sun beams off the transparent blue waters. Private fishing charters gold coast can be just what you need for an intimate day on the water, and affordable fishing charters Gold Coast deals can easily make the most of your budget.

First of all, spend some of your time on research so you can identify which among the local charter companies would best be able to fit in your needs, read a few reviews, and then compare their services. Be sure to book your fishing trips Gold Coast as early as possible because spots could fill out quickly, especially in the peak seasons. Your next unforgettable experience on the waters of the Gold Coast is just a booking away. So put on that hat, sunscreen, and sense of adventure and get ready to experience the true thrills of fishing charters on Gold Coast!

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Creating the Perfect Wedding Ambience: Expert Tips from Leading Wedding Decorators in Coimbatore

Your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life, and the ambience plays a crucial role in creating lasting memories. The right wedding decor can set the tone, convey your style, and leave a lasting impression on your guests. But how do you create that perfect atmosphere? The answer lies in the expertise of wedding decorators in Coimbatore, who can transform any space into a stunning wedding venue.

In this blog, we will explore expert tips and insights from the wedding decorators in Coimbatore on how to create a wedding ambience that reflects your personality and enhances the overall experience. From selecting the right theme to choosing the perfect floral arrangements, we’ll guide you through every step of the process.

1. Start with a Unique Wedding Theme

One of the first steps in creating the perfect wedding ambience is selecting a theme that resonates with you and your partner. A unique wedding theme can set the entire tone of the celebration, from the decor to the lighting and beyond. Wedding decorators in Coimbatore recommend choosing a theme that reflects your personality, culture, or even your love story.

Traditional Themes: If you love classic elegance, you might opt for traditional Indian wedding decor with vibrant colors, ornate floral arrangements, and rich fabrics.

Modern Themes: For a more contemporary feel, you can go for minimalist decor with geometric designs, subtle color palettes, and sleek lines.

Cultural or Destination Themes: You can infuse a personal touch by incorporating elements from your cultural heritage or a favorite travel destination.

2. Choose the Right Floral Arrangements

Floral decor is an essential part of wedding ambience. Flowers have the power to transform a space and create a romantic, dreamy atmosphere. Wedding decorators in Coimbatore suggest selecting flowers that complement your theme and venue.

Seasonal Flowers: Choosing seasonal flowers is not only cost-effective but also ensures that the blooms are fresh and vibrant.

Flower Colors and Themes: Match the flower colors with your wedding color scheme to maintain visual harmony. For example, soft pastels are perfect for a spring wedding, while bold colors like red and gold suit traditional Indian weddings.

Floral Installations: Consider adding larger floral installations like floral arches, chandeliers, or wall decorations that become focal points in the venue.

3. Lighting That Sets the Mood

Lighting is one of the most important elements in creating the right wedding ambience. The wedding decorators in Coimbatore know that lighting can dramatically alter the atmosphere, whether you want a romantic, intimate feel or a grand, celebratory mood.

Fairy Lights: Soft, twinkling fairy lights can create a magical atmosphere, perfect for evening weddings or garden ceremonies.

Spotlights and Chandeliers: For a more luxurious feel, spotlights on the dance floor or chandeliers hanging over the reception tables add sophistication and glamour.

Candles: Incorporating candles in your decor creates a warm, intimate vibe. Use candles in lanterns, floating in water, or along the aisle to guide guests.

4. Personalized Touches to Reflect Your Style

Personalization is key to making your wedding feel unique. Wedding decorators in Coimbatore often recommend adding personal touches that reflect your journey as a couple. These little details make the decor truly yours.

Custom Signage: Personalized welcome signs, seating charts, and name tags can make your guests feel special and welcomed.

Photo Displays: Showcasing photographs of your relationship milestones, such as your engagement or trips together, adds a sentimental touch to the decor.

Themed Favors: Wedding favors that match your theme add a thoughtful and personalized gesture for your guests.

5. Coordinate with Your Wedding Venue

Your venue plays a huge role in determining how you should decorate. It’s essential to coordinate your decor with the characteristics of the venue. Wedding decorators in Coimbatore have the expertise to adapt your theme to various spaces, whether you’re having a beach wedding, a garden ceremony, or a ballroom reception.

Venue-Specific Decor: For example, if you're getting married in a heritage venue, your decor may feature vintage elements and classic design. On the other hand, a beach wedding may call for simple, airy decor with light fabrics and natural elements.

Space Management: Wedding decorators in Coimbatore also know how to optimize space. They ensure that the decor doesn't overwhelm the venue but enhances its beauty.

6. Keep Your Guests in Mind

When planning your wedding decor, it’s important to consider your guests' comfort and experience. Wedding decorators in Coimbatore advise incorporating elements that not only look beautiful but also offer comfort to your guests.

Seating Arrangements: Comfortable seating with stylish cushions or covers can make your guests feel at home. For outdoor weddings, consider renting stylish lounges or cozy seating pods.

Guest Flow: The decor should guide the flow of guests throughout the venue, from the ceremony to the reception. Clear signage and well-placed decor elements help avoid confusion and create a seamless experience.

Conclusion: Trust the Best Wedding Decorators in Coimbatore for Your Dream Wedding

Creating the perfect wedding ambience requires more than just arranging flowers and setting up lighting. It involves thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and expert execution. By working with the wedding decorators in Coimbatore, you can ensure that every aspect of your wedding decor is tailored to your unique style and preferences.

Whether you're looking to create a traditional, modern, or destination-themed wedding, the right decorators will help bring your vision to life with finesse and elegance. Ready to transform your wedding day into a magical celebration? Contact the wedding decorators in Coimbatore today and start planning your dream wedding!

Start your wedding journey with the best decorators in Coimbatore! Get in touch now for a consultation and let us make your special day unforgettable.