#it's actually quite fascinating how that happens quite very regularly

[covertblizzard]

Leslie’s blatant disapproval of some of Bruce’s actions

I just think if fandom wants or needs someone to find out something and do a Bruce call out and stuff, Leslie should be used more often. Because (as a few people have pointed out) Alfred is much more lenient with Bruce and is quite the Bruce-enabler, whereas Leslie is much more openly disapproving with him and tries to convince him to change his methods actively (and in this one, she’s supposedly his mother figure too, so it works quite well). She seems far more likely to yell at him over him crossing the line and trying to pull him in the right direction again.

ANYWAY why isn’t there more Leslie as the Batfam’s grandma because I want that. Please and thank you. Like I’m not even making it up the implications are thereeee...

(Also another scene would be the one with Robin Jason nearly dying)

[colleybri]

Cassian x Bix and Rebelcaptain: Please let these ships be friends !

I ‘ship’ Cassian x Bix AND Cassian x Jyn. I see there has been some conflict in the past when the “new woman” was first brought in with the series, some that remains now, and I’m both saddened and bemused by that.

Rebelcaptain for me is a canon relationship… to a certain extent. I have no doubt that these brave heroes would have ended up together had they lived. That’s why I love it… the whole beautiful tragedy of what might have been, and the loyalty that binds people together when making a sacrifice like this. Were they actually in love, in canon? For me – no. Not yet. And that’s important for my personal enjoyment of Rogue One, especially its ending. As the novelisation stresses, Cassian dies without knowing Jyn as “There wasn’t the time”. And I simply don’t believe you can love someone without knowing them . But I enjoy the idea of exploring what would have happened had they lived. They are a perfect loyal “battle couple”, definitely my favourite fanon SW couple and great to imagine together. I see Rebelcaptain also as a way of giving them the happy ending they deserved. Oh - and the chemistry between Felicity Jones and Diego Luna on-screen is absolutely electric. In short and again: I have no doubt that they would have fallen in love had they lived and would have been perfect for each other. And they are a perfect fanon ship.

(^^ And I I think this is the exact moment in canon when they both acknowledge the loss of what might have been. It’s just heartbreakingly beautiful… )

Cassian x Bix - I don’t even think of it as a ‘ship’ per se as it is a 100% canon relationship, and one that is currently ongoing as we wait for Andor S2.. It’s fascinating to me – 17 years of friendship that has occasionally blossomed into a romantic/sexual relationship. It’s a genuinely unusual set up too. I’ve read a few takes that they are “over each other” by the time of the start of the series, to which I want to say … watch again, closely! They certainly have moved on to date different people, but it’s also very clear from their interactions (especially in the intense scene in Ep 7) that there is still a lot of extremely deep feeling between them – even if some of it is very negative. In the S1 production notes, the show’s creator Tony Gilroy says that they “are meant to be together… but it’s been impossible all these years. Now, she’s done with him … he’s burnt every last bridge .” Why? The series also provides the answer – Cassian is in many ways an absolute mess at the start of the season and Bix was quite rightly fed up with him as a boyfriend. He’s completely unreliable, likes short-lived affairs (often with married women - so no risk of commitment!), isn’t working regularly and has debts all over the place. This largely stems from his “unresolved childhood trauma”. He has a fear of “leaving people behind” and despite having a lot of love to give “ is so scared of being loved”. But he and Bix nonetheless prove to be incredibly loyal friends and their love in this platonic sense clearly runs very deep indeed. They have known each other since he was 10 so she is also something like a sister figure. Bix is still very protective of Cassian and takes personal risks for him… and he finally comes to appreciate this and pay back his metaphorical debt to her in the finale. The question now is what season 2 holds for them, if anything.

(^^ I love the way she is using her fingertips to push his hand off, as if to avoid the risk of too much touch. The gesture and look that says “Please don’t try and get close to me again because we both know how bad that is for us… but I’m such a total idiot when it comes to you that I will still very unwisely go out of my way to help you, especially when you look at me like that so please just don’t”)

Does loving their messy and complicated relationship mean that I want Cassian and Bix to ‘end up together’ ? No, and the obvious additional point is that they don’t! They are both going to be very different people at the start of S2 and over the following years of the story . Bix has been traumatised; Cassian has been radicalised. And that’s just the start. Perhaps they quickly drift apart. Perhaps some kind of betrayal is involved. Perhaps one or both of them will want to commit again to a relationship, but it’s impossible because of the demands of the rebellion (like Vel /Cinta). Perhaps Bix “ends up with” someone else (Brasso, ideally, especially if they both survive the season). Perhaps they will get back together at least for a while and enjoy a little last happiness before inevitable heartbreak. Perhaps all, some or none of these. But none of that stops me from loving and appreciating what they do have, what they have had up to now, and the intriguing dynamics of when they do interact on screen. Bix x Cassian attracts me as a fanfic ship because it’s all about exploring what is there and how it came to be, which is why I currently don’t write them beyond the present time of season 1. I’m waiting to see what happens next in Canon, as it were, because that to me is an important part of writing them. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying analysing the relationship by imagining them in the past.

So for me Bix x Cassian in no way impacts on Jyn x Cassian or vice versa, especially if you apply… real life principles rather than the ideals of fandoms: “soulmates” and OTPs. Many people – most people – will have a beautifully intense and loving relationship with more than one person at different times of their lives. I’m old – trust me on this one.

^^ Both relationships in these two scenes go way beyond romance. In the first - many years of close and loyal friendship. In the second: a bond created through brave and selfless sacrifice together. And for both: Cassian’s absolute hatred of being “someone who leaves people behind”: the quality that I love best about him. And saving each other. Literally and metaphorically.

And oh… it’s beautiful. Both moments are beautiful.

Edit: I won’t do any speculating here about the content of the trailers and articles. Except to say that there’s nothing in them that detracts from the emotional power of both ships. They can continue to happily coexist. 

[ryuichirou]

I know this might be a bit of a weird ask, but can I get your HCs on which characters you think would prefer having s*x with or without a condom? Like, which ones like being safe and which ones are creampie obsessed

Sorry it took so long for me to reply, Anon. It’s a bit of a difficult thing for me to comment on, because as you might have noticed, we barely have any condoms in our nsfw stuff lol Don’t follow these boys’ example, people! They’re all creampie obsessed, some of them more openly than others lol

Riddle is too embarrassed to even think about sex, but if he was sexually active, he would insist on condoms so aggressively that Floyd (for example) would have to catch him off-guard to get what he wants. Trey sounds like a normal reasonable guy who would absolutely always have condoms on him but would secretly think that creampies are the hottest shit ever. Not sure about Cater, but maybe he would be the one to find a way to make condoms sexy… although I don’t think he has sex all that often.

Ace and Deuce argue about this stuff, god they always argue in our headcanon posts lol Deuce thinks that using condoms is a right thing to do, Ace always tell him that they don’t need them, making Deuce feel stupid, but Deuce doesn’t give up. A lot of time they just end up unintentionally tearing it apart mid-sex lol

Ruggie knows about the importance of condoms, but he doesn’t use them with Leona – Leona doesn’t like how it feels. Jack, if he was to have sex, would always bring condoms, but despite his best intentions his instincts could make him overwhelmed and he’ll forget about them completely.

Octa-trio doesn’t use condoms, but they should, because while their own immune system is strong enough to handle a lot of shit, their lovers might have a reaction to any secretions that merpeople have. Poisonous sperm lol Floyd is the most sexually active, so he gets scolded a lot, especially by Azul who doesn’t want people to complain to him when their stomach starts to feel funny because of Floyd’s juice. Floyd throws a looot of “but it’s TOO TIGHT” tantrums… Jade doesn’t throw any tantrums, he just does whatever he wants and doesn’t talk about his sex life with Azul-the-hypocrite :)

Kalim doesn’t really like how condoms feel, and he really really REALLY enjoys the sight of Jamil’s butt being filled. So he is probably the one to ask Jamil to let him do it raw whenever he gets clingy… Jamil is always going to be against it, strictly against it, he would rather put the condom on Kalim himself, alright he can do it with his mouth, there, happy? But in actuality Jamil also really likes the feeling of being filled with Kalim…….. but it’s too embarrassing, and also A BITCH to clean afterwards.

I’m pretty sure Vil is the biggest safe sex advocate in the world. At least in NRC. If he heard about some of the boys’ habits, he would immediately give them an impromptu safe sex lesson in the most annoying and wordy way possible. And Rook usually does whatever Vil wants, buuuut there’s always this “but”, isn’t there? These two also have “raw” sex, and also do it quite often lol Vil thinks of it as either “alright it’s a treat for you” or “alright this once” but it still happens pretty much regularly. Although there are periods when it doesn’t happen at all for a long time. I guess it depends on their mood.

Epel would not use condoms because Vil said that he should lol I won’t elaborate further.

Idia and Ortho… You’ve probably seen my comic about this topic, so you know lol Idia doesn’t like condoms all that much (unless it’s a kink thing, in which he’s just VERY ASHAMED), but Ortho is fascinated by the concept. It’s a phase…

Lilia is the “do as I say, not as I do” type: he could also give a safe sex lesson but he doesn’t really believe in it. Fae immune system is probably also stronger than humans’, so he only does it for Silver’s sake. But “it” I mean teaches Silver about the importance of condoms of course, not wears one himself. God forbid.

So Silver knows about the importance of condoms, but since he doesn’t usually penetrate anyone, he doesn’t use them. He knows how to put them on his partner’s dick though, both with his hands and his mouth.

Sebek isn’t sure if he should wear one or not. But if he decided to do it, he would probably tear it in 3 places somehow and get emotionally destroyed by the fact that he tried to be responsible but still spilled his juice everywhere…

Malleus… Malleus would be amused by the idea of condoms. But I also have a feeling that he’s never seen one in his life…

[kittyit]

I enjoy your writing a lot — whether it’s your essays or your reviews. In a weird bit of coincidence, actually, I independently followed your letterboxd, medium, and tumblr and only realised it was all you today. And now it’s obvious because whatever the platform, I keep being drawn to your writing — it’s matter of fact yet still tender in a way, and your essays are so incredibly thorough and well-researched.

I guess I wanted to ask 1) how long it takes you to put these things out and 2) how do you manage yourself so you’re not burnt out by all the legwork? Maybe it’s my grad school fatigue speaking but the idea of putting my pen where my mouth is feels daunting, so any insight would be welcome.

side note: I found you on letterboxd because I unknowingly had a “transbian” oomfie who was overly-familiar but not particularly off-putting — until he was very, very mad at Envy/Desire which then piqued my interest and yada. Glad someone also found it funny — hilarious on a meta-level especially. Call me a hater but nothing quite so delicious as getting to witness such a flood of AGP self-owns in real time.

and my answer will most likely be incredibly unhelpful to you. i'm actually seeking (in a life quest way but making some moves recently) ways to become someone who can write more regularly and in a more consistent way. i was kind of fascinated by the concept that i would be putting in legwork - it's the other way around, sort of.

i have ideas for several essays right now, and when i write an essay, i usually just sit down for 1-3 hours and write it all in one go. i have the sources i need because they're things i've already seen or know about, it's just referencing the references in my head. i think i wrote the envy/desire review in about 45 minutes and then just published it. sometimes i try to edit for a few days but often i just pull the trigger (NEED TO NOT DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

i have an incredibly fraught and difficult relationship with writing (or making anything) that has caused me a huge amount of emotional torment in my life so it's really nice to get a genuine compliment that seems to assume i am not just an insane person who sits down and writes insanely which is pretty much what happens

KITTY'S CREATIVE CYCLE: i am thinking about this so much → oh man i'm getting pretty pissed off/sad/beside myself/overwhelmed by the joker nature → i am snapping and sitting down and writing insanely → don't do anything for a year because i dislike myself so much → fuck i'm really starting to think about something a lot

but quite often i rev up on the first two parts of the cycle and then just fritter away to nothing for no reason. it sucks! it is not a good way to be a creative. but i am trying :) and that's what we can do as women. despite all of the ways i feel (very negatively about myself and my work), i can still take the action steps (writing whenever i can, taking myself and my thoughts seriously) to add to feminist intellectual legacy and encourage other women to do the same thing

everyone can write an essay (or a review). just go crazy

[saintsenara]

What are your thoughts on medical shows - ex. ER or Grey's Anatomy or The Resident? Do you watch any medical shows, and how do you look at them differently as a doctor?

unsurprisingly, they do hit differently if you've worked in healthcare, but i don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.

there's a lot about medicine as a science which is interesting for the doctor, but which isn't particularly entertaining for anyone else. unless you decide to specialise in acute internal medicine, the things which you're going to end up being fascinated by aren't going to have much dramatic potential - running tests, or doing lab work, or seeing patients in clinics, or leading ward rounds, or writing research papers, or doing your paperwork might be your idea of a good time... but they aren't exactly thrilling to observe.

which is to say, all medical shows end up relying on a lot of movie magic to make themselves compelling... and this tends to result in them conforming to one of the following archetypes:

1. stuff which takes the medicine seriously, but therefore doesn't reflect what it's like to work in a hospital with any real accuracy, or it would be boring - er is one of these [and it still holds up as the most medically accurate hospital drama by quite some distance].

2. stuff which doesn't take the medicine seriously and doesn't reflect what it's like to work in a hospital with any real accuracy, but which was obviously never intended by its writers to do this - such as grey's anatomy [a relationship drama which just happens to be set in a hospital; only ever medically accurate by accident] and house [basically a detective series, except it's rare diseases instead of murderers; the medicine is spectacularly unrealistic, it's very frequently lupus].

3. stuff which absolutely nails what it's like to work in a hospital, and does this by focusing on workplace dynamics more than the medicine - that is to say... scrubs.

[you'll hear lots of doctors say that scrubs is the most accurate hospital drama. this isn't necessarily because of its medical accuracy - although it's actually pretty good! - but because it is a pitch-perfect account of the social ecosystem which comes from working in a teaching hospital - above all in that it's one of the few medical shows which portray the way doctors interact with nurses well.]

i'm a sitcom girly myself, so scrubs is probably the only one of these shows i watch regularly. and - of course - i'm also an enemies-to-lovers girly, which means i've not not deeped the potential of cox/dorian...

[nelvana]

Back at it again with another pokemon playthrough, this time going all the way back to gen 1 and playing yellow! I had been playing this on and off again for a few years now, but finally wrapped things up a couple months ago. Those old sprites are fascinating. Similarly, I thought it would be fun to shake up the usual team drawing doing this in the original Game Boy colors!

Team stats and general gameplay info under the cut:

"Sunnie", Pikachu, Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Double Team - Body Slam

"Frumky", Primeape, Strength - Dig - Low Kick - Rock Slide

"Spesk", Parasect, Slash - Mega Drain - Leech Life - Spore

"Memoire", Mew, Earthquake - Metronome - Surf - Psychic

"Beast", Flareon, Fire Blast - Sand-Attack - Smog - Quick Attack

"Leece", Dewgong, Headbutt - Surf - Rest - Ice Beam

General Playthrough Notes:

Gameplay total settled at nearly 20 hours! One of the shorter ones, I'd say; though, then again, there isn't really much to do in this game aside from the gyms and Team Rocket stuff.

We went in to the E4 with the whole team at level 45! Something that didn't go well in my old LeafGreen playthrough, but was perfectly fine here. The E4 wasn't that bad at all, honestly.

Kanto is not nearly good enough to deserve all the times I've played through it. I am so tired of Kanto and I'm not even done with it yet (I'm midway through a SoulSilver randomized apocalocke which, of course, has Kanto in the postgame, and I'm doing another LeafGreen run for some reason).

Okay okay so look you can see the mew on my team, I thought it'd be fun to have a mew! I missed the spots you're ideally supposed to perform the glitch in. I had just finished Cerulean City and then realized that the trainers I needed for the glitch were in that city! And I had already beaten them! I ended up using a dugtrio in diglett cave instead. It wasn't very consistent, took me a few tries, but eventually I got it.

Fun fact! At one point I was going to do a yellow nuzlocke! I ended up getting bored and realized I just wanted to play through yellow regularly, so here we are. In that run I caught Frumky though, which is actually what won me over enough to want to use her again in my actual yellow playthrough. It was actually that save where I traded with myself to get an alakazam back in my gold playthrough.

Gen 1 is so funny with how broken it is. I got so much joy in describing to my roommate all the fucked up things that were happening in-game.

Hey. Come here. Listen closely: I don't think parasect is as bad as everyone says it is. Even with the multiple x4 weaknesses in gen 1. Spesk was the mvp in a lot of fights, they packed a punch. Lovely little critter.

...Wish I could speak high praises for gen 1 flareon though. I enjoyed using Beast! But they really just don't get access to a lot of good moves. Beast had their moments, but ultimately didn't get as much screen time as I had hoped.

Similarly, dewgong? Not as good as I hoped. It really isn't quite as beefy as I had in mind. Poor thing. Again, still had fun with them on the team!

Having pikachu following me around and checking in with them whenever will never not be cute. We've been robbed of quality following pokemon in the modern games.

[marimayscarlett]

I was about to throw hands over you, supposedly not liking Zeit song or video..

It's painful, isn't it?? Especially if you've lost someone...oh boy! I've lost count of how many times I've cried to it.

But I'm desperate for the making of. Who came up with the story? How was it shot? How did Paul compensate Richard's broken foot?

Hi again 😌

Your ask provoked me to watch the music video again - for the I think the 5th time ever (yes, I avoid this video at all costs) and to listen to the song again for the first time after about half a year. Don't get me wrong, this song in my eyes is a masterpiece, as well as the video. But I honestly can't bring myself to listen to it regularly, the effect it has on me is severe. I lost two loved ones over a span of a few months, both quite unexpected in their own way, so this song hits very close to home. The lyrics of Zeit are so melancholic and beautiful, yet so heart-breaking it almost becomes unbearable. Especially:

"manches sollte, manches nicht" (some things should, some things not)

"Zeit, bitte bleib stehn, bleib stehn" (Time, please stay still, stay still)

"Augenblick verweile noch, ich bin noch nicht bereit" (linger a moment, I'm not ready yet)

The inevitable passage of time and the powerlessness against it really becomes quite clear in the song.

The video in itself has some very cinematically impressive scenes. Not going into full detail here, but what I find rather fascinating in this videos are these entities:

There's a theory (quite known in the R+ world I think) that these three figures represent the Norns, deities in the northern mythology, most of the time represented as maiden giantesses who were responsible for deciding the destiny/fate of people. They also were tending to the central sacred tree in norse mythology, Yggdrasil (which could be the sand figure where the women give birth around of; sand representing most likely the passage of time, like time slipiping through your fingers like sand). The Norns are Urðr (representing what happened = the past), Verðandi (representing what currently is taking place = present) and Skuld (representing what needs to happen = future). There are a lot of germanic and north female deities, this is just one description. What the Norns decide will happen and is unavoidable, so while this is just a theory, it can be really fitting to the video and its aesthetic.

So I'd also be super interested in who came up with the storyline, how many ideas were actually thought of (since this song can be interpreted in various ways I think), how the ideas were put into pictures, which ideas didn't make the cut... and last but not least, does Paul really have an ass of steel? What kind of work out does he do to achieve this, a butt that can destroy your band mates foot in a matter of seconds? Questions upon questions... 👀

[endogenichaven]

Hello! I have begun to suspect I'm a system. Mostly, because of that feeling of just being a different person, or temporarily/partially a fictional character. I suspect it's more of a "median" thing, if I'm not misusing the term, although occasionally there are minor instances where I might be experiencing amnesia, like there might be someone regularly giving homeless people much bigger bills than I originally intend to give out, and I'm way too fastidious to be making this mistake this often. However, I admit I am quite frightened. I feel like I'm trapping someone else in my shitty life and ill body, with even less autonomy I already lack. I also can't help but be at a loss of what kind of things I would talk to these people about, and have trouble thinking of what kind of value I would bring to them as a companion. Some of the people I think might be here, are pretty impressive fascinating individuals. I am someone who has nothing going on. I'm scared of puppeting them or abusing them, already exerting terrible control without even knowing it, if there really is a whole person rattling around in there. I am also admittedly scared of losing control. The idea of someone possessing my body and ruining my life is extremely scary to me. Of there being someone who I can't leave or escape at all. I'm an extremely private person, who values my independence, and is slow to trust. And lastly, I guess I'm scared they'll hate me. I have a long history of being disliked and mistreated, and I don't know if I could bear it if it came from someone apart of my very own mind. I don't know. Thanks for listening. Any advice, I guess?

It's okay to be scared! Many systems are when they first approach the idea that they may be one themselves. Try to take the idea slowly, and as it comes. We suggest managing each new situation involving your system as it arises, and not stressing too much about the details for now.

Generally, from what we've seen from tulpas (an example of a headmate with less autonomy in the beginning) they're usually just happy to exist with their host no matter the circumstances, and resentment usually only forms if the host is abusive, or there was trauma beforehand that led to that headmate. They don't usually feel trapped or upset at existing, assuming their host treats them well. Regardless of whether your headmates are tulpas or not, this might hold true for you too.

You could talk to them about anything, really. As you're going about your day you might think to yourself about various things, and if they overhear they might be able to add their input. Conversations don't always have to be about big things, they can be about the ordinary as well. If they're impressive people, then it might be nice for them to talk to someone who isn't impressive in the same ways they are - so you wouldn't be boring to them, you might actually be interesting in your own right. And even if you did have nothing going on, some interesting people might be tired of talking to others like them all the time, and find this to be charming. (Think of it how some learned people are delighted to talk to someone who knows nothing of their profession, to tell them about it for the first time.)

The best way to avoid accidentally puppeting them or abusing them is to listen to them when they say they said (or didn't say) something, and respect their consent (or lack of it) in situations that involve it. Accidental puppetting can happen, but it's often a result of the mind being finicky and/or intrusive thoughts, and talking to the headmate usually rectifies the issue. AFAIK it doesn't hurt a headmate to be accidentally puppetted, and most are forgiving when it does occur.

While losing control can be scary, it's not usually something that happens without a reason. Many (but not all) endogenic headmates need some sort of permission to control a body, and even in the case of traumagenic systems usually they won't take over and ruin your life just like that. Trauma can be a factor with a headmate that does take control and refuses to give it up, or otherwise does not appear to compromise with the other sharing their body, but even that can be mitigated by just being nice to them, respecting them, and if possible seeking out therapy for the more traumatized headmates (if they exist). When someone does lose control suddenly, it's more likely to be a result of trauma or triggers, and the headmate taking action to do what they feel is best for the system.

To a certain degree you'll still have privacy inside your own mind, depending on how your system functions. You mentioned minor instances of amnesia, and that in itself might provide you some privacy, but for some systems there are ways to obtain at least partial privacy - we've heard of systems that can choose how much they want to know about the other headmates or prevent unwanted information sharing, and others who strengthened certain mental barriers over time for their own comfort. Headmates may not always be awake and active (many "sleep") and during these times you may find your mind silent, or have the place to yourself temporarily. It is possible to get some level of privacy as a system, even if it may never be the same as a singlet might have.

If there's no trauma or abuse behind them, it's unlikely they'll hate you, especially for no reason. Even in traumagenic systems, there are often many system members who do get along, or can at least work together for each other's benefit. And if they do happen to hate you, it is often possible to rectify any issues by discussing them (why do they feel this way? Is there anything that can be done? What are their needs?), and figuring out solutions together.

Discovering you're a system can be a huge change, and it's alright to be scared. There are ways to mitigate any potential issues that come up, and enjoy being together. Sorry this took a while to answer, but hopefully this helps ease the fears!

[driedbreadstixx]

ABOUT TYPHOON

All there is about him so far

Species

Typhoon is a Burmese roofed turtle mutated by Baron Draxum alongside the other Turtles.

Weapon + mystic powers

Typhoon wields a mystic kusarigama. He's quite skilled with his weapon, as his adoptive mom taught and trained him quite well, due to her being an experienced fighter herself.

The mystic kusarigama can manipulate and create strong winds, powerful enough to knock back enemies and make craters upon impact. The weapon emits a soft green glow. Typhoon loves his weapon dearly, because it fits his name well.

The name's origin

》Swift like the wind and unpredictable like a storm.《

He had always been a hyperactive bundle of energy and little prankster, so his mom settled for the name "Typhoon".

Personality

Typhoon is a friendly and fun loving turtle. He's incredibly playful and enjoys being active. He's a hyperactive bundle of energy and practically bounces off the walls 24/7. Typhoon physically cannot sit still without complaining and making his boredom known.

Alongside that, Typhoon is also incredibly affectionate. His love language is physical touch like hugs and holding hands.

Typhoon's story

Typhoon is the fifth of the Turtle brothers, but he was seperated from the pack pretty much right after their mutation. In the Hidden City, he was raised by a Yokai named Stellar, an ex Battle Nexus fighter.

After leaving the Battle Nexus and Big Mama behind, Stellar opens a flower shop in the Hidden City. Typhoon sells his own home made charms and stickers alongside his mom, in order to "make money to buy sweets with".

One day, when Typhoon is taken to the surface by Stellar, he comes face to face with the four other Turtles. At first, Typhoon doesn't quite believe he's a mutant himself. After all, he's been around Yokai all his life, which led him to believe he's a Yokai, too.

On the way back home to the Hidden City, Typhoon tells his mom all about the new friends he made, and how they're turtles just like him. Stellar is intrigued.

They go out to the surface again a few days after, hoping to encounter the Turtles once again. Fortunately, such happens, and Typhoon enthusiastically introduces his mom to them. Stellar is anything but hateful towards humans and mutants. In fact, she's rather fond and fascinated, so she greets her son's new friends with open arms.

Weeks and months pass and Typhoon grows pretty close to the Turtle brothers. When he's introduced to Splinter, he's immediately recognized. Typhoon doesn't understand how Splinter could possibly know him, but after a long explanation, everything clicks.

Typhoon is absolutely excited when he discovers he's actually biologically related to the Turtles. He enthusiastically informs his mom of those news when he returns home, and Stellar is happy for her child.

More and more time passes, with Typhoon regularly hanging out with his new brothers, until one day Stellar and Splinter agree it's best for Typhoon to move in with them properly.

Typhoon isn't very fond of the idea of moving out of the Hidden City and leaving his mom behind, but Stellar suggests he could visit every weekend and vice versa. Quickly, the final decision is made and Typhoon moves into the New York sewers with his brothers and biological father.

His relationship to the Turtles

Typhoon gets along well with all of his brothers, but he's certainly closest with Mikey. Both of them are around the same age, making them the babies of the family. Typhoon and Mikey share many interests, and their personalities seem so alike, it's "very well possible they might as well be one organism". The two of them had to share a room for a while until Typhoon could have his own. Still, Typhoon and Mikey still enjoy sleeping in the same room.

Typhoon is fascinated by Donnie's work and often requests to sit with him while Donnie works in his lap. Despite Typhoon's best efforts to learn and understand, his attention often shifts to other things.

He has poor humour, which resultens in Typhoon enjoying Leo's puns and one liners. Typhoon likes hanging out with Leo because of his funny and laid back personality. Although Leo was skeptical of Typhoon for a while, they've grown quite close.

Typhoon also enjoys spending time with Raph, although his overprotective personality sometimes bugs him. Despite all that, Typhoon looks up to Raph and aims to be as strong as him one day.

Hobbies + favourite things

Typhoon has expressed a love for art ever since he was little. From doodling with crayons to painting to making origami figures. His favourite things to draw are dinosaurs, as he's absolutely obsessed with them.

His favourite colours are pink and green, and Typhoon loves pancakes. He'd have them for every meal if he could.

If given the chance, Typhoon would give hour long rambles about dinosaurs and his favourite prehistoric creatures. Two of his favourite dinosaurs are Baryonyx and Therizinosaurus, as those fascinate him the most.

Other stuff

Typhoon has a lizard plushie named Barbecue and he can't sleep without it. He's incredibly scared of the dark, suffering from nyctophobia. He believes Barbecue protects him from the dark and the monsters lurking within.

He has undiagnosed ADHD.

Reference Sheet

Voice claim

[might add onto this sometime!]

[lv-iceprince]

🪐…synastry ship…🪐

@ys-1010

thank you so much for requesting, i really found this ship fascinating. there are so many similarities within your planets yet there's a lot of opposing factors, but for some reason they mainly include the same planets. through this i was able to get a very clear idea of what this relationship is and it was actually such a fun ship to do bro.

thanks!! xx

wren

~idol~ yangyang (wayv)🪐

~aspects~

~pros~

sextile mercury~ mars: This really is a "sparks flying" type of relationship, it won't take long for you to both realise just how intellectually and physically compatible you are. It's also a relationship that's rooted in experience, it's full of deep, late night conversations. You don't ever run out of things to talk about, you both just have a very lively and pleasant sense of communication. Yangyang encourages your persuasive side, he actively encourages you to express your thoughts in a direct and you do the same, you make him feel so bold and confident, however, you also teach him to think before he acts.

You also just have a good way of solving any issues that arise in your relationship, it's just a perfect match between your communication skills and thinking and his need to take action.

There is also an overwhelming sense of passion and drive in your relationship, you're very optimistic and ambitious when it comes to taking your relationship into the direction that you both want.

sextile moon~ mercury: This is another aspect that indicates a good communication style. Long conversations are a staple in your relationship, you are fully open to sharing your deepest thoughts and concerns with each other. It is present in the early days of your relationship yet your connection and flow of communication never dies down. Yangyang truly feels at ease whenever he is in your presence, he is also a fool for you, he could listen to you talk about anything all day everyday so he often encourages you to say whatever is on your mind. On another note there is the potential that the two of you actually enjoy small changes or moments of busyness in your relationship.

conjunct mercury~ mercury: You both share similar methods of solving problems in your lives, this deeper understanding can be very beneficial, however, this could also mutually irritate the two of you. This aspect depends on how comfortable you are with each others personality and similar traits. There is also positive chemistry where you don't guilt trip each other for what is and isn't said, you just get each other.

trine moon~ mars: There is an instant connection between the two of you, there is also a high likelihood that you are both sexually and emotionally attracted to each other. You will never be able to get each other out of your minds upon first meeting. But even though this aspect is mainly positive your relationship can still have its up and down moments. Both of you tend to instinctually react to each thing the other person does. You may have your intense moments but honestly your relationship is more exciting than anything else. But going back to the rocky side of your relationship. Yangyang could start to perceive you as being a little weak, sheltered or naïve and these traits can start to annoy him. So essentially, even though this aspect is inherently good it can also be a hard or tricky aspect to work through.

conjunct uranus~ neptune: There is a strong spiritual connection between the two of you, instead of staying stationary in your relationship you inspire each other to reach new heights and explore unconventional ideas. This is another aspect that indicates a sense of excitement in your relationship.

trine uranus~ mercury: Yangyang perceives you as being quite an intellectual partner you're also very perceptive of each others needs and wants.

sextile sun~ neptune: Even if the two of you upset each other there is this overwhelming sense of forgiveness, even if conflict happens regularly you both love each other to let it ruin the pleasant perception you have of each other. You actively share your dreams with each other, and even if irritation occurs you have such an amazing sense of tolerance for each other.

~cons~

opposition jupiter~ saturn: Conflict will arise due to the fact that you perceive Yangyang as being very serious and strict when it comes to his own personal traditions, perspective and the decisions that he makes. This goes against your inner need to have a wide and expansive life where you are able to explore unique concepts, ideas and the world around you. Yangyang has the tendency to criticise the fact that you take action without fully consulting him, and he generally feels like you are unrealistic or overly optimistic when it comes to certain areas of your life.

opposition sun~ saturn: Quite early into your relationship you will find that you are wildly attracted to his surprisingly mature, responsible and disciplined qualities. However, as your relationship progresses you could start to feel restricted, limited or even oppressed. Yangyang will assume a role similar to that of a parent or teacher, which will make you feel stuck in one spot, imprisoned in behaving a certain way.

square moon~ sun: More often than not Yangyang can come across as being unbelievably controlling, domineering, egotistical or even self-centred. Basically he comes across as a powerhouse personality-wise and you are way more sensitive and emotional. I tend to explain this aspect in the same way each time but there is really no other way to phrase it. At the end of the day Yangyang has adopted a learnt behaviour of being controlling and hard to deal with as a result of his own life events, that's the only way he knows how to cope. He assumes that the only way to have a decent relationship is for him to attack or control the other person to ensure that they move in sync with him. This is the complete opposite to yourself, since you assume that you need to fully depend on Yangyang to have a good functioning relationship.

Both of you are attracted to each other but this doesn't get rid of the tense feeling that you feel when you are around each other.

square uranus~ jupiter: It is true that the two of you appreciate having a sense of freedom in your relationship you both have your own definition of what having independence and freedom means to you. Your conflicting opinions can seem interesting early on in your relationship, but overtime it may become hard to find anything in common. Another thing is that there is a high likelihood that you lose focus on what you want as a couple or why you're in a relationship.

opposition venus~ jupiter: Even though you feel an instant connection when you first meet there is a mutual filtering of your personalities. Though this seems relatively harmless this actually has a huge impact on your relationship considering the fact that you never see beyond the mask that is put up. You both have a very high opinion of each other but you're also painfully biased and are convinced that your partner can do no wrong. You actually prefer to remain oblivious to each others actual personalities because your relationship just feels too good. You want the ideal image that the other has manifested you will refuse anything less because you want to be "that" couple that has it all. Over time you will be able to see each others true personalities and your fantasy will basically come crashing down around you.

opposition uranus~ mars: Everything happens so quickly in your relationship, this is initially quite thrilling but this creates a sense of insecurity in either one of you, this insecurity has a significant impact on your connection with one another. There are frequent disagreements as well.

square neptune~ venus: This is another aspect that pushes the idea that when you first meet you will feel like you found the partner of your dreams. However, as mentioned before you will come to realise that you don't live up to each others expectations and it would be thoroughly disappointing. You love to dismiss each others flaws early into the relationship and by the time you actually want to address and discuss each others flaws you find it impossible to admit any of your issues.

square neptune~ pluto: Your dreamy disposition clashes with Yangyang's need for dominance and power, there is also a chance that Yangyang feels overwhelmed by your dreams and you just find his need for control too suffocating.

square neptune~ chiron: Most of the Neptune aspects indicate the same thing but basically the way you want your relationship to be is far from the reality of the situation. You also don't really agree with or notice any of the past wounds and triggers that Yangyang says you have. There is just a lot of confusion and mystery with this aspect. Also Yangyang may become distressed at the fact that you can only see his triggers and past wounds while not even admitting that you have your struggles or imperfect traits too.

square mercury~ uranus: You see Yangyang as being so interesting and intriguing, this is all well and good until you feel constantly on edge and thrown off by his random surprises. In turn Yangyang feels like you are too superficial or traditional, whereas you see him as being way too much and completely out of pocket. Even if you have some love for each other you can also become very impatient with each other. Something worth noting is that you may also find it hard to depend on Yangyang.

square venus~ moon: This aspect indicates an underlying sense of restless energy. What I mean is that your energy as a couple is far too strong and it can actually result in friction since you both express your emotions in wildly different ways. First of all your love languages are completely different, there is just irritation and some emotional disturbances but neither of you truly means to cause the other person emotional distress. Again you will ignore any signs of conflict in the beginning but it will eventually start to take a toll on your relationship.

~house overlays~

your lilith in his 9th house: Both of you have a deep appreciation of each others love of freedom and independence. You are truly such a good partner for Yangyang considering the fact that you respect his greater need to travel, constantly expand his life and his need of having time away from you so he can relax. You also gift each other with much needed insight into the world around you, you truly experience a lot of life changing events when you are in each others company. Yangyang always seems optimistic and he will influence you to feel more confident, another amazing trait that Yangyang possesses is that he will never die out your spark of optimism he will always support you with unconditional love.

In some ways Yangyang is intrigued by your intense personality and the wide range of emotions you express. He is also so whipped for your desire for extremes and sensuality.

his mars in your 7th house: I have literally said this so much in the ship but your relationship and the energy surrounding it is intense. Basically it reiterates everything I said: There are insane amounts of desire, attraction and crazy physical chemistry. But most importantly this also indicates a deep understanding of one another. This also indicates a high likelihood for a relationship that will last.

his juno in your 12th house: This is honestly such a cute overlay🥲 Basically you both find healing and commitment to one another. Yangyang mightn't say it but he finds emotional healing and spiritual enlightenment in his connection with you. Yangyang will try his best to help you heal from past wounds and you will find that you easily overcome past traumas because he is constantly guiding and helping you. His commitment to you is like a warm hug. Yangyang is 100% convinced that you are his soulmate and he feels an immediate connection to them. Also something that I need to mention is the fact that you are so empathetic and compassionate towards him and this is what brings out his honest, loyal and beautiful caring side. You are honestly so lucky to see this side to him.

his sun in your 8th house: All throughout this ship I have been talking about intensity, and wow is this overlay intense. Yangyang will find him feeling trapped in his feelings of captivation for you, there is something unsettling about you that he can't put his finger on. He may feel very psychologically unsettled around you but he feels too powerless to actually find it in him to leave you. There is something dark and unnerving about a part of your deeper nature. Yangyang feels like a prey being stalked by a predator but he doesn't want to run from you. He is so fascinated by you and you awaken something inside of him that he was previously unaware of. He knows you can change him whether he likes it or not and that worries him, but he also really wants that to happen.

Some of this may come from the fact that you entered his life when he was metaphorically knocked down and he feels like he needs you to lift him up. You feel a strong bond to Yangyang and you won't let go of him under any circumstances. The fact that you really feel this emotional dependence on each other is what truly scares you.

his moon in your 1st house: There is a sense of safety in your relationship that encourages you to share your feelings with each other. And again there is a rare side that you see to Yangyang where he feels safe enough to let his guards down and share some very deep and personal things with you. You're truly moved by his his openness around you.

your chiron in his 1st house: There is an instant level of comfort surrounding your relationship, there is an undeniable feeling that you had known each other in another lifetime, whether this be true or not you are both convinced that you are each others soul mate.

his mercury in your 8th house: Yangyang's cheeky words have a way of bruising and cutting into your psyche, he is prone to dominating the conversation since he is so scared of you taking advantage of him in some way.

his north node in your 5th house: Basically your relationship is very sensual and there is a spiritual and karmic feel to it. And Yangyang is always there to remind you not to take yourself so seriously all the time.

your sun in his 11th house: Despite being in a romantic relationship there is something that indicates friendship being a key part of your relationship. Either you were friends first before you ever thought of becoming an item or you had friends-with-benefits-to-lovers type of situation. When you first entered your relationship you are both pretty content with it being a no strings attached situation. Yangyang is just someone you feel comfortable just hanging out with. Due to this you can have a really nice relationship where you aren't judging people or having a go at each other. Many wonder how you get along so well.

his pluto in your 9th house: Yangyang has strong philosophical or religious views which he will openly share with you. You may agree or disagree with him, but just know that if you disagree with him he will become fixated on proving you wrong. He will try his hardest to persuade you into taking his side.

your juno in his 9th house: You encourage each other to grow and change in positive ways. Yangyang is very aware of the fact that you are looking out for his best interests. He really does feel so loved and supported by you and your unconditional love and acceptance.

your saturn in his 8th house: This particular house overlay is pretty powerful all things considered. Both of you perceive sexuality and intimacy as very important things, this results in a very deep and committed relationship. On the flip side it could also result in a mutual fear of deep vulnerability and a tendency to hold back deep emotions. This may mean that sex isn't really a goofy or fun thing, you just have serious sex idk what else to say lol. There is a emphasis on deep and intense sexual experiences, however this can also signify fear of intimacy so one or both of you withdraw emotionally.

your venus in his 11th house: You immediately come to love and accept Yangyang upon meeting him. Even if you don't share each others interests, you still want to share them with each other. Again Yangyang is just a huge sucker for the warmth and kindness you show him. He is always just free and open around you, he is so casual around you, you feel comfortable in your own skin around each other so you don't even mask your weird or odd habits that you have.

your mercury in his 10th house: You find it difficult to talk to Yangyang about anything that isn't your career, this isn't an inherently negative thing since Yangyang is perfectly fine discussing such things. But really this is just bringing to light the fact that you have to work extra hard to find something else to talk about.

his chiron in your 9th house: Through your relationship Yangyang helps you move past any self-imposed boundaries. Both of you are able to push through past experiences and limitations because your connection is so strong.

your neptune in his 2nd house: Your compassion and creativity warms his heart and triggers sentimental emotions. You bring a dreamy sense of idealism to the relationship but balance is created through Yangyang's down to earth nature and his practical approach to life.

~final verdict~

Okay, now I have a personal bias towards this relationship, though there are more cons there is something that just feels so raw and authentic. Both you and Yangyang persist with your relationship, and more kudos to you since it actually creates personal growth. I just really think a lot of good can come from this relationship even if you disagree or slightly struggle with ideas of freedom and coming together in a peaceful manner. This relationship will last so long and it will bring so many good memories, I also can see that it's actually Yangyang who is pushing this relationship to work. Yes both of you care about preserving it but there is comfort and stability brought to Yangyang's life and he wants it to stay that way. Your relationship is as real as it comes and it really is beautiful at it's core and you're so so so lucky to see such an honest and real side to Yangyang. Maybe you have your disagreements but you definitely love each other too much to let it ruin your relationship, you will both try your hardest to make it work and it will so pay off. There is no way your relationship with him will end and if it did your friendship would still never die. In conclusion this is the most precious relationship ever and now I'll go cry about it.

[darksiders-junkie]

Hello! This is probably the earliest I've ever stumbled across a blog! Welcome!

As for requests, if the four had any human contacts on earth (pre or post apocalypse/rebirth of humanity) what sort of person do you think they'd go to for human-related questions? Like Death finds a mortician who's got hold of demonic remains and they establish a rapport or something like that? Thoughts? Head cannons? (Sorry if this comes across as oddly phrased, I've only just recently gotten over my fear of sending asks 😅)

Thank you dearie! I welcome you to this dumpster of a profile as my first request🎉🎉

It was a little oddly phrased but I believe I understand what you're asking for! And don't be afraid I will away send a question if I am confused, and if you dont get back to me you can always send another ask and ill redo it for you! Enjoy your little headcanons!

War

He had absolutely no contacts before the early brought apocalypse or humanities resurrection. Only after humanity was brought back and steadily on their feet did he show interest in them.

His contacts are all names, no nicknames. First names and if they have them last names.

Including his siblings, War would only have 5 contacts.

The first non sibling being a human in the army. He stumbled upon them when saving them from stray demons who hadn't accepted the war was over.

As a thanks, the man forced offered to buy him a drink. War had a better time than he thought he would, and when the man offered his number so they could do this again, he actually agreed.

They now regularly meet up, even just to watch silly human television shows or movies.

War will ask him questions about human items.

W: What is this? *sends picture of make up pallete*

H: Make up.

W: What?

H: It's to highlight a humans best feature. It's pretty much to make humans pretty.

W: Why? Are they trying to seduce their enemies?

H: Yeah I don't have time to unwrap that.

His second contact, believe it or not, is a barista (the love interest). Just some girl that makes coffee at a little shop and passes out pastries (totally found due to first contact).

He'd come by often, mostly fascinated in how it all works. Learning to say please and thank you to her and even learn to tip her from other costumers that came by or his first human friend.

He got her number from intimidating a very, uncomfortably flirty customer to scurry out of the shop.

She offered it with a shy smile and blush and he swore his heart almost stopped. No one is every like that to or around him and it was odd.

He asks her more emotional questions about humans.

W: A man just shouted at me for ten minutes for no reason. Why would he do that?

H: Oh no! I'm sorry, that's extremely shitty of him :(( Sometimes people are just mean. What happened?

W: I was walking and my armor accidently scrapped against his car and he started yelling.

H: Oh honey, those are expensive. You should be careful around cars in the future okay?

W: Okay.

Death

Death much like War had no contacts before the premature apocalypse or humans resurrection. He infact only has 1 contact that isnt his siblings (the love interest)

He had everyone under their names, just as War has. But once that human friend taught him a bit about it, he did add a "💀" at the end of her name.

It was pure coincidence meeting a mortician. He just happened to bump into her multiple times to the point she offered her number.

He accepted just so he could move on with his day without having any problems. Humans tend to create problems over menial things.

But of course she continued to be persistent, texting him constantly. He would have blocked her if he knew how, but instead he gives short 1 word responses in hopes she'd get bored.

However when she sent a picture of herself smiling with a piece sign, and a dead body whoms face was covered he became intrigued.

Only to find out she was a mortician. His intriguement hadn't died though, it's quite fascinating that a human who works with death daily, would coincidently bump into him by pure chance multiple times.

And as the relationship grew, he often found himself asking her questions about humans when he was dumbfounded.

D: Why are their so many options for soaps? Wouldn't one do the job for everyone?

Human: Well some people have allergies, and other people have sensitive skin and can't do fragrance in the soaps. And everyone likes different smells.

D: Understood.

And when she came across demonic, or even angelic corpses he'd often give her the answer when she was clueless. Even popping in to give her a hand if need be.

Strife

Oh you know he had contacts before the premature apocalypse. He's the most friendly of them all after all.

But of course those contacts became useless afterwards. Even when the humans came back, they weren't guaranteed their old numbers.

And so he had to make new ooman friends. And that he did.

His contacts are insane, honestly I couldn't even give you a number on how many he has. You wouldn't be able to tell who was who with all the crazy names he comes up with either.

However his favorite contacts are

"Goofy Ass🤡"

Whom you guessed it, is a clown. An entertainment for kids, who also happens to do magic tricks and face painting.

He managed to bump into them on their way to a kids party. Effectively scattering their things.

Strife of course helped, but not without picking fun at them for their getup.

They got all defensive and angry which only spurred on his amusement.

He continued following them around afterward, asking questions upon questions as to why they look so ridiculous. Even if they answer never changed.

They had to beg him to leave when they got to the party, and in exchange for his departure Strife snagged their number.

And while they were annoying at first, Strife quickly grew on them. Even finding it enduring to answer the most basic, common sense questions.

S: Why do they call it Jay walking? My name isn't Jay.

Okay that one was most certainly annoying to type out, especially when they know he has Google.

His second favorite is "Mixer 🥃" (the love interest)

Which I'm sure you can guess is his bartender.

After meeting her, he only went to that bar.

Really spurcing up his flirting game, and never giving up no matter how many times she turned him down.

Eventually he gave up and settled as just friends.

And boy is he glad, she'll often open the bar up just for him after hours so he can drink to his hearts content and chat with her all night long.

He'll ask her every question under the sun. Even ones her knows the answer to just to get a response.

S: What's a 'horse'

H: Stfu I know you own a horse it is 3am leave me be to sleep

S: I own a horse? Oooooohhhh you mean Mayhem? He's a horse?

H: Strife I stfg I will murder you

Fury: She also had no contacts before the premature apocalypse.

Aside from her siblings she has a few contacts, all of which have their name and a little emoji to help her remember if she's been on a mission for a long ass while and can barely see straight

The first was her nail tech "💅"

She was the first human she want to to help her with her nails. And when she blew up over something small the little human fought back and even yelled at her. That really peaked her interest.

She continued to go back because of it, and eventually got her number.

Number 1 bestie, talks shit and gossips with her over text.

Her questions for the nail tech mostly have to do with self care.

F: Do you think this will work on my hair?

H: Babe.. your hair is a mystery to me. Idk what will work and what won't 🤷‍♀️

Her next contact is actually a geeky, nerdy guy "🤓" (Love interest, you can fight me on it)

She bumped into him and made him drop all his things. She proceeded to yell at him, even though she was at fault and he just sit there and took it.

She.. almost felt bad for the scrawny little man.

She ended up calming quickly (think of the meme "I almost lost my cool there") and apologizing for her outburst with gritted teeth and a frown.

Apologizing is most certainly not her strong suit.

He brushed it off saying it was fine, and since she felt so bad for the scrawny little man, she carried his items to his, what was it, "D'N'D" session?

Well one thing lead to another and she was telling real stories about scary monsters and by the end he had scored her number.

She'll ask him questions about geek things

F: Its broken.

H: Uh no.. you have to turn it on.

F: And how am I supposed to do that?

H: There's a little button on the pc.

F: There are a ton of buttons. Is it this? *sends picture*

H: That isn't a- You know what? I'll be there shortly. Just don't touch anything before you break it.

Posted: July 9th, 2023

[chzdavmpr]

Delicious in Dungeon Reading Diary thing Volume 2

Spoilers, obviously

I think it's really smart to have Senshi basically be the handy man of the dungeon, the one keeping things running behind the scenes.

It's also really cool and smart how naturally Ryoko Kui managed to create a realistic feeling ecosystem. Like you read a panel like this

And just go "yeah that makes sense. It's like removing wolves from a national park causing the whole ecosystem to enter a death spiral." It's similar, but still feels unique to the dungeon setting. I think it's a sign of strong worldbuilding.

Senshi selling crops and telling people to leave the payment is chests is a really funny explanation for respawning dungeon loot.

She looks so sad. It's ok Marcelle. I think the cabbage is cool.

Is this guy 4 year old? Why is he THIS anti-vegetable?

Kobolds are PUPPIES?!!!

Senshi got that grindset

I just think it's funny how each ingredient lists it as stolen. As if in order to properly make the recipe you have to steal the ingredients

Just 2 floors to go! That's honestly a lot less then I would've guessed, at the current pace they will be back to the dragon by the 4th volume. It makes me very excited to see where the story goes.

Closing thought on chapter 9 since a lot happened: I think the bits of orc history we get is fascinating. It's left kinds unclear who started the conflict with them. Like they DO steal from others pretty regularly, but they do so only so that they can survive, and were basically banished underground. It makes them both more interesting and way less problematic then just a "naturally evil race," but they still feel like orcs instead of throwing out all the tropes that made them unique in classic fantasy fiction. Also very glad that unlike other chapters that are just named after the food they eat, the chapter called "orcs" does not have them eating orcs.

Ooh. Another puppy! I wonder if they are a kobold, or some other dog-person species? Oh also I've seen art of that person on the right. I think they join the party at some point or something.

Oh. They're dead. So at the very least they won't be important yet.

Ah man. When I saw ghosts on the back cover I was excited to see how they would eat ghosts. Which I guess the sorbet had a bit of ghost in it maybe. But I guess that actual magic stuffs are still separate from the food chain.

Poor guy. The "accidentally use really poor phrasing that makes you sound like a jerk" struggle is real

Mario 64 joke

The paintings were a very interesting way of giving a few drips of lore. It gives just enough make you interested. Also I'm gonna call it now: that elf that noticed Laios is the evil wizard who buried the city.

I wonder if the paintings kinda act as a time portal. Since the efl recognised Laios that means that the paintings have connected consciousness and continuity, which one way that could work is if the painting continuity was the real continuity. If they're not time portals though, I wonder what would happen if you did something with major consequences. Like if Laios killed the baby prince what would happen to the paintings of the prince's wedding day and coronation?

These things are a one-off thing and unless that elf is met and recognizes Laios none of these questions will be answered, will they?

Anyways, 2 chapters later Marcelle is confirmed as a horse girl.

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME RYOKO KUI!

Senshi trusted Anne. Thought of her as a friend. To have her betray him, forcing him to kill her for his own survival. This is heartbreaking.

Senshi with his beard washed, and subsequently poofy after it dries is really funny, but tumblr only allows 10 images per post on the app, so you'll have to read the manga or watch the anime yourself to see it. There's actually been quite a few funny panels I wanted to share but couldn't.

Polygamous orcs. Good for them.

Laios just... draws a little stick figure of himself onto a living painting in the bonus chapter. And it seems to be a copy of his consciousness at the time of drawing. And then they just... leave it there. That's pretty messed up. The entire time this manga goes on I'm gonna just know in the back of my head that a copy of Laios is trapped in a single room forever. This also raised SO MANY MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT LIVING PAINTINGS and I'm now even more convinced that I won't get answers.

For some closing thoughts on the volume: I thought it was really good. Now that they've established the premise and basic character dynamics it felt like they gave me a lot more to chew on. There's now a countdown to the goal that makes it feels very within reach. There was bits of lore about both orcs and the dungeon that leave me wondering more. And the art and character writing is still just as good as volume 1. I look forward to reading volume 3. Ps: I only realised after typing all of this that her name is spelled "Marcille." I'm not combing through this post to fix it.

[wecouldmakediamonds]

Jukebox January: Day 3

the original post tag of all my posts

Today I'm doing C and Č, since I do have one Č song on the list! (I know there's a special characters day, but I have a different plan for that.)

California - Chappell Roan

I'm pretty sure I cried the first time I listened to this song, and I still cry regularly, because it hits that close to home. If I remember right, this song was written after she got dropped from her label and her partner broke up with her, all in 2020. For me, who had a hard time after graduating and feeling like I'm too old to achieve things (despite the fact I'm only still in my 20s!) it captures the feeling all too well. Also, I'm from the Midwest, and I grew up dreaming of places like California, so the perspective is very relatable to me.

Četri krasti - Prāta Vētra

Outside of Latvia, people may know them as Brainstorm (and as the best from Eurovision 2000, I will take no arguments). They're another favorite band of mine who's been around since the 80s. This particular song is the first on the album they released after their bassist died in 2004, and I think it makes a lot of the lyrics on this album very impactful. Prāta Vētra's lyrics are often layered in metaphors, and I'm always having to interpret them in a language I'm learning, but this one is particularly inspiring to me.

Carpe Diem - Joker Out

Could I really not put this one in, considering how much this band has become part of my life in the past half a year or so? Actually, while I enjoyed this song at Eurovision, I didn't vote for it--I voted for Latvia in the semifinal and Croatia and Finland in the final. The song that really got me into Joker Out, that'll be for tomorrow. I do have to say, though, my favorite things about Carpe Diem are the bassline and the structure of the song. In Eurovision, with the time limit of 3 minutes, I think it's hard to make songs that don't follow the exact "standard pop song" structure, but here we have two verses that are quite different, the guitar solo closer to the beginning than the end, and it even comes in 14 seconds under the time limit. I like it, I think it flows nicely.

Control - Poe

This song comes from one of my favorite albums in the world, which sadly kind of disappeared into obscurity because of some record label merger which resulted in Poe being dropped, losing all distribution of her album, and getting tied up in court over a bunch of things that happened around this. It's sad, because this is an artistically incredible album, with the songs woven with recordings of her father and young daughter speaking. It also ties in with the novel House of Leaves, which her brother wrote (though I've never read it, so I can't speak much about it). This song is so powerful and inspiring. I think my favorite lines are "All those things that you taught me to fear/I've got them in my garden now and you're not welcome here".

A couple more under the cut!

Champion - Fall Out Boy

When I want to feel better, this is one of the songs I reach for. "I'm a champion of the people who don't believe in champions" is the line that stood out to me from the first time I heard this song. I know Sia co-wrote this one, too. I have a complex relationship with Sia's music because some of her songs were really inspirational to me, but she's done some questionable things in recent years. Still, a song that feels good and gets me feeling inspired.

Crawl Out Through the Fallout - Sheldon Allman

Okay, so here's where I reveal my love for the Fallout games' lore. I've actually only played Fallout 4 (I have New Vegas too, but haven't played it yet). But I've always been fascinated by the duality of how nuclear technology is portrayed in society and media, how it's both futuristic and apocalyptic. So that's why I really love the Fallout soundtracks (and some other similar songs, which might pop up later.)

[golden--doodler]

Random facts about my Gravity Falls OCs Maggie and Sydney (they're girlfriends :3) that absolutely no one asked for because I'm in a certain mood. I'm probably going to end up doing this again later with my Mission Impossible OC like I teased in that earlier post:

Maggie Pines

--The most Lesbian to ever Lesbian. Seriously, she can give any Queer person a run for their money. Anyone talking about liking guys legitimately fascinates her sometimes because of how foreign it is to her.

--She first discovered her Lesbianness because Mabel was watching the movie How Did They Set Up Manny Mongoose? (which is a spoof on Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) and the gorgeous wife of Manny Mongoose, Joanne Mongoose (supposed to be Jessica Rabbit) appeared for the first time. She was enthralled.

--She's the oldest triplet and doesn't let Dipper and Mabel forget it. She may have been born only five minutes before Mabel and ten minutes before Dipper, but it still very much counts in her eyes.

--Was born with six fingers on each hand (postaxial polydactyly) and while she thinks it can be fun sometimes (it's actually made her better at video gaming than the average person) she's actually quite insecure about it.

--Has horrendous eyesight. She's been wearing glasses since the first grade. However, she's never needed braces like Mabel.

--Has asthma, but has never let it hold her back from being an extremely active person. She loves exercise, which is bad news for her lungs.

--Her favorite food is Pad Thai and her least favorite food is Curry. She could have a good bowl of Pad Thai any day of the week.

--Has undiagnosed, fairly high functioning Autism, which has led her throughout her life to not understand social cues very well (and just social interaction in general), has a hard time getting excited about things that aren't related to her special interests (mainly science), and just in general is always stimming in subtle ways. She gestures when she talks like there's no tomorrow, and tends to repeat things a lot, too.

--Yes, she's started getting her Period already. And yes, she has the biggest mood swings while she's on it out of anyone. Whenever it happens, she just needs to be locked away in a restroom by herself with some scented candles and music.

--Is allergic to syrup (it gives her pretty severe, uncomfortable hives that take a long time to go away).

--Is left-handed and very proud of it.

--Is a hardcore Ravenclaw.

Sydney Strange

--She's very Pansexual. She's known ever since she was quite young because whenever she talked to someone and started to like them, she realized how she never cared about or fixated on anyone's gender. All she cared about was if they were a good person or not, and if they could make her laugh. Having a sense of humor is an integral trait for a partner in her eyes.

--She's the adopted daughter of Tad Strange, the joke character from The Stanchurian Candidate. Yes, really.

--Her personality is the polar opposite of Tad's. She's a bit mischievous, is always up for an adventure, and is always prepared for some sort of potential natural disaster. She would be the type to seek out danger and just in general be a lot more reckless if it weren't for him.

--One of her favorite memories was when Tad finally let her take rock climbing lessons. However, she eventually got a bit bored with it because of how many harnesses were used. So, she began free-climbing all of the walls. This led to her falling one day, and she would've been seriously injured or worse if it weren't for the protective mats. She got a big earful about that afterward.

--She's Half-Salvadorian on her birth mother's side, and Half-African American on her birth father's side, which led to her having very dark skin. She also has startlingly green eyes.

--She's actually red-green colorblind but is able to pass as a regularly sighted person very well in her day-to-day life, to the point where almost no one notices unless she tells them. Her favorite color is blue because it's the color she can see and point out the most clearly.

--She has undiagnosed ADHD, which has led to her not doing very well in school, unfortunately. She's incredibly disorganized, forgetful, and hyper-talkative, which made school a huge challenge. And despite being a social butterfly, and being around other kids one of the only aspects of school she liked, she wasn't very popular and didn't have very many friends growing up.

--Despite her bravery, she actually has pretty severe Thalassophobia (fear of the ocean) and doesn't know how to swim. Even thinking about treading really deep water can trigger a mild panic attack. That's because she has a general fear of how vast and seemingly neverending the ocean is and because she got lost while trying to swim in the ocean when she was very young, and almost had a run-in with a shark.

--Despite her fear of the ocean, she's incredibly fascinated by space and the stars. She's the type to enjoy reading about astrological signs, and even used to want to be an astronaut when she was younger. That dream faded over time, though. This fascination with space led to Science Fiction being her favorite genre. She adores movies like The Thing.

--Is very skilled at playing the guitar, but is incredibly shy when people ask her to play. She eventually worked up the courage to play in front of Maggie, who enjoyed it a ton.

--Is Ambidextrous! She favors her left hand, though.

--She's a Gryffindor!

[mask131]

I hadn’t planned for this post, I’m just throwing this right now.

I used to regularly look at channels that covered creepy Internet incidents, weird ARGs, bizarre Youtube videos, the debunking of horror rumors, etc etc... I used ot but I don’t anymore - not because my passion for these videos has stopped, but because so many of those I followed shifted their content to “true crime” and talking about actual murders and suicide cases, and stuff that have nothing to do with either 1- fictional horror or 2- the Internet. 

If I want to see “true crime” content, I won’t look at a random Youtube video, I will look for more professional media. And while it is these people’s decisions to run their channels how they want and to go with whatever has the more views on the Internet (we know thanks to the success of some talked about TV series that true crime always attracts more audience), it isn’t why I make this post today.

I make this post to share a very sudden, very new, very fresh unease that just formed itself over this lack of interest I talked about above. One of the channels I regularly followed was ScareTheater, and while I am still following the channel, I have been looking less and less at his videos because, as I said, they are not the type of content I originally followed him for, or they are things already covered enough and much better by the news or experts or actual investigators. 

And he just dropped a video today about a disturbing and frightening footage recording some of the last moments and dialogues of divers that got trapped into a pipe and died there. Real-life stuff, a quite recent thing. And upon starting the video it suddenly hit me that this video was just voyeurism. A bad form of voyeurism.

I am not talking about or criticizing the man behind the ScareTheater channel, who seems to be a very decent and kind fellow. But I am talking about the direction his channel (and other similar channels) have been taking, and the shock I had just now. Because... it is a real-life case, as I said before, and the footage from these real life deaths, which is quite disturbing in itself, is not something that went viral or was massively spread over the Internet (at least to my knowledge). It was sought and researched for the making of this video over a pretty popular channel.

I know and I understand that talking about these incidents is needed, and that by sharing the stories of disasters and tragic death we can learn very useful information. I am myself a “fan” (if the word can be used for this) of a channel covering mass disaster and accident-caused deaths, “Fascinating Horror”. But the video of ScareTheater did not felt like a documentary recording the incident - because it was centered around the “horrifying found footage” of the last moments of these people that died stuck in a pipe. The title is about the found footage, the video opens with “Let’s discuss the found footage”, it all relies on us hearing the last words, and seeing the footage... It is about the footage, not the incident, and as a result this made me realize how ScareTheater had fallen (probably unconsciously since it seems to have just been a slow shift many channels that try to cover “true crime” topics fall into) into one of the big flaws of covering actual deaths and recent accident cases. A bad case of sensationalism, by highlighting a very gruesome and disturbing fact (last recorded words, videos of the cause of a death), and playing on the voyeurism of the audience so that the video would be shared and liked. 

It isn’t like when he covered last videos or last photos of persons before they went missing - because in these cases, talking about it might help find back the person or understand what happened. And it isn’t like talking about something that happened a very long time ago, so that the case is closed or most people directly impacted/involved by the case are out of the picture. It is still very fresh, and these last moments are incredibly private and horrifying, and to see this shared online massively and used as the subject of a video, when it is still so fresh... it feels perverse. But not that ScareTheater seems to have done it on purpose - but this video clearly works in a way that it will appeal and attract the perversity of the worst voyeurists. This is a bit more than just a morbid curiosity, this feels almost indecent. 

Because again - we are not talking of something that was purposefully posted on the Internet by someone part of it. When it comes to disturbing and horrifying footage actually sent on the Internet purposefully, it is important to talk about and analyze it and explain it, because it is already there and people are being exposed to it. But with this... it is something brought onto the Internet, brought onto the platform for people to see...

Honestly I don’t know, I can’t put my words in place. Yesterday I watched a video of disturbing footage found on the Internet - you might have seen the one, with a man filming as his house was being hit by a tornado, and the “man at the door” video of a dangerous criminal coming at the door of the one he wanted to turn into his next victim... And these didn’t felt like voyeurism. It was videos posted on the Internet, it was treated as content to be contextualized and analyzed, it was explained, it was informative of dangers... But tonight I see ScareTheater’s video about the last moments of those stuck divers, before they die, and I am hit with the knowledge that “This video is voyeurism. The bad type of voyeurism bad true crime-info channels or bad criminal magazines use, to form an audience by building on the perverse curiosity to glimpse into the last breath of a dying man or to see what the mutilated and torn up body of a murdered woman looks like, or to assist to the suicide of a desperate person that was in need of help”. 

If it was just about the incident itself, about the media coverage, the way the rescue was handled, the reason these divers died, if it was just a video about the accident I probably wouldn’t have felt that - but it was about the found footage, and the last moments, and the last recorded words, as these poor people were stuck in a pipe certain of their death... I don’t know. Or rather I know that saying this invites to a lot of comparison, evaluation and re-evaluation of a lot of other content on Youtube, and opens a whole debate to “Where is the line? Where should Youtubers stop exploring disturbing footage, and what should one post on the Internet when discussing about it?”. It is not an easy debate, and it is precisely because it is such a complex issue that I am left with this “I don’t know feeling”.

But the thing that I am certain of, and that frightens me, is that I had probably grew a bit desensitized and complacent towards the voyeurism of those “death-covering” and “true crime” channels, about the general morbid voyeurism and view-collecting sensationalism of channels that are well-meaning even though in the facts they seem to do things more badly as time goes on... And this video shook me and woke something up in me, and made me go “Wait, that’s voyeurism, that’s not a good way to share this video, and the people who will watch this video probably will do it badly”. I mean, I just looked at the comments and most people just go “I feel bad for those people.” It is a sentence that comes up again and again “I feel bad for them”, “feel bad for them”, “this makes me feel so bad”.

Commenter on Youtube - seeing the last moments, the last recorded words and actions, the last of the life of people who just die isn’t supposed to make you “feel bad”. It is supposed to make you feel deeply disturbed and shocked. It isn’t about it being “uncomfortable”. It is another human being trapped into their death! It is horrfying and sickening and terrifying! One says “I feel bad this guy” when someone’s is the subject of something like a public humiliation, or falls prey for a scam, or has a nasty allergy - it isn’t supposed to be something you say upon watching the LAST OF SOMEONE LIFE! I am not particularly religious, but if there is something sacred in this life and that should be treated with respect, it is certainly the last moments, the last words and the last breath of a living being! It isn’t just some Youtube video you look at and say “Aww, feel sad for me, :( “. NO! 

Anyway... I will certainly unsuscribe from ScareTheater, and my dislike of the current state of Youtube will go ever growing - and my suspicions and cynicism towards humanity will blossom a bit more. But I just wanted to share that because honestly I have no one else to share that with, and I want to have it recorded somewhere. 

I am not a prude, and if this content is indeed present on the Internet I do think peope should explain it, and talk about it, and contextualize it, and warn people about it. But I am also a man who is for decency, and it is something people on the Internet clearly seem to have forgotten the existence of sometimes. I am sorry this all falls on ScareTheater’s video because clearly he isn’t himself a voyeurist, a perverted or an indecent person, but his video was clearly badly made if it managed to re-open my eyes about the morbid vulture-nature of Youtube. 

[nyssandracousland]

Chapter 7

Nyss and Cullen found some nourishment on their way to find an empty place to play chess. Nyss snacked happily on some fine cheese as he set up the board.

Cullen had taken her to a balcony with a table that looked out over the Frost Backs. They glistened with fresh snow and looks magnificent in the slowly setting sun.

As they played, Nyss started to noticed things he would do when making a move. He would tuck his hair behind his ear, or he would get a twinkle in his eye just before he made a successful overtake. She found this interesting. Her own tells were not quite as clear. Nyss never took herself as a very good player, but she always gave it her all. Her father loved to play games with her, so she at least had a bit of knowledge.

“Have you always lived in Highever?” He asked her.

“Yes, I was born there. My brother Fergus was born in Denerim. He’s quite a bit older than me, but he is a good brother.”

“Earlier you mentioned you want to have adventure in your life. What kind of adventure?”

“I want to save people from wicked foes, be a great warrior like my father, and use my social power to right wrongs. It sounds idealistic, but I have no desire to marry someone who only cares about how his outer appearance looks and how much land he has-I want to be with the people, in the thick of it, trying to give them better lives.”

“Have you trained to fight?”

“Why? Do you want to duel me?” She raised an eyebrow as she made a move on the chess board.

“Perhaps, if you would be willing I think that could be fun.”

Nyss smiled, “I trained my entire life, Emmy and I would train with Ser Gilmore, a knight in my fathers house, and Fergus taught me all he knew as well. I would spend hours practicing my skills. Emmy was able to practice far more, as she wasn’t a lady who needed to have the utmost training for her future. I always have been jealous of her for that freedom she possessed.”

“I can understand that.” Cullen smiled, and took Nyss’ rook. “You see, I’m from a farming family. ‘The Rutherford Family Farm’, I wanted to help the ones who needed it. They fear a Blight may be on its way, and I want to be ready to take care of things when that time comes.”

“A Blight? I have heard whispers, but one has not happened in a long time, what proof is there?”

“You ask good questions, but the Grey Wardens have senses about these things, they know Blights can happen far before we do. I am not sure how, but they do.”

“I would love to be a Grey Warden. They work good towards those they serve and protect. They are of the highest honor in my fathers house. He fought with them all those years ago.” Nyss said proudly.

“They are an esteemed group of people, I find it fascinating you would give up your status and title to be one.” Cullen gazed out the towards the mountains, “A woman of your age and charisma could do wonders in the Royal Court you know, have you ever considered that?”

“I have not, no one has ever called me charismatic before. I mostly get told to keep my mouth shut” She frowned.

“Well, it’s apparent.” He says back, “Your move My Lady.”

Nyss looked at the board and made her move. Cullen smiled, reached over. “Checkmate.” He said proudly.

“Ah, well played Ser Templar.” She stood and gave him a Nobel curtesy, using her tunic as a makeshift dress.

He laughed at her attempt.

The moon had come out during their game and it shon off her ashen hair. She saw Cullen look away quickly.

“Was it something I said?” She asked quietly.

“Oh, no, no My Lady. I just, I realized..” he trailed off.

“Yes?”

“It is late, let’s get you back to your room so you can relax. Tomorrow I have another place I would like to show you.

They walked back to her room, and instead of following behind, Cullen slowed his gait so they walked side by side. Nyss let her mind wander as they walked back and said out loud “In such a big cold place, does he ever miss his family?”

“I do actually, I get letters from them regularly.”

“I have to stop staying things in my head out loud. I tend to do that quite a lot these days. I’m sorry.”

“No harm, it’s been nice having some company today, it’s not every day a Templar gets to have a fascinating woman around.” He said shyly. He turned the corner and opened her door to her room.

This was her chance to ask a small favor. “Cullen, I - I know we do not know each other well, but could you at least get a message to Emmy for me? Just a quick one?” She asked eagerly.

“I will see what I can do for you my lady.”

Nyss walked into the room, and found a small piece of parchment. She quickly scrawled across it a brief message and handed it to Cullen.

“I appreciate this, I do not need a response.” She said, her eyes shining with a glimmer of hope.

With that Cullen bid her goodnight, bowed and took his leave. She could hear his boots in the hallway as he walked away. She was happy she was able to calm her heart for a day to be able to focus on something other than her friend.

Nyss felt as if she was betraying Emmy for having a lovely day with him, but she needed it in order to keep her from going mad and imagining what horrors her friend would face alone.

Finally she laid down on her bed, and tried to savor every moment. Replaying each second as if it just happened.

She smiled as she remembered when Cullen checked her king.

Cullen walked down the hallway away from Nyss’s room. He palmed the small piece of parchment in his hand. ‘If I only had had a friend like her in my life.’ He thought.

He admired her ability to love a mage, and her sense of justice. He liked that she had a good sense of humor, and he was captivated by the fact that she wanted more out of life than to marry and live in court as a staunchly Noble.

Cullen looked down at his hand. He fought with the urge to open the parchment or not. He took a breath, and unrolled it.

“Emmy, I keep you in my prayers to the Maker. I love you.”

A simple note, a simple thought, a simple love sent. Friendship in the Templar order was not entirely uncommon. Everyone looked out for one another but forming close bonds were usually unheard of.

Cullen normally felt isolated because of this. Although he was doing what his heart always wanted him to do, he missed companionship. Having someone spend time with him the last day and a half was very much appreciated, especially it being with this young woman. He really admired Nyss and Emmy’s bond of friendship.

He walked into the dank corridor that housed the mages. All that could be heard as he walked down the hallway was the anguished cries of those inside.

Chapter 8

Day three in the Circle tower was a new experience.

Nyss spent each moment with Cullen, and they continued to bond over chess and Thedas history. She realized that having someone to actually talk to about it was far more interesting than being taught in her classes or reading it alone.

However, the more she learned about the Circle and what the Tower signified the more uneasy she became.

Cullen also took Nyss to the gardens on this day, he showed her each flower and explained what their medicinal properties were.

“When I was around eight, Mia found me in a bush covered in lesions. It would not have been so bad except it was Rashvine. She took me home, made up a salve, and applied it to my irritated skin. It gave me so much relief. Ever since then, I have been interested in herbalism.” He said.

“That is impressive. I wish I had more knowledge on the subject. Your skills would prove useful in a battle.” She smiled, “I like traps. Especially the exploding kind.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. I dare say you have probably set them out for Emmy at one time or another as practice.” He joked.

“Well, we liked to play jokes on each other and I knew she had been trying to figure one out for me. So I set up a trap at the entrance of my bedroom, and I heard it go off. She was standing there covered in saw dust.” Nyss laughed, “we called a truce after that ordeal.”

Cullen grinned. “I would have liked to have seen that.”

“My mother was so upset. ‘You’re suppose to be a lady, not a alchemist’ she seethed at me!” She smiled fondly at the situation, “The mess it caused was horrendous, but my father was proud and Fergus was even more proud because I didn’t blow the whole castle up!”

Cullen smirked and walked over to a bench. As he sat down, he motioned for Nyss to join him. He was wearing his robes again, not the full Templar Armor.

He turned and leaned his head in to her. His lips moved close to her ear.

“I got your message to Emmy.” He said quietly.

Nyss froze. “Did you- did you see her?” She asked anxiously.

“I did not My Lady. I slid the paper under her door.” He bowed his head, “Maker be with her.”

“Do I sense a glimmer of compassion?” She asked raising an eyebrow.

“For you both. This cannot be easy. I have never seen friendship truly. This touches my heart.”

Nyss leaned back and looked up to the blue skies above. “If I could take her place, I would.”

“I know.” Cullen too leaned back and tilted his head skyward. “Do you, believe in the Maker my lady?”

“I am not sure. My mother is the devout Andrastian, how do you think I got my name?”

“Nyss?”

She nodded. “Nyssandra. My mother insisted on honoring Andraste. While my father was going to name me Fergus II or something.”

“He has a sense of humor I see.”

“The best. I have been blessed if you will with parents who love me.” She paused. “Too much sometimes.”

Cullen smiled, “I do not think we can be loved too much. We crave it. Especially children.”

Nyss smiled and got to her feet. The day had moved along quickly, so Cullen took her back to the Great Hall for their evening meal.

As they walked in, she looked around eagerly to see if any new Templars had joined them that night. Greagoir was there, but he sat apart from the men. The scowl he had on his face never seemed to go away.

“Does he ever smile?” Nyss quietly asked herself.

“Only when he’s telling people about his true love, the Tower.” Cullen teased.

“I really need to stop thinking out loud.”

Cullen cocked his head to the right, “It is quite endearing.” His cheeks turned a faint shade of red.

There were no new men joining that night, and the meal was delicious. Nyss hoped Emmy was eating as well as she was. She also hoped that someone on the other side of that over bearing door was showing her some form of empathy.

After their supper, and a few glasses of wine, Cullen and Nyss headed back to her room. “You stand here every night?” She said as she stopped outside her door.

“Yes. Well, I do not stand the whole time.” He smiled.

“That makes me feel slightly better for pushing you out of your room.” She paused and looked at Cullen “Goodnight good Ser. Till morning.”

“Maker be with you.” He bowed.

Nyss walked in the room and slowly shut the door. She washed her face, and neck, then took the book out she had borrowed from the Circle Library. She started to leaf through the pages and got to a chapter that discussed “The Harrowing.” It had been ripped out. She found this extremely odd, but made a note that tomorrow she would ask Cullen to address it.

She laid down and her mind imagined what Emmys wedding dress would look like. Emmy was large busted and short in stature. She imagined her wearing a beautifully styled white wig and a ball gown that would put most Nobel women to shame. Nyss smiled at the ridiculousness of her imagination, and fell asleep.

The dawning of day four made Nyss’s heart glad. She was over the halfway point when she could see her friend again.

Cullen knocked on her door and brought in her breakfast. She was disappointed he had no news to report on Emmy, but she understood that he was with her, which meant he was probably removed entirely from the situation.

“It really isn’t necessary to bring me my breakfast, I can get up earlier.” She said.

“It is my pleasure My Lady, I enjoy the discussions we have while you eat. I figure we can speak more freely when they eyes of the entire Ferelden Order are not upon us.” He smirked, his normally smooth face dusted with a slight shadow from being unshaven.

“That is true, I have never done well in crowds.” She took a bite of her fresh bread.

“Nor have I. I was ten when my mother and father asked me to sing I front of the town as part of the Chantry. I was terrified. I have never enjoyed that attention.” He said.

“Now that is something I would have loved to see. A young Cullen Rutherford, in his best Chantry robes, singing at nearly the age when the voice can crack unexpectedly. I would have paid to see it.” She grinned.

“Don’t forget the crowds that throw rotten vegetables at you when you miss a note - I fed my family for a month with the tomatoes they threw.” He laughed.

Nyss liked that he laughed. He was loosening up, and she was slowly letting her guard down around him. She continued with her next thought.

“As a Nobel, I would go to Court with my parents. So many people fussing over you, so many people to impress with your looks and appearance. I hated it. One year my parents were asked to host - I was sixteen and expected to be part of the greeting party.” She smiled, “you can imagine what happened.”

“Did you run out mid way through and go to the stables to be with the horses?” He laughed.

Nyss stared at him, “That is exactly what I did.”

Cullen smiled at her, his amber eyes danced. “I really would expect nothing less.”

She continued to eat her breakfast and he told her what he had planned for the day.

“I was thinking, would you like to see the Templar Armory?”

“I would love to!” She said excitedly.

“Excellent, once you are done, we can go. I had already gotten permission from Greagoir to show you the area. He seems to appreciate your interest in such things. He definitely said ‘Not like most Nobels is she?’”

“Should I be flattered or offended?”

“Flattered, the ones we usually have to deal with can be so ornery.”

Nyss finished her breakfast and tied her boots. As they walked down a new hallway she studied the paintings in the wall.

“Is everything about Andraste here?” She asked.

“Well we are a Order founded on the Chantry, so I would have to say yes.” Cullen teased.

Nyss sighed, “I wish I believed more than I did. It must be comforting to have that faith.”

Cullen winced, “Sometimes, other times it can make a person angry. Why does he allow what he so hates? Like Mages. It gets confusing.”

Nyss could see he was not comfortable with the subject so she switched topics. “You know Emmy would love the armory. You should see her chain mail, it is absolutely beautiful.”

Cullen grinned and opened the giant door in front of them, they stepped in and he lit a torch.

The light from the torch beamed off of every piece of metal it could. Walls lined with armor, swords. Shields, bows, arrows. All gilded with gold and silver. Nyss took a deep breath, she had never seen so much weaponry in her life.

“This is amazing” she said picking up a Templar Sword.

“I agree. When you become a Templar they bring you here and you pick out your weapon of choice as well as get fitted for your armor.” Cullen by reached down and picked up a Templar Helm that was sitting on a low shelf. He walked over to Nyss and placed it in her head.

“So I am a Templar now?” She giggled under the heavy steel helm.

“It would be fun having you around more. It would give me someone to talk to.” He blushed.

“Templar Nyssandra Visus Cousland!” She joked, “It sounds great, but I could never be part of something I do not fully agree with.”

Cullen took the helm off of her head and her hair softly tumbled out. “That is why I respect you My Lady.” He said pushing a lock out of her face.

She froze. It was a simple gesture, but one that made her cheeks turn pink.

They continued to poke around a bit more, and then Nyss remembered to ask him about the chapter missing from her book.

“Cullen, the book I borrowed from the Library, why is the a chapter on “The Harrowing” ripped out?”

“The Harrowing? Do you know what it is?”

“No that is why I’m confused.”

“Basically it’s the final test of an apprentice Mage. If they pass it, they become a full Circle Mage.”

“And if they don’t?” She asked, cocking her head to the side.

“My Lady, they are…” his voice trailed off. She could tell he didn’t want to say the words she knew he had too.

“They are murdered?” Her eyes became large and fearful.

“Well, yes and no. If they fail, they end up possessed and we have to end their life. So call it murder if you will but we call it controlling the outcome.” He looked to his feet and shifted uneasily.

Nyss blood got hot, but she knew it was not he who made the rules. She took a deep breath.

“Thank you for telling me.” She placed her hand on his arm. “I appreciate your truthfulness.”

Cullen looked at her and nodded. Nyss knew that he was becoming her friend all too easily and delivering these words hurt him. He didn’t want to see his new friend feel sad.

Nyss looked at his soft eyes, they reminded her of honey that had been left out in the air too long. Soft and sweet. Emmy would have agreed. She took her hand off his arm and walked to the other end of the Armory.

She studied the pictures on the walls, and picked up a cloak that was made from fine linen.

“Who uses this?” She asked, trying to break any tension.

“I am not sure, it is the first time I’ve seen it. It’s not Templar or Mage garb.” He felt the material. “It feels more like a traveling cloak.” He took it and wrapped it around Nyss shoulders.

It was warm and soft. It was made of fine light linen but it felt heavy at the same time. Nyss rubbed her neck on the side touching her. “It is lovely.”

Cullen looked at the woman in front of him. She was smart, jovial, she loved people. His heart beat faster. He wrapped her tighter in the cloak, and pulled up its hood around her alabaster face. He wanted to pull her in, feel her lips on his. Just once, to experience this new feeling he had in his heart.

He broke away from the thought quickly.

“If you’d like it, I think you should take it.”

“I can’t do that without permission.” She said.

“I give it to you. You need something to remember the Circle by, and if you plan on adventuring in this world, I think you need to start with the right cape.” He smiled.

Nyss looked down at herself. She was wearing brown trousers that were worn and weathered from her journey. Her tunic was greyed from the trip to the Circle, and her shoes were brown and mud covered. She loved having the cloak wrapped around her, it made her feel invisible.

“This is perfect. Thank you so much.” She wanted to hug him, but resisted.

Cullen could see her face beaming. He smiled at her. “We have been here for quite some time, let’s go get something to eat. It’s been a busy day.”

Nyss and Cullen made their way up through the Armory to the Great Hall and sat at their usual table.

Today, they had a few Templars join them. Nyss was happy to converse but she remembered what her father said about them. She had confidence in her Templar Guard, but not the others. However, she answered all the questions they asked of her.

“What is it like to go to Court?” A young man asked.

“How old are you?” Another questioned.

“Why do you protect Mages?” A grumpy Templar quizzed.

“How often do you study battle tactics as a Nobel Woman?”

The questions seemed to last a long time, but Nyss did her best to answer diplomatically and eloquently as she could. She may have hated crowds but she was decent at pretending she was good at it.

Once they ate and had their fill, Cullen asked Nyss “So, when do you want to duel?”

“Let’s go now!” She said excitedly

Cullen laughed. “I never though you’d be that excited.”

Nyss shrugged “I have to prove to you I’m not just another annoying privileged Nobel.”

“You really see yourself as such?”

“I do.”

Cullen smirked, “Trust me My Lady, if you truly were that, I would have not been so keen on conversation with you.”

Nyss smiled. Maybe she was being too hard on herself, she thought but it kept her humble.

The pair made their way out to the training yard by the Armory. It was a large covered area with training dummies and the ground had lots of straw. It had weapon racks as well as benches to sit on. There was shields, bows, arrows, swords. There was also scrawled across the wall “To Serve Man.” Nyss rolled her eyes then turned around and saw Cullen on the opposite side of the room.

“Since we are both not wearing heavy armor, we have to use these.” He passed her a wooden sword with a pad on the end. “That way you’ll only bruise instead of bleed.” He laughed.

“Nothing new to me!” She responded and took her place in front of him.

“Alrighty My Lady, there is only one rule, touch and it’s over.”

“Sounds good to me Ser.” Nyss took her battle stance as did Cullen.

Nyss crossed her feet over each other and continued to lead him in a circle around her in almost a dance like manner. Every time he would step forward she would step back. Every time she would parry he would block.

It was almost as if they were waltzing, perfectly in tune with one another. The sound of wood on wood echoed in the large room. Cullens brow started to glisten and Nyss started to wonder if we was trying to let her win.

Back and forth across the room they dueled. Finally she thought she had him. She turned quickly and slid under his arm turned to him and took a jab. The sound of wood on his metal shield. He was too fast.

“Ser you are a worthy opponent!” She smiled.

“As are you My Lady.” He grinned.

Finally Nyss tried a maneuver Fergus had taught her, she let Cullen parry at her and instead of blocking she swiftly moved out of the way, and rolled her back long his, turned and stabbed him in the arm.

Cullen laughed. “You did it! I was wondering when you’d get me.”

“You were waiting?” She asked.

“I see how well you have been trained, and you deserved the win.” He said happily.

“I was half expecting you to use your Templar talents on me.”

“My Lady, you’re not a Mage, so I really have nothing to use against you.” Cullen walked over to Nyss. “You really are good, I’m impressed.”

“Thank you, Emmy and I worked hard to learn. I can dodge fire balls usually as well.” She cracked a smile.

They had dueled a few more times before deciding it was time to go to bed. Nyss enjoyed the challenge and Cullen finally learned her weakness. Once he realized she moved slower to the right than the left, he took full advantage and was able to beat her multiple times.

They left the training area and made their way back up to her room. The lights had gone out in the hallway, so she knew it was getting late into the night.

Nyss said goodnight to Cullen and walked to her bed. She put on her sleeping trousers, shirt and laid down in the soft pillowy escape of slumber. “Maker, help Emmy.” Was all she said.

As pondered her day, Nyss was overjoyed she got to demonstrate her skills. She felt like no one really cared if she could fight after all, so this made her proud.

Time had passed and she still couldn’t force herself to sleep. She tried her usual tricks of imagining stories, and counting Griffons, but Emmy seemed to be on her mind more than she could bear.

Finally, she decided if she could not sleep, she was going to go and watch the stars like she loved to do in Highever. She grabbed a blanket, a pillow and wrapped herself in the cloak Cullen had gifted to her. She slowly walked to the door and gently opened it.

She looked down the hall to the right, dark, but all clear. She turned her head to the left, dark, and - what was that? She squinted her eyes in the dim hallway. She moved closer and realized it was Cullen sleeping on a cot outside her door. His boots were sitting at the end of his bed, and he was wrapped up in a wool blanket.

Nyss smiled, ‘He really takes guarding me seriously.’ She thought as she silently moved past him. Once she was about 20 feet away she oriented herself in the hallway. She remembered where the balcony was that she and Cullen had played a chess on a few days prior.

The moonlight beamed through the Towers windows and lit her path. She made it to the balcony area and realized just how clear the night sky was.

She laid out her blanket, and her pillow. She wrapped the cloak tight around her and pulled up the hood. She then laid down on her back and faced the stars. They danced and sang to her. They twinkled and they swayed. Nyss figured out which stars were which and could figure out the direction of home from that balcony.

She smiled, ‘I’ve only been gone a short time and I miss them all.’ She thought. ‘I cannot imagine how Emmy or Ser Gilmore is feeling.’

Nyss laid there and reflected on the times she and her friend would do the same. It was a night like this, spring, warm with a slight breeze when she had first told Nyss about her love for Ser Gilmore. ‘She will never get to see him again.’ Nyss thought sadly. A tear rolled from her eye to her ear.

Nyss had become so absorbed in the sky that she didn’t notice the hurried footsteps approach her.

“My Lady? Nyssandra? Is that you?” A quiet voice called.

Nyss sat up and rested on her elbows. “Yes, it is me.”

“My Lady, you cannot roam about alone.” Cullen said relieved as he walked out of the shadow into the moonlight.

“I am sorry, you looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you.”

Cullen ran his hand through his blonde hair. The moon light made it look like wheat touched by frost. “I was just worried.” He said sitting down beside her on the blanket. “I want no one to think you are planning anything. Give them no cause for doubt.”

“You mean trying to break her out?” She smiled, then laid back down. “No Ser Templar I have no intention of that. I understand what is happening.”

Cullen looked down at her, and laid back as well. She pulled the pillow from behind her so he could share it too.

Their heads touching, they looked up to the black sky.

“So what are we looking at?” He asked.

“The stars. We always did this together.”

“Do you know much about them?”

“I’m named after that constellation.” She pointed.

“You have to forgive me, but I see nothing.”

Nyss found his hand and wrapped her fingers around his, then used her index finger to point up and map the constellation.

“See there, the stars shaped like the eye and sword? That’s Visus. That’s my middle name.” She smiled.

“Why Visus?”

“My mother tells me that Andraste thought it was the eye of the Maker himself and used it to navigate.” She sighed and let go his grasp.

“Your mother really loves Andraste.” He smiled.

“Yea, she is a big admirer.” Nyss laid her arm down by her side and so did Cullen. The back of his hand touched hers and she felt a shock of nerves crawl up her arm and into her stomach. She took a short breath. ‘No. It cannot be.’ She shushed to her mind.

The breeze was lovely this night and it pushed the hood from Nyss face. Her hair moved to and fro. Cullen looked at her, and for the first time realized her scar.

“My Lady what happened to your neck?” He asked.

“Oh, my brother Fergus a few months back caught me with his sword. I’ve been able to hide it well, but I fear it will be with me forever.”

“But what happened?”

“We were practicing and I lost focus - it was a good lesson for me.” She shifted and raised her hand to her ear. “I got distracted and he clipped me.” She touched her scar. “It bled so badly, I was hoping no one would notice.”

“I think it makes you look enough more fierce.” He laughed.

Nyss smiled at him. She laid there a moment then asked, “If you didn’t become a Templar, what did you want to become?”

Cullen took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I probably would have continued to be a farmer. To enlist in the military, and to have a family and a Mabari. I try not to think of it. I have given myself to the Maker and I feel as if I would be betraying him if I thought in any other way.”

Nyss understood. He was tied to the order, but she found it interesting that he did have ideas of how things could have gone.

“I have a Mabari, his name is Orli.” Nyss started to tell Cullen about her magnificent hound and all his quirks.

“He sounds fantastic, I would love to meet him.”

“When you take me to Highever I will introduce you.” She smiled. “He loves belly rubs.”

The night progressed during their discussion, as the sky started to bleed into the sunrise.

“I am so sorry, we have been talking all night. I did not realize just how late it was.” Nyss apologized.

“No harm, come get some rest, and we will make a plan for whenever you wake.” Cullen stood and offered her his hand. She got up and her body shivered. “You are cold, why didn’t you mention it?” He asked.

“Sorry I was just happy to have someone to talk to I completely forgot.”

Cullen stood there looking at her. She hadn’t worn shoes and was shivering, but the smile she gave him could light The Wilds on fire. He took her hands in his and proceeded to warm them up.

Nyss heart jumped. She was being touched by a man she barely knew but she thoroughly enjoyed it. Cullen was something different. He was all work, but had a soft underside of him. He smiled at her when he felt her flinch as he grabbed her hands.

“Sorry I never had…” and she trailed off.

“Hmm?” He sounded.

“I have never had a man touch my hands like this before. It makes me feel like I have lightening bolds running down my arms.” She said quietly.

Cullen looked at her hands and grinned. “I feel them too.”

He walked her back to her room and she laid on the bed. Nyss rolled over and could not stop her mind from thinking about him. ‘This is stupid, stop it.’ She kept telling herself.

Guilt overwhelmed her.

She should be thinking of Emmy, not her own strange feelings. She scrunched her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.