#its a mystery how any of them have survived The Great War this long

[newty]

i Have to know what wwi au duck hunt is about??

duck hunt is one of the more complicated ones--i wrote it back in college and began rewriting it a year and a half ago?? it's a climactic insane moment where elliot confesses to nol and i wanted to shape it up bc it feels like this the entire way thru

theyre wandering around in the fields nearby the psychiatric hospital nol is a patient at. hes very comfortable in nature with his rifle, looking for things to kill, while eli is worriedly tagging along w an umbrella

nol kills a couple ducks and collects them, making him even more brainlessly content w himself. it starts pouring and nol leads them to a gazebo beside a heavy river w a bunch of canoes

they have this tense, awkward talk abt eating and food, then nol decides he wants to swim bc hes already wet and he's still riding this weird, unthinking high of feeling in his element. elliot's like, no wtf

so nol grabs him and runs across the canoes like a plank bridge until one inevitably shifts and knocks them into the river. eli panics, and nol yanks them back to the shore.

theres a huge physicality to the water eli gets dragged from, the shore pebbles he gets pulled onto, nol's hands on him and nol's body above his to shield him from the rain. this is not making eli feel any better, and hes like 'fml never do that again sir'

the convo becomes 'why do u call me sir. its weird.' / bc i respect u / 'no u dont. theres smth wrong w ur respect.'

so eli just explodes like yeah!! there IS smth wrong w it!! and wrong w me!! and im gonna just spell it out in the most convoluted way bc im frustrated and afraid!!

so nol sits there with a single dead braincell. barely understands any of it. and comes out of the convo with a Sinking Suspicion that being institutionalized for several manic breakdowns in Not the worst thing wrong with him, and perhaps he is in love w this medic thats been bullying him across the somme offensive

eli sits there w a braincell that feels like its being pinned to a torture table. nol tells him to go back to town, but hes like 'mmmm no' bc maybe he'd rather feel like a prey animal abt to be killed by a machisimo madman than be alone. so nol hands him a dead duck like. 'k. ur good at taking bullets out so'

[theology101]

Galicaea murdered Cassandra and Sol murdered Ankarna - which is why Kipperlilly Did That

We learned in Revelations and Revivifications (Episode 11 of Season 2) that it was her Clerics from Fallinel who murdered Cassandra. That's just straight up a fact. Now, we don't know exactly what her role in this is but, "As Above, So Below." If Galicaea's top priests are making this move, then Galicaea was down with it.

I've heard a lot of people refer to the wolf aspect as if it was some 'real' version of the faith that's been corrupted. It isn't, it's an Older aspect and its one that Tracker and Co. love a lot more but both of them are a result of worship.

We learned about this 'Last Great Sylvan War' around 900 years ago about the proper way to worship Cassandra. While the High Elves who settled it went with "Erase the goddess - to understand mystery is a heresy," I'm guessing they also heavily influenced the Wood Elf/Non-High Elf variant of Galicaea into being more in line with their version. Obviously a remnant survived in folk religion like with Tracker and other Werewolf communities, her revival reveals that prior to her, there hasn't been any serious challange to Falinel statement.

I think that then Sol started marching North. Gallicaea had claimed Night as hers and hers alone, by deceiving their shy and naive sister and then went to finish the job with Ankarna. But her? No way they could convince Ankarna to kill herself, especially now that her sister was 'dead' (Cassandra technically managed to live via the Quasi-Reality inside of Sylvaire, Kristen more redefined her and allowed her to be alive outside of the Nightmare Forest).

So I think that the Human Priests of Highcourt and the Elves of Fallinel agreed to wipe them out. Sol's paladins burnt their way up the coast and conquered it - we know that the land of Elmville is native Halfling territory, but right next to it is the Mountains of Chaos which was, in my opinion, their true target. Sol wanted the aspects like Conviction, Fire, Rage, Etc. while he gave Helio Summer.

Meanwhile, Ankarna? Her turning Infernal wasn't something done to her, it was something she/her priests did. Why would they do that? Because they're being invaded. The Giants probably took on a more leadership based roll compared to the far less capable to defend themselves Halflings, Goblins, Aaracockra, arguably even Orcs. Turning more and more evil, brutal, and extreme is a result of her being back further and further into a corner. It was a defense of the other races and for her own life.

I think that, while adventuring in the Mountains of Chaos for Spring Break, the Rat Grinders found out about Ankarna's priests and believers being wiped out, maybe one of her ancinet and long forgotten temples. That was it and it would have been it, if Kipperlilly didn't learn about Cassandra. I think her sheer, burning jealousy made her want, above anything else, to bring back a Goddess herself.

And her solution was going to be Lucy Frostblade. And for about two weeks, Ankarna was brought back with Lucy being her sole worshipper. And this is what I think happened next: sweet, kind, Lucy Frostblade's Ankarna wouldn't be the warlike aspect. She'd be like how she was before the Humans and Elves attacked, a kind and loving goddess.

Except there's a problem. There's another worshipper - just one.

Jace Stardiamond, draining power from the corpse of the long dead war goddess.

So, he and Kipperlilly somehow get in contact (my money is through Oisin secretly being a sorceror the whole time and just Acing wizard classes with 0 effort) and together they agree there's only one solution - kill Lucy Frostblade so their version of Ankarna can remain. The High Five Heroes kill Lucy and all begin worhsipping Ankarna (all under the influence of Devil's Honey.) Kipperlilly, Oisin and Mary Anne are all in on it (symbolized by their Blue backgrounds) but Ivy and Rueben refuse to go along with the murder but, since they're not in the way, they're able to be devil's honeyed into not knowing (Symbolized by their red background).

Ivy's weird reaction to Fig? She always 'knew' that Lucy was alive - she's not important to the plan anyways, so she doesn't need to be included. Some random lie is fed to Ivy to explain why Lucy isn't recognized as 'dead.' Reuben though? Kipperlilly can still use Reuben - use him to proselytize and spread the word of Ankarna - so not only does he need to be aware of the details around Lucy's death and all the Ankarna stuff, he also can't know the Ratgrinders killed her. He clearly still thinks highly of her - I think that vomitting the 'blood' in his dream was Fig breaking the Devil's Honey barrier in his mind.

Which is why, as Gertie told us, Kipperlilly ordered two bottles RIGHT after break. They need to keep him in line with the plan.

Jace changed the records in the school so that Yolanda never realized that she switched gods from Ruvina, and used his own spells to fuck with the name and hidden it (clearly there's a difference between the rune on the paper, which no one could read, and the translated version in Fallinel which has been sat for a thousand plus years), and did the same to the body. Yolanda, trusting him as Vice Principal, tells him about her fears, he goes with her into the woods and then instantly kills her in the clearing.

The plan is to take Ankarna from the Dead/Undead form (but now conscious thanks to their efforts) back to being actually alive via a Cleric believing in her.

Of course, in the mean time they need a Cleric. Make him expendable, but still useful. Make the cleric be a Priest of Helio or Sol so that they can kill him, immediately planeshift into Heaven behind him, eliminate his soul and then Oisin and Kipperlilly sneak into the office and bring back the Goddess. In fact, I bet they're gonna fling Buddy Dawn's soul into the void and using the death of a cleric of Helio, Ankarna will return. Killing Buddy was the act of Conquest they needed.

Rueben is obviously in doubt, trying to get help from his Uncle (skipping Forest Animal Murdering and asking for a ride home?), but I think Oisin is in it for the power. Mary Anne is a Kobold, and I think Oisin's Grandma is the dragon her tribe is sworn to so she just follows him around.

I don't think any part of Jace Stardiamond's section of the plan, the bit about the return of Ankarna, has anything to do with Kipperlilly running for preisdent or their quest against the bad kids. Killing Buddy in the Last Stand was just a conveint series of events but as Brennan said in the adventuring party - it looked like killing Buddy was already on the table. That wasn't a freak out move, it was on the agenda, she just wasn't there yet.

For the Presidency, unlike the Ankarna plot where only Oisin and Stardiamond are conspirators, all the Rat Grinders are in on it because they all seem to have personal beef. Except for Oisin and Mary Anne, who seem to be fine with the Bad Kids as a whole, just still on Kipperlilly's team for the race.

For that, Kipperlilly frames the Loams for embezzling, pocketing the money, and then using Ankarna's nightmare king form to kill the Loams when it looked like she was being to thoroughly looked at. Now she has money for both Schemes and the Campaign. Stardiamond tells Reuben to move Frostfaire to the Thistlepsing Tree (just to fuck with the ground and, if I had to guess, be the reason why Gorgug has been getting angrier and angrier as the season's gone on. Specifically, he seemed to really 'Get Mad!' when fighting Grix).

Kipperlilly knows about Buddy's grandpa so after Yolanda gets killed by Jace, Kipperlilly tells Buddy to ask his grandpa to apply while Jace puts the question to Mazey (a decision he should've made himself, to be honest). Bobby's here just to get Kristen expelled, and when they they decided to take the last stand, she grabbed a Rage Shard, strapped it on an arrow, and aimed it at the proctor.

I think that, as the ultimate 'fuck the bad kids' move, the Proctor would go angry and huge and the party would be forced to kill him. Not only does he die, but they were the ones who killed him which would MURDER their grade. I would guess.

But Kristen saw her, and could prove that another student directly interfered with the test (via undergoing a zone of truth). So instead, Kipperlilly indirectly interferes and puts the 'lets kill Buddy' part of the Main Plan into effect. Probably would have happened anyways (they're in a pocket dimension alone, great time to kill a man tbh)

[callmehopeless]

Prompt

Idea: "True Love's Kiss Motif". In which a prince is cursed to live an immortal life. He enjoys life at first but grows bored easily. Begins his search to find true love's kiss by courting various women throughout his life. Playboy phase (multiple women)?

Grows old and has never found true love. And he tries to off himself more than once to many failures.

But one day, he somehow awakens right before he's brought back to life at the crossroads between worlds. He meets Death. He decides then and there that the only way to truly die is to obtain a kiss from Death. But while he courts Death and shows him/her/them how to live-- he finds himself falling for him/her/them.

(Can be any characters or pairings? Go wild with funny antics, angsty, Happy Ending or Bittersweet… I love everything you write <3)

Moo loaded a shotgun and pointed it right at my chest.

BETWEEN SPACES

Ominis Gaunt x Male!OC (very nonspecific)

Word Count: 1500ish

This is just incredibly painful angst with very small comfort, PLEASE ENJOY!

Ominis Gaunt met him, in the shadow and the night.

Long after life should have left him - after his bones ought to have been dust, and the world had turned without him. Long after his friends had passed into nothing, and on, and on: onward, until the world had changed irreparably.

Anne had gone first. Lovable, gentle Anne. Anne, who had survived so much: who had courted death and run from him. Anne had gone in quiet slip - somewhere in the middle of her life. Ominis had grieved her, so sudden and quick - and asked death to take him, too.

Death had not.

And so Ominis Gaunt had sought. Bony hands, pale fingers; undressing women with the talents of a gentleman. The efforts of a man of his station: the Prince of Slytherin, and the heir to all of its curses and wants. He had fallen into desperation, almost: feverish, to find meaning and purpose and something to explain it all.

Once, a handful of years ago - a boy had whispered something in his ear.

“Don’t you grow tired of all of this?”

 They had been sixteen, then, and he had not known kisses or love. He had known of stories, and music, and had liked to imagine them as things that were real, and proper, and meaningful as anything.

He could fall in love. He could.

His face had been a mysterious thing - only felt a handful of times, and only in the throes of the moment. He had been alive, in the creases of those cheekbones. When the pad of his thumb had run over those lips.

And then - that boy had vanished, too. And he had forgotten entirely that life could be vast, and music could be good. Stories could have meanings, and not simply morals.

But that was long ago. And the days turned to months, and the months into years.

Sebastian was next. His brother, and his life. War. Muggles have always liked war, and Sebastian had always been fit to raise one. When he received the letter, and his wand traced the paper of it: he had not cried. Not properly.

He had drank, and drank, and tried to forget. He had lain in the grass and tried to picture the colours of the sky. He had wondered what he should feel - whether someone who had lived half as long would feel twice as much. Whether the curse that had been laid at his feet meant, in the end: he would slowly feel himself seeping through the cracks of the pavement, worn away by the bombs dropped from afar.

The Great War came, and ended. Another. Another.

He had fucked his way through it. Women - always women. Always the curves of them against him: and never too much of anything else. Anything else would hurt, too much, too quickly: too many things lost along the way. And he had kissed, and fucked, and touched, and lit matches under himself that burned out. The fifties had come, and he had looked much the same. Not that he had known that, of course - but he had kept himself well, and groomed.

Smoked? He had smoked most in the sixties. He had wondered if it was yellowing his teeth, or making him smell acrid - but he stopped caring by the seventies, and he yearned for the old smoking bars. The comfort of the continual rise of it. The coughs, and the jackets. Christ, but he missed the dinner jackets.

The time passed in a haze. Everyone was gone, by then, and he was frozen. A piece of time, long antiquated. Most of his days spent in vague states of removal from reality. He missed Anne for most of it, and Sebastian for half of it (though that half, he thinks, was an agonising half). He found he missed the gargoyles in the classes, and Professor Binns’ innocuous droning. He missed everything.

Wizarding War. He had a brief, painful realisation of the truth of it. His own flesh and blood. That inclination would have inspired something in him, if his life hadn’t been so bloody long.

But then it was done. And then the eighties. And then the nineties, and he only briefly measured that a boy came to stop what would try to pass.

The millennium came over the Thames, and Ominis Gaunt would sit and listen to the cars, and the water, and the traffic as it moved over Tower Bridge. His heart would barely oscillate - he would go home, some nights, and lay on his bed.

Once, a handful of years ago - a boy had whispered something in his ear. He forgot. He forgets the words.

It is a night in November, and the first frost is skating over London.

He has always preferred the cold. Ominis thinks, like him: it touches everything, and then melts away. Leaves it no better nor worse for the privilege. Entirely the same as it has always been, and that is quite alright. His felt coat wrapped tight, and he walks to the bridge. Breath clouding in the air.

His wand is barely needed, now. But he holds it in his sleeve, as he has for a hundred years. A presence, on the bridge: a man. Tall, and imposing. The rest left to the air and the sky.

“How many years has it been?”

The man asks him, and the voice is strange. The elocution is beautiful; sharp, and from another time entirely. The moment Ominis hears it, something within him balks. Hairs stand on end. The planet, in its wisdom, feels as though it slows.

“I’m sorry–?”

He has missed feeling confused. The world has become full of certainties.

Snow falls, soft and cool. Kisses on skin. The touch of cold fingers.

“You have run for so long. Don’t you grow tired of all of this?”

Oh.

Tired. Dear God, but he is tired.

He used to sleep in the Transfiguration Courtyard. His head on a thigh, and his heart in his throat. Someone was there; someone warm, and loving. Someone who kissed him, quietly. A boy who loved him before he could love himself - and perhaps long after he stopped.

A step forward. Another. A third, and he reaches out with his hand.

A robe meets his fingers, and he tugs on it. Soft, smooth; draped. He has not aged much since he was sixteen, and neither has Ominis Gaunt. Somewhere, in the madness - a curse had fallen on him, and all things had stopped.

Everything has its time.

“Where did you go? I–”

Ominis’ voice cracks. Something in him wrenches. His eyes burn, and it is the first time in so long that it feels like lead.

“--it wasn’t a mercy. It wasn’t. I would’ve gone with you years ago. I loved you–I’ve loved you all my life.”

Through loving Anne, and Sebastian, and Noctua. And the wars, and the moments between them: there has been blood, and sex, and pain, and knowledge, and a sadness that goes on and on.

Death is cold. Death is so terribly cold.

He would have loved Death all his life, if he could have.

He has always loved the cold.

Death reaches out to him, and the hands are not so cold as he remembers. Not really. They feel like Anne, in her soft whispers at the end. Like Sebastian: the steadfast drive of him. The way he would never depart from what he needed. Death came for them both, and loved them just as much.

“I’ve loved you all these years,” Death tells him, with a gentle movement of his voice. The snow is softer, then, and Death reaches out with both hands.

Ominis does not take them.

Instead, he leans forward. His own fingers - cold and dry as they are, and full of youth - reach up, and they touch the boy’s face.

Hard lines, and soft skin. He isn’t cold; he is warm, and kind, and good. Death did not snatch - Death carried. Death held, and Death let everything be where it ought. In its time, in its way: everything to its nature.

To gentleness; Death brought kindness. To fight; Death brought war.

But to love–

A swallow. Ominis’ glassy eyes move about, unseeing, and he traces his thumb over the pad of a lip. Over the curve of the flesh, there, and he wishes for a taste of it. It is all he has wished for. He cannot think of anything else he has wanted more.

The snow falls on the Thames, like smattered, pressed kisses in the dark.

“Kiss me,” Ominis pleads. He pleads, and remembers.

And Death does not hesitate for a moment. Death does not judge him the years; nor spend another second without him. Death does not think on promises that were not made, nor things lost.

Death has waited so long,

And Death has loved him so much.

I'm not crying, fuck you, you're crying.

(Much love, Totomoo! Thank you so much for your support <3)

Feel free to send requests!

[catpop2]

So uh... Earthspark Au idea

So you know how occasionally Starscream and Bumblebee somehow get paired together and goofy shenanigans insue? Like in IDW for example- Well take that but add some more shit to it- Like a lot more hand wavy magic shit to it.

Anyways spoilers for Earthspark Season 1, the whole thing. And also uh brain fart moment right here so its very rambly but I wanna try and get the main point across. I will elaborate it people are intrested tho.

Well I had a goofy au idea brainfart moment where after the events of season 1, the autobots and decepticons have to somewhat colaborate which each other to survive on earth. From finnaly freeing every captured Decepticon in the form of a transaction to get Starscream and his remaining seekers do an extended sweep over the entire earth in order to comfirm Dr Meridians death because oh boy his body mysteriously disapeared (And because Seekers aint called seekers for nothin, they hella good at tracking down anything that exists)

Other scheningans insue because Megatron wants to reconnect with his Decepticons and beocme friends with everyone- But like none of them are really having it, in fact the main motivator for any con is that they want to protect their new generation, the terrans, therefore they wont try and obliterate the autobots at every moment. This is specifically true for Starscream who literally cant exist in the same room as Megatron but gets absolutely swarmed by terrans the moment he is near them, most notoriously Hashtag and Twitch but mostly Hashtag.

And then there is Bumblebee, the mentor of the maltobots who will do anything to keep them safe- But not much can be done when your protégés are pestering the most dangerous Decepticon to ever Decepticon (Aside from Megs but he dont count anymore) So he has to just sit there and tolerate it-

Eventually though trouble arises once more and the maltobots have to fight for the freedom of their kind, now joined not only by the autobots but occasionally even a Decepticon or two whenever their expertise come into play, but the cons aren't doing it for the Autobots thats for sure.

Bumblebee is always with the terrans whenever he can be, but the five are more grown as each day passes, and far harder to keep an eye on, especially since the concept of war has been properly introduced to them. So when Starscream is there to provide intelligence or sneak stolen gadgets to Hashtag and Nightshade, Bee has to appreciate the weight the seeker unintentionally takes off his back. Afterall Starscream may be extremely dangerous, cunning and deceitful- But it certainly does wonders for him to be near sparklings.

Where the au comes into real play is when the threat of Dr Meridian resurfaces much to everyones dismay (Like pee paw willy over again).

The terrans and the kids are locked in tight combat, trapped in a very dangeorus and likley fatal situation of which they havent quite grasped the severity of. This time they dont seem to have the grace of Quintus Prime at their side as things look really grim, their only proper cybertronian assitance comes in the form of Bumblebee and Starscream who are forced to hold off the threat together the best they can before help can arrive. While the terrans do a great job of fighting alongside them as they have proved themselves plenty of times- It doesn't seem to be enough. All of them are left tattered, injuried and worse for wear- Particularly their two cybertronian gaurdians who had just taken on a fatal blow to protect them.

Quintus Prime, unlike the Maltos thought before, was with them, he watched them. He hoped, but there was little he could do, it was not like before...

But... There was a call, a plee. A promise of service. Not from the humans or the terrans. No...

Something else entirely- A presence akin to Primus itself- A spark, reaching out to him. Promising to protect.

Ah yes. The cybertronians. One of them had not yet given up yet, despite the fact he no long had functional limbs nor wings- It was present, nearby somewhere was also another presence, but so much weaker, so fragile and quickly fading.

No.. That couldn't work could it? They were already established sparks, born from the allspark directly-

Perhaps that could work.. Perhaps the Emberstone had a little extra light to give.

And so, from the rubble- Right as the enemy intends to strike another blow, two new protectors rise- And two new presences began to circulate between the thoughts and feelings of the Maltos.

[heyclickadee]

I've had this sitting in my drafts for a few days and just forgot to post it. Anyway! Thoughts on "Entombed" (sorry, this got long): 

1. There's an ancient mechanical creature hidden under a mountain on an uncharted world activated by a mysterious crystal and implied to have razed its entire planet. Why? How does this technology work? Is the mechanical creature alive or sentient in some way? What is it about the crystal that activates the creature? Is this just technology, or is it force weirdness, or both? Why did somebody (potentially the Zeffo) build a planet destroying giraffe of terror? Why was it in the mountain? Did someone hide it there? Did the engineer who designed it base its appearance off of a real animal? Did it hide itself? I have questions.

2. I had to watch this one twice to decide what I thought. I enjoyed it the first time, but I was so thrown by how completely different it was than what I was expecting that I had to give it another shot. Second time around? I loved it. Sometimes Star Wars is profound and serious. Sometimes it's silly Indiana Jones shenanigans in space, and I love it for that.

3. I'll talk about the whole "filler" discussion lower down, but one of the throughlines that's been carried through to this episode from the very beginning of the season is the idea of these characters exploring life outside Kamino, the army, and even the "hunker down and survive" mode they were all in last season, along with the choices they are or could be making as individuals regarding what kind of lives they want to live. Echo, for example, wants to go back to being a soldier, but this time in a fight against the empire; Crosshair is still choosing to be a soldier (for now), and he's miserable about it but having to live with the choice he made to stay; Tech's gotten to explore a bit of what he wants and likes through the riot racing episode but, more than that, he's being presented with the idea that the galaxy is broader and deeper than he considered and that he maybe has more to offer it than just what he was designed to offer; Wrecker...honestly needs an episode where he's in focus because he seems to be the most content of any of them and I'm not sure what Wrecker wants, besides being with the people he loves; and then this week was Omega's (and sort of but not quite) Hunter's turn. I'm an adult, so I tend to focus on the adult characters, but Omega's such a good character and it's great that she's also getting a chance to explore what kind of person she wants to be. This is the second episode we've seen that really focuses on her being a bit of an adrenaline junky with an interest in treasure hunting. And given what Romar said to her about how happiness is worth all the treasure in the galaxy, that's probably going to be a theme for her this season, and I'm curious to see where it goes.

4. Theres. An inexplicable megazord. Just. Out there. On a dead planet.

5.  Hunter's...Hunter's not okay. And not even in just a "tired dad" sense, I mean that Hunter's probably been crying under his helmet since "Aftermath" and that he's getting to the point where he can't hide how bone-tired and sad he actually is. It's almost shocking going back and watching the first half of season one and comparing Hunter there to how he's been in his season so far, because he was so much more open back then. He was exploring options, asking questions, trying to find a new life for all of them, and came across as pretty confident in his decisions, but after the one-two-three punch of encountering Crosshair on Bracca, getting shot by Cad Bane, and losing Omega? The man shuts down. And he only shut down more after what happened with Crosshair on Kamino. I actually suspect that Hunter agrees more with Echo about what they should be doing than he lets on, even taking his opinion that Omega shouldn't be forced into become a soldier the way they were into account. He's not happy about what they're doing, he doesn't like going on dangerous missions for someone else, and he really only got involved with Cid because they were broke and desperate and because she kind of blackmailed them into doing it, but he keeps digging his heels in and refusing to move. It seems like he feels like he's a failure as a leader, a brother, and maybe even as a father, because he hasn't really been proactively leading the group since episode nine of last season. He isn't really making decisions about what they should or shouldn't do--he's mostly letting other people decide on their missions and then letting them guilt, blackmail, or push him into it because he's so scared of making a decision that get's another one of them hurt or results in them losing another person the way they lost Crosshair (or worse) that he's mentally and emotionally paralyzed AND emotionally isolating himself from everyone else. And that paralysis is starting--more than starting--to cause friction on the team, and I'm curious to see how that's going to affect the story moving forward.

6. Seriously, someone get this beautiful bandana man some therapy.

7. Likewise, the vibe between Echo and Hunter this episode was interesting. As much as they're (at least outwardly) disagreeing on what their next steps should be, there doesn't seem to be any animosity between them, at least not yet.  All those silently exchanged glances? They disagree, but they trust each other, and I kind of think they both think that they other one is going to come around to their point of view. Eventually.

8. Omega is me if someone sets me loose on a scavanger hunt.

9. They gave me the space archaeology (kind of) and I am VIBRATING

10. I WISH archaeology was this fun. I spent an entire season walking surveys up in Wyoming, and did I ever come across a map to an ancient mecha-beast? No. No I did not. (I kid, real life archaeology is very fun and I have absolutely cried about lithic debitage and fingerprints on potsherds because someone it means someone lived and breathed and died and that stuff might seem boring but it's evidence of a human life and that's beautiful.)

11. Phee! All hail our pirate queen!

12. Phee is fun and her fashion sense is impeccable. And she has a sword. She's got a vibro-cutlass. Or something like unto a sword. But in space. And regardless of how anyone interprets them, I really liked the scenes with her and Tech at the beginning (characters being a bit snarky towards each other? I'm going to have fun), and Omega imprinting on her like a little baby duck was adorable. It's similar to the vibe Ezra had with Hondo, but where Ezra was a bit of a little shit (and I mean that affectionately) with a tendency to give Hondo chances he knew Hondo didn't deserve because he thought Hondo was a fun dude to have around (and maybe because he saw in Hondo a lot of the kind of person he would have turned into if the ghost crew hadn't picked him up and given him a chance), Omega's just all starry eyes with Phee. Is Phee trustworthy? Probably not. Is she fun for now? Oh yeah.

13. It would be hilarious if Phee turned out to be a former jedi who worked in the archives but left the order well before the war or order 66 because she wanted to go treasure hunting. This is the crackiest of crack theories and I do not expect it to happen. But it would be funny.

14. I loved how into the treasure hunt Tech started to get. Asking questions? About the puzzles? Doing his own investigation on the age of the site? Yes.

15. "I suspect that this is not, in fact, a treasure vault," as the aforementioned inexplicable megazord shambles to life once again proving that Tech, with his deadpan one-liners, is the funniest damn character on this show.  

16. Not much Echo this episode, which was a little disappointing, but I liked what little we got. Hopefully there's more in the next one!

17. There's a MAP to an TECHNOLOGICAL MONSTER that PREDATES THE REPUBLIC just OUT in SPACE and I am HERE FOR IT.

18. I didn't think it was possible to make something that vaguely resembles an ankylosaur look scary. I've been corrected. I'm glad Wrecker was able to throw the ankylosaur from hell out the window. (But also I feel a little sorry for it). 

19. Mel??? Running from the death ray??? And not making it??? Corbett and Rau I AM IN YOUR WALLS WHAT THE HELL??? But no, actually, that was a pretty good way to up tension without taking out one of the regular characters.

20. So...I'm not saying that spite is low-key a good motivator, but spite might low-key be a good motivator. I'll just leave it at that.

21. No one calls the clone characters by their names. I didn't think this was anything at first, but the more of this season I see, the more I think it definitely is. No one who isn't a clone addresses a clone by their name. And it's not just the villianous or morally ambiguous non-clone characters, no one does it. Not Phee, who has a couple different nicknames for everyone in the batch (including Tech, even though she asked what his name was), not Cid, not Rampart, not even Romar, and Romar was definitely a good guy. The only exception was the announcer and the crowd using Tech's name in "Faster," because that's the name he gave when he signed up (and there's a pretty good chance no one suspected he was a clone) and even then the announcer had to comment on how weird it was and questioned whether or not that was even a name. It's an interesting trend and is probably playing into the idea of how clones were viewed by most of the galaxy during the war--basically as non-people--but I also want to see where it goes before I come down on any hard conclusions. Apart from the overall trend, I do think that every character we're meeting is doing it for a different reason. Rampart pointedly calls clones by their CT numbers as a sign of disrespect. They are not people to him and he doesn't care if they know that. Cid? I think it's so she doesn't get attached. She doesn't want to like them too much. It might be the same for Phee, buuuuuut I'm not sure. And then with Romar...I kind of wonder if he kept calling Tech "Ace" partly because he didn't realize that Tech's name was Tech. Same with the announcer in "Faster" scratching his head over "Tech" being a name. Romar could have thought that "Tech" was a codename or a squad designation, because...I mean...clone names are unusual. Even within the galaxy far far away with the exceedingly silly names, clone names are often etymologically weird. And every person in the batch is named after their job. It'd be like going to the store and finding out that the person loading the shelves is just named "Stocker." And--hey, sad thought about clones--I kind of wonder if most people in the galaxy just assumed that clones didn't have names. After all, they're manufactured people, people who didn't--from what people could tell from the outside--have families. Who would name them? is probably what a lot of people who didn't know the clones would ask. The only people who called the clones by their names were the jedi and other clones; now the jedi are gone and most of the clones aren't in a position to even use their own names right now.

22. I just made myself sad about clones.

23. I LOVED the look of...well, of everything in this episode. It honestly felt like half the purpose of this one was to allow the art and effects teams to flex and flex they did.  

24. This whole episode is like if someone decided that Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Castle in the Sky, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Godzilla: King of Monsters were the same movie, and I appreciate that energy. 

25. I love that the batch's reaction at the end was basically just, "Well. That just happened." I need Crosshair to come back so they can tell him this story. Them just saying, "While you were off with the Empire we were awakening the ancient horrors," and him jokingly threatening to leave again because there's no way he's believing that this happened.

26. What is the kingdom of Elweys? I need it. I need to know. (For real, though, I'm actually glad that none of the crazy ancient technology stuff in this episode was explained. It gives the GFFA a bit of temporal depth that it doesn't always have and I'm here for it.)

27. Regarding the filler discussion: Not every story has to be serialized. It's okay for some shows to just be a series of putting characters in different combinations and scenarios and seeing what they do. In fact, that used to be the norm. For decades. That was how television worked. It's only in the last decade or so that serialized television has become more of a regular thing. 

Furthermore, there's a spectrum of ways to serialize something. On one end of that spectrum you have your eight-hour movies--things like Kenobi and Moon Knight, where pretty much every episode begins where the previous episode ended, and where no episode is complete without the overall structure of the entire show. On the other end of that spectrum you have your tentpole episode shows--think something like the first season of the Ducktales reboot--where you can mostly watch the episodes in any order you want because most of the episodes are the characters getting into various shenanigans while most of the plot is reserved for big event episodes, usually mid-season or season finales. And then elsewhere on that spectrum you'll have shows that are written a little more like a novel. Every single episode or chapter will have its own story, its own miniature inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and its own mix of plot, character development, and worldbuilding (sometimes focusing a little more on one than the others), but the successive episodes or chapters build up to an overarching story and overall structure, and it can be hard to see how or what that overarching story is until you get to the end of the whole story. That's what The Bad Batch is. It's that kind of serialized story. 

And--just a last thought--if we're going to say that an episode is filler and doesn't contribute to the plot, we've got to one, consider that maybe story is more than plot, and two, ask ourselves what the "plot" actually is. Anyway, this is just me being a little bit salty, but the unending "filler" discourse whenever The Bad Batch isn't Crosshair's Agony Half-Hour got old last season, and this will probably be the last thing I say about it. (Also, this is just me and my two cents, so take it with a grain of salt). 

28. Jumping off of that, this kind of episode does make me suspect that we are getting at least a third season, because it feels like the writers are taking their time taking us we're they're going. I am more than okay with this.

29. DID I MENTION THE INEXPLICABLE MEGAZORD???

[pleas3pretendimnothere]

Let's review July! Did a lot of reading this month, so let's jump right into it.

The Wicked King

By Holly Black - This is Black's sequel to The Cruel Prince, which I read with a friend for a book club. Years later, after the series gained traction on BookTok, we decided to read the sequel. My friend somewhat enjoyed Prince. I did not...

Black met my low expectations perfectly! I remembered very little of Prince, but I believe by the time I read the series' third book, I MIGHT remember this one. While Prince is disjointed and flimsy, King is only disjointed! The plot this time around is, at least, competent. Still, the reader must survive Black's poor prose and then attempt to understand the mess of a world that is this series. Faerie is a poorly developed kingdom, and the beats lack any feeling of import, resulting in constant, unsatisfied confusion. Every chapter, I asked, "What?" "Why?" "Who?"

What kind of kingdom even is Faerie? What sort of power does it hold? Why do mermaids want control of this land? Who are all these random, single-use characters? How am I supposed to believe the MC is a badass when all she ever does is get slapped around and tricked?

And yet...Black has once again succeeded in charming me. The absolute failure of worldbuilding is amusing. Repeated anger and frustration and bafflement carried me all the way through to the end. Nonsense, and more nonsense, and by the epilogue, I was at a circus having a blast. Why would I expect anything less from Holly Black? Coldest Girl in Coldtown was unparalleled bad literature! Holly is the queen of terrible books, and I am but a humble servant of her court!

BookTok never lets me down. If you're looking to read a bad book for fun, Holly Black is always the answer. But if you're looking for something interesting or thought-provoking, SKIP IT! Read this next book instead...

Lyonesse

By Jack Vance - Now THIS is what good fantasy is supposed to be! It was whiplash, reading King and Lyonesse back to back. It felt like finishing my CapriSun and finally pouring myself a glass of champagne.

Lyonesse, though written at a snail's pace typical of a lot of older fantasy, is a bedtime story fantasy banquet. The read is long but comprised of small, episodic adventures that make consuming the story in many short sessions an easy accomplishment. Vance's tale surrounds Princess Suldrun's tragedy and her lover Aillas's quest to rescue their spirited-away son. The world of conqueror nation Lyonesse is detailed yet mysterious; it is complicated and horrifying, and stakes are peppered in where you least expect them. Powerful characters come and go, and twists jump out of nowhere, bringing excitement to an otherwise relaxing read.

And speaking of relaxation, Vance's prose is to die for. This is beautiful fantasy fiction about magic and curses, faeries and ogres, wizards and witches and wars and politics! It frightened, shocked, and enchanted me. I will definitely be reaching for the sequel! BUY IT!

The Speed of Darkness

By Catherine Fisher - I have finally reached the last book in Fisher's Obsidian Mirror series! To recap, Obsidian Mirror was great fun. The Slanted Worlds brought new excitement and adventure to the story. The Door in the Moon was...a departure from its high-tension predecessors. And the series' conclusion was...meh.

I was incredibly disappointed with Darkness. Fisher's writing remains fast-paced and fun, but the finale fails to make sense of this sci-fi time-traveler tale. Plot-holes previously overlooked are addressed and then dismissed, sort of in a lackluster wink-wink fashion that feels like a slight to reader's intelligence. Characters remain one-note, failing to change or improve in any meaningful way. The villain's origin is addressed quickly and then falls flat, feeling poorly thought through. Things just sort of...finish. And that is that.

A new, interesting character from the distant past is introduced, but they are thrown away halfway through the book. It's just failure after failure, which was a huge letdown. After really enjoying the first two books, I am said to say in regards to the whole series, you should SKIP IT! Read Fisher's Incarceron series, and only that.

The Girl in 6E

By A.R. Torre - This book is so strange. So, so very strange. It's short and sweet and fun. But...is it good?

I am still asking myself that. 6E follows a traumatized cam girl who has isolated herself from the world in an attempt to assuage her violent fantasies. She soon realizes one of her clients may have kidnapped an innocent girl and forsakes her studio apartment/prison cell to kill the man. The premise is bizarre, and though the read was refreshing, it was very oftentimes...silly?

I don't know. The main character is just so SiCk AnD tWiStEd, it just comes off as funny? She reminded me of myself when I was 15 and convinced I wasn't like other girls. Perhaps this character choice was intentional, as our MC has become so disconnected from the real world, and trauma does do funny things to people. However, it does seem very possible that Torre intended for this character to be frightening and strange, not immature and laughable, as she is instead. I just...I don't know.

Important to mention Torre writes steamy novels. This was probably the most explicit book I've ever read, but there was a creepy nuance to the sex scenes that was intriguing. Lots of research was clearly done on how cam girls make their living, and it was enlightening to learn about, honestly!

Besides that, the plot is rushed, the MC cringe, and the climax too-easy. If you're looking for a sexy, unserious thriller, this is a good RENT IT!, but otherwise, it doesn't accomplish anything phenomenal. I don't think I'll be picking up the sequel, though I will be keeping the book in my collection for now. SKIP IT!

Archenemies

By Marissa Meyer - This is Meyer's sequel to Renegades, and I'm going to keep this review short and sweet. I devoured this one.

Archenemies is just fun, pure, absolute fun! Just like Renegades, Meyer's post-apocalyptic superhero world is once again a charming read front to back. Think YA My Hero Academia or Spiderman. It's The Boys, but adorable and unoffensive! Typically, I am highly critical of YA books, but I have nearly nothing to critique about Archenemies. The world is intriguing, and the writing is quick and snappy, a la Riordan. There are few distractions from the cat-and-mouse plot (looking at you, Holly), so it's incredibly easy to lose yourself in the likeable characters and the dramatic irony of the story. This series is not nearly talked about as much as it should be!

If you like YA adventure x stakes, this is a fantastic roller-coaster-ride series so far. Let's hope the finale is good too! If this stuff is your cup of tea, I'd recommend you not pass this one up. BUY IT!

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

By Stieg Larsson - All right, so if you follow trending books, you know everyone wouldn't shut up about this one around 2010. And then, out of nowhere, she vanished. Nobody talks about Tattoo anymore. NO ONE!

And I'm not too surprised. This book was not nearly as good as I was expecting. Though the mystery of the story is intriguing, its just sort of fallen out of fashion. Nazis and biblical crime and edgy manic-pixie dream girls? That's just so two thousand and late, man. I commend Larsson for trying to address the abuses faced by women in the world and how broken systems fail them, but his book falls into stereotypes that weaken his intent. While Lisbeth is certainly likeable, she is, at the end of the day, "not like other girls". She's special--neurodivergent, intelligent, violent, and sexual. This sort of depiction does not exactly paint Larsson as on Team Feminist. While Lisbeth's narration is likeable, she remains a male fantasy.

And unfortunately, ALL female characters fall into stereotypes. Mikael has sex with a manic-pixie dream girl, his sexually-free friend with benefits, and a forlorn, sexually-repressed neighbor. For the women he DOESN'T fuck, there is a crazy old lady, a virgin victim, and a chaste, religious daughter. Every other competent character is, well, a man. Oof, Stieg, oof. Your intent is there, but the execution misses the mark.

Because this novel was such a cultural phenomenon for a short time, I'd still recommend you RENT IT! It was a fun, easy read with a good translation, and I am interested to read the sequel. But by no means was this the wildest mystery novel I've read, by NO means. I daresay I enjoyed some Sally Beauman stuff better!

[gnostichymns]

It has come at last: a moment's reprieve from the burning heat of the summer. Autumn takes its first breaths of the year, bringing with it the promise of campfires, temperate afternoons, and the beginning of the school year across the solar system. Perhaps a reprieve from summer isn't all that great, after all.

Liyue has really been at the forefront of medicine for a while, and that holds true with the esteemed reputation of the esteemed Professor Kettle. Quick-witted, crude, and one of the best doctors in Liyue, he’s been forced to post some job offerings. He needs to bounce his ideas off the best minds Teyvat has to offer. Years of experience: unimportant. All that matters is that you can provide good ideas, aren’t stupid, and can handle his… tough personality. If nothing else, this’ll look damn good on your resumé, so come and apply with anyone else who may be of use to the Professor.

One of the major fauna that inhabit Natlan are the Saurians, dragons of various sizes that live closely with the people. However, it’s still survival of the fittest, and many of these Saurians find themselves discarded by their parents for some innate weakness or shortcoming. Natlan’s people are not so merciless, however. Nurseries take in these little critters and will both give the Saurians away to people looking to keep them. While kind-hearted, these Saurians are demanding, and these nurseries can always use an extra set of hands. Learn how to feed, clean, and care for these little critters.

The Heart of Dragonspine, a mysterious source of heat amidst the perilous cold, has begun to garner some unsavory attention. Several Abyssal mages as well as at least two Abyssal Lectors have been spotted investigating and performing experiments on The Heart, causing the whole of Dragonspine’s ecosystem to react in very dangerous ways. The snow seems to be worsening, and the wildlife is moving down the mountain and into neighboring villages, creating chaos. Any capable adventurers and fighters would be of great value to stop the Abyss and temper The Heart.

Melusines are by many considered the pride and joy of Fontaine, but truth be told, their daily lives at the Court are not devoid of challenges. Most types of human furniture cannot accommodate for their height, the majority of casual clothing must be modified by them personally to fit their wings and tails, and few everyday items can be used comfortably by those little hands! Sensing an opportunity to improve their delicate reputation, the Fontaine Research Institute organizes a fair to gather and promote new inventions to improve the life quality of Melusines. What ideas can you contribute? Can you offer constructive comments and critique? Or perhaps you can volunteer as a tester? Melusine body type is not required as long as you can fake it.

In spite of hopes that the trouble of the Withering would be a thing of the past, it seems like life just cannot be easy. Multiple new instances of the phenomenon have been reported, one of them dangerously close to Sumeru City itself. As they are cleared, a strange mechanism is found at the scene every time without fail. It would seem that someone at the Akademiya might be overdoing it with research. Again. As a new Withering Zone develops, try and see if you catch the culprit in the act.

As part of the new and upcoming Penacony Cinematic Universe, the long-awaited sequel, ‘Major Dreamscape: Civil War,’ is set to release before the end of the month. In this, tensions rise between Major Dreamscape and Clock-man, once allies now finding themselves at odds due to regulations being put on their superhero activities. To generate hype for this, Sensation Studios is calling upon influencers all across the galaxy to send their skits and videos, announcing excitement for the release. All you’ve got to do: dress up as both Major Dreamscape and Clock-man, and have a good ol’ tussle for the camera. Then, submit it online, and gain your internet fame!

Rumors have been floating around about the “Back Alley of Belobog,” a mysterious alleyway that can’t seem to be located within the city. Reports detail a strange fence appearing in places that it shouldn’t be. Some of these claims state that a man is begging to be freed due to identical doppelgangers taking the place of citizens, and others claim of a man with an eerie, almost inhumanely large smile ensuring others that there's nothing wrong and to let them out. He claims the keys are held by the Silvermane Guards, yet no guards seem to know of any “Back Alley.” There is unrest in the city due to this, and you’ve been called to help search for this supposed fence and put the rumors to rest. You will be assigned a partner to search, as going alone may be dangerous.

Herta’s Space Station always seems to have a staffing problem. Employees are putting in their two weeks left and right-- too many tasks, never enough scientists, and it feels like these job applications never seem to go the right way. As such, the only solution is to hire more. Training includes one 12 hour lab shift with two 30 minute, unpaid meals and two paid 15 minute breaks, as well as a partner assigned based on compatibility (randomly). There are only two rules: don't leave the observation room unattended and NO SLEEPING ON THE CLOCK.

In a horrific show of arrogance and foolishness, someone damaged and desecrated the Golden Hour’s beloved Clockie Statue! In addition to red and brown paint all over, strange slogans such as Clockie is a fake! and Open your eyes! have been written in colorful spray on and in front of the monument. Who could have committed such a heinous act, and without being spotted by any witnesses? The Bloodhound Family swears not to rest until the culprit is in their hands, and appreciates any help and hints you may have to offer.

Though the Luminary Wardance is wrapping up soon, some contestants have not had enough excitement just yet, and additional big and small martial tournaments are organized in various spots all around the Skysplitter. Why not join one of them and test your mettle? Though the participants may not be Wardance’s victors, many are still formidable opponents!

[metallica-jk]

I AM SO SO SO PROUD OF THISSS

I decided to do the door scene from TIG where Avery needed to figure out which key was the right one out of like hundreds of keys BUT from Jamesons perspective and in my opinion it turned out SO GOOOD!!! so imma js post it and see what everyone thinks <3

(I had to fix it bc it didnt match the actual story so...)

She has the keys. Hundreds of them actually, and only one opens the lock on the massive brown door in front of us. 

“You’ll figure it out” I say and only Lee Lee (Alisa) recognizes my voice. I thought i had talked enough to the girl for her to memorize my name. There is 5 of us. The girls sister- Libby or Elizabeth- nice Goth girl around the age of Nash, heard she was in an abusive relationship before she got here and the crazy guy appeared at the gates with reporters. Then there’s Alisa- Lawyer and happens to be Nash’s Ex- Hates Hawthorne blood, I’m pretty sure she would kill all of us and take the money for herself if she could. Oren, her old as the Titanic bodyguard who (im almost sure) survived the first world war. Theres also the girl, who i like to call “Mystery Girl” because she appeared out of nowhere and is just living life as normal in a massive house. And me. A charming guy with lots of mysteries and puzzles who hides behind a smirk. 

 She looks at the bundle, confused, which forces a smirk out of me. She plays with her long, hazel colored hair, as she goes through every detail in every key. Everyone keeps talking though. I want to tell them to shut up but ill stay quiet for now. I could almost say she looks like me when thinking. Eyebrows furrowed, eyes concentrated, and a common thing I DON’T do is she is chewing her bottom lip. This will take a while, so I lean against the door frame. Even though its freezing because its winter, It is sunny today for once, yet I will not tan. Stupid Hawthorne genes. They keep me down on the rank of the “second hottest Hawthorne brother." People would call me crazy for not wearing any kind of jacket, but honestly, im warm. The grass has been freshly cut, so the smell of grass is noticeably stronger than usual. She’s wearing casual flannel and a black top with jeans paired with some black worn-out Doc Martens . Probably something she brought from home. Even though she is going to inherit 46.2 billion dollars, she still decides to dress as a working-class teenager. I wish I could dress like that. But being rich has me stuck rock climbing in a suit shirt and trousers. 

I remember when I had to figure out which key fit the lock into this hell I have to call home. It took me an hour. The old man, (that's what me and my brothers call our grandfather) had told me that I could only get ice cream if I figured out the right key. I nearly gave up after 15 minutes and I kicked the door. Gray told me he sat in front of the door, staring at it until he realized that the right key was indeed the golden one with a maze pattern matching the door decoration. I remember the old man calling me “Ordinary.” That was the hardest time to try and hide how I really felt; hurt. I went out of my way to impress him, and all I got was “ordinary.” My hands turn into fists at that memory, so I take them out of my suit pockets (which I hate), and I flex my fingers. I left nail marks on my palm. Great. I hear the girl mumble something and the jingle of keys. I check my watch; it’s only been 5 minutes. This is going to take ages. She licks her lips and continues looking through all the different keys. It's actually kind of windy out today. Perfect weather for tanning. I’ll tell Nash. He sure would be happy. It's just the afternoon and I already need a bourbon.  

The look in her eye changes, and I have to force myself to look away. It reminds me of someone. Crap. I gulp and close my eyes as I suddenly am aware of the scar that crosses my chest. The reason I got the mark. The cliff, he saw the cut, the look she gave me before she became just a body, Grays eyes that were filled with hurt and anger. It all rushes back to me. But I force myself once again to forget about it. The familiar click of the lock helps me with snapping back to reality  

Wait 

The girl opened the door.  

I check my watch once again. 10 minutes. The girl who looked like Emily managed to figure out the key 6 times faster than I did. She smiles at me. God, that makes her look even more like her. But I still can't look away. I hide my shock once I realize that I've been showing it for too long. And I replace it with a smirk.  

Her sister asks her something about how she knew which key to use, but she doesnt answer. So instead, i say: 

“sometimes, things that appear very different on the surface are actually exactly the same at their core. Avery Kylie Grambs, we have a new record.” 

All 17 years of my life I've lived in this mansion. I've explored it all. Every tunnel, every room, it took me ever since I could walk to memorize the full layout of the Hawthorne house. I use the passageways daily and do riddles all the time. But whenever I had to do this puzzle, I took so long that I thought that the old man would just give up on me all together. He would have liked Avery. Even Xander took longer than Avery and you’d expect him to be way better. I guess he just got into fiddling with the technology of this old place. The doors are Victorian, corridors have the traditional paintings on walls with red carpets. A lot of the paintings were chosen by my mum or aunt. My mum isn't really involved in my life but does take advantage of the fact she lives in this big place even though she could have left and lived somewhere on her own by now. It was always my grandfather who took care of me and my brothers. He raised me. Even though I kind of hated him. Gray was supposed to be the heir of the money. I should've expected that he would leave one last riddle for me and the boys. Maybe Avery will join us on this journey too.  

I kinda made Jameson a gossiper so don't mind that and I decided to make Jameson focus on Avery instead of listing everything everyone did and said bc that would take up many pages

[sea-side-scribbles]

Solas wakes up in the strange new world of his own making and it terrifies him. Ridden with guilt, he joins the Inquisition and begins his lonely research in order to correct his mistake.

He doesn’t expect to find consolation in the presence of a human who wields ancient elven magic without knowing it. Who is way too gentle for an elgar’thanelan, but doesn’t know that either.

Solas, for his part, doesn’t know how to stay away.

Dorian wonders if the mysterious elf just enjoys playing with a Tevinter. He wouldn’t expect anything else.

_____________________

Chapter 1- 13 | Right after uthenera, Solas is found by a Dalish clan. This goes well until it doesn’t. (Basically my excuse for world building and hilarious misunderstandings.)

Chapter 14 | Solas joins the Inquisition.

Chapter 20 | Dorian appears in Haven.

Chapter 22

When Solas finally saw Warden Blackwall again, he spotted him on the way through the soldier's camp, training young recruits. Solas didn't need to watch the man for long to notice he was right in his element. Neither did he attempt to scare the recruits into obedience nor did he paint the battle in glowing colours to blind them with its beauty. He acted like an experienced warrior who didn't waste any time or energy, who knew the costs of war. Who would honour the fallen but not glorify the battle itself. And most notably, he seemed to care for his recruits.

Solas watched the human, fascinated to see all these rare qualities in him. He was reminded that those were the people that disappointed their gods.

When the recruits left, Blackwall's gaze fell on him. “Ah, Solas”, he said calmly. “The Seeker's been looking for you.” Solas didn't like to be remembered of this, but he kept a straight face. “I have heard of it. Sadly, I would not have been much help. My knowledge of time travel is lacking. I did not know it is possible.” Blackwall crossed his arms and shrugged. “I guess that's not a shame. Even the Tevinter was surprised it worked and he helped researching this stuff.” “The...Tevinter....”, Solas repeated carefully. “I suppose you mean the man named Pavus?” “Right. You didn't meet him yet. But you heard of him?” “Yes. Varric gave me a summary.” The man nodded. “I bet he gave you a more exciting story than I would. Not quite the storyteller myself.” “What do you think about him?” “About Varric? He -” “No, I mean the Tevinter.” “Oh. Well...the less I think about him, the better. He's a...typical noble. Spoiled and full of himself and not ashamed to show it. I wonder how he survived that long camping in Ferelden, but I guess magic helped.”

Solas fell quiet for a while. No matter how he looked at the information, it didn't sound like good news. If there could be any good news at this point. So far, he knew the Tevinter was a mage with knowledge of a new kind of magic he never heard of. And he was arrogant, supposedly. Not a great combination. With a heavy heart, Solas realized he didn't know how to get himself out of this situation.

“Do you think he will stay with the Inquisition?”, he asked Blackwall. “Er, probably not. I don't think he likes Haven or any southern village. Guess he'll deal with that cult and then return to his comfy warm home.” Solas nodded quietly. That or he goes back to find out who his mysterious visitor was. Would it matter so much to him? Solas hoped it wouldn't.

“Don't worry”, Blackwall interrupted his thoughts, “if he stays here, he won't get his hands on you, or any elf. Firstly, because I'll break his pretty bones if he tries, and secondly, don't forget the Herald is an elf, too.” Solas gulped at the Warden's choice of words. He was surprised by his sudden outburst. The man must've noticed his discomfort. “I am glad that you think so”, he answered just to say something. “Naturally. Everyone can be a Grey Warden and do great things. Sadly, the scholars only focus on the human side of history. Did you know that Warden Garahel, who ended the fourth blight, was an elf? Most only remember his name, but not who he was. And he gave his life for them.” Solas always felt uneasy hearing about the Grey Warden's oh so sacred mission, but he was thankful for Blackwall's point of view. It felt like they both could look at Thedas from a different angle.

“Did you ever wonder what went wrong?”, he felt like asking. “Between our peoples?” Blackwall shifted, clearing his throat. “Er...don't you elves have a legend about it?” “Yes, but it is vague at best. Humans simply appeared in the world and destroyed everything for no reason. The Dalish believe that their ancestors began to age solely because of your presence.” Solas didn't hide what he thought of this legend. “Well...every time I'm in a room with Madame de Fer, I do feel like I'm aging faster.” Solas needed a second, but then he had to laugh at the unexpected joke. Blackwall joined him shortly after. “But honestly, I don't think I should be the one to ask about this. All I see is that countries naturally hate each other. Not the people mostly, but the nobles. And sadly, they are the ones to hold the reigns. Look at Orlais and Ferelden, they don't go well together at all. Tevinter and Orlais even less. It's all about power and gold. I can only guess that ancient elves and Tevinter didn't go well together, either.” Solas looked at him. “It is a good guess.” “You think so? Huh. Sadly, we'll never now the truth.”

Solas shook his head. These people abandoned hope so quickly. And they forgot their history even quicker. “Hey, uh, would you like to play some Diamondback later in the evening when we're done training?” “If I do not have to bring real diamonds with me?” The Warden laughed. “Do I look like I'd have diamonds on me? No, it's a card game.” “I don't know. You could be saving them for Wintersend. Then you get out your Pink Jubilees and Beau Sancies and Briolettes...” “Together with my white sea silk robes and snoufleur skin shoes ...” They chuckled together. “So, you're coming? The rules aren't too complicated and I'll go easy on you of course.” “That is very generous of you, Blackwall. I am looking forward to it.”

And indeed, Solas enjoyed the evening. Diamondback depended more on skill than on luck and it reminded him of a game that had been popular for a while in Elvhenan. Because he didn't feel like he needed to hide his skills, he won many rounds, much to the Warden's astonishment. The game made him forget about his various problems for once.

When the Herald finally came back from her fateful journey, Solas and Blackwall watched the welcoming ceremony from afar. “Here come the rebel mages”, the human muttered. “She won't like to hear it, but she worked another miracle.” Solas guessed he meant Ellana. And he was right. She had won a race against time. And supposedly an ancient source of power that wielded said time like a weapon. Because of that, he dearly hoped that she was truly successful. And he craved to hear her story.

Unlike Blackwall, he wasn't able to focus on the Herald or the mages at first. He was drawn to the man he had wished to never meet again. His aura shone bright, unlike any other in the party. For a short moment, Solas merely watched it react to his attention, swirling and changing form. He gasped as he finally pulled back and concealed himself. It was what he should have done all along and now it might be too late. As a consequence, Solas couldn't see the man's fire any longer, and for a second, he dearly missed it. Then he became angry at himself. Like a moth drawn to the light, stupid enough to burn itself.

It was frustrating. Every time he thought he was prepared, he made another misstep. And this one could cost him his stay in the Inquisition. Unwillingly, his hands curled around his staff, his knuckles turning white.

“Something wrong, Solas?”, came the Warden's deep voice. Before he could answer, Blackwall did it for him. “Ah, the Tevinter. I'm surprised he's back. Maybe he is genuine about this after all.” Maybe. Or he returned for a completely different reason. “Him and the Herald get along better now, look. He doesn't look like he'll try anything funny with elves.” Solas exhaled loudly. “You have an interesting way with words”, he informed the Warden. Blackwall needed a second to think, before he burst into uncomfortable laughter. “I didn't mean...I...Oh Makers hairy balls. I better keep my mouth shut...”

Solas had to chuckle too, just as uncomfortably. But he looked at Ellana. She smiled, seemed more relaxed than before. Unfortunately, he couldn't draw hope from that alone. They could all play a game: Clan Lavellan, Tevinter, the Hands of the Divine, the Chantry,...and he lacked the power to call them out. He had to play along, make do with small acts and hide himself away. And then there was the actual threat lurking in the shadows, that he still hadn't found. Suddenly, he felt very tired.

“I appreciate the effort”, he said anyway. The party was now dismounting. “Maybe we should go and say hello?”, Blackwall offered. “I will speak to the mages first”, Solas decided quickly. “They would want to know about the reinforcements.” Blackwall didn't argue. He went to see Ellana. It was hard to get through the masses of cheering villagers, but once they figured he was the Grey Warden, they made room for him. The elven woman eventually spotted him and grabbed his hand, happily mimicking human behaviour. Blackwall smiled as they greeted each other.

“Glad to see you back, Herald – er, I'm sorry, I mean Ellana.” She gave him a thankful smile. “Savhallan, Warden Blackwall. I hope everything is going well?” “It's going just nicely. No rifts so far.” “I'm glad. You won't believe what happened in Redcliffe. It's going to be a long story and I'll have to tell it at least twice.” She rolled her eyes. “I plan to invite everyone to a dinner in the Chantry for this evening.” “Everyone? That's a big lot.” “I mean only the inner circle. The people that travel with me. The group is growing fast and I want them to get to know each other. Please, will you come?” “Of course. I'll go tell the others.” “Thank you. By the way, have you seen Solas again?” “Yeah, he's fine. Talking to the mages right now.” She looked relieved to hear it. “I'll tell him too...” “Thank you.” She didn't have time to say much more because she had to move on with the group.

In the evening, Blackwall told Solas about it. The elf didn't look too fond of the idea, but went along. Actually, Solas felt beyond nervous about this meeting, but he saw no way out. He had already drawn attention to himself by irrational absence. Tonight, he needed to act unobtrusively. At least there was hope that he could stick to the Warden. The man didn't appear to be a party animal. And he could leave early. Pondering this, he followed Blackwall into the Chantry.

It looked like the Herald had spared no efforts for her special dinner. A round table was placed in the apse that usually served as consultation room. Hundreds of golden candles illuminated the place and a bard played her lute silently in the background. Surely the ambassador had been helpful for such preparations. The other guests were already present and talking to each other with hushed voices.

When they entered, all heads turned to them and they were greeted by numerous “Ahs”. Sera held up her arms and moaned: “Finally, I'm starving!” “Fashionably late”, Varric commented with a smirk when Solas sat down next to him. “Like opera singers.” The Warden placed himself between Solas and Sera. Solas' heart skipped a beat when he noticed the Tevinter sat right next to Varric. His gaze shortly brushed the man, who currently lowered his head to say something to Madame de Fer. He noticed white silk robes – the irony – with stitchings of golden thread. “Did we miss anything?”, Blackwall asked into the group. Laughter ensued while Sera whispered something in his ear that made him cough.

Amidst the mutter, Ellana tapped her spoon against her glass, so everyone fell quiet and turned their heads to her. She shortly exchanged glances with Josephine before she said: “Good evening, fellow Inquisitors. Thank you for following my invitation. I am so glad that we're finally meeting each other in one place. So much happened in the past … month? And many new people joined to help this common cause. It's still a bit overwhelming for me. It looks like...we are the only people who get up off our arses and try to save the world. The sky could explode any moment and everyone else is just bickering... I'm not exaggerating, right?” “Absolutely not, my dear.” “Not at all, Boss.” A spontaneous round of applause followed. Ellana looked at the group and a smile flashed over her face. Solas noticed that she really looked more comfortable now. Her gaze lingered a while on the Tevinter, implying that the man had won her sympathy, too.

“Right...” She paused shortly, putting her hands down. “So before we begin with the dinner, I would like to ask you to introduce yourselves to everyone...” She gestured around. “...because we probably haven't all met each other yet. As the host, I will begin myself...” Vivienne interrupted her: “That is hardly necessary, my dear. You are the most beknown person in this organisation.” “That is the problem. You think you know me”, Ellana replied, holding up a finger. “But all you know about me is that I fell out of the fade and I have this...thing on my hand.” Everyone could see the green glow as she gestured. “But in reality, I'm just a woman. My name is Ellana, I was born in Clan Lavellan and I am Keeper Deshanna's first apprentice, that means I have the gift of magic and I'm educated by my Keeper.”

“A gift that isn't to be underestimated, as you've proven in Redcliffe”, Dorian Pavus chipped in with a smirk and a voice like silk. Ellana smiled at him and pressed a hand against her chest. “Why, thank you, Dorian. I could say you weren't so dusty either, but it's not your turn yet.” “Already jumping the queue, Sparkler?”, Varric said, followed by a few laughs. “By no means. Please, continue.” Ellana waited for the group to fall quiet again. “Anyway, My clan sent me to the conclave to watch the negotiations because if they failed, it would've had consequences for my clan, too. And...you now how it went and I...” She sighed and looked at her hand. “Well, at least this helps me close the rifts.”

Bull knocked against the table and another round of applause followed. Ellana ripped her gaze off the unwanted mark and looked to the left. “Cassandra, would you please continue?” The Lady Seeker huffed, cleared her throat and began, sounding annoyed by herself: “My name is Cassandra Pentaghast...” “Actually, it's Cassandra Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena Pentaghast”, Leliana corrected her happily. Over the amused whistles and “oohs”, the Seeker made an annoyed noise. “Of course you would know that, Leliana.” “You're so modest, Cassandra. Just show off a little.” The group gave another applause while the Seeker looked as if she wanted to crawl under the table.

The introductions went on while Solas just glued his eyes onto the talkers, avoiding the Tevinter. He could swear he felt the man's gaze on him. Now and then, he whispered to Blackwall or Varric, but always took care of where his eyes wandered.

“I'm Sera and I'm bored!”, the elven rogue threw her arms up again. “And I swear, the next one who's bragging about all their titles is getting a cake in the face!” “My dear, if you had achieved anything in your life, you would understand.” “Go achieve yourself! Doesn't sound like fun!” Vivienne sighed and wiped her brow. “How about the Red Jennies? You could talk about them”, Ellana tried. “Ph, yeah. It's just a name. The Red Jennies, that's different people. One in Montfort, one in Kirkwall, three others in Starkhaven and some more elsewhere and we stick it to the nobles. We're no cloaks or spy kings or Remy Rascals, but if you piss us off you risk your...” She snickered. “Look, someone little always hates someone big. And unless you don't eat, sleep or piss, you're never far from someone little. So, we help and everyone's happy.” “Could you repeat that middle part?”, Cullen asked in all honesty and gained laughter. Sera stuck her tongue out ot Vivienne while Ellana nodded at the noble. When she opened her mouth to speak, Sera leaned forward. “Strawberry pie. Whipped cream. Chocolate sauce. Three layers!” Vivienne went through her speech as quickly as possible.

When it was Dorian's turn to introduce himself, Solas understood what Blackwall meant. The man stressed every word as if he expected the group to throw flowers. Solas bit his lower lip until he noticed he looked tense. Out of all people he could've come across, it had to be this one. For his own speech, he mostly used the story he told Lady Nightingale. He was aware that her eyes scanned him as he spoke, but he wasn't the only one to be vague with his backstory. Cullen, Blackwall and of course the Tevinter had been superficial in this case, too. By all happiness, this was another game. Varric came right after him as the last one of the group. He was one of the few who were comfortable with this game and also already known by most members.

As the last round of applause faded, Ellana clapped her hands over her head and colourful sparks rained down onto the guests. “May the feast begin!”, she announced happily. Servants hurried into the room, bringing plates and bowls that were filled to the brim. Josephine excitedly listed all the meals she had ordered for this evening. It was a diligent selection of meat, fried vegetables, baked and candied fruits, bread rolls, cheeses and sweets, all served in one course. Sera grabbed a plate, but Blackwall held onto it before she could lift it. It was a delicious looking pile of whipped cream, honey, nuts and berries. Sera plucked a strawberry out of the cream and shoved it into her mouth, grinning. Blackwall eventually let go of the plate. Vivienne didn't grant the scene any glances.

Solas helped himself to his meal while chatting with The Iron Bull, who told him, Varric and Blackwall about the events in Redcliffe, occasionally with disgusted comments by Sera. When the Tevinter joined the conversation, he proceeded to Cassandra, surprised that he got away with it so easily. Pavus seemed to avoid him as well. Perhaps he had the decency to not make a scene. He showed no other attempts to use the odds for his advantage, either. His intentions obviously lay elsewhere. Perhaps that was worse.

Dorian, however, only felt vindicated. Exactly what he had feared did happen, because it was simply how it always went. The elf didn't look at him or speak to him at all and avoided him so cleverly, he might've done this before. Dorian could almost convince himself that he was lucky because he didn't become the laughingstock of the group and their night would forever be forgotten. The fact that the whole event had been highly unusual, not only because of the glow, remained engraved in his mind.

[goldenimpact]

hELLO IS ANYONE OUT THERE????

OKAY HI hELLO  FIRST OFF I HOPE EVERYONE IS WELL NOW

THAT THE EVIL WHATEVER I AM HAS FALLEN AND GCANT GET UP COMMERCIAL

SOMETHIN SEOMTHIGN DID IT HURT WHEN YOU FELL FROM HEAVEN THE ANSWER IS YES I GOT SHOVES TO THE FLOOR RECENTLY AND THIS FUCKIN BRUISE ISNT FADING FUNNNY HAHA OK PLEASENTRIRSSE ARE DONE

UH IM CATHERINE, MOD-SAN, GOLD, whatever they're callin me nowadays holy shit dude my hands are shakin like crazy

they've had me literally cleaning house PRETTY MUCH AS SOON AS I RECOVERED all work no play makes jack a dull boy thats me IM jack damn it i can't tell if i've eveolved into  a live-in housekeeper or some sort of roomaate and the paymetnt si s that i get to keep my lifeand also i REALLY need to move my keyboard over or get the window to leave the screen cause i can't blind type it just ain't happenin my leg's jitterering like hell BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS IM ALIVE YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO but i have absolutely NO CLUE how ;long THAS gonna last BBUT the great news is that ive finally been able to sit at my dangf computer and and actual;ly TYOOUCH ANFD LOOK AT IT ive practically been buried in all the freezers BUT ANYWAYS GOD MY HANDSA THEY STING SO FUCKING IABAD D ALKl ANYWAYS IM ALIVE IM STILL HERE IM TRYING?????????? TO GET BACK BUT EVERYONE HERE IS UHH NOT GOOD TO PUT IT LIGHTLY ITS TERRIFYIN OVER HERE BUT IM SENDING MY WELL WISHES THAT EVERYONE IS OKAY OVER THERE AND YOU SURVIVED WHETER THE HECK ANGR MY BIG SDIS MUST"VE SBUBJECTED YALL TOO BEACSE SHE IS FUCKING PISSSEEED LATELY IM GENUUNINLY WORRIED FOR OURLIVES LEVEL THERES SO MANY FIGHTS AND COMING-OUT-ABOUT-HER-LEGEND-OF-VIOLENCE STORY AND THE SHOOTIGN REVENTLY AND POINT IS THE LEGAL STUFF MIGHT GET RESOLVED OKAY?????? DADS MAGIC PROTAG POWERS OR WHATER APAPRENTLY HE KNOWS EVREYONE PERSON ON THE PLANET ITS GODDAMN WITCHCARAFT BUT MOMS DROPPIN LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY BBBBBBUYT OTS HER BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK AND WERE GONNA TRY AND TAKE ME OUTSIDE AND SEE IF I EXPLODE IN THE SUNLIGHT SO UUUUUUUUUUUUUUH THANKS FOR EVERYTHIGN I LOVE YOU GUYS ILL TRYT TO FUCKIN REACTIVATE ALL MY ACCOUNTS ALL A BAJILLION OF THEM APPARENTLY I WAS ONE CRASY AKJSFI KID PLEAASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON MY BI G SIS WAKES UP SOON IF SHE HEARS ME IM GETTTIN IT I HAVE NO FUCKIN IDEA WHATS GOIN ON ON YOUR SIDE CAUSE NO ONE IS SAYIN JACK SHIT BADUM TSSHH BUT I GOT  MY SHIT COMIN AT LIKE 9 AM RIGHT WHEN I TAKE MY VERY MYSTERIOUS NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE FUCK THEY DO ANYMORE MEDS AND IF I KICIK THE BUCKET AT LEAST I FUCKING STAYED BABY YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

ALSO IM NOT DRUNK WE DONT DRINK IN THIS HOUSE EVER BUT I DEFINITYL NEEDS A LIL HELP IN LIKE ANY SORT OF MEANIN NO ONE IN THIS HOUSE FUCKIN REMEMBERS ANYTHING IN ANY SOR TOF WAY FOR ANY SORT OF THING ITS AN ACTUAL I HAVE NO IDEA WHOSE CALLIN OR TOUCHIN SHIT OR WHAT TALL THIS SHTI IS IN THE HOUSE AND FRANKLY IM TERRIFIED CAUSE EVREYONE LEAVES POR PASSES OUT BEFORE I CAN GET A CLEAR ANSWER AND AND ADN COLD WAR INTELLIGENCE WHATHER NEWS STORY OLD POPS HERE IS PUTTIN ON TV ANYWAYS LOVE YOU GUYS STAY SAFE CALL OUT IF YOU SEE ME IN THE WILDS SOMEDAY BUYYEYEEE

WAIT I JUST REMEMBRED BIG SIS IS GONNE DESTROY SHIT SOON SONSONSOON SHIT HSHISTHSHIT OK ANYWAYS ERVYTHIN ONLINE LOOKS OKAY FROM WHERE I CAN SEE IT IN MYSETRUOS VPN LAND AND IM GOIN THROUGH MY COMP RIGHT NOW BUT EVREYON IN OUR HOUSE RECOGNIZES THE DISCORD SYMBOL PROBABLY>>>?????? SO IM TRYIN TO FIND ALL OTHER CONTACTS BUT ITS JUST A BUNCH OF EMAILS DDDDUDE I JUST HAD TO LET YALL KNOW WE'RE ALIEV HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE WELL LOVE YALL EVER IF YOU DONT BELIEVE THAT ASTY SAFE WATCH OUT FOR FUKCING PUNCHES OR SIDESWEEPS AND MY BIG SISSS KILLING BLOW AND THE FCKKGNGI  SWORD ON TOP OF HER BOOKSELG OR THE LITTLE GUN THING IN HER LCOSET WHAT THE FUCK IS EVEN IN HER ROOM ANYMROE ANYWASY DONT DIE OUT THERE LIKE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PEACE OUT BURY ME UNDER A BLUE SKY WITH ALL MY SHIT IIM HANDING  DOWN WHATEVR THE ITTY BITTY NOT SO BITTY NEICE WANTS LIL PRINCESS LILLY HAACKER SCAMMER HUSTLER SECOND LEGEND OF VIOLENCE IN THE MAKIN IM GONNA FUCKIN PASS OUT I HAVE NO  IDEA OF FUCKIN ANYTHIN THATS HAPPPENIN HERE EVERERR GOD CAN I TALK TO ANYONE THAT ISNT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THIGNS I HAVE HEARSD ABOUT THE PWOPLE ROUND HERE any ewysbans m y hands are shak in and breakin and crankin love yall stay safe dont fall into a ditch like me ever again mMWAHH TEDDIE IF YOURE OUT I STILL OWE YOU THAT FUCKIN LETTTERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[maglorsedgy80s-teen]

Bold Wanderer/Clever Elm: Chapter 2

A Silmarillion/LOTR Fic

Chapter 1

Words: 3.2k

Tags: Slight Angst?

Summary: The memories are becoming more clear to Himmeth, but who or where she comes from is still unknown. Boromir's feelings become clearer, and a memory of someone from her past reminds her of what she once was...

A/N: Apologies for taking so long to update, college is a real bitch! I plan to update more regularly, but who knows how that will go. (Also remember that italics are flashbacks. Hope you enjoy, feel free to send me any feedback you might have :)

Himmeth woke with a jolt. Another memory. The elusiveness of the smoke and feathers were a mystery no longer. She was an archer, and a good one at that. And she traveled through cold, the likes of which no longer existed in the known world. Where could that have been? Or better yet, when? She had never seen records of an icy desert like that before. Even the kingdom of Angmar could not boast such a climate, despite its well deserved ill repute. And who were those elves? Who was the one she longed for? And why? Why long for him and not be with him? Did he not return her affections? Did she prefer this blond Aiknaro instead? And what was the reason for the fire? The only frustrating conclusion to be made was that these questions could only be answered with time. There was no way to force the reality out of her mind. She so wished to meet this Mithrandir, to see if he had any answers to her questions, or if he could help her at all. Faramir spoke very highly of him, but Denethor did not, and so doubt was the only impression that was left of the wizard. No one knew exactly how old he was, or exactly what he was. Could she have been older than him? There was no living record of either one of them, perhaps they shared their age in common. Perhaps the gap in their wisdom was not so wide after all. She forced all these musings into the back of her mind however, there was little use in ruminating over unknowns. There was work to be done with the answers she did have. 

Himmeth’s servant Nilûphêl entered Himmeth’s humble chamber to wake her for the morning. She was short of stature and had lovely dark eyes that had a keenness for detail. Her black hair was always covered in a humble gray blue scarf, yet her demeanor was anything but meek. She often commented on how much she loved Himmeth’s long, wavy copper-brown hair. It had grown to an almost ridiculous length, but she had a difficult time parting with it. The tone of it matched the freckles that were dotted all over her skin, and her thick brow covered narrow almond eyes. She had imagined herself not to be a great beauty among the Eldar, but neither one of the hideous. Just, plain. Just a mouse. 

“How did you sleep last night my lady?” Nilûphêl asked. 

“Well, thank you.” That of course was not true, but Nilûphêl was only being polite, and so a small lie on Himmeth’s part would suffice. 

“What do you say to the purple gown today my lady? Something to impress his lordship with?” It was a heather kirtle, with full bishop sleeves. It was hardly something impressive, but maybe to a serving girl anything might’ve seemed impressive. 

Himmeth chuckled, “Which lordship am I meant to be impressing?”

“Well Lord Boromir of course, he’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you, you know. It’s the talk of all the servants.” All of them? That was certain to cause trouble. 

“Well, I would prefer if it stayed as talk, no need to chase him off too soon.” Himmeth said with a laugh and a wink. Nilûphêl meant no harm in her innocent complement;  anger was hardly the best course. But Himmeth still felt the indignity of being made a subject of everyone’s gossip. The audacity of others to think she had any design in taking Boromir as her husband. How could such a suggestion even be made? There was a war, and one neither one of them would be likely to survive if Denethor’s current course of inaction continued. There was of course the matter of her amnesia, and of her immortality, and her class, her lack of connections to the outside world, her lack of consequence, and… gentle gray eyes. And hands that were skilled and sweet to the touch. They held you like honey, soft and warm and golden. Rings of gold like the seven points of his family’s star. They were the most perfect hands, but those hands were not here any longer. Whoever’s they were, they were not here. They might have been looking for her, but they were not here. At least Boromir had that in his favor. So though Himmeth knew his affections were dangerously close to manifesting into something serious, she let them comfort her anyways. And she was in need of comfort. 

She had hoped to be able to avoid him this morning at least. She took her breakfast in her room and feigned some headache so as to collect herself. Hopefully he would chalk it up to her ill mood from last evening, instead of being anything contrary to that information. The pieces were starting to form, and forming new attachments would only cloud her judgment, not aid in discovery of the past.

Himmeth began walking to the Houses of Healing to see if anyone needed her assistance. There had been an attack in Osgiliath a few days past, and so her skills were needed to aid in the small injuries that plagued the soldiers involved. She hurried, making sure her medicine bag and apron were secured about her waist. It seemed a shame, to ruin the pretty dress with practical things, but then, she needed to make herself useful, not just beautiful. 

As Himmeth turned the corner toward her destination, she saw Boromir talking with some guard. He shooed him away, and gently stopped Himmeth with a concerned observation, “You are very quiet this morning.” 

“Perhaps there is not much to say my lord.” Himmeth was in no mood to be accosted with sentiment, there was work to be done.

Boromir was persistent, “Isn’t there? Won’t you tell me what you saw last night?”

“I already informed you my lord, it’s much too foggy to retell in any meaningful way. Unless fog is of interest to your lordship?”

“Why this coldness? Have I offended you?” He only wanted to know why she was pulling away, but opening up to him was just not wise. 

Himmeth found her words again, though her truth still eluded her, “I’m afraid.”

“Of what, of me?” Boromir seemed uneasy in that moment, he had probably only meant to get her open up, not to make her uncomfortable. Himmeth answered him, “Of myself.” That was perhaps too honest, but words can never be taken back. Not after they are spoken. 

Boromir was honorable as ever, “Then I am here to defend you! Against whatever threats; either from outside or within.”

Her soft laugh, “You cannot save me from myself. No matter how much you may wish to.”

“I want to protect you, not fix you! I…I care for you.” Oh Eru, perhaps her fawning had worked too well.

It had to stop, “You are not capable of solving this for me. This task is beyond you. I bid you farewell.” And with that Himmeth scampered away. His words would not stop clanging around in her head like a morning bell, she had not meant to make him care for her, she had only meant to make sure that she was able to stay long enough to learn where she belonged. Himmeth was not even sure who she was, let alone what she wanted. It felt too oppressive, too constricting to open herself up to his “care”, whatever that meant. And besides, he was mortal, and she was not; there was no reckoning the chasm that stood between them in that way. 

She rushed as quickly as she could back towards the Houses, in hopes of escaping from her own feelings. It was better to stay busy, to keep oneself occupied instead of drowning in the well. In her speed she was caught by Lord Denethor. Seeing the sour look on her face, he approached her with as much tact as he was capable of in that moment. 

“Something troubles you my lady?” His dark voice was intending to prod, not to sooth. 

“No my lord, do not trouble yourself on my account.” Himmeth was not interested in this conversation. 

“It is my son, no? Who elicits such a… response?” Oh Eru! Had she been that obvious? What she would give to do it all over again. 

Himmeth answered him, “No my lord.”

“You know I would have thought Faramir foolish enough to imagine himself to be in love with you, but Boromir? This has truly been a surprise. I suppose he inherited that from his mother.”

“No words of love have been spoken to me I assure you.” Words of “care”, maybe, but they didn’t mean anything. 

Denethor was displeased, “And yet, if they should happen to, I hope you would be wise enough for the both of us and cut them down where they stand, no?”

“I have never professed to be wise in my actions, my lord.” She was defending herself at this moment, but as to why eluded her. She did not love him, not enough time had even passed for love between them, but she so disliked his tone. She was not behaving falsely, Boromir was a good and kind man, he just was not right for her.

Denethor perceived the change in her mood, “And yet you do not seem pleased at the possibility of love, do you my dear?”

“I understand myself to be in a position above love to an Edain, my lord.” She was being proud, foolishly proud. 

“And yet you are not in a position above my son, dear. Do not be so bold as to forget it.” He began to walk away, imagining victory in nothing more than the status of his birth.

She wasn't proud of the way she was falling for his jabs, but she did so want to prove him wrong, “And yet, the truth of my position is yet to be revealed. Perhaps he and I are more equal than you or I could ever know. Perhaps, you and I are equals in this way.”

“Forgive me, you speak plainly, as ever. But do, not, forget what we have spoken of this day. I would have my son marry a woman who cares for him. One who is his equal in merit and in station.”

Himmeth knew that no such woman existed, “I look forward to meeting such a woman.” 

An insincere smile crossed his lips, “As do I dear. The pleasure will be welcome in the near future, I’m sure.”

Himmeth had finished her rounds at the Houses with little trouble. One soldier needed stitches on his brow from some civil dispute in the square, another needed a cyst to be drained of inflammation. It wasn’t always pleasant work, but it was work nonetheless. She thought maybe if she proved herself to be useful to these people, the transition to whatever home she may have had would be easier. Himmeth decided then to visit the library to search for any more clues about herself, and decided the royal library the best place to continue. 

 The descent down the stairs to the library calmed the nerves and senses of Himmeth, there was a scholarly quietus to the cramped room. It was hardly ever visited- it had a newness to it in that sense, despite its true antiquity. The walls of stone were much whiter than the marble of the outer walls of the city, but they did not shine with that clarity of which they deserved, they never saw the beauty of the sun. Yes, that's what it was. There were no windows here, and so the smells of ink and aged paper never wafted out of the cramped rooms. It felt more like a dungeon than a place of study, the prisoners  memories instead of petty thieves.

Most papers here were records of taxes, collections from farms, trade with the Dwarves of Erebor in the north, or the ships which came to the west coast. Messages to Rohan were frequent, especially in older records. Most papers were not any older than the founding of the Kingdom, which was to be expected, but was frustrating considering the age of the world in general. Anything older than the third age was records of Numenor, and its fall. It was hard for her to imagine all the pain of that drowning. It seemed an ignoble way to go, especially in their quest for immortal life. Most records were of trade, or of troops arriving to the shores, or regnal accounts of the infamous king Isildur. Searching seemed futile, pointless even, but somewhere in the depths of a shelf, there it was: 

A CANONICAL ANNAL OF THIS SECOND AGE OF MIDDLE EARTH

This was more likely to be promising, it looked to be extremely old too. A copy of something much older nonetheless, but this was a step in the right direction. It was no dry history either, it was almost poetic, like whoever wrote it had care and joy for the world in which they all lived. His history of the founding of Numenor was stirring in particular. 

It was then that Elerösse Half-Elven, was given the choice to live either as Edain or as Eldar, because he was descended from first Beren and Luthien, and then from Tuor and Idril. Elrond chose the life of the most noble Eldar, but Elros chose that life of a mortal. It was then that the Valar Eonwë came to him and his people and taught them wisdom and honor and power. For their loyalty to Eru-Iluvatar, they were gifted a land of their own, The Isle of Numenor. It was there that Elros became the king of his people, and he was loved for all the long days of his life. He died peacefully, in S.A. 442, and his son Tar-Vardamir claimed his place as king of Numenor. 

How hard it must have been, to choose between two worlds, which Eru deemed to be so incompatible with the other. Elros’ pain of choosing to leave his brother, to abandon his family in pursuit of the greater good, and yet to see the fruits of his kingdom eventually turn against the very people he loved, but did not ever belong to. The brother, now left behind, to live forever with the knowledge his love was not enough to keep his brother immortal. To forsake security, in favor of authenticity, it was a trait to be admired, certainly. And yet still, there was something with which she could empathize in this. Who did she leave behind when she came to this kingdom of mortals, did they want her there? Did they love her? Did Elros love his family? His son? His father? His wife? The thought had been on her mind of marriage to Boromir, not of her own will of course, but she could not help but wonder, was she ever married? What did Eldar marriages even look like anyways? Did she have children anywhere? What would they say to her now if they could? 

“How are you settling?” His eyes were so like his father’s, it made it seem as though Curufin was seeing through his son to her. Telling her he was sorry, for everything, for everything his father was guilty of. 

“You really mustn't trouble yourself on my account.” She said to her nephew, Telpinquar. 

“Of course I must! Besides, I take pleasure in the fussing.” His skillful hand was on her cheek, but it was gone almost as quick as it was there. She shifted away, perhaps almost violently, he frowned a little at her lack of intimacy. This was not the right order of things, for the young to be fussing over the old. It was she who smoothed the cow lick of his hair as a young babe, this was not right. 

She found her voice again, “I’m really alright, most everyone is too afraid of me to say much anyways.”

“It’s normal, you know.” He was perceptive as always. 

“What?” She asked.

“To miss him.” Telpeinquar said with a sad smile.  She chuckled, and let that simmer for a moment. Telpe was right of course, it would be normal. But she was far too angry to feel the shadow of his absence which haunted her. Her life was more stable without him. 

“I already told you not to fuss, nephew. Now come, tell me everything! How goes your project with Lord Annatar?”

He smiled defeated, his attempts to reach out would only be shot down. “I’ve come to ask you something. Something of great importance and secrecy.”

“Sounds intriguing.”

Telpe smiled, and then was firm, “I’m serious, you cannot tell a soul that I’ve spoken to you.”

“Are you in some sort of trouble, Telpe?” Her protectiveness was speaking for her now.  

Telpe chuckled, “No, no, goodness no. I…I’ve come to ask you a favor. More of an offer really, than a favor, but… it’s to do with Annatar’s project you see, I was wondering, wondering if you might be interested?”

“Interested in what, exactly?”

“To bear a ring of power.”

“I don’t understand, what… what exactly have you done, Telpe?”

“Nenya. She is, oh, she is a thing of beauty. The element of water, cool and steady just, just like you, Aunt.”

“You trust me to wield such power?”

“There is no one else I trust more. Besides, my father trusted you.” Hardly, Curufinwe didn’t trust anyone besides Turcafinwe, Curufinwe was only ever good to her for Kano’s sake.

“Perhaps you would be wise not to trust your father.” 

“What a thing to say. Have I offended you in some way?”

“I’m afraid”

“Afraid of what?” His voice was soft now, as if his anything but a whisper would startle her from her peace. She was right in that at least, most everyone was too afraid of her.

“Afraid of what I might do with… with that kind of… my mind would desire to act from a place of good but my heart,” She was like water, Telpe was right, but not because she was calm, placid and capable of healing, but because her anger was bottomless-a chasm of unresolved grief. Because Kano was swimming at the shores of her mind, haunting her like some sort of ghostly foam.

Telpe broke the silence, and placed a hand on her shoulder, “You are not him, you know.” 

“And who’s that?”

“He, he could not give up… would not give up his quest for the jewels, but it does not mean you share his lust for power.”

“Oh but I do, the things I did. You do not know me so well as you think. I have no wish to repeat the same mistakes of the past.”

“The rings are not, they are not the same, they do not corrupt in the same ways…”

“You are foolish to believe yourself immune to the influences of evil. I wish you luck but I will take no part in this. I hope one day you may come to understand why.”

[booman86]

The Giantastics vs Alexandria The Red

Story was written by Giganticluv

Millions Of Years Ago

Long before modern technology of any kind, before automobiles, planes, boats, even electricity, life was simple, primitive, and a constant battle for survival! Ancient reptiles, mammals, and many other dangerous creatures roamed the land. Throughout the vast primal landscape, there was a tribe of cave people that had lived near the river in a somewhat small village. In this Village was a cavewoman who would become the greatest ruler that history has ever seen. She was known by the name Tala but would later take the name Alexander the Red throughout time.

After coming into contact with a strange meteor that was irradiated. Said radiation went into her body which caused her to grow in size, strength, and intellect which gave her a great advantage in the numerous wars she's been in over the years. During those lifetimes she would have found love in different time periods. However, she would outlast them all and would amass a plentiful amount of riches throughout the ages. with that has built a whole new empire for herself.

Present-Day Somewhere In Sumatra

Somewhere, out in the jungles of Sumatra, there is a dig in progress. Several excavation vehicles were pushing aside tons of dirt and debris working to get something out. "How much further do we need to dig?" asked one of the workers. A young woman wearing a business suit then walks over to a monitor and then over to the worker. "Just a few more feet, keep digging!" said the woman. With that said the digging continued. After a few more hours of digging the drill that they used had hit something. "Ma,' am, I think that we've found it!" Said one of the crew members. The woman in the business had then gotten a big smile on her face. "Perfect," she said. Have everything shipped by tomorrow morning," the woman said. "Yes, Ma'am!" said the Foreman.

Japan Tala Industries

The next day, over at the multi-billion dollar corporation Tala Industries, known for its supply of renewable energy. The woman in the business suit walks along a long hallway in the building. She then makes her way to an elevator which takes her below the massive company. She then exits and enters a huge room the size of a football stadium. In it was a variety of rare weapons, armors, pressures, and paintings of a warrior women throughout the ages.  She then approaches a large desk with a huge chair behind it. "Miki? Is that you?" Asked a woman's voice. "Yes mother it's me," said the woman in the business suit. "Ah, my daughter, since you are back I assume that your dig was successful?" Ask the mysterious female. "Absolutely mother," said Miki. The chair then turns around to reveal a 7-foot-tall female that resembles the one in the multiple pictures from before.

"Excellent work Miki, you've found my armor and weapons," said the tall woman. "It took us months on end to find your armor as well as mine but it was well worth the money," said Miki. The two women then walk into another large facility that houses not only what appears to be two sets of armor fit for a pair of Giant women but a large rock surging with energy. "Ready?" Asked the tall female. "No time like the present mother," said Miki. The two then place their hands upon the glowing rock, and a strange Arora of energy had surged through their bodies. This then causes both of them to outgrow their business outfits. Miki who was enthralled by the growth proceeded to masturbate the bigger she had gotten which causes a bus-sized drop of her vaginal juices to drop to the floor.

"My my just like your mother," said the now towering giantess. " Forgive me it's been a while since I've done this," said Miki. As their growth has finished, they proceeded to put on the armor. Alexandra the Red and her ruthless daughter have returned to the modern world to conquer it! "It's good to be back!" Said Alexandria. "Indeed mother," said Miki. "Now for the next order of business, we need to a pair with the last name, Archer," said Alexandria. "Leave that to me mother," said Miki with a smile on her face. Over in Riverside CA, it was nighttime at the Archer home. Nancy and Daryl Archer were busy watching the stars while Daryl's brother Terry was getting ready for bed. However, as he was getting ready, he then heard several rumblings from outside." huh? What's going on out there?" Asked Terry? He then rushed out of the house only to see two towering figures clad in black dragging his mother and sister who were tied up and gagged! "MOM!! DARYL!!" Screamed Terry.

Osaka  Japan

Over by Osaka Castle an aftermath of a huge battle between the Giantastics and a group of mutant Mole kaiju. "That takes care of the Molagons," said Nijia. "Molagons? Seriously?' Asked Bastet. " Well, what would you call them?" Asked Nijia. "Whatever," said Bastet. "Oh lighten up at least we've stopped them," said Sekhmet. "Job well-done girls," said Gaia. Just then Kaila, and the Twins, rush over to the rest of the team. "Kaila, Titanya, Colossa what's going on?" Asked Gaia. 

"We've just gotten a report of two mysterious Giant Warriors are attacking Kyoto," said Colossa. "Also Nijia, Terry just contacted us he told me Nancy and Daryl have been captured by two massive figures," added Kaila. "WHAT!?!" Screamed Nijia hearing about her friend getting captured! "Must be the same two Giants," said Gaia. "Whoever it is I'll personally make them pay for what they did!!" Said a now angry Nijia. The Giantastics then head for Kyoto. The girls all then arrive in the city of Kyoto and see the damage that befell the city. "This is horrible," said Sekhmet. "Now the big question is where are the two giants that did this?" Asked Bastet. She then gets her answer when a massive figure tackles her to the ground! "What the hell!?!" Hollers Bastet as the equally giant Alexandria the Red was right on top of her with a small hint of lust on her face. "Mmmm, you remind me of an old flame I used to have way back when only not as large and lovely as you," said Alexandria. "Hey, you get off of her!" Yells Nijia who got her sword out only for her to be kicked in the face by another figure. Miki was now standing right over her with a smile on her face.

"Hello, little girl you lost?" Said Miki in a mocking tone. However, Miki found herself being tackled by both Gaia and Kaila while Sekhmet and the Twins go to help Bastet. Miki then uses a built-in taser in her glove to shock Kaila and kicks her off only for Gaia to come in swinging her sword at her. The two giantesses then proceeded to clash blades with one another both showing off their skill in sword fighting, with Gaia using her shield to her advantage. However, Miki then performs a backflip, and l lands right behind her and cuts the back of her thigh. "Aghh!" Yelled Gaia which caused her to drop her shield. Miki used this moment to jump up and drop and kick Gaia into a nearby building incapacitating her. Miki then pulls out a device that wraps itself around Gaia and then goes over to aid her mother.

Miki then confronts Colossa while Titanya and Sekhmet help Bastet deal with Alexandria. Miki's gloves then get charged with electricity and she attempts to swing at Colossa; however, Colossa uses her gauntlets to counter Miki's punches. The two continue to fight until Miki uses a form of pepper spray on Colossa to blind her and roundhouse kick her across her head. Miki then ties her up. "Mother let's go!" said Miki as she grabs an unconscious Gaia and Colossa. Alexandria then nods and grabs Bastet. "Sorry to leave but I have bigger plans," said Alexandria as she created a smokescreen and disappeared. Titanya, Nijia, Kaila, and Sekhmet are now in awe at what just happened. "Jeez, who or what are they!? They countered our every move," said Titanya. "I don't and I don't care who they are I'm going to rip their heads off!" Growled Nijia. "Whoa, easy Nijia," said Kaila. "We want to get everyone back to us, but we need to know what we're up against, how we stop them, and where do we find them?" Said Sekhmet. "You're right," said Nijia, who was trying to calm down. "Kaila, you think you can track them?" Asked Titanya. "I'll try," said Kaila who then proceeded to sniff the air and ground for a scent.

Meanwhile, in Alexandria's lair, Colossa wakes up from being knocked out unconscious. She looks around to see the inside of a laboratory. "You're finally awake," said Miki. "We're am I?" Asked Colossa."let's just say you're somewhere where your friends won't find you." Said Miki. Colossa looks around to see a lot of advanced technology. She looked up and see a giant computer monitor with a lot of information on The Giantastics "so this is how you know about us," said Colossa. Miki look at her with a smirk on her face. "The Giantastics are not the ones I'm after. It's you," said Miki. "Me! Why?" Asked Colossa. "You're a natural-born in scientist. I've been keeping tabs on you from your high school years and college years," said Miki. "What do you want with me?" Said Colossa. "I don't want anything from you. But I see you as a threat" Miki added. " threat!?" Colors asked. "You are the only person to rival my technology.

"There's a lot more behind this kidnapping me crap isn't there?" Colossa asked. "seem like you catch on quick Mrs Webber. Or should I said Cali Hall?" Said Miki. It seems like Miki isn't any ordinary woman. Colossa know something isn't right. And she definitely you know Miki planing me something big. For the biggest problem is what game is he planing. "What is your true purpose behind all this. What is your connection with that woman who attack use?" Colossa asked? " I'm very shock Mrs Hall. Surely you would have noticed by now." Said Miki. "What is you talking about? What do you mean I should have noticed by now," said Colossa. Colossa seems confused about what Miki is saying? But before she know noticed. She looked over and see Daryl inside a chamber. "Oh my god Daryl" said Colossa they worry tone.  "Oh yes the young Archer girl. She was a very feisty one and a rebellion type. She kind of remind me on my younger self. Well what can I say, we are blood related" said Miki as she turned around stare at Colossa. Colossa took a close look at her see a close resemble to Daryl and Nancy. "Wait a minute! Nancy only has one sister. She never mention she had third sister" said Colossa. "Sorry but I'm a lot older than you think. Yes I do have the same bloodline as Nancy. Only problem is I'm not her sister. You could have said I'm more of a distant family" said Colossa.

Miki begin to explain to about Alexandra, as she explained about the history of her mother been around since the prehistoric age, the Roman Empire, the Viking age and all up to the Medieval age. Colossa was stun to know someone like her have been around since ages and there's no record about her. Colossa asked Miki if Alexandra is her mother and where did she come from. Miki answers back. "I was born in the Edo period in Feudal Japan in 1616," said Miki. "WHAT! shout Colossa. "What you shock to find I'm over 400, years old," said Miki. She nods at Colossa's question. Alexandria then chimes in. "And we're ancestors to the Archer family as well," said Alexandria. "A desendat of ours along the line shrank to human stature thanks to the will of the original Gaia which is why Nancy started out small, the alien interference pretty much awakened her growth. But now thanks to the meteor the whole family is back together again," said Alexandria. "The whole family?" Asked Colossa. She gets her answer when Daryl and Nancy who were dressed in Amazon-like outfits. "Mind manipulation does wonders for the brain," said Alexandria. "I'm also working on two more of your little friends." Alexandria points to Gaia who is chained up and trying to fight the mind control, and Bastet who was hevaly sedated. 

"I'm especially excited for her," said Alexandria, who was grouping Bastet's ass and one of her breasts. Bastet could only let out a soft moan. "You are completely sick you know that!?!" Shouted Colossa. Just then a loud rumbling had begun to emit from outside the facility. "What the hell is going on!?!" Asked Miki. She then gets her answer in the form of a powerful right hook to her jaw from none other than Nijia! Titanya, Sekhmet, and Kaila were also along for the ride. "WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS YOU BITCH!?!" Snarled Nijia. "Aw you're mad? Well here let me give you your friends, ladies?" Asked Miki. Daryl then lunges and tackles Nijia with blinding speed and pins her against a wall while Nancy and Miki rush Sekhmet, Titanya, and Kaila.

As the fighting went on. Colossa uses her gauntlets to break her restraints and join in the fight. She then delivers a powerful punch to the back of Nancy's head. "Sorry about that Nancy," said Colossa. "Took you long enough," said Titanya. "I was tied up!" Colossa snapped back. Sekhmet and Miki were clashing swords with one another. As this went on Miki managed to knock one of Sekhmet's swords out of her hand which I turn damaged a nearby computer with a long massive cord that shocks Bastet awake. Bastet was still being kissed by Alexandra then bites her along the face with her sharp fangs. The attack causes her to rear back in pain, which gives Bastet the chance to break free and help Gaia get out. "Thanks," said Gaia. 

Bastet and Gaia then push their advantage on Alexandria and manage to overpower her. However, Nancy who had recovered from being knocked out by Colossa tackled Bastet and tries to strangle her. "DAMN IT NANCY SNAP OUT OF IT!" said Bastet who then grabs the same electrical cord and shocks Nancy with it knocking her out. Nijia was busy dodging Daryl's attacks until she is grabbed by her throat. "Daryl, snap out of it, it's me your best friend," pleaded Nijia, but it fell on deaf ears as Daryl then tosses her aside. Daryl then pulls out a pendant and is then enveloped in bright light. The light fades and Daryl was now Amazon Daryl! Daryl then delivers a barrage of punches and kicks to Nijia, beating her into submission. Amazon Daryl then stands over Nijia's body who looked up at her friend with saddened eyes. "If I have to be killed by someone I'm glad it's you," Nijia said on the verge of tears. 

However, just as Amazon Daryl was about to finish her off, she then freezes from hearing Nijia's words. Amazon Daryl falls to her knees crying. The mind control wore off and she embraces her friend. "I'm sorry," said Amazon Daryl. "It wasn't your fault," Nijia said. Alexandria then goes over and knocks her aside. "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE PART OF MY BLOODLINE. YOU WEAK-MINDED LITTLE BRAT!!!" Shouted Alexandria. However, she was then knocked across her head by something hard. Daryl and Nijia then look up to see that it was Nancy with Gaia's shield was the culprit. "Mom!" Said Daryl. "No one talks to my kids like that!" Said Nancy. "You're the greatest Mom!" Said Nijia. "Damn straight, now let's tie these two up and turn them in," said Nancy. "Way ahead of you Nancy," said Titanya who had just restrained Miki with Sekhmet, Kaila and her twin sisters' help. As the team then ties up Alexandria and Miki, Titanya then hears the sound of a little girl crying. "Huh, where is that?" said Titanya. She could hear the little girl cry from the hall until she came upon a door. "Why is someone locked up in here?" asked Titanya. Titanya was to smash the door down. But she was unexpectedly surprised to see a little girl all chained up. The little girl was covered in brown rag clothes, as her hair was white as snow and both her eyes were red. "Oh my god! Why is a little girl all chained up?" asked Titanya. As Titanya reaches out to the little girl. The little girl was afraid, thinking that Titanya was going to harm her. "Hi. It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you," said Titanya with a smile on her face. 

Titanya returns back holding a little girl in her arms. Colossa is surprised to see what Titanya has found. "Oh my god. Titanya what happened to her?" asked Colossa. "I find her in a lab chain up. The poor girl you're so afraid. I don't know what she did to her," said Titanya. Gaia can't believe what she see. A innocent young girl have been experiment on just to be used as a weapon. But before didn't get any information outta of there. Miki minutes to cut herself free as she used a flash grenade to blind The Giantastics. "AHHHHH! I can't see" shout Kaila. "No one can see" said Nancy. Miki was managed to cut her mother free. As both of them plan to escape. "I'm not done yet. We still have unfinished business," said Miki.

Miki ended up uploading the data on the computer she activated the satellite.  "Target lock on" said the computer. Colossa was able to see what Miki is doing as she activated the computer. "WHAT! shout Colossa as she rush and attack Miki. "Are you mad! You're going wipe out half a mankind" said Colossa. "That the plan" said Miki as she pull out her katana and stab Colossa in the stomach. 

"SIS! shout Titanya. A portal opens up as Alexandra and Miki are about to walk through, but Nancy, Gaia, Nijia and Kaila attack both of them as the girls went through the portal. Colossa struggles to stand up as she loses a lot of blood from her injuries. But she knew she had to find a way to shut down a computer. "Sis, come on. You're badly injured," said Titanya as she looked worried out sister. "No. I have to do this," said Colossa. 

Roman Greece

As the portal opens up Gaia and the other girls land in Greece. "Everyone ok? asked Gaia. "Get off of me "said Nancy "Oh Nancy I'm sorry," said Gaia. Nijia looks to wonder where they landed. She looked around to see a lot of ancient Roman statues and buildings. "Why in the world would Alexandra choose a place like this?" asked Kaila. She would get her answer as they see both Alexandra and Miki standing side by side. "I have to say Gaia. I never expect you will give me this much trouble," said Alexandra. "As long as you threaten this world. I won't allow you to walk free," said Gaia. Alexandra begins to laugh at Gaia. Believing that she could be the only person that could defeat. "Ever since the beginning of mankind. Me and my people have fought for survival. Until that day I came when I discovered that meteor, I knew I was chosen for this world," said Alexandra as she explained her history.    

"I watch countless times as empire has fallen. I fought in many wars for somebody else's ambition. But no more. ALEXANDRA THE RED WILL RAIN SUPREME OVER ALL BEING. Miki NOW!" shout Alexandra.   

Both Alexandra and Miki necklace begin to glow. The two bodies begin to merge together as they fuse into one being. "Gaia! Are you seeing this?" asked Nijia. "Yeah. This Alexandra the Red has to be stopped no matter what the cause is," said Gaia. "Hahahaha now facing the new God of this planet. Now mortal knees before Alexiki." laugh Alexiki. She fires energy blasts at girls barely missing Nancy. "MOM! shout Nijia as she rushes in to help Nancy.  

"Nijia waits!" shout Kaila. But it was too late, Alexiki roundhouse kick Nijia in face sending flying those couple ancient buildings. "You have no right to call her your mother. You don't share a bloodline," said Alexiki. "Then you should be paying attention to me" Gaia attacks Alexiki with her shield as Kaila attacks her with her spear. Kaila threw one of her spears at Alexiki as she destroyed her spear in thin air. "You are only delaying the enable," said Alexiki.

"Damnit she's too strong!" Said, Gaia. Titanya and Colossa then look over the huge conceal that controls the satellite. "You guys keep her busy Colossa and I are going to try and stop her satellite!" Said Titanya. "Ok we'll try and by you some time," said Gaia. Gaia, Kaila, Nijia, Sekhmet, Amazon Daryl, and Bastet then charge Alexiki at once while Nancy looks after the little girl. 

"Ok, sis we need your tech know-how to stop this thing," Titanya said. "Easier said than done," said Colossa. "But I'll do my best." Colossa wasted no time and went right to work on the device. "Automatic countdown continuing 2 minutes and counting!" said the computer's voice. "Ok, no pressure!" Colossa chuckled nervously as she continued. While this was going on Alexiki was getting mobbed by the test of the Giantastics but was holding her own. Bastet swipes her claws at Alexiki while she gut punches Bastet. Amazon Daryl uppercuts Alexiki who in turn counters with a knee to her face. Kaila and Nijia both punch her in the face which causes her to be forced back against a wall nearby. Alexiki the gets a grip on the wall and kicks both of them in the face. Gaia the rushes in and head buts Alexiki with Sekhmet drop kicking her in the gut. However, Alexiki manages to push them back.

"Does this bitch have any weakness?!" Asked Amazon Daryl. "Her necklace!" Said a voice. "What???" Said Nancy who was with the little girl. "Her necklace is the source of her power!" Said the girl. "Got it, thanks!" Said Daryl who gets up and heads back to the fight. "Looks like you're a bigger help than we thought," said Nancy. "Ok girls same as before this time aim for her chest!" Amazon Daryl said pointing to the necklace and pendant near her chest. "You think you can stop me!?!" Said Alexiki who then charges at the Giantastics. Amazon Daryl then crouched down and gets two handfuls of dirt. And as soon as Alexiki got closer Amazon Daryl then throws the dirt right in her eyes! Kaila and Nijia grab both of her arms and hold her down Sekhmet then uses her swords and swings it at Alexiki's necklace which flies off from being cut. Gaia then takes her sword and plunges it into the pendant and shatters it. 

This action then causes Alexiki to separate and revert to their normal forms unconscious. "Quick let's tie them up before they wake up," said Gaia. 

As the girls tie up the bad guys. Colossa and Titanya then finally get the count down to stop with 3 seconds to spare. "That was close!" Said Titanya. "It's a good thing that we stopped it in time," added Colossa. The Twins then walk over to the rest of the Giantastics team members as well as the now tied-up Alexandria the Red and her daughter Miki. "We stopped the extinction of the human race but what are going to do about these two?" Asked Gaia. "I still can't believe that these scum bags are related to you," said Nijia who then quickly tries to retract her comment due to the baddies being related to her foster family. "Oh um sorry I didn't mean..." Nijia said nervously to Nancy and Daryl. "That's ok," said Daryl. "Yeah, we aren't too keen on them anyway," added Nancy.

"I suggest that we let the military deal with those two," said Sekhmet. "Agreed," added Bastet. Meanwhile Titanya is checking on the little girl to make sure she's okay. "You really help us out there," said Titanya. The little girl smiles as Titanya rubs her head. "So what your named kid?" asked Titanya. "My name is Zora," said Zora.

"That is a beautiful name," said Titanya. Titanya asked Zora if her family is still around. But sadly, Titanya heard the sad news about Zora family. It turns out Alexandra we're going around kidnapping little girls for her experiment. But for Zora, her family was murder. Titanya was stun after hearing about Zora family murder by Alexandar. "Oh my god! How could she do this to these innocent kids," said Bastet. "Don't worry about it. The military will make sure Alexandra and Miki will never see the light of day," said Gaia.

"I hope so," said Colossa in a worried tone. "Sorry to bother you Colossa. We need to head back to the base so Steven can treat that injured," said Kaila. 

Meanwhile back at The Giantastics headquarters Colossa is treated by Steven as he uses many drones to help with Colossa injured. "I can believe it. The way she stabs you. You should've died!" said Stevens. "Well. . . maybe a guardian angel was watching over me," smiles Colossa. " Well you're going to be out of commission for a while. So you're going to spend more time with Jessica sweetest," said Steven. One the other hand, Gaia is still curious about Zora. Knowing that she is still one of Alexandra experiment. She has a feeling that Alexandra would soon after her. But she doesn't want the girl to be captured by Alexandra again. But lucky of Zora. Titanya has already decided that she is going to adopt Zora as her daughter. Seeing this is the best way to protect her from Alexandar. Titanya would do whatever it takes to protect her and make sure she won't be used as a weapon.

Out at Tokyo Harbor, both of the villains were now stripped of their weapons and armor and tired down by chains made out of reinforced Titanium and on a massive vessel sailing to an offshore containment center. However, the ship was then caught up in a violent storm which capsized the vessel. After the storm, the remains of the ship along with the two villains being the only survivors. They lay on the shores of an island. However, this wasn't just any Island, it was Savage Island.

[precambrianhottopic]

!! !! !!

oogh dude you sent me three !! and now im introducing you to three ocs sorry rules are rules

Name: Topher (sometimes uses the placeholder last name Doe)

Species: half human, half angel

Charge/Alignment: Devourer/Air

Topher has been visiting Star Creek for six summers. His life outside of the town is largely uneventful- his mother was an angel, his father was a human, and he never really knew either of them. He first came to Star Creek to visit his cousin Alice, and he kept coming back because he'd found a friend in The Wizard.

He's a pretty chill guy, not too well known around Star Creek but still well-liked, even if his guitar is near-universally despised. (hang in there dude you'll get better) Topher is, of course, half-angel- which complicates things. Eventually, his angel half will take over his human half and kill him, while still not being strong enough to survive on its own. This happens to all part-angels- and most have a life expectancy of a few months at best. It's a miracle Topher has survived this long, and he knows he doesn't have long left.

leaving the other two under the cut :)

Name: The Gilded Claw (yeah its a codename. its also the only name he uses)

Species: Iguana

Charge/Alignment: Creator/Fire

The Gilded Claw is the most renowned assassin on the Static Coast. Renowned really isn't something you want to be if you're an assassin, but he makes it work. He specializes in high-profile assassinations, and his weapon of choice is a gun loaded with deadly poisonous darts. Claw takes great pride in his work, selecting the perfect poison for each job and leaving a calling card everywhere he goes. How he hasn't been shut down yet remains a mystery.

He thinks politics are useless, and that most wars are between two virtually indistinguishable groups- even if he ends up as an instrumental figure in innumerable conflicts. The Gilded Claw holds more sway than any king or queen on the Static Coast, if you can only pay his fee.

Name; Duchess Anastasia Bone (although almost no one knows her first name)

Species: human

Charge/Alignment: Creator/Metal

Duchess Bone is the closest advisor and confidant of Lady Chalybion, Queen of the Insurgency, and is one of the most prominent players in the Hollow Wars. She actively served as a general in the first Hollow War, but was injured in combat and has been advising the Queen ever since. She thrives in the politics and intricate rules of high society.

She first met Wolfgang Johanssen when he was appointed Royal Engineer, but it wasn't until she learned of his mission in the Hollow that she started corresponding with him. From thousands of miles away, and only a single letter from Wolfgang, Duchess Bone became enraptured with him. Her personal stakes in both the Hollow Wars and the expeditions into the Hollow would later be instrumental in framing her for the murder of Lady Chalybion, but that's for later.

[almaqead]

"The Dog at the Entrance." From Surah 18, Al Kahf, "the Force."

I am steering the interpretation of Al Kahf away from an analysis of the famous stories of three lads who stopped in a cave and slept their age away in order to bring the knowledge of the Quran into modern terms.

Caves, inside a man's noggin, are where the Hebrew meaning of kahf "the force" plays a role in transforming a beast boy into a fully grown male man. We are witnessing life outside the cave now- weapons are flying back and forth between rivals while the human race watches, wondering when this Third World War is going to touch them too.

The Quran was written for all of us, but especially for persons who lack any commitment to a war at all; not as participant, nor as a witness. We are never forced into wars with other persons without a need to force our way out. The scarring of the land and the armies and involved never quite heal and the spirit of man never quite realizes the meaning of documents like the Quran which promise us a good life just because we were born.

Muhammad said if we are born into troubled times, we must find an exit, look away from the horror, and look forward to an awakening. This involves an important question: The most forceful one there is...what happened to your common sense? Sometimes the answers come much too late. Let us hope that does not happen to us:

Surah 18: 18-21:

And you would have thought they were awake,1 though they were asleep. We turned them over, to the right and left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would have certainly fled away from them, filled with horror.

And so We awakened them so that they might question one another. One of them exclaimed, “How long have you remained ˹asleep˺?” Some replied, “Perhaps a day, or part of a day.” They said ˹to one another˺, “Your Lord knows best how long you have remained. So send one of you with these silver coins of yours to the city, and let him find which food is the purest, and then bring you provisions from it. Let him be ˹exceptionally˺ cautious, and do not let him give you away.

For, indeed, if they find out about you, they will stone you ˹to death˺, or force you back into their faith, and then you will never succeed.”

That is how We caused them to be discovered so that their people might know that Allah’s promise ˹of resurrection˺ is true and that there is no doubt about the Hour.1 When the people disputed with each other about the case of the youth ˹after their death˺,2 some proposed, “Build a structure around them. Their Lord knows best about them.” Those who prevailed in the matter said, “We will surely build a place of worship over them.”

Commentary:

Allah told Muhammad the only way out of a war with its viziers and its horrifying slaughters is a place where questions about its origins, recovery, and prevention can take place exactly as the religion says, a structure we have talked about long and long called the Masjid.

Observe once again the definition:

Mas=The just and responsible, the intellectuals

Jid= will end the fear and spread joy

As the Quran warns about our present circumstances no longer pertain to those who survive World War 3, but who prevails. I believe with all of my confidence we were given this Book to end any possible mystery as to whom this will be.

The War has to end, the criminals that started it must be arrested, tried and dealt with, then we simply must open the atmosphere up a great deal in a short period of time so the heat we have overfilled it with can vent into space, we must clean up the messes and the dumps, and the seas, and finally usher every person into a life that is guaranteed of some comforts.

This is the agenda of the Masjid, the answer to all of mankind's questions.

[iriushoothoot]

EC Comics, The Twilight Zone and my love for tales of the unknown

Black Mirror is often described as the Twilight Zone of the modern day. A title truly deserving of a great show like Black Mirror. However, as much as I love Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone has a special place in my heart. The series started 40 years before my birth and ended 5 years later. At least the original airing with Rod Serling, which is the incarnation that I consider one of my favorites of all time.

Many stories in the series are about strange sci-fi scenarios and weird events taking place. The very first episode even features a man finding himself in a foreign town with no people, unable to remember his name or why or how he got there. In the following scenes, the man slowly unravels that he was part of the US Air Force and was part of an experiment on the effects of long periods of isolation in preparation for a space flight. The Twilight Zone is a product of its day when the Space Race was at its peak, but still in its early stage. This creates an imaginable setting, where everything could be possible with science in just a few years. But not all episodes were space-themed obviously. One of the best-known episodes of the series is called "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" starring William Shatner (yes, Captain Kirk himself). The plot is rather simple, William Shatner plays an airplane passenger who sees something strange out of his window. However, no one will believe his story. Not even the airline stewardess. The tension in the episode is palpable as it's not clear if there is a real danger or if the passenger has a nervous breakdown and just hallucinates what he sees.

But the most iconic episode of the Twilight Zone is one I have yet to mention: "Time Enough at Last", which is my favorite episode. The protagonist is a bank clerk who loves nothing more than reading. Unfortunately, this is a task that always has to be done in private as no one seems to approve of his obsession with reading, including his wife. This all changes when an atomic war is triggered and the clerk survives by being in a bank vault. He went there for his break to have peace to read in quiet, missing out on the war. It turns out he is the only living human being left alive and everyone else is dead. He thinks about this as a blessing as now he finally has time enough at last. He can finally read in peace. Only to find out the devastating news that his glasses are broken after a little accident. And he is the only person left alive.

In my opinion, this episode features a certain dread but it is played rather playfully and light-hearted. Something that might not be too terrifying at first glance, but still leaves enough open to think about it, picturing the pain that must plague the protagonist of the story, unable to ever read a book again in this empty world.

I think there is something very special about stories that create a specific atmosphere through the narration. It doesn't need any huge set pieces or a big budget, just a good writer with an amazing imagination and the ability to make you imagine all the things that happen in their heads. The horror and mystery media of the 50s and 60s had that special vibe that I hugely admire. It sparks my creativity and captures my fascination by introducing me to strange concepts that are rarely explored nowadays. Perhaps because stuff like The Twilight Zone already explored them, but modern horror needs to be more imaginable again, trying out unorthodox concepts again.

But The Twilight Zone is not the only medium of that sort I enjoy from this period of time. From 1944 to 1956 there was the comic publisher EC Comics, which is most famous for its comic series "Tales from the Crypt" and "Vault of Horror". Each issue featured multiple short stories, presented by characters like "the crypt-keeper" or "the old witch" with a foreword by them that introduces each story. Many of these stories featured very gruesome and graphic scenes that were unheard of in the comic scene until then. The reason for that is that there wasn't an age rating back then for media, so they were free to go wild with content and storytelling. Today, these comics are considered some of the best horror anthologies of the genre. Many well-known horror writers have been influenced by them in their formative years and even now, some decades later, many adaptations have been made of those stories. I remember watching an animated Tales from the Crypt TV series back in my early childhood. Even then I loved spooky stories.

As I have grown older, I have started to appreciate the style and tone of those stories and I'm happy to say that I own the complete collection of the comics, at least digitally. Some are certainly a bit cheesy and dated but that is also part of their charm. There are many gems in there, worth checking out. I can highly recommend checking them out yourself.

Ec Comics and The Twilight Zone are two masters of horror and mystery in my honest opinion. That's why I want to dedicate the spooky season this year to those classics. I commissioned a Twilight Zone-inspired art piece by a fantastic artist and I'm working, besides my Halloween YCH, on an EC-like comic!

So far the first page is completed, and more are coming!

[dragmiire]

THE DESERT KING. - GENSHIN IMPACT.

within the depths of the sumeru desert, the great red sand, exists a people rumored to be bonded so deeply to lightning that it is not sandstorms that haunt their domain, but thunderstorms. it is said that one can anticipate the movement of their groups in ancient times by how the skies would darken with clouds that would never give any relieving rain, only the distant rumblings of threatening thunder, and the crackle of lightning bolting down into the dunes.

in the modern era, there is a little less mystery around who, precisely, these people are.

the gerudo are well-known and well-integrated in sumeru society, taking up ranks among their scholars and serving as pillars in the community at large and, indeed, have a connection with lightning. while not all members of gerudo society are blessed with it, many are known to be able to control the influence of lightning even without a vision--something they thank the goddess of the sand for, who oversees their people, and ensures their survival in the harsh desert.

the gerudo live in an oasis close to the heart of the great red sand enclosed by hardened walls of sand turned to rock with a single point of entry and exit. legends say that the first king summoned forth these walls with a prayer to the goddess of the sand when an ancient war was ravaging sumeru. hearing his plea, the goddess granted the gerudo the miles-high stone walls, crafted from churning sands, and reinvigorated them with the strength and endurance to outlast their enemies.

to this day, the gerudo remain in this ancestral home. many sumeru scholars travel to the gerudo oasis to study the unique and beautiful architecture their homes are crafted from, many more requesting permission to document the royal palace at the oasis's center. crafted from shimmering gold that shines like sand in the sun, the massive palace once hosted their goddess, and now it is the home to their long line of kings and queens. the twin queen-mothers, koume and kotake, live in a separate wing of the palace dedicated to still-living royals that have stepped down from the position of head of the gerudo.

ganondorf is the current king of the gerudo, and from the time of his birth to the present era, he has been spoken as one who will reignite the era of god-kings. many have likened him to king deshret, whose tragic end has left many doubting the supposed praise this comparison is.

he wields no vision, and yet, he seemingly has the blessing of the gods who watch over them, for he wields incredible power beyond a mere mortal man. lightning summons at his beckon, magic flows easily at his command, and he has a strange connection with the beasts of the desert--namely, the consecrated beasts.

the desert king is often found with at least one consecrated beast nearby, remaining in his presence of its own free will and drawn by something even ganondorf cannot materialize into words. his people are wholly unbothered by it, for since he was an infant, the beasts have gathered, harmless as pups and eager to seemingly serve their king from the moment he could speak to command them.

the gerudo often can be found as swords-for-hire and working as scholars at the akademiya. they are easily recognized for their vivid red hair and golden eyes, which are both dominant traits in the gerudo lineage no matter how diluted the bloodline is.

ganondorf makes semi-frequent trips to sumeru city, usually accompanied with a royal envoy. his presence is obvious and never hidden--as it is rather hard to hide the existence of a towering man well over seven feet tall built like a wall. the purpose of his visits are usually to arrange trade between his people and the merchants of sumeru, and also to peer in on the akademiya, especially with the recent upheaval and removal of the last grand sage.