#jade blue afterglow

[ragnarockz]

When Jade Blue Afterglow makes that comment about the metal detector and goes to cross her legs and BOTH Mulder AND Scully look....why did I never clue in on that SOONER

[spookyrabbit87]

Krista Allen as Maitreya, aka Jade Blue Afterglow. From the X-Files.

[bite-the-bloody-hand]

Dramatis Personae

For the sake of having the most important details of Zell's person and history written down somewhere, I have been compelled to create this character sheet of sorts. FULL of spoilers for Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous.

Name: Grenzel 'Zell' Marion Hellsing Birth name: Salyut Pronouns: He/Him Gender: Trans Man Species: Dhampir (Vampire King Ancestry) Age: He thinks he's 19, but he's off by a few decades. Birthday: 20th Gozran :weed emoji: Star Sign: The Bridge (or The Daughter, I think he's right on the cusp?)/The Underworld Dragon Sexuality: Pansexual, Panromantic Deity/Religion: None Class: Bloodrager Primalist - Celestial & Arcane bloodline. Background: Nomad- Honglian and Ustlavic Alignment: Chaotic Neutral to Chaotic Good Path: Azata+ Love interest: Daeran Arendae Starting Stats: (Level one): STR 16 DEX 8 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 16 Top 3 Skills: Perception, Athletics, Persuasion Hobbies: Spinning thread, bug hunting, venue crashing (plays drums, flute, trumpet, and lute as cover) Horseback riding, various kinds of entertainment-derived mischief, Improv theater, bone carving Accent: Ustlavic - while fluent in Common he prefers to let people think otherwise. His accent will get thicker when he's tired, annoyed, or fucking with someone. Will speak in broken Ustlavic or a paint-blisteringly thick Honglian regional accent at the drop of a hat.

Quotes: "Come drink with me, friend." "Even foul water puts out wildfires." "Echh… we're really in the rice now."

Appearance: 5'5", broad shouldered with a somewhat wolfish appearance. Works out, but wouldn't say no to a cookie kind of physique. His hands and feet are oversized and a bit paw-like. He has hip-length, greying black hair that he keeps braided - usually in two simple plaits but he does love a fancy set of braids when time allows. His skin is a dusty gold-grey, as if undeath has left an actual tarnish behind.

His face is wedge-shaped, with high cheekbones, square jaw, and a slightly large nose crooked from catching one too many right hooks. Eyes are sharp, with small pupils and colored a bright blue-green - like the afterglow of a lightning strike - that reflect eerily in darkness or low light. Heavy, sharp eyebrows give him a somewhat cynical, predatory look that gets enhanced by his easy grin - he's not shy about showing off his fangs. He has one large deep scar bisecting his right eyebrow that sadly doesn't have a cool origin - a clay pot fell on him when he was trying to get it off a tall shelf. Otherwise he bears a few cut marks on his arms and legs from skirmishes, a deeper set of clawmarks over his ribs from a bad run-in with a wolverine, and the scars from affirming surgery. Finally, the fatal gutwound from his 'death' in the Stolen Lands, and the subsequent chest scar from Areelu's botched experiment.

Generally he gives off the air of a wolf desperately trying to domesticate itself, or a half-feral stray hunting dog. Real freak on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere energy. In the kindest of terms he can be described as unsettling but beautiful.

He favors jade, carnelian, and silver accessories when he can get them, and has simple bar earrings in each ear that he can't quite recall ever getting. (They're tracker tags from Areelu on account of his habit of fucking off in a random direction and getting stuck or lost somewhere upsetting.) He has issues with the joints in his hands being hypermobile that he corrects with silver splint rings. He favors primarily black outfits with pops of bright color, and minimal armor to avoid any issues with spellcasting. He has long debated the merits of getting a tongue piercing but hasn't decided whether to commit yet. He has a tattoo around his left leg of reindeer stones, and plans on getting more but isn't sure on the designs yet.

Personality: Zell by nature is an exhuberant, friendly, genuinely loving person who has learned the hard way to be extremely reseved with his trust and care. He affects an easygoing, relaxed demeanor that covers an anxious intensity soaked by deep, deep rage that is difficult to percieve until that switch flips. He leans on his innate charisma as social currency, is something of a barfly and enjoys sneaking himself into events by claiming to be 'with the band.' He especially loves crashing weddings and birthdays in this manner. Is generally known as The Guy to go to if you need something delivered, furniture moved, wood chopped, or defensive horseback riding lessons. Sometimes given to bouts of deep introspection, he has something he's searching for or working towards that drives him obsessively. Suffers from chronic joint pain and light-induced migraines, dyslexia, and severe abandonment issues. Runs hot, therefore gets heat exhausted easily.

Archetypes: Ringleader, Bon Vivant, Ambitious Sorceror.

Merits: Kind, supportive, loyal, gentle.

Flaws: Bloodthirsty, capricious, self-destructive, deceptive.

History: CW for forced cultural assimilation, forced detransition, child abuse

Zell was born under mysterious circumstances in the Hongli steppe. His mother was absent - whether she died or abandoned him was never explained - but he was raised within her tribe to be a happy and healthy child. Nobody was over concerned with gender, so he identified as a boy from early on and easily fell in with his peers. He excelled at riding horses, but had difficulty with a bow, so he trained in polearms and sword instead. While he doesn't remember much of his earliest childhood, he fondly recalls the parts of his youth leading a gaggle of youngsters across the steppe and icy desert, hunting for the tribe, herding goats and reindeer, finding cool bugs, and generally reveling in his freedom.

Unfortunately, it was not to last. When he was close to coming of age, he began to develop strange sorcerous abilities. Arcane necromancy and suggestive, enchanting magic came easily to him, and his control was nebulous at best. Still, he had help from his tribe and rarely had any extreme issues.

Soon however, strangers in terrifying black armor came from across the land bridge. They met with the elders that had raised him, and demanded to take him over to distant Avistan. He was devastated when the elders agreed to let him go, and tried to run away on his own. He was caught after weeks of evasion, and severely punished by his new handlers. The next time he was fully conscious, they were already more than halfway over the land bridge.

He was brought to Lepistadt in Ustalav to live with the "Hellsing" family, a deeply interconnected group of nobles and high-ranking Hellknights dedicated to the obstruction of a specific group of malicious vampires... When they aren't running an anti-Iomedaen protestant shadow crusade. Under the auspice of being closer to his father - who he would never meet - and 'necessary' training of his sorcerous power, he was put under the care of Nora Hellsing: a vicious, rigid woman whose first and foremost goal was to forcibly erase as much of Zell's identity as possible. Treated like a burden and an atrocity, he was denied the comfort of his language, his name, and all freedoms he had been allowed in Hongli. Alongside this, Nora did everything she could to stoke Zell's bloodlust and rage, honing him into a devastating fighter and wicked spellcaster. As a capstone, he was put through the same military academy as the other youths in the Hellsing organization. Faced with culture shock, unwinnable tasks, and Nora's cruel attention, his teenage years were a nightmare.

Nora reshaped Zell into Marion Hellsing with the intent of creating the face of the organization's next generation of Vampire Hunters, a devastating half-vampire princess that could be used as much as propaganda as a weapon. She succeeded in making Zell more dangerous, but failed in nearly every other capacity. As Marion, Zell used enchantments, intimidation, and sheer physical prowess to rebell at every opportunity; taking Nora's progressively extreme punishments while fighting indoctrination with every weapon at his disposal. He quickly learned that Nora and the more retaliatory Hellknights would stop short of anything that would kill him - though whether it was because they didn't want to risk him becoming a vampire or wished to avoid the wrath of his absentee father he could not immediately guess. Unfortunately this meant that anyone close to him was fair game - so his closest companions had to either be strong enough to hold their own or they would feel the brunt of the punishment. This did not deter Zell in the slightest, instead only fueling his rage. Zell played the part of a delinquent, bratty punk: deliberately failed classes, slept around with teachers and upperclassmen, and refused to behave unless inspired to exploit the rules to his advantage. He led a small gang of other disaffected youths upset by their involuntary placement at the Academy, and was consistent annoyance to just about anyone in power.

Even so he had few friends, and those that did get close did so for safety more than a sense of genuine friendship. Zell secretly found more solace in the labyrinthine libraries of Lepistadt's universities, more concerned with researching things on his own terms than following the ridgid precepts of Hellknight military training (or literally anything Nora wanted him to read). Eventually, his curiosity -and perhaps the occasional supernatual nudge - led him to discover interesting secrets about Hellsing's origins, and his own.

He discovers during this time that Hellsing is connected by familial relation to the Vampire King - who before becoming a vampire was the last known Aasimar of the newly dead god, Aroden. After being turned, he had apparently wandered and spent some time briefly in Tian Xia - long enough to sire a single child: - Salyut, Zell's childhood name. The child is meant to be Zell, but would have been born decades before. It will be many years before Zell eventually learns that he was given to Areelu by his father, raised til about age seven, and then left nearly a century later with the children and grandchildren of his mortal siblings with only the vaguest memories attached.

He also discovers that Hellsing's Anti-Iomedaen bent is more than just superficial: all the families are either related by blood to the Vampire King (and therefore, Aroden himself) or former clerics and paladins of the fallen god. It is unclear whether they are working directly with Areelu Vorlesh or if her involvement is just a coincidence, but they seem to believe the Vampire King's scion potentially holds a piece of Aroden's soul.

This causes him great concern… after all, Hellsing as an organization doesn't care about him as a person - they only care about Marion Hellsing the figure, and what she can do for their legitimacy and power. If they think 'Marion' holds a piece of Aroden's soul and want to try and do something with that, he doubts he'll come out the other side with any sense of self.

Learning all of this, his goals soon shifted from being the most annoying little shit on the planet to securing his own safety and freedom from Hellsing. While chasing these leads and preparing his escape, he stumbled upon caches of research left behind by Nora… and eventually proof that she was planning on becoming a lich. The particulars of her research, and how she plans to use the power of lichdom, disgusted Zell, but there was no one within Hellsing he could turn to in order to stop her. His only choice was to flee, and hope that Nora never succeeded in her plans.

This time, escaping the Hellknights was a far easier task. Armed with years of learning their tactics and the surrounding lands, he easily slipped away from Lepistadt and made his way south. The plan was to make for Absalom - perhaps strike up with some scholars who could point him towards more information about fallen Aroden. Picking the name 'Grenzel' for himself, he began his new life.

After a year or so on the road taking courier work and odd jobs, he happened to meet the captain of a river barge while chartering passage for a job. Captain Aslan Ciardha soon blew through all Zell's barriers and became his dearest friend and brother in arms. They traveled together for several years before Zell broke away to follow a lead in the Tors of Levenies. The lead was a dead end however, which allowed Zell to rejoin his friend - now a Baron in the tumultuous Stolen Lands.

He had difficulty falling in with Aslan's new crew; having little in common with most of them and no tolerance for the particulars of running a kingdom. His foremost goal was to protect and champion his friend - who had apparently come under the thrall of the wicked fae at the heart of the blight in the Stolen Lands. While Zell could see the signs of his friend being perhaps a little too invested in redeeming a clearly evil fae, there was little he could do to sway his friend. And soon, sensing his interference, Nyrissa would ensure that Zell was just as distracted.

He had not expected Tristian - of all people - to show any interest in him beyond the seemingly genuine concern of a healer. Even so he was charmed by Tristian's gentle, if fumbling, persistence, and eventually started to worry less about Aslan's predicament. While bemused and a little terrified of the prospect, Zell let himself start to fall in love and relax more around the other companions, finally gaining a sense of ease among them.

When Tristian inevitably turned coat and betrayed them all in Vordekai's tomb, Zell was devastated. He went with Aslan to Candlemere to try and talk sense into Tristian, but learning how thoroughly he'd been played truly broke his heart. While Aslan was determined to prove Tristian could be saved and made for the Temple of the Elk, Zell opted instead to support Amiri in confronting Armag. While he wasn't seeking his own death in battle - distraction and a few unlucky breaks put him on the receiving end of a mortal gut wound.

Before any of his allies could return with help, Areelu Vorlesh whisked him from the battlefield to save his life and initiate her final experiment: Alchemizing his soul with Nahyndrian crystal. Now, with his soul so full of rage and heartbreak, seemed to her to be the best moment to strike. She threw in the top surgery for free, as a treat.

Delirious, heartbroken, and in a body slightly altered from normal was how Zell came to in Kenabras square, unsure how he even got there or even why he was still alive.

[x-files-polls]

I think that's the last preliminary. I'll leave the submission form open until the Maleeni poll ends, but already start working on matchups.

Propaganda submissions will be open for the entirety of the tournament, but character submissions will officially close in a week.

Current list of competitors below (copied directly from google sheets, actual polls will be proofread):

Alfred Fellig

Amina Ngebe

Ariel Weiss/Luria

Augustus Cole

Bambi Berenbaum

Betsy Monroe

Betty

Big Mike

Bill Patterson

Billy LaBonge & Albert Pinchbeck (in prelims)

Blaine Faulkner

Carla Stonecypher & Michael Kinsley (in prelims)

Chantara Gomez

Cher

Chinga

Clyde Bruckman

Daryl Mootz

Daryl Musashi

Detective Glen Chao

Dorothy Bahnsen

Dr Alexander Ivanov

Dr Chester Ray Banton

Dr. Blockhead

Dr. John Rietz

Edy & Steve (in prelims)

Emil

The Eves (in prelims)

Flukeman

George Vincent

Henry Weems

Herman Pinchbeck

Holly McClain

Holman Hardt

Invisgoth

Jade Blue Afterglow

Jay "Boom" DaBoom

Jeff Glaser

Jenn

Jose Chung

Josh Exley

Karin Berquist

Kim Hsin

Lauren

Luther Lee Boggs

Lyda & Maurice (in prelims)

Madame Zirinka

The Men in Black (in prelims)

Margi Kleinjan & Terri Roberts (in prelims)

Martin Wells

Michael Holvey

Michel

Nurse Owens

Olafsson

Opponent

Owen Jarvis

Pam

Patrick Crump

Phoebe (FPS)

Phoebe Green

Phyllis H. Paddock

Reggie

Richie Lupone

Ronnie Strickland

Samuel Hartley

Sheila Fontaine

Sheriff Hartwell

Sheriff James Hamilton

Tea Leoni

The Conundrum

The Hard Faced Man

Triangle-verse!CSM

Triangle-verse!Scully

Triangle-verse!Skinner

If you have a favorite one-off character not here, submit them now!

[bakedbakermom]

hey i made one of these into a shirt! (note the xf font and that afterglow is ~jade blue~)

[m-m--tv]

[-REVIEW-] Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Lost In The Sunshine (Single)

Cover art taken from YouTube Music

It seems like every 3 weeks or so I wake up to a new, surprise Sophie Ellis-Bextor single ! Well, “surprise” is probably a bit much because I have no doubt I just lurk in the wrong, non-Sophie-Ellis-Bextor-tuned places; however, it was still a very pleasant surprise to receive the Lost In The Sunshine visualizer in my YouTube notifications this morning. I liked Breaking The Circle, loved Everything Is Sweet and have been very much anticipating the release of HANA (soooo close… and yet so far away), so I was very excited to dive into this one.

And wow, did it not disappoint – my jaw literally dropped when I pressed play. She seemed to be going for a brighter (after Familia & WANDERLUST) yet still traditional disco sound with the 2 previous ones, so I did not expect this soft, dreamy piece with those twinkly sounds to hit me right in the heart… until the percussion kicked in and it became a downright heavenly ride. Lost In The Sunshine is quite an apt title, because the whole song sounds like a warm hug from that sweet sweet spring sun, enveloping your body and leading you through fuzzy, vivid visions of green fields, jade trees, crystal clear rivers and electric blue skies, as you float above it all and feel a hundred emotions all at once. Absolutely perfect release time, Sophie. The backing track is so beautifully crafted, the piano, twinkles and strings all come together under the umbrella of a slight reverbed touch into this stunning marriage that just melts me down to pure bliss, and the way the drums subtly trot behind, never ever taking the lead but still present enough to keep the song marching on like a stream of water is simply perfect. In fact, I’d say this is one of the best decisions taken with this song, because the way they’re placed, in turn, puts this song right on the border of amazing bop and soothing moment – instead of directly hitting you and taking you in, it’s more like hypnosis, where you slowly but surely sink deeper and deeper until one way or another, you’re moving, even swaying this time around. That guitar (? bass maybe ? I’m awful at recognizing instruments) in the chorus is great too, one of these pillars sculpted just the way they should to raise the song higher – it feels so playful and injects this dose of subtle dynamism into the track, acting as the killing blow to make you fall in without any hope of ever getting out if you had managed to last until then. Her voice also works incredibly well with the entire arrangement; she’s already one of my favorite vocalists EVER due to how elegant she always sounds, but here, it’s coupled with a certain softness drawn out by the general atmosphere, and the way it breezes over the instrumental is the final piece of the puzzle to truly take you there. When she sings “Let's get lost in the sunshine / And give ourselves to the summertime / An afterglow in clementine / And now the heat is growing”, it sounds like more than an invitation, like she’s some kind of omnipresent nature spirit hiding everywhere in the scenery I mentioned earlier and directly speaking to your soul telepathically, lifting you up into this paradise that she shows you. The lyrics overall are already very pretty and “scenic”, I’d say, but it’s the way she sings them that truly makes them so stunning. Lost In The Sunshine is pretty much “just” beautiful composition on beautiful composition, all tied together with a sparkly cream ribbon into an incredible bouquet whose fragrance is enough to make my heart squeeze to the point where it feels like it’s about to fall right out of my chest. This song just gets me, and it gets me to a place I wanna stay in forever.

These singles are only wildly getting better one after another, and this one is where I have to undeniably give in and understand that HANA will have a near-demonic grip on me when it finally arrives. If this is the sound of the album, then she not only has THE album of the summer on her hands and one that I will be all over for the entirety of June-July-August, but also definitely one of the best and most exciting albums of the year. At least, I can already picture myself walking through the streets of a small mountain town or even just looking out of my window into an endless sea of trees with this song serenading my ears – and then when September comes it will inevitably make me cry because I’ll miss it all so much lol. Well, June 2nd CANNOT come soon enough.

Note: 9.8

Stream:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube Music

Okay, so I don’t really know about this single reviews thing: believe it or not, but for something that runs entirely off Google Docs, there are a few questions that come with its addition into the equation, and I do not have the answers yet. I do want to add a bit of variety into this affair – as much variety as possible for this kind of tumblr blog anyways –, and it’s always nice to look at a song beyond just “yessss ears like” on a personal level, so it is a cool activity. But like, maybe I should wait until I settle into a more solid schedule before throwing singles into the mix; this blog is just short of a week old, after all. Maybe when my backlog will get majorly unclogged. So like, not anytime soon. I’ll see . All I’m saying is, if I never ever do one of these again someday then don’t be surprised.

[mad-quixotic-tales]

[illnevermeettheground]

“PUT A DIMMER ON THAT AFTERGLOW”

we all remember exactly where we were when first saw that gem!

I was at my parents’, jumping and screaming in the living room... I downed a whole pint of ice cream out of sheer happiness

[unremarkablehouse]

In first person shooter, Mulder was the only male to survive the video game (and got to level 3!), which fed off the pervy male attention. While he made a show of checking Jade Blue Afterglow out, Mulder is biologically Scully Sexual. His face whenever Scully saves him is the best, she’s magic.

dana scully birthday question:

how many ways can we say mulder is obsessed with scully?

[drwcn]

How To Name Your Chinese Characters: 

1) LAST NAMES: 

I’ve pasted the Top 100 common last names in alphabetical order, and bolded the ones that appear in CQL:   

B: 白 Bai C: 蔡 Cai ; 曹 Cao ;  常 Chang ; 曾 Ceng ;  陈 Chen ;  程 Cheng ;  崔 Cui ; D: 戴 Dai ; 邓 Deng ; 丁 Ding ; 董 Dong ; 杜 Du ; F: 范 Fan ; 方 Fang ; 冯 Feng ; 付 Fu ; G: 高 Gao ;  葛 Ge  ; 龚 Gong ; 顾 Gu ; 郭 Guo ; H: 韩 Han ; 何 He ; 贺 He 洪 Hong ; 侯 Hou ; 黄 Hua ; 胡 Hu ; J: 贾 Jia ; 蒋 Jiang ; 姜 Jiang ; 江 Jiang ; 金 Jin ; K: 康 Kang ; L:  赖 Lai ; 李 Li ;  黎 Li ; 廖 Liao ; 梁 Liang ; 林 Lin ; 刘 Liu ; 陆 Lu ; 卢 Lu ; 路 Lu ; 吕 Lü ; 罗 Luo ; M: 马 Ma ; 麦 Mai ; 毛 Mao ; 孟 Meng ; N:  倪 Ni  ;  牛 Niu ; P: 潘 Pan ; 彭 Peng ; Q: 钱 Qian ; 秦 Qin ; 邱 Qiu ; R:任 Ren ; S: 邵 Shao ; 沈 Sheng ; 史 Shi ; 石 Shi ; 施 Shi ; 宋 Song ; 苏 Su ; 孙 Sun ; T: 陶 Tao ; 谭 Tan ; 唐 Tang ; 田 Tian ; W: 万 Wan ; 王 Wang ;  汪 Wang ; 魏 Wei ; 吴 Wu ; X: 邢 Xing ; 夏 Xia ;  蕭 Xiao ; 谢 Xie ; 徐 Xu ; 许 Xu ; 薛 Xue ; Y: 阎 Yan ; 严 Yan ; 杨 Yang ; 姚 Yao ; 叶 Ye ;  余 Yu ; 于 Yu ; 袁 Yuan ; Z: 张 Zhang ;  赵 Zhao ; 郑 Zheng ; 钟 Zhong ; 周 Zhou ;  朱 Zhu ;  庄 Zhuang ;  邹 Zou ;

Above are all single character last names, but there are some double character Chinese last names, seen below (list not exhaustive): 

独孤 Du’Gu ;  公孙 Gong’Sun ; 南宫 Nan’Gong    欧阳 Ou’Yang ;  司马 Si’Ma ; 上官 Shang’Guan ; 宇文 Yu’Wen ; 长孙 Zhang’Sun ; 诸葛 Zhu’GE ; 

2) GIVEN NAMES/COURTESY NAMES

《Elements》: 

Light*： 光 (guāng) - light，  亮 liàng - bright / shine， 明 (míng) - bright， 曦 (xī) - early dawn， 昀 (yún) - daylight， 昭 (zhāo) - light, clear，照 (zhào) - to shine upon，

Fire: 焰 (yàn) - flames， 烟 (yān) - smoke，炎 (yán) - heat/burn， 烨 (yè) - dazzling light，  

Water: also see “weather” OR “bodies of water” under nature; note the words below while are related to water have meanings that mean some kind of virtue: 清 (qīng) - clarity / purity， 澄 (chéng) - clarity/quiet， 澈 (chè) - clear/penetrating， 涟 (lián) - ripple， 漪 (yī) - ripple， 泓 (hóng) - vast water， 湛 (zhàn) - clear/crystal， 露 (lù) - dew， 泠 (líng) - cool, cold, 涛 (tāo) - big wave，泽 (zé)，浩 hào - grand/vast (water)，涵 (han) - deep submergence / tolerance / educated

Weather: 雨 (yǔ) - rain， 霖 (lín) - downpouring rain， 冰 (bīng) - ice， 雪 (xuě) - snow，  霜 (shuāng) - frost 

Wind: 风 (fēng) - wind

* some “Light” words overlap in meaning with words that mean “sun/day”

《Nature》:

Season: 春 (chūn) - spring， 夏 (xià) - summer， 秋 (qíu) - aumtum， 冬 (dōng) - winter

Time of Day: 朝 (zhāo) - early morning / toward， 晨 (chén) - morning / dawn， 晓 (xiǎo) - morning， 旭 (xù) - dawn/rising sun，昼 (zhòu) - day，皖 (wǎn) - late evening，夜 (yè) - night 

Star/Sky/Space: 云 (yún) - cloud，天 (tiān) - sky/ heaven，霞 (xiá) - afterglow of a rising or setting sun，月 (yuè) - moon，日 (ri) - day / sun，阳 (yáng) - sun，宇 (yǔ) - space，星 (xīng) - star

Birds: 燕 (yàn) - sparrow， 雁 (yàn) - loon， 莺 (yīng) - oriole， 鸢 (yuān) - kite bird (family Accipitridae)，羽 (yǔ) - feather

Creatures: 龙 (lóng) - dragon/imperial

Plants/Flowers:* 兰 (lán) - orchids，  竹 (zhú) - bamboo， 筠 (yún) - tough exterior of bamboos， 萱 (xuān) - day-lily， 松 (sōng) - pine， 叶 (yè) - leaf， 枫 (fēng) - maple， 柏 bó/bǎi - cedar/cypress， 梅 (méi) - plum， 丹 (dān) - peony

Mountains: 山 (shān)， 峰 (fēng) - summit， 峥 (zhēng)，

Bodies of water: 江 (jiāng) - large river/straits， 河 (hé) - river， 湖 (hú) - lake， 海 (hǎi) - sea， 溪 (xī) - stream， 池 (chí) - pond， 潭 (tán) - larger pond， 洋 (yáng) - ocean

* I didn’t include a lot of flower names because it’s very easy to name a character with flowers that heavily implies she’s a prostitute. 

《Virtues》: 

Astuteness: 睿 ruì - astute / foresight， 智 (zhi)， 慧 (hui)， 哲 (zhé) - wise/philosophy, 

Educated:  博 (bó) - extensively educated， 墨 (mo) - ink， 诗 (shi) - poetry / literature， 文 (wén) - language / gentle / literary， 学 (xue) - study， 彦 (yàn) - accomplished / knowledgeable, 知 (zhi) - to know， 斌 (bīn) - refined， 赋 (fù) - to be endowed with knowledge

Loyalty: 忠 (zhōng) - loyal， 真 (zhēn) - true 

Bravery: 勇 (yǒng) - brave， 杰 (jié) - outstanding, hero

Determination/Perseverance: 毅 (yì) - resolute / brave， 恒 (héng) - everlasting， 衡 (héng) - across, to judge/evaluate，成 (chéng) - to succeed， 志 (zhì) - aspiration / the will

Goodness/Kindness: 嘉 (jiā) - excellent / auspicious，磊 (lěi) - rock / open & honest， 正 (zhèng) - straight / upright / principle，

Elegance: 雅 (yǎ) - elegant， 庄 (zhuāng) - respectful/formal/solemn， 彬 (bīn) - refined / polite， 

Handsome: 俊 jùn - handsome/talented 

Peace: 宁 (níng) - quietness/to pacify, 安 （ān) - peace, safety

Grandness/Excellence：�� (hóng) - grand，豪 (háo) - grand, heroic，昊 (hào) - limitless / the vast sky，华 (huá) - magnificent， 赫 (hè) - red/famous/great， 隆 (lóng) - magnificent， 伟 (wěi) - greatness / large，轩 (xuān) - pavilion with a view/high，卓 (zhuó) - outstanding

Female Descriptor/Virtues/Beauty: 婉 (wǎn)，惠 (huì)， 妮 (nī)， 娇 (jiāo)， 娥 (é)， 婵 (chán) (I didn’t include specific translations for these because they’re all adjectives for women meaning beauty or virtue) 

《Descriptors》:

Adverbs: 如 (rú) - as，若 (ruò) - as, alike，宛 (wǎn) - like / as though，

Verbs: 飞 (fēi) - to fly，  顾 （gù) - to think/consider， 怀 (huái) - to miss, to possess， 落(luò) - to fall, to leave behind，梦 (mèng) - to dream， 思 (sī) - to consider / to miss (someone)，忆 (yì) - memory， 希 (xī) - yearn / admire

Colours: 红 (hóng) - red， 赤 (chì) - crimson， 黄 (huàng) - yellow， 碧 (bì) - green，青(qīng) - azure，蓝 (lán) - blue， 紫 (zǐ) - violet ，玄 (xuán) - black， 白 (baí) - white

Number：一 (yī), 二 (er) - two, 三 (san) - three,  四 (si) - four,  五 (wu) - five, 六 (liu) - six, 七(qi) - seven, 八 (ba) - eight,  九 (jiu) - nine, 十 (shi) - ten

Direction: 东 (dōng) - east， 西 (xi) - west， 南 (nan) - south， 北 (bei) - north，

Other: 子 (zǐ) - child, 然 (rán) - correct / thusly

《Jade》: *there are SO MANY words that generally mean some kind of jade, bc when ppl put jade in their children’s name they don’t literally mean the rock, it’s used to symbolize purity, goodness, kindness, beauty, virtue etc*  琛 (chen), 瑶 (yao),  玥 (yue),  琪 (qi),  琳 (lin)

《Spirituality》

凡 (fan) - mortality 

色 (se) - colour, beauty. In buddhism, “se” symbolizes everything secular

了 (liao) - finished, done, letting go 

尘 (chen) - dust, I’m not… versed in buddhism enough to explain “chen”, it’s similar to “se”

悟 (wu) - knowing? Cognition? To understand a higher meaning

无 (wu) - nothing, the void, also part of like “letting go” 

戒 (jie) - to “quit”, but not in a bad way. In buddhism, monks are supposed to “quit” their earthly desires.

极 (ji) - greatness, also related to the state of nirvana (? I think?) 

[dunhamhairograpy]

First Person Shooter: Jade Blue Awkard

Mulder's voice cracks talking to Jade Blue Afterglow... "something not lost on Scully."

[vgperson]

Vocaloid Highlights: January 2022

You've heard of cosmic latte - now get ready for Cosmospice. Highlights Archive

========== Stand-Outs ========== Owl Lead Part Raku-Raku-Raku-Raku Smoky Quartz Farawhere Ego Eater The Fireflies Weren't There Crackrackrack Become Air Crawl Cocoon Seclusion DAFT Theme of Smiley^^ Survey Team Ultra Elegy Disappear Nightmare Cosmospice Spinning Melo-Melody♪ Exciter Post Shelter

========== Worth Your Time ========== Confusion Because I Had to Go Believe in God. Withered Camellia Even If We're Freezing, If We're Together, Hellfire of Oblivion Alice in Neon City Breathtakingly Coelacanth Frozen Love Song Earthly Desires Salamander From a Walk Lapis-Lazuli Caramelize Inorganic Pluto Cynical Dystopia Favortism Wound Cultivation IMMORAL Advance Trap Glass Trade Daydream Pure Land Companion Floating Memory Sea and Sublimation Disconnect Alma Language Misa iris Afterglow Run Identity Demon Garden My Favorite Sounds Border Line I've Mist You Sapporo Reminiscence Don't Want To Look In the Mirror (Ugly) Rurareru Noisy Performance All is Non-Fiction Sweet Queen Irreversible Monster Twi Perfection Odoremi Daemon Bet Indigo and Summer Breeze I Was Always Searching For Hope Blue Weeping Once More Scheat Empty Roll Together With You Kaleidoscope Room Puzzle Sorrow Cell Emergency Landing Full Moon Night Desire Fanfare Neo-Tokyo Tell me why The Dying Girl Was Like Ice Cream Fallen to the Ground. Rolling Round and Round Corner of Existence unnoticed Varia Thyella Shangri-la and Requiem Shark Dusk Meldy Heartbreak Soap Game of Introvert-Life Indispensable Not So Old I Can't Move, I Can Still Go For It Paint the Background With Ultramarine A Canceller Lima Let's Spark Ahead Falling Into the Sky Want You Need You Make House in Another Dimension! Floaty Feeling Heroine? Distrust Electric Parade Dance Daybreak Maze paint the world Amid Revolving Days Biotope Falling Night Aria of Love Selfishness Teach Me Your Magic Goodbye Princess Rending Pure White Dejection Ever Flow Light Jade-Green Magic Waltz Ace Vertical Bunny Bop Duality ONESELF Aschenputtel's Rainbow Show Doze

[captainhotch]

Afterglow | Steve Rogers

steve rogers x reader

masterlist

based on this prompt list of Taylor Swift Songs

summary; a really solid mix of angst and fluff with a happy ending

I blew things out of proportion, now you’re blue

You felt guilty more than anything. Steve Rogers was quite possible the best person you had ever met. He was kind and smart and oh so caring. The second you met the man you were his, whether he knew it or not. And lucky for you, he looked at you the same way.

You had been together for about four months before the honeymoon phase started to fade. It was your fault and you knew it— you just couldn’t help the thoughts that started to bleed in. Steve was far too good for you— the same qualities that brought you in would soon tear you apart. You felt guilty, like you were holding him back. Your past was jaded where his was honorable, your intentions in shades of gray where his were black and white.

You weren’t a bad person, but you sure as hell couldn’t compare to the man you had grown to love. Like most heroes with questionable origins, you had gotten your powers through HYDRA— albeit not by your own free will. Joining the Avengers for you was a safety net, Steve joined as a call to duty.

You had a past of ruining the good things in your life. And Steve had a past of loving another woman. Those two things didn’t mix well.

You had convinced yourself that he was still in love with Peggy Carter, and in all honesty it wasn’t a very far reach. When he talked about his first love his eyes burned brighter than you had ever seen them. She too was exceptional in every way— a force.

It hadn’t come up until you and Steve argued one morning. It had started small, he had canceled your lunch date to help Bucky with something or another. Normally it wouldn’t have bothered you— if it hadn’t been the third time in a row. Or if Bucky actually needed the help, but the man was fine— he even said so himself. You knew what it was, it was Steve desperately clinging onto his past. He would kill himself trying to bring back an old Bucky Barnes who no longer existed.

Peggy Carter was a very large part of his past. She was his first love, his soulmate if those existed— so when he brought her up in the argument, all hell broke loose.

“It always comes back to her,” you laughed incredulously, though there was no humor in it, “unbelievable.” You ran a hand down your face as you sat at the edge of your bed.

“What is that supposed to mean?” He questioned, face red with anger as he stopped in front of you. This was by far the biggest fight you’d ever had.

“I will never measure up to the memory of Peggy Carter. In your head she’s the perfect woman. I can’t compete.” You wanted so badly to cry, eyes so thick with tears you couldn’t see Steve’s face. You wouldn’t let the dam break... just to spite him if anything. A voice inside your head reminded you that Steve wouldn’t receive any satisfaction from your crying. He was good like that.

Put you in jail for something you didn’t do

“I don’t want you to.” He stressed, kneeling down in front of you, “I just want you to be honest with me. To tell me how you’re feeling. When you’re feeling it— don’t just keep it inside until it boils over.” He placed a hand on your knee to balance himself, the other tilting your chin so he could look into your eyes.

When you blinked the tears escaped, granting you full vision of Steve’s own sad face. His thumb swept the tears away, keeping its spot on your cheek so you wouldn’t look away.

“I want to be with you. Not Peggy or anyone else. And I need you to believe me when I tell you that— I need you to know that I wouldn’t lie to you.” He reaffirmed, leaning his forehead against your own.

The heat from his body surrounded you like a blanket. You were always so comfortable around him, he made you feel so safe.

Thought I had reason to attack but no

“I just don’t understand,” you whispered out, nestling into his large palm, “you’re this amazing human being. You’re so good and I don’t get how you could feel all those things for me.” You paused, shaking your head as if that would unjumble your thoughts.

“And it’s confusing and I get in my own head and ruin things. I think me saying them hurts less than if you were to say them.” You confessed.

It’s all me in my head, I’m the one who burned us down. But it’s not what I meant, sorry that I hurt you

You hated how self-destructive you were. And you weren’t sure if being aware was better or worse— because you fell into your own trap every time anyways. You always ended up hurting the people you loved.

“You’re amazing. And brave and beautiful and you make me happy. It’s okay to hurt and to be broken, and I know it’s hard to talk about it. But I can’t help if you don’t tell me.”

You reached up, placing your own hand gentle at the base of his neck. You had never been seen in the way Steve saw you. He understood what it meant to be broken— to lose and then regain control of your own life. He knew you were hurting and wanted nothing more than to ice your bruises.

“I don’t wanna fight with you. But sometimes I feel like I don’t know how not to.” You admitted, pulling back so you could look into his eyes. This tears were back but this time you didn’t will them away.

I don’t wanna do, I don’t wanna do this to you

“Next time tell me when something is bothering you— even if you think it’ll bother me. I want to know. I’d listen to every thought that passed your mind if you’d let me.” He laughed quietly, resulting in your smile.

“I think I love you.” You paused, letting out a shaky breath, “And that really really scares me. I don’t wanna ruin this.”

I don’t wanna lose, I don’t wanna lose this with you

“I know I love you.” He smiled softly, pressing a kiss to the corner of your mouth, “And I don’t plan on letting you go.”

It’s all me, just don’t go. Meet me in the Afterglow.

[abyssal-memories-and-dreams]

Hello darling💖 May I request hcs for Azul, Rook, Leona and Malleus where their female s/o proposes to them - romantic setting with a fancy ring and all? What would their reactions be?

Hi, Luv! Sorry about the wait, but I hope you enjoy these headcanons! Just to clarify, all these headcanons will take place after their time in NRC so that all the characters are of legal age.

~The Boys’ Fem!S/O Proposes to Them (ft. Azul, Rook, Leona, and Malleus)~

~Azul Ashengrotto!~

Azul may not say this out loud, but he is very much grateful to have you in his life. Ever since you two met at Night Raven College, his whole world has brightened. And given his past, you’re one of the only people he’s opened up to aside from Jade and Floyd.

After you both graduate, you open up your own restaurant alongside the coast. It wasn’t difficult considering the revenue Azul obtained at the Monstro Loung, and the two of you successfully run it together. The restaurant is Mediterranean-themed with a hint of Athenian architecture, and the large windows can perfectly capture the sun setting on the ocean’s blue waves when the time comes.

You two just so happen to be walking down the beach as the sun began to set, your feet crunching upon the pale sand as your fingers interlocked with his. The moon was rising out of the other side of the world as the skies turned a variety of pinks, oranges, and reds. Truly a wonderful way to spend the day after long hours of work...

You suddenly stop in your track, removing your hand from Azul’s. He looks back, wondering why you stopped. With your hands behind your back and your eyes averting his gaze, Azul grows increasingly worried by this situation. Why were you not talking to him? Did he do anything wrong?

It wasn’t until you got down on one knee and pulled out a small, black, velvet box that you finally spoke to him, telling him how important he was to you, and how he’s made your life so much better. You reiterate your love to him, and with a simple question, you ask if he would like to spend the rest of his life with you.

With that question, you pulled the box open to reveal a ring lying in the cushions. The band is stainless silver with a sapphire gemstone in the center, surrounded by small, silver seashell engravings.

At first, Azul stood there, dead silent. It takes him a while before he responds to your answer, and even then he doesn’t utter a word until he already has his arms wrapped around you in a hug. He whispers in your ear how much he feels the same, and how he would love to be your husband till the end of your days as you slipped the ring onto his finger, ending the evening with a kiss as the moon rose above you to the night sky.

Were Floyd and Jade watching this entire scene unfold? Maybe. Don’t worry, though, Jade made sure Floyd didn’t ruin the moment for you two...

~Rook Hunt!~

Your relationship with Rook has been an interesting one, to say the least. Rook isn’t known to be quiet about his love for anything beautiful, and he is not afraid to openly express his love for you, even in the middle of the school hallway. Even if he gets a few weird stares from his actions, his words and actions of affection and love will always remain true for you.

When it’s time to actually propose to him, you’re actually not sure if you can pull it off as a surprise. As much as his antics may seem random, Rook is far from idiotic and is a very cunning man, so despite your attempts to be the proposer, just know there is a slight chance that he’ll do it first.

So let’s paint the setting for this proposal: It’s years after your time in Night Raven, and you and Rook have moved into a cottage within the Land of Pyroxene, right next to a small forest for him to hunt from time to time. One day, you ask him to close his eyes as he followed you into the woods. When you told him to reopen it, Rook is greeted with a small picnic setup, the checkered blanket illuminated by the bright sun.

As you two have your picnic, you get very wary of having Rook do anything during your lunch date. Specifically, you’d always get something from the picnic basket, and wouldn’t let him touch it for some reason. He’s curious about your behavior but doesn’t question it, even when you tell him to turn around to look at a nearby tree for another moment.

Before you ask him to turn back to face you, you mention how your love has never faltered for him years after you two started your relationship back in high school. You thank him for all the love he’s given you, and subtly mention how you don’t want your relationship to end.

As you grab Rook’s hand, you ask him to turn back to face you. When he does, he’s greeted by an immaculate ring that you brought in the picnic basket. The ring is a golden, nature-styled ring with vines and small diamonds cut into leaves. At the center of the ring lays a shining emerald.

Rook, filled to the brim with joy, does not hesitate to take you in his arms and brings his lips to yours in a passionate kiss, making you nearly lose the ring in the grass below. He’s in utter bliss with the thought that he can be your husband - and to have you be his love, his amour - as he picks up the ring and places it on his ring finger. As he finishes the kiss, he vows to be an amazing husband as you lay together on the blanket underneath the sun. As much as he wants to go to all his friends and spread the word, he’ll be glad to do that later just to savor this moment.

~Leona Kingscholar!~

Leona does have doubts regarding any marital aspect of your relationship. Due to his upbringing as the second child, he doesn’t see his marriage as valuable to his family. Specifically, he doesn’t think his family is gonna make a big deal out of it compared to when his brother got married and had Cheka. He’s not opposed to marriage overall, but he absolutely loathes the idea that he might get compared to his brother again.

However, you’re determined to break through that troublesome mindset and show how much your love for him means to you. So one day, you arrange a date outside his home in the Afterglow Savannah. You don’t tell him where, exactly, but assure him that he’d love it.

When you arrive at your destination, he’s the first to walk into the amazing scenery in front of him. In the time spent looking at vast grasslands of the Savannah, Leona’s jaw nearly drops at an oasis in front of him, watching as numerous birds fly across the body of water as it's surrounded by endless, vibrant greenery.

You lead him into an area along the waters filled to the brim with small fish that swam without a thought in the world, shaded underneath a large tree in which you rested upon. Seeing this setting kind of reminded you of the times he’d sneak off to sleep in Night Raven’s gardens during classtime all those years ago.

And now that you had this oasis to yourself, you plan to bring out the best of this situation. Your carefully bring in Leona closer to you, making him rest on the tree beside you. Your enclose you hands around his own, embracing the warmth of them before giving a small kiss on his cheek. You express how grateful you are to have him in his life, and how you haven’t stopped loving him since your high school years. Most of all, despite all his doubts and his self-loathing for not being the firstborn son, you’ll proudly call him your king if it means that you can stay by his side.

With that, you let go of his hands before pulling a luminous ring from your pocket and placing it on his finger. The ring looks simple enough, but upon closer inspection is textured with braid-like engravings of gold, silver, and bronze.

Leona sits there shocked as he gazes down at the ring, not sure what to say next. After a while though, you finally get an answer. He smirks down at you, joking about how this should’ve been the one time he shouldn’t have slacked off on his duties. Albeit, he is a bit begrudged by how you got to propose to him first, but doesn’t let it get to him as he pulls you in for a kiss. He intertwines his ringed hand with yours as he comes to accept that you will become his wife one day.

~Malleus Draconia!~

In comparison to the rest of the bachelors, Malleus is definitely the most complicated man to propose to. Not because he’s opposed to the idea of you two being together - far from it, seeing as though you were one of the only people to even so much as approach him without fear.

The problem stems from the roles you pose after you graduate from NRC. Being the next King of the Valley of Thorns, Malleus is swamped with responsibilities as soon as you both graduate. He brings you back to his homeland to live with him in his castle, but you tend to stick out like a sore thumb among the fae crowd.

So for this plan to work, you figured that the best option to propose to him would be at around nighttime. One day, you woke up extra early so Malleus wouldn’t come to fetch you to accompany him for his duties. When he enters your room, he reads a note you left behind on your bed explaining you went to the market and wouldn’t be back until night. You ask that he would make time to meet you on the castle’s rooftop by then, but don’t mention why. 

He’s confused on why you left so abruptly, but doesn’t really put that much concern over your well-being - he knows that he can easily find  and protect you if things go wrong. So the day passes by, and you’re nowhere to be found, leaving him to his lonesome. Finally nighttime arrives, and he makes way to the rooftop like you ask.

Malleus immediately notices you standing next to a gargoyle - a reminder of him and his adoration for the architecture - as you gazed at the rest of the kingdom. You turn around to face him, apologizing to him for such a lonesome day, and that you wanted to talk to him just by himself. You explain how you’ve been considering major changes in your life, and how you’ve been wanting to be by his side more and more, reminiscing on the time at NRC that you’d never forget.

As you say this, you pull out a ring for him. The band is dark, almost coal-colored, yet shines just as luminously as the amethyst and diamonds that decor the top like a flower with its petals scattered. You look at him with an anxious look on your face, asking him that important question - to let you be his wife, and for him to be your husband.

Malleus is confused by this sudden proposal, since this custom isn’t necessarily normal for fae. However, once again charmed by your actions, he sees no reason to say no. He walks over to you and leans down for a kiss, taking your ring and placing it on your own finger. When he finished the kiss, he holds your hand gently in his, affirming that you would make a great queen for his kingdom. Will this end up causing a ruckus from some of his subjects? Maybe. Does he care? Not in the slightest.

[thecitythatdoesntsleep]

[Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 13] [Chapter 14] [Chapter 15] [Chapter 16]   [Story Masterlist]

(Tags/TW: implied/referenced nsfwhump, heartbreak, threatening, physical violence, plot-heavy chapter, cigarette burns, intimidation, Whumper vs Caretaker arc)

"Tell me again," Lukas whispered, gazing into dimly lit blue eyes. "Please, just one more time."

"I love you." Sang recited in an affectionate tone, pulling the human closer to him for a gentle, deep kiss. Fingers cradled his head, held him in a tilt for the passionate exchange until Lukas parted for air.

"I love you Sang," He repeated, lingering next to the lips that had just melted his thoughts and any attempt to form them. "When I get out of here.. We'll be together forever, right?"

A soft amusement from the vampire and he kissed the human's forehead briefly. "Forever.. but why should it wait until you're free?"

Question drew across Lukas' face but it was answered when kisses pecked down his face and met his neck. The kisses against his throat were slow, teasing, paused to allow lips to form bruises along a pale column. He couldn't bite back small whimpers and moans, body squirming as hands gripped at his waist and pulled him as close as he could get.

He was right on the edge, body trembling in pleasure as Sang held his thighs tightly around him. The vampire leaned close, lips met the pale throat and knew exactly how to topple him. He bit into the supple flesh and felt the human turn rigid in orgasm under him. Every pull of his lips, milked more sensation from Lukas and he gave such a pretty, cracking moan. He arched up into Sang, held onto him and raked nails against his skin in overload.

Even in their afterglow, they laid side by side and the blue-eyed male fawned over his human 'lover'. Pet through his hair, smoothed over a leg that had hooked back over his.

"I love you so much.." Sang whispered, pulling Lukas close to kiss the apple of his cheek. "My precious Lulu."

The human laughed fondly, peering at him through the dimly lit room to raise a brow in question. "Lulu? Is that my pet name now?"

"Mhm, so don't let anyone else call you that, okay?"

It felt natural, opening up and after such a long time, letting the vampire have his body. However he wanted it, which to settle the future sting deeper, had started so loving and slow. Sang took his time, mapped out every pleasurable spot, and marked it for later, taking the chance he was given to explore the fragile human. What pulled him apart, what made him tick. They talked for hours after, every time Lukas willing to reveal something else that Sang found interesting enough to mentally note.

When he saw the dazed look of burning lust, of adoration regularly appearing in rich jade eyes...

He knew he could do whatever he wanted to Lukas and get away with it, until he was bored and sick of him.

As soon as he had the pathetic little human in such deep love with him.

When Lukas finally woke from his dreams, he was left staring at an empty bed and a dark room. At some point, Val had both crawled in to sleep with him and gotten up to leave without him knowing. The vacancy of the space left a slight room for freedom. The freedom for him to weep over the dreams he'd surfaced by his admission to the vampire, who'd been there prior.

As long as he had the chance to sleep, he'd take it.

"Andreia, I need you to be honest with me." Mina insisted, sitting across the kitchen table and sipping at a hot cup of coffee. "I know you want to spare my feelings but I know something happened that night and I also know that you were there."

"Mina, if your body will let you forget things that trigger you, why won't you let it?" She pleaded in earnest, dishing eggs from a pan to serve herself breakfast.

"I remember so much but nothing at the same time. I know I went somewhere and I can only assume I went to see Lukas. Because where else do I go, Andi?" The vampiress argued, "I can figure it out and gauge it with your heart if I have to."

Andreia shot her an irritated gaze past the rim of her cup and took a long sip to buy more time. "You went to see Lukas and from what he said, he bit you. He wanted your blood, so he bit you."

As she spoke Mina's brows pinched in earnest to remember what had happened. Prior to her freezing, prior to being triggered past her control. There had to be something, something scary to make her shut down.

"What else did he say?" She inquired from the human, watching her take her seat with her food and give her another prolonged scowl.

"Not much, Desmond knocked him two good ones and-...He said you smelled like someone he knew. Which is crazy because he gets loads of traffic-"

"Sang. It's fucking Sang!"

"Mina! Wait! Where are you going?!" Andreia jumped up in concern as the vampiress fled, tearing off the barstool and snatching up clothing to put on as she wove through the house with purpose.

By the time Mina had made it to the gallery, she was fuming. Power forced every step to the ground and she practically marched past the doors and into her work-space. She'd barely dressed, thrown on jeans and a hoodie she wasn't sure of the owner, shoes that weren't appropriate for the weather. Her hair was frizzed, eyes still wore slight rings of mascara and liner from the day prior.

More importantly, she was angry. Visibly angry.

The entire venue was quiet, save for the handful of artists working in their corners and Mina stormed through like a bat out of hell. When she came to the corner Sang owned and met eyes with the black-haired man, she stopped just a few feet shy of him.

"We need to talk. Outside, preferably." She insisted and the man gave her a feigned look of inquisitive expression.

"Yeah- Mina, what's up?" He knew something was wrong, having seen her so professional and now, she looked like shit. He'd never tell her but it was obvious she'd cried for a long time, given the smears of inky, dried fluid.

They went out the back exit and as soon as he left the gallery, he lit up a smoke from his back pocket and tried to fight the smirk he wanted to give. She turned around with such determination like she'd just cracked the ultimate case and he was about to be jailed.

She was a stupid bitch if she thought she was going to threaten him.

What she said, though, surprised him and stole the thunder from his sails.

"I'm warning you Sang, if you don't want an enemy, you'll stop torturing Lukas."

He scoffed, flicking his ash towards her and taking a long drag while stepping closer. She was weak, despite what she was trying to show him. He knew better. She was absolutely terrified and he could smell it dripping off her skin.

Sang closed in with a final step and gave her a long, slow grin. Smoke slithered out with every push of spoken word and ghosted across her face. "You don't scare me, little girl, Lukas has been mine for a lot longer than you've had a crush on him."

Mina didn't budge, flame warming the cores of her eyes the longer they stared each other down. She watched the centers of blue fuse with energy and yet stood in defiance in front of him, daring to reflect her own power.

"If he's yours, why do you leave him at the club? A pathetic way to keep your obsession, if you ask me." The woman plucked the cigarette out of the other vampire's hand and the power move left him in slight shock. He stared, brows furrowed as he watched her pace away and rest the smoke between her teeth to listen to him speak.

"They make it easy to keep tabs on him, I wouldn't want that thing in my house, so the club is the next best choice." Sang dug now, trying to see if he could spark anger in the woman, so much so it might blind her. Make her act out before she thought and he could at least have her arrested.

"Plus other people help keep him in line and do the dirty work for me. I just get to come in and make it better or make it worse." He watched her like a hawk to prey, as she spun on her heel to face him, had a spark in her eyes that hadn't been there prior. She was a lit fuse but he didn't know just how long it would be before she'd explode.

"I'm really trying, Sang. If you're sitting there telling yourself that a century makes a difference between us, you're going to be wrong." She warned, flicking the smoke in her hand free of clinging ash and taking a rejuvenating puff to keep the cherry hot. "All I'm asking is that you find someone else, a new obsession, another prize."

Sang let out a devious chuckle and crossed the space between them once more, this time, reaching out to grab her chin with an upturned hand. He dug his long fingers into the hollows of her cheeks and she gave him a cold, enraged stare. She'd gripped his wrist and turned rigid, posed like she'd flee any moment.

"If you think for a minute, you can beat me in strength or experience, Mina.." He growled, nails piercing her cheeks with thin cuts. "I'm older than you, I'm bigger than you and I'm a lot fucking nastier than you are."

"You're a monster, is what you are." At the end of her sentence, she spat on him, right in the face that mocked her with such a menacing grin.

No sooner had he recoiled to try to diffuse his rage, she crushed the cherry of the cigarette into the soft hollow of his cheek. Right where blood marked her healed injuries from his nails.

"You're going to wish you'd never fucking done that, bitch," He seethed through gritted teeth, watching her wipe the blood off her face with her dark sleeve.

"Right now you're lucky it was just a cigarette," Mina threatened, "Just because I'm afraid, doesn't mean I won't fight dirty Sang. I've already killed one of you in this life and I can do it again."

"For every corpse on your hands, I bet I've killed ten." Sang leered, " You just watch your back and play nice until we part ways."

"You keep your fucking hands off Lukas and pick on someone your own species. If you want a fight, you can take it up with me." The vampiress was bold but she had enough confidence to make him ache with the thought of breaking her. If a human was fun, she would be even better. The way she puffed out her chest, stood with her shoulders back like she was trying so hard to assert such physical cues of dominance.

"If you insist. But you can't take it back, now that you've offered."

Oh. Mina, Mina, Mina. You're going to regret saying that and I'm going to have so much fun making you regret it.

-

Taglist: @whumpy-writings @thecyrulik @wolfeyedwitch

(If anyone would like to be added or removed, just drop a comment/ask.)