#keyboard warrior and novel warrior

[wavesoutbeingtossed]

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[deus-ex-mona]

yurusanta: the ✨gift✨ that keeps on ✨giving✨

[cheriecelestial]

Jacob Black's Self Saving System Pt.1

disclaimer *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ crack.swearing.not proofread

synopsis *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ Jason, a self-proclaimed no. 1 Stephenie Meyer hater, finds himself unexpectedly transmigrated into the very novel he disdained. Following this ironic twist of fate, he is now tasked with the challenge of creating a better version of the story himself.

a/n *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ Inspired from @duckysprouts ’s series. It’s so good ⁉️‼️. If you haven’t seen it already, PLEASE GO CHECK IT OUT. Like finally svsss content that isn’t shizun sphinx cats or binghe skin creature abomination. Art and concept so fresh it made my heart cry with joy and pulled me out of my three-month long writing slump. So, I humbly present this as an offering to our lord and savior, Ducky. Comment, Reblog and Like (∩˃o˂∩)♡

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer was a modern classic in its renaissance era with a large cult that loved to hate it. Set in a place with relentless rain, mist shrouded forest and an ethereal light piercing the gloom — the light being the one of only Edward Cullen. Though the statement is subject to fan bias — he was a man, rather sparkly vampire, who somehow managed to be both irresistible and perpetually constipated. 

Nonetheless, his charms never overshadowed the stellar performance of our female lead, Isabella Marie Swan— better known as Bella — a teenager who gained worldwide fame for having a personality less vibrant than a wet cabbage. Together, they navigated the perilous world of teenage angst, vampire baseball, millenia old racist italian politicians and werewolves with a curious t-shirt allergy, all in an impressively monotone palette.

It was a heartwarming tale that began with awkward stares, cryptic yet nauseatingly clichéd conversations and Bella’s inexplicable attraction to danger, making the romance as thrilling as it was perplexing. Meanwhile, the supporting cast of her high school friends, each with their own irrelevant quirks and subplots, served as convenient plot devices — appearing and disappearing at the whim of the author.

And as if her love life wasn’t tumultuous enough, Bella befriended Jacob Black. A werewolf who, unsurprisingly, hated all things vampire and Edward Cullen in particular. Between Edward’s brooding, Jacob’s abs and Bella’s classic damsel-in-distress antics that made poor Elena Gilbert seem unremarkable by comparison — the story unfolded with the subtlety of a glitter bomb and reached unprecedented heights of melodrama. Something that helped the tale become a global phenomenon, demonstrating that improbable love stories can indeed shine in their own sparkly “skin-of-a-killer” fashion.

“This has to be the worst piece of literature I’ve ever read in my life.” Those were strong words from a man who spent years and at least six hundred dollars collecting softbacks and hardbacks in every special and limited edition the series offered. Jason Black was an anti-fan who lived to scoff at the literary mediocrities of authors who, after taking one look at their drafts, believed they deserved to be released into the world as actual literature. Such people, often inspired by similar works, spawned their own deranged narratives, subsequently contaminating the sanctity of literature. 

In layman’s terms, Jason was a fervent hater of the highest order. He had a long list of things he despised about the series, yet curiously, re-watching the movies and re-reading the books always found its way to the top of his to-do list every other weekend. But do not get him wrong, not once did he say anything in favour of the series. Jason simply considered it one of those brain-rotting pieces that needed to be experienced to truly appreciate the beauty of classics like Emily Brontë and Jane Austen.

_username_1 : Bruh stfu. You’re probably an unemployed loner with nothing better to do in life than to be a keyboard warrior.  

_username_2 : then idk buddy don’t read it ? It’s not that hard. 

Jason huffed at the screen crossily, his fingers dancing over the keyboard unsure of what to type next. With a sigh, he stretched his arms as if preparing for battle. And a battle it was — being an anti-fan required more dedication, practice and patience than being a regular fan. What he didn’t realize was that he had knocked a water bottle off the table onto the frayed cord of his PC.

He couldn't fathom why people defended it as if their lives depended on it. If he ever met Stephenie Meyer, Jason would have a long talk with her about the plot—or rather, the lack thereof. With the number of plot holes in the books, they could qualify as swiss cheese. The inconsistencies were glaring: if sunlight made them sparkle, wouldn't they still sparkle during the day, just less brilliantly ? How did Jasper and Alice not overhear the phone call despite having super-hearing ? Why did Jasper go ballistic over a papercut when he attended a school where students would get paper cuts and scrapes all the time ? Why were vampires and werewolves the only species to exist ? And why was Bella, or more specifically her blood, so exceptional ? Did she perhaps descend from a line of flavourful blood havers or was it due to her mother's partial albinism ?

Was she special because she was the female lead, or was she the female lead because she was special ? There were so many unanswered questions and half-assed excuses for the events in the story that most explanations came from clever fans trying to make sense of things the author clearly put no effort into planning or thinking through. These questions had plagued him since he first read the series, and the lack of satisfying answers only fueled his irritation. So much so that Jason was embarrassed for the author. Regardless, he didn’t like the direction this conversation was going so he did what any intelligent person would do, i.e., spew hate comments and log off. 

edward_my_bbg : Dumbfuck novel, Dumbfuck author 

And as if on cue, a new notification popped up, dragging him back into the fray. It was another comment, this time mocking his apparent obsession with the series he claimed to hate. Jason’s face flushed with irritation as he furiously typed a retort, but before he could hit send, his screen flickered and went black. 

He looked down and realized the water bottle he had knocked over had short-circuited his PC. With a groan, Jason leaned back in his chair, staring at the dark screen. It seemed the universe had decided to give him a break from his self-imposed battle. His hand fumbled in the dark for the plug only to feel water on the surface. The sharp pain and crackle of electricity were the last things he knew before he plunged headfirst into endless darkness.

[Activation Code:「Dumbfuck Author, Dumbfuck Novel」 ]

[System activated] 

[Pairing command successful]

“What system ?” Jason asked out loud into the void even though he knew that it was most likely a figment of his imagination. He hadn’t expected to receive a reply however he did receive one much to his surprise. 

[Welcome to the system. During the opening of the 「you can you up」system currently in its development phase, we wish to provide you with the best experience. It is our sincere hope that during the process, you will achieve what you have stated: to transform a piece of stupid writing in accordance with your wishes into a high-end, expansive, and classic work. We wish you happiness.]

Jason blinked, trying to make sense of the message. He glanced around the dim room, half-expecting to see some kind of holographic interface or futuristic display but there was nothing. Just the voice in his head and the darkness. “What the hell is this ?” he muttered, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity.

[You have been selected to participate in the beta phase of the 「you can you up」 system. Your task is to improve the story you despise, turning it into a masterpiece. All resources and guidance will be provided to you. Do you accept this challenge ?]

Jason hesitated, the situation seemed absurd, yet a part of him was intrigued. As he sat in silence, a thought occurred to him—what if he could actually fix all the plot holes that drove him up a wall ? Maybe this was his chance to prove he could do better. But then, the possibility of all of this being real seemed too slim. How did he get here ? What happened to him after the electric shock? Was he dying, or was he already dead ? "And if I don't accept ?" he asked, uncertainty and fear bleeding into his voice despite his attempt at maintaining his composure. The system responded quickly in the same mechanical tone as before.

[Your connection between your former body and soul was severed before the initiation of the program. If you choose not to accept, you will be returned to your previous reality with no changes made. This opportunity is unique and will not be offered again.]

“Severed from my body ? Wait— doesn’t that mean I’ll die if I don’t accept ?” Jason's question hung in the air, met with nothing but silence from the system. The lack of response only confirmed his fear.

The system's silence was deafening, seemingly pressing him to make a decision. Realizing he had little choice, Jason took a deep breath. “Fine, I accept,” he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. How bad could it possibly be ? 

[Command acknowledged. Initializing story rewrite mode.]

The void around him began to shift and wrap. Till now he felt as though he was floating with no sensation except the system’s sound. His reality dissolved into swirling colours and Jason felt himself being pulled into a vortex. When the chaos settled, he heard a man’s voice call out to him. Unlike the clinical tone of system, this voice felt comforting and personal. He could feel tender warmth run through him however he couldn’t quite figure out what the voice was saying. 

“Son ? Can you hear me ?” 

“Dad ?” Jason murmured involuntarily, his voice hoarse as if he had just woken up from a long sleep. The gravel in the voice reminded him of the joys of his childhood when his dad was still — wait a second. Who the hell is that ?

His eyes struggled to focus as his eyelids fluttered a few times. Eventually, he was able to make out his surroundings. The first thing he noticed was the ceiling. Unlike the damp ceiling of his old apartment with its peeling plaster and harsh lighting, this one had old glow-in-the-dark moon and star stickers. It wasn’t familiar, but it seemed oddly comforting, like he had known it all his life. He slowly turned his head and saw a middle-aged man sitting on a wheelchair beside him with concern clouding his face. The man's russet complexion was lined with wrinkles yet his hair was long and lustrous.

“Where am I ?” 

“You’re at home. You’ve been asleep for so long, it’s alright if you’re confused. Take your time son.” The man he called ‘dad’ answered sincerely.

Jason’s mind raced as he tried to piece together what had happened. The familiarity of the room and the comforting presence of the man didn’t align with the reality he remembered. In that moment, everything came back to him—his death, the void, the system, everything. Jason went into what could only be described as psychological shock. His brain went on autopilot.

The man reached out to grab Jason’s hand, but Jason flinched and pulled away. Slivers of hurt flashed in the old man’s eyes as he slowly withdrew his hand. Jason hadn’t meant to react so harshly, but the information dump combined with the influx of sensory input, he was simply too overwhelmed to cope.

“I-I think i need some space. Do you mind ?” Jason spoke each word carefully, then added, “...dad,” feeling strangely guilty for hurting his feelings. The old man nodded slowly and wheeled himself out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Jason jumped out of bed and ran to the mirror. "Who the FUCK is this?"

Staring back at him was a boy, fifteen or sixteen, with the same russet skin as the old man and glossy black hair that looked like it belonged in a shampoo commercial. Recognizing the features, Jason knew this could only be one person.

 [System activation successful ! Binding your role as : Jacob Black]

[System : Booting Up]

Jason, now Jacob Black, stared at his reflection in disbelief. The reality of his situation hit him like a shit ton of bricks. He brought his fist to his mouth and sobbed into it, and here he thought college was devastating. “But I’m Team Edward,” he choked out between sobs. “That’s so fucked up.”

[Thank you for initiating the execution of the system. You are not bound with the account ‘Jacob Black’. All resources and guidance will be provided to you in due time. Initial B points : 100]

Jason—Jacob—felt a rush of confusion and frustration. “Now what the hell are B points ?!” he yelled, his voice reverberating off the walls of the unfamiliar room. The loudness of his own voice startled him, making him realize just how different everything felt in this new body.

[As the plot progresses, a number of opportunities to gain more points will be available. Please make sure your B points are not lower than 0. Otherwise, the system will automatically impose penalties.]

He stumbled back from the mirror, running a hand through his hair, which was definitely longer and thicker than he remembered. He could feel the strength in his limbs, the vitality of youth coursing through him. Yet, despite the physical vigor, his mind was in turmoil. He had transmigrated into the very novel he hated; the universe always seemed to have a field day when it came to ruining his life. Jacob looked around the room that was littered with the relics of a life he had to now live — a cozy bed with rumpled sheets, a desk cluttered with schoolbooks and posters of motorcycles, bands and scenic landscapes on the walls.

“Um, so is Bella here ?” Jacob asked, scarfing down the bacon his dad made for him. Despite stressing over the role he was supposed to play in the story, he quickly adapted to his new life. He had a family, a house to live in, no worries about finding employment, no bills or taxes, a social life—or at least he assumed he had one—and, most importantly, no backaches. In hindsight, this might not be all that bad.

“Oh, you remember that ? Charlie said she’s arriving in a couple of days,” his dad, Billy, replied. Jacob felt a strange mix of anticipation and relief. Unlike most unfortunate transmigratees, he had no death flags to worry about, so he could sit back and watch Bella and Edward fall in love without “Jacob” interrupting them. Maybe he could even make things easier for Bella by acting like the perfect wingman. Who cared about making a better story anyway ? And once he had seen his OTP together, he could take his ticket out of town after the wedding and never return so that he could avoid the whole Renesmee business because some fates are worse than death.

[WARNING: Your plan is extremely dangerous and constitutes a violation. Please do not attempt it, or the system will impose strict penalties.]

Jacob choked on his water as the sudden warning window popped up in front of him. For a moment, he was so immersed in the domestic comfort of his new life that he almost forgot about the cursed system. His father looked at him with concern.

“Water went down the wrong pipe, that’s all. Nothing to worry about,” Jacob said awkwardly, trying to reassure his father. So you can read minds now ? He internally taunted the system.

[It is a feature designed to ensure maximum support for the user.]

“That’s bullshit. Also, what do you mean by violation ?” Jacob asked. Does this system really have no respect for privacy ? If he didn’t know better, he’d think it was some kind of Zuckerberg’s meta gimmick.

[You are currently at the beginning stage. OOC function freeze is activated. You must complete the beginning stage before any functions can be unlocked. If you perform any actions against the original ‘Jacob Black’ role before the functions are unfrozen, a certain number of B points will be deducted.]

Given his extensive time spent on the internet, Jacob was well aware of what OOC meant, and he knew it wasn’t a good sign. OOC stood for Out Of Character, referring to actions taken by a role that deviated from how the character was originally written.

“FUCK OFF. I’m an adult. I already finished my degree and Bella is like, a baby. And you can forget the whole Renesmee shit too. Bella belongs with Edward and and I have no intention of pursuing either her or her future daughter. So back off, you creep of a system.”

[WARNING: The system is issuing another alert. If your B points fall below 0, you will incur a penalty, which involves being automatically transported back to your original world.]

“You know, threatening me with death is really getting old,” Jacob stared at the warning message with his anger mounting. It felt like the system was encroaching on every aspect of his new life, imposing rules and restrictions without offering any clarity or real support.

He took a deep breath, trying to push past his irritation. There was no point in arguing with an automated system, especially one that clearly had its own agenda. Jacob decided to focus on what he could control. He needed to immerse himself in his role as Jacob Black and complete the introductory stage without attracting undue attention. The system’s warnings might be annoying, but he couldn’t let them derail his efforts to adapt to his new life.

As he finished his breakfast, Jacob glanced around the house. It was warm and welcoming, albeit a little messy, which was understandable. He and his dad were the only ones living there and according to his dad, he had been inexplicably unconscious for almost a week. Keeping the house tidy wasn't exactly a priority for a man worried sick about his son.

“Thanks for breakfast… Dad,” Jacob said, still not used to the idea of having a father again. There was the whole issue of stealing the real “Jacob” ’s life, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the guilt of replacing the memory of his own father by calling this old man his dad. But that was an existential crisis he chose not to mull over at the moment, especially on the precipice of the story's start. Call him selfish, but he preferred to focus on his blessings.

“I’ll go take a walk. I’ve been asleep for a while, so I need to… uh, stretch my legs,” Jacob said awkwardly, hoping Billy wouldn’t notice anything strange about his behavior.

“Sure thing, son. Also grab some red meat from the store for dinner. A growing kid like you needs that protein. And buy yourself something nice with the leftover money,” Billy replied, taking out his wallet and handing him some cash.

Jacob stared at the man in awe. As a kid who had bounced around the foster system after his dad died, he was used to being scorned and neglected. This might be part of the reason why he had become a social recluse, spending his time bashing bad literature and authors online. To him, Billy Black was the closest thing he had ever seen to an angel.

Jacob took the money, still feeling a bit dazed. “Thanks, Dad,” he managed to say, pocketing the cash. The air filling his lungs was much fresher than the pollution-riddled air of the city he used to live in. Nature seemed a lot nicer than he remembered. So, here's a lesson for the kids—don’t wait until you die and get transmigrated into a novel you hate to understand the importance of getting outside and appreciating nature. In short, go touch some fucking grass before it’s too late.

Almost as if by instinct he found himself at La Push beach. He wandered through the familiar yet new surroundings, trying to piece together his plan. If he was going to be stuck in this world, he might as well make the best of it. He thought about the story and mentally reviewed his plan. He would stay under the radar, be friendly but unobtrusive and focus on blending in with the locals. If he played his cards right, he might just manage to navigate this strange new life without getting points deducted by the system’s restrictions.

After strolling along the shore for a while, Jacob found a rock to sit on and watch the ocean. It was a stark contrast to the urban jungle he was accustomed to, this place was serene and almost idyllic.

“Ayo, is that Jacob ? Hey, Jake !” he heard someone call out. A moment later, a boy close to his age ran up to him, followed by one more. “Um, hey guys. How’s it... going ?” Socializing wasn’t one of Jacob’s strong suits; in fact, it was the exact opposite of the skill he had meticulously avoided developing over the years.

“Man, the whole crew was freaking out about you. You were out cold for a week and for no reason !” One thing Jacob appreciated about the system was the introduction tags above each character’s head. The boy speaking was named Quil, his cousin from the Quileute tribe. He knew these interactions were unavoidable, given their significance to his new role in the plot.

“Well, I got better ?” Jacob attempted a witty quip but cringed at how poorly it landed. To his surprise, the two boys just laughed. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Stop by Sam’s sometime; he’s been asking about you,” Embry said, giving Jacob a friendly slap on the shoulder.

“Wait Sam ? Right of course. Duh. Sam’s place. Got it.” Jacob replied, blinking in confusion for a moment. Sam Uley was the Alpha—or at least the to-be Alpha—of the pack Jacob was supposed to join during New Moon.

[Mild OOC warning]

“Ay man, you feeling okay ?” Embry asked again, noticing Jacob’s hesitation. Jacob froze, Embry Call was the real Jacob’s best friend and if he figured out that Jason wasn’t really Jacob, it would spell massive trouble for him.

Jacob forced a smile. “Uh, yeah. I just—” He quickly tried to think of something. What would Jacob Black say in this situation ? What does he do to feel better ? He racked his brain for answers, knowing he needed to play the part convincingly, at least till he found a way to unfreeze the OOC function.

Go bother Bella ? a small voice suggested. Bella’s not here yet dumbass, another voice countered sharply. After years of social isolation, Jason’s inner dialogue had evolved to the point where he could have entire discussions with himself. No, he wasn’t schizophrenic.

“—I was just going to grab some red meat to chow on and uh y’know, work on my bike,” he finished, hoping his voice didn’t betray his nerves.

Embry and Quil exchanged a knowing look, which made Jacob's anxiety spike only to burst into laughter. “Classic Jake. At this rate, you might end up marrying your bike,” Quil teased and Jacob laughed along, though he desperately wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out again.

“Just take it easy, yeah ? We don’t want you passing out on us again. By the way, there's a sale at the store on the other side of town,” Embry squeezed Jacob’s shoulder reassuringly again. The familiarity they seemed to share with him was comforting, even if he felt like an imposter. He knew he had to get up to speed quickly if he wanted to maintain this facade. They soon parted ways and Jacob headed towards the store.

The store lady was overly enthusiastic upon seeing Jacob. He couldn’t tell if it was because of his face or the fact that he was a regular. As Jason, he had always been below average in looks and physique. Whereas, by the virtue of being the second male lead of a popular teenage romance novel, Jacob Black was undeniably attractive. With his deep-set dark eyes, prominent cheekbones, and beautiful long hair, he looked like someone Jason would have envied. Maybe he could try his hand at modeling once the story ended, because there was no way he was putting himself through college again.

And as unpredictable as the weather of Forks was, it began to rain. Normally, Jason would wait it out and then go but now that he as in Jacob’s body, he thought to test his body’s limits. Like c’mon a little drizzle isn’t going to hurt a big strong werewolf alpha-to-be. He stepped out into the rain, feeling the cool droplets on his skin. It was refreshing, almost invigorating. Jacob’s body seemed to handle the cold and wet far better than Jason’s ever did. As he made his way back the store, he noticed people giving him friendly nods and waves. It felt strange to be acknowledged so warmly, a stark contrast to the anonymity he was used to.

At the red light he stopped, waiting for it to turn green. Sure, there were no cars around and he could have just walked, but road rules were no joke. He liked this life too much to risk having it taken away by truck-kun. “Hey system, is double isekai a thing?” he asked. The system didn’t reply, so that was probably a no.

Jacob glanced to his side and saw a person standing under a large black umbrella. A strong sweet scent pricked his nose. How strong does this guy’s cologne have to be to reach me even with the rain ? There was a name tag hovering above the person’s head, but it was obscured by the umbrella, as was his face. One thing he had learned was that only people relevant to the story had name tags over their heads, which meant this person was a character in the story. He looked down at the stranger’s hand—it looked like porcelain.

Jacob felt a sense of foreboding, creeping up his veins. His instincts were on high alert, telling him that this stranger was no ordinary person. The rain began to pour harder, each drop bouncing off the asphalt with increasing intensity.

The person probably noticed Jacob staring and as he did, the umbrella tilted slightly, revealing a glimpse of a pale, almost ethereal face with piercing golden eyes. The moment their gazes met, Jacob was momentarily blinded by a brilliant golden aura radiating from the name tag above the person’s head.

[Edward Cullen]

Jacob’s heart skipped a beat. Of course, it had to be Edward. What were the odds of encountering your favorite character on the very first day of your new life ? He felt his knees weaken. Despite the dim lighting and gloomy setting, Edward was undeniably striking. The rain seemed to fall more slowly around him, as if even the weather was reluctant to mar his flawlessness . His tousled bronze hair framed his face perfectly and Jacob felt an inexplicable urge to reach out and touch it. Despite all his criticisms of the novel, Edward had always held a special place in his heart for reasons Jacob couldn’t quite explain.

Damn, this mf looks anemic as hell. Maybe I should feed him. It was a half-serious thought, borne from both concern and his internal struggle to reconcile his feelings towards the character with the reality of his situation.

[OOC WARNING! OOC WARNING!]

[Edward Cullen is your enemy.]

“Fuck off, he’s my babygirl,”Jacob shot a mental retort at the system in exasperation and a streak of protectiveness. The system’s declaration that Edward was an enemy wasn’t misplaced given Jacob’s role in the novel but that didn’t mean it wasn’t at odds with his feelings.

Edward had always been his favorite character, a source of fascination and admiration. This was supposed to be his chance to explore and perhaps even improve upon the narrative, not to be embroiled in conflict with a character he held dear.

Jacob didn't even notice when the light turned green and Edward started walking away, his steps soundless on the wet pavement. Acting on impulse or perhaps some hidden desire, Jacob found himself walking towards Edward and grabbing his elbow, accidentally knocking his umbrella aside. Edward stopped and turned to him as the rain continued to soak them both. His gaze was like a sharp, unyielding beam of light, cutting through the rain. His eyes, an unusual shade of golden amber, held a depth that seemed to pierce directly into Jacob's soul, scrutinizing every hidden corner of his being.

[OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC! OOC!]

[EDWARD CULLEN IS YOUR ENEMY]

I’m so stupid — I forgot completely. Jacob and Edward haven’t met yet. Maybe… maybe I can salvage this ? Be a dick and still be nice ? He definitely didn’t want to end up on Edward’s bad side, nor did he want to break the system’s rules. Annoying as it was, the system was what kept him alive. Though he’d never say it out loud, he was terrified at the thought of dying, again. The system’s constant reminders of their supposed enmity were starting to grate on him, but he couldn’t afford to make more mistakes. What was a man to do when every choice seemed fraught with peril ?

Ack — he’s staring. Can he hear my thoughts ? I hope not. He and Bella meet soon, if I remember correctly so— Jacob’s anxiety skyrocketed under the weight of that gaze. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat drumming in his ears. A tight knot of dread twisted in his stomach and whether it was the rain or not, he could feel cold sweat forming on his palms. He needed to say something—anything—that wouldn’t completely derail the plot but also wouldn’t make Edward hate him from the start, even if it was inevitable.

“Oh uh — my bad, dude. I just thought you looked kinda sick so I thought — I mean,” Jacob scrambled for an explanation, forcing a nonchalant tone as he released Edward’s elbow. He felt like a small animal trapped in the headlights of an oncoming car, desperately searching for a way to escape unscathed.

“—Uh, here.” He shoved the raw steak he had just bought into Edward’s arms. The system fell silent for a moment, as stunned by his actions as Jacob was. The sound of the rain was almost deafening as awkward silence stretched between them. Edward looked down at the raw steak in his hands, confusion and surprise painting his features.

Without waiting for a reply, Jacob quickly turned on his heel and hurried away, his footsteps splashing through the rain-soaked pavement. “Later ! Get that iron up and be the lady killer you were born to be !” he called over his shoulder. After walking a few metres, he paused briefly and added,“ And seriously lay off the sauvage man !”

As he put more distance between them, Jacob’s thoughts began to spiral. What had he just done ? Did Edward think he was completely nuts ? Or worse, could Edward have read his thoughts and seen through his facade ? Jacob shuddered at the possibility.

[Why did you do that ?]

“I don’t know okay !? I thought it’d help with looking y’know less dead when he meets Bella.” He shrugged. Explaining himself to the system felt pointless considering it was neither his parent nor his babysitter. The system remained silent, as if considering his response, Jacob rolled his eyes.

[OOC ! -20 B points ↓ ↓ ↓]

“Oh come on !”

“Still staring at that bag of steak, Ed ?” The pixie-haired woman leaned over her brother’s shoulder, teasing him.

“Go away, Alice,” Edward muttered, his gaze still locked on the steak as if it held some profound answers of the universe. His fingers occasionally running over the plastic, making the blood inside to squelch against the surface.

“Seriously what’s up with you ?” Alice frowned, dropping the banter. Ever since Edward had returned, he’d been fixated on this bag of steak that suspiciously smelled like wet dog. What was even more peculiar was the fact that she hadn’t had any visions of this event. Normally, Alice caught glimpses of all the interesting things happening with her family throughout the day but she had no clue how Edward had ended up with that steak. And from the look on his face, Edward didn’t look like he was divulging anything either.

“Nothing just… trying to figure someone out.” Edward sighed. Alice was his favorite family member, and he seldom told her off but this was something he couldn’t even make sense of himself. If he told Alice, she’d likely blow the whole thing out of proportion. But despite everything, one question kept lingering in his mind.

Who was that man ?

A.n - should I make this into a series ? If yes please lemme know if you want to be added to the taglist.

[verdemoun]

How does the time warp gang find Mary-Beth? Do they go straight to where she died or did Kieran or Javier find her on AO3?

i'm so sorry y'all mary-beth is not getting timewarped she is too much of an important character also i love her so much i need to believe she lived a good life after the VDLs even though it was at the expense of not being in timewarp because even in my fix-it i am needlessly cruel there is no way for people to know the timewarp exists until they die

mary-beth became an insanely successful novelist she lived a happy life she just got to write there's no one chasing her anymore and as much as she loved and lost the gang she knows where they are she finds comfort in knowing they aren't suffering

shoutout to @synthsays part of a different au we discussed but she went back and bought shady belle and fixed it up really nicely. she gets to sit on the porch and write and look over the fields that are now beautifully maintained gardens and hold onto the good times with the gang.

she's the one who kept all the horses. she's a hero it was probably in kieran's memory but she found the gangs' horses silver dollar, ennis, maggie, old belle, branwen, even baylock (who got lost in the raid) and they're just lazy spoiled horses who get to graze and live peacefully.

she finds her own happiness she doesn't need to timewarp or be reunited with the gang she's okay she made it out

it's important she doesn't timewarp because over her life mary-beth is the one who preserves the truth of the gang. she writes them as characters in her novels and she has such a long and prosperous life there's so many details and books to scour over sure there's a fair bit of fiction but underneath it it's fact and it's her books that allow the gang to figure out who died because there's so many lies about the gang in papers and the gang members people didn't think about like strauss, grimshaw, karen, kieran, even sadie and charles like their deaths weren't newsworthy if not for mary-beth's novels they would have had no idea where to find them

just side tangent of course she picked shady belle because that's where kieran was when kieran timewarped even in modern day it's still just this beautiful, familiar old house that preserved as the home of the great american novelist leslie dupont aka mary-beth gaskill and he was in a garden with flowers and it was sunny and he actually thought he was in heaven until a security guard chased him off the property and he proceeded to have a bad time

arthur would have an ao3 account where he writes fanfiction based on her novels fight me he loves those sappy too realistic romanticizing outlaw books and he is the biggest keyboard warrior when it comes to people misinterpreting the characters

has no idea javier has an ao3 account because javier publishes his fics in spanish and arthur is a dumbass and never translates them fellas read translated fics they are so good

[cielettosa]

gojo vs Levi? wh's better i think gojo

Here we go again with the Levi vs Gojo circus.

Seriously, people need to find better hobbies than arguing over who is the fictional alpha male of the week.

It is like a never ending loop of pointless bickering that achieves absolutely zilch.

People just can't seem to appreciate both Levi and Gojo without turning it into a high stakes showdown.

Because, enjoying two characters for their individual awesomeness is apparently too much to ask for in this day and age.

Why settle for enjoying Gojo's flashy antics and Levi's badass Titan-slaying skills when you can waste precious energy pitting them against each other like contestants in a never ending popularity contest?

It is like watching a bunch of toddlers argue over who gets the shiniest toy in the sandbox.

This whole Gojo vs Levi debacle is nothing but a circus act fueled by the fragile egos of fanboys and fangirls who can't handle the idea that maybe, just maybe, there's more than one cool character in anime

To all you tireless warriors of the keyboard, endlessly duking it out over this meaningless drivel, here's a novel idea: maybe try stepping outside once in a while. You know, get some fresh air, meet some real people – it might just do wonders for your perspective.

🙄

[dcbbw]

WIP Wishlist 2024

Hello tumblrs , and Happy March 2020-4! I’m still waiting for the new year to actually feel like a new year instead of a continuum of the year before it. Can anyone else relate? 

At the very beginning of the year, while battling a never-ending case of RSV, I saw posts here about people’s writing resolutions and goals for this year. Me? I have a wish list of stories I want to start, continue, and/or finish. I will still be writing original stories, but thinking this may be the year I settle down and write/publish my own Great American Novel. We’ll see.  

Meanwhile, below is a glimpse of what immediately came to mind when I thought to put this together. Where applicable, snippets will be posted. As usual, everything is in states of rough drafts and flux, and final publication may vary from what you read here.  

Newbies:  

These are stories that are in the creation conception stage; ideas, thoughts, some words.  

The False Queen 

A long ago battle between the True Queen (Ravika/Riley) and her usurper (Magda/Madeleine) resumes during the Cordonian Social Season. Think Xena, Warrior Princess with some time travel thrown in. 

Untitled 

An unlikely pair (Justin/Anton x Kiara) finds love during the Engagement Tour. But with Anton having other plans in mind, the path to happily ever after is anything but smooth.  

Wolves and Sheep 

Combining my Riam, Anton, and Secrets of Cordonia AUs, this is the story of the trial of Anton Severus.  

At the prosecutor’s table sits the Duchy’s High Counsel and Lord Rashad Domvallier. Folders and papers are stacked neatly on the table while the men converse quietly as they type on laptop keyboards.  

The defense attorneys sit at a table across the aisle from them: a statuesque blonde woman wearing a gray pantsuit and an African man in a pinstriped three-piece navy suit. The woman is reviewing a document, her pen occasionally scribbling on the paper. The man is speaking in hushed tones into his cellphone. 

Security is omnipresent: King’s Guards work and stand side-by-side with the local constabulary and guardians of the Court.  

A side door swings open; two guards, followed by the defendant and two additional sentries enter. The guards part, allowing the public its first glimpse of Anton Severus in over five years. The quiet of the courtroom is broken by rustling and whispering as everyone strains forward. Members of the Cordonian Court are no exception.  

A sneer of disdain twists the mouth of the Duchess of Lythikos, Anton’s ex-wife. Her fingertips unconsciously begin rubbing the area on her abdomen where his dagger tore her flesh. 

The King leans forward intently, his dark-ebony eyes hard as obsidian. His expression is stoic, betraying nothing. 

The Queen is sitting ramrod straight, her eyes wide. “Holy FUCK, he’s hot!” she murmured. “I could make that man a King.” 

Without breaking his gaze on his nemesis, the King lightly slaps her thigh, causing his wife to frown at him. “I said what I said,” she hisses. “I did it for you, I can do it for him.” 

“I was royal long before I met you, and King when I married you,” Liam reminds her in a slightly reproving tone, his eyes still fixed on Anton. 

“There you go, twisting the narrative,” Riley huffs as she reaches for her husband’s hand. He readily allows her to hold it. 

Affairiage 

I thought I was making Leo Rys and Savannah Walker leads in my version of Same Time Next Year, but it appears I’m doing a fanfic of 28 Summers 

Heartland 

Back in the Year 500 BC, I came up with the idea of a late 1950s period piece featuring the TRR crew, and promptly never said another word about it:  

Well, cauldrons are beginning to bubble, and plans are being made to rework plot and premise to turn this into an anthology series set in the American Midwest during an era where Dick Clark reigned, Jim Crow ruled, and innocence began to lose its bloom.   

Sixteen Candles 

Another story that popped into my brain and left just as quickly. But thoughts of Drake Walker as Jake Ryan and Liam as Long Duck Dong are back and this time, I don’t think they’re going anywhere. 

Small Town Secrets 

This was originally titled Life in a Southern Town aka The Political AU and was going to follow the political campaigns of five mayoral candidates: Riley Brooks, the incumbent; her ex-husband Liam Rys (they still live together in the same house and co-parent their two daughters), a former state senator; Madeleine, District A councilmember; Leo Rys, the dark horse candidate; and Drake Walker, Riley’s former (?) lover who calls her a demon and a plague on the town.  

However, life events and imagination are collaborating, and I am repurposing the story to include political intrigue, hidden secrets, and humor in inappropriate places.  

Debating if this will be a Great American Novel nominee, and whether to use OCs versus the usual cast of characters.  

Little Nobles 

A (somewhat) light-hearted look at the childhoods of my favorite noble gang, along with the friendships and rivalries between their parents. 

In Progress: 

Stories that are nagging me to write them/finish them 

City Girl, Country Boy 

Tis the season, and Liam finds himself alone on holiday in Manhattan where he runs across an old friend. 

From the corner of my eye, I glimpse height and dark wool; hands stuffed in pockets. Perfectly combed dark hair and Asiatic features on a half-shadowed face. I mentally shake my head as I continue walking. It’s been over a decade since we last laid eyes on each other; there’s no way it’s him.  

I’m disappointed that after all this time, I still search for his face in the crowd, that I still hope he will pursue me despite the different trajectories our lives have taken. My steps are quicker as I pass apartment buildings, skyscrapers, and storefronts gaily decorated in the theme of the season. Street vendors hawk bootleg wares  

I’m nearing Canal Street subway when I hear running footsteps behind me. Automatically, I step to aside, so I don’t get barreled over but the steps slow as they near me.  

“Excuse me, miss,” a familiar baritone says, and I stop walking.  

It can’t be.  

I haven’t heard that voice in 12 years, but I don’t need to look to know who it is. I turn anyway so my ears and eyes can be in agreement. I am hoping my expression is neutral despite my insides being a squirrel in traffic.  

He hasn’t changed.  

His hair is still black with that streak of gray on the side; his face still unlined. Or maybe the New York night softens his years. He wears a custom-tailored, black wool coat; his wingtips are so polished, I see the streetlamps reflected in them. His cologne is subtle and not the one I remember. He still exudes confidence despite the smidgen of uncertainty in his eyes.  

Me on the other hand, I am now more TJ Maxx and Macy’s clearance rack than Louboutin. I don’t smell expensive; more like affordable. My trench coat is … vintage, and long overdue for a dry cleaning. My shoes are a dull matte black, scuffed from traversing streets and subways.  

“It is you.” I hear his disbelieving whisper despite the throng of people impatiently jostling past us. 

The Odd Couples 

It’s throwback DC AU gang, all mixed up: Liam x Liv; Drake x Madeleine; Leo x Riley; Max x Penelope 

The couple was in Baltimore for the weekend, attending a costume party thrown by Liv’s employer. There had been a buffet, open bar, and a prize for the best costume. Which Liam and Olivia did not win; Carlos Santiago, a member of the Environmental Services team, along with his wife and three children came costumed as birds and bees and won the prize.  

Liam and Liv were The Ricardos: Olivia’s red hair was done up in Lucy’s signature poodle hairstyle, and her dress was a dead ringer for the world’s most famous housewife’s iconic frock. He had wanted to wear a tuxedo and carry a conga drum but settled for Ricky’s purple polka dot silk smoking jacket with shawl collar, black pants, and black velvet slippers.  

“I can’t believe we didn’t win!” Liam muttered beneath his breath as he came behind Olivia, arms encircling her waist; his palms splayed against her flat, toned stomach. She responded by leaning against him, her back pressed against his chest.  

“Don’t hate!” she admonished. “With those Korean features and Boston accent, no way were you a convincing Cuban band leader. Besides, you have to admit the birds and the bees is a pretty creative idea.” 

“Not more creative than my SOCK GAME! I mean, Liv … you gotta admit, it’s damn good tonight!” 

He was wearing black, knee-length socks with red hearts inscribed with “I Love Lucy” scattered all over.  

Olivia rolled her eyes in exasperation at the mention of his sock game. 

This man and his socks! He thought his sock game could cure cancer and bring about world peace. 

“You’re sock game is great as it always is, darling. But it was a costume contest,” Olivia placated in a soothing tone as his fingers began removing bobby pins from her hair.  

She spun around, facing her boyfriend. Her hair fell in soft curls that framed her face. Her green eyes twinkled as she pressed a quick kiss against his lips.  

“You big, spoiled baby,” she teased. “Wanna smoke? I brought a couple of blunts along.” 

Quickly, he shook his head. “No way am I going to be in BALTIMORE off some loud.” 

Alienation of Affection 

An installment of my Gritty City AU loosely based on true events where sneaky links and self-loathing collide. Reader discretion will be advised. 

Caught 

Inspired by a keysmash-filled convo with @ao719, a twist on the night of the Engagement Ball 

This is her first admission of guilt and/or wrongdoing our entire time together.  

She has no choice.  

I attempt a deep inhale, but my chest is too tight.  

The wedding is in one week. Tonight was our engagement gala.  

“Yes, Liam yes!!! A THOUSAND TIMES, yes!” 

I caught her … them … in the act. The woman I love madly, truly, deeply and the man I trust more than anything in the world.  

I manage to choke out a single question. “Why?” 

Her shoulders slump as her head falls forward, causing her hair to cover her profile. “It hasn’t been going on long; it started on the Engagement Tour. I told him in Vegas that what we had would have to end.” 

I watched her leave the stag party arm-in-arm with Drake Walker. My best friend, with whom Riley wanted to have a fling. She swore it was a one-time affair; she was too much in love with me, but she wished to satisfy her curiosity.  

I attempted to leave first, but I was not only one of the honorees, I was also King.  

Per traditional protocol, the King is the last to leave.  

So I remained behind, drinking copious amounts of American liquor, making small talk in a loud voice so as to be heard over noisy music, and dancing with women I had previously rejected.  

All while Riley spent the night with another man. 

“But it hasn’t,” I interrupt harshly. 

Based on Tumblr Events:  

Untitled Song Rewrite 

Based on Jill Scott’s Epiphany 

Sisters Someone 

A two-part story that brings together Sloane Washington and Kiara Theron for their respective appreciation weeks (hosted by @lizzybeth1986) 

Untarnished Silver 

For King Liam Appreciation Week (KLAW), a look at 25 years of the rule and reign of Cordonia’s favorite King 

The Grand Ballroom in the Palace’s West Wing had been completely transformed into an elegant banquet hall:  

Buffet tables filled with steaming trays of foods catered from two of Cordonia’s newest and most critically acclaimed restaurants: The Little Lamb, and its sister eatery The Commoner’s Crown, were conveniently placed next to open bars throughout the humongous room.  

Tables were covered with white linen cloths and topped with floral centerpieces of irises, Peruvian lilies, and magnolias in silver vases. The flowers represented congratulations and longevity, sentiments that had been expressed repeatedly to the King and his family during the tour.  

Balloon bouquets colored silver and cream floated near the ornate ceiling, as well as being tied to chairbacks. Dining tables strategically ringed the room, affording the 1,500 attendees a full view of the stage and podium. Life-sized photographs hung from brocaded walls, capturing moments of the King’s life:  

Accepting the Crown Princeship one week to the day his brother Leo abdicated.  

Coronation night, wearing the King’s crown, royal robes, and holding the family scepter.  

Feeding ducks at Lake Fabian with his mother.  

He and Riley’s engagement portrait.  

Their wedding day, mouths opened in laughter with their faces covered in cake and frosting.  

In a dressing gown, his back to the camera and face in profile as he held one of his sons in his arms. 

Atop a horse with a frown of concentration on his face, playing in a charity polo match, the camera catching his mallet mid-swing. 

Speaking with Chancellor Merkel at a summit, a half-smile on his face as they looked down at a document, his index finger pointing to something on the paper. 

He and Riley dancing at their 20th wedding anniversary party, her face nuzzled against his neck while his lips hovered above her ear. 

A funny family portrait, complete with exaggerated poses and expressions. 

The Couple Next Door 

A reworking of the 2005 action comedy hit, Mr. & Mrs. Smith 

Final Cut 

Based on the first three chapters of a Round Robin hosted by @choicesprompts 

Bertrand Beaumont turned off the microphone before shuffling, then paper-clipping his index cards. He glanced up briefly to see the group filing out of the hotel’s ballroom; a curious expression crossed his face when he saw a few laggers approach others, striking up conversations.  

What have I gotten myself into? 

Starting a public relations firm had seemed a great idea a year ago. With the Duke’s diverse background in fashion, finance, and political legalities, coupled with his penchant for decorum and obsession with appearances, it had seemed a no-brainer. 

Savannah was his operations manager, responsible for events logistics and administrative support. Justin Severus was his right-hand person; he had done a marvelous job restoring the Queen’s reputation after the unfortunate incident at Applewood.  

He stepped from behind the podium and briskly made his way off the dais, looking down at his watch as he strode through the room. Looking back up, he saw Justin leaning against a wall, waiting for him at the elevator bank. The closer Bertrand approached his deputy, a wide smile spread across Justin’s face.  

“You were great!” he greeted the Duke. “You kept the rowdies in line and gave them just enough to pique their curiosity.” 

 Bertrand pushed the call button. “This group is not what I was expecting. South American overlords. Hollywood has-beens and wanna-bes. AMERICANS! We’re going to need to double-check the mentor list again.” 

Bertrand had postponed the mentor/mentee matchup because it was not yet finalized.  

“It’s a hella group, for certain. The subject of an international child custody case, a lawsuit-riddled doctor, disgraced C-suite executive, Leo, Trystan, Olivia, a scandal-ladened starlet, America’s Sweethearts, Princess Marguerite, and Duke Dick.” 

Bertrand gave Justin a withering glance. “DO NOT engage in intercourse with the Princess!” he warned.  

“Too late,” Justin smirked.  

Bertrand shook his head before commenting again. “The Selection Committee must have been drunk when they approved their choices. Have the other members of Court arrived?” 

The elevator arrived and the gentlemen boarded. Justin’s index finger punched their floor number as he shook his head.  

“Not yet. A storm is coming in, waves are choppy. They should be here by 4, and that will be the last ferry into and out of the Isle until Monday morning.” 

Bertrand mulled over the information. “At least we don’t have to worry about anyone sneaking off.” 

Finish Them:  

So these are stories that are soooo close to completion, but I am on the fence with two of them; the others, not sure why they are still sitting around gathering dust.  

House of Cards 

Based on the international phenomenon Squid Games, this is the backstory of “The Salesman”. On the fence about this story, and more so about posting this one in the fandom. 

On this, the night of Day 2, the remaining participants were playing yet another “game”: Pillow Fight.  

Innocent sounding enough.  

Except everyone knew there would be a deadly twist, and all wanted to be alive in the morning. After realizing that this was a game to the death; overcoming the initial shock of a robotic doll the size of a fully grown tree whose eyes were infra-red cameras, and learning elimination meant certain demise … partners had already become opposition.  

Player 081 inadvertently set the match to the fuse. No one knew if it was intentional. No one cared. 

The middle-aged man, who was less than 48 hours into a dry drunk, muttered “fuck” under his breath as he stood on his top tier bunk in an attempt to press his palm against the glass pig’s underbelly.  

No one was sure why.  

Was he trying to steal the bank’s treasure? Or turn off the irritating light? 

 It no longer mattered.  

The money wasn’t his and now, it never would be. 

As pillowcases filled with objects such as rocks, sturdy tree branches, and in some …mere feathers randomly swung wildly, the white cotton slowly seeped red. Hollers and screams filled the room and echoed off walls and ceilings as beds collapsed from metal bars being snatched by the frenzied mob or being tipped over in the melee.  

On the other side of the bunker, a thin, petite woman who looked no older than a teenager sniffled, the tears she cried streaking a bruised cheek covered with the dried blood of a corpse. A young man lay on his side behind her on the narrow mattress, his cracked voice in her ear.  

“It’s gonna be okay, Soo-Ah; just four more games and then we can leave,” he assured her in a ragged whisper. 

The woman hitched her breath. “My pillowcase has FEATHERS, Sang-yul! If they pull me into the fray, I’ll be leaving here a lot sooner than four days!” Her body shook with silent sobs. 

The 23-year-old street urchin said nothing. Instead, he swallowed heavily and tried not to puke at the smell of blood, both old and fresh, assailing his nostrils. His arms tightened around Soo-Ah, his only friend in this hellhole.  

The pig’s lighting flickered faster and more erratically as the fighting grew more frenzied. Sickening thuds, bellows of pain, and the sounds of shoe soles squeaking against the blood and brain splattered linoleum flooring were as loud as bombs.  

Sang-yul chanced a glance over his shoulder, his body tensing at the sight of someone headed in their direction, their face pale and ghoulish in the broken light. A metal pipe was carried in one hand, a bloodied cloth sack in the other.  

Coal black eyes darted everywhere looking for a victim.  

Less players meant more money. 

Sins of the Father 

A Gritty City AU installment. Reader discretion will be advised. 

He met Madeleine at her car door, his lips crashing uninvited against hers in a kiss filled with desperation and disbelief. When the kiss ended as abruptly as it began, Madeleine adjusted her tortoise-shell glasses while her green eyes searched Liam’s face almost warily.  

“What the hell was that?”  

“Someone killed Poppa Joe tonight!”  

Madeleine quelled a shiver that raised goosebumps on her exposed skin before reaching back inside the car for her purse. “Thank GOD,” she breathed as opened the rear driver-side door to release Hans and Gunther, who bounded out of the car and sat before Liam so he could rub their heads and murmur sweet gibberish to them. 

The restauranteur was yet another of Poppa Joe’s victims; when she was 15, the priest had gotten her pregnant. The scandal was handled quietly by the parish and her parents; the latter believed the father of the baby was an upperclassman named Tariq.  

The young blonde left school for one month due to “illness”. It wasn’t a complete fabrication. 

Madeleine’s abortion was a back-alley botch job which left her with a raging infection and too much blood loss. She survived but had to have an emergency hysterectomy.  

She no longer cared. When she and Liam were getting serious and discussing marriage and family, he was relieved they would be unable to have children.  

Tariq, the son of poor Moroccan immigrants, was transferred to an exclusive private school in the city’s North End, all expenses paid via a scholarship provided by St. Joan’s Academies. 

“How did the rest of the party go?” she asked quietly as they began walking towards the house, holding hands; her blonde hair bounced against her shoulders. 

Liam nodded slightly. “Good. We got Sloan Enterprise and slew of new donors.” His side-eyed his wife. “Where did you go with the dogs? It was supposed to be a walk.” 

Madeleine turned her head vaguely, meeting her husband’s gaze.  

“Ice cream,” she replied in a soft voice.  

Her husband nodded thoughtfully. The term was code between them; when situations became too overwhelming, too triggering, they said they needed “ice cream.” 

“I hope you brought me some back.” Liam squeezed Madeleine’s hand more tightly.  

“You don’t like chocolate.” 

The Queen’s Friendship 

Riley was chatting with Maxwell in the Delegates Dining Room at the UN, waiting for the gala to begin. Liam was at the head of the room, arm in arm with Madeleine. His eyes spotted Riley and he winked. Riley rolled hers and turned her back to him.  

“Blossom, don’t act like this! You know he’s trying,” Maxwell begged.

“WE’RE trying! He’s kissing his fiancée,” Riley retorted. Her eyes scanned the room. “Oh, look … there’s Drake,” she stated before walking away from Maxwell.  

Riley had no idea if it was Drake or not, she just wanted away. From Liam, Madeleine, Maxwell … Cordonia. Riley figured now was the time to make the break. She was back home in New York City. She still had her apartment, for the next month at least. She passed by elegantly dressed tables and came upon an hors d'oeuvres station; she paused to pile a tiny plate with even tinier bits of food when she heard her name.  

“Riley Brooks?” 

She turned, a disinterested expression on her face until she saw who it was. Riley hurriedly set her plate on the edge of the buffet table before wrapping her arms around Veronica.  

“OH MY GOD, Ronnie! What are you doing here?” Riley shrieked.  

Veronica hugged her old friend tightly. “It’s so good to see you!” The women separated. “You look great, girl! I’m one of the event planners, why are you here?” 

Riley shrugged. “I’m with the band.” 

Veronica shook her head in disbelief. “How did you end up with royalty?” 

“I answered an ad to be a waitress.” 

DC AU Series, Chapter 6 

The chirping of birds and a full bladder woke Riley up. She arched her neck, eyes still closed; they opened quickly when she felt arms around her waist and Liam’s soft snores behind her. Last night ran through her brain: their fight, their kiss, their confessions. Riley inhaled and let out a shaky breath; were they really going to do this? 

Yes. 

Was she ready for it? 

No.  

Her hands curled around Liam’s wrists, trying to pull them apart. He resisted at first, but let his arms fall away from her body. Riley missed their warmth immediately.  

“Where are you going?” Liam mumbled.  

“Bathroom and to take my meds.” 

“Your pill and a bottle of water are on your nightstand.” 

Riley looked and saw the pink pill sitting on a tissue, next to an unopened bottle of water. When did he do that? 

“Thank you. But unless you put a toilet on the nightstand as well, I gotta get up.” 

Liam shifted, allowing Riley to move and sit up. He watched her adjust her night shirt; his eye was caught by a mole on the back of her neck.  His finger reached out, touching it experimentally. Riley giggled as she shrugged away from his touch.  

“It’s like a potato bug,” Liam said as he tried to touch the mole again.  

“Oh, dear God! Don’t you have to go to work or something?”   

Liam lay on his back, hands behind his head. “Not going in today. You need me here.” 

Riley frowned at him as she walked past the foot of the bed. “I’m fine, Liam. It’s just Drake.” 

“Drake with apologies and explanations and closure. Different Drake than what you’re used to. I’ll feel better if I’m here.” 

Riley shook her head as she stepped into the bathroom.  

“This is what having a man who wants to claim you is like, Riley B.!” he called out.  

“We’re not there yet!” she hollered back.  

“Practice makes perfect!” 

Oldies but Goodies: 

New chapters/updates of old stories:  

Timing 

Object of Affection 

Betrayal (Riam) 

The Commonerr’s Wife 

The Commoner (not that old, but I too want a thrid chapter) 

One Night Stand 

UnRomance 

Streets of New York

Platinum (truly needs to be filed under Finish Them)

Best Friend (Depeche Mode Diary entry, needs to be a Finish Them)

Liara 

And these are my #goals for 2024 writing-wise. I hope something caught your eye, piqued your interest. For all those still hanging with me and exercising the utmost patience while I let life kick my ass, I LOVE YOU! Something’s coming soon-ish, just not sure what.  

Hope you’re here for it. 

Tagging: @jared2612 @marietrinmimi @indiacater @kingliam2019 @bebepac @liamxs-world @mom2000aggie @liamrhysstalker2020 @twinkleallnight @umccall71 @superharriet @busywoman @beezm @gabesmommie1130 @tessa-liam @gardeningourmet @mainstreetreader @angelasscribbles @emkay512 @princessleac1 @charlotteg234 @alj4890 @lovingchoices14 @lady-calypso @choicesficwriterscreations

[richonne4life]

Message to the fanfic keyboard warriors who leave nasty, disrespectful reviews

Let me be clear:

It's fanfic. It is free entertainment written by people who adore their ship.

No one is forcing you to read a free fanfic story. Fanfic is not written for your sole entertainment. Fanfic writers are not obligated to entertain one specific fanfic reader. If you don't like a free fanfic story that no one forced you to read, that's fine. I don't expect every person who reads Contractions of the Heart, or any story I write, to enjoy it. As a person with common sense, I don't expect to enjoy every story or novel I read.

But when you come across a fanfic story you don't enjoy, there's no need to be an obnoxious asshole about it. It's not difficult to not be an obnoxious asshole.

And how am I to blame for you not having enough sense to stop reading a story you don't like? That's a you problem.

There truly are more pressing issues in this world than not liking a free fanfic that no one forced you to read. Direct some of that energy to actual injustices in this world.

You have done absolutely nothing to deter me from writing the glorious story that is Contractions of the Heart.

Toodles.

[klkbass]

What Happened to Mako? (My Legend of Korra story)

I realized the other day that the Legend of Korra has been over for nearly a decade. Although many believe it is the inferior of the two Avatar shows, I have watched the entire series at least five times (maybe six). The biggest reason: Mako. Here was this handsome, cool, Firebender. I was a stan almost instantly.

After the series ended, I was disappointed with his outcome. I thought for sure he should be with Korra. So, I did what any good fan would do when they are displeased--I started writing my own version of events. The more common nomenclature: fanfiction.

It started as a Makorra story, but it wasn't NSFW or anything of that nature as many fan stories tend to rise. I wanted something that stayed true to the nature of the original cartoon. Something that could be shared with any audience similar to what "The Legend of Genji" was doing. Also, after reading the graphic novels, I wanted to further explore the ramifications of having humans and spirits living so close together. Thus, the question became, "What if Mako got cursed?" With his position as a detective, it could happen. It would also put him opposite of Tokuga. So, I wrote several thousand, thousand, words and, as things tend to do, eventually the story drifted out of my purview. It was fun while it lasted...but the seeds had been sown.

Fast-forward to San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) 2022. Avatar studios announce two new graphic novels. One to feature Azula, and the other--Mako; both to be released in the summer of 2023. I was ecstatic. After so many years we were finally going to get more LoK content and, more specifically, Mako content. That's when I decided to revisit my own story. Maybe it would have some similarities to what was to come. I rewrote the entire thing to be more canon. No longer was it Makorra. Korra could be there, but this was going to be his adventure. What started as a few chapters, evolved into what is currently around two-hundred thousand words of what happened to Mako after Korra.

When SDCC 2023 came around, I waited with baited breath for news of the aforementioned graphic novels. Azula's story was being pushed back to fall (fine), there was going to be a new story featuring Iroh and June (who asked for that?)--and that was it. No mention of the Mako graphic novel. Not even if it was officially canceled. It was simply non-existent. I was disappointed to say the least.

Alas, at least I had my own nonsense.

Then, a thought slowly began to build. I could share my nonsense. There are still fans out there who want to see more of Mako. Maybe I could find someone that might appreciate what I've done. No sense putting in all this work and keeping it to myself. I was hesitant of course. I've never shared any of my stories before. I'm hardly a wordsmith though I pretend to be one on the internet. After several months of waffling, I decided "what difference would it make?" I could keep it to myself where no one else would read it, or I could share it and maybe find someone else who might enjoy it. There was very little risk short of the wrath of the internet. Keyboard warriors are never shy about sharing their displeasure of things they don't like.

I guess, at this point in my life, I'm too old to care. (Don't ask my age!)

So, if you've made it this far, let me add my shameless plug. If any of this sounds interesting to you, you can find my story here.

Please enjoy, and here's to hoping we get something official.

[murasaki-cha]

Description:

“I just had to be a keyboard warrior…! I read a sucky novel and wrote a scathing online review only to then find myself in the body of the story’s most despicable side character”

Me: SHEN YUAN BRO IS THAT YOU???!!

The description is about this

[bits-o-stardust]

Novel Recommendation: Your Scandals Are Way Cuter Than You 你的黑料比本人可爱 (80 Chapters + Completed) (Spoiler-Free)

Talking smack evolved into a sport, a passion, a way of confession - that is the essence of this novel. Otherwise known as, two celebrities, one famous, the other infamous, bicker their way into a romance.

For all danmei readers out there, I can testify that this novel has taught me how to debate via the power of question marks and reaction images AND has fed me enough sugar for weeks on end.

Now let me artbait you～

Firstly, the MC (Jiang Ying) is celebrity who trolls himself and other people -- no one escapes his powerful skills as a keyboard warrior.

The ML (Qi Zhu) is a talented actor that is constantly defending himself from Jiang Ying's trolling.

The whole internet thinks their relationship is like cats and dogs, their fans tear into each other like vultures - but in fact, these two people were desk mates , childhood friends, and last but not least, they have big ships on QQ (yes).

Embark on a great adventure of trolling, acting and realizing that love is just around the corner! This novel has well rounded characters with interesting interactions, an easy to follow and grounded plot, tidbits of your favourite entertainment novel tropes and a lot of second-hand embarrassment. Every chapter, there is always sugar to be eaten, and a happy dose of bickering :)) also crabs make a special showcase if you like crabs.

When reading this novel, prepare yourself an isolated location just in case you burst out laughing and make others think you've gone crazy. (True experience unfortunately)

Link for those who wish to read:

If I say too much it'll spoil the fun. Fight on and have fun reading~

[onewomancitadel]

Books being churned out at hasty speed is not new, that was the heyday of the paperback when they were the predominant entertainment form, the halcyon era of sci-fi, so I don't think what has become of romance/romance fantasy publishing is at all new - even for romance itself the harlequins were pumped out in a blink - if anything I think publishing companies are leaping at the chance to be relevant again.

The difference between now and then is that the majority of people don't read for entertainment, so the audience is much smaller, and so what's getting shovelled out has to tailor to that small, loyal audience: this is why the stratification, the carryover of tags-over-story is so effective. Identifying your audience is key to advertising, cultivating a brand, brand safety, etc., and it is really, really convenient that the 'do you like Hades and Persephone? Enemies-to-lovers?' form already existed in fandom. That's why every other novel describes itself as a crossover.

Is it a bad thing? Like really, fundamentally, is it a bad thing? Is bad fanfic being carried over in poor form to original publishing? Can you even say that most original published authors are interested in reading books? Because every other fucking post I see on the Internet is from some self-identified gifted kidult who's too good to read a book but wants everybody to pay attention to their shitty passion project based on a fic idea they could never get to work because that would mean actually understanding canon.

I think it's easy to blame fanfic because fandom is home of the nerd. Like, really, I know all the normies deeply resent this fact, but fanfic readers and writers have a reputation of fanaticism for a reason. And it's easy to think that that geekiness is responsible for the ultimate laziness of corporate stakes. Do you honestly think they would pass up this opportunity to gain a foothold in relevance when people are reading less than ever? The average person barely reads past a headline they scroll past. People aren't even really going to movies anymore. The publishing industry dreams of when people used to buy mass market paperbacks for their main source of entertainment.

It's easy to be proud of your ignorance - the average keyboard warrior thinks this is noble political praxis - and I don't doubt that most of what I have to say in a stupid Tumblr post actually meaningfully contributes to anything. But I guess I'm a little tired of people pointing at fanfic as being the problem when I really don't think it's solely responsible. The type of ignorance that fic authors might loudly practise doesn't put them in a unique category to any other original work author with a groundbreaking take on a strong female character in YA fantasy. And there are particular facets to fanfic that are yummy prey for the publishing industry, highly stratified and categorised stories, devoutly loyal readers - people already with a tendency to passionate devotion, and quite often - already finished works with positive reception. Why would you not want to publish these authors?

And yes, I do believe fanfic is a different practice from original work. People take this to mean that fanfic is consequently 'not valid'; nobody ever said that. And yes, I do think there are consequences to turning it into original work, and if you're not aware of these you can stumble. And yes, I think it's a mistake to think fanfic is automatically lesser on account of it being fanfic and that original work is automatically superior, particularly if you're somebody who doesn't really like fanfic and then get surprised at how shit some new releases can be, and then you attribute that to it being retrofitted fanfic. I've read both. It's not just a fic problem. (This is what this post is really about).

Fanfic can be good. Original work can be good but it has commercial stakes at play and artistic fads to contend with - just look at the advent of 'windowpane prose' and the utter disregard for the basic crafting tools of narrative. When they crossover, weird things can happen, because of genre mismatch - fanfic romance or fanfic fantasy romance doesn't always translate well to its original work counterparts, particularly when everybody has been sold the lie that it's basically the same thing. There's a lot more going on here than 'the yucky fic authors are invading'. That's it. That's the post.

[govindhtech]

The Ethical Choice: Sustainable Electronics That Do Good

Salutations, eco-warriors and tech aficionados! From clunky mobile phones in the ’90s to sleek, multipurpose handsets today, technology has advanced rapidly. Sustainable Electronics are needed as devices improve. In this blog article, we’ll go into the realm of environmentally friendly and exciting materials used in tech devices and examine how they’re revolutionising the industry.

The Critical Need for Sustainable Electronics

Let’s start with this stark reality: the world is being overtaken by technology. It is necessary for work, pleasure, and pretty much everything in between. There is no denying the environmental consequence of our overwhelming dependence on electronic items. A few of the problems that need to be addressed include the mountains of electronic trash, industrial pollution, and resource exploitation. Let’s talk about Sustainable Electronics!

Introducing the Sustainability Heroes

The search for greener technologies has created new heroes: sustainable materials. Materials that decrease carbon footprint, waste, and preserve the earth. A few notable examples:

Bamboo: This simple grass is ecologically brilliant. Bamboo is water-efficient, fast-growing, and adaptable. Phone covers, speakers, and keyboards utilize it to give them an eco-friendly look.

Recycled Plastics: It’s easier than ever to literally turn rubbish into treasure. Recycled plastics are being used by tech businesses more often to make robust, useful items. This saves electricity in addition to cutting down on plastic trash.

Bioplastics: Corn and sugarcane are renewable substrates. Due to their biodegradability and reduced carbon impact, they are an excellent substitute for conventional plastics. Soon, additional the phone covers and accessories made of bioplastic should be available.

The Revolution of Environmentally Friendly Devices

Now that we are familiar with the materials, let’s see how they are transforming our beloved devices.

Smartphones: The slick designs and brilliant displays of smartphones sometimes conceal a dark side: they’re not particularly eco-friendly. However, businesses are beginning to alter because of sustainable materials. Phones made of bamboo, recyclable plastic, and even organic materials are now readily available.

Computers and laptops: These industry titans are infamous for their resource-intensive production methods. Sustainable manufacturers are using recycled aluminum to reduce the carbon impact of your everyday electronics.

Smartwatches and fitness trackers are sweeping the globe. Many have recyclable straps and solar-powered batteries. Reduces wastage and guarantees you won’t run without drink on your early-morning run.

The Revamp of Packaging

It’s not just about the contents of the box; the box itself matters. Tech businesses are using eco-friendly package designs. Eco-friendly printing inks and waste reduction are driving the emergence of sustainable packaging materials. To reduce unnecessary packing, a lot of businesses are now using minimalist designs. It benefits both the environment and your storage capacity.

The Advantages of a Green Environment

Green Initiatives in Technology

Aside from being a nice gesture, using sustainable materials in tech goods provides real advantages for all of us:

Minimize Waste and Reduced Environmental Impact: Tech firms may minimize waste and decrease their energy usage and carbon footprint by choosing Sustainable Electronics. Consequently, this leads to a healthier Earth.

Healthier Products: Made from sustainable materials, your devices are safer for the environment and for you since they often contain less dangerous chemicals. No more unfavorable chemicals seeping into the ground or soil!

Innovation & Creativity: Adopting a sustainable approach has forced IT businesses to be more inventive. Our devices grow even cooler as a result of their continuous development of novel and fascinating materials. A laptop with a pineapple casing or a phone fashioned from coffee grinds would be appealing to many people.

The Prospects of Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainable Electronics seems to have a bright future. The demand for eco-friendly devices is rising along with awareness of environmental challenges. It’s reasonable to assume that additional businesses will follow suit and develop novel, eco-friendly materials. A few intriguing developments that are only a few years away include solar-powered gadgets, materials that can mend themselves, and biodegradable technologies.

The Influence of Customer Option

The really exciting part is that we, as customers, have the ability to spearhead this long-lasting digital revolution. We make it very evident to IT businesses that we care about the environment by selecting goods made of Sustainable Electronics. Thus, when you’re in the market for a new device, think about its environmental credentials for a minute.

Final Words

To sum up, Sustainable Electronics are not only trendy; they are essential in technological goods. They minimize our influence on the environment, provide a lifeline to our world, and provide more inventive, healthier technology. It is up to us to make the proper decisions when the future of technology seems more environmentally friendly. So, one device at a time, let’s embrace sustainability in technology and contribute to the answer.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[my-weird-news]

🚀 Decoding Elon Musk's Unbelievable Success Secrets!

Musk: The Quirky Space Cowboy 🚀 Elon Musk, the real-life mad scientist and rich dude extraordinaire, is like the modern-day version of Ozymandias – just without the ancient ruins and desolate wastelands, and with way more Twitter followers. This guy is like the king of the nerds, ruling over a kingdom of electric cars, reusable rockets, and memes that sometimes make even less sense than his grand plans. Picture this: one moment he's dancing like no one's watching (but everyone is) at a Tesla event, and the next he's launching a car into space like it's just another Wednesday. He's so rich that his net worth could buy you a whole fleet of Teslas, yet he tweets like he's just discovered the internet. Elon's CV reads like a superhero origin story. He's the CEO of not one, but two major companies. He owned the social media platform that birthed keyboard warriors, and oh, by the way, Marvel used his swag to craft Tony Stark. Talk about goals! Remember when Elon first sashayed onto the scene? He had this epic to-do list: end climate change, make Mars a vacation destination, unravel the mysteries of the universe using AI, and maybe just save humanity in his spare time. No biggie. For years, Musk's fan club treated his plans like gospel truth. Sure, he hadn't taken anyone to Mars yet, but he did make rockets that are basically the Energizer bunnies of space travel. And let's not forget how he jump-started the electric car scene – he basically made electric cars cool, like James Dean for the environmentally conscious. To decode the enigma that is Musk, we turn to Talulah Riley's book – not because Musk was her second and third husband (seriously, that's more commitment than I have to finishing a bag of chips), but because her romance novel Acts of Love sounds suspiciously like Elon's life. It's all about a misandrist writer who falls for a biotech billionaire on a mission to save the world. Sound familiar? Musk's public image is like his secret sauce. Back in the day, he was as socially awkward as a penguin at a disco. He even worried he wasn't as glamorous as the competition. But this dude turned things around – he morphed from "Shai Agassi, Founder of Glamour" to "Elon Musk, Lord of the Universe." Elon's social ascent was like a rocket launch. He needed people to know him to buy rocket parts, so he decided to become Mars' number one hype man. It worked, and suddenly everyone was like, "Hey, there's that dude who's all about Mars!" Then came the infamous year of 2018 – Musk called someone a "pedo guy," smoked weed on a podcast, and tweeted that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private. Whoopsie daisy! Lawsuits rained down like confetti at a New Year's Eve party. But wait, there's more! In 2020, Musk said, "To hell with nice," and ditched his PR team. Now he's the press release king, and his favorite email response? The poop emoji. I kid you not. You know how they say a new Musk scandal a day keeps the actual news away? Well, it's kind of true. With a Musk controversy buffet, it's hard to focus on just one serving. It's like trying to pick a favorite ice cream flavor at Ben & Jerry's – you end up with brain freeze and no answers. So, is Musk a bad boss or are his employees just slackers? Acts of Love's Radley Blake could clear this up. Radley's a control freak who only fires people who don't give "maximum effort." His employees are so motivated they don't even need Red Bull to sprout wings. But in real life, Musk isn't exactly the "Employee of the Month" poster child. People report him stomping through Tesla factories, red-faced and firing folks like it's a carnival game. One executive said they had to stoop in meetings to seem smaller than Musk – like they were at a toddler tea party. And don't even get me started on workplace safety. Tesla factories were apparently more dangerous than your grandma's staircase in a haunted house. Musk's dislike for the color yellow (yellow tape, yellow paint) led to some questionable safety practices – it's like he's running a risk assessment in a Tim Burton movie. But Musk is a romantic hero in his own right. He's got a tragic past and a longing for love. Childhood bullies, check. Troubled relationship with his dad, check. He's like a wounded bird in a billionaire's body. No wonder he's looking for someone to save him from all that money. The dude's been married more times than I've accidentally sent screenshots to the wrong person. He's got enough kids to start a soccer team, and he's probably planning to send them to Mars for summer vacation. But hey, at least he's not alone, right? He's got Twitter, his second favorite significant other. So there you have it – Elon Musk, the eccentric entrepreneur who turned himself into the star of his own romantic novel. One minute he's making rockets, the next he's tweeting like a kid who just found out they can use their teacher's chalkboard. Will he save the world? Maybe. Will he keep us entertained? Absolutely. 🚀🎉# Musk: The Quirky Space Cowboy 🚀 Elon Musk, the real-life mad scientist and rich dude extraordinaire, is like the modern-day version of Ozymandias – just without the ancient ruins and desolate wastelands, and with way more Twitter followers. This guy is like the king of the nerds, ruling over a kingdom of electric cars, reusable rockets, and memes that sometimes make even less sense than his grand plans. Picture this: one moment he's dancing like no one's watching (but everyone is) at a Tesla event, and the next he's launching a car into space like it's just another Wednesday. He's so rich that his net worth could buy you a whole fleet of Teslas, yet he tweets like he's just discovered the internet. Elon's CV reads like a superhero origin story. He's the CEO of not one, but two major companies. He owned the social media platform that birthed keyboard warriors, and oh, by the way, Marvel used his swag to craft Tony Stark. Talk about goals! Remember when Elon first sashayed onto the scene? He had this epic to-do list: end climate change, make Mars a vacation destination, unravel the mysteries of the universe using AI, and maybe just save humanity in his spare time. No biggie. For years, Musk's fan club treated his plans like gospel truth. Sure, he hadn't taken anyone to Mars yet, but he did make rockets that are basically the Energizer bunnies of space travel. And let's not forget how he jump-started the electric car scene – he basically made electric cars cool, like James Dean for the environmentally conscious. To decode the enigma that is Musk, we turn to Talulah Riley's book – not because Musk was her second and third husband (seriously, that's more commitment than I have to finishing a bag of chips), but because her romance novel Acts of Love sounds suspiciously like Elon's life. It's all about a misandrist writer who falls for a biotech billionaire on a mission to save the world. Sound familiar? Musk's public image is like his secret sauce. Back in the day, he was as socially awkward as a penguin at a disco. He even worried he wasn't as glamorous as the competition. But this dude turned things around – he morphed from "Shai Agassi, Founder of Glamour" to "Elon Musk, Lord of the Universe." Elon's social ascent was like a rocket launch. He needed people to know him to buy rocket parts, so he decided to become Mars' number one hype man. It worked, and suddenly everyone was like, "Hey, there's that dude who's all about Mars!" Then came the infamous year of 2018 – Musk called someone a "pedo guy," smoked weed on a podcast, and tweeted that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private. Whoopsie daisy! Lawsuits rained down like confetti at a New Year's Eve party. But wait, there's more! In 2020, Musk said, "To hell with nice," and ditched his PR team. Now he's the press release king, and his favorite email response? The poop emoji. I kid you not. You know how they say a new Musk scandal a day keeps the actual news away? Well, it's kind of true. With a Musk controversy buffet, it's hard to focus on just one serving. It's like trying to pick a favorite ice cream flavor at Ben & Jerry's – you end up with brain freeze and no answers. So, is Musk a bad boss or are his employees just slackers? Acts of Love's Radley Blake could clear this up. Radley's a control freak who only fires people who don't give "maximum effort." His employees are so motivated they don't even need Red Bull to sprout wings. But in real life, Musk isn't exactly the "Employee of the Month" poster child. People report him stomping through Tesla factories, red-faced and firing folks like it's a carnival game. One executive said they had to stoop in meetings to seem smaller than Musk – like they were at a toddler tea party. And don't even get me started on workplace safety. Tesla factories were apparently more dangerous than your grandma's staircase in a haunted house. Musk's dislike for the color yellow (yellow tape, yellow paint) led to some questionable safety practices – it's like he's running a risk assessment in a Tim Burton movie. But Musk is a romantic hero in his own right. He's got a tragic past and a longing for love. Childhood bullies, check. Troubled relationship with his dad, check. He's like a wounded bird in a billionaire's body. No wonder he's looking for someone to save him from all that money. The dude's been married more times than I've accidentally sent screenshots to the wrong person. He's got enough kids to start a soccer team, and he's probably planning to send them to Mars for summer vacation. But hey, at least he's not alone, right? He's got Twitter, his second favorite significant other. So there you have it – Elon Musk, the eccentric entrepreneur who turned himself into the star of his own romantic novel. One minute he's making rockets, the next he's tweeting like a kid who just found out they can use their teacher's chalkboard. Will he save the world? Maybe. Will he keep us entertained? Absolutely. 🚀🎉 Read the full article

[julie1971]

What are 15-minute cities? The truth about the plans popping up from Oxford all the way to Melbourne 15-minute cities have been introduced in Paris and Copenhagen to wide-ranging success. MICHELE THEIL 14 Feb 2023

Many residents in Oxford already cycle or walk to get around. (Image: James Coleman/Unsplash) You’d think the end of lockdowns would also put an end to the Covid conspiracy theorists intent on finding a fascist-communist coup in every public health briefing. But now the keyboard warriors have settled on a new target: 15-minute cities. The idea is simple and the name is novel but the concept is…

[whatsonmedia]

Wednesday Wisdom: Selected Books of This Week!

In this year we celebrate International Women’s Day by picking out favorite books by or about inspiring women. The book serves as a cautionary tale and WhatsOn has listed some excellent books this week. We have put together a short list of some recommended book which you may love to read. How To Be A Woman Online Surviving Abuse and Harassment, And How To Fight Back by Nina Jankowicz In this book Jankowicz has some particular chapters about how to manage your online safety, and write about the hate, sexual abuse and general trolling that she has been received. In this book she illustrate that online world is deeply toxic and sometime invariably misogynistic place. While there may be some keyboard warriors, there are far more trolls and revengeful people, generally men, disparaging and attacking women. In this book Nina Jankowicz gives advice and concise steps on actions women on the internet can take to protect themselves and to be safe online. Jo Van Gogh- Bonger: The Woman Who Made Vincent Famous by Hans Luijten Luijten, who is a senior researcher at Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, has written highly about her. In his latest book Luijten draws on a huge array of surprising first- hand source materials such as diaries and letters. This book was translated by Lynn Richards, the book is a reachable, extremely researched and vital record of van Gogh- Bongers remarkable life, which charts her childhood and early life, through to her marriage and motherhood. This book covered the time when she was a single parent to the young Vincent and her determination to serve her family and the Art world. Weibo Feminism: Expression, Activism and Social Media in China by Aviva Xue and Kate Rose “Weibo feminism is the first book to explain in depth the connections and forms of resistance that feminist activists in China are making in online spaces despite increasing crackdowns on free speech and public expression”. Authors survey many forms of contemporary Feminism in China, from campaigns against sexual harassment and domestic violence. This book includes a case study on female front line medical staff that have come up on social media in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. By this case study Aviva and kate shown us women’s ability to balance dual responsivities. ‘It Starts With Us’ by Colleen Hoover After the massive success of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel ‘It Ends With Us’ she is back with its sequel! Titled ‘It Starts with Us’, this novel released in October 2022 and it immediately topped the bestsellers chart. Hoover ended the first story with Lily and her newborn baby and now 6 years after that, there is finally some conclusion for fans with sequel It Stars With Us. The novel is divided into 37 chapters that alternatively show Lily and Atlas’ viewpoint. Having not spoken in two years, Lily and Atlas confront each other. Ryle and Lily are currently divorced and co-parenting pleasantly. Meanwhile, Lily and Atlas both hope for their friendship to grow into something more. Even though Lily is now separated, she is not completely free from Ryle. So she slowly and steadily tried to reconstruct her relation with Atlas and her daughter while keeping it under wraps from others. It Starts With Us is a ray of hope for women who have been victims of domestic violence. This story tells them that they also deserve happiness in their lives. It tells them that in a world full of people like Ryle, there are also people like Atlas. Read the full article

[mask131]

Cold winter: The children of Hurin

THE CHILDREN OF HURIN

Category: Tolkien’s Legendarium

The Children of Hurin is the name of a group of Men (as in humans) from the First Age of Middle-Earth, and their story is still remembered as one of the greatest human tragedies of this era. (Note, there are LOTS of accents on the names I will spell out that I cannot actually recreate with my computer keyboard. So know that this post will be accent-less, and please check for the actual orthography of the names elsewhere.

WARNING! SPOILERS FOR THE “Children of Hurin” NOVEL! IF YOU WANT TO READ THE NOVEL DO NOT GO FURTHER!

There was once a man named Hurin – a man who was the greatest warrior and hero of all the Men or Middle-Earth. His father fell fighting Morgoth, the corrupted Valar and first of the Dark Lords ; and Hurin took on his battle. He and his brother Huor, fought bravely against the Orc armies of Morgoth – but Huor was killed, and Hurin bound by Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs, before being brought to Morgoth’s fortress, Angband. And there Morgoth interrogated, tortured and tempted Hurin in many ways – for Hurin knew a secret Morgoth sought. He knew the location of Gondolin, a secret elven kingdom that had escaped Morgoth’s knowledge for centuries and centuries – but Hurin, brave until the end, refused to betray the secret realm to the Dark Lord. In return, Morgoth laid a curse on Hurin’s descendants, ensuring that evil things would constantly befall them; and he bound Hurin on a high mountain peak before casting a spell on him, making sure he would see and hear all of the misfortunes and tragedies of his descendants – the Children of Hurin.

Hurin had a son, Turin. His father went to battle against Morgoth when he was eight, and after his father’s imprisonment his mother, Morwen, hid him away in another secret elven realm protected from Morgoth, Doriath – but where Gondolin was hidden by hostile mountains, Doriath was protected by a magical wall placed by its magical queen, Melian (the magical barrier itself is known as the Girdle of Melian). There, the elf king of Doriath, Thingol, adopted Turin as his foster-son, for he knew and admired Hurin’s heroism. Being taught elven-lore and the arts of battle, he also regularly had news from his mother, who stayed in their homeland and gave birth to a daughter, Turin’s sister Niënor. On his twentieth year, Turin ends up causing by accident the death of one of Thingol’s counsellor – and despite his friends advise to just confess and admit whatever punishment will fall on him, Turin, fearing too much imprisonment, decides to exile himself from Doriath. Too bad for him: Thingol, upon learning of the matter, promptly pardons Turin, knowing it was an accidental murder ; and Turin’s best friend, the elf Beleg, promptly leaves Doriath to search out Turin and bring him back.

Turin, in the wilds, promptly joins a band of outlaws and become their leader by killing the previous chief of the band. After some times Beleg finds the outlaws, who promptly imprison and question brutally the elf – when Turin sees who he is, he promptly frees his friend and realizes with some horror how the outlaws made him took cruel and vicious habits. Despite Beleg informing him of the pardon, Turin refuses to return to Doriath, and wants to keep on travelling – ultimately, after a brief return to Doriath, Beleg decides to join Turin too. Turin and his men capture a Dwarf named Mim, and to save his life the Dwarf agrees to share his mountainous dwelling with the men. However, disliking this forced cohabitation (and also greatly disliking the elf presence of Beleg), Mim ends up betraying the group by leadings orcs to the dwelling. All are killed, except Beleg (who is left chained to a rock) and Turin, who is to be taken to Angband. Beleg however frees himself from his chain, finds an ally in another elf named Gwindor, and the two promptly rescue a deep-asleep Turin from the orcs’ camp. As Beleg cuts the bonds of the sleeping Turin, his sword slips and wounds Turin – Turin, suddenly asleep in the middle of the dark night, mistakes Beleg for an orc and promptly kills him. When a lightning reveals to him Beleg’s face, Turin becomes mad with fury and grief. The elf named Gwindor brings back Turin to his own elven realm, Nargothrond, an underground city. There Turin can restore himself. He gains the favors of Nargothrond’s king, Orodreth, becomes one of his chief counsellors, leads the elven armies into several victories against the orcs, and even gains the love of Orodreth’s daughter, Finduilas.

But unfortunately Morgoth’s curse still hangs over Turin… Mad with arrogance and hatred, Turin decides to not take any precautions to hide Nargothrond’s position and forces to Morgoth, and prepares a massive, large-scale attack against the Dark Lord, even building a specific bridge to allow the armies of Nargothrond to march out of the fortress… But this turns against them as Morgoth, hearing about this, sends an orc army that uses said bridge to invade Nargothrond and defeat its forces, taking as prisoners all those they do not kill. When Turin arrives to the battle, he instead encounters the leader of the orc army, a dragon named Glaurung, who uses its hypnotic abilities to convince Turin to go seek his mother and sister, instead of rescuing the prisoners. Arriving in his homeland, he discovers to his dismay that his mother and sister aren’t there anymore: years ago they went to Doriath in hope of finding back their son. Turin realizes that the dragon tricked him into letting the people of Nargothrond (among which is Finduilas) be taken away. When he finally finds back the army of orc captors it is too late: Finduilas was murdered.

Grieving once more an elf he loved, Turin lives among the House of Haleth (a group of humans who still resist Morgoth) under the name “Turambar”, “Master of Doom”. Meanwhile Niënor, who had heard in Doriath of the various feats and deeds of Turin, secretly sneaks among elf-riders leaving Doriath to go to Nargothrond (Turin’s last known location), in hope of finding back her brother… But all they find there is the dragon Glaurung, who made his home in the elf fortress. Glaurung manages to damage Niënor’s mind with his hypnotic abilities, wiping her memory to the point she cannot recall her own identity or how to speak any language. Getting lost in the woods after an orc attack, Niënor is found by Turambar, who brings her back among the Haleth folks. With time Niënor finds back the ability to speak, though she cannot recall her past life. She and Turambar fall in love and, ignoring their blood bond, eventually marry. As Niënor falls pregnant, Turambar decides to lead an attack on the dragon Glaurung, to end him once and for all: he manages to inflict to the dragon deadly wounds, but the burning blood of the beast knocks Turambar unconscious. Niënor arrives soon after and thinks Turambar is dead – and Glaurung, in his dying breath, breaks his forgetfulness spell before revealing to Niënor that her husband is her long-lost brother.

Horrified, Niënor throws herself off a cliff. When Turambar is awake, a companion of arms named Brandir informs him of the situation, but Turambar refuses to believe him. Convinced that Brandir is lying and caused Niënor’s death, he kills him in turn. But upon discovering that it was all true, Turambar kills himself with his own sword.

After this tragedy, Morgoth finally decided to release Hurin and let him return into the world, but now old, hopeless and broken. Hurin tries to return to Gondolin, the only place he knows to be safe and secure, by king Turgon refuses to open his realm to him – so Hurin cries in rage and curses Turgon, which unknowingly informs Morgoth’s spies of Gondolin location. Turgon later regretted his decision and tried to find back Hurin, to no avail. Hurin then went to the grave of his children, and found there his wife Morwen, that had been searching for her lost offspring for many years now. And as husband and wife find each other on their son and daughter’s graves, Morwen dies in the arms of Hurin… leaving him all alone.

More disasters and tragedies would befall Hurin, and cause the fall of the region known as Beleriand, but that is another story.

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“The Children of Hurin” is considered to be the third “great novel” of Tolkien, alongside “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” – where the first is a children fantasy in the style of fairytales and the second an epic fantasy, the third rather embodies what would later be known as “dark fantasy”. And yet, “The Children of Hurin” is less known than the two previous works… This is probably because unlike the first two, this novel wasn’t published in Tolkien’s lifetime. Tolkien started writing the story in the 1910s, and revised it several times in his life, but never could finish or publish it – it was his son, Christopher Tolkien, who re-edited the different manuscripts in one full narrative and had it published in 2007. (Though before the story of Hurin and Turin was already known to Tolkien fans, as it had been described, retold or spread through fragments in Tolkien’s world-building texts, such as The Silmarillion or Unfinished Tales ; where it was “one of the first three stories of the First Age”, alongside the fall of Gondolin, and the love between Beren and Luthian).

As with previous works, Tolkien’s story of Turin, Niënor and their curse takes inspiration from various European mythologies and texts: not only does it seem to replay the tragedy of Sigmund from Norse mythology, and the relationship of Siegmund and Sieglinde from Wagner’s “Die Walküre” ; it also takes numerous elements from the legend of Oedipus, from Greek mythology, and also reuses parts of the Finnish epic The Kalevala, Turin being obviously inspired by the character of Kullervo.