#king of say things and think about it later

[livinghalfway]

Filling the Nest

Damian (16) assumes his father is getting empty nest syndrome or something similar with him growing up because Bruce has recently been talking fondly about past years when all of them were much younger. He even heard Bruce tell Alfred that he’s gonna miss having a kid around the house.

Damian figures that it’s only a matter of time before his father is bringing another child into the family, and decides that if he is going to get another sibling it might as well be one that he approves of. He’d hate to end up with another one like Drake after all. 

He’s on the hunt now for the perfect younger sibling. Damian won’t say it, but he’s also excited to no longer be the baby of the family. As well as be the favorite older brother, which he will make sure he is by teaching them everything he knows. This new kid is most likely going to be his successor; his robin one day. Bruce is getting older ultimately, the years of crime fighting were starting to take its toll the older he got, and he promised to discuss the details of passing the mantle of Batman when Damian was 23 years old. 

All of this to say is when Robin is on a solo patrol he finds a de-aged 6yr old Danny Fenton defending an older woman from getting mugged, and despite his small size manages to scare the mugger away. He makes a note of the assailant's appearance for later; right now he has something more important to take care of. 

When the child turns to the woman Damian finally gets a good look at the young boy, and sees that he has both black hair and blue eyes; he’s perfect! “This is my younger brother,” he immediately thinks to himself before jumping down next to the boy and woman. 

It only takes a bit of convincing, but he manages to persuade his new brother Daniel, or Danny as he insisted, to accompany him escorting the older woman home before getting a bite to eat with him at the nearest Batburger. The only thing he needs to figure out now is how he is going to get Daniel back to the manor. 

Meanwhile Danny, who was dropped in this dimension by clockwork a week ago with his last words being to enjoy this new life and vacation away from ghost king duties, is wondering what he should do about this vigilante that doesn’t seem to want to leave him alone. 

[inez-winchester-cameron]

Could you write a longer one shot or smth about that pogue!reader x enemy!rafe? I love the concept sm!!💕💕

this is the post I'm thinking about:

thinking abt sweet lil pogue reader who cant stop thinking abt rafe..her supposed enemy even though she rubs her sticky cunt to the thought of him atleast 3 times before she can sleep..

our little secret

rafe cameron x pogue!enemy!reader

summary: you and rafe both have completely opposite but big reputations but something about him draws you in. in a sort of way that you can't quite explain, nor could you try explaining to your friends

cw: 2 year age gap, innocent and sweet reader, virgin reader, masturbating, suggestive, idek

note: i think id be willing to write more on this topic but i kept this mostly brief. requests open for spn and obx!!

you and rafe are complete opposites in nearly ever sense. rafe cameron is the king of the kooks, a drug addict, a party animal, with raging anger issues. you on the other hand are a sweet little member of the pogues, refuse to touch any drugs, and would rather be at home relaxing than go to a party. on top of that, your two groups are complete and total enemies. you and rafe are supposed to be enemies.

but rafe's always been nice to you, or atleast he's not a complete dick to you. whenever he sees you in public while you're alone, he always finds some sort of reason to talk to you.

"where's your little pogue friends, princess?"

"looking lonely, huh?"

"tell jj he better not show his damn face at one of my parties ever again. think you can handle that, princess?"

and during the altercations between the groups, he stays away from you, harassing the others, never you.

and you know it's wrong. he's a dick to your friends, he treats them like trash. but there's something about him.

maybe it's the big blue eyes or the height difference or the hair. or maybe it's the sweet little nicknames he calls you, and the longing looks he gives you.

whatever it was, it had you shoving your hand down your pants before bed every night. your mind came up with the wildest scenarios, the dirtiest shit.

rafe pinning you against the bathroom sink at one of his parties.

him pulling you away from your group and shoving his dick down your throat.

him calling you dirty names while you bounce on his cock, your tits in his face.

after one particular incident, you find yourself getting home asap to touch yourself. rafe had approached you at a party, where you stood alone. unlike the rest of your group, you were rather shy and all your friends left to be social.

as you stand alone, you sip on the cup that jj had filled for you earlier. you look around, nervously, hoping one of your friends returns to you soon. your heart starts beating faster as rafe cameron approaches you. he gives you a sickeningly sweet smile.

"hey princess, where are your little pogue buddies at?"

"with other friends.." you mutter.

"really? they're leaving a sweet little thing like you all by herself?"

"yeah i can take-" you start but you're interrupted.

"what the fuck are you doing?" jj suddenly asks, barging into the scene, pushing rafe away from you.

"fuck off, maybank, i didn't touch her," rafe says, putting his hands up, "i'll see you later, sweets." he winks at you before walking off.

-

later that night, as you lay in bed, you find yourself thinking about the incident. your hands are neatly laying on your stomach and as you think more and more you find yourself shoving one down your pj pants and underwear.

you sigh as your hand makes contact with your sticky cunt. you rub over your clit for a moment before spreading your lips apart, running a finger over your hole and spreading your slick along your cunt.

a few seconds later, you're shoving a finger up your cunt and whining. for the life of you, you could not get a good angle, ever. you always saw people raving about and talking about how good it feels to finger yourself or get fingered, but you could never get the right angle or feeling by yourself.

after a few moments of absolutely no pleasure, you pull you hand back, groaning. your phone buzzes and you jump a bit. your free hand reaches for it and you pause as you read your newest notification.

'rafecameronobx has requested to follow you'

[rei-ismyname]

Magneto threatens Reagan and Thatcher

Mags' latest scheme is incredibly ambitious - in fact he'll be later charged by the ICC with crimes against humanity for his actions this day. A full splash of the master of magnetism in all his glory, a demand, and the consequences for refusing. The caption says he's projecting this to every capital city on Earth, but that's such a massive and abstract thing.

Seeing him dressing down real life world leaders to their faces makes the scope of his actions real. 'Reagan, go back to acting. Thatcher, you're the worst. Khrushchev, don't fuck with me comrade. Generic leaders of other countries, Marvel didn't want to offend you but I don't care. Stop nuking shit and make me king of the world FAFO.' Balls of steel and, as always, dramatic AF.

He's gotten over his grudge against the X-Men by this point, but Scott Summers and Lee Forrester got shipwrecked on his Lovecraftian island base purely by chance. Scott has doubts about the plan, but aside from the whole 'authoritarian ruler' thing, his goal is admirable. Nuclear brinkmanship and MAD hasn't destroyed the world yet, but it's hard to imagine the balancing act maintaining indefinitely.

Mags is also shocked that Scott isn't with Jean, and is sad to hear of her death.

Scott doesn't believe him, though, and calls him a hypocrite. Mags goes off about grief, giving us the first hint of his Holocaust survivor status. Their back and forth is cut short by news that the USSR has decided to FAFO. It has been less than a day since his ultimatum, so they got to the Bermuda Triangle quickly! They launch nukes but Magneto disarms them and they fall into the sea.

He doesn't take that attempted nuking kindly, and immediately sinks the Leningrad with all hands then calls the Kremlin to show he's not bluffing.

Behold! He opens up a fissure beneath Varykino and destroys the city, though he allows the people to evacuate. These two acts are not forgotten - even after the fall of the Soviet Union Russia repeatedly attempts to kill him as revenge. Let's just say that it's not surprising Russia didn't want to accept Krakoa.

The X-Men eventually manage to stop him by destroying his volcano Doomsday device, and Magneto has a change of heart when he thinks he killed Kitty Pryde. However, it's not the first or last time he'll threaten the entire world. Countries have Magneto protocols for a reason, though they aren't very effective.

[snakeunderyourboot]

we should talk about malevolent but soulmates au, especially in the context of Jarthur

Imagine the situation when your soulmate is not only some eldritch being BUT ALSO someone you have to share a body with. Also, it could be both romantic and platonic

like....there are many different versions of how soulmates work. There could be soulmate marks, or being colorblind and only seeing color when you met your soulmate, the timer that runs out when you see your soulmate, the first phrase they are going to say to you, some tatoo, or even just a name etc etc. All of those are potentially interesting, ESSPECIALLY if we apply them to jarthur

Soulmate marks, where Arthur left pinkie has a darker color. Or his eyes are. Or all parts that John would later come to possess have darker color. OR Arthur has weird scars that no human has ever seen before and could not be explained by any human logic. It is almost like they are divine in nature.

Seeing color when you first meet your soulmate, where Arthur has never in his life seen color. He has no idea what John means when he says that something is yellow, because what the fuck yellow even means. Sure, he knows that the sun is yellow or dandelions are yellow, but he doesn't understand. He would probably think that John is able to see colors because he is outwordly being so he doesn't apply by the same rules mortals do. And if it is true, what if John being able to see color is his proof that he is human, that he is no longer God. Or if it is NOT true and gods do have soulmates, what if Kayne or King in Yellow mention something about it?

Would Yellow see color? Would he see it with Larson? Would he see it later in Dreamlands, whenever he is?

The timer that runs out when you meet your soulmate, what if Arthur's timer is all fucked up, with strange symbols, that are always changing? And what if the second he picked up the book his timer abruptly stopped on zero? What if John later asks what the strange line of zeroes means and Arthur wouldn't know what to even say to that. What if in Addison his timer is back again to being all fucked up and Larson notices it and recognizes some of the symbols? What if after he has Yellow, his timer is also all fucked up?

The first phrase your soulmate is going to say to you, where Arthur doesn't have "Don't you remember?" INSTEAD he has "Arthur? Arthur!" because that is the first thing JOHN tells him after a coma? I just think it would be neat if the prase is from John when he is John, and not the Entity. You know what, we can even play it out to episode 43, where Arthur has tattooed the first words John says to him when he is resurrected. ORRR what if it's the first words John says after he has his own body?

In the same way, John doesn't have the soulmate mark until they are in the hospital or in the witch's lair? Or what if it is different, what if the words tattoed on your skin are the words your soulmate says when they realize they love you. Would then Arthur's words be "I suppose so" (when he talks to the King in Yellow in s2 finale) while John has "Because I care about him?"(from s4 finale)?? What if he only understands what the words mean when they are confronting the Witch?

This is actually my favorite variant because THERE IS SO MUCH that could be said.

A tattoo where again Arthur's tattoo is all fucked up, some weird sign that he knows nothing about. He starts looking, finds some mentions of eldritch gods, and decides that NOPE he is out of here. And then he meets John?

Or even just a regular name, where life is so much more complicated for Arthur. I would say homosexuality would be acceptable much earlier in human history if soulmates were a thing, but I would say he still would have a hard time with it. John is one of the most common names, but the problem is also that the name "John Doe" is literally given to people who are not identified. Can you imagine how long Arthur needs to search for his soulmate? And then in the hospital when John asks to be called by John and Arthur is just head in hands??

And you could say even MORE I just listed the most popular and the ones that come first to my mind. We should talk about malevolent soulmates au because this is an entirely new level that is so interesting to talk about

EDIT: also I did not mention Arthur relationship with love BUT we could play it out too. Arthur could be completely ignorant of the soulmarks. Or he could think that soulmarks mean only romantic love. Or both of these or neither or something completely different!

[gliphyartfan]

Hiii I'm back with another hug ask, bc the last one was cute and lu has been stuck on my brain for literal months now (help). Feel free to ignore if it's not your thing

I think I sent this to another blog but I'm curious to hear your take on it: yan chain w/ reader who doesn't know what hugs even are and just freezes up anytime they're given an ounce of affection. I'm such a sucker for characters who have no idea how to react when they're given positive attention. They're standing there while Hyrule is hugging them thinking he's gonna pull out a knife at any moment. They sleep with their own under their pillow

Oh, Anon, this is GOLD. You know the Chain is gonna be all over this.

The first time it happens, it’s Hyrule who does it first because of course it is. Sweet forest boy is naturally affectionate, so it just happens. Maybe Reader got a little scraped up in a fight or looked particularly exhausted, and Hyrule, being the ball of sunshine he is, decided a hug was the best way to comfort them.

He wraps his arms around them, all smiles, and says like, ���You’re safe now!”

And Reader? Reader is just standing there like a stone statue. Frozen. Wideeyed. Heart pounding in fear because why is he hugging me and what’s his angle?!

Hyrule notices immediately. He pulls back, confused but concerned. “Are you okay?” he asks, tilting his head, while Reader just stares at him like he might pull out a knife any second. (Cause what he doesn’t know is that she was about to do that.)

Hyrule tells the others because, let’s be real, he doesn’t know how to process what just happened. And the Chain? Oh, they have feelings.

Wild is immediately like, “What do you mean they don’t know what hugs are?!” He’s borderline offended on Reader’s behalf.

Legend acts like it’s no big deal but lowkey feels awful about it. He’s been there, and he gets it, even if he’d never admit it out loud.

Sky is heartbroken ya know. This man probably cries about it later when no one’s looking.

Twilight is all quiet and broody, vowing to make Reader feel safe enough to accept affection.

Warriors? Oh, he’s dramatic as ever. “How could anyone deny them affection? They’re so precious!”

Four is quietly determined to fix it. He doesn’t say much, but you know he’s planning ways to help. (He’s…gonna have to go back to the drawing board a few several times when his plans keep failing)

Wind is confused at first but quickly makes it his personal mission to introduce Reader to all the hugs. He gives his sister and grandma hugs all the time! It’s a travesty NOT to hug and be hugged!

Time just gives one of those cryptic nods like he already knows but doesn’t elaborate. (He’s clueless but he’s gonna fix that.)

They’re obsessed with figuring out why Reader freezes at hugs. Who hurt them? Who dared deny them love and warmth? The thought keeps them awake at night, eating away at them until they’re ready to tear apart the entire world to find answers.

They need to be the ones to break through to Reader. It’s not just about helping; it’s about being the one Reader finally trusts, the one they lean on and allow into their heart.

I thiiiiink, Hyrule is the most persistent but gentle. He starts with small touches, a pat on the shoulder here, a light hand on their arm there, until Reader gets used to him.

Wild probably makes it into a game. He’ll casually lean against Reader, ruffle their hair, or throw an arm around their shoulders. Before they know it, they’re comfortable with him.

Twilight is careful. Like he’s dealing with a nervous animal. He waits until Reader is truly comfortable before trying anything, and even then, it’s just a warm hand on their back or a brief side hug.

Sky is the king of asking for permission. “Would it be okay if I hugged you?” And when Reader hesitantly agrees, he gives the softest, warmest hug imaginable.

Legend is… awkward. He doesn’t know how to express affection without it being weird, so he just gives them stiff, quick hugs and pretends it’s no big deal. (I think she’d be more comfortable with him since if HE’S awkward about it just like SHE is, then he’s not up to anything malicious and she’s totally okay with that. They both become cuddle bugs eventually. Much to his touch starved enjoyment.)

Warriors is surprisingly patient. He loves affection, but he reins it in for Reader’s sake. When he finally gets a hug, though? He makes it dramatically playful.

Four (eventually after many failures) takes the practical route. He offers hugs as rewards for little victories, like, “Good job today,” and eventually, Reader starts to look forward to them.

Wind is a menace. He sneaks up behind Reader for surprise hugs, then laughs when they freeze. But he quickly lets go so she only tenses for a second and doesn’t have time to really register what he did. But he’s also the first to cheer when they start relaxing.

Time is slow and steady. He probably waits until she’s more used to the others. His hugs are grounding and calm, offered when Reader seems like they need them most.

When they find out about the knife, it’s a…moment. Sky is devastated. (he’s also secretly furious that Reader ever felt unsafe enough to need it.)

Twilight is like, “That’s…practical…I suppose. but you don’t need it anymore. We’re here.” And he means it. (She still has it much to his dismay.)

Wild? Legend? Wind and Hyrule? They are just like, “Oh, that’s smart. I do the same thing.”

Warriors (who also sleeps with a knife cause ya know, soldier.) probably offers to buy them a better knife because, in his mind, better protection means better sleep. (Wild and Warriors definitely

The others are a mix of concerned and quietly determined to make Reader feel safe enough to sleep without it. I mean, I have no doubt they would all try to take the knife from her but when she shrinks away from them and doesn’t interact as much because of that, they’ll eventually give it back…kinda..they’ll spend a while trying to convince her she doesn’t need it but uh…it doesn’t work. (Even when she later on enjoys hugs from them.)

When Reader finally hugs one of them back, it’s Hyrule. Of course, it’s Hyrule.

He’s hugging them after another battle, telling them how glad he is that they’re okay, when he feels their arms wrap around him, hesitantly, awkwardly, but it’s there.

Hyrule freezes for a second, then breaks into the brightest smile. “You hugged me!” he says, voice full of joy, and everyone else immediately demands to know what just happened.

Every small victory,a brief touch, a hesitant smile, is like a drug to them. It’s not enough. It’s never enough. They want more, and they want it now.

When Reader finally hugs Hyrule back, the Chain is…. not okay.

Sure, they’re happy for him (on the surface), but deep down, they’re seething with jealousy. Why him? Why not them?

From that moment on, it’s a competition. They’re all trying to outdo each other, looking for any excuse to be the next one Reader hugs.

If Reader so much as leans on one of them for support, the others are immediately trying to replicate the situation to get the same reaction. It’s not just affection they crave.

It’s to know Reader trusts them more than she does the others.

…aaaand…that’s it! That’s all I got. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[aishangotome]

[Azel] The Mean Unicorn's Greedy Desire (Bday Story) - Let Me Tell You a Secret About God - His POV

Part 3

Gods are supposed to know everything.

That's what people tend to think, but it's not true.

Silvio: Huh? You don't even know how to celebrate a normal birthday?

A few years ago, Prince Silvio, who had come all the way to Tanzanite for a business discussion, was astonished.

He was so different from the person who had been engaged in a heated debate about new shipping routes just a few minutes ago.

Azel: Unfortunately not. For me, a birthday is a matter of state.

Azel: As a god, I don't celebrate others either. My blessings are a bit heavy for ordinary people.

Silvio: Certainly, considerin' your position, it's not strange...

Silvio: You have expertise in all sorts of fields, enough for me to come all the way here, yet you're ignorant of common sense.

Azel: I have to admit, I'm not interested in it either.

Silvio: Then why did you ask 'bout "how ordinary people celebrate birthdays"?

Azel: No particular reason.

Silvio: You don't wannna say?

Azel: Well, I heard that it's your birthday, Prince Silvio.

Azel: I'm not one to celebrate others, but I should try to win your favor, shouldn't I?

Azel: If I miss a big money opportunity, the name of god will be ruined.

There was no profound reason why he was interested.

He had just "seen" a birthday in a dream the other day.

The way they celebrated and their attitude towards birthdays were completely different from what he knew, and it was just a trivial matter that he brought up in casual conversation to correct the discrepancy in his knowledge.

Silvio: ...Well, whatever. Generally, people celebrate with a birthday cake and presents, don't they?

Silvio: In Benitoite, we add alcohol to that.

Azel: A birthday cake... such a thing exists.

Silvio: They have them in Tanzanite too, right?

Azel: They might, but I've never peeked into an ordinary household's celebration.

Azel: The birthday I know is about listening to people's prayers, giving them blessings, and receiving fine wine and food in return.

Azel: It's just a ritual.

Silvio: ...Somehow...

Silvio: For the first time ever, I feel sorry for ya.

Azel: If you feel sorry for me, please donate money.

Silvio: I'll give ya as much as you want dependin' on your "divination."

(Birthday cake...)

(...I wonder what it's like.)

-

The Apostle: Living God, on this momentous day, I offer my heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the people of Tanzanite.

The Apostle: Blessings to you, who were sent from the moon. May our country's path be blessed with prosperity.

---Several years later, the annual ritual celebrating the god's birth was held as usual.

(...This is so tedious.)

It was a monotonous job, simply looking down at the old man kneeling before the god sitting on the throne.

The king and officials in important positions were standing around, offering prayers to the god with almost comical earnestness and sincerity.

I stifled a yawn behind my pasted-on smile and glanced at the tightly closed screen.

(Is she not here yet?)

-

---A few hours earlier.

Emma: ...What kind of ritual is it that you have after this?

Azel: It's nothing much. It's a simple job where I just have to receive congratulatory words in the throne room.

Emma: ...You have work to do on your birthday?

Azel: That's right. Isn't it pitiful?

The girl from Rhodolite, who had come from a foreign land, furrowed her brows as she measured the ingredients she would probably use for the birthday cake, either unconsciously or intentionally.

Her face, which seemed to say "working on your birthday is unthinkable," probably showed sympathy, just like Prince Silvio.

It was only recently that I learned this was a normal reaction.

(She's a typical do-gooder. I almost feel sorry for her.)

When I ran into her in the city, while I thought I had been found by a troublesome woman, what came to mind was the conversation I had with Prince Silvio a few years ago.

I thought that if it was her, with her ability to judge things with an unbiased perspective, she might be able to let me experience an "ordinary birthday," something I had been curious about...

That thought, and stopping her, was the beginning of it all.

(Good people are good targets in every sense of the word. Poor thing.)

Azel: By the way, the pitiful story continues. There's a party to worship me after the ritual.

Azel: People try to praise me with good intentions and entertain me with fine wine and food, but it's troublesome—no, it's too much for me.

Azel: I'd love to refuse, but it's my birthday, so unless there's a very good reason, people won't let me off the hook.

Azel: Oh, I wish there was a kind-hearted soul somewhere.

Azel: If there was a woman with the most beautiful heart in the small country, she would surely extend a merciful hand to this poor god––

Emma: ...If I get you out of there, will it repay all of today's unreasonable debts?

Azel: Yes, thank you very much.

(See? This is how you get used again.)

The girl from the foreign land makes no attempt to hide her reluctant expression.

In front of the god, even tourists from other countries tend to show reverence and fear the mystery, but she doesn't.

What is reflected in her clear eyes, seemingly untouched by any impurity, is not the god sitting on the ceiling, but a wicked "person."

(There are others like her who are disrespectful, but I still like it. I like that I can act as I please around her.)

Azel: But you agreed more readily than I expected?

Emma: ...Because it's strange, isn't it?

Emma: Why does the birthday person have to do things they don't want to do on their birthday?

Azel: ...........

(I see, that's also "common sense," huh?)

(Birthdays are a day when selfish behavior is allowed, not devotion.)

(It's quite different from my common sense.)

The girl bows her head as if she has come to her senses.

Perhaps she's dutifully thinking that she "denied Tanzanite's culture."

(I don't care about that.)

Emma: I apologize––

Azel: You... do you enjoy it when your own birthday comes around?

I ask to correct the distortion in my perception.

Emma: ...Yes, I enjoy it. My friends celebrate with me every year.

(...Ah, I can picture it.)

Azel: So that's how it is.

Emma: Yes, that's how it is.

(I envy her.)

The conversation comes to a pause, and the girl continues making the birthday cake.

I can't help but follow her movements with my eyes, probably because I'm looking forward to it, unlike my usual self.

(...This year's birthday will be––)

-

Emma: Excuse me, Living God.

Just as I finished the congratulatory address and was about to be escorted to the banquet, the screen opened.

It seemed the girl with the most beautiful heart in the small country couldn't abandon the poor god after all.

I raise a hand to stop the attending soldier who tries to intervene.

Azel: It seems there has been a development with the matter I asked you to look into?

I beckon her to come closer to the throne.

The path surrounded by the country's dignitaries, such as the king and the apostle, must be quite intimidating for a commoner.

But the girl never lowered her gaze.

With a strong gaze and a dignified expression, she walks forward with confidence, so as not to arouse suspicion from those around her.

(What an impressive woman.)

I signal with my finger for the woman in front of me to lean closer to my ear.

She seems to be quick-witted, as she immediately moves close enough that no one else can hear us.

Azel: ...I haven't thought about what happens after this.

Emma: You mean you couldn't come up with anything?

Azel: Your face is known throughout the castle, so you can't disguise yourself as a maid.

Azel: Then what excuse could a mere traveling merchant have to summon the god? That's right, there is none.

Emma: ...You asked me to do this knowing all that?

Azel: Exactly.

(She's not stupid either... Well, I guess the woman who was appointed as Belle couldn't be incompetent.)

With the smile I reluctantly learned in my childhood, I look around again.

Azel: I apologize. I saw a sign of disaster and had her investigate it, but it seems I was right.

Azel: I want to return to the temple quickly and perform a divination, so I'll have to decline the banquet.

Enis: Disaster? Then, should we send soldiers...?

Azel: Her assistance alone is enough.

I rise from the throne and place a hand on the woman's shoulder.

What I felt was a tremor from her nervousness.

(...She really is something.)

Azel: It's rare for me to keep a woman by my side, isn't it? Are you sure you want to interfere with such a rare opportunity?

Enis: ...Well...

The Apostle: Enis, follow the Living God's wishes.

Enis: ...Understood. I pray for your safety.

The sight of all the dignitaries kneeling on the floor at once is comical no matter how many times I see it, and I quickly leave the throne room before a genuine laugh escapes me.

-

Emma: As expected, Prince Azel is silver-tongued. Just like a swindler.

Azel: You're quite the smooth talker yourself, aren't you? It's fine to hold a grudge, but don't forget there's such a thing as slander.

Having finally reached a place where there were no people, the woman seemed to be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Azel: ...To be honest, I thought you would run away again.

Emma: If you're talking about this afternoon, I did come back properly after running away.

Azel: There's no guarantee that will happen next time, is there?

Emma: I keep my promises. Besides...

Emma: I've decided to celebrate Prince Azel properly today.

(...Even though she had no intention of celebrating when we met by chance.)

(I don't know what kind of change of heart she had...)

(But, thanks to your spirit, the birthday cake I ate for the first time was delicious.)

*flashback to earlier*

Emma: It's done! Birthday Special: Rose-patterned Fruit Tart!

Emma: I got a little carried away and made two cakes instead of one...

Emma: But it's surely just right for a hungry Prince Azel, right?

Emma: Once again, happy birthday!

*back to present*

(...That was the first time I've ever been celebrated like that.)

I learn another ordinary thing, and my divinity is chipped away.

That's more comfortable than anything.

(I'm satisfied. It would be fine to part now, but...)

Seeing the fatigue seeping into the woman's smile, I sigh.

(...I can't just give her nothing in return.)

-

There aren't many things that come to mind as a reward.

I don't know and am not interested in the preferences of a woman from a foreign country... especially one I've just met.

But I do know one thing, the best reward a god can give to a mortal.

Azel: This is far enough.

Emma: What...?

I brought her to this deserted oasis because if anyone saw us, it would cause a huge commotion.

What I'm about to give her is something that is extremely valuable to the people of Tanzanite.

(...Though I've never given it to anyone before.)

I turn to face the woman who bumped into my back when I suddenly stopped.

I brush aside her bangs and, recalling a document I read long ago, lightly kiss her forehead.

(...)

(...I'm starting to regret this now.)

The woman is dumbfounded, moving her mouth open and closed with a silly expression.

But I feel like I've done something just as foolish and stupid, and I forcibly push down the intense shame rising within me behind a smile.

Azel: The god of Tanzanite is a being who protects and guides all people equally.

Azel: Protecting the country in this wasteland is the very meaning of my existence...

Azel: It's normally unthinkable for me to favor an individual, especially a girl from a foreign land.

Azel: But, yes, just for today...

Azel: It wouldn't be bad to lavish blessings as a special service only to those who have offered their congratulations.

According to one theory, those who receive a god's blessing are guaranteed a life free from illness and disaster.

I think it's a ridiculous story, but as far as I can tell from reading all sorts of documents, it seems to be true. I think it's a matter of probability, but there's no evidence to deny the blessing.

(Though I don't understand why this is how the blessing is given...)

It's not that I believe in unrealistic things.

I just thought that the woman who gave me a human celebration deserved such a mystical blessing.

(But this is awkward.)

(Incredibly awkward.)

Because of the bright moon, I can see the woman's flushed cheeks.

It's unbearably embarrassing.

Azel: Well, it doesn't come cheap.

Emma: There's a fee!?

Azel: Of course.

Emma: That's a scam...

Azel: A complaint? You've got guts. It's amusing to criticize a god's blessing.

Emma: .......

As I rattle off a series of words, the woman suddenly bursts into laughter.

Her idiotic expression from a moment ago completely changes, and she starts making an infuriatingly smug face.

Azel: ...What is it?

Emma: Nothing, it's nothing.

(...Damn it...)

(Oh, I know, I know. If I can see your expression...)

(That means you can see mine too, right?)

My shame finally reaches its limit, and I force a smile, though I'm irritated––

Azel: Stop that face.

Emma: Ow, that hurts...!

Even though I pull on her soft cheeks, the smugness doesn't disappear from the woman's face.

That only fuels the heat that won't go away.

Azel: The god will never protect you again. Goodbye.

When I turn my back and try to escape, she immediately grabs my sleeve.

Emma: Please don't say goodbye! I was happy!

Emma: It means that my cake was worthy of a blessing, that it was that much of a celebration for you.

Emma: That blessing just now, was it a thank you for the birthday cake?

(It is... it is, but...)

I put strength into the fingers I place on her cheek again.

Azel: ...That's kind of annoying.

Emma: Ow, that hurts!?

Azel: You're seriously misunderstanding. It's not like I want to thank you.

Azel: I just thought I'd add to your debt since I had the chance.

(No...)

(...Making excuses like an idiot will only make me feel more pathetic.)

I can't even look the woman in the eye anymore.

Emma: ...I-I understand.

Emma: I'll... I'll pretend that's what it is.

Azel: You don't understand at all.

Perhaps I've tormented her cheeks too much, as the woman shows a sign of resistance.

I loosen my grip, but I'm still not satisfied.

Azel: You disrespectful person.

Emma: ...S-Sorry?

Azel: Don't make it a question.

(...Calm down.)

(I'm a grown man. I don't want to be any more pathetic than this.)

(Just be honest. It's a simple task.)

Azel: It's not a thank you, but... it wasn't bad.

Azel: You're the only one who would dare celebrate a god's birthday as a human.

Azel: ...You're the only one, unique to me.

(...)

(...I can't thank her with words after all. Let's part ways.)

I let go of her cheek and turn my back on her for real this time.

Emma: I was also happy to make an important discovery today.

Azel: Doesn't sound worth hearing. Goodbye.

Emma: Prince Azel is actually shy--

(Damn it!)

Emma: Ow! Ow, ow, ow!

Hearing such an outrageous insult, I couldn't help but pull on her cheek.

Azel: Say that again. I'll sue you for insult and throw in a divine punishment as a bonus.

Emma: That's not fair...!

(It can't be helped.)

*flashback to earlier*

Emma: I wasn't trying to feed it to you!

Azel: Well, don't do anything confusing.

Emma: ...Eh?

Azel: ...?

Emma: Did you really misunderstand that?

Azel: I didn't misunderstand. You looked like you wanted to feed me, so I reluctantly played along. For a fee.

Emma: A fee!?

Azel: I need more apples. Offer more. Then I'll waive the feeding fee.

Emma: Please hold the fork properly this time.

Azel: ...Shut up. This is my first time doing this.

*back to present*

Azel: Let me tell you a secret about god.

I raise the corners of my mouth as I pinch her cheek.

Azel: I'm petty.

Emma: That's not a secret!

(It is a secret.)

(...It's only with you that I become this petty.)

.

.

.

FIN

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[nxzz-skz]

A week of (un)dead chaos (OT8 skz)

ᯓ★ zombie!reader x human!OT8skz

ᯓ★ warnings: a little bit of gore, mention of limbs, crack, fluff

ᯓ★this was recommended by @writtingrubberducky (note: since I've never written this genre, I had to get my friend to assist, and I'm sorry if its not the best!)

Synopsis : In a universe where being a zombie is just another part of life, Y/N faces seven chaotic days off without her usual medication, bringing cravings, falling limbs, and heightened reflexes. With her human friends, Stray Kids, as her reluctant yet loyal support system, hilarity and heartwarming chaos ensue. Can they survive a week of mayhem without losing their friendship - or their brains?

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

The day starts no different that usual : you make your way into the shared apartment of the Stray Kids boys, cup of coffee in one hand, your phone in the other. Life as a modern zombie is... manageable. You've been taking the medication that stops the whole rotting-flesh, brain-eating debacle, and it's made sure things stay pretty normal.

Except for today.

"Guys, I have some... news," you announce awkwardly as you set your cup on the kitchen counter and shuffle into the living room. The boys - Chan, Changbin, Jisung, Felix, Hyunjin, Minho, Seungmin, and Jeongin - turn to you from their various spots. Jisung is sprawled across the couch playing a video game on the TV with Jeongin, Chan's laptop hums from the coffee table, and Changbin and Felix are sharing a bag of chips.

“You’re getting married?” Changbin blurts out, chip crumbs falling everywhere.

“No,” you say, frowning at the mess he’s making.

“You’re finally getting a cat?” Jisung asks, eyes twinkling as he pauses his game.

“No… Well, maybe later,” you mutter before shaking your head to refocus. “Anyway, my medication is being switched for a week, starting today. There’s going to be… side effects.”

“Side effects?” Chan repeats, looking up from his laptop. His voice is calm, but his furrowed brow betrays his concern.

You sigh, gesturing vaguely at your body. “I’m going to… smell a little funny, maybe lose a limb or two. Also, I’ll have… cravings.”

“For what?” Minho deadpans, even though you can tell he already knows the answer.

“…Brains,” you admit, barely audible. The word hangs in the air like a thundercloud.

Cue the chaos. Felix screams, dropping his chips as he leaps behind the couch. Jeongin yelps and clutches a cushion to his chest, his game long forgotten. Hyunjin, ever the drama king, dramatically flings himself across the couch, yelling about betrayal. Seungmin grabs a pillow for defense, holding it like a shield.

“Guys!” Chan yells over the din, raising his hands to restore order. “It’s fine! Y/N is still Y/N. We’ll help her through this week. Right?”

There’s a chorus of reluctant agreements, though you catch the uneasy glance Minho shoots your way and notice how Jisung clutches a game controller like it’s his last line of defense. You sigh. It’s going to be a long week.

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

You wake up to find your index finger has detached itself during the night. Groaning, you scoop it up from the pillow and wrap it in a tissue before heading to the kitchen for coffee. The smell of eggs and bacon greets you, along with the sight of Changbin humming to himself as he eats cereal.

“Morning,” you mumble, holding your finger awkwardly behind your back as you pour coffee.

“Morning,” he replies, giving you a quick glance. “What’s that?” he adds suspiciously when he notices the tissue in your hand.

“My finger,” you reply matter-of-factly, trying to sound casual.

Changbin’s spoon clatters to the table, and his eyes go wide. “Your… finger?” he repeats, his voice rising an octave.

“It’s normal,” you say quickly. “It’ll grow back by the end of the week. I think.”

“You think?” Seungmin’s dry voice cuts in as he enters the kitchen, eyeing the tissue like it might jump out and attack him. Behind him, Jisung saunters in mid-yawn, only to freeze when he hears the words “finger” and “grow back.”

“Is that…” Jisung begins, pointing at the tissue.

“It’s fine,” you assure him, though the nervous looks the boys exchange tell you they’re not convinced. Minho visibly recoils when you sit at the table and casually place the tissue-wrapped digit beside your plate.

“Can you not leave body parts lying around?” Hyunjin says as he enters, looking half-asleep but horrified nonetheless.

Felix, ever the sweetheart, offers you a bandage. “Here, Y/N. It’s okay. At least you’re not… rotting that much.”

You’re touched by his kindness until you notice he’s holding the bandage with tongs and has sprayed it with perfume.

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

By Day 3, the cravings hit. Hard.

You sit at the kitchen table, staring longingly at a raw steak Chan bought for you to cure your… urges. The boys are gathered around, watching like scientists observing a dangerous experiment.

“How are you feeling?” Chan asks cautiously, leaning forward slightly.

Instead of answering, you pick up the steak with both hands and sink your teeth into it. The room fills with the sound of tearing meat, and everyone freezes. You pause mid-bite, glancing up at them.

“Fine,” you say through a mouthful of steak.

The boys huddle in the corner, whispering furiously.

“Is it weird that I think it’s kind of cute?” Felix whispers, earning incredulous stares from the others.

“Cute?” Jeongin hisses. “She's literally chewing on a cow.”

“Better the steak than our brains,” Seungmin mutters darkly, folding his arms.

Hyunjin nods solemnly, holding up a garlic necklace like it’s a holy relic. You raise an eyebrow at him, and he squeaks, shoving it back into his pocket.

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

By now, the side effects have fully kicked in, including the dreaded smell. No amount of deodorant can completely mask it, and the boys are clearly suffering.

"Y/N, you smell like... death" Minho announces, grimacing as he waves a hand in front of his nose.

"Thanks for the reminder,” you snap, spraying yourself with an industrial-strength deodorant. The chemical smell mingles horribly with your natural scent, making the situation worse.

The boys try coming up with a plan.

“What if we… wrap you in plastic?” Jisung suggests, earning a glare from you.

“I am not a doll,” you reply icily.

“Febreze?” Hyunjin offers, holding up a can like it’s a magic wand.

“Guys,” Chan interrupts, “Y/N is trying her best. Let’s… maybe use candles instead?”

They then proceed to light every candle in the house. It smells like a floral disaster zone, but they’re too proud of their idea to notice.

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

Your heightened zombie reflexes become apparent when you accidentally break a door handle. Then a chair. Then Seungmin’s favorite mug.

“You’re a walking disaster,” he says, glaring at the shattered remains of his mug on the floor.

“I didn’t mean to!” you protest, holding your hands up in surrender. “My reflexes are just… heightened right now.”

To prove your point, you catch a fly mid-air with lightning speed. The boys stare in awe, except Seungmin, who just looks annoyed.

“You still owe me a new mug,” he grumbles, stepping around the broken pieces.

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

It all starts innocently enough. You’re brushing your teeth in the bathroom, humming a tune, when your ear decides to detach itself. You don’t even notice until you glance at the sink and see it lying there.

“Not again,” you groan, picking it up and carefully wiping it off. You figure you’ll deal with it later and leave it on the counter. Big mistake.

Five minutes later, Jeongin enters the bathroom. His scream could shatter glass, and it echoes through the apartment so loudly that even the neighbors call to check on you.

“What is it now?” Chan sighs, running into the hallway with the others hot on his heels.

Jeongin stumbles out of the bathroom, pale as a sheet. “It’s her ear! It’s just sitting there! Watching me!”

Felix bravely enters the bathroom to retrieve the offending ear. He returns holding it carefully between two fingers, looking equal parts amused and horrified. “You left your ear on the counter, Y/N.”

“Sorry,” you mutter, snatching it back. “It’s hard to keep track sometimes.”

Felix tries to help by gluing it back on. Unfortunately, he gets the angle wrong, and you end up with your ear stuck to your neck. The sight sends the boys into hysterics, with Hyunjin collapsing to the floor in laughter while Minho wheezes like he’s about to pass out.

“I hate this,” you groan, glaring at your misplaced ear.

“Fashion statement,” Hyunjin manages to gasp between fits of laughter. “You’re a trendsetter now.”

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

Your new medication finally kicks in, and you wake up feeling… normal. Your skin is clearer, your cravings have vanished, and your fingers and ears are firmly attached. For the first time in days, you don’t feel like a walking disaster.

“You look great!” Hyunjin says, smiling genuinely as you enter the living room. The others nod in agreement, looking relieved.

“You survived the week,” Chan adds, patting your shoulder.

“We survived the week,” Seungmin corrects with a pointed look.

Despite all the chaos, you can’t help but feel grateful. These boys stuck by you through your worst, and you’re pretty sure they’d do it again. Their laughter, their teasing, even their over-the-top interventions—it all reminds you how lucky you are to have them in your (un)life.

“Thanks, guys,” you say sincerely, sitting down among them.

“Just promise you won’t eat us if there’s a next time,” Jeongin jokes.

You grin. “No promises.”

๋࣭⭑────୨ৎ────⭑๋࣭

ᯓ★ Reblogs and follows appreciated!

ᯓ★ Send an ask if there's anything you want me to write for any Enha or Skz member! (no smut)

ᯓ★ : perm taglist : @cafffeineconnoisseur @skzbiasot8 @candyquokka @idiotmaterial @backseat-serenade-dizzyhurricane @hanji-coffee @jeonginsbaee

send an ask or comment to be added!

[stoic--rose]

over the last two weeks or so ive played through earthbound two and a half times, and mother 1 three times. replaying both back to back repeatedly has made me realize a lot of things

1.) mother 1 is a LOT more open in what it lets you do, where it lets you go, and when. once you open up the train tracks, you're free to go do the rest of the game in pretty much any order you want. hell, you can make it all the way to R7038xx without ever getting a single melody, which i find to be pretty interesting. not only that, but you dont even need to get most of the party members. strictly speaking, the only one you truly need to get is Loid, and that's just to get rid of the rock on the train tracks. and even then, with the use of an exploit i found out about only a few days ago, you can get rid of him and go fight giygas by yourself, which is pretty funny.

2.) mother 1+2 is like, wicked impressive. nevermind the fact that they crammed earthbound onto the gba, they also packaged it with mother 1 as well, and they're both the full games. it ain't no rayman advance kinda deal either where it's a super botched port, like it's a perfectly valid way to play both games, and some people even prefer the gba version of mother 1 since it makes a couple of quality of life improvements. not to mention, they rebuilt both games from the ground up, it's not like they could emulate snes on gba. (i mean, you can emulate NES apparently, since there's that nes classic line of games for the gba, but... this is cooler.) the sound department could... definitely use some work, and the colors look pretty washed out, but there are patches to fix the colors, and if you're playing the game on a real gameboy, i think the sound is the last thing you'd be concerned about. also, apparently some people took the time to apply the earthbound script to the mother 2 half of mother 1+2, and even reprogrammed the text system to have the original fonts and make it non-monospace, which is SUPER impressive. for my second playthrough of earthbound i played it with the new fantran patch, and it's pretty damn slick.

3.) man, fuck the sword of kings. i realized very recently that i'd never fully committed to the sword of kings grind, and decided that this would finally be the time i claim my birth right as a mother fan and do it. and like, it SUCKS. i mean, to begin, yes it's annoying that it's a 1/128 chance, but it goes deeper than that. the fact that it's only dropped by an enemy that you can potentially never see again, and it's the ONLY item poo can equip as a weapon is pretty fucked up. not to mention, the other enemies that they put in the starman base just absolutely suck, i hate the nuclear power robots so much. they made the grind WAY more painful than it already would have been otherwise. at the very least, i find it to be very gracious that jeff's spy command has the secondary effect of letting you steal whatever item an enemy would have dropped mid battle, just so it doesn't get overwritten by another enemy drop, which by the way YES that can happen, and YES i had it happen to me. it sucks ass. and the worst part is, the sword of kings isn't even that good!! and neither is poo on a gameplay level! you get the guy way later than any other party member, he has all these little catches like not being able to eat american food or equip anything but the kingly items, he gets taken away from you almost immediately after you get him, he just feels really weird. starstorm is pretty cool, but you only get the omega version right before the final area, and you can only use it on the handful of encounters you get there since you can't really use it in the final boss. (i mean technically you can use it in the first phase, if you want to get a biblical reflected beatdown when it hits both pokey and giygas) idk, the guy just isn't all that useful, and it's unfortunate since i really like him on a design level.

i have more words i want to say but honestly i might save them for an entry on my website instead since im very close to the tumblr word limit rn

[erendur]

Today in Are the Finweans Doing Ok (Rhetorical question ! they obviously don't !) : Fingolfin (Ñolo).

@and-the-times-we-had and I were talking about how close Fëanor was to his children, and, by contrast, how less close Fingolfin and Finarfin were to theirs (not necessarily a bad thing). But more generally speaking, Fingolfin seems to be having a particularly hard time with his personal relationships. While Fëanor has the unconditional support of his father and children (again, not necessarily a good thing !), Fingolfin has :

his father, Finwë. Who ultimately chooses Fëanor over him, even though he pleads with him and tells him that he is the better son. He doesn't say anything when Fëanor shoos Ñolo away on that fateful, sword-to-the-throat day. He leaves Tirion to go into exile with Fëanor. We don't know if Fingolfin ever saw his father again after that day, given that Finwë dies in exile in Formenos. Also there is that little business of Fingolfin taking over the ruling of the Noldor in Tirion when Finwë considers himself un-kinged, and the fact that it might not necessarily have been to Finwë's liking.

his mother, Indis. We are told in Morgoth's Ring that Fingolfin is her favourite son, but we also know that she doesn't follow him into exile, and we are also told, by Finwë, in Morgoth's Ring, that all she aspires to after Finwë leaves Tirion is the peace and quiet of her father's court, away from Tirion (where her favourite son rules). So not much support for adult Nolo there, it seems.

his wife, Anairë. She doesn't follow him into exile, either. It doesn't necessarily mean that their marriage is going terribly (she might have planned to join him in ME later, once the fighting was over ; he might have planned to go back to Aman, originally, after having avenged the death of his father ; they might both have thought it was better for someone to say behind), but given that his son Turgon's wife left with him, that might have stung at least a little bit (but I'm also of the opinion that it shows that their marriage is not going well). Plus we are also told in People of Middle Earth that she "refused to leave Aman, largely because of her friendship with Eärwen wife of Arafinwë". Ouch ?

His half-brother Fëanor. We know how this one goes. He desperately wants to be close to him. He wants Fëanor to stop being a freak. Fëanor adamantly doesn't.

His brother Finarfin. Arguably his closest relationship/best support ? Finarfin goes to Alqualondë to avoid the family drama but he also stand by Ñolo when Morgoth sows his lies and tells the brothers that Fëanor and his sons want to send them away from Tirion. He reluctantly follows him and Fëanor into exile. But then he turns back, and Ñolo is left alone (contrast this with Maglor following Maedhros to attack Eonwë's camp. Again, not necessarily a bad thing that Finarfin has the spine to do what he thinks is the right thing, but I think Ñolo might have preferred unconditional support).

His vaguely canonical elder sister Findis, who stays in Aman. No mention about how these two might have gotten along, but she stays behind.

His vaguely canonical younger sister Lalwen, who goes into Exile with him because he is her favourite person ever. Finally some Nolo appreciation ? Too bad she, and team Ñolo, are barely canonical.

His son Fingon. We are not told much about their relationship, but we don't get the impression it's super close. When Fingolfin argues with Fëanor just before leaving Tirion to go into exile, Fingon doesn't speak up to support him, at least in the published Silm (he does in an earlier version). He remains silent, because he wants to go to ME. It would be quite unthinkable for a son of Fëanor to do something like that (and again, not going into how it's not necessarily a bad thing... but again Ñolo might have appreciated the support.)

His son Turgon. This one speaks up in support of his father on the same occasion (again in the published silm, switching places with Fingon), but then once in ME decided to leave with 2/3 of his people to live in his secret magical city. Not the best support. Never sees his dad again, but buries his body (great).

His daughter Aredhel. Again, we don't know much, except that she is very good pals with Curufin and Celegorm while in Aman (doubt Ñolo would have been thrilled), and that once in ME she lives with her brother Turgon, and not her father. When she leaves Gondolin, it is under the pretence to go and visit Fingon, not her father, whom she hasn't seen in something like decades ? Doesn't give the impression that they have a particularly close relationship either.

His son Argon. We really know almost anything about this guy, but again, we don't get the impression that they are particularly close given that he doesn't support his father against Fëanor either.

So while Ñolo seems to have been loved by his people, who chose him as King over Fëanor, followed him across the Ice, then chose him again over Maedhros, his family life seems to be another matter. Unlike Fëanor, or even Finarfin, it seems that he has a hard time fostering close relationships with others in his personal life. Probably another thing that can be laid at Finwë's door. And Fëanor's. Might explain somewhat his drastic choice to go and challenge Morgoth when he saw the destruction of his people, while his children were still well (relatively) and alive ?

[science-lings]

I love it when Phoenix suffers from the curse of Cassandra, oh the Dahlia on the stand isn't the one you know? she must be an evil twin? this kid is in too deep huh? What are the chances that the murderer and Maya and Pearl are all on the other side of the flaming bridge even though it's a dead end and it would make no sense for the murderer not to flee after killing Misty? He just makes absolutely insane claims in court without thinking much about it and it turns out to be what happened and it is so funny.

[xxplastic-cubexx]

what other silly little antics do you think charles and erik got up to in that cube besides play chess because my money's on book discussions. like them book clubs with suburban moms where you drink wine and talk about books you read except theres no wine i dont think thats permitted in the plastic cube prison and theres not even a club its just two old men

[puppppppppy]

AND I MET THE CHANGE GOD TOO. OKAY. COOL OKAY

[cassandrva]

let's talk about the fish/water/christ symbolism in the game of kings. with spoilers

fish (as ιχθυς) is an acronym for christ, and it's the first food jesus eats after being resurrected, right? it symbolizes rebirth, life, and christ himself. i personally think fish are slippery and cold-blooded too, but that's neither here nor there.

now look at how the game of kings starts: "lymond is back". we immediately know this book is about returning, it's about rebirth. in fact, the first thing we see is the man himself submerged in a body of water and coming out on the other side, after a baptism of sorts, as the character he will play for most of the book: lymond the outlaw, lymond the traitor.

the first words out of his mouth are "i am a narwhal": he identifies himself as a fish right away, and not just any fish but the unicorn fish; the unicorn of course being scotland's national animal. in perspective, he tells us everything we need to know about him: his status as a christ figure, his destiny to be reborn, his complicated relationship with his country.

the next time he's in a body of water, it's the second chapter and he's dying from a head injury in a bog. he's washed clean, this time, too: from his own identity. he's free to inhabit another character from the lymond constellation. it's also pretty funny that he's found by sym while he's going fishing ("you’ve hooked a twenty-pounder this time, my lad"), and he's nursed back to health by someone named Christian. not subtle.

lymond seems to be pretty into this whole fish and rebirth thing, does he not? he wouldn't lie to us. he wouldn't pretend to embrace life while actively seeking death, right? anyway, no relation at all, when the baby queen mary tries feeding him a fish he pretends to eat it and secretly throws it away. the fish is described as struggling and barely alive, which again i am sure is a coincidence.

then some stuff happens, and the next time lymond is offered fish he doesn't have it in him to keep pretending. he doesn't want the damn fish. newsflash, asshole (richard): he really, really wants to die. this is my favorite scene for many reasons, and one of them is the perfect juxtaposition of its literal and symbolic meanings: richard says he wants to see lymond hanged, but what he does is to drag him away from the tomb-like dovecote and towards running water, makes him eat the damn fish again and again until the miracle is complete. he's holding on to his brother with both hands and teeth before he even realizes he's doing it.

when it comes to an end the fish is off the hook, christ is off the cross and for once he's not sacrificed for the sins of others, and we close on him in his mother's arms in a beautiful literary pietà.

there's so much stuff i purposefully didn't mention and probably didn't notice, this is just a tiny example of the gorgeous figurative and thematic cohesion in this novel. i love it. thank you dorothy dunnett.

[just-someone-online]

Was trying to figure out how to rewrite Doki Doki Precure so it could have Cure Ace and Cure Regina and I ended up just redoing Suite Precure

[knight-of-skyloft]

I want to lock tumblr fanon Moash (farm boy, anarchist) and canon Moash (religious, monarchist, inner city kid) in the same room until they either kill each other or make out

[aq2003]

so true david