#like 'oh I'm talking to an actual dragon and am being held captive by a witch... lol cool.'

[friendsandpuppets]

One of my best pieces of fanart imo

mark’s reaction to being transported to a magical world:

jimmy’s reaction to being transported to a magical world:

[arwainian]

Reading This Week 2024 #47

my laptop is getting its fan repaired/is sitting in the computer repair shop waiting for a new fan to arrive so my workflow for this week has been decimated. ah well. at least there's books

a few housekeeping notes: I'm starting to try using Storygraph again, same username, just trying to populate it with the books I read this year. I try to stay committed to not giving books star rating if I can help it, because it detracts from my reading experience. working slowly at giving the books i've read written reviews (sometimes just taking the thoughts i put in these posts for it).

Finished:

Until I Love Myself, Vol. 2 by Poppy Pesuyama, translated by Emily Balistrieri (speaking of storygraph, my thoughts/review of this book were on there first) I think this manga. moreso this second volume but also in the first, is about the circumstances of its own creation. so many of its chapters include discussions between Pesuyama and their editor regarding what they want to include and how they want to handle its publication

LEASH. DEPATURE. COMPULSION. by rozecrest on ao3

Tiger, Tiger by Petra Erika Nordlund *caught up. not finished. tiger tiger is an ongoing web comic. i'm bad at keeping track of ongoing serialized work i'm reading on these posts, so i've been slowly reading through it for a while. you should check it out for amazing art, cool worldbuilding, and messy queer characters

The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 7-9 written by Kieron Gillen, art by Jamie McKelvie (vol. 8 has a lot of guest artists and writers) okay now that i've finished this series i have some Thoughts. i think wicdiv is very very twisty in a way that was probably really fun when it was being released. however how i am reading the series, as a collection of trades that compile multiple issues together, it mostly reads as very cheap. the one exception to my negative opinions toward its twists and reveals is the revelation about the actual nature of the gods cycles and their powers, which felt earned in that it had genuine clues to its set up in the earlier issues, so there was no 'we hid key information from you ah ha arent you so surprised about how it actually went down' that rubbed me the wrong way about the rest of the twists.

Blue Box, Vol. 6 by Kouji Miura, translated by Christine Dashiell *wails* oh no the drama of an unrequited crush that's out in the open. the way that Taiki lashes out at Chono for continually talking about him as 'the guy she likes' when he doesn't feel the same for her and be reminded that she like-likes him makes him sad and uncomfortable about not requiting her feelings... these teenagers....

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 7-8 written by Kanehito Yamada, art by Tsukasa Abe, translated by Misa 'Japanese Ammo' aw yeah baby we're back on track. no more boring extending mage exam arc, we're back to the bread and butter of the series. short adventure vignettes

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede, audiobook narrated by the cast of the Words Take Wing Repertory Company i picked this up for my mini mutuals book club! we rolled a random number on our list and this is what came up. juvenile fantasy about a princess who runs away and is voluntarily 'held captive' by a dragon. i did picture her relationship with her dragon as a lesbian romance, and i am correct. i will not be taking questions at this time

The Girl That Can't Get a Girlfriend by Mieri Hiranshi autobio manga about the author's struggling love life

"Boot Hill and the Fear of Dice" by Rutskarn essay/blog post about the author's experience using a highly lethal cowboy combat ttrpg to run a high intrigue high politics, limited combat tragedy game. sounds like he has an awesome table of players and really made me think about all of the work i'd want to do if i ever wanted to run my own political intrigue game

last night in a darkened room by bigdamnher0 on ao3 read to feel sad about dick grayson and tim drake

Started/Ongoing:

Provenance by Ann Leckie, audiobook narrated by Adjoa Andoh yay stand alone book in the imperial radch universe! i love crime.

Magic's Price by Mercedes Lackey, audiobook narrated by Gregory St. John SPOILERS but: extremely frustrated about the self-conscious narrative defense about the problematic age gap relationship (no its fine that his love interest is less than half his age! he's his soulmate reincarnated!). listen. i was ready to meet you at your freak. i will read some Weird Shit and enjoy my time with it. i was in fact delighted by the romantic comedy farce that the bard had to go through to get the hot older wizard to notice him. the younger party being the active pursuer of the relationship took us as far out of uncomfortable power dynamics as it reasonably could, and i was ready to root for the happy couple. but the minute you start going 'no no no its NOT weird. its completely fine actually for this magical reason' you've lost me. are you trying to tell me that it's not freak shit? that its just okay and not weird and No One needs to feel weird about it? embrace your freak shit or die

[xlucian-hell-cat90x]

Whiterun

Kisara gasps as Ren and Lucien lead her through the gates into the bustling city of Whiterun. She stops at the little bridge and pulls the hood closer to her face, watching all the people go about their day in the walls of the city. The guards patrol the city as the children run past them playing and laughing.

She smiles softly at the sight before her. "Never been in a city before?" Ren asks softly, breaking her trance. "No. I live in the woods." She sighs, feeling a little overwhelmed and homesick. "Come on let's head toward Jorvaskr. I'm sure we can get some answers from my friends there." Ren says, walking ahead of her and Lucien.

Kisara stops at the giant tree in the middle of the Wind Distract. She stares at the tree. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Lucien asks, quietly, standing beside her. "Yes. She is." Kisara says, walking over to the tree. She lays a gentle hand on the tree.

She feels a rush of wind around her as she hears the whispering of the wind through the branches of the trees. She smiles softly as she hears Kyne's peaceful song. Ren turns around at the bottom of the stairs at Jorvaskr when he realizes there is no one behind him.

He stares in amazement as the wind picks up around Kisara. He hears footsteps and looks at the top of the stairs to see a familiar small female much like Kisara appear from Jorvaskr. "Ah, Ren. Good to see you again." She smiles. "You as well, Luna." He smiles, then frowns when he sees Bear behind her. "See you still got that big ogre following you." He teases.

She joins him at the bottom of the stairs. "Yeah. He's the best companion a woman like me could ask for. When he's not being over protective." Luna smiles. Bear just growls in response. Lucien and Kisara make their to Ren's side.

"I see you still got Lucien with you. Who's this?" Luna asks, intrigued. Kisara hides behind Ren. Lucien places a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. They are friends of ours." He assures her. "This is Kisara. We are on our way to see Euroland about getting her some armor. Then later placing an order with Ysolda to get her some clothes that better fit her." Ren explains rather emotionless.

Luna looks him over. "You look exhausted, Ren. When's the last time you've rested?" She asks, worried. "A couple of days ago. Joys of being a hero. You never get to rest." He smiles. "Well, I have some armor and clothes she can have. So if you wanna go put her an order for weapons, I can take care of the rest. Bear, go get my satchel from my horse and meet me at The Bannered Mare." Luna demands in an authoritative tone. He nods and walks off toward the gate.

She walks around Ren and takes a closer look at the woman. Removing the hood, she gasps. "Your eyes looks like Ren's but your hair is beautiful. I love the fiery red." She gushes. She grabs Kisara's hand pulls her away from Ren and smiles happily. She moves her hair.

"You're a halfling too." She says. Kisara just nods, unsure what to think of the woman in front of her. "Are you two brother and sister?" She spews out. "I don't think so?" Kisara says, sounding confused. "That's part of the reason why I'm back in Whiterun. I need to speak Rayne." Ren explains.

"She's not here. She left earlier to investigate the an abandon prison. Something about a man being held captive by the Thalmor." Luna explains. Ren groans and rubs his face under the hood. "Great. We'll are going to need a place to stay." He grumbles. Luna smiles. "Come on. I have a place outside the city, near Loreius farm. You can rest there." Luna smiles, pulling Kisara down the stairs. "I'll meet you at the stables." Ren says. Luna just waves.

He walks up the stairs. He sees Farkas and Vilkas training outside. "Vilkas, can you give Rayne a message for me?" Ren asks, looking at the twins. "I suppose." He says. Lucien pulls a quill and parchment from his bag, handing it to Ren. Ren writes a quick letter briefly explaining the last two days.

He hands it to Vilkas. "Tell her to meet us at the manor near Loreius farm." He says, handing Vilkas the letter. "I will. Anything else?" He asks, in his usual hateful tone. Ren pulls a sack of gold and hands it to him. "Have someone deliver the some weapons there too." He says, walking toward the stairs leading to Euroland's forge.

After placing an order for a bow, two daggers and three big orders of arrows. He paid Euroland well for all of it. Meeting Luna and Kisara at the stables, he got on his horse as Lucien summoned Clive. Luna gets on a solid white horse as Bear gets on a dark brown on. Kisara smiles softly.

Kisara whistles loudly and a black deer runs through the grass and stops her side. She smiles softly as the deer lays his head on her shoulder. "Oh, Auri. I've missed you too." She smiles as she pets him. He licks the side of her face. "We've got to go." She whispers. Auri kneels down and Kisara gets on his back.

"A fucking deer?" Bear says for the first time. "Ren, what is she? The only people that ride deer and elk are Forsworn. Please tell me she's not a a Forsworn." Luna says, worried. "Can we talk about this when we get to the manor?" Ren asks. "I suppose. Let's go." Luna says, taking off. Everyone follows her.

Arriving at the manor, everyone dismounted their steeds and Luna led them around the side of the home to an area where they could sit and talk. Luna leads Kisara in the house as everyone else takes seats around a fire pit.

Luna returns moments later. She sits down on the cushions below Bear. "So explain, Ren." She demands in a serious tone. He sighs as he removes the hood and lets his hair fall loosely around his shoulders. He begins explaining the last two days, leaving out the part where Kisara might be a Dragonborn too.

Luna just nods taking everything in. She remains silent for a moment, processing every little detail. She knew that Ren was Dragonborn. She knew the moment she helped with the Nordic ruin outside Morthal. "So she is Forsworn? Why isn't she wearing the armor?" Bear asks, curiously.

Ren goes to open his mouth to respond but falls silent when she steps out of the house. "Because I was forced to leave my tribe." Kisara says sadly, looking at the ground as she plays with the fabric of the dress.

Lucien blushes taking in her beauty, as she takes a seat between him and Ren. He places a gentle hand on hers. "Why were you kicked from the tribe?" Luna asks. "Because a dragon attacked. When we killed it, I absorbed its power." She explained. Luna's eyes widened. "Wait. What? I thought there was only one Dragonborn. How can she absorb it's power too?" Bear asked confused.

"What's a Dragonborn?" Kisara asked, confused as Bear. She looks between Lucien and Ren for answers. "I am a Dragonborn. By slaying dragons. I can absorb their soul and use it to learn shouts or words of power." Ren explains. "So that means I'm a Dragonborn too? So I'm not cursed." Kisara sighs.

"No. Just means that you will fight dragons and protect people. Also means that we will have to visit the Greybeards too." Lucien says, thoughtfully. Ren nods in agreement. "But that will have to wait a few days." A familiar voice says from the side of the house. Everyone looks that way as a tall, curvy woman appears.

The silver haired woman stood before them with a man with a tattoo over his right eye. "Good to see you, Ren, Luna and Lucien." She smiles. "You as well, Rayne." Ren stands and goes and hugs the woman. She was a couple inches shorter than him.

The man behind her growled. "Easy there, big guy. This is my nephew. Ren, this is Kaidan. Kaidan, this is Ren, Lucien, Luna, and Bear. I don't know the small elven woman. But she looks like Zevran and Kira, so I'm assuming that's their daughter." She smile, as she walks over and looks closely at the woman.

"What?" Ren says, shocked. "So my mother actually was Kira?" Kisara asked confused. "Yes, your father was the famous thief/assassin, Zevran. Ren, your parents were never killed by the Thalmor. Your father and your mother separated after you were born. Realizing that their children were twin halflings meant for something great. They decided to keep you two apart so the Thalmor wouldn't try to kill you. Zevran meet another woman in the Imperial City, who was related to your best friend there. They fell in love.

"Kisara, your mother returned to her tribe where she raised you. They did this to you all safe. Ren, does she know your real name?" Rayne asks. He shakes his head no. "Well, you should tell her. Also, your father is alive. He is currently in Riften. Kisara, dear, I'm gonna call you Kia for short. Your mother is safe. She left the tribe and joined Cael's tribe. I know you remember him." Rayne explains.

"How do you know all this?" Lucien asks. "As the head of my family and being the Harbinger. I have to know this stuff." She says, in confident tone. "What happened to Kodlak?" Luna asks. That was her uncle after all. "He was killed by the Silverhand." Rayne admits sadly. She hugs Luna. "I'm sorry, dear." She says. "It's alright. I'll have to write mother and inform her." Luna says, softly. "I already wrote her and told her everything." Rayne states.

Luna just looks at the older Nord woman. "Thank you." She smiles weakly. "You are welcome. Kodlak would not want you to be bad. He would want you to celebrate." Rayne smiles softly at the small Imperial woman. "Kaidan, how would you like to celebrate a death and the reunion of lost siblings?" She asks the man, that stood at her side in silence.

"I could go for a drink or two." He says. The group traveled back to Whiterun in the company of Rayne and her new companion, Kaidan, who didn't really talk much. Upon returning to Whiterun that night, Rayne informed the Companions that would have the next couple of days off in celebration of a reunion siblings.