#like Run is actually in love with Fei Long

[respectthepetty]

It's Bad Guy, My Boss episode seven, and I'll get to the Black Brooder and the Happy Human in a second . . .

But does Run actually love Fei Long?!

Because the colors were telling me yes!

I previously noticed that Run is lighter with Fei Long than he was with Elyes, and I thought they were together for blackmail reasons,

But I think pretty boy Run actually loves this man! I know Fie Long is protecting Run's brother in jail, but the colors tell me that Run likes Fei Long for more than just that reason, and I'm intrigued!

So I think it's odd that Run still went to Elyse for comfort because if Run really is in love with Fei Long, is he simply trying to help warn his ex of Fei Long's villainous ways? Because Elyes already knows, AND he has the biggest barriers up for Run.

Elyes kept his distance and his barriers up the entire time Run was near him.

So regardless of how wild Elyes acts and his horrible communication skills with Pat, my pendejito is making it clear that whatever was between them is now gone and filled with nothing but space and barriers. Good for him!

And it's all because he found light again in Pat! These two idiots balance each other out!

Pat makes Elyes lighter, and Elyes makes Pat stronger, even if it's because he has to be strong with Elyes.

So I liked that in the same episode of Run and his pinks, I got to see Pat's lightness shift to pink during his discussion with Elyes about their exes and what they mean to each other.

Because even though neither one of them can say it, they are both in love,

and the color exchanges tell me so.

Now if only people could quit getting between them. Literally.

[rainbowsky]

Hi RBS

Why gg is related to little prince in that little prince and rose story??

Hi Anon,

Fake, fan fiction, CPN.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry is a classic, exceptionally popular, beautifully told and illustrated story. Those who haven't read it can find it here.

Standard disclaimer: This is my own personal opinion based on my own interpretation of tidbits I've learned over the years. Everyone is free to come up with their own.

If you ask a solo they'll give you a completely different story than a turtle would about how The Little Prince is connected to GG, but I think GG's (and DD's) connection to that story runs far deeper than anything any fan - solo or turtle - can claim.

The Solo Interpretation

The solo interpretation revolves around the prince's red cape and the many references to the red cape that GG has made in his art and on social media over the years, which many believe were in response to fan activity.

The first reference came during a live broadcast of XFIRE, where GG created a pencil drawing of a boy wearing a cape and holding a ball. Later he posted a colored version of the image on his social media, where it was revealed that the boy was wearing a red cape and holding a glowing moon.

His fans named themselves Xiao Fei Xia (Chinese for 'Peter Pan') after seeing the image. The name sounds like Chinese for 'small fat shrimp', which is why XFX are often called shrimps (or tempuras, in malicious references).

When his fans won him a solo song, he posted a photo of a boy wearing a crown and a red cape. He later changed his Weibo badge to The Little Prince in a red cape. In Nov 2019 he posted an image of himself on Oasis with a red cape and crown drawn on.

"But why do they think The Little Prince is about them, when they call themselves Peter Pans?" you might ask.

That is a somewhat ambiguous connection, but as far as I can tell it's because of the idea that he's their Little Prince and they are his Peter Pans. The song Satisfaction - which was meaningful to GG and his fans - was connected to the image he shared of the boy wearing the cape and crown. There is also the red cape connection. They wear a red cape, and 'their Little Prince' wears one too. Red is GG's color, and the color XFX identify their fandom with.

A Deeper Connection

In any case, like I said - I think GG's connection to the Little Prince goes deeper than fandom, and the simplest answer to why it has become so connected with him is that he loves the story. It means a lot to him, and on some level he really identifies with the character.

And it's not difficult to see why both GG and DD identify with this story. I actually wrote a whole thing about that a while ago on my blog but of course, I can't find it now. So frustrating.

The Little Prince presents a lot of themes about personal development, love, acceptance, self-acceptance, friendship and found family that resonate with queer readers, with artistic/creative people, and with anyone who has had to live with loneliness or isolation (such as incredibly famous people who are forced to live somewhat separate from the rest of the world). There are themes about grief and loss, and about different points of view.

To me, the story is about how wisdom comes through wonder. More than anything, The Little Prince is about maintaining one's sense of childlike wonder and sensitivity in the face of all the pains and trials of life, and in spite of all attempts to kill our spirit. No matter what we have lost and long for, we can find beauty in the love we have and the connections we make.

It is that spirit of wonder that makes everything special, and makes us special too. It's what makes us able to look beneath the surface and see what's really important.

This is something GG quite obviously values very deeply. He has referred to DD as a sweet, pure-hearted boy in the past, and has spoken appreciatively about the fact that DD has managed to keep a sense of childishness and guilelessness despite being in this industry for so long, and from such an early age.

And GG himself displays those qualities in abundance. He has a very light-hearted, sweet, wonderstruck, sensitive, curious, cute side that is a huge part of the magnetism of his personality. We see this come out a lot in his downtime, such as when he was at Universal Studios, or when he was wandering the streets of Europe. One of the things that is most compelling about him is his willingness to show that side of himself, even as a grown man.

This is - as I've said many times - part of GG and DD's incredible chemistry and compatibility. They share their own little world, and this world of fun, laughter, sweetness, mischievousness and curiosity - the spirit of learning, exploring and cackling together like gremlins - this is all very much aligned with the themes of The Little Prince.

Even the moments of loneliness and separation and coming back together again, the stars in the sky and the ringing of bells - all of this is connected to the story of The Little Prince.

And if you believe the CPN about GG's birthday letter to DD (which I definitely do), this is a message GG gives DD: grow up slowly. That idea has appeared in fake rumors and other references in the fandom. And it's very aligned with the themes of The Little Prince.

From the book: (mild spoilers for those who haven't read it). Slightly abridged.

...he looked at me steadily, and replied to my thought:

“I am thirsty, too. Let us look for a well...”

I made a gesture of weariness. It is absurd to look for a well, at random, in the immensity of the desert. But nevertheless we started walking.

“What makes the desert beautiful,” said the little prince, “is that somewhere it hides a well...”

I was astonished by a sudden understanding of that mysterious radiation of the sands. When I was a little boy I lived in an old house, and legend told us that a treasure was buried there. To be sure, no one had ever known how to find it; perhaps no one had ever even looked for it. But it cast an enchantment over that house. My home was hiding a secret in the depths of its heart...

“Yes,” I said to the little prince. “The house, the stars, the desert—what gives them their beauty is something that is invisible!”

As the little prince dropped off to sleep, I took him in my arms and set out walking once more. I felt deeply moved, and stirred. It seemed to me that I was carrying a very fragile treasure. It seemed to me, even, that there was nothing more fragile on all Earth. In the moonlight I looked at his pale forehead, his closed eyes, his locks of hair that trembled in the wind, and I said to myself:

“What I see here is nothing but a shell. What is most important is invisible...”

As his lips opened slightly with the suspicion of a half-smile, I said to myself, again: “What moves me so deeply, about this little prince who is sleeping here, is his loyalty to a flower—the image of a rose that shines through his whole being like the flame of a lamp, even when he is asleep...” And I felt him to be more fragile still. I felt the need of protecting him, as if he himself were a flame that might be extinguished by a little puff of wind...

And, as I walked on so, I found the well, at daybreak.

Bottom line: Be who you are, stay true to yourself, don't let the world destroy all the soft, sweet, fun, creative, childlike, insightful, open-hearted parts of you.

You are special because of what you love.

GGDD and The Little Prince

Both GG and DD have been repeatedly associated with The Little Prince, and both have been referred to as "little prince" by fans. The Little Prince and his rose have been beloved by turtles as a frequently occurring candy/CPN in the fandom for years.

This started for DD back in his Uniq days. There's an example of this in an early Uniq interview. At the start each group member is being introduced, and their group role is listed onscreen along with the names fans use to refer to them, DD's nicknames are listed as "White Peony, Little Prince." (They're all such babies here!! 🥺)

And he really is a Little Prince, both in terms of his youthful, pure-hearted wonder and in terms of his appearance. There are countless examples of Prince Bobo.

Both GG and DD have been associated directly with the story of The Little Prince, in that both have performed readings of the story - GG in 2018, DD in 2018 and 2019.

(Sorry, no Eng subs for that last one).

The brand Roseonly created many Little Prince themed items back when GG was endorsing them.

The recent photoshoot DD did for T Magazine was themed around The Little Prince, and people saw similar references in the photoshoot GG did for Marie Claire.

The Little Prince - CPN

There are too many CPN references to The Little Prince - or to elements from the story - to list them all here, but here are a few:

The Name

One of the things BXG get excited about is that in Chinese, The Little Prince is actually called 小王子 (Xiao Wang Zi - literally 'little king child'). While the character 小 (Xiao, meaning 'little') isn't the same as the Xiao character used in GG's name (his name uses 肖, which is a Chinese surname), they are pronounced the same*.

*Incidentally, 小 is the same character that connects XFX to the Peter Pan name, '小飞侠' or 'Xiao Fei Xia'.

I think it's also likely that it's a big part of why GG and DD feel a connection to The Little Prince - because in Chinese, it references/connects their names.

They both love word play and have connected their names in the past - in the BTS when they were filming the library scene and GG wrote WangXiao with the calligraphy brush, on DDU when they were asked to come up with a team name and DD suggested BJYX and GG suggested Yizhan instead. It's very much in keeping with their personalities to enjoy that connection.

The Huang Ziteng post

Back in 2020 Huang Ziteng made a social media post that referenced The Little Prince. It consisted of a photo of a Little Prince figurine and thank you card with a rose pin. The text of the post read, "The child told me he received a gift, so happy. "The most important things cannot be seen, but must be felt with the heart." It was posted on September 13 at 18:23 (Yizhan - Yibo Loves Zhan).

The Birthday Cake

When DD rode his motorcycle out to spend GG's birthday together back in 2018, the birthday cake was Little Prince themed.

There was also a restaurant scene from Gank Your Heart where a Little Prince cake topper randomly appeared on the table. Does anyone else remember that? I can't find the actual scene, but it was very 👀.

EDIT: here it is!

On the plate in the foreground.

A Dream Like A Dream

When A Dream Like A Dream premiered in Wuhan, the theatre plaza was overrun with flowers for GG, and he had to make a statement asking fans not to bring flowers. Fans got together and gave flowers away all over the city. GG posted a photo of a single rose, which turtles believed was sent to him by DD.

The caption: "With love, the sun warms the spring." The kadian "Love Zhan, My Bo."

Day Day Up

DDU was a source for a few Little Prince-related CPN. There was a Little Prince figurine on the DDU set, next to a skateboard,

and of course everything surrounding The Brightest Star in the Sky.

DD has frequently been referred to as the 'lonely star', and there is a great deal of CPN about GGDD and stars.

There's also a fake rumor that after DD's motorcycle accident back in 2020, GG was overheard recording a voice message for DD and saying, "you always shine brightly."

There are too many star references to mention. Also too many moon references to mention. There is a LOT of CPN that connects to The Little Prince. It comes up quite often in the fandom. I'm not going to try to gather them all here. Suffice it to say that it's very well solidified as something turtles feel a deep connection with.

Either/or is such a bitch

One of the things I find really frustrating about fan culture is that it is so warlike. Never is this more apparent than when talking about things like this. Solos believe The Little Prince references are for them. Turtles believe GG and DD are referencing each other.

Just a reminder to everyone - it's quite possible for BOTH to be true.

It's quite possible for GG and DD to find all of these things significant at the same time. It's quite possible for us to allow all those significances to coexist without making them into a battle.

More than anything, the references are for and about GG and DD. We can share our excitement for them because we're all their fans. We all love them. It doesn't have to be a fight.

[the-moth-from-elsewhere]

The Epic Amazing Absolutely Insane TAOCC Song Post

Aka: Elsie assigns random songs to random characters for random reasons, vaguely organized by mod. These are almost entirely vibes and randomness so get ready to be utterly confused. Don’t expect any of these to fit too well, I went more based on the sound and random stuff than the actual accuracy. Also i’m kinda brain-broken from overthinking all this music lol. No, I didn’t add links, just because this took so many hours. Maybe tomorrow, I just wanna get this done.

Feiar’s characters.

Nymn

“Dento takes the Stairs” by Gooseworx

I told you these would make no sense. Idk the amount of nymn just being vibes/silly/lighthearted makes me think of how this song is a break from the chaos of the Elain series.

Jessy

“Metamodernity” by Vansire

Okay, I have a really specific animatic in my head for this song in which we flash between the TAOCC characters as they are in the circus, and then a cool transition, and then it’s them pre-circus. My best example is Dusk and Jessy sitting on a bench. A train passes by, and now it’s human Jessy sitting alone on a bench. Because Dusk is AI. And that very specific part of the animatic in my head tends to stick with me, especially seeing as Jessy is very “just go with stuff” and so I can kinda hear him singing this in my head.

”Apocalypse Now” by PinnoccioP

The first appearance of many of my favorite music artist lol. The song is about enjoying existence even if everything is a violent wreck, and it just kinda fits to me lol.

“World’s Smallest Violin” - AJR

yeah just gonna drop this one here and run

“Sweet Tooth” - Scott Helman

Blame Fei.

Clara

”Drosselmeyer’s theme - Kurumi Wari Ningyo (Nutcracker No. 2 March) - The Princess Tutu Soundtrack

Okay, for starters, you should watch Princess Tutu. Like right now. It’s amazing, and the title does NOT do it Justice. Back on track, it…it’s the nutcracker! Come on, this one was basically handed to me.

Tutu vs Kraehe (Swan Lake Act 1 Op. 20 No. 2)

Fight theme.

Lance

”I Don’t Have a Name For It” - Steam Powered Giraffe

I…I’m sorry I don’t have an explanation for this it just works. Lancia sweep.

Raina

”Nightcall” - Kavinsky

…Once again, very flimsy. But like…switch the gender. I’m sorry but it’s giving “they’re talking about my death but I’m still here.” The miku version works better here in my opinion :3

The pirates

“He’s a pirate” - F-777

“The 7 Seas” - F-777

idk man techno piracy go vrrrrrrrr I unironically blasted these during like the entirety of the pirates plotline frick you this is my rant I do what I want /silly

Star’s Characters

Icia

”Long Live” - Taylor Swift

I swear I have reasons for this just hear me out okay- First off, I can see the voice fitting, second off, I imagine her singing this either for Lance or Starro or both after we finally finally finally throw Hexe off a cliff.

“Santa Salvacion” - Magia Record OST

epic fight theme for fighting the terrifying ice lady. I blasted this while writing the fight scene with The Dark Queen Icia.

Dunite

”Postmeridae” - Madoka Magica OST

Cutesy upbeat theme for making merengues to. No notes.

“Witches Dance” - Magia Record OST

Idk, feels like her fight theme

”Roki” - Mikito P

…Vibes. Entirely vibes. Dunite should start a band /hj.

Starro

“Please Never Fall In Love Again” - Ollie MN

I just…him. Singing this. About Conny. I swear to cheese.

Vaga and Nova

“Class Dance - Rensho Kyoku I” - Princess Tutu OST

…Vibes.

Odette

”Vocalise Op. 34 No. 14” - Madoka Magica OST

Vibes. Piano. Sad string accompaniment. Must I say more?

Achilles

“Doubt #2” - Madoka Magica: Rebellion OST

Starting to notice a pattern with the kingdom characters lol?

Joofie’s Characters

Cardlan

“Main Character” - Will Wood

Ego. So, so much Ego.

“Sayo-Nara” - DDLC OST

I have my reasons.

Minimi

“Not Yet (Epilogue)” - Madoka Magica: Rebellion OST

Accordion and a little bit of ominousness. Vibes.

Xeyshattersiltav1a’s Characters

Sun

“Cowboy Dan” - Modest Mouse

Yee-haw sun. Do not give that woman a truck. Wow, these descriptions are getting terrible lol.

”Popular” - Wicked Soundtrack

Wicked but it’s sun and Dusk lives in my head rent free okay

“Alright” - Mother Mother

please help me I keep making up sun animatics with this song in class

Mix

“Something, Everything is Wrong” - Madoka Magica: Rebellion OST

This song is the reason I associate Mix with the accordion. Also, I imagine Dusk meeting him/his first real introduction in TAOCC’s background music as this song.

“Intertwined” - CMYK, CircusP.

Rip this man’s love life

“Love is War” - Ryo/Supercell feat. Hatsune Miku

Love is still Vehicular Manslaughter /ref

Dialtone

“Cats!” - waterflame

Does the song fit him? Not at all! It is way too techy and upbeat, and would probably better suit someone like Switch. But like….cats. He’d listen to a song called “cats!”. You can’t convince me otherwise.

“Want You Gone” - The Portal OST

Dialtone is GLaDOS coded to me.

“Killer Spider” - PinnoccioP

vibes and vibes alone.

Soup’s Characters

Silhouette

“Scared of you” - Brandon Hesslau

“Whoops, sorry for kinda almost killing you.”

”What Gave It Away” - Riproducer

evil.

”Burial Ground” - Low Roar

sad backstory.mp3.

Clown

“I’m Number One” - Muppets Most Wanted Soundtrack

Look man he’s silly and egotistical and it’s funny. He’s definitely singing this with carbine.

Autumn’s Characters

Pyxel

”Magical Doctor” - MARETU

once again, more vibes than lyrics and the gender’s wrong but, like, the vibes, man

Neb

“Lonely UFO” - PinnoccioP

…it doesn’t fit. The lyrics, as far as I can tell, do NOT fit. BUT LOOK AT THE OUTFIT, THE BLUE HAIR AND VOID SKIN AND MURDER TEETH AND TELL ME THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE NEB, OKAY?!

“Finding Sanctuary” - Stellaris OST

Silly space song for silly space person.

Lily’s Characters

The bookend siblings, and I mean all of them as a group, Katrina included for brevity’s sake

“Magical Girl and Chocolate” - PinnoccioP

Okay, I have actual reasoning for this one. Each of the siblings is someone’s “magical girl”, whether metaphorically or literally. They’re each fighting to protect and support someone. And they each strain and struggle to cope with a role too demanding for them. This song works for each of them in a different form and context.

Octavia and Steven/Sign

“Isn’t it “A”” - PinnoccioP

The arguments of all time

Honse- I mean Sophro

“Puzzle” - CMYK, CircusP

He’s just here to help. No notes.

Miscellaneous Others/Not big enough for their own section

Lantern

“Lantern” - Undertale OST

…self explanatory. The song’s vibes fit, too, I imagine this plays in his scenes.

“The Other One Left” - VaneLily

Half due to the “I just want a loving father” line. Gender’s wrong, again, but otherwise the lyrics fit.

Seer

“Seer’s Theme” - Cindy

I literally cannot outdo her own theme. It’s just too good. I listen to it randomly just because I like it so much /gen.

Sigil

“I’m Just Ken” - Barbie Movie Soundtrack

this is mostly a joke but come ON you think that guy doesn’t feel a little overshadowed by his GODDESS FIANCÉE?!

“Business Man” - Tom Cardy

Okay so this one takes some explaining because I imagine sigil walking into Dialtone’s place to spy and Insanity ruining everything and shooting everyone. It makes absolutely no sense but it’s funny in my head so here we are.

My Characters, yes this is gonna be last

Dusk

“Ultimate Senpai” - PinocchioP

A song about being overly pressured and stuff? Yeaaaaah.

“Sis Puella Magia!” - Madoka Magica Soundtrack

….Pretty. That’s it.

Aoki

“Decretum” - Madoka Magica Soundtrack

The reason I gave him a violin.

Alpenglow

“Yume Yume” - DECO*27

I have an ENTIRE ANIMATIC for chip and alpen with this song in my head

Lemonade

“Viva La Vida” - Coldplay

lore. Hehe.

Yume

“What are Children Made Of?” - PinnoccioP

This kid’s childhood has been ruined and boy is processing that hard.

”Everything about Animals” - PinocchioP

an absolute fever dream of a song that she would absolutely sing about animals. And how cool they are. And ohhhh look commentary on the state of humanity

Switchboard

“Kom Susser Tod” - Astrophysics

Idk it doesn’t fit all too well but the mix of utter hopelessness and eurobeat techno is just hercore

TAOCC as a whole

“Something Rotten!/Make an Omelette” - Something Rotten Soundtrack

WHEN I TELL YOU I HAVE AN ENTIRE. FREAKING. ANIMATIC-

”Your Silver Garden” - Madoka Magica OST

I do not know the lyrics literally at all but I could see an OP for TAOCC with this song

[aspiringsophrosyne]

Jester Lavorre and Letting go.

A while ago, I wrote a post on the Mighty Nein and how that campaign had, among other accidental themes, an overarching theme of characters (player characters and NPCs alike) running from their problems and only delaying the inevitable at best and making things worse for themselves at worst as a result.

I did not include Jester in the list of characters I covered, and I think now might be a good time to delve into why:

Because Jester doesn't run from her problems, she runs to them.

For the sake of complete accuracy, this is generally the case, but not exclusively. Jester, like the rest of the Nein on the whole, has a rather pessimistic view of things and gives up on some things too soon. (Everyone, including Jester, assumed there was no way back to shore after they stole their first ship, and the rest of the Nein, except for Essek and Cad, were ready to give up before Cad's last Divine Intervention, etc.) But we see multiple times that Jester runs towards her personal problems, or what she sees as her personal missions or obligations, instead of away from them.

In fact, it could be argued that Jester hangs on long after it might've been better for her to let go.

But before that, her father. Jester pursues him every chance she gets, and when Marion reveals he's someone she knows and has met, her first instinct is to Send to him and tell him she's his daughter. She keeps doing this until he finally agrees to meet with her. And then, even after that less-than-hopeful face-to-face conversation where he finally admits she's his biological child, she still clings to the idea of hooking her parents back up again.

Travelercon is another one. It's one of Jester's main focuses after finding her father, and even with all the other things she has to deal with, she's continually worrying about getting there in time and trying to figure out what to do when she gets there. She sees it as an obligation to the Traveler (even after she finds out he was never actually a god), and she never tries to run from it or weasel (heh) out of it.

And then at Travelercon, when a vessel of the Moonweaver herself gets involved in the shenaniganary, Jester latches onto Artie and refuses to let go no matter how much Fjord begs her to do so or how much the vessel questions her loyalty in the face of Artie's selfishness. Only when he kicks her off does he spare them both a trip to the Fey Realm.

(And remember, this would've delayed their trip to Eiselcross, which would've allowed who knows what to happen before they came back; not only was there a ticking clock in the form of DeRogna and another adventuring troupe, but time moves weirdly in the Fey Realm.)

On a more positive note, Jester doesn't just refuse to give up on her goals; she also refuses to give up on people. Because of her, the Gentlemen gives up on selling his problems into slavery, eventually walks away from his criminal life altogether, and reunites with Marion like Jester wanted. Her kindness, however teasing, is a big part of why Essek turns over a new leaf. And she never gives up on either of the circus kids. No matter what terrible things their bodies are made to do, she still believes they're both in there, and not only is she proven correct, but her faith in them is rewarded both times.

Jester doesn't give up on people. And while this ties her to Artie in a way that's not entirely healthy for either of them, it does more good than harm in the long run.

This is part of what so strongly endears her to the rest of the Nein. With the arguable exceptions of Essek and Cad, the Nein have largely been written off by people who should've loved and supported them. Veth highlights this when she reveals why she chose Nott as her pseudonym. Caleb's tutelage under Trent is self-explanatory; Fjord's upbringing scarred him; Beau's dad sold her; Yasha's tribe forbade and then murdered her love; Molly was left to climb out of that shallow grave alone—all these people have been discounted. And when they meet Jester, she makes for a beautiful and powerful counterpoint.

[operationslipperypuppet]

Ooh how about top 5 Emily moments for each PC (i.e. top moonshine moment, top fia moment, etc etc) because we know Emily is incredible and can do no wrong!

Real and true. I’ll do like 2 moments for each naddpod pc and then it’ll be like 10 moments lol. Full disclosure: this is long as hell.

Moonshine:

“You can be quick with kindness, too” and then grabbing Bev and jumping off into the Astral Sea. That whole thing, where she was trying to understand Thiala despite knowing she likely couldn’t be reasoned with. An absolute peak of Moonshine. Holy shit.

Not to be the guy who brings up “how long do half elves live” at every opportunity. But it needs to be said. Because it’s also Moonshine grappling with how her lifespan is going to work. Emily was never going to take 18 levels in druid, she didn’t want timeless body for Moonshine. But she got it. And then there’s this poignant moment where she’s grappling with everything that will mean to the only other person she knows has or will experience it. Moonshine doesn’t fear death. But she doesn’t want to live in a world without her family and friends. And that’s why it matters. Plus the hardshine of it all.

Fuck it, third one. The conversation with Deadeye. She saves him. She’s the catalyst that stops him from continuing a spiral he’d been part of for possibly 100 years. And he stopped her from going down a similar path, which was Brennan’s plan when he made the character. The Cybin siblings are something that can be so personal.

Fia:

“Maybe I don’t want to be her sister, okay!” Fia was closed off to the other third mates in a lot of ways. She was never hiding anything deliberately, she just kept a lot of feelings close to her chest. She hadn’t had friends in years. Blurting this out to Hank and Zirk was her last wall crumbling and a moment of true trust. Plus like the beauty of girlhood friends falling in love wlw wish fulfillment.

“You were my fucking dream for so fucking long. But these people are my reality. And it is by your actions that one of them has died, and you tried to kill more of them. And I will miss you so much. But I, I cannot support this. Mr. Henry. Kill Her.” Truly an Emily moment of all time. The beauty. The cold hearted commitment. The sobs from both her AND Caldwell.

Tarragon:

Only gonna do one here because she’s in so few episodes. The atonement to help redeem Moxora at the end of Cerenysus. “She may have rotted but she’ll make good soil”. Devastating.

Billie:

Also gonna do one here because of the shortness of her time. Her insane antics in the Grimdung/Beeto cave fight. Trying to convince Grimmy that she was worth more than his allegiance to the cause. Being completely wrong about his thought process. And the interactions with Hank and Zirk during that fight. Too fun.

Onyx:

Pretending to be Porker Harris for the entire Merry Metal Mayhem two shot. Insane choice. She was dressed as him dead I think actually. And tried to convince Sonic that she was him. The triplets are too good.

Befriending KT. Getting her plane seat upgraded while sitting in the bad seats. Asking for her opinion on everything. So dumb. So incredible.

Callie:

Fucking. Crown of Dreams. Right at the end. She finally isn’t confused or a nannerfly. And she takes a turn to Lay on Hands Sol (who was 2 death save failures in the hole and it really felt like Caldwell’s skin of his teeth luck had finally run out) and then casts compelled duel on Ultrus to save Glen. Gets me every time. God what an episode.

Little strange, but when they’re fighting the Bronzebeards and that guy who was controlling people with the worms in the woods on the way to Irondeep. She like climbs up something, Fey Steps, attacks or casts a spell, then asks Hardwon to catch her. And Hardwon “nods like he’s seen this kind of bullshit before”. Just a very fun moment.

So sorry for going off like that. Hope people enjoy reading this insane list lmao

[blackcharactertournament]

Submitted explanations:

Marina

firstly and obviously, she's black. secondly, shes awesome and shes super cute and adorable and shes a great singer and shes super smart!!! she was one of the most brilliant weapons engineers during her time in the octarian army and she also produces all of her songs. she also hacks into kamabo co. and helps agent 8 escape the deep sea metro and she also made the bombs you use to destroy the nils statue. so basically shes pretty fucking cool. shes a dj and shes also in lesbians with her girlfriend pearl and theyre on honeymoon rn touring all over the world. in conclusion i like her so much. her va Alice Peralta is japanese-guamanian and she is so fucking awesome dude i just wanted to include that part because i love alice. ok thats it 🫶 -@mango-fizz

Youngblood

Well he's canonically black for a start, and he's a black elf/fey which like. How many of those do you see in fantasy amiright? Hes also like the most character ever, which is not necessarily related to being black but yknow. Imagine a guy with *so much* guilt over past actions, a guy who has almost no close relationships with anyone and was forced to cut off the ones he did have due to Circumstances, he's been alone for so long but he doesn't actually want to be no matter what he says, he has more magical power than he knows what to do with. He's like the serious/ruthless character except that's not actually who he is he's just on the run and has suffered so much, he's really a goof with a heart of gold. He met a himbo who could misplace his own feet and immediately bonded with him. He has a sick ass sword which can turn into this whip-like thing. I'm obsessed with him do you understand me. - @pulchrasilva

[takaraphoenix]

Favorite Intrepid Heroes Characters:

Now that I have finished watching all of the Dimension 20 campaigns (currently running one notwithstanding, obviously), I want to talk about my favorite characters played by the Intrepid Heroes!

Emily Axford:

Okay, listen, Emily is a very talented player who knows how to make a character work, but this was the easiest call for me. I am in love with Unsleeping City's Sofia Bicicleta Lee, she is one of my favorite PCs overall.

The badass martial arts wife of the ultimate wife guy, whose best friend is a talking rat. Plus, she looks like Fran Drescher and I mean, c'mon, I'm just a lesbian born in the early 90s. How could I not.

I'm afraid I don't have a 'close' second for Emily, because all her characters are great and close together, but Sofia shoots out for me.

Lou Wilson:

It's kind of funny how Lou and Emily are inherently linked for me in this, because until I watched ACoFaF, I thought I'd be putting Unsleeping City's Kingston Brown down here.

However, absolutely everything A Court of Fey and Flowers' Squak Airavis has going on is so utterly impeccable. He is such a queer mess, it's amazing. (And it's linked to Emily, because something very important about him is his dynamic with his dear cousin Chirp.)

Zac Oyama:

I'm glad that ACoFaF made me pick Squak for Lou, because otherwise, this would feel like just a list of Unsleeping City characters, because for Zac, it's so very clearly and definitely Ricky Matsui.

The ultimate himbo. The courageous firefighter with his good boy puppy. Absolute wife guy even though he takes too damn long to figure that getting-married-part out. I love Ricky so, so, so much.

Though, second place shout-out to Colin Provolone from Ravening War, that lil cheese knight was so much fun to enjoy and he had so much tension, it was incredible.

Brian Murphy:

My favorite Fantasy High PC - Riz 'The Ball' Gukgak, hands down. That wanna be detective boy is too precious, plus, as an ace I was so, so, so hyped and excited about the rep in him.

Second place shout-out, once more, to Unsleeping City and... surprisingly, to Cody Walsh. I love Kugrash a whole lot, but there was something utterly hilarious to Cody.

Siobhan Thompson:

Hers was my favorite character on A Starstruck Odyssey - I love Riva. They were also such a refreshing flavor for Siobhan, honestly? They were utterly precious and adorable and sweet.

Second place... okay, look, it's Unsleeping City again, yeah. But out of the two characters she played, I actually loved Iga Lisowski more. The Polish mom who guards the dragon. Amazing character pitch, honestly.

Ally Beardsley:

Actually genuinely the hardest choice because Ally is amazing at creating characters. But as a lesbian with a certain type, I am obliged to say A Starstruck Odyssey's Margaret Encino. A hot lady with a purpose and a load of money. When they started calling her Mommy? Oh boy fans self. It was also so much fun to see a character who didn't really do combat but actually got so much done with business calls. Competence is sexy, y'all.

Second place goes to Lars Vandenchomp from Mice and Murder though. Love me a loyal himbo and they were such a good puppy? Amazing.

[everlastingdreams]

The Weeping Monk x Reader : Born In The Dawn Chapter 11

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Story Summary: Locked inside a dark room in a dungeon, kept alive only for your power, you believed you’d never see the daylight again. That is until the Weeping Monk finds his way down and steals you from your captors. It is the beginning of a journey that leads you through hardship and newfound hope, but nothing is assured in a world that is changing for the Fey. The magic that runs in your veins is drawing out the worst the world has to offer, does it include the man who pulled you from the dark?

Chapter Title: A Common Goal

Notes: /

Warnings: Violence. Torture. Sexual Assault. Rape Threat. Gore. Enemies To Lovers. Pining. Trauma. Flagellation. Manipulation. Strong Language. Blood. Gore?. Misogyny. PTSD. Spicy and smut parts. Slight redemption arc.

Other warnings: Jealousy. Forbidden Love. Romance. Slow-burn…

Word count of this fic: +190K

Chapter:  11/ It’s a secret.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All through the night you rode at a steady pace, anything faster than a trot would go beyond the strength the Monk still had to hold on to the reins of his horse.

The only small conversation was coming from Squirrel and him, you did not seek it out yourself.

“What was your name, boy?” He asked Squirrel.

“Squirrel.” Was the answer given by the boy.

The Monk thought about that for a second. “A squirrel is an animal. What name were you given?”

You knew the boy disliked it when it came to his real name, and you had never pressed on when it came to the matter.

“I don’t like that name.” Squirrel told him.

“It’s still your name.” The Monk was persistent.

The boy rolled his eyes, sensing that this man would not stop questioning him over it. “Fine. It’s Percival.”

Did your eyes play a trick on you, or did he truly smile a little when he got the boy to tell him his name?

He repeated what the boy had said, hoping he had heard it correctly, “Percival.”

Squirrel saw the door open to ask him a question too, “Do you… have a real name?”

You looked at them from the corner of your eyes, seeing how the Monk had a sudden melancholic look in his.

“Lancelot.” He answered it like a weight had lifted off his shoulders. “A long time ago, my name was Lancelot.”

It was hard to ignore how his voice had carried a sadness too, not just an audible sense of relief. As if the sound of his actual name unburdened him of the title they had put on him.

Squirrel looked back at him. “Yours is worse.”

It took you a second to understand what the boy had done and you forced yourself to hold in the laugh.

There was a scoff from the insulted Monk, still he forgave the boy for his bluntness.

You did not know what to think now, to see the Monk without his usual stoic behavior was strange. It was unknown ground and you did not know where to tread and what was safe.

Now that you were free, you saw no reason to be around the Monk for much longer.

Once you had Squirrel with you again, it was time to go.

Yes, he had freed you and fought to keep Squirrel save, but you did not know what his motives were. You were Dawn Folk, many had betrayed your kind, it was in your nature to be careful. With his appearance he would certainly draw attention, if you wanted to avoid the Reaper or his Brother’s finding you, you needed to keep a low profile. The Monk did not fit in that category.

The Monk looked your way when you got close and touched Squirrel’s arm, because he looked close to dozing off.

You believed he might have a concussion. “We should let the horses rest once we are behind that rock formation over there.”

You could not have made it anymore known that you would have highly preferred him not to be there too. It was in your eyes, in every look his way.

He was not happy with the situation either, but still stood behind the decision he had made.

The Monk was quite aware it had been the only thing you had said to him so far, apart from some ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answers.

Once behind the rock formations, you halted and dismounted your horse to tie the reins to a tree. You felt one of the wounds on your back begin to bleed again.

“Y/n, the boy…” The Monk rarely used your name and it was still strange to hear him say it.

You helped him to get Squirrel safely to the ground and inspected the darkening bruise around the child’s eye. Those cowardly red drapes had found it necessary to hit a child like this.

Instinctively you put your palm against his face and let your magic flow through your fingers, the bruise vanished from his skin and the cut on his cheek healed.

Squirrel stumbled back upon feeling it and his markings reacted to it, “Did you just heal me?”

It was the first time you had needed to do so since meeting him. “I did.”

The Monk had watched it happen and struggled terribly to dismount Goliath, by being to proud to ask for help for himself he ended up falling to the ground.

The poor horse was quick to turn around to try and aid his rider.

Squirrel hurried over to him as well.

The Monk had held on for as long as he could, but the injuries had done too much damage to go on much longer.

Those injuries, the state he was in…

This healing would draw a lot of energy from you and you weren’t looking forward to it.

The Hidden would not leave you alone if you’d refuse to heal him.

“Y/n! Help him!” Poor Squirrel was in a panic.

You took off your vest, knelt down next to the unconscious Monk and turned him to lay on his back, putting your propped up vest under his head.

“It’s going to be alright.” You reassured Squirrel.

You put your hands down on the Monk’s chest and barely had to focus, the Hidden were but all too happy that you were doing this without having to torment you for it.

It took longer than you had anticipated and you wondered how the bloody hell he had even lasted this long.

You held on as long as you could without collapsing yourself, then scurried away from him.

A sudden wave of nausea hit you and you crawled a bit further away from them and tried to get yourself off of the ground by pulling yourself up with the help of a young thin tree.

Squirrel hurried to your side and helped you.

Once on your feet, you fought of the weakness and took Squirrel by the arm and began to lead him towards your horse to leave before the Monk would wake. “We need to go now, before he wakes.”

Squirrel ripped his arm from your hold. “What? No! He saved us!”

You shook your head. “Only after getting us into the trouble we were in.”

The boy was appalled by the choice you were making. “The Green Knight said that all Fey are brothers, is that a lie?”

Time was running out. “We can’t trust him, Squirrel!”

The Monk jolted back into consciousness and coughed heavily.

You could not prevent Squirrel from running back to him, and watched the boy help the man like he had known him all his life.

This could not be happening…

You remained at a distance and leaned against a tree close to your horse, fighting to not let the loss of energy break you now that freedom was there for the taking.

It still took him a moment to understand what had happened, then the Monk looked around for you and found you looking back at him with uncertainty. “You…”

You shrugged your shoulders in response and looked to the ground instead of his face.

Squirrel was still worried, “Are you alright?”

He nodded to the boy and put some effort in to stand up from the ground.

Goliath was right there to offer him the support he needed to stand until his legs did not feel unstable anymore.

Your vest was on the ground…

Had you…

You did not wait to inform him of your plan, “I am leaving with Squirrel.”

The frown on the Monk’s forehead appeared instantly.

The boy wiped that idea off of the table, “No, you’re not!”

You tried to reason with the boy, “Squirrel, we have to leave. We can’t trust him.”

Squirrel only grew more stubborn. “He’s Fey! He’s one of us!”

You lost some of your temper. “He’s the Weeping Monk!”

Your eyes snapped towards the Monk as the words sank into all who had heard them.

He looked to the ground now, it appeared your words had indeed gotten an ill response.

What was your plan? Pick the young spirited boy up and run off with him? By the look in your eyes he could tell that it was certainly something you were thinking of doing.

Squirrel chose his side in this. “I won’t just leave him! He didn’t leave me either, or you!”

It hurt to see Squirrel choose to stand with the Monk on this, after everything you had been forced to live through.

You knew you were blinking faster to not let a tear form.

Instead of telling the boy all the reasons you had to hate him, you chose to keep quiet and let the boy scold you…

Why did you spare him? Why not tell the child the reason for your anger?

Perhaps it was kindness…

The Monk picked up your vest from the ground and got close to you even when you looked like you wanted to back away from him, he offered the vest right into your hands, “You have every right and reason to hate me. But I owe you a debt for healing me. Would it not be easier if there were two to protect the boy until you have returned to your people?”

Your eyes locked on his face, “Once Squirrel is safe, you’re out off my way?”

He could smell the blood on you now that he stood close, it distracted him for a second, “Agreed.”

Here you were healing both him and the boy, while suffering injuries yourself.

You took a step back. “We need to keep moving.”

Squirrel looked relieved that you seemed to agree to keep the Monk around.

He agreed with that. “The Trinity Guard will be looking for us, it will not be long before the Abbot spreads the word across the land.”

“It’s not just the Trinity Guard that worries me.” You mumbled through your teeth.

The Monk hit the nail on the head with his guess, “You believe Soran is hunting you?”

Was it not obvious to him, the interest that bastard had shown in you? “I never heard a story of the Reaper skipping over one of my kind, Monk. He has seen my face, knows what I look like. He’ll have his Brothers looking for me.”

An idea came to him, one you would perhaps not like.

You mumbled your irritation, “I can’t believe I am letting you come along. You were just going to leave me there anyway if Squirrel hadn’t made his demand.”

He dropped his eyes to the ground. “Look inside my horse’s saddle bag”

A frown creased your forehead, “Why?”

He arched a brow, practically challenging you to do it.

With an annoyed sigh you made your way over to the horse. “Your horse does not like me.”

“Goliath.” Squirrel said.

“What?” You asked.

“The horse is named Goliath.” The boy explained.

One look at the Monk confirmed it was true.

You began to search the saddle bag. “Well, Goliath does not like me.”

The Monk disputed it, “That is false.”

Goliath would not be so calm and let you just touch that saddle bag if it were true.

You presented him with the facts that led you to believe otherwise, “Your horse never allowed me to mount him.”

His eyes narrowed at you. “So you have tried to take my horse.”

You deadpanned, “Obviously. Why wouldn’t I?”

Almost did he roll his eyes before looking off to the side.

You took something out of the saddle bag that was wrapped in a linen cloth, you did not need to unwrap it to know that a pastry was inside of it, the scent gave it away.

It was the same kind of pastry you had grown fond of during you stay in captivity…

But this did not mean that he had planned ahead, this pastry could have just been in there for a different time or reason.

“This means nothing.” You tried to brush it off and broke the pastry in three. “Besides, one pastry will not keep the three of us alive for long. We have to head to a village or a market soon.”

You gave Squirrel a piece, and then the Monk.

He sounded disapproving of the idea, “Why? To steal?”

You did not want to hear him be judgmental considering he was in the same situation, “Yes, to steal. Unless you plan on eating grass?”

There was still the bow attached to Goliath’s saddle.

“Hunting is an option.” He said.

You ate your part of the pastry and pointed out the problem, “We would need to make a fire to not eat whatever we catch raw. It would draw attention.”

The Monk saw your point. “I suppose you’re right.”

“I am.” You said.

Squirrel sighed a little at the way the two of you just didn’t get along well.

As did the Monk, your feisty nature only increased now that you were free. “There is one place I know of that is not easy to be found by those who do not know it exists.”

You heard how he was being careful with what he was saying. “What place?”

His eyes fixed on the trees. “Where I found you.”

So that was why he had been speaking with caution, rightfully so.

“If the boy was not here now, I would hit you!” You seethed at the mere suggestion.

He tried to make you see his point, “Think of it. Did anyone find you before I did?”

You refused to listen and walked away a bit.

He turned, eyes following you. “I only found you because I caught your scent.”

That got Squirrel’s attention “You what?”

You gestured in the direction of the Monk. “Oh, yes. He can smell us from afar. That’s how he finds the Fey.”

The boy scrunched his nose up at that, “What sort of Fey are you?”

He looked at Squirrel, it took him a moment to answer, “I was born from the Ash Folk.”

You could not hide the sheer surprise on your face, “What did you just say?”

The Monk looked more uncertain to see your response to it. “I am Ash Folk.”

The name sounded familiar, but the Ash Folk had been gone from these lands for centuries. They were considered a legend…

Yet, here he was. Now you understood why the Hidden insisted on his survival.

You were collecting your thoughts after that news. “Don’t tell anyone else. If the Reaper or his following hear of what clan you are, they will come for you too.”

Squirrel looked at him very curiously. “I never heard of them.”

You offered what you knew, “It’s been centuries since they were seen. At this time, most of the Fey believe the Ash Folk were nothing more but tales.”

A tale that stood right in front of your nose now.

“Is that why you look so strange?” The boy bluntly asked.

You looked off to the side upon seeing the look the Monk had on his face now.

“The marks by my eyes are the marks of my kind.” He admitted in a rather shy manner.

A questioned popped into your mind, “The Abbot knows you are Fey. How did he know? The marks?”

“Soran?” He guessed.

If the Reaper was indeed working with the Abbot, it would come as no shock that he had spoken of any suspicions to him “It’s possible. He must suspect something. Unlike the Church, the Reaper wants to use the Fey for their power instead of just wiping them of the map. No Fey should ever end up in his hands.”

The Monk stepped towards you. “Therefor we must find shelter where they cannot find us. A place where you can rest.”

You sensed where this was heading again. “I’ll live.”

By the look in his eyes, he doubted it. “You are bleeding and wounded.”

The nasty cut Soran had made on your hand, that bruise on your cheek, and the wounds on your back from the lashes. And on top of that you had used your energy to heal him. He believed the only thing that kept you on your feet now was the fact that you wanted to protect and look after the boy.

He was trying to convince you of the idea, “If you want to survive and stay with the boy, that dungeon is the safest place to regain your strength.”

Squirrel chimed in and came to your side, “Maybe he’s right.”

You looked down at the boy, who was starting to look rather tired. “Alright… fine then…”

Still, you hated to return to that wretched place, it would only bring back terrible memories.

You walked past the Monk and towards your horse, he’d better remember well where the place was, because you didn’t.

The Monk felt the eyes of the boy on him and looked down.

It puzzled the boy why you were so cold to him. “She is very angry with you.”

He knew not what to say…

A nod was all he could give the boy in reply to that, while seeing you make sure that the sword you had stolen was still safe on the saddle.

The Monk helped Squirrel up on his horse and took the flask with water from Goliath’s saddle bag.

You saw him approach and sighed, keeping your eyes on the saddle.

He still went ahead and held the flask under your nose.

Well, you were thirsty, so you took it out of his hand. “Still feigning kindness to keep me pliable I see.”

Then he made the mistake of trying to explain himself for all that had happened, “I only followed the orders I was given.”

Your thirst was gone in a second as you fought off the rage the claim had caused inside.

You smacked the flask against his chest and saw him struggle to catch it before it could fall.

Not even an apology for all he had made you go through? Even if it was true that he had only followed orders and did was he was taught was right, it still did not make it right.

When you tried to move past him to your horse, he made the mistake of taking hold of your arm.

“Don’t touch me!” Your voice rose quick, and you ripped your arm free.

He recoiled like you were about to physically hit him.

There was a moment where you held back all the things you wanted to spit in his face for what he had made you go through.

It was like he knew that the only reason you were holding back was because of Squirrel being present.

He took a step back, letting you pass.

A short uncomfortable silence passed between you whilst you calmed down.

You mounted your horse and steered it away from him, breaking the silence, “Do you believe we will get there before dark?”

He did not fail to hear the cold tone. “I believe so, yes.”

The Monk returned to his horse and mounted as well, poor Squirrel looked like he would fall asleep. “I-”

You didn’t want to look at him. “Lead the way.”

The horse turned around and walked in a normal pace, you followed them.

He knew then, that nothing he said to you could ever make up for what had been done.

Taglist:

@ourlazydetectivekitten​​ @the-great-adventures-of-me​ @linkpk88​​  @fxrchxldws​​  @elenaoftheturks​​ @slytherlight​​ @beananacake​​    @crystallizedtime​​  @moonlightaura03​​  @angrygardendeer​​  @have-aheart​​   @5am-cigarette​​ @arcanenature​​  @thewinterskywalker​​ @notyourwildestdream​​ @coloursforyourportrait​​ @koressecretidentity​​ @nike90​​ @n1ghtlux​​ @rachlovesactors​​ @luckyzipperscissorsbat​​ @morena-doing-stuff​​  @the-fangirl-diaries​​ @gipsydanger17​​ @heavenly1927​​  @phantasmalbeiing  @labyrinthonmymind  @asarcastic-thiamstan​​  @rainyv-skies @kissingandromeda @stclairesplace​​

Please let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist of this story.

[respectthepetty]

I can only watch one show today, so in normal trashy fashion, I picked my Wattpad BL Bad Guy My Boss because I'm ecstatic that PAT had a girlfriend while Elyes has been the gayest motherfucker in all the lands since Day One! Look at him. He doesn't understand bisexuality! He can't even fathom a man wanting to sleep with a woman.

I love this Black Brooder pendejo who won't let his Heavenly Human secretary resign yet won't actually communicate that he loves him.

And it's because I get him! He was so light before and watched his boyfriend just get darker. He communicated everything! His worries. He dreams. HIS LOVE!

Yet Run didn't say he loved him back, and regardless of Run's reasons, he hurt Elyes.

Even at the very end, with a clear barrier between them, Run couldn't even admit that he ever loved Elyes.

So despite how happy Elyes is with Pat,

He will use any means possible to avoid telling Pat the simple truth.

I don't know if Run actually loves Fei Long, but Elyes is now incapable of telling Pat what he wants to because of the way his relationship with Run blew up.

Elyes wants to lighten up!

But he can't for too long because life always reminds him that Pat could be snatched away if he isn't stalking him 90% of the time.

And Lord forbid Elyes go to therapy for his dark past of trust issues! No! Instead, he will threaten Pat as his boss because that is all Elyes has to fall back on, which is why he refuses to let Pat resign.

Thank goodness Pat is a smart cookie, but even when Elyes can't get at Pat directly, he forces others to track him down and make Pat come back to him.

Elyes continues to tell Kim that Pat is the best secretary who he can't live without instead of just owning up to the fact that he loves Pat, but Elyes. Cannot. Do. That!

Pat has always been honest in his relationships, and for it, he has been rewarded with a healthy breakup due to long distance, but Elyes has not! He was honest, and for his honesty, he got his heart ripped out and stomped on.

So he is going to continue to do The Most™ in attempt to avoid doing the bare minimum.

But Pat keeps proving that all he wants is the simple life.

Which is why I'm proud that Elyes, in his attempt to be light, learned his lesson regarding food and continues to bring the two of them closer by eating meals on tinier tables.

Because the first episode emphasized one of the problems was the fact that the distance kept growing between them as the tables got bigger and longer.

And he also picked up his phone just to tell Kim he was busy with another man, which isn't perfect, but is a hell of lot better than him leaving Pat to go to Kim. Evolution doesn't happen overnight for a Black Brooder.

As far as I'm concerned, Elyes is doing everything right according to his color because some Black Brooders are far more comfortable being arrogant assholes.

Who do not utilize space appropriately!

Which is why I want to know why Run, who is dark around Elyes, is so light around Fei Long. Is it really love?! Or is it Maybelline blackmail?

But shit is getting messy before that question can be answered, and now my color-coded boys in a situationship (since Elyes refuses to say love) are being visited by thots of Booty Calls Past AT WORK.

And by the looks of that big ass barrier between these exes, I don't think Elyes is going to lighten up after this conversation.

Because just like bisexuality and viewing women as attractive, Elyes doesn't seem to understand what a healthy relationship or healthy conversation looks like.

I love him.

[couchtaro]

!!

from the OC introduction ask! (Sorry followers this is long but its worth it i prommy there are even pictures)

This is my little dötter Basil, a D&D PC of mine! She only saw 3 sessions of play 3 years ago but she is getting a second chance at life because @eaudecrow picked her up from the shelter and gave her a lovely yard to run around in.

Basil is a little tiefling girl whose large family runs an apothecary and surgery in a tiny little backwater town called Tarnygee. Basil’s brilliant mother developed a strain of magical herb that when processed can cast (without spell slots or prior magical ability) Lesser Restoration, thereby curing any disease instantly.

While traveling to heal a local noble, Basil’s mother disappeared and a bigshot inventor came forward claiming her panacea as his own. When Basil’s oldest brother tried to confront him and wound up dead, it became clear there was nothing they could do to get justice on their own. So, fueled by grief and rage, Basil took a job as a part-time warlock at Seelie Corp., a fey megacorporation with mysterious motives. In return for her working as their errand girl, Basil gets to be distinctly less killable and more tricky as she tries to find the inventor and extort him for the good of her destitute family.

Things aren’t working as well as she would like though: due to being basically a middle schooler, she’s got to keep her work under 40 hours a week and gets limited pact benefits. Her supervisor (a weasely pseudodragon named Keith) is dismissive and unhelpful, and her small town upbringing has kept her deeply unprepared for taking on the wild world of men and magic on her own.

Luckily, she’s found some unexpected help! While submitting her weekly report through the postal system of Fey portals, Basil’s paperwork went awry and found its way to another world: specifically a bunker in a war torn parallel version of the material plane. This bunker is the home and prison of Crow’s Aaren D’Cannith.

As a youth, Aaren invented a mechanical race called warforged, but seeing their potential for war and servitude, his family seized his blueprints (AND HIS ROBOT DAUGHTER) and disowned him as soon as he came of age. Aaren spent a few years as a vigilante trying to free his creations, but was trapped in his secret library when a magical-chemical fallout steeped his homeland in a volatile and toxic arcane gas. There he stayed, trapped and utterly alone, for three years.

Until Basil.

The two are corresponding via letters that we actually write each other, and it’s SUCH a fun and interesting method of storytelling to me aah. Despite being little more than strangers separated by a barely permeable divide, and despite Aaren struggling to believe Basil was even real at first, the two have formed a very sweet bond that makes me so unwell, you would not believe.

Both are grieved by how much of their own misfortune they see in the other. Through Basil’s letters, Aaren can tell that she is young, inexperienced, lacking support, and actively in danger as she allows herself to be used in exchange for power. He sees her situation with the eyes of someone who has been there and thus liberally (almost desperately) shares what little he can: his own arcane study materials, what he’s learned about survival and avoiding arrest, and, not the least, assurance that despite her perceptions, Basil is clever and kind and she matters.

Basil in turn is Aaren’s one connection to other people, and to a world that, while imperfect, is not ravaged and desolate like his own. After years of incarceration and tedium, he now has the exhilarating privilege of small talk and an audience for the terrible, terrible jokes he’s cooked up in isolation. He has a way to not only talk to someone outside of himself, but to help. He has something productive to do, and a reason to do it, not to mention the interesting puzzles of how their letters are finding each other and what else might be going on with Basil’s work. Basil is truly grateful to him, and returns his kindness in what little ways she can—most recently by interdimensionally mailing him his first real food in years.

Currently, Aaren and Basil are working to craft a pair of sending stones for daily artificer/botany jokes and (real reason) so that Basil can have some sort of emergency contact if she needs urgent advice. 25 words once per day is frightfully little if she ever runs into real trouble, and the limitations of their contact are never more haunting than when one considers how little Aaren could truly do in an emergency. I’m sure this frustration is only worsened by the unfortunate atrophy of his knowledge and skill caused by fog exposure. But he’s a clever man, and Crow had some ideas that seized my brain for weeks. Goodness.

Anyway in conclusion

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk

[spacemonkeysalsa]

God of Ambivalence

A tiefling Artificer splits a large stone on a beach to discover a one handed-wizard inside.

Pairing - Male OC/Gale (and some Shadowheart/Lae'zel which I mention because as of chapter fourteen there are more scenes of the two of them together than my main couple, but that's because I love me a slow burn and full disclaimer this is like an actual novel)

Chapter fourteen spoiler - A tiefling, a wizard, a githyanki monk and a cambion in disguise run into a fey creature who is interested in acquiring a new warlock.

Read Chapter One on Ao3

Read Chapter Two on Ao3

Read Chapter Three on Ao3

Read Chapter Four on Ao3

Read Chapter Five on Ao3

Read Chapter Six on Ao3

Read Chapter Seven on Ao3

Read Chapter Eight on Ao3

Read Chapter Nine on Ao3

Read Chapter Ten on Ao3

Read Chapter Eleven on Ao3

Read Chapter Twelve on Ao3

Read Chapter Thirteen on Ao3

Read Chapter Fourteen on Ao3

Or read Chapter Fourteen below

There was probably only a hair of difference between Erakis and Elion when it came to height—Elion’s horns helped. All the same, it seemed like Erakis had longer legs and could outstrip all of them with humiliating ease. He was far ahead, finding paths that Elion’s eyes couldn’t see, and guiding them through the underbrush with no small amount of impatience. The journey to meet with his ranger friend and to use her portal was only meant to take a day—but was that according to his personal pace? If so, they’d have to make camp well before they got there.

Gale was predictably in the rear of the group, still recovering, in spite of what he said, and in spite of what the cleric had insisted. At certain times there might be a full quarter mile between Erakis and Gale, with Elion and Xan hovering in between to keep the group from splitting completely.

They talked, mostly of the wilderness around them and what they were seeing. Elion could feel the subject of their poor pace bubbling closer to the surface as each of them took it in turns to let their anxiety get the best of them and glance back over their shoulders at the wizard.

“Seems like your family is close with Arabella. Has she always stayed in this area?”

“Not at all,” Xan shook his head. “I understand that my moms met her in that druid’s grove near Moonhaven, but she’s nomadic. I’ve known her my whole life, but only for a few days at a time, and never in the same place twice.”

“Your whole life? I thought she was younger than me when I first laid eyes on her.”

“Something to do with her nature. Chosen of someone. Of something. We can only speculate. She started as a normal tiefling. Then changed. Rolan’s the same.”

Being a tiefling on its own was complicated. People were already frightened of them on sight—of the implications. Rolan and Arabella had the power to isolate themselves as needed. It was hard not to be intrigued by that. “You traveled around a lot too?”

“Had to,” Xan admitted, a little grim quirk lifted one side of his thin mouth. “When on Toril, I’m something of a novelty. That’s fine for a short time, but a novelty in one place too long becomes a pariah. On other planes, the same became true, and this world held me all the more.”

“I know that feeling,” said Elion, “not really belonging anywhere.”

“In spite of insistences.”

“Constant,” Elion groaned. “I can hear my mother’s voice now. She was always telling me I belong anywhere I stand. I wanted to believe it.”

“You’ll go see them, while in Baldur’s Gate? Your parents?” Xan asked.

“I think I must,” Elion both looked forward to it and dreaded it. Six months was the longest he’d ever gone without seeing his family, but the circumstances of the present reunion were not ideal. They hadn’t parted on the best terms and he would have deeply preferred to return with something more impressive to show for his time away than a few new muscles and a very disappointed master. “They’ll be a little insufferable.”

“They’ll want you to stay.”

“Yes.”

“Will you?”

“I don’t know,” Elion paused a moment to spare a glance back at Gale, but was reassured to notice that the wizard seemed to be improving his pace, gradually. Perhaps he’d gotten a second wind. “What do you think? When did you leave home? Really leave?”

“In a sense, I never did,” Xan admitted. “And in another sense, I never really had a permanent home to begin with, in the Faerûn tradition. The little cottage where my grandfather lives would be close. But, I have spare memories of living there with him, and both my mothers—more distantly, my grandmother. The githyanki may never know peace and independence, but it won’t be for lack of effort. That effort has taken me from one plane to another at frequent intervals, since I was old enough to remember,” Xan admitted, frowning. That much, Elion had surmised, but hearing Xan say it with all the weight of his life behind those memories made Elion appreciate that he’d had a relatively eventless upbringing, it also made him feel very young. He supposed he was, but it was easy to forget that, being a member of a species with such a short lifespan to begin with. He’d felt ancient ever since he realized his life was a quarter over, at best, and he felt it had barely started.

Xan smirked, “It seems like the first time I left home I must’ve been very young. Just the day before my mother had been chasing me around the garden in play,” he stroked his little beard and recalled with a note of laughter, “she used to remove her false eye and hold it out in front to frighten me. I’m still not sure if she can actually use it to peer around corners like that, but she always acted like she could.”

Up ahead, Erakis had stopped walking, but Elion had the sinking feeling it was not because he was waiting for them to catch up. The man’s massive back bent as he crouched low. He seemed tense, and Elion quieted his footfalls. Xan was sure-footed, but seemed to follow suit, turning to swiftly and silently throw a gesture at Gale.

It could be any manner of beast, or an ambush, or some spectacle. Not for the first time, Elion thought how foolish it was that they ever thought that they might make it to their destination in a single day, without any upsets, detours or disasters. That simply wasn’t how these things worked. Erakis wrapped one large hand around the polearm of his spear, which did nothing to assuage Elion’s concerns. “Should we wait?” He caught Xan’s arm.

“You stay here, keep out of sight. I’ll make sure he doesn't need help.”

Xan moved like a scuttling reptile, silent and so fast it made Elion feel a little dizzy to imagine moving under his own power that way. The Monk reached Erakis so quickly that Elion had to privately acknowledge, somewhat sheepish, that if Xan and Erakis had traveled on their own, they probably would have reached their destination already. The two exchanged a word, seemed to be arguing. Xan gestured in front of them and gave a shrug. Erakis rolled his entire head and beckoned for the other two to approach. It was safe, apparently.

When he reached them, he saw that the hold up was just a small group of travelers ahead on the road. They were in some distress, having broken a cartwheel. They appeared to be nothing more than a little human family, with two young children and an old granny snoozing in the back of the lopsided cart. A man was trying to dig beneath the cart, perhaps hoping to get under it enough to put a new wheel on, but where they’d get a new wheel, Elion couldn’t say.

“Just some travelers in need of aid.”

“I could probably fix the broken wheel—or if not, I’m sure Gale could conjure a new one,” Elion suggested.

Erakis looked like he wanted to protest, but didn’t seem to be able to form the argument. Sensing his unease, Xan said, “They don’t really look dangerous. And it won’t take long to give them a hand.”

“Do as you like,” Erakis’ mouth, jaw and throat were all tight as he turned away.

For the life of him, Elion couldn’t discern what the problem could be. He suspected that Erakis was already annoyed with them for taking longer than expected, but maybe he could alleviate some of that irritation if he just showed off how simple it was to repair the cart with the tiniest bit of magic—or even just basic engineering. Elion had both skills at his disposal. 

The family hadn’t noticed them yet. They were still far enough back and mostly veiled by the brush. The mother looked to be close to tears as she distantly begged her children not to wander far from the cart. It may be a simple enough thing for Elion to fix, but they were clearly out of their depth, and probably exhausted from travel. No reason not to lend a hand when it cost them so little. He might even be able to have it all sorted before Gale caught up with them.

He raised his hand to call to them, when suddenly Xan grabbed him by the arm to stop him. “Wait!” he hissed. “Where’s the wizard?”

Elion whirled around, but Xan’s concern was well founded. Gale was gone. He’d been back a ways—but not far enough for them to get split up naturally. There was now no trace of him at all on the trail.

“Godsdammit,” murmured Erakis and he let out the deepest of sighs.

“Godsdammit,” Xan echoed with marked more enthusiasm.

Elion saw a moment later that they were both facing the direction of the road ahead again. The family had vanished, along with their cart and the tracks Elion was sure had marked the mud behind it. All of it had been an illusion, and a powerful one.

#

The first thing Gale became aware of was that he was missing time. That thought struck him before he even knew where he was, before he fully took in the view, floral and herb scent, and humid weight of the muggy air around him. It was dark, but not in an ominous or underground way, more like a well insulated chamber with the curtains drawn over what few windows it had. There was a little candlelight for convenience, but the glowing embers in the fireplace were about as much extra warmth as one could stand during these summer months. The chamber, wherever it was, would serve better in winter. Gale was setted at a low table, his knees jutting up to his chest. He held a cup of tea in his good hand, his new prosthetic listing to repeatedly tap the side of the tin cup with a faint chiming song. It was the ringing in his ear that seemed to draw him to his senses.

Something was very wrong. The last thing he remembered clearly was walking along that narrow pathway out under the blazing sun. Elion and Xan had been ahead of him, Erakis shaming them all, far ahead. Then.

Lilac? Did he recall the strong scent of lilac? And a laughing voice.

He looked around the small chamber for some anchor of reality, but there was nothing familiar, and nothing to pin his location.

He wasn’t alone, however.

The woman was busying herself, arranging something on a plate. She appeared young at first glance, though her movements were a bit too smooth, a bit too poised. She delicately stroked a variety of nuts, simple biscuits and dried fruit into place with the deliberate and thoughtless movements of someone who had long ago learned to disguise their lack of vigor with a touch of maturity and grace. Her face though, turned to the side, was youthful, and her skin was clear and perfect, what of it he could see. Down her back she had a braid knotted at even intervals and adorned with silver trinkets that matched an overbright sheen in the corner of her eye.

He felt like he’d been here for some time. The acrid hum of fey magic buzzed in the air, more apparent than when Arabella had unfolded herself from nowhere. Whatever he’d gotten himself into, and however it had happened, he needed to be careful. And, probably not drink the tea in his hand.

“I’m afraid my offerings are rather meager today,” the woman apologized as she set the plate before him on the table and stroked crumbs off her apron before sitting down beside him. Her voice didn’t sound like a woman of nineteen either, but the glamor was very good. He couldn’t find the edges of it. Couldn’t begin to guess what she really was. “It’s this time of year, nothing has quite sprung to life yet, and the winter larder and pantry are all but spent. Give it a few days and the whole of the land will start to awaken.”

An anxiety gripped him as Gale had to suppress the urge to ask about the others. It was grim arithmetic, but he did it in an instant, had to think of it. If he’d been taken by some fey creature, which seemed confirmed by his present situation, then it was all but impossible she’d simply left his companions out on the road, unbothered, where they might yet come search for him. In all likelihood, she had them in some kind of confinement, intending to use them for leverage.

But, leverage to do what? What did she want with him?

He wasn’t above sacrificing a moment’s peace and decorum to demand answers, but she spared him by addressing his unasked question with the smallest of smirks on her too pretty, and too predatory face. “Now, I’ll be quite honest with you, lad. I’ve  interviewed likely candidates for a pact before, but I’m well out of practice. I hope you’ll go easy on me.” Her violet eyes had an undulating warmth to them, more like the embers in her fire than sunlight, but with the smallest hint of blinding fury.

“A pact?” Gale’s concern ebbed, then redoubled. A fey creature soliciting a warlock was it? Interesting. “I’ll admit, I’ve never seriously considered a warlock’s pact.”

“That word seriously does quite a lot of work in that statement though, doesn't it?” she teased, and her chiding wasn’t a shot in the dark. There was such confidence behind it that Gale had to narrow his guesses about her true nature down to fey creatures with some natural divination ability. She could see a portion of his past, in all likelihood, maybe even pick up traces of dark things from his mind and private memory. Alternatively, there was the time he couldn’t remember. Had she drawn some secrets from him while he was entranced?

“I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, all their trembling warnings about the intoxication of power. Wizards like you pursue it as a life’s work. It’s an obsession. Those are the highlights of the lecture, are they not?” the woman rolled those purple eyes as she took a sip of tea from her own cup. “Oh! And the self destruction and misery that it leads to, of course.”

“Of course,” Gale had indeed heard this lecture—in a number of different languages, in fact. “But there are marked differences between what drives one to dedicate themselves to the study of magic as a wizard, as opposed to what drives a warlock to pursue power.”

“True,” the woman conceded, “I have my own understanding of those differences—but what do you think they are?”

“The effect of mastering magic is part of the appeal, part of what drives the obsession,” Gale didn’t like to follow this thought to its logical conclusion, because it had some rather bleak implications for his melancholic disposition, but it was also observably true. It wasn’t just magic that was his obsession, it was the continual pursuit of the unobtainable. “I would never describe myself as a patient man, but a warlock’s pact is certainly something of a shortcut, and one that doesn't appeal to me. I’ll take the long road, thank you.”

The woman let out a quick bark of laughter that turned into a giggle behind her hand, “the long road? You could cast fireball by the time you were eight.”

“True enough. That’s an unnerving little trick, you know? Peering into my past.”

“I am well aware,” the woman smirked, “but it's as natural as breathing to someone like me. How considerate are you, when it comes to suppressing all the things you know so that the people around you feel more comfortable?”

She had him there, but he wasn’t about to admit it.

“The truth is, you are remarkable, and under better circumstances, I don’t think you could be tempted by even the most reasonable of pacts. But. Your circumstances,” she gestured to him, one long finger nearly brushing across his prosthetic. “If left entirely to your own devices, perhaps you could have overcome the frequent pitfalls of power’s endless pursuit. You might’ve been the exception, and not just another Karsus. But, you do have such circumstances, don’t you? You were interfered with at every turn, one might even say that you were pushed to ruin. Dragged there.”

“One might,” he’d had those thoughts himself, during the darkest nights alone in his tower, when he felt fragility and mortality most keenly. When time seemed to gush rather than seep, and he feared he’d face an ignominious end before he ever got another chance at greatness, or redemption. “But, it hardly follows that I should—”“—oh, I think it does follow.” The woman’s flare of excitement gave him pause. “I think it’s the most natural thing in the world to recognize that even with a shortcut, you still might face inevitable defeat by your own ambitions. As natural as death itself. You are no ordinary dreamer. The unobtainable heights you seek require every scraping advantage you can grab onto, while you still have hands.” She shrugged, “Or, while you still have one left.”

[sarascamander]

Ranking the Sparrows

7. Christopher the box

I literally don't know what to say...

6. Jayme

First of all I want to say that the actress is really really stunning. Like I can't look away from her every time she's on screen, she's so pretty!

At the same time whenever she's on screen she's doing or saying something rude and I hate her comment on Five and Diego.

5. Alphonso

He's funny, I'll give him that. And he's such a mood too (eating popcorn while watching her sister beat someone up). But other than that there's not much to him.

4. Ben

God he's such an asshole I want him to be last but I don't think it's fair since technically I care less about Jayme and Alphonso and that box. But god I want to punch his throat every time he opens his mouth. The only reason he's this high is because he's funny sometimes and he's so pathetic at that bachelor scene I actually want to hug him. I'm not asking him to be Umbrella Ben, but can he tone down the assholess-ness for a second, jeez.

3. Sloane

Sloane is actually nice and sweet and her power is really cool. The only negative thing I have to say to her isn't actually a negative thing but I hate that she's so... Understanding and peaceful sometimes (urging Luther to make peace with Reggie and her vibe). Again, this is just a personal preference which is kind of ironic bc I just complained that Ben is an asshole earlier lmao.

I think she just rubbed me off slightly wrong because she's treated as a love interest for Luther and doesn't actually go beyond that and I hate that because I would enjoy her more if they make the romance less rushy and instant (I think it's cute that she was fascinated by Luther's moon story but for someone who could be as smart as Five, I didn't expect her to agree to marry Luther immediately. Tbf it was the end of the word but still it's my preference on the circumstances).

2. Marcus

There are only 2 brain cells in the Sparrow Academy and one of them belongs to Marcus. I think he's cool and has so much potential bc I do think he's a good leader and also rational. He tried to negotiate and listen to both sides. He let Viktor run instead of capturing him in the Academy. I'm not saying he's a saint and he definitely has his own motives and stuff but just saying if he was still alive, the whole Sparrow vs Umbrella wouldn't go as long as it did. I truly think he deserves his no. 1 titles.

1. Fei

Fei Hargreeves slayed so hard, I'm sorry. She's a fashion icon since the Handler and her personality is so engaging and enjoyable. She has the other braincell and she's evil and I love it. It looked good on her. None of the Sparrow are actually fleshed out well but I love the potential of Fei and she's entertaining to watch.

[hubrisbracket]

Hubris Bracket Side A Poll 11: Riliane Lucifen d'Autriche (The Evillious Chronicles) vs Fei Wong Reed (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle)

Propaganda below!

Riliane Lucifen d'Autriche

So in evillious there are people known as the seven sinners because they were possessed by demons of sin (there were other people that were posessed too but the sinners are the ones who made the biggest impact on the world) and riliane is literally the sinner of pride!! She was a princess who got posessed by a the demon of pride and that made her all tyrannical, executing people for no reason, letting commoners starve, classic evil princess shit, and she committed genocide on a country because her ex-fiance fell in love with a girl from that country. BUT then the people started a revolution where they wanted to execute her, but her servant Allen who was very very devoted to her (and who was actually her twin brother but she lost memories of that because of a different demon) and allen puts on her clothes and pretends to be her and gets executed, she has to watch him die then runs away into the woods and almost dies, but then gets saved by a nun (that was actually the lesbian crush of the girl whose country she genocided) and was taken into the monastery, at first she was all pathetic and snobby and didnt want to do "commoner" work but eventually she came around but her main Thing is the part where she gets knocked from her throne and becomes a sad wet kitten okay. Also she was 14 and ruled the country bc her parents died

She is Literally the embodiment of Pride. She is fourteen years old. She ordered a genocided. She has a favourite horse named Josephine. She regularly has people beheaded via guillotine. She became a nun wishing for everyone to know peace later in life. She HAS the range and also she has bee the princess of my heart since like 2015 ♡

(this next one isn't in bullet form bc it's long)

Riliane was an exceptionally terrible tyrant, who only ruled her kingdom for 1 year before being overthrown. She would tax the people, who already had very little food, so that she could buy exorbitant things to show off to her guests and her fiancée. She would execute people over the tiniest of issues, such as not letting her win a game. She waged a war on another kingdom because her fiancée (who was forced into the marriage by his abusive mother) broke off the engagement to pursue a peasant woman. Not knowing the woman's identity, she simply commanded her army to track down and kill every woman who shared the same traits, known as the "Green Hunt".

If all of this sounds incredibly petty and childish, that is because Riliane ascended to the throne when she was 14. She is literally a child. History books say that she was executed in the square at three o'clock, just before her 15th birthday… but the truth is a bit more complicated. She had a younger twin brother, but a succession crisis and plot to undermine the royal family ended up with her getting amnesia and him having to fake his death for his own safety. This happened when they were only 6. He eventually came back to the palace as a servant named "Allen Avadonia", but Riliane had already been possessed by the Demon of Pride. The only people who knew Allen's true identity was Allen, their late mother, his adoptive father, and the two other confidants that their parents had. Riliane just saw Allen's resemblance to her as a fun piece of trivia.

Despite this, Allen did his best to make her happy, even to his own detriment. And it seemed that, even though she was possessed, she did come to care about him as well, because she only stopped the war because he said he would leave the palace if she didn't. When the revolutionaries were coming to capture and execute the princess, Allen asked if they could switch clothes, and then told her to flee while he stayed behind.

Even if she couldn't remember him, they were still twins, so he could probably fool the rebels. Riliane, to her credit, was absolutely horrified by this and protested, even telling him that this was all her fault and she should face punishment for it. Allen, however, didn't give Riliane a choice in the matter. He pushed her into a hidden passageway and locked the door behind him, while he faced the revolutionaries alone. Riliane has not lost everything, even her own identity because the princess was supposed to have been executed. On the brink of starvation, however, she is found by a nun, and taken in. Riliane is still somewhat selfish and bratty, pushing everyone else away, except for the nun who saved her, Clarith. Eventually, Clarith's kindness even manages to make Riliane try being more respectful and help out with the chores at the orphanage.

Clarith understands what it's like to be so alone, as it is something she struggled with her entire life until she made her first friend. And then her friend was killed in the Green Hunt. One night, Riliane goes to the confession box, and admits all of her evil deeds from her time on the throne, then goes out to watch the sea and mourn her brother. And, by complete coincidence, Clarith overheard everything. Knife in hand, Clarith looms closer and closer to Riliane. This is the tyrant who took her dearest friend and razed her village to the ground.

Everyone is dead and gone because of her. Killing her would be justice. Right? But she's a child and she's so lonely. She's just standing there, in the seawater. She knows Clarith is behind her. She knows that Clarith is intending to kill her, and she accepts it. She knows she deserves it for what she's done. But Clarith spares her life, takes pity on her. And furthermore, Clarith helps her adjust to this new life, and the former tyrant resolves to try and become a better person, to honor the sacrifice her brother made. She knows she can never apologize or be forgiven for what she has done.

But that doesn't mean she shouldn't at least try. She spends the rest of her life at the orphanage, raising the children there with love. (This is the propaganda) TLDR: Teenage tyrant loses everything; her kingdom, riches, last remaining family member, even her own identity, and is forced to live the rest of her life with the knowledge and guilt that she has no one to blame for her misfortune but herself. In the end, she is given pity by a person she has hurt directly and tries to honor her brother's sacrifice by being a better person, living humbly and being a loving parent to the orphans at the orphanage. She'd learn nothing if she was simply executed, after all.

Fei Wong Reed

Fei Wong Reed sought to conquer death where the superior magician (Clow Reed, who created Fei Wong by unspecified magical means) failed; he didn't do this because he particularly cared about any dead person, but because he wanted to prove he was better than Clow. he orchestrated a whole plan involving time loops, clones, memories scattered across worlds/dimensions, and pawns arranged for when they were children, but he still failed in the end. he arranged for a group of four people (and their sapient little magical creature) to travel between worlds, unknowingly fulfilling Fei Wong's ends; this group was made up of two clones created by him (one of whom had her memories scattered across worlds by Fei Wong so that he could use her for her powerful magic once the group had gotten all the memories back), a strong fighter who wouldn't have ended up on this journey if Fei Wong hadn't killed his mother when he was a child, and a powerful magician whose secret convoluted backstory meant that he was supposed to betray the rest of the group to Fei Wong (spoilers: when it comes down to it he decides to help the rest of his group instead because they are Found Family). in the end, the group (along with the escaped boy one of the clones was created from (who escaped because one of Fei Wong's other creations let him go)) stops him, and he winds up dead at the hands of the fighter. TLDR: Fei Wong Reed wanted to do an impossible thing just to prove he was better than his creator, he set up an intricate web that brought a specific group of people together to help achieve this task without (most of) their knowledge, and he was then killed by this group of people.

[lamuradex]

OC Smash or Pass Tag

Thanks @sableglass. I'm slowly working my way through all the tag games. Here we go.

Rules: Describe one of your OCs and make a poll to either smash or pass

Now, here I have a bit of a dilemma. I have a bunch of protags I could pick, a bunch of cool characters, but then I also have one character I very specifically wrote to be very sexy.

Well, I think you all know which one I'm going to chose.

I'm picking Fey Scarlet, the love interest for my MC in The Madman and the Princess

I'll put the poll here, so please come back up after reading the description and vote.

I have a feeling I know how this one will play out.

Fey Scarlet

Fey is a 26 year old woman who owns and runs The Gem Bar, a crime bar that promises to give shelter to its crooked clientele. Within reason. She doesn't protect predators or anyone who hurts kids.

She is quite intelligent, very attractive, speaks with a Southern Belle accent, and is deliberately flirty, but that's all to promote bigger tips and the occasional gift from her admirers, which she then pawns for extra cash. Many people have pursued her, most at the bar know it's foolish to try, but only one has actually won her heart, though they tend that to keep that a secret to not dissuade her admirers' money.

And here (I'll put this below a break) is her description. It's a little saucy, not incredibly, but still. This is from a mature book after all.

The woman stood, straightened her clothes and then noticed Gideon. And, oh boy, what a woman she was. She was a tall, curvaceous, buxom woman in her mid-twenties, wearing a white blouse and a burgundy dress which corseted in slightly about her waist. Her hair was long and ginger, most of it tied up in a ponytail, some of it coming down to drape her neck. Her face was soft and charming, though her eyes and nose were sharp, like they were cut from marble. Her skin was warm and peach, and depending on her makeup and her mood, littered with little freckles. They were currently hidden by blusher. And then there was her body. Plump, but in all the right places. Her chest was… extravagant to say the least. Her breasts were almost the size of her head, and displayed quite prominently by her partially unbuttoned blouse, freckles speckling the cleavage. And with her corseted middle pushing things in and up, alongside a rather plentiful backside, she gave off an almost impossible, unattainable, quality, like a statue from a particularly lusty sculptor, all while still having the bounce in her physique that proved she was all flesh and blood, working with her natural assets. Fey Scarlet, as was her likely fake name, turned those brilliant, emerald eyes and met Gideon’s brown ones. She shot him the subtlest of winks and turned, heading to the bar.

Thanks for the tag, and now to tag others.

@wintherlywords @stephtuckerauthor @fayeiswriting @mikathewriter @agirlandherquill

[cloudjumpervalka]

really surprised i haven't posted these?

the first is a lineup of my apprentice for the arcana game in their various outfits. they have since become a big inspiration for my new book project

the second is a lineup of all my ttrpg characters over the years. more info about them below (this is so long i apologize but i love my blorbos)

Dagny - half wood elf druid. he lives alone in a swamp after running away from home. he doesn't much care for people after growing up in a toxic environment. he dedicates himself to preserving the wildlife he's found solace in. Notably has a pet seagull named Gordon and a coral snake named Alton

Beryl Frozenfire (ft. Sapphire Frozenfire) - mountain dwarf barbarian. beryl and sapphire grew up as siblings born into a wealthy mining family (all of their family is named after blue gemstones) beryl grew up more interested in fighting to protect her home while sapphire grew up interested in becoming a powerful wizard. they grew up as the best of friends but long story short, beryl accidentally kills sapphire during a raid on her family's mine. beryl leaves her family home to atone for this, only to return years later with her new traveling party against her wishes. while saving her family's mine which had fell apart after the disappearance of their two children, she finds herself now magically attached to an ax holding the angry soul of her dead sister.

Morgana Thales - dusk elf death cleric. (yes i used Mor for a like month long side campaign i dont remember the exact details but bear with me) morgana loses her wife in a raid against their village. she then makes a deal with the followers of (i dont remember the deity oops but i think?? it was Shar?) to resurrect her wife in exchange of her service

Jullian - fey eladrin bard. he plays the hurdy gurdy. he's a traveling musician that relies on his constant traveling to refrain from forming any good relationships. (and honestly i've tried playing him in two different campaigns but i just can't rp as him lmao so me leaving those campaigns early is very in character actually)

Nanjo - human... doomed superhero... "vape ghost". she was born with powers that allow her to turn her body into vapor to "teleport" (similar to reaper/moira ovw) however every time that she uses her powers, she loses a part of her physical body. she currently does not have either of her arms intact, instead she moves her hands around with clouds of vapor she forms to create "smoky arms". she does not want people to know she is essentially disintegrating for multiple reasons. but the main reason is she is a retired jpop idol. it was too hard to keep her secret on stage so she left her other two group members to be a duo. while she cannot continue performing on stage, she uses her abilities in a modified cosplay of her favorite idol to fight crime

Olive Alberich - android on the run from being disassembled. she was built as a product of a corrupt company. she was purchased by a wealthy family that used her to act as a nanny for their child. she acted essentially as the kid's sole caretaker as well as her homeschool teacher as she had infinite knowledge in her head. one day the kid asks to do a science experiment as her homework for the day, but things go wrong and results in the kid dying from a explosion/fire that burns down that wing of the mansion. this event triggers an empathy chip in olive's brain that was not meant to be installed. olive distraught in that moment can recall her years raising this kid in new light while watching her body burn. her owners after seeing olive's new attitude, call for her recall as they believe she intentionally killed their child. she believes this is unjust and is now on the run. she has since acquired a new "cool girl" look by cutting her hair, changing her wardrobe, and replacing one of her eyes. if anyone asks, she's human

the last one is cheating because its beryl again but from when i tried bringing her back for a new campaign that was abandoned quickly lol

[allthecastlesonclouds]

Is someone were to start watching dimention 20 . What series(?) would you reccomend n where ?

omg omg okay okay so i'd say there are so many different routes you can take depending on what genre you like!! this is truly so hard omg. i can start off by saying most seasons are on a subscription service called dropout which is the only subscription service i will be paying for in my life (unless you're counting a patreon as a subscription service), but they also have a youtube where they've released a couple full seasons.

i'm putting Escape From The Bloodkeep at the top because a) Villainous Found Family, b) free on youtube, and c) there's an NPC named J'er'em'ih. It's a Lord of the Rings knockoff from the perspective of the villains who are dorks and also queer. Found family to the max and so many bits.

i will be crunching this post because it is LONG! genres galore!

if you want Drama: A Crown of Candy is a Game of Thrones/Candy Land mashup. The Ravening War is the prequel. Both of them have a nonzero chance of making you cry and Do have permanent deaths. A Court of Fey and Flowers is the other drama but it's. queer Bridgerton with fairies. no angst many flowers and there's LETTER WRITING and a RUMOR PHASE

Coming Of Age: Fantasy High Freshman Year, Sophomore Year, Junior Year, and The Seven. While I think t7 is higher in quality than Freshman Year, you do need FY for context. either way, both feel as realistic as an adventuring school can be to an actual coming of age story.

Misfits and Magic is also a Coming of Age and an homage and just. a fabulous piece in general which I think is a GREAT introduction (if you have dropout)! it's a group of people going "how much can we poke fun at jk rowlings books bc we grew up on those but we Don't Like Her and actually her system is trash?" it's a smaller cast using the kids on brooms system, and, once again, it's queer and coming of age and found family. there's a wet cat of a man if that's what you need in your life.

Horror Seasons: Neverafter and Burrow's End are the two Overtly Horror seasons and they both pull it off very well. Neverafter is found family. Burrow's End is a literal family (of stoats) (not anthropomorphized, just plain stoats). they're Good Horror.

The Unsleeping City (Part I) is also very good. only filmed media that's made me cry. i can't speak to part ii specifically because i did not vibe with the virtual filming style. i got dropout because of Pirates of Leviathan, but i had the context of s1 and s2 of fantasy high so. idk man. is this coherent?

romance: Shriek Week and A Court of Fey and Flowers. Monster dating sim and Fairy Bridgerton. i'm not a dating sim person so i couldn't really do shriek week but ACOFAF. Man. That season.

Mystery: Mentopolis. I cannot tell you how much I loved Mentopolis. such a good season. Hank Green is there. Mike Trapp (creator of J'er'em'ih) is there. It's truly just tropes tropes tropes. everything is a pun.

Mentopolis also fits under action, which is what I would put Coffin Run under as well. Coffin Run my beloved. 2 vampires a wannabe-vampire and a jewish-old-man-who-misses-his-wife walk into dracula's castle and go. "hey we're your favorites, right?"

i'm so sorry. i hope this helped. i really love this show man. there's very few seasons i couldn't finish and 20 seasons out right now (the 21st is coming out every wednesday starting last week) and while there are MORE seasons like A Starstruck Odyssey (scifi comedy, 10/10 no notes) this is a long post to say. TLDR: you gotta know what style of show you like. my friend and i both watch it but she REFUSES to watch fantasy high and i can't stomach A Crown of Candy but we still both watch other seasons.