#like does she even like me? does she care about me? she claims she does and then does this like wth

[loredrinker]

"His love could burn against me like a bonfire."

Love, in this case, is not gentle - it is consuming, passionate, destructive. A bonfire gives warmth, but step too close, and it will sear flesh.

Lavellan does not deny its beauty or its agony. She has felt it, endured it, and still, she names it love.

To be loved by Solas is to suffer. She has walked through the fire and carries the scars.

It is also a warning to Rook - "You felt the power of his mind." If you are not careful, he will burn you too.

Solas is "Someone who experiences sadness. This is someone who falls in love, even if it he doesn't do it with that inquisitor on that playthrough, this is always someone who can be like that." "If you want to see the utter sadness of Solas, it’s the play through where you romance him. You really get to see that he does care about you. It’s obvious - I hope - that his feelings for you are not fake." (Trick Weekes)

And it is sad - because all Solas has known of love is through Mythal, through the Evanuris, through the distant echoes of a world where spirits first learned how to be people.

And then, he loved a mortal. A choice that was his alone, not bound by ancient grief or obligation. A choice that was his - of his own heart.

And she alone remains to tell of it. To have been seared by something no other amongst the living can claim.

She walked through that love and survived.

[jaijeijayjei]

Saw this on twitter and there is so much wrong with this argument I need to get it off my chest.

This person is watching these scenes with the assumption that "Jayce loves Viktor, Mel is just a stepping stone/placeholder" - textbook confirmation bias.

Mel has not unlocked her abilities yet. Case in point, her confrontation scene with Ambessa makes it abundantly clear she can't read her mother's inner emotions- she's shocked and confused for most of the fight.

Even if she was an empath - why would Mel pursue a romance with someone who supposedly doesn't truly love her? Mel has far more self respect than that.

(recycled from an old post) Do you really think Jayce is the type of person to use Mel for sex, comfort, and emotional support when he doesn't truly care about her? Even if you claim it's because he's lying to himself about his feelings for Viktor, if he's acting like he has genuine romantic interest for Mel without actually having those feelings that's still purposefully deceiving her- which is a crappy thing to do, and OOC for someone as caring as Jayce.

Tell me why this post showed a slowed down, zoomed in clip of Jayce's "words not reaching his eyes" when telling Mel nothing feels impossible when they're together? This isn't out of the blue for him- When talking about Hextech he tells even her, "I couldn't have done it without you." There is nothing to indicate he's being dishonest here.

She sent him to be with Viktor because his friend is terminally ill. If she was "handing Jayce over to his true love" then why does she continue to show romantic feelings towards him?

Overton herself has said they didn't have Jay/vik in mind when developing the show but that viewers are free to have their own interpretation BEYOND WHAT THE SHOW INTENDED. There is no way the writers and animators purposefully made this scene to mean "this is the moment Mel realizes Viktor is Jayce's true love." Even if you don't care about the writer's intentions- don't try to present this argument as canonical evidence to discredit MelJay when you're making huge leaps to get to those conclusions.

Imagine if Meljay shippers said "Omg when the scene transitions from Mel and Jayce together to Viktor alone, that means Jayce would rather be with Mel than his dying partner"- see how farfetched that sounds??

If I had a nickel for every time Mel's arcane powers are used to dunk on Meljay and prove their whole relationship is "actually" about Jay/vik I'd have a lot of nickels.

[stxrsniolo]

⠀⠀ ⠀✦ ⠀ :⠀⠀somnium⠀ ⠀💭 ⠀ . . .

𝐀𝐄𝐆★𝐍'𝐒 notes : dear reader, this story will unfold over approximately 15 chapters, all of which have been meticulously outlined by yours truly (aka me, yes). it’s a slow burn between the characters, filled with a little bit of everything—from scenes not suitable for sensitive audiences to purely comedic moments, and even the classic teenage drama you’d expect from characters navigating this stage of life.

𝐀𝐄𝐆★𝐍'𝐒 pairing : dreambound!matt x lucid dream!reader

Chapter 05: the dream of a thousand emotions

the morning after the nightmare was like waking up in a world where the colors had bled away, leaving everything in shades of gray. 

matt felt abandoned, the void left by heist in his dream like a betrayal that echoed through every moment of his waking hours.

he avoided nick and chris, choosing to confine himself to his room on the second floor, his sanctuary where he could wrestle with his thoughts alone.

the day was spent in a futile attempt to escape his mind; movies played, but their stories were background noise to his internal monologue. fortnite's battles were as hollow as his heart felt, and his phone became a tool for mindless scrolling, each swipe a testament to his disengagement from the world around him.

"what the fuck was that last night?" he growled to himself, his voice thick with resentment. "she's supposed to be there, isn't she? or is it all just some sick game my mind's playing on me?" 

he paced, each step a thud of frustration on the wooden floor. "i can't be falling for someone who doesn't even show up when i need them. that's not love; that's just... pathetic."

staring into the mirror, his reflection seemed to mock him with its haunted eyes. "why should i care about her? she wasn't there when it mattered, when i was alone in that fucking fire."

he threw himself to his bed, hugging mr. wrinkleton in search of comfort. "yeah she must be just something my brain cooked up, a dream character to keep me from going mad." 

"but she feels so real, man." he sighed, shutting his eyes close. "but what if she does exist? could she be somewhere out there, dreaming of me like i do of her?"

the dread of sleep was palpable, not just because of the fear of loneliness but because of the anger at her absence; he battled against it with caffeine, with music so loud it vibrated in his bones, with anything to keep his eyelids from drooping, but sleep was inevitable.

when it finally claimed him, he found himself at the familiar zoo from one of their old vlogs.

the air was filled with the sounds of animals and the distant echoes of their laughter from the video, and there she was, heist, looking as if she'd never known a moment's fatigue, her presence almost mocking in its vibrancy.

"hey, grumpy mc grump!" she greeted him, her smile bright, her brooklyn twang a sharp reminder of their connection.

matt didn't respond, his jaw clenched, eyes deliberately avoiding hers. he stormed off, the zoo's paths a maze for his resentful march.

he expected her to follow, to chase after him, to apologize, but she didn't, and that only fuelled his anger further. "what, now you're just going to let me walk away?" he muttered under his breath, his movements through the zoo sharp, each step a declaration of his hurt.

he wandered, the zoo becoming a reflection of his turmoil, until he ended up at the giraffe enclosure, taking a seat in one of the small carts. to his surprise and irritation, she was there too, as if she knew exactly where he'd end up.

"why the attitude?" heist asked, her voice now laced with confusion and a hint of hurt.

"because you weren't there!" matt snapped, his voice echoing around them, the anger finally spilling over. "i was in that burning house, alone, looking for you, and you were fucking nowhere!"

"i'm sorry," she said, her voice soft, reaching out to him.

he recoiled at first, his body language stiff, but her sincerity, the look in her eyes, began to erode his defenses. she moved closer, her arms wrapping around him, pulling him into an embrace that was both an apology and a balm.

"why weren't you there?" he demanded again, his voice muffled against her, the edge of his anger giving way to confusion and pain.

"i don't know," she admitted, her tone apologetic, her embrace tightening as if to make up for the absence.

they sat like that for what felt like hours in the dream, the zoo around them a blur as they watched the giraffes. 

slowly, the resentment ebbed away, replaced by the comfort of her presence, her voice, her touch.

they talked about everything and nothing, her laughter bringing his own back to life, healing the rift that had formed.

heist pointed out different animals, their behaviors, telling him stories about them that made him laugh despite himself. "look at that one," she said, pointing to a particularly playful monkey. "he reminds me of you when you're trying to act all tough."

matt found himself smiling, the tension leaving his body. "yeah, well, at least i don't fling my shit around."

she laughed, the sound clear and bright, washing away the last traces of his anger. they moved from the giraffe enclosure to the penguin exhibit, where they sat on the cold ground, watching the penguins' comical waddle.

as their time in the dream neared its end, they found themselves back at the cart, the day in the zoo drawing to a close in the dream world.

the air between them was charged with something powerful, unspoken, and they leaned in, their faces close, breaths mingling, the anticipation of a kiss hanging between them...

and then he woke up, the kiss unfulfilled, leaving him with a sharp sense of loss. "oh, fuck this," he exclaimed, the word a whisper of frustration in the quiet of his room.

breakfast with his brothers was a silent affair, matt's mind still with heist, and in a moment of desperation, he called his mother, marylou, seeking some semblance of understanding.

"mom?" his voice was hesitant, unsure, the pain of his heart bleeding into the word.

"matt, honey, what's wrong?" marylou's voice was immediately laced with concern, the kind that only a mother can muster.

"can you... can you fall in love with someone you've never met, someone who only exists in your dreams?" his question was both a plea for understanding and an admission of his confusion.

there was a pause on the line, the kind filled with a thousand unspoken thoughts. "oh, sweetheart," marylou began, her voice soft, comforting. "love can be strange, can't it? it doesn't always follow the rules of the real world. if this girl feels real to you, if she touches your heart in ways that wake you up, then maybe in some way, she is real."

"but it sounds crazy, doesn't it? i feel like i'm losing my grip on reality." matt's voice cracked, the vulnerability raw.

"it's not crazy to feel love, matt. your heart knows things your mind can't always explain."

matt listened, his mother's words wrapping around him like a warm blanket. "so, you think it's possible? that she could be... real, in some way?"

"possible? yes. probable? that's for you to figure out, my love. but what matters is how it makes you feel. are these dreams, this connection with her, making you happy? or is it tearing you apart?"

"it's both," matt confessed, the truth of it heavy on his tongue. "i'm scared i'm going insane, but when i'm with her, even if it's just in my dreams, i feel... alive."

"then maybe that's your answer, matt. follow where your heart leads, but remember to keep your feet on the ground. if she's real, in any form, you'll find your way to her, or she to you. and if she's not, then these dreams are teaching you something about yourself, about love, about the capacity of your own heart."

"thanks, mom," matt said, his voice steadier, the conversation with his mother grounding him, even if only for a moment.

"anytime, sweetheart. just... take care of yourself, okay? and if you need to talk about this or anything else, i'm here."

after hanging up, matt felt a mix of relief and continued confusion.

he decided to check the comments on their latest video, something that had become part of their routine but now felt like he was looking for a piece of his puzzle in the digital world.

he opened youtube, navigating to their channel, his thumb scrolling through the sea of comments. at first, it was the usual mix of fan appreciation, questions about their next video, and the occasional critique. but then, one comment caught his eye:

"matt seems different these days. there's something in his eyes, like he's either found love or lost it. who's the mystery girl?"

he paused, reading the comment again, the words piercing through his attempt to remain detached. he scrolled further, and there were more:

"is matt in love? he's got that dreamy look in his eyes lately."

"anyone else notice how matt's been acting? it's like he's got a secret girlfriend or something."

"matt looks so off lately. is he heartbroken or just playing us for some new content?"

each comment was like a pinprick, bringing to light his internal struggle in a way he hadn't expected. the fans, with their keen eyes, had picked up on the change in him, the absence of his usual energy, the way his smiles seemed forced, or the moments his mind was clearly elsewhere.

he sat back, the screen blurring as his mind raced, the realization that his inner turmoil was visible, speculated upon by thousands, made him feel exposed, vulnerable. "oh no," he whispered to himself, the weight of public speculation bearing down on him.

ㅤ﹙ 𝟑𝟑𝟑 ﹚ㅤּㅤㅤ˻ㅤaegan is typingㅤ˺ᅟ⠀ i appreciate the love shown through reposts, but let me be clear: my tales are not to be copied or adapted without a whisper to me first. my words are my treasure, and i guard them jealously.

my murder of crows: @courta13 @chrislilcumslvt @marrykisskilled @chrislova @sturnshood @inspiredangel @strnilolover @emely9274 @sturns-mermaid @blushsturns @ariieeesworld @pixie-sticks-are-good @luvjaeeee

in case that you desire to be tagged in future works, here's the taglist.

[shorthaltsjester]

Imogen Temult, Exaltant Hope of the Red Storm

Heroes and Monsters by Penny & Sparrow // Critical Role Campaign 3

[freakinator]

vagueing but i think certain ppl need to realize that you can be both manipulative And traumatized 😭

[vaguely-concerned]

I've been trying to figure out a dynamic between neve and rye that I find more compelling, because right now there's not much of anything there for me to sink my little teeth into. but I think I've landed on something delicious with the idea that especially after minrathous gets fucked, rye looks at neve and sees myrna -- someone he feels he keeps letting down horribly no matter how hard he tries not to and can't quite achieve the approval of/connection with that he wishes so it's better to just pull away completely and disengage rather than stay in that unshifting shame. neve is (very understandably) measured and distant with him after what happened, and he's flashing back to his student days of myrna gazing at the perpetually hungover heartbroken heap of a person of him on the other side of her desk every time he missed the deadline of a paper or project like '...can we at least both agree that this is. a bit disappointing. especially considering your potential.' (and him all smudged black eyeshadow and numb ruefulness being like 'sure that's a very kind way to put it myrna thank you'.)

aside from the 'if I let him get too deeply into this he'll go the way of brom and it'll be all my fault (again)' element, neve thinks rye is dismissing her and her city/being a bit callous in the same way he was after varric's death (listen. how fucking wild must rook's reaction to losing a beloved mentor seem to the rest of the crew who aren't seeing the blood magic paper doll ghost varric the whole time, especially those who got to see them interact. you WOULD think 'there's something wrong with this guy. putting the job first is one thing just not seeming to react at all is another this is fucking freaky', wouldn't you, especially after seeing the warmth in that dynamic in action beforehand.) perfect storm of two people who grit their teeth and turn inwards in pain deciding that not talking about it is their best bet (NEWSFLASH: IT ISN'T) lmao

(rye spent his last year of watcher training on a mostly joyless bender and then got it together enough to finish the eternal orb project last moment in a fevered near-sleepless week instead of the half a year that was intended. emmrich is both astounded and distressed to hear this. "a week? but -- but that is an astounding accomplishment rook!! and also why in the maker's good light would you ever do that to yourself?" ("well you see there was no one to stop me from doing it like that but me. and under those conditions these things tend to happen".) rye was working through/looking up stuff around transitioning and doing every kind of OTHER high level watcher research through that whole time, but ultimately he's an excellent watcher and a terrible student, at least under traditional methods. adhd from here to the fucking moon. touched by something akin to divine inspiration in moments of high tension that pulls all the threads into one coherent unbreakable cord, a bit of a frayed mess in most other settings. in our world he'd be dropping out of a masters program at the very last hurdle in this moment maker bless and protect him)

[maxgicalgirl]

I’m not going to lie I’m like really stuck and don’t know what to do with my feelings about All Of This. I dont have therapy until next week and they don’t have space to move me up and I dont really have anyone else to talk through how I feel ? I dont know what to do.

[glindyupland]

I just think it’s silly that so many people complain about Villain Amaya as “wasted potential” and that “we were robbed” like-

My pals, post canon fan fiction is right there. The desire to free her husband is right there. Either by touching an evil book while being too eager to remember the obsidian oil, or being possessed by contact (ie what she believes is true loves kiss) when trying to reason with him in the dungeon.

We don’t need a rewrite, we can have a continuation. Both can be true. Amaya is a complex character, she can handle it.

[wishesofeternity]

"Antiochos’ and Stratonike’s activities in the eastern part of the [Seleukid] empire are largely shrouded in mystery, but, as Engels has argued, Antiochos was far from idle since he embarked on a large building programme and was active in securing the frontier. There is some evidence to suggest that his new bride accompanied him for much of this period. We can perhaps identify Stratonike’s presence with her new husband in the Upper Satrapies through the gold coinage minted in Susa and Baktria in c . 287. The two gold coin sets are of the same type, the obverse features the laureate head of Apollo facing right and the reverse features Artemis in an elephant biga facing left with the legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ in exergue.

Figure 1: Coin of Seleukos I from Baktria Depicting Apollo on the Obverse and Artemis with Elephant Biga on the Reverse (Houghton and Lorber 2002, SC I no. 163).

Figure 2: Coin of Seleukos I from Baktria Depicting Apollo on the Obverse and Artemis with Elephant Biga on the Reverse (Houghton and Lorber 2002, SC I no. 257).

The reverse image of Artemis in the elephant biga is within the same design type as a large range of other coinage issued by Seleukos I celebrating the success of his elephants and thus his eastern campaigns. The appearance of Artemis is however unique to these coin types. This suggests the emphasis on the close links between the twin gods, Artemis and Apollo, depicted on the obverse and reverse of this coinage . Since there appears to be as a close link between Apollo and Antiochos as there is between Zeus and Seleukos, the presence of Artemis could be seen as a symbol for Stratonike. This would create a series of parallels: Seleukos/Zeus, Antiochos/Apollo, and Stratonike/Artemis. The first two reflect what we see for these two kings at the list of priests of Seleukid kings in Seleukeia in Pieria . Additionally, it may be notable that the sister-wife ideology [...] appears to be evident later in the reign of Antiochos.

As all of the Apollo/Artemis cointypes were produced on high value gold coinage, this suggests that it was issued in order to commemorate a significant event. While the type was similar to other Seleukid coinage, the shift from Athena to Artemis was clearly discernible and unique. The arrival of the new joint-King and Queen in the region to take up residence would have been a suitable moment for the issuing of the new coin type. This advertisement of their new rule certainly falls in line with Seleukos’ wedding speech which confirmed their new roles."

-David Engels & Kyle Erickson, "Apama and Stratonike – Marriage and Legitimacy", "Seleukid Royal Women" (edited by Edited by Altay Coşkun and Alex McAuley). The pictures of the coins are screenshots from the book.

[fuzzbuns]

Arlecchino discourse is really awkward because both sides are so convinced they are right and that the other side just lacks media literacy but 9 times out of 10 the take in question is also wrong and it leaves me scratching my head a little bit….

[poughkeepsies]

my hospice assignment is truly a test from some higher power cause for an entire year i have to show up there for two hours every week and listen to this caregiver conversationally say the most insane off the wall shit and not open my mouth to respond

[starry-eyer]

i see anti-jonerys

i block

[viksalos]

it's like actually hilarious that now that i'm learning to communicate with my graduate advisor, *she's* actually better at figuring out when i'm struggling mentally and helping me to calm down and find support, than certain "friends" who now seem to be threatened by my increased self-awareness and expertise on certain topics to the point that when i COME TO THEM struggling and asking for help, they fixate on their own insecurities and berate me for it rather than... fucking helping me or anything

[jentlemahae]

-

[seilon]

you know im realizing now. with the exception of a few resident psychiatrists, ive had like. no good experiences with mental health professionals

[nagitoedit]

.