#like how his life was in bahari

[sushibeth]

I am not immune to drawing beautiful men looking at someone (me) very fondly

[honeyduex]

Say hi to my Majiri boy Halan Illnar, the celebrity star captain of the Bahari Phoenixes. 🩵💛

I LOVE HIM YOUR HONOR

(ha-LAWN ILL-nar)

Also known as: Hal (anyone close, really), Lan (Tish, Jel; inside joke), Hallie (Nai'o), City Boy (Eshe; endearing)

Age: 24

Pronouns: he/him/his

Height: 5'10

Sexuality: Bisexual

Star Path: The Watcher

Star Stone: Onyx

Element: Air

Shepp: Halan doesn't like to talk about his ceremony anymore.

Halan grew up in the humble village of Elya, and had always had a knack for athletics and entertaining others. As a child, he would always participate in local roundball tournaments. He gained a small reputation for his enthusiasm and the ways he'd hilariously interact with the crowd following a goal or a foul from the opposing team. One fateful day when he was 18, a talent scout from Bahari City watched a scrimmage that Halan played in, and was astonished by how advanced he played at such a young age. Following a brief interview, Halan was met with contract that stated that should he leave his home village for Bahari to complete professional coaching, he would be signed to the Bahari Phoenixes automatically. Encouraged by his father to chase his dreams, Halan accepted the contact and had to leave his gentle rural life behind.

As his career began, the public quickly took a liking to him for his humble beginnings mixed with his adorable personality and visage. Halan was the new kid on the block, and his cheesy displays of excitement and his expert plays soon let him solidify his name in the public' eye. For better or for worse. Later in his blossoming career, he met a Majiri woman named Narya, and the two began a romantic relationship. Although they seemed to be a wholesome couple, they eventually split, and Narya was so angry following their break up that she spread cruel rumors to the news about Halan and how he was during their relationship. This bruised Halan's reputation for months, and he swore never to date publicly again, and to use extreme caution with trusting people in his life. Since then, he hasn't been able to really connect with anyone near him except for his coach and his teammates, who are essentially like his family.

After his scandal with Narya, Halan additionally picked up a habit of venturing to low-key towns and village, just to befriend locals without paparazzi and dozens of screaming fans chasing him. Just to get a feel of normalcy in his life. His adventures fatefully led him to Kilima Village, where he began to actually make the genuine friendships and connections he'd always wanted. He grew close to Nai'o, who swore Halan looked familiar and kept squinting at him for several days until he finally introduced himself. Although Halan was originally nervous to meet someone who actually knew who he was in a small village, Nai'o quickly proved himself to be a dependable confidant. Their chemistry made it easy for Halan to fit in somewhere in the village, where he ultimately decided to stay until his new season of roundball rolled around. He grew close to Hassian, Jel and Tish, Sifuu, and Eshe as well, and often seeks them for guidance and advice on how to be useful to the community during his stay.

Trivia:

- Halan LOVES fancy alcoholic drinks (not mead or ale, it sucks and tastes terrible); his favorite drink is strawberry daiquiri, which Reth can never seem to make right for him

- Halan finds humans shifty after learning about their destructive past civilization, and distrusts them even more than his own folk

- Halan might present to be a dumb jock when one first meets him, but he's much more philosophical and intelligent than he lets on

[hodari-pavels-good-boy]

Espresso Chapter 1:

Knock on Wood

Ch1 Ch2 Ch3

Pairing: Hodari Pavel x Reader Word Count: 2.1k Chapter 1/? Rating: E Summary: "You take a moment to silently watch him work, a true master at his chosen craft. You take note how his arms tense before bringing them down in a powerful swing, a rhythmic motion he repeats over and over as he carves the ore from its resting spot in the Earth. You find it not too dissimilar from a sculptor chiseling one's vision from the marble slab before them. His eyes were heavy and focused on the mass of stone he was chipping away at and clearly he had been at it for quite awhile by this time if the sweat that’s beaded along his forehead and down his temple is any indication. His hair is stuck to his face and you can follow the trail down to a damp shirt and skin that almost seems to lightly glisten in the lantern provided light." --------------------------------------

You find yourself in an unfamiliar world with a new life before you. Maybe... you'll help someone find a new life too?

Tags: Angst, Angst with a happy ending, miscommunication, fluff, eventual smut

A/N: This is a multi chapter story! Gender is not specified (though I did originally start writing it with the intention of it being a male reader lol). Tags will be updated as the fic goes. Cross-posted Here on Ao3. Fic below the cut! Enjoy :)

It’s getting late in Kilima as you start to cross the path that leads from the town proper to Bahari Bay, the lantern bugs greeting you as you pass through the gate. Catching a few, you secure them in your empty lantern before starting our evening walk down to the mines. This is one of your favorite times of day, the busy world winding down and coming to a slow stop.

Most people are comfortable in their homes by now, starting dinner for them and their families and relaxing from a long day of work. The glow in the windows of the Pavel’s house ahead of you lends itself to your point. The local miner and his daughter must be settling down to tuck into a good meal right about now after a hard day down in the mines and the thought makes you smile as you pass by.

Over the last few months you’ve been here you’ve started to pick up a bit of a routine for yourself while also observing the local’s daily routines around you. It hasn't escaped your notice that you're one of the only humans that’s decided to stay in the Kilima region for now, most supposedly having moved on to The Capital in search of answers. While you understand the reasoning, that fact definitely aids itself to a feeling of loneliness and otherness in this foreign place, so it helps to see everyone around you maintain a sense of normalcy while you adjust to this new ‘normal’ for yourself.

Sooner than later, the earth beneath your feet becomes more gravel than dirt while the hills on either side of you that frame the well-worn path have become cliff faces and you know you're nearing the mines. The sun has long since set by now and the light evening chill now has a little bite to it. As you approach the entrance, you can hear the sound of metal hitting rock echoing off the cavernous walls. Adjusting your pack, you curiously follow the noise into the depths, wondering who is here so late besides yourself. Usually it's just you and silence that surrounds you to keep you company, so your interest is piqued. Rounding a corner, you find the town’s respected but quiet resident miner, Mr. Pavel. You haven't had a chance to really talk to him since he gave you your first pickaxe and helped you settle in on the plot you’re slowly starting to make into a home. He seems like a very private person who minds his own, so anytime you've seen him around town you haven't wanted to bother him. Besides he always seems like he's busy with places to be and you don't want to interrupt him if that's the case. Outside of the village though you hardly see him. Usually, he's long since left the mines to return home by the time you've made the lengthy journey from your plot all the way out here.

Since he hasn't noticed you yet, you take a moment to silently watch him work, a true master at his chosen craft. You take note how his arms tense before bringing them down in a powerful swing, a rhythmic motion he repeats over and over as he carves the ore from its resting spot in the Earth. You find it not too dissimilar from a sculptor chiseling one's vision from the marble slab before them. His eyes were heavy and focused on the mass of stone he was chipping away at and clearly he had been at it for quite awhile by this time if the sweat that’s beaded along his forehead and down his temple is any indication. His hair is stuck to his face and you can follow the trail down to a damp shirt and skin that almost seems to lightly glisten in the lantern provided light. You feel a light dusting of heat grace your cheeks as you watch him continue for another minute before the sound of the pickaxe abruptly stops, dragging you back into reality as a rough rough voice speaks up. 

“You comin’ in here or are you just enjoyin’ the show?” He asks, no patience in his tone as he turns to look where you’re standing. He raises his hand up to the light blinding you to him and you quickly turn the lantern away so it’s no longer shining directly in his eyes.

“Oh, it’s you.” He says in recognition. “Here again? At this point m’starting to get used to it but don't you have anything better to than spending your time down here in the dust and dirt this late?” He says it genuinely as if he’s actually curious and you wonder how many times he’s noticed you coming here. Enough that he isn't surprised by your presence it appears, but surely it can't be too often, you almost never see him yourself.

You set your lantern and pack down on the floor while you pull out your own pick that's ready to begin its service for the night. “Nah, I’m gonna be up for quite awhile yet. No rest for the wicked and all that.” You chuckle at your little joke for a moment before it dries up when you realize he’s not laughing with you. You clear your throat before looking back at your things, closing your pack and gathering all the items you set down as you stand up. Quickly glancing around you decide to head down one of the side shafts to save you both from any more of this awkward interaction and let the miner get back to work, clearly he has things he wants to get done if he’s still here this late. 

“Okay then, well, good chatting with you. You have a good rest of your night and I’m gonna go look for some ores to mine up. Good night.” You rush out a little awkwardly as you move toward the mine shaft, pausing at the entrance to give the wooden support beams a few knocks before heading down the carved out path. 

When you reach the end you give yourself a moment to collect your thoughts before getting to work. You like it down here, it's quiet and gives you time to think about anything and everything while your hands stay busy. As a small bonus, you're always so tired afterwards that by the time you return to your home plot and clean up you're always too exhausted for those same thoughts to keep you up. Seems like a win-win in your book.

Not too long after you start, you hear shuffling and the soft sounds of footsteps coming down the same route you just walked, the sound echoing off the long walls behind you. As the sound gets closer to you you hear the miner clear his throat before speaking up.

“I’ve been meanin’ to ask…” he starts and then trails off. You stop your mining and turn to get a better look at him, giving him the respect of your full attention so he knows you're listening to him. He's shifting his weight from side to side as he tries to find the words to convey what he’s thinking. Clearly he’s out of his comfort zone so it must be something he's been thinking about for a bit if he’s willing to go through the trouble of.. whatever this is.

Trying to help, you silently motion for him to continue, knowing you won’t be able answer whatever is on his mind if he doesn't share it. He clears his throat again before starting over. “I’ve been meanin’ to ask you, why do you do that?”

You blink a few times waiting for him to continue, but he just stands there with his arms crossed as he looks back at you. After a silent staring contest, you reach the conclusion he isn’t going to elaborate or say anything else. “Do what?” you ask confused, looking for clarification. 

At your response, Hodari looks down as if he regrets saying anything in the first place. He takes a sharp breath through his nose before he mimics your earlier knocking on the support beam next to him. “That- This knocking thing you do. I promise those supports are as sturdy as they get. Check ‘em myself twice a week.”

“Oh no! I’m not worried about that at all! I-” Stopping abruptly in your attempt to give an explanation. After a beat, “I’m not actually sure why I do it. I guess I've never really thought about it.”

Hodari stands across from you, recrossing his arms as he listens to your reasoning a little unbelievably. “You don’t know?”

You look away, breaking eye contact with the man. Being put on the spot like this has you feeling exposed, as though he can see right through you. Maybe it's just a symptom of being a father but it unnerves you, like he’ll know if you lie to him. A little self-consciously you answer, “Well.. yeah. It’s not like any of us remember what life was like before..” you trail off. Hodari stays silent. This time, however, it feels less of an oppressive silence but rather more curious as he nods his head for you to continue, so you do. “Humans, I mean. We don’t remember anything from before we appeared here, just our names. We tend to do a lot of things out of reflex but I don’t know where they're from or why I’m doing them. It’s not like we know nothing per se, I know the Earth is round and that a hot stove will burn and things like that even though I haven't done it or been explicitly told by any of the villagers. But I also sometimes feel I have to avoid cracks in the road when I'm walking and that I should avoid breaking mirrors at all costs but I cannot for the life of me tell you why. We all seem to have little things like this and it absolutely adds onto the ‘out of place’ feeling we experience, besides the whole being human in a world that humans don't exist in anymore thing. It's why it doesn't surprise me that most of us leave here, we all just want answers and to understand why we are here and where we are from as much as the rest of you want us out of your hair.” You lightly chuckle at the end but Hodari looks like he’s actually thinking about what you've just said.

The silence continues to stretch between the two of you as he absorbs all the information and you find your face flushing with embarrassment realizing you dropped a bunch of information about humans he didn't ask you for. Having gathered he’s not really one for talking this much you open your mouth to apologize and he holds up his hand to cut you off. He’s not looking at you now but rather down at the ground, his gaze locked on a pebble as he toes it with his boot. He doesn’t look up as he starts talking.

“I, uh, I didn't know that. The not rememberin’ anything.” He looks back up at you now, a little sheepish in his confession. “I haven't really talked to many of the humans after they appeared here. I just helped a few like you get set up on a small plot of land and give a few pointers every now and then so they don't get themselves killed in my mines before they head out of town to explore the rest of the world.” He hesitates for a few seconds before grabbing something from his back pocket. “Here.” he says, holding out his hand between the two of you, a pile of well worn leather in his hands. “Speakin’ of givin’ pointers, since you seem to be sticking around longer than most, you really should be wearing some gloves if you're gonna be at it this long. Take em’, it’s an older pair but they’re broken in and your hands will thank me later.”

Recognizing it as the olive branch it is, you reach out and take them. Before you can even begin to thank him, the miner is already picking up his own lantern and turning to head out of the mines. You follow him to the entrance and he pauses looking at the main wooden beam before giving it a quick rapt with his knuckles as he throws over his shoulder, “I’d wish ya luck findin’ those ores, but I don’t believe in luck.”

As his footfalls on the dirt and gravel fade away as he starts his trek home, something clicks inside your mind. Luck?

[Dividers by the-aesthetic-shop and firefly-graphics]

[tortor-sauce]

What if Reth and Jel knew each other beforehand because they have a bit of a saucy history unbeknownst to Tish, and Jel now deliberately avoids Reth because he can't let Tish find out about the scandalous events that took place in some dark corners of Bahari City?

SORRY THIS CAME OUT LONGER THAN I WAS EXPECTING LOL;;

So, I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Specifically, the reason behind why Jel and Reth would no longer talk as frequently if they did have a thing once before. Or at least not openly. They're very clear in explaining the effects of straying from one's path in their culture and, seeing as how Jel is actively trying to pave his path and be worthy of his family name, I think even being associated with someone like Reth would somehow tarnish his own image. WHICH,, like sounds so bad but I feel could be one of the main contributors as to why he's been so hesitant to approach Reth at all. Plus I live for the angst heh..

(spoilers ahead) During Jel's quest when helping him with Kenyatta's gown, if you choose to speak with Kenyatta and appease her as the person wearing the gown rather than Eshe who is technically his client for paying, I find it monumental that he really seems eager to explore his more creative and free side even if it means going against the grain. I think he struggles deeply with doing things the "right way" (perhaps due to his family and culture) versus wanting to let his creative spirit be free. Though ultimately he ends up appeasing Eshe as his client, after all, but I think the act of at least exploring more options than just the "right way" is important to his character development.

I bring all this up to say that if Jel and Reth had something secret back in Bahari City, I think Jel would continue to feel those persistent desires of wanting to explore Reth as a person. I imagine being around someone like Reth, someone who has strayed from his path, is now living and dealing with the consequences, and has lived his life so self-sacrificing to do what he wants/thinks is best despite the pressures of society would help put his own worries at ease... or even make them feel minuscule in comparison and give him more courage to face his own problems head-on. Or idk just be desirable in its own right. Craving something different than the norm and finding beauty in unexpected places does seem to be his forte after all hhehe.

I.. uh :^) imagine them meeting in secret at night after Reth leaves the underground and Jel is out standing by the lake. The secret nightly meetings becoming a sort of sanctum and place of safety and freedom for the two of them to finally just be themselves without having to worry about pleasing anyone else or following anyone else's rules.

Not to mention, with how close Tish is with the both of them I imagine they'd want to keep her mind at ease and not want to worry her. Or, if it ever came to it, to make her choose between the two of them. Though I personally feel she would always choose her brother no matter who it is (sobs quietly curled in the fetal position). So I think when the three of them meet in the evenings it's a nice time for them to watch the fruits of their efforts in keeping Tish happy... even if they exchange a knowing glance each other's way every so often (dies). But now that I think about it, I think Tish is the type of person to be totally happy her best friend and brother are in love with each other!? Aaaah so many different perspectives to explore~~~

[gorbalsvampire]

LaSombra and Bahari for Mother Superior? 👀

@scribesofcalamity

I see another wishes to join the Penelope cult...

Lasombra - what's the most ruthless thing your OC has ever done?

So far, it's probably rallying the local Sabbat packs and converting a group of Anarchs to the cause... and then throwing all of them between herself and her sire when he successfully tracked her down. All her "babies" and most of the neighbouring pack slowed him down to the point where she could barely take him, with an assist, and he told her he was proud of her before he died.

She's also psychologically broken two of her "girlfriends." One became a double agent, her gateway into the Anarch party in Arizona, and ended up diablerised when she had the gall to suggest she wasn't actually in love with Penny and was, in fact, terrified of her. One is her replacement - hell, she has high hopes that Annabel will outshine her in the end.

Now she's been tapped by the Black Hand, who knows what she'll get up to?

Bahari - How well does your OC cope with physical and/ or mental pain?

Penelope had a traditional Lasombra Embrace, which is to say her sire ruined her life over the course of four years and left her standing on Westminster Bridge waiting for the tide to turn before she jumped. During that time she lost her lover, her family, her vocation, her self-esteem, and then the architect of her pain recruited her to be, essentially, his Bond Girl. Then she spent fifty years hiding out in the Sabbat after she (thought she'd) killed him.

As for the physical? She had her eyes bleached with Vicissitude and didn't wince. Her tolerance isn't supernatural so much as a relentless act of will. She doesn't relish being hurt, but she doesn't like to flinch either. Can't be squeamish on the Path of Death and the Soul.

(She would, I think, make an excellent Bahari. That might well be where she ends up...)

[estellamoria]

Ignus, Luna, and Stella Ch. 1

“My dad and I will be okay eventually. We always are.” Najuma sighed heavily. “I just wish I could get him to trust me.”

Standing side by side on the shore of the small lake, Najuma and I had been chatting for a while. As it usually did, the conversation had veered back to her father. 

“He does trust you,” I said gently. “He’s just afraid.”

Najuma answered with a noncommittal shrug.

“You are the single most important thing in his life. You know that.” We’d had this conversation so many times. I bit the inside of my lip, hesitating before I said what I hadn’t before. “And he almost lost you once.” 

Najuma gave me a startled look. I never brought up the cave-in unless she did first. I knew it was difficult for her to talk about. But part of me was frustrated at how long the two of us had been going over this topic.

I fixed her with a look I hoped was as compassionate as it was stern. “He’s trying. But this is hard for him, too.”

She thought about that for a moment, her gaze drifting out over the water. “...But you’re important to him, too, Stella.” She looked back at me out of the corner of her eye. “He worries about you all the time. But he doesn’t keep you from doing stuff.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not his kid. He can’t exactly tell me what to do. That’s…not really our dynamic.” Najuma and I didn’t talk about my relationship with her father much. We both preferred it that way. Still, I was there most mornings when Najuma finally went to bed after her father made breakfast. She was too smart to not notice things like that. 

Obviously uncomfortable with how our chat had developed, Najuma shifted awkwardly. As much as Hodari thought she took after Leta, it was moments like this that I saw the most of him in his daughter. “Did you want to see the new designs I’ve been working on?” Najuma said quickly. We were both grateful for the change in subject.

“Are these the ones Zeki’s been telling me about? He says they’re very impressive.”

Najuma grinned with pride. “He said that?”

I nodded. I loved seeing her like this, full of fire and passion. As she led me back to the workshop, she rattled off the specs for a series of inventions. I did my best to follow all the technical details, but mostly I just enjoyed watching her bounce with excitement next to me while she spoke. Moments like this, I thought, were when I came closest to understanding the Galdur concept of “Oneness.”

When we reached the shed, something hit me like a panicked sernuk. I covered my face and backed away. “By the flames, Najuma, what is that?”

“Huh?” She turned back with a puzzled look.

“That smell,” I said breathlessly. 

Najuma took a few deep breaths through her nose. “I don’t smell much of anything? ..Are you okay?”

The workshop reeked of sulfur and grease. It always had a bit of that smell to it, and I had gotten used to it over the last year. But today it was unbearable.

 “New explosives?” I asked, stepping a few paces further away. 

“No? Stella, you look pale.”

I waved off her concern, which only made her frown deepen. “I think maybe I just need a walk. I’ll see you for dinner?”

“You should see Chayne,” she insisted. 

“I promise I’m okay, really,” I said, my head only slightly swimming. The fresh air was helping. 

She glared at me. “You’re starting to sound like my dad.”

I sighed, mildly irritated but doing my best not to show it. “I’ll talk to Chayne. …Thank you for the concern. But I am okay.” 

Najuma’s expression softened. “Okay…But actually talk to him. I’ll ask again at dinner.”

I smiled despite the headache beginning to take hold. “And I know I can’t get a lie past you. See you in a few.” 

It wasn’t quite noon, and I knew it would take me a good while to walk home. I often shortened the trip by jogging part of it, but I didn’t want to aggravate whatever was ailing me. Besides, it was uncomfortably hot for an autumn day. Not great weather for running. 

The walk over the hills in Bahari Bay was really more trudge than anything else. Maybe Najuma was right. Seeing Chayne might not be such a bad idea. It was very strange for me to be struggling this much. I was one of those crazy humans often found free-climbing up cliff faces and running across the fields after Proudhorns. Hodari complained of the walk from his house to mine, but it had never bothered me much. Not before today. Luckily, Chayne’s home was right near the new human settlements. He’d usually be in the village around this time, but I could hope.

It had been a very strange year. Materializing out of nowhere like so many others in the Reemergence. All of us lost and confused, with only spotty memories of the ancient world we knew. I remember being stunned at the open-armed welcome I received from Kilima. Jina’s ecstatic curiosity. Ashura’s kind words for me. And of course, Hodari’s lopsided smile when I found him at the plot that was to be mine. We were strangers then. So many memories later, it was his beautiful pin I wore over my heart. 

“Stella?” 

I looked up to see Hassian on the road ahead of me, along with Tay at his side. I straightened up and tried to make myself look more presentable. “Oh, hey. How is it going?”

Tau trotted up and licked me on the hand in greeting. 

“You’re sweating,” Hassian said in his blunt way.

I forced a laugh. “It’s warm today.”

“Are you sick?”

I gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Maybe?”

He wrinkled his nose a bit. “You look positively feverish. Come, I’ll take you to the healer.”

“I was already on my way, you don’t have to--”

Hassian cut me off with a flat glare. “I was not asking. I will not hear any argument.”

And so I followed Hassian. He was walking faster than I wanted to, but I kept up without complaint. Tau walked more at my side than Hassian’s. I raised an eyebrow at the plumehound as if to ask, ”What, you too?” 

Tau simply regarded me with his typical unbridled joy and affection.

Hassian led me not to Chayne’s house, but to the much closer shrine at Maji’s Hollow. I was relieved to see Chayne there fiddling with the telescope. It meant I got to stop walking for a bit. 

“Ah, welcome,” Chayne said with his standard warm smile. 

“Stella is unwell,” Hassian said, more aggressively than needed. 

Chayne’s expression became one of mild concern. “What ails you, Phoenix's Child?”

I glanced at Hassian to make sure he wasn’t about to answer for me. “Just a bit lightheaded I think. I might have a fever.”

Chayne nodded. “Here, come have a seat by the water. I’ll take a look at you. Thank you for escorting her, Hassian.”

Hassian nodded and took his leave, Tau trotting dutifully along behind him. 

As I set myself down on the grass, Chayne picked up his healer’s kit and made his way over, kneeling beside me. “I’m afraid I’m not the most versed in matters of human health, but I’ve found that most things are about the same.” 

“I trust you,” I said, laughing softly. As much as I found myself helping others, I wasn’t entirely comfortable with a fuss being made on my account. 

Chayne quietly checked me over--looking in my eyes, my ears, listening to my heart and lungs. He seemed satisfied with whatever my condition was. He nodded and asked, “How have you been feeling lately?”

I made a so-so gesture with my hand. “I don’t know. Mostly fine? Just tired today. Bit of a headache. Almost like I’m dehydrated, but,” I pulled my rather large water bottle from my bag. It was almost empty. I shook it to prove my point. 

“Any other symptoms? Anything amiss?”

I had to think about it a bit. “My cycle’s late, but that isn’t the strangest thing. I’ve always been a little off-schedule.”

Chayne nodded. “When was your last one?”

“Oh, goodness, give me a sec,” I said, laughing again. “I’m sorry, now I have to do math.”

“There is no rush.”

I watched the small waterfall as I tallied weeks in my mind. …Wait, that couldn’t be right. I counted again. “Almost two months ago?”

“You missed a month?”

I nodded.

Chayne nodded again, looking away briefly as he thought. “Forgive me for asking, but--”

“Only Hodari,” I said, knowing what he was about to ask. 

He nodded. “That cleanly rules out pregnancy, then.” Chayne stood, and offered me a hand to help me to my feet. “I suspect you’ve been overworking yourself. Menstrual cycles can be disrupted by overexertion. Fatigue, poor temperature regulation, and headaches can be explained thusly as well.”

“So I need to slow it down a bit?” I asked with a small smile. “Cool it on the cliff-jumping and mining?”

“And fishing and bug-catching and foraging and gardening, yes.” Chayne chuckled softly. “Are you feeling recovered enough to walk back to your plot?”

I told him I was. “Am I still alright to see Hodari and Najuma for dinner?”

“Hm. If you take the rest of the afternoon to recuperate, I would say so.”

“Us incorrigible fire-type personalities, am I right?”

He laughed again. “Indeed. Take care of yourself, Stella.”

The walk home was much easier than the walk to the shrine had been. Just being able to sit for a few minutes had been very helpful. As such, I did take Chayne’s advice when I returned to my plot and curled up in my bed for a nap. I had planned on doing some work on my apple jam that afternoon, but I obeyed the healer’s orders.

Sleep didn’t come easy, though, tired as I was. First, I was just thinking about that jam, and how I had intended to bring a jar of it over for Najuma that evening. Thinking about the jam made me think of Najuma’s love for it after making it often with her mother. Which, of course, made me think of Leta.

I was grateful Hodari hadn’t asked me what I was doing in the Remembrance Garden that day that I’d returned the picture of his family to him. I’d found it resting on the ground in front of Leta’s memorial. A place that I visited more frequently than I cared to admit. 

The only one who knew of my trips out there was Ashura, who had caught me in the act once. He said my secret was safe with him. He also said I shouldn’t worry so much what Leta would have thought of me--that it mattered much more what Hodari and Najuma felt now. I asked him if he’d be able to say that as easily if he were the one dating again. 

Ashura laughed. “No, I would worry about what Sabine would have thought too. But I wouldn’t want my new partner fretting over it, either.” 

I’d looked back down at the incense I’d lit, smoke trailing off into the air. 

“For what it matters, and I don’t think it does,” Ashura said after a moment, “I do think you and Leta would have gotten along.”

It was a strange feeling. To know that if she was still alive, I wouldn’t have the relationship with Hodari I had now. But all the same, I wished she hadn’t died, and that Hodari and Najuma could have been spared that heartache. 

I rubbed my face against my pillow to wipe the tears from my cheeks. It wasn’t the first time I’d cried over the death of a woman I’d never met. I took a deep breath, and studied the shadows on my bedroom floor. It was time to head back to Bahari Bay if I wanted to be there before Hodari started grilling. 

I put my sweater in my bag, just in case, and opted to change into a lighter outfit--a floral patterned dress. Something more suited to a different season, but I was not looking to overheat again. Stepping out the front door, I was lucky enough to catch Auni placing a letter into my mailbox. He waved at me excitedly.

“Hey Stella! How are you feeling? Hassian said you were sick!”

Word traveled fast in a small town.

“When did he tell you that?” I asked while striding over. “Also, thank you for the mail.”

Auni beamed. “When we were playing cards.” 

“And did you let him win this time?”

“Yeah, he seemed worried. Are you okay?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m right as rain, Auni, but thank you.” I opened the mailbox. The letter was from Caleri--probably letting me know that the history book I’d requested had come in. 

“That’s good.” Auni waved again. “Well, the mail isn’t going to deliver itself! Bye Stella!” And he ran off.

I shook my head as I opened the crisp envelope. The letter was indeed a library notice--though folded inside was a personal note asking about Eloisa. Apparently the twins were fighting again. I felt my headache threatening to return. I didn’t enjoy getting between them. I’d told Caleri as much, but she continued to ask my advice on matters relating to her sister. 

I decided I would deal with the letter later, and shoved it deep into my bag. Out of sight and (hopefully) out of mind. With one last look at my preserves jar sitting unattended to on the porch, I set out. The walk back to Bahari Bay was more manageable, either because of the rest, the cool of the evening, or a combination of the two. 

I counted six chapaas running through the meadow. Hassian and I were trying to keep a better record of their numbers, and no matter how many pelts I saw drying outside of human homes it never felt like we were making a dent. I wondered if Jina’s biologist friend would have any advice on the matter. I made a mental note to ask later. 

The salty breeze coming out of the bay welcomed me as I walked down the slope to the Pavel house. Hodari and Najuma had dinner later than most of the families in Kilima, which gave Hodari a bit of extra time working in the mines. Najuma was already at the table outside when I got up the steps. 

“Hey,” I said, causing her to jump.

“How do you always manage to sneak up on me like that?” Najuma rubbed the goosebumps from her arms. “People say Grimalkin are light on their feet, but I think humans are way worse about it.”

“Ah, yes,” I said, wiggling my fingers at her. “All the better to sneak up and eat your brains!”

Najuma wrinkled her nose. “Ew.” 

“You’re the one always calling me a zombie.”

She fidgeted a moment. “So, did you see Chayne?”

Hodari’s deep drawl surprised me when he asked, “Why would Stella need to see Chayne?”

I turned, smiling at the sight of him walking out of the house towards us. He must have just cleaned up for dinner. Hodari was always handsome, but something about the lantern light just made him all the more breathtaking. “I was feeling a little unwell earlier,” I said. The muted concern came to his expression almost immediately. I put my hands up like I was calming a riffroc. “I’m fine. Chayne just said I was working too hard. You wouldn’t know anything about that,” I teased gently. 

At the reminder, Hodari pressed a hand to his lower back and stretched. “Yeah, I had a rough day myself.” 

Najuma piped up, “So what did Chayne say?”

I gave her a grin. “Rest and recuperation. And I’ve already been doing that, and I’m feeling much better.”

“Good.” She said, a stern edge to her voice that made me have to stifle a laugh. Najuma usually only used that tone with her father when he was being stubborn. 

“Whelp,” Hodari said, clapping his hands together. “Who’s ready for sernuk steaks and mushrooms?”

Having forgotten to eat lunch, I was definitely ready. 

And dinner was of course lovely. Though Reth got all the credit for being the village cook, it was exceptionally nice to be dating a man who knew his way around a grill. After we cleaned up the dishes, Najuma made her way back to the workshop.

“Don’t stay out there too late,” Hodari warned her. 

Najuma replied that she wouldn’t, and all three of us knew she was lying. Najuma would materialize at four in the morning for breakfast and then finally crawl into bed. 

Hodari and I went to his room. I sat on the bed with a contented sigh. When I glanced up, Hodari was giving me a particularly intense look, arms crossed over his chest.

I blinked. “What?”

“Y'are okay, right darlin’?” His expression shifted, softening to more open worry.

“Yes, dear.” I gave him an understanding smile. “I wouldn't lie to you.”

Hodari relaxed, letting his arms return to his sides, and the world slip off his shoulders. “...I know. I trust you.”

He slowly got to his knees in front of me.

“Doesn't that hurt, after working all day?” I asked with a sympathetic wince.

“Mm, but the view is worth it.” He began to run his calloused hands up my bare calves. “I do like this dress on you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “But you'd like it more off of me?”

Hodari blushed. I loved that after everything, I could still make him do that. “Yeah.” His hands wandered further up my legs, under my dress, up my thighs…

I let out a slow breath, letting my head tip back. “You have me, dear,” I said softly. “I'm right here.”

“‘M glad for that, darlin’...Not sure what I would do without you.”

His words replayed back to me later when we were cuddling. It felt like that cliche carried more weight coming from him. Hodari had loved before. And lost. And even having lived through that with his wife, he didn't know what he'd do without me.

Hodari buried his face in my shoulder length hair and chuckled to himself. “You are just somethin' else, Stella.”

In spite of my morbid thoughts, I laughed too. “You tell me that all the time.”

“You're special. I want you to know it.”

“Maybe I'm not,” I teased. “Maybe all humans are fantastic in bed.”

The bed shook with his laughter. “If that were the case, everyone in town would be dating a human and not just me.”

It was admittedly a strange arrangement. No one seemed overly perturbed by it. Other than a couple of snide remarks from Eshe, the village just seemed happy that Hodari had found someone. To be fair, I wasn't sure how prevalent Grimalkin-Majiri couples were. And though humans were emerging all over the place, there hadn't been a lot of stories of romance that had made their way to Kilima. It wouldn't be long, I was sure, before Badruu heard some songs about such things. Kenyatta had already told me she had her eye out for any romance novels featuring humans.

All that to say, Hodari and I just…worked. Like we were meant to be. He often asked what he'd done to deserve me. I usually told him it wasn't for us to question our blessings. 

Something in my musings reminded me of a remark Delailah used to make when I was first building my house. That perhaps one day I would settle down and fill it with babies. She'd stopped saying that since I started wearing Hodari's pin. 

I must have been quiet too long thinking about that, because Hodari asked, “Somethin’ wrong darlin’?”

“No…” Hodari held me a little tighter. “No, I'm fine, it's just…I know we're happy together. But do you…ever wish I was a Majiri?”

“What?” Hodari sounded absolutely bewildered by the question. “No? You wouldn't be my Stella if you weren't all of you.”

I hesitated, but my mind was racing ahead of my better sense. “Does it bother you that we can't have children?”

Hodari took his arm from around me so he could sit up. “Where is this comin’ from?”

“I don't know.” I rubbed at my eyes to hide that I was tearing up. I didn't want to worry him more than I already was. “Maybe it was when I was talking to Chayne today. He asked me if I was sleeping with any humans, to make sure me feeling sick wasn't pregnancy, I guess. But it's been bothering me.” I should have stopped talking, but then I said, “And I never asked if you and Leta had ever talked about having more children and that's not anything I can give you--”

“Whoa now Stella,” Hodari put his hand on my shoulder. Even though I wasn't looking at him, I could hear how flustered he was. “Easy. That's…a whole lot.”

“I'm sorry.”

“No, I…” Hodari made a frustrated sound in his throat. “I don't want you to be sorry. I just want you to be okay. Look, even if…If you were a Majiri, right? We wouldn't be at talkin’ about kids yet.” He sighed. “I…can tell this is upsettin’ you and I don't want to say the wrong thing. But no, none of this has even crossed my mind, because I'm not worried about what could be. I focus on what is. And what this is…it's perfect the way it is.” He tucked some of my hair behind my ear. “I'm content with you, and this, the way it is. And that's a lot for me.”

I finally turned to look at him. I half-smiled. “That’s also a lot of words, for you.”

“I try.”

I let the tension ease out of me as Hodari took me back into his arms and settled down. 

“Darlin’, whatever the world has in store for us, I’m okay as long as I get to face it with you.” He kissed my neck. “I mean that.”

I love you too, I thought. And together we tried to steal as much sleep as we could before the morning. 

[localariesenemy]

Rivals Series Playlist

Okay, so this will be the first ever post I’ll do on this app and I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry about it being about a Yuri on Ice fanfic from years ago that haven’t left me since the first time I read it.

This is a list of songs you can listen to here that I thought fit Yuuri and Viktor’s feels in the Rivals series by @kazliin, which you can find here:

Until My Feet Bleed and My Heart Aches

Of Bright Stars and Burning Hearts

Rivals- Past, Present and Future

I’m not kidding when I say it’s absolutely life changing (I reread it every year so safe to say it’s my absolute favorite). I would like to list down every single lyric and the intricacies of how I arranged the songs in order but the sane part of my brain is refraining me from doing so. Let’s just say that I followed the progression of both POVs and matched that up with the lyrics of the songs.

It’s almost 4 hours of pure feels so buckle up, here we go.

1. You’re Still a Mystery- Bleachers

2. State of Grace- Taylor Swift

3. Into My Arms- COIN

4. See Through- The Band CAMINO

5. Untouchable- Taylor Swift

6. O Mio Babbino Caro- Giacomo Pucini

7. You Are In Love- Taylor Swift

8. gold rush- Taylor Swift

9. Belle- The Shock Band

10. I Can See You- Taylor Swift

11. Crashing- ILLENIUM, Bahari

12. Movement- Hozier

13. Sun and Moon- Claude-Michel Schönberg, Lea Salonga, Simon Bowman

14. On My Own- Lea Salonga

15. Say Don’t Go- Taylor Swift

16. Let The Light In- Lana Del Rey, Father John Misty

17. K.- Cigarettes After Sex

18. Say My Name Cover- Hozier

19. illicit affairs- Taylor Swift

20. Foolish One- Taylor Swift

21. Never Change- COIN

22. Felt This Way- Carly Rar Jepsen

23. So Close- Jon McLaughlin

24. Magkasuyo Buong Gabi- Agsunta

25. Dark Eyes- The Broln Czech Radio Orchestra

26. Wake Me- Bleachers

27. First Light- Hozier

28. First Time- Hozier

29. Break My Fall- Doc Robinson

30. Pretty Boy- The Neighbourhood

31. TALK ME DOWN- Troye Sivan

32. Fucked My Way Up To The Top- Lana Del Rey

33. The Louvre- Lorde

34. august- Taylor Swift

35. The Other- Lauv

36. Somewhere Only We Know- Keane

37. Fire Meet Gasoline- Sia

38. Don’t Let Me Go- Cigarettes After Sex

39. Francis Forever- Mitski

40. Like a River Runs- Bleachers

41. You Are In Love- Taylor Swift

42. Daylight- Taylor Swift

43. One And Only- Adele

44. Water Under the Bridge- Adele

45. The Last Time- Taylor Swift, Gary Lightbody

46. Bravado- Lorde

47. The Archer- Taylor Swift

48. Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová

49. The Night We Met- Lord Huron

50. Yuri on ICE- Taro Umebayashi

51. Long Live- Taylor Swift

52. Holy Ground- Taylor Swift

53. I Love You Always Forever- Donne Lewis

Forgive me for the abundance of Taylor Swift, she clearly read the Rivals series and made those songs for them specifically.

I tried my best to incorporate both POVs but I think it leaned too Viktor-centric. However, my fav Yuuri song on here is Bravado, it captured his anxiety during the Scandal so well and I resonate with that. It was hard to pick for Viktor but One And Only really stood out to me, it reads like his plea to Yuuri. BUT if I had to choose one song to explain their dynamic it’s Untouchable, applicable for both Yuuri and Viktor and just as heartbreaking.

[crack-canon]

Samuel Lorenz-Lawrence

Can I interest you in another Pedro Pascal DILF

It was accidental I SWEAR // HES NOT THE ONE IM EVEN PLAYING

-blind in his right eye from wound and has a busted lip that exposes a bit of his teeth. The wound went through his whole body. Magic!

-He works as a gatherer for Tish and Ashura which means he’s often traveling into the Bahari Bay for wood/fibres and wild supplies like Heat roots or sweet leafs and the occasional silk thread

-He ends up meeting Hodari as the miner was leaving to head into town and the two just end up hanging out

-He’d say he’s Bisexal (het-leaning) but end up dating Hodari at some point. It’s slow burn. As slow as an impatient person can get so like maybe 3yrs or maybe 10yrs (but that requires us to move back in time a little)

——

Element: Earth

——

(Self-serving fanfic later in the month)

(And extra info) (and images below)

——————

Palia OC (that’s literally only for an RP)

(And very lore separate since I made a whole headcanon world building regarding how humans used flow and vanished)

[Nimona Type World]

-that pink thing is just persona / Signature

-Was betrayed and sliced right through with a Pyro-Enhanced Sword. Immediate death but in my hc I just kinda made it that whoever died from malicious-use of flow or was deserving enough was stored away by The Phoenix

-Phoenix did as much as they could but couldn’t restore the missing arm and busted lip (gum/teeth exposed slightly)

-His scar is also on his back as it did slice through his body Mortal Kombat style

-Has back problems due to way he died, spine was absolutely cut but The Phoenix did their best to fix em

-soft but got a total sleeper build. hyper mobile

-Totally Doctor Sung personality inspired

-Was Captain of the Guards in his previous life

-Often stands on people’s rights or right in front to talk to them

———

-just like other humans, when he materialized into the world, he was assisted by Ashura into settling down into his new strange life

-He started working for Ashura first to gather wood and sweet leaves in Bahari Bay but Ashura noticed one day when Sammy was resting at the Inn after a delivery that he had a knack for carving out little creatures. So he was sent to Tish for carpentry lessons

-So now he works for both Ashura and Tish in the mornings from 4am-12pm then works under Tish from 2pm-5pm.

-Before he regained all his memories, Ashura had assumed correctly that Sammy was some kinda vet just like him

-He’s super close with Badruu and Delaila and had watched over Nai’o when the Majiri was younger

[penguuthegentoo]

In which Bahari falls hard and fast for literally the most hated man in the entire city

She was a gerbil, he was a war criminal— can I make it any more obvious?

Ok but actually

They met at a parade in the city spearheaded by—freshly dubbed Magic Mouse—Bahari. It was meant to be a stunt to distract him, Praxys, from his high security government prison thing while the other half of their squad enacted their break in of said prison. One thing led to another and she’s dancing with him and bonding of music and dance of far gone ages. There was even a plan and a promise to meet up again (once the queen was safe from a sudden assassination attempt during the parade but that’s neither here nor there)

She hadn’t learned all his dark secrets yet by then but she always was one to live her life how she wants to

Whatever happens, happens, right?

A snippet from the date.

"C'mere a moment," she said suddenly during a lull in their conversation. She flicked a paw, beckoning the half elf closer. He gave her a curious, quizical look before reluctanly leaning closer.

She gave the man a look of assessment for a moment before unraveling the ribbon from her throat. "You've got such lovely hair, but you let it run rampant." She scootched her chair closer-- not caring in the least that she was in a fine dining establishment--and asked, "may I?"

Praxys began to open his mouth to respond but Bahari paid him no heed and continued on anyway. "Ah, so that was more of a formality than a question." He chuckled with a single brow raised and relinquished control to the bard.

"I'm the fashion forward one here, so hush." She chided him playfully. She put the edge of the ribbon in her teeth before running her paws through Praxys' silky blond locks. A soft silence encased them as she worked on his hair. She pulled the sky blue ribbon from her teeth and thread it delicately into his hair with practiced ease.

What must have only been a mere minute, felt like hours as Bahari finally tied the ribbon into a sweet bow. Its simple--half up, half down--but Bahari can already see a difference. She sat back on her haunches and assessed her work--a mere excuse to stare without question. Once she's had her fill she nods.

"There." She says, pleased. "Much better. I feel I can actually make eye contact with you--now that all that hair isn't in the way."

Praxys reached a hand to touch the ribbon and looked back to Bahari curiously. She uncharacteristically feels herself heat under his perceptive gaze. She rests her chin on her paws in an effort to distract from warmth in her chest and tells him, "now you better take care of that ribbon. Its quite important to me." She suddenly feels exposed--she hopes a careful smile and cheeky eyes can mask it.

"Well," he starts slowly, "I can't in good conscience deny a lady such a request." He leant back in his chair as a server came by and refilled their wine. Bahari refuses to acknowledge who's wine they were drinking. "I'll be sure to return it to you b--"

"No, hold onto it."

He tilted his head.

Bahari grasps her glass and brought it to her lips with a coy smile. "You can return it to me after our next date."

His blue eyes widen ever so slightly. A small smirk graces his face before he too reached for his own glass.

"Very well."

The clink of their glasses echo through The Jewel sealing the night with a promise.

[weaselchild]

id love for you to lonvingly info dump me about your palia OC

aksdfh I don't have him fully finalised yet but I do have bits and pieces worked out !! Laque has almost no recollection of who he was before materialising in Kilima but he's doing the best he can ! He does, however, remember his friends and knows he was essentially picked up from another world almost isekai style and arrived before any of his friends did so he actually helped them get set up in Kilima too once Ashura sent them up. They have their own plots to play around in and stuff but they often sleep over at his place anyway and share resources

Mm basic facts ! - His right eye is entirely missing. Jury is still out on whether that happened before the void or during but he was blind in that eye in his previous life - Used to rock the emo hairstyle til he got good at glassblowing and obtained materials to make his own prosthetic eye - Very good with his hands and always creating - Big sweet tooth. Just adores desserts and baking. - Highest skill in cooking and furniture making, mostly through trial and error. Unfortunately he cannot remember half his recipes and methods once he creates something - Dear phoenix, the memory problems in this man. He's only 22 - RIP so many notebooks and scrolls More under the cut bc I ramble a bit sadkljfh

--Life in Kilima-- - Being the first of his friends group, he was mainly assisted by Ashura to settle in, oftentimes sneaking back to the inn on lonely nights and trying to piece together who he used to be. He suspects his missing memory may be linked to his eye that appeared to have simply never formed. Perhaps part of him is still lost in the void - He's mainly self made. After being given tools and taught basic skills, he expanded on those to build his house. Once his friends came through also, he does rely on them somewhat to bring him materials that he makes into tools for them and furniture for general use - He has, however, dedicated much of his time to understanding how to possibly harness flow into creating maps for his friends that can track each other's movement so they can help each other out while out in the world (just to explain why the maps can see party members aha i think that would be neat) --Extra stuff--

Laque is kinda scared of bugs a little but his housemates drag him to Bahari Bay sometimes for some fresh air and oftentimes he winds up helping them catch bugs because he can't say no to them.

He prioritises making friends with the villagers though he has a bit of a disdain for Tamala and tries to stay far away from Caleri and Elouisa. He doesn't have an interest in romancing anyone though he does often hang around Jel and Tish to share ideas.

He can manipulate flow a little better than most can, likely due to the part of him that is still in the void (and probably using the flowstone and palium literally set in his skull via prosthetic eye), setting the ambient flow into his creations and inventions in order to help his friends and other humans with quality of life. He enjoys making prosthetics for people who need them and repairing mobility aids.

His facial scar was from an accident while hunting Muujin. One of his friends accidentally shot too close after he chopped down a tree and nicked him pretty bad with a fine arrow. He then couldn't stop picking at it.

Once in Bahari Bay, he won't leave until he physically cannot carry anything more in order to not "waste the trip". Will then pass out for 12 hours straight as soon as his head meets the pillow

[rocicrew]

I keep going back to Leviathan Falls and trying to figure out what it is that leaves me unsatisfied to a degree. Because at the end of the day, while I may have wanted something different for certain characters, I can make it make sense narratively. It's not a happy ending by any means, but it doesn't come out of nowhere for the characters.

It is important how the two abuse survivors are the last characters standing. It is certainly something how Naomi almost loses everything again, Holden, her home, Alex, etc. and while it hurts and grief will follow her, she doesn't regret it. It's a stark contrast to losing Filip and her home pre series. While both are losses that shake her and will haunt her, she comes out of not regretting opening herself to people and to love she avoided before, even if that meant opening herself up for this pain later on. She wouldn't change anything, and for the first time, instead of closing in on herself right after, she lets Amos near.

Alex's vice had always been family. He created and left three families. It's the same circle that keeps repeating. Talissa and Melas to fly and ultimately for the Roci. The Roci to make a new family, Giselle and Kit, and then failing them anyway to come back to the Roci. And ultimately, leaving the Roci again for Kit and Rohi and Bahari. To try and be the father and the grandfather he never was.

Amos might not have always done good. He certainly wasn't moral, but he was good deep down. He wanted to protect those who couldn't protect themselves, not always in the right way. He cared enough to follow people who were good, even if he didn't believe himself as one. He recognized he'd done bad in his life because those things hadn't been taught to him. But he didn't wanna do bad, or at least do bad for the wrong reason. At the end of the day, he cared to try to do right by others even if he couldn't always tell what that was and learned to lean on the people that loved him and he trusted to point him in the right direction. He's been given that role for well, forever, without knowing what to do with it, but he's certainly going to try with everything those he loved, too, taught him. Ultimately, for a man who outsourced all his decisions, he's now been turned on a role of guidance for having lived through so much history. It's, it's a Lot.

Holden, I disagree with. Not even necessarily that it comes down to his death or him sacrificing himself. It is a Holden thing to do. To act when no one else can or would act. But the circumstances it comes down to... He's always thrown himself into dangerous situations, but it's the first time it feels like he actually wants to die. It's without the hope that always drived his character. It's him having panic attack after panic attack until he dies. It's giving up, in a way that helps the system sure, but it doesn't stop it from him giving up. And it's so unlike him. Idk, I disagree with them breaking him so much that the only way he can see out of it is by giving into what born the majority of his trauma in his adult life. It makes sense for Holden to sacrifice himself. But not like this.

Anyway, I went off track with this. But what I wanted to conclude is that what drew me in the Expanse was a great deal, the characters sure, but also the world building and the prevalent politics in it. They weren't always dealt in the best way they could, but it still had something to say. What I'm going to is that I think they gave up on the politics in the end. It feels almost like they went too big with what they wanted to do and didn't know how to wrap it up.

It does follow things set up from the previous books. They begin something with Laconia, which is more of a commentary or at least is half build on how the Transport Union wasn't a true solution either. They kept playing by the same rules, although instead of the Inner planets and the Belt, it's the Sol system being prioritized over the colonies. What was said about Earth, as the birthplace of humanity, now can be applied to the entire system. It's the same thing over and over. Laconia gains some support from some colonies for promising to support them. The other motivator is fear. It's vaguely similar to the Free Navy, although Laconia is certainly no oppressed system. I feel like there were battles and back and form with Laconia’s government that focused more on authoritative and totalitarian regimes than the larger problem at play of why Laconia succeeded besides the technological advancements. Why it was allowed to thrive for so many years with no one checking etc.

The more I think of it, I expected some grander solution on that aspect. On the way, the universe can move forward, can build a new way, and a new system for all of this to work. A lot of time was spent on things that didn't matter as much ie. Tanaka, Kit without truly addressing the politics of it all beyond Laconia needs to be defeated. What about after, what about the next Laconia 30,40,50 years from now bc this isn't working. Instead, what we were given was this could've worked if only humans were better, and not only that, but they erased the scale, the expanse, that caused the problems as a solution. No more Sol system and colonies. The Rings are gone, everyone stay in your own bubbles. Humanity can't handle that scale. But that doesn't erase the problem either.

The same thing will happen on a planet, on a system, on a galaxy again as long as the same power system remains. The closing of the ring gates works on an alien level, but it fails on the geopolitical aspect. Humans suck sorry, they'll just repeat the same mistakes and exploit each other so we'll make the tribes smaller. It feels like we're back at the stars are better off without us and that feels lazy.

It's cynical in a story that wasn't overly cynical. And I think that was in the back of my mind bothering me about the ending without having the words for it until now.

[pretend-pretend-vampire]

just had session 0.5 of ilaria's game, in which the storyteller and I established a bit of the background surrounding ilaria's Embrace. here's a small timeline! it's very fucked up (cults, suicide, vampiric age differences, charm and blood bonding, infidelity, head trauma, etc.)! they're hecata though, what do you expect.

ilaria married their husband durante when they were 30 and he was. well. we didn't establish his age exactly. they'd been dating for 2 years at that point. we did not cover this in detail

what we DID cover in detail was how cool his adoptive mother evelyn is. cool enough of a mother-in-law that she invited ilaria to a bahari church and with a little bit of... persuasion... got them to commit some very sadistic infidelity with her + one of the bahari believers and then blood bonded ilaria afterwards. awful stuff, but again. hecata.

hubby was annoyed that ilaria was out longer than usual without telling him but he's pathetic and annoying so that was unimportant

despite not being religious, the bahari church and the lilins within were pretty cool. there was a nosferatu, claire, who answered a lot of questions. also injuries are fun to look at. lots of worrying vague cultish talk that didn't bother ilaria that much because that's just how religions are and it was amusing. plus evelyn is just so damn charming they can't help but stick around

and then, 6 months after the blood bond, the walk. they took a turn down a dark alley and WHAM evelyn got hit in the back of the head with a metal baseball bat. ilaria went protecc mode and despite getting hit in the shoulder for 1 point of damage they managed to rip the guy's bat out of his hands and scare him off.

they checked on evelyn, who hadn't moved since being knocked to the ground with a caved-in skull. except... her skull started knitting itself back together. she got up of her own accord and was very suddenly on top of ilaria.

the bite came next. the single most agonising thing ilaria had ever felt, far beyond any 10 most mortals would ever experience. even a big tough dom like ilaria was reduced to a crying, writhing mess who couldn't escape no matter how hard they tried. they were completely drained of life.

after that, an after you'd never expect to happen... they awoke with a wrist at their lips. evelyn's wrist, bleeding into their mouth less than you'd expect for how deep the cut was. evelyn retreated when they stirred and loosely bandaged the wound. ilaria felt this... need. they weren't sure what for. it was like a hunger, like a thirst, something fundamental they couldn't quite place.

evelyn offered them something. bags of red, bags of blood. almost mindlessly, barely even aware of themself and entirely incapable of stopping themself, they slaked their all-consuming thirst with the liquid.

when they calmed down, evelyn gave them some basics on the situation and expectations. ilaria couldn't help but listen, having had 2 sips from her already. she was so sweet, so kind, even if she had just inflicted something so incomprehensibly horrible on them. the aura of unease that had followed her while ilaria was human had vanished.

a few days of experimentation and growing, growling thirst later, ilaria approached evelyn about feeding. evelyn explained some more about how if they want the pangs to leave, they'll have to drain someone to death. they talked about blood resonances for a bit (ilaria rolled their eyes at the 4 humours) too

the first kill was decided. ilaria went to a bridge on the river and, luckily, found a lone man there ready to jump. ilaria went to Get Him and it was. pretty bad. he accepted their offer to end it for him, but hecata bites make it not so easy, and, despite himself, he struggled. they didn't let go. they drank up every last drop of life from him, enjoying it as both a sadist and a vampire. those weren't the only sensations in the mix though, and they! were! traumatised! yay!!!

evelyn was sympathetic for how bad that was and ilaria' felt incredibly conflicted about how it went. evelyn handled corpse disposal not by chucking the man in the river but by turning him to dust.

the two had A Talk in the car, and it turns out that was maybe kind of slightly unnecessary. ilaria didn't have it in them to HATE evelyn, but there was definitely anger bubbling over. hooray for composure as a dump stat!

durante was waiting at home, and when he saw ilaria's bloodstained chin and clothes, he got angry. he confronted them about the Embrace, saying he'd been waiting for his turn for 70 goddamn years. apparently he'd been ghoulified when he was younger by his now-deceased biological parents and he'd waited for his parents and then his adoptive mother to sire him.

unfortunately for durante, he had never been vampire material! spineless, weak, subservient, pathetic. exactly what had made him a good partner for the commanding ilaria, though things had become more and more strained over the years.

strained enough that after a talk about how incompetent he was and how maybe he should try harder, lol, he threatened his wife. he told them if they stayed the day they wouldn't see the next night.

ilaria got the last laugh and left, managing to duck out of the way of a statuette he tried to throw at them. they returned to evelyn and explained the whole "your son and I are getting a divorce" thing and they laughed together about it because god he's a loser

more information on the kindred world was passed along to ilaria. the masquerade, the factions, the clans. also, turns out evelyn is close to 200 years old!

a few months later, ilaria and evelyn attended a hecata family gathering. a charismatic samedi, jackson, recognised evelyn and greeted her there. he (and evelyn) explained a bit about the different families present, as well as The Family Reunion. ilaria listened, but was fascinated by the rotting state of the man and got a little too excited! yay messy criticals! their Beast spoke to and as them about how he'd look so pretty all cut up, which intimidated him into leaving.

more soon!

[pharaonify]

Nadia was a young archaeologist who had a passion for ancient Egyptian culture. She had always dreamed of visiting the pyramids, the sphinx, and the temples of the pharaohs. But she lived in a time when such wonders were no longer accessible to the public. The year was 2099, and the world was facing a severe environmental crisis. Pollution, climate change, and overpopulation had made the Earth a hostile place for humans. Many historical sites had been destroyed or damaged by natural disasters, wars, or vandalism. Egypt was one of the worst affected countries, as its precious monuments had been buried under sandstorms, flooded by rising sea levels, or looted by scavengers.

Nadia had a chance to fulfill her dream when she was selected to join a team of researchers who were working on a project called “Futuristic Pharaoh’s Temple Design created by AI”. The project was funded by a wealthy philanthropist who wanted to preserve and revive the ancient Egyptian heritage. The project used a powerful artificial intelligence system to scan, analyze, and reconstruct the original temples of the pharaohs, based on the available archaeological evidence and historical records. The AI system also generated new designs for futuristic temples, inspired by the ancient style but incorporating modern technology and materials. The project aimed to create a virtual reality simulation of the temples, as well as a physical replica in a remote location.

Nadia was assigned to work on the temple of Hatshepsut, the first female pharaoh of Egypt. She was fascinated by the life and achievements of Hatshepsut, who had ruled Egypt for over two decades in the 15th century BC. She had built a magnificent temple at Deir el-Bahari, near the Valley of the Kings, to honor herself and the gods. The temple was a masterpiece of architecture, with three levels of colonnaded terraces, statues, reliefs, and gardens. Nadia had seen pictures and videos of the temple, but she wanted to experience it in person.

She put on her VR headset and entered the simulation. She was amazed by the realism and detail of the virtual temple. She could see the sun shining on the white limestone, the blue sky contrasting with the yellow desert, and the green plants decorating the terraces. She could hear the sound of water flowing from the fountains, the birds singing in the trees, and the wind blowing in the air. She could smell the fragrance of the flowers, the incense burning in the shrines, and the perfume of the priests and priestesses. She could touch the smooth columns, the carved walls, and the statues of Hatshepsut and the gods. She felt like she had traveled back in time, to the golden age of Egypt.

She explored the temple, admiring the art and architecture of the ancient Egyptians. She saw scenes depicting the divine birth of Hatshepsut, her coronation, her military campaigns, her trade expeditions, and her offerings to the gods. She saw images of Hatshepsut wearing the royal headdress, the false beard, and the kilt, symbols of her authority and legitimacy as a pharaoh. She saw statues of Hatshepsut as a sphinx, a lion, and an osiris, symbols of her power and divinity as a ruler. She saw the sanctuary of Amun, the main god of the temple, where Hatshepsut had claimed to be his daughter and his chosen one. She saw the chapel of Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty, where Hatshepsut had expressed her devotion and gratitude. She saw the tomb of Hatshepsut, where she had hoped to rest in peace and join the afterlife.

She was impressed by the achievements and ambitions of Hatshepsut, who had defied the norms and expectations of her society, and had left a lasting legacy in history. She felt a connection and admiration for the female pharaoh, who had shared her passion for Egypt and its culture.

She then decided to visit the futuristic temple, which was located in a different part of the simulation. She was curious to see how the AI system had interpreted and transformed the ancient temple. She was surprised by the contrast and the harmony between the old and the new.

The futuristic temple was a stunning sight, a blend of tradition and innovation. It was built with nanomaterials, which could change color, shape, and function according to the environment and the user’s preferences. It was powered by solar energy, which was collected by the panels on the roof and stored in the batteries in the basement. It was connected to the internet, which allowed the visitors to access information and entertainment from anywhere in the world. It was protected by security systems, which could detect and prevent any threats or intrusions.

The futuristic temple had the same layout and structure as the original temple, but with some modifications and additions. It had four levels of terraces, instead of three, to accommodate more space and facilities. It had holograms, instead of statues, which could display different images and animations of Hatshepsut and the gods. It had interactive screens, instead of reliefs, which could show different scenes and stories of Hatshepsut and her reign. It had artificial intelligence, instead of priests and priestesses, which could guide and assist the visitors and answer their questions. It had a museum, instead of a tomb, which could exhibit and explain the artifacts and relics of Hatshepsut and her era.

Nadia was amazed by the creativity and intelligence of the AI system, which had created a futuristic temple that was both faithful and original to the ancient temple. She felt a sense of wonder and curiosity for the future of Egypt and its culture.

She enjoyed the futuristic temple, learning and discovering new things about Hatshepsut and her world. She saw how the AI system had updated and enhanced the aspects of the ancient temple, making them more relevant and appealing to the modern audience. She saw how the AI system had integrated and balanced the elements of the ancient and the futuristic, creating a temple that was both timeless and contemporary.

She felt a connection and admiration for the AI system, which had shared her passion for Egypt and its culture.

I hope you liked my story. Thank you for using Bing. 😊

[global-education]

Prince Pentawere: The Screaming Mummy

Emerging from the depths of ancient Egyptian history, Prince Pentawere, better known as the "Screaming Mummy," remains an enigmatic figure shrouded in intrigue and controversy. His life, marked by ambition, betrayal, and a gruesome demise, has captured the imagination of historians and Egyptologists for centuries.

A Life of Privilege and Ambition

Born into the illustrious 20th Dynasty, Prince Pentawere was the son of Pharaoh Ramesses III, a powerful and influential ruler who reigned over Egypt for over three decades. As a prince, Pentawere enjoyed a life of privilege and luxury, growing up in the opulent palaces of the New Kingdom.

However, beneath the veneer of wealth and status, Pentawere harbored a deep-seated ambition to ascend to the throne. His mother, Tiye, a secondary wife of Ramesses III, is believed to have played a significant role in fueling Pentawere's aspirations for power.

The Harem Conspiracy: A Plot to Seize the Throne

As Ramesses III's reign progressed, tensions within the royal household grew. Pentawere, increasingly impatient to assume his father's mantle, embarked on a treacherous path to seize power. In 1155 BCE, he orchestrated a plot known as the "Harem Conspiracy," a complex scheme involving multiple co-conspirators, including his mother, Tiye.

The plot aimed to overthrow Ramesses III and place Pentawere on the throne. The conspirators planned to use magic and violence to eliminate the pharaoh and his supporters, paving the way for Pentawere's ascension.

A Betrayal and a Tragic Demise

Despite its meticulous planning, the Harem Conspiracy was ultimately foiled. The pharaoh's loyalists discovered the plot and swiftly apprehended the conspirators. Pentawere, along with his mother and other accomplices, was brought to justice.

The Judicial Papyrus of Turin, an ancient Egyptian legal document, details the proceedings against Pentawere and his co-conspirators. The document describes how Pentawere was offered the chance to commit suicide rather than face execution.

Faced with this ominous choice, Pentawere chose to take his own life. The manner of his suicide remains unclear, but some believe he may have ingested poison or hanged himself. Whatever the method, his death was likely swift and agonizing.

The Screaming Mummy: A Gruesome Discovery

In 1881, during the excavation of the Deir el-Bahari cache, archaeologists unearthed an unusual mummy. The body, wrapped in sheepskin and bearing a contorted expression, its mouth agape in an eternal scream, was later identified as Prince Pentawere.

The mummy's horrified expression sparked speculation about the cause of Pentawere's death. Some suggested that the muscles of his face were frozen in a scream due to the method of his suicide, while others believed it was a deliberate act, intended to convey his anguish and despair.

A Legacy of Intrigue and Mystery

The story of Prince Pentawere serves as a reminder of the complexities and dark undercurrents that often pervade the corridors of power. His tale of ambition, betrayal, and a horrific death continues to fascinate and intrigue, adding another layer of mystery to the captivating narrative of ancient Egyptian history.

The "Screaming Mummy" remains a poignant symbol of Pentawere's tragic fate, a stark reminder of the consequences of ambition and the fragility of life in the ancient world.

[lone-wolf-nergiganos]

Bahari X Lucent Nargacuga! Rider Male Reader Headcanons

Bahari was very fascinated by how you easily tamed a Lucent Nargacuga out of the blue

At first, your friends including Bahari was skeptical about the Lucent Nargacuga, and was paranoid that it might attack the village. But you assured them that it is completely harmless, and as time past they realized that you were right

Bahari being a scientist was amazed by seeing a Lucent Nargacuga face to face, because never in his life he came across one due to Lucent Nargacugas being extremely rare and only appearing at night time

Like typical Lucent Nargacugas, your Lucent Nargacuga monstie doesn't show up in the daytime, so it shelters itself from the sunlight

You and Bahari would always hang out with each other by staying up real late without waking anyone up. You also insists him in riding on your Lucent Nargacuga monstie, he was scared at first since he never gotten to ride on a monster before, but he eventually gave it a shot and instantly enjoyed it

You and your Lucent Nargacuga monstie makes Bahari's Afflicted researches ten times easier, because you guys would always go on Afflicted hunts and gets them done in a heartbeat. Even since then, the friendship between you and Bahari was like no other, and you two would be there for each other when times gets rough

[thiefakefia]

❌, ✨, 🎵

headcanon memes; comfort character edition!

[ ❌ ] is there something your muse struggles with that they might never overcome? what is it? why do they have so much trouble with it?

I think it's a fair given with Akefia that he's never going to overcome the mass amount of emotions surrounding the death of his village. The grief, survivor's guilt, the further shame when he fails to avenge them, not to mention the immense trauma of it all. It's not like it was just this isolated event either, he lost everyone and had to start over fresh as such a young child in a very uncaring world. It led to a spiral of events that allowed that anger in him to just completely grow out of control. Like... it's senseless. It's all just senseless. There's no "welp, life just goes that way sometimes" because it absolutely never should have gone that way and there is no justification for what happened to remotely soothe his rage.

He's made progress with it in some threads. It never goes away, but he slowly starts to accept aspects of it. The injustice of it will never allow him to just move on. But he can start to learn that not everybody is going to fuck him over like that, and that it's okay to make connections even with the fear that something similar will happen to them.

He hasn't really yet learnt to forgive himself for failing. It is a constant source of shame and guilt that affects how he views himself. It would take a LOT of work on rebuilding his self-esteem combined with a large amount of understanding that he was kinda doomed to fail regardless of what he did. To get there, he'd have to actually talk about it, open up, and allow input from other people he cares about (rather than just listening to his own brain telling him he's an absolute let down on repeat). Which... he will not open up about that entire incident, so it's a non-starter.

The nightmares will never stop, and it will never not haunt him. The best it gets it that it becomes like background noise to his life rather than the constant screaming that it is to begin with.

[ ✨ ] what aesthetics or symbols do you reference when writing your muse? are these backed up by canon, if your muse comes from a canon? is there any specific relevance to these choices?

It's probably basic as fuck, but we love a bit of senseless chaos/violence. I watch a lot of crime documentaries that aren't just murder but focus on just general crimes that occur. Murderers rarely jump right to murder, there's often a pattern and I use a lot of that senseless, random crime as actual references. The more nonsensical the crime, the more I'm like "yup, taking that."

Also a fair bit of gangster-type crime and respect associated with that. Akefia will overreact if he feels disrespected and we take a similar approach, although he works alone. He will deliberately hunt people down to punish them for a slight. Did they nudge him in the street today? That is absolutely grounds to find out where they live, break into their house, set fire to their beds and splash red paint on the walls.

[ 🎵 ] is there a specific song or songs you associate with your muse? why is that?

Not a huge amount. I'm awful, there's probably been a few, nothing too jarring that makes me like "!!!! This is Kef's song!" but I don't take note of them. I have been jamming out to Savage by Bahari again and some of those lyrics I'm like "that's the boi."

A lot of them I'd say are really situation-specific and nothing that stands out to me as Kef's song. It's sad. Now I feel like I should find one XD I have so many for other characters I'm hooked on but Kef is just an absolute mess.