#like i just do not have the energy to survive

[unknownogre]

They say it’s for the betterment of the world. That I’m not a prisoner…that I’m free to wonder in between moments of recovery. Still…this hospital is a prison and I am the most important patient. I am the perfect match for everyone on the planet. My blood, my organs…not a single body will reject them. I’m kept here by the Hero’s league. This is my ‘post’ after registration and trying to do good to help the world, I don’t know what I was thinking.

Do I make money? Not enough. I’m told it is my duty to give and as a member of the Hero’s League that I’m doing my part so wealth shouldn’t be a deciding factor. I’m also blessed with an insane healing factor. They can pull organs out of me once a day as long as they are careful about which ones. If it is the heart, I need a few days to recover. I can’t work out because no matter what the organs are new when they regrow. So even if my arms are stronger, my lungs are new, my heart…its new. I can’t train them to work more efficiently, I can’t get stronger. I suppose that is their plan.

I don’t pick, its congress, house reps…politicians that affect laws that govern how the Hero’s League work. Hell my organs are in the founding members as well. Entire medicine lines have been developed on my blood alone. I’d be worth billions if I held any control over my parts. I’m just worth thousands not that I even get to spend that much. No vacations, no time off…no rest.

…I want to feel better about this. I hate it. If I don’t make money from this, then I’d rather be helping the poor and children. I’m not though. I’m helping fund the League and their greed. Why give me what I’m due when they can just lock me away.

…I want out…I WANT OUT! I WANT OUT!

Then there was a faint explosion…well the first one was faint. The subsequent ones got louder…and closer until the floor shook. I could see smoke billowing from the side of the hospital. I’d was worried for a second but then I realized that the only people here are rich politicians and their families. I can’t be bothered to care anymore. I was just standing by my window, looking upon a city I was ‘saving’ but couldn’t live amongst. If I’m lucky the building will do so much damage to my body I’ll be allowed the sweet release of death…but I doubt I’ll be that lucky.

I could hear fighting in the hall, yes they had guards around me all the time. Said it was for my safety but it has been ten years and no one tried to attack me once…so I was convinced they were put there to make sure I didn’t run. How dare I dream of living on my own right?

I’m curious now as I take a position opposite the door. I wonder what is going on. I know nothing. I don’t have news, or social media…I’m a phantom in this city. A mere whisper of a legend that no one is sure exists. Civil war in the Hero’s League? Random attack on a politician here and I’m to be taken hostage so they can get their freedom? I have no idea. I don’t care really.

“This is the room…he has to be here!”

It was an alto feminine presenting voice. Rather lovely if you ask me. I hate the nurses here, they keep sending in ones they think are ‘pretty’ so I bond with them and want to be more compliant, but their eyes are all the same…distant. They were acting, all of them were acting. No one wants one sided love…I took what I could get but I knew it was empty. I wonder if Sarah survived the initial assault? The door was ripped off the hinged and there was a woman standing nearly seven feet tall with arms and legs like tree trunks covered in Kevlar body armor. She looked DOPE. She stepped aside though and a pair came past her. A man and a woman with themes of purple black and blue in their ‘armor’. The woman floated surrounded by a purple energy and the man had a million different blades all over his body.

“We’d like you to come with us. We are From The Dark League.”

I sighed and just grabbed a water bottle and opened it looking to them. The large woman was looking nervous and the man with the blades looked impatient but the magical woman looked calm.

“Why? Is going with you better than staying here. This cage is gilded ya know?”

I took a sip and the man looked me up and down and then turned away to stand with the large woman by the door. I wasn’t sure if they were a couple or not, I guess just minions. Hell, I don’t know why I’m thinking about such things.

“Well, we know of you and your situation. We’d offer help. In exchange for harvesting your organs once a week, we’ll pay you obscene amounts of money and make sure you are safe. You’ll be under contract for a duration and once that duration is up you’ll be free to do as you choose. How does that sound?”

This woman, this wonderful Witchy woman just said perhaps the most wonderful words I’ve ever heard in my entire life. I was just about to agree too until the wall near where I stood was smashed to bits and the leader of the Hero’s League called Justice stood there in his suit of white and gold. He could fly, was immune to bullets and most physical damage and the only reason there was still crime was because he couldn’t be bothered to actually stop it anymore, I made him more money than he knew what to do with.

“Stop right there Morticia…you won’t take him and I’ll paint the sidewalk with your blood in order to keep him here.”

There was no more show huh? No kind of sympthay. I get it, he’ll kill to keep me here and I don’t know. I thought apathy was my existence, but there was something to be said for the show, the fake emotions. I could pretend that I was doing this for the right reasons, that I was helping. No! I was getting angry. I was a pawn for too long…and as Morticia fired off a few impotent blasts my heart started to hammer in my chest…

…what was this I was feeling. Aside from the pent up rage of a decade of torture and solitary confinement. I felt something from Justice. Something familiar…my eyes locked on him as he approached the increasingly desperate woman. Her minions came in but where brushed aside…no they were killed right away. Not yet, he was going to make an example out of her.

“NO!”

I shouted and held out my hand…Justice stopped cold. I could feel it. I held his heart. No…no it wasn’t his heart it was mine. I HELD HIS HEART IN MY HAND! It was mine, it would always be mine. Sure it adapted to be in his body…but it was mine. I don’t know when he had the surgery. I never knew who got what and when. Still he had a bit of me in him and I had control.

“You don’t get to keep me here anymore! I’m SO sick of this. I don’t care if I’m helping rich assholes stay alive longer than the gods want. LET THEM DIE! You don’t help children, you don’t help the poor which is what I SIGNED ON TO DO! YOU LINE YOUR POCKETS BECAUSE OE ME! I HATE IT! I HATE ALL OF IT! You know they offered me money, protection AND freedom. Not to lock me up and rip out organs from my body, which they very well could do. NO! These ‘villains’ are going to treat me better than the heroes ever have.”

Justice looked at me and for the first time anywhere I saw genuine fear in the so called hero’s face. I was drunk in that moment. I loved this. Do villains get to feel like this all the time? Or maybe the really powerful ones do.

“Please…don’t. I…I’ll give you more freedom okay. More money too…just…”

Why wasn’t this working for him. I had him under control for life…no not for life. Then he’d really lock me away, keeping me sedated for a long as possible. My body will adapt eventually to the drugs, but  then he’ll just rip out organs while I’m awake. I can see it behind the fear. The rage he has.

“Sorry my friend. I don’t think you have a better counteroffer.”

Then I closed my hand in a fist and instantly I saw blood come from his eyes and mouth and he just fell over to the side. I walked over to help the man with the knives get up and I dusted him off.

“Morticia, consider me under your protection and employ. I am going to ask for something right off the bat, if you don’t mind. I want a beer so bad I dream about them every night. Can we go get a drink somewhere? I’m not trying to hit on you but something tells me you are wonderful company.”

I offered her the crook of my arm so she could pull herself up to stand. I could see a whole range of emotions play across her face as she looked at the fallen hero just dead on the floor. I looked at him as well…oh I was giddy. I had suppressed myself so much that I couldn’t feel. Now just letting my emotions out I could feel so much power, I had so much control over so many politicians now.

“Or maybe I would like a better contract. I’d like to join the Shadow League. Seeing as now I have dirt on politicians, war lords, despots…so many people have a vital organ of mine in them. We’ll get so much money. Eventually they’ll all die but then we can burn that bridge when we come to it. Also we’ll need to workshop a name and costume for me. Who ever does yours I would love their number.”

Morticia just started to laugh at this completely improbably situation before her and she hoisted herself up using my elbow. She pulled me close just resting her other hand on my arm. She looked truly amused and happy with the outcome. The large woman patted me on the back smiling as well. I liked them already. These were my true heroes. My saviors that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to truly repay.

“I think…you’ll be a wonderful addition to the Shadow League. I think we are about to enter a new age of villainy, if I dare be so optimistic.”

The funny thing about villains. They don’t really want to do evil. They are beat and broken people rebelling against a system that hurt them. I will force change…and when I make them happy they’ll stop being ‘evil’. Most of them will anyway, some are just sick and twisted…and they’ll be put down. The reasonable ones though…gods I’m using evil to get so much good done in the world. A new age indeed.

“I think you should dare.” I offered her a smile. She had me floating at this point…this was so cool. GODS I can’t wait

You're a literal universal donor for a superpower, that even your organs are compatible. And right now, the villains have decided to hit the hospital.

[vetochkarowan]

🌿 Dear friends, there are only two episodes left of the comic (I’ll be taking a break tomorrow, and then… brace yourselves). I’d like to address the questions about a continuation.

The short answer: I don’t know.

The longer answer for the curious:

I really don’t know. I feel an enormous emptiness knowing that this project is ending (it’s hard to describe the emotional void I fall into every time I put a story at the end). It’s like finishing an amazing book or completing a game; you’re left wondering how to keep going and what to do with your time. Of course, I’m deeply attached to the characters and their story, and I don’t want it to end (and really, it hasn’t—they literally just hugged; this is just the beginning).

Naturally, I’d be interested in developing their relationship further—I even have some ideas for the main plot, and I feel inspired. But I’m completely out of energy. Drawing four pages a day is something only manga artists do during deadlines, surviving on energy drinks....

On the other hand, I’m a little (a lot) afraid that a continuation might not feel “right.” That without the rom-com intrigue of “will he confess?” the story might lose its spark—or maybe it’ll gain a new one. It’s hard to say in advance.

The only thing I know for sure is that any continuation must come from a place of love. Maybe I’ll have enough inspiration for a full-fledged sequel, or maybe just for a few special episodes. Whatever direction it takes, whatever the outcome, I am endlessly grateful to you for being here with me. 💛

“So this isn’t goodbye—it’s more of a ‘see you later, darling.’” 🦇

[revelboo]

I love the building man and his tiny spouse! Can we get more Metroplex please??

Sure!

I Can Feel You Pt 15

Metroplex x Reader

• Skin prickling all over, the air feels oddly electric like a storm on the edge of the horizon. Except, that's not possible down here within Metroplex. Hooking an arm around the drone's neck so you can lean to see Ratchet, his frown isn't exactly reassuring. "You can feel that, too, can't you?" And he looks at you in surprise. "I wasn't aware humans were sensitive to biofields," the medic mutters. Biofields? You have no idea what he's talking about, but whatever it is, it's making you oddly anxious. Feels wrong as your skin crawls.

• Shifting you closer to the drone's chassis, your unease spills into him and he rocks to a stop. Remembers that nightmare and can't make the drone move forward. Doesn't want you anywhere near that diseased part of himself. Hands trembling, he gently lowers you to your feet, aware of Ratchet watching as he leans to press his helm to your forehead. "Stay here. It's not safe, precious one." And you're much too fragile. Can't risk you. Can't lose you.

• "He's right. Energy readings are off the chart," Ratchet mutters, attention on the scanner in his hands. "No telling what that would do to an organic." Catching the drone's hand in both of yours, your heart is racing. He'd wanted you to help him. Now he's telling you to stay? Because you're human and weak. Helpless. And it hurts, but you understand. Eyes down as the servos of his free hand ghost against the curve of your cheek before tipping your chin up. Waiting patiently like he always does for you to life your eyes. "Ratchet, you help him. Fix him. Please."

• Knows you don't like this, and he brushes the drone's lips against your forehead, aware of Ratchet staring. And he lifts the drone's head to stare the medic down, daring him to say anything, because he's not ashamed of you. You're his. "I'm still here. You won't be alone," he promises and it's hard to make himself make the drone walk away from you. To leave you standing there with your arms wrapped around yourself. So small and frightened. He's all around you but can't hold you without the drone's arms or by luring you to that node to snare you and dream with you. Just a little longer, though. Once he's repaired, he won't have to fight to stay awake, won't be constantly redirecting energy he needs just to survive.

• Sitting down after they leave you, you're aware of Metroplex's biolights pulsing around you. Keeping the shadows at bay. Know you're safe within Metroplex, but he's just so massive and it's dark so deep within him. But sitting here, you can feel the pulse of that massive spark thrumming with each flare of his biolights. Know he's all around you and it calms you. You don't know how long they're gone. Only that Cybertronians live a lot longer than you do and perceive time differently. Long enough for you to get hungry. For you to lay down and fall asleep. It's the feel of warm servos sliding under you that wakes you. "Metroplex?" You murmur as you're lifted and cradled in big hands and you blink up at Ratchet. "The drone disconnected again, but he was able to show me the problem," he growls and he's jogging with you back the way you'd come. Almost flat out running and fear jolts you wide awake. Because whatever's wrong with Metroplex is bad. You know it. "You can fix him, right? Ratchet?" Why won't he look at you?

Previous

Next

[kizzer55555]

The Tournament

Trigger Warning for Violence

So you know how Danny is portrayed as the ghost king automatically after Pariah is defeated? What if there was more too it. Let’s say that Danny has joined a new hero team and is having fun and then there is some kind of ripple in the infinite realms that all magic users can feel. A tournament is being held to choose the new king. The reason it wasn’t held immediately upon Pariah’s defeat is because it took some time to get into contact with all the participants. Anyone eligible can attend the tournament. This includes those with royal blood, other ancients, anyone who meets a certain power level, anyone that have their own kingdom and people to rule over, or those who faught and sealed Pariah in the first place. Aka, Danny and Vlad. So Danny gets an invite to the tournament.

Now this can go two ways. One is that those ‘invited’ are obligated to attend. Like their core physically hurts if they try to refuse. And the tournament is dangerous. Creatures and demons and eldritch horrors from all over the infinite realms are attending.

Second option. The tournament is optional because it is very cut throat and usually a battle to the death (or in this case, until someone’s core is shattered) and with ghosts being able to survive a lot, the battles often end with missing limbs, spines ripped out, impailment, decapitation, and disembowelment to name a few. So many refuse to participate, not wanting to risk ceasing to exist. The problem though is that a dangerous person is participating (could be Vlad, could be another demonic villain of the JL) and unless they want this person to gain unlimited power through the crown and ring plus an army of undead, Danny has to participate. Or the world is doomed. And each time Danny goes through a trial or battle, (because there could be both.) he returns to the hero group with injures that would have killed a normal person. Practically drenched in his own ecto blood. (That’s if the heroes weren’t forced to watch their friend mid battle, unable to interfere. Man. That would suck if they had to watch his spine get ripped out or something. The screams alone. Maybe split the group so Danny can only bring a certain number of ‘guests’ and they rotate who goes?) And like, imagine what kind of conversation Danny would have. His team panicking about the impending threat of the new ghost king and Dany having to reveal that he is eligible to participate (if some outside force doesn’t reveal it for him) and being forced to compete in a tournament where you either die, or become a murderer.

[darlinluxx]

𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 | 𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐄 𝐁𝐘𝐄𝐎𝐊 ౨ৎ

pairing : saebyeok x extrovert!fem!reader

fluff

warnings : none

a/n : writing this bc i miss conan gray, chappell roan n’ maisie peters 😭

summary : you take your girlfriend to a concert

if you have any requests, feel free to message me <3

𝐓he bass vibrated through Saebyeok’s ribcage, a physical manifestation of the frenetic energy pulsing through the concert venue. not her usual scene, not by a long shot. usually, she was navigating the grimy underbelly of Seoul, blending into shadows, pickpocketing. but tonight, she was surrounded by a sea of people, bathed in the kaleidoscopic glow of the stage lights, and a small, warm hand was firmly clasped in hers.

that hand belonged to you, whose eyes were shining with pure joy. you with your infectious enthusiasm and bright spirit, had dragged Saebyeok to this concert, promising a night of cathartic release and good music.

Saebyeok had initially resisted. she was not a big fan of crowds. but you looked up at her with those big doe eyes, and she had found it impossible to refuse.

now, surrounded by the thrumming life, she found herself surprisingly…okay. your presence acted like a grounding wire, a constant reminder that this was real, that she was safe.

the person on stage was one of your favorite music artists. you were singing along with the crowd, your voice slightly off-key but full of passion. Saebyeok watched you, a soft smile tugging at the corner of her lips. you were a force of nature, vibrant and unafraid, and Saebyeok had never met anyone like you.

she squeezed your hand, a silent promise of protection, a language you both understood. you looked over, your smile widening. you leaned in, your breath warm against Saebyeok’s ear, “having fun?”

Saebyeok chuckled, a low rumble in her chest that was rarely heard. “it’s…loud,” she admitted, her voice barely audible above the music.

“that’s the point!” you exclaimed, pulling Saebyeok closer.

Saebyeok closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the rumble in her chest sync with the music, the warmth of you beside her. it wasn’t magic, but it was close enough. for the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of something other than weariness and distrust. she felt hope.

later, as the concert ended and the crowd began to disperse, Saebyeok and you walked out into the cool night air. the city was still buzzing, but the energy was different, softer. your cheeks were flushed and your hair was slightly disheveled. you were still vibrating with excitement.

“wasn’t that amazing?” you asked, your voice a little hoarse.

Saebyeok nodded, her usually guarded expression softening. “it was,” she conceded, her voice still gruff but gentler than usual. “it was different.”

you stopped walking, turning to face Saebyeok, your eyes filled with a knowing warmth. “different good?”

Saebyeok hesitated for a moment, the words feeling strange and unfamiliar on her tongue. “yeah,” she finally said, her gaze unwavering.

you smiled, a radiant sun-like smile that made Saebyeok’s heart do a little flip. you reached up and cupped Saebyeok’s cheek, your thumb tracing the sharp line of her jaw. “i’m glad,” you murmured, your voice soft and gentle. “because i want to show you all the good things in the world. all the things you deserve.”

Saebyeok leaned into the touch, a wave of tenderness washing over her. she loved the quiet moments like these, standing in the cool night air with you, knowing that she was safe, that she was loved, and that she could finally, truly, begin to live.

as you walked hand in hand towards your tiny apartment, the music fading into the background, Saebyeok knew that this was only the beginning. there would be challenges, moments of fear and doubt, but with you by her side, she was ready to face them. she was ready to learn how to live, not just survive. and for the first time in a long time, that felt like a truly attainable dream.

[ficsinhistory]

Sonic 4 and Amy Rose: How her character can be.

So…Sonic 3 is kinda stuck in my head and spinning like a microwave.

In particular, Amy Rose. I loved her cameo and her possible dynamic in the fourth movie with all characters plus her story made my writer’s ideas go WILD! So, I decided to do a silly little post about it! 

I never played the games, just watched the movies, but I've done my search! 

 So let 's go!

(Spoilers to Sonic Movie 3)

Tagging @annymation @nerdyneko6373

BACKSTORY 

I answered an ask before with some basic thoughts, but repeating here, Amy would have a widely new backstory, motivations, arc and narrative purpose while keeping her core: Unconditional love for all living things and a deeply Empathy. 

From the mid-credits, we could see that Metal Sonic apparently came from the future, so not only we may have time travel but that Sonic 4 probs will be based on Sonic CD, which heavily has time travel and fate in its theme.

In the game, cards told Amy she would meet Sonic and she fell madly in love because…destiny said so. Ok, obviously, the movie will need a stronger reason for her to exist, and her role as a whole.

So, here's my theory:

Amy will be on a mission to protect Sonic to save the future from Metal domination. 

She would be a little girl from the Little Planet, or a place where it came close, raised in an orphanage where she never was adopted. Her home would be destroyed because the Metal Army wants the Time Stones. From who doesn't know, the Time Stones are 7 stones that can fold time itself. A crazy power to fall on bad hands. 

In this scenario, Amy would risk her life trying to save everyone, getting the stones first to use them to stop the Metal Army somehow. However, the time stones would why the Metals exist, because Sonic was defeated, before sending her to Earth (at the same age of Sonic or a little older, it depends)  to protect the gems and Sonic. But there is a small problem: she doesn't know where he is!

So she would grow up running away from Metal Army and the GUN, who find her after their readers went crazy since she didn't travel through rings but by the Time Stones, which would generate a lot of chaos energy. Amy also would have a beef with this organization not only for persecute her but for… you know…destroy the future as is known!

You heard me right, they'd be the ones who made Metal to be a “prevention” against Sonic before they get out of control (if with the help of Robotinik, Stone or not is open) and dominate Earth and universe. 

I also theorize that her being an orphan gave her attachment issues and feelings she will always be left behind, longing for a place to belong at least once since he could never stop running. Growing up with this mission of saving everyone by finding this specific boy and keeping the Stones safe would be the only constant in her “always running away to survive” life.

With those changes in the backstory, Amy Rose would become guardian of the Time Stones and an anomaly in the current timeline. With her latest pursuits settling her in New York (why Sonic ended up there is still a mystery, maybe his powers evolved?).

But not only that! She also would gain powers related to time. What I personally think is perfect for her. Sonic has speed, Tails his brain, Knuckles his strength, Shadow his teleport, Amy Rose, time.

In her case, time manipulation to some extent with chaos energy (and sure, Silver can do this but he already has psychic powers not to mention that there isn't really a reason in how he does it and I don't see any harm in transferring this ability to Amy, or even both of them having it in this universe, since Silver has more psychic powers as a trademark). 

I think abilities related to seeing the future and past, allowing her to think strategically and would be great for her core traits. Imagine when you can know all about a person's story? Or even a second chance, like Ekko’s from Arcane? Whatever could be, I think is amazing giving Amy a proper ability that also could push her empathy, love and determination more.

Also with her being the last refugee for a dominated planet and timeline would give her more complexity and a compelling story. Making her the only chance that things can be different and save everyone would be a responsibility and pressure for. While Amy could do anything to make sure things change, because that is who she is. 

Not only that, changing Amy’s backstory to protect Sonic can give their relationship a deeper foundation. With her, presumably coming to Earth not much younger than Sonic and always seeing him as her hope, is so cool! He would inspire her even before they knew each other. Imagine her powers showing some glimpses of him as Amy grows up with Sonic being the only constant in a life she always has to be running away. 

That would give a cool nood to her debut in the video game but with a blast! Destiny indeed brings her and Sonic together, but now isn't about her. Is about this lifetime mission. Is Sonic’s life on the line. The Wachowski’s life. 

Billions of lives across the universe on her shoulders. A hard mission she assumed because she loves those people and thinks all of them deserve a good life with freedom. That she has to try to get a better future.

She'd try to be a heroine, even if she was too young and this is a hell of a life. Because Amy Rose cares. She empathizes soo much! And always believes things can be different, better. What brings me to…

PERSONALITY AND TRAITS

Listen, I know she evolved a lot but…Amy, to be a movie character has to have a strong characterization. A thing thank God got better, but can get upgrades.

As I said above, with some story before Sonic like Shadow, Knuckles and Tails have, Amy can bring good points to establish her arc and persona.

First, this Amy would be more…traumatized. Sorry, but it is true. Everyone in these movies passed through the horrors, so should Amy. 

The girl'd see her home falling on evil hands and be the only one who escaped, that's alone is terrible. Now, add the responsibility of fixing things, find and protect the only being in the universe that can change things and she doesn't have any idea where is AND being on her own for years in one place after another? The past would do a NUMBER on Amy Rose.

Because see, Amy at her core is a lovable and kind character. And I can see this being the reason that she doesn't give up fighting at the same time she beats herself. Is too much pressure and stress, to think about. And she cares. Because is Amy Rose, and she cares too much. Amy’d be anxious and perfectionist in the movies, with the constant memory of a terrible future looming above her head. She can’t relax, she can’t get attached to anything or anyone.

More than that, if Amy really is an orphan with no family, always left behind, she can start to think that the mission is more important than herself, which would bring? Exactly, sacrificial tendencies. Amy would do all she can to protect Sonic and the rest of the Wachowski, even this put her life constantly on the line. If your mission is to save billions and you don't have anyone to care about you, why would you?

 Not only that but I think, because of her mission, Amy would be very lonely and independent. She doesn't allow rely on anyone, so she does it all by herself, without having others help her for so long. Amy may also not let herself dwell too much on her own sadness, being reserved with her emotions and avoiding talking about her past suffering in silence most of the time, leaving her, as well as her powers, unstable. Maybe working hard to put up a facade.

She also wouldn't be willing to sacrifice her loved ones, maybe prefering to die than to lose someone adopting, like in the games, a mentality of “between the world and you, I chose you” with her new found family. Again, pretty interesting conflit to her, and the whole save the world mission. 

But not only angst makes a character, so Amy would also be kind, gentle, emphatic and forgiving. I can see her loving the Earth and the animals and humans in it, even if it was humans – the GUN who still persecutes her – that shattered her life in the first place and still gets in the way of the mission which is nothing more than cleaning up their mess because she believes that all life is valid.

Amy would want to help, raising the morale of others and feeling very compassionate (imo she also would be amazing giving advice). I also see her being the type that sees someone's needing help and doing that immediately. I can see her being gentle with Tails because he's this cute, smart, little kid or admiring Knuckles’ strength and instincts. Or helpful to Maddie and Tom because she accepts her. Always glad for the good actions of others.

She also would be persistent, feisty, hot-tempered and aggressive.

Fight for the future can wreck someone's nerves and Amy is kinda irrational and violent sometimes in the games and, to be honest, go girl! I mean, she destroyed and beheaded Metal Sonics like they were made of paper. The girl can fight and is pretty good at it! She did it for a long time, I can tell. Amy also would often be in touch with anger, with some moments that would make anyone regret annoying her.  She's temperamental and it would be good to see it. Imagine seeing this little pink, cute, girl  who almost has a heart attack because things don't go the way she planned or because she was bossed around. Amy always has been angry, let her be in the movies too!

Not only that, but this is my “Amy is a powerful chaos energy user” agenda. The girl's hammer was infused with chaos energy to such an extent that it glowed brightly and seemed to obey her commands from a distance (please, let her cuffs be limiter rings 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼). Not to mention her stealth skills as she approached machines made to track without being noticed.

Amy also would be resourceful, clearly living by herself for so long, would make her see different ways. And I don't know if she made her hammer or brought her or built but it's a point. Maybe using her time powers to heal herself?

I think she would also have some difficulty acknowledging her own feelings, due to years of constant travels and persecution. But it would be more like she doesn't know how to behave with her being kind of intense at times. Not only that, I think that because of this she may not understand some feelings that she is not used to, such as acceptance and attachment, not allowing herself to get too attached because thinks she'll have to leave soon.

And of course, a funny sense of humor. I think Amy cracks jokes at the most random moments, but she would also go down the route of witty observations, dry one-liners, and good-natured teasing. And she really has time powers, time travel references. And propensity for chaos and shenanigans cause, c'mon…girl hates GUN (and any authority let's be honest, she does whatever she wants)  AND is a war refugee. Amy doesn't have the goody-two-shoes atitude, no way. If anything, she’s only less impulsive than the main cast in doing crazy shit, planning little to not get caught.

Amy would also have a strong belief in time and destiny. Having grown up on Little Planet with the Time Stones or at least them being prominent in her culture, she might have that mindset. Which would be fun since she's essentially trying to change the fate that was the end of her home and interfering.

My girl also would be a great leader. She would guide everyone on how to deal with the robotic threat that adapts to enemies and copies attacks very well. And also a love for adventures and emotion.

We can't forget her love for girly things. Amy is a girl who loves being one. I imagine she likes what all average girls like: music, books, fashion etc. I dare say that this is one of the most important traits to portray. Amy being more independent and a warrior should in no way erase how feminine she can and likes to be. The character was inspired by the average Japanese girl of the time, it would be a disservice to forget this very important trait. Not to mention that in the context of this story, it could give her comfort. Fighting your whole life is tiring and can destroy someone's spirit. So having these feminine hobbies and tastes could be a way for Amy to maintain her own sanity. To have something beyond the mission to define herself. An escape. And a funny way to put her obsessive traits in work like her being crazy about a saga she knows in a YouTube video's essay level.

And the greatest trait: Unconditional Love. Amy loves all things. It's her trait that has to be brought to the games. To all her interactions. It has to influence her decisions. 

Amy has the type of compassion and kindness that would make this girl hold your hand, say she's on your side and fight with and for you. The do-good-because-you-can type. That inspires the best in others. She canonically remembers Shadow of Maria's compassion in the games. Amy Rose never gives up or left behind those who chose to do good. She gets out of her way to help a random bird in the games, for goodness' sake!

That's what they can't get wrong. If SCU!Sonic already has compassion, Amy has to irradiate it. Have this vibe at the moment you look at her. Is who she is. Love is her central trait. Not that Amy couldn't hate anything, she can. She has the temper to do it and is as any character. But Amy chose hope and mercy by default, not fighting. 

She can be violent and angry as much as any girl is (which is a lot) but at the end of the day, would believe in the one she loves until the end without wavering and that cannot be ruled out. Amy is a loving person. An optimistic.

A girl that believes she can defy destiny by putting heart enough. An average little girl that chooses to put herself in danger in the name of others because of love and compassion.

With that covered…

DYNAMICS!

Oh boy I love this part!

To start, the Wachowski, more specifically, our colorful bunch: only child meet brothers.

That's it, fight me.

 Look me in the eyes, and tell me she didn't give the energy to the girl that made everything by herself finds THE trio ever. Amy would love all of them and the boys would be thrilled with her (one more but I'll get there). Tom and Maddie? In the clouds! Maddie, especially.

First, Knuckles and Amy would be besties. Protectors of a powerful gem? Lost their home? Badass warriors? Sold. They would click in a blink of an eye! Let's recall Amy is pretty strong and a class A fighter. This boy just found his new sparring duo! Not only that, but Knuckles is a protector above everything and if my theory about Amy is true, she can relate more than anyone with the role: my life is devoted to a single purpose, protection. Imagine a scene where Knuckles stands his hand ro a handshake and Amy actually gives it back with a big smile and equal force. 

Tails and Amy? She'd see Tails and would kill everyone in the room than herself if anything happened to him. He's the cutest little boy, c'mom. Tails? You see Amy's hammer? A gorgeous technological weapon? Nah, he's a simple boy. Plus, Amy is really gentle and Tails' main insecurity is people despising him. But if anything, she'd find him endearing, valuing him as a team member. This little kit would see this really cool pink girl who is kind and imprints on her like a baby duck. Is her sibling too now, your honor! She carried this boy on her back like a backpack whenever she could. I need to see them as the duo ever!

Now… Sonic.

Fun fact, I'm not a Sonamy shipper, but I am a writer and man, and I love when a dynamic can be WILD.  

To start: Amy is protecting Sonic. Period.

That girl doesn't find the boy randomly, no, no. She found him. 

And if it is true, it makes me so FERAL! Because in a meta level, would change the Amy's damsel in distress portraying, placing Sonic as the one in need of protection and rescue. Would be amazing! On a narrative level? Epic, because now Sonic, the everyone's hero who always meets their new allies fighting them and after being friends with them, is the one someone fiercely defends against an enemy that can't be reasoned with. He's out of his comfort zone.

Sure, Tails saved him too, but Tails also is a young kid that needs his help. Amy? Don't let the pink fool you, girl is a menace. She destroyed at least a dozen of Metal Sonics alone when Sonic himself barely scratched one. She knows this enemy in the palm of her hand because, remember, this thing can copy abilities AND improve itself! Girl is fighting an AI made to fight and is winning!

Amy isn't a person who needs Sonic…is him that needs her.

Amy Rose has survived all this chaos all this time, she doesn't need a hero for herself. She needs one for the world, for the future. 

Sonic has always fought villains like Ivo, or people who were fierce antagonists but became allies with him by extending a helping hand, like Shadow or Knuckles. Or even allies from the beginning, but who still depended heavily on external resources, like Tails.

Amy? Nah, girl can fight but not against him. On contraire, he is fighting for him. From the start. Total change. And it's so intense and incredible that I'm going to set aside a session just for it.

Amy and Sonic are equals in this version!

And God, this is AMAZING!

Tom Wachowski. The man would like Amy just for the fact that she saved his son. After all the saving him, saving future, and her being friend of Sonic (maybe more, I will cover later)? The man would be supportive as hell! Let's recall Tom is a helpful person as Amy and both would  find a common ground in this. She would respect his leadership as the patriarch and Tom appreciate Amy's effort in defending his family.

But now…Maddie Wachowski. The movie can destroy me so bad here. First, Maddie would be thrilled to have another girl at home. But not only that. Maddie's a nurturing person. She's the emotional support, the doctor, the mother of the house. And Amy would align very much with Maddie's personality. She's this sweet, brave girl who's trying to save everyone and just wants to help all the time. Maybe Maddie feels relieved to have another girl in the house because Amy understands her position: Love through sacrifice as a loving and caring person.

Maddie only is a veterinarian because Tom bust his butt to make her happy. She willingly would move her whole life to SF because now was time to support her husband. Maddie also supported Tom and adopted the boys. This woman helped and was helped, loved and was loved, many times. 

Both Maddie and Amy have this love in their essence. And how hard it can be for those who accept so deeply.

Maddie almost died a lot of times, so do her sons, and her husband who she loves so much too. Amy fights and hides and risks her life for this family. Love isn't easy. Can hurt.

Maddie almost lost her darling husband thanks to her adopted sons, aliens, that she accepted. Amy lost her home to humans that still want to kill her. But both don't give up on loving those others would hate. Because their caring and loving sides are bigger than any hate.

Just…Amy and Maddie man…

GUN. Oh, GUN…Amy would hate this organization's guts so much. They not only would make the things that destroyed her home and hurt billions but also their lack of empathy and complete disdain for others definitely put them as her public enemy number #1. 

Shadow. You hear me right, Shadow, because, fun fact, they're kinda friends from what I could see in the games and he has a great respect for her. Amy literally inspired him to save Earth once and believes that Shadow is a good person, having faith in him to do the right thing. They're like siblings. And I need to see this in the cinema. They could bond through similar despise to GUN :D

Metal Sonic. Your enemy is just like the hero you forseek. I need more info to go deep but thinking in how Amy fights copies of what should be her “savior” is sooo mess up and endearing.

SONIC AND AMY

I told you they would have a separate part!

Like I said, I'm not a Sonamy shipper, I only watched the movies and Sonic Boom sometimes. But man, the grip the version of this duo got me should be studied. 

They are a…controversial topic. Can see why, the foundation of them isn't good and they are kinda a mess. But in the movies? Oh man, how different things can be.

They will come from scratch in the movies which gives them a big advantage. No crazy behaviors or one-sided feelings. Is a fresh start!

As said, probably Amy will look out and protect Sonic for the Metal Army.

Which is great because it's not only an excellent reason to bring and keep the two together but it also avoids any of the obsessive stalking Amy had originally. No, she's looking for Sonic but to save his life and ensure the universe a good future. She's selfless, she takes Sonic as a person into consideration.

Which is good for Sonic too, since he will have an ally who is skilled in combat and who didn't start out wanting to kill him the first time. They will be equals, unlike Sonic who had to save Amy.

Now the dynamic. It's a... complicated topic. I understand why people are afraid it’ll be terrible with the writers apparently going the Sonamy route.

Some people fear that the film will be just that, that Amy will lose her personality in the name of romance or that they just aren't big fans of Sonamy because of how she was done in the games or because they have other preferences, which is valid.

But, at least in this version, I think it can work. And not only can, but be extremely well done and coherent, going beyond simply platonic and romantic.

To begin with, no matter how it develops, I firmly believe that their friendship and bond will be the strongest foundation of these two.

The games didn't start out focusing on Sonic and Amy's friendship, more in the romance-ish. However, the movie would change that. Instead of following the typical relationship story, I think the writers could explore more a route where they show why they are the person for each other.

While yes, because it was said by the directors that the plan involves a "romantic" route; the most important thing established for Amy and Sonic in the movies is to show why they work as a duo, why they get along in the first place rather than just romance and saying that they will be together. Will be about the bond. 

To begin with: Amy and Sonic's versions of the movies are extremely compatible. As a whole, independent of the label.

Movie!Sonic is a brave but extremely traumatized boy. He has some trust issues and what all the people he loves and cares about have in common is that they are all undeniably selfless and good people. Tom protects and helps both people and animals. Maddie is a veterinarian who helps animals. Tailes is his little brother who always helps. Knuckles is his protective older brother. Even Shadow, at the moment he realized that the black hedgehog was just very traumatized and manipulated, Sonic had no problem putting aside any animosity after nearly killing him. Sonic grew up isolated, with his first guardian telling him he would be persecuted for his powers.

If there's one thing he values in people, it's kindness and goodness. 

And these qualities Amy has plenty. 

And I say more, while Sonic would be impressed by the rescue, he would trust and like Amy seeing how kind and concerned she's with people and animals (I mean, in the games, she’d this story about helping a bird). Sonic would admire her for her fighting skills, yes, but above all, he would value Amy for her compassionate and loving personality. Someone who is risking everything just to keep people safe, to keep him and his family safe. 

Not only that, Amy is a deeply sensitive, forgiving and kind soul and that would be one of, if not the most, important points for her and Sonic's dynamic. This boy... has been through a lot. He's lost a mother figure, almost killed people, almost lost his dad and must surely have a lot of guilt. And if there's one type of person who knows how to deal with people with guilt, it's those with kindness and unconditional love. 

Amy, in Sonic's POV, wouldn't be amazing because she knows how to fight or because of the really cool powers she’d have, but because of her ability to show love and kindness unconditionally even after all she has been.

He shows so much compassion throughout the movies, but I think what still really gets Sonic is to receive it. And Amy shows it easily, like breathing. If Sonic at some moment lost faith in himself, that he maybe doesn't deserve his family, if he loses in guilt, Amy will be there with all her trust and love.

Amy, on the other hand, would value Sonic as well. 

She would grow up with this beacon of hope, this person who could put an end to the terrible future. But not only that, I believe that she had him as a role model, perhaps seeing lapses of Sonic's life, and how he always persisted even when alone and afraid. This would inspire her, he would not only be a hero, but like her hero. What she wants to be. Remembering that Amy would enter this mission purely to do good, the girl would be going through this. She didn't want to be a hero, maybe explore and have adventure, but not being in charge of countless lives so young.  But she entered this because it was the only way to fix things, that doesn't mean she doesn't crack under pressure.

Sonic is not just the trigger that can save the world. He is the shattering of expectations. Someone so good and special that he can change an almost certain destiny. For Amy, Sonic would be the reason she doesn't give up, won't let this crazy endeavor go by and accept defeat. He is the fastest creature in the universe who not only breaks the sound barrier, but also writes fates. The simple fact that he lives makes a difference and this would inspire Amy that maybe she can too. 

That a simple girl who threw herself against everything and everyone in a mission that could kill her in the name of change can be a heroine. That she doesn't need to accept bad things passively without fighting, that she can indeed change the timeline.

Sonic would be a reason for Amy. Someone who never gives up, who will try again and again, no matter how many times he falls. Who will keep running until he reaches the finish line.

What I mean is, that there is no shortage of real and profound reasons for these two to enjoy each other's company. Their personalities complement each other. Isn't just superficial reasons, but real, deep things that influence both of them. 

Is a mutual connection they have that is different from anyone. That just exists between them. Is about building.

Development

Everyone talks about reverse Sonamy and I see the vision, but may I add: both are low-key crushing…except they don't see it.

We're talking about a boy who was isolated for ten years before having a family, carrying devastating traumas, and a girl who lost everything, is on the run without creating bonds for years also with devastating traumas.

C'mon, they don't know shit about romance.

And no, it's not that the passion isn't there, because it is... it's just that they don't know.

Starting with Sonic, maybe he'll notice the signs: his heart beating faster, his need to impress Amy, his nerves on edge...but don't connect the dots until someone points them out.

While Amy thinks he's a little weird but definitely endearing and heroic, and finds Sonic's actions silly but cute... and ends up attributing it to devotion and attachment to him in general.

Meanwhile, Maddie and Tom are nearly having a stroke because for the love of God they are so obvious while Tails and Knuckles also didn't get the why.

And while it might be a funny running joke, it also takes the pressure off the romance. They're not self-conscious about it. For them, they’re just new friends…with a weird amount of tension. But friends, noneless. Y'know, not second intentions or anything. Just them thinking their new pal is cool! As should be.

With that said, I buy the idea of Sonic showing his feelings more openly and being the one who goes after Amy more while she is more shy about it. And considering that she has a mission that determines the end or not of the known universe, it makes even more sense.

Although I see moments where Sonic is flirting really cheesy and Amy comes with a super deep declaration full of sincere devotion and drives this poor hedgehog to blue screen.

Something that can also contribute to their dynamics is parallels.

Sonic has parallels with almost everyone: Tails, Knuckles, Shadow. Heavily in Shadow. Good dynamics are born from it. All iconic audiovisual interactions have them. And with Amy and Sonic it would be no different.

One really cute thing about them is, Sonic and Shadow for example thrived on the parallels of similar loss, grief and as opposites, which is amazing narratively, Amy and Sonic are more parallel in qualities and, depending on how the film approaches it, in backstories.

They are both kind and sweet souls who fight for the ones they love until the end and are compassionate. Not only that, Amy and Sonic may be young folks who grew up alone feeling the weight of loneliness hit them hard. And heroes who now have to save the world because no one else can.

They have opposing parallels too, like Sonic being more laid back and impulsive while I see Amy being more strategic and thoughtful, him having to hide while she had to constantly move around, or Sonic finding family while Amy can't have bonds for the greater good. 

Heck, the writers can even pull a Amy and Sonic/ Tom and Maddie parallel if they really want to hit us!

But imo, they'd thrive in the alikeness. In their shared compassion.

In the capacity of changing the other for the better.

Sonic could help Amy relax. She would have a lot of responsibility on her shoulders, without support and always struggling. He would show her what it's like to have support, a family, how to take life more lightly. That she's doing well.

Amy can help Sonic to find peace. That he’s a hero and that although isn't perfect by any means, and yes he makes mistakes, that does not diminish his worth. She gets what he has been and keeps the same hope and trust in him.

And that's the appeal, imo. Not a love at first sign or destiny. But showing how they work, how they don't need to change who each other is but help, and how natural the interaction is. The growing feelings. The simplicity of the whole thing.

The lightness of young love, y’know.

Conflict

Trust me when I say it, the writers can make Sonamy doomed by narrative. Not only that, but it would be their core conflict as a duo.

No, I'm not crazy. 

See, cuteness apart, Sonamy is almost an “anomaly” by default in this universe. With the Metal Domination, Sonic probably should be dead in the future, not possible to meet anyone after that. Amy who came from the future to a time that isn't hers to stop it. She is not from his timeline, and he isn't from hers either. 

Sonic and Amy never should meet each other in any normal circumstances. They have a mission bigger than them. They have a clear reference to Terminator and my pal, it romance doesn't end well.

If my theories are correct, the fourth film is essentially a fight against destiny. The star-cross story writes itself. Amy and Sonic meet and hit it off, but man, none of the odds are in their favor.

And to make matters worse, I'm pretty sure that if love is a theme in the film, the writers will pull to love is to sacrifice. 

Remember the Tom and Maddie/Sonic and Amy parallels I mentioned? Tom and Maddie’s relationship has a strong foundation in sacrifice.

Maddie has said that Tom did everything he could to get her to go to veterinary school while Maddie gave up her life in Green Hills to be with Tom and make his dreams come true. Same with Sonic and Amy, except the stakes for these two are so much higher.

Because these two have a policy of no loved ones hurt equally at least in this universe and I know this will be a point of discussion. Sonic would never agree to someone he cares about sacrificing themselves, while Amy wouldn't accept it either. They're alike.

And I say more, it would be worse for Amy because this is her mission but also her feelings. The goal she dedicated her entire life to vs the people she loves. She won't condemn billions...but she won't be able to send Sonic into a near-death fight. And I'll say more, if she can save both of them at the cost of her own life, I say she would.

She doesn't have a family or a home and after spending time with the Wachowski, she wouldn't accept the risk of the family losing their son and brother. And man Sonic wouldn't take this fact well. 

He wouldn't understand why Amy wouldn't try to fight to change things once more instead of just accepting death, not accepting that this time, there would be no way to talk her way out of this situation. Amy would be right in her point. Lives were at stake and any other decision would lead to losses. 

Sonic would be torn too. It's a very important mission, and he has his family and the universe at stake...but leaving Amy would devastate him just as much. She's cool, she's amazing, and she'd still die for others. How do you deal with that?

Love and sacrifice. And always think about the other person and their well-being, not your own because that would be better. Doing things so that others can have their dreams and aspirations fulfilled. And how to balance what them both want.

They will find a way but God, the drama!

So yeah, Sonamy can be doomed by the narrative.

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.

.

Well, this ends my talk about Amy Rose. What is right we'll see only in 2027. Until then, let's enjoy what we have. Please, if you wanna say something, do it! I would love to hear it! A big hug! Bye!

[wooshofficial]

I’ve been ruminating on this last garages album for a bit, and wondering why I haven’t been sad.

For anyone unaware: The Garages released the last album of the “we are the garages” series, titled We’ve Been The Garages, as our last album before the release of Expansion and the simmering shutdown of the band as we knew it.

I had a huge hand in this album. I wrote two songs for it—one old, one new—and helped on two others. I helped with tracklisting. I put a lot of emotion + energy + work into this, and now that it’s out, I’m left with this feeling of pride and joy.

But from reactions here on tumblr and by friends, it’s clear that feeling just pride is a singularity. A lot of people are grieving the terminal loss of the band and at large, the shocking, sudden loss of Blaseball, the game that started it all. People are left with a hole where it used to be, and it is making them rightfully very sad. I’ve gone through these same experiences with them, so I should be sad, right? Hell, I’m a part of the band that’s ending- I should be distraught. I should be grieving, it feels like.

But I’m not. I can’t find it within myself to be sad about this release, nor can I be sad about the loss of Blaseball, nor that I have to do other things now. This is because of two reasons, one of which is more important than the other:

I’ve always been terrible at handling grief in a healthy or normal way (unimportant)

I have a very different mindset about this particular ending.

For me, this album isn’t a death. This is a graduation.

I’ve known for a long time that Blaseball was finite. It was born of an era that existed only because it had to, and once that era was over, so was the game. TGB put it best when they shut it down- it was unsustainable now that the pandemic had been societally declared over. Blaseball was built in the absence of a thing that was now back, and no one could dedicate their full time to it anymore now that they weren’t locked in their houses indefinitely. When I heard the news, I had a flash of anger on how it ended, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute feeling of knowing this was going to happen eventually. It was always going to end, and it’s a shame that it did so in this way, but it had to. I wasn’t sad about it.

And with the death of Blaseball came the death of the thing that had been the Garages’ muse for so long. How long could a thing last without life support, especially when we, the people behind the band, were subject to the same situation of being needed somewhere else? The Garages’ end was going to follow Blaseball’s eventually, even if it took nearly two years to do so. I knew this and understood this deeply.

I also knew that the end of the band wasn’t going to suddenly kill the bonds I had made with my bandmates, people I have the honor to call friends, best friends and colleagues. None of us were suddenly going to drop dead (knock on wood, you bitches better survive), we were just going to stand there after the lights went out and say “now what?”. There was always going to be an end, but there was also always going to be an after.

A graduation is not a funeral. You can grieve the fact that it’s over, but really, you are meant to reflect on the wonderful (or horrible) things that have occurred in the time since you’ve started. Take all the good and the bad and the deeply complex and turn it into fuel for the new you’re about to step into. Understand just how far you’ve gotten since that initial point, and maybe see how far you can go.

I graduated high school in June 2022, about 10 months into my being a part of the band. They were among the first people I told I was going to college and that I had just thrown my cap. It rained that day, and the venue was outdoors, and I had food poisoning, but when I threw that cap, I wasn’t upset at any of that. I wasn’t upset that high school was over (for a plethora of reasons), nor was I sad that I was going into a new part of my life. I was actually thinking about my graduation cap itself, and how hard I had worked on it the night before, painstakingly painting it and making sure it was perfect. I was so happy that I had done the damn thing, and it had gotten a moment to glimmer in the air, even if a little smeared due to the rain. I walked out of there that day so proud of myself for making it through and making that cap.

And almost ironically, the words I had painted were “I’ll figure it out eventually”. I didn’t know entirely what I was going to do after high school besides go to college, or what I wanted to get a job in, I just knew that there was going to be something there. I knew that I would keep going. All I had to say was “now what?”, because this was an end, yes, but there was always going to be an after.

I don’t know what the band will become after we release the last of our stored works. We have some ideas. We don’t know what our legacy will look like in a year, or five, or ten, or fifty. We don’t know what’s coming for us, but we’ll figure it out eventually. There’s always an after, and we will make it ours.

And I’m not sad about that.

[fr-thecollectors]

ik we're already mutuals but,, 👉👈

my main clan was nicknamed the "Collectors" by outsiders (as a lot of the members have your typical dragon hoards, but also because of their tendency to take in those who are lost) and it ended up just kind of sticking. they're located in a place called the Whispering Forest - and the important thing to know about the forest is that it curses anyone who enters to never be able to leave.

the forest is sentient, feeds off souls, is constantly shifting so nothing is where it last was, and has the ability to either convert others to its whim after stealing their souls or create its own "spirit"-like entities to go after others. so it's not exactly the most....habitable place a dragon could find themself.

the Collectors have learned ways to fend off the forest's malevolent energies, and actively try to protect other, smaller clans, loners, whoever needs it. they're generally very welcoming to those without a home or who accidentally entered the forest and have no connections within it as a result.

i try to keep an old fairie tale/storybook-like feel to the way i tell my lore in dragons' bios - because that's essentially what it is. it's unknown by modern dragons if the Collectors or even the forest actually existed centuries ago.

the outsiders in my lore are merely those who aren't part of the Collectors. some are more malevolent or benevolent than others, and among the outsiders is Izan, one of the Collectors' founders. he left the clan in search of his mate, and the clan's co-founder, who was taken by the forest. he ended up losing most of himself in the process, and now wanders aimlessly with the only goal he knows being to find the edge of the forest.

the old gods are just as they sound: deities, some now forgotten, who are believed in for my lore. "survival" is a common theme, so there's actually a few gods of survival - from "survival of the fittest" to "survival against the odds," "life" and "death" being a single entity, and others.

not all of the entities in the forest are evil, however. some simply don't care about dragons/other sentient creatures, and others actively try to help them and will even strike against the forest to do so. Arahael is one of the most prominent - and beloved - of these benevolent entities. a Guardian who was created specifically to protect others from things like the forest, and they often take those lost within it to the Collectors.

Reblog if you're a Flight Rising blog who posts (or wants to get into posting) about your lore!

Turns out I'm not the only one mourning the days when people used to lorepost more often and interact with each other about it. I must find my people again!

(Feel free to introduce your setting/what kind of stuff you write while you're at it!)

[lcb-oil]

Hi! I just wanted to say I really love how you characterize Donqui in your fics, they're all so wonderful to read and feel so true to her + other Sinners' characters!! Do you have any fun don headcanons or thoughts about her character that you'd like to share? No worries if not, and thank you so much for your writing!! ❤️

Hi, and thanks for the ask!

I’m so super excited with the response to my fics, I wasn’t sure how they would land with others since I haven’t really written very much before. There isn’t too much Gen Limbus Company fic out there on the whole, so I set up this little project to fill that gap at least a bit.

Staying as true to the characters as I’m capable of is one of my primary goals, so it gives me so much energy to hear that it feels on target!

For the most part I hope to show my headcannons through my stories so I can give them lots of context.

But this is Tumblr — so I shouldn’t miss out on a chance to have some fun and dive in, right?!

I’d like to share some of my broader thoughts on Don Quixote and why I find her so interesting, but I have a whole lot I need to type up so that’ll take a little time.

Until then, if it’s interesting I’ll share my story notes on a theme I keep coming back to -

Don Quixote and Food

(Full Canto VII spoilers under the cut, of course!)

Don Quixote and Blood

My interpretation from the game is that Don Quixote can go without human blood essentially 100% of the time thanks to the strength of her dream filling the emotional gap. Other speculation from there:

Don Quixote thinks that drinking blood is generally morally wrong and would not casually do it for fun or personal satisfaction. I think she would do it when required to survive, and to have the strength needed to protect those she cares for.

Maybe she would need it to recover from a major injury, but Dante can fix that! So that’s not a major cause of concern for her.

Since hardblood arts are literally made from blood, feeding on blood is needed to continue to employ them. I imagine that some stored blood is lost over time when hardblood arts are used, even though it is mostly reabsorbed.

Experiencing different things, especially novel things, reduces her desire for blood dramatically as it provides emotional enrichment and aligns with her dream of adventure. Faust and Dante keep in mind that exposing Don Quixote to new sights and activities creates an actual direct impact on her wellbeing. This is key to managing her properly!

She currently has a practical mindset about the fact that she fundamentally needs blood to live after the events of La Manchaland.

Her finding a way to contextualize this in a non-self-hating way was the inspiration for Provided Supplies.

In that fic she interprets the way the other sinners feel about her need for blood negatively since that’s the most reasonable expectation of humans - even though that is not what they are trying to communicate with their actions!

Her high level of self discipline and emotional fulfillment makes it possible for her to drink a relatively small amount of blood, like the donated blood in Provided Supplies, and not go wild as other bloodfiends might.

I think a lot about how she will approach and understand other bloodfiends in the future, who may not have the same strength to bridge the gap for blood the way she can...

In early Canto VII, we saw oblivionized Don Quixote (ironically) express a “just don’t drink blood, that’s pathetic, get good” attitude towards the starving bloodfiends that were attacking humans.

After her experience in Canto VII, and seeing the suffering of her withered family members, she certainly won’t think that “just don’t drink blood” is a reasonable solution for all bloodfiend kind. But what can be done? Hmm.

I would like to explore this in some upcoming works.

Not being aware of the difference of individual needs, or not treating it seriously, was a primary flaw of Dad Quixote — and one that she has inherited in interesting ways! We can still see hints of this in her behavior, I think.

I cannot stop thinking about the fact that Project Moon threw in the fact that Rocinante doesn’t suppress the desire for blood. WHAT!?

The implications of this are simply too interesting! Therefore, I have to think that:

Without her memories, oblivion Don Quixote implicitly assumed that everyone has an innate craving to drink blood just like she does.

Why wouldn’t they?

But properly civilized people (and especially noble Fixers) don’t express such thoughts and impulses.

(I think humanity owes Bari a solid for this one…)

Bloodfiends and Sense of Taste

In my stories bloodfiends can eat other foods without negative consequences - but they can’t taste them in the same way humans can and don’t get any energy or nourishment from it.

Most bloodfiends would not bother eating human food since there’s no point.

Don Quixote views eating with the other sinners as a key bonding activity with her companions, so she would not agree that there is no point! She eats every meal with them without complaint regardless of if it does anything for her or not. This idea was the inspiration point for Proper Food.

Most foods taste like nothing or close to nothing, but there are some exceptions.

Only those not informed about bloodfiends would think they can’t taste anything at all, although that is most people in the City.

I’d like to write about those exceptions in the future!

In some parts of the story we see oblivionized Don Quixote commenting on the taste of things, which might seem to go against this headcannon.

No problem! In my stories, the oblivionized Don Quixote’s experiences come from two ideas:

Amnesia Don Quixote can’t properly taste anything, but she doesn’t know that she can’t. She had no idea that her senses could be altered to begin with. When others commented on foods at the start of the journey, she did her best to understand and go with the flow of what others seem to say - learning on the fly.

She had a powerful longing to be included in this group experience that she can’t quite grasp, so she throws herself fully into trying her best at it! Taste all that random stuff as best you can, Don Quixote! Bite those abnormalities!

In The Taste Test I had present day Don Quixote refer to her tasting endeavors as “tasting from the heart”. This is what I was trying to get at with that line, haha.

In Proper Food, I imagined that Dad Quixote would have learned a playbook of food-related adjectives that he’s actively learning to use to fit in with humans during their adventure - so Our Don Quixote would have subconsciously picked up on this goal.

Fun to imagine: Dad Quixote and Sancho inadvertently eat a super spicy pepper that no one would ever consider eating whole — seeds and all. They can’t tell the difference and Dad Quixote complements it like any other food.

Manchegan food must be really, really, really spicy, onlookers think to themselves…

———

Anyway, I hope you found some of this interesting!

I’ll write more about Don Quixote in general in the future.

(I will use the tag #lcb-oil-table-talk when posting about my headcannons / story notes in the future.)

...and of course, thank you for reading!

[balkanradfem]

As you might have figured out, I don't like buying stuff. I despise the store, the supermarket, the mall, to hell with them. I will make whatever I need from stuff I have at home, or I will find it outside, or get it from someone who doesn't need it anymore, my last ditch effort will be the second hand market.

But, it also happens that I had a need to buy.. a specific thing. And I couldn't get it from the second hand market, and I didn't know anyone who had an extra one. This of course, caused me pain and anguish, because it meant I would have to walk into a store, grab a product that wasn't strictly necessary for human survival, and then pay for it, and walk out. Like a consumer.

And it's not like my life depended on it, I just, really wanted one, okay.

I needed a silicone spatula.

One thing I hate even more than buying things, is throwing food away, and sometimes,,, I could not get the last drop of the soup from the big soup pot, I couldn't wrangle out the last few drops of salsa sauce I canned, I couldn't get every last bit of pancake mix to drip outside the bowl. That is another torment which I tried to resolve by excessive spoon scraping, shoving my tongue inside jars, trying to dilute it with water and getting it out that way. But deep inside I knew there was a better way. That this could be dealt with in an easy, efficient, satisfying way with a single valuable object. A spatula.

I didn't do it impulsively; I had gotten some excellent news and I decided, as a celebration, that I would buy myself a spatula. It would be one thing I do out of my ordinary life, because it was an extraordinary day and I had just so much happiness and courage I could just manage to buy an object.

I have examined multiple stores to see what they were offering, and in the end found the cheapest, but the most beautiful looking spatula (it had a transparent handle with little bubbles inside, so fun!) and I grabbed it in awe, thinking how it will be the most beautiful object in the kitchen. But then. My environment-loving brain warned me that I'm about to buy an object made out of silicone. And I didn't know if silicone was environmentally friendly!

So I grabbed my phone, typed in 'environmental impact of silicone production' and read articles obsessively, standing in the store in the spatula isle. I found out it is better than plastic, but not ideal; it's not actively damaging the environment, it comes from natural materials, it's very resistant to heat and unlikely to damage anyone's health, it doesn't shed microplastic, but it's energy-consuming to produce it and it doesn't degrade or compost once it's made.

It wasn't a good environmental choice for me to buy the spatula. I was staring at it longingly, thinking of all of the food I could save with it. All the jars I could scrape clean, all soup that would be eaten. And I came to the conclusion that if this is the only spatula I ever buy, if I never throw it away, if I find someone to give it to at the moment of my death, who would also use it – then it doesn't matter as much that it's non compostable. It will be a lifetime object that I will cherish. And the rush and excitement I had built up, I couldn't give it up. So filled with existential guilt and shame for single handledly ruining the environment, I purchased my 2 euro spatula.

And it was glorious. Every single day I would be filled with happiness and satisfaction from this object, which would clean bowls and jars and pots from food so efficiently I actually had less work washing them later! I was getting more food, nothing was getting thrown away, my food-efficient brain was with me; this was an excellent idea. I am powerful, I am not wasting any food anymore, I can clean my pots and bowls with ease, all of the pancake mix is out, the joy could not be greater.

And just then – my new roommate moved in. And I love my roommate, and I noticed she didn't have any dishes or cutlery, so I told her with open heart, she could use mine as much as she likes, and I'd lend her pots and pans too if she needed them. Of course I would, she's a hard-working woman from Nepal who is so kind and works so much every day.

But this lovely, wonderful, awe-inspiring woman, decided to... she decided to cook her food exclusively using the spatula. We have so many wooden spoons meant for cooking and stirring, without even looking I can tell you we have 8. An excessive amount. They are all displayed in a big jar where I keep my spoons, wooden spoons and spatula. But the woman decided, no, I will use the spatula to cook every meal. Maybe it's because it's new and shiny? Maybe it's what she uses at home? I don't know.

And after cooking, she simply discards the spatula at the bottom of the sink.. and leaves it there.

And then I come to the kitchen, and look for spatula, and realize it's dirty, and I'm unwilling to do other people's dishes because that has never gone well in the past, so I just. Leave it there. And then make pancakes and weep. Because what have I done. I don't have the heart to tell this kind, warm, hardworking woman to not use my spatula, because she has enough trouble already in life, and she must like the spatula if she uses it! I can't tell her to wash it every time immediately because I know she has to rush for work and I also fail to do my dishes consistently and just wash them on Saturdays. I would look like a hypocrite. I can't tell her I'm a weirdo obsessed with scraping food from everything I cook in because I don't want to freak her out. And ultimately, does it really matter that much? It's just a spatula. It's just a spatula.

So I am writing to merely share my pain, caused by odd tendencies, enhanced by intense struggle with consumerism, and finding out in the end, it didn't even matter. My beloved spatula is currently in the sink, drenched and sullied from not even scraping food, but from stirring it instead. I was so happy to use it for a little bit. May she rest in peace.

[damon-loves-pie]

Steve Harrington x Friend Reader after defeating Vecna. (Friends to Lovers)

Emotions held high, you and Steve were both banged up, nearly surviving the events. 

You hadn't meant it, you were just drained physically and emotionally. Needing it all put behind you- this town; the upside down, and maybe your hidden feelings for Steve.

Steve knew he hadn't thought things through- going off plan, causing his life to flash before your eyes. But if he hadn't, this wouldn't have been over, you and everyone else he cared about would of still been in danger. In his mind he did what was needed to keep you safe.

Dark words were spewed, a moment that should of been of celebration was now tainted from the fear that had filled both of you. 

But when Steve looked into your eyes, his heart quickened. Deciding he threw all his knowledge out the window earlier, why not do it again?

 Electricity sparked in the air, the simulating conversation long forgotten, harsh words now lost in the walls.

God only knew how long the tension had been amplifying between you two. 

Starved, pent up energy pulsed through his veins as he released years of gathered energy against your body. 

No thoughts, just pure bliss, consequences a thing for the morning as your back pressed against the cold solid wall. 

Breath stolen, his mouth desperately attacking yours. 

Only you could make him feel like this- alive. 

The fight- every horrible thing said- none of it mattered. 

In the end he loved you through it all. 

His rough hands wrapped around your jaw, lips harshly attaching to the sensitive skin. He listened to the whine escape your lips as you tugged on his disheveled hair.

Only thing Steve Harrington was now worried about was hearing how many pretty sounds you'd make till he was done with you. 

--------------

Author's Note-

Honestly so sad that I won't be able to watch S5 edits on TikTok.

Hey so I'm lame and have a goal of getting 5 new followers for the month, so I guess please follow and thank you? Haha

As always much love to my readers!

[apeninastory]

ivan as a tragic-love character (pt.4d?)

Part 3 here (Nowhere's analysis). I should be almost done. I think. Not sure. I'm keeping it brief this time, I have no energy to deal with Cure now.

Mind-blowing discovery related to Nowhere: Ivan can compose and write songs alright. We know Till is a genius when it comes to it, but look at Ivan being an excellent talent as well! I keep thinking about Ivan moving his fingers as if he was strumming a guitar, same way Till does when he composes, and my heart feels full.

10] Black Sorrow.

We go back where this madness of mine started. Top 1 (now slightly Top 2 for me) song from Alien Stage, and what can I say that I haven't already written in the past? I love Ivan's husky, expressive voice here, so different from the plain (equally expressive) and numb tone he uses in Nowhere, like two sides of the same coin. The talent this boy has... Infinite and vast, just like his heart - only, he doesn't quite realize that.

Black Sorrow is the song that brings him victory in Round 3. It is a song deemed good enough for his character, for the Ivan the aliens wanted and he himself built, piece by piece. By the time he steps on the stage and sings it, Ivan is who what he should be - the puppet, the valuable smile, the charming participants in the Top 3 of ALNST 50° edition.

Black Sorrow is also the song that marks and anticipates Ivan's disobedience. It once again presents us with Ivan's dream, "I can’t reach you, so I imagine alone You who shines, I stand next to you", because in the face of their impending doom, imagining something that will never be is all that's left to him. Just like falling stars, Ivan understands that Till is similarly ephemeral, that he won't be by Ivan's side forever - that Ivan himself can't stay by his side forever. That's where the black sorrow reaches its climax.

Ivan gives so much with this song - not only with the lyrics, but with the way he sings them. The way he rages against the final verses, saying "You are my Black Sorrow"? It's heart-wracking, a memento of the person he has been, a slice of what he had in his heart, what he wanted, what could have been, what he discarded and held on tight until the end but never truly managed to get out.

You know what I also love about Round 3 performance? Toward the end, Ivan extends his hand. At first he points in front of him, and he has this expression - mocking, aggravated, like he is making fun of someone or accusing him of hurting Ivan so much. First case, he is moking himself. Second case, he is accusing Till.

The he turns serious, eyes dark, half-lidded, and he opens his hand - palm up, like an invitation, like he is trying to reach something - someone.

What blew my mind is that he doesn't close his hand. Doesn't try to grab that thing, that person, doesn't try to drag it toward himself - no, he just reaches out and keeps singing until his voice curls and scratches and takes everything out of him. He only reaches out and gives all of himself and maybe, probably hopes for someone to finally turn and take his hand (again). He doesn't force it - he never had. Ivan is willing to be left behind, alone, willing to see Till love someone else, willing to die for him because he knows he can't have any of that - because he knows his palm will forever be cold and empty.

Wow. I am my own nightmare.

11] Ivan, love and shallow emotions

I said the dissonance in ivan starts with the metor shower and is mirrored in Nowhere - that it is the song where Ivan tells about himself, about the Ivan he intertwined, about the story of himself he wrote.

Ivan is a kid who built his unlucky life on survival skills, but then here comes Till, and Ivan is basically at war with himself. The numbness that helps him survives takes emotions (their comprehension) away from him, and at the same time, feelings he doesn't understand and has no rational labels for emerge, and he doesn't know what to do.

In the end (and I literally mean "the end", the time approaching his death, when he knows he'll have to compete against Till), it's about what he refined all his life (his ability to survive) and Till, who evokes Ivan's most human and chaotic side.

He calls them "shallow emotions", but my love, there is nothing more intense and deep than giving up your life willingly, as we all tend to self-preservation.

Why does he call it "shallow"? How could he not? He had a very specific definition/example for love, and he never felt like he fit in. He never felt deserving. He probably considered it, at a certain point, "can I be loved? Is this feeling I am reading about/seeing something that will ever touch me?" and the answer was most certainly "no". We know it is, Vivimeng told us in the fan meeting, but it is obvious. There is a big wall between Ivan and love, and he built it. It's not his fault that wall appeared, but he helped out in leaving it in place and fortifying it.

Conclusion? Since his love and affection toward others are strange and obsessive and lack the beautiful, shiny, rose-tinted lively intensity that he clearly sees portrayed in other people's eyes, his feelings can only be shallow in comparison.

What is ultimately devastating about Ivan is that he loved Till so much and he didn't fully realize. We know it, we can say it with stark clarity, it's written all over his face, in his eyes, in his twisted actions. He loved slowly and deeply and breathtakingly, with crying eyes and a smile, and he still thought it all to be shallow.

Don't you wanna just... bang your head against a wall?

PART 5... coming... soon...?

[greenerteacups]

GT!!

Your writing inspires me every time I read it! I have long admired how you so skillfully drop deep insights into your writing in seemingly throw-away lines. You masterfully weave impactful themes into your narrative without disrupting flow for even a beat.

Personally, this is something I struggle with in my writing, and I'm really trying to improve. How did you learn to do this so well? Any tips for a new-ish writer?

Thanks for sharing your beautiful art with the world :) I wish I could scream at you in person about how much your writing has impacted me, but I hope you feel my respect and admiration across our screens! 🫶🏼🫶🏼

Thank you so much for the kind words! I offer you an answering scream into the void, out of mutual appreciation for the inspiration and kindness.

I think "writing themes" is tricky, because it depends on the kind of fiction you're trying to write. Some authors are deeply invested in telling a story that communicates a particular idea about how to live. (Contemporary critics tend to be dismissive of this mode because they see it as unrealistic; real experiences don't happen in order to communicate ideas or parables, etc.; and to that I would say who died and made you king of fiction, nobody said realism had to be the goal of all books ever, and the fact that the current literary climate happens to favor realism is an accident of taste and culture, not an objective standard of quality.) Those authors — I'm thinking of people like C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harper Lee, George Orwell, Oscar Wilde, Paul Coelho, Anthony Burgess, most big-ticket science fiction novelists since Isaac Asimov and many fantasy novelists as well — have characters who act as representations of particular ideas. If you want to write that way, you might consider what you want one idea to "say" to one another in the moral thesis of your story: how do you think these concepts engage with each other? If you were going to visualize that by treating these concepts as people, what would they do to each other? What flaws would they have? How would they survive in different environments? What would be the "conclusion," i.e., which of them end up better-off? Is that a good thing? Why?

Alternatively, maybe you want a story that's more naturalistic and character-centric, and you don't want to necessarily give your reader a moral at the end of it. That's fine! In general, I've found that when most people talk about "themes," they use it as a sort of a catch-all term for "the author is thinking Deeply about Some Stuff," which doesn't necessarily mean that the text takes a position on any particular moral problem. It just means that the problems your characters have are rooted in choices they make, which allows the reader to see how certain ways of living may result in certain costs and benefits. The Great Gatsby isn't about capitalism and inequality per se, but watching Nick run around with these rich people, it's hard not to think about what capitalism and inequality are doing to each character in the story. Which kind of inevitably makes inequality and capitalism one of the themes of the book. It's not that the author put it there on purpose as an easter egg for you to find; it's just that if you want to discuss the book on a level deeper than a straight-up plot summary (asking the big why and how and what-if questions of analysis), you'll probably need to think about the ways that money and class are playing out in the story. It's woven into the structure of the story, right? These are concepts with force and energy in the novel, and they're moving pieces on the board. Conversely, some concepts don't play a role in the novel. For instance, nobody in the book is particularly religious. (Except, of course, the murderous idiot Wilson — and whoa, what does that seem to say about religion in the book?) So the redeeming power of Christ is clearly not a "theme" of Gatsby in the same way it very much is a theme of, say, Brideshead Revisited.

In that case, you might try dedicating a freewrite or two to what your concepts are. What's moving your pieces? Why you think your characters have the problems they do: what do you think causes them to fail? What in their pasts made them that way? In what situations would their faults become virtues? When they hurt other people, why does that happen? What institutions, systems, and social rules might have shaped their thought process? What do they believe, and does it help them or hurt them?

[dreaming-hibi]

In my quest to better understand the dying will flames’ system in KHR, I once again went into a deep dive of both the manga and the anime (as I have few other sources to consult). I immediately got derailed by the rings. 

I began my search at the very beginning of the future arc, considering that’s where most of the explanation on the dying will flames is, and found some interesting facts about the rings before I found anything about the flames. The interesting facts opened a can of worms I had purposefully decided to overlook many times, but now it was open so dig in I did!

In chapter 139, Lal explains the rules of fighting in the future. Fights in the future are fought with rings and boxes, completely changing the whole fight aspect of KHR going from there. Anyway, 

「リングはマフィアの黎明期に暗黒時代を生きぬくために」

“At the beginning of the mafia, the rings were (used) to survive in its dark age.” = when the mafia started, the purpose of the rings was for survival (perhaps through legitimization of the power? as rings are passed from one generation to the other, especially from boss to boss)

「先人達が闇の力との契約を交わしたことの象徴だと思われてきた・・・」

“It has been considered to be a symbol of a pact made between our ancestors and the forces of darkness” = the rings were so weird and mysterious that everyone thought they were forged from a satanic ritual

「だが沈黙の掟に守られてきたマフィアのリングには 人知を超えた力が宿っていたんだ」

“However the mafia rings, which were protected by the vow of silence (omertà), held a power far beyond human comprehension” = only the mafia rings protected by the omertà hold powers, and these powers are beyond human understanding

Lal points out that Tsuna and Gokudera must have seen the rings light up with flames at least once. And while she’s interrupted when she tries to explain that the rings are capable of more than just that, it’s obvious that she was hinting at the rings’ ability to open boxes. Lal’s explanation makes it very clear that only MAFIA RINGS are capable of… er, lighting up. So what do we understand from this? 

Mafia rings are made with a special conductive material, which automatically transforms wave energy into visible dying will flames. This material is not found in common rings, something which simultaneously answers a lot of questions and rises just as many. 

You can’t accidentally light up a wedding ring or a candy toy ring just because it’s a ring and you know how to use dying will flames

Where the hell is everyone finding all these rings? 

 If they’re not finding them and actually making them (implied by Gokudera’s Skull Rings used for his Sistema C.A.I), how come everyone seems to know the recipe for making these rings but still consider them “Oh so mysterious”? 

Who the fuck crafted all these rings? And still is! (cause the Varia gets some custom-made rings)

Further down the line, we also get a ranking system for the rings, with E-rank being a low grade ring and an A-rank being the highest grade of ring, and the Tri-ni-sette being OVER RANK-A (basically SS). Considering the Tri-ni-sette was made from the seven stones supporting the Earth, it’s obvious how they would be of superior quality — which to me honestly just confirms that the mafia rings as a whole are made with a special material, not on par with the seven stones but somehow similar material.

So, the difference in quality of rings is probably due to: 

High quality material (A-rank) vs low quality material (E-rank) (it’s the same principle as choosing which material to use for a normal ring, some are more durable while others tarnish easily so think of it like that)

.

.

.

Where was I going with this?

[courtfallen]

𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔡 𝔱𝔬 𝔰𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥 𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔶𝔯𝔦𝔞𝔫 𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔡 𝔬𝔣𝔣 in dens like this one, for he looks around the airy, gilded room and see serpents, traitors, fiends that would have his throat cut or do worse if they were given the chance. perhaps this suspicion is heightened, because he senses discord within his own inner circle — his commander, distant and aloof as a cold star, paints a dark cloud in his mind. no doubt put there by the daemati himself. if he couldn't trust those in his circle, how was he supposed to extend himself to the idea of allies in neighboring ones? he feels trapped. desmera gives him hope of the new era they're being thrust into, willingly or not. with all the dawning truths being unveiled, the royal family making its quiet, political stances on the grand stage — too gentle to be deemed as outright threatening yet, but wasn't that just tact? — they were in for a rude awakening if they didn't pull their heads out of their asses and clean house.

the thought dims his mood slightly, and he drinks deeply from the glass he'd snared. pleased to find the high lady of winter was in a similar headspace.

ihsahn notes the click of her tongue. he has nervous habits of his own: scratching at his beard, arching his wings, draping himself in tendrils of shadow. he'd been reduced to all of them at one point or another in the span of the evening. ❝ as sure as death, ❞ he agrees, sardonically. ❝ not that i've known, ❞ he answers. ❝ i've only since adopted the habit of referencing the mother since being named high lord. subsequent decades of reading religious texts assigned by my scholar have brainwashed me, ❞ he chuckles. ❝ true illyrians born and bred in the camps, the ones who never leave, their religion is war, brutality, survival of the fittest. faith is seen as a weakness by most of them. a crutch borne of soft fae who've never known hard times. ❞ his shoulders ripple in a vague shrug. ❝ i'm still not sure what i believe, if i'm honest. ❞

he'd seen so many strange things of late, so much power rendering even the high rulers practically useless. it's hard for him to discredit a divine ( or dreadful ) source pulling the strings. but ihsahn knows there are mysteries in their world undiscovered; the dusk court where they stand, now, is but one of them. what dark energy exists in the bounds of this realm and who would use is against them?

❝ or it's possible someone in our midst has something formidable in their grasp — an artifact, some ancient knowledge — and is using it to play us against one another. put us right where it wants us. ❞

desmera  truly  had  no  interest  in  alliances,  despite  knowing  it  could  be  valuable.  winter  stood  on  its  own  fine,  her  people  flourished  and  happy.  why  subject  herself  to  speaking  to  those  that  looked  down  on  her  when  she  didn't  have  to  ?  but  ihsahn,  despite  being  a  solar  court  ruler,  hadn't  made  her  feel  that  way.  she  was  grateful,  it  made  her  less  apprehensive  about  speaking  to  high  rulers  in  general.  she  wondered  if  he  dealt  with  the  same,  imagining  that  some  might,  or  generations  past  had,  judge  him  simply  for  the  wings  he  sported.  dimly,  the  high  lady  of  winter  wonders  if  she  just  has  a  softer  spot  for  the  leathery  winged  fae.  or  perhaps,  she  just  expects  him  not  to  wrap  his  words  up  in  flowery  offerings,  playing  politics  to  the  t  and  hiding  his  agenda.  he  may  have  secrets,  she  imagined  most  did,  but  he  simply  didn't  seem  the  type  to  play  games.  she  preferred  that.

desmera  clicks  her  tongue,  an  old  habit  she  picked  up  when  he  has  quite  a  bit  on  her  mind,  but  doesn't  wish  to  say  it.  "  and  it  will.  it  always  does.  "  they'd  only  had  one  shoe  drop,  she  was  certain.  something  in  the  pit  of  her  stomach  continued  to  claim  they  were  not  yet  done  seeing  things  get  worse.  it  was  why  she  didn't  question  if  things  could  worsen  –  of  course  it  would.  her  eyebrows  raise  when  he  agrees,  and  she  wonders  if  her  ideas  aren't  too  far  off  yet.  once  again  the  thought  occurs  to  her  that  perhaps  she  should  have  attempted  to  speak  to  other  high  rulers  sooner,  though  she  has  to  remind  herself  that  ihsahn  and  she  share  similar  experiences  so  perhaps  he  is  simply  the  easiest  for  her.  "  do  the  illyrians  even  care  for  the  teachings  of  the  mother  ?  "  she  finds  herself  asking.  in  truth,  des  was  always  curious  about  the  winged  warriors  –  she'd  just  been  too  shy  to  ask  the  one  she  spoke  to  more  often.  des  smiles  a  thank  you  for  the  wine,  accepting  it  and  taking  a  sip  in  hopes  it  will  help  with  her  impending  headache.  

tilting  her  head,  the  high  lady  allows  her  mind  to  filter  through  the  things  she  knew,  the  things  she'd  been  taught.  "  no  entity  is  perfect,  even  if  the  stories  claim.  it's  possible  she's  both  things,  horrid  to  this  dark  mother  but  occasionally  good  to  the  fae  of  prythian.  "

[munch-mumbles]

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