#loins girded

[foibles-fables]

So I've been carving my way through Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3, and I can't help but consider how a similar romance mechanic would be absolutely perfect for Horizon 3.

Divisive concept, I'm more than well aware. But seeing the way it's already being implemented with fidelity and elegance and depth in the opening of BG3 gives me the perfect image of how it could work in Horizon 3.

To be perfectly clear, I'm talking specifically about the romances. We already know that Guerrilla is not pursuing branching narrative paths for the Horizon series, the way BG3 and Mass Effect do. However, I want to point out that the romances of BG3 don't alter the central narrative the way other choices do. They provide this lovely and emotional character depth and player engagement/agency without affecting the main story or outcomes.

Each is their own kind of side plot, for flavor and flair and to add a sense of romantic connection to the experience, should the player want to pursue that. And that in and of itself is not unprecedented in the Horizon series: the Desert Clan commander quest not only forces a choice, but that choice then affects the side quest that follows.

Imagine it! A more refined Base mechanic, in which Aloy can take a few of her buddies out with her on quests (since the point is that she's Not Alone Anymore), and begins to get closer to whichever potential LI the player wants to pursue. The Base/Camp would be a domestic/cozy reprieve for her, with her LI and her friends. You know she deserves it.

Another thing I want to be clear about: there's always the argument that Aloy isn't a blank slate character, therefore romance choice wouldn't work for her story. And sure, Tav is. However, BG3 also allows you to play as premade origin characters--basically, you can play as Shadowheart, Karlach, Wyll, etc. They maintain their backstories and personal motivations while still being able to romance another party member. (I cannot WAIT to smooch Karlach during my Shadowheart run.) The chosen romance doesn't dilute or change the Player Character's preset characterization or narrative outcomes.

I just. I cannot see how a purposeful romance choice mechanic would be anything but additive to Horizon 3. I cannot see how it would cheapen Aloy's development. Personally, I've had a huge issue with the way the writing in HFW and beyond has very much Told, not Shown. This would remedy that somewhat by adding another level of more active participation than we've seen--and would give the player a chance to engage meaningfully and personally with a small (but emotionally-impactful) part of the overarching story...rather than being told exactly how to feel about certain characters, which is a HUGE pitfall over which the series has stumbled and is still stumbling.

Bottom line: a romance mechanic like BG3's would fit the parameters of Horizon's narrative structure near-perfectly. It'd be an amazing tool to allow the player to feel involved and engaged in another layer of Aloy's story (not, I repeat, the outcomes of the main narrative). To have a hand in shaping that would be an absolute boon for emotional and personal investment in Horizon's themes of hope and connection and growth and belonging.

[pierkyn]

i'm sorry??

abandoned in the graveyard and saved by the undead????

that backstory is INSANE

[foldingfittedsheets]

Girding my loins. Clenching my butt. It’s time.

The father in law comes today.

[eleanor-bradstreet]

The impossible glow up has already begun 🫠

[sierrabravoecho]

I’ve been reading Take Me Home for Christmas by the incomparable sdwolfpup and it’s gotten me in such a Christmassy mood

Any other recommendations for Christmas/ Holiday themed JB fics?

[fant-asm4]

[ellsieee]

Stay With Me didn't let us down! 😭 We got kisses and a confession. There is no way anyone can say it's not a BL now. 🙄 Not that there was any doubt even before that. The subtext was just too obvious.

I can't believe they went there. Super sleuths have already found that it really is just lip balm, but the implication is clearly that Wu Bi's dad found his lube. Wu Bi why did you do your dad dirty like that? Don't smear your lube on his mouth! 🤣

Wu Bi was about to confess but he chickened out. 😅 Shy Wu Bi is so cute. Wu Bi really can't live without Su Yu. He had never been that bitchy and rude to Mo Yi before, but now there's someone at home he wants to be with and has no time for Mo Yi's shit.

First almost caught by Wu Bi's dad and now Mao Chong. Su Yu's nervous shifty eyes cracked me up. We all know he and Wu Bi have been doing something something in his room.

They are so happy to see each other!😭Their smiles. Really, I can't. I love how much they love each other. I could not stop smiling watching them hug.

Oh how I squealed. THEY ARE SO FRIGGIN CUTE!!! AHHHHHHH! This might literally be my favorite moment in the entire series.

"Go cough somewhere else" lol. Poor Mo Yi. Right in front of his salad.

Su Yu's little smile is EVERYTHING. I feel like we're missing a scene before this though. It just seems a bit out of place that Wu Bi would run up to kiss Su Yu at school and for Su Yu to not be surprised or embarrassed. I'm counting on that uncut release later. Actually I felt like the editing for these two eps was a bit choppy. I'm going to guess it's because they cut a bunch of stuff because it was too gay.

I love all the subtle ways they show us they're boyfriends. Su Yu casually using Wu Bi as a leg rest, Wu Bi teasing Su Yu about him not knowing he's Wu Bi's most important person, Su Yu taking care of Wu Bi, and Wu Bi making not so subtle hints about their relationship in front of everyone. Why always in front of Doudou? Always! 😅

The normally aloof Su Yu kissed Wu Bi! Again it's Su Yu's little smile after the kiss that makes it so sweet. The spoilers were actually true! I didn't think this would happen because in the behind the scenes Jiongmin had said there was no scene where he kisses Xu Bin, but here we are! Xu Bin's dream has finally come true. 🤭

I was not expecting such an explicit confession! They tried to hide the gay a little by having Su Yu add the ocean part, but Wu Bi's qq screen name is 我想我是海 (I wish I am the sea) and so when Su Yu shouts 我爱你, 大海 (I love you sea), he is not so subtly telling Wu Bi that he loves him. Awwwww. ​​​🥹

But also, I have to drag production a bit on the terrible green screen CGI here. It looks so fake! Did they run out of money? How hard is it to film a sunset at a beach?

No. Don't you dare Mo Yi. Fuck off. If the last two eps break my heart I'm going to consider SWM as having only 22 episodes where the boys are together and happy.

The girls on weibo only went a little crazy. I didn't see SWM on the main hot search but they were trending for a little while. Hopefully it was short enough where it didn't draw too much attention. 😅

[filthy-rat]

my year in review in no order

[rowanisawriter]

stacked fahad notifs are so funny to me like yeah literally . Guy 😔👍

[noa748]

The chapter is DONE I just need a few hours to like... actually read it before posting lmao

11800 words.......am dead

[thejudgingtrash]

Not the silk press lady laughing herself into the presidency I know you lying

[boyswanna-be-her]

I got a whole large ny style pizza for $14 last night from a joint on this island where i'm pet sitting. FOURTEEN AMERICAN DOLLARS. This place is frozen in time or something. That would've been $25+ "back home" on my own island (lmao)

[frostbite-fable]

you know what's absolutely crazy? i think i found your fic 1-2 weeks ago and was so completely floored and amazed by it that i recommended it to my best friend and said "READ THIS AND WEEP!" (and weeping he did) and when i saw your reblogs and tags (hilarious by the way) i thought - wait wait this username sounds strangely familiar? it was such a strange coincidence because i had just read your stuff days before that - that's some X Files shit right? AND THEY HAVE A CHARACTER LIMITONASKSWHATTHEF

skdjfskdlhgkasgh hi hello one moment while I fetch a saw for the skull-opening XDD

Okay but I'm still in geeking out mode over this okay? I'm so stupid about your art and so excited you liked our fic and so completely normal and know how to communicate like a human being I swear I do

But no really, the idea of someone shoving our fic aggressively at a friend is like . . . I think the highest honor an author can get, Ima be real with you lmao. Like, ah, yes, you're using some words and stuff me and my friend mixed together to inflict things on that person you like? woa g . . .

[agoddamnbeautifulidiot]

Niall Horan casually crooning to Flicker in Raleigh, NC:

Tipsy @harrywavycurly: Are you ever gonna finish Flicker of Hope??????

Me, also very tipsy:

Me, several hours later, less tipsy:

[unchartedcloud]

The Art of Defiance - Chapter 10

Part 2 of a Clexa Star Wars Story

The stage is set for the final confrontation with Roan: they have their location, their plan, and their bait. All that remains is waiting for the curtain to rise.

What ever will Clarke and Lexa do in their idle time, alone together?

Clarke rolls her eyes. “I like when you get all philosophical on me,” she says. Lexa feels Clarke’s hands grasp her hips and allows herself to be tugged closer, until Clarke’s knees bump against her thighs. “It’s kinda hot.” The holocron rolls off her fingers and hangs suspended in the air, levitating a few inches to Lexa’s right and Clarke’s left so Lexa can lay her newly freed hands against Clarke’s shoulders. She catches one side of Clarke’s open collar between her thumb and forefinger, testing the texture of the fabric against her skin. “I think that may be the lingering effects of the shower.” Clarke chuckles in what sounds like surprise—and affection, though Lexa is still getting used to that particular aspect. “That’s not what that means, it’s…wait. Are you messing with me?” “Me?” Lexa lifts her eyebrows, putting all her recently developed acting skills to use feigning ignorance. “Messing with you? That doesn’t sound terribly Jedi-like of me.” “It sounds like you, and you’re a Jedi.” Clarke's hands move up Lexa’s sides and fist into the sides of her tabard. “My favorite one I’ve met so far, in fact.” “Do you plan to meet many mo—? Mmph.”  The moment Clarke has a good hold, she starts to reel Lexa in; Lexa chooses to speak anyway, knowing full well what Clarke’s after, and accepts that the last of her question will be lost in the press of Clarke’s kiss. Being cut off is a small price for the immediate bloom of warmth in her chest and buzz along her scalp that follows that first touch. It’s a soft thing, but it isn’t quick. Clarke’s lips linger...then draw gently on Lexa’s. Lexa sighs, goes in for another. Clarke’s fingers tighten, holding her closer still. A newly familiar breathlessness sets in, her heart races. A quick flick of Clarke’s tongue against the back of her teeth invites her closer and she obliges, stepping between Clarke’s legs as she wiggles up onto the back of the couch. Lexa drops her hands, fingers closing around oh-so-soft hips to steady her— “Mm! Mm, no.” Their lips smack as Lexa pulls away, a Herculean feat of will allowing her to lift a hand and take a half step back. “No, you’re not getting out of training like this. Not again.” “Oh come on, I’ve totally got the whole mental fortitude thing down.” Clarke’s fingers are still wrapped around Lexa’s tabard, but her thumb manages to find its way between the folds of Lexa’s shirts and swipe along her sternum. The sensation, even brief as it is, makes Lexa shiver. “And this is so much more fun.”

Note: the latter half of this chapter contains sexual content, and is not suitable for ages under 18.

Read on Ao3.

[stjohnstarling]

Working on the wmom finale and, to put it delicately -- this is gonna rip all your heads off, you won't know what hit you