#love thy enemy etc etc

[tofumoons]

thorfinn is so jesus coded its not even funny. oh? you want to save people’s souls by leading them to a promised land without violence? and how are you leading them? like lambs? doesnt that make you a shepherd? is the Lord not your Shepard? who is telling you to go to the promised land? youre following the will of your father? your father, who had no enemies because he forgave those who trespassed against him? ohhh, you must be delivering these people from evil. i see how it is. you are trying to act on earth as you would in heaven, because heaven is what your father was.

[hauntingofhouses]

BRB thinking thoughts about Taigen's character, the TaiMizu ship, and a big chunk of fandom's perceptions regarding both those things.

(Inspired by @farintonorth's post related to this topic that just got my brain going brrrrr)

OK so let me just... start off by saying that I think that reducing stories to their tropes is seriously detrimental to the way some people are interacting with fiction, and while that honestly warrants its own post about the subject, I wanna talk specifically about how this affects the way some people in the fandom talk about Taigen and TaiMizu.

Because yeah, tropes are useful shorthand to refer to certain dynamics or archetypes etc, and they are indeed the building blocks to any story. But in a well-written story, characters and their relationships, actions, and motivations, are much more complex than just tropes. Because in a story that has characters who are more than just cardboard cutouts, their behaviours, backgrounds, motivations and all of that, are inseparable from the context of the overall story they exist in.

So like, sure, you can say Mizu and Taigen have an enemies-to-lovers or rivals-to-lovers dynamic. I also use those terms because it's easier. But I also think this is where things start to get a bit twisted, especially from an intertextual sense. Because "enemies-to-lovers" is also commonly used to refer to other ships in other media, whereby it tends to be rooted in an imbalanced power dynamic, such as oppressor-oppressed and bully-victim.

And while that's a whole can of worms that I won't be getting into because it can quickly derail into a whole separate sort of fandom discourse, I'd just like to make it clear that Mizu and Taigen, in particular, do not have an imbalanced power dynamic. They are not bully-victim or oppressor-oppressed. The only understandable reason why someone might actually think their relationship is imbalanced is if

A) they only watched the first episode, or

B) they cannot grasp the slightest bit of nuance in a character, or

C) they're being obtuse on purpose simply because the Mizu/Taigen relationship, or Taigen's character in general, just doesn't suit their tastes.

While yes, Taigen, along with his whole gang, had bullied Mizu when they were children, that dynamic does not exist between them whatsoever in adulthood. Whatever imbalanced bully-victim power dynamic that had once existed between them was decisively ripped apart the moment Mizu beat him in that duel in the dojo, and then completely obliterated by the end of the season.

Mizu is not a defenseless victim at Taigen's mercy. Mizu can beat Taigen's ass any time she wants (and she DOES, repeatedly in fact), and could even kill him if she felt like it. She taunts him openly and without fear ("I like your hair"; "I can beat you with any weapon you choose") and all he does is bark back, because that's pretty much all Taigen ever does. Time and time again, he yaps about how much he wants to kill her, but time and time again, his actions prove that all of it is just an empty threat. Because though his words say "I hate you", his actions demonstrate the complete opposite. He's shown how protective he is of Mizu, how unhesitatingly he sacrifices himself up for her, how loyal he is in enduring days-long torture to not give up information about her, how even when near-death and in pain, he's still willing to keep standing back up so he can fight by her side and help her win against her enemies.

And Mizu is not an idiot! She sees that too. She does not see him as a threat, an enemy, or even a bully. Especially not by the end of Episode 3, and definitely not by the end of the season. When she finds him in the dungeon in Episode 6, she smiles from relief, and doesn't think twice to take him with her. Mizu finds him, at best, an annoyance, or at worst, an infuriating hindrance on her quest for vengeance. Which is why, when Taigen is about to say, "It's a shame our duel's set for tomorrow; I have to kill you before you get your revenge," Mizu whacks him on the head without a second thought before he can even finish his sentence, and leaves him lying unconscious, face-down, in the snow.

And this further emphasises how he does not hold any power over her. There is no abusive power dynamic between them. She is more powerful than him, he knows this, and all he's ever done after they've met up again in adulthood is get his ass whooped by her, get mad about it and pester her and follow her around, get his ass whooped by her some more, and put his life on the line to protect her.

"OOoooOOoooH b-but he called her a demon at the end of Episode 7 and threatened to kill her again!!!" Oh my god. He called her that because he's calling her out on her selfishness to stay silent about her knowledge of Fowler's plans to attack Edo. Because to him, loyalty and honour as a samurai is more important than anything. So in his own brash-and-immature Taigen way, he felt betrayed that Mizu did not hold the same principles. That's why he got angry. He wasn't even that mad about letting Akemi get dragged off by the Tokunobu guards. It was about saving the Shogun and the Shogunate as a whole. That's why the first thing he does in Edo is not find Akemi, but try to warn the Shogun about Fowler's attack.

Look, I'm not defending his stupid ass, of course. Because calling her a demon especially after their cute little wrestling time was obviously rude and inappropriate, especially since words like "demon", "monster" and "Onryo" have had such a deep effect on Mizu throughout her life, and continue to contribute to her self-hatred. But like? That's the fun of realistic and flawed characters, and realistic and flawed relationships. They're not perfect, and it's why we as an audience root for them, wanting to see them work through their shit and find a way to prevail despite it all.

Also, him saying that was in the heat of the moment. He was angry, he felt like his initial belief of who Mizu was—a strong and loyal samurai, just like him—was shattered, and so he lashed out. Was it rude? Definitely. Was it immature of him? Yes, incredibly. But it's also very much in line with his character, because even though he's grown a lot over the course of the season, the show isn't over yet, so obviously his character arc is just beginning, as that is also the case for the other three main characters: Mizu is beginning to accept herself, Akemi is beginning to grow into her position of power, Ringo beginning to train under Master Eiji, while Taigen is beginning to simply be a better person.

On that note, when speaking of Taigen's immaturity, I think that's also one of the main things that people tend to gloss over when it comes to his character. Because when you boil everything down to its bare essentials, Taigen is, essentially, a boy. I've talked about this before, but to reiterate, Taigen very much behaves like an unhealed child. Even as an adult, he is insecure, prone to throwing tantrums, and is desperate to latch onto some material goal in hopes that it will make him feel better—initially he was chasing status/glory/greatness, and then when Mizu tells him that "Nothing comes from being a samurai but death," he immediately decides he wants to run away with Akemi in hopes that he will be happy.

And it's a big step, acknowledging that he doesn't truly want greatness, but had always just assumed it was his only path to a good life. But it's clear he still hasn't really figured it out. Because if he did run off with Akemi to get married and live in the countryside, he still wouldn't be happy. Because he still doesn't know who he really is, or what it is he really wants. Marriage at this moment is the last thing he needs, and as he is now, he would be a pretty awful husband. A simple life would be good for him, but would he be good at a simple life, when he still has so much he needs to work through?

So anyway, what I'm getting at here, is that he's trying and he is learning and growing. So yeah, he is flawed, but honestly? So is Mizu. And the funny thing is that they're flawed in very similar ways.

Because Mizu is also an unhealed child. That's why she's so angry all the time. That's why she pushes people away. That's why she, just like Taigen, is so happy when given the chance to playfully wrestle in the forge, laughing and rolling around like children without shame or pretense.

Again, this shows there is no imbalance between them. They had grown up together as peers from the same town. And while Taigen had had the upper hand back then, because he'd had a gang of other kids with him, that is definitely not the case anymore. Today, they are equally flawed, equally strong, equally skilled swordsmen, and equally bull-headed.

However, yes, Mizu is definitely leagues more mature than Taigen. But she still holds a lot of childhood wounds that mirror Taigen's own. And we see this especially in relation to her mother. Similar to Taigen who had an abusive and alcoholic father, Mizu's Mama was an opium addict and had hit her, berated her, had shaved her head without her consent as a child, and as an adult, had constantly emotionally manipulated and guilt-tripped her. Mizu's love for her Mama was what had driven her to a path of vengeance in the very beginning. And when she'd found out Mama was still alive, she had wanted nothing more than her Mama's love, and it was this alone that pushed her to agree to the marriage with Mikio in the first place. And now, knowing from Fowler that her birth mother is someone else entirely, is what makes her agree to keep him alive and haul his ass to London to seek answers.

Thus, integral to Mizu's self-hatred is also Mizu's intense longing for love and family. Just like Taigen, whose pompousness comes from his insecurity about being the son of a poor fisherman, Mizu's goals are also shaped by who her parents are. Remember, her vengeance is not against just anyone who's corrupt or evil, but specifically against the men who she believes had assaulted her mother, the men she believes had made her a monster, the men she believes had abandoned her to die and continue to try to kill her. Her vengeance is against a father, on behalf of a mother. In The Tale of the Ronin and the Bride, Mizu is not merely the Ronin, the Bride, or the Onryo, but also the Child.

This is also why Ringo is so good, not only for Mizu, but for Taigen as well. Ringo is wise and caring and considerate, but above all, he is in tune with his inner child in ways that Mizu and Taigen are not. He is always earnest and positive, he sees the world with childlike wonder, but is not naive or blind to its ugliness. His whole life has been a battle. Ringo brings out the best in Mizu, consistently acting as her moral compass and conscience, and Mizu's choice to save Akemi in the final episode is only because she promised Ringo that she would. Because it's the right thing to do. Ringo inspires her to be a better person, and to think outside of her narrow-minded goal of revenge. At the same time, Ringo also brings out the best in Taigen. While at first Taigen had looked down on both Mizu and Ringo ("Half-limb to a half-wit"), by the end of the season, he's proud to have Ringo as a friend and ally, he listens to Ringo's advice ("What would Master do?"), and asserts to the fucking Shogun that Ringo is a worthy warrior to have by his side.

Okay, I've gone on a bit of a tangent here, but my main point is that Mizu and Taigen are incredibly similar. They are equals. They are both flawed, unhealed children who are chasing some impossible outlandish goal in hopes that it will fill the void in their hearts. They also both have a long way to go in terms of character development if they were to ever build a healthy romantic relationship (either with each other, or even with anyone else). So while I believe things will be rocky (because duh, it's a story, we all live for the drama, etc), I think with Ringo's help, they'll get there eventually.

[shegatsby]

Love Thy Enemy

 Summary; Y/N Atreides had always been a stranger to the entire galaxy, her bed wasn’t her bed, her home wasn’t her home due to the fact that she was sent to accompany and be sisters with Irulan. She had limited access to her actual family and over the years they grew distant. She thought she would be like Reverend Mother, alone, yet powerful, and soon she would realize that there was no need of being alone when a wild creature had his eyes on her for a long time.

A/n; How i missed yu guys! Finally im free from family issues and i can continue this series. I hope you enjoy it. SMUT in the future chapters, i promise, don't forget to share your thoughts with me. xxx

TAG LIST IS OPEN! (let me know if i forgot to tag you)

Warnings; Baron being a weirdo.

Words; 3.584K

Chapter Five ''A Delicious Meal''

Feyd-Rautha Harkonenn didn’t know what to do, she was in his arms.. at least one of his long time wishes came true but he would’ve preferred a better scenario, he carried her to his king sized bed, covered in black silk, as soon as he laid her gently he called for his most trusted doctor. The man was tiny and bald, his eyes were jet black and had no whites, he had been serving Harkonnens for years. Feyd was standing a step away, watching carefully, he watched the doctor examine Y/N, Feyd’s eyes never leaving her body and to see if the doctor ever dared to touch her inappropriately. ‘’Due to change of climate and stress Lady Y/N’s body lost significant amount of vitamins, it is most likely she has been skipping meals. I’m going to give her some pills to boost her energy, she must also finish her meals.’’ He placed a container of pills on the side table and bowed to leave, when the family doctor left Feyd found himself pulling a chair to observe Y/N sleep. Their fight in his twisted mind, the thought he had was he was right till she fainted into his arms. Maybe she was… No.

He dismissed these strange thoughts. She was in his domain an she had to follow his rules and obey. ‘’Little dove..’’ he caressed her long Y/H/C hair, he had  always been enamored by her lush hair, so beautiful and vivid. Whenever he got a chance of seeing her he would observe her hair and how it bounced and rippled like the waves of Caladan, her home.. not anymore. As children, Feyd, Y/N, Irulan and sometimes Paul were left alone when adults were talking business, their nannies would be present of course but they were free to play together. Feyd-Rautha would chase her, pull her hair to annoy her. He loved to get reactions out of her whilst they grew up their interactions got limited. They had to be present at certain meetings such as balls, ceremonies etc.

His mind wandered to a distant memory…

At his 16th birthday it was Feyd’s first time at the arena, it was a Harkonnen tradition, so the important houses were invited. He had been training for years and it was his time to shine, bring fame and glory to his family and also prove a ‘’certain someone’’ that he had become a man, someone she could notice finally. When he entered the arena his animalistic lust for blood made his body electric, the black sun was at the top, making the arena look like a glowing white desert. He had his black uniform and combat boots which made him look much taller, he could hear the crowd’s cheer, they were ordered to cheer for him but still, he bathed in it.

He greeted the houses who were seated at the private chambers, he could see her

Time to impress.

He didn’t forget to activate his shield and the games began, prisoners were released from the doors to the arena, they were injected sedatives to make sure Feyd would be safe. He was there to butcher.

With every kill the white sand got covered in blood and stick to his boots, with every kill he was cheered, celebrated. At the end of the duel he was dipped in his enemies’ blood head to toe. He bowed and let the fame wash him away in ecstasy. He gained the popularity of his people and the houses that came to watch him. He was sure he was going to get marriage deals one after the other. When he lifted his head, he noticed that her seat was empty, she was gone. Why? Before the feast he was determined to find her and confront her.

He bathed very quickly, got dressed and left his chambers. He asked guards of her guest chambers and got no answers, he tried her maids and again, no answer. He was irritated, where could she be?

‘’My Lord, you’re asked by Reverend Mother.’’ A servant came to inform him, he had to put this pursuit aside for a while.

Reverend Mother was in her chambers, she travelled here with Emperor’s politicians. She was standing, her long black dress sweeping the clean floor. Her face was covered in laced veil, she waited for servants to leave them alone. ‘’Activate silence.’’ She ordered and a shield surrounded them, no one could hear them, ‘’You have fought well.’’ She began, ‘’Our order puts faith in you, young Harkonnen.’’ He didn’t interrupt her, unlike Rabban, he had wits about him. ‘’You would be a worthy match for one of our sisters We are watching you and her closely. You may be dismissed.’’ He left.

He had a feeling that sister is someone he had his eyes on her since they were children. With a smirk he roamed the halls of his fortress of black and white. He had an idea, his legs moved towards the chapel, almost no one prayed or believed in something other than violence on this planet.

The room was silent, there she was on her knees praying. Her long violet dress bunched up on her knees, he watched her pray. It made him curios, what was she praying for? He wanted to give her a reason to be on her knees but he kept his eccentric ideas to himself and keep his wide awake manhood in check. Ever since venom of being a teenager entered his body he had fun having these thoughts of her, of course he had his concubines to warm his bed and yet they weren’t enough, he had a thirst only she could quench.

Y/N rose to her feet as she finished praying, he cleared his throat to get her reaction, she turned to face him. He was standing tall, hands clasped behind his back, ‘’I have noticed your absence at my coming of age celebration Lady Y/N.’’ he began, his snake like eyes trapped her in, ‘’Is something to matter?’’ he was genuinely wondering. Her gaze was distant, he could see the work of Bene Gesserit on her, ‘’Maybe I didn’t want to see prisoners getting killed.’’ She replied coldly, ‘’But you promised to-‘’ she cut him short, ‘’I have seen eough. Good day, Na-Baron.’’ And she left the chapel, leaving him in shock… no one dared to stood up to him before and there she was with her lioness fire.

Y/N was gaining consciousness, opening her eyes slowly, the room was too quiet, her eyes travelled in the room to see him sitting on a chair, in reverse position and watching her, his hands resting on the back of the chair loosely, she was in his bed chambers. ‘’What happened?’’ she moved to rest her back on the headboard, pulling her legs towards her, ‘’Change of climate, stress and skipping meals.. you will be under surveillance. I’ve  ordered your maids to bring your belongings here, you’re going to stay with me from now on.” She could feel the heat on her face, ‘’But Harkonnen traditions say that-‘’ Feyd bolted to his feet, ‘’To hell with the traditions, your health comes first,’’ when he noticed the questioning look from her, he added ‘’you are to birth my heirs. End of discussion.’’ With the mention of heirs her blood ran cold in her veins, she had been specifically avoiding the concept ever since her fate was decided for her, it seemed Feyd was the opposite. She wondered if she could leave after birthing his heirs… her heart told her that she was  humane enough to stay and care for her offspring, she couldn’t abandon them, unlike Feyd she wasn’t a monster.

Y/N Atreides watched him take his leave, after the door closed she took advantage of being alone in his chambers, his bedroom consisted of a balcony, metal wardrobe, a skin of a bear on the floor, it made her sick. The fire place was empty since it was a warm day, her maids and servants started o carry her belongings one by one, she didn’t mind them and moved to the living room side, the room was more colorful than the bedroom, by color; black, white, dark blue and grey here and there. A long table which was made of Giedi Prime’s famous tree, Pilingitam, placed close to the large window overlooking the city, the tree’s color was lime-green and it gave a strange pop of color to the room. A basket of fresh fruit just placed by a servant girl, she looked shy, her head bowed, not making eye contact ‘’Our Na-Baron has ordered to keep fresh fruit for everyday my Lady Atreides.’’ Y/N could see the blush on the girls pale cheeks, ‘’I understand.’’ She also noticed how other servants’ behavior changed with this knowledge, Y/N deduced that they weren’t used to see their Na-Baron being ‘’thoughtful’’.

She was suspicious of the fruit basket, she picked a green grape and smelled it, it had no unusual smell, she bit the grape and it’s sweet juice immediately filled her mouth, Y/N was stunned, it was delicious, she assumed the fruit is exported from somewhere else hence Giedi Prime wasn’t known for its luscious fruit trees. She sat on the chair, turned to watch the scenery before her on the large window and ate.

‘’My Na-Baron!’’ Feyd-Rautha’s servant ran, out of breath, he was in the training grounds, sharpening his favorite blade, ‘’Lady Y/N settled perfectly and ate the fruit you sent you had sent.’’ He smiled wickedly, sowing teeth, he saw his reflection on the shiny blade which was about to be dipped in blood, he nodded to the servant and dismissed him. He focused on his training all day until his uncle Baron Vladimir Harkonnen marched in through the heavy doors, the doors smacked against the stone walls and made him turn to his uncle. ‘’What is the meaning of this?!’’ his uncle yelled, floating in the air thanks to his high tech machine, ‘’What do you mean uncle?’’ Feyd pretended like he had no idea, they were under the Giedi Prime’s black sun, the heat didn’t compare to the heat of Arrakis yet it was enough to finish his training and together they moved to a private room. ‘’I’ve heard that Atreides girl will be staying with you. Tell me,’’ he pressed to lean in, Feyd had to look up, he hated looking up at him all his life. ‘’Dear nephew, do you care for this girl?’’ he had to be careful, Feyd bought time by cleaning his sweat covered chest, his muscles attracted the Baron’s attention for a second, he had to be careful, if his uncle suspected anything she would be in danger, he loved to torment her and she was his to torment, not someone else’s. His uncle had no tolerance for ‘’caring’’ his only passion was to keep his house’s powerful stance and leave a might legacy behind.

‘’All my life I’ve fulfilled your orders uncle.’’ Feyd began, he throw the towel away, his blue eyes focused on his uncle with distaste and fire, ‘’You and witches of Bene Gesserit told me to marry the Atreides girl and that’s what I intend to do, you ask for heirs to leave our house one day and that is what I shall do.’’ He explained his voice cold and uninterested. ‘’She is only an object to use and cultivate and I, as her husband-to-be, have to keep her physical health at best, her mental health is not my interest.’’ He didn’t break his composure, looking up at his uncle and he bowed to him, to show loyalty. ‘’That’s my boy. You may rise.’’ Baron left him there, pleased.

Feyd sat on the stone bench, his sweat cooling down, he had to be extra careful when it came to his uncle, Baron Vladimir was known for his cunning mind and sinister plans. Feyd had to be able to protect his wife and children in the future and it seemed near… he thought he could manage his uncle’s plans…

Y/N Atreides didn’t do much that day, she was still tired and in shock. She didn’t want to remember his gruesome ‘’gift’’ or their fight, her main problem at the moment was Feyd’s decision of staying together… in his chambers… she found herself pacing in his bedroom, the sun was setting, leaving the landscape of industry in darkness, she could see the lamps in the city were being lit one by one, at a distance ships were landing or taking off, those were the spice ships, all over the galaxy every living being’s destiny was bound to spice… including her. The door was knocked and opened, she turned to face the servant, she assumed it was a servant because Na-Baron had no manners such as knocking on the door. The servant bowed, ‘’Dinner shall be served soon, our Lord Na-Baron is expecting her ladyship to join him.’’ She had no choice but to obey his request. ‘’Tell my maids to come and dress me.’’ Her plan was to be silent, eat and go to sleep… somewhere except his bed.

Her personal maids dressed her in black, they said she had to represent her husband-to-be’s house, she despised the color and yet when she looked at herself on the tall mirror, she looked powerful. The dress was long with long sleeves, had a nice cut on her chest, her hair was braided Atreides style, loose and fluffy, her maids left and she approached to the door of the living room.

The fire place was lit, he was standing by the window, his back turned to her, his hands clasped at his back, Y/N literally saw his ears prick up like a hellhound. He turned confidently, his posture straight and he is covered in black clothing just like her, ‘’Finally.’’ He greeted her with a victorious smile, eyes roaming over her body, she felt his blue orbits shooting at her, table was set, candles lit. Did he really made the servants light candles instead of glowglobes? She couldn’t ignore how the candles changed the mood in the room, more serene yet with a touch of expectation of something new.

He moved to the other side of the tale to move her chair for her to sit, without a word she walked and sat, as he was pushing the chair back to its place she could feel his breath on her neck, burning her, ‘’I have to admit, you look ravishing in that dress.’’ His breath lingered for few more seconds which felt eternity, she kept her silence, eyes forward, he chuckled to himself and moved to the other side of the table and sat. ‘’How is your health?’’ he casually asked, getting ready to eat the meat before him, her eyes moved to the table, she also had rare cooked meat on her plate, when she moved the meat eith her fork she could see the blood under it, it made her sick so she looked up to him, Feyd was waiting for an answer, he noticed her expression change, ‘’I feel much better.’’ She replied, Feyd began to eat like a man starved, ‘’I had my training all day,’’ she didn’t ask but he was explaining anyways, ‘’fighting makes me starve like wolves.’’ It seemed so, she was in utter shock how he can eat that rare meat… Feyd remembered his conversation earlier with his uncle and went silent.

‘’Start eating,’’ he noticed that she still didn’t touch her food, ‘’or,’’ he continued but Y/N cut him off, ‘’Or you will kill another servant to teach me a lesson?’’ she sarcastically said, still traumatized by that incident. His presence made her feel uneasy, he was the reason why she had to leave everything behind and it made her blood boil in despise. Y/N heard Feyd’s chuckle, ‘’Or I will feed you myself.’’ He finished.

A mental image flashed in her mind’s eye, thanks to Bene Gesserit mind work she could imagine more vividly than normal people, in the image Feyd was sitting next to her, very close, abnormally close and feeding her slowly, wiping her lips with his thumb and sucking it, there was a sexual undertone to this image, she pinched her skin to wake up.

‘’No, thank you.’’ Couldn’t help but wonder his idea, she began eating fruit, totally avoiding the bloody meat, her senses were high so she could smell the blood unfortunately, ‘’Is settling in over?’’ Feyd asked, he was leaning on his chair, holding a goblet of red wine, his eyes shining like diamonds under the candle lights, ‘’We are disobeying the traditions. We should unite when we get married. I do not wish to attract unwanted attention than it is.’’ Y/N was being honest, ‘’Unite,’’ he said with a wicked smile, ‘’We can unite right now on this very tableif you please, little dove.’’ He drank his wine watching her startled expression, her slightly opened pretty mouth but she recovered quickly, ‘’I am settling in just fine.’’ She ignored his comment. ‘’I wish to learn the fortress better, so that I won’t have to rely on my maids to take me to places.’’

‘’I can show you around, I am sure you will get used to your new home.’’ He finished his drink and poured another, ‘’This isn’t home.’’ Y/N said under her breath, a sudden sadness washed her body up and down like the waves of Caladan. ‘’Hm?’’ he pretended like he didn’t hear, he wanted her to say it but she surprised him, ‘’Nothing.’’

‘’You don’t like rare cooked meat I take it?’’ he was taking notes of her likes and dislikes, ‘’I like it well cooked.’’ Feyd pressed a button on the table and in seconds a servant man rushed in immediately, ‘’My wife prefers her meat well cooked. If a mistake like this ever happenes again I shall serve her the kitchen staffs’ heads instead.’’ He wasn’t even looking at the servant, he was focused on the dessert he was eating, Y/N apologized quietly to the servant man who was shaking, carrying her plate back to the kitchens to bring what Na-Baron requested.

‘’I am not your wife.’’ Y/N protested in annoyance,

‘’Not yet.’’ He replied and looked to see her intransigent eyes, so fiery it confused Feyd, did he want her to rebel against him and be dominant or did he just wanted to crush her soul to his feet?

The servant brought back her table, ‘’It looks delicious, thank you.’’ She noticed how the servant’s expression change into confusion, Y/N Atreides was slightly impacting them in a good way. The servant them alone.

‘’Do we have to have dinner together every night?’’

‘’Why?’’ he placed his fork on the metal plate, wiping his mouth with a black piece of cloth, ‘’You don’t find me pleasant to look at?’’ he teased, trying to get a reaction out of her, ‘’The table looks more pleasant.’’ She replied coldly, her hands on her lap, sitting tall and immobile, ‘’I have to make sure you finish your plate.’’ He got up from his seat coming to her, ‘’I want strong sons.’’ He added and pulled the chair next to hers. ‘’You forget, I am a Bene Gesserit witch, I choose the gender of the baby.’’ She was watching his movements, what was he doing? He got the fork and knife and cut her meat into cubes, ‘’What are you doing?’’ she looked puzzled, was her mental image becoming true?

‘’Like I have said, I want strong children and a strong mother to take care of them. Now,’’ he got a cube of meat to the fork, ‘’open wide.’’

Y/N could feel the heat rising to her face, ‘’I can eat-‘’

‘’I don’t trust you.’’ He was so forward it caught her off guard, his face held the truth, her Bene Gesserit training was yelling her in her mind, ‘’He doesn’t trust you that you can take care of yourself on your own here..’’

She was trying to find a correct path to manipulate him,

‘’Give in.’’ a voice in her head said,

And she opened wide. ‘’Little dove, see, some things are so easy when you let your guard down.’’ He was close to her, feeding her, the meat was delicious.

‘’Giedi Prime isn’t welcoming to outsiders. His voice was low and she can see he was telling the truth, he got another cube of meat when she swallowed, ‘’Good?’’ he asked as he fed her again, Y/N nodded, she realized how hungry she was, the juice of the meat running down at the corner of her mouth, Feyd wiped it with his thumb and licked it clean. Their eyes never leaving as if it is a contest, in silence she let him feed her.

‘’Good girl.’’ He praised, and watched the effect it had on her. Their eyes refused to part, she didn’t want him to think that she was afraid of him, she wanted to insert her presence to him but his aura was too strong to bare. ‘’What did you mean by Giedi Prime not being welcoming?’’ she noticed he was trying to say something without being obvious, he placed the fork on the plate, leaned back on the chair. ‘’It is easy to make enemies here, one wrong move and you lose. You’re a smart girl, you can figure it out.’’ And he stood up,

‘’Shall we sleep?’’

Tag List; @superchatnoir07 @mamawiggers1980 @landlockedmermaid77 @moonsoulk @crystalskiesandcherrywine @palomavz @beebeechaos @jeong-uwu @tian-monique @avidreader73 @aleemendoza2425-blog @taleah @oneandonlybbygrl @flower-frog @or-was-it-just-a-dream @howibecameabadassbitch @monstresshorn @keanuispunk @lunerose0 @purplepeach333 @torossosebs @austinbutlerslovers @darlingisntit @aoi-targaryen

[felassan]

Notes and thoughts on the companion Abilities we learned today -

just for reference a quick note again of what they are:

Harding - Seismic Shot; Heavy Draw; Shred; Adrenaline Rush; Soothing Potion Davrin - Battle Cry; Death from Above; Heroic Strike; Assan Strike; In War, Victory Bellara - Fade Bolts; Enfeebling Shot; Replenish; Time Slow; Galvanized Tear Taash - Fire Breath; Dragon's Roar; Dragonfire Strike; Spitfire; Fortune's Favor Lucanis - Eviscerate; Abominate; Soothing Potion; Debilitate; Adrenaline Rush Emmrich - Final Rites; Replenish; Entangling Spirits; The Bell Tolls; Time Slow Neve - Icebreaker; Blizzard; Glacial Pace; Time Slow; Replenish

Some Abilities are shared between companions. For example, both Lucanis and Harding have Adrenaline Rush and Soothing Potion, and Emmrich and Neve and Bellara all have Time Slow and Replenish. I think this is to do with the "core kits" that were mentioned before. like "Time Slow" for example as a part of the core kit for mage characters.

some of these Abilities we've seen demonstrated in gameplay videos so far or had shown/described in screenshots/articles before, like Death From Above. :>

Seismic Shot: since "seismic" can relate to earthquakes and other vibrations in the earth and its crust, this is a really cool name for one of Harding's moves (dwarf, Deep Roads, the Stone, Titans, her new earthbending skills etc) and I'm curious about both its gameplay effects and if it's tied to her new magical powers

Shred: arrowfire that shreds armor presumably

Soothing Potion and Replenish: both sound like heals

Heavy Draw: a heavy attack of Harding's? (Rook at least has access to both light attacks and heavy attacks)

Battle Cry: similar in name to previous abilities like War Cry and Battle Roar. Applies Taunted to enemies in the area

On Death From Above and Assan Strike. Death From Above deals high Stagger and can be used to deal damage from afar, presumably Assan Strike can also be used to deal damage from distance

In War, Victory: the Grey Warden motto will never not slap and evoke a great sense of heavy emotion.. 🥺 it was this part of the Grey Warden motto that was featured as a dialogue line in the release date reveal trailer. A+ name for a Grey Warden's move, no notes

Galvanized Tear: this ability is like a gravity well, it pulls enemies together. you can use it to draw enemies into one place

Adrenaline Rush: a buff that grants enhanced damage/enhances Rook's damage stats

Heroic Strike: applies the overwhelmed debuff. This causes the target to take additional Stagger ("deals high Stagger")

Eviscerate: At half health of less, this deals bonus damage, increasing in effectiveness the closer the target is to death. can be used to detonate a combo and strike a whole group of enemies

Abominate: Deals high Barrier damage and applies Knocked down to enemies in the area. can be used to knock enemies down. also, implications

Final Rites: it's giving finishing move vibes. I love the allusion to cultural practises like Last rights. very appropriate for a thoughtful, caring necromancer whose character is about exploring death and necromancy in a thoughtful nuanced way

The Bell Tolls: For Whom The Bell Tolls (two) reference? :) it's giving a 'your time alive is ending' or a 'your time as a spirit inhabiting this dead body is ending', clock strikes midnight, Cinderella-kinda vibe. bells toll in some places of worship when someone has died (funeral bells), or during other important life rites. also very appropriate for a necromancer

^ No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were: any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.

Fortune's Favor: Lords of Fortune allusion, 'fortune favors the bold' :)

Taash has three abilities involving her fire-breathing and two with "dragon" in the name. 👀 they are really emphasizing the dragon connection/dragon symbolism and she is really living up to the "Ataashi" ('dragon, glorious one, great thing') in her name. in Trespasser Dragon's Breath was a Qunari conspiracy to kill most of the leadership of southern Thedas, involving explosives. I'm really curious about the specific mechanism or origin of her fire-breathing; like is she doing it the way fire-breathing performers do it irl (sounds kind of DA Artificer-y), or has she literally gained or developed some kind of literal innate fire-breathing draconic ability?

throwback to this post:

Maybe it was Taash who wrote this Codex, and the title is alliterative, “Taash Talks”? The writer comes across like a dragon enthusiast and it references being near the shore/sea. Iron Bull once said “So, when you face a dragon, does it get your heart pumping? Do you breathe a little faster, feel the blood racing?” (in the DA:TV trailer, Varric says that they will need someone “with fire in their blood” to face dragons).

Varric was being literal in that line huh. :D

the Qunari are known to hold dragons sacred. they have a physical similarity and some believe that the Tamassrans cultivate dragon blood within the Qunari, allowing some to tap into combat abilities similar to Reavers. is that practise the source of Taash's fire-breathing power? Kieran comments that Adaar's blood doesn't belong to their people. Cory also has weird comments about qunari blood. or maybe she just drank dragonblood? Reavers unlock powerful abilities by drinking it and a dragon-hunter would have access to dragonblood in abundance. Cassandra has dialogue where she tells the Inquisitor that her family used to be known for their Reavers. she says that too much dragonblood caused them to grow deformed, they grew scales and became more draconic than human. if there are legends of Reavers growing scales and draconic appearances after overindulging, why couldn't someone also breathe fire dragon-style? :D "igniting everything with draconic fury" makes me think of Reavery stuff too. Taash is out here living my Inquisitor's (who was a Reaver) dreams.

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

Not a prompt, but I need tips/advice! As I am describing a scene were caretaker watches whumpee get executed via the garrotte.

I seek thy guidance 🙏

first thing you might want to consider may be the nature of the relationship between whumpee and caretaker. because your caretaker will mostly react differently based on who whumpee is to them;

if whumpee is caretaker’s friend, family or lover, the feeling of watching a loved one die and not being able to do anything about it will be stronger than the feeling of simply grieving. caretaker may feel anger, fear, desperation, loneliness and hopelessness all at once. depends on what happens in your story, they may direct their anger towards the people watching the execution take place like it was some sort of a play. they may direct their anger towards the executioner for taking their loved one from them. they may direct their anger towards the person who ordered whumpee to be executed. they may direct their anger towards themself for not being able to save whumpee. they may even direct their anger towards whumpee themself for ‘leaving them’ or for getting themself in this situation in the first place. I don’t think there’s a ‘wrong’ way for a character (or a real person) to express their feelings, especially when the situation causes such strong emotions.

if whumpee is caretaker’s enemy or if their relationship with caretaker is more complicated than a friend or a lover, your caretaker may experience feelings that aren’t as straightforward as hopelessness or loneliness. because whumpee is not supposed to mean anything to them, but they’re watching whumpee die and realizing whumpee does, in fact, mean something to them. or at least they don’t want to lose whumpee / don’t want whumpee to die. all of these will mostly result in confusion as well as anger. your caretaker may be confused by the way they’re feeling about losing whumpee. they certainly can be angry at the same time; maybe they’re angry at whumpee for making them feel this way and, yes, for getting killed.

next thing you might want to consider is the pace of the scene; how fast or slow you want it to be.

an emotionally devastating scene doesn’t always have to be in a slower pace in order for your readers to feel what the character is going through. a short, quick sentence could give your readers just as much of an emotional impact; “one crack of the bone, and just like that, it was over. the silence that followed — sharp and loud — cut deep through caretaker’s chest. whumpee is gone.”

or you can move your scene at a slower pace if you want your readers to feel how it happens as it’s happening. describe how caretaker’s watching as the chain/wire slowly tightens around whumpee’s neck and how helpless, hopeless, scared they feel. do they make eye contact with whumpee for one last time as life slowly fades away from whumpee’s eyes? or are caretaker unable to look whumpee in the eyes, knowing whumpee’s silently begging for them to save their life? do they look away once it’s over and how they feel once it’s done; lonely, sad, scared, angry, etc?

[rauchendesgnu]

Gnu writes!

To start things off, I thought I'd share all the wips/ideas I have in bad summaries (yay!)

These are the wips that are partially published: a. At Thy Will - D/s AU, inspired by medieval marriage laws in the area that would later become Germany. I've talked a bit about it here before, it includes abusive relationships and fantasy sexism and also religious trauma b. The Tower Must Fall - unfortunately a bit neglected (but I plan on picking it back up, I promise), including assassin!Martin and witch!Jon slowburn enemies to lovers (Gerry is there, too!) c. A Treatise In Balance - basically just Jon getting snatched and turned into an avatar by each of the Fears. Includes art d. The Crackling Sound Of Magic - these are small fics where Jon is a mage in training under his cruel father Elias Bouchard and Martin is a kitchen hand in their household. also technically slowburn and lots of hurt/comfort because Jon keeps getting hurt

wips in my wip folder a. faerie!Jon - he's a faerie, Martin is human, he gets lost in the Otherworld's fog, Jon saves him. Oh, and soulmate AU, too :) b. Nothing But The City - inspired by UDAD, where Jonah (while wearing Elias like a suit) performs a series of cyborg-like surgeries on Jon to use him to take control over the City that once had a name that is now long lost to time c. another fantasy au with magic, inspired by occudo's art (that I still want to eat. so pretty). including apprentice!Jon, reluctant bodyguard!Martin, and exasperated and probably evil (but hot) long haired Elias d. Archive AU - Jon is a fully developed Eye monster, way beyond human. Nobody but Elias knows. Martin joins the Archive crew, accidentally makes friends with the monster via tea, and falls in love e. teacher!Jon in Scotland - you've read it before, you love it as much as I do: Scotland Safehouse Period forever, nothing bad happens and Jon gets adopted by a bunch of nosy teenagers f. nurse!Martin AU - Martin is a nurse who deals with Jon's worm wounds (gets section 31-ed) and keeps meeting him while Jon is injured. Features the good ol' anonymous online kinky relationship (and so much research because i don't even know how German hospitals work let alone British ones) g. Magnus Academy - more teacher!Jon, but in dark, with magic, murder, abuse, blackmail, discrimination, etc. h. The Fourteen Hauntings of Jonathan Sims, Librarian - more AUs! this time it's medium!Jon time (and medium!Martin). There's ghosts, and the town is called Nevermore :) i. Vampire Stuff - loosely based on The Fearless Vampire Killers (but the German musical, not necessarily the film), featuring vampire!Jon, vampire!Elias, human Martin, Tim, Sasha (yes, Jon is Herbert) j. Martin Knife Blackwood - established jonmartin, Jon wants to propose, Martin used to be in organised crime and the mob boss Peter Lukas comes for him, drama, blood, guns, etc. k. magical bookshop - more magic. including season 4 levels of sad Jon, a traumatised mute teenage kid who is accidentally adopted by said sad Jon. Jon has a bookshop that shows up at random. like the tardis but with less control even than the Doctor has l. toxic JonElias with endgame JonMartin - this one's not fleshed out at all, but basically Jon gets to make friends and escape Elias' clutches (no Fears AU)

I have more plot bunnies, but they're just that, so I won't list them here or I'd be here for hours. Feel free to ask questions about the wips above if you like, I'd be more than happy to elaborate (it will contain spoilers tho)

[yomogi-mogi-mochi]

Welcome (*・∀・*)ノ

My name is Yomogi- this is my tumblr for all of my ao3 writings. Rn I'm obsessed with Twisted Wonderland, but I'd like to write for fandoms like Genshin Impact, hypmic, etc. Lots of angst (*・∀-)ｂ

My special interests are in Art History and Literature so I take a lot of inspiration from that ♡

Currently not taking requests perse, but I'm willing to take any commentary or ideas to incorporate into my writing! Commentary always appreciated. I love hearing people's thoughts :)

☆ They/Them ; Queer ; Autistic ☆

Jap 日本語 / Eng OK!

よろしくお願いしゃーす～(っ´▽｀)っ

——————————————————

AO3 Account is Here.

✦·.⋆ Masterlist ⋆.·✦

Twisted Wonderland:

All GN MC!!!

Beloved Thy Name

Sequel (Beloved Gift) (AO3 Link)

Pairing: Lilia x Dullahan MC

Genre: Healing, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with Healing, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with Happy Ending, Oneshot

Summary: Triumphing over your siblings on the human farm situated in the far corners of Briar Valley, you are implanted with the essence of the Tree of Eternity, gaining unmatched abilities in regeneration. When your Warden finds that the experiment is a success, you are promptly sold to the fae army as a weapon of destruction‒ a position you answer to with animal violence, much to the content of your handlers and the fae army, who name you Dullahan, after the myth of the headless reaper. When you come across the infamous Lord Lilia, great commander of the Fae army‒ he takes you under his wing, gifting you morsels of peace even with death on the horizon. You are simply taken with the sweet songs and sugary words which fall from his mouth‒ echoing them in the heart in your chest that did not feel like yours.

MC based off of Dullahan myth (Celtic headless omen of death)

AO3 LINK

Spolia

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 // Part 5 // Part 6 // Part 7 (COMPLETE)

Pairing: Malleus x Light Fae MC ; Parental Mozus Trein x MC

Genre: Healing, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with Happy Ending, Slow Burn

Summary: You wondered why you ever got accepted into NRC but never bothered to look back when the infamous black carriage whisked you away from a place you could never call home. Having been handed an opportunity of freedom, of solitude, of hope- how come you're paralyzed with fear rather than excitement? Your sunny plein air sessions and nightly walks contemplating this has attracted a certain dragon fae with an affinity for your nimble gargoyle sketches and magnificent paintings

MC based off of changelings

AO3 LINK

Pygmalion

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 // Part 5 // Part 6 (COMPLETE)

Pairing: Rook x Pygmalion MC ; Platonic Idia x MC ; Platonic Ortho x MC

Genre: Angst with Happy Ending, Slight Enemies to Lovers, Slow Burn

Summary: You were frequently told that your career as a renowned sculptor did not match your dull and less than colorful personality. With your cybernetic hands, you carve the lives and deaths of those long gone‒ producing pieces which have been held in both technical and emotional high regard, dubbing you with the title “Pygm.AI.lion” despite your human heart and brain. When you accidentally still the usually flamboyant archer into silence after he comes across you working in your atelier‒ you find that you’ve become a victim to one of his ceaseless stalkings. Though, you’ve been prey long enough to know how hunt the huntsman himself.

MC based off of Pygmalion myth

AO3 LINK

Lasting Spring

Pairing: Vil x Orpheus MC

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Friends to Lovers, Childhood best friends, pining, angst with happy ending

Summary: Great expectations are placed on you, coming from a line of extraordinary poets, bards, and musicians. You fulfill these expectations with ease‒ the lightness of your voice illuminating any room with divine merriment through a swift dance of your fingers on your lyre. Your fame is equally matched with the curse swimming through your family’s blood‒ one which announces death and tragedy to your lovers, unless they are your true love‒ your soulmate. However there is no assurance that soulmates truly exist, only the madness that comes as an endless thirst for it. So you extinguish that thirst, settling for quick, messy flings‒ much to the dismay of your childhood friend, Vil Scoenheit. You lament your own tragedy through woeful verses, masked in the sweltering felicity of your music. Vil always trails that sorrow back to you, wishing to embrace you in his warmth to take it away, even for a moment. But the members of your family who had found love unobstructed by the gods were great lovers to heroes, kings, queens, and warriors‒ who was he, seen by most as a villain, to taint that possibility for you?

MC based off of Orpheus myth

AO3 LINK

Ineffable Bloom

Pairing: Azul Ashengrotto x Siren Mute MC

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Maternal angst/Mother wound, childhood friends to lovers, angst with happy ending

Summary: Despite your status as siren, there are not many words that reach those around you anymore, voice now muted and marred from the surgeries you have endured to remove the carnations that once suffocated your throat. But you don't mind it, serving quietly as the gardener of Night Raven College, making do with a notepad and pen when necessary. You are pleased to find your childhood friend, Azul, now attends the school, who spontaneously hires you for the flower arrangements he decides to decorate in his lounge with. There's little hope you bear with the silent poetry you weave with each meticulously placed flower, only an ache which tumbles over you like the ceaseless seas. However, Azul is not deaf to this song you have sealed in your bouquets, having cherished the morsels of sweetness in your childhoods where you shared the silent language of each flower.

MC based off of siren

AO3 LINK

Merciful Crusade

Pairing: Jamil x Shikigami MC

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, angst, healing, slight enemies to lovers

Summary: The life of a shikigami, or a ceremonial servant spirit was a threadbare one. The small world you scarcely lived consisted of hard, earth‒packed walls framed tightly against a small cedar cell, illuminated only by the lonely starlight during your sleepless nights. Despite your human body, you’re almost certain you’ve never felt the blood move and warm your body in such a way that would indicate that there had ever been a human heart‒ having spent too much time gilded with a hardened iron face to even feel it if it had been there. Jamil‒ who untethers you from the spell that binds you to your onmiyoji master‒ becomes a peculiar mirror in your new life that reflects your choked breaths and measured footsteps. It never bothered you when your own body smothered what was left of your vitality‒ but when you watch Jamil from a distance, knowing the way he classifies each movement, the strangle of his muscles‒ something inside you aches. You don’t know why.

MC based off of Shikigami

AO3 LINK

Honey Lemon Crescendo

Pairing: Trey Clover x Vampire MC

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, angst, healing, friends to lovers

Summary: The gods should have made you better, so that they could love you.  The days you pray for the abolishment of your abhorrent form are rare in the centuries you have lived since your family's death, and your turning. Sharpened claws and teeth, the hellfire of your gaze are concealed for your own convenience, you tell yourself, especially as you enroll into NRC. The tonic of human affairs rarely interested you, yet when you find the truly curious case of Trey Clover, someone who is made only of that plain sort, you cannot help but to promise yourself one conversation, some several hours of the thousand thousand you have lived to taste what it is like to be treated, and be human again. But you're a fool, and a hypocrite‒ you find yourself breaking that promise over, and over, and over. Your fragile resolve frays at every sunbeam smile, every ringing laughter of his. 

MC Based off of Vampires

AO3 Link

Orchid Child, Dandelion Child

Pairing: Riddle Rosehearts & Sibling MC (not a romantic pairing)

Genre: Hurt/Comfort, sibling healing

Summary: This is going to take after Riddle’s overblot, and short and sweet. The term orchid child/dandelion child refer to children who may have very specific/different needs for their development, and those who need less accommodations or specific requirements for their development, respectively. They may grow up in the same environment but everyone’s needs are different, one child may have different coping mechanisms than the other. MC is heavily implied to have dyslexia, ADHD/Autism, and OCD (the latter two of which are often comorbid)

AO3 Link

[divine-crows]

Grimoire/BoS Ideas for the Witch that Doesn't Know What to do Next

(Part 3/4)

By the time I added enough content for this part to be "post worthy" a lot of time has passed and I've kinda...grown? Changed? So some things may be a little different vibe wise from this point onwards. (In my "don't give a fuck about what goes in my grimoire" era /j)

- Everyday things that are magic. I'm sure we've all had that moment where we realize something that's normal could be also considered magic. You can also add superstitions or things you believe in due to something you experienced.

- How you connect with different elements. Maybe you have trouble connecting with fire, but have an affinity for light which can be considered a part of fire. Look at all of those connections and explore it. You might find out that you do connect to an element really well, but through different associations!

- On-hand resources. Look at things in your immediate area. Do clovers grow copiously in your yard? Maybe a pine tree is near your house. Look up the properties and associations of these things, or list down some of your own. If you do this NEVER eat or touch something you're unsure of the toxicity of.

- Pictures/info of your favorite plants and animals. Sometimes, you need to say "fuck the informational blob of text" and add fun stuff. I love illustrating my favorite plants and animals and sometimes I find that it pushes me to research information about them that furthers my practice.

- "Taboo" topics/things you wouldn't personally use in your practice. It may sound weird to write down stuff that makes you uncomfortable, but I find it's a good way to stock up on information in case you need a counter to that exact thing ("know thy enemy"). It also can be cool to look back and see if your opinions have changed on certain topics.

- Drawings/Pictures/etc. of places you've been to. There's something magical about traveling, especially since it can "cleanse" your mind so-to-speak. Capture those feelings! It just might reignite your spark!

- Song Lyrics, Book Quotes, Etc. Including media you love that reminds you of your practice is a great way to make your BoS/Grimoire feel more personal. I kinda treat it as if I'm "charging" it with my intent and it makes it feel less intimidating to write in.

- "Mundane" knowledge. I believe that if you're really passionate about something, it might mean it belongs in your practice. Maybe it's a collection of maps, or an embroidered piece you made, or even recorded information about something you learned that just feels magical to you. It's your book, why not make it your own?

[autismmydearwatson]

My plans for a Romeo and Juliet adaptation by me<3

The two families are crime families of the Italian mafia

It's the 1930s

They still talk in Shakespearean. Baz Luhrman that shit

The cause of the "ancient grudge" is heavily alluded to by older characters but never explained like Avengers Budapest

There's a scene after the banquet and before the balcony in which the lovers even ask peers and adults about the cause

But they all tell different versions

"They got divorced" -Mercutio

"The Montagues met our offer of alliance by stealing our money" -Nurse

"The Capulets spit in Don Montagues tea" -Benvolio

Instead of lecturing Romeo about Queen Mab, Mercutio goes on a tangent about Goncharov

Mercutio is crushing on Romeo

Tybalt is secretly a furry and only Juliet knows (guess what his fursona is. Guess)

"Do you fucking bite your thumb at us, bitch?"

When Romeo enters he's listening to West Side Story, eyeliner running down his face

Rosaline is a 30 year old woman who pities the 16 year old with a hopeless crush on her

Benvolio and Mercutio are Romeos bodyguards

Romeo is a femme tboy

Juliet is trans too

They're both pre-T and not out to their families yet.

This leads to Nurse telling Juliet Romeos deadname and not his chosen name, and vice versa with Nurse introducing Juliet to Romeo by her deadname. So for much of act 1 they don't know each other's real names

Which leads to Juliet: "wherefore art thou (deadname)? Deny thy father and refuse thy name" "tis but thy name that is my enemy". Romeo, hidden: "oh boy have I got news for her!"

Much of the balcony scene is them telling each other their chosen names, feeling seen for the first time by another

Only Tybalt knows about Juliets transition

Mercutio, Benvolio, and Romeos excursion into the party is actually Benvolios bright ide a to scam the Capulets out of their money

Until Romeo sees a pretty girl and almost blows the entire plan

In Mercutios speeches to Romeo ("be rough with love" "now art thou social" etc) he is applying Romeos lip gloss for him.

Bear with me

Everyone in the cast is dressed in dark tones in black except for the two leads in deep scarlet.

As Mercutio lays dying, he delivers the line "A plague on both your houses" as he smears his own blood on Romeos lips with his hand. As if applying lip gloss.

The friar and the prince are played by the same actor.

The "gallop apace" soliloquy is spoken alternately by both Romeo and Juliet

It is Benvolio who gives Romeo the poison

Romeo does NOT lay Paris in Juliets tomb as he requests.

After Romeo takes the poison and dies, an entire musical refrain plays, at the end of which Juliet finally awakens, and the music abruptly stops. Leaving the stage entirely silent as she screams in despair.

The families, ashamed by the tragedy, bury the lovers in modest graves. The play ends with Benvolio, alone, to deliver the final speech with two bags of money in his hand that he burns over their graves

[bugmin]

i was curious so i clicked on this ad and it led to me a bible teaching blog where they said this

and so i look it up and the passage apparently says this verbatim

now i'm not christian but i suspect the author doesn't fully understand the passage. at least my interpretation of this is more or less "you love your life so therefore you have something to lose/it will be a great loss in death. if you hate your life you won't escape that disdain/resentment even in death/you'll die in the past" then the author says "we have made ourselves in enemy of the world" in his faith of jesus and im like. shouldn't your faith in jesus make you a lover of the people? didn't jesus want us to choose thy neighbor love thy neighbor etc ? i think some ppl took the phrasing of the bible too literal. to me jesus is saying serve the word of god (ie be for the people) not abandon the word of your people. anyway i have to go into work

[m1d-45]

YEAH YOU GET IT. overworked god forcibly given a break (of multiple kinds) more at eleven!!!! there's a lot of fun ways it can end!! like on one hand you've got: nobody realizes you're the true creator, your companion's plan goes without a hitch, 3 2 1 and scammer gets scammed buddy that's what you get you're not getting your creator back, etc. etc.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND.... i think it would be sick if your companion willingly made themself the enemy of your followers. they might not be as powerful as you, but they're still above even other gods, being made directly from your divine energy. they're willing to leverage everything they have to keep you to themself away from the bastards who claim to love you.

they don't mind the hatred leveled towards them when your followers finally realize who you truly are. they don't mind being called a devil - in fact, the title fits them, doesn't it? you, the epitome of everything pure and good, who gave yourself away for people who were never satisfied, you are a god, and they pulled you down from your throne.

all because they love you. the real you, that only they know. no follower, no matter how dedicated or fervent, could ever come close to understanding their dedication, because it's a feeling that belongs only to them.

the madohomu references simply do not stop. it's my job to make things relate to sagau and i have never taken a day off - teddy anon

oh this was a reference-? my bad ig i can’t read

i have this image in my head of like the acolytes hating your companion for what they’ve done but they just walk into your palace and smile as you greet them with a hug yk. like.

ugh teddy ur MIND im

��all because they love you. the real you, thy only they know. no follower, no matter how dedicated or fervent, could ever come close to understanding their dedication, because it’s a feeling that only belongs to them.”

you’re so. you’re so right. in a way their actions are justified because the world drained you so much you needed to create a friend, and it was only that friend that you trusted to bring you back to your own world. if you think about it, aren’t they just doing what they were told? keeping you safe, loved, far away from the stress of being a god. they can handle that; you worry about little things, like what to make for dinner.

it doesn’t matter, by the way. they’ll love whatever you make.

[albertfinch]

ADOPTING THE CHRIST THOUGHT LIFE

James 1:16-18 reminds us that the Father of heavenly lights gives only good and perfect gifts and that He is the God of truth:

"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all He created"

The enemy wants to steal our dreams, our faith and our lives! But, do not give place to His evil words. Determine now to repent for believing His lies. Repentance does not mean that it is needed because God is upset, mad or angry because of our doubt and unbelief -- to repent means to simply change the way we think (about God and even ourselves). 

Therefore, we repent into God’s purpose for our life.  We ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7) until we come to understand and actually carry-out our Christ calling. Nothing moves in God;s Kingdom without action.  if you have believed opposite of what God says about you, CHANGE the way you think about yourself. Also, if you have believed opposite of all God declares concerning His love, provision, protection, etc., simply CHANGE the way you think about Him. This will empower you with great faith and hope for your future.

GUARDING OUR HEARTS

Satan will always bring darkness into our situation. However, godly revelation reveals what is hidden – or what attempts to remain in darkness. As we more fully understand God's goodness and His light of truth, we begin to function and operate in His power to overcome the wicked works and words of the accuser.

We must guard our hearts so that we do not faint. The enemy is working overtime to cause us to grow weary and have faint hearts. 

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. [2 Corinthians 12:9.]

"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."  - Isaiah 40:28-31 AMP

Stand in faith on God's promise that He is renewing your strength right now and that also He is giving you power to overcome all adversity. He is also revealing to us, at this time, how to live in joy and peace even in the midst of a storm! In fact, go back and re-read the previous passage and literally see yourself strong and full of faith. You are God's light on the earth, a city on a hill. Let your light shine!

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of Jehovah is risen upon thee. For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but Jehovah will arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" - (Isaiah 60:1-3 ASV).

PRESSING IN

James 1:12 encourages each of us to persevere in pressing into God's revealed PURPOSE for our life so we may influence lives and bear fruit that remains for His Kingdom.

Our worthiness comes that Jesus and His righteousness has already made us worthy of all good things given to us from the Father. We are not to condemn ourselves for our weakness and feeling faint-hearted but rather renew our minds to our new Christ identity – old opinions of ourselves have passed away and we are now effective firebrands for changing the way people perceive their role in advancing His Kingdom.  

We persevere due to the finished work on the Cross! We will reap because in our salvation (sozo) we have healing, deliverance, prosperity and all that is needed to demonstrate the power of God in our lives and the lives of others.

We must develop the mind-set that -- we are not defined by our past, what people think of us, or our circumstances - but only by who we are in Christ.

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." - Colossians 1:27

We step into our future (God's CALLING on our lives) with great boldness and confidence knowing certain that Christ has paid the price for complete freedom.

PRAYER:

Father, You are the God of Light and I thank You that You have a pathway of light planned for me.  I will not grow faint or weary in flight but continue to rise up in greater faith. I place my faith in the finished work of Christ that completely transforms. Thank You for the grace You are giving me to advance in my Christ calling and potential. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[red4filthfanfic]

You’re gonna have to find a better reason, just like she’s going to have to find a better defense, then, just saying you believe in the fact that the race, or the election was stolen. Unless you are referring to the fact that Donald Trump himself tried to steal the election and still lost, then there’s no point in peddling any of these stupid ass lies. Our fucking country is at stake here for a bunch of petty political posturing going on in the DC bubble.

The trident of truth I holding my hand. And it has already spoken. He may find a way to get off on these charges but that will be merely a technicality. His guilt and aid to the riders or insurrectionists is more than obvious. It’s time to move on. At most he would have four years. Because we’re sure as hell not going to let them subvert the country. Tommy Tuberville is an example of someone who is propagating the insurrection which is still going since January 6. He’s making sure the military is out of sorts, so that they can’t stand in the way of Donald Trump assuming a roll of dictatorship. So Democrats I suggest to fucking do something about that real fucking quick. Because if you don’t, you’re going to get caught flat-footed again. You need to anticipate the nefarious Ness from the Ultramega. As Mitt Romney said, in his farewell, video of sorts, call Dara many people on the GOP side who don’t even believe in the constitution.

America are you fucking listening? There are many people on the GOP side of a fuck. That is no way to run a fucking country unless you’re planning on running it into the ground. Our enemies, Russia, North Korea, and China times, are currently plotting to stock Russia up against the Ukraine, using weapons from North Korea. They are all AutoKratz pulling for autocratic rule around the world.

We’ve been treating him with kid gloves and anyone who would admit otherwise is a fucking liar to themselves. I am so damn tired of hearing white people tell me or tell anyone else how they’re convinced that the election was stolen or there was fraud once again unless they know about fraud that was committed on the Republican side that’s still lost. Wake up. No one said you have to be. Woke to open your eyes and see in front of you what’s happening the grift and where is all that money now nowhere in the pockets of lawyers and he still needs more money so he’s gonna keep asking for more money. If you think for one moment that he’s trying to sign up to be president for another four years for the good of our country once again, wake the fuck up.

Lying to you and why are you lying so hard.

Does this have to do with white exceptionalism? White Virgili? White grievance? White privilege? White power? White supremacy? White savior syndrome? Or white expectation? I mean the caucasity of it all! And trust I speak, Caucasian with respect to the caucasity of it, all fluently, and that’s on 100. Hell you can put it on 200 if you want to. And if you’re feeling real frisky bet it on black I doubt it. So go ahead better on red I’m still big red.

But my shade of red is NOT the same shade of red you see right now, the blood red that Maga and Ultramega have all over their hands. From the blood of the slain black man at the hands of the police, to the blood of the slain children, in the almost countless number of mass shootings at schools, churches, grocery stores, etc. 

My shade of red is right of center, but left of chaos. My shade of red belongs in the red white and blue through and through, our democracy, western democracy, and our constitutional republic included. My shade of red, white and blue is not about the congressional elites, it’s about me and you. Don’t let them win. This world is ours together, united, not divided. Doing onto others as you would have others do unto you. Loving thy neighbor. 

We can agree to disagree. We can have a positive discourse. We can have the difficult conversations and the tough dialogue’s so that we can change the old narratives together. Politicians are servants to the public. Think about that they are servants to us. We pay their salaries. So we don’t need to worry about our control over them, they’re more worried about their control over us. And as you can see by January 6, there’s a reason to be worried. Once again, don’t fucking kid yourself into thinking that was just another day of visitation. Bye random visitors.

#bebetter



[childofchrist1983]

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. - Romans 13:8-10 KJV

We all know that we are called to love – even the unlovable and that's the problem. Part of this issue resides in the question of what constitutes love. We say we love our parents, our spouses, our children, our friends and then we say we love pizza or chocolate, or our pets. What's the difference in these loves? Is it choice or is it feelings or does it just mean preference?

When we talk about the love that Jesus Christ has for us as the type of love we are to have for others, we are talking about a lot more than feelings or preference. We are talking about a choice to put the other person's needs first, to only want the good of the other. When we are upset with the choices the other person has made, or the ways that someone has caused us pain or injury – that becomes a very difficult thing to do.

I do like the way people sum up the Golden Rule: Don't do to someone what you would not have someone do to you. This is a kind of love that sums up the law that can be easier to live with and obey. We all know that we don't want to be cheated, lied to, be stolen from or have our property vandalized, etc. so if we don't do this to anyone - including our enemies - we are better able to keep God's Commandments by not being unloving. Whatever works for us as we come to terms with loving our enemies as well as our friends and families, is to the good and approval by God.

God loves all of us equally, something our human minds and hearts sometimes find difficult to copy. May He help us to be better at following His example and the example of the Son, Jesus Christ. May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time daily to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful Lord, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in the Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[htubmanrenrappingblog]

YES*AGING/NO-CRIMINAL???

**OHMIGHTYGODHOLYLIVINGONLYGOD: BLESS…JOEBIDENWITHA2024-2028WINPLUS& THEU.S.A.WITHAMOSTEXCEPTIONALWIN… FOR2024VOTEBIDEN/DEMS/U.S.A.DEMOCRACY LEADUSNOT*INTO-THE-hands-OF-trump------ EVILNESS-republicans/LYING/MISLEADING------ FAKE-media-POLLS/INSIDE-FAKES/ETC.???!!! **OHMIGHTYGODHOLYLIVINGONLYGOD: ALSOGREATONLYGOD:FORGIVEMEFOR [LIKEJONAH]MYTURNINGFROMTOTAL… COMPLETEFAITHINMYGOD& FORTURNINGTO-only-providing-2024information!!! **O'GREATONLYALMIGHTYGOD: REDEEMYOURHOLYLIVINGFAITHFULWILL… ALLOVER&ALLUP…UP…GOD:UP…WITHIN*ME: *Jonah 2:2… “And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” King James Version(KJV)!!! **OHMIGHTYGODHOLYLIVINGONLYGOD: ANOINT:AGAINPRESIDENTBIDEN… INTODAVIDANOINTEDVICTORIES!!!:

1 Samuel 17:22… “And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.”King James Version(KJV)!!! 1 Samuel 17:28… “And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.”King James Version (KJV)!!! *1 Samuel 17:47… “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with

sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.”King James Version (KJV)!!! **OHMIGHTYGODHOLYLIVINGONLYGOD: ANOINT:AGAINPRESIDENTBIDEN… INTODAVIDANOINTEDVICTORIES!!!: *1 Samuel 18:28: “And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.”King James Version (KJV)!!! *1 Samuel 18:29: “And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.” King James Version (KJV) *1 Samuel 20:41… “And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.”King James Version (KJV) *1 Samuel 22:1-23: 1David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.

2And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

3And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.

4And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.

5And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

6When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)

7Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;

8That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

9Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

10And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

11Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.

12And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

13And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?

14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?

15Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.

16And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.

17And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

19And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

20And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.

21And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.

22And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.

23Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard. King James Version (KJV)!!! *1 Samuel 24:12 “The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.”King James Version (KJV)!!! **OHMIGHTYGODHOLYLIVINGONLYGOD: ANOINT:AGAINPRESIDENTBIDEN… INTODAVIDANOINTEDVICTORIES!!!: *1 Samuel 28:16&17: 16Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 17And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:King James Version (KJV)!!! |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

[source-of-support]

When in Hell, turn the other cheek and Love thy Neighbor.

As far as philosophies go, being in hell doesn't preclude showing love for the least of these. Nor for those who call themselves enemies. It sounds comforting to me when I see that I have access to power along with the assurance that I can show love to those I know deserve it, (Everyone? Every being?), and somehow receive love back despite my flaws and shortcomings. It's quite liberating to know that in giving love I can receive love. Giving Love is a mirror-ed act when one realizes "I too am worthy of this gift." It has nothing to do with a myth as heaven or hell or salvation. Giving Love no matter what is a sentiment that has potency of a sort that coexists with and dupes the senses when it is shared as an experience during a moment imbued with meaning. Perhaps the Buddha is right, or Christ was right. This feeling of meaning is the presence of mythical beings and happenings. What a myth allows a person to perceive is the ground of their being as a pretend that is not pretend. A contradiction of the sort that formalizes to A is not A. A losing of oneself in the actions of the story. We see what people are unable to do with Christianity. it has died as a story in many people's vocabulary of mythic action because of this A being not not-A.

It is liberating to show love. And with this palpable and present energy clinging to the act of giving love, such a vital symbol needs a guide for it to be put into its proper orbit or course where it can coexist with other energies. Energy can be seen coursing chaotically during a manic break or a revivified outlook on a dry and dying inward landscape. Having a mode of experience to orient one's energies is important to give life back to a landscape such as ours. Am I saying Love represents the highest good? The myths on our bookshelves show Love is a good. Christianity may be that for some. Others I will not speak for. And that Love can be maddeningly misunderstood in its implications and conveyance to another when improperly applied to the situation one wishes to express it in, making one fervently wish for a coat rack to hang the day up on and to rest inside the love that is easily understood. Leaving one with a desire for the energies inside to swell no more but to rest.

If an energy, as Love, takes the form of a guide - as the Buddha or Christ - I would say that understanding that guide is an enterprise worth undertaking. What follows is that enterprise through the lens of Jungian symbolism. Love, in this view, is an end in itself. A symbol among many others whose ends are themselves, whose movement is never ending and whose essence is of symbolic action and not stillness and idleness in resting on the laurels of the previous day's festivity of life. In the body of the human whose love it is - whose energy it is - Love is a symbol whose embodiment in reality, and whose symbolism, is thoroughly a verb and almost never a noun. To begin with the ordinary world, language relates experiences, shows intent, prescribes behaviors, and outlines understanding, etc. This is what I would guess at as the definition that I assume many would call language as such. When, however, language of a different sort, a Jungian sort, talks of Vitality and Life-fulfillment, it becomes a language whose precepts speak without a comprehension of logic as we understand it --- a thing is said to be identical with itself, A is not not-A ---- a language of dreams or myths, however, speaks of A being not-A while being A as well.

This is a language whose understanding is predicated on a formalism based on the character and environment of the person's own experiences, the clothier so to say. A language as a vehicle for, and also a symbol of, the binding of the body's energy to a universally accessible Jungian Collective Unconscious indicates a vocabulary that is wholly symbolic. The language consists of mythic figures as possessors of the body's energy; a vocabulary of action whose efforts are to be reflected on; a syntax of timelessness whose clothing is the proper mode of enacting the entire ordeal; and a message of purpose to restore to the proper place and ownership those energies the symbols and actions the mythic figures speak to indicate they should go back to. I just wanted to tell my friend that even in dark and hellish places there reside those who have seen and prepared for those times. Like Carl Jung, whose efforts resonated enough in me for me to relay them here, though I am a rather poor guide, having an incomplete understanding of the material, but possessing enough vitality from the material to attempt to explain this vivifying concept in what I sense to be a grim atmosphere.