#master king malik

[bakawitch]

I wrote a silly little ramble for an au version of that one nutcracker au @ninjam117 expanded on in this post where Yamima and tkb get to lay hands on Atem before he could zap Malik away XD

I wrote this in a franzy, and I did not bother to clean it up, so it's not perfect, but at least I wrote something that I actually posted for once in awhile lol

Four Can Fit

"Mouserkin," Malik murmured, testing the odd name on his tongue as he kicked his feet over the armrest of the makeshift lilac throne Ryou gifted him.

"Bakura Mouserkin. That's your name?" He echoed back with a bewildered expression, casting a suspicious glance at the decrowned rat loitering behind his well cushioned chair.

"Yep," came the unceremonious response from above him in the same lethargic tone Malik has gotten used to from the rat- or, well, Bakura, he supposed.

"That makes no sense. You're a rat, why would you be called 'Mouserkin' of all things?"

An amused snort left Bakura's lips at Malik's very justifiable question, beryl-like eyes blinking open from behind the iridescent palmette. The ex-king lowered his arms down to the splat of the throne, hoisting himself over the very top in a way that his entire body weight was supported by the spacious back of the throne with his feet dangling beneath him. As intimidating rats could be, Malik found that despite their bravado, they were still quite small with the tendency to be adorably silly, even in this dream-like world.

"I'll have you know that I've had many squirrel siblings, and they were all called Mouserkin as well," Bakura announced with a self-assured leer as he hung suspended above Malik, an occasional swish of his hairless tail hinting at some kind of mischief in the making.

Malik could only blink at the oddly positioned man breaching his personal space in frustrated confusion.

"How is that even possible...?" He grunted, trying to logic his way through a feasible explanation of how a rat could have squirrel siblings, keeping the possibility of Bakura just outright lying to him for shits and giggles headfirst in his thought process.

"Y'see- when a mommy mouse is feeling especially promiscuous one night-"

"Eww- no! I don't want to hear that!" Malik shrieked, swiping at Bakura for even daring to make him think of such a revolting thought, incredibly missing the cocksure rat by a margin, causing said dethroned rodent to burst out in an uncontrollable cackle fit.

Malik glared at the manically giggling rat, internally cursing whichever fairy made him miss. Definitely Atem.

Luckily for Bakura, before Malik could unleash his full fury on him, a faint noise was heard from across the double door leading into Malik's audience room. Bakura's flat ears wiggled at the familiar sound, instantly cluing Malik in on the lovely source of the sound. The grand marble door's right wing slightly cracked open, revealing the reinstated Prince's kind face and ethereal eyes that always made Malik's heart skip a beat.

Bakura immediately pulled himself up from his previous position into a sitting one on top of the palmette, his ears fully stood up from the sight of Ryou's appearance alone. Malik couldn't blame him. Ryou tended to have that kind of effect on people when he walked into a room since his curse was broken. Though he could faintly recall the ex-Rat King looking at Ryou the same way when he saw him still as a Nutcracker and that ugly bat's influence was fully burst.

"Hi," Ryou whispered silently, slipping into the room quiet as a mouse, the heavy door falling mutely shut behind him.

"Hi," the rat murmured back with an almost shy giddiness and a small wave, which was fondly regarded by the Prince.

"Why are we whispering?" Malik grinned, speaking at the same volume as Ryou gracefully strode up to the pastel throne.

"I'm hiding," Ryou confessed with a guilty smile. "It turns out succession is quite exhausting. Room for one more?"

Malik's feet moved before he could will them to, readily making room for Ryou next to himself on the throne without the thought even fully entering his mind. Ryou gratefully beamed at him, making himself comfortable next to Malik on the soft cushioning.

"Thanks," he sighed, leaning into Malik's side, letting weariness take over him, and his limbs go lax.

"Which part about being a literal pince is exhausting exactly?" He asked teasingly as the Prince lay his heavy head on his shoulder, comfortably curling into him even more. Malik could feel the scarlet piercing gaze aimed at the two of them from above, but he decided to ignore it as it didn't feel malicous.

Ryou sighed, "All of it, I suppose? I have so many things to do now... The duties, the lessons... it is quite a lot to get reacquainted with. As a vagrant I definitely didn't have to deal with this much nonsense."

"You're literally the only one in line for the throne. Can't you just not do things you don't want to? It's not like anyone could do anything about it," Malik offered as he weaved his fingers into Ryou's long silky hair. Even its texture felt different from when Ryou was still the Nutcracker...

"As nice as that would be, I still need to fulfil my duties. If I am going to be crowned King soon, I need to be in the know-how about my kingdom and my responsibilities," Ryou explained, though he did not seem all too enthusiastic about it as he sunk deeper against Malik.

"Pff- I didn't do any of that when I overthrew your father," Bakura piped up for the first time since Ryou took a seat next to Malik, still sitting above them. "I just made the mice deal with that kind of busywork." Why he phrased it like something to be proud of was unclear, but in some superficial way, Malik found himself agreeing inwardly.

Ryou's nose scrunched up at the rat's words as he shifted his head to look up at him.

"That's exactly why I need to do this. Because you and your mice ruled the kingdom into the ground."

Bakura visibly flinched at Ryou's words, withdrawing from the conversation by letting his upper body drop down behind the throne, his legs keeping him anchored to the crest rail. His tail completely stilled, perhaps out of guilt, perhaps out of disgruntledness. The rat was more often than not hard to read.

It took Ryou a good couple of seconds to register what he had just said and its true weight. Penitent, the Prince's head sprung up from Malik's shoulder to seek Bakura out.

"I'm sorry, that cane out wrong... I'm just very tired, I didn't-"

"No, no, I did do all that," Bakura firmly cut him off before Ryou could finish, his voice small, almost quivering as he protested Ryou's tact in the matter.

Ryou apologetically sighed, reaching a hand up to gently grip the tip of Bakura's boots.

"Bakura... I didn't mean it like that... It wasn't all your fault. Zorc took advantage of you, you couldn't have-"

"But it was."

Malik couldn't help but feel incredibly awkward right then and there in that situation. The whole conquest and conquering subject was an incredibly touchy subject for both the Prince and the ex-Rat King, and Malik often witnessed them tiptoeing around the topic in conversation. Since he was never directly involved with the incident, it never really did feel appropriate to involve himself in these discussions. But on the other hand, the pain in Ryou's and Bakura's voices always affected him, made his heart ache. He really wanted them to just move past it, but he understood that it wasn't that simple, there was more nuance to it than a simple 'sorry' and 'I forgive you'.

Malik's inner musings were suddenly stalled by a determined huff from Ryou, seemingly all his tiredness leaving his crystalline eyes for the moment as his grip tightened on Bakura's boot.

"Listen to me, Bakura," Ryou started, determination ringing clear in his voice. "I know what you did. But I also know why you did it. I know it was very difficult for you with my father around... Malik told me about what he wanted to do with you."

If it was possible to grow stiffer beyond the level of tension already freezing Bakura's body, then it happened.

"You... know about the execution?" The rat almost rigidly croaked out from behind the throne.

"Sorry," Malik sheepishly whispered, feeling a little burdened for not keeping Bakura's secret.

"I... I know there wasn't anything either of us could have done", Ryou continued. "You we're ambushed, and my father and his soldiers never gave you a fighting chance! It was cruel and unjust, and you only did what you had to for survival's sake. Your heart is not fundamentally evil, and I know you would have never accepted Zorc's deal if it weren't for the dire situation.

"I know that if our roles had been reversed, I would have made very similar if not the same sacrifices and choices you made." The Prince solemnly spoke, his free hand coiling around Malik's for support.

"They were very bad choices," Bakura admitted, his tail anxiously shifting behind his frozen feet.

"At least you can admit they were bad," Malik grumbled under his breath.

"Malik's right. If you can admit they were bad choices, that's already one step towards betterment," the Prince affirmed, his clasp on the rat's feet tightening again.

Bakura stayed silent for a moment, maybe what they said helped a little, but knowing how stubborn he was, Malik had a feeling the discussion wasn't over yet.

As if on cue, Bakura spoke up again.

"But I don't regret them. I don't regret any of the choices I made," the rat growled, pulling his boot away from Ryou's hold and sitting up again, his distraught eyes betraying the anger in his tone.

"I don't regret killing your father," he snarled with furrowed brows.

"I don't think anyone would regret that," Ryou chimed in.

Seeing his point wasn't getting across, Bakura continued.

"I don't regret taking over your castle, I don't regret chasing away the faries, I don't regret taking all seven of your crowns-"

"They do look better on you," Ryou shrugged with a serene smile on his lips.

"I don't regret stealing Master Ginger's rod, I don't regret fighting with him, I don't regret going into the other world, and I don't regret stealing Malik!" He inished with a heaving chest, his face red from hardly breathing throughout his tirade.

A few moments of deafening silence ruled the room as Bakura waited with baited breath for the condemning words to come. But they never did. Instead, Malik's laugh rang across the bright room, which was soon joined by Ryou's chiming one.

"Bakura-" Malik managed to choke out between giggles before he could calm down and finish his sentence. "I don't think anyone here regrets you shrinking me, least of all me!"

"You really should have picked a better example to finish with..." The Prince chuckled in unison at Bakura's flustered expression.

Grumbling, Bakura could only hide his red face in his palms, claws digging into his ratty mane in frustration.

"I hate how little you two hate me for the things I've done..."

"We love you too," Ryou smiled, bidding at Bakura with an inviting finger. "Now stop excluding yourself and join us. This throne is big enough for three," he winked.

"But-"

"We can talk about the other things later, but I don't have the energy for that conversation right now," the Prince promised, leaving no more room for argument.

Peaking out from his hands, the rat tentatively stared at the two of them for some time, like a skittish rodent. It took Malik to provocatively poke his tongue out in a childish manner, for Bakura to finally hop down on to their lap, knocking the air out from both of the men sitting on the throne, but neither of them complained as Bakura flumped down on Ryou's lap extending his feet and tail onto Malik's thighs.

They sat like that in comfortable silence, forgetting all their troubles for the time being.

"Do you think we could make room for a fourth person on this throne?" Ryou mused with a giddy smile. "I invited Chuncho for the afternoon, but I don't really want to get up..."

"He's too tall. We'd have to make him our communal pillow for that to work." The outlander deduced, comfortably placing his arms over the defeated tyrant's legs. "I don't think he'd mind if Ryou asked."

"I could wrestle him down on to the throne for you if he refuses Ryou's princely orders." The rat confidently declared, seemingly over his episode now that he was with the two of them.

"He'd probably enjoy that," Ryou chuckled, contenly settling down next to his favourite people on the throne.

[pandaofsecrets]

Gender-Swapped AtLA

Aang - Aashti, from a Persian word meaning "peace"

Katara - Malik, meaning "wave, rough sea" in Greenlandic and "king, master, ruler" in Arabic

Sokka - Rika, meaning "good reason/logic" in Japanese

Toph stays Toph. She was first conceived as a male character, after all.

Suki - Ren, from a Japanese word meaning "romantic love". Also preserves the alliteration of Sokka and Suki's names.

Zuko also stays Zuko. I considered Zora (from Assamese "zola", meaning "to burn, to ignite", as well as the Slavic word for dawn) and Zuya (from Tagalog "suya", meaning "annoyed, irritated"), but in the end I let it slide.

Iroh - Ilah. The names do sound similar, and I have seen people headcanon he was named after her. Alternatively, Eka, Sanskrit for "one", preserving the joke of the firstborn literally called firstborn.

Ozai - Azar. It means "fire" in Persian and "bad luck" in Portuguese, preserving the "fiery disaster" meaning.

Ursa - Gela, from Georgian "mgeli" meaning "wolf"—as in papa wolf, the male counterpart of the mama bear that Ursa is named after.

Azulon and Azula swap with each other.

[elodee]

HERMIT A DAY MAY - DAY 23

TangoTek x Yu-Gi-Oh

For Tango I picked Yu-Gi-Oh!!

Most people know Yu-Gi-Oh! as a cartoon and card game, but in the original story the pharoah spirit who possesses Yugi is known as the King of Games, as in, all games. So who better to represent Yu-Gi-Oh! than the creator and dungeon master of Decked Out, the ultimate game within a game?

To learn more about Yu-Gi-Oh! and see my style references, continue below the cut.

@hermitadaymay

(The King of Games would definitely donate to Gamers Outreach)

Yu-Gi-Oh! is a manga and anime series about a boy named Yugi Mutou who solves a cursed puzzle from ancient Egypt and is then possessed by the spirit of a ruthless Pharoah who has lost all his memories.

"Ruthless?" I can hear fans of the anime saying. "The Pharoah is a good guy!"

Incorrect! He only becomes a good guy later. Early on he is literally Ancient Egyptian Jigsaw.

In the manga, the Pharoah takes over Yugi's body whenever Yugi is in danger, whether he wants it or not, and manipulates people into agreeing to rigged, high stakes Shadow Games. Once they inevitably lose, he traps them in a Penalty Game (a poetic justice torture scenario) for the rest of their lives or possibly all of eternity depending on the situation. It's really messed up! Highlights of early Yu-Gi-Oh Penalty Games include:

Lighting a guy on fire

Blinding a guy

Telltale Heart-ing a guy

Driving a guy so crazy his rips out his own eye

Blowing a guy up

Envenomating a guy with his own pet scorpion

Electrocuting people

Forcing a guy to endure an illusion of eternal zombie attacks

Trapping people in hell forever

...and more!

The show is way more family friendly and follows a significantly mellowed-out Pharoah and his friends as they battle bad guys with card games that summon monsters to fight on their behalf. It's pretty fun an campy!

However, Yu-Gi-Oh! the show is fairly well known so I also wanted to take this opportunity to introduce everyone to season 0 manga Pharoah, who is literally a serial killing ghost with a gambling problem that's possessing a 16 year old.

If you had an Egyptology phase as a kid, give Yu-Gi-Oh! a watch. If you watched Yu-Gi-Oh! as a kid, go read the early manga.

Style references:

There he is, the King of Games. The heart of the cards guides him but he also full on just, like, cheats too.

Malik, on the left, and Bakura, on the right. These two are villains from the show who are also teenagers possessed by (evil) Egyptian spirits that were trapped in cursed metal knick-knacks. Everyone in this show has Hair with a capital H.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! title design.

[ravenmoodle]

what is KEEPING CROWS ?

a fantasy, comedy story about a group of magic mercenaries tasked with ‘Keeping’ the peace between the human world of the mundane, and the Cursed World of monsters nd magic. The story follows the Keeper group known as the ‘Crows’ and their struggles with monster hunters, feral curses, and the mysteries that hide in the shadows of their own stories.

This is a full story and original world that I intent to animate, but sadly i'm not able to work on it as much as I'd like. If you want to see progress that isn't shared elsewhere, and help me make more of their story- find me on Ratreon.

Other Important ppl:

The 'Boss'- current leader of the Crows, giving them their missions. Bea- the team's main inventor and tech head. a menace. John- serves as the 'tank'. a stoic, blind zombie man. Frost- a soft spoken, romantic, ice elemental. heavy hitter. Kit- Lm's scout and 'assistant'- travels the world. a flirt. LM- Scientist in the Cursed King's court. lack of ANY morals. Lab boys- hiding away.. and with them. valuable secrets. Cursed King- He is always plotting.

(non cannon- doesn't happen in the story/ just doodling for fun) (Semi cannon- cannon concepts but doesn't apply to story in the way presented) (outdated- design has changed)

Info- lore/QnA- (animation) The Main Five- Line up - (refs/ inspo) Cursed Soul types- Safe Cities- Girls line up - (full trilogy) The Web (tm)- Designing Death- Her- Death Blankness- Cursed world Design -

Main Team- Broken Past- Ft. friend art Meeting. Ing.- semi cannon designs over time - Boss' axe- boss - outdated Animation practice- old art redraw- outdated Librarian lookin' ass- Late game concepts- old extras - semi cannon Rooms- Grey's saber form- Mean- Disappointed - outdated oh ghost boy- ego - (outdated /OLD art something sharky- part 2 cat boy hours- extra- again- outdated do you think?- (outdated)

"Villains"- introductions- The Lab Master- LM doods- mouth.- LM's Fall and Fate- extra semi cannon Lab causing problems- non cannon Drinks- Neptune's staff- plus Malik - Can't touch me- outdated Picking Fights- Semi cannon Cursed Pawn- non cannon The Attendant - Extras - Alek Alakazam- semi cannon? The Bramble- More - again - Super Villain- Royal Hunt-

Other Art- Full cast - outdated Creator of Heaven- Chaos twins- '7'/Aurel - extra semicannon? - 5s- extra- Silver Creature- Saber Form- old - Kids, right? - Silver Makes Friends- more friend non cannon More friends for Silver - semi cannon Jackdaws- Anura- 3 to 1- Ultimate Crows cast-

memes (mostly not cannon)- doing something stupid- The Oldest- crows Meet Concrete Garden- Extra The Meme dress- Hey Lab!- semi cannon? Trick r Treat (1) (2) (3) - redemption arcs- meme charts- extra - outdated Gasp! a thing!- Hand em over- outdated

[twopoppies]

Hi Gina ! I wanted to ask if you or any of your followers know of any Beauty and the Beast AUs? I checked your fantasy rec page and couldn’t find any but it’s possible I missed it. Thank you! 😊

Hi, love. The only one I actually know of is this one:

Bittersweet and Strange by keep_calm_and_read_fic (E, 42K)

He agreed to stay so his sister could go free, but he never signed up for this. Beauty and the Beast AU in which Harry is taken prisoner in King Louis 'The Beast' Tomlinson's castle, Master Liam Payne may or may not be a torture specialist, Master Zayn Malik may or may not be the Master of War, and no one will tell him what the hell Niall does around here. Basically, Harry hates his enemy with a passion. Then he kind of has a passion for his enemy. Then he wonders if he and Louis are enemies at all.

Anyone have others they can add?

[ammomancer]

pn character name post...TWO! last name edition and also the random psychonauts around the motherlobe who i didn't feel like including in the first one

including ones that aren't real surnames but are real words/clearly plays on real words. if one is missing assume either it doesn't mean anything/I couldn't find a meaning or I didn't think it needed explaining (e.g. Sweetwind, Doom)

Aquato - clearly a play on "aqua"

Nein - "no" in German

Zanotto - from a diminuitive of Zane or Zani/Zanni, the Venetian form of Gianni, which is short for Giovanni, which is the Italian form of "John" (God is gracious, Hebrew). unrelated but "Zanni" is also where we get the English word "zany"

Oleander - a flowering shrub that is grown as an ornamental or landscape plant despite being poisonous

Cruller - a kind of twisty donut :)

Boole - possibly from a Middle English word for bull

Canola - genericized trademark of a brand of cooking oil. the "can" is short for "Canada"

Zilch - German surname of uncertain etymology, slang for 'nothing'

Athens - after the Greek city, which Athena was probably named after, not the other way around

Lutefisk - Norwegian word for a traditional Nordic fish dish. it's soaked in lye.

Bulgakov - son of Bulgak (Bulgak being a surname in its own right that means "restless" or "troublesome"). Mikhail is probably named after the Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov, best known for The Master and Margarita

Fir - as in a fir tree

Phage - short for bacteriophage; a Greek suffix meaning "eater"

Bubai - Mandarin word meaning "invincible"

Tripe - animal stomach lining prepared for food; figuratively used to mean nonsense or valueless ideas/writing

Fideleo - possibly from Latin "fidelis", faithful/loyal

Cooper - barrel maker (English)

Soleil - "sun" in French

Houndstooth - a fabric pattern (that Becky does not wear)

Rolls - likely alluding to fat rolls

Bonaparte - French-ified version of Buonaparte, an Italian surname meaning "good match" or "good solution"

Teglee - derived from famed black velvet painter Edgar Leeteg; "Leeteg" was originally "Lütig", which I can't find a straight answer on what that means

Inflagrante - from "in flagrante", a shortened version of "in flagrante delicto", a Latin term that literally translates to "while the crime is blazing" and basically means "in the act"; it can refer to being in the act of doing something bad but particularly when shortened also means. well. in the act of Doing A Sex

DeLucca - alternate spelling of Italian De Luca, "[child] of Luca"; Luca ultimately meaning "from Lucania"

Pokeylope - pokey (slow) + lope (to walk slowly). good turtle name

Loboto - clearly a play on "lobotomy"

Forsythe - man of peace (Scottish Gaelic)

Natividad - Spanish for "nativity", meaning birth but particularly referring to the births of Mary or Jesus. a common name in the Philippines in addition to Spanish-speaking countries

Martinez - son of Martin (Spanish). "Martin" is derived from "Mars", Roman god of war and root of the word "martial"

Joseph - "he [God] will add" (Hebrew)

Gette - variation of Goethe, derived from "Gott" (God in Middle High German as well as modern German)

Neriman (also spelled Nariman) - a name of Persian origin, possibly meaning "brave mind"

Potts - topographical name. if you lived near holes in the ground you might have gotten called Potts

Malik - "king" in Arabic and various other Semitic languages; as a surname, is most common in India and Pakistan

OKAY now for the miscellaneous motherlobe NPCs

Brianne - "hill" or "power" (Celtic)

Chet - short for Chester, "fortress" (Latin)

Colin - young dog (Scottish)

Crenshaw - possibly "twisted wood" (Old English)

Dustin - from Thorsteinn, "Thor's stone" (Old Norse)

Evan - from the Welsh form of John

Forrest - take a guess.

Frank - Frenchman, more or less

Hawkins - diminuitive of Hawk or of Hal (from Henry, "home ruler", Germanic)

Jared - descent (Hebrew)

Kim - diminuitive of various names

Kramer - shopkeeper, merchant (German)

Lance - land (German/Old Saxon)

Larry - short for Laurence, "from Laurentum" (Latin)

Lori - short for Laura (laurel) or Lorraine (kingdom of Lothar, a Frankish king)

Sherri - from "cherie", French for darling

Susan - lily (Hebrew)

Thad - short for Thaddeus, Greek name of unclear origin

Whitlatch - "white path" or "white stream" (Old English)

[chibichibisha]

OC Asks Masterpost

After a million years I’ve decided to answer Twisted Wonderland asks about my oc’s!

Sorry for the delay, but I wasn’t on the mood or inpired in the slightlest in the last couple years. I’m not active in the fandom nowadays but there are some asks worh answering for my oc archive (that I will set up someday haha) and for those still want to know! Ofc I still love my bbys from NRC!

if you are still interested in them, here is master post of several asks with some info!

General

Not oneshots but a sum up of how my oc’s canonly meet Yuu/MC in the story

Ermine: Meets Yuu in Heartslabyul chapter. When Ace and Deuce chase Grim around the school, the group find Ermine being harassed by Savanaclaw students. Before they can have some sort of answer, Ermine flees saying he has no time, looking visibly distressed.

Nahal: At the Savanaclaw chapter. Nahal is around complaining about Leona’s general behaviour, until Yuu and the others find him talking with Jack. He later joins to help stop Leona’s plan.

Rossain and DeShawn: At the Savanaclaw chapter. When Cater helps them to look for Magishift players in other’s dorms, Rossain and DeShawn are introduced as Octavinelle players, as well as first years and the rivalry relationship they have. They try to harass them and Rossain tries to flirt with Yuu. At their negative, they get mad and Grim scratches DeShawn’s face.

Gilmo: At the Octavinelle chapter. Gilmo is seen to be around the Mostro Loungue when Ace and Deuce are forced to work. He introduces himself politely to Yuu as Octavinelle’s advisor.

Malik: At the Scarabia chapter. He speaks to Yuu the first time they stay at the dorm calling them “Man cub” then he mysteriously warns them about Jamil,

Virginie: At the Pomefiore chapter, as part of the VDC group. He is introducing having a rivalry with Epel during the whole week and being mad at RSA students.

Kero: At the Pomefiore chapter. Kero accompanies Ortho to the VDC audition and as a confrontation with Ace. Deuce introduces him due to them being clubmates.

Cornelius: At the Ignihyde chapter. Yuu mistakes him for Malleus at first, but then they realize they are not the same person. He mysteriously introduces himself as “the dethroned king” but then says it’s a joke. He gives them insight about what his family knows about Styx.

Dr. Tusk: At the Hearstlabyul chapter, introduced after Riddle is taken to the infirmary and explains the overblot effects.

Dion: At the Scary Monsters event, when he gets lost and Yuu finds him at the school surrondings.

Theodore: At the Pomefiore chapter, as he attends the VDC to support his school. He is seen with Chenya when Yuu meets him.

Ermine: He is actually thankful for Yuu for helping out in dealing with Riddle’s terror reign, but reminds them every time he has no time to hang around. He isn’t probably fond of Grim, as the monster makes him slip his “herald” persona, all calm and collected, easely, leting everyone to see his more frustated and short-tempered personality.

Nahal:  Constantly reminds Yuu of studying properly and how important is the academic aspects of the school. He would be the same with Grim, but a bit more severe. They would clash a lot and Grim would find him too uptight and annoying.

Rossain and DeShawn: They tried to harrass Yuu and make use of them for the Octavinelle dorm first, with Rossain flirting with Yuu and DeShawn threatening Grim for being a cat. They would probably still try to tease them around for hanging out with Ace and Deuce.

Gilmo: He thinks of Yuu and Grim as other of his dear grandchilder. He politely invites them to Mostro Lounge everytime they meet and “to be good” to Azul.

Malik: Calls Yuu “man cub” and generally treats them with indifference, though it’s clear he is interested in them one way or another. Ignores Grim as much as he can because he finds him too lowly for his attention.

Virginie: Treats Yuu as he treats everyone else, in a condescending way because he has that kind of personality. But he warms up to them after the Pomefiore chapter. He still thinks lowly of Grim and considers him a vulgar creature.

Kero: They didn’t have the best start, with Kero thinking they are talking at Idia and Ortho’s back, but Kero opens to Yuu pretty quickly and considers them a friend, talking to them whenever they can and inviting them to stuff around the school. He has a dislike to Grim tho, and still threatens him with “eating” him.

Cornelius: He likes Yuu and Grim alike. He might be percived as “odd” by them due all this talking about death while Cornelius consider them friends already. He is too unawaredly cryptic so it’s an interesting dynamic.

Ermine: Rabbit’s hole - Can open two portals that teleport the user when they cross them. Cannot control it properly yet.

Nahal: Morning report - Can convert his memories into physical documentation, like magical holograms. These are exact and accurate to the reality. He can only use it once a day.

Rossain and DeShawn - Not developed yet.

Gilmo: Your last chance - Lends certain amount of “magic energy” to someone else, granting them the ability to spend more energy or “fuel” than they naturally possess. The amount of energy landed will get back to Gilmo when the time (three days) is overdue, making the former person weak or extremely tired from the withdrawal. The catch is the payment bears interests, the more this magic energy is lend, the more he gets back. 

Malik: Tiger’s eye - Paralyzes the target when locking eyes.

Virginie: Mine me the gold! - He can charm, persuade, influence or make people (multiple at once) more reasonable to his liking, while the targets retain their concience and awareness. The effects wear off after a time.

Kero: Hell’s guardian - Can extract the “anima” of a person for a few minutes, giving them an extracorporeal experience. After the time is overdue, the person comes back to normal, completely unharmed.

Cornelius: Not revealed yet.

Dr. Tusker: Pink Elephants - Makes the target dizzy and disoriented, giving them hallucinations of their own imagination.

Cane Twins & Gilmo

This is a part of the Pomefiore chapter where they seem talking about being choosen in the audition for the money and fame instead of Ace and Deuce, as always, rivaling them. Since this does not happen and they lose to them, Rossain suggest this while the actual VDC group is rehearsing, as vengeance. This does not come into fruition because Vil finds out Rossain’s idea and punishes him with his Unique Magic, as a member of the Film club. It's worth to say DeShawn was not convinced of this plan and it’s played mostly in a lowkey comedic way.

Rossain is the one who cries, DeShawn is the one that gets scared, I have no doubt about this. I hope this help you out lmao

Translation: If DeShawn is Aro/Ace, does that mean he is not gonna fall in love ever? I mean, if he doesn’t feel any romantic or sexual feelings, he is not gonna fall in love. I want to see DeShawn shipped with someone.

DeShawn es Aro/Ace y eso significa que no está particularmente interesado en ninguna relación romántica o física. No significa que no pueda pasar, pero sería algo excepcional y eso tampoco cambiaría su orientación.

Translation: DeShawn is Aro/Ace and that means he is not particulary interested in any romantic or physical relationship. That doesn’t mean that it can’t happen, but it would be an exception and that wouldn’t change his orientation either.

Yes, he has cute moments! He is just a complicated teenager with a lot of repressed energy and behavour problems, but he holds very strong bonds, specially with Ross and Gil of course and he makes friends in the school. DeShawn is actually very excitable when facing a challenge, and he has the most fun when he is playing sports. He becomes a little kid with adventurous things and likes when Gil praises him for a good work, craving recognition form authority figures.

Rossain is actually protective of DeShawn (as the same way around) because he is fairly misunderstood by others. DeShawn is the only one Rossain is honest with about his inferiority complex.

He would probably snarl at him, and that would mean problems because Chenya would prank him to no end, and would make DeShawn very angry. The only cat-like person he respects is Leona because he gained that respect in the Magift club, just like Jack respects Leona after the Savanaclaw chapter.

Deuce and DeShawn’s relationship is not good at the start of the story, mirroring Ace and Rossain rivaly relationship too.

They are the “same character concept” so it’s natural they class. Both duos are first years in different classes, they are clueless students about the status quo of the school and slowly learn how to navigate it.

With Deuce and DeShawn specifically, they are rough kids with strong personalities and very sport competitive. They can be seen on the verge of fighting when provocked, in contrast with Ace and Rossain fighting with witty words mostly.

Both duos learn to see eye to eye with time, and they kind of become friends as the year develops. Deuce and DeShawn understand each other better than Ace and Rossain, who keep their complicated relationship longer.

Back at the Savanaclaw chapter, Ace and Deuce (with Yuu and Grim) meet the Cane Twins and there’s already some sort of ackowledgement between them because of join classes, but they never speak much. This time, they clash because the twins try to harass Yuu and Grim and assert some sort of position as “superior” to them.

Deuce instantly tries to protect them and DeShawn is very confrontational to him, because they both tend to resolve things throwing hands first. Nothing bad happens though, because Grim ends scratching DeShawns face. It represents this scene in the movie.

Ross and Gil are actually impressed that the Magishift club handles DeShawn so well, specially Ruggie for that matter. It helps that DeShawn is in a context where the sport lights his mood and makes him spend his high hyperactive energy, and Ruggie catched this the very first time DeShawn entered the club.

DeShawn respects Leona and Ruggie as senior classmates and Ross and Gil feel secretly relieved that DeShawn is actually in good hands and is making friends in something he really enjoys.

Malik

Malik is not very interested in other dorms (or other people, to be honest. He is a guy that likes solitude), but here’s some key moments of Malik regarding Octavinelle members! (+ Octatrio 2.0)

Malik didn’t trust Azul and the Tweels when they came to the Scarabia dorm in the same chapter. He saw them as intruders trying to benefit from the chaos the dorm was in that time.

Can and will easely push Azul into intimidation using his physical appareance (meaning brute force) if Azul ever tries to use him for his plans because he is not fond of Azul or the respect he has to Jamil, considering them the same type of two-faced people, which he hates.

Will feel completely overwhelmed with Floyd’s personality and his swing moods, because Malik hates chaotic tendencies.

Has a neutral almost friendly relationship with Jade thanks to being the only two people at the Mountain Lover Club. They seem to not interfere with the other’s desire much and there’s some kind of respect there.

He is in the same year as Gilmo, but Malik still calls him senpai, due to Gilmo retaking the third year currently. Malik doesn’t have much opinion on Gilmo more than judging him from having too many “kids” around him.

Won’t pay attention to the Cane twins, because they are not that worth of his attention, honestly.

In general, he is not a model senior for the first years, as he is very desinterested for other people and won’t really make them rely on him for anything, or even pay attention to them.

He sees Ace as pretty annoying. He doesn’t like that superiority and smart talk he tries to bring always.

He is more tolerable with Deuce, as Deuce easely shows respect for seniors like Malik, making him have better opinion of him.

Nahal is kind of funny to observe, as how mad he is always with Leona. Due to his good relationship with Leona, Malik pays a little more attention to him, just to kind of laugh about it.

Jack is another first year he can tolerate, but his unflexible attitude also irritates Malik.

The Cane twins are a couple of first years he would not even think about, too much of a problem.

Might think Epel is interesting when his true personality comes to shine, but really won’t think much of him.

Sebek is the best and the worst. Malik likes to see his loyal side to what he believies is superior but then be really overwhelmed for his abrassive attention.

Cornelius

Cornelius is a very taciturn individual and spends his time alone. He is calm, quiet and has this aura of mysticism around him, but funnily enough, he sees himself as an approachable person with a good sense of humor and very family oriented, even if others don’t see him this way.

He is rather romantic, loves the concept of gothic aesthetic; he is captivated by the ephimery of life and the beauty in death, which makes him be seen as a very morbid person. He just has a different conception about these subjects than regular people thanks to his upbringing.

Also very knowledge-hungry, considers “science” his hobby and loves to experiment and old magic artifacts.

Maybe not wear them, but it would be funny that he’d hold corsets in such high regard and be such a nice piece of fashion that everyone knows he’d talk how beautiful they are and, if welcomed, he’d offer them to try the ones he owns. Which may happen and it just another quirky detail about him.

I know this ask wasn’t that serious, but I’m taking the opportunity to say that I don’t really ship Cornelius with anyone else in particular! Not yet, at least.

Malleus and Cornelius are very distant relatives but they remain having an uncanny similarity. Their families were united many many centuries in the past, but Cornelius family lost the royal title and branched out, progressively getting closer living to other species aside the fae. Malleus is more than aware of this, but never treated him differently. They have a very cordial relationship, with similar likings, and Cornelius ackowledges Malleus status and calls him accordingly.

With Lilia is very different. It’s rather one-sided with Lilia not being comfortable with Cornelius presence, but Cornelius is also aware of this and tries to distant himself from them as much as they can. This is due thanks to bad blood that happened in the past, but neither of them talk much about it. Cornelius respects his but does not take responsability for his family mistakes. Lilia does not raised Cornelius and doesn’t want much to do with Cornelius family branch.

Both Cornelius relationships with Sebek and Silver are based on the normal premise of “juniors and senior”. Cornelius tries to take care of them in the absence of Malleus and Lilia, and is kind of responsable with them if they are not around (Like in the Scare Monster Endless Night event). Neither Sebek nor Silver knows much about him aside him being distantly related to Malleus, but they respect him (aside them wondering of why Lilia does not like him)

He is more similar to Lilia in this. His family is much more in contact with modern technology as nowadays they live more in that context, even if they are seen as “obsolete” and “prefering traditional ways” by other people. He knows certain technology and is used to it, at least in a similar way as Lilia, but maybe that’s why he is much more interested in old artifacts his family still hold dear, as family heirlooms. His favorite type are cauldrons.

Dr. Tusker, Dion & Theo

I think Tusker takes his job very seriously and children are his vocation and top priority, no doubt. He would feel bad for those he cannot help more from his field and try to further them in the direction they can be properly helped, always looking for alternatives to make their lives better.

He would also follow the protocol for people having panic attacks, which he thinks is the first thing to do to avoid potential overblots in the school context. He promotes a lot of healthy habits because of this and that’s the reason he is such a flexible person regarding students and their well being.

Tusker and Crowley are in friendly terms. They both have a similar personality regarding taking things lightly and not as serious as it should, so they usually see eye to eye in most cases. Tusker confronted Crowley’s decisions when he accepted to go with Styx in the Ignihyde chapter though, as from Tusker’s side the organization hurted students and they should’ve been taken accountable for that.

With Crewel, the situation is complicated. They are neutral to friendly most of the time, but they have history together. They are former students from NRC and also classmates. Crewel may state they weren’t that close back then and Tusker will say they were best friends, but they had a good relationship back then nonetheless. They act professional as coworkers, but always let slip a level of implicit trust between them that probes that they are in fact, good old friends (or maybe more)

Trein was, in fact, Tusker’s professor when he was a student, so Tusker tends to hold a respect for him that he doesn’t have to others. Trein is also still able to make Tusker “behave more maturely” if he’s too losely in his job, probing that the old dynamic is not so buried.

He has much more of a neutral relationship with Vargas and Sam, but they work together just fine, as Tusker is actually a friendly person.

Dion is comfortable around the NRC staff as he practically knows them since he was a baby. Crewel and Crowley are the adults aside Tusker he trusts most, though he is opening slowly to Trein as well and starts to refer him as “grandpa”.

It is purposedly left to interpretation, in the meaning that is not actually anything specific about what happened. I think the story of a single parent with a child could resonate with a lot of people (like with me) in a a lot of different ways and I like that it can be in a certain way true to anybody that stumbles across his story. Tusker would just say “All that matter is Dion now”

I like to picture Tusker is actually representing Dumbo’s mother. He’s caring, and protective in the right way, and sometimes he cannot be with him as much as he would like, but he is still for him.

Not headcanons exactly this time but here it goes.

Ace and Deuce are first years, but they are familiar with the rivality NRC holds with RSA. They would ask him what he is doing there in an inquisitive way (Ace more than Deuce) but not be very confrontational, which surprises Theo.

Nahal would be lowkey jealous of Theo for assisting RSA, his prefered school and first choice. Unfortunately, thanks to Leona this was not possible, so he is now in the rival school. Nahal would ask any sort of things to Theo about RSA, and be visbly still bothered by his broken dream.

Jack wouldn’t really be into what others usually do, so he probably would help Theo in what he is looking for. Theo would thank him and get a better impression of the students there thanks to him.

The Cane twins? they would totally try to harrass Theo out of the school, or at least intimidate him as other NRC students would do, no surprised here. Theo is smarter than them though, and actually much more diplomatic so even if they are a bit scary at first, he would hold his lane.

Epel would be kind of conflicted, because he has been taught by Vil that the RSA students are their biggest competitors in the VDC, but Theo seems like a nice guy. So talk to him wouldn’t be that bad.

Sebek would be very judgmental, maybe more for Theo being human than a student from RSA, but Theo would find it pretty funny as he wouldn’t expect that at all.

Yuusa & Sa-kun

No, Sa-kun is most of the time his friendly and “normal” self most of the time, only hinting his dark side in very specific moments in which he gives this “odd” or “creepy” vibe that makes other wonder if there’s more to him that meets the eye. This means he never crossed any line with anybody.

Yuusa not having a mouth is mostly an aesthetic decision and also a visual play to break the 4th wall, making obvious they are actually in a cartoonish story where no logic actually plays, since others ackowledge this weird feature about them (among others) and still try to play it as normal, causing most of the time for them to break this 4th wall. Yuusa is a caricature of Mc’s and the alternative universe they are mc for is mostly a caricature of these type of stories!

Now, the unserious reply: Yuusa simply does those things and nobody questions how or why lmao

TL;DR: Don’t take Yuusa seriously, they are a joke.

Miscellaneus

For someone to start creating fanmade sprites for twst, there are out there a ton of tutorials about this since it became popular! I am not really the indicated one for this, but my tips like always are study the official art and try to replicate it step by step! Start with small parts and simple shapes, then pay attention to color and gradients. Shadows and lights are tricky so don’t worry, take your time and also experiment! That being said...

Thank you SO MUCH for ALL these messages!!!! The ones about you loving my oc’s, the ones about giving them hugs, kisses, calling them cute, saying they are your favorite, making lil headcanons about them, loving the ships and the art! Thank you so so so much for your support all these years, it means the whole world to me! I want you to know you are seen and appreciated and you are the reason I created so much for this universe and I will probably keep creating in the future as well. You are the reason artists create and share and build a community. So from the bottom of my heart, please know that I will always love to read you here!!

[asma-al-husna]

Allah calls Himself Maalik ul-Mulk— Master of the Kingdom, the Dominion’s Owner— on one occasion in the Quran. He is the only possessor and ruler of the creation. Maalik ul-Mulk has the supreme authority and ruling power to act, command, and decide in whatever manner He likes!

The King, the Ruler, the Owner of Dominion

Maalik, Malik and Maleek all come from the root maa-laa-kaa, which points to three main meanings. The first main meaning is to have possession and ownership. The second is to have power and ability, and the third main meaning is to control and have authority.

This root appears 206 times in the Quran in ten derived forms. Examples of these forms are malakat (“possess”), mulku (“dominion”), and al-malaa’ikatu (“the angels)”.

Linguistically, maalik is an intensified form and refers to not only having kingship, but being master and lord. The word malik (king) is used for people however the name Maalik ul-Mulk is used for Allah ‘azza wa jall only. He is the King of all Kings, the owner of all owners and the ruler of all rulers, and His Kingdom consists of all that was, is, and will be created!

Maalik ul-Mulk Himself says: Say, “O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all] good. Indeed, You are over all things competent [Quran, 3:26]

The Maalik of the Day of Judgement

In Surah Al-Fatiha Allah ‘azza wa jall calls Himself Maaliki yawmid-Deen: He is the Master of the Day of Recompense and on that day all commands will be Allah’s only. No king or ruler will be able to command anyone to anything nor will any person have the power to do anything for someone else. Maalik ul-Mulk says, demonstrating His complete ownership and mastery over us: Surely the virtuous shall be in Bliss, and the wicked shall be in the Blazing Fire. They shall enter it on the Day of Recompense and then shall never come out of it. What do you know what the Day of Recompense is? Again, what do you know what the Day of Recompense is? It is the Day when no one will have the power to do anything for another, and all command will be Allah’s. [Quran, 82:13-19]

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Remember the Day of Recompense.

Remind yourself of the day that Maalik ul-Mulk will confront you: The Day when they will (all) come out and nothing of them will be hidden from Allah. (On that Day they will be asked): “Whose is the kingdom today?” (The whole world will cry out): “It is Allah’s, the One, the Overpowering.” (It will then be said): “Today shall everyone be fully recompensed for his deeds . . .[Quran, 40:16-17] Every time you say Maaliki Yawmid-Deen in your prayer, imagine standing in front of Him and think of the deeds you have put forward for that day!

2. Reflect on the Kingdom.

Because nowadays most of us live in cities, surrounded by concrete and machines, we forget that in nature more than anything you see the sublime manifestation of the mulk of Allah ‘azza wa jall. When you are caught up in your daily life issues, blowing small problems out of proportion, or when your connection to Allah ‘azza wa jall feels weak, step out of the streets and into nature and let it humble you. Pick up a leaf and feel the texture. Reflecting on the creation is in itself ‘ibaadah.

3. Ask Maalik ul-Mulk.

Use this beautiful Quranic dua to supplicate to Maalik ul-Mulk: Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth: Rabbanaa maa khalaqta haadha baaTilan subhaanaka fa qinaa ‘adhaaban-naar – Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire [Quran, 3:191]

4. Motivate yourself.

Imagine the moment you will enter Paradise; the angels at the gates will welcome you with salaamun ‘alaykum– they greet you with peace, peace that you have longed for all your life. Then you will rush off to your house, the prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, any one of them (believers) will be more familiar with his dwelling in Paradise than he was with his house in this world [Al-Bukhaaree] Make Paradise a reality in your life and make it a clear goal at each start of your day. Allah ‘azza wa jall says: And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion. [Quran, 76:20] Motivate yourself by imagining that first look into the great Kingdom of Paradise!

5. Be responsible in the dominion of Maalik ul-Mulk.

And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.’ [Quran, 2:30] Allah ‘azza wa jall placed you in His dominion with a mission: to worship Him alone and be reformers on earth. How do you know what Maalik ul-Mulk expects from you in His kingdom? By studying the Quran and the sunnah, so you can first read about His commandments and limits with which He guides you. The second step is asking Him for understanding of your Deen, and the third to do your best to act upon your knowledge!

6. Be a good leader.

The Messenger of Allah salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects. A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them. The servant of a man is a guardian of the property of his master and he is responsible for it. Surely, every one of you is a shepherd and responsible for his flock. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim] Never misuse your authority over someone else, be just to your spouse and children and even to the animals, and remind yourself you will be asked about your leadership by Maalik ul-Mulk!

O Allah, Maalik ul-Mulk, we know that You are our only Master and Ruler. Make us remember the Day of Recompense in our words and deeds, aid us to truly reflect on Your Kingdom and be humbled by it. Guide us in being responsible on this earth, just to those under our authority and make us enter Paradise, Your Eternal dominion of pleasure, ameen!

[18-2024]

Kwon Jae-Sung (Alternate Version Headcanon)

Kwon has a deep interest in punk aesthetics, but he didn't feel safe express his interest until Tory encouraged him to do it.

There's a part of Kwon can't help fall in love any strong male fighter he sees from his dojang mate Yoon to the Miyagi-dos such Robby, Miguel, and Hawk to Axel from Iron Dragon.

Kwon is jealous of Hawk, due to his big hawk hair, a symbol of his expression.

Kwon used to spread rumors about girls he alleged slept to keep his sexuality of questions

He is big fan of dramatic conflicts especially romantic ones like Robby and Tory's. Despite him dramatic king himself.

Kwon can hiss like Cobra when feels threatened.

Kwon hates physical affection, being one of his major weakness he truly comfortable with if it's someone he's close to like Axel and Mika

Despite never pulling eye-make, Kwon knows how make himself look creepy with it.

Kwon was lonely kid until Axel became his true friend.

Kwon is a great prankster, being able getaway anyone even Master Kim couldn't figure out it was him.

Kwon unknowingly has queeradar, he sensed Axel's openness to love, Kenji's transgender identity until his perfectly appearances

Kwon tends to push his one-nightstand lovers away from beatdowns or humiliations

Kwon hates doing traditions, wanting to do his own things.

Kwon loves any furry animals, they are only thing that makes him sweet.

After Kwon went his edgey queer self, his became a bit of a romantic, wanting his love life to have a plan to get there.

Kwon interested in traveling , hearing in on Axel's travels.

Kwon developed love-hate with Samantha, but he couldn't help be drawn to her kindness, seeking her guidance for mental balance

Kwon is daddy's boy, feelings the happiest paternal support like Daniel, Chozen or Mike Barnes.

Kwon is skilled hiding his pain until he just can't

Kwon is good with little kids, having playful spirit to Brandon Nichols

Kwon turns out worker than Zara Malik in day and play harder (physically and sexually) in the night

Kwon is excellent dancer

Kwon is very in love, he switches between language without realizing it.

Kwon favorite drink becomes Long Island Ice Shots like Chozen and Kenji

Kwon hates being called sassy, thinking it's an insult.

Kwon hates cleaning due his trauma of cleaning Kim's toilet

Kwon like takes time and effort looking when his makeup self.

[return-to-twisted-wonderland]

Here's Jamil's brother

🐍 🐍

Malik Viper

Malik: Ruler, Master, King

Voice Actors

David Fennoy (English)

Tomokazu Seki (Japanese)

Twisted From: Mozenrath from the Aladdin TV series

House: Scarabia

Personality Traits: Independent, curious, and calculating. Malik is both a knowledge-seeker and a quiet schemer, preferring to work behind the scenes, away from the spotlight Jamil often avoids himself. Unlike Jamil, Malik doesn’t mind using darker forms of magic when it serves his goals, making him a bit of a wildcard.

Unique Magic: "Shadow's Grasp"

Malik’s Unique Magic allows him to summon tendrils of shadow that can bind or immobilize others, or manipulate objects around him from a distance. He can extend his influence to control or interact with people or items within a limited radius, creating an intimidating presence in confrontations.

Utility: Malik often uses this magic for practical tasks, like retrieving distant items or setting traps. It’s particularly useful in situations that require stealth or manipulation.

Combat Use: In battle, Malik can use the tendrils to entangle opponents or form barriers. If focused, his tendrils can disrupt or intercept weaker magical attacks, though they are not strong enough to deflect heavy attacks.

Illusion Overlay: The shadows Malik summons can form illusions, briefly altering his surroundings or creating false images to mislead or confuse others.

Weaknesses:

Light-Based Magic: Light-based or powerful fire magic can disrupt the shadows and weaken Malik's control over them.

Focus-Intensive: Using his Unique Magic requires mental focus; if distracted or emotionally strained, Malik risks losing control of the tendrils or failing to summon them altogether.

Appearance and Outfit

Physical Appearance: Malik has dark brown hair, often tied, with a single streak of silver. His eyes are a piercing amber that can take on a darker hue when he uses his magic. His expression is often calm and observant, with a subtle intensity in his gaze.

Uniform Modifications: Malik wears the Scarabia uniform with notable personal changes:

Accessories: Malik’s hands are adorned with rings bearing protective charms, and he wears a single, ornate golden gauntlet on his left hand, which aids in focusing his shadow magic

Sash and Belt: He wears a wide, deep-indigo sash tied around his waist with silver embroidery, decorated with small, enchanted charms.

Jewelry: A snake-shaped pendant with a gemstone is wrapped around his neck, representing his family’s crest.

Personality: Malik is cunning, ambitious, and highly intelligent. Where Jamil might be resentful of the strict expectations placed on him, Malik sees opportunity in those restrictions, using them to his advantage whenever possible. He doesn’t see himself as a hero or villain but as someone who will achieve his goals, regardless of morality. He’s known to be reserved and slow to trust, but when he does, it’s because he sees value in the relationship.

Backstory

As a young child, Malik was spirited, inquisitive, and adventurous—traits that often got him into trouble in his home. One night, as the winds howled over the shifting sands, Malik ventured beyond the boundaries of his family’s estate, wandering into the vast desert in search of a place to be free, not expecting to be taken to a new world. He didn’t expect to be found by the Guild of Eternal Sands, a diverse group of mages whose headquarters lay hidden in an ancient oasis beneath a rock formation in the desert. Struck by his tenacity and the fierce will in his eyes, the guild saw potential in the boy and decided to raise him among their own, far from the confines of his family.

Malik grew up among this unusual family of mages, watching and learning as they honed their skills in magic and martial arts. The guild was a close-knit group of people who treated one another as family, embracing bonds that went beyond blood. Surrounded by powerful, kindhearted figures, Malik learned not only magical techniques but also values of camaraderie, honor, and loyalty. The members of the guild loved him as a younger brother, a son, and a friend, creating a nurturing yet challenging environment that encouraged him to strive for greatness without fear of punishment or failure. Under the watchful guidance of guild leaders, Malik quickly became skilled in shadow magic, an art he found particularly suited to his quiet, calculating nature. His mentors taught him not only to control the shadows but to shape them into tools for exploration, protection, and even deception if needed. Malik loved his unique abilities, which the guild never discouraged, instead fostering his growth with patience and encouragement. To the guild, Malik wasn’t a weapon or a tool—he was their prodigy, a mage who would one day carry the legacy of the Eternal Sands forward.

Though Malik’s life in the guild was filled with warmth, laughter, and adventure, he couldn’t entirely escape his past. He knew he had been born into a different family, one with its own duties and expectations. Yet, the memories were vague, almost dreamlike, and over time, he convinced himself that his place was with the guild.

His world is based on: Fairy Tail

🐍 🐍

I wasn't sure if I still wanted Malik to be a servant or not, but figured him being apart of guild without the expectations of doing everything for Al-Asim. I think he would be one of the few people in Return Home AU that would want to go back to the world he was taken to.

Next is Vil’s brother then Idia's brother and finally Malleus's brother.

Jamil's sib being free while he himself can't be hurts.

[bakawitch]

Lol Chucky yugioh au where Yami Bakura/Zorc is a british Chucky/Charles Lee Ray

Ryou is probably Andy, Malik is Tiffany/Jennifer, Anzu is Nica, and Glenn/Glenda is Tkb (we joke enough about him being their future child from the past)

[kingdomfled]

isn’t that MALIK NIAMH FEINHALNAAR? i’ve seen them wearing the crest of VARLINNIS. i hear they’re 36, but they’re also a SORCERER. they’ve risen up the ranks to become THE SECOND OLDEST PRINCE OF THE VARLINNIS KINGDOM. they seem to be KIND & TALENTED, but also COWARDLY & INDECISIVE. if you look closely, you'll see their aesthetics include BODY WRAPPED IN FINEST SILKS, GOLDEN CHAINS AND JEWELRY, THE CALMING RUSTLE OF WATERFALLS.

BASIC INFORMATION

FULL NAME: [ MALIK NIAMH FEINHALNAAR ] NICKNAME: [ MAL, NIA, PRINCE ] AGE: [ 36 ] GENDER: [ MALE ] TITLE: [ PRINCE ] PRONOUNS: [ HE/HIM ] SPECIES: [ SORCERER; MASTERED ELEMENT: WATER (OOP) ] KINGDOM + CASTLE: [ VARLINNIS + ATOGTHALNAAR] HOUSE WORDS: [ FROM CINDERS WE RECLAIM ] OCCUPATION: [ PRINCE, BEING PRETTY ] RELIGION: [ THE FLAMED BIRD ] LANGUAGE: [ COMMON TONGUE / MOST DIALECTS ] ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: [ HOMOROMANTIC ] SEXUAL ORIENTATION: [ HOMOSEXUAL ] SEXUAL TEMPERAMENT: [ SUB ] SEXUAL POSITION: [ BOTTOM ]

RELATIONSHIPS

SIGNIFICANT OTHER: [ TBA ] CHILDREN: [ NONE ...YET ] PARENTS: [ KING EAGAN FEINHALNAAR + QUEEN ADARA . ] SIBLINGS: [ RYKER FEINHALNAAR, TBA. ] FRIENDS: [ TBA. ]

PHYSICAL TRAITS

FACE CLAIM: [ OLIVER JACKSON COHEN ] EYE COLOUR: [ BLUE ] HAIR COLOUR: [ DARK BLONDE ] HEIGHT: [ 1.91 METRES / 6'3 FT ] BODY BUILD: [ TALL AND LEAN ] FACIAL HAIR: [ LIGHT BEARD CENTERED AROUND THE MOUTH, EXTENDING TO THE SIDE OF HIS FACE, SOMETIMES CLEAN-SHAVEN. ] TATTOOS + PIERCINGS: [ MANY EARRINGS ON BOTH SIDES, A SMALL PHOENIX (THE FAMILY SIGIL) INK BEHIND HIS LEFT EAR ] NOTABLE PHYSICAL TRAITS: [ UNBLEMISHED SMOOTH SKIN, OFTEN DRESSED IN LONG SILK ROBES - SOMETIMES WITH LEATHER ARMOR UNDERNEATH, BUT OFTEN WITHOUT, WEARS SANDALS ALL THE TIME, MANY MANY MANY GOLDEN CHAINS AROUND HIS NECK, HIS ANKLES, HIS WRISTS, RINGS. THIS MAN KNOWS HE IS PRETTY AND DRESSES LIKE IT. ]

PHOBIAS AND DISORDERS

PHOBIAS/FEARS: [ ARRANGED MARRIAGES FOR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE, LOSING HIS PRIVILEGES, LIVING A LOVELESS LIFE, PEOPLE READING HIM FOR THE INSECURE PUSHOVER HE IS. ] MENTAL DISORDERS: [ HE'S WEALTHY, ROYAL, TALL AND PRETTY WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WRONG. ]

PERSONALITY

INTELLIGENCE: [ MEDIOCRE SMART LEVELS. ] LIKES: [ PRETTY THINGS, JEWELRY, FRUITS, EXPENSIVE WINES, MUSIC WITH A RYTHM, BOOKS, STORIES WITH HAPPY ENDINGS, NATURE (BUT ONLY WHEN HE CAN CONTROL IT; SO GOING SOMEPLACE TO ENJOY A WATERFALL OR SOMETHING, HE DOESN'T WANT TO LIVE IN IT), BEING DOTED ON/CARED FOR. ] DISLIKES: [ THEATRE, CHEAPSKATES, RULERS WITH IRON FISTS, HIS FATHER, SNAKES, BUGS, EGGPLANTS, DOING HOUSEWORK/CHORES. ] POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES: [ KIND, TALENTED, SOFT-SPOKEN, LITERATE ] NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES: [ COWARDLY, INDECISIVE, PUSHOVER, INSECURE ]

AESTHETICS

AESTHETICS: [ BODY WRAPPED IN FINEST SILKS, GOLDEN CHAINS AND JEWELRY, THE CALMING RUSTLE OF WATERFALLS, GENTLE TUNES PLAYING THROUGH THE NIGHT, DANCING UNDER THE STARS, THE SMELL OF BOOKS FILLING THE AIR, THE RUSTLING OF BOOK PAGES ON SUNNY AFTERNOONS, THE LITTLE JINGLE HIS CHAINS DO WHEN HE WALKS OR DANCES THROUGH THE VAST HALLS. ] INSPO: [ KINGS AND QUEENS AND VAGABONDS BY ELLEM, A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES BY CINDERELLA, YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL BY JAMES BLUNT, I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU BY THREE DAYS GRACE, PHOENIX BY CAILIN RUSSO, RUNAWAY PRINCESS BRIDE, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, THE PRINCE & ME, ]

KINKS

KINKS: [ MAKING LOVE. ;) AFFECTION. ROMANCE. MARKING. TEASING. BREEDING. COLLARS. VERBAL FEMINISATION. CHOKING. PRAISE!!! (TELL HIM HE'S PRETTY I DARE U). WORSHIP. HUMILIATION. DEGRADATION. SOMNOPHILIA. WATERSPORTS. FACE FUCKING. TOYS. ] ANTI-KINKS: [ VORE. SCAT. INFANTILISM. ]

BIOGRAPHY

Malik was never destined to be the heir to the throne of Varlinnis. From the moment he could walk, he knew he was the second-born prince, a position of little importance in the grand hierarchy of the kingdom. His older brother, the heir, was strong, imposing, a man made for war, while Malik was softer, more delicate. He preferred the arts, the beauty of the world rather than the clashing of swords or the weight of a crown.

As a child, Malik spent more time with the servants and tutors than with his brothers, often lost in books, his paints, and the melodies of distant lutes. He grew up surrounded by silks and jewels, beautiful things, all of which seemed to serve as a reminder that he was the one who did not belong to the hard and practical world of warriors. His father, King Eagan, often tried to mold him into something more—more like his brothers, more like the strong, reliable ruler he thought his kingdom needed. But Malik resisted every attempt, finding solace in his beauty, his music, and the peaceful world he so deeply treasured.

The King would often bring Malik into the training yard to watch his younger brother spar with soldiers. Eagan would call out to Malik, instructing him to stand straighter, pay attention, learn how to wield a sword, how to defend himself. But Malik was always hesitant, standing awkwardly on the sidelines. He had no interest in striking a blow, even if it was for honor or duty. He would rather listen to the birds sing from the palace gardens or practice his dance steps in his chambers. He loathed the violence, the posturing, the expectation that he would fight and hurt for something as intangible as pride.

It wasn't that Malik was weak—he was far from it. He was tall, graceful, and well-trained in his own right, but his training focused on beauty, grace, and artistry. His magic, water-based, was fluid, gentle, and powerful in ways his father couldn’t understand, though the fact the element that chose him was water only reinforced his feeling of being different. He wasn’t the type to raise a blade to defend his kingdom, but he could make the waters of a river rise in a gentle cascade or soothe the pain of a wounded heart with his calming touch. But none of this mattered to his father. All that mattered was strength, power, and dominance. Malik’s beauty was nothing more than a distraction in his father’s eyes, something to be molded into power.

At a young age, Malik’s gentle nature set him apart, even from his own family. His brothers were tough, both physically and mentally, but Malik was soft, introspective. His beauty was not just physical; it was in the way he moved, the way his voice held a song, the way his blue eyes stared out at the world with a quiet longing. He was born with a natural elegance that just felt effortless, unforced. He just was. But in the kingdom, where warriors were revered above all else, his beauty didn’t hold the same weight.

Eagan became increasingly frustrated with Malik's refusal to follow in his brothers’ footsteps. He pushed harder, forcing Malik into rigorous lessons in swordplay, in military strategy, in the art of leadership. But no matter how hard Malik tried, he could never fit into that mold. He found no joy in the sharpened edge of a blade, no satisfaction in the heavy weight of armor, no thrill in the command of troops. The more his father insisted, the more Malik withdrew into himself, seeking solace in the arts he loved. His mother, though often silent in her support, was a constant comfort during these turbulent times. Her warm embrace was his sanctuary, a place where the weight of his kingdom’s expectations lightened.

But even her quiet support wasn’t enough to shield him from his father’s persistent attempts to shape him into something he wasn’t. Eagan’s frustration grew as Malik’s reluctance to embrace the roles of warrior and leader became more evident. He found no pride in his son’s beauty, his gentle nature, his artistry. All Eagan saw was a wasted opportunity. Malik’s refusal to embrace the strength and stoicism of his brothers—qualities that were so valued in the kingdom—only served to alienate him further from the King’s affections.

As years passed, Eagan began to realize that he could never turn Malik into the warrior he envisioned. The boy simply wasn’t like his brothers. So, instead of continuing his efforts to change Malik, Eagan began to adjust his tactics, manipulating what he could to benefit the kingdom. He threw lavish festivities at the palace, where Malik’s presence would draw attention and admiration. The young prince’s beauty and charm became an asset in the royal court, and Eagan made use of the attention Malik garnered to further his own political alliances. Though it wasn’t the strong, militaristic power Eagan desired, he soon recognized that Malik’s allure and social standing could be just as useful in a different way.

He was less concerned with shaping Malik’s character and more concerned with using him to maintain his own grip on power. For the most part, Eagan ignored Malik, letting him live his life in relative peace at the palace, as long as he attended the events and fulfilled his role as the charming, gentle prince that others admired. But even though Malik was free to go about his days without the constant pressure of training, guards were always in tow, following him wherever he went, ensuring that his safety was never compromised.

Malik found his newfound freedom both comforting and stifling. He was allowed to focus on his passions—painting, dancing, the fleeting beauty of the world around him—but the constant presence of the guards reminded him of the expectations that still lingered. He was free, but never truly untethered.

It was during this time that Malik experienced his first real infatuation, though it was something he kept closely guarded within himself. He had met a young boy during one of the royal events—a noble from a neighboring kingdom, whose laugh was like music and whose smile made Malik’s heart race. They had shared little more than a few words of conversation, but for Malik, it was enough. His heart fluttered whenever their eyes met, but he kept his feelings buried deep within, unsure of how to express them or if they were even reciprocated. It was a fleeting feeling, one that he couldn’t act on, not in a world so focused on politics and duty. He never dared to confess or pursue it, and the boy soon faded from his life, leaving only the sweet memory of stolen glances and racing pulses.

Years passed....

Malik’s 39th birthday came and went like the rest, filled with celebrations that only reminded him of his position: second-born, unimportant, a mere afterthought. The rumors of an arranged marriage began to swirl soon after. His father had already begun discussing his future with suitors in far-off lands, all for the sake of his kingdom. Malik, however, couldn’t bring himself to accept the idea of marrying for duty, of being tied to someone he didn’t love. He was a romantic, a dreamer, longing for something far more than what his father offered him.

The weight of these pressures, the expectations to marry and fulfill his duty, grew heavier. Malik’s heart yearned for love, for a connection, for someone who would see him for who he truly was. He didn’t want to be a political pawn, to be married off to a stranger for the good of the kingdom. He longed for the love stories he read in his books, for the kind of passionate romance he danced to at the palace balls.

The final straw came when his father once again brought up the arranged marriage to a powerful noble family, this time one that would cement Varlinnis’ position among the other kingdoms. Malik knew there would be no escaping this one. His father was insistent, and the pressure was mounting. He couldn’t take it anymore. He couldn’t marry for duty, and he couldn’t be the man his father wanted him to be. Forevermore.

Late one night, he packed what little he could carry and fled the palace. His mother’s quiet approval, though unspoken, gave him the courage he needed. Malik wasn’t sure what the future held, but he knew he couldn’t stay in Varlinnis any longer, not when his heart cried out for something more. Something real.

[bboyplankton]

Hip-Hop/Rap Albums 2024

Tyler, The Creator – Chromakopia

Vince Staples – Dark Times

Rapsody – Please Don’t Cry

Cordae – The Crossroads

Killer Mike – Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival, Songs for Sinners And Saints

Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal

Ransom & Conway the Machine – Chaos Is My Ladder 2

Grafh & 38 Spesh – God’s Timing

21 Savage – American Dream

Conway the Machine – Slant Face Killah

IDK – Bravado + INTiMO

Ab-Soul – Soul Burger

Schoolboy Q – Blue Lips

Che Noir – The Lotus Child

Dave East & araabMUZIK – Living Proof

Larry June – Doing It For Me

That Mexican OT – Texas Technician

Lupe Fiasco – Samurai

38 Spesh – Mother & Gun

Kendrick Lamar – GNX

Smino – Maybe in Nirvana

Premo Rice & Harry Fraud – P Got Game

The Alchemist – The Genuine Articulate

Benny the Butcher & Black Soprano Family – Summertime Butch

Dave East & Mike & Keys – Apt 6E

Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce): Expanded Mourner’s Edition

Boldy James & Harry Fraud – The Bricktionary

Redman – Muddy Waters Too

Megan Thee Stallion – Megan: Act II

Ransom & Harry Fraud – Lavish Misery

Freeway & Jack One – Simulus Package 2

Denzel Curry – King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2

Kid Cudi – INSANO

Benny The Butcher – Everybody Can’t Go

Freddie Gibbs – You Only Die 1nce

Tee Grizzley – Post Traumatic

Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre – Missionary

Smoke DZA – THC3 (Kushedgod Bitch)

Dave East & Scram Jones – For the Love

Joyner Lucas – Not Now I’m Busy

Tobe Nwigwe – Hood Hymns

Moneybagg Yo – Speak Now

Maxo Kream – Personification

Boldy James & Conductor Williams – Across the Tracks

BigXthaPlug – Take Care

Gunna – One of Wun

Boldy James & whothehelliscarlo – Hidden in Plain Sight

Yung Bleu – Jeremy

Capella Grey – Vibe Responsibly, Vol. 1

Action Bronson – Johann Sebastian Bachlava The Doctor

Suga Free & Sporty – Street Communion

Mach-Hommy – #RICHAXXHAITIAN

Blu & Exile – Love (the) Ominous World

Finnese2tymes – Art of War

Wiz Khalifa – Wiz Owens

YG – Just Re’d Up 3

Benny the Butcher & 38 Spesh – Stabbed & Shot 2

Nicholas Craven & Boldy James – Penalty of Leadership

Doe Boy – Been Him

Glorilla – Ehhthang Ehh

Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and The New World

Tierra Whack – World Wide Whack

Philmore Greene – 94 Master P (The Grand Design)

Juicy J – Mental Trillness 2

Curren$y & MonstaBeatz – Radioactive

Paul Wall – Once Upon a Grind

The Musalini – Active & Attractive

Roc Marciano – Marcianology

MC Lyte – 1 of 1

Slum Village – F.U.N.

Elcamino & Black Soprano Family – Built for Cuban Links

Future & Metro Boomin – We Still Don’t Trust You

GloRilla – Glorious

Jay Worthy & DJ Fresh – The Tonite Show Part 2

Mozzy – Brash Dummies

Westside Gunn & DJ Drama – Still Praying

Juicy J – Ravenite Social Club

Elcamino, Real Bad Man, & Black Soprano Family – The Game is The Game

Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You

Childish Gambino – Atavista

Dizzy Wright, Demrick & Mike & Keys – Blaze With Us 3

The Musalini – Tru Player In The Game

BeatKing – Never Leave Houston On A Sunday

Fivio Foreign – Pain & Love 2

Don Toliver – Hardstone Psycho

Kid Cudi – Insano (Nitro Mega)

Curren$y & DJ.Fresh – The Encore

J. Cole – Might Delete Later

Lloyd Banks – Halloween Havoc V

Ice Cube – Man Down

Gucci Mane – Greatest of all Trappers (Gangsta Grillz Edition)

Joell Ortiz & The Heatmakerz – W.A.R. (With All Respect)

Casey Veggies & Dylvinci – Nostalgia

The Musalini & 38 Spesh – In God We Trust

Blu – Royal Blu

Devin Malik – Deadstock: Alt Ending

42 Dugg – 4eva Us Neva Them

K Camp – Float 2 London

Animé – .mp3s – EP

Logic – Ultra 85

Buddy – Don’t Forget To Breathe

Future – Mixtape Pluto

Roc Mariciano & The Alchemist – The Skeleton Key

Mustard – Faith of a Mustard Seed

Big Hit, Hit-Boy, & The Alchemist – Black & Whites

Meek Mill – Heathenism

Mozzy – Children Of The Slums

Ghostface Killah – Set The Tone (Guns & Roses)

LL Cool J – The Force

Lyrical Lemonade – All Is Yellow

Stalley – Peerless

Talib Kweli & J. Rawls – The Confidence of Knowing

KXNG Crooked & Joell Ortiz – Tapestry

Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium, Vol. 1

EarthGang & Spillage Village – Perfect Fantasy

Santé – Still Local

Latto – Sugar Honey Iced Tea

Raekwon & AZ – The Tonite Show and G.O.D (New York Deluxe Edition (2 for 1))

Jay Worthy & DāM FunK – Magic Hour

Maino – Mainovation

Curren$y & DJ.Fresh – The Tonite Show The Sequel

Kash Doll – The Last Doll

Rakim – G.O.Ds Network – Reb7rth

Rowdy Rebel & Fetty Luciano – Splash Brothers 2

The Alchemist, Oh No, & Gangrene – Heads I Win, Tails You Lose

Nappy Roots – The Brew Day Ep 1 – EP

Westside Gunn – 11 – EP

Mozzy & Kalan.FrFr – Lucky Her

Dom Kennedy – Class of 95

LaRussell & Hit-Boy – Rent Due

French Montana – Mac & Cheese 5

G-Eazy – Freak Show

Casanova – I Get It Now

Coi Leray – Lemon Cars – EP

B.o.B – Space Time

A Boogie wit da Hoodie – Alone – EP

Duke Deuce & Made Men Mafia – Tribe

Jaden – 2024 A Case Study of the Long Term Effects of Young Love Jaden

Apollo Brown & CRIMEAPPLE – This, Is Not That

Illa J & Ash Walker – Off Days in London – EP

Big Sean – Better Me Than You

Chief Keef & Mike Will Made-It – Dirty Nachos

Hit-Boy & The Alchemist – Theodore & Andre – EP

Bossman Dlow – Dlow Curry

Lil Uzi Vert – Eternal Atake 2

Polo G – Hood Poet

JT – City Cinderella

Playboy Fresh – Heartbreak Tape Deluxe

Dizzy Wright – Harsh Reality

Dizzy Wright – Trial and Error

Big Yavo – The Giant

BlueBucksClan & Hit-Boy – Biggest Out the West

Dot Cromwell & Tiara Imani – One Day, Under the Stars – Single

Dizzy Wright – Emotional Discipline

TyFontaine – Ascension2: Complete Collection

Rich Homie Quan – Forever Goin In

Flo Milli – Fine Ho, Stay

The Game & Big Hit – Paisley Dreams

Flau’jae – Best Of Both Worlds (Deluxe)

Dj Booker & NLE Choppa – The Chosen Ones

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign – Vultures 2

[briankeene]

F.A.Q. The End Of The World As We Know It: Tales From Stephen King’s The Stand

What follows are the Frequently Asked Questions for THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT: TALES OF STEPHEN KING’S THE STAND — a forthcoming anthology edited by myself and Christopher Golden. Please bookmark this page and check back from time to time, as I will update things as they develop.

Q: What is this, exactly?

A: An original short story anthology based on master storyteller Stephen King’s #1 New York Times bestselling classic The Stand!

Since its initial publication in 1978, The Stand has been considered Stephen King’s seminal masterpiece of apocalyptic fiction, with millions of copies sold and adapted twice for television. Although there are other extraordinary works exploring the unraveling of human society, none have been as influential as this iconic novel—generations of writers have been impacted by its dark yet ultimately hopeful vision of the end and new beginning of civilization, and its stunning array of characters.

Now for the first time, Stephen King has fully authorized a return to the harrowing world of The Stand through this original short story anthology as presented by award-winning authors and editors Christopher Golden and Brian Keene. Bringing together some of today’s greatest and most visionary writers, The End of the World As We Know It features unforgettable, all-new stories set during and after (and some perhaps long after) the events of The Stand—brilliant, terrifying, and painfully human tales that will resonate with readers everywhere as an essential companion to the classic, bestselling novel.

Q: Who is in the book?

A: Featuring an introduction by Stephen King, a foreword by Christopher Golden, and an afterword by Brian Keene. Contributors include Wayne Brady and Maurice Broaddus, Poppy Z. Brite, Somer Canon, C. Robert Cargill, Nat Cassidy, V. Castro, Richard Chizmar, S. A. Cosby, Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes, Meg Gardiner, Gabino Iglesias, Jonathan Janz, Alma Katsu, Caroline Kepnes, Michael Koryta, Sarah Langan, Joe R. Lansdale, Tim Lebbon, Josh Malerman, Ronald Malfi, Usman T. Malik, Premee Mohamed, Cynthia Pelayo, Hailey Piper, David J. Schow, Alex Segura, Bryan Smith, Paul Tremblay, Catherynne M. Valente, Bev Vincent, Catriona Ward, Chuck Wendig, Wrath James White, and Rio Youers.

Q: Who is the publisher?

A: Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, are publishing the hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook editions in North America. Various foriegn language editions will be published by various foreign publishers.

Q: So there will be hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook editions?

A: Yes. The hardcover and the eBook are already up for preorder via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all other booksellers. (Note: as of 10/16/24 Amazon’s hardcover link does not yet work, so check back often or use a different bookseller). You can also preorder from Overlook Connection and get a limited edition dust jacket by Glenn Chadbourne, as well as other cool collectibles.

Q: What’s the cost?

A: The hardcover is listed at $35. The eBook is listed at $16.99. The hardcover that comes with the extra dust jacket from Overlook is $69.95.

Q: Will there be a signed limited edition or a special collector’s edition of some kind?

A: Probably, but it is too early to say for sure.

Q: You listed the contributors above. Anything more you can tell us about the actual stories?

A: Sure. The book is split into four parts. Part One takes place during the initial spread of Captain Trips and the dreams. Part Two takes place between the migrations to Boulder and Las Vegas and the Hand of God moment. Part Three takes place after the conclusion of the novel, detailing the world in the decades that follow. And Part Four takes place… well, that would involve major spoilers.

Here is the finalized Table of Contents:

Foreword by Christopher Golden

Introduction by Stephen King

PART ONE: DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS

Room 24 by Caroline Kepnes The Tripps by Wrath James White Bright Light City by Meg Gardiner Every Dog Has Its Day by Bryan Smith Lockdown by Bev Vincent In A Pig’s Eye by Joe R. Lansdale Lenora by Jonathan Janz The Hope Boat by Gabino Iglesias Wrong Fucking Place, Wrong Fucking Time by C. Robert Cargill Prey Instinct by Hailey Piper Grace by Tim Lebbon Moving Day by Richard Chizmar La Mala Horla by Alex Segura The African Painted Dog by Catriona Ward Till Human Voices Wake Us, And We Drown by Poppy Z. Brite Kovach’s Last Case by Michael Koryta Make Your Own Way by Alma Katsu

PART TWO: THE LONG WALK

I Love The Dead by Josh Malerman Milagros by Cynthia Pelayo The Legion of Swine by S.A. Cosby Keep The Devil Down by Rio Youers Across The Pond by V Castro The Boat Man by Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes The Story I Tell Is the Story of Some of Us by Paul Tremblay The Mosque at the End of the World by Usman T. Malik Abigail’s Gethsemane by Wayne Brady and Maurice Broaddus

PART THREE: LIFE WAS SUCH A WHEEL

He’s A Righteous Man by Ronald Malfi Awaiting Orders In Flaggston by Somer Canon Grand Junction by Chuck Wendig Hunted to Extinction by Premee Mohamed Came The Last Night of Sadness by Catherynne M. Valente The Devil’s Children by Sarah Langan

PART FOUR: OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE

Walk On Gilded Splinters by David J. Schow The Unfortunate Convalescence of the SuperLawyer by Nat Cassidy

Afterword by Brian Keene

[twopoppies]

hi! are there any larry beauty and the beast aus or something similar? thank you 🐑

Hmmm. There’s this deleted fic that was very popular at one point:

Bittersweet and Strange by keep_calm_and_read_fic (E, 42K)

He agreed to stay so his sister could go free, but he never signed up for this.

Beauty and the Beast AU in which Harry is taken prisoner in King Louis 'The Beast' Tomlinson's castle, Master Liam Payne may or may not be a torture specialist, Master Zayn Malik may or may not be the Master of War, and no one will tell him what the hell Niall does around here. Basically, Harry hates his enemy with a passion. Then he kind of has a passion for his enemy. Then he wonders if he and Louis are enemies at all.

I know there was a Disney fest a while back, but I can’t recall the blog name now.

Anyone else have any beauty and the beast fics?

[nakibistan]

Inspirational Queer Muslims you need know about them

Tuways

Tuways or Tuwais was a renowned Mukhannath individual in the early days of Islamic Arabia. His/Her real name was Abu Abd al-Munim Isa Abdallah al-Dhāib. In Arabic, the name Tuways or Tuwais means peacock. They were born in 632 AD in Medina, on the same day Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) passed away. According to various scholars, Tuways is often described as one of the leading Mukhannath musicians of Medina during his/her lifetime. He/She served as a mawlā of the Banū Mak̲h̲zūm, under the patronage of Arwā bt. Kurayz, the mother of the Caliph ʿUt̲h̲mān b. ʿAffān.

Tuways initially gained recognition by performing melodies learned from Persian captives & went on to become a celebrated musician during the Rashidun Caliphate, the first Islamic Caliphate. According to some accounts, he/she was a devout queer Muslim and was never blamed for his/her queerness.

al-Dalal

al-Dalal was a Mukhannath poet & musician, based in Medinah. Not much is known about his life. Tuways was his/her master and he/she was one of the favourite pupil of Tuways. al-Dalal is often portrayed as a witty but sometimes crude male who "loved women" but disliked to have sex with them. Few accounts report that he was a bisexual, had sexual encounter with both woman & her groom.

During the reing of Umayyad Caliph Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, al-Dalal, along with other Mukhannathun were persecuted for their boldness. They were forcefully castrated. They were enslaved by Umayyads.

Abu Nawas

Abū Nuwās (also known as:Abū Nuwās al-Salamī, Abū 'Alī) was an openly gay poet, and the foremost representative of the modern (muhdath) poetry that developed during the first years of Abbasid Caliphate. He also entered the folkloric tradition, appearing several times in One Thousand and One Nights.

He attended a Qur’an school and became a Hafiz at a young age.His youthful good looks and innate charisma attracted the attention of the Kufan poet, Abu Usama Waliba ibn al-Hubab al-Asadi, who took Abu Nuwas to Kufa as a young apprentice. Waliba recognized in Abu Nuwas his talent as a poet and encouraged him toward this vocation, but was also attracted sexually to the young man and may have had erotic relations with him. Abu Nuwas's relationships with adolescent boys when he had matured as a man seem to mirror his own experience with Waliba. Abu Nuwas wrote poetry in multiple genres; Abu Nuwas’s diwan, his poetry collection, was divided by genre: panegyric poems, elegies, invective, courtly love poems on men and women, poems of penitence, hunting poems, and wine poems. His erotic lyric poetry, which is often homoerotic, is known from over 500 poems and fragments.

Mahmud of Ghazni

Yamin-ud-Dawla Abul Qasim Mahmud commonly known as “Mahmud of Ghazni” or “Mahmud Ghaznavi”. He was known as a great sultan of Ghaznavid Empire. But he is also controversial for his invasion in indian subcontinent & treatment of non-muslims. Besides, he is regarded as icon of queer love.

Mahmud was a bisexual muslim. Mahmud had 9 wives and innumerable concubines as well as male slaves. Mahmud of Ghazni's name is often associated with a man named “Malik Ayaz”. Malik Ayaz was a handsome Turkic-Georgian slave brought by Sultan Mahmud. He was a very close companion of Mahmud; was very devoted to the him and fullfilled his all wishes.

The relationship between Mahmud and Ayaz is highly celebrated in Persian poetry and literature.There are a set of 6 poems by Farid al-Din Attar that are inspired by this relationship. Sa'di, a 13th-century poet includes 2 stories about the lovers in his best-known work, Bustan, a collection of reflections on human nature. The chapter “Concerning Love” describes someone complaining that Mahmud’s favourite slave “possesses no beauty.” Upon hearing this, Mahmud responds, “My love, O sir, is for virtue, not for form or stature.” The second story depicts the king travelling with some of his men when an overturned chest of pearls is discovered; all except Ayaz go after the pearls. Questioned by Mahmud about the possibility of gaining riches, Ayaz explains he wants nothing. “I walked in haste behind thee, I do not occupy myself with riches away from thy service.” Nidhami-I-Arudi, a 12th-century Ghaznavid court poet describes the well-known and famous love of Sultan Mahmud for Ayaz, though he explains that Mahmud, being a “pious and God-fearing man,” wrestled with this love. One night after drinking a lot of wine, Mahmud couldn’t ignore Ayaz’s beauty: “Thereupon love plucked the reins of self-restraint from the hands of his endurance, and lover-like he drew him to himself.”

Zahīr ud-Dīn Muhammad (Babar)

Zahīr ud-Dīn Muhammad commonly known as Babar or Babur. Babar was the founder of the Mughal Empire. He was a Bisexual & was also the first queer ruler in Mughal Dynasty. Babur's religious and philosophical stances are characterized as humanistic. Babur was an acclaimed writer, who had a profound love for literature. His library was one of his most beloved possessions that he always carried around with him, & books were one of the treasures he searched for in new conquered lands. During his 47-year life, Babur left a rich literary and scientific heritage. He authored his famous memoir the Bāburnāma, as well as beautiful lyrical works or ghazals, treatises on Muslim jurisprudence (Mubayyin), poetics (Aruz risolasi), music, and a special calligraphy, known as khatt-i Baburi.

He married multiple times but had little attraction towards women. Babur had an affair with his male slave named Baburi Andijani (also known as Baburi). Babur rescued him from the Uzbek camp market in 1499. Babur mentioned his lover's name several times in the "Babarnama" and expressed his feelings towards Baburi without fear. Babur even wrote several Persian romantic poems about same gender love. It is also claimed that Babur built Babri Masjid as a token of love for Baburi Andijani (well, I am not pretty sure)

Maryam Khatoon Molkara

Maryam Khatoon Molkara was a well-known transgender rights campaigner, broadcaster & volunteer in Iran, where she is widely recognized as a matriarch of trans communities. Maryam was later instrumental in obtaining a letter which acted as a fatwa enabling sex reassignment surgery to exist as part of a legal framework. After the Islamic Revolution, Maryam faced intense backlash due to her gender identity. She underwent arrests, and death threats. She was fired from her job at the Iranian National Radio and Television, forced to wear masculine clothing, injected with male hormones against her will, and detained in a psychiatric institution. Later she was released by the help of religious leaders.She also fought for legal recognition of trans people in Iran.

In 2007, she founded the Iranian Society to Support Individuals with Gender Identity Disorder (Persian: حمایت از بیماران مبتلا به اختلالات هویت جنسی ایران) the first state-approved organization for transgender rights in Iran. Before this, she used her own property in Karaj to help other transgender people receive legal advice and medical care, including post-operative care. She continued advocating for other transgender people and bailing them out of prison after they were arrested, even knowing she would likely face violence for doing so.

Sally Mursi

Sally Mursi was an Egyptian transsexual entertainer.She was most controversial figure in Egypt for her sex reassignment surgery.Sally was born in a religious muslim family.Sally was a student of Al-Azhar, which is renowned as one of the world's most prestigious universities for Islamic learning. She completed her sex reassignment surgery in 1988. When Al-Azhar's Medical School for Boys came to know about her sex-change operation, they refused to accept her as their student.

She was also accused of trying to get out of military service and was ordered to report for induction into the army. Army doctors examined her, and finding that she was a woman, concluded that Sally was not medically fit for military service.Sally was refused a transfer to Al-Azhar’s Medical School for Girls. So she filed a case against Al-Azhar Medical School later which stirred a nationwide controversy. Despite going through many problems, she didn't stop her fight for her rights.

At that time Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar, issued a fatwa that Sally's change was necessary for her health but that before the operation she should for one year dress, behave and comply with all obligations of Islam for women (except for marital obligations).This fatwa was the first Sunni ruling on sex reaffirmation surgery. Eventually Sally won 2 legal rulings against the Al-Azhar school, but it ignored them, and also blacklisted her at other medical schools.So she completed her education from Cairo University on literature.Sally also legally married with a man in Egypt. But still transsexuals like sally faced discrimination & harassment in Egypt.

Bülent Ersoy

Bülent Ersoy is a popular transsexual singer and actress of Turkey. Often nicknamed Diva by her fans. Ersoy's some of the famous hits are "Ümit Hırsızı", "Geceler", "Beddua" , "Maazallah", "Biz Ayrılamayız" and "Sefam olsun". Ersoy Ersoy began her career as a male singer, in the genre of Turkish classical music.Her grandparents played classical Turkish music and she first took private lessons and then studied at Istanbul Municipal Conservatory. Already one of Turkey's most popular singers and actors, she gained international notoriety in April 1981 after having sex reassignment surgery in London by a British plastic surgeon. She kept the name "Bülent" even though it is a typically masculine name. After the operation, Ersoy found herself in opposition to 1980 Turkish coup d'état of Kenan Evren. In a crackdown on "social deviance," Ersoy's public performances were banned along with those of other transgender people. To circumvent the ban, she petitioned the Turkish courts to legally recognize her as a woman.The petition was rejected in January 1982. Days later, she attempted suicide. In 1983, she left Turkey in protest of the Evren regime's repressive policies and continued her career in Germany. Along with her musical career, she made several Turkish movies in Germany.Later Ersoy came back to turkey when Evren left office and many of his policies were rescinded.