#may you die out swiftly and all your children (should you god forbid have any) all come out as trans

[13beachesxx]

real tempting to jump into a terf’s notes and start yelling at them for the shitbrained pieces of soulless egomaniacs they are, but i just hit the block button instead

[imagine-loki]

A Warrior’s Life

TITLE: A Warrior’s Life

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Forty-Three AUTHOR: wolfpawn ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Viking Loki coming to your village, raiding, and pillaging, before deciding there is something about you that intrigues him and deciding to take you back to Asgard with him. There, you are forced to learn a new life and language, and though you hate what has happened to you, you learn that Loki is not as bad as you think.

RATING: Mature

Maebh shrieked as she woke once again in a cold sweat, the baby within her showing its lack of joy at her sudden movements and noises by pressing a small foot against her side as she tried to sit up in the bed.

For a week straight she had the same dream, her birthing the child as Loki waited outside in the barn, fixing and mending anxiously, only for her siblings to be there speaking with him. Though she thought the idea, even in a dream of her lost loved ones meeting the man she adored should really fill her with delight, her recent sense of foreboding meant it was anything but.

She heard a knock on the door, a moment later; Nafi’s head peeked around it. “Mother, are you alright? Do I need to inform someone the child is coming?”

Maebh smiled at his concern. “No sweetheart, I just had a nightmare, the baby is not on its way yet. Please go back to sleep.”

“Okay, but if you need me, call me okay?” Nafi headed back out the door.

“It’s supposed to be the other way around you know? I am supposed to worry about you.”

“Father told me to care for you. I swore I would, get some more sleep Mother.”

Maebh laughed as she heard him go back into his room, but the smile swiftly fell from her face. Grabbing one of the pillows from Loki’s side of the bed, she curled around it, savouring the last essence of Loki that still clung to it as she tried to settle herself to sleep once more. But regardless of her attempts, she could not shake the concerning fear that filled her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Loki lay still as Ásvaldr’s healers cleaned the wound, hissing as they took away the old bandage and replaced it with another. “It is healing.” The healer told the king, who in turn told Loki.

The Æsir prince nodded, though he was glad to hear of his progress, he was aware that his recovery was slower than he knew it should be. “How long before I will be fit for travel?” he queried.

Ásvaldr translated. The healer looked at looking sceptically before answering. “Not for at least another month if he continues to heal at this rate, perhaps even longer.” Ásvaldr turned to Loki, who clenched his jaw at what was said was translated.

He would not be able to return to his home before his child was born; there was simply no possible way. Maebh could die bringing their child into the world and he would forever have to think of how the last time they spoke, he promised his return soon. He could never get to apologise to her for leaving her to deal with everything.

Thor remained silent as Ásvaldr translated all that was being said when at last he took his leave, he walked over to Loki. “At least you are healing brother; we can take some solace in that.”

“It could all be for naught. If anything happens to Maebh birthing the child, I may not see her again until Valhalla, or what if my child does not get a chance to live in this world, what if it is taken before I even get a chance to see it, to hold it. Or Gods forbid, both?” Tears seeped from Loki’s eyes.

“You cannot think like that Loki. I understand your worry; we were in Vanaheim until the last moment when Sif birthed Thodin. You cannot let such worries engulf you, they will do you more harm than you know.” Thor insisted. “And as for Maebh, she has survived so much, she is a formidable woman for one so small, she will take childbirth in her stride, as she does with everything else. I said before she has good child bearing hips.”

“When are you leaving?” Thor stared at Loki. “Come now Thor, we are long overdue home, the news was sent that negotiations ceased over two weeks ago, you cannot wait any longer to return, but I am not yet fit for travel.”

“I am not leaving you alone here.” Thor's voice was somewhat desperate.

“You have little choice, you must return and tell father of all that has happened so that Asgard may keep its side of the bargain.”

“But you cannot stay here alone Loki.”

“Be reasonable Thor.” Loki was becoming exacerbated. “I cannot heal any faster, you will have to go back without me, I will return in due course.”

“You are my brother, and you are in this position because you were protecting me, I cannot just leave you here.” Thor's voice was getting higher with panic.

“You are also the future king of Asgard, do not be so sentimental brother, it will do you no favours.” Loki responded. “Just promise me something.”

“Anything brother.”

“You will make sure Maebh is alright, and the child. The time is close now, she could birth any day. Tell her that I will do everything in my power to return to her.”

“Of course Loki, I will ensure she and the children are well taken care of until your return.” Thor swallowed back tears of his own, feeling as though Loki was making a wish on his deathbed more than anything else.

“And with regards the child’s name.”

“Surely you would want to do that upon your return.”

“The child could remain nameless for a great deal of time if that were the case.” Loki stated matter-of-factly. “Tell her Vali for a son and Freya for a daughter. I owe that Goddess a great deal for answering my prayers, it seems only right to show her my gratitude in such a manner.”

“They are fine names, and I will be sure to tell her. You will be home soon enough, and we will be sitting at your child’s naming ceremony very soon, I guarantee it.”

Somehow, Loki did not share his brother’s enthusiasm.

The next day, Loki lay in the bed as he said goodbye to his brother and friends, praying to the Gods that this was not as it had been for Baldr, but the faces on his Aesir brethren did not leave him with much hope.

XXXXXXXX

Maebh struggled to stand as she rose from the bed. It irked her greatly that she was under strict orders to remain in bed as much as possible, but she knew it would be over soon, the child was close to birthing, she could sense it. She looked down and smiled while she caressed her rotund stomach, earning her a strong kick from the child within. “You are restless little thing aren’t you?” she laughed. After a moment she sighed, she thought that Loki would have returned by the time the child would be born, the messengers from Svartalfheim made it sound as though talks had been going well and that most matters had been settled and they were close to returning home.

She sighed again as she walked slowly from the bedroom. In the living area, she stopped and stared at her brother-in-law. “Thor! Where’s…?” the look on Thor's face told her more than words ever could. The air left her lungs but she felt as though none had returned to fill them once more. She gasped and felt herself become lightheaded. Thor jumped forward to prevent her falling.

“He is not dead Maebh, just injured.” He stated quickly.

“Where, where is he?” she asked, relief flooded her body immediately at being told he was still alive.

“He remained in Svartalfheim, he is safe there.” Thor tried to convince her, but he lacked conviction.

“What happened to him?” Thor gently placed her in a chair as she looked to him for answers.

“We completed the talks and were attending the feast to celebrate. Loki and I were talking outside with regards our anticipation of returning home. Loki saw a man coming at us with a knife, he protected me, but by doing so, he took my place, and the knife pierced him instead. He has been very weak, but is slowly recovering. Ásvaldr has executed all who took part in the attempts on our lives. I, myself carried out the beheading of the man who stabbed him.”

“But if the talks had been completed, why would they do such a thing?”

“Most were happy to see Ásvaldr ascend to the throne, and in his entering talks with us, but others were not, and wanted revenge for what happened in the past.”

Maebh rubbed her face with her hands, and willed the tears in her eyes to remain unshed. Swallowing hard she looked up again. “What am I supposed to say to Nafi?” she thought to herself aloud.

“I can speak to him if you wish?” Thor suggested.

“It is better to have me say it, I know Loki is your brother, but it is best he hear it from me.”

Thor nodded sadly. “It is my doing, I was supposed to the one they attacked, not him.” Guilt filled his voice. “Now he is to be in Svartalfheim until he is recovered.”

“Loki will always defend you Thor, even to his own detriment. I hope you will always remember such.”

Thor looked at Maebh as she stood once again with difficulty. “I will.” He swore. He looked to her swollen stomach. “The child has grown greatly in our absence.” He smiled sadly.

“Indeed it has, I fear its arrival to be very imminent.” She rubbed her back where it was aching slightly. “I was hoping that Loki would be home for its arrival, now it appears I will have to hope for his child to meet him at all.” She bit her lips together as the tears fell.

“He will.” Thor tried to convince her. “Father is livid; he wants new war for what has happened.”

Maebh swung around to face Thor once more, furious. “So Loki’s life hangs in the balance and it may be for nothing. Everything that has been achieved, what he may die for, may be obliterated? Has he taken leave of his senses?”

Thor knew better than to attempt to argue with her. Maebh was formidable at the best of times, adding to that she was worried for Loki as well as heavy with child meant she was as vicious as a cornered wolf. “I tried to say such to father, but I not sure he is listening to reason.” Thor watched as Maebh retrieved a warm pelt and headed toward the door. “Where are you headed?” He asked, though he already knew the answer.

“To the village, where else?” she barked angrily.

“Should you not ready the cart, I do not think it best for you to walk such a distance.” He suggested as he watched her leave the yard by foot, having previously thought she would at least call for a horse.

“I do not have the patience for such.” She replied, not even looking behind her.

Thor took his own horse by the reins and walked along side her. “Are you able for the journey?” She silenced him with a single glare. Thor said nothing else for the remainder of the journey.

XXXXXXXXX

Frigga was still in tears and Odin sat angrily swearing vengeance when Maebh and Thor entered.

“Maebh dear, did you walk here?” Frigga gasped on seeing her near panting daughter-in-law. “You should be resting; Eir told you that you are going to cause yourself great stress if you do not rest enough.” She warned.

“The stress of a short walk is nothing in comparison to the stress of not only finding out my husband is near death in a foreign land, but that all he strived to achieve, all his life hangs in the balance for, could be destroyed for no other reason than ego.” She glared at Odin as she spoke.

“So like Thor, you think we should sit back and do nothing?” Odin snarled. “The child you bear may never get to meet its father because of what they have done.”

“I do not think even one as wise as you is more aware of that fact as I am. It will be I that will have to raise his children without him if he dies!” She replied, tears of anger and despair in her eyes as she was forced to voice her deepest fear. In her peripheral vision, she saw Thor attempting to console a distraught Frigga. “But if war begins again, what will that achieve? She asked. “How will that benefit him?”

“They must learn…” Odin began.

“How can they do so more than they already have? Their own king sent them to lose their heads; he even permitted our men to carry out the sentence. Ásvaldr has proven his willingness to keep the peace.” She argued.

Odin remained silent for a moment, thinking to himself. “So what do you suggest we do?”

His question took Maebh by surprise. She spent a moment thinking of what she had been taught as a child by her own father, of thinking of what was the best course of action for all and not just for personal want, whatever that may be. “We send Heimdall and a few more warriors with a message, we thank Ásvaldr for his actions and inform him we too wish for the treaty to remain intact, and we ask that he make his way to Asgard at his earliest convenience after Loki’s return to honour him and his men for all they have done. We show the people of Svartalfheim that we are above vengeful acts and in doing so, show all the realms that Asgard is a fair and powerful realm.” She answered, waiting to gauge Odin’s reaction.

“Your father must have been a very wise man to have bestowed such wisdom on one so young.” Odin acknowledged.

Maebh smiled. “Cunning is as important as wisdom, and knowing when to use it gives a king, or indeed a queen, great power.”

“You and Loki are well matched, he too holds such traits. Let it never be said that I was not willing to risk war to avenge what happened to him.” Odin sighed, slouching in his chair in defeat.

The queen walked over to Maebh. “Now that you have said what you wished, please Maebh, I beseech you, for the health and well being of your child; take to the bed and rest as you have been told to do.”

“I was resting when Thor came to my home; he did not seem to think it important enough to alert me to his arrival. I have rested enough.” She argued.

“It matters little if you feel rested, the child is in need of you not remaining on your feet for too long, the last thing you need is to have the child come early.”

“I shall ready a cart to bring you home.” Thor insisted, rushing from the room.

Within moments, Sif arrived with Modi. “What is this I have been told of you walking here?” The older woman demanded. “Have you taken leave of your senses?” She snapped. “Why are you not sitting even now?”

Maebh sighed as Sif scolded her. “And I suppose you were the most obedient of child bearing women?”

“I was under no instruction from the healers to remain at rest, which is the great difference in our circumstances.”

Maebh rolled her eyes, however, much to her own chagrin, she felt exhaustion once more after the stress she had endured in the afternoon, leading her to obey their demands and walk toward the cart.

Thor was waiting on the contraption, she sighed again as she climbed cautiously on board. Frigga and Sif insisted they would both check on her the very next day, and with the arrangements made, Thor directed the cart out of the village.

The route back was quiet, neither party making any attempts to speak. When they arrived back, they were met by a somewhat baffled looking Nafi, standing in the yard. He looked from one to the other for an explanation. “Mother, Uncle Thor, where is father?” He half asked, half demanded.

Maebh carefully dismounted the cart and Nafi rushed over to her. “He has been injured, but he is still alive.” She assured him.

“Is he at grandfathers? Can I go see him?” Nafi pleaded, desperate to lay eyes on his father again.

“He is still in Svartalfheim I am afraid.” Maebh informed him, holding him close to her. “He will return when he recovers.”

Nafi pulled back from Maebh and took a moment to look to Thor. Without any warning, he lunged at his uncle, hitting and kicking any part of the man he was able to make contact with. “You left him to die there, just as you did Baldr.” He roared, heavy tears falling from his eyes.

Thor tried to pull back. “I had no choice, I did not want to leave him there.” He began to explain. “I feel nothing but guilt regarding his current condition. Had he not been protecting me…”

“It is always about you, precious prince Thor, no one cares about my father, only mother and I. He sacrifices his life for you and you would not do so in return. I wish he had not protected you, I wish it was you there and him here with us.” The boy shouted before bolting into the house slamming the door as he went.

Thor's guilt was worsened by Nafi’s words. “Should I go after him?” He asked Maebh.

“You should leave.” She answered; her voice quite quivery.

“Maebh, I…”

“Just leave Thor, please; Nafi will not want anyone for a couple of days, and in all honestly, I feel similarly, so it is best if you leave. I will take care of my son.”

Thor watched silently as Maebh walked to the house without glancing backward. By the door, a somewhat startled looking Elli meowed before going over to her mistress and rubbing against her. Maebh bent down gingerly and picked up the cat before heading inside without a backward glance, leaving him alone in the yard thinking about what he swore to his brother, and of his family’s words.

[catcomixzstudios]

How To Life Chapter 56 - Monarchies

If Your Dad’s Good At Leading, Then You Must Be Too!

One thing that has always seemed strange to me is just how popular Monarchies have been in human history. I mean, in theory, I can see the appeal: The current leader (often someone who gained power through military conquest) reigns supreme and then passes that leadership on to their children when they die to create a dynasty. It sounds like a pretty simple and consistent system of government. The one thing you’re going to learn about nearly every government from this point on, however, is that for as great as they sound in theory, they almost always suck ass in practice.

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

To avoid much of the overlap with Feudalism (the two often go hand-in-hand), I’m specifically considering a Monarchy to be an entire nation under the rule of one Monarch. They might end up going to war with the nation next door at times, but there’s only one Monarch’s face on the money within their own borders. I mean, it’s often just Feudalism on a bigger scale when it’s between Monarchs of multiple nations, but there’s more centralized leadership when it comes to Monarchy. And by centralized I mean it’s usually one asshole calling all the shots and hoping they don’t get poisoned by whoever wants their chair.

Now, it’s not a secret by this point that all governments have some level of corruption, but from this chapter on, it’s going to become way more evident just how stupid of an idea it is to give total power to a very small group of people without any real way to make sure they use it responsibly.

Monarchies, in an ideal situation, would be stable and simple. One Monarch rules over everything (or at least have final say on everything) and would do their best to keep things running smoothly and protect their people. They might be willing to hear from their people about what issues need to be dealt with and have the power to swiftly deal with them. If they’re really cool, they’ll even encourage their people to get educated and prosper. And once they’ve grown old and are not long for this world, their offspring will take the crown and continue this era of peace, growth, and stability.

What almost always actually happens instead though, is that it’s a shit-show run by one asshole wielding supreme power and using it to make life great for them. They’ll rarely view their population as much more than cheap labor and only protect them because they need someone to be willing to die for them. It’s not to say that power always corrupts, but even good people may do really bad things if no one can stop them.

The simplistic aspect of Monarchies is unsurprisingly not usually so simple. If the Monarch has multiple children before they die, leadership is often bestowed on the oldest child. But then most of the other kids will want (or even actively try to make) something bad happen to their older sibling. And this is the best case scenario.

If the Monarch doesn’t have any children, then the real fun begins. Some Monarchies give power to the widow, or whoever is the closest advisor to the Monarch, or don’t really have any plan at all and there’s a huge power vacuum that will threaten the stability of the entire nation. I mean, most people secretly want their Monarch dead anyway, but getting that wish rarely turns out the way they’d hope.

Monarchs having an heir is critical. Much of the drama they live through comes from who they’re going to marry and have kids with. They need to pick someone with good connections who can assist in maintaining the power structure. Most also arbitrarily decided that only the male lineage matters, so their daughters are just viewed as prizes to marry off and pop out more kids. God forbid somebody can’t produce offspring (whoever’s fault it is, it will almost certainly be blamed on the woman). The whole goal is to create a lasting dynasty in the name of whichever ass-clown first took over; as soon as they can’t have a boy to marry off to some girl to ensure things stay stable, things get messy.

Of course, finding someone from another family they can trust is difficult. Hell, most of the time they can’t even trust their own family. Still, you’ve gotta find someone to have kids with to make sure the dynasty continues. Some Monarchs found a loophole by just marrying their siblings or other family members. All cultures and specific types of Monarchies are different, so whether this is a genius move or absolutely disgusting depends on the nation itself. Personally, I think it’s both.

But whatever, the Monarch has found a partner (that may or may not be their sibling) and have had children. Now they’ve lived a full life, and are ready to pass away and leave leadership to their oldest child. This person and their siblings were likely raised from birth to lead, and now must take charge. And how well they’ll end up doing is a complete and utter crapshoot.

To be fair, even electing leaders is usually a total crapshoot, but at least there’s a choice in the matter. The child who ends up taking the crown might end up much better than their parent, sure, but if they have no idea what the hell they’re doing, the nation is stuck with them until they’re inevitably assassinated by a family member and/or possible lover.

Transfers of power rarely goes smoothly in Monarchies. Even with set rules for how new leaders are chosen, everyone has their preference for who should be on the throne. Often it is themselves, or it’s somebody who can be easily manipulated, or it’s someone who will kill all of the right people to make life great for themselves. The average citizen of a Monarchy is usually screwed no matter who’s in charge. It’s really not a fun time for anyone.

So much for simple and stable.

Over time, humanity has rightfully decided that Monarchies are pretty shit. Most have abandoned them altogether, but for others, old habits die hard. Some nations have a Constitutional Monarchy, which basically means they have set laws (and often elected officials) to govern, but also still have a Monarch. The Monarch in a Constitutional Monarchy usually does fuck-all; while they still hold a little political power, the main thrust of it comes from the constitution and a real government. The Monarchs in this case are more of a mascot than anything.

All in all, Monarchies are really not that great, and the first in the line of governments where giving absolute power to one person or a small group almost exclusively backfires disastrously.

PROS:

- Provides the most common governing structure for fantasy stories

- Can be simple and stable

CONS:

- Is rarely simple and stable

- In fact, it’s usually just a circle-jerk of selfishness and incest

GENERAL RATING: Mostly awful. Almost any of the advantages for this system are exceedingly outweighed by the negatives. Everyone’s trying to kill everyone else to gain more power, and the average citizen it usually screwed no matter who wears the crown. For everyone single good Monarch, there are probably at least five awful ones coming. While elected systems are going to have bad leadership too, at least in those cases, they don’t have to wait until someone murders whoever’s in charge for change to happen.

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