#maybe that’s even more reason for them to be afraid

[archangeldyke-all]

reader being jealous bc girls where hitting on plug sev at the house party

maybe some jealous sex?!

oh fuck yes

men and minors dni

it's hard for plugs to compete with dispensaries nowadays. so, since you've started dating her, you've started helping her add a little extra flare to her buisness.

you buy her cute little baggies to make deliveries in, tying ribbons around the top just for some extra fun.

you make delicious edibles, batch after batch of gooey brownies and cinnamon rolls coming out of your oven (you wearing a flouncy little pink apron sevika bought for you.)

and you always accompany sevika on her longer deliveries, keeping her company and making sure she's getting all her money.

sevika makes good money, but with your help, she's making great money.

and now it's the holidays-- the busiest time of the year for a dealer. people are desperate to relax amidst all the seasonal stress and extended family time.

sevika's been making bank.

today, the two of you were invited to an old friend's holiday party to sell. which is how you find yourself hauling crates of christmas ribbon wrapped dime bags, batches of laced christmas cookies, and a variety of chirstmas themed glass pipes into a mansion on a cold december evening.

"baby, you're gonna break one of your nails!" sevika gasps when she sees you, snatching the trays of cookies out of your hands. you chuckle.

"i'm jus' tryna help you unload."

"you don't need to help me do anything, doll. you just gotta sit inside and look pretty-- lure some customers over for us." she says with a wink. you laugh and elbow your girlfriend.

"how much are we trying to make tonight?" you ask.

sevika shrugs. "i'd be happy with a thousand." you scoff. sevika looks over at you with a smirk. "what?"

"baby, we're making more than a thousand."

"what makes you so sure?"

"have you tried my cookies?!"

sevika cackles and pulls you in for a kiss with her free arm.

as much as you love an excuse to dress up-- you hate parties. so does sevika. so, you guys set up in a dark little corner and have a few drinks while you wait for guests to arrive. sevika rolls joints and has you lick them shut. you elbow her when she starts to give you bedroom eyes. "the dj isn't even here yet, sev, you're gonna have to wait."

"i'm just lookin' at you! i can look at you as much as i want, you're my girlfriend." she says with a grin. you giggle and kiss her cheek.

sevika eats one of your cookies and moans obscenely. you roll your eyes, but your cunt throbs. she shoves half the cookie in your mouth before you can refuse. you giggle around crumbs.

by the time guests start to arrive, you're feeling ready for social interaction. you're loose on the spiked eggnog, giggly from sevika's flirtations, and your edible's just starting to kick in, making you feel chatty and sociable.

so, when a girl approaches sevika with a friendly smile and a lingering glance, it takes you a little longer than it usually would for you to realize that this bitch is flirting with sevika.

at least, you're 80% sure.

she's licked her lips like twelve times since she's come over, she's been talking to sevika for ten minutes, and she hasn't looked at you once. but you can't freak out yet, because she hasn't done anything really wrong... yet.

"so... are you interested in buying anything?" you ask.

the girl blinks over at you, then laughs and looks back at sevika. "no... but i might need a dealer in the future. could i get your number, just in case, sev?" she asks, reaching across the table and touching sevika's bicep.

your stomach lurches, and your nostrils flare. "oh, fuck no." you grumble.

sevika reaches out and clamps a strong arm around your waist, keeping you pinned to your seat. you growl. the woman across your table doesn't even notice. "'m afraid i only give my number to repeat customers. 's just a matter of security." she says.

"mmm. well maybe i could get it for a different reason?"

you might go to jail tonight.

sevika pinches your hip, and she speaks. "no, you can't. you can fuck off, actually. you've wasted my time and disrespected my girlfriend."

"you have a girlfriend?"

you have to laugh.

you rip yourself out of sevika's grip, grab one of the fat pre-rolls on the table and storm off to the patio, trying to convince yourself not to go back and do something that will get you arrested. this is a rich neighborhood. the cops will be called even if you only pull a little bit of her hair out. or bite her just a bit. or scratch her eyes with your fresh christmas themed stiletto set.

"fucking bitch!" you scream, kicking over a garden gnome. you pout a bit when his head comes off. "sorry." you say, bending over to pick him up and put his head back on. "sorry."

you get about halfway through your calm-down joint before sevika finds you.

"what're you doing out here?"

"i had ran watch the table for me."

"no, i mean, shouldn't you be with your new girlfriend?" you ask. sevika chuckles and you glare at her.

"baby." she reaches out and grabs your wrist. you let her tug you into her chest, groaning as she does. "do you really think i'd cheat on you? or are you just possessive?" she asks. you glare up at her, then pout. she grins and nods. "possessive." she decides. "i can work with that."

before you can respond, sevika's plucking the joint out of your hands, stubbing it out and pocketing it, and tugging you into the shrubbery beside the patio.

sevika pins you to a cold dark brick wall, and she shoves her mouth against yours before you can gasp. oh fuck. sevika's kissing you like she's gonna fuck you; her tongue sliding against yours, her moans low and emphatic. her hands are shoving your clothes up, the night air making you shiver and jump, her warm fingers making you melt in her hold.

"mmmph... seb--" you mumble against her. she pulls back to start sucking hickeys on your throat, her hands fondling your tits. "sevika!"

"you wan' me to stop?" she asks.

you consider the question. it's quiet out-- just the sound of your heaving breaths, some crickets, and the bushes rustling as sevika moves against you. your cunt's throbbing. before you can answer, sevika speaks again.

"i don't think you do. i think you're so fuckin' needy for me that you get stupid. you forget, don't you? forget how good i am to you? forget that i worship you?"

"i-i get jealous..." you whine.

sevika laughs and shoves a thigh between yours. "i know baby. i think it's cute. need me to remind you how much i love you?" she asks, her hand trailing up your thigh and ducking under your skirt. she fiddles with the thin band of your panties. you whimper.

"y-yes please." you whine. sevika grins, and then she shoves her hand down your panties. "f-fuck! your fingers are so big." you whine as she shoves her pointer finger inside you. she chuckles.

"you're so fuckin' wet, fuck, i love this pussy. i love you. so fuckin' cute tonight in your little christmas sweater-- y' look like a gingerbread house."

you giggle at your girlfriend's rambling, then sneak your hands up under her shirt and start scratching her back. sevika growls and bites your neck again. "fuck!" you squeak.

"shush!" sevika giggles. "fuck. can't wait to get home. gonna eat you up, my gingerbread girl."

you groan. "corny!"

sevika giggles. "whatever. i'll sit on your face, than."

"yes please." you whine.

sevika starts to work another finger inside of you, and you cum, shivering in her arms as she kisses you to muffle your moans.

"you're so fuckin' hot, baby, oh my god." sevika whines. "fuck, fuck i'm gonna be wet all fuckin' night."

"i'll take care of you, sev."

"now?" she asks, hopefully.

you giggle and kiss her. "after you make your thousand." you promise.

sevika groans and smacks your ass.

taglist!

@fyeahnix @lavendersgirl @half-of-a-gay @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner

@kissyslut @chuucanchuucan @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther

@lavenderbabu @emiliabby @sevikasbeloved @hellorai @my-taintedheart

@glass-apothecary @macaroni676 @artinvain @k3n-dyll @sevsdollette

@ellieslob @xayn-xd @keikuahh @maneskinwh0re @raphaellearp

@iamastar @sevikitty @mascdom @nhaaauyen @annesunshiner

@mirconreadzztuff22 @veoomvroom @lushh-s3vik4s @katyawooga @lesbodietcoke

@strawberrykidneystone @sevikasfan @fict1onallyobsessed @dvrkhcld @sweetybuzz25

@sluttysierraaa @snake-in-a-flower-crown @ruiwonderz @littlemisszaunite @biblicalcrybaby

@blackgaladriel

[maythedreadwolftakeyou]

(DATV thoughts with spoilers ahead; i think my tags will keep it filtered but just in case it doesn't since i dont want this in the actual game tags)

i just... man. i don't have a well formulated thought for this yet (and its my PERSONAL OPINION and other people can feel as different as they want, this is not an attack) but it keeps bouncing around my head, so. i know the popular thing right now is coming up with in-universe justifications for The Pantry Almost-Kiss Scene in ways that imply Lucanis didn't mean it/it doesn't represent him as a person/he was Faking It.

and i just don't like any of them. they make me sad!!!!!! i don't like the idea that one of the like 4 romance scenes we get in this game is him Pretending in some way, even if he does at that point like Rook back at least somewhat. None of the justifications i've seen make me feel Better about that being the point where we declare him as a romantic interest, which is what it is in the game, functionally. It doesn't lock you in yet but that point IS where the game says "they will take your flirting more seriously now". I did those same scenes for Davrin, Emmrich, and Taash and this is the formula the game uses (the "interrupted almost-kiss/confession" happens for almost all of the companions).

so if the answer for Lucanis' is "actually he stopped because he Didn't like what he was doing/feel that way yet" or that he felt he had to pretend for Rook's sake... it's kind of a letdown you know? esspecially when it comes right after what seems like an actually authentic moment (dispelling his "perfectly gathered clouds of doom"). Because, at that point in the game from my/Rook's perspective, it was like he finally was reciprocating. It made me hope that he'd acknowledge whatever was between him & Rook more in future scenes, especially because you get so little else from him at any other point, in terms of flirting back/showing you he IS interested. like up to that point I felt kind of bad for continuing to flirt at him, when he'd just change the subject right after! if someone did that in real life i would take it as a hint to stop. This is pixels and not real people so I didn't but they have done "reluctant/fearful interest" better in other characters if that's truly what they were going for in this one.

so after finishing the romance and getting the rest of content... idk. I don't like saying "one of the major chunks of characterization we get needs to be Thrown Out Actually because he was Pretending". because it's not like he or Rook ever actually address it in game--you just don't get to talk about feelings until some dialogue choices only in the act 3 romance scene, and then his speech at endgame (not even a full conversation, so much as his personal declaration). like it takes until the VERY end of the game for him to say the thing about "he was afraid to want you", but that comes after you've already hooked up, even.

I think truly what annoys me is that it's a story choice that can only make sense in HINDSIGHT not AS PLAYING. Only once you have all the scenes can you say "this one is out of character" and then you either have to accept it as bad writing, or come up with some in-universe justification to explain it... and so far none of the in universe ones feel good to me. i wish they did because maybe then I'd be less annoyed, rip. but at the end of the day i think even if there was some intent there, it was a poor choice for his story arc, because it doesn't effectively convey anything... and the reason why we can project a lot of different explanations onto it is simply because it is never addressed again (and again, Lucanis Dellamorte is NOT A PERSON he is a CHARACTER used to further a story for you the player, and so the reasons I don't like this choice are story-level and not a dig at how real life people feel or act).

So yeah at the end of the day. that is simply not a narrative device I would ever personally use in this way on a player/reader. certain kinds of hindsight revelations have their place (see: what the devs tried to do with Varric though I also think that falls apart on close inspection, but at least it has justification in-universe), but for a romance it just makes me embarrassed for Rook. In a game where you don't have nearly as many back-and-forth conversations with characters and have to resort to eavesdropping on them talking to each other, it's sad that one of the like 5 times you actually get to talk to Lucanis one on one we're maybe supposed to believe he wasn't being authentic, and also that Rook can't respond to this ever. It would be different if it had any kind of follow up, imo. or honestly as i've said before i would rather it have been swapped out with something entirely different or where we get to talk about their feelings instead, before i get labeled as one of the "people mad he's not Zevran 2.0/a sexy latin sterotype".

But having to step back to player-level analysis versus in-character analysis when looking at his whole romance arc just feels sloppy. but i'd much rather stick to "bad writing" than "intentional character choice" in terms of how to interpret the scene I guess, at this point, for poor Rook's sake. and i know people disagree with when I've said that before bc as much as I love Mary Kirby in other areas, she has said many times that she doesn't like writing romance, and I think it really does show here. As much as I love Lucanis and the scraps we got I wish I didn't have to do so much filling-in-the-blanks on our own.

[goddessinnerglow]

Become Your Best Version Before 2025 - Day 21

Overcoming Fear & Self-Doubt

Hello Goddesses! After exploring confidence-building yesterday, it feels natural to talk about something we all face but often keep hidden, those annoying fears and self-doubts that can hold us back. You know those moments when you really want to do something, but that inner voice starts listing all the reasons why you shouldn't?

Let's get real about this, everyone, even the people who seem to have it all figured out, deals with fear and self-doubt. The difference isn't in not having these feelings; it's in how we work with them.

Think of fear and self-doubt like clouds passing through the sky. They might block the sun temporarily, but they're not permanent. The sun: your potential, your dreams, your capabilities, is always there behind them.

Here's how to start moving forward, even when those doubts feel heavy:

The "Name It to Tame It" approach is incredibly powerful. When you catch yourself in a spiral of doubt, pause and name exactly what you're afraid of. Sometimes just saying "I'm afraid of failing" or "I'm doubting my abilities" can take away some of its power. It's like turning on the light and realizing the shadow wasn't as scary as it seemed.

Try this simple but effective technique: When self-doubt creeps in, ask yourself, "What would I tell my best friend if they were in this situation?" We're often much kinder and wiser when advising others than when talking to ourselves.

Remember the confidence-building steps we discussed yesterday? Here's where they become your secret weapon. Each small win, each tiny step forward, becomes evidence that you can handle more than your fears suggest.

A game-changing practice is keeping a "Fear vs. Reality" journal. When you're worried about something, write down what you think might happen. Then, after the event, write down what actually happened. Over time, you'll notice that our fears often paint a much scarier picture than reality.

Here's something not many people talk about: You don't need to eliminate fear or self-doubt completely. Sometimes they're trying to tell you something important. The goal is to acknowledge them while not letting them make your decisions for you.

When you're faced with self-doubt, try this: Take one tiny action. Just one. Maybe you're doubting your creative abilities, draw one simple sketch. Worried about starting that project? Write one sentence. Scared to start exercising? Put on your workout clothes and walk for five minutes.

The beautiful thing about working through fear and self-doubt is that each small step makes the next one a little easier. You're not just moving forward; you're building resilience and self-trust along the way.

The magic happens when we learn to take action WHILE being scared, instead of waiting for the fear to go away first. It's like walking in the rain instead of waiting for the perfect sunny day!

Did you think I was going to let you leave without homework? For today, notice one fear that's been bugging you lately. Don't try to fix it or fight it, just notice it with kindness. Sometimes just acknowledging our fears with compassion makes them feel less powerful.

See you tomorrow for Day 22!

♡ ☆:.｡ Keep glowing, babes!��♡ ☆:.｡ With love, Goddess Inner Glow.

[nalyra-dreaming]

What do you think about the choice to change the circumstances around Claudia's turning from the book? Lestat doing it almost just to see what would happen/baby trapping Louis vs Lestat doing it because Louis, out of his mind from grief, begged him to.

Hmm.

Difficult :) I have to expand a bit here, to explain my thoughts:

The show... made some very welcome choices, they made Louis "more", they made it all "more" in a way, they updated the story, and I'm glad they did.

But by doing that they created, let's call it repercussions.

Because... every little change has ripple effects on arcs, and there are arcs in the books. Arcs that span all thirteen books of the VC.

The Lestat in the book is very young still. Only like 10 years a vampire. 30 years in mortal age. He has had a shit life, has been raped into darkness, impossible choices laid at his feet (letting his mother die and his lover behind, both of which he could not), got beef (to put it mildly) with Armand almost immediately because he unknowingly broke the rules that Armand lived by, and then traveled the world, increasingly disillusioned, until Marius found him. And sent him to live out a human life after the little fiasco with Akasha, because Lestat was so young still.

A lot of the events unfolding hinges on the fact that Lestat is still very young. And almost naïve. Rash. Very impulsive. He wants to see what happens. He is hungry for the world (again). And he is very close in powers to Louis.

He falls head over heels in love with Louis, fatally, and wants to keep that love, because of all the shit that already has happened, in such a short amount of time.

The Lestat in the show is not that.

He is ~130 years old when he encounters Louis. A lot more jaded, a lot more... angry. A lot more powerful, too. We know he returned to Paris, and I think the show has already given us the hints as to the "why" with the dates on Nicolas' tomb as well as the Talamasca files.

We know he encountered Akasha (and therefore Enkil and Marius) as well. We know Marius still slapped him with a gag order. Likely also threatened him, like in the book. But we don't know why Marius had sent this older Lestat away (or why Lestat may have left, which is also a possibility, given the backstory Armand told). The Lestat who had not only been turned at a later point in life, but also had likely encountered Marius and Those Who Must Be Kept at a point where he had already lived "a mortal life".

This Lestat knows a thing or two about covens, and the passage of time, better than the book Lestat does. He addresses the loneliness in the opera, with Louis, they address it at the trial. He knows that loneliness. This Lestat has had, by returning to Paris, to deal with Armand, repeatedly. He and Armand have not found a way to consume their relationship, for reasons that will likely stay the same as in the book but which weigh much more heavily, imho, if broken up again and again, over the decades (by Lestat returning). Something likely also happened to make the theater relocate.

This Lestat likely knows the rules a lot better. Knows what Armand can do, and does, too.

This Lestat knows that there's only a few dozen of them out there and what that means for them in terms of loneliness and pain much better, too.

This Lestat knows what it means for Claudia if he turns her this young. Maybe he's seen it. Maybe not. But he has experience. A LOT more experience living this existence.

There were hints that he understands, very well, like the not-translated rant at the chess game. Like the resistance to Claudia being turned, even in Louis' first version. Like the opera. A lot of discussions and comments to Louis.

And there were hints that there were things that made him afraid. And that he really, really did not want them to go to Paris.

Which must have had reasons, obviously.

There were hints already in the show and interviews, that Armand might have more to do with Nicolas' death than... even in the book (where he starves him, drives him even more mad, and chops of Nicolas' hands!!).

This Lestat must have known about Armand's reasoning there, the reasoning we hear some of as well when Armand is threatening to burn Louis in the tunnels in s2. Because he must have heard them, or heard of them, after Nicolas.

All this combined....

All this combined made it quite logical for me that this Lestat... would not have the drive to "see what happens". He has likely seen what happens. Maybe not first hand, but he has seen enough.

He also knows the rules others live by, and knows what would happen if she would encounter certain other vampires.

This Lestat could only be forced emotionally, despite his better judgement - because he already had that better judgment.

This is the "Lestat side of things". :)

The "Louis side of things" has similar changes to consider which carry repercussions.

This Louis is a bit older, too. He is also harder, or can be harder, has a "business persona" that he carries like a shield.

He is under constant pressure, a lot more and way more stifling pressure than his book counterpart. This Louis wears a lot of hats (as Jacob put it), never really fitting in anywhere.

And Lestat, obviously aided by the mind gift :)) - sees him.

Challenges him on that.

For Louis this being seen must have felt cataclysmic. And it was, it came with life-changing events, of course, but the decision to accept those events was born from this being seen, this awareness of the entirety of his being, the good, the bad, the ugly.

It came with the promise to free Louis from the shackles of the world around him.

And of course that promise... had to fail.

And it made Louis suffer.

Of course.

The disappointment stemming from that simple fact, the disillusionment of that promised freedom being an illusion ... must have been like poison, on every breath.

I would like to point out that it was not a deliberately "fake promise", imho. The Dark Gift did free Gabrielle, she quite literally threw off the shackles of society, I bet we'll see that in s3. But it could not do the same for Louis, and it must have hurt them both.

That breaking, broken promise then tainted everything, whether they wanted it to, or not.

Louis' moral arguments re killing were never that in the book, and I don't think they're here as well. Louis' efforts to control his eating are means to regain control over a life that has spiraled out of control, because he cannot return.

When the Storyville arc unfolds, Louis is watching the repercussions of his actions. He has been rash, he has been arrogant, and he has reveled in it, for a moment. And now others suffer for it.

Letting himself go in the "vampiric way" has resulted in a lot of suffering.

That is the lesson that sticks.

His mother sees the devil, he has frightened his sister and her children. Deep down Louis knows that there is no way back, that he is other. Deep down he knows he will only find happiness with his own kind.

And he rejects that notion, of course, because the promise has broken.

He leaves Lestat, because ultimately Lestat is the reason he killed the Alderman. Because Louis cannot help but reject the vampiric aspects of himself at that point.

But Louis loves Lestat.

And he knows it, too.

And so he is stuck in that catch-22, in that predicament, needing to find a way out, aware there is none, unable to truly leave, and wanting to return.

And Claudia... Claudia is the answer.

Claudia is the band aid for the rift. Claudia is the reason to return. Claudia sees him as an angel. Claudia is the bargaining chip.

It's never about her. Unfortunately.

Claudia, the daughter of a family he cannot have (had) otherwise.

Because Louis knows, that even in a mortal life, he would not have had children, in all likelihood.

Because Louis is gay. Oh, he has of course the possibility, if he bends himself into shape. But when we meet him it is clear he only keeps the facade. By entering a relationship with Lestat, no matter the vampiric aspect, he dismissed that possibility, too.

And that, too, gnaws at him.

Louis, in the show, has to ask Lestat to turn her, because Lestat knows better.

And Louis needs to ask, because it is the only way he can consolidate all the warring pieces within himself, his self, his world, his state of being, his morals, his hopes - for a while at least.

[fenmere]

(cn: pregnant mare piss and its draconic analog)

Breakfast at Guenevere's

Sir Tiffany had had a whole Month.

May Day was approaching fast, which meant that mating season would begin in earnest, and Guenevere would start to rut. Which would make training so much harder. But then, the Midsummer Games would happen shortly after that, and they had to be ready by then.

She knew that the other knights and their dragons were experiencing the same struggle. Everything was traditionally timed this way specifically as a test. But that didn't stop her from feeling like she was having it worse.

Guenevere had turned out to be a particularly willful dragon.

Or, perhaps it was that something unusual was happening between the two of them.

It had all started that March morning when Tiffany had slept in and been unable to take her Blessed Mare Piss before breakfast, as usual, and had had to drink it on the way to Guenevere's lair. And the stench of it was on her breath still.

They'd spent the Winter, like everyone else, developing an understanding between the two of them. They had a rudimentary language of gestures and expressions they could use to communicate. But developing that had taken longer between the two of them, so they'd fallen behind with the practical training. Which had contributed to Tiffany's tardiness that day.

It was known that dragons had to be nearly as intelligent as people, if not perhaps more so. It was impossible to learn to speak with each other's vocalizations, however, and while each could learn what the other's sounds meant, it helped to have a gestural basis with which to develop that understanding. Also, a unique set of visual signals between the two of them would always serve them well in the midst of conflict and politics alike. And dragons knew this as well as any knight did.

So, Guenevere's difficulty in agreeing with Sir Tiffany over just what gestures should mean what was an obstinance that was bewildering and frustrating. But they'd hacked it out.

And then, that morning, Guenevere had extended her snout in her usual greeting, a typical lick of the air to confirm Tiffany's identity. And then she'd immediately pulled her head back and tilted it to the side.

For a brief, heart stopping moment, Tiffany was afraid she wasn't recognized. Maybe the Blessed Mare Piss was too strong, and had masked her identity.

It would be bad if she smelt like food to her dragon.

But Guenevere had repeated the ritual two more times to be sure of whatever she was suspecting, and then she'd made her usual "garumphing" noise of acceptance.

However, instead of following Tiffany out to the corral for their daily work, she'd turned and trundled back into her lair.

There had been a crashing noise as the dragon had undoubtedly sorted through her meager hoard of brass and bronze findings. If they did well in the games, they'd both be awarded with an allowance of silver or gold trinkets, which would absolutely delight Guenevere.

Then there'd been a scraping noise, followed by the horrific sound of liquid echoing in a metal container.

And afterward, Guenevere had gingerly pushed a large brass bowl of her own piss out to the front of her lair. An offering to Tiffany.

Did Guenevere even have any sort of clue why Tiffany had to consume alchemically enhanced pregnant mare piss that was blessed by Father David? Did she know something about her own urine that nobody had yet divined? Or was she just being prideful and possessive like a dragon typically was?

They hadn't quite developed the language necessary for Tiffany to tell Guenevere that she'd ask the alchemist if her urine would work for her, let alone explain the reason for it. So a brief and fruitless argument had broken out between the two of them, wherein Tiffany found herself mostly trying to reassure Guenevere that her initial reaction, a frightful grimace, had not been a rejection of the gift.

To resolve the conflict, she'd had to bodily pick up the reeking bowl of piss and walk it to the alchemist's lab and return with a beaming smile before Guenevere would settle.

And that had just been the beginning of it!

Each day after that, Guenevere had had more dragon piss for Tiffany. And rejecting it only resulted in temporary disaster.

And Tiffany knew that no other knight in her company had to deal with this particular conundrum.

She wasn't the first alchemical woman to take a dragon's wings, by any stretch, but her kind was rare enough that she was the only one in her current class.

The problem was that her very identity now was the focus of a draconic game of dominance, and that was bewildering. It was a complication that was hard to navigate.

And Karon the Alchemist was still running their tests on the dragon urine. They wanted a sample of it from Guenevere's rut, unfortunately, and also from her pregnancy, to be sure of their findings. It might be that dragon urine could prove more efficacious than mare piss for Tiffany's purposes, but the precise treatments to make it safe to consume were yet unknown. And in the mean time, Guenevere seemed to think she already had a new duty to uphold.

And even so, Tiffany wasn't sure she should give Guenevere the satisfaction of actually consuming her piss. Even if it turned out to have truly magical properties, it would forever define their relationship in ways the crown might not approve of.

Obviously, if this particular conundrum had happened before, Karon would already know what they currently sought to understand. And there'd be guidance on the matter. But, apparently, the other alchemical women who'd made knighthood had successfully kept their secrets from their dragons.

So, to compensate and push their relationship toward the proscribed balance, Tiffany had had to devise a suitable counterpoint.

And that had resulted in a series of ripostes between the two of them. A game of oneupsmanship that had quickly escalated and dominated their attention when they should have been focusing on maneuvers and how to coordinate their actions.

And it had been ridiculous. Because all the other knights and their dragons were exercising their power games through a raw force of wills. The usual subtle negotiation between issuing a command and the eventuality of agreement to follow it. And the play between food, offerings to the hoard, attending to knightly duties, and learning to trust each other's body language.

Tiffany could watch their antics on the training grounds and in the corral, and see the interplay of social sparing between dragon and knight and how it affected their performance and ability to pass the tests.

And those same trials continued between herself and Guenevere as well, but now there was this whole layer of unsolicited gift giving on top of it.

For, Tiffany had decided to meet the offerings of dragon piss with a saddle and bridle of the most exquisite craftsmanship and materials. Something above and beyond what was typical for her station.

It had taken an excessive portion of her own coffers to acquire it. And a couple days to adjust and adapt it to Guenevere's stature.

To her fellow knights and her liege, the gesture was one of dedication to her duties as dragon knight. With her explanation of her predicament, they all understood the need for it, and had tentatively approved. But the result had not been in anybody's anticipation.

At first, Guenevere had demonstrated the typical bolstered pride of a dragon receiving a fine gift for her hoard, strutting and preening herself for a whole day afterward. And the saddle and bridle were placed in a vestibule of honor within her lair. She was clearly very happy with the new arrangement.

But then, the next day, Tiffany had opened the door of her quarters to find the head of a basilisk had been carefully placed on her stoop during the night.

And it had all gone downhill from there.

And now, thirty days later, she found herself in a new ritual of serving a breakfast feast for herself and her dragon every morning at the mouth of Guenevere's lair.

And for the strength and security of the kingdom, the bond between a knight and their dragon was worth this effort and expense. There was no explicit objection, and support had been offered. But, as a result they were now the center of all gossip, and it was still embarrassing.

So, on this morning, Tiffany was on edge.

It had been her turn yesterday to give Guenevere a gift, trying to assert her dominance through generosity and extravagance. And she'd given her most expensive offering yet, a three by four yard portrait of Guenevere rendered in oil on canvas by a renowned artisan and his assistants. Normally, it would have taken a year or so to complete such a thing, but with the aid of a divining sphere, the work of extra hands, and sealed notes of writ promising an extravagant allowance for years to come, the artisan had been able to create it in record time without Guenevere learning of the effort. She hadn't needed to pose for the painting, since her sleeping visage could be discerned through the sphere.

Tiffany suspected that the implications of that were not lost on her dragon. Guenevere was smart enough to understand what it meant that her knight could secretly capture her likeness while she was unconscious. But she also couldn't turn the gift down, nor deny its importance and worth, because it was so obviously opulent.

It was the most that Tiffany could muster for Guenevere. There was nothing else she could devise to assert her right to be Guenevere's knight. Nothing that could surpass it, at least. She was at the end of her rope, and if Guenevere could somehow surpass the gesture with her own gift this morning, it would forever be the shadow that dominated their covenant as dragon and knight.

So she sat down at the table that had been erected before Guenevere's lair, as servants brought out a quartered hog for the dragon and an array of breads, cheeses, and meats for Tiffany. And she tried to wash down her rising bile with generous sips of wine.

Her own anxiety was palpable.

Would Guenevere finally relent, and simply gift herself to Tiffany? Is that how this worked? Is that how this would end?

Or would she have, somehow in the night, found a way to astound everyone with a gift that was simply beyond the pale.

It was hard to imagine what she could possible have found or devised to even match the effort of that painting.

But she was a dragon.

Eventually, the gorgeous beast emerged from the darkness of her home, scales glistening in the sun after her recent shed.

Instead of licking the air repeatedly in anticipation of her daily meal, as she'd done every day since the breakfasts had begun, she kept her mouth carefully shut. Which was strange.

And, when she performed her greeting over the table of food, extending her neck to bring the tip of her snout within a foot of Tiffany's face, she did not taste the air even then.

Instead, she lowered her gaze to Tiffany's collar bone and waited.

And then she rumbled and grunted, bobbing her head briefly, to say, "I have something for you."

Oh, no.

Tiffany raised an eyebrow and leaned over to pretend to look around Guenevere's bulk, her way of asking, "Where is it?"

Guenevere gentle nudged her. The tip of her snout was as big as Tiffany's entire torso, so as gentle as it was for whatever Guenevere did, she nearly fell over backward in her chair.

This meant, "I have it right here, silly."

Tiffany sighed.

She knew now that she had lost the game. She had nothing left for her dragon, besides herself. And it would be Guenevere who would make the calls during the Midsummer Games, and any tests, trials, and battles they might face together in the future.

Whatever the gift was, the kingdom would only benefit from it, but she would always be the tale of caution to others. To be the master of your dragon, do not engage in a match of gift giving like Sir Tiffany did, lest you fail.

With shaking trepidation, she held out her hands below Guenevere's snout, palms up to receive her gift.

She was afraid of its weight. She had no idea what it could be, and quite a large thing could be hidden within her dragon's maw, now covered in saliva. And so she braced herself against the unpleasant sensation of whatever it might be, and its potential physical heft.

And for Guenevere's part, she opened her mouth merely a crack to extend her forked tongue.

And there, on the left tip of it, encircling it as if it was a finger, was a filigreed gold ring with a single white diamond in it.

Which she then let fall into Tiffany's hands.

And then she reared back and looked down at her hog, chittering contentedly to herself before beginning her meal.

Oh.

human trying to train a dragon into a mount x dragon trying to train a human into a pet

and neither one knows the other one is trying to train them

[snexy-the-snail]

You think you can write a short of Apollo nomming on Percy sometime after the biting incident? I’d really like to see that they’re on good terms and Percy deserves as many comfort spaces as he can get

Love the au you’ve built up, I might take some inspiration for my own writing. Thank you so much!🤗

OO please do take inspiration!! I am living on pure spite atm and would live to revive PJO vore!!! and Of course-)) 

It had been weeks after the biting incident, and even more since A schedule of being eaten or sat with had been put in place. As much as it was embarrassing the sleep was too good to be truly upset. It was still gross, and half the time he felt like kicking Hermes teeth when he made a weird joke or teased him, but things weren't horrible.  

Percy grimaces and stretches, trying to soothe the aches that came with practicing with the newcomers. Some of those wooden swords hurt, and the metal ones even more, thank you. He sighs glancing towards the beach wondering if that would take some of the odd aches away, it usually did, sometimes. Water healing got weird when it came to bodies, sicknesses and colds? Nothing. Cuts? Perfect, which seemed mildly unfair. He groans and leans again on a tree closing his eyes to soak up the warmth of the day. Maybe he should just go kill some monster, blow off some steam and get the adrenaline pumping.  

Perfect day for it after all, it was bright, sunny, and-  

He narrows his eyes cautiously glancing around the wood.  

"I know you're there." He calls out, scowling when nothing happens. So, he brought out Riptide. It had to be Apollo; the warmth was undeniable. He could've stabbed a tree in frustration when he didn't get a response.  

"What do you want to hear that I won't bite you again?" He snaps eyeing the trees like Apollo would morph out of one. That apparently was the issue considering the God appeared, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Serious? You were afraid I'd bite?" he asks with a scowl. Then again Triton had fully held him away like someone would with a naughty cat. Or a lizard- well Annabeth and a lizard at least.  

"Not afraid! Just- well biting usually means big ole' seaweed beard shows up and last time he was not happy about the whole, trying to get you to take a nap thing."  

Percy scoffs and caps his sword, pocketing it. "Well, you deserved it, I said no." He points out crossing his arms. At least Apollo had the decency to look somewhat ashamed.  

"I thought you were...ya know cranky?" The god says with a shrug, Percy very much scowling at the comment. Maybe he had been, but the fact Apollo was calling him out to that wasn't thrilling. "Or at least, Hermes says you're all squirmy and rude at first, so I thought it was just part of the process." Apollo continues not looking Percy in the eye.  

Of course. Percy let an exhausted sigh out a hand running through his hair. 12-year-old him would've flipped if this is what the future looked like. "I've seen you like, 5 times, and we don't have that whole directly related thing going on." He starts off. Sure, he had seen his dad about the same, but the sea god was *his* dad. Apollo might be his cousin or something, but he didn't *know* him like he did Hermes.  

"I've seen Hermes more than my own dad, talked with him too, so he's familiar I guess...I just... You're not."  

That didn't sound too brutal, did it? Oh. Apollo's gaze was hard, serious. It was weird considering he had only seen the god acting goofy half the time. He looked...godly almost. The silence was awkward, and Percy hated it, about to open his mouth to fill the silence but Apollo beat him to it.  

"I'd never hurt you. You know that right?"  

"What?"  

"I said I'd never hurt you. You're the reason half my kids are alive. They pray to me about you, about what you've done for them." Apollo continues with a bittersweet smile on his face. "And it kills me that you're not taking care of yourself. Hero of Olympus, title bearers of heroes of old, it doesn't matter. You're still just a kid under that."  

Percy swallows thickly not moving an inch as the god approached him, much like a stray horse, a warm hand settling on his shoulder. It was a different warmth than his dad's or Triton's. It was pure soul bringing warmth opposed to the gentle cooling his sea families brought.  

"Just a kid huh?" He laughs bitterly, closing his eyes, soaking in the soothing warmth. It washed over his soreness much like the waves did. The air feeling crisp in his lungs as he drew a breath. "Where was that thinking when I was 12."  

The silence that settled over them wasn't comfortable, though Apollo had a sorrowful expression on his face. "Gods don't change, not truly. But you, Percy Jackson, have certainly demanded we try."  

It was an honesty he swore he couldn't get from his father half the time...then again truth fell within Apollos domain. He wasn't sure why the sudden honesty, well partly. He crosses his arms and steps away from the warm weight on his shoulder. "Someone's gotta try for a better future." He grumbles.  

And it was getting better. From what he heard God spent more time with their kids than just eating them. He knew for sure Poseidon was, Nico literally had a room and Apollo dropped by fairly often to see his kids now. Especially Will.  

Apollo chuckles ruffling his hair with a grin. "You're a good kid, and I know Uncle P is proud of you." The god continues a fond look twinkling in his eyes.  

"Yeah, mmhm." He laughs barely trying to tame the wild mess that Apollo had created. He knew exactly what the God was seeking now but...funnily enough it was better, like a slow drawn-out permission. Comforting, like Hermes would do it. A small chat before getting to business.  

He was...feeling a bit drawn out and exhausted. The training took more out of him than he had been expecting. He sighs heavily leaning against a tree looking back to Apollo. The god stood there silently, his gaze watching him intently. Taking in each movement and any expression he made. Clearly waiting to see his response.  

"It's better." He says suddenly, hiding a smile when the god jolted at his voice, like he wasn't expecting it. "What is?"  

"This." He says gesturing vaguely. "Small talk, no taunting. I don't like cat and mouse games."  

"I wasn't- " 

"You are. You guys stand weird when you're thinking about it." Percy points out raising a brow. It was a stance, a slightly arched one, tense like a predator stalking its prey though, it felt...oddly relaxing.  

Apollo seemed stunned, before a rolling laugh poured from him. His eyes twinkle, his lips quirking upwards. "People should give you more credit. You're a rather observant little whirlpool."  

A scoff draws from him, rolling his eyes as he looked the god over. "It's more common sense. Any god I've seen always does that before they snag someone."  

He wasn't being snagged per say, Apollo was working up to it which he'd gladly take. Gave him more time to calm his nerves. "Anyway, get it over with, I've got another lesson in like two hours." he says with a dramatic sigh.  

There was a pause before Apollo approached him cautiously, getting more confident when no teeth sunk into his arm this time. "I'm not gonna bite this time." Percy complains, half tempted to give a small shove.  

"Well forgive me for being cautious, I can't tell if you're just sassy or genuinely feral." The god shoots back before his hand settles on his shoulder, giving it a warm squeeze. Rather than his vision blurring and warm divine energy sinking into him, Apollos form twisted and grew right in front of him, his hand steadily covering his entire body.  

He hums, going limp once massive fingers curl over his body lifting him up in a loose fist. It was a lot warmer than he was expecting. The ocean felt cool, soothing like aloe over a sunburn, Hermes felt breezy almost, a rush under his skin. Apollo was warm. Like incredibly warm. It was..comfortable actually.  

"Still with me Perc?"  

He hadn't even realized he had closed his eyes until the god spoke, jolting out of his thought. "Mm? Yeah. You're just warm." He mumbles. He stifles a yawn, scowling instead. He grumbles under his breath when it's met with a soft chuckle.  

"I can still bite you." He warns, huffing as he'd brought up to the gods face, a cheeky smile spread across the lips. "So can I Mr. Piranha." Apollo teases, clacking his teeth together.  

If it had been 3 months ago the tease probably would've terrified him, but Percy was more than used to the jabs by now. He rolls his eyes instead, half heartily kicking the gods cheek, sticking his tongue out when Apollo took his foot between his lip. The god was having way too much fun with this.  

"Oh no I'm so terrified. Spare me." The monotone voice only seemed to spur more amusement from the god, a chuckle rumbling from him before his lips parted. The slick feeling of saliva soaking into him as he was eased further inside. Huh. It was more goopy sorta thick... Like honey almost. He must've made a face because a vibration of laughter ran through him. "Yeah, laugh it up, you have gross insides."  

He scoffs trying to remain aloof as he slipped further inside the gods tongue safeguarding him from scraping against the bottom teeth. "You know one of these days you should be less gross and just magic me inside. Dad said you guys do that too." He points out closing his eyes as he let the warmth roll over him. It was comforting, soothing his aches and pains in ways water did.  

The motions were familiar, his feet hitting the back of the gods throat, he tenses briefly, surprised when nothing happened. He cracks his eyes open a bit, waiting for a swallow to ripple over his feet but he sorta just laid there. He craned his neck the best he could, but he couldn't exactly see what expression was on the god's face. Fingers brushed against his head, like he was seconds from being pulled back out.  

"Are you...waiting?" he asks slowly, a tad stunned. He hadn't expected that. All because he tensed a bit? Huh...that was oddly thoughtful. "I'm fine, it just gets weird with the sensation of falling." he admits after a second. A hum rolls over him before the familiar grasp of muscles tugs him downwards. The pressure and squeezing are almost comforting at this point. He sighs heavily closing his eyes again, not that it mattered considering the surrounding innards glowed.  

The rippling of the muscles pulling him down was a motion that he had actually gotten used to. Mindlessly he counted the seconds, keeping his breathing as even as possible as he was squeezed and squished. The tight feeling at his feet giving way with the slight pressure.  

Instead of a drop he was expecting it was more of a slide, the thick goopy insides making him scrunch his face up. "Ugh, why are you so goopy?" He grumbles. He shifted upwards, trying to push against the plush muscle, his hands sinking into it like putty. Different for sure.  

"I'm not goopy! Literally none of my kids have ever complained."  

"It's literally like putty in here!"  

He makes face pulling his hand back, the thick mucus clinging to his hand as he did. "Actually at least putty doesn't stick to you." He grumbles, flopping back against the stomach, wall, grimacing when he sunk into the plush muscle.  

"I'm sorry next time I'll tidy up, put some air fresheners inside, maybe add a rug." Apollo scoffed, Percy smirking when he felt a few very pointed pokes targeting his back.  

"I feel like a rug would make this ten times worse." Percy laughs, closing his eyes with a sigh. He had two hours before his next lesson...that gave him some time for a night. "Might turning out the light? Man, you're like the worst to nap with." he teases, stretching out a bit. It was like being on a weird waterbed. He could get used to water, but this was like an oddly firm Jello. 

A dramatic sigh caused the muscles to ripple all around him, the light fading from a bright light to a softer glow. "My kids never complain." the god grumbles, though the fond tone indicated he wasn't truly upset.  

"Your kids sometimes actually glow in the dark, so doesn't surprise me- now shut it." Percy murmurs, not real heat in his voice as he relaxes further into the organ. It really was like sunbathing, a constant warmth enveloping him no matter how he moved or turned. His lips quirk up, more so when a steady pressure rubs against his back.  

So, Apollo wasn't as bad as he first had thought that was good to know. He could live with this.  

"Wake me up in two hours, I'm serious I have classes to teach." He grumbles, not even fighting the wave of exhaustion.  

"Mmhm, we'll see if you're up for it then."  

Percy scowls, letting an annoyed huff out. Well, there went the rest of his day. 

[bewitched-if]

Damn, all the ROs seem like pretty bad people. I thought Jules was the exception but then I read that he didn't actually care about MC, he was faking it(?

Also, is the original world just full of pricks or why didn't anyone want to stay friends with MC? Because I get it, their sister was making up rumors, but come on, there wasn't a single nice person that maybe thought to check for themselves if it was true? No one thought that it was sketchy that the person that hated MC was the one saying all those things?

Also, why does everyone seem to like Kara(Except the parents because we already got the reason for that)? She seems annoying af to me, and just a mean person in general

Damn, all the ROs seem like pretty bad people. I thought Jules was the exception but then I read that he didn't actually care about MC, he was faking it(?

Jules has a specific reason for faking their care for MC, particularly during their childhood, which will be revealed as the story progresses. I should have said this before but; note that MC, while neglected and hated, isn't necessarily a good person either. Given their parents' behavior and poor parenting, it could have also influenced their behavior towards other people that may be the reason that they are an outcast and hated/avoided by people, like lashing out, or even engage in destructive or harmful actions as a result of their upbringing. Don't worry, the harmful actions is purely out of defense. But due to MC's behavior, people are mostly scared of getting hurt by MC. I'm saying that while other people's hatred towards MC may be too extreme, they're not entirely at fault either. For Beatrice's case, she wanted to help MC, but she was to scared to act. So while she watched MC get pushed around, she does still feel a sense of guilt for being cowardly. For Ophelia's case, we don't even know if her betrayal was for a good cause or not, so it's too early to judge her. For Rhys and Wren... uhhhhh..... I dont have a reason to defend them they're probably assholes at heart.

Also, is the original world just full of pricks or why didn't anyone want to stay friends with MC? Because I get it, their sister was making up rumors, but come on, there wasn't a single nice person that maybe thought to check for themselves if it was true? No one thought that it was sketchy that the person that hated MC was the one saying all those things?

The people who tried to expose their sister either ended up being bullied alongside MC or they ended up leaving. So, people don't even dare to question Kara's gossips, in fear of being the target.

Also, why does everyone seem to like Kara(Except the parents because we already got the reason for that)? She seems annoying af to me, and just a mean person in general

Kara is the typical popular girl, so that could mean something. Not everyone likes Kara, but they're too afraid to cross her, so most of them just stays silent. I hope this answered more than it raised further questions, anon! Feel free to send me an ask whenever you feel like something doesn't make sense, I'll be happy to answer you! Happy holidays :>

[letitbehurt]

A Whumpee in the back seat of a moving car. Maybe they’re blindfolded. Maybe their hands are tied in front of them. Maybe there are guards on either side of them, each gripping one of Whumpee’s arms.

Maybe it’s dead silent, or maybe the only sounds are coming from Whumpee’s panicked breathing and blurted questions, asking where they’re going, what’s happening, who are these people, why me?

[kittymoonclover]

Blossick was the first ship I liked as a kid. And it also introduced me to whole "enemies to lovers" and the whole opposite attract streets mart x Booksmart debacle. I personally like them but as teenagers.

It kind of sucks that Majority of the Fandom's interpretation of Brick is him being booksmart and not streetsmart. Because Blossick gives me such "English please?" Energy. (The joke where the smart character says something and the dumb character doesn't get it so they ask the smart character to speak "english". To dumb it down in a way they can understand.

Playing Devil's Advocate:

The Fandom tend to think that RRB have the same personalities as their counterparts even though they Don't. If anything they are opposites personality wise.

Brick is rude, aggressive and Brash while Blossom is more cool headed and calm and polite, but Brick still the leader of the rowdyruff boys. He is just a different type of leader. Canon wise, Brick is the most self aware than Boomer and Butch. And Brick is probably in a lot of pressure Just like How Blossom is in alot of pressure in protecting the city.

Brick and Blossom maybe different people but their experiences can be similar to each other. (I mean who says that Boomer and Butch won't cut off Brick's hair one day.)

The most obvious example is Boomubbles. Boomer is airhead but he is also very aggressive, Snippy and considers Bubbles to be weak. He isn't the type to like Cuteness at all. He often times overcompensates for manly. While Bubbles is Sweet and Sugary, Boomer is a lil mean and snippy.

He may be airhead but doesn't mean he is the nicest (if anything he is shown to be the opposites.) But both him Bubbles are in the same roles. Being "youngest" and getting teased by their siblings. Boomer isn't a crybaby, He Broods more than cries.

(But the Fandom just interprets him as bubbles no.2.)

And Butch For some reason people cannot accept the fact he is the least aggressive out of 3. Like come on, Butch is literally only who doesn't hit his brothers. (Muiltiverse doesn't count because it's a mix of canon and headcanon). But if go buy the comics and Episodes from the Canon, You clearly that he isn't aggressive. Him being Buttercup's counterpart does not imply that he is. He is just a goofball who chooses to blindly follow and trust Brick rather than disagree with him like Buttercup does with Blossom.

Butch is a yes man, There isn't much evidence proving otherwise and Butch doesn't hit his brothers. He is actually just chill kid who enjoys the simpler things in life and is a goofball when Brick cues him to be one. (But the Fandom categorize him as unstable because he twitches.)

And it sucks because I think canon Butch and Buttercup would have interesting dynamic. They could learn from each other. But they still have same roles. (Butch is second in command).

They have both differences and similarities to their counterparts.

Brick/Blossom (Personality wise: Opposites) but they are both leaders and smart. I can't believe I'm saying this, But Compare to Boomer and Butch, Brick is the smartest one.

He may not be Booksmart level like Blossom but Brick is very good at reading people hence why he is the only who could tell that Blossom was being sarcastic in episode TBAIT, while Butch and Boomer took the hair comment as a compliment. He was angry because he is the only who could tell they didn't mean it. (Plus he remembered Boomer isn't afraid roaches.)

In the Octi, Episodes, Buttercup was trying to tell Blossom that her plan wasn't working and Blossom just straight up ignores her and suggested new plans. I honestly think Brick would be the opposite of that because there are moments where Brick genuinely compliments Boomer when he has good idea.(one was in bubble boy and the other is in one of the Action Pack comics) showing that Brick may not be as a commanding as he looks.

Bubbles/Boomer - (personality wise: Opposites) Like I said he is just as mean and Aggressive as Brick. And he isn't afraid to speak up. Even though it will get him hit by Brick. Yes, He is airhead but that doesn't mean he is sweet. (But he also gets picked on by his siblings)

Butch/Buttercup - (personality wise : Opposites) Butch is energetic and complains when he is bored. But, He isn't physically aggressive as Buttercup. Butch isn't Buttercup. He is just goofball, Who is more of a yesman to Brick who likes and enjoys the simple things in life. (If anything he is more of a go with flow type guy) . (And is also the second in command)

And that makes color code interesting. Both PPG and RRB are very different in terms of personality. But they have the same roles and experiences. That's the common ground.

They are on the same boat but with different flags.

(Also, I am not trying to convince OP otherwise. I just wanted to share my own opinion of them.

Tbh, When I rejoined the Fandom, I was surprised to find out that Blossick was the most popular. I always they thought they were the least popular XD)

i don’t like blossick

that ship is overrated

[egophiliac]

(breathing into a paper bag) FRALIO....

can't believe they gave us another guy. oh my god. so I guess Kelka is more, uhhh, more OOO then, and Fralio is Ankh? not that it matters too much, although they do seem to be doing something with the connected Riders so. who knows. anything goes! or if I may, anything gOOOes! god. of course they're the Ambition parallel. of course they are. oh my god.

fortunately there's nothing else they can throw at me right now that could possibly --

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[iniziare]

Tag drop: Aventurine.

[mercless]

🗡 mad cowboy disease....

[thebrokengate]

Re-reading that whole section right now after just coming home from my grandpa's funeral today hits.. different, to say the least.

“This much I'm certain of: it doesn't happen immediately. You'll finish [the book] and that will be that, until a moment will come, maybe in a month, maybe a year, maybe even several years. You'll be sick or feeling troubled or deeply in love or quietly uncertain or even content for the first time in your life. It won't matter. Out of the blue, beyond any cause you can trace, you'll suddenly realize things are not how you perceived them to be at all. For some reason, you will no longer be the person you believed you once were. You'll detect slow and subtle shifts going on all around you, more importantly shifts in you. Worse, you'll realize it's always been shifting, like a shimmer of sorts, a vast shimmer, only dark like a room. But you won't understand why or how. You'll have forgotten what granted you this awareness in the first place

...

You might try then, as I did, to find a sky so full of stars it will blind you again. Only no sky can blind you now. Even with all that iridescent magic up there, your eye will no longer linger on the light, it will no longer trace constellations. You'll care only about the darkness and you'll watch it for hours, for days, maybe even for years, trying in vain to believe you're some kind of indispensable, universe-appointed sentinel, as if just by looking you could actually keep it all at bay. It will get so bad you'll be afraid to look away, you'll be afraid to sleep.

Then no matter where you are, in a crowded restaurant or on some desolate street or even in the comforts of your own home, you'll watch yourself dismantle every assurance you ever lived by. You'll stand aside as a great complexity intrudes, tearing apart, piece by piece, all of your carefully conceived denials, whether deliberate or unconscious. And then for better or worse you'll turn, unable to resist, though try to resist you still will, fighting with everything you've got not to face the thing you most dread, what is now, what will be, what has always come before, the creature you truly are, the creature we all are, buried in the nameless black of a name.

And then the nightmares will begin.”

It's crazy because all the time now, ever since I first read House of Leaves, I do think of that book whenever a big change happens in my life like this or when I'm going through a really difficult time in my life. And today it really is that unsettling feeling I have mentioned in the last paragraph.

The universe really does get through to you in mysterious ways.

"Only no sky can blind you now. Even with all that iridescent magic up there, your eye will no longer linger on the light, it will no longer trace constellations."

-Johnny Truant, House of Leaves

[randomnameless]

Well, looks like even a broken clock's right at least twice a day; an edelstan on twitter was pissed a few days ago when they saw that Cyril's Meet the Heroes description described his time “working” for House Goneril as “some odd twists and turns”, pointing out that such vague wording was most likely used due to a combination of 3H not caring about Cyril's backstory and IS needing to sanitize Hilda's image so she can sell better in Heroes.

Hahaha,

It's funny because on SPE some people made memes, and you have angry people in the comments, being angry and basically lying or making up facts to either diminish Cyril's uh, "working conditions" in House Goneril, or try to sweep it under the rug to give some "Rhea BaD" takes again

Like :

(meme where Claude doesn't criticise his allies for keeping slaves, but blame racism on the lady who saved the child slave)

"Faerghus is the most violent country because they killed the emperor and enacted a coup while being backed up by mole people" to talk about that time when Loog got his independance

"Rhea BaD bcs Cyril can't learn how to read if you don't support him with Lysithea" even if he writes in the Post TS regardless of recruiting Lysithea or not

"Claude tries to talk to Cyril out of fighting but Cyril drives to a suicide charge with Rhea's blessing so Rhea BaD" in GW, with the source being, idk, since the person who came with that take never sourced it

"Rhea BaD she used the regicide in Faerghus to get rid of her political enemies" you mean the dude who tried to kill her?

"Supreme Leader wouldn't be able to continue warring if Rhea DeD bcs else she would be invading people and would lose public support" like the Supreme Leader? From the land of MAGA? Lose public support?? If she invades nations to restore Adrestia to its glorious past???

"Cyril never said he wasn't eating well in house Goneril" but the JP line says he was always hungry in PAlmyra and Fodlan before coming to the Monastery...

Anyways, as expected, even if FEH tries to sanitise some of Fe Fodlan's most, uh, contentious points, we will always have discourse because some people just prefer their fanon to canon, and while I can understand them to a degree (look Willy is basically fanon at this point) it's always hilarious to see people refuse to engage or even consider that the game they "love" says X when they prefer Y.

When it comes to, in general, Church related characters or Kingdom related characters, we see a lot of discourse like this popping up because while FE Fodlan shat on them (to an extent, for the Church related characters) FEH has to give them the minimum spotlight they give to other characters of the franchise, so yes, Hilda's popularity most likely is the reason why Cyril in MYH just had some "odd twists and turns" (tfw Begnion Senators aren't as popular :( so Muarim was mentionned to have been a slave) but his voiced lines has him mention he was captured as a "war prisoner"...

Putting everything it adds up and we have : Cyril was captured as a war prisoner when he was 11-12 by the Gonerils, was hungry there, complained about "work being hard" there (when Cyril doesn't complain at all in GM despite the huge workload he has!), and implies to Mercedes to have been mistreated in House Goneril because he was Almyran (which matches Hilda's prejudices in her C support about Almyrans).

Why is Cyril's backstory so "discourse rising" then?

Is it because Rhea BaD cannot rescue a child from slavery from a popular character's family/household? Or because Hilda's laziness and preference to let other people do her chores looks especially wrong if we take into consideration that those "other people doing her chores" at home might be children "kept as prisoner of wars and fed twice per week"? Or because it reflects badly on Claude (in both games) who wants to end discriminations and prejudices by getting rid of the institution that rescued an abused child, while working hand in hand with the family that abused said child based on his origins?

(lol@the "but Faerghus BaD" bonus point in the earlier SPE thread I mention, I don't even understand why it was brought up lol)

Back to your post, it's hilarious how this edelstand was pissed becayse FEH whitewashed Cyril's backstory to maybe sell more Hilda alts, when Pat'n'pals try their hardest (in FE16, Nopes and even FEH!) to "alter the script" to shit on Rhea, Dimitri to make Supreme Leader alt'able.

Maybe there's hope for this twitter/X stan?

[epicdogymoment]

gender and sexuality labels are so fucking hard how am i supposed to know how what i experience (already hard to pin down) compares to what "normal people" experience (completely unknown to me)

[athetos]

Okay this is something that has taken me years to come to terms with and I just need to get off my chest especially since im not in therapy anymore and honestly only a few close friends know this but talking about it is still hard and I want to be able to better forgive myself and get rid of some of the internalized shame that plagues me because of this, and like, just be more comfortable admitting this fact to myself so I can better heal from it. And I know it’s also triggering to a lot of people so I never feel like it’s ever appropriate to discuss I should have a therapist again maybe sometime. But I’m gonna just say it and maybe delete this later. But I’m a rape + abuse survivor and it’s took me years to even “unlock” this trauma and properly process it. I’ve come a long way but idk I just wanted to get this off my chest because it’s been aching to come out but I also don’t wanna burden people.