#me: says i wont write naga stone

[chesters-ocs]

naga!stone my beloved, that is all i'll say

@the-whispers-of-death >:3

wc: 1.3k

Sylvester crept over to the cave, the book bag heavy on his shoulder, but he didn't mind.

With one last glance over his shoulder, he confirmed to still be alone, and descended deeper into the cavern. He didn't need to "look", not like he could anyways, but it made hearing or smelling things easier. Or... it felt like it helped.

He had long since familiarized himself with the layout, and even with the blindfold still equipped, he traversed the rocky, overgrown area with ease. Only his cane seemed to catch on something every once in a while, but it was no cause for concern.

The palm of his hand grazes over a rock in the wall near the back of the winding tunnels, having found it after meticulously counting his steps as to not lose himself within the area. Upon pushing it, the hidden door slid open. Stepping trough, he listened as it shut behind him, before he kept walking, one hand now tracing the lovingly, painstakingly carved bookshelves.

Avoiding a few traps here and there, he simply crept onward. The floors had changed from the raw rock of the cave to tiled stone. No doubt it took years to perfect. If he could see, he'd be looking at the mosaic patterns beneath him, ones that were his downfall when he came here the first time, leading him to miss the pretty obvious trap set out.

But that was years ago now. And he found himself forgiving his host the second he beared witness to what he was: a naga. A creature so old, so rare and so beautiful, that Sylvester felt the need to bow down to him at first sight. He still did, on occasion.

So despite not even knowing the name of this stunning librarian hoarding the gift of knowledge, he found himself utterly devoted. He found himself bringing gifts and offerings in the shape of the modern era books, in exchange for the man letting him stay and study the texts. Sylvester often spent days at the table, meticulously writing down every last word, wishing to copy everything for his organization's own archive. It was grueling work but he loved it.

The subtle sound of scales brushing against the tiled flooring snapped him back to the present. Pausing mid-step, he awaited his greeting.

Just a moment later he felt the snake part of the man slither around his legs, easily trapping him in place. Though, Sylvester did not resist. If anything, he smiled, feeling the coils move upward and tighten around him, all the way up to his chest. Only his arms remained free.

"You're late," the voice rumbled, a clawed hand brushing against his cheek, slowly, carefully, sliding off the intricate blindfold from the historian's sensitive eyes, before bringing him in for a tight hug.

Even in total darkness, both could see the other clearly. A small perk of the animals they both resemble.

"I apologize, my liege," Sylvester uttered, his pupils dilated from the dark atmosphere, as he looked up at the naga. There was nothing but adoration and reverence in his gaze. Maybe the clear love for the naga also contributed to the pupil dilation.

Rolling his eyes, the half-snake half-man creature grumbled: "I don't need your apologies, I need your safety."

Right. So this was where it was going.

"Are you hurt?" the man asked, despite already knowing the answer. His magic had stitched back together Sylvester's wounds the second he passed trough the invisible perimeter of the library.

"No, no, I am not."

"... Were you hurt?"

It was now the historian's turn to roll his eyes: "Just a few nicks here and there. But you knew that."

"Just making sure," the man grunted, before his gaze fell to the book bag still on the other's shoulder.

"For me?"

"For you."

With a small glint in his eyes, the naga pulled the bag away from its holder, and pulled out two books.

"They're both architectural texts," Sylvester spoke, a hint of pride in his voice, "Got them mailed to me from my homeland."

The snake remained silent, skimming over the drawings and words, before shutting it. All it held was information about the architectural styles of the buildings in the plaza and how they changed over a millennia. Interesting, yes, but nothing the man couldn't find in his own records.

He then flipped open the other, smaller booklet and let out a pleased hum over the contents: it was a complete history from the day his kingdom rose, to the way it still proudly stands today. The latest additions were which interested him most, and he quietly noted the authors. Perhaps the next time Sylvester goes out, he'll request more from them specifically.

Snapping the book shut, he finally unraveled the smaller man from the trap of coils, who then dutifully followed after the larger, much more ancient being, almost with a skip in his step.

"It'll do," he nodded, making his way over to the new part of the cave system: the expansions Sylvester is to blame for. At least his habit of bringing back books every time he returned gave the librarian something to do with his time.

"And... By the way, you are aware that you've only been in the top layer, yes?" the snake asked, looking rather amused by the shock in the historian's eyes.

"... Pardon?" Sylvester inquired.

"This is only the first floor of the library," he elaborated, "There's another layer beneath our feet."

The historian freezes in his tracks.

Noticing the sudden stop, the creature tilts his head: "Something wrong?"

"... No," Sylvester gulped, but the word came across as unsure.

"No? Is it one floor too few, little star?"

"No, no, it's just... I've already been here for... What, five years? It'll be at least another five when I'm done with those books! If I'm done!"

"I fail to see the problem," The naga stated, searching for a spot the two new books would fit best within, analyzing each and every shelf with a critical eye.

"Do you think you can handle me for another ten years?"

"I think I'd go insane if I didn't see you for ten hours. Yes. Yes I could handle you. I want to handle you," he said with such finality, and slid the texts in a shelf he deemed fitting. He'll categorize them later, now he just wanted to pay attention to the scholar.

"I... I see," Sylvester stuttered out, "How come you didn't tell me that beforehand, my liege?"

"That's for me to know, little star," he brushed off the question. Truthfully, he had noticed how the small mortal was nearing to the end of his stay. A mere handful of books are left on the first floor for him to rewrite and mail back to his home. A week's work at best.

Perhaps it hit the naga that if he didn't show the rest of his collection, he won't see this mortal ever again. Or maybe he felt bad about withholding such ancient, precious texts instead. Perchance it was both. Or a different reason entirely. Maybe it didn't matter why he let him know.

"So... Stay? Just a little longer?" he asked, hiding the hopeful tone under heavy wraps.

Not knowing what to say in return, the mortal just nodded, letting his hand be taken by the naga, as he was led deeper into the system. He observed and noted the systems and locks put in place to protect the rest of the immortal's sanctuary. And then, when he finally saw the true expanse and scale of the area, he could only utter one word under his breath.

"Beautiful..."

It went unknown if it was meant in reference to how the candlelight illuminated his guide, painting him in a soft yellow, just dim enough for his eyes to handle, or if he was in awe of the hundreds upon thousands of books before his eyes.

"I know."

There was silent satisfaction within the snake man now. He knew in his heart this will be a decision he does not regret, as he quietly observed the other man explore the shelves with such carefulness. The naga was just glad someone understood the fragility and importance of the texts. The importance they held to him.

[lindyhunt]

Everything That Upset the Internet This Week

What is the web-o-sphere angry about this week? The conscious coupling of a comedian and pop princess, a Harry Potter casting choice and a Kardashian sister who could be working undercover for the dairy industry Here’s everything you need to know.

Pete Davidson says some weird things about Ariana Grande

THE STORY: During a radio interview with Howard Stern, SNL cast-member Pete Davidson made a series of comments and jokes about his fiancé, Ariana Grande, that have people asking questions. For starters, he said he’s “never been prouder” than when he watched former U.S. President Bill Clinton seemingly “eyeing” Grande at Aretha Franklin’s funeral last month. And, later in the interview when asked about how he deals with his fiancé being objectified by men on the regular, he said: “I get it. I was jerking off to her before I met her! I’ve been in the other shoes. Who knew I was practicing this whole time [for our relationship.]?”

And wait! That’s not all. In another interview sound bit that the media quickly picked up on, Davidson appears to express sympathy Bishop Charles E. Ellis III, who was accused of inappropriately touching Grande during a live television broadcast. “Shitty situation…” he said, “I feel bad for that guy.”

THE REACTION:

fuck pete davidson ariana deserves so much better pic.twitter.com/fbpLiaD7Jk

— cait (@kissyIipa) September 27, 2018

pete davidson is publicly encouraging toxic male behaviour towards his own fiancé, you should not defend any man who inappropriately touches anyone and it’s certainly not a compliment to be “eyed up” there’s something seriously wrong with him

— t (@louvinglyharry) September 27, 2018

Pete Davidson is DISGUSTING. Don��t try to tell me otherwise. I don’t care if he “makes ariana happy”, he treats her with no respect publicly and I don’t see him ever complimenting her for anything but her “sexiness” :( (Don’t even try to comment and attack me, it wont work)

— mark 💧 (@remcamiIa) September 27, 2018

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Man, Ariana Grande has had a rough year. Shortly after Davidson’s interview went viral, Grande tweeted a string of emotional messages, including: “can i pls have one okay day. just one. pls.” and “ty for loving me sm i do not deserve it.”

Is she addressing her fan’s Davidson backlash? We don’t know—and it’s probably not our business. What we do know is that Davidson is a brutally honest dude whose made a career out making uncomfortable, often-inappropriate jokes. I think Grande probably knew that before accepting his proposal. We also know that a lot these quotes were taken pretty out of context. For example, here’s everything Davidson said about the whole bishop situation: “It’s not cool and I feel really bad. We both don’t think that was intentional. He’s a really tall guy, she’s very little. He was trying to be funny. He did a stupid joke, he’s a pastor. He did a shitty joke, broadcast it on TV. Shitty situation…I feel bad for that guy.”

An Asian actress Claudia Kim plays Nagini in Fantastic Beasts

THE STORY: The final trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald, the latest film from J.K Rowling’s extended Harry Potter universe, revealed that the character played by Claudia Kim is actually Nagini, a cursed woman who eventually transforms into Voldemort’s killer snake later in the Harry Potter series.

THE REACTION:

I feel like this is the problem when white people want to diversify and don't actually ask POC how to do so. They don't make the connection between making Nagini an Asian woman who later on is the pet of a white man. So I'm going to say it right now. That shit is racist.

— Ellen "Call Me General" Oh (@ElloEllenOh) September 25, 2018

issue isn't that nagini's a villain, but that she's barely a character at all. presumably enslaved, as humanoid pet & before as circus act, but w/no redemption arc as her death in DH is a fun victory for Good. & nagini is SE Asian iconography used as EAsian snake/dragon lady🙄

— ryen 🦇 (@RyeriLim) September 26, 2018

@jk_rowling listen Joanne, we get it, you didn't include enough representation when you wrote the books. But suddenly making Nagini into a Korean woman is garbage. Representation as an afterthought for more woke points is not good representation. https://t.co/UIrR7yiKQD

— Jen Moulton (@J_A_Moulton) September 26, 2018

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: Since The Philosopher’s Stone, there problem with diversity and racial stereotyping in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. And in recent years, as the wizarding world continues to hold a powerful place in popular culture, it feels like the author has made attempts to rectify her lack of representation. (For example, a black actress was cast to play Hermione in the stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a decision that was both praised and criticized.)

It appears that this backtracked diversity is exactly what has been done with Nagini. The criticism that casting an Asian actress as a pet snake feeds into the fetishisation of East Asian women is valid. But on the flip side, writer Biba Kang points out that “had a Caucasian actor been cast in the role, you could imagine that journalists like me would be writing censorious pieces about white-washing and the cultural appropriation of Asian mythology.” She then points out the backlash against Tilda Swinton playing the Ancient One in Marvel’s Doctor Strange, despite the director’s argument that using an Asian actor would contribute to a racist stereotype. 

Here’s what Rowling has to say about all of it: “The Naga are snake-like mythical creatures of Indonesian mythology, hence the name Nagini” and “Indonesia comprises a few hundred ethnic groups, including Javanese, Chinese and Betawi.” Is that a mic drop? Hard to say. I’m most interested in hearing from Claudia Kim, the actress who plays Nakini in the film, and who seems very excited about her role in the franchise.

There’s a Kylie Jenner cereal conspiracy

THE STORY: Kylie Jenner, Realizer of Things™, has come to a revelation. On September 18, 2018, Kylie Jenner tweeted: “last night i had cereal with milk for the first time. life changing.” At this point, the Internet pretty much lost it, and Jenner clarified: “i always liked my cereal dry i never bothered to put milk.” (Kris Jenner later confirmed this key information about her daughter to E! News, saying she’s to blame for Kylie’s strange habit: “It’s all my fault. Guilty as charged. I let the kid eat dry cereal and I think it just kind of stuck with her.”)

THE REACTION:

Kylie Jenner LIED to us! She has had cereal with Milk! pic.twitter.com/BM6R9v6zrp

— Natalia11 (@Natalia11) September 20, 2018

The dairy industry have clearly paid kylie to promote their products as more an more people are becoming aware how bad dairy actually is for you, the same with Kim when she took pictures drinking out the bottle 👀👀

— 💎charlea (@chardunbar_xx) September 23, 2018

Kylie Jenner is working for the milk industry and tweeted that shit last night cause milk stocks been going down since people been drinking dairy alternatives. STAY WOKE

— Titty Milk (@TYB_Johnny) September 20, 2018

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RAGE: She’s a liar AND she’s working undercover for the diary industry?! There’s a lot of garbage going on in the world right, and I really don’t think there’s anything wrong creating an unlikely celebrity conspiracy theory to distract from the madness. Oh, and Kylie, if you’re reading this, you owe us the truth!!!