#memories of the past: an undecided future

[theofficialpresidentofmars]

have not watched legend of Korra and in deciding whether and when i want to, i have compiled a list of pros and cons of watching it:

pros:

Korra <33

more official Avatar universe content

expansion on lore and worldbuilding mechanics

Varrick and Zhu Li

A cast of new and silly characters to get attached to

The revival of the Air Nomads

The older Gaang and their children

DILF ZUKO

cons:

the concept of the Industrial Revolution and sudden change on a global scale is deeply frightening to me. watching humanity evolve from fighting with clubs and swords to driving cars and listening to the radio within the span of a lifetime gives me chills down the spine, especially when part of the first series’ appeal was the fantasy setting of the past, a time when things were simpler and the ignorance of the world made things appear more magical. but suddenly the old ways of the world being overturned as machines replace magic and machines replace people and individual culture is diluted as borders are broken down and larger societal structures are established and communication improves until everyone is irrevocably connected for better or worse and suddenly this large and fascinating world is small and understood and plain and we can never go back because we’ve opened a box that cannot be closed because ignorance is bliss but wilful ignorance is shameful? the jarring experience of watching characters move further away from the world they knew into a world that only looks more and more familiar to the viewer. the knowledge of where this leads, and the use of fantasy as escapism being invaded by the cold truth of reality. Korra being a natural fighter in a world that needs a diplomat, only one cycle too late for the world that needed a fighter. born too late for her time. every single moment we make decisions that cannot be undone, that will leave a mark on our world and on time forever and ever. it happens whether i start watching it or not, but it doesn’t happen until i begin watching. I’d say that I might be happier living in such a time myself, but the truth is that modernity and convenience has poisoned me and I wouldn’t last a day. The other truth is that we hold onto the good memories of the past and find it easier to discard the others, and as such everything will be tinted in rose coloured glasses forever and the past will always be painted with the pretty certainty that it all ends well, which is more than what we can say for the future, or even the present. Do we really miss the 2000s, the 1980s, any decade as you would have it, or do we miss being small enough to be carried by our parents into our bedroom when we pretended to be asleep, comforted by their embrace and with the knowledge that they were definitive rocks of strength in our lives, before we grew old enough to realise their own fears, weaknesses, and humanity? Was it the way old classrooms were decorated, was it the trends and music of the time that made the past better or was it that we only heard terrible news from the radio or the television and had the privilege to simply turn it off? Was it the bliss of the time or, again, the bliss of ignorance? What are we losing right now that we aren’t even aware of? What won’t we miss until it’s gone? What happened to Suki? What happened to the world?

All in all, I’m currently undecided, although from the various clips and edits I have seen scrolling TikToks, both Korra and older Zuko are making strong cases.

(Don’t take this too seriously lol)

[achaotichuman]

Tellin' myself it's the last time Can you spare any mercy that you might find If I'm down on my knees again? Deep down, way down, Lord, I try Try to follow your light, but it's night time Please, don't leave me in the end

Daylight- David Kushner

LINK FOR PALESTINE The free clicks help generate donations from sponsors. All donations go to UNRWA to assist Palestinian refugees

I take writing requests for A Court of Thorns and Roses I will write anything according to the tags in my bio post!

And if y'all wanna see more works by pro Tamlin/anti Inner Circle creators, here is my fanfiction rec masterlist

Works on Ao3-

A Court of Song and Desolation-

The Spring Court is in ruins, and Tamlin lives with the ghostly memories that haunt his broken, forgotten manor. Lucien cannot and will not stand for the idea of leaving him there to rot. After bringing Tamlin to the mortal lands, they begin to unveil a darkness that is targeting the Spring Lord and may rewrite their way of life as they know it.

-Not completed. Set to have 70 chapters. Includes, Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra, Azriel/Eris Vanserra, Feyre Archeron/Rhysand, Nesta Archeron/Cassian.

A Witch A Warrior And A Reckoning

Life is peaceful for Dahlia Fairburn, running with her War Band, and commanding the Spring Court armies. Since the day she could wield a sword, she's been helping her father, along with her younger brother, to restore Spring to its former glory. Trying to ignore the festering magic in her body, that threatens to consume her.

One day, all that peace is threatened to be shaken, as a certain prince of Night asks for her to join the rebellion of the Hewn City and Illyria. From beneath the great mountains, an ancient song calls for her. She meets a woman with death in her eyes, and power in her veins, who makes Dahlia's blood boil while something clicks into place between them.

This new generation of Prythian was thought to be one of peace and prosperity. But the mask of the reigning High Lords begin to crumble, as secrets older than Prythian itself are uncovered, and darkness is unleashed.

An ACOTAR next generation fanfiction

-Not completed. Unknown number of chapters. Includes Tamlin’s Daughter/Original Female Character, Nyx Archeron/Tamlin, Eris Vanserra/Azriel, Lucien Vanserra/Nuan, Vassa/Jurian, Feyre Archeron/Rhysand

The Gardens The Fruit And The Serpent

The prequel to A Witch A Warrior And A Reckoning

Years after the killing of the Deathless, Koschei, the Lords and Ladies of the Courts of Prythian have settled down, and their children freely roam the land, preparing for the day they may take on the Crown.

Dahlia Fairburn, the daughter of Tamlin Fairburn, the wildcard of her father's household, unpredictable with the same shimmer of gold her father has. Her wants are to serve her people, and hone her natural predatory skills in the dance of battle. And perhaps if she can score an invitation to work under the new King of Vallahan, she might get her chance she's looking for.

Azriel is trying to move past the feuds with Rhysand that drove them apart, settling into his life in the Autumn Court alongside Eris Vanserra. Still the ghost of what happened haunts him, and he sees in the now dull eyes of Nesta Archeron. The heaviness of his past weighs down, and he can only hope to shield his daughters from what had happened to him.

Elain Archeron has seen visions, visions she doesn't understand, but knows they are dark. The future is undecided, but all she does know, is one day this mask will come crumbling down. And when it does, it might be helpful to have the most powerful in history under her thumb.

-Not completed. Unknown number of chapters. Includes, Tamlin's daughter/Original female character, Azriel/Eris Vanserra, Lucien Vanserra/Nuan, Vassa/Jurian, Feyre Archeron/Rhysand, Nesta Archeron/Cassian

How Nesta Archeron Learned to Trap A Beast-

Nesta leaves the Night Court for the Mortal Lands after they attempt to trap her with the male she loathes. After travelling through Summer, she finds the Spring Court and is determined to make it through to her old home. Tamlin is on the brink of ending it, but when the eldest Archeron sister comes marching through his lands, he finds a new reason to keep going.

-Not completed. Set to have 6 chapters. Includes, Nesta Archeron/Tamlin.

The Dog Days Are Over-

A gift for @shi-daisy for writing the beautiful A Court of Threads & Daises. The Spring festival is upon the Ambrose family. Joy and celebration is in the air, but this festival is a little different to any other. Amarantha is no longer looming on the lands and the people are free to celebrate as they wish, they are no longer weighed down by her sadistic hand, or by a curse. The dog days are over.

-Completed. 1 chapter. Includes the original ships of A Court of Threads and Daises.

A Game Never Worth Playing-

Their mating bond has been ignored for too long and Eris is finally and fully fed up with it. He marches into Spring and demands that Tamlin finally make a decision.

-Completed. 2 chapters. Includes Tamlin/Eris Vanserra.

Melodies In The Dark-

A snippet of what occurred UTM before Feyre came back to save Prythian. Tamlin misses the sun, when he sees Lucien again for the first time in weeks, he realizes his sun was Under the Mountain with him all along.

-Completed. 1 chapter. Includes Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra, Tamlin/Rhysand.

The One True High Lord

Even after everyone expected Nesta Archeron, the eldest of the Night Court Heirs would take the throne, Feyre Acheron has been chosen by the Cauldron. With her new precarious position, and resistance against women in power in the Night Court, Feyre decides to ask an old friend to turn her male. Now High Lord of the Night Court. Feyre explores the ins and outs of ruling and finds drama waiting for her in the hands of a beautiful stranger.

This was based of Tumblr Prompt but I turned into an AU

-Not completed. Set to have 4 chapter. Includes Feyre Archeron/Rhysand, Nesta Archeron/Morrigan, Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra.

Citrus Tears, Sour Souls

I went on an angst kick and uploaded some angsty oneshots to Tumblr, this is them collected on Ao3.

-Not completed. Includes Lucien/Elain Archeron, Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra, Eris Vanserra & The Lady of the Autumn Court.

A Field Of Dahlias

Finally free of the Mountain and Amarantha's grip on the people. The Spring Court is scrambling to get back to normal. With their wedding not far away, Tamlin is struggling to keep his Court from falling into disarray. When he starts to get sick things begin to take a turn for the worse and worser.

When Feyre is taken by the Lord of Night, it doesn't look like anything it can get any worse. With his life experience Tamlin should know that things can always get worse.

-Not completed. Set to have 5 chapters. Includes Feyre Archeron/Tamlin, Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra, Ianthe/Elain Archeron, Nesta Archeron/Eris Vanserra.

Heaven Help A Fool Who Falls In Love

Tamlin mumbled something too quiet for Lucien to catch, the Fox chuckled, and pressed his forehead to Tamlin’s, “What was that, pretty boy?”

Tamlin breathed a laugh, “Pretty boy?”

Lucien bit down on his lip, trying to contain his grin, he was unsuccessful, “Yes, pretty boy.”

“Okay, handsome man.” Tamlin replied.

Tamlin gets sick, and Lucien takes care of him.

-Completed. 1 chapter. Includes Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra.

A Mate Is Someone...

Mating bonds are an enigma, something that can be lovely and sought after. It can also bring forth terror, resentment, anger and hatred. For Lucien Vanserra, a mating bond is more like a chain than a thread.

Equals don't always have to like each other. ____ Lucien stumbled forward, his legs couldn’t hold up his body anymore. Reality was slipping between his fingers, and everything had a glaze over it.

The sinner before the altar, he fell to his knees. ___

Request from Tumblr- proceed with caution anti elain ask ahead I am new on this app and saw your neslin fic which I enjoyed could I please ask you to write a fic with lucien as a emisary he tired of elaine leading him on he ignores her and breaks bond and elaine is annoyed but she deserves it she and aziel are losers and deserve each other

It was also requested that there be a Tamcien second chapter, so here is that as well!

-Completed. 2 chapters. Includes Feyre Archeron/Lucien Vanserra, Elain Archeron/Azriel, Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra

Naked Poetry

The Seasonal Courts are gathering for an annual meeting. With tensions growing between the Courts, they aim to settle what they can and allow the magic to return to harmony as it was before the Curse of Amarantha.

But after so long away, the magic of each Court is writhing for its sister. From Spring's weakened magic, the power of the Seasons is demanding rejuvenation.

Magic comes with a price, and this is theirs.

Title from Naked Poetry by SKYLAR would recommend listening to whilst reading.

-Not completed. Set to have 2 chapters. Includes Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra, Tamlin/Beron Vanserra, Tamlin/Eris Vanserra, Tamlin/Kallias, Tamlin/The Unnamed Vanserra Brothers, Tamlin/Tarquin, Kallias/Lucien Vanserra, Kallias/Beron Vanserra, Kallias/Eris Vanserra, Kallias/The Unnamed Vanserra Brothers

Tumblr Oneshots

Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra-

Hallow's eve is upon Prythian. But what Court has the best scares? Autumn or Spring. Lucien is the judge and Tamlin is determined to win.

Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra-

When Tamlin is fighting his magic, and Lucien takes care of him.

Tamlin/Rhysand-

Rhysand pushes Tamlin too far at a ball. Tamlin finally snaps and gives him what he deserves.

Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra-

Modern!Au, Lucien has a motorcycle, he gives his boyfriend a ride. Tamlin is in love.

Tamlin/Rhysand & Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra-

Rhysand is still hung over Tamlin even centuries after their fallout. Lucien isn't letting him anywhere near his High lord.

Tamlin/Rhysand-

Rhysand blames Tamlin, but who's left to blame if Tamlin isn't there?

Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra & Elain Archeron/Gwyneth Berdara-

Lucien is drawing further and further away from Elain. Elain wants to know why.

Tamlin/Rhysand-

Tamlin finally gives Rhysand a reality check, so naturally Rhysand does the next logical thing, and attempts to court him.

Tamlin Oneshot-

Tamlin is stuck in a time loop of reliving his life over and over. An old friend comes to lead him into the afterlife. Tamlin finally lets himself go with her.

Tamlin/Rhysand-

Rhysand meets a beautiful female at a ball in the Hewn City. She runs away before he can get her name. He is still in love a year later, and finally meets her again, but who was she really...

Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra-

Lucien loves reading. He can't anymore because the clicking of his metal eye drives him insane. Tamlin decides to step in and help.

Tamlin & Jesminda

Jesminda is simply trying to enjoy a beautiful day, then, because the Gods apparently hate her, a problem falls from the sky and into her life.

Five times Lucien Vanserra proposed to Tamlin, one time Tamlin said yes

Exactly what the title says, five times Tamlin rejected Lucien's proposal, one time he accepted.

A rewrite of Feyre’s death Under the Mountain.

Feyre awakening from her near death experience in a slightly more realistic manner.

Thunderstorms- Tamlin/Lucien Vanserra

Lucien is afraid of thunderstorms; Tamlin helps him through one. Or Tamcien fluff.

Eris Vanserra

Eris' home has never been a safe place; or Eris Vanserra angst.

The Mother's Least Favourite Son

Elain decides to reject the mating bond, and what Lucien becomes after.

Worthless Man

Tamlin is difficult to understand, even harder to love.

The Last Time He Cried

Finding peace in the after world- A continuation of The Mother's Least Favourite Son, but you do not need to read it to understand this one.

Eris Vanserra

Eris has a not good, very bad, horrible day.

Beauty In The Neon Lights

A snippet of fem!Tamlin and fem!Lucien in a modern setting. Very sapphic, very fun.

I'm almost me again, she's almost you

A oneshot of Tarquin post-acosf, still recovering from what happened to him and his family under the mountain

Tamlin Week 2024

This is the list of my oneshots for Tamlin Week 2024, I decided to make them their own section with links to both the Tumblr post and Ao3 work for them!

Day1- Kidnapped By The Faery Queen

Link for Tumblr post and the Link for Ao3 work

A character reversal AU, where Tamlin is mortal and in Feyre's position. And Feyre is the High Lady of Spring who needs a human to break her curse.

Day2- The Ghost Of The One That Got Away

Link for Tumblr post and the Link for Ao3 work

Rhysand walks in on Tamlin practicing for a performance. What happened after... well who was to blame him for falling in love on the spot?

Day3- Hedonism

Link for Tumblr post and the Link for Ao3 work

Tamlin has never been good with words. Much less relationships, of any kind at all.

He doesn't know how to fix this; he doesn't know if there's any possibility of this being fixed.

But he has to try, for the man that is everything he's ever needed. He will try.

Day4- Mama's Boy

Link for Tumblr post and the Link for Ao3 work

On the evening of Calanmai, Tamlin remembers the first time he ever performed the ritual.

Day5- Marry Me

Link to Tumblr post and the Link to Ao3 work

Tamlin has been wanting to marry Lucien for two years. Now he finally decides to propose.

Hopefully everything goes smoothly.

Day6- How Easy It Is To Worship You

Link to Tumblr post and the Link to Ao3 work

Tamlin has a nightmare, reimagining his past and his mistakes. Lucien comforts him, and helps him through his negative spiral.

Feylin Week

Day1- My Faery Lord

Link for Tumblr post and the Link for Ao3 work

When Feyre strays from the group of sentries patrolling, she hurts herself after falling.

But not even an injury will stop her from finding the source of wistful music that floods her entire body when she hears it through the woods.

Day2- Bravery Is In Spite Of Fear

Link for Tumblr post and the Link for Ao3 work

When Tamlin is preparing to head to Hybern, Feyre holds him back. Unable to forget the day she last said goodbye and nearly lost him forever.

[theamityelf]

What would happen if the class 78 Kamukuras (especially Taka) met Kamukura AU Makoto

Oooh, my initial thought was that it depends on how far Taka's character development got to go before Makoto was Kamukurized (assuming the other events of the Kamukura Wrangler AU still happened), but I kind of love this as a thing that happens before Taka has gotten far in his character development.

Like, Taka has had every opportunity to change his mind about viewing all the Kamukuras as abominations, including recovering a few memories of being Normal Taka, therefore learning that elements of his past self still exist in him, but he's stubbornly refused to change his mind. Makoto's reassurances don't sway him, the moments of humanity he starts to see in the others don't sway him. (It's partially his habit of moralizing normalcy, and partially the fact that his ever-increasing love for Makoto seems to validate his moralizing of normalcy.)

Then the scientists take Makoto, and they change him.

I'm imagining they have to knock-out gas all the Kamukuras in order to get Makoto away from them.

At first, Taka is in a state of half-hoping they returned Makoto to his family (because the alternative is unbearable) and half-planning how to make sure everyone in this facility dies. Just absolutely ruthless and undiscriminating justice. He stalks around, ominously quiet.

Yasuhiro is also ominously quiet, but he doesn't seem upset. He's almost vacant, compared to his usual vaguely-amused self. Just kind of drifting from room to room with a very ambiguous look, like whatever he sees in the future is actually holding his attention for once.

Hifumi draws a limp arm that is unmistakably Makoto's, and Taka almost straight up kills him.

Junko knows what's happening to Makoto through sheer intuition, and she feels the perverse stir of despair inside herself, bringing her something like pleasure even as she plots out the painful deaths of those responsible.

Kyoko and Chihiro both separately manage to sneak out of the Kamukuras' living area. Chihiro goes to look for Makoto, and Kyoko goes to look for files/records on Makoto, but they're both returned before they can find what they're looking for. (Kyoko got close.)

Makoto is returned to them scarred, shaven, red-eyed, and dressed in a hospital gown. He's just deposited into their room, in much the same way he was when they first met him.

He's in his Makoto Kamukura characterization, and I am undecided as to whether it's better if it's before he's even aware of himself as a person, or after. As in, it could be a somewhat responsive Makoto or a wholly unresponsive one. I think I'm going with unresponsive, for the drama.

Taka sees him, and he's devastated.

At first, he fully turns his back on him and walks away, saying, "Another abomination."

But after spending some time by himself (while the others try to get a response from this new Kamukura), he realizes that he wants to see him again. He doesn't want to discard the new Kamukura, because...

Because it's Makoto.

And Makoto accepted him for who he was, despite every reason not to, so he can't...

He can't abandon him over what they did to him.

He goes back to Makoto (and the others). The group parts for him, out of curiosity. Taka holds Makoto's face between his hands. Makoto's eyes scan his face, learning and unfeeling.

Red eyes. Kamukura eyes. But Taka can't bring himself to hate them.

"You're still in there," Taka says. "You are, because you have to be." He understands, now, why Makoto was willing to live among them for as long as he did. Willing to tell them about their past selves, even perform those selves for them. Why he smiled that sad smile every time one of them got the behavior exactly right, without any of the motivation. He understands that the same part of him that was unable to let go of Makoto before will still be unable to let go of him now, whether he is in there or not. "And even if you're not entirely yourself anymore, you're not going to be like me, because you're not going to hate yourself for what you are. You are not an abomination. You said that we are not abominations. You said that we're still the same people, at our core, and I have to believe you now, because I can't lose you. Okay? Makoto?"

And I'm thinking Makoto doesn't respond yet. He's still not quite aware of himself.

Taka has to hold his hand, take him to bed, take him to meals, etc. for a few days before Makoto suddenly speaks up to ask him, "Why did one of your eyes change color?"

And immediately he has everyone's attention again.

[xgoldenlatiasx]

Upcoming PKMN IRL blog arcs

a sort of roadmap post to organize the upcoming arcs that i currently have planned for my rp blogs. and to maybe get people excited for whats to come! will likely be updated semi frequently, just whenever i have a new plotline idea or feel like removing one. all of these are subject to change tho.

also, hey, if you see an arc you feel your character could potentially have involvement in, DM me and we can see if we can work something out!

Aura Unleashed Arc

Info: N goes digging deeper into the secrets of the past. In the process, he ends up discovering a hidden power from his lineage dormant in his veins... and now must learn to control it.

Blogs involved: @thunderblessedhero, @pinkhairandpokemon, @keldeochamp1on

Debut: Undecided (potentially quite soon after Summer Camp Arc)

Warnings: None (currently)

Rating: Drama Stakes

Family Ties Arc

Info: Blake gets an impromptu visit from their father, who's been absent from their life for quite some time. This leads Blake on a journey of figuring out their complicated relationship with their family they'd long avoided... and how their future with it looks.

Blogs involved: @pinkhairandpokemon, @thunderblessedhero (minor involvement)

Debut: Undecided

Warnings: Transphobia, misgendering, implications of past child neglect

Rating: Drama Stakes

Envious Reflection Arc

Info: A ripple in the fabric of time once again causes a mishap in the multiverse... PB finds themself in the universe of their other self. The self that has everything they wish they had. This leads to PB inevitably having to confront uncomfortable feelings they kept bottled up for a long time.

Blogs involved: @justanothercastelian, @pinkhairandpokemon, @partnersintime (minor involvement)

Debut: Undecided

Warnings: Discussion of past trauma

Rating: Drama Stakes

Icy Awakening Arc

Info: It's finally time for Paisley to come to terms with what being a chosen is actually about. And it isn't fun.

Blogs involved: @pokehorsegirl

Debut: Undecided

Warnings: Vomitting

Rating: Low Stakes

Let Sleeping Ghosts Lie Arc

Info: What starts out as a trip to Sinnoh to mourn the loss of old friends turns into a quest for answers (and potential revenge) after Auberi has an encounter with an old foe. Can they get to the bottom of their enemy's reappearance, and can Quartz stop them from attempting anything rash?

Blogs involved: @pinkhairandpokemon, @partnersintime

Debut: Undecided

Warnings: Death, discussion of past trauma

Rating: Medium to High Stakes

Hop's Alola Adventures Arc

Info: Hop finally makes his long-awaited research trip to the Alola region to discover the mysteries of Z-crystals. Obviously, Blake, N and Auberi just have to tag along too!

Blogs involved: @pinkhairandpokemon, @thunderblessedhero

Debut: Undecided

Warnings: None (Currently)

Rating: Low Stakes (subject to change)

Where Roads and Skies Part Arc

Info: Blake graduates from the Academy, and gets an offer from a far off region that causes them and N to realize it's time to consider their future... and consequently, that of the Legendary Dragons. Meanwhile, August detects odd stirrings from within the Gray Stone.

Blogs involved: @pinkhairandpokemon, @thunderblessedhero, @keldeochamp1on

Debut: Undecided

Warnings: None (Currently)

Rating: Undecided

Time Shatters Arc

Info: The consequences of jumping through time with a banished Celebi finally catch up to Royce and Lotus.

Blogs involved: @weirdcelebi, @partnersintime

Debut: Undecided

Warnings: None (Currently)

Rating: Undecided

Fading Memory Arc

Info: Blake's adventure in the Reborn region takes a dark turn.

Blogs Involved: @sword-reborn, @/pkmnrangerkaita

Debut: Undecided (soon tho)

Warnings: Death, suicide, memory loss (it... it's pokemon reborn. if you've played u know how it goes)

Rating: High to Ultra Stakes

[pinkskytwst]

(MC,OC,Prefect, NOTYuu)/Everyone (Final Pairing(s) undecided)

Rewriting Reality

Crowley felt the building quaking around him and heard the cries of anguish and rage that signaled his failure. He didn’t have to see the battle. He had watched so many times from the shadows. Over and over and over again. So much blood. So many tears and grief stricken faces of his students that sometimes he forgot what their smiling faces looked like when he closed his eyes.

But no matter what he did. No matter how many ‘Yuu’ s he brought. The outcome was the same.

It was always the same and it would be just one more soul he would see snuffed out before he had to rewind the clock. Data dump and scrub the files from existence.

Restart the game.

And each time he knew it would end the same way. It would never bring a ‘happy ending’ because there was a flaw in their existence that was written into it’s very core and then tried to be covered with barely rendered patches. A mockery of what they were meant for, what their purpose existed for and placing a wall preventing them from reaching their true potential. What they all craved and yet were unable to act on.

They were meant for love.

Crowley knew this as he knew his duty, his purpose was keeping their world running.

They were meant to exist with the choice to love. They were meant to find fulfillment in growing as close as they were allowed by their Prefect but in each life, each restart, that choice was stopped. Their words were edited. Reworked to fit the new ‘purpose’ they were told they existed for. But that didn’t stop their cores, their original selves fighting every step of the way and doing everything they could to try and get their feelings through.

Draconia was the most powerful of them. Where Crowley was chained to his purpose and had a certain kind of power over their world he was helpless in other ways. Malleus Draconia, however was the most powerful of all of them, had been meant to be from the start and because of that he was able to get more through than the rest of them. Choosing his words as carefully as possible while leaving just enough ambiguity that their restrictions wouldn’t rewrite his ‘dialogue’ completely he was able to express more of his true feelings than anyone else.

It was still never enough.

In some ways Crowley was thankful that he was the only one that was aware of the truth. He knew it would be infinitely more torture to know that his precious students remembered the endless Prefects that had stolen their hearts only to die in their arms while trying to save them all.

No two Yuu’s were alike and their paths differed with who they grew close to and what pasts they uncovered. What paths they chose even if the ending was the same. Every one of his precious students had found ones meant for them. Every one of his students had so many happy memories and hopes of the future that all ended in tragedy.

Each time it felt like Crowley was getting his heart ripped out just as fresh as the first.

Each time he wondered just how long he could do this without losing himself.

This time, though. This time he knew he couldn’t handle another.

He felt the castle crumbling around him and knew the ‘end’ was approaching. The time for him to rewind the clock. To start over and call forth another Yuu to sacrifice.

He wouldn’t.

He couldn’t.

He had spent so many routes searching, scouring every avenue he possibly could for options. Ways to CHANGE things. He knew it was unfair to the many Yuu’s he promised he was helping find them a way home but even if he had they wouldn’t have been permitted to leave their world. They were just as destined as the rest of them and so he had made his own plans. Plans he carefully memorized, knowing that trying to write anything down or make notes would be erased just like everything else when he rewound time.

It took longer than it should have because of that. He had to make absolutely certain that everything was exactly right. There were no room for error when he knew that making this change would break his powers. There was no certainty that he would be able to rewind again. If this went wrong the pain and loss would be permanent. So he only had this once chance.

To break the cycle he would have to break their system fundamentally.

He would have to give their Prefect freedom. They were just as chained as the rest of them with how they were able to respond. How they were allowed to express themself. It was built into the lens they interacted with their world through.

No ‘Yuu’ would ever have the ability to break out of their role.

So this time he wouldn’t drag a ‘Yuu’ into their world.

This time it would be someone else. Someone new.

Crowley reached out for the Mirror of Darkness, gathering all the magic he had access to. Pulled from even more that he had experimented with from the makeup of their world to be able to manipulate. He would need to not only rewind their world but also reach past the next chosen ‘Yuu’ and latch onto a soul that would have the power to rewrite their world around them. A power innate, built into what they were meant to be and where they were meant to go.

He would steal a soul meant for another world, a specific kind of world that they were meant to be. One compatible with their original purpose that would hopefully be able to unlock their freedom.

And most importantly, create a different ending for them all.

He felt the last scene be ‘triggered’ and he flooded the Mirror of Darkness with everything he had. Twisted and twisted and twisted further. Pushed past the controls that bound him, hissing as he felt them burning his soul but he continued to push.

He felt the light of the Yuu he was supposed to bring, knew that the Gate was prepared for them.

Guiding his reach past the waiting soul he almost cried out as alarms filled his ears and red lights began to flash wildly around him.

Gritting his teeth against it all he reached and reached. Past fabrics of reality that he was never meant to touch. Realities that existed in different logic than their own. Each one felt like shards of glass and needles raking over his soul as he broke through and past.

He had to continue. None of them were right. They weren’t what their world needed.

Crowley was beginning to feel his magic reach it’s limits and the drain begin to pull him back to his realm. Panic washed over him. No! No he wouldn’t fail his students! He wouldn’t let this be their end!

And then he felt it.

A light so alike their Yuu but so different.

He felt their abilities and nature. Their Soul.

He found the one that could access the base purpose of Twisted Wonderland. Could rewrite their futures.

Straining past his limit, Crowley extended his hand through an unfamiliar mirror.

—Take the hand of the one who is reflected in the Mirror as thine heart desires.

“Who are you, child?”

“My name is Ai.”

------------------------------

Hope you all like the start! (Yes 'Ai' is a name pun lol. I couldn't help it!) Tell me what you think!

[uldren-sov]

yes pls more Camy lore 👁️👁️ Beginnings, Storybeats, Seven and Albums

omg she is being perceived 👁️👁️ ..... LOL

tyty for the ask!!! <333

Beginnings: When and how did they know they wanted to be a professional musician? Was there a deciding factor?

I think she only knew she wanted to do it professionally kind of "late." Like around the first year of college. She was undecided on what she wanted to major in, but was most leaning on an English degree, maybe becoming a teacher one day??? Who knows. But after that first year of college and seeing their fame start to rise/seeing gigging actually starting to pay for rent, she began to seriously consider that this could be a profession. Music was her passion but seeing their success cemented the idea to cut out the safety net and dedicate herself more seriously to the band. The idea that it could be their future turned very quickly to how it would be their future and despite actually getting a degree in English and Music (with a minor in Marketing) she doesn't really plan on using the first. Over the course of college, music became the only goal.

Storybeats: If you could design one scene to happen in the story, what would it be? How would it change your character? What would make it so satisfying for the character arc?

I REALLY hope that we can just kick our parents to the curb lmao. I hope that we can decide that we'll have nothing more to do with them and also be able to like highlight that in some kind of interview. I fully think that Camy's support system was her friends and her friends only. She very quickly lost trust in her parents and lost hope in them ever giving her the love she needed from them. There is no going back to a point where she needs her family anymore, so I want there to be a scene that not only severs that relationship but also doesn't punish Camy for it. And I hope she could have like an unedited moment where she can say that like, people won't always have their family's approval or their support, and you'll still be FINE. Family doesn't always have to be blood, family can be the people you choose. And it would be satisfying to the character arc to be able to let go of that anguish, to finally have her stop seeking their apology in how they raised her, and to just be able to move on past them. (ALSO in that same vein I would KILL for a scene though with Lucy and Camy reuniting. Fuck you, Seven, OUR mother.)

Seven: Do you have headcanons about their friendship and/or romantic relationship (past or future)? What do you imagine some of their best memories are? What do you think some of Seven’s favourite things about your MC were/are?

Answered here! But I'll add that I think Camy always had a crush on Seven that she just didn't realize. And now its actually a surprise that her feelings have returned. She thought she was over him, she even listens to/is a fan of Soft Violence and felt nothing. She's happy for him, she's even relieved that he managed to get back on his feet. Though she does keep away from actually seeing him perform, because the few times she did, it felt like the pull of the ocean before a wave would crash on top of her. It took her a long time to get to this point, she was angry and SO hurt (especially when Seven made it a point to show off his rebounds so publicly) but she got to the point where it didn't hurt to hear his name any more, or it didn't lay her out when she thought about what she lost with him. But then she talked to him on that balcony and that wave crashed down over her and now she's not sure how much air she has left in her lungs before she's left drowning in her feelings for him once again.

Albums: What are some of the albums the band has released? Are they a consistent style? What themes did they explore?

Stolen from the game but their first album was Running Out of Time LOL I imagine that was released when they were fresh out of high school and she still was not what you would call very confident in their longevity. Especially when they went from just a cover band for various punk/alt rock bands to making their own music. Since then I think they released at least one more album with Seven, called Escape ( :) ) and two more without Seven called Midnight Calling and The Gambit. The latter is where that "hit song" came from and why she doesn't mind the pace from BOTB all that much, when inspiration strikes she is WORKING. Since Seven left I think they went less alt rock sound more leaning into the punk/hard rock vibes. She also likes to play with more pop-punk songs as well since they're oftentimes high energy and a lot of fun to perform and sing. I think those get more popular just by being more mainstream but she enjoys being able to play around in the different genres of rock. Typically she writes about her issues with the industry, her personal experiences, and some aspects of popular culture/standards; she fully stopped writing about her personal feelings after Seven left initially and only recently started to do so again. Oh and of course, in that same vein, love :3c (and in that same token, Seven) It was a while until she got over the heartbreak of Seven leaving, and though she was trying to be subtle about it, it was still definitely an obvious theme.

[bellestarot]

NCT's Dream Jaemin & NCT's Renjun Reading

November 27, 2022

Jaemin Right Now

He's taking the lead in an important decision right now in his life, it could be work related but I see it's a decision that will cause positivity and good money for him. He was too undecided to choose between two things to make this decision but he is making the right choice.

He might be having family issues right now, there's secrets and lies, even he knows what's really going on. Although he has a very strong connection with his family because maybe he helps them financially, he is not happy with how things are working out.

There may be a figure he looks up to who isn't a very good role model, maybe they have manipulative attitudes towards him, just not being such a positive influence on his mind.

Renjun Right Now

He's quite upset and sad and maybe a little defensive about breaking up with someone he had a connection with. He made this decision but he is not happy with the end, actually he's very stressed and sad.

He doesn't feel comfortable being in the spotlight right now, there's a leading figure in his work that he doesn't like and I can see he doesn't want to travel and he doesn't want to be in the spotlight.

He even feels a little insecure about himself because of people sexualizing him by focusing too much on his appearance and it makes him very uncomfortable.

He's going through a lot right now, maybe he's not even able to sleep because of what just happened.

He wants to talk to someone but that person is not open to communication or he doesn't want to communicate with that person because he doesn't trust them. Maybe that person lied, did something that wasn't fair or exposed something of him personally to other people and it has hurt him a lot.

He doesn't seem to be in a relationship, I think he ended a relationship or he was cheated on by someone.

Because I see that he feels that he was putting a lot of effort into making something work even though it wasn't 100% faithful.

He had a lot of feelings for this person and still has just that the two weren't faithful to each other. There was a lot of backstabbing on both sides, maybe they weren't officially dating.

That person and him had a more fun side to having a relationship but I think it's over between them now.

Jaemin feelings towards Renjun

He doesn't feel connected to him now at all. In the past they were close or he feels they were close but nowadays there is nothing between the two of them really.

The memories he has of him are not positive, he thinks they don't even know each other in a way.

For him, maybe it was better, as much as it makes him sad, that the friendship ended because I see that there were conflicts between the two.

He waits for an apology from him even though he knows they won't get back to being friends or getting close, he waits for him to apologize because he still remembers him and the memories are sad because maybe he didn't want it to end but he kind of accepted what happened.

Renjun feelings towards Jaemin

He misses when they hung out in groups or when they chatted while hanging out with friends between them. He misses that time.

The two had family problems so I think they talked a lot about it, how their relationship with their family was difficult and the two related to each other that way.

(That's not certain) but maybe he sees him as more than a friend because I believe there are emotions directed towards him that may not just be friendship, he feels that the two of them had to meet each other as if it were fate.

He has feelings in this connection, even though Jaemin doesn't feel the same way. He also misses working with him, I think they got along very well working together that there was a partnership in understanding each other working that no longer exists.

Near future to them

The two will go their separate ways, maybe they will interact with each other but it's very much just reminiscing about what it was like in the past, or about the group.

It can make the other feel hurt because they expect something else, one doesn't feel the same about the other and that doesn't change the end of the connection.

Someone can end up starting to have addictions issues and this is a warning that it can become something very serious for this person.

[emotional-support-hufflepuff]

After losing my mind while working on the monster universe au I've been planning out I think I'm almost ready to start writing the first chapter!

So introducing the current main cast of gremlins in this

1. Maka Albarn: Daughter of Spirit, Maka is attending the dwma on an academic scholarship while reluctantly taking a few of her Dad's classes.

a witch that unknowingly specializes in blood life magic. Her major is undecided at the dwma, but she will be leaning more towards botany and plant biology as she learns not just how to manipulate plants but all life surrounding her as well. Together with her newfound friends, they'll be unlocking the secrets of the dwma.

2. Soul "eater" Evans: A black blood werewolf with a history of bad luck, Soul eater is unsure of what his future will hold now that he's graduated. Creating music for his family alone seems to suck his soul out and when he isn't on the run, changing between human and wolf form to get out of his head, he would usually be found pacing his room. Until a bike accident at 18, shook up everything he once knew.

Now twenty-one, his hands shaking with the tremors of an old mistake, Soul is preparing to move into the dwma where he will be meeting old and new friends alike. Originally going for his minor in music theory and conducting Soul's path quickly changes to small business and culinary arts after walking into the wrong class. Did he fully fit in there? No, but the class didn't need to know that.

3. Death the kid: a vampire with big shoes to fill, Kid is the seemingly immortal son of LD. Rumor has it he's a ghost living on university campus since no one has seen him leave. When in reality he is a curator and archivist of cursed artifacts at the dwma. Rumors about him change with each growing day, and as he moves into a dorm with Maka and the others after choosing to enroll, he's curious to see where they lead to. Not much is known about him as he chooses to keep to himself. However one thing is known for sure and that is there is no evidence of him in any picture.

Powered by spite, enough caffeine to kill a horse, and pure sass Kid tends to fade to the background. Often joining in on shenanigans with his sisters and Black star if dragged along he would rather focus on his studies of cultural, environmental, and diplomatic history as he pursues his dreams of becoming an archeologist. Not too hard right? Tell that to anyone who knows and expects him to follow in his dads footsteps. Life isn't easy when your Dads the grim reaper but when you're a vampire all you have is time to share.

4. Liz and Patty Thompson: Not so older sisters to Death the kid, Liz and Patty Thompson are poltergeists that after being discovered in the city were taken in by LD and given a second chance at life. Or, in their case, the afterlife as some would call it. Not much is known about their past, yet in some recollections of memories, one name keeps popping up. Asura, who is he, and why is he in their memories.

Whoever he is, they can worry about that later. With starting school again, Liz and Patty will be joining the others as the lines between who they once were and what they have chosen to become will begin to merge. Will they continue to try and outrun their past or learn to live with who they truly are. That's for them to discover and hopefully for the others to never find out.

5. Black Star: twenty-one going on twenty-two years old, grew up in Arizona, and is going to the dwma on an athletic scholarship. Black star's dad runs the gym classes along with co-leading some of the teams at the dwma. Mainly known for his pranks at the dwma, Black Star also happens to be a star athlete and not so secret theater kid.

 Sure, he loses his head every now and then, but that's his own fault for tossing it around instead of keeping it stitched on properly. But what can you say when you're constantly falling to pieces? That's what you get when you're one of Stein's projects.

6. Tsubaki Nakatsukasa: Twenty five years old, Tsubaki Nakatsukasa leaves behind the rumors of her past as she joins the dwma. Sure she might come off as patient as can be, but push her to her limit and the cutthroat determination that she had in her past life shows just how hard she'll work to get what she deserves. Even if some of that determination led to a little bit of bloodshed.. but that's a story for another time.

Starting her third year of school at the dwma, Tsubaki will begin studying kinesiology, psychology, and human anatomy/physiology in hopes of becoming a physical therapist. She might not be considered a doctor but even then that won't stop her from naming a few bones, while breaking them in the process if anyone so much as touches a hair on the heads of those she cares about.

[jerzwriter]

If your MC were to die, would Ethan/Tobias eventually move on to someone else? What about if it was the other way around?

Well, thanks for the cheery anon greeting me as soon as I get home from work. lol

There are other factors to consider here. When did they die? Was it shortly after they were together, and the surviving partner was relatively young? Did they die at an old age? Do they have children? There are many things that come into account when making this decision.

For those who are "This is Us" fans, I want you to think of Rebecca and Miguel after Jack passes, OK?

Ethan/Kaycee:

If Kaycee were to die early in their relationship, it would be a long time before Ethan would even consider dating again. I think he would date casually down the line, but I don't see him ever becoming committed to anyone as he was to Kaycee. One caveat, maybe he would end up Harper. I could see her being very supportive of him as he tried to heal, and in the distant future, that could grow into more. But Kaycee would remain the love of his life.

If Emma was already born... tough one. Part of me thinks. Eventually, he would fall for someone - maybe another widowed parent. Part of me thinks he'd make Emma his whole world... but then probably be pretty lonely when she becomes an adult. Of course, he could meet someone then? As you can see, I'm undecided lol

I'll come back to Kaycee...

Tobias/Casey:

I always HC'd that the difference between Ethan and Tobias was Ethan was actively avoiding commitment/marriage out of fear because of his history. Tobias wasn't afraid of them; he even respected it... for other people, he just didn't want it himself. Not at all. Casey changed all that. So I often HC that Casey is really the only person for him, and if she were to die early on in their relationship, I don't feel like he'd want to do it again. After a long time, he'd probably date and feel guilty, so maybe he'd stop? I don't like this answer, though. Everyone deserves to have some happiness in their lives, and granted, that doesn't require a partner - but if you have a good partner - it really is more enjoyable that way.

Now, if they had the girls already, I feel like I do about Ethan above. Though here, I feel like he would really throw himself into raising the girls. I mean, three kids? Alone? He'd be busy and have his hands full. But, as they got older, he'd probably date and feel guilty, so maybe he'd stop. But meeting someone special is not beyond the realm of reality - and I'd like to think he'd be happy again. But like Ethan with Kaycee, Casey will always be the love of his life.

The Ladies...

If they didn't have children, both would throw themselves into their work. Truly workaholic level throw themselves into work. Friends and family would worry and try to get them to live a little outside of their jobs. I can see them taking a vacation with Sienna and realizing she misses the other side of life, but it would be painful because it would bring back memories, and they'd miss E/T even more.

That said, in time, I think they'd both meet someone special (maybe even someone from their past?) and have a nice life. But again - Ethan and Tobias would always be their one great love.

(PS If they had children, they'd throw themselves into the kids)

With all four, if they were older when they died -I don't think they'd become involved with anyone again.

I know it's not fun to think of these things, but to me, it would be far sadder for them to be depressed and alone forever. It's not what any of them would want for their partners... Think Rebecca and Miguel. :)

[authoralexharvey]

For the oc alphabet soup; B, T, and V

Thanks for the ask! Let's see...

I have people with B letter last names, but I don't recall anyone rn whose name starts with B. Sorry!

T, on the other hand:

Tantirell Evensong has had a long and beleaguered history with me as her creator because her origins have changed a bit over time. I actually talk about it in this post. That said, she finally found a home in TOOD as a renowned strategist who had been exiled from her previous city state. She's Cunning and ruthless and readers of TOOD were VERY undecided about her cause she toes the line between being super competent and a raging bitch. I love her, I know some people who read her and loved her, but most people were Highly Undecided and that was... kinda the point of her character.

Tsurande Whisperwind has an... interesting backstory. She started as my Chanter toon in Aion... and mostly stayed that way until a couple of years ago when I mashed her with a character I was making for a dnd thing I've been messing with on and off. Tsurande ended up being the person she USED to be, killed in battle but, much like Link in BOTW, kinda... kept in stasis for a while. She wakes up 100 years later with no memories of her past or even knowledge of who she is and names herself Lili after one of the first flowers she sees upon awaking.

Characters whose names start with V...

Vangelica Argyris-Marinos is the future Fleet Admiral of the Vahnic Navy and a major character in TOOD. During the events of the novel, she'd been placed as the Fleet Admiral but is still way too young to be running her position and thus has a regent following her around. I think aer name was Aretena but I don't fully remember rn.

Send me a letter of the alphabet A-Z, and if I have an OC starting with that letter, I'll tell about them.

[universestreasures]

Yuzu’s Arc-V Manga Verse Bio!

Yuzu Hiiragi is the manager of the Phantom and heir to the Shu Zo Duel School, a dueling school focusing on teaching Entertainment Duelist that is currently running on hard times. She constantly is trying to do whatever she can to try and bring more attendance to the school in the hopes of saving it from closure, including roping Yuya Sakaki into this by tricking him to sign a contract that he thought was an autograph. She is his number one supporter, always cheering him on and getting involved in his business, even if he’d rather her stay out of the way. 

However, things were not always this way. Just like Yuya Sakaki and Reiji Akaba, Yuzu is originally from over twenty years into the future. Unlike them though, she has no memory of her former life in that era. Yuzu and her father Shuzo were transported into the current era by the power of Genesis Omega Dragon under the command of Eve shortly before the World Illusion. 

Why save her and her father? Well, that’s because Yuzu is actually Eve’s past self. Not wanting her past self to be harmed and possible affect her, the woman decided to turn back time for the two and send them to a safe era free of the after effects of G.O.D. Little did Eve ever predict it be the same time that both Reiji and Yuya were flung into.

Yuzu and her father still had the Shu Zo Duel School in their original time, but unlike currently, it was super successful. Yuzu was also super close with Yuya and his three brothers, having been their friend since childhood and honed their dueling skills alongside them. Though, out of all of them, she was closest to Yuya most of all. In fact, she had developed a little crush on him, but was unable to confess her feelings prior to the events of the World Illusion. She also had an interest in Solid Vision research due to learning about it from Yusho, undecided at this point in her life whether she wants to pursue it or dueling professionally.  

Like in the anime, her deck is Melodious with her Ace Monster still being Bloom Diva: The Melodious Choir. She did not learn Fusion Summoning from Sora Shuinin in this verse, since they do not have the same history as before. This was something she learned from Yuri instead when they grew up together as kids, one of the only nice things she can say about the brother of Yuya who often creeped her out. She does use Entertainment Dueling just like Yuya as well, loving to put on a good performance with a bit of musical flair.

In addition to being connected by their past in the future, Yuzu is also connected to Yuya and Reiji in another way. She too has been given a fragment of the Adam Factor by Adam, the man thinking that it be safe to place part of it with the past life of his lover. This fact makes her a prime target for Eve and her group for more than just her being Eve’s past self. Though, due to her not dueling much currently with her focus being on promoting the school, she has yet to be able to showcase her potential or that she indeed has it. The revelation of this hidden ability will be a shock for all to see, including Yuzu herself.

Now in the present era, both Yuya and Yuzu have managed to reunite with one another, even with no memory of their history together. Fate worked in mysterious ways like that, huh? It was up to both of them to rediscover their past, their connections to Eve and Adam, and help put a stop to the threat of Genesis Omega Dragon alongside Yuya’s brothers, Reiji Akaba, and the rest of their allies.

[ao3feed-ateez]

Afterimage

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/NVaOR0G by bunnakit Once the Spheres entered the sky mankind lost its luster; ambitions halted, emotions became a memory, and survival was the only thing left on anyone's mind. Little fires of rebellion rose here and there only to be snuffed out as quickly as they had come. Resistance became compliance and the human race drifted through the years without any further inklings of freedom. Change was never instant, instead it seeped slowly like a leaky tap. With each drop a new one appeared - a person with hopes, dreams, passion, desire. A leak became a trickle and those with the spark for life flocked together to stoke the embers again. Eight particular men found themselves drawn to the flames almost by an invisible tether (or perhaps a noose.) They were special for more than just their lust for freedom; each of them touched with abilities almost beyond belief if each of them hadn't witnessed it themselves. Hope brought them together, ambition drove them forward, and commitment kept them close. They were a unit, eight broken pieces coming together to form a mosaic of love, devotion, and a promise of a better future. This is how eight men promised to reclaim humanity and learned the truth of mankind along the way. Words: 5818, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: ATEEZ (Band) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: M/M Characters: Kim Hongjoong, Park Seonghwa, Jeong Yunho (ATEEZ), Kang Yeosang, Choi San (ATEEZ), Song Mingi (ATEEZ), Jung Wooyoung (ATEEZ), Choi Jongho (ATEEZ) Relationships: ATEEZ Ensemble/ATEEZ Ensemble Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Halazia (ATEEZ Music Video), Don't Have To Know Lore, Prophetic Visions, Angst with a Happy Ending, Heavy Angst, Blood and Injury, Past Torture, Painful Backstories, Inspired by NieR: Replicant, Replicants, Dystopia, May Have Smut I'm Undecided and Bad At It, Past Character Death read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/NVaOR0G

[speaker-of-the-void-cats]

For all of existence

Humanity has been guided by only one principle

To keep living

Everything is a question of survival. How do I live? How do I satiate my hunger, my thirst? How do I protect myself from predators? How do I shelter from the storm? For a long, long time, our people asked only this. We fought to separate life from death by as great a span as we could. Even when we had made our homeworld a garden of peace and plenty, the question of survival never ended, only changed. How do my genes, my works, even the memories of me, live on? The same question as always. How do I live?

We solved the problems of deprivation, disease, age, memory loss, death. We weren't the only ones to find these answers, of course. Others followed in our footsteps or blazed their own paths. If that was really the answer to the question, we wouldn't be here now, and neither would you. You're still trying to solve the problem, after all. You fight and build and live and die, and always you struggle against your opposition. The predator, the parasite, the illness, the chance storm, the slow collective forgetting of your art and history, the death of a star, the heat death of the universe. You must live longer, be stronger, think quicker, and still there is something waiting to take everything from you, always. Always. So you have to keep getting better, and better, until you are perfect. Until you are, and cannot be anything else, because there never was anything else. Until you, inevitably, are the final shape. We didn't come to destroy you. Those poor, short-lived sisters—we did try to explain, you know, but they never grew past thinking of finality as a game where only one could live. A misunderstanding, as useful as it was foolish. We see the universe more broadly. The final shape is more than a single life, a single thought. It is all-encompassing, all-embracing. It is everything. You are part of everything, are you not? So now we have come to ask you for your answer, the only answer to the only question. How will you live?

We will never cease to seek the day

Or give up the future come what may

Living runs

In our blood

Though the earth will turn a final time

There is more to know and much to find

So we must

Hold the sun

Over us

Over us

Your shoemaker philosopher was right, and it matters more than anything. Sorrow cannot survive death, and it cannot precede birth. Those who exist have moral worth, and those who do not have none. Think about it. Do you mourn the uncreated? Do you grieve for those who were never born in a nation that never developed around an ideology no one ever imagined on a continent that never formed? No! And from that self-evident truth, you must raise your eyes to the ultimate revelation: those who cannot sustain their own claim to existence belong to the same moral category as those who have never existed at all. Existence is the first and truest proof of the right to exist. Those who cannot claim and hold existence do not deserve it. This is the true and only divination, a game whose losers are not just forgotten but are never born at all. That which cannot claim and hold existence is not real. You do not mourn the unreal. Why should you care for it? Tend it? Guard it? It was the gardener that chose you from the dead. I wouldn't have done that. It's just not in me. But now that they have invested themself in you, you are incredibly, uniquely special. That wandering refugee chose to make a stand, spend their power to say: "Here I prove myself right. Here I wager that, given power over physics and the trust of absolute freedom, people will choose to build and protect a gentle kingdom ringed in spears. And not fall to temptation. And not surrender to division. And never yield to the cynicism that says, everyone else is so good that I can afford to be a little evil." The gardener is all in. They are playing for keeps. And they are wrong. Or so I argue: for, after all, the universe is undecidable. There is no destiny. We're all making this up as we go along. Neither the gardener nor I know for certain that we're eternally, universally right. But we can be nothing except what we are. You have a choice. You are the gardener's final argument. It would mean everything if I could convince you that I am the right and only way. I truly value you. To the gardener, you are a means to an end. To me, you are majestic. Majestic. You are full of the only thing worth anything at all. I am, by the only standard that matters or will ever matter, the winning team. Existence is a test that most will fail. Would you not count yourself among the victorious few? Don't hurry to deliver your answer. I'll come over and hear it myself.

[Report by VanNet encrypted router.]

It preaches the philosophy of the Books of Sorrow, Yor's scriptures, and the unveiled fragments. The Traveler is a false creator, guarding its creations with false law. We are dead things made in the shape of the dead. The only true law is violent winnowing. Whatever cannot hold on to existence does not deserve existence. And so forth.

At least it is consistent.

[Personal notes, scratched in Hive leather with a flake of Ionian stone.]

The enemy suggests that our rebirth was an evil mistake. How Gnostic—they were a cult (a fleet? a school? a horde?) who believed that the source of all suffering was not in our poor choices but an error of the world's Creator. A false, deluded god. Mara would laugh, or weep.

Was my rebirth an evil?

It is true that Guardians are reborn to face pain. We are endlessly besieged by a tortured cosmos. Secretly, I believe that most of us fall to exhaustion. Our Ghosts love us and let us curl up inside, to rest.

My Ghost Brya died to save me. If she were returned… would I want immortality again?

I do fear immortality without choice. I would not want to go on as a prisoner in Vex glass, or a spirit trapped in the Sea of Screams…

But my life is not a prison or a trap.

[Deep cuts, full of stone dust:]

It is NOT.

False prophets proclaim that the end is nigh

And that humanity is not worth existence

This is a trap laid to ensnare the living

A lie of the weak-willed

The inhuman

Their temples are in disarray

And they surely cannot know

What only Gaia knows

The question of how to live well in a universe of indifference, cruelty, and deprivation is the ONLY question. The Light does not offer us an afterlife or an otherworldly paradise. It does not give us throne worlds or pocket universes. The Light tells us that paradise is something we have to make here. The Darkness cautions us against mercy to our enemies. Are we fools for trying to be good, when our very survival is at stake? Maybe. But the fact that our morals sometimes make it more difficult to survive is proof they are truly good! There is not much commendable about doing a right thing when it is also the tactically correct thing. When the good thing is also the hard thing: that is when the righteous are separated from the lost. Sen-Aret, let me tell you something I have told no one else. I know that in the end, the Darkness can win. Do you understand what I mean? By its very nature, the Darkness is the judge of what will exist and what will pass away. In the end, there may be only Darkness because all that exists will remain only by its consent.

The resurrection will come

Only when Gaia requires it

It will not come soon

If we care for our mother

Instead, we will be well rested

And we will be well rested

When the ascension comes

And we will be well rested

When the ascension comes

But the Light grants us freedom from existence alone as the measurement of our worth. Oh, evolution has made us afraid of nonexistence, certainly; and it is good to fear and to avoid nonexistence because without existence, we cannot experience joy. The idea that death is an escape from suffering is a trap. Death is not an escape from anything. It is a wall, a cessation, meaningless. I do not ask anyone to embrace death. There is no possibility in death; life is our only chance to live. Darkness helps us avoid death. It helps us to go on existing. It is necessary. We must remember what hurt us so that we will not be hurt again. But Darkness alone points to an eternal existence of mere survival—to a universe where the only judge of a good existence is the ability to go on existing. It is the grace of the Light that grants us the dignity to choose a finite life of compassion and common good over an eternity of competitive subsistence.

We are taught hopeless death

To break down our resistance to it

This is a hallmark of the unholy temple

We must fight the unnatural cause of anti-humanity

And listen to the earth's word

The Darkness, or the being that speaks for it, claims that the extermination of all those who choose the Light is inevitable; that the universe will be inherited by morally impoverished advantage-seekers like the Vex and Hive. Logically, I cannot see an escape—so long as I accept the Darkness's logic.

Humanity

(All life)

We carry forward

(A family)

But this is exactly why we fight, Sen-Aret. Not to preserve our own lives, but to preserve the possibility that we represent. When all choices are measured by their fitness pay off—by what they do to benefit the continued existence of the chooser—the Darkness has won completely. The most important thing we can do, the most formidable blow we can strike against our true enemy, is to offer irrational grace: to choose unreasonable hope and unreasoning compassion even if it goes against calculated advantage.

Will follow us

(In silence)

'Til the day we arise for

Eternity

It is only by disregarding the logic of mere survival that we can create a possibility of existence outside that logic.

(All time)

Is stored within us

So. If they do not offer you a spot at the campfire. If they call you naïve. If they dislike your complaints about the casual violence of the casually violent. If they quote from the Unveiling texts, tell you how the Gardener lost because it always stopped to offer peace, and the Winnower always struck—then ask who they would rather sit by at the fire: Gardener or Winnower. Then ask them if they would like to live in a universe where no one ever sits beside anyone else at the fire.

(Our destiny)

Is a path that never alters

From the first to the last of

Humanity

(All life)

Never forget that even in the miserable logic of the prisoner's dilemma, it is the cooperators who create the best world. Two cooperators will score higher, together, than two defectors ever could. A world of cooperators would defeat a world of defectors if the defectors could only be kept away from the cooperators' bounty.

We carry forward

(A family)

Will follow us

(In silence)

'Til the day we arise for

Eternity

(All time)

Is stored within us

Never forget that what we achieve together, what we accomplish by leavening Darkness with Light and Light with Darkness, tempering grace with memory and memory with grace, is quite literally more than the Darkness alone can imagine. The Hive may have extinguished entire galaxies of allied life, but before the Hive came, those ecumenes accomplished titanic works. What do the Hive have to show for all their conquest? Miserable warrens and rotting moons. Even their libraries are just catalogs of death. Even their queens want a way out.

Our destiny

Is a path that never alters

From the first to the last of

We carry forward

A family

In silence

'Til the day we arise for

Is stored within us

Never give up hope. If it is possible to live well, then it is worthwhile to try. If it is possible to exist by the rules of the Light, then the Darkness is forever defeated. It cannot dominate all things for all time.

Our destiny

From the first

Humanity

Will follow us

Eternity

Our destiny

From the first

All life

'Til the day we arise for

Is a path that never alters

Above all else, when you are in the deepest pits of despair, I offer you this: I believe that there is no reason the Traveler chose to make its stand here at Earth, instead of at Riis or any world before. I do not believe in any special quality it detected in humanity. Nor in any great tactical advantage the Traveler gained by vouchsafing its power to us. It did not release its Ghosts as a move in a scheme of incomprehensible complexity, or because we fit the criteria of an ancient plan. It did not compute the set of contingencies which could permit its own survival, a one-in-a-trillion pathway through a thicket of certain death. I believe the Traveler simply could not bear to abandon one more infant possibility. So it chose an act of unreasonable grace.

We have survived a hundred apocalypses

(A family)

Doomsday hasn't come yet

You cannot stop civilisation

Flow with the river. Embrace the Darkness, but remember the Light. Find harmony. Find transcendence. Be free.

[jolmi]

KDrama review #1

I really really liked this drama. It's the right amount of fantasy, romance, and mystery. The plot is very well written, and the mystery keeps you hooked up.

A brief synopsis: Oh Ha Rin is a 28-year-old woman working in the pet rescue center. She still yearns for her first love and one of her closest friends Ji Seo Jun, who died on the day she turned 18. His suicide leaves a deep regret in her mind, as she could not confess her feelings for him. Later she finds a letter where he had written about his romantic feelings for her.

10 years down the lane, she finds 8 unseen photos taken by Seo Jun. All of them have the dates they were taken, written on them. Distraught by the thought of never being with him again, she burns one of the photos- only to find herself sent back to her school, exactly on the day the photo was taken. She realizes that she has 8 chances to change her and her loved ones' fate. she tries her best to save Seo Jun. Will she be able to save his life and be happy or does changing the past have its own repercussions to face?

The storyline is well-thought and you keep guessing the twist till the end. The time travel sounds as logical as possible. Personally, every time I see a time travel plot, I do find loopholes or stuff I don't agree with, but still love the plot. Here my question was: if the ML and FL can remember their pasts that have been changed why can't the others?

What do you think?: Changing one thing, no matter how small it is, can completely change your present. would you be willing to let go of your present for the past? If saving someone meant losing someone else, would you still change the past?

I don't have an answer to this, because no matter what, I feel I would be guilty. I would be choosing and changing everyone's life, not just mine. I can't even imagine how it would feel to see the person I have lost, again. I may even try to have that person with me for as long as possible, but what's the guarantee that I will not lose them again!

Every time Oh Ha Rin burnt the photo, I felt that she is burning a treasured memory, for an undecided future/fate. It just felt symbolic of how she was erasing a few memories to make new ones. she would never be able to get back that photo, nor can she rewind the past she has changed.

[x-runoja]

Past

I think it's a sign

when reminiscing the past

of our old lives

and old ways,

where you sat on the train for hours

to come meet me.

Young with the future undecided

your innocence was showing

undoubtedly

The world you tried to give me,

I attempt to relive in those moments

by visiting the place we met

Although,

it's a world I never wanted,

nor do I presently

I think it's a sign

that finally the past is gone forever,

and I should not return even in my memories.

[msamoree]

#randompost

before it ended I knew it was a dream

you were waiting by the door, wearin your perfect smile

with your usual white shirt and blue denim shorts

the serenity of the beach, the sweet song of the ocean waves

every little thing was beyond magical

you raised your arms a little over your hips

and i quickly jumped from the bed

running towards you while the time was slowly moving

one step, all the memories from the past went back little by little

how uncertain we were, how undecided we were

the pain, the horror, the sobs, the fear and the letting go

another step, vague snippets of the future came by

as if the questions were answered, and it was meant to end with butterflies and rainbows

just when I was inches away from you, your eyes lit up

i stopped, and there was a moment of silence

you reached for my left land and caressed my right cheeks

"i've waited and you came" you whispered

i closed my eyes and nodded

to hide my tears, i put my forehead on your chest

it was hard to breathe, for the first time in years

never did I imagine crying so hard because of joy

you put your arms around me and i did the same

it was so beautiful, you felt so warm

but i knew it was a dream, i knew it and i wanted it to last

i refused to wake up, i was pleading with my brain

asking for more time, one more hour perhaps?

thirty more minutes? fifteen? how about 10?

but reality was cruel, and for the nth time it has to end