#no editing again

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG 20 Day 5 - Ares

About 2,100 words! Tagging: @ratracechronicler, @maple-writes, @pen-of-roses (thanks for Din and Silver!), @drabbleitout, @grailfish, @forthesanityofsome, and @pied-piper-of-hamlet!

We were close to finding everyone Triel had recruited, just a bit more until we could start on the next part Triel had been teasing. Chess was resting—Ives was making sure of that—and she had named the mutt Pepperoni. We were able to work together to keep the mutts away from the camp, and Chess would talk with me when the visions got to be too much.

I had just finished up more visions, so it would be ok to go look for people now, so I flew off on my own. I noticed the explosion, and when I flew over there, there was only one person left, but she wasn’t dead. Her arm was all messed up, and she was hissing in pain as she stood up. I flew down and transformed back human, walking up to her with my hands up. “I’m part of Triel’s group. I mean you no harm.”

She looked over at me, but her eyes were unfocused. “Triel’s group? That still the plan?” She coughed, struggling to stay on her feet as she panted.

I walked closer and helped her up. She seemed to recognize that I was from Triel at least. “I’m sorry we didn’t find you sooner. I’ve been looking, but this damn arena keeps changing. Glad you’re not dead.”

“Thank you. This has been a pain to—wait.” She looked up at me, and her eyes turned fucking gold, and she held onto me tighter, and her grip was hotter too. “I know you.” Huh? “You…” Her voice sounded more like a growl as gold spread through her veins. “You killed them.”

Even through the panic, I couldn’t help but note that that was a very vague statement. And that also let me wonder if this was how Eclipse and Ash felt when I showed up out of nowhere and tried to kill them. “Could you at least say their name so I know who you’re talking about? I haven’t killed anyone in these Games.”

“Don’t lie. I watched it happen. Row—Silver. Their face was in the sky and I should—” She pulled back as I stared at her, and she looked to be in worse pain as she shook her head roughly. Her eyes were closed and her teeth were gritted as the gold flickered on her skin.

Oh! “Silver! They’re with Triel’s group! I didn’t kill them. They’re really nice. We talked about plants and spices together. They helped me cook.” I took a step closer, frowning. She looked a lot like how I could get with Primary. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”

“You’re lying!” she growled out. Her eyes were bright gold, but she shook, her eyes dimming back to a golden-brown. “Can you prove it?” she gasped out.

“Not right now, but I can bring you to Triel!” I tilted my head. “And this might sound crazy, but…is there someone in your head?”

She stared at me. “What a strange question.” But she barely nodded. “Alright w—I’ll go with you. But for all our sakes, I hope you’re telling the truth.”

“Well, I have this old, crusty god in my head, and it just looks familiar.” I shrugged and nodded. “I am. Is it okay if I fly you there?”

She nodded, and I transformed into the phoenix and grabbed her by the shoulders and flew her to the camp. Silver was guarding the camp, and I waved at them before signing. ”How are you doing?”

Silver eyed Din. Seemed they weren’t as thrilled to see her as she would hopefully be to see them. They nodded at me with a small smile and signed. “Good, we taught Pepperoni to roll over. Well, mostly. What is she doing here? She sounds like you, but worse.” They looked back over at Din.

She was watching from the side, various emotions I couldn’t hope to place on her face as her eyes glowed. “You’re alive,” she muttered.

I signed back. “Triel recruited her, and she almost died. She got pissed when she thought I had killed you. And yes, she kind of confirmed that she has the same kind of thing as me but did not explain.”

They squinted at me and glanced over at Din. “I don’t know her? Not even from before, at least she doesn’t trigger anything. But the magic does. Something—no someone friendly. I think. But also something…very bad.”

Din stepped forward, and her eyes were still glowing. She spoke. “What are you saying? Rowyn do you—” Silver stepped back, their hand going to the weapon at their hip, and I immediately moved to shield them from her. If they felt threatened, I would protect them.

I even activated my magic, causing a black fire to cover my skin. “Back off.”

Her hands dropped to her sides as the glow left her eyes. She dropped her head. “I’m sorry. This doesn’t normally happen, I don’t know why he…” She shook her head.

I tilted my head. Maybe we could get some answers? “Who’s he?”

She hesitated but sighed. “Leyraveyrit’s prophet before me, from before Panem even, Safirel.” Silver’s eyes went wide, and they stumbled back and grabbed their head as they fell.

Primary stirred, but I ignored them as I turned to Silver, kneeling next to them and dismissing my magic. “Are you okay?” I said. They didn’t look like they’d notice sign anyway.

They blinked, their eyes dazed. They first signed. “No.” Before turning to speaking. “He’s gone. She consumed him.” They spat the pronoun, tears streaking down their cheeks.

“No,” Din said quickly. She took a step forward, but I whipped around to her, and she stopped, holding up her hands. “No, Leyraveyrit only trapped him with Her, when they were sealed away. A part of him only got free when another able to act as a prophet for her, myself, came into my power only recently.”

Silver shook their head and looked to me and signed. “I don’t understand, I don’t even remember, but…I’m sorry, I need space. Can you…please, don’t let her follow?”

I nodded and signed back. “Of course.” And I stepped back and moved to block Din, looking over at her and speaking. “They want space.”

As Silver left, Primary stirred more. I remember Leyraveyrit, and she talked of Safirel. I never heard of what happened to her when her presence disappeared.

I eyed Din warily. “The crusty god in my head knows Leyraveyrit and Safirel.”

She watched Silver for a bit, but she didn’t try to go after them. She nodded. “That would make sense, as I understand it, what I call a veyrit is probably close to what you call a god. Though,” she tilted her head. “Saf can’t say the same of yours.”

Leyraveyrit would have no reason to tell him about me. She didn’t want to help me escape. But she was a very nice presence that I could talk to. But I can’t sense her anymore.

“They’re called Primary, and they’re a pain in my ass.” I sighed. “And Primary says they can’t sense Leyraveyrit anymore. What happened to her?”

Her eyes glowed again, and I tensed more. I didn’t trust this person who resided in her head anymore than I trusted Primary. “Sealed. As far as I can understand what happened anyway. She was cut off from the rest of the world by very powerful magic users tired of Her abuse of power. Surely you know about the creatures She created that attacked the people and caused a war?” Her brow raised, and she crossed her arms. Or should I refer to her as Safirel right now? Fuck if I knew.

I know nothing of world events unless I’m told of something, and Leyraveyrit never mentioned doing that. And I think I would still be able to sense her if she was sealed. Just like me.

I sighed again. “I don’t have a cool magic glowy eyes changy trick, so third person will have to do. Their own consciousness has been trapped in their stasis-ed body, so they don’t know much about world events. They just were able to sense and even talk to Leyraveyrit until they weren’t able to.”

“Interesting. I can’t say she mentioned you when she held me captive. But if there are others…” Her eyes dimmed, so it was Din again. “Forgive me, but you don’t seem particularly happy with the arrangement?” She looked apologetic.

I shrugged. “Oh, they’re only giving me visions of all my friends dying and trying to get me to destroy my soul so my body can be their vessel. That bastard doesn’t do that?” He seemed cocky enough to do that.

Her eyes widened, so I had to be wrong. She shook her head. “No, no, can’t say he has? He’s usually more helpful, keeping me alive, and helping to grow my magical ability. Abyss, that sounds awful.” She sat down heavily. “I’m so sorry.”

Anyone who’s a prophet and decides that they hate their god is not to be trusted.

What’s that have to do with anything? You want to destroy the whole world. Wouldn’t anyone hate you? I’m technically your prophet if you want to think about it that way.

That’s different. She seemed to want to protect life.

I sat down next to Din. This was a lot of shit. “At least I have this magic so I can protect people. How does your magic work? It looks pretty.”

“Mostly it heals and produces light.” The veins in her hands started glowing, and I stared. “Though I’ve also found that when I use it, it gets rather hot, so most people worry I’m burning them. But because of whatever happened with Saf, it prevented me from having full access, so if I use too much, it exhausts me pretty easily.” The light went out. “I was trained for this all my life, but it didn’t actually work until he was around.”

“I’m sorry. But it sounds like a cool power.”

“It is” she smiled, but it turned nervous, “and there are people after me because of it. Willing to kill anything that gets in their way. It’s why I’m here. They didn’t realize I had gained access and hoped the Games would spark a connection. Or prove I was never chosen in the first place.”

I looked over at her, gritting my teeth. More bastards after someone for their magic. “I’ll protect you then. They won’t get you.”

She smiled and gently touched my hand, and oh fuck. She was soft and warm, and damn. She was pretty. My cheeks heated up as she spoke. “Thank you. I wish there was some way I could help you in return. Maybe when we get out of here, there’s something in my research that would help, or Blythe and I might be able to find something with further study. That is, if you were okay with us looking into it. Apologies, I can get carried away sometime, and I’ve, well, never known someone else in a vaguely similar position.”

A pretty lady wanted to help me. I bluescreened for a bit before I found my voice, smiling a little and holding her hand back. “I have a chance to fight them, but also, thanks. I’d love all the information I can get.”

“Of course. Though, now I’m afraid I should rest, if that’s alright? This arena is an abyssal damned nightmare to navigate and I don’t think that explosion did me any favors.” Oh fuck she was still injured. I looked at her arm as she did, but she had seemed to heal some. Like Silver had been able to heal.

I nodded. “That’s fine. I’ll make some food soon, if you’re interested.”

“That would be lovely! Thank you!”

My cheeks burned, and I started leading her to the main area of the camp so she could find a place to rest, but she caught my hand as we walked. “Ares, I…I know I have no right to ask this, but is Silver alright? Admittedly, I didn’t know a thing about them before I saw them on the train, and Safirel won’t talk about them, but clearly he knows something, I mean he calls them by a different name, and…and I’ve never had someone look at me as if I’m something to fear without knowing why. Is it possible…do you think…did Safirel…did something happen to them?”

I looked back at her. “I…they said that they felt someone friendly from you but also something very bad. I think they’ll be fine? But it sounds like they know Safirel?”

She swallowed and nodded, letting go of my hand, and I had to stop myself from protesting. “Alright. I’m sorry for asking, but thank you.” She smiled a little, but her eyes were far away as we got to the camp.

[nathaniacolver]

arcane ships be like

i love a show that teaches equality (😭😭😭)

[varilien]

am i blanchin?

girl we blanchin!!

HI HIII happy birthday to everyone's favorite mystery twins!! how did they grow up so fast!!!!

Palestine: Funds | Action | eSims | Info Sudan Resources | Congo Resources

[thinkingabout-girls]

90k note oli theorionsound

[eydilily]

(look at what i have to offer) — this is the spider's nest.

[gibbearish]

love when ppl defend the aggressive monetization of the internet with "what, do you just expect it to be free and them not make a profit???" like. yeah that would be really nice actually i would love that:)! thanks for asking

[isjasz]

[Ready for a new game?]

day 11 definitelynottober - heart in your fist & week 1 weeklyhermittober - beginnings

===

IM SO READY LETSGO SO EXCITED FOR THE NEW LIFE SERIES💥💥💥💥💥💥

[ginnyw-potter-archive]

Feel free to use, or message me for more banners

yes, I'm self-aware thank you

[shayneysides]

hobie: kill yourself

pavitr: WHAT THE HELL BRO WHAT DID I DO

original format from @ha-youwish in this post!

[borealiszero]

People should make more doomed by narratives siblings relationship.

Like with lovers you can just sever it and not have it related to you ever again but with siblings how could you?

You grow up with them you raise them or they raised you you both know how unforgiving the world is to both of you? You would die for them but will hate them for doing the same and yet none of you would regret it and both of you know it. They could be the person you loath the most and miss the most cause you still remember how they sneaked a candy into your hands. You can sever the tie but you can never look away at what you've lost, at whom you've lost because fate doesn't allow you to be together, eating dinners in quiet peace, if only there's another life, another time, where i can make you another plate of pancakes i would im sorry im sorry im sorry —

[tsotc]

fucking obsessed with the uni town i live in

[concealeddarkness13]

WHG 20 Day 2 - Ares

This is my last one for today! Tagging: @ratracechronicler (thanks for Atwater!), @maple-writes, @pen-of-roses, @drabbleitout, @grailfish, @forthesanityofsome, and @pied-piper-of-hamlet!

I went out to look for more tributes, but they were hard to find, and, well, I should have brought someone else, because at sunset, Primary decided to start the fucking visions again.

It was all the same shit, with me killing my friends. It was almost familiar enough to be more annoying than traumatic. I tried to find a safe-ish place to rest, stumbling through the forest.

And I heard some rustling, so I tensed and looked around even if I couldn’t see. “Hello? Who’s there?” Just because the person could be a tribute that Triel recruited, I couldn’t use my magic right away.

“Just a racoon.” I couldn’t place the voice.

I looked over towards them, but of course, I couldn’t see anything besides me killing the people I cared about. I summoned my black flames to my hand. “Don’t come any closer! Who are you?”

“Alright. Can you see, kid?”

They didn’t sound threatening. I shook my head. “Not…not at the moment. But I can still fight.” I jutted my chin out.

“That is a theory I don’t want to test. Just stand still. There’s no one else around. Nobody’s attacking.”

I relaxed a little but didn’t get rid of my flames. “Who are you?”

“The guy from 4, the one who can’t walk straight. Hugo Atwater. What’s your name?”

I blinked. I recognized his name. “Triel said she recruited you. I was supposed to keep my eyes out for you. Didn’t think this would happen so soon.” I waved my hand over my eyes. “I’m…Ares. District 1.”

“Ah…we have a mutual friend.” Something thumped. “I’m guessing you looked a little too closely at that sunset, Ares?”

Triel had mentioned something like that, but no, this was Primary. I shook my head. “No, unfortunately, this is something different. I kind of have the soul of a god who wants to use me as a vessel trying to convince me to destroy my soul by showing me killing all my friends over and over until they get tired.” I shrugged.

“…Well, that does put a bit of a damper on your evening plans, I imagine. Have you tried blasphemy? I’m sure you get that a lot actually, but gods do tend to hate that sort of thing, I’ve heard.”

“I’ve already called them a crusty shit, and that didn’t make them leave. It’s fine. Once they get tired, I can bring you to Triel!”

“Oh, you can do better than that, kid. Ahoy, crusty shit. My mum’s god’s got ten arms and a tiger. You’re out here bothering a teenager with war flashbacks like some two-dimensional cartoon ghost. I’ve met mollusks with more backbone. I don’t believe you. Ares, there’s a nice flattish log coming up to your knees a few paces two o’ clock. Take a load off, kid, and let the little sleep paralysis demon tucker themself out.”

Who is this mortal? I like him. He’s amusing, too amusing to not listen to him this one time.

The visions blurred, and as I sat down on the log he had mentioned, they went away. I blinked and looked around. I was in a forest, and it was indeed Atwater standing near me. I stared at him. “That worked. They said you were too amusing to not back off for now.”

“Well, at least I’m good for something.” His eyebrows went up a little. “Wait, can you see again?”

I nodded. “Well enough. Don’t know how long they’ll let me though.”

“This is a…habitual thing for you two, then?”

I nodded again. “Ever since the interview. I’m used to it by now.” I shrugged. But this didn’t matter. I could see again! “But now that I’m not blinded, I can fly you to Triel’s camp!”

He didn’t look convinced about what I had first said, and he looked even more concerned after I was said I could fly him to camp. “You can fly.”

I nodded, standing up. “I can change into a phoenix. You wanna see?”

“Hell, yeah.”

I…I could make him proud. I wanted to make him proud. Like…like my dad. I transformed into the phoenix and squawked at him, tilting my head to try to ask if it was ok if I could pick him up.

“Yeah, that checks out.” He grinned, and I couldn’t help the warmth in my chest. I made him proud! He even gave me a thumbs up! “Badass, kid. Oh—we’re gonna do the flying thing now? I mean, you can try, but don’t strain yourself.”

I could easily carry a person, so there were no worries there! I squawked again and ruffled my feathers in happiness before I flapped my wings and flew up to get some momentum before grabbing his shoulders to fly him towards the camp. He held tightly to my claws as I flew him, also holding onto his spear.

He looked stressed, and honestly, I was getting really fucking tired, so I set him down close to the camp but not quite there. The mutts were coming soon, but my magic should keep us safe.

I glanced over at Atwater once I transformed back. “We can walk the rest of the way, if you’d like.”

“That would be ideal,” Atwater wheezed, but before we could get walking, the howls of the cat-dog mutts echoed through the night, and I tensed and readied to protect Atwater from them, but a fireball scared them off, and Chess hobbled into sight, holding tightly to a small mutt who was snuggling up to her. She was cooing at the mutt. What the fuck?

Atwater collapsed quietly as I stared at her, collapsing as well, since I had gotten tired. Chess looked up and smiled. “Ares! You’re okay! We’ve been worried! And Atwater!” She hobbled over, the mutt crawling up to her shoulders and lying down with a yawn. “You’re safe! I’m so glad!”

“Uh. Right.” Atwater sat up and looked over at me. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, standing up and tilting my head at the mutt. He had a calico color, with a dog’s face, but one cat ear and one dog ear. And his feet and the end of his tail looking like a ghostly smoke. “I’m fine. More mentally tired than anything.”

“Well. Splendid.” He sighed and lay back down, waggling his fingers at Chess, glancing at her in askance.

Chess sat down next to us, so I collapsed again. “I thought I had seen a runt mutt with the others, and they had been mean to him, but look at him! He’s so sweet!” She held him out to Atwater.

Atwater nodded, handing him a stick. He leaned over towards me. “Not to pry, miss, but you seem to be experiencing more gravitational issues than someone in full health ought to. Is that half-rate shitstain in your head bothering you again?”

I looked up at him, not wanting to admit anything. “I’m not tired.”

He looked over at Chess. “Did she or did she not very recently mention being tired?”

Chess tilted her head. “Technically she mentioned being mentally tired. Not sure if that’s the same thing.”

I grinned. “See? I’m fine!” Not moving.

“It is the same word, you infants,” he tutted. “You can’t ‘yes, and’ each other out of a breakdown, physically or mentally. For fuck’s sake. Since you’ve elected to lie there in perfect health, then, at least quit trying to transform into a nautilus now and stretch your legs out. You’ll get bad circulation curled up like that, and your spine will stab you in the back in 20 years if you make it a habit. And drink something.” He fished out a flask, shaking his head.

Chess laughed, and I sighed and took the flask. “Yes, dad.” Fuck. The words had slipped from my lips before I could stop them. My cheeks heated up from embarrassment and takes the drink. It was just water, unfortunately.

“Belay the sass, or you’re grounded, young lady.” At least he hadn’t made a big deal about it. I just handed back the flask, still embarrassed.

Chess sat up more. “I can lead you two back to the camp! It’s not far!”

Atwater pocketed the flask and pulled himself up with the spear. “Great. On further examination, my legs are not, in fact, gelatin, so I’m good to go. Lead the way, Chess. Ares, I expect you can run circles around me, given how very fine you are, but try not to rush too far ahead for the sake of my fragile pride and all." He offered me a hand, and I took it to help me get up to walk.

Chess stood up and put the mutt on her shoulders and cheerily started leading the way. And to be sassy, I transformed into the phoenix and flew up and landed on Atwater’s shoulders so I didn’t have to walk, since I was actually tired. Atwater just whistled, acting like he didn’t notice.

[girlboyburger]

alright tumblr, here's your homegrown cowgirl C:{

what do you think of her?

[cardentist]

hey, so people need to be aware that youtube is now (randomly) holding basic features for ransom (such as being able to pin comments under your own videos) in exchange for Your State ID/Drivers License, or a 30 Second Video Of Your Face.

not to pull a "think of the children," but No Actually. I've been making videos as a hobby since 2015 (and I've had my channel since middle school), I was a minor when I started and I'm not sure I would have understood the kind of damage something a seemingly simple as a video of your face can do.

this is a Massive breach of privacy and over-reach on google's part No Matter What, but if they're going to randomly demand a state ID or license then they absolutely should not allow minors to be creators.

google having a stockpile of identifying information on teenagers is bad enough, but the Alternative of recording your face and handing it over to be filed away is Alarming considering it opens the gates for minors who Aren't old enough to have a license.

and yes, there is a third option, but it's intentionally obtuse. a long wait period (2 months), with no guarantee of access (unlike, say, the convenience of using your phone's cameras for either of the other two), with absolutely No elaboration on what the criteria is or how it's being measured.

it's the same psychological effect that mobile games rely on. offer a slow, unreliable solution with no payment to make the Paid instant gratification look more appealing (the "payment" in this case being You. you are the product being offered).

and it's Particularly a system that (I think intentionally) disadvantages people who don't treat their channels like a job. hobbyists or niche creators who don't create regularly enough or aren't popular enough to meet whatever Vague criteria needs to be met to pass.

markiplier would have no problem passing, your little brother might not be able to. and while Mark's name is already out there there's no reason why your little brother's should be too.

something like pinned comments may seem simple, you don't technically Need it. but it's a feature that's been available for years. most people don't look at descriptions anymore. so when there's relevant information that needs to be delivered then the pinned comment is usually the go to.

for my little channel that information is about the niche series I create for. guides on how to get into the series, sources on where to find the content At All (and reliably so). for other creators it can be used for things Much More Important.

Moreover, if we let them get away with cutting away "small" features and selling it back to you for the price of your privacy, then they Will creep further. they Will take more.

Note: I have an update to this post here: [Link]

[jackalspine]

I didn’t finish the other version of this where they’re both biblically accurate lol

Day 2: sep.8 Strange

I guess it’s a part 2 to that other one huh.

“Pt.1”

[cozylittleartblog]

"content creator" is a corporate word.

we are artists.