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velvetseahorse · 2 months ago

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Astrology observations and notes

- Mula natives can be intense in intimate relationships. Claire Nakti mentions them being energy vampires, a trait that I believe all Ketu nakshatras share. However, Mula individuals take this to an extreme—they deeply desire to consume their romantic partners or loved ones, often expressing love and affection in ways that can be violent or disturbing. For example, Mula �� native Amy Winehouse once carved “I love Blake” (referring to her then-boyfriend Blake Fielder-Civil) onto her stomach using a shard of glass during a photoshoot. Mula ☉ native Keith Richards snorted his own father’s ashes. He explained, “The truth of the matter is that after having Dad’s ashes in a black box for six years—because I really couldn’t bring myself to scatter him to the winds(…)when I took the lid off the box, a fine spray of his ashes blew out onto the table. I couldn’t just brush him off, so I wiped my finger over it and snorted the residue.”

- All three Pisces nakshatras (Purva Bhadrapada, Uttara Bhadrapada, and Revati) are late bloomers. This may be because Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and is connected to the 12th house, which rules moksha and the dissolution of individual existence into the eternal flow of life. The ultimate purpose of the 12th house is spiritual liberation and freedom from samsara. Sidereal Pisces natives are often tested and placed in situations where they must lose aspects of themselves to gain wisdom and grow, which can delay the usual stages of development in their lives. Pisces is naturally detached from material matters and easily in tune with its divine essence. Similar to Ketu, Pisces is often associated with spirituality and higher wisdom. In fact, many Vedic texts suggest that Ketu co-rules Pisces, but I’ll explore that topic in another blog post. The 12th house represents confinement, the subconscious, loss, endings, isolation, delusion, unseen realms, and private emotions. It is a deeply spiritual and sensitive house where suffering is often hidden, but it also holds profound wisdom when approached with the right mindset. Pisces natives are highly sensitive, and when faced with harsh realities, they often cope by withdrawing from the world. They prefer to live in a reality of their own making—a gift they naturally possess. However, they cannot escape responsibility entirely, as life’s traumas frequently force them to reflect and grow. Pisces natives are natural observers rather than active participants, and you won’t often find them following societal trends. They tend to stay alone, forging their own unique path. As escapists at heart, Pisces struggles to make sense of things logically, often relying on emotions and intuition instead. This is why Mercury debilitates in Pisces. For Pisces, life feels like a ripple in water—vast, reflective, and abyssal like the ocean. Because of their tendency toward isolation, the mundanity of life can be deeply depressing for them. They may overthink, fall into maladaptive daydreaming, or become so lost in their imagination that they miss out on their own present lives and development. Once Pisces natives stop escaping and begin addressing their emotions in a healthy way—through spiritual practices or creative expression—they can unlock their full potential. Pisces is highly creative, with Venus exalting in this sign, emphasizing their natural gifts in art, music, and storytelling. Most Pisces natives feel a calling for something greater than an average life and often possess the talent to fulfill that calling. However, their main challenge lies in taking consistent steps toward their goals and overcoming their finicky, scattered tendencies.

- Ashwini natives are prone to addiction, self-medicating habits, and mental health challenges. Ashwini is a Ketu-ruled nakshatra, and Ketu, being the opposite of Rahu (the head), represents the headless body—detached from material desires and driven by the pursuit of spiritual liberation. This detachment creates disillusionment with the material world, leaving Ketu natives in their most raw, primal state, seeking the deeper truths and secrets of existence. Ketu’s influence is often compared to Mars because both planets help break through limitations, but their motivations differ. Mars is driven by ambition and devotion, while Ketu is fueled by detachment from material pursuits. This immense detachment makes Ashwini natives especially susceptible to addiction, often as a way to numb themselves or escape from overactive mental activity. Aries, the sign ruled by Ashwini, governs the head, and Ashwini as the first nakshatra carries the primal spark of energy and mental impulses. This nakshatra relates to mental activity, making its natives highly energetic but also restless and prone to overthinking. Their constant mental stimulation can lead to exhaustion, agitation, and self-destructive behaviors if not managed well. Ashwini natives have a natural intelligence and a desire to attain things quickly. However, this need for constant intellectual or physical stimulation can result in impulsive and reckless behavior when they are not moving or engaged in something meaningful. Ashwini is a restless nakshatra, and when placed in social environments requiring conformity, natives may struggle to fit in, often resorting to sarcasm and bluntness. Their detachment from societal norms, combined with their cosmic youthfulness and childlike nature (symbolized by their deities, the young twin horses), can make them appear rude or immature. Although Ashwini natives may try to behave in a “normal” or formal manner, this often leads to frustration due to their need for freedom and stimulation. Their childlike energy and cosmic vitality are best channeled into pursuits that allow them to move, grow, and explore.

- Venus in the 12th house is a beautiful but challenging placement. Natives with this position view romance, spirituality, or even life through rose-colored glasses. While this gives them a dreamy and idealistic perspective, it can also lead to disconnection from reality, resulting in disappointment and, often, depression. Venus is desires, romance, pleasure, and art. When placed in the deeply private and spiritual 12th house, these aspects become tied to one’s emotional and spiritual well-being. People with Venus in the 12th tend to keep their relationships very private, often out of fear of outside interference. The 12th house also rules hidden enemies, which can make these natives cautious about exposing their love life. They are unconditional lovers, often idealizing their partners to the extent that they may overlook toxic or unbalanced dynamics. It’s common for Venus in the 12th natives to love more intensely than their partners, which can lead to one-sided or non-secure relationships, such as secret affairs. These natives are often seduced by the idea of love in their minds, finding it difficult to accept the reality of their situation. This disconnection can lead to insecurity, particularly regarding their self-image. Physically, those with Venus in the 12th house are quite beautiful, but they may struggle to see or embrace their own beauty, feeling unworthy of love. Despite these challenges, Venus in the 12th house produces some of the most empathetic, self-sacrificial, and artistically gifted individuals. Venus is exalted in Pisces, the ruler of the 12th house, which enhances their creative potential. The 12th house governs hidden things, so natives may have hidden artistic talents that they should explore. They can create art that has a profound emotional and spiritual impact, capable of healing others and excel in surrealist forms of expression, romantic poetry, music, and visual mediums that convey unexplainable yet resonating emotions.

- Ashlesha and Uttara Bhadrapada bring to mind the effects of anesthesia. Ashlesha represents the beginning stages of anesthesia, with its Shakti—the power to inflict poison—a clinging and restrictive energy that feels paralyzing. This is akin to how anesthesia is injected into the nervous system, suppressing consciousness and inducing a detached, deep sleep-like state. Uttara Bhadrapada represents the culmination of this process, embodying the state of deep sleep. Its deity, Ahirbudhnya—the serpent of the depths—reflects the energy of stillness and dissociation of what’s above (reality/conciousness) , as well as the 12th house’s connection to sleep and the unconscious. Uttara Bhadrapada signifies the transcendental detachment from the physical body, much like the dissociative, dream-like state brought on by anesthesia. Ahirbudhnya’s symbolism as the serpent of the deep ocean mirrors the sensation of being submerged or taken into a controlled, deep state under anesthesia. Ashlesha’s clinging, paralyzing venom parallels Uttara Bhadrapada’s surrender and stillness, with both evoking states where the body is subdued or transcended. Ashlesha operates through the subconscious and instinctual nervous responses, while Uttara Bhadrapada focuses on spiritual transcendence. Anesthesia acts as a bridge between these realms, allowing the body to rest while bypassing conscious awareness.

- Pushya and Krittika natives can have features characterized by full lips, almond-shaped or wide-set eyes, which can also be rounded and downturned , or upturned and almond shaped typically deep-set. They tend to have very soft cheeks and overall gentle facial features, even among Krittika natives. Those born under the sheep yoni have soft, curly, or full hair. These natives dislike being alone and will often join others they can’t emotionally or socially relate to simply to avoid solitude. Krittika is in the ♉︎ and ♈︎ rashi, while Pushya is in ♋︎. Interestingly, Taurus exalts the Moon, and Krittika is the nakshatra where the Moon is exalted. Despite their planetary differences, both share similarities, including being associated with the goat/sheep yoni consort. Both Krittika and Pushya are nurturing by nature; however, Pushya leans toward giving, while Krittika tends to receive. There is a pure aura about them, as they are spiritually pure at their core and often sacrificial. For example, Joan of Arc, a Pushya ↑, led French armies based on divine visions she claimed to have, ultimately leading to her martyrdom by being burned at the stake—an example of these nakshatras embodying the archetype of sacrificial lambs. Krittika’s symbol is a blade, and the name itself means “one who cuts.” Its deity, Agni, the fire god, represents purification through fire, especially of the soul. Krittika women, in particular, can face disdain from both men and women due to their sovereign and independent nature. They are often misunderstood and may fall victim to others attempting to humble or overpower them.

Ebonee Davis - Pushya ↑ Halle Berry - Pushya ☽ Krittika ♈︎ ↑

Spike Fearn - Krittika ♈︎ ☽ Mick Jagger - Pushya ☉ krittika ♉︎ ☽

-Jyeshtha natives are known for being great writers, excelling in songwriting, literature, poetry, and rap. There are many notable poets, rappers, and songwriters with Jyeshtha placements, including Ottessa Moshfegh, Joan Didion, Bob Dylan, Emily Dickinson, Jim Morrison, Clarice Lispector, and Sonny Hall. Rappers like Nicki Minaj and JT, as well as singer-songwriters such as Sinead O’Connor and Tom Waits, also carry strong Jyeshtha energy. Jyeshtha is ruled by Mercury, which governs communication and expression through use of speech and writing. It also rules numbers and words and how we use them to problem-solve and convey ideas. Known as the “elder,” Jyeshtha’s deity is Indra, and Jyeshtha natives tend to excel because of their high standards, ambition and intuitive expertise in their craft. Relying in the ♏︎ rasi—a mysterious, transformative, intense, and passionate sign co-ruled by Mars and Ketu—Jyeshtha natives delve into themes of impersonal tragedy, exploring the darker aspects of the human psyche. Their writing is distinguished by their technique, style, and wordplay. Mars appears prominently in charts of many rappers through both signs (Aries and Scorpio) and nakshatras (Mrigashira, Chitra, and Dhanishta).

- Chitra nakshatra is quite similar to the Venus nakshatras in terms of behavior in my opinion. Chitra is all about refinement, creativity, beauty, and enjoying things that appeal to the senses. Although ruled by Mars, its connection to Venus (♎︎) and Mercury (♍︎) gives it a visually oriented and perfectionist nature, much like the Venus nakshatras, which are immensely creative. Both Chitra and Venus nakshatras share a tendency to push boundaries, sometimes indulging in taboo subjects. Venus nakshatras are known for their exclusivity, often socializing and collaborating only with other Venus nakshatra natives. Similarly, Chitra exhibits a form of discrimination by networking and associating only with those they deem worthy—often based on aesthetics or social status. Chitra natives are also highly judgmental, frequently offering unsolicited critiques because they cannot tolerate anything they perceive as imperfect. This mirrors the Venusian tendency to prioritize beauty and refinement above all else Especially because Venus (Shukra), the guru of demons and Chitra is demonic Rakshasa gana. there are, of course, key differences between Chitra and the Venus nakshatras.

- Saturn in the 4th house: The 4th house is one of the most private houses in astrology, ruled by Cancer, which is governed by the Moon (representing emotions). This house symbolizes our early home environment, upbringing, and especially our relationship with our mother. The mother is our first home (the womb) and nurtures us emotionally. How our parents teach us to regulate emotions is crucial for our emotional well-being. However, with Saturn in the 4th house—a restrictive and malefic planet—its energy clashes with Cancer’s nurturing qualities, as Saturn is in its detriment in this sign. Saturn represents coldness, self-limitation, underdogs/outcasts, effort, and karma. Natives with Saturn in the 4th house experience a difficult childhood, being forced to mature quickly and take on heavy responsibilities at a young age. They may feel disconnected from peers, unable to engage in carefree, childish behavior due to these responsibilities. This placement often indicates a mother who is emotionally distant or invalidating. These natives might have been told to “be strong” instead of expressing their emotions. In some cases, they may have served as their mother’s emotional crutch, catering to her emotional needs instead of receiving the nurturing they needed. Traumatic family events may linger, leaving them feeling tied to their family out of a sense of duty. For Saturn in the 4th house natives to thrive, they need to move away from their homeland or create physical distance from their family. Despite the hardships, individuals with this placement tend to develop deep empathy, a strong sense of responsibility, and profound wisdom. However, they are prone to anxiety and mood disorders, making it crucial for them to seek therapy, learn emotional regulation, and to give themselves a break and allow themselves love by building a supportive community that provides comfort and belonging.

- Jupiter in the 5th House: The 5th house is an important and auspicious house in astrology, representing past karmas and influencing one’s life journey. Creation is a central theme of the 5th house, whether through children, art, intellect, or ideas. With Jupiter placed here, this becomes a highly favorable position. Jupiter, known as Guru, is an expansive planet that represents luck, joy, knowledge and abundance. It thrives on self-improvement through activities like reading, studying, meditation, and creative pursuits such as music or painting. Natives with Jupiter in the 5th house feel an innate optimism about education, creativity, and spirituality. They approach learning and creating with a sense of childlike curiosity and openness, allowing them to absorb knowledge and express their creativity with purity and innocence. This mindset helps them flourish in these areas. Because the 5th house also rules children, individuals with this placement have a growth-oriented relationships with children. They may naturally take on roles as teachers, mentors, or guides, and children are likely to be drawn to them easily. Their own children will be blessed as well. However, this positive energy is best expressed when the 5th house is free from malefic influences or harmful conjunctions to Jupiter. Without such hindrances, Jupiter’s energy shines brightly, encouraging intellectual and spiritual growth. It’s important for those with Jupiter in the 5th to remain mindful of their potential naivety. While optimism and generosity are key strengths, they must remember that actions still carry consequences. Overindulgence or excessive reliance on luck can negatively affect their karmic balance. To truly thrive, these natives should strive to give as much as they receive, ensuring that their abundance benefits not just themselves but others as well.

*All these notes are just based off my own personal observations and readings. It may not resonate everyone with these placements

#vedic astrology #astrology observations #sidereal astrology

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rufflebuttercup · 11 months ago

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romance analysis unit | spencer reid

summary: you like spencer. spencer likes you. somehow, you're the only ones on the team who can't see it - and that calls for some BAU intervention.

a/n: i had a bit of an impulsive moment and decided to delete my old blog (vintagecarat) because i wanted a redo, so if you've seen a variation of this fic before, it’s not been stolen - i promise! this is my favourite x reader i've ever written, so i had to rewrite it, of course!

enjoy the fic, and have a fantastic day! <3 requests are open!

note(s): gn!reader & no pronouns used, mention of alcohol, mention of canon-typical violence, reader gets hurt, mentions of blood, one bed trope

word count: 5,173

One year, seven months and sixteen days. That's how long it had been since you'd started working at the BAU.

One year, seven months and nine days. That's how long it had been since you'd realized that you had a sickeningly huge crush on Spencer Reid.

It had been a long time since you'd had a crush. The last time had been in elementary school, and you'd been convinced that you were in love with the boy who sat two seats to the left of you in class. He’d gone on to marry your best friend and leave you with a broken heart. In hindsight, though, you were only five.

You'd fallen for people before, and you'd had a string of partners in the past, but it had been such a long time since you'd felt the way you did when you looked at Spencer. Seeing him smile made your heart thud erratically in your chest. Hearing him ramble made you smile in the giddiest and most euphoric way possible. Feeling his fingers brush against yours whenever he handed you your morning coffee made your brain turn to mush and left you unable to form a coherent sentence for at least ten minutes. You were trying your hardest to break that last habit, though.

Your crush on Spencer quickly became a topic that you knew you wanted to keep a secret from the rest of the team. The last thing you needed was all of your progress as the newest team member to be weighed down by a crush that made you blush and giggle like a child.

During a particularly wild night out with the team, though, your plan to keep your crush on Spencer a secret went flying out of the nearest window, along with any shred of dignity you had remaining after drinking one too many shots. It had been a miracle that Spencer hadn't been there at the exact moment the words spouted from your lips. At least you had your drunk self to thank for something, you supposed.

Penelope had been the first one you'd told. Definitely a foolish move on your part, but you were too drunk in the moment to make any logical decisions. Emily and JJ had gone to the bar to get more drinks - "another round of shots", Emily had screamed before dragging JJ away - leaving you and Penelope alone to guard the table in the corner. She was the one who'd brought up the conversation, and naturally, you'd followed along without a care in the world. If there was anything good to come of the situation, then it was the look on Penelope’s face. You wished you’d taken a picture of her expression as the words tumbled from your mouth.

Penelope couldn’t keep a secret to save her life, and once she knew, it was only a matter of time before Emily and JJ knew. She’d screamed so loudly that you’d almost gotten kicked out of the bar for causing a disturbance.

"Place your bets," Emily had shouted over the pounding bass music, slamming a twenty-dollar bill onto the table, "How long until Garcia tells Morgan?"

It barely even took an hour. Emily ended up winning her own bet.

Derek had practically cornered you at your desk the next time he saw you in the bullpen, failing miserably to hide the smirk on his face as he showed you his phone and the babbling, completely unintelligible, texts from Penelope.

With the alcohol out of your system and the devastating hangover a painful memory, you wanted nothing more than for the ground to swallow you whole. Maybe you could quit, or request a transfer, or simply disappear to the other side of the country and become a recluse in the wilderness. Wishful thinking, of course.

From that moment on, you noticed that the rest of the team was messing with you. You didn’t have any proof, but you were sure of it. You’d enter the conference room to find that the only seat remaining was next to Spencer. You’d find yourself paired up with Spencer more often during cases. You and Spencer would frequently be the last two members left in the bullpen at the end of the day.

It wasn't as if you particularly minded. You and Spencer were best friends. You had been from the moment you'd walked into the bullpen on your first day and immediately made a comment about the book he was reading. You were used to being around him more often than not, but it was a lot harder to act as if nothing had changed when you were on edge 90% of the time. You were always wondering if he knew anything about the crush you had on him, or if someone else was about to blurt out the secret that you were trying so desperately hard to keep hidden. You couldn't bring it up because you'd either out yourself or you'd be forced to have a conversation that you were sure would end in rejection.

It was an endless cycle, and you hated it.

You were in the bullpen with Dave, perched on the edge of your desk as he rattled off his famous carbonara recipe. You’d always wanted to be a better cook, and Dave had promised you that he'd teach you, even though he really didn't want you burning his kitchen down to the ground.

“Okay, so, do you add the cheese and the egg together, or separately?”

“You combine the egg first, and then you add the cheese.”

“Oh. Right. So…”

It was at that moment that Derek decided to sidle over to the conversation, perching himself on your desk beside you with an all-too familiar smirk on his face.

“Since when have you been interested in learning how to cook?” he gave you a not-so-subtle nudge.

You shot Derek a glare, “Derek. Don't.”

"Unless you were planning a date for pretty boy over there.”

He nodded his head in Spencer's direction, and you couldn't help but follow his eyes. It was automatic. The sight of Spencer pouring pretty much the entire jar of sugar into his coffee made you smile, but it was definitely an expression you wiped off your face when you heard Derek's laughter.

“I swear to God, Derek…”

“Guys,” JJ interrupted, entering the bullpen with a case file in hand, “We've got a case.”

“Is it bad?”

JJ simply grimaced.

“Of course it is,” you said with a sigh, hopping off your desk. Derek was still failing to hide his laughter beside you, and you swatted at him, “Shut up, Derek.”

“I didn't do anything.”

“You didn't have to.”

It didn’t surprise you at all to see that the seat beside Spencer was the only one available. As you slid into it, you caught Emily smirking at you from across the table, though she was clearly trying to hide it. You shook your head at her, though you couldn’t stop a tiny smile from ghosting over your lips as you focused your attention onto the case file in your hands.

ꨄ︎

It always seemed as though every case at the BAU was worse than the last one.

You’d all been called to a small town in Wyoming after a frantic call from the police department. Three victims had been found in the town’s frozen lake with anchors tied to their ankles to keep them below the surface. A fourth victim had gone missing, and there was no doubt that she’d end up like the others if she wasn’t found. It was a horrifying fact that everybody knew, but nobody wanted to admit.

It was later, almost 11 pm, and you were no closer to solving the case than you had been when you’d first arrived. It was as if the unsub was always three steps ahead of you, and it was frustratingly annoying. You’d spent a good portion of the afternoon scouring through decade old case files. The lead detective was convinced that it was related to a similar case that had happened in the 1990s. You hadn’t found any striking similarities between the two and you were beginning to wonder if there would be any at all. He was clutching at straws, desperately trying to close the case as quickly as possible. You couldn’t fault him for that.

Just as the words on the case file were beginning to blur into one large amalgamation, a gentle hand landed on your shoulder, “Hey,” JJ said, “We’re all heading to the hotel.”

“You go ahead,” you waved dismissively, stifling a yawn, “I’m going to finish looking over these files, and…”

“Hotch’s orders,” she cut you off, “You need a break. We all do.”

You looked to the doors of the precinct and saw the rest of the team ready to leave, muttering amongst themselves in a tired conversation. Aaron raised his eyebrows, almost expectantly, at you.

“Alright,” you didn’t bother trying to hide another yawn, “I’m coming.”

JJ smiled softly at you, almost dragging you to your feet because of how exhausted you were. It didn’t really feel as if your brain was in control of your body as you padded after her. You’d been so caught up in the details of the case that you hadn’t realized how tired you truly were. The sudden rush of air that hit you as you exited the building made you even drowsier.

“You look exhausted,” Spencer chuckled as he helped you into the SUV with a gentle hand on the small of your back that almost made you combust right then and there, "I've seen you tired, but this is another level."

You simply made a little grunt in response. You didn't have enough energy to come up with one of your usual witty comebacks. You clumsily collapsed into your seat, and you leaned your head back against the headrest as your eyes fluttered shut.

It wasn't too long of a drive to the hotel, but that didn't stop you from catching a quick power nap during the brief moment of peace. You couldn't get Spencer out of your head. Or, more specifically, that hand on the small of your back. He'd never touched you like that before. Ever. It was sending your brain spiraling, to be honest.

“We’re here,” Spencer’s voice filtered into your ear as he gently shook your shoulder, “Wake up.”

Your eyes snapped open, and you glanced to your left. After a moment, your eyes came back into focus, and it hit you that your head was leaning on Spencer’s shoulder, “Oh,” you quickly sat up, though you almost choked as the seat belt snapped you back against the seat, “Sorry.”

You were so very glad that most of the team weren’t in the same SUV as the two of you because they’d never let you hear the end of it. The only other person was Aaron, and as you caught his eye in the rearview mirror, you could tell that he was trying not to uncharacteristically laugh at you. You did your best to ignore him, which wasn’t exactly easy when your face began to burn with a familiar wave of heat that you’d grown accustomed to.

That chuckle of Spencer’s that you loved so much and made your heart do flip-flops in your chest echoed in your ears, “It’s fine. You clearly needed it. And I do make an excellent pillow.”

You snorted out a laugh, and you gave him a shove as you climbed out of the car beside him, “Shut up.”

The rest of the team were all waiting beside the front desk with their bags as you and Spencer entered. Even though you made sure to look in any other direction, you definitely saw the subtle smirks Derek and Emily were shooting you out of the corner of your eye.

Aaron finished his hushed conversation with the receptionist, and with a curt nod, he moved back over to the rest of the team with key cards in his hand, “They don’t have enough rooms for all of us. Looks like we’re doubling up.”

If Spencer noticed the subtle smirks and side glances from the rest of the team, he never mentioned them.

Instead, he nudged your shoulder, “We’re sharing, right?”

“Of course, we’re sharing. I wouldn’t expect anything less,” you took the key card Aaron was holding out to you, and you couldn’t help but notice his lips twitching up into a tiny little-half smirk. You brushed it off, though, “I’m sleeping on the bed nearest the window this time.”

“That’s not fair,” Spencer followed you as you made your way to the elevator, “I like sleeping near the window.”

“No. Not happening. You slept near the window last time.”

A comfortable silence fell over the two of you as the elevator shot up to your designated floor. Your eyes wandered around the small space, and you found yourself looking anywhere other than at Spencer. You weren’t an anxious person, and it wasn’t as if being alone with Spencer was a new thing to you, but your mind was racing. All because of that one small gesture. His hand on the small of your back. You couldn’t stop thinking about it, and you wished you could because it was making your cheeks burn.

“Even the elevators are fancy,” you muttered, casting a quick glance around the elevator’s plush and yet miniscule interior, “For a small town, they sure do have nice hotels.”

Things really were dire when you started making small talk. You were the type of person who could make a mountain out of a molehill with how much you talked. You almost rivaled Spencer with how much you could babble on. Small talk wasn’t your thing at all.

“What’s the matter with you?”

“Hm?”

“You hate small talk,” Spencer said, and you bit back a laugh at that. It was as if you and Spencer were on the same wavelength sometimes, “And you’re picking at the hole in your sweater. You only ever do that when you’ve got something on your mind.”

You immediately glanced down at your hands, dropping them from your sweater as if it burned. You hadn’t even realized you’d been picking at the hole until Spencer mentioned it. You hadn’t even realized that there was a hole at all. Your bottom lip jutted out in a quick pout, “I love this sweater.”

Spencer chuckled at that, “So,” he continued, “You’re clearly nervous about something. And it’s not the case, because cases never make you nervous.”

“Really?” you said, a hint of laughter creeping into your tone, “You’re analyzing me?”

The elevator reached your floor, and the doors opened with a loud ding, “I’m not analyzing,” Spencer stepped out, “I’m simply making an astute observation.”

“Okay, well stop astutely observing me,” you followed after him, “Don’t worry. I’m fine. You know I’d tell you, “ it wasn’t necessarily a lie. Maybe you’d tell him. Eventually.

Spencer glanced back at you briefly as if he didn’t believe a word coming out of your mouth, but he never said anything. Instead, he took the keycard from you and held it against the lock, waiting for the light to turn green before pushing open the door, “Oh.”

“What?” you sidestepped around him, “Oh.”

There was only one bed. Sure, it was a double, but it was still tiny. It was in that moment that you decided perhaps becoming an unsub wouldn’t be a lost cause.

“I’ll take the couch.”

“I can sleep on the couch.”

You and Spencer finished your sentences at the same time, and you turned to look at each other. As soon as you locked eyes, you both started to laugh at the stupidity of the situation.

“I’m not letting you sleep on the couch.”

“I’m not letting you sleep on the couch either,” you argued, “It’ll kill your back, Spence. You’re way too tall.”

“It’s not fair on you, though. You’ll…” Spencer was about to argue some more, but he stopped when he saw the look on your face. Spencer couldn’t argue his way out of a wet paper bag - when it came to you, at least.

“Look, Spence. It’s fine,” you dropped your bag onto the couch before he could protest, “There. Easy. No harm done.”

Spencer frowned, but he reluctantly put his own bag on the bed, “Fine. We’re swapping tomorrow night, though,” he told you, almost ordering you, “You’re not sleeping on the couch the entire time we’re here.”

“Deal,” your lips curled up into a smile, and you sat down on the couch, “See. I told you I’d be sleeping near the window.”

Spencer laughed at that.

ꨄ︎

From your space on the couch, you could faintly see the glowing green alarm clock that sat on the bedside table. A strange commodity for a hotel room. It almost looked alien.

2:32 a.m.

You couldn’t sleep. You had a bad enough sleep schedule at the best of times, but the injury on your side was making things worse. It still burned, and if you gently put pressure on the area, you could still feel the deep wound through the layers of bandages.

You were almost three days into the case, and you’d finally had a solid lead. It had taken a lot of digging, but Penelope had discovered the unsub’s hunting ground; an old speakeasy hidden so deep in the town that nobody had been able to trace it. Since you were the closest in victimology, you’d agreed to go undercover to catch the unsub once and for all. All you’d ended up with was a knife embedded deep into your side as the unsub escaped once again.

You’d been in the hospital for hours after that. The knife had gone in so deep that it was close to catching something vital, and the doctors had told you that you were lucky to be alive. You’d spent most of that afternoon in a hospital bed, listening to the monotonous sound of beeping machines. After a concerned lecture from Aaron - he’d told you not to follow the unsub but you hadn’t exactly listened - you were bandaged up and sent on your way.

Spencer had told you to take the bed. He’d almost forced you into it at one point. But you’d seen the way he’d tried to discreetly stretch out his cramp throughout the day, and you were far too stubborn, so you refused his offer and tried to sleep on the couch for the night. It wasn’t working, though.

You huffed in pain, shifting uncomfortably in the hopes of finding a better position to sleep in. Every movement made your bandages rub against the wounded area. You finally thought you found a comfortable enough position and you tried to settle down, but then you felt a dampness seeping through your bandages, and you cursed under your breath.

“No, no, no,” you muttered, pulling your shirt up and surveying your body. Even in the darkness, you could see the dark spot where the blood had begun to soak through, “Goddamnit.”

You pushed yourself off the couch and tip-toed across the room. You didn’t want to wake Spencer, especially not in your current state. You kept a hand tightly pressed against your side as you slowly moved. You didn’t want to get blood on the carpet. The staff seemed lovely, and you didn’t want to ruin their day with your mess. Every single step made you wince as a sharp pain shot straight through your body, and your breaths came out as sharp little puffs of air.

A muffled noise from the bed caught your attention, and you saw Spencer begin to stir. He gently mumbled your name as he sat up and stared at you with bleary eyes, “What are you doing?” he looked you up and down, and then his eyes settled on the blood, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” you told him, though you clearly weren’t, “I think the stitches came undone or something. It’s fine,” you tried to wave his worries off, “Go back to sleep.”

Spencer did the opposite. He clambered out of bed and turned on the light, lighting up the room so that you could both see each other clearly. Your heart started to thud a little faster when you saw that the shirt he was wearing to sleep in was a little undone towards the top. You’d never noticed that before.

“You’re not fine,” his eyes were laser focused on the blood as he took a step closer to you, “You’re bleeding.”

“Good observation skills, Spencer,” you laughed a little, though you grunted in pain as it aggravated the injury, “I told you, it’s fine. I’ll redress it, and…” you paused when you saw the look in his eyes. It was a look he’d never given you before, and it stole your breath for a moment.

“Let me see.”

“Spencer...”

“It’s obviously hurting you,” his sentence was almost demanding, and yet there was a soft and concerning tone to his voice, too, “Let me see it.”

You sighed. There was no way you could refuse when he spoke to you with that tone of voice. You gingerly lifted your shirt high enough for him to see it, “It looks worse than it is.”

Spencer gently pulled away the loose bandages and inspected the open wound, his eyes never leaving your body, “Doesn’t matter,” he muttered, “You’re not redressing it yourself, and you’re certainly not stitching yourself back up.”

You barely had a chance to respond before Spencer had darted into the bathroom, and he came out moments later with a roll of bandages the hospital had given you.

“Here. Sit,” he sat back down on the bed, and he patted the space beside him, “You’ll have to go back to hospital tomorrow. I’ll help you rebandage it for tonight,” his eyes darted between your own eyes and the blood that seemed to be pooling on your side, “Please.”

You hesitated for a moment, “Spencer…” there was no point in arguing with him, you knew that, and your wound hurt the longer it was left open, “Fine.”

You sat down beside Spencer, curling your legs up under you as you turned your back to him. Your hands gripped the hem of your shirt, holding it up high enough so that it wasn’t dangling in the way. This wasn’t the first time that Spencer had patched you up after an injury in the field, but this was the first time where you were definitely feeling a little light-headed.

“Ow.”

“Sorry,” Spencer’s voice was a gentle whisper against your ear. You hadn’t even realized that he was practically leaning his head on your shoulder, “Sorry.”

Spencer’s hands were so gentle on your skin that it was almost as if he wasn’t even touching you at all. The only indication that he was even helping you was the bandages around your torso since he wrapped them so tightly that they felt like a strangely comforting hug.

“There,” Spencer said, almost proudly, and he gave you a pat on the shoulder, “Done.”

You glanced down at your body before dropping your shirt. The wound didn’t even seem to hurt any more. You became very aware very quickly that Spencer’s hands hadn’t left your hips, “Thank you.”

You shuffled around until you were facing him, and when your eyes locked, it suddenly felt as if time had come to a standstill. That look was back in his eyes; the one that you’d never seen before that made you feel as though you were melting on the inside. You weren’t entirely sure what was racing faster; your heart or your mind.

And suddenly, before you could really comprehend your actions, your lips were on his. Your body acted before your brain could catch up. Your hands tugged slightly on the collar of his shirt as if you were trying to pull him closer to you. The kiss was tender, and yet it was so full of obvious desire. Warmth flooded your entire body as your stomach seemed to explode with swarms of butterflies. This was a moment you’d thought about for a long time, and once your brain caught up, you couldn’t quite comprehend that it was happening.

It may have only been a few seconds, but it felt like hours. You pulled away, and it was only after you saw the startled expression on Spencer’s face and the faint blush that crept up his neck that you realized what you’d done, “Spence…” your mouth opened and closed, but now words came out for a good few seconds, “Spencer. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Your panicked babbling was cut off as Spencer pressed a quick kiss to your lips, “Shut up,” he smiled, and he pressed his index fingers where his lips had been moments ago, “Just shut up for a minute.”

If this were any other time, you’d be rather offended that he told you to shut up, and you’d keep talking. In this situation, however, you were happy to keep your mouth shut.

“You didn’t mean to, what? You didn’t mean to kiss me?”

“No. I mean… Yes, but also no, but…”

Spencer raised an eyebrow with a faint smirk, “I thought I told you to shut up.”

You pressed your lips together in a fine line, “Sorry.”

Spencer’s hands left your hips, and he took your hands in his own. He squeezed them gently, and his thumbs began tracing soft little circles onto your palms, “You kissed me.”

You were more than ready for the ground to open up and swallow you whole. Spencer seemed to notice because his grip on your hands got a little tighter as if he knew you’d go run, “I’m glad you kissed me.”

There was no stopping the surprised squeak that escaped your lips, “What?!”

Spencer chuckled at that, and the pink blush had spread up to his cheeks, “I’m glad you kissed me,” he repeated, “I’ve wanted to kiss you for a long time.”

“You… You…” your mouth was hanging open, and your eyes were wide. You must’ve looked like an absolute idiot, “You have…?”

“Of course, I did.”

This conversation was going in an entirely different direction to how you’d assumed it was. You’d never seen Spencer look or talk with so much affection before. Spencer said your name with so much love in his tone that it snapped you out of your shocked state, “I like you.”

For a single moment in time, it felt as if the world had stopped spinning. You simply stared, unable to do much of anything else except feel a sharp tug at your heart, “You… You do…?”

“Are you capable of putting a sentence together, or not?” Spencer laughed, and he interlaced his fingers with yours, “Yes, I do. A lot, actually,” he smiled at you, and there was a hint of teasing, “I might be a genius, but even the dumbest person in the room could figure you out right now.”

You cracked a smile, and your shocked expression gave way to a relieved and delighted one, “I really like you, too.”

“Do you? I hadn’t noticed.”

“Shut up,” you giggled, and you never giggled. You knew this crush was childish, but this was on another level entirely.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you giggle.”

“I’m not giggling.”

“Oh, you absolutely are. You’ve always been a terrible liar,” Spencer grinned at you, and then his lips connected with yours.

The kiss seemed more affectionate than earlier, and a lot more passionate. Your hands wound around his neck, and his hands found a comfortable resting place on your waist. Your lips seemed to perfectly fit together like two puzzle pieces. It could’ve been seconds, or it could’ve been minutes. You weren’t entirely sure how long it had been, but you eventually pulled away from each other, and you were both a little breathless from the intensity. Intense was something you never expected from Spencer. You liked it, though.

You let your forehead rest against Spencer’s, “I hate to ruin the mood and everything, but…” your eyes flitted back and forth to the couch, “Does this mean I don’t have to sleep on the couch anymore?”

“Absolutely not,” Spencer pulled you a little closer, “You’re not sleeping on the couch. Especially not now.”

“Good,” you curled into him as he pulled you closer to his side, letting your head rest against his chest with a gentle sigh, “The bed has better company.”

Spencer maneuvered the two of you until you were lying on the bed, and he tucked you that tiny bit closer into him. You’d imagined him hugging you plenty of times, but this felt better than any imagination could. He kissed the top of your head, and he ran a gentle hand up and down your back, “Sure does.”

ꨄ︎

“Penelope Garcia! I’m going to kill you!”

You stormed through the BAU and entered Penelope’s office, slamming the door open with such a bang that it made the walls shudder.

Penelope grinned as she spun around in her chair to face you, “Ah, my sweet angel,” she spoke with a beaming grin on her face, “Do you require my assistance?”

“You little…” you stepped a little closer, but it was hard to look even slightly threatening with a goofy grin on your face that you were trying to hide, “You gave me and Spencer the only room with a single bed?”

“I did no such thing.”

“I spoke to everyone else, Pen. Everyone else had a bed of their own.”

Penelope continued to smirk at you, not even trying to hide her laughter, “It worked, didn’t it? I haven’t seen you as happy as this in weeks.”

You faltered at that. She wasn’t wrong. Ever since you’d gotten back from Wyoming, you’d been happier than anyone had ever seen you. Of course, everyone knew about you and Spencer, and it didn’t take long for the good-natured teasing to pick straight back up, “Yeah. Okay. It worked, but…”

Penelope held up a manicured finger to cut you off, “Besides, my sweet,” she continued, leaning forward in her chair as if she had a secret to tell you, “I was the one who booked the rooms, yes, but I wasn’t the one who handed out the keys, was I?”

Another pause. The words slowly sunk in, and then your mouth dropped open in a mix of shock, humiliation, and a little bit of gratitude, “You… You don’t mean…”

Penelope grinned. She could practically see the gears turning in your head, and it made her laugh, “Oh, I mean exactly what you think I mean, my love.”

“Hotch set us up?!” you didn’t even wait for Penelope’s response. You turned on your heel and marched out of her office, leaving Penelope laughing to herself behind you, “Aaron Hotchner! I’m going to kill you.”

#criminal minds #criminal minds fanfic #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds imagine #spencer reid #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid imagine #x reader

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kissytoru · 28 days ago

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playing dangerous ▬ nanami kento ୭

PAIRING: police officer!nanami x pop star!reader

SUMMARY: the house was already on fire—or at least, that’s what you tell officer nanami when he cuffs you, suspecting you of arson. so, naturally, you switch to your honeyed tone, layering your words with a saccharine lilt to slip out of the situation. oh, but if only you had as much brains as you did charm. this story is part of my jjk x lana del rey series! ﹙inspired by playing dangerous by lana del rey.﹚

WARNINGS: implied afab reader. cussing. reader is kind of a horndog LOL (forgive her she's trying to get out of jail), plot revolves around fires, arson, federal crimes, police & law enforcement, etc. talks of a corpse. mentions of motives of homicide, etc. ﹙୭ = suggestive﹚

WORD COUNT: 1.5k | general masterlist | jjk 𝒙 ldr masterlist

﹙minors/ageless blogs will be blocked.﹚

Your ex-husband had it coming.

If he believed you would silently endure the burden of his transgressions—the callous, cruel murder of your career as a world-renowned pop-star—then he was either foolishly misguided or tragically unintelligent.

You supposed you were at fault too, but you were obstinate enough not to acknowledge the same. It was you, after all, who had pursued a relationship with a mogul in the production industry, driven by ambitions to gain traction with your music by working under a more prominent name.

It had been a year ago when the scales had finally tipped irreparably, when you had discovered that he had usurped your music's legal protection and ownership rights—without so much of a whisper of an explanation in regards of the matter—which allowed him to reap all of the financial benefits that should have been yours alone.

But a divorce and an even heftier alimony wasn't enough.

All that was insufficient to rectify all that he had inflicted upon you and your career.

He had to go.

Now.

So, you watch as flames engulf the charred skeleton of his luxury mansion, and as vestiges of diminishing trails of stygian smoke claw at the night sky. The gentle drag you take from your own cigarette minimally contributes to the thriving volume of the thick fumes as you watch the home burn to the ground.

The inevitable presence of panicked neighbors fills the roads, their anxious and fearful murmurs of observance blending with the arrival of the fire department dousing the remains of the building, followed closely by inbound police officers and guard dogs. As they disembark from their cars, sirens punctuate the silence of the night, alongside the periodic flashes of red, white, and blue.

Some shakily film the scene, and others watch in horror from their windows and terraces, while the firemen and officers attempt to placate both the flames and the onlookers.

It's then that Officer Nanami notices the rather serene eye of the storm.

You, heedlessly leaning against one of the many lit lamp-posts, the glow of which renders your figure almost incandescent as you watch the authorities attempt to extinguish the destruction. Observing the scene with the faintest hints of a succubus-like simper with a knowing glint in your eye, it doesn't surprise you when the officer approaches you, in demand of an explanation.

"Miss," an observant voice comments in your direction, looking from you to the paperwork in his hands, and back again. His chest pocket gleams with a police badge and several accolades of duty, and his hair—blond—is effulgent in the halo of the streetlight. "Would you care to explain?"

"Explain?" you reiterate, turning in his direction as though the perilous display of committed incendiarism in front of you both was a mere commonality of a spectacle. Elevated fire hoses spurt boundless water and cause a draft of wind afoot in your direction. Your sheer nightgown sways gently with the breeze, the rippling silk deeming your appearance almost ghostly. "Explain what, officer?"

"You are Mr. Ricci's ex-wife, are you not?" he elucidates, glancing from the annihilated ruins of the home to you. "And you just so happen to be present at the scene of this crime, utterly and completely peaceful. That alone, along with your publicized hatred for the man, is enough for us to bring you in as the prime suspect of this crime."

"Whoa, crime?" you answer, eyebrows raising in almost mock-astonishment. "You need to slow down with your assumptions, Officer..."

Your gaze drops to the gold star resting below the collar of his shirt, and you deliberately make a show out of reading the name printed underneath the metallic insignia.

"... Nanami," you complete.

He has no reply, awaiting yours.

"Well, I suppose your conjecture is sensible. I do hate him. Publicly, as you specified," you continue, arms folding casually as you speak with utmost indifference. "But ... no, I wouldn't do a thing like that, that's for sure."

Officer Nanami raises a speculative eyebrow, non-verbally contradicting your shallow explanation. His mien is brusquely schooled into something of vexation.

"He called me." you elaborate, honestly, unlocking your phone and showing him your recent calls. Three incoming calls from the contact FUCKFACE and one outgoing lets Officer Nanami know that you may not be guilty. Not entirely, at least. "He found some of my belongings in his attic this morning and asked for me to take them back. And when I did get here, the house was already on fire, I swear I'm not a liar."

He examines your screen once more before returning your device.

"And your first instinct was to simply ... stand there?" he inquires, wanting desperately to coax a slip-up out of your honeyed words. "Not to, perhaps, inform the authorities? That said, I do not believe anyone with such enmity and distaste for their previous partner shows up to the home of the aforementioned in—shall I say—nightclothes? Barefoot, even?"

"The neighbors were already calling the fire station and the police," you counter swiftly, the tips of your fingers brushing along the bare length of his forearm. You quietly ignore his comments about your attire. His hands clench the paperwork tighter at your fleeting touches. "I wouldn't want to overwhelm the station with a barrage of calls so close to midnight. Tell me, do you always work alone so late?"

"I will not tolerate any inane deflections from the subject," Officer Nanami huffs, watching as your hand falls back to your side. "Stick to the case on hand. If you remain so uncooperative, you are reserving yourself a place in the interrogation room back at the precinct. Where is your vehicle? Can you tell me just how you arrived at this location?

"Always so serious," you muse in response, eyes flitting to the lamentable, drenched remnants of your ex-husband's home (and his pitiful corpse too, you hope), wicked hints of a grin teasing your lips. "The precinct seems like a better idea. I'm a little shy standing here in my nightgown."

"You are anything but shy," Officer Nanami manages to speak amidst his own impetuosity, patience thinning and frustration growing like the very embers of fire that had erupted from Ricci's mansion when you had doused the home's electric cabinet in gasoline mere hours ago, flicking your lighter on seconds later. "Answer. My. Question."

"You're no fun," you groan, flicking your extinguished cigarette into a nearby trash can. "My black Aventador is outside the neighborh—"

You're interrupted by the deafening crash of the final few standing planks of wood in the compound, which drop to the amalgamation of soil and soot with numerous crackles of traces of fire.

"It's so noisy," you remark, nose scrunching distastefully at the disruption. You continue almost cloyingly, pulling another cigarette out of the thin pocket of your robe. "Let's get in the back of your cop car, officer. You can ask me anything you want."

As though clinging to the final fragments of his thinly veiled patience, Nanami sighs, and his eyes flit to your pocket for a moment, clearly having noticed something of interest. Before you know it, your cheek and shoulder hit the firm, metallic surface of the streetlight pole, and Officer Nanami gathers your wrists behind your back with one hand and cuffs them together with another.

"You have the right to remain silent," Officer Nanami tells you, tone deadpan as he takes hold of the chain binding both cuffs together, all but dragging you to his police van as he informs his colleagues of the arrest over walkie-talkie. "Anything you say can and will be used against y—"

"Do you really have to put those tight handcuffs on?" you cut him off grudgingly through gritted teeth, as you near the vehicle.

Officer Nanami's only response comes in the form of you both stopping against the hood of the van, where he reaches for the objects in the pocket of your robe, pulling out a half-consumed Marlboro box, and...

Your lighter.

Fuck.

"Yes, I do," he tells you, almost ridiculously smug, as he bags the belongings in separate evidence folders. When you board the backseat of the van, he closes the door behind you and shuts the lock before he gets into the driver's seat himself.

Officer Nanami lowers the incessant, mindless hum of the radio as he drives you to the station. You glance out of one of the caged windows, and—ironically enough—spot yourself posing on a billboard, advertising a luxury fragrance called Flames of Lust. You almost snort at the sight, resentfully rolling your eyes.

Your gaze willfully turns to his hands, bare and wrapped around the leather of the steering wheel, and you have to restrain yourself from saying something brash.

You're pulled out of your salacious reverie when he leads the van through a traffic-laden road and turns on the sirens, the reverberating alarms making you realize the true gravity of the situation.

Officer Nanami may have bested you for just this one instance.

But this was far from over.

PART 2, coming soon ╱ © kissytoru

AUTHOR'S NOTE: my first ever fic on here eek 😬 it's been ages since i've actually written anything, so let me know if this was good in my asks plz :> pt 2 out soon 😋

﹙please like, share, and reblog <3 do not copy, repost, plagiarize, edit, translate, or feed my work into ai or chatbots.﹚

#jjk #jjk x reader #jjk nanami #nanami x reader #nanami kento #nanami kento x reader #jjk fanfic #jjk nanami kento #kissytoru's works #minors dni #divider by enchanthings-a #jujutsu kaisen #x reader #jjk smut #divider by v6que

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writing-flower · 2 months ago

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Ok, you convinced me, I'll start writing a story about the Batfamily x neglected reader.

And first of all, I don't speak English, I can read it but not write it (I'm using a translator now).

But anyway, here's the idea:

“ Between life and death, death is tempting ”

It's cold, too cold, so cold that she can barely feel her feet that never stopped dancing, Alfred helped her create her dress, a dress that she is now wearing while she dances tirelessly.

The theater was silent, only the music in her head existed, music to which she danced to her invented rhythm, she loved dancing, she loved dancing as much as life.

But now, she felt like the cold hands of death were slowly guiding her at their own pace that she didn't hear, she could have been scared.

But she wasn't scared.

She only let herself be guided by death, which she equaled and even surpassed with her elegant movements.

A light went out, the music continued.

A light went out, that's two, the music didn't stop.

A light went out, that's three, the music got louder.

The last light went out, as did the music.

What a perfect way to close her last show and her own life, which no longer mattered as much as before, she thought that was all...

So why did the lights come back on? Why The first scene was her bedroom in the grand Wayne Manor?

"Good morning, Miss [Name]" A voice said on the other side of the door of her room. "Breakfast is already prepared, please don't be late."

A voice as calm as it was nostalgic called her name.

She didn't say anything for a few moments, pretending to yawn and in a tired voice she replied:

"Good morning to you too Alfred..."

In short: The (not) typical reincarnation of the forgotten/neglected daughter of Wayne Manor.

One thing I would like to clarify first is this:

The chapters will be divided into acts, specifically, Act 1, 2 and 3.

Each act will have a certain number of chapters (probably no more than 4-5 per act).

Why this? Because I'm inspired by the fact that everything is like a play, where literally [Name] is the protagonist of her own play.

This is not really that important, but I wanted to say it anyway because I have so many ideas right now that I'm quite excited and happy.

But anyway, I hope all like it and if you have any questions feel free to ask, and I'm sorry if my blog seems messy in some way, in the future it will be better I promise.

#batfam x neglected reader #batfamily x neglected reader #yandere batfam #yandere batfamily x reader #negligent batfam #yandere dc

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giulliadella · 8 days ago

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Guys, I know I said that this blog isn't political, but I have to vent.

Yesterday, Serbia, my country, experienced the largest protest in history. Around one MILLION people (Serbia has a population of 6 million) gathered to protest against the corruption in our government. These protests have been going on since November 2024. when a recently renovated canopy in the city of Novi Sad fell and killed 15 people. Nobody has been prosecuted yet.

The students of all Serbian universities began to protest, urging the institutions to do their job. But the corruption in the country is unbelievable. Record-breaking protests have been taking place all over the country, all of them have been peaceful.

However, the government organized groups of hooligans that were trying to disrupt everything. It has full control of all mainstream media. On the day of the massive protest on March 15., all public transport has been removed from the streets: all trains, busses, even taxis were ordered not to drive. But people, including me, walked for miles to get to the downtown.

The protest was going great, despite the rain and relatively cold weather. People were peaceful and hopeful, they were having fun, playing music, carrying funny signs, making noise with whistles and trumpets. The atmosphere was great, everyone was kind to each-other, me and my friends hung out, shared cookies, talked about silly gay stuff.

But then, during 15 minutes of silence that people held to commemorate the 15 dead, our government used a sound cannon, a sonic weapon, on these calmly standing people, in the middle of silence. It was chilling. I wasn't on that location when it happened, but many people have been hurt. One man had his pacemaker screw up, giving him several heart attacks. A lot of people are reporting tinnitus, pain, they are disoriented. The goal of this was to try an cause a stampede in a crowd of MILLION PEOPLE. However, due to quick intervention of students, such tragedy was avoided.

BTW, the sonic weapon was fired in the close proximity of a maternity hospital.

And now, as if all of this wasn't bad enough, the government froze the medical records of every person that came to our PUBLIC HEALTH hospitals with symptoms from the protest. These people are DENIED MEDICAL CARE after THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT used and ILLEGAL and HIGHLY DANGEROUS WEAPON on them in hospitals that THEY PAID FOR.

I am a very peaceful and non-confrontational person. This is the first time in my life that I wished death upon someone. I genuinely wish death to our president and all of his little criminal friends and his journalists and all those morons in healthcare denying people help. I have never experienced this level of evil. I have always believed that there is good in everyone, but now I think that some people may be an exception.

And the worst of all is that my family is against these protests. They don't support our government, but they are not against them either. "Because someone worse might come." I don't know if it can get worse than this. This is actual terrorism. The next step is killing people. Outright. I am scared, but I love my country and I want it to do better. I will continue to support the protests, no matter what.

I'm genuinely sorry for this rant, but I am under so much stress, I needed to vent. I genuinely pray that no country ever has to experience what Serbia is experiencing now.

#serbia #politics #i'm sorry i needed to vent #i needed to #this is just too much #i'm scared and uncertain about everything #but i still have hope

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writers-potion · 10 months ago

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Writing Magicians

If you are drafting or deepening a magician character, consider these personality traits and common characteristics of magicians. Your magician doesn't have to be set in stone or have all of these traits.

Intelligent

Magic requires a critical, quick, analytical mind to practice and implement. Must be capable of making difficult decisions.

Good Memory

For memorizing spells, potions ingredient lists, rituals and anatomy of magical creatures.

Creative

Magicians need to adapt existing spells and rituals to the situation

Self-disciplined and focused

Casting a spell or conducting a ritual requires the magicians to have unwavering focus and self-control.

Patient

Magic takes time to practice, especially if it's not a talent that you're born with. You also need patience to calm your human sacrifices down and make those stupider than you understand what's going on.

Highly trained

Mere talent is not enough. Practice - and pain - makes perfect.

Specialist

Magicians will have a spell/an element/a potion they are exceptionally good at

Musical

Many forms of magic involve drumming or chanting, or even singing.

Spiritual

Many forms of magic are linked with religious practices or concepts. Your magician might be heralded as a spiritual saint, or hunted for being a heathen.

Prayers are often a part of magic rituals.

Studious

Magicians are always keen to learn more, expanding their skills range, acquiring news spells, understanding different forms of magic and exploring scientific subjects.

Many magicians will amass books, or sign up for every available online class.

Well-orgnized and Methodical

The best magicians always have information and ingredients at hand and know where to find them.

They prepare thoroughly before rituals and have Plan B,C,D ready

Introvert

Many magicians like quietude and solitude in which they can recharge to practice a new spell in peace.

However, some magicians love social gatherings, maybe even showing off their power.

Ethical

Magic gives a person power, and requires moral judgements to apply this power wisely. You magician protagonist will be ethically challenged, but pull through difficult decisions guided by his good heart.

You magician villains, of course, will fall due to their unethical practice of power.

Sharp Sense

Your magician is likely to have a goos sense of smell/sight/sound, so that they can tell poisons part and catch the exact note of the chant.

Descended from Magicians

Magic is often portrayed as a talent that is passed down generations. It can be of blood (you must have "magical blood", so to speak), or it can be a guarded family secret.

On the flip side, your hero can be the only one with magical talent in a family with no such powers.

Psychic

Although magical and psychic gifts are separate matters, the power of foresight is often considered a branch of magic.

If your hero is a psychic, make sure it has limitations and consequences!

Day Job

Few magicians practice openly. Even if the magician earns money from her practice, she'd want to disguise her identity and pretend to work a more everyday job.

Many modern magicians work in the medical sector; other are employed in scientific, engineering or the arts field.

Pet

Magicians are known for thei close relationships with animals.

This can be a typical pet, or a mythical animal, or perhaps an incarnation of the devil, who knows?

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

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after-hours-in-the-library · 9 months ago

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Guess I got to start this blog somewhere

How would they react to waking up with a boner next to you

For some reason I can't really write lighthearted things for Alan, sigh

Not really nsfw but kinda suggestive?

If earth could swallow them they would accept it in a heartbeat.

Poor sweet Kaito is the first one I think that would accidentally get too excited to be sleeping next to his SO and get hard. He is already suffering, don't look at him disgusted, he WILL cry.

Luca is startled like it's the first time happening, apologizing for putting you in an awkward situation. Pat his shoulder and tell him it's alright.

Alan still has some kind of complex of seeing himself as too worn out, a killer and a criminal, and in contrast seeing his partner in a much better light. When he gets hard while sleeping together he almost feels like when he is cleaned the blood off of his fists after an underground fight, whatever rag he grabbed now tainted too.

Sweet baby Subaru feels oh, so bad at the slightest feeling he might be imposing himself on you at any point, be it date plans, shared activities or what to eat for dinner. He removes himself out of the situation and sends a three paragraph long text apologizing and understanding if you want to break up and not see him anymore.

Doesn't make a big deal out it if you don't react badly

Sho reads books, even if it doesn't look like it, and knows that morning wood usually doesn't happen because of sexual stimuli. Sho also gets a bit bashful at having woken next to you like that, tsk-ing at your teases while he looks away.

‘boys are just like that' Haku might cover with a pillow if you feel uncomfortable or awkward but he will be cracking jokes about the situation to lighten up the mood.

Is like ‘whatever’ and doesn't do anything to hide it

Jin, as nonchalant as ever, doesn't think much about it, he might go to the bathroom and fix his problem if you fuss a bit but otherwise he will stay lying down listening to music.

Towa is a free spirit and rarely cares about morals or common decency, doing as he pleases most of the time, it's no wonder he looks curious when you get surprised at the tent in his pants.

Ed decides it isn't that big of a deal, when you live for so long some insecurities and things you get embarrassed about start mattering less and less.

Even if Subaru did his best teaching him, Lyca doesn't understand many human sensibilities, like not smelling people or yelling when someone talks smack, it's no wonder he almost seems surprised at your reaction

Makes you feel like you are the weird one for even noticing

Leo, the little bitch he always is, will find a way to make it awkward, be it saying you are a perv for looking far down to accuse you of planning it.

Ren is a somewhat mixed case bc on one hand he makes you feel like the weirdo ‘why are you so interested in my groin. Sexual harassment’ but on the other he is internally crying at how awkward it's.

Good luck even getting into that situation

If you think you can catch Thoma off guard nice try —at least so early into the relationship— he prides himself in being able to act the part of a gentleman so even if it happened you wouldn't wake up or even notice.

Haru is too tired, too busy and doesn't have enough time to cuddle with you to sleep.

Can Zenji even get an erection?

Good luck getting Rui comfortable enough with getting close to sleep next to each other.

#tokyo debunker #tokyo debunker x reader

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st4rtar0t · 11 months ago

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Your love story and the movie it resembles

With your future partner

ever wondered how would your love story be with your future spouse? and what movie would it be similar to? I will be honest as someone who romanticizes love this question as kept me awake on many nights and has made me daydream a lot. SO as a result I have decided to make a pac on this topic. I hope you enjoy this reading and support my blog so that I can come up with more interesting pick a cards.

These pictures belong to their rightful owners.

please like and reblog, I worked hard on this one

Picture 1

Okay so as soon as i started this reading i got the message that most people who chose this picture may not have had an actual relationship in a sense that you might have felt as if something was always lacking or you may not have been treated right in a relationship. And i do see that you have a unexplainable fear that maybe the person you will fall in love with wont fall for you? or you may doubt their affection for you as you seem to have severe trust issues. You may be the kind of person who doubts love but is also dreaming about it. you may show as if you don't believe in love or that money matters more for you but you know deep down that is not true.

I also sense that this group is divided into two subgroups as this group seem to have two similar yet different love stories.

group one : you guys may be a Virgo, cancer or Sagittarius sun moon or rising. You guys can have medium to short curly hair. you may have a mole on your arm or right shoulder. You may have a small friend group consisting 3-4 people including you. one of your friends can be of different race or religion. Some of you may be in high school or 1st-2nd year of collage. Pumpkin and grapes may be significant for you.

your love story : There may be a sense of "saving the other" in your love story. you know how a person is suffering and the other person comes into their life and saves them that is the vibe that I am getting from your love story. Your future spouse may enter you life when you will be dire need of help or when you will be suffering or vice versa. You may be the damsel in distress, but i see that You wont ask your future spouse for help intentionally. You are someone who wont ask for help no matter how much they are suffering and your future spouse is someone who WANTS to help other no matter what but they have been used by a lot of people because of this. They are well aware of the fact that people only approach them because of their personal benefit and this makes them quite upset. But but but i also sense that they would want to help not financially but emotionally. They would want to help you with everything they can and this may be the one of the majors reasons why you will fall for them. They will help you find purpose in your life again. They will make you fall in love with life.

SO the movie that resembles your love story is EK VILLAIN. This is an Indian movie and I would suggest you to watch it. i wont spoil it for you if you have not watched it yet, but leave out the parts that don't resonate with you.

Group two : You guys can be a Taurus, Leo or Aries sun moon or rising. you may have a mole of your back or on one side of your neck. You guys may have long dark hair or dark brown hair that reaches past your armpits. You may have a fear of lizards or any kind of reptile. i sense that some of you may be studying business or you plan to start you own soon? You may have gold jewellery that you wear regularly.

Your love story : As I said earlier both these groups will have a similar yet different love story and the sense of "saving the other" is also present in this group but the only difference is that you will be the one who will save your future spouse/partner. They may be really popular or into music because i see that they have a good singing voice. You guys can also work in the same field or profession. I see that you guys will encourage them to give their best when they may feel low or when they may doubt themselves. I see that you will be their biggest supporter and this will make them fall deeper for you. They will admire how passionate you are about what you do. If you are in a creative field, they may use you as their muse. I also sense that they will be writing songs and poems for you because they seem to have a talent for writing. You guys will work together and earn a lot of money and fame.

So the movie that resembles your love story is AASHIQUI 2. This movies was released in 2013.

Noticed how the actress in both the movies is same? so you may have something in common with her.

Masterlist PAID SERVICES

Picture 2

This is the group of misunderstood people lol. I see that people always try to find flaws in you or blame you for the things that have nothing to do with you. But i also sense that you someone who jumps into conclusions and overthinks their situation. Things may not be as they appear. You are someone who has lost a lot of people that were close to you and you don't want to go through the same pain again, so as a result you have put a wall between you and other. And now you don't care if people misunderstand you or spread rumours about you. I also sense that you are independent, you don't like asking anyone for help, You would rather do the things by yourself than ask for help.

Okay so for the people who chose this picture I see that and your future partner may not have a good first impression of each other or there may be some past experiences that you both share that are not so ideal. Or you guys may meet in an environment that is not to ideal for a first meeting? but whatever it may be I sense that you guys will remember your first meeting and laugh out loud.

Do you guys have a one sided love story or have you ever been in this situation? because I see that most of you have liked somebody who already had a girlfriend/boyfriend or somebody they were talking to OR I see that you had a huge crush on one of your friends and he/she were already into somebody so you thought is would be better to forget them.

I am getting friends to strangers to friends to lovers. Its really complex and complicated. But yes it seems as if somebody else was involved in your love story and no I am not talking about third party situation. its more of a "yes I like this person and I am talking to them" from their side and "you are my friend and I like you but wont tell you because you like somebody else so I wont tell you" OR "yes I like you but wont tell you because I don't want to ruin our friendship" from your side. But I sense that they will realise their feelings a lot later and when you wont be talking to them. I also sense that you may move away from them to forget them or you may even move to another country for job or education.

But we all know how the universe works in strange ways that you may have never considered. So you will end up meeting them again but in a different way as compared to before. And they will be the one to express their love for you and will do everything to win your heart.

So the movie that resembles your love story is KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI and a little bit of DDLJ. Both these movies have the same acter and actress. But the plot is not same its similar with slightly different storyline.

Masterlist

Picture 3

Some of you may also be interested in Picture 1

Are you sure you are interested in this love reading? because your energy is telling me otherwise. I am shocked to see you reading this because it seems as you are starting to hate the word love, and honestly I don't think you are at fault because if I was going through the same things that you have been through/are going through, I would hate it too. You have experienced love and I am not talking about romantic love, I am talking about platonic love. The kind of love you are supposed to receive from your family and friends. And now as a result of that, your perception of love is completely messed up.

But I have a good news for you, you have been blessed in money sector of your life and this abundance in money sector will be the love you yearn for. Now you are only focusing on your work and career, you are taking all the required steps to achieve your dreams and goals. And while you are focused on this sector of your life you wont notice how the universe will bless your love life with a partner that will move mountain for you. And the most beautiful thing is, YOU NEVER HAD TO ASK FOR IT. yes there were times when you cried yourself to sleep because you could not feel loved but unknowingly it all made you stronger.

Now lets talk about your love story with your future, So as I have already talked about how you will meet them when you will focusing on yourself and your dreams. And I also see that they will be the first one to fall in love and realise their feelings. And the most interesting thing is they will make all the efforts needed to prove their love for you. They wont approach you with a love offer first and wont shove their feelings into your face as in "Hey i love you, lets get married" no it wont be like that, in fact they will approach with the offer you helping you or being your friend first. They will admire how sweet and caring you are despite the things you have been through, You will fill them with inspiration and hope that there are still nice people in this world who make this world a better place with their existence. They will support you in you work and offer new ideas. Some of you are really intuitive so you will know who person may be or will be. Your future partner will admire the way you handle tough situations and problems thrown your way with ease. You are someone with hard exterior and really soft interior and this will intrigue your future partner as it is really hard to find genuine people with good intentions these days.

You love story gives me the trope of black cat and golden retriever energy with you being the black cat here and them being the golden retriever. Its honestly so cute!! and I am so happy for you guys. You guys deserve the world. okie I think i am getting distracted, so lets get back to the reading, Your love story will be something that will remind people of a fairy-tale.

So the movie/movies that resemble your love story is RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA 2013 and GHAJINI 2008. Yes as i said this wont resonate 100% with your love story but there will be similarities.

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mysteriouswolf · 1 year ago

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I'm going to start this off with saying it hurts. It fucking hurts. It hurts so, so much, and there's parts of me that still desperately want to look for a way out, to make him not the bad guy, but there isn't one.

Wilbur Soot is a fucking asshole. A piece of absolute trash, and it hurts. Because I've looked up to him for so many years now. He's been such an inspiration and comfort in my life, from dealing with issues I have myself, and giving me all the more reason to stay here. And now he's turned out to be like this. To anyone who's been following what I reblog about him, it's conflicting, because my thoughts seem to change by the minute. But I'm hoping in saying this I can clear my head and make a definite decision.

I will never be supporting Wilbur ever again. No matter how much better he gets, I don't care. What he did was unexcusable, and if you think otherwise, you can fuck off of my blog. His "apology" wasn't an apology, and for the most part all he did was defend himself. The responses from other content creators have pushed me to agree that yes, fuck Wilbur. He's an ass. I think I've stated this a couple times.

What he did to them, especially Niki and Tommy was inexcusable as well from what we know, and since Tommy is going on tour in about a week (if he's still going/up to it) PLEASE no one harass him with questions, or how he feels. Please, just leave him alone. I'm sure it's a lot to process for him too- even more than us.

I've seen some posts saying how we should be angry at other content creators for not speaking out sooner, but some of them have hinted at it/tried. And others haven't known enough, or didn't want to start causing something against him. The same reason Shelby didn't want to say his name. Maybe they couldn't. Please leave them alone.

The last thing I would like to say, is maybe controversial. If you disagree with me, I don't care, this is purely my opinion.

You can still enjoy his character. Your stories, your artwork, all that you've done with it. Don't feel bad about keeping it up, because that's yours now. You've worked so hard on it, and cared for that character so much that it's become far more yours than his. In regards to his music, I know his songs have provided a lot of us with comfort, including me. It's going to be really hard for me to stop listening to something I loved, but I'm going to make the effort- especially with his solo albums. Also, please don't harass the other members of Lovejoy. From what we know, they're lovely people, and if you're going to stop listening to them, great, do that, but don't harass them. Please. And if you do choose to listen to them, there's ways you can listen to music without supporting him- in my opinion covers are the best way to do that, but that one is up to you.

To wrap this up, I'd just like to say...please don't send death threats, or threats in general to anyone involved in this situation- including Wilbur. Leave them alone. Please.

This is subject to change if we get more information, but for now and the foreseeable future, this is my stance. I wish everyone hugs and comfort. This sucks. I'm sorry.

#wilbur situation #wilbur #wilbur soot #cc!tommy #tw: abuse #tommyinnit

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xclowniex · 8 months ago

Note

Did you see that insanely popular blogger called thesituation made a post about how their roommate spoke about Israeli music which made her "suspicious" 🙃

Gentiles really and truly hate Jews. Where is this energy for real white colonizers? Exactly.

I did not see but now I have. For those who want to look directly on the blog themselves, they have two roommates the talk about, an evil ex roommate they are suing and then a Jewish current roommate.

Like there are so many reasons why a Jewish person might not want to engage with you in discussions surrounding Palestine.

Maybe they're burn out from seeing so much antisemitic stuff from antisemites using Palestine as an excuse to be antisemitic, maybe they are worried that you might be an antisemite using Palestine as an excuse for antisemitism and feel as if not knowing whether you are or aren't is better than the possibility that they find out you are and have to live with you. Or maybe they aren't too knowledgeable on the subject to have discussions or, maybe just maybe, a reason doesn't matter and you are not entitled to their opinion just because they're jewish.

Also, "passive zionist" is giving major Crypto-Zionist vibes, which we all know is antisemitic. Like I'm sorry, but a random goy in the west, doesn't know enough about zionism in what? 8? 9? Months of research to be able to identify what "zionist tendencies" are, especially when there are so many different types of zionism. Their behavior online doesn't really help their case with their roommate wanting to speak to them about Palestine.

No one is entitled to a jews opinion about Palestine, regardless of if they know them personally.

#antisemitism #israel #jumblr #i/p #palestine #jewblr #jewish tumblr

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novaursa · 6 months ago

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The Dragon's Right (9)

- Summary: It was by grace of the gods that firstborn child of Viserys I and Aemma was born a boy and he lived. And all of the rest, scholars will later say, is by power of something more malevolent in kind.

- Pairing: male!reader/Rhaenyra Targaryen

- Note: For all the parts of the story, visit my blog. The list is pinned to the top.

- Rating: Mature 16+

- Word count: 5 600+

- Previous part: 8

- Next part: 10

- Tag(s): @sachaa-ff @alyssa-dayne

The festivities within the Red Keep carried on with an air of elegance and grandeur. The hall was filled with lords and ladies adorned in their finest, the colors of their houses displayed proudly on their gowns and cloaks. Candles flickered along the walls, while the sounds of laughter and the soft clinking of goblets echoed in the grand chamber. Music filled the space, a lively tune played by skilled musicians that encouraged the courtiers to take to the dance floor, but for the moment, you found yourself occupied with conversation rather than the revelry.

Standing near the edge of the hall, you spoke quietly with Tayland Lannister, his finely groomed beard and richly embroidered tunic a testament to the wealth of his house. Tayland was speaking animatedly about the tournament, his voice filled with the enthusiasm that came with such events.

“A fine opening tilt, Your Grace,” he said with a smile, raising his goblet in a casual salute. “But I must admit, I was surprised you chose not to continue the competition. Surely the prize could have been yours with ease.”

You nodded, offering him a polite smile but inwardly glad to have stepped away from the melee. The tournament was always a spectacle, and while you enjoyed the thrill of competition, you knew the real purpose of your participation had been symbolic. You had opened the games, tilted against your opponent, and left the field for the knights to fight over the reward.

“I wanted to give others the chance,” you replied smoothly, the warmth of your voice masking the underlying truth. “It wouldn’t be much of a contest if I stayed on. Best to let the knights have their glory.”

Tayland chuckled, swirling the wine in his goblet. “Ever the gracious prince, Your Grace. But surely there are those who would have loved to see you claim the victory.”

You smiled faintly but said nothing more on the matter, your eyes wandering across the hall. The music and laughter seemed to swirl around you, but your attention was drawn to a single figure across the room—Rhaenyra. She stood by the dais, surrounded by her handmaidens, her eyes occasionally flicking toward you with a look that promised something more. There was a silent exchange between the two of you, a shared understanding that no one else in the room could perceive. You gave her a brief nod, a promise in your gaze, one that told her you would visit her later, in private.

Rhaenyra’s lips curved into a barely noticeable smile, but her eyes were filled with a quiet longing. She turned her head, her expression composed, though you could sense her anticipation. The crowd around you faded as your thoughts lingered on that promise, and for a moment, the weight of the room, the expectations of the court, seemed distant.

Just then, the music shifted to a slower, more melodic tune, and Alicent, standing beside Rhaenyra, glanced at her friend before looking across the room toward you. The question on her lips was tinged with curiosity and something more. “Is your brother not dancing tonight?” she asked, her voice soft but pointed.

Rhaenyra didn’t bother to turn her head fully, answering flatly, “No, he will not be dancing.”

Alicent’s gaze lingered on you for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly before she turned back to Rhaenyra. “A shame,” she said just as coolly, her tone neutral but carrying an edge of disappointment. “There are many ladies who would have liked their turn with the prince.”

Rhaenyra’s eyes darkened slightly at the comment, though she didn’t let her emotions show beyond a tight smile. “They’ll just have to be disappointed,” she replied, her voice steady, but the meaning beneath her words was clear.

Alicent glanced at her friend, sensing the tension in the air. “I suppose so,” she said, though the unspoken words hung between them like a veil. The two women exchanged a look—one that was filled with the complexities of their friendship, the distance that had grown between them since your return. Alicent, with her father’s expectations weighing on her, had been thrust into a role she hadn’t asked for, but Rhaenyra couldn’t shake the feeling that her friend had become a rival, even if neither of them would admit it aloud.

The music continued, and courtiers took to the floor, their movements graceful and fluid as they danced in circles of twirling silk and gleaming armor. The room was alive with celebration, but you remained by the wall, still engaged in conversation with Tayland. You could feel the eyes of the court on you, whispers moving through the crowd about why the prince wasn’t partaking in the festivities.

“The ladies are disappointed, you know,” Tayland said with a grin, his tone teasing but not unkind. “I’ve heard many say they hoped for a dance with you tonight.”

You let out a soft chuckle, shaking your head. “Not tonight, I’m afraid.”

Tayland raised an eyebrow. “No interest in a dance, Your Grace?”

You took a sip from your goblet, your gaze drifting back to Rhaenyra. “No, I have other matters on my mind.”

Tayland followed your gaze for a brief moment, understanding flickering in his eyes, though he said nothing more on the subject. He shifted the conversation back to the tournament, discussing the knights and their performances with enthusiasm, but your thoughts were elsewhere.

Across the room, Rhaenyra and Alicent stood in silence, the conversation between them having come to a standstill. Rhaenyra’s mind was not on the music or the crowd around her, but on you. She could feel the weight of your silent promise, the anticipation of your visit later that night. Alicent’s words still lingered in her ears, but Rhaenyra pushed them aside. She wasn’t concerned about the other ladies, or their wishes to dance with you. She knew where your affections lay, and that knowledge gave her strength.

Alicent, on the other hand, felt a growing unease in the silence between them. She had noticed the way your eyes had lingered on Rhaenyra, the quiet connection between the two of you that seemed to deepen with every passing moment. Though she didn’t voice her thoughts, the feeling of being on the outside, watching a bond that she couldn’t fully understand, gnawed at her.

“They all seem so content,” Alicent said quietly, her gaze sweeping the room. “As if the world outside these walls doesn’t exist.”

Rhaenyra’s lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s what these festivals are for, isn’t it? To make us forget, even if only for a night.”

Alicent nodded, her expression thoughtful. “Yes… I suppose so.”

As the music continued to play, the night stretched on, the festivities unfolding around them. But for you and Rhaenyra, the evening’s true moment of importance had already been decided—a promise exchanged in a single glance, a promise that would be fulfilled later, away from the eyes of the court.

(one month later)

The heavy silence of King Viserys's chambers was broken only by the soft crackling of the hearth. The familiar model of Old Valyria, the one Viserys so often found solace in, sat untouched, forgotten for the moment. His hands rested on his lap, but his fingers drummed anxiously on the armrest of his chair. His face, usually calm or filled with the quiet strength of a ruler, now seemed troubled, weighed down by the burden of a decision he knew had to be made. It was a decision that left his heart heavy and aching.

The faint clink of armor and footsteps echoed in the hallway before the door opened. You entered, your brow furrowed with concern at the sudden and unexpected summons. You had sensed something was wrong even before you arrived, and the sight of your father sitting alone, lost in his thoughts, only deepened that feeling.

“Father,” you said softly, stepping into the room. You stood just inside the doorway, hesitant to interrupt whatever heavy thoughts were consuming him. “You summoned me?”

Viserys looked up at you, his face lined with worry and something else—something deeper, almost mournful. He gestured for you to come closer, and you did, though the tension in the air only seemed to grow the nearer you got.

“I did, yes,” Viserys finally said, his voice thick with emotion. “There’s… something we must discuss.” He paused, searching for the right words, and for a moment, he just studied you, as if committing the sight of you to memory. “Come, sit with me.”

You did as he asked, taking a seat across from him, but even as you sat, you could feel the weight of whatever was coming pressing down on both of you.

“What is it, Father?” you asked, your voice quiet but steady, though you could already sense that whatever this was, it wasn’t going to be a simple matter.

Viserys sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face as if the gesture might help him clear his mind. He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees, and met your gaze with a look of deep sorrow. “I’ve received word… troubling news, I’m afraid.”

You tensed, your heart already pounding faster. “What news?”

“Dorne,” Viserys began, his voice almost a whisper. “They’ve amassed an army along our borders. It’s no longer just a provocation, no longer a mere show of strength. They are preparing for a full-scale push into our lands.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and ominous. You blinked, processing what he had just said, and the room seemed to grow colder, the crackling fire in the hearth doing nothing to dispel the chill that ran through you.

You knew what your father was conveying even before he spoke again. With Daemon still fighting in the Stepstones, and Corlys and Laenor stretched thin in the seas, the crown had few forces left to hold the borders. And now, with Dorne making a serious threat, the realm was teetering on the edge of war once more.

“I understand,” you said quietly, your voice steady despite the weight of the moment. “I will be ready by the morrow. Silverwing and I will fly to the borders and reinforce our forces.”

Viserys winced at your words, his sorrow deepening. His hand trembled slightly as he reached for his goblet of wine, but he didn’t drink from it. Instead, he set it back down and looked at you, his eyes filled with regret. “I do this with an extremely heavy heart, my son,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I never imagined I would have to send you back into battle so soon. Not after everything… not after the last time.”

You sat quietly, absorbing the emotion in his voice, the pain of a father who had already sent his son into danger once before and now had to do so again. But you understood. You knew your duty to the realm, and you knew that if you didn’t go, the borders would fall. There was no one else.

“I am the heir to the throne,” you replied softly, though your heart ached at the thought of leaving again, especially after only just returning to some semblance of normalcy. “This is my duty. It’s what I was born to do.”

Viserys leaned back in his chair, his expression filled with anguish. “Yes… your duty.” He looked away, his gaze falling to the floor, as if the word itself pained him. “But that doesn’t make it any easier. I thought, after you returned, that we might finally have some peace. I thought… perhaps we could have more time.”

You swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his sorrow. You had known this day would come, known that your role as the crown prince would inevitably lead you back to war. But hearing your father’s words, seeing the pain etched on his face, made it all the more difficult.

“I wish we had more time, too,” you admitted, your voice soft. “But the realm needs us now, and I can’t let Dorne advance unchecked.”

Viserys’s eyes filled with unshed tears, and he looked at you with the kind of sadness only a father could know. “I worry for you, my son,” he whispered. “Every time you leave, every time you mount Silverwing to fly into battle, I fear… I fear that one day you won’t return.”

You were quiet for a moment, the weight of his words settling over you like a heavy cloak. “I will return, Father,” you said, your voice filled with quiet conviction. “I always have.”

Viserys nodded, though the fear in his eyes remained. “I know. But a father’s heart is not ruled by reason. It is ruled by love. And that love makes me fear for you more than you know.”

You took a deep breath, reaching out to place a hand on your father’s arm. “I’ll be careful,” you promised. “I’ll do everything I can to keep our borders safe—and to come back.”

Viserys looked at you for a long moment, his face filled with both pride and sorrow. “You’ve always been a good son,” he said softly. “And I have no doubt that you will be a good king one day. But it doesn’t make it any easier to send you away again.”

You nodded, understanding his pain even as your own heart ached with the weight of what was to come. “I’ll make sure this is over quickly,” you said, your voice firm with determination. “Dorne won’t succeed. Not while I’m there.”

Viserys sighed heavily, running a hand through his thinning hair. “I know you will, my son. But war is never predictable. I just wish… I wish we didn’t have to live like this. I wish we could be at peace.”

You stood from your seat, feeling the urgency of the moment pulling you toward the preparations you knew you needed to make. “Peace will come, Father. But for now, I must go where I’m needed.”

Viserys nodded, though his heart was clearly heavy with the decision. “Yes,” he whispered. “You must.”

As you turned to leave, your father called out to you one last time. “Be careful, Y/N. Please.”

You looked back at him, offering a small smile despite the gravity of the moment. “I will, Father. I’ll return. I promise.”

With that, you left the room, the weight of the realm’s future resting on your shoulders once again.

The corridors of the Red Keep seemed darker than usual as you made your way through them, your footsteps echoing softly off the stone walls. Your thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions—duty, frustration, and the aching feeling of leaving behind everything you had fought to protect. The conversation with your father had only solidified what you knew had to be done. You longed to return to the battlefield, where everything was clearer, where your purpose was defined by steel and fire. But this time, it was different. The pull of duty was no longer the sole force driving you forward.

Rhaenyra.

You felt the weight of her name in your mind, the thought of what this would mean to her adding to the already heavy burden on your shoulders. The battlefield called to you, but the idea of leaving her behind… it was unbearable in a way that no war ever had been.

You reached her chambers and paused outside the door, gathering your thoughts, knowing that the news you bore would not be welcomed. She had been waiting for you, as she always did, and you had promised her you would never leave her to face the court’s politics and schemes alone. And yet here you were, about to tell her you would be gone by morning.

Taking a deep breath, you entered.

Rhaenyra sat near the window, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. The moment she saw you, her face brightened with a smile, as if your very presence were enough to lift her spirits. But the second she met your gaze, her smile faltered. She could see the weight on your shoulders, the storm brewing behind your eyes.

“You’re troubled,” she said softly, her voice filled with concern as she rose from her seat. “What is it?”

You hesitated, taking a few steps closer, the tension in your chest making it difficult to speak. Finally, you forced the words out. “I’m leaving in the morning,” you said quietly, watching her face closely. “I’ve been called back to the Dornish border. Dorne has amassed a large army. This time, they’re not just provoking us—they’re preparing for a full-scale invasion.”

Rhaenyra’s face became a canvas of conflicting emotions. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. The initial shock quickly gave way to something else—hurt, anger, and the deep sense of abandonment she had tried so hard to bury. She took a step back, her brows furrowing.

“So you’re leaving again,” she whispered, though the softness of her voice was undercut by the sharp edge of anger growing within her. “You’re escaping the court again, off to wage war while I’m left behind to face… everything.”

You flinched at her accusation, knowing she was speaking from pain but feeling the sting of her words nonetheless. “I’m not escaping anything,” you said, your voice firm but tinged with sorrow. “I’m doing my duty. Dorne is preparing to strike at our borders, and I’m needed there to defend the realm.”

“Your duty,” she spat, her voice rising with the anger she could no longer contain. “It’s always your duty. You think I don’t understand? You think I don’t see it? But while you’re out there, fighting your battles, I’m stuck here, left to face the vultures circling me.”

“Rhaenyra—”

“No,” she interrupted, her eyes flashing with fury. “Don’t say my name like that. You’re abandoning me! Again!”

Her words hit you like a blow, the fire in her eyes burning into you. You stepped closer, trying to bridge the gap between you, but she moved back, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “I’m not abandoning you,” you said quietly, trying to keep your voice calm. “I’m going to defend our home, to ensure that Dorne doesn’t tear through the borders. This is something I have to do.”

“And what about me?” she demanded, her voice breaking as she looked at you with a mixture of anger and desperation. “What about the promises you made to me? While you’re gone, they’ll wed me off to some lord I don’t even know. They’ll bargain me away like a pawn on their chessboard. And I’ll be alone.”

You shook your head, feeling your own frustration rising. “I promised you, Rhaenyra,” you said firmly. “I promised I wouldn’t let that happen. I’ll return, and I’ll make sure that no one forces you into a marriage you don’t want. I swear it.”

But your words, though sincere, did little to quell the fire in her heart. She took a step closer, her voice trembling now, not just with anger but with the weight of all the emotions she had been holding inside. “And how will you stop it from happening when you’re gone? When you’re not here to stop them? How do you know what will happen while you’re away?”

You didn’t have an answer for that, not one that would satisfy her. You wished you could give her a solution, a way to guarantee that everything would be all right. But you couldn’t. The truth was, you didn’t know how long you would be gone. The uncertainty of war made promises difficult to keep.

“I’ll write to you,” you said, trying to offer her something, anything. “As often as I can. I’ll make sure you know everything that’s happening.”

Rhaenyra’s eyes filled with tears, her chest rising and falling with the weight of her emotions. She looked at you, the anger still there but now mixed with something else—betrayal, sorrow, the deep pain of being left behind once again. “I don’t want your letters,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I want you here.”

You stepped closer, reaching out to take her hand, but she pulled away, shaking her head. “Go,” she said quietly, though the firmness in her voice remained. “If you’re so eager to leave, then go. But don’t stand here and make promises you can’t keep.”

You stood there for a moment, helpless, the weight of her words pressing down on you like a heavy cloak. “Rhaenyra, I…”

“Go!” she repeated, her voice rising again, though this time it was filled with the anguish she could no longer hide.

There was nothing more you could say. Her tears, the fury in her voice, the pain in her eyes—there was no argument you could make that would heal the wounds she felt in that moment. So you did as she asked. You turned and left her chambers, though every step you took felt like a dagger twisting in your heart.

Before you reached the door, you stopped and looked back at her one last time. “I’ll write to you,” you said softly, the promise lingering in the air between you.

Rhaenyra said nothing, her back turned to you as she stood by the window, her shoulders shaking as she fought to keep her tears from falling.

You left, the door closing behind you with a finality that echoed in the empty hallway.

And when Rhaenyra was alone, the tears she had held back finally fell, silent sobs shaking her body as she sank to the floor, clutching her arms around herself, feeling more alone than she had in a long time.

The early morning air was cool and still as the sky began to lighten, casting a soft gray over the courtyard of the Red Keep. The city beyond the walls was still half-asleep, its usual noise and bustle muted in the pre-dawn calm. The day ahead, however, was anything but peaceful. You stood near the stables, watching as your squire, Trystan Tyrell, diligently prepared your horse, Stormwind, for the ride to the Dragonpit. The massive creature, dark chestnut with a dark sheen to his coat that caught the faint light, pawed at the ground, sensing the heaviness in the air.

Trystan worked quietly, his usual chatter absent this morning. He tightened the saddle straps, adjusted the reins, and ensured that your armor, packed neatly in saddlebags, was secure for the journey. You watched him with a quiet appreciation, but your thoughts were far from the task at hand. The weight of leaving once again, of the duty that called you away from the Keep, rested heavily on your shoulders. It was a familiar feeling, but this time, it was more burdensome than ever.

Your father, King Viserys, stood nearby, his expression one of quiet sorrow. The lines on his face seemed deeper this morning, his usual warm demeanor replaced by a solemn air. His hands, clasped in front of him, trembled slightly, and though he had tried to hide it, you had noticed. He had always struggled with your departure, and this time was no different.

“Are you ready?” Viserys asked, his voice heavy with emotion as he stepped closer to you.

You nodded, adjusting the bracers on your forearms, your fingers brushing against the cool leather. “I am,” you replied, though the words felt hollow. No one was ever truly ready for war, but you had been trained for this. It was your duty.

Viserys’s eyes glistened, though he tried to hold himself steady. “I hate this,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I hate sending you off like this again.”

You looked at him, understanding his pain but knowing there was no other way. “I’ll return, Father,” you promised, your voice quiet but firm. “I always do.”

Viserys nodded, though his expression was far from convinced. “I know. But it never gets easier.”

You could feel the weight of his sorrow, the burden of a father sending his son into danger. You stepped forward and clasped his shoulder gently, offering him a small smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. “I’ll be careful,” you reassured him. “I’ll keep Silverwing close and make sure Dorne doesn’t breach our borders.”

Before your father could say more, you heard footsteps approaching from behind. You turned to see Otto Hightower and his daughter, Alicent, making their way across the courtyard. Otto’s face was impassive, though his eyes betrayed a hint of concern as he approached you. Alicent, standing by his side, glanced at you with a look that carried more than just worry—there was something else in her eyes, a silent plea perhaps, though you couldn’t quite place it.

“Your Grace,” Otto began, bowing his head slightly. “I wish you good fortune in the coming days. The realm is lucky to have you defending it.”

You nodded, appreciating the formality but feeling the usual restraint in his words. “Thank you, Lord Hightower,” you replied politely, though your focus quickly shifted to Alicent, who stood quietly beside him.

“Good luck,” she said softly, her eyes holding yours for a moment longer than necessary. There was hope in her gaze, a quiet desperation, though she didn’t voice it aloud.

You offered her a brief, polite smile, unsure of how to respond to the unspoken tension between you. “Thank you, Lady Alicent,” you said, keeping your tone formal, though her expression lingered in your mind as you turned back to your preparations.

The absence of Rhaenyra was notable, her empty place beside your father a reminder of your last conversation. The fight had left a raw ache in your chest, but there was no time to dwell on it now. She hadn’t come to say goodbye, and though it stung, you understood. Her anger had cut deep, and the thought of leaving with that unresolved tension gnawed at you.

As you mounted Stormwind, the sound of armor clinking approached, and you turned to see Ser Criston Cole walking toward you, his usual steadfast demeanor softened with a hint of regret.

“Your Grace,” Criston said with a respectful nod. “I came to wish you luck before your departure. I would have liked nothing more than to ride with you into battle once again, but…” He glanced toward the Keep, a wry smile touching his lips. “Duty calls me here now.”

You offered him a nod of understanding, appreciating the sentiment behind his words. “You served me well in Dorne,” you said, your tone genuine. “I would have been glad to have you at my side again, Ser Criston. But I understand—your new duties are important.”

Criston’s expression flickered with a mixture of pride and frustration. “It seems my sword will have to remain here in King’s Landing, for now. But I know you’ll make quick work of Dorne. They won’t stand a chance against Silverwing.”

You smiled faintly, the tension in your chest easing for a brief moment. “Let’s hope so.”

As Criston stepped back, you turned your attention to your father once more. Viserys moved toward you, his hand coming up to clasp your forearm in a firm grip. “Go with the gods, my son,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “And come back to us. Come back to me.”

You looked into his eyes, the weight of his words pressing heavily on you. “I will,” you said softly, your heart aching at the thought of leaving him once again.

With one last look at your father, you tugged on the reins, guiding Stormwind forward. The sound of hooves clattered against the stones as you rode out of the courtyard, heading toward the Dragonpit where Silverwing awaited. As the Keep grew smaller in the distance, the weight of duty settled over you once more, but beneath it all, the thought of Rhaenyra’s absence haunted you.

You would leave by morning, but the fight with her lingered, a battle you had not yet won.

Rhaenyra stood at the edge of her balcony, her hands gripping the cold stone railing so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The chill of the early morning air brushed against her skin, but she barely noticed it, her eyes locked on the figure in the sky. Silverwing, with her gleaming silver scales, soared above the Red Keep, the powerful wings cutting through the air with grace and strength. And there, atop the dragon’s back, was you, flying away from her once more.

Her heart ached as she watched you disappear into the distant horizon, a sharp pang of regret twisting in her chest. The events of the previous night played in her mind like a haunting melody, the fight, the anger, the hurt. It had all come rushing out of her in a wave of fury and desperation, and now, as she stood alone, she wished she had said something else—anything else.

Her breathing was shallow, uneven, and she felt the hot sting of tears welling up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She blinked rapidly, trying to force them back, trying to maintain her composure. But the sight of Silverwing growing smaller and smaller in the sky, the distance between you and her widening with every beat of the dragon’s wings, made it impossible to hold them in.

A tear slipped down her cheek, warm against the chill of the wind. She brushed it away angrily, hating herself for this weakness, hating how powerless she felt in this moment. But the more she tried to fight it, the more the flood of emotion built inside her, until she could no longer stop it.

She turned away from the balcony, pressing her back against the stone wall as the tears began to fall freely. Her chest heaved with quiet sobs, her body shaking as she wrapped her arms around herself. The weight of her sorrow felt unbearable, a mix of anger, fear, and love all tangled together in a knot that she couldn’t unravel.

“I hate this,” she whispered to herself, her voice choked with emotion. “I hate that you’re leaving… again.”

The words tasted bitter on her tongue, the same bitterness she had felt the night before when she had accused you of abandoning her. She had been so angry, so filled with frustration that she hadn’t let herself think clearly. Now, in the quiet of the morning, with the reality of your departure sinking in, all she could feel was regret.

She wished she had told you how much it hurt her, not just to see you leave, but to know that she was left behind. She wasn’t angry because you were going to war. She was angry because she felt powerless, like a tool in a game where everyone else made decisions for her. And now, with you gone, the court would move swiftly to decide her fate. They would bargain her away like a piece of property, and there would be no one here to stop them.

Rhaenyra’s tears continued to fall, the frustration and fear building in her chest until it became almost too much to bear. She wiped at her face with the back of her hand, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to calm herself. But the sight of you flying away, the last glimpse of Silverwing in the distance, lingered in her mind like a wound that refused to heal.

“I don’t want you to go,” she whispered, her voice barely audible now, as if saying the words would somehow bring you back. “I need you here…”

But she knew, deep down, that there was no bringing you back. You were bound to your duty, to the realm, and to the war that threatened the borders. And as much as she hated it, as much as it tore her apart inside, she couldn’t stop you. This was who you were—a prince, a warrior, a protector. And even though she wanted to scream at you to stay, to defy the world and stay by her side, she knew it wasn’t that simple.

Rhaenyra slid down to the floor, her back pressed against the cold stone of the balcony wall. Her tears had slowed, but the ache in her chest remained, heavy and suffocating. She rested her head against her knees, her arms wrapped around her legs as she stared blankly at the floor.

The room around her was silent, save for the faint sounds of the city waking up far below. But in her heart, the silence was deafening. You were gone, and she was alone again. Left to face the court, left to face her future without you there to stand beside her.

She wiped her eyes again, but the tears kept coming, slow and steady. She hated this. She hated feeling weak, feeling like she had no control over her own life. But most of all, she hated the thought of losing you. Every time you left, a part of her feared it would be the last time she saw you. That one day, you wouldn’t come back, and she would be left to face the world without you.

Rhaenyra lifted her head slightly, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked out at the horizon, where Silverwing had disappeared, and whispered one final, desperate thought, as if you might somehow hear her across the miles.

“Please, come back to me.”

She didn’t know how long she sat there, the morning slipping away as the sun rose higher in the sky. But eventually, the tears slowed, and the weight in her chest became a dull, throbbing ache. She wiped her face once more, standing slowly, her legs unsteady beneath her. She needed to be strong now, even if it felt impossible.

But in her heart, the pain remained, a constant reminder that once again, you were gone, and she was left alone.

#house of the dragon #hotd x reader #hotd #hotd x y/n #hotd x you #rhaenyra x y/n #rhaenyra x reader #rhaenyra targaryen #rhaenyra x you #rhaenyra x male reader

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if-whats-new · 4 months ago

Text

What's New In IF? Issue 31 (2024)

By Aj, Dion, Briar, Jen and Peter

Now Available!

Itch.io - Keep Reading below

If you read the zine, consider liking the post: it helps us see how many people see it! And sharing is caring! <3

~ EDITORIAL ~

Apologies for the delayed Issue!

As you might know, we unfortunately had to delay this Issue due to some personal matters. But as promised, it’s finally here! We wouldn’t want you to miss out on any news.

As this Issue says on the front page, it contains news from November 23rd to November 29th.

But! The Events should be updated to match their status on December 4th, as they are more time-sensitive.

Issue 32 should be released on time. That means two Issues this week!

We want some feedback!

As we’re starting to get a hand of things, we would love some feedback from you guys! What you enjoy, want more or less off, how we could improve... Anything goes! We even have a nifty form.

We hope you enjoy this new issue!

AJ, DION, BRIAR, JEN AND PETER

~ BE A PART OF THE ZINE ~

THIS ZINE ONLY HAPPENS WITH YOU!

Want to write 1-2 pages about a neat topic, or deep-dive into a game and review it in details? Share personal experiences or get all academic?

WRITE FOR THE COLUMN!

Prefer to be more low-key but still have something to share? Send us a Zine Letter or share a game title for Highlight on…!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Came across something interesting? Know a release or an update announced? Saw an event happening? Whether it's a game, an article, a podcast… Add any IF-related content to our mini-database!

EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS!

~ EVENT SPOTLIGHT : Videotome Jam - "Waiting" ~

November 16th to December 1st 2024

Videotome Jam is a two-week-long game jam for games made in any of the Videotome engines with the optional theme of "Waiting".

What is Videotome?

Videotome is a series of small homebrew IF/VN engines made by Freya Campbell (communistsister), an indie game developer focusing on narrative games that are usually:

science fiction, horror, &/or romance

close to 100% LGBTQ characters

free/PWYW with low tech requirements

liable to make players keysmash due to feelings

Videotome was first released in April 2022 as a part of a game entry for the Domino Club collective. The initial idea for the engine was to make writing text-heavy games as hassle-free as possible, focusing not that much on the visual presentation format, but more on the writer's experience. It would allow writers to write in a notepad and then it would somehow grab the .txt file and parse the lines into an array, spitting them out one line at a time as a kinetic novel.

At the moment there are four engines available:

Videotome, for linear, no frills text / images / music;

Videotome ADV, adding a more conventional layout with ignorable choices and branching;

Super Videotome, for more fully featured and freeform image/canvas use;

Videotome Heartbreak, adding a stat raising dating sim & storylets structure to the above.

If you're more interested in the process of making these engines, check out the devs blog post - Words, Friction, Syntax: Stuff I thought about when making Videotome. (The post also includes a very interesting case study concerning other game engines Freya has experience with.)

If you want to check out some examples of projects made with Videotome, take a look at this collection. It includes games made by both Freya and other devs.

~ ENDED ~

The Educational Jam has ended. Check out the thirteen entries and learn something new!

The voting for ECTOCOMP 2024 is officially over! Check out the results!

You can now check out all 16 entries to the Videotome Jam!

Disabled Rep VN Jam has a very simple premise but a very important message. Check out the submissions!

~ ONGOING (VOTING) ~

A Very Hallmark Game Jam has entered the voting phase. You can now vote for your favourite out of the five entries.

~ ONGOING (SUBMITTING) ~

Media depicting healthy examples of polyamory isn’t that common. The PolyJamorous 2024 is trying to break the status-quo!

This year’s Yuri Game Jam is in full progress. The devs have until December 2nd to submit their projects.

Once upon a time, a game jam was held to create stories around the theme of fairy tales… and that game jam is the Once Upon A Time VN Jam. It’s running from October 1st to January 31st.

Concours de Fiction Interactive Francophone 2025 is for all French-speaking enthusiasts. Submissions are accepted March 3rd 2025.

Are you perhaps a fan of more somber, melancholic themes? Then check out the Dying Year - Visual Novel Jam! You have until the end of the year to participate.

The Black Visual Novel Jam is all about working with creative professional developers who work in visual novels to bring more Black stories to life. The goal is to create a space where Black creators can show their unique storytelling through visual novels.

IF Short Games Showcase 2024 is a great way to shine some new light on your projects made in the past year (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024), regardless of whether or not they are previously released! You have until January 15th 2025 to join.

Winter Visual Novel Jam 2024 is here! You have until January 1st 2025 to submit your projects.

Are you familiar with Decker? Then why not take a part in the Deck-Month 2?

Another bitsy jam is here. This time with the theme "better late than never".

~ OTHER ~

PIZZAPRANKS is accepting submissions for their Indiepocalypse Issue #61. If you’re a dev and would like to try out your luck, definitely check it out! Any game is welcomed, not only IF.

~ NEW RELEASE ~

You stand at the edge of a vast and foreboding cave system, its mouth yawning like the jaws of some ancient beast. This is no ordinary cave—it is the entrance to the Caverns of the Forgotten, a labyrinth of twisting tunnels, hidden chambers, and unfathomable mysteries that have claimed countless explorers before you.

Generations ago, invaders brought magic to the Kingdom of Jubai, setting battlemages at the top of the noble power structure and leaving everyone else oppressed. Now, a secret organization of mage hunters has risen up, phoenixlike, to stand against the mages' power and overthrow their rule. Can your secret order of mage hunters save the kingdom, or will internal strife tear you apart in Magehunter: Phoenix Flame (CScript)?

Today is your first day of work here at Toy Maker’s TOY BOX (Ren’Py). Pull apart stitches or rip off an arm or two; we support whatever you must do to ensure that you only save toys of the highest quality. Should you ever feel unsure, there’s no need to panic! Simply toss the trash where it belongs: the incinerator. After all, it’s of the utmost importance that inspectors upkeep the Maker’s image.

You're struggling for friends in a new town and decide to check out a cute diner! — 'That New Diner', huh? Odd name for a restaurant, but I see advertisements for it everywhere. Might as well check it out. Who knows, maybe I'll meet somebody?

What does the glass sound like? Quite tinkly. It crumbled into sand under the feet of all those worried people circling around. As for you, there was darkness in your eyes for a long time. And the glass has melted into silence long since. But what is this place? And who is this stranger standing in front of you? And most importantly, where — or who — did the bullet hit? — Monarch (Ren’Py) is a short visual novel game that was made during Ukrainian Micro Visual Novel Jam in 10 days.

Halloween is a big deal in Port Gillain, steeped as the town is in old folklore and ghost stories. You, the local psychic, regularly attend the festivities. This year, you can bring a friend. The Second Sight: All Hallow's Eve (Twine) is a companion story to The Second Sight: Dead Reckoning.

Your Aunt’s House (Adventuron) is a short story about mourning. @kessielrg

The story centers around Larry, a cab driver eking out a meagre existence in a dystopian near-future, until he unwittingly finds himself centre-stage in the midst of a technological revolution. — For the first time this multi-media project can be experienced in the form of an interactive novel. Larry Folger Volume I contains all the chapters of the ongoing narrative complete with music from the series.

Your feather, my wing is a game about getting close to the object of an experiment that your 'super-secret lab' leads! It's all about fun, fluff and cuddles. Nothing serious and if anyone from the "normal world" came to this organization, they'd be disappointed by the lack of pathos, mystery and seriousness. But do you care?

Nestled at the edge of an ancient forest, Ravenwood Hill looms like a shadowed sentinel against the pale moonlight. This is no ordinary place; whispers of its dark history echo through the trees, carried by the wailing wind. The townsfolk speak of disappearances, of mysterious lights flickering in the mansion atop the hill, and of secrets buried deep beneath its crumbling foundations. In Ravenwood Hill, you are the only one brave—or foolish—enough to uncover the truth.

As always, don't forget to check out the submitted entries to the events mentioned in the previous pages. They deserve some love too!

~ NEW RELEASE (WIP) ~

Iberian Tales (Twine) - Life was once tranquil on the isolated coast of your city, surrounded by a loving family and promising prospects for success in your societal position. However, tranquility shattered as flames engulf your city, escape becomes the only viable option, if luck favors you enough to evade the soldiers blocking your path that is. @iberiantalesif-game

The Thorned Garden (CScript) is a Harem Intrigue game where you can die at any turn. Build up skills and connections to survive and climb the rankings. @opossumfern

Locked in a luxurious but ominous hotel, you are forced to face trials alongside five other people. Who abducted you and for what reason? What does the future hold with different organizations fighting for power over the world? And just how much is at stake when you play a twisted game without rules? Whether you want it or not, welcome to the Threshold (Twine). @thethreshold-if

5 days (Ren’Py) - Every step forward feels like another memory slipping through your fingers and yet, the world moves on — forcing you to find a way to follow, even when it feels impossible to let go.

~ UPDATES ~

As Gods Fall (CScript) released Chapters 4 and 5. @asgodsfall-if

Knight of Greenhaven (CScript) released Chapter 2.

Lost in your eyes (CScript) released part five of Chapter 3 on Patreon. @kathrinesadventures

Saturnine (CScript) added new content to their demo. @satur9-if

The Thousand Of Us (CScript) added new content to their public demo. @ivanwm-05

Weeping Gods (CScript) added new content to their demo. @jcollinswrites

The Summoner (CScript) released a part of Chapter 4.

Ashenmaw - Dragons of Marrowoods (CScript) added a part of Chapter 1 to their demo. @ashenmaw-if

Our Life: Now and Forever (Ren’Py) added Step 2 introduction scenes to their public demo. @gb-patch

Wasteland Pony Express added new content to their demo. @katieaki

The In-Between (CScript) released Chapter 11. @dalekowrites

Crown of Exile (Twine) released Chapter 10 on Patreon. @ramonag-if

~ OTHER ~

350p Adventure has been ported from Infor 6 to PunyInform. You can either download it or play it online in your browser. — (Some interesting trivia: The game is sometimes called Advent, because the system it was created on in the 70s would not allow filenames to be more than six characters long. This game is sometimes considered as the very first text adventure.)

As always, we apologize in advance for missing any update or release from the past week. We are only volunteers using their limited free time to find as much as we can - but sometimes things pass through the cracks.

If you think something should have been included in this week's zine but did not appear, please shoot us a message! We'll do our best to add it next week! And if you know oncoming news, add it here!

~ MAYBE YOU NEXT? ~

We did not get a submission this week. But if you have an idea for a short essay, or would like a special space to share your thoughts about IF and the community...

Shoot us an email!

~ HIGHLIGHT ON ~

A couple of games that we thought were cool.

Your favourite game here?

Do you have a favourite game that deserves some highlighting?

An old or recent game that wowed you so much you spam it to everyone?

Tell us about it! And it might appear here!

WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL! WHETHER IT'S GOOD OR BAD, OR EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN...

Have something to say? Send us a message titled: Zine Letter!

As we end this issue, we would like to thank:

our awesome mysterious anon!

all you readers who liked, shared, and commented on the last issue! What might be tiny actions are huge support and motivators to us! Thank you for cheering us on this journey!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And see you again on Saturday!

AJ, DION, BRIAR, JEN AND PETER

WHAT'S NEW IN IF? 2024-ISSUE 31

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