#or dinner maybe

[windmaedchen-oceanhorn]

Lyceum Days Headcanons

Explanations around Merlin, Erin and Cyran up until the Second Divine War and Merlin's reawakening.

About Merlin/Erin

Since Merlin and Erin go through their various cycles regularly, they have established a certain narrative about their backgrounds. Usually, the people they befriend during any of these cycles don't know their true origin or purpose (the latter being not entirely clear to the pair either).

Here's the story they tell: "They are both adopted and raised by an old couple of mages, who lived secluded in the Mystical House. They left their children a small fortune, enough to comfortably focus on their education until they both have chance to support themselves again. Their parents died recently, however, leaving them alone to take care of themselves." 

That usually explains their home, their affinity to magic and comfortable appearance. They have even created a "reading room", which is said to have been the master bedroom of the house, which includes some memorabilia of their "parents". These memorabilia are actually truly little treasures received from their friends throughout their many cycles.

Merlin has established the Mystical House fairly early after the First War, but it grew and developed over the cycles. 

The camelossus is a recent addition to the Mystical House. After Merlin graduated, he travelled and visited the Ashen Wastes among others. When he created the oasis for the Uru Clan he also picked up Giga.

I did the math, and assuming they chose to reset their memories every 70-100 years, they would be in their 27th cycle. There are certain long-term memories that won't be erased and remain as certainties or instincts. Most importantly, knowing each other, of course. Then also having known Dura and Ygdris personally, or that Erin has a brother (even if she forgot who exactly). Erin will still know everything about her origins and race including the care she should take with her identity.

A lot of their time is dedicated to meticulous records of history and magic developments. These are built upon as time goes on but nothing is ever thrown away. Given that all human societies have their historical records sometimes very carefully curated and much is purposefully lost, the library in the MH is of unimaginable worth. It serves the purpose to "remember" things if necessary. Both Merlin and Erin will have their own little sections, carefully guarded from any third party access, as these would include very personal records.

Yes, if only Merlin would spend 20 years to read through his library to find the relevant information, his amnesia would be history. xD

There are things that haven't been recorded, though, like more detailed reason how the First Divine War started, how Merlin was truly created, how Dura sealed Ygdris away, etc).

(And THIS amnesia is different and maybe the solution suggested wouldn't be quite as straight forward)

Since each cycle offers a lot of time, both Merlin and Erin chose one or other profession to master. They have chosen among others: 

mages (obviously, since Merlin himself created the Lyceum once)

craftsmen (tailors, jewelers but also stuff like wood or metal workers)

chefs (they once had a really good and very popular restaurant and guesthouse in the capital)

musicians and composers (Merlin excelled at being a conductor, while Erin was better at composing)

architects (one or other building they have designed even still stands!)

...

Lyceum Days

For this current cycle, Merlin and Erin decided to return to the Lyceum, as students first, then as teachers. They wanted to update their magical records as well as have Merlin check on the current status of magical development and enhance it.

Since Merlin can adjust his appearance, he entered the Lyceum at around 15/16 of visual age and graduated at around 23-ish. Same for Cyran, except it's his true age.

Erin is not so adept at changing her appearance and joined a little later, at around 19. She appears to be in her 20 eternally.

It was Erin that showed interest in Cyran first and dragged him into the relationship. He had gotten some looks by girls at that time, of course, but he was overall a little unapproachable, as he kept to himself for his studies. Erin and Cyran ended up visiting some obscure lectures together and quickly connected over their studies. It took Erin half a year but they became a couple before Cyran hit 20.

Cyran can be a suspicious and insecure fellow. It took him a while to accept that Erin and Merlin were "siblings" rather than lovers.

(Erin and Merlin NEVER had anything going on, btw, in not a single cycle ever. ;-)

There are possibilities to live on campus, which was used by Cyran at first, but since he learned how to use the waystones, he prefers his own room at home. Merlin and Erin also come from and go back to the MH every day.

Erin and Cyran had to go out often (since neither could bring the other home easily at first) and ended up finding a quiet place that allowed comfortable sitting and drinking until late, plus and most importantly, had a large dance floor. The dancing became a huge passion for both, especially as the focus was on various ballroom suited dances, definitely matching Cyran's taste for this more strenuous activity.

Cyran couldn't really bring Erin to his home often (just a few occasions when they strictly did some studies). Erin hesitated at first to bring Cyran to the MH, since every visitor always had questions about its origin, but when their relationship became more intimate, Merlin made some adjustments, so as to allow Cyran to come and go without granting him full access.

Erin told Cyran about 2 years into their relationship that she probably can't have kids (being infertile) and Cyran was more than okay with that. He never thought of children as anything other than an obligation and chore left to any woman he would be unfortunate enough to be forced to wed.

He never proposed. They did talk about it at some point but quickly agreed that given Cyran's family situation, it was best not to pursue that direction. (He'd be disowned for choosing a nameless commoner.)

Cyran's family did try to find a suitable match but while he was with Erin he tried his best to subtly evade the deal. After Erin left, he openly refused a union.

Merlin and Cyran graduated in the same year. While Cyran became Court Mage, Merlin decided to travel a little. And on his own, too!

Erin remained two years longer at the Lyceum for her historical research. Merlin left the MH behind for her (and Cyran) to use.

During those two years Erin learned a lot if not all formal etiquette, as she often visited Cyran at the palace. Such surrounding was never naturally her thing but she certainly did enjoy displaying elegance and pride when having the opportunity to dance there.

Erin noticed Cyran's interest in dangerous and forbidden magic, of course, but always admired his determination to study. She considered telling him the truth as she wagered he might actually be happy to have a Hypogean partner. But before she could do so, he in turn decided to entrust her with something else, sealing their fate.

Cyran probably was invited to the cult after joining the cesspool of personalities at the palace, who know exactly who to pick to fill their legacy. He wanted to share his growing fascination with the Great Will and his teachings and so decided to bring Erin to a very small ceremony.

Not that Erin ever consciously ran from Ygdris, knowing full well that he was unable to act, nor did she actually feel to be in the wrong and afraid. But she seemed to always have avoided these places. She tried to stick through it, for Cyran's sake, but when she thought the Great Will beckoned her directly, she ran away, terrified.

Cyran apologised that night but there was nothing he could do.

The next day, Erin broke up with him. His association with this cult would not end, even if he were to promise it now. He would continue to love her, yes, but he could never, possibly protect her from the Great Will. Erin was still forced to be careful with Celestials, for her survival's sake. But she realised that the care she had to take from her master was infinitely bigger. And thus, Cyran had suddenly become a man she loved but could never be close again.

As a parting gift, she left him a magically locked box. It included a small vial of her own blood, aimed at saving his life once should he ever need it. The other item was a small book containing the most dangerous of Dark Magic spells. Erin's the kind of person, willing to create a monster, if only it means the mastery and application of knowledge and skill. At least, she is also willing to strike that very same monster down, if need be.

Erin leaves and joins Merlin.

Cyran didn't take that break-up very well, obviously. He hid even more behind his mask, moving forward alone. He never had any partners again afterwards. Neither did Erin, but that's also because she was gone for 20 years without being actually able to.

Afterwards, Cyran would, on occasion, invite ladies to his chambers. You'd think that he couldn't do so subtly enough in the palace and risk his spotless reputation? Well, you'd be wrong. The entire palace knows and ignores such thing, as these are common ongoings anyway (and for people with much higher status than a Court Mage, too. When I said "cesspool" earlier, it was for a reason. These are the same people that General Lorenzis offered his work to later on.).

Merlin returned to the Lyceum after 2 or 3 years of traveling. He was lucky to meet a former professor who told him about the upcoming position. Merlin didn't exactly apply, he just showed up and said "I'll be there tomorrow!". xD (He probably winged the entire time being a teacher there.)

Erin stayed away from the capital. She still lived in the MH (at a new location, so that Cyran couldn't find it) but she joined the Evergreen Consortium as a scholar and traveled until the war...

Cyran managed to open the box he was gifted shortly before the war. He couldn't study the book to its entirety but it still enhanced his abilities greatly. He probably needed to use Erin's life saver as well, but that could be reserved for a much later point, too.

In the war, as things got serious and the country needed to operate on emergency setting, Erin and Merlin united again to help. 

I am not sure when and how Hogan comes in, but latest by that war they had become good friends and fought quite a few battles together.

I envision that Erin might help to provide crucial information about the enemy at that time but not without endangering her secret, not least because pesty Celestials wouldn't hesitate to strike her down.

She will meet Cyran by chance, since he is on the battlefield as one of the surviving Court Mages. He knows what she is at that point, but they don't mention it or have time to talk about it. In fact, he probably covers her to avoid escalation with the Celestials at some point.

Erin is caught up the fight, injured and retreats into the leylines.

Merlin does his thing. Likely in Ryeham, where his... mysterious "seal" is sitting, next to the Rift.

Both, Merlin and Erin, disappear for the next 20 years. Although, Merlin seems to still be in touch with Hogan somehow, despite continuing to loose his memory in that timeframe.

And the rest is current events, covered to an extend here.

[bumblebeebats]

As much as i love Dungeon Meshi, i do think that given Ryoko Kui's attention to realistic worldbuilding there ought to be a companion series called Dishes Meshi where they spend 2hrs washing and drying and packing away. Alll the goddamnfuck dishes they just made

[livetogether--diealone]

he's very scary (he's eating his dad's hair)

[hinamie]

someone asked if i had ever drawn gojo with his scars, now i have :>

[taaannnkk]

wat happened to ur arm??

[erwinsvow]

there's one time before you and jack start dating, but after you had switched over to night shift, that you need to cover someone during the day so you exchange shifts and are there all day. he doesn't get a text about it, finds out when he sees you running around at six forty-five looking tired and overwhelmed. it makes sense, your sleep schedule had adjusted to nights and it's calmer sometimes so the day shift seems hectic in comparison.

(he doesn't know this, but you were also thrown off. no one making you perfect cups of coffee and tea when you need them, no one handing you a granola bar half way through the shift because he knows you don't sit down and eat unless you're forced. no one encouraging you with silent stares and carefully selected words that you can hear when you close your eyes and try to sleep. no, he doesn't know about any of that.)

so when he finds you for the step-off he cracks a joke about you abandoning the team and going back to your old ways. you tell him right away that you'll be back tomorrow night, and then you lean in just to tell him i'm never going back to day shift. you had just meant it was so much different than what you'd gotten used to and you think you really prefer the schedule like that, prefer the environment and all that. but the words linger in his head the rest of the night. (more specifically—how you leaned in, how it's like a secret the others can't know. night shift has ruined you, spoiled you. you could never go back. at least, that's what he thinks about for the next twelve hours. ruining you and spoiling you. or something like that.)

so you give him and the rest of the night crew a case presentation on the patient you were taking care of all day—and it's really nothing but you go through everything you need to tell him and give your treatment recommendation and justify everything. others from the day shift fill in the blanks and finish out the rest of the story so jack knows what to expect for the rest of the night out of this bed. and he doesn't know why he says it, just feels proud that you presented so well, that you didn't get nervous at his questions, that you didn't doubt the care you gave the patient. leans in and tells you that you did a great job, that he'll miss you tonight. and you beam up at him with that blinding smile, your eyes sparkly and you feel a rush of energy like you could work another twelve hours if he was saying things like that all night.

and your smile. jack sees it often enough, he doesn't know why he has the same reaction every time. temporarily, his brain shuts off. the neurons stop firing. the thoughts die down, the room goes quiet. he just stares at you and smiles back and you two kind of stay like that until robby coughs and the nurses are laughing and your day shift co-residents are nudging each other. and you turn back to them sheepishly, and jack scratches the back of his head and they go to the next patient. but before you leave for the night he makes sure to ask if you've eaten, and you tell him you're about to go do it. and he looks at you kind of serious, and keeps his hand on your upper arm and says make sure that you do.

and well, like always, you listen.

[dead-body-in-the-basement]

Write a card to the birthday bastard

[anxiousapplepie]

Who is the group keeps getting potatoes with the avid tatter destroyer being the cook? Who is this bringer of chaos?

I can't possibly fathom who would keep giving Cook!Siffrin potatoes all the time. No idea whatsoever.

[tumatawa]

I wish she had more scenes... Whateva

[brat-pack-it-up-boys]

If your ever having a bad day just remember your not Darrel Curtis having to read his younger brothers theme where he’s called heartless and a bitch a hundred times per page while his other brother is being called hot and perfect every time he’s mentioned

[fumifooms]

Homegrown

Thistle and Delgal - Dungeon Meshi, Ryoko Kui

^ Fernando Pessoa / Killing Flies, Michael Dickman / A Brother Named Gethsemane, Natalie Diaz / Antigonick, Anne Carson v Oats We Sow, Gregory and the Hawk

[icaruspendragon]

Hey I just wanted to say thanks, because idk why this didn't just occur to me, but I've been missing "family" meals, the kind of meals I get to make for people and sit down with people I love since I came out and had to leave my house, and idk why but you posting about having family dinners with your friends where you host them made me realize that like, that's something I can still do. If I don't have the people who will invite me over to eat a meal anymore I can always be the person who invites others over myself and idk, I just wanted to say thanks

this warmed my heart in ways i don’t know how to describe.

family dinner started because i’d get some friends over on tuesdays to watch supernatural prequel the winchesters and i’d make them dinner for their troubles. i was feeding like five people max. but then the show ended and one of my friends got a new job and had to move an hour away so we moved it to the weekend so she could still come.

and then i realized that cooking is actually a form of self care for me (let’s not examine too closely how my self care is still taking care of others, it’s been discussed enough in therapy). so we started inviting other folks. and family dinner went from five people regularly to seven. and then i’d have friends from out of town come and it’d be 15-17. and now it’s not unusual for a dozen people to show up at my house on a saturday night to drink and eat and make merry.

there’s a particular kind of warmth that comes from leaning against the entry to my dining room, glass of wine curled against my chest, seeing so many of the people i love sitting around my table as they laugh and bicker and eat a meal that i used so much love to make. food that i spent hours creating because they gave me the confidence and the desire to learn how to make new things. because the effort it takes for me to make pasta or gnocchi or sauces or broths from scratch is worth it. the hours i will spend standing over a hot stove as i make gumbo or chicken and dumplings or fried everything is worth it. the easy smiles and whiskey-reddened cheeks and raucous laughter and full bellies and warm togetherness is worth the trouble.

it makes me understand the last supper (you know, minus the foreboding of betrayal). there’s a divinity in making a meal to share with those you love.

i’ve yet to find a better way express my devotion than to say, “take this, all of you, and eat of it. for it is my love given up for you.”

because even though the darkness can be chasm-wide and canyon-deep, my love is wider and deeper. it’s the bridge over the consumption of it all.

when people sit at my table and break bread that my hands have tenderly prepared i see the point of it all. loving and be loved in return.

and sometimes that love is stored in poetic words and grand gestures. and sometimes, that love is stored in a stockpot full of soup. but they both accomplish the same thing at the end of the day. warmth and safety and care and devotion.

it’s love. plain and simple and small.

[corvus-frugilegus]

Illario's grab for power is so emotionally complicated I can't stop thinking about it.

Like there's the favouritism and the loneliness and the need for love and connection that I think the title has come to represent. Because favour is maybe as close as the Dellamortes come to talking about love.

(Love is still there, it's fucked up and twisted in a lot of ways but it's there. It's hard for any of the Dellamortes to acknowledge this. But they're family and that means something to all three of them. Family is important to them).

But also for so much of his life Illario hasn't had very much power or agency either. He doesn't get to make big decisions for himself much like Lucanis, he doesn't have a lot of influence on the trajectory of his life because of Caterina's influence. Lucanis is the favourite. In that family dynamic Illario probably has the least power of the three of them.

So taking the reins of his own life and cutting that deal with Zara? The cost of losing Lucanis breaks his heart, but for the first time he's the one deciding the terms in which he lives his life in a big and meaningful way. It's not just small rebellions. It's reaching for what he wants and for once in his life feeling like he's the one in control. He's the one with the power.

And honestly? I can't fault him for wanting that. For not wanting to feel like he's at the bottom of the Dellamorte barrel anymore. For wanting his life to mean something, if only to himself. He isn't wrong to reach for power. There's nothing wrong with wanting to change the imbalance he's lived in.

It's the hubris of it that sets him up to fall into Elgar'nan's hands. Lucanis is back. But Illario can't go back. Illario can't give up what he's sacrificed so much for. Can't go back to being Dellamorte the lesser with no say in his own future. So, of course he doubles down, kidnaps Caterina, and makes a deal with Elgar'nan- the way he sees it he's backed into a corner and has no one but himself. And at this point in the story he's not wrong. He has no idea what Lucanis has become (Other than not dead! Which was the plan!)

It's interesting to me how what I think is Illario's own desire to live on his own terms is... In a very horrible way the thing that ultimately leads to Lucanis also beginning to ask what it means to live on his own terms too.

Having Lucanis killed was heartbreaking and terrible. But it's also the very thing that breaks the cycle the three Dellamortes are living in. Illario is the one who, in a way, decides that what the three of them are doing is unacceptable and starts them on a new path for the first time in roughly 30 years.

Illario having the ambition to reach for what he wants, is what sets both cousins free from a long-standing cycle of abuse. It's just also a profoundly twisted and cruel process.

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

Deathstroke kept working at the lock on the upstairs window while talking to him, calling him "Nightwings secret son" in the creepiest voice Danny has ever heard as Danny watched him from the computer monitor. This guy had been trying to break in and kidnap Danny for days but the house keeps fighting him off and Danny was on his very first stay-cation away from ghosts. He wasn't going to deal with this wierdo if he could avoid it.

He had put a lot of work into setting this up. He and Jazz had convinced thier parents to go to a two week occult conference in Fawcett City and leave Danny home alone while Jazz was off taking collage classes in Central City in hopes that it will help her get into her dream collage when she turns 18. Danny even sent Vlad on a while goose chase that sent him into the path of that trench coat guy people kept warning him about before shutting down the portals.

Danny refuses to let all of his effort go to waste and the house is pretty well defended so he decided to just use this as entertainment as he munches on dry cereal.

They didn't have any popcorn in the house and he's not leaving with captain crazy still out there.

Eventually Danny gets bored and @s Nightwing on Chirper simply telling him that Deathstroke was trying to kidnap him and it has something to do with Nightwing. He sends him a fail compilation video of all the times Deathstroke failed to get into the house and getting progressively more angry. The last video showed Deathstroke absolutely enraged.

Danny thought that Nightwing probably had a similar situation with Deathstroke that Danny himself have with Vlad and that he'd laugh and show it to all his superhero friends and they'd mock him together.

He was not expecting half of the batclan in Amity Park 3 hours later. Nor was he expecting to get kidnapped by the bats the moment he was out of the house.

He was most upset by everyone calling him a dick though. Was what he did really that bad? Talking back to adults usually didn't get him anywhere so he just kept quiet and went with them, expecting to have to give testimony to the police or something.

[abbeyofcyn]

It didn't taste THAT bad....

[moriaarts]

Old Codex 🧡💙

Not the last time i’ll draw old clones living their best life but old moustached Cody held me in a chokehold along with happy fluffy haired Rex