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arimiadev · 15 days ago

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recommendations of visual novels on sale for the steam winter sale 2024

steam's winter sale just started and will run for the next two weeks, so if you're looking for a new visual novel to try (or want to get into them), here's a lot that I've played that are on sale on steam.

umineko when they cry

the ushiromiya family returns to the family head's home on an isolated island for their annual conference with the intention of settling how his vast amount of wealth is divided. instead, though, a letter is left from someone claiming to be a "witch". with the ushiromiyas dropping dead left and right, the mystery behind everything remains to be solved by you, the reader.

I can't make a recommendation list without mentioning umineko. it's life changing. it might even trans your gender. it's hard to describe umineko, but just know that it's absolutely deserving of the "cult classic" tag.

notes:

kinetic/linear - no choices

VERY long, 120+ hours (over all 8 episodes)

divided into two games on steam - Questions Arcs is the first 4 episodes and Answers Arcs is the last 4 episodes (8 episodes in total, play Questions Arcs first)

created by Ryukishi07, creator of Higurashi

fantasy vs mystery

ace attorney

follow phoenix wright as he embarks on his career as a lawyer to help people. meet a variety of clients and prove their innocence by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and exposing lies in court.

ace attorney is a classic mystery visual novels, being a blend of point-and-click elements via investigations and visual novel storytelling. the steam port is a massive collection, combining the first 3 games (the original phoenix wright trilogy) as 1 game.

notes:

investigative gameplay segments, a good chunk of the story is point-and-click parts

pretty long for the whole trilogy- each game is around 20 hours long and the steam edition is 3 games

modern mystery with supernatural elements

ai: the somnium files

play as detective kaname date as he hunts down a serial killer using a cutting-edge technology which allows him to "psync" with a person, diving into the memories of others to solve crimes in a limited amount of time with the help of his AI assistant/eyeball Aiba.

aitsf is a lot. it's probably the raunchiest non-eroge game I've ever played and despite my low tolerance for dirty jokes I found most of it to be laughable and a fun experience, though I did play this with friends. if it's a miss for you, it's gonna miss you by a wide margin, but if it's a hit for you, you're going to be recommending it nonstop. either way you'll want to hit kaname date with a car.

notes:

long, around 25-35 hours

this game heavily relies on going back to prior choices via their branching menu to try other options in order to get the full story (and true ending). there are several endings to this game but you're meant to play through them all, not just one or two.

a lot of gameplay and interactive segments

sci-fi mystery

english voice acting

witch on the holy night

aoko aozaki is a highschooler who has to balance her class president, perfect grades life with her secret afterschool life of being a mage—a secret she has to keep at the risk of death. keeping this balance already isn’t easy but one day she gets a wrench thrown into it with the introduction of a transfer student, soujuurou shizuki, a country boy so out of touch that he’s never seen electricity before.

I love witch on the holy night so, so much. it's one of the most beautifully directed visual novels ever made with so much love and care put into each frame. the cast is wonderful (touko my beloved) and it's a must-read for anyone who likes modern-ish fantasy.

notes:

kinetic / linear - no choices

long, around 25-30 hours

originally written by kinoko nasu, one of the co-founders of type-moon and creators of fate/stay night. has some relation to tsukihime and garden of sinners but you don't need any knowledge of those going in

modern-ish (1980s) fantasy with lots of talking about magic

ghostpia

a snowy town filled with "ghosts" is where the young woman sayako finds herself trapped, feeling like she doesn't belong and wants to leave this town where no one dies.

it's hard to describe ghostpia. it's a surreal-ish story about "ghosts" where every character is quirkier than the last but every part is made with so much heart behind it. you never really know where the story is going, but unfortunately only 1 season is currently out on steam.

notes:

medium length, around 10 hours

very innovative and unique use of visuals and paneling

surreal-ish (sometimes violent) fantasy

please be happy

as a shapeshifting fox called a "gumiho", miho has traveled the world in search for a traveler who showed her kindness many years ago. afraid of sticking around in one place for too long, miho has never stayed anywhere for more than a few nights- but all of that changes when she arrives in wellington, new zealand and meets the barista/writer aspen and the vampire archivist juliet.

okay I did work on this one but hear me out. please be happy was a labor of love for our team that took over 3 years to make and is a slice of life story about love, trust, and what it means to be human. and you get to play as a gay fox girl voiced by dottovu.

notes:

medium to long, about 20 hours

2 romanceable ladies, aspen and juliet, and a plethora of side characters to meet via a map system

modern slice-of-life fantasy

english voice acting

WE KNOW THE DEVIL

find yourself back at summer camp with all the queer religious horror of it.

WE KNOW THE DEVIL is a short, atmospheric and slightly surreal story about 3 teens at a religious summer camp waiting for the devil. if you want something that feels familiar and otherworldly at the same time, this is right up your alley.

notes:

very short, about 2 hours

3 endings and 1 true ending

isolation, psychological horror

fate/stay night

seven mages known as masters summon heroic and fictional characters from the pantheon of history to fight it out over the ultimate magical item - the holy grail.

fate/stay night is one of the most well-known visual novel properties out there and it's finally not only available in english officially but on steam! this remaster is a treat and done with a lot of care put into it, it's a great way to get into the fateverse if you've never tried it before.

notes:

pretty long, 70+ hours

3 routes / heroines to be with with lots of bad endings

modern fantasy, battle royale

mamiya

the end of the world is near. what will you do in the final months? and who is this "MAMIYA" who proclaims their love for you?

MAMIYA is a dark mystery visual novel about a group of guys who meet during the funeral for a friend, a stranger, a passerby, and become entangled in the web of an entity known as "MAMIYA". the presentation and style feels fresh.

notes:

check out the content warnings before reading

medium length, but is segmented into a lot of chapters that make it easy to pick back up

dark modern mystery with supernatural elements

a date with death

the grim reaper contacts you saying he wants your soul. naturally, you respond...with flirting??

a date with death is a free game but it does have paid DLC so I'm including it here because I want to. it's a comfy chatsim romance visual novel about, well, courting the grim reaper.

notes:

short, around 8 hours for the base game

customizable protag

1 male love interest

cute modern supernatural romance

twofold

Olive has 1 last chance to graduate college - pass a filler class. when their situation comes to light, 2 club presidents agree to help them but end up dragging them in the middle of their feud...

I also worked on this one. the writing and art is truly charming and heartfelt. it's a story about romance but also relationships in general - friendships, platonic relationships, familial bonds, etc. this visual novel took several years to be completed and the final result is one made with a lot of love.

notes:

medium, around 15-20+ hours for both routes

nonbinary protagonist, 2 female love interests

modern slice-of-life, college setting

english voice acting

slay the princess

you're tasked with a simple goal - slay the princess, or else she'll destroy the world.

talk about taking a simple premise and running with it. slay the princess is a mind-bending psychological horror about love and repeating things a lot of times. after all, all you have to do is slay the princess, right?

notes:

short to medium, around 10 hours for a full run

lots and lots and lots of branching paths

psychological horror, does contain gore

english voice acting

canvas menagerie

Niko is a trans man and lifelong actor who's been down on his luck until he gets the lead role in a major TV show. there, he starts to fall for his annoying celebrity costar.

well I wrote and drew and programmed this one by myself so I can't really give an indepth recommendation for it but I think it came out pretty nice. it's a comfy gay romance about actors.

notes:

medium length, around 10-12 hours

boys love romance

modern slice-of-life, adult cast

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note that all of the indie visual novels listed are also available on itchio as DRM-free versions. there's a ton of VNs on sale over there right now as well.

#visual novel #visual novels #my recommendations #game recs #game recommendations #steam winter sale #steam sale

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wombatwisdom · 6 months ago

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The Church is like Phoenix, Arizona.

I recently moved away from Phoenix after living there for a few years. I have fond memories of people and events that happened while living there. But having been away from Phoenix for a few months, I can say I needed a change.

The city itself is nothing short of a monument to human stubbornness and by most metrics it is thriving. And those who stay swear up and down there is no where else they'd rather be.

But the weather was hard for me--year round sun, blistering summers that seem to stretch forever, with too short, albeit pleasant winters. The landscape is harsh and the wildlife ready to sting or bite or attack in order to survive. The dirt there can literally give you a chronic illness and water is always a concern.

But there are those who love it. Who embrace the desert and find beauty in it. Who thrive on dry heat and do not want to deal with frosts. They find harmony amongst the javelinas. The have risen to the challenge and could not imagine leaving.

The church is like Phoenix, Arizona.

When you arrive, people welcome you in and apologize for the heat. They do not promise you'll get used to it, but they will absolutely support your attempts. They know that it's hard to adjust to living in Phoenix, but they assure you the winter will make all your discomfort worth it.

They are keenly aware that not everyone can make it in Phoenix. They know that many will leave after a time and that is just how it goes. They know that they are the butt of jokes or seen as crazy for staying, but it's home, it's where family and community is and so they double down--they insist that they are made of stronger stuff or built different to last in the desert and they make sure you know how much courage it takes to stay for as long as you can manage it.

The church is like Phoenix, Arizona.

I left Phoenix because I needed seasons and clouds and trees. I needed rain and pleasant summer evenings. I needed to not worry so much about the water. I needed to be closer to family. I needed community I couldn't quite build there.

Phoenix wasn't the city for me. It was for a time; it gave me what it could give me and I am grateful for it. But it wasn't the right fit, and I was privileged to seize an opportunity to take me elsewhere. But I'll be honest, while I know that Phoenix didn't work for me and I know it works for others, I can't help but feel like I failed. That I wasn't good enough. That I just didn't have the strong moral character needed to stay.

And in my even less charitable moments, I do even wonder how anyone could truly love living in Phoenix. How could a place that so firmly missed my needs, so perfectly fulfill the needs of someone else? But maybe we are all different and that's why we living in so many different places so we can, hopefully, find the place that best suites us.

The church is like Phoenix, Arizona.

But are all cities equally good to live in? What if my life would be better by staying in Phoenix? What if authorities in my life said Phoenix was the best place for me and my family to live? What if the hardships of living in Phoenix are intended to make me a better person? What if the people of Phoenix claimed it was the closest city to God?

Would it still be okay to leave? Would a better person than me stay? What if I can stay and make it more habitable for others? Is there anything better than Phoenix out there?

In truth, nobody cares what city you choose to live in. You find what works for you and make it work. No city is perfect and you'll have to work to fix those flaws (or adapt to the things you can't change), but that secret is finding the place where the benefits don't outway the flaws.

Phoenix, Arizona is not like the church.

For some, selecting an institution of spirituality is similar to selecting a city to live--does it meet my needs? Is this a community I want to participate in and give back to? Is there room for me and others to grow? Does the doctrine and ideals taught by this institution resonate with my soul?

But this universalist approach to church membership is often not offered to those in the LDS tradition. Which creates a lot of tension between those who choose to stay and those who choose to leave. At best we begrudgingly wish those who leave "all the best" and hope they don't rage too hard against the church (or at us). At worst, we fear for them, we envy them, or we feel insecure. And those who leave often seem to have difficulty moving on and often use the worst the church has to offer to erase any good it may do.

Because at the heart of this is a concern: which of all these cities is the correct city to live in? This question presupposes that there even is a "correct" city to begin with? If there is a "correct" city to live in, then it stands to reason that we should want to live there regardless of discomfort or personal need.

Applying this framing to selecting a city to live in feels ridiculous, but in the context of the unknown of the afterlife, it seems a popular mindset. If this is the "one true church back to God", then we must stay regardless of any discomfort or pain or systemic mistreatment and we must stay with no promises of any improvement. Often to leave because "it's not supporting my needs" feels selfish and faithless.

When it comes to cities, we let people leave (while mourning the departure of friends and family) and we let people stay (allowing them to live where suits them best). And while the analogy is not one to one, perhaps there is more to think about here in terms of religion, because a more "city-like" perspective might help us in our religious quest to more fully love our neighbors.

#queerstake #tumblrstake #long post #i've got more to say on this topic #also motivations of fear envy and insecurity

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rekas-writes · 2 years ago

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Valorant Agents and Their Fast Food Sins

Pair: Implied! Individual Agent (Neon, Killjoy, Raze, Jett, Chamber, Harbor, Sage, Reyna, Viper, Phoenix, Yoru)/GN! Reader - more so Individual HCs Source: Valorant

Type: Headcanons/Bulletpoints - 652 words Genre: Comedy/Fluff/Crack Perspective: Second-Person (You/Your)

TW: None

A/N: Hi! It's been a while! I hope you've had a wonderful New Year and a fantastic winter holiday/winter in general, my lovely customers! I'll be wrapping up some orders before diving back into my October series! ❤️

Further A/N: It was my birthday on the 31st December and I've just come back from the Philippines. I was dealing with a couple things but I'm hoping to get back into writing! This was just a fun, little thing I thought of while out in London. There was a Wendy's and a Taco Bell and those things are hard to come by here in the UK, haha- and so naturally it evolved into fast food habits nobody asked for.

Of course if you do any of these combos, more power to you! This is all in jest and I just wanted to write a light-hearted comedy/joke piece :D

. . . . . ╰──╮꒰ 🍡 ꒱ ╭──╯ . . . . .

Neon: Cuts a donut in half and then sandwiches her McDonald's apple pie with it. It helps with her sweet tooth and she swears it's the perfect dessert combo. Will also make you one in an effort to get you to appreciate this sugary goodness as much as she does. She might also wink and say it's not as sweet as you... and then cover her face with a hand because she can't believe she just said that

Killjoy: Puts chicken nuggets in her chicken sandwich and if you tell her that's too much chicken for the bread to filling ratio, she'll just add more out of amusement. If you encourage her? She'll get you to help her put as much chicken as possible in there

Raze: Mixes all the sauces together. All of them. And then she will ask you to grab more sauces/your leftover sauces. Sauces are boring on their own apparently. If you ever raise an eyebrow at that, she'll just shrug and tell you not to bash it ‘till you try it. Somehow it doesn't taste bad at all

Jett: Puts chicken nuggets and other random fillings from different fast food joints on pizza and then folds it like a calzone. Has and will defend this to the end of time. If you ask her why she doesn't just make her own custom pizza/calzone, she says it doesn't taste the same

Chamber: Puts onion rings and fries in his burger. It's not really a sin, but he genuinely thinks this is a weird combination/thing to do so he never does it in front of people. He'll wait for you to go to the bathroom or something, and then add them in. Might steal your onion rings and/or fries too while you're gone. I'll cut him some slack, only because he doesn't really eat enough fast food to know the common food 'hacks'.

Harbor: Eats the fillet-o-fish and a random other burger/sandwich combined. If you give him a look, he will take another bite slowly and chew obnoxiously with a smug look. He does the exaggerated "mmm" too and closes his eyes just to hear you laugh and roll your eyes

Sage: Likes the good ol' fries in the milkshake and pineapple on pizza. She really likes the salty-sweet combos and has more of a sweet tooth than she'd like to admit. She also thinks the fruit/shakes help(s) make fast food feel less greasy

Reyna: Uses human blood as ketchup She mixes coffee and soda together to feel something. You don't even question her, mostly because she refuses to explain herself and doesn't feel the need to. She'll just shrug, smile and then offer you a taste- saying it's like devouring a soul. It tastes like battery acid

Viper: Doesn’t commit food sins but she did try to poison someone’s fast food. She just wanted to test out a weaker poison she had on hand, and decided her target would be that one person who wouldn't take a hint and leave you alone. Never leave your food unattended around her, especially if you're going to blatantly annoy her S/O.

Phoenix: Puts popcorn chicken in his munchkin donuts. He claims to be a food connoisseur every time you question it, and that it'll catch on as a food trend one day. You tried it once and didn't know how to feel about the fact you didn't hate it. He gets really excited every time he gets this particular combo and you can't help but smile at his childlike giddiness

Yoru: Probably puts salt in his cheap coffee, it tastes awful but he does it anyway- maybe out of spite. He got the salt from the tears of his enemies. He never stopped to consider that just because he could, maybe he shouldn't. You don't say anything because the last time you did, he drank it faster and then got another

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mynameis-noe-body · 1 year ago

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Post-Second Wizarding War Severus Snape × you (F)

Summary: A year and a half after the end of the war, Severus still hasn't managed to leave Britain. No one knows of his survival, and for months he enjoys a life of silence, solitude and well-deserved peace. Everything would be absolutely perfect, were it not for you, sitting on his empty tombstone everyday to bring condolences and read some poetry. When it's said that curiosity killed the cat...

Warnings: None

Rating: to be defined

Status: in progress

Here the first chapter.

▪️▪️▪️

October 13, 1999

The October wind promised a cold winter. He needed it. Wrapping the scarf around his neck until it covered the tip of his nose, lifting the collar of rough black wool, the professor continued on through the morning fog, which would soon be swept away by those cold gusts. His house was outside the village, a seemingly bare cottage covered only with old wood and thatched roofs. No flower garden, not even a fence. Every little convenience was hidden within its protected walls. Oh, his rooms really were a little paradise: warm, cozy, with a wood-burning stove in the bedroom, a big bed covered with goose-down pillows, fluffy blankets, and a big fireplace in the main room for cooking his potions and to warm up, sitting on the couch while splurging on one of his many books. Not much had changed since Spinner's End, his house was always essential and covered with notes, old books and cups of tea scattered on the various shelves, but it was finally clean, well finished and cared for. He had chosen light and comfortable colors: dove gray, hazelnut, mint green, creamy white. A place of peace. A place to forget, rest and slowly watch the world flow out of his window without having to face its violence. His shoulders were tired, so aged despite his barely forty years. A wizard in his prime. Still, he was barely alive.

Yes, certainly. By a miracle of my own hand, he thought, with a melancholy smile.

No one had ever come to his rescue in that life. It was rather curious, and equally exhilarating, that whenever he went to Hogsmeade, he was obliged to cross that pitiful path which bordered the monumental cemetery. They called it that because of the engraved headstones and elaborate statues that populated it, the poems set into the white stone and the proud photos of the fallen and war martyrs, but it was only a depressing spectacle of death. Fifty fallen - forty minors. A massacre. A butcher's shop of innocenti bodies. He hated that place. And he found his grave in bad taste, with its desperate angel on an empty stone. Obviously they hadn't recovered his body, he wasn't dead, but given the heroic deeds of him, a romantic and idealistic man, ready to sacrifice bla bla bla. Kinglesy had dwelt on useless details. He had done what he was asked to do because it was the only right thing. However painful, however difficult, however seemingly unreasonable—he had listened, and he had obeyed, and he had fought as hard as he could because there was nothing left for him. And they won. That was all that mattered. His death would only be a negligible side effect. On the other hand, everyone believed him to be actually dead, so why bother trying to resurrect himself? Months of peace. They had been the best in eighteen years.

But clearly, not everything could go as slow and quiet as he'd hoped. Certainly he was not surprised by the frequent visits of his former students, and all of the Order of the Phoenix, with their self-righteous and cloying compassion. They placed their hand on the grave and told him to rest in peace - he would have gladly replied that yes, he would have rested in peace if they had left him alone! Of all those bearing-out and condolences, there was then you. And he couldn't even remember you in particular... Sometimes he almost felt guilty, those few times he forgot that you couldn't really see him, not with the very powerful Polyjuice Potion he had swallowed and the Charms of disillusionment to change the voice. Even that day, despite the autumn wind and the morning fog, you had trudged along the mud and gravel driveway to the cemetery and sat down on a smooth stone corner of the tombstone, an open book on your knees. He didn't care what you were reading. Really. He couldn't have cared less. But you were reading John Donne...

"Each man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind" you recited in a low voice, slowly lifting your chest with each breath. You were cold — your voice was shaking, as were your fingers pressed hard on the paper. Your feet scrambled back and forth, hitting the engraved marble headstone. "Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls—"

"It tolls for thee" he concluded. You lifted your chin a little, just to look at him. No, he didn't know your eyes, even though they really did have something familiar. You had existed in the distant past, but Snape was glad he couldn't remember you. Maybe it meant the nightmares were slowly fading. He inhaled deeply, tightened the coat around him as if the smallest detail could still give him away. “You're wasting your time,” he said, shrugging. "He can't hear you."

You closed the book, and leapt off the stone, landing on a pair of old, rain-battered boots. You looked decent, but humble. Your clothes were distinct, maybe in the past they would have even looked luxurious, but now they just had a vintage and worn look; sad and rough black corduroy trousers, a faded cream shirt, and a long green flannel jacket with a hole in the pocket. Putting on the newsboy cap you took out of the duffel bag, you walked towards him.

"It's my way of showing him respect. You know, he was my professor. I think of him every day when I pass by." You said it with such a slight melancholy that it startled him, for some reason. It was a genuine feeling, and at the same time full of tireness. You looked exhausted.

He snorted, feigning nonchalance. "You could bring flowers, like everyone else does."

You smiled sideways, bitterly. "Flowers are a frivolous expense that I can't afford. Besides, if I'm being honest, I don't think he would appreciate this show of compassion."

Snape barely held back a nod of complete agreement. All those tears shed, their remorseful and so pitiful apologies meant only to appease their feelings of guilt - Potter, Weasley, Granger, their families and even Minerva! - they all had the constant habit, at least once a month, of bringing white flowers to his grave. It was maddening. As he began walking up the damp driveway again, the former potions master noticed that you were following the same route. He cleared his throat. "I suppose a man like that wouldn't particularly appreciate even your vain attempt at funeral unconventionality."

You frowned, barely glancing at him. It made him laugh to think that in his appearance - stolen from a commonplace Scottish Muggle traveler in his forties, from whom Severus had stolen enough hair for the next ten years of Polyjuice Potion - you were looking for some crumbs of the professor and Headmaster Severus Snape, who just a year and a half ago you thought you knew. But in the end you shrugged, and smiled serenely. "It almost seems as if you met him too. Besides, since he died, everyone thinks they've know him, on some level. Some jackal from the Daily Prophet even thought of publishing a serial on his life! They psychoanalyzed a dead man."

"I met him a long time ago" he admitted, perhaps to himself. "He was a very different man than the one described last year, in May." You said nothing. You just kept walking beside him without ever invading his intimacy with vain chatter. He had the feeling you too were a shy creature and jealous of your daily peace. He couldn't help but appreciate the comfortable silence. "I suppose he would be grateful for your gesture. Your memory is more dignified than any dull flower, I suppose."

You smiled as if he had just turned on the sun for you, blowing away the clouds of that day.

At the end of the drive the road split in two, one portion of the road continuing towards the flat clearing nestled between two craggy hills where his cottage stood, the other continuing towards the edge of Hogsmeade, into the forest and towards the bend of the river. "Here our paths separate" you said. How did you know where he lived? "I see you walking towards home, skirting the cemetery" you answered that question which he had never actually uttered. "I know you live north of Hogsmeade."

"Am I to assume then that you live in the forest? Alone?" it sounded dangerous even to say it.

You shrugged without paying attention to him. "It was a pleasure to meet you, sir. Have a good evening."

Severus nodded and, moreover, also vaguely disinterested. Only one thing kept buzzing in his head. "May I know your name, miss?"

"It's Billie. Billie Mallard."

He nodded, as he watched you continue along the path in the forest, until you disappeared into the thick fronds, without asking for his name. He felt almost grateful.

If you love this story, keep reading here & please consider following me. That would be deeply appreciated. Thank you.

#severus snape lives #severus tobias snape #severussnapeedit #severus snape #pro severus #severus x reader #snape x you #severus snape x you #pro snape #snape fanfiction #severus snape fandom #snape fandom #snape x reader #fix it fic

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flufwolf16875 · 12 days ago

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harry Potter fic outline that's been in my drafts for a year.

Origins and Formation

When: Fifth Year (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) Why:

The oppressive regime of Dolores Umbridge forced Harry, Hermione, and Ron to teach practical Defense Against the Dark Arts after the subject became purely theoretical.

The DA began as a secret group focused on practical defense, growing in size as more students recognized the need for self-protection.

Key Event:

After Umbridge discovered the DA’s original meeting place and punished its members, Harry decided to relocate and reorganize to avoid further interference. Hermione suggested using the Chamber of Secrets, given its inaccessibility to others and its symbolic connection to Voldemort.

The Chamber of Secrets Becomes the Base

When: Winter of Fifth Year Why:

Harry realized that the Chamber of Secrets could be a perfect location: hidden, protected, and symbolically tied to their resistance against Voldemort.

Teaching Parseltongue allowed members to access the Chamber, creating a unique bond among the group and a secure way to communicate.

Key Event:

Harry began teaching Parseltongue to trusted DA members, making it both a skill for entry and a secretive way to communicate. Over time, this became a hallmark of the SQC, with members using it casually even outside meetings.

Evolution into Serpentes qui Custodiant

When: Late Fifth Year Why:

As the group grew and adopted new practices (e.g., animagus transformations, darker spells, a structured hierarchy), the name “Dumbledore’s Army” no longer fit their identity.

The name Serpentes qui Custodiant (Serpents Who Guard) reflected their focus on protection, their use of Parseltongue, and their adoption of the basilisk skeleton as a symbol.

Key Event:

During a meeting, the group collectively voted to adopt the new name, marking their shift from a simple resistance group to an organized, loyal brotherhood.

The Basilisk Skeleton as a Symbol

When: Spring of Fifth Year Why:

The basilisk skeleton in the Chamber of Secrets became a powerful symbol of defiance, survival, and their connection to the Chamber’s history.

Members saw it as a reminder of Harry’s victory over the basilisk and his role as their leader.

Key Event:

Members began carving the basilisk skeleton into jewelry, weapons, and even tattoos, wearing the image with pride to signify their loyalty.

Teaching Darker Spells

When: Early Sixth Year Why:

As Voldemort’s return became undeniable and Death Eater attacks increased, Harry realized that traditional defensive spells were not enough.

The SQC began learning spells considered darker but highly effective for survival, such as silent hexes, blood magic, and counter-curses.

Key Event:

The decision to teach darker spells was controversial within the group but ultimately accepted as a necessity. Harry emphasized their use only in life-threatening situations, but some members began experimenting further.

Animagus Transformations as a Rite of Passage

When: Sixth Year Why:

Inspired by the Marauders’ legacy, Harry introduced animagus transformations as a challenge and rite of passage for senior SQC members.

Animagi in the group served as scouts, spies, and protectors, with their animal forms symbolizing their personal commitment.

Key Event:

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the Weasley twins were among the first to succeed. Their transformations inspired others to attempt the process, leading to an increasing number of animagi in the SQC’s upper ranks.

The Honor Code

When: Mid-Sixth Year Why:

As the group grew and faced internal challenges (such as a member betraying them to Umbridge), Harry implemented a strict honor code to maintain trust and unity.

The Code:

Keep your promises; words may bend, but promises must be kept.

Protect the children; those who harm children will face death.

Kill rapists; there is no tolerance for such acts.

Traitors will be branded and hunted until death

Key Event:

The first traitor was captured, branded with a magical mark, and exiled. This event solidified the group’s code and marked a turning point in their collective identity.

Expanding Beyond Hogwarts

When: Seventh Year Why:

Recognizing the need for broader alliances, SQC began recruiting family members, friends, and students from other schools.

Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum helped establish branches in Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, creating an international network of allies.

Key Event:

Transfer students from Hogwarts brought SQC traditions to their new schools, spreading its influence.

SQC’s Relationship with the Order of the Phoenix

When: Ongoing, Beginning in Sixth Year Why:

While the Order valued the SQC’s strength, there was tension due to their darker methods and absolute loyalty to Harry rather than Dumbledore.

Sirius and Lupin supported Harry and the SQC, advocating for their autonomy.

Key Event:

Sirius and Lupin proved their loyalty to Harry by helping protect the SQC during a critical battle, cementing their place as trusted allies.

The SQC as a Family

When: Throughout Sixth and Seventh Years Why:

Members viewed each other as siblings, with Harry as their “older brother.” This dynamic created an unshakable bond, disturbing outsiders who saw it as cult-like.

Titles like “older brother/sister” and “little brother/sister” reinforced their loyalty and hierarchy.

Key Event:

The family dynamic became most evident during battles, where members prioritized protecting one another at all costs.

Finale

Why:

The SQC’s structure, loyalty, and unique traditions made it a formidable force against Voldemort.

After the war, its legacy lived on in its members, who continued to uphold its values and honor Harry as their leader.

old members continue to train new members so their legacy at Hogwarts survives

Key Event:

The basilisk skeleton and tattoos became enduring symbols, with future generations of Hogwarts students hearing whispered stories of the Serpentes qui Custodiant.

#harry potter #hp fandom #hp fanfic #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter fandom #dumbledore's army

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lynzishell · 1 year ago

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~*~Spring~*~

Greta: I brought you something. Phoenix: What is it? Greta: Open it! Phoenix: Oh my god, Greta! Did you paint this? Greta: Yeah, I painted it for you. Phoenix: It’s amazing, thank you! We should hang it up really quick before we go. Greta: Sure.

Phoenix: There, it’s perfect. Greta: Ever since Mt. Komorebi I can't stop painting snowy landscapes. And they remind me of you, so I wanted you to have one. Phoenix: Aw thank you. I love it. And I love you. Greta: I love you too. Now let's get out of here. Phoenix: Just a few more minutes. Greta: Come on, we're already late. Phoenix: Fine.

__________________________________________

Morgan: Okay that movie was scarier than I thought it’d be. Sophia: Oh god, that scene in the bathroom! Luna: I don’t think I can look in a mirror again.

Wolfgang: Oh please, you guys, it was so cheesy. Aurelio: Uh-huh. You forget I was sitting right next to you. Wolfgang: I don’t know what you’re talking about. Aurelio: Sure sure, whatever you say.

Morgan: Ah finally, it’s so nice out! I thought winter would never end. Sophia: Right?! Now that it’s getting nicer, we need a day at The Bluffs! Aurelio: Yeah we do. It’s usually rainy up there though. When’s the next clear day? Sophia: Hmm.. it’s storming this weekend, but next weekend looks promising. Phoenix: Just in time for my birthday! What do you say we celebrate? Morgan: Yes! Luna: I’ll probably stay behind, but you guys have fun. Greta: What? No, come with us. Luna: What if Malcolm shows up? Wolfgang: There’s seven of us, he’s not going to get near you. Phoenix: Exactly! Morgan: Would it make you feel better if we had a plan? Luna: I don’t know. Like what?

Greta: Well, I agree with what Jullian told Phoenix. If he comes around again, we should just call the cops. We need to report him for violating the restraining order. Or else, what’s the point? That should be Plan A. Wolfgang: Fuck that! If we’re at The Bluffs it’ll take forever for them to get there. I can think of a few ways we can handle him on our own. Calling them should be fucking Plan C. Aurelio: No, c’mon. I’m with Greta. Even if it takes them a while, the report is still on record which can only work in Luna’s favor. Plus, chasing him off or whatever doesn’t keep him from coming back. Calling should be Plan A. Phoenix: We’ll compromise. We can come up with a plan of our own. There’s gotta be a way to get rid of him, and with seven of us and one of him, put a good enough scare in him to keep him from coming around again. If it doesn’t work or shit gets out of hand, then making the call will be Plan B.

Morgan: Don’t you think Luna should have a say in this? Luna: I trust Phoenix. He knows Malcolm better than any of us. Aurelio: Alright. So, what do you propose? Phoenix: Okay, here’s what I’m thinking…

Prev // Next

#ts4 #sims 4 #ts4 gameplay #sims 4 gameplay #ts4 challenge #sims 4 challenge #starsignchallenge #starsignlegacychallenge #gen1 aries #phoenix realta #greta laurent #morgan fyres #sophia bjergson #luna villareal #aurelio robles #wolfgang munch

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tarisilmarwen · 1 year ago

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Rebels Rewatch: "An Inside Man"

The beginning of my endless stressed paranoia about Thrawn, also obvious reveal is obvious.

I expect this recap to be pretty breezy, I've already liveblogged this episode once.

Hoo boy I cannot tell you the amount of tension there was before this episode. The TV adverts were packaging the footage from both this and "Visions And Voices" together in order to hype up the midseason closer, before the show went on break for the winter.

So you know, the hype was real.

Let's get into it.

[EDIT: Oh screw you, Tumblr, that was a whole forty minutes of work that you just ate, this is ridiculous.]

Right, so that's not subtle at all.

In addition to leaning heavily into the "Axis-occupied territory in WWII" aesthetic, the smog around Capital City is so much thicker, practically a new ozone layer, ammonia yellow in color. That is not sunset that is the city lights bouncing off the cloud of pollution wafting through their streets.

I haven't mentioned it before but Taylor Gray sometimes has this way of pronouncing the word "my" that gives Ezra just a little bit more of a "folksy" drawl, fitting for an Outer Rim farming planet. I do love how you can kind of "geolocate" where different characters come from by how they talk. High British or Imperial British accent? Core World. Southern American drawl? Outer Rim.

Now imagine Pryce with an accent like Ezra's and remember that every time she speaks she's totally faking her Core World accent. XD

Looks a bit like downtown LA, frankly. Minus the skyscrapers.

Yeah no, still love this shot Ezra pulls off while balancing precariously on the speeder engine. Such skill. Much badass.

The Kanan-Ezra tag team against the walker is great too.

Oh! Just noticed the non-fanfare titlecard has a bit of the dark male chorus from Thrawn's theme. Nice.

Something nice to note, the show does multiple chase sequences on this highway and none of them feel identical to each other. They're all uniquely staged.

I rewatched a couple times and the second speeder was actually taken out by debris from the first, bouncing forward and ricocheting off something.

Fitting right in with the WWII theme, internal saboteurs at the Imperial factories is very French Resistance. I honestly didn't expect to see the Sumars again so this was a pleasant surprise. Also a bit sad now, considering what happens.

*whispers* They paralleled Mr. Sumar's first conversation with Ezra.

This attack on Lothal's factories has been in the planning for a while now, since Season Two at least I think. Even though we were driven off Lothal, it's never been far from mind, and we've been constantly trying to get back there to liberate it. To Phoenix Cell and the Alliance it's a matter of strategy, of crippling or slowing down the Empire's war machine, but for the Spectres, for Ezra, it's personal, and it's been their focus from the very beginning. (Mostly. Ezra does get sidetracked with his obsession of personally destroying the Sith. More to meta ramble about that later when we get to "Twin Suns".)

Ha ha I remember when we all thought that the "new type of weapon" being referenced here was the Death Star. And personally, as I've said before, I still think Lothal was heavily involved in the Death Star's construction, that process was spread out across multiple Outer Rim worlds, resources and materials gathered from all over the place to keep it secret.

But once they introduced Thrawn they kind of had to give him a personal connection to Lothal, too. His rivalry with Hera wouldn't have cut it, that can play out anywhere, in any theater. (Hera's own stake in Lothal is also tenuous, generic, halfway between Ezra's personal drive and the Alliance's practical strategic considerations.) His being there at Pryce's bequest to help quell the Rebellion there offers no personal incentive outside of serving the Empire. But putting him in charge of the TIE Defender's development is perfect, in-character and easy to fit into what had already been established about Lothal, that it was a primary location where new TIEs were being produced.

Recall that Thrawn is not opposed to the Empire's tyrannical authoritarianism but he does think it's often ineffective. Advocating for the development of superior starfighters is right up his alley. If Thrawn had had his way or Palpatine had listened to him more, the resources, materials, and labor pooled into the showy but money-guzzling Death Star would have gone instead to bolstering the Empire's naval superiority, into better faster starfighters, more Inderdictors, and more capital ships like the Super Star Destroyers. Things to counteract the Alliance's flashbang hit and run tactics.

And the Rebellion probably would have lost.

So yeah, giving Thrawn a pet project specialized TIE fighter to be developed and constructed on Lothal was the perfect narrative decision.

...I went way off into the weeds there didn't l? Lol. Where was I?

Right, infiltrating the factory.

Love when Mr. Sumar asks Ezra if has any manufacturing experience and when he admits no, Ryder laughs and says he'll fit right in. Commie-style forced labor gang-pressing yaaaaaay!

Once again, the imagery is very deliberate and not at all subtle.

Ezra grew up on Lothal and he doesn't know who Pryce is on sight. This bitch been shirking her planetary governing duties for literal years, busy trying to be "hip and in with the cool kids" as it were, the perfect Imperial suck-up and sycophant.

A large part of Thrawn's effectiveness as a villain in Rebels is that you never quite know just how much he knows at any given time. Was his coming to the factories to inspect them just an unlucky coincidence or did he know Kanan and Ezra were going to be there? Is he just Dangerously Genre Savvy? How does he keep turning up in places right when the Rebels have made their move? It stressed me the crap out when I was originally watching, gave me hella Paranoia Fuel, and made his presence in every scene just that much more uncomfortable.

Like right here, with this scene where they linger just long enough on Thrawn observing the disguised Ezra to make you nervous, and the feeling lingers even though he steps away, because you almost think he picks Sumar out of the line-up because Ezra's there, targeting him for execution (basically) in order to flush Ezra out.

Also, btw, love the menacing cellos that accompany Thrawn's footsteps into frame.

The absolute slow dread and dramatic irony of this whole scene. D: It just builds and builds and then explodes (literally and figuratively), Thrawn's theme coming in full strength to emphasize the horror of the moment.

See, Thrawn's not above Make An Example Of Them when he thinks it's effective. (See also having Rukh behead that one officer in Legends canon.)

Lyste, you really should start questioning when Imperial astromech droids act crazy randomly around you lol.

It's a smidge distractingly fortuitous that there's always a convenient Scout Trooper around for Ezra to steal the armor off of.

This scene between Pryce, Kallus, and Thrawn is like some kind soothing British ASMR, everyone's voices are just so calm and smooth.

Ooof, Thrawn's rare displays of emotion are always a big deal, I flinched just from this tiny flash of anger.

Something else effective about Thrawn's presence is just how much more competent other Imperials start acting when he's around. Not officers like Lyste or Konstantine but the low-level grunts always seem more keen to cop on to things, just a bit smarter and more ruthless, when Thrawn's in an episode, like he brings them up to more rigorous standards of performance just by being there.

Probably why Pryce immediately falls apart and makes stupid impulsive decisions as soon as he's more than thirty feet away from her lol.

So there's Sabine's wall graffiti, already pulled off the building, I think that painting is from TCW, there's Ezra cadet picture, the mosaic from the Syndulla house, and a bunch of ancient Loth-cave scribblings.

I suspect Thrawn grabbed the retaining wall for the starbird (incidentally getting the Loth-cat drawing he'd later use to identify Sabine's work on Ezra's helmet in "Through Imperial Eyes"), and the cave paintings, obviously, because ancient Lothal culture.

Once again, Thrawn's deductions are razor sharp, but not OP. He's noticed the Phoenix cell has a particular attachment to Lothal, thus they will inevitably try to return to it.

Slowed down and replayed Kallus revealing himself a couple times just to look at this fight, Kanan starts by elbowing Kallus straight in the collar. Kallus reflexively throws a punch which gets pushed aside by Ezra. Kallus almost kitten bats the two of them before Kanan pins him to the wall.

Still LOVE how utterly flabbergasted Kanan and Ezra are at the reveal and how much grief they continue to give him after it lol.

Subtle animation appreciation moment: Kallus gives his very slight double-take at Kanan when Kanan pulls off his helmet, like he's surprised to see the scarring across his eyes.

Living for how much Ezra just casually bullies Kallus here. <3

"Or perhaps... an expected one." Lol nope, I can safely assure you, Thrawn, they did NOT expect Kallus to be Fulcrum.

Case in point about Thrawn's mere presence making everyone else more competent, the AT-AT pilots immediately question the AT-DP's presence.

This was really clever, having Ezra drive the chicken walker behind the AT-AT and use it for cover. I may have mentioned but it bears repeating.

MONEY SHOT.

Back when the show was airing and people were speculating about eventual defeats for Thrawn I think I was one of the very small number of people rooting for Marida Sumar to get to shoot him in the face.

Still want that AU.

TIE Defenders be no joke, people. They are fast, agile, shielded, and they have hyperdrives. They would have shredded the best the Alliance had.

Still love Zeb's chagrined grimace in the background there.

Ngl, once again, the ambiguity of "Just how much does Thrawn know?" is scarily effective. Thrawn's addressing Kallus seems deliberately calculated, like he's making some kind of subtle threat.

And whew!

After the shaky quality of the last episode this return to form is quite a relief. The tension is tightly wound and palpable throughout, and there's a genuine sense of danger. Thrawn is placidly competent. We suffer an actual loss. Everything is pretty much excellent this episode, even without the benefit of seeing Kallus's turn we believe it.

Love rewatching this one. <3

#star wars #star wars rebels #ezra bridger #agent kallus #grand admiral thrawn #rebels rewatch #liveblog

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thesakuragarnet · 1 year ago

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PHOENIX AU: Fun Facts

hey y’all, sorry for being MIA. I got sick when I went on vacation but I’m home now! No idea how frequently I will be posting but I will be spending the next several months forcing myself to write so yeehaw. Anyway here’s some PHOENIX fun facts about some characters from my fanfiction lifeblood (PHOENIX: A Pro Hero Toya Todoroki AU) that I posted on my Instagram @the_sakura_garnet a while back

(includes some references to BNHA OC's that I have that are in PHOENIX and it's prequel)

MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY

PHOENIX AU Toya Todoroki Fun Facts

Miyuki Sero made a bet with him during their second year involving Everclear, and it's the closest Toya's ever come to getting alcohol poisoning. Miss Kaminari forced him to clean the common room for two months as punishment

He can do the entire Ludacris rap in "Baby" by Justin Bieber

Has only cried a handful of times because of movies. Most of those times have been movies he's watched with his sister. But he'll never admit it

He and Natsuo crashed a sled into their father's car one winter, and proceeded to blame five year old Shoto for it...who was inside...with Enji...the entire time.

He has keyed the cars of all his sister's exes

PHOENIX AU Keigo Takami Fun Facts

Has sponsors from literally every place that sells chicken, but KFC is his place of choice

For one of their first dates, Keigo forced Toya to come along on a search for the "perfect chicken tender" where they ordered from every place and they ranked all of them. Led to a lot of arguments that left both of them crying from laughing so hard about how passionate the other was about their opinion

He owns several matching/complementing outfits with Rumi from their shopping spree days at the academy, and some of them are dresses

If he has the AUX there will be Broadway tunes, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, or classic rock ONLY. With minimal exceptions

He's always playing "I Wanna Party" from Rio unironically when he's getting ready in the morning and has developed a whole song and dance routine to it. occasionally, Toya will do the second verse if he's awake and Rue will do the female vocals. There have been several early dance parties at the PHOENIX Agency, and it's a pain for collaborating heroes when they have to travel team-up for missions

PHOENIX AU Rumi Usagiyama Fun Facts

She's a black belt in taekwondo, judo, Krav Maga, and generally kicking ass (BONUS: She has a trophy that says "best at kicking ass" that Toya had made for her as a birthday gift)

She feels guilty for being cold and mean to Toya for so long before they became friends, but she doesn't know how to approach him about it (even though he's left that all behind and doesn't hold it against her)

Her favorite workout playlist artists are Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, and Megan Thee Stallion

Midnight helped her come to terms with her sexuality with her confidence and unapologetic expression

She's double-jointed, has never taken a steroid (contrary to popular belief in the tabloids), and prides herself on being healthy

PHOENIX AU Ryuko Tatsuma Fun Facts

Her mother used to make her do beauty pageants/contests, and she would win flawlessly every time

She was born into a very wealthy family, but ironically didn't let her riches go to her head until reaching fame

During school, she occasionally ate edibles to calm her nerves as she would obsess over her grades, which is why her parties always had them

She constantly showers Rumi with extravagant gifts, but Rumi considers Ryuko the greatest gift of all

(Not so fun fact and SPOILER) she left Rumi for Uwabami when she dumped her in Chapter 40

PHOENIX AU Shinji Nishiya Fun facts

During their entire first year, Shinji was absolutely terrified of Toya because of their Quirk incompatibility (fire and wood don't mix)

He secretly had a slight crush on Rumi for a couple years, which is another reason why Yu never liked Rumi

He and Amari used to make conspiracy boards in the common room whenever they got high

He has acted as a getaway driver for a number of Toya's antics (he's the only person that doesn't make Toya carsick when he drives)

He scored the highest in Hero/Civilian/Villain Psychology during their Second and Third Years

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burningrosesbythesea · 1 year ago

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Isn't getting sucked into portals really fun?

It was an accident.

DOVE, once an underground organization that strove for peace (not really), had fallen into disgrace and become an organization that strove for violence. Their mission? Get rid of all metahumans in the world (that was their original goal, they just finally decided to call their “relocation program” genocide).

“I swear to whatever higher power is up there…” Phoenix muttered, hiding behind a stack of crates to avoid getting shot at.

Batman quickly dragged his brother, Robin, out of the line of fire; narrowly missing the first laser by a centimeter. “Easy Fire-Bird,” Batman chided, “we don’t need you bursting into flames.” He and Robin quickly jumped onto a skywalk, barreling into a group of guards and sending them tumbling to another skywalk below.

“Wouldn’t that make our job easier?” Robin asked, throwing a birdarang at a nearby guard and knocking the gun out of his hands.

“With a bunch of flammable materials around?” Magpie quipped, quickly swooping down and sending a few guards flying, “No, we don’t need a repeat of last time.” His wings quickly vanished as he brandished his bostaff.

“It was one time,” Phoenix hissed into her comlink.

Currently, the 4 vigilantes were locked in combat with a few dozen guards from DOVE in one of the abandoned warehouses on the abandoned side of Gotham; a perfect place for crime to run rampant around the city. Earlier in the day, Oracle caught wind of the news of a deadly weapon that the flawed organization. Batman and his crew’s objective? Destroy the weapon before it can be used. Unfortunately, nothing can be that easy because the large mass of metal has been turned on and buzzed with unused energy.

Batman caught sight of Phoenix in the corner of his eye, her red-and-orange suit hard to miss. She quickly disarmed a stray guard and pinned him to the ground before rushing over to the machine.

“You won’t be able to turn it off from there,” a female voice informed from the intercoms.

“Oh shut up Holly.” Robin spat, punching a guard and kicking him away.

“Save your breath.” Batman retorted.

Holly Winters, the current leader of DOVE. Granddaughter of the infamous Nichole Adams, a ruthless villain who had terrorized the world of mutants for more than 50 years, Holly just wanted to finish what her grandmother had started.

“Humor me,” Phoenix snarled, tinkering with the computer at the base of the machine.

“I will,” Holly chirped happily.

The machine’s buzzing began to quicken.

“Shit!” Magpie yelped getting thrown to the ground by a very muscled guard. Batman threw a batarang toward the guy in hopes it would distract him enough for the younger boy to scramble away.

“If my brother dies, I’m coming for you Holly,” Phoenix muttered.

“Remember the no-killing rule?” Robin shot back.

“Fuck that, you know one of my dads could give less of a shit.”

“Fun.”

“Buh-bye!” Holly giggled, the voice of the intercom suddenly becoming garbled as the rotating top of the machine began to spin even faster.

“Guys, I think this thing is about to blow,” Phoenix warned.

“What makes you think that?” Batman scoffed, watching the top of the machine glow blue.

“That’s not good.” Robin commented, “We should go.”

“Good idea.”

“Pheonix! Let’s go!” Magpie shouted, quickly running over to the nearest open window of the warehouse they were fighting in.

“I have to shut this thing down! We don’t know what it’s capable of!”

“Then I’m not leaving!”

“Get out of here.” Batman ordered his little brother, “Now.”

“But��”

“Now Matthew, see if you can get to Batwoman in time.”

Batman didn’t let Robin respond as he quickly glided over to the siblings on the bottom floor. His brother watched anxiously from the skywalk of the building; nevertheless, he left through the open window.

“She’s right,” Phoenix gasped, her hands full of wires from the machine’s control panel. “I can’t shut this thing off, not without blowing the entire 10-mile radius into bits.”

The blue light grew bigger and the wind began to pick up. Crates began to creep toward the swirling mass while lighter items flew right into it, followed by an unpleasant zap.

“Do you think that’ll burn us alive?” Magpie wondered, holding the corners of his black hood down.

“Just pray that thing is portal,” the girl pointed out, her curly black hair covering most of her face.

“Okay, but where will it take us?” Batman asked.

“Shut the fuck up, Terry.”

“It was nice knowing you guys.”

“I wonder if Matt will delete our browser history once we’re dead.”

“He better.”

The three collectively stared at the blue portal, watching it get even bigger.

Then it all went blue.

#terry mcginnis #matt mcginnis #original character #fanfic #batfamily shenanigans #will be updated #first post

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pheonixperennials1 · 3 months ago

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Discover the Beauty of Perennials

A nursery is a go-to destination for gardening enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of perennial flowers that enhance the beauty and sustainability of gardens. Known for its exceptional range and quality, the nurseries are committed to helping gardeners create stunning, long-lasting landscapes.

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Perennial flowers are beloved for their ability to return year after year, adding continuous beauty and structure to gardens. These hardy plants bloom each season, making them a favourite among gardeners who appreciate both their aesthetic value and low maintenance.

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Popular Varieties

Some of the top perennials include vibrant Coneflowers, elegant Hostas, and colourful Daylilies. These customer favourites are known for their beauty, ease of care, and ability to flourish in diverse garden settings.

Tips for Planting and Caring

Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in organic matter.

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Watering: Water consistently, but avoid overwatering. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

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Visit Phoenix Perennials Nursery

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For those who prefer to shop from home, Phoenix Nursery offers an online ordering system with delivery options. Their user-friendly website allows customers to browse their selection, place orders, and have plants delivered right to their door.

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#nursery in richmond #pheonix perennials #plant nursery #perennial garden design

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arimiadev · 1 year ago

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recommendations of visual novels on sale for the steam winter sale 2023

umineko when they cry

the ushiromiya family returns to the family head's home on an isolated island for their annual conference with the intention of settling how his vast amount of wealth is divided. instead, though, a letter is left from someone claiming to be a "witch". with the ushiromiyas dropping left and right, the mystery behind everything remains to be solved.

notes:

kinetic/linear - no choices

VERY long

divided into two games on steam - Questions Arcs is the first 4 episodes and Answers Arcs is the last 4 episodes (8 episodes in total, play Questions Arcs first)

created by Ryukishi07, creator of Higurashi

fantasy mystery

ace attorney

ace attorney is one of the classic mystery visual novels, being a blend of point-and-click elements via investigations and visual novel storytelling. the steam port is a massive collection, combining the first 3 games (the original phoenix wright trilogy) as 1 game.

notes:

investigative gameplay segments, a good chunk of the story is point-and-click parts

VERY long for the whole trilogy- each game is around 20 hours long and the steam edition is 3 games

modern mystery with supernatural elements

ai: the somnium files

notes:

long, around 25-35 hours

a lot of gameplay and interactive segments

sci-fi mystery

english voice acting

witch on the holy night

notes:

kinetic / linear - no choices

long, around 25-30 hours

modern-ish (1980s) fantasy with lots of talking about magic

ghostpia

a snowy town filled with "ghosts" is where the young woman sayako finds herself trapped, feeling like she doesn't belong and wants to leave this town where no one dies.

notes:

medium length, around 10 hours

very innovative and unique use of visuals and paneling

surreal-ish (sometimes violent) fantasy

please be happy

okay okay I had to recommend at least one visual novel I worked on. please be happy was a labor of love for our team that took over 3 years to make and is a slice of life story about love, trust, and what it means to be human.

notes:

medium to long, about 20 hours

2 romanceable ladies, aspen and juliet, and a plethora of side characters to meet via a map system

modern slice of life fantasy

english voice acting

WE KNOW THE DEVIL

find yourself back at summer camp with all the queer religious horror of it.

notes:

very short, about 2 hours

3 endings and 1 true ending

isolation, psychological horror

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

this is just a handful of recommendations of visual novels I've played and enjoyed that are on sale right now on steam.

some of these titles, like please be happy and WE KNOW THE DEVIL, are also available on itch.io which is a website for indie games! they're also currently having a winter sale so a lot of indie visual novels are on sale over there too, if you want DRM-free versions of games while also giving a better revenue split to devs.

#visual novel #visual novels #visual novel game #game recommendations #game recs #I wanted to rec more indie stuff but the ones I like either aren't on sale or they're free or they're not on steam at all #so that'll be for another time...#also this didnt end up as giant as i was thinking it would be bc i didnt want to do multiple in a series like higu and dai gyakuten

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adamgant · 1 year ago

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15 festive holiday party outfits

15 festive holiday party outfits https://ift.tt/4Tx1nWQ Sharing a roundup of cute and festive outfits for holiday parties this season. Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying the morning! We’re back in the swing of things after our trip and looking forward to upcoming holiday events, festivities, and travels. What are you looking forward to right now? I’m so excited for our annual staycation at the Scottsdale Princess and taking the girls to see the Nutcracker in Phoenix. For today, I wanted to talk about cute and festive holiday outfits! While I don’t *love* winter attire (give me summer dresses and sandals any day), I definitely love party clothes. The holiday season is filled with sparkles, plaid, red, leather accents, and I’m into ALL of it. Today, I’m sharing a roundup of 15 festive holiday party outfits! (this dress is from my Rent the Runway Unlimited subscription. My referral link to try it out is here – perfect for holiday events and formal attire – and the link to the specific dress is here.) 15 festive holiday party outfits 1. Classic nap dress with bow heels (I have these from Lulu’s and love them. This link gets you a discount) I just recently got on the Nap dress train and now I 100% understand the hype. The fabric is thick and flattering, it doesn’t wrinkle too easily, and I love all of the different prints, cuts, and colors. 2. Red jumpsuit The classic never dies. Love the polished style and extra tailoring on this one. 3. Leather skirt with a Merry sweatshirt and heels or flats This is cute for a more casual holiday get-together, like a Favorite Things party. I’m wearing a similar outfit to our squadron’s Christmas party, which is at a local brewery. 4. A red top with leather pants and black heels Love this girly yet edgy combo with the leather pants. I have a pair and wear them way more than I thought I would. 5. A sparkly top, cropped black pants, and ballerina flats I think I’m going to order this sparkly top for myself. I’m a huge fan of button-up tops – they always look put-together – and this one is fun, festive, and different. 6. A Somerset dress and heels I’ve accumulated quite a few Somerset dresses – short and midi length- and they’re perfect for everything. The cut is extremely flattering and the offer so many colors, prints, and fabrics. 7. An embellished mini dress with black tights and heels I love how unique and timeless this dress is; you could easily also wear it with booties, or for a date night. 8. This gorgeous velvet dress with black heels Tip: size up in Reformation. This dress has a crisscross back and would look amazing with a black bomber jacket. 9. This velvet blazer romper 10. Sequin mini skirt with a black sweater and booties 11. A-line plaid mini skirt with a white mock neck bodysuit and black blazer This is a cute preppy vibe that would look great with heels, flats, or loafers. 12. This drapy top with a plaid or black skirt and heels 13. This green dress with gold heels 14. This ribbed sweater dress with booties or heels 15. Sequins and fringe with silver shoes SO bling-y and pretty. Ok, friends: what holiday events do you have coming up? What are you wearing?! Please share the goods with us in the comments section. Also, you still have time to enter my epic Amazon giveaway here and little hint that Favorite Things giveaway starts this upcoming Monday! xo Gina The post 15 festive holiday party outfits appeared first on The Fitnessista. via The Fitnessista https://ift.tt/OMTW9Jv November 28, 2023 at 06:46AM

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marlenmckinnon · 2 years ago

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The first order of the phoenix — taken during the first wizarding war (1970-1981)

Most of them were children, brave, ah yes, but still children.

Marlene Mckinnon -Milly Alcock- was one of the bravest, when she witnessed her whole family's death, she went mad. Killing death eaters while using forbidden spells, the Order wanted to get her out when she sacrificed herself by protecting a pregnant Lily Evans. Her last words were for James, her best friend, Dorcas, her soulmate, and Lily, her dear friend: Fuck you're all ugly criers.

Frank and Alice Longbottom -Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan- were pure souls, kind and loyal. Their loyalty cursed them to not meet their only son: Neville. Everything for the Order. Everyone that was there that night, on one or the other side still hears their screams at night. The walls and portraits suffer their pain, and howl at night, for the Lovers of the Order.

Benjy Fenwick -Suraj Sharma- was a witted man, funny, patient, and optimistic. The Hufflepuff was its perfect definition. On his last day, he was so scared and alone. Shivering, but still with his wand out, he always trusted his dear friends, that they could save him. The poor boy was blinded by his trust. One against six, it was doomed from the start. He did not leave, he did not escape. A scared little boy, imploded into pieces.

Edgar Bones -Edvin Ryding- never failed to impress the other members of the Order. His innovative way of thinking gave them many advantages in the war and made them win many battles. The Order was lucky to have him. Edgar was unlucky to fight alongside the Order. His whole family got wiped out, and they began this bloody massacre with him getting killed on a dark street, between trash cans, muggles drinking their problems away, and prostitutes trying to have clients that winter. He became, nothing.

Caradoc Dearborn's -Daniel Kaluuya- strength was such an advantage to the Order, both physical and magical. He also had the gift of lying pretty well and had been on multiple missions to discover weaknesses from Voldemort's side. The mole of the Order, he was called. He had seen, he had to do horrible things to message back and help the Order. After that picture, he announced his last mission. Two months later he came back with useful information, scarred to life. He'd prefer vanishing and disappearing, being called dead than stop working for the Order. He was no traitor. But he couldn't do it anymore, he was tired, so tired...

Gideon and Fabian Prewett -Nick Gehlfuss- are now most well-known to be the younger brothers of the famous Molly Weasley. Before that, they were great warriors. Because yes, they were warriors. They took down many Death Eaters, even in death, Gideon with his last breath took one with him. Fabian was alone and taken back to an unknown location where he was tortured to have information. He never gave in and starved to death, already half gone by his wounds, a few days later. Twins, separated. Ah, history does repeat itself.

Dorcas Meadowes' -Alexandra Park- surname in Hogwarts was the Nosebreaker. She was wild, that one. She and Marlene were the chaotic duo that needed to be tamed, but that worked so well together. She saw so much pain and death, and Marlene's death was the last straw. She couldn't take it anymore. Marlene's madness overtook Dorcas. She did not become mad, she went utterly psychotic and killed everyone in her way, absorbing all the pain and the hardship she contained for years. Voldemort feared her so much he wanted to see her dead himself. He killed her and watched her corpse for two long hours, waiting to be certain of her death. The Nosebreaker became the Death Eaters' Menace.

Those children fought a war that wasn't theirs, knowing the consequences; dealing with the consequences. They suffered loss and misery and pain like no one else. They were children fighting adults' war, while those were behind desks, manipulating the fresh meat to fight for them. Never alongside them. They died, almost every one of them. And each one hoped for one thing, as they took their last breath, that this war would end with them, that their children wouldn't suffer like they did for so long.

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ofhexes · 2 years ago

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woah , i think i just saw SIRIUS BLACK ! there’s been so much happening lately that i totally forgot about the PUREBLOOD but i am glad to see HE/HIM still around . they always had wanted to be A BAR OWNER , i wonder how that’s going. the last i heard about them was that they might be involved with ORDER OF THE PHOENIX , but i’m not sure how true that is. besides, they always seemed LOYAL and DETERMINED . although , now that i think about it they were also HOT HEADED and IMPULSIVE . still the GRYFFINDOR alum always reminded me of I KNOW WHAT I AM by BAND OF SKULLS and SITTING LOOK OUT INTO THE RAIN ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT, THE SMELL OF LEATHER AND CIGARETTES, A FORCED SMILE ON THE FACE OF SOMEONE TRYING TO CONCEAL A SHATTERED HEART AND BROKEN SPIRIT . i hope they haven’t changed too much !

full name: sirius orion black

nickname(s): siri, padfoot

fc: deaken bluman

dob: 2nd november

age: 21

gender: male

sexuality: pansexual

house: gryffindor

blood status: pureblood

patronus: a black dog, the same as his animagus form

occupation: owner of a bar called ‘The Grim’ in London

side: the order

bio:

born on november 1st to orion and walburga black, sirius was privileged since birth. being the heir to one of the more respected pureblood families meant that there was a giant weight on his shoulders and he felt that from a very young age. ever since he could talk he was told how to act and what was respectable behaviour in his parent’s eyes. he never really got the chance to be a child. but he never really blamed his parents for that. he blamed the traditions that came with being a pureblood. he hated the coldness of it all. all he really craved for was affection, though he barely got any.

but he tried his best to stay out of trouble and keep himself in line. even as he sat at family events bored out his mind he knew better than to misbehave. it wasn’t worth his mother’s wrath or his fathers disapproving look. he was a fairly quiet kid. other than a few snarky remarks here and there he really didn’t give his parents a reason to believe he would be anything other than the perfect heir they were raising him to be.

it was exceptionally lonely, however. other than his brother and his cousins he didn’t have that many friends. and living at grimmauld place was extremely isolating. he couldn’t just go out and play with the nearby kids cause they were “filthy muggles” according to his mother. some might question why his family choose to live beside muggles if they were apparently beneath them but sirius never did. so he spent his time in the library reading and teaching himself spells.

growing up his father was the person he looked up to the most. he loved spending time with him. and his main goal when he was little was to hear his father say he was proud of him.

he never did.

having spent most of his younger years surrounded by pureblood that all had the same beliefs on purity as his parents sirius’s view on others was somewhat swayed by them. but, as he grew older, he started to question why exactly where they better than others? yes, their blood was more “pure” but he didn’t really understand why that made them any superior. he spent more of his free time reading and a lot of the books he read were by half-bloods or muggle-borns and they seemed just as intelligent as any pureblood he knew. it was confusing to him. but he made sure to never question it out loud.

sirius’ first day at hogwarts was both the best and worst day of his life.

it was the best day because he met three people that would soon mean the world to him: james potter, remus lupin, and peter pettigrew. all three of them would play an important part in how sirius became who he ultimately was supposed to be. they taught him there was more to life than pureblood galas and acting like the respectable pureblood male who’s only job in life is to make sure he carries on the family name. they taught him to have fun, they brought out his mischievous side and brought him out of his shell. some might argue that sirius becoming more confident is a bad thing. but sirius wouldn’t change it for the world.

it was the worst day because he got sorted into gryffindor.

he knew from the second the hat shouted out gryffindor that he was in trouble. he couldn’t remember a member of his family that wasn’t in slytherin and so he had made his way to the lion’s table with trembling hands. he had hoped he would have at least some time to deal with the sorting on his own. but the very next morning he had a letter from his mother saying how this must be a mistake. that he doesn’t belong in gryffindor and that they would sort it. but, deep down he knew he did belong there. deep down he knew he wouldn’t fit in with the other slytherin’s, he just didn’t want to admit it. and so he had ignored the letter and when mcgonogal had spoken to him about it the next day he told her everything was fine and he was happy being in gryffindor.

he sometimes regretted that decision even to this day.

something seemed to change in sirius’s mind the longer he was at hogwarts. the more time he spent with other wizard and witches from different backgrounds the more he realised that his families views were ridiculous. and with the war brewing, he knew he’d have an important choice on his hands. he’d have to choose between the friends he has made and the family that could destroy him if he left.

the choice came the summer before the start of his sixth year. his parents had finally had enough of his antics and sat him down to tell him they had decided he was to join the death eaters and finally make them proud. he was told that voldemort would be happy to have the black heir on his side and that he would be joining the war on his side. for the first time in his life, sirius was terrified. and he didn’t even think before he left in the middle of the night with just a bag of clothes and the money he had hidden in his room. he ran away in the night without a single world to anyone.

he never wanted to leave his family behind. especially not his brother. but he didn’t have a choice. he couldn’t be who they wanted him to be. he couldn’t follow down the path they had taken. he loved them but that just wasn’t enough. the war was wrong. and he could never stand on the side that harmed others just for existing. even if it broke a part of him to leave.

he never told anyone exactly why he had run away. though he had told his friends enough about his parents, and family in general, that he allowed them to come to their own conclusions and he doesn’t deny anything. but even though he felt resentment for those he was meant to call family and how he was treated in the end he couldn’t bring himself to tell anyone the truth. that betrayal was too much for him. and he didn’t want anyone knowing that his family were so lost in the wrong side they had officially joined the dark lords fight. he still had enough family pride to not let anyone go into azkaban just for his spite. he loved them too much to see them suffer. maybe he shouldn’t. but he couldn’t turn off that side of him.

part of him resented the war the most for driving him apart from his family.

his main goal now is to just move past everything and get on with his own life for the first time ever. he wants to fight for those that deserve a place in this world. he wants to prove that he is more than just his last name. so he used the money that his uncle alphard had left him after his passing to open up his own bar and create a space where everyone was welcome. he didn’t care if who walked through that door was a pureblood or a muggleborn, as long as they behaved and wanted a drink they were welcome. and it was a job much better suited to him than a ministry job would ever have been.

some wanted connections:

friends - other than the marauders obvs

sibling-like relationships

family friend - could still be on good terms or they could have heard of sirius’ disowning and turn their backs on him too

unlikely friendship - could be that they have been friends since they were little and even though they are polar opposites they just get on so well that they can’t not be friends

family members that don’t hate him are always a win

enemy - they have never gotten along and they will never get along and both are okay with this

frenemy - they hate each other but they are also kinda cool and if they hung out that would be awesome????

anything angsty tbh

#sirius:inspo #sirius:intro #sirius:wantedconnections #mhq:intro

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billsfangearring · 3 years ago

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[Rec List] The Wolfstar Yearbook: 2007

Happy Friday! I’ve selected and reviewed what I consider to be the five best, most memorable Wolfstar fics completed in 2007.

Fics Reviewed:

A bright particular star by torch

The centre cannot hold by @kaydeefalls

Combat Rock by @trailingoff

Map of the Problematique (D.M.L.E. Evidentiary File 142-3b.) by SullenSiren (lorax)

The Problem with Perfection by carmine_ink

Reviews below the cut. My other Wolfstar rec lists can be found here.

Context: July 2007 was an exciting (and exhausting) month for HP fans—the “Order of the Phoenix” movie came out on the 11th, and Deathly Hallows published on the 21st. I attended the midnight releases of both and read the book in a single sitting after I woke up the next morning. Those of you who were old enough to have done the same will remember how thrilling it all was! On top of the bittersweet feeling of the series ending, Wolfstar fans were also faced with the double whammy of watching Sirius’s death on the big screen and reading of Remus’s passing ten days later. It was an emotional rollercoaster of a month for me, at least.

Disclaimers:

My selections are based on my subjective taste and what I personally have read. YMMV.

I have done my best to flag potential triggers. Please let me know if I missed something.

I did not consider non-magical/modern AUs for this post, though I do read and enjoy them.

A bright particular star by torch

Length: 24,700 words

Era: Hogwarts

POV: Remus

Summary: Remus and Sirius celebrate their last Christmas at Hogwarts.

My Review: Reading “A bright particular star” feels like wrapping yourself up in a fuzzy blanket with a cup of tea in the winter—it’s a warm, slow fic filled with snow and fudge and knitwear. It has a bit of a dreamlike quality while remaining grounded in the beautifully fleshed out world of Hogwarts during the holidays, and torch includes lots of little details that bring to mind all of the whimsy and wonder of canon. Remus and Sirius are an authentic balance of mutual ribbing and tender care, and I love how their friendship gently slips into romance and intimacy without fanfare or drama. I also have to give a shoutout to the motherly yet sly Madam Pomfrey, whose potions, ointments, and creams make it all possible.

Vibe: Cozy Christmas with a happy ending.

Illustrative Quote: He lay curled against Sirius, close enough that they were breathing on each other; their knees bumped together, and Sirius once again had one hand around Remus's wrist, as though even in sleep he was planning to tug Remus along into some mischief or other.

The centre cannot hold by kaydeefalls

Note(s): This fic is Remus/Sirius and James/Lily.

Length: 2,151 words

Era: First War

POV: Remus and Lily

Summary: Wherein the war keeps getting worse and Remus probably isn't the spy.

My Review: “The centre cannot hold” is a beautiful but achingly sad First War fic that’s told in a series of alternating vignettes from Lily and Remus’s lives. Lily chafes at being relegated to a housewife role while James and his friends are out fighting, and her frustration about how she was meant to do more than solely be a mother echoes my own feelings about her character in canon and fanon. Remus knows his friends don’t trust him at this point, but there isn’t any way to prove his innocence. Sirius’s words in the final scene are an absolute gut punch as a reader who knows what’s coming, because you can see both what Sirius meant and Remus understood in the moment and how Remus will reinterpret what Sirius said after Halloween.

Vibe: Crumbling hope with a bittersweet ending.

Illustrative Quote: Remus wonders when the things left unsaid began to mean more in his relationship with Sirius than the words actually spoken.

Combat Rock by trailingoff

Note(s): This fic is written in third person POV, though the summary suggests otherwise.

Content Warning(s): minor alcohol abuse, minor drug use, homophobia, violence

Length: 4,689 words

Era: First War

POV: Remus and Sirius

Summary: We don’t know how to fight for what we want.

My Review: “Combat Rock” is one of those bleak, shattering First War fics that stay with you. Framed around The Clash’s eponymous album, this fic pulls no punches on characterization and the realities of wartime. Remus and Sirius are both deeply flawed and repressed in their own ways; Sirius in particular can be both transparent and difficult to read, loving yet standoffish, and desperate but emotionless, and his inconsistencies feel very realistic for how I’d imagine a closeted gay teenager thrust into a war in the 1970s would behave. The war itself is brutal and brings out the darkness lurking in our protagonists. trailingoff’s writing style in this fic is spare and relies heavily on dialogue, echoing the boys’ numbness from the war.

Vibe: Empty survival with a hopeless ending.

Illustrative Quote: Sirius was nothing but a blade by then, Dumbledore’s scythe, and Remus was barely anything at all.

Map of the Problematique (D.M.L.E. Evidentiary File 142-3b.) by SullenSiren (lorax)

Note(s): The numbered section headers are links to readable images of each house rule from the complete set in the first image, and they’re essential for you to fully experience the story.

Length: 15,293 words

Era: First War

POV: Multiple

Summary: "He's going to make it a RULE." Before they went their separate ways, Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail shared a flat. The flat had rules. This is how it went.

My Review: “Map of the Problematique” captures the gradual demise of the Marauders during the First War through a series of vignettes related to the house rules they accumulate over the years. Everything’s fun and games at the beginning, but they’re forced to grow up quickly as they’re drawn deeper into the war. Remus and Sirius come together but don’t really talk, and the things left unsaid between all four boys ultimately eat away at their bond. Even the rules, full of lighthearted taunts early on, become sharper with thinly veiled mistrust as things fall apart. The Marauders and Lily feel so young and alive yet angry and silently terrified before they slip into indifference as a coping mechanism. lorax nails their characterizations, especially Peter’s, capturing his subtly shifting loyalties while making it very clear why the others still viewed him as one of their most trusted friends.

Vibe: Slow shattering with a painful ending.

Illustrative Quote: Sirius didn’t know how to be sorry enough, and Remus didn’t know how to forgive enough to forget, or how to forget enough to forgive.

The Problem with Perfection by carmine_ink

Length: 2,343 words

Era: Hogwarts

POV: Remus

Summary: Sirius tries to convince a rather awkward and pining Remus to go for a swim.

My Review: I’ll be honest—“The Problem with Perfection” is an extremely me-specific selection. As someone who grew up in the water, a story about teens awkwardly ogling each other at the pool feels deeply familiar, and this list needed some sun anyway. Remus is completely overcome by the vision that is Sirius in the pool—the boy is just gone—and his despairing internal monologue is hilarious. The dialogue is quick, except when Remus is too busy drowning in lust to come up with a witty retort. Sirius is cocky, observant, and seductive, and the whole story sizzles with heat.

Vibe: Summer swooning with a happy ending.

Illustrative Quote: Remus only tries to maintain his composure for a matter of seconds before he lets it collapse in hormonal rivulets around the tips of his fingers, which tighten around the edge of the pool.

#wolfstar yearbook #wolfstar #remus x sirius #fic recs #remus lupin #sirius black #hp #harry potter #bfe fic recs

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