#perhaps the reason is that i haven't read the book LOL

[ihavesomejays]

troublemaker

to thank @keebssi for all the delicious raturine, have a quick modern au wangxian. nothing like wondering why your school's bad boy is asking you for your student id number in the middle of a random park (he is not in fact asking you for your student id number) !! also apologies to the mdzs fans i haven't read mdzs and i don't really plan to this one was just for a homie

closeups under keep reading

[lynnie-ee]

Day 5; Gloves.

╰┈➤"Holding hands comes naturally in a relationship, is what you'd expect. Until you realise, Azul has never removed his gloves, hasn't he?"

╰►Gender neutral reader, oneshot, 1k words.

╰► Character: Azul Ashengrotto, pre-established relationship.

╰►Note: The prompts are based on words I found interesting and then I put them on a roulette to decide when I would write about them, lol. English is not my first language, so please let me know if there are any grammatical mistakes <3. Not proof read, I haven't written in a long time, so I apologise if anything is out of character.

╰►Masterlist / Inktober Masterlist.

⤿

⤿

“Azul?”

“Yes, angelfish?”

“How come I’ve never held your hand?”

“We’ve held hands dear, multiple time already.”

“Of course, but I mean, without your gloves on.”

“Oh…”

(Y/n) laid on one of the sofas of Mostro Lounge’s VIP room, a book on their hands that they were supposed to read for their History of Magic, which was now left behind as they were more interested in Azul’s answer. As usual, the housewarden was on his desk, working on some contracts, promptly leaving his pen down to focus his attention on the magicless student.

The couple had been together for a few weeks now; enough time for Azul to get used to sharing his time, but not enough to openly speak his mind without filter.

“Well…I guess we’ve never had the opportunity to do so.” He replied after thinking about it for about seconds.

“How about now?” The Prefect asked, leaving their book on a table nearby, resting their elbows on the armrest of the sofa to look at housewarden more properly, being able to observe the delicate reddish tone that made its way to adorn his cheeks.

“Aren’t you supposed to be studying?”

“And you’re supposed to be working, yet you’re indulging me, so don’t make excuses.” They chuckled softly, observing Azul for a moment, before frowning slightly. “Perhaps I didn’t consider that you may be uncomfortable by the sensation of someone touching your skin. Do you have hands, when you’re on your octopus form?” The Prefect asked genuinely.

“Of course, I do! Why are you even asking that?” Azul answered immediately, his voice an octave higher due to how absurd their question seemed to be.

“Because I’ve never seen your octopus form and I’m not even from this world, there’s no way for me to know.” They explained nonchalantly. “The Coral Sea culture is as unknown for me as the land culture was for you at first.”

“I’ll let you know that I’m very knowledgeable in land culture, dear.” The Octavinelle second-year defended himself, a slight frown on his face.

“Last time we went into town we saw a bunny and you asked me if it was a dog. You may be smart, but you don’t know everything.” They laughed, this time a bit louder, offending Azul even more. “But we weren’t talking about that. So, if you have hands in your merman form, is it because mermen don’t usually hold hands directly? Or is it that you aren’t used to the sensation of something touching your skin?”

“No, they do hold hands in the same way humans do.” The second year explained. “And I’ve been on land for a while, now, so I’m very accustomed to the sensation of touching things directly without gloves.” He answered their second question.

“Then why don’t you want to hold hands now?”

“Well, that’s….” Azul mumbled, fixing his glasses as a way to partially cover his face to prevent the Prefect from being able to see the embarrassment on his expression. This only increased (Y/n)’s curiosity, making them wonder of the reasons, until something popped up on their mean.

“You…you’ve never had someone hold your hand before, haven’t you?”

“Nonsense! I…”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” The Ramshackle student declared, Azul’s face being enough evidence for them. They got up from the sofa to take a seat on the chair in front of Azul’s desk, finding the merman avoiding eye contact with them. “It’s okay if you haven’t, you know?”

“As far as I’m concerned, people around my age should be expected to have more experience at this, so forgive me for my lack of it.”

“I don’t care about that; I hope you know it.” (Y/n) answered tenderly, extending their arm to softly angle Azul’s face so they could look at them. “Besides, it would be nice to do it for the first time, wouldn’t it?”

“I guess you’re right…”

“Can I?” They questioned, this time signalizing his hand, as he nodded. Then, the Prefect gently took his hand, one of their own delicately holding his wrist as the other removed the glove carefully with a slow pace, occasionally glancing at him.

If there was anything (Y/n) had learned about Azul in the past weeks, it was that he was far more delicate than he let others see, his vulnerable side being more difficult for him to expose, even in front of them, as it was too early. Perhaps, in a year or two, they would talk casually about more intimate matters, but for now, this was enough, one step at a time.

“Well, this is rather nice.” Azul mumbled, and the Prefect could only chuckle softly, lightly squeezing his hand as an answer.

“Your hands seemed to be very soft-Oh!” (Y/n) started calmly, trying not to rush Azul, getting surprised when he was the one who actually took their hand as soon as they removed the glove. His fingers laced their own fingers gently but quickly, as he was expectant to experience the sensation.

“Is it like you expected?”

“I’d say it’s better than I thought.” He answered. “Now I understand why so many couples seemed to have their hands glued to each other when they walked together, back in the town…”

“Yeah, maybe we could try that.” They suggested, promptly raising both of their hands a bit higher, so they could place a kiss upon the back of his hand, watching the housewarden blushing immediately. “Too much?”

“No…But I’m considering that perhaps, I should wear my gloves less when you’re around.”

“You have such nice ideas sometimes.”

They stayed in the same position for a few moments, changing the topic of conversation, as (Y/n) occasionally caressed the side of his hand with their thumb, Azul eventually relaxing at the contact, his paperwork next to him being left on the past, his attention solely focused on his loving partner.

“The next step maybe could be you showing me your octopus form?”

“Absolutely no.”

⤿

⤿

[riddle-me-ri]

Omg I just saw the request for the reader lovingly staring at all the different Penguins and telling them it’s because they’re handsome and it was so cute, my heart nearly exploded!!! Is it ok if I ask for the same thing with all the different Scarecrows please? If not, that’s completely fine! If it is ok, take all the time you need! Have a great day/night ❤️

a/n: aww sure thing! some scarecrows definitely take it a bit better than others lol also sorry if I may have skipped a couple of the straw boys..I worry about getting too repetitive with these

Content Warning: none that I can think of

The Scarecrows Catching Reader Staring at Them

Arkhamverse Scarecrow:

- After looking through the corners of his eyes he can only confirm his suspicions.

- You were indeed staring at him.

- Jonathan is perplexed at the reason but annoyed at the sensation.

- He hopes your attention is drawn to something else.

- But alas, you seem lost in his presence.

- Jon insists you tell him what you need or please stop staring at him..it's quite rude.

- Your face flares in embarrassment, stuttering about how you don't need anything. He just looked handsome while he worked.

- Now it's his turn to be a little flustered.

- Jon just shakes his head and tells you not to be ridiculous, even as a small satisfied smirk lifts on the side of his face you don't see.

BTAS Scarecrow:

- For once, it seems you have turned the tables.

- Jonathan does a double take, just to be sure he isn't mistaken.

- He looks behind him a couple times to ensure you aren't gazing past him to some other professor.

- Jon nibbled his lip. Should he ignore it or investigate?

- Maybe you're daydreaming, and your eyes seem to focus on him?

- Jon called your name questioningly, and it snapped you out of your reverie.

- You apologized profusely, and no matter what excuse you tried to give, it sounded wrong, so you were honest.

- Jonathan immediately averted his gaze, not able to handle your truth.

- Him? Handsome? With his nose and shaggy hair?

- He does find strength to quietly say thank you before scurrying away to take in this new information…

- Perhaps there's an opportunity here.

Fear State Scarecrow:

- Jonathan doesn't even notice you're staring for the longest time.

- It's not until he's noticed you literally haven't moved an inch from your spot.

- He's frustrated at first, what's got your head in the clouds? There's much work to be done!

- When he snaps you out of it, you struggle to catch back up to what was happening.

- You could tell Jonathan was frustrated with you.

- You thought perhaps if you told him what and why you were staring, it'll calm him?

- When you tell him you were distracted by his handsomeness; he freezes.

- Not sure to be frustrated or flustered.

- He calmly but sternly reminds you of your task at hand before leaving the room.

- To not pose as a distraction to you and to get him a chance to control his fat beating heart.

Year One Scarecrow:

- Genuinely doesn't think much of it at first.

- Jonathan thinks you're daydreaming until he realizes your eyes follow his form throughout the room.

- The attention does cause him to blush slightly. What is he supposed to do?

- Does he stare back? Should he say something? Is there something you want to say?

- Thankfully you seem to notice Jonathan staring back at you and it snaps you back to reality.

- You apologize for making him uncomfortable–you were just admiring his features.

- Jonathan is too stunned for words…but it would explain the soft gaze you held.

- You apologize once more and try to get back to what you were doing.

- Although truth be told you were just embarrassed for getting caught.

Masters of Fear Scarecrow:

- Jonathan could feel your eyes bore into him from behind the current book he was reading.

- Even though it's through a series of stutters, he asks why you're staring, quicker than other Scarecrows who spend some time doubting what they're seeing.

- It's your turn to blush and try to shy away from your actions…

- You were so sure he wouldn't catch you with his nose stuck in a book.

- You're left with no choice but to be honest and tell him you found him incredibly endearing partaking in his favorite pastime.

- The ex-professor tries to hide his blush behind the pages.

- He mumbles something about how you shouldn't tease him like that.

- But you deny ever doing such a thing. You were speaking from the heart.

Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo Scarecrow:

- Most likely the only Scarecrow that is fully aware of what you're doing.

- And absolutely relishes in it.

- He’s picked up on this habit of yours whenever you don't have anything to occupy yourself with.

- Will tease you constantly about it

- “Take a picture, it'll last longer.”, “Stare at me any longer and you'll burn a hole right through me.”

- It frustrates you…

- Both his teasing and the fact that you find yourself staring at him while time trickles away.

- When you first stared at him, it did fluster him but he quickly took it as a source of flattery when you told him why you did it.

- Now he welcomes your stares openly, and may even get his feelings hurt if you ever occupied your attention anywhere else.

Harley Quinn: The Animated Series Scarecrow:

- Jonathan's immediate reaction is one of concern.

- He wonders if you're trying to get his attention in some subtle way.

- When he approaches and hastily asks if something is wrong, it takes you a minute to respond.

- You're confused with his concern but when he explains how you just stared at him…he assumed you needed him for something.

- Now you're embarrassed to cause him to worry…and the fact that you just stared at him for so long without realizing.

- You try to dismiss his concern, but appreciate his efforts nonetheless…

- However, that didn't quite suffice for him, he wanted to know why you stared at him so intently…

- As if you two were the only people in the large community room filled with villains.

- “You just…look very handsome…” You fidget with your fingers nervously as you felt no reason to keep the truth from him.

- Jonathan is grateful for his mask at that moment. It got to hide the blushing red that rose to his cheeks.

- He still manages to thank you for your compliment and happily returns one to you, both of you beaming in delight at each other.

[gingermintpepper]

hi, i haven't read the iliad and the odyssey but want to - do u have a specific translation you recommend? the emily wilson one has been going around bc, y'know, first female translator of the iliad and odyssey into english, but i was wondering on if you had Thoughts

Hi anon! Sorry for the somewhat late response and I'm glad you trust me with recommendations! Full, disclosure, I am somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to translations of the source text of the Iliad + Odyssey combo wombo, which means I tend to prefer closeness in literal verbiage over interpretation of the poetic form of these epics - for that reason, my personal preferred versions of the Odyssey and Iliad both are Robert Fitzgerald's. Because both of these translations (and his Aeneid!) were done some 50+ years ago (63 for his original Odyssey tl, 50 flat for his Iliad and 40 for his Aeneid) the English itself can be a bit difficult to read and the syntax can get confusing in a lot of places, so despite my personal preferences, I wouldn't recommend it for someone who is looking to experience the Iliad + Odyssey for the very first time.

For an absolute beginner, someone who has tried to read one or both of these epics but couldn't get into it or someone who has a lot of difficulty with concentrating on poetry or long, winding bits of prose, I fully and wholeheartedly recommend Wilson's translation! See, the genius of Emily Wilson's Iliad + Odyssey isn't that she's a woman who's translated these classics, it's that she's a poet who's adapted the greek traditional poetic form of dactylic hexameter into the english traditional poetic form of iambic pentameter. That alone goes a very very long way to making these poems feel more digestible and approachable - iambic pentameter is simply extremely comfortable and natural for native english speakers' brains and the general briskness of her verbiage helps a lot in getting through a lot of the problem books that people usually drop the Iliad or Odyssey in like Book 2 of the Iliad or Book 4 of the Odyssey. I think it's a wonderful starting point that allows people to familiarise themselves with the source text before deciding if they want to dig deeper - personally, researching Wilson's translation choices alone is a massive rabbit hole that is worth getting into LOL.

The happy medium between Fitzgerald's somewhat archaic but precise syntax and Wilson's comfortable meter but occasionally less detailled account is Robert Fagles' Iliad + Odyssey. Now, full disclosure, I detest how Fagles handles epithets in both of his versions, I think they're far too subtle which is something he himself has talked at length about in his translation notes, but for everything else - I'd consider his translations the most well rounded of english adaptations of this text in recent memory. They're accurate but written in plain English, they're descriptive and detailled without sacrificing a comfortable meter and, perhaps most importantly, they're very accessible for native english speaking audiences to approach and interact with. I've annotated my Fagles' volumes of these books to heaven and back because I'm deeply interested in a lot of the translation decisions made, but I also have to specifically compliment his ability to capture nuance in the characters' of these poems in a way I don't often see. He managed to adapt the ambivalence of ancient greek morality in a way I scarcely see and that probably has a hand in why I keep coming back to his translations.

Now, I know this wasn't much of a direct recommendation but as I do not know you personally, dear anon, I can't much make a direct recommendation to a version that would best appeal to your style of reading. Ideally, I'd recommend that you read and enjoy all three! But, presuming that you are a normal person, I suggest picking which one is most applicable for you. I hope this helps! 🥰

[teaboot]

Since I've seen many posts about people missing how common asks used to be, I have been trying to send to more asks to engage more. I really don't want to bother anyone though so I'd love to know if you enjoy receiving asks and if so what kind of asks. Detailed? Vague? Work? Fandom? Movies? Books? Childhood? Gardening? Thoughts? OTPs? OCs? I'm sure there are way more categories, I'm not limiting you to these listed options. Perhaps if it's an easier question what types of asks do you not like?

pPAAASGGFYGGJIK THANK YOU?

Detailed asks good yes

Vague asks??? Do not understand but open to the concept

Fandom: My first Fandom was X-Men, then Lord of the Rings, then Homestuck, Transformers, Fullmetal Alchemist, Teen Wolf, Avengers (first movie, when it came out), Batman, Overwatch briefly, Mass Effect, Gravity Falls, Trigun, and now my sister's getting me into Call of Duty! Feel free to ask about any!!

Movies: Yes movies are a great topic I have SO MANY

Oh lord I haven't consistently been up to date on books in FOREVER but yes books are good, you can ask book questions, I'm reading a lot of old classics and recently finished Pride & Prejudice, am now on The One That Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Childhood- oh my god bud you have no idea

Gardening- My house is full of plastic plants on account of how good I am at killing things

Thoughts- Always

OTPs YO YES

OCs? YO YEAH GO FOR IT I NEVER TALK ABOUT THEM aaaaah I need to start writing again- I've been working on an urban fantasy for like. God like 7-8 years now

If I don't like an ask I'll just ignore or delete it but not much is off the table. I will not answer where exactly I live, who I am, if I'm a specific person you met, etc. for safety reasons.

I've worked in sex education so I can answer questions on that topic but if you get too personal or abrasive I will not respond.

I'm regularly flooded with donation requests and it's often too hard to figure out which are real and which are scams using stolen legit posts so as a general rule I do not spread those, I'm sorry.

And if you pop in to sexually harass me or use abusive language towards myself or others then I'm just gonna block you and delete the message.

If you want to warn me that a post I shared came from a bad source I do appreciate that, but if I do my research and can't find a legitimate reason to block someone then I probably won't.

I consider Legitimate Reasons to block someone on recommendation to be abusive language and behaviour, threats, bigotry, propagation of misinformation, production of AI content, and encouragement of dangerous behaviors that pose genuine harm to self or others. I'm not gonna block a random cause they enjoy Steven Universe and you think it's annoying. We all like stuff.

Womp-womp.

Thanks for asking!!! I probably shoulda talked about some of this myself, lol

EDIT: Terfs and radfems are block on sight, it's not your fault you're dumb but I am not capable of educating all of you

[imagines-random]

Love story

Pairings/Characters: Loki x reader

Summary: Your love story.

Warnings: A bit of angst but nothing too major! (Maybe bad writing and grammar lol. English isn’t my first language!)

Song: Love Story (Taylor’s Version) by Taylor Swift

A/N: Thank you so much for reading!!

We were both young when I first saw you

High above the revelry of the grand ball, in the quiet solitude of a moonlit balcony, Prince Loki and your’s worlds collided.

I close my eyes and the flashback starts

The soft glow of the stars illuminated the regal figures as they stepped into the cool night air, unaware that the balcony's edge marked the precipice of a future entwined in love.

I'm standing there

You, drawn by the beauty of the night sky, found yourself on the same balcony, a serendipitous encounter orchestrated by the unseen hand of destiny.

On a balcony, in summer air

The ball was running smoothly.

As the princess of Alfheim you have learned to survive in these types of situations.

Boredom was becoming something familiar to you.

See the lights, see the party, the ball gowns

The door to the balcony opened. You didn’t turn, not until the stranger walked to the rail next to you.

See you make your way through the crowd

It was Prince Loki, his eyes reflecting the weight of royal responsibilities, stepped onto the balcony, seeking a moment of respite from the grandeur below.

And say, "Hello"

“Hello” he says as he bows clumsily.

“Nice to meet you Prince” you bow to him

“Loki please, call me Loki” he smiles at you taking your hand in his.

“Nice to meet you Loki” you smile at him.

“Do you want to be friends?” Asks little you.

“Yea !” He replies and grabs your hand running of to the garden dragging you with him.

Little did I know

Kids. What can you say, pure souls that don’t understand the complexity of life or trust.

•a few years after•

Inside of the palace library, Loki and you found yourselves in a conversation about the age-old tale of Romeo and Juliet. You, captivated by the tragic romance, clutched a worn copy of the book against your chest.

That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles

“Come on Loki! The book is good! It's such a beautiful story of love and sacrifice.” You argued back.

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"

“Good? That melodramatic play? I find the whole thing rather ridiculous. Two impulsive teenagers meeting a tragic end over a fleeting infatuation.” he chuckles.

“It’s a love story! It's so romantic! The intensity of their love, the willingness to defy their families for each other—it's like a timeless symbol of passion.” You smiled at him

And I was crying on the staircase

“Come one now darling. Passion, or youthful recklessness? I can't fathom why anyone would idealize such impulsive behavior. Real love requires more than just poetic proclamations.”

“But isn't that the essence of love? To be willing to risk everything for the person you can't imagine living without?”

Begging you, "Please don't go"

“Yeah which is why it was so stupid. I believe in a more practical approach. Love shouldn't be about making grand gestures and meeting tragic ends. It should be stable, sensible, and built on mutual respect.”

And I said

“Does that mean you've never felt a love so intense that it defies reason?”

"Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone

“I prefer a love story without unnecessary drama. One where both parties think with their heads rather than their hearts.”he smirks.

I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run

“Perhaps you haven't found the right story to change your perspective yet. Romeo and Juliet may be dramatic, but it's a testament to the power of love—flawed, yes, but undeniably powerful.” You smile at him.

You'll be the prince, and I'll be the princess

“Well, I'll stick to tales that make sense. No tragic romances for me.” Rolls his eyes.

It's a love story, baby, just say yes"

As the debate continued, the words of Shakespeare's timeless play lingered in the air, creating an intriguing contrast between the romantic ideals cherished by you and the pragmatic skepticism of Loki.

•a few years later•

In the heart of the castle, Loki and you harbored a shared secret that flourished under the veil of night.

So I sneak out to the garden to see you

Drawn together by an unspoken connection, they each yearned for something beyond the regal confines of their chambers

We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew

And so, as the moon ascended the velvet sky, casting its silvery glow upon the palace gardens, they embarked on a clandestine journey.

Loki, with a heart that craved adventure, would slip past the guards with the agility of a fox.

So close your eyes

You, full of sneakiness, would evade the watchful eyes of your attendants, tiptoeing through moonlit corridors to the rendezvous point beneath the ancient rose arbor.

Under the blooming roses, Loki and you found in the quiet of the night. The fragrance of blossoms mingled with the whispers of a thousand secrets as they shared stolen glances and laughter that echoed through the garden.

Escape this town for a little while, oh, oh

Loki, burdened by the weight of future responsibilities, discovered in you a confidante who understood the struggle between duty and desire.

'Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter

You, yearning for a life beyond protocol, found in Loki a kindred spirit who shared her dreams of a world unfettered by royal expectations.

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"

The garden, once a canvas of muted greens and blossoms, became a sanctuary painted with the hues of your emotions.

But you were everything to me

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over beautiful Asgard, you found yourself standing at the stables. The air was heavy with unspoken emotions as you waited for the warriors to arrive. The ones who would accompany the person who had become the center of your world – Loki.

“Darling?” Loki said from behind you.

“So you have to go?” You said without turning to look at him.

I was begging you, "Please don't go"

"I'll miss you," Loki managed to say, his voice betraying the vulnerability he had kept hidden for so long.

And I said

You smiled, a bittersweet expression that mirrored the conflicted emotions within. "I'll miss you too, Loki. More than you can think."

"Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone

You watched as Loki prepared to mount his horse. The warriors and his brother Thor were there too. All ready to leave. To risk their lives.

I'll be waiting, all there's left to do is run

As they began to leave with Thor guiding them, you looked at Loki hoping he’ll change his mind and stay. He didn’t.

You'll be the prince, and I'll be the princess

With a final glance, Loki rode into the horizon, leaving you waiting. Everyday you found yourself looking to the horizon, waiting for the day when Loki would return.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.

It's a love story, baby, just say yes"

The ache of Loki’s absence lingered, leaving an empty space that seemed impossible to fill.

You navigated the routines of life, haunted by memories of shared moments and the laughter that echoed through corridors now too quiet.

•a few years later•

You stood before your father, a solemn determination in your eyes. Your father, concerned about the stability of his kingdom, had proposed an alliance through marriage to a prince from a neighboring kingdom. However, you, guided by your love for Loki spoke your truth.

"My dear days, this union is crucial for the prosperity of our kingdom. Prince Dominic is a worthy match, and the alliance will strengthen our realm."

Romeo, save me, they're trying to tell me how to feel

"Father, I appreciate your concern for our kingdom, but my heart belongs to another. Loki, who went into distant lands to protect us, is the one I await."

"Loki is presumed lost, and we cannot delay vital alliances for a hope that may not materialize. Dominic is noble and willing to forge a strong bond with our kingdom."

This love is difficult, but it's real

"Father, my heart tells me Loki will return. I cannot pledge my heart to another when it already belongs to him. I will wait for Loki, for his love is the anchor that guides me." You said standing your ground.

Your father, torn between duty and his daughter's unwavering love, sighed deeply.

Don't be afraid, we'll make it out of this mess

"My dear daughter, I understand your feelings, but we must prioritize the kingdom's stability. Let us hope for Loki's safe return, but we cannot put our future on hold indefinitely."

Meanwhile, unaware of the ongoing conversation, Loki had just returned and after hearing the news about your arranged marriage he sought with your father to request the your hand in marriage.

It's a love story, baby, just say yes

“Your Majesty, I come with the utmost respect and sincerity. I've grown deeply fond of your daughter, and I wish to ask for her hand in marriage.”

Oh, oh-oh

I got tired of waiting

“Prince Loki, while I appreciate your candor, I have reservations about a union that may complicate our diplomatic relations.”

Wondering if you were ever coming around

“Your Majesty, I am committed to fostering a strong bond between our realms. My love for your daughter is genuine, and I believe together we can bridge any divides.”

My faith in you was fading

As Loki persisted in his plea, expressing his dedication to both the princess and the prosperity of their kingdoms, your father found himself grappling with a decision that balanced matters of the heart and the stability of the realm.

When I met you on the outskirts of town

“Prince Loki, your sincerity has not gone unnoticed. I shall grant my consent, but I implore you to approach this union with the commitment and diplomacy it deserves.”

And I said

And so, after persistent appeals, the love between you and Loki triumphed over political considerations. The kingdom awaited a union that would not only bind two hearts but also forge a new chapter in the history of their realms.

•the wedding day•

The grandeur of the royal palace was adorned with cascading flowers, sparkling crystals, and an air of anticipation as guests gathered to witness the union of two souls destined for each other.

"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone

The ceremony took place in the palace courtyard, where an ornate archway adorned with blossoms framed the couple, symbolizing the intertwining of their lives.

I keep waiting for you, but you never come

Prince Loki, resplendent in regal attire, stood at the altar, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and affection as he awaited his beloved.

Is this in my head? I don't know what to think"

You, radiant in a gown that seemed to capture the essence of moonlight, descended the grand staircase.

He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring

As you walked towards Loki, a hush fell over the gathered assembly, captivated by the ethereal beauty of the moment.

And said

Underneath a canopy of stars, Loki and you exchanged vows in a magical courtyard.

"Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone

"I promise not to play too many tricks, my love, except when it comes to stealing your heart every day." He smirks teasing you.

I love you, and that's all I really know

"And I promise to see past your mischief, cherishing the kind and tender soul beneath. Our journey will be a grand adventure, Loki."

I talked to your dad, go pick out a white dress

With rings exchanged and a kiss sealing your vows, the celebration echoed with laughter and music.

It's a love story, baby, just say yes"

"To us, my enchanting bride!"

Oh, oh-oh

"To forever, my mischievous groom!"

Oh, oh-oh, oh

As you danced under the moonlit sky, the union of Loki and you became a tale whispered in the winds of the enchanted realm.

'Cause we were both young when I first saw you.

[bl00dlight]

hi! sorry if you’ve already touched on this, but i was wondering why you think the show decided to have helaena tell aemond his fate? i didnt read the books so i could be wrong about this lol but i don’t think aemond was made aware of what would happen to him before leaving for harrenhal, so could this change be significant? esp if he takes helaena’s visions seriously, i wonder if this will change the way aemonds story unfolds/the decisions he makes. i wish they had more screentime together this season because it wouldve been cool to see aemond start putting stock in helaenas visions only to learn the truth about his own death and then ultimately embrace it by heading to harrenhal anyway.

I mean WHY they put it in - I honestly don't know. There was speculation about the books that Alys might have told Aemond his future?

And it's obviously Helaena and Alys are meant to parallel each other. But at this point I think the writers put it in there to give Helaena a reason to deny Aemond, because she knows there isn't any point in his mission, ostensibly because he is completely right in asking for Helaena's help. Like undoubtedly.

I think from Helaena's viewpoint perhaps it's because she is jaded/ so detached that she doesn't care, that she is trying to get Aemond to see how his ambition will cost him his life, maybe?

But it's hard to say. I'm ngl I honestly don't know Helaena's motivations anymore, I'm really confused about what she is / what drives her character anymore? She seems to be connected to Alys Rivers and apparently both of them know each other?

Yea unfortunately this last episode has really confused me, and everything is super inconsistent. I wouldn't have minded Helaena being connected with Alys- but I don't like that she suddenly has this new found agency in her powers when she seemingly couldn't understand them like... only a few months ago in show the timeline? And we haven't seen the process of her understanding them... and Phia Saban describes them as "feelings" but.... we get full blown astral projection from her. So yea I wish I had a better answer. But my ass is confused.

[dedalvs]

I have two questions!

1 - Have you read all ASOIAF books? If yes, which is your favorite?

2 - What are your favorites books and why?

Thanks in advance ☺️❤️

I have! I think the third one was my favorite.

Some of my favorites books are:

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev

Oblomov by Ivan Goncharov

Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov

The Manuscript Found in Saragossa by Jan Potocki

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

True Grit by Charles Portis

The Castle by Franz Kafka

The Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass by Fredrick Douglass

Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Sundiata by D. T. Niane

Paradise Lost by John Milton

Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

At this point I'm just copying stuff down from a book review site I used to have. I used to read a whooooooooole lot, but I haven't much recently. :( Maybe I'll get back to it some day. My favorite author is Virginia Woolf. There's nothing more enjoyable than reading something by her—anything. When it comes to a put-together book, though, I think To the Lighthouse is her best. The others I've read are a joy to read, but the end, they don't necessarily come together as well as a book, if that makes sense. Now I haven't read them all. I've read To the Lighthouse, Mrs. Dalloway, Jacob's Room, and Orlando. If I were to recommend a second one, it would be Orlando, which is a real adventure to read. But her writing is unlike any other. I adore her work.

Lately I've been rereading some of my favorites aloud to my daughter after school. We read The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers, and we've now gone through four books by Tove Jansson: The Moomins and the Great Flood, Comet in Moominland, Finn Family Moomintroll, and Moominpappa's Memoirs. Next up is Moominsummer Madness before things get dark. lol But she's been enjoying them. I love Tove Jansson. She refused to write anything other than what she felt. (One of the reasons Finn Family Moomintroll was so odd. She felt a million eyes on her for perhaps the first time, and she was nervous. She settled back in after that.) There's also random things in there. In Moominpappa's Memoirs there's a drawing she did that's a send-up of Picasso's Guernica when Edward the Booble saves them at the end. I should put a picture of it, because I'm not sure anyone noticed... At least I can't find anything on the internet (probably searching wrong).

Anyway, that's some stuff.

[francesminos-tt]

thoughts abt EP 3?

One word to describe my thoughts of ep3 will be simply, disappointed. This show just keeps delivering the worst takes and destroy every single one of the characters, and it has become quite annoying, to be honest.

I will start with what I do like about ep3. I think Baela is my favorite character so far, or perhaps the show runners haven't gotten time to destroy her yet. Baela seems reasonable, brave, compassionate, and has a general grasp of politics that sadly few characters do in this reason. Alys is another pleasant surprise. I like her looks, and the mystique around her is quite intriguing, making me wonder what her real agenda is. I just hope the show doesn't let her be Daemon’s lover (since they deleted Nettles, so if Rhaenyra is going to suspect Daemon of cheating, the only possible choice now is Alys). Also, I like the opening scene of Blackwoods and Bracken having a scribble. It shows us the grudges of these two houses, and the actors did a fairly good job at creating a teenager fighting scene LOL. But, I have to point out, I do not like the show just omitting the whole battle of the Burning Mill. This battle is not of large scale, but it shows the power dynamics of the Riverlands, and is the first battle to draw blood in the Dance. It also introduces characters like Black Aly, who is another amazing female character that has her own importance in the Dance, but the show never gives them a chance to shine.

Now, move on to things I don't like, which are quite a lot. Firstly, I hate most of the characters in this episode, including Rhaenyra, but what makes me furious the most is the show’s depiction of Rhaenys and Corlys. Rhaenys is the epitome of a proud and fierce Targaryen, and she will not tolerate usurpers. She died fighting said usurpers. She is not naive enough to believe that peace is still possible after the death of Luke and Jaehaerys. I mean, wake up. Even Aegon knows better to sack Otto and promote Cole, because he needs a Hand who knows how to lead a battle instead of a mere politician. Actually, I think what makes Otto and Tywin essentially different is that Tywin is not only a politician, but also a military strategist. Rhaenys’s view sounds way too modern. It is the show runner’s attempt to impose modern values on a fantasy world that is known for its cruelty and savagery. Also, I despise Corlys and his hypocrisy in this episode. Wdym he just simply ignores Rhaena and Joffrey as his heir? Has the show runners even read the original book? Even if Corlys doesn't want Joffrey, who is allegedly a bastard, he has no reason to set Rhaena aside. Rhaena doesn't have a dragon (yet)? Fine, but guess what, Addam doesn't either! From last episode, I don't think Addam has already claimed Seasmoke. Even if he did, it is just stupid for Corlys to ignore Rhaena. Whoever Addam’s father is, even if he is legitimized, Addam was still once a bastard, so it is wise to strength Addam’s claim by betrothing him and Rhaena (that’s the reason of Luke and Rhaena’s betrothal in S1). I know the show is just trying to follow the book, where Rhaena and Joff is sent to the Vale and Corlys recognizes Addam as his heir. But. The book has some legit reasons of doing so. First, in the book, Joffrey is betrothed to the Manderlys in White Harbor, so Rhaena cannot marry him, which is a typical practice in medieval times to marry the bride to the groom’s brothers should the groom die prematurely. Second, Corlys recognizes Addam after he claims Seasmoke, and is based on the claim that Addam is Laenor’s son, not Corlys’s own (true or not, this is the right parentage to claim). Third, he did this after Rhaenys died. If Corlys does what he does in the show, he will anger three Targaryens, Rhaenyra, Rhaenys and Daemon, and why would he do that? Who will give Addam’s offspring a dragon egg or the chance to claim a dragon? Targaryens hold all the dragon resources, and that’s the source of their power. Corlys wants dragons for the Velaryons, and I assume he wants more than one. The show changes so many things that, at this point, letting the characters do what they did in the book seems very out of character.

Lastly, I don't even want to talk about Rhaenyra’s trip to KL. I see her fallout with Daemon as her unable to trust him anymore because Daemon did things behind her back, but what Rhaenyra did is more outrageous and unreasonable that I think it is this behavior that drives her ally away, not the allegation of baby killer. Let me explain. Imagine you are a noble supporting the Blacks. You send troops and resources to help the Queen’s cause, because one, you honor your oath, and two, you want to have some kind of reward or benefits after her grace takes back the throne. What will you think, if you find out your queen puts herself in danger by sneaking into enemy territory to try and negotiate peace? Is she negotiating peace, or planning to bend the knee? What will happen to your house if Rhaenyra just gives up her throne and the Greens begin the political purge? If I am a Black supporter, and I hear of Rhaenyra’s doing, I will seriously consider the possibility of switching sides. Another point I want to make is that, Rhaenyra’s visit is not only unnecessary, but also useless. I don’t think Alicent is an eligible negotiator in the first place. Even if she agrees to the peace, what difference will she make? Is she able to convince her son and the council to accept the peace treaty? I don't think so. She doesn't even seem to have an ounce of power over Larys, let alone Aegon. And if you think Aemond will support her, you don't know Aemond at all. At this point, I don't even care about Aegon’s sly and Aemond’s cock at this point, because they are not even close to other shitty characterizations.

All in all, I don't like this episode, and it’s fair to say I don't like this season so far. The only thing that keeps me going is Gwayne’s face card.

Thank you for attending my Ted talk.

[not-terezi-pyrope]

re: the post about the hunger games, i agree that the series isn't saying that secular humanism is wrong/destructive (since the capitol doesn't seem to be pursuing humanism at all, so idk how it'd be criticizing humanism specifically), but there are a few mentions of religion being erased/suppressed in the books (like katniss not knowing what angels are when she sees a painting of them, some references to any belief in an afterlife being viewed as "backward"), so some people may be interpreting that as a sign that the loss of religion is part of what made panem Dystopian. personally, i feel like that might be a reference to the (french) cult of reason or various countries that have enforced state atheism instead? or just an example of how the capitol wants to erase history and doesn't want anyone to have loyalty to anything but the state, both of which are pretty common motives for dystopian dictatorships, i feel like? but (especially since the author is catholic) apparently this sometimes gets interpreted in a christian allegory way. i'm not religious at all so i'm not defending that as the right interpretation or anything -- it makes more sense in my mind to say that the absence of religion is just one facet of this fictional society being cut off from a lot of cultural practices. like, this is a version of north america where (seemingly) no one has a name that comes from any non-european language (!!!), but it's also rare for people to know that rome ever existed. that stood out to me way more than the mentions of religion, but if you're analyzing it in a catholic way, idk. sorry for the long-windedness lol

Oh, yeah, if you read it as being a statement on "authoritarian suppression of religious freedom" then that makes a lot more sense. The absence of religion in Star Trek (as I have seen it described - I haven't engaged too much with the Trek shows myself) seems silly and perhaps even a little sinister, as I am not of the school of thought that believes that building a secular society means that individuals would all abandon their religious heritage, even if it became less prominent and more philosophical than dogmatic due to natural shifts in perspective. The Hunger Games being a more realistic portrayal of a society in which religion has been eradicated by state intervention, with said state being a dystopia, yeah, sure, that makes sense.

The silly thing that OP did however is equating the eradication of religion with secular humanism, and speaks to the specific bogeymen that they are imagining in their head. From my perspective, freedom of religious belief is pretty solidly a humanist value! And the "secular" part of "secular humanism" is an approach to building society, not a doctrine that must be evangelized to individuals. But I imagine if you're an "evangelical" (in the sense of, "true belief must be spread") Catholic it must be hard to wrap your head around that, lol.

[septembermonologues]

Ten people I'd like to know better!

Tagged by: @threewishgoldfish (it's like you knew i've been thinking about the anakin skywalkerism of this dorian of yours again)

last song: "What Did You Learn In School Today?" by pete seeger (i've been getting into his stuff beyond his top three the last few days for... no particular reason.)

favorite color: blue! everyone thinks i'm lying when i tell them but i only surround myself with green because i'm a pale ginger so it's like the only color that compliments me lol

last book: currently reading the vampire lestat and finished interview with the vampire right before it (also reading who's afraid of gender? by judith butler and sword of destiny by andrzej sapkowski in the background because i have a problem and can't just pick one thing)

last movie: last non-rewatch movie was we live in time! it was very good. i will say that it's a perfect watch curled up on the couch at home once it's out of theaters movie so if you didn't see it in theaters you aren't missing anything

last tv show: i finally started derry girls on friday! i got six-ish episodes in and im really enjoying it so far

sweet/spicy/savory: savory in the sense that if i'm going for a snack i almost always want something salty first

relationship status: never been more single in my life i fear

last thing I googled: just a shit ton of different things about the star wars prequel movies lol

current obsession: interview with the vampire/the vampire chronicles, although i fear my life-long latent star wars obsession is creeping back in

looking forward to: hm... my friend i haven't seen in months should be in town later this week and we're hopefully going to be able to meet to catch up!

No-pressure tagging: @annemarieyeretzian (cheating perhaps), @ginkgos-of-spring, @miinsang (also cheating probably), @lfleming221-blog , @sweaterkitty-fluff, @ghostsies , @robinticism , @pink-lightsabre , @daggersandarrows , @ineffablegender

[lynnie-ee]

Day 9; What if.

╰┈➤"Silver watches you from afar at the library, never adventurous enough to talk to you. Will he gather the courage to do so, or will it be too late by then?"

╰►Gender neutral reader, one-shot, 1.4k words. Angst in the final part.

╰► Character: Silver.

╰►Note: The prompts are based on words I found interesting and then I put them on a roulette to decide when I would write about them, lol. English is not my first language, so please let me know if there are any grammatical mistakes <3. Not proof read, I haven't written in a long time, so I apologise if anything is out of character.

╰►Masterlist / Inktober Masterlist.

⤿

⤿

You look pretty when you're concentrated.

That’s what Silver believes.

That’s what he has thought for months now, observing you from afar but never actually speaking to you. He had no reason for it, he reasoned. You weren’t classmates, you weren’t in the same year, you weren’t part of the same club as him, and you didn’t go to Diasomnia often. But still, he found comfort in observing you after class, two tables away from you in the library, too focused to even notice his gaze.

Lilia had suggested to him the library as a better place to study, saying that maybe he wouldn’t fall asleep so quickly there, with so many people around, but he wouldn’t be too distracted by sudden noises, as he would be in Diasomnia, and Silver followed his advice.

The first day he failed, horribly. He chose a corner that was way too lonely, making him fall asleep through the whole evening before the librarian went to him to ask him to leave due to the late hours.

The second day was better, as he chose a more transited table, with enough people passing around to keep him alert. But it was way too crowded, and when he got up to look for another book, someone else had already taken his seat.

On the third day, he found a nice spot, with few people and a lot of silence. He took a seat at the table next to the window, and that’s when he saw you. He knew who you were, as everyone in the school. A magicless student from another world wasn’t often seen around, after all, but you never had the opportunity to talk before.

And he found encouragement in how dedicated you seemed to read the giant books that awaited next to you, all of them providing you with information about a world you knew nothing about yet. At first, he gazed at you when he felt himself about to fall asleep, but a few weeks later, he watched you just for the sake of it.

His father had spoken to him about the concept of love at first sight, quite a lot of times, but he never thought much of it. He was a knight, he had a duty and no space for anything else for anything but his family, even less for affections originated from things as superficial as someone’s appearance.

But then he saw you, and it was more than that.

And you started to greet him after weeks of sitting on the same spots of the library, as you thought it’d be polite to do so, getting surprised at the soft reddish tone that appeared on Silver’s cheeks when you spoke to him. You never believed he’d be such a shy person.

From then on, you still sat in the same seats, but would engage in conversation, from time to time, even if it wasn’t often, as you were occupied most of the time with the pile of books that always followed you, never becoming smaller. Silver, on the other hand, was also busy with his homework, which he could finish faster if he hadn’t started to daydream as he gazed at you.

“Hi, Silver, had you been doing well?”

“Yes, I have, thank you for asking.” He answered with his usual blunt voice. “I’ve seen you struggle with History of Magic, perhaps you’d need help with it.” He’d add nonchalantly.

“I’d appreciate it, thanks for the offer.” You’d answer with a soft smile.

Yet he remained silent, not being able to offer his help, as you quickly went to your seat after the brief greeting. You had a test for tomorrow and no time to lose. And he had a report to finish for Crewel’s class, one that would be finished already if it wasn’t for his gazing habits.

“Lilia told me you were good at physical training, is that right?” You asked one day, as you carried your books as usual.

“He's right. As a knight, it’s important to have great strength.”

“Would you mind helping with a certain exercise Vargas taught us? It’s far more complex than I thought and I’d like to know before the next class.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t mind helping if I can.”

“Thank you, Silver.”

From then on, and after he had helped you with the exercise, you’d speak more often. About school, about your friends, about his training. About the restaurant you’ve been wanting to go to for the past month. About how he was free the next Saturday. About you telling him that Grim would stay with Ace and Deuce for the weekend. About him saying he had errands to run that day. About you asking him if he’d like to stop by the restaurant to join you for lunch.

Then you started to hang out at Diasomnia more frequently, saying it was nice and quiet as long as Sebek wasn’t around. It was natural, Silver thought, as you were Malleus’ friend, Sebek’s classmate, and an avid fan of the Pop Music Club, of which Lilia was part. You had a lot of reasons to be there, he believed, and he didn’t think much of it when you stayed even if it was only him, without Malleus, Sebek or Lilia.

But one day you’d stayed late, none of you noticing the darkness outside, too concentrated for it. Silver was quite proud of himself, getting focused enough to read for long hours, only noticing how much time had passed as he felt a light weight on his shoulder. You had fallen asleep. 'How funny', he thought, he was usually the one doing that.

So, he put all your books in your backpack and picked you up to carry you towards Ramshackle.

When he went back to his dorm, he realized. Was there something different in the way he held you, as if he was carrying a rare treasure? Or in the fondness he felt when you thanked him half asleep for bringing you home? Or in Lilia’s teasing when he arrived at Diasomnia, as he claimed to have raised a Prince Charming who treated his beloved with kindness?

But he knew he was no Prince. He was a knight, with a duty. To Lord Malleus. To his father. To his family.

Yet, when you confessed that you saw differently, one day, in the middle of the library, he couldn’t bring himself to reject you, too enamoured by the affection of your gaze and the tenderness of your voice.

'A knight can also be capable of love', Lilia had told him when he confided his worries.

You were perfect for him, after all. He could imagine you accompanying him through his training. Staying for the night at Diasomnia. Getting close to all the people he adored deeply. Fighting with Sebek at late hours when he wouldn’t allow you to have a night snack. Backing away when Lilia offered to make it for you. Laughing with Malleus as Sebek and him would try to convince the vicehousewarden to stay away from the kitchen. Coming back with him to his room to sleep in each other’s arms.

Coming back to his homeland with you for the holidays. Sending you letters when he was away in his fourth year. You moving to Briar Valley after graduation. Malleus becoming king and making him one of his main knights. Coming back home at night to your smile, after long days.

But then he blinked, once, twice, thrice. He had been falling asleep more often, lately. His eyelids were too heavy for him to avoid it, he couldn’t blame himself for it. He turned away his gaze from the window, looking at the seat that was two tables away.

The seat was empty.

It had become unbearable, the loneliness of that place. You wouldn’t come back with him to Diasomnia, or to Briar Valley, or to a home that was both yours and his.

You wouldn’t come back at all.

He was a knight, he couldn’t leave himself failing once again, as he had already failed the duty he had to you.

Only leaving him dreaming of what could have been if you hadn’t put yourself in front of him when Malleus attacked him during his overblot. If he had protected you from the pain and the fear that he observed in your eyes as you faded away in his arms.

Now you only existed in his dreams, and it wasn’t enough for him.

⤿

⤿

[greaseonmymouth]

i am perhaps several years (and books*) late to this but I've been wondering where the hell does Carl live. I put him in Brøndby in my latest fic** based on nothing but the vibes of his terraced house as seen in the films - a common type of house in suburbs of Copenhagen and considering the colour of the wood and bricks inside the house it's probably one of those solidly built mid-century brick houses rather than a modern one with cement and cladding - and for some reason I couldn't put my finger on, this particular one gave me a Vestegnen vibe rather than a, say, Amager vibe or Nordsjælland vibe idk. so I went with Brøndby

and now I think? I might have been right??

I was rewatching Kvinden i Buret again, as you do, and at the start of he film as the intro credits roll, we see Carl commute in on the S-train. as the train pulls away we see it's a Linje B train (that green square on the back of the train is the Linje B marker). (Copenhagen central station, KBH H, is a mere 6 minute walk from politigården.)

the interior view of the train, which I do not have a screenshot of because I kept getting a black screen for some stupid reason, shows the stops in the background but it's too blurry to make out where on the line he is so he could be coming in from the north rather than the west, but I'm choosing to believe he came from the west. he could be as far out as Albertslund but I think Brøndby is a better fit for like...his general vibe. he just doesn't seem like somebody who'd enjoy living in a snobby area, lol.

depending on where he lives in Brøndby his stop would either be Glostrup, Brøndbyøster (both Linje B) or Brøndby Strand (Linje A), but since he came in on Linje B and not Linje A (blue) and since Brøndby Strand is more of a villakvarter type area I think somewhere along the west end of Linje B makes sense. i mean he could also have been dissociating on the platform for long enough that his Linje A train has left and the next Linje B train has pulled in instead, but I don't think that's very likely

*haven't read them

**for those who don't know: Assad's argument that it's easier to get to work from Nørrebro is absolute garbage, or at least it was up until 2019! the s-train commute from Glostrup to KBH H is like 20 minutes direct but from Nørrebro you had to take 1-2 buses to get into KBH H and either way it would take you at least 30 minutes. unless you cycle, in which case you can make it in like 15 minutes, but neither Carl nor Assad strike me as cycle commuters so moot point, and driving to work when you live and work that centrally is just fucking stupid, neither of them seems to have a car either (the car they are using in the film seems to be a 'company car' even though it doesn't have yellow plates). in September 2019 the new Metro ring (Cityringen) opened which does have a direct line through Nørrebro and into KBH H and also takes about 20 minutes. in-fic by the time Assad makes that argument, I am reckoning the timeline of him convincing Carl to move in with him is in the second half of 2019, so he's right, but he also had to time his argument very very carefully lmao

[scoobydoodean]

I think some of the "Sam thinks Dean is stupid" stuff comes the repeat "joke" of him constantly being surprised when Dean reads or knows literary references lol

Sure. You know what I think this is also a function of though? Dean saying things like, "Dude, could you be any more gay?" in 3.05 because Sam remembers the story of Cinderella. Actively supporting a narrative that he does not like reading or at least certain types of books (I actually think maybe Dean isn't a huge fan of classic fairy tales for various reasons but I digress). Also Dean often frames Sam as the researcher and himself as the do-er. Even in season 1, where Dean's competence at hunting alone (both the researching side and the actual killing part) is very evident, in Scarecrow, he jokes, "I’m actually on my way to a local community college. I’ve got an appointment with a professor. You know, since I don’t have my trusty sidekick geek boy to do all the research." He allows this narrative of himself versus Sam to persist, except when he doesn't and goes, "What? I read" ("Baby" is one example). (Really he just likes keeping Sam on his toes and constantly turning the tables to remind him that there are things he does not know jhvdshggvzhsdvhsa.)

Dean seems to be an avid reader of fiction and he extensively incorporates his consumption of media (watched, read) into pop culture references throughout the series. He loves a good story. He is also an extremely competent researcher when he wants to be... but there are also suggestions that Dean most of the time doesn't particularly enjoy the research grind. Sam? Well—he does seem to have a fondness for fairy tales specifically, but he's that nerd who looks at a call number from the Library of Congress and goes, "This references sciences and probably birds specifically". Also the kind of nerd who would probably work up a whole reference system for the bunker library, which I think Dean would do if he had to--but he wouldn't enjoy doing it and I think Sam is the kind of person who would actively enjoy doing that.

Dean's relationship to research comes across very ADHD to me personally in the mid to late series. Like he can suddenly be sitting for hours doing research if that is what he NEEDS to be doing in that moment and there's some real urgency to that need. But most of the time I think looking through tomes for hours and hours searching for an obscure spell is not what he would like to be doing, and Sam kind of enjoys that shit. I also think perhaps Sam has trouble understanding the difference between the two ways he and Dean relate to books and how both of them like reading but for different reasons, and that not enjoying what he enjoys about research does not mean you don't enjoy reading books generally. But Dean also contributes to this narrative of "Sam is the researcher, and I do not like books", like in 13.17 (because they are about to spend hours and hours researching) saying very sarcastically, "I love books!"

As an aside though also, thinking your brother doesn't like to read also doesn't mean you think he's stupid. There are many reasons not to like reading. Facts about me: I loved to read novels as a child and now I hate reading novels. I can enjoy reading only VERY selectively, have a very short attention span for reading certain types of materials, and haven't picked up a novel in years because I don't want to. But I also have a Masters degree and am working on a PhD. I also don't believe formal education is always a great indicator of intelligence, but neither is not reading books. When Sam gets really scathing and jokes about how "Yes I read books without pictures even", I don't think that is something he would say if he genuinely believed Dean was stupid.

[khaleesiofalicante]

But, out of all the people in the room, the one who looks most surprised is David. He blinks at Max rapidly, as if Max didn’t speak French, but grew two heads instead

I was waiting for David's heart attack when Max first spoke French and he did not disappoint

We should do a collab,” Kitty grins. “People will lose their shit.”

Max doesn’t say yes or no. All he knows is that he can’t say anything without the Comms team approving it first. “Sounds good. I just need to-”

“Perhaps we should start?” David clears his throat. “We do need to catch a flight to Marseille after this.”

The jealous David in this fic is off the charts and they haven't even slept together, this is the best jealous David has a special place in my heart

“I think it really depends on the genre we’re talking about,” David shrugs. “Max quite likes 80’s rock bands. You know, Metallica, AC/DC, The Smiths and the sorts. But if we’re talking more modern singers, he quite likes Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, The Weeknd. He’s quite obsessed with Doja Cat these days.”

Max blinks.

Did…Did Anjali put all of that into his fact sheet? She must have. Otherwise, how would David know all of that? Anjali must’ve done it. She is very thorough after all.

I first read this and I though Anjali didn't put all of these in the spread sheet did she? And then I read about David's obsession with Max and oh I can't wait for Max to find out about it, I just know I'll love it!

He points at David who looks like a little murderous for no reason. Maybe he doesn’t want to attend Coachella either. Good.

Did I save and cherish every bit of jealous David I could find? Yes, what of it?

Why do you look pissed?” Max demands.

“You’re the one who sounds like it,” David replies.

“Yeah, because you’re pissed at me for no reason,” Max argues. “I didn’t even do-”

“Cameras,” Uncle Jace says from behind them just as the elevator door opens.

Max smiles. David does too.

Okay that was kinda sad, how they have to put on a mask immediately. But also kinda funny

Max takes off his hoodie and throws it away. “Go on. Take a picture. Actually, take several. I need to pick the best one.”

“Um,” David blinks at him.

Pour David is out there fighting for his life and Max has no idea😂 The way Max is so oblivious here is so hilarious, I just love their interactions so much

Maybe he can help his family win the Devlins to their side.

Nooo, trauma reaction was big here.Max, babe run. Run the other way. Run fast and hard and never look back

He will never be enough, and he will always be a little wrong

Nooooo Max nooooo, David come here and make your man feel better!

Random thoughts:

Okay, Max talking about the woman Rafael is gonna end up with when he is in Coachella only to get a text from Anjali immediately after? Amazing✨️

Also, Madeleine saying she loves Sabrina and Sabrina being her daughters cast? I see you👀

And of course, David never having someone to try and do things for him and Max never having someone willing to hear his thoughts. Them giving each other what no one else gave them. I am love them🥹

This "getting to know you" chapters was my favourite and I was sooo tempted to keep writing more scenes of it lol.

Also not Max learning all kinds of things about David and David be like 'I could write a book about you' lol. My stalker king 😇

[vialae]

Past life Durge asks for Kaidos:

2. Did they keep anything from their old family and home? A memento or a skill perhaps? 6. Bhaal loves money; did your Durge inherit that trait? Do they enjoy luxuries or try to live a frugal life, giving their all for their temple? 12. Durge gave a gold coin to a beggar once; why did they do it? Did this occur regularly? Bonus ask: whichever question you wanted to answer most but haven't been asked :)

under the read more again bc i cant keep my answers short and concise lol. thank you for the asks though, i really am enjoying writing these out!!

2. Did they keep anything from their old family and home? A memento or a skill perhaps?

I've been wanting a reason to talk about his family!! I think I've only ever briefly mentioned them in one fic before, but his adoptive family were a tiefling mother (Innise Escaris) and human father (Kadin Escaris. yes they were people who named their kids after themselves. he has a human sister called Inqine). They owned and ran an apothecary in the Lower City, so Kaidos grew up around all sorts of potions and remedies. Pre-tadpole, he had memories of watching his mother nurse children with nasty coughs and overworked fisherman with achy joints seemingly instantly. In his child mind, it seemed like magic.

As soon as he was old enough to be trusted with holding the bottles and the ingredients, he would readily help his parents mix together whatever the people needed. At night, he would take the books on medicine and read them under his covers.

Although a quiet and awkward kid, he knew a hell of a lot about Medicine early on, and it has stuck with him.

6. Bhaal loves money; did your Durge inherit that trait? Do they enjoy luxuries or try to live a frugal life, giving their all for their temple?

He is a sucker for a rich fabric or two. His favourite wine is Suzailian Sweet, so keeping that stocked up can get pretty pricey too. Whenever people come to Bhaal's temple with contracts, Kaidos will typically give himself the higher paying ones (under the excuse that he knows the Upper City better than most others in the temple do) and leave those in the Outer City/Rivington, etc. for lesser Bhaalians. His followers still got their fair share, but certainly not as much as Kaidos did.

After all, he is Bhaal's son.

12. Durge gave a gold coin to a beggar once; why did they do it? Did this occur regularly?

Despite how pampered he was in the temple, Kaidos could still remember what he was like before that time. In the time after his family was gone (by his own hands) but before the luxury of the temple, he did live in abject poverty.

Kaidos had personally been in that beggar's position before, so it really struck a chord with him to see others like that too. To know how bitter and unfeeling the city could be to others, to have been on the receiving end of such a cold shoulder.

The cocktail of feelings he would have felt at the time likely would have panicked him, knowing that the temple would not look favourably upon acts of charity to souls that would have otherwise gone unmissed.

Giving money away would not have been a common occurrence, but when it did happen, it was probably when Kaidos thought Sceleritas Fel wasn't looking.

Bonus/whichever one I want to pick: 9. What would a typical meeting of the chosen have looked like when your Durge attended?

I just wanna talk about them arguing again!!

By the point where they are Chosen and in Moonrise, Kaidos would have been insufferably bratty 'dont you know who my dad is' type of stuck up. Gortash would have found ways around that particular attitude (and probably ways to use it to his advantage to manipulate kai) but I really feel like Ketheric would not stand for it at all.

Kaidos with a nasty attitude, talking at rather than to other attendees of the meeting. Ketheric bluntly letting him know that shit doesn't fly under his roof. Gortash making small remarks to instigate and further encourage Kaidos. Kaidos taking the bait, and it ends up with Bhaal and Myrkul's Chosen arguing for the nth time.

Kaidos is very good at what he does, but he is absolutely awful to try and talk to unless your name is Enver Gortash and you figured him out on day one.