#queen of the western wastes

[eudaimonia83]

Manon Blackbeak Targaryen Crochan 🐉

think of all the titles she could have. She’d rival Daenerys for epithets. Last Queen of the Crochans…Scourge of the Stygian Spiders…Wingleader…Keeper of Wyrdkeys…Blackbeak Matron…Queen of the Witches…Queen of the Wastes. 😍 (oh yea and Queen of Adarlan too bc CMON 🔥)

🩸𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙱𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚔🩸

Throne of Glass x Game of Thrones crossover for this month’s sticker! Check out my pAtreon to sign up! https://patreon.com/s_holdthebus

[ajaxgb]

Okay no I need to talk about the book version of Howl's Moving Castle. I love the movie but the book has such a different vibe and you, yes you, should read it.

Movie Howl is a soulful and quiet. Book Howl is a drama queen and Causing Problems and has a long string of jilted exes and couldn't shut up if you paid him.

Sophie and Howl drive each other up the wall at the beginning and it's really funny. Sophie and Howl are (despite themselves) very much in love by the end and they still drive each other up the wall and it's even funnier.

In the movie, Howl has been ordered by the king to participate in The War, and Howl is avoiding it because he is a brave conscientious objector. In the book, Howl has been ordered by the king to rescue his lost brother from the Witch of the Wastes, and Howl is avoiding it by any means necessary because he is a cowardly weasel who wants to stay as far from the Witch as possible.

In the movie, the Witch cursed Sophie because she was jealous about Howl speaking to Sophie for five minutes. In the book, the Witch cursed Sophie because Sophie had been doing surprisingly powerful magic for years without knowing it and it was actually starting to cut into the Witch's plans. (Sophie does not discover any of this until nearly the end of the book, but the reader can start to pick it up much earlier and the way Sophie's magic works is pretty darn cool.)

In the movie, there's a rumor that Howl eats the hearts of maidens, but this is implied to be nothing but nasty fearmongering. In the book, there's a rumor that Howl eats the hearts of maidens because Howl started the rumor so people would stop asking him to do wizard junk all the time.

The book lightly parodies a couple of tropes from Western fairy tales. In particular Sophie has internalized that, as the eldest of three sisters, her "destiny" is to fail so that her younger sisters will look cooler when they succeed, which is why she's so resigned to the hat shop at the beginning. (Sidebar: Sophie's sisters come up much more in the book and they're great.) There's also a really funny bit where Sophie attempts to operate a pair of seven-league boots.

In the movie, the fourth and final location that the magic door connects to is some sort of black void / mindscape / time portal dealy. In the book the fourth location is Wales, in the UK, on Earth, so that Howl can visit his family, because from Howl's perspective this is an isekai story.

[lunarriviera]

the huo daofu round-up post i have been threatening for a really long time now

Thinking about this man, I was just admitting to chat "honestly cannot believe how much life energy i have invested in such a minor character" but the truth of the matter is, I was mildly obsessed with Huo Daofu from Reboot alone; his odd unresolved backstory in Sha Hai just cemented my mental formation. Because let's be real, in a world of overly earnest tomb raiders, this man is a goddamn catty delight. The dainty bitterness! The barely concealed eye-rolling! So many impeccable That Bitch vibes. And his unimpressed snark is honestly such a refreshing antidote to Wu Xie's whole everyone-loves-him Marty Sue thing that even when you discover Huo Daofu secretly ALSO loves him, you don't mind, because by that point Dr. Youtiao is a savage queen who can do no wrong.

And He Longlong clearly made this guy up. In the novels he's just sort of a vaguely beardy guy who drives a truck, that's literally all I remember him ever doing. But someone cast this man, and they gave him some rubber bands and pizza coupons and chewed gum of a script to work with, and he promptly decided: I will make him extremely gay. And staggeringly bitchy. AND IT WORKS. He devours every frame he's in, he steals every scene. It's a performance worthy of Alan Rickman and yes I will die upon this hill.

We all know the bitchy-ex-boyfriend scenes in Reboot—"oh my god I literally can't wait for you to perish from lungs" and then Huo Daofu spends like every moment trying to keep Wu Xie alive, sheltering him uselessly from the rain with his hand, rubbing his back when he coughs, looking (when no one's watching but the camera) like he's maybe going to stop breathing himself, when Wu Xie does.

Apparently Huo Daofu's name sounds very silly in Chinese which I think is appropriate for someone who apparently (?) grew up in Germany (?) and went to the University of Heidelberg (?) (honestly don't waste time trying to figure out DMBJ canon, NPSS has thoughtfully ensured that will only be exhausting and futile). Spurious medical qualifications aside, he's super handy in fanfic, too, when you need a sketchy doctor, as all tomb-raiding mob families invariably do.

[someone once pointed out to me that this combination of degree topics basically translates into "how to dispose of bodies"]

I could also hold forth on him and Yang Hao—like, Su Wan alone makes it REAL clear that Huo Daofu's interest in the kid isn't just avuncular or entrepreneurial:

"Are you working for him, or are you working for him?" And Su Wan should be protective, because Yang Hao is honestly kind of an idiot, and probably doesn't realize he's being assiduously groomed not just as a mob boss but as a potential boy toy. (NB by the way that there are 44 fics in the Huo Daofu/Yang Hao tag, and disappointingly, not a single one of them is in English. Western fandom needs Jesus.)

But the thing is, Huo Daofu SAVES his ass in Gutongjing. Everyone forgets that. There's easily half a dozen times where he grabs Yang Hao's shoulder and hauls him back from danger. And Huo Daofu is the one Jiumen member smart enough to get out ahead of disaster, and to take Yang Hao with him. Here he is looking fabulous in a completely unnecessary but dramatic scarf.

And, at the end, he lets Yang Hao go. Because he's secretly decent.

Sure, he has some vaguely sketchy take-over-the-Huos plans, plans that clearly go awry at some point no matter how dramatically and villainously he makes tea. Sure, he exudes a scurrilous sort of evil. But he's COMPELLING and that's all I care about. Look at his pretty little face here, sourly plotting things, in a windowpane-checked suit which should be ridiculous but just winds up looking snazzy as fuck compared to the rest of the Jiumen. This is a man who understands the value of a pocket square. Thank you so much, He Longlong, we didn't deserve you putting your entire snatch into this very minor performance but some of us are extremely grateful.

So here are seven ficrecs, with a podfic and a meta from AO3. Please let me know if I should add anything (Tumblr meta?)—this post WILL be updated, because I have too much time on my hands and care unreasonably about the mean-spirited little bastard.

‡

Remember how this used to be (3569 words) by achray Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Huo Daofu/Wu Xie (DMBJ Series) Characters: Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series), Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Wang Pangzi Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Angst, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Background Wu Xie/Zhang Qiling, Wu Xie being a gremlin, Canon-typical references to illness Summary:

“That wasn’t a no,” Wu Xie said, his smile widening. “I thought you still wanted me.”

Notes: How is this both hot and sad? I don't know, that's the magic of fanfiction. This was the first Wu Xie/Huo Daofu fic I ever read and frankly the genre needs more entries, but this is a good one.

‡

the rime dictionary of Wu Xie (7433 words) by scherzanda Chapters: 6/6 Fandom: 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Wu Xie/Zhang Qiling, Wang Pangzi/Ye Piaopiao, Wang Pangzi & Wu Xie & Zhang Qiling Characters: Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Wang Pangzi, Zhang Qiling, Ye Piaopiao, Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series), Xiao Mei, Wu Erbai, Li Jiale (DMBJ Series) Additional Tags: Piaopiao lives, Post-Canon, Canon Flashbacks, canonical illness, fun with the common cold, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Handwaved SI Recovery, Canon-typical Ershu Infodump, Quasi-History-Compliant, Yuletide Treat Summary:

This is why (even now) Wu Xie shouldn’t be let out alone—one trip out to the provinces, and he comes home with a bad cold and an unsolved mystery.

Notes: this is one of my very favorite Huo Daofu writers and here's why—read this little excerpt. The angst. The PAIN. Wu Xie absolutely broke this man's heart at some point and honestly Huo Daofu is really only himself if he's suffering, love that for him:

“Easy,” he said, when Wu Xie couldn’t seem to stop coughing. “Here—” and reached for the rest of the tea, except that it wasn’t on the table any longer.

Zhang Qiling was holding the mug; he had somehow gone around to the other side of the bed, moving in that flowing now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t way that never seemed quite human, to sit down cross-legged on the bed by Wu Xie so that their shoulders touched. Huo Daofu snatched his hand away from Wu Xie’s back as if an electrical current might flow through the double contact.

“Wu Xie,” Zhang Qiling said, and then something else so quiet it was inaudible, holding the tea so Wu Xie could drink.

Looking at the open tenderness on that remote, beautiful face, utterly focused on Wu Xie, made Huo Daofu feel as if his flesh was trying to part ways with his bones. It was a pain his medical texts didn’t have a word for, deeper and more primitive than jealousy or resentment.

Wu Xie, getting his breath back, looked sideways at him with one of those sudden grins. “Sorry, Xiao Huo. You’re still out of luck when it comes to watching me die. Maybe next time.”

Huo Daofu’s voice would not quite leave his throat. Instead, Xiao Mei said crossly “Tianzhen-shu, that’s dumb.” Most of her attention was still on her phone screen. “Why would Dr. Huo want to watch you die.”

Wu Xie looked at him, still smiling.

“It’s a long story,” said Huo Daofu, “and it doesn’t matter now.”

‡

even through hesitation (10407 words) by naiwong_bao Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV), 沙海 | Tomb of the Sea (TV), 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Huo Daofu & Huo Xiuxiu, Hei Xia Zi/Huo Xiuxiu/Xie Yuchen Characters: Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series), Huo Xiuxiu, Yang Hao (DMBJ Series), Hei Xia Zi (DMBJ Series), Xie Yuchen, Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Wang Pangzi Additional Tags: Found Family, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Character Study, Alternate Universe - Fantasy Series: Part 3 of this is where we live Summary:

He’s a boy so Huo Daofu knows from the beginning that there are no expectations for him, he can do as he likes. So he plays, he cries, he does what children do.

Then his parents die.

No one wants him, no one has time for him, so his family sends him to Germany for school. It’ll be a good opportunity, his family says. He can do whatever he wants, be free of the family business, they’ll take care of him over there. He doesn’t want to go, he doesn't know who they are, but he doesn’t get a say.

So he goes to Germany where the language is strange, the food is strange, the people are strange, and he wants to go home so badly that his teeth ache.

Huo Daofu builds a life for himself, but at the first sign of trouble, years and years and years later, he rents out his apartment to an acquaintance, and flies home.

But.

The language is strange, he doesn’t know the slang, the food is strange, the people are strange.

His family is cold and he still doesn’t get a say. --- Huo Daofu between the end of Tomb of the Sea and when he reappears in Reboot. AKA Huo Daofu learns to care a little.

‡

The Mark of a Man (2279 words) by JhanaMay Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 沙海 | Tomb of the Sea (TV), 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Huo Daofu & Yang Hao (DMBJ Series) Characters: Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series), Yang Hao (DMBJ Series) Additional Tags: Loneliness, Found Family even when it makes you want to scream, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Huo Daofu is a mediocre role model Series: Part 8 of The Art of Conversation, Part 7 of The Art of Conversation Side Stories Summary:

When Huo Daofu inducted Yang Hao into the Huo family business, he wasn't expecting to become the boy's de facto babysitter.

Notes: a poignant little vignette in which Huo Daofu has a heart.

‡

[META] Huo Daofu's Youtiao Stand (739 words) by Thimblerig Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei, 沙海 | Tomb of the Sea (TV), 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Huo Daofu & Huo Xiuxiu, Huo Daofu & Wu Xie (DMBJ Series) Characters: Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series) Additional Tags: Meta, Worldbuilding, Huo Daofu's Delicious Fried Snacks Series: Part 2 of DMBJ Meta Summary:

Huo Daofu is a supporting character in Sand Sea. Ambitious, wily, hungry, he’s far from one of the main villains of the story but he’s not nice, either. By the end of Sand Sea Huo Daofu has exploited the chaos caused by the ill-founded expedition to Gutongjing to take over various of the Huo Family operations.

When he appears in Reboot: Sound of Providence, he is a purveyor of delicious fried bread snacks. He’s clearly not hurting for money, so why…?

Notes: this is one of my favorite little HDF explorations, theorizing that Huo Xiuxiu busted him down a rank, and I think that's beautiful.

‡

starting in darkness, like a pure line of light (10167 words) by scherzanda Chapters: 5/5 Fandom: 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Huo Daofu/Bai Haotian, Bai Haotian & Wu Xie, Liu Sang & Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Bai Haotian & Liu Sang Characters: Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series), Bai Haotian, Liu Sang (DMBJ Series), Wang Pangzi, Zhang Qiling Additional Tags: background pingxie, background Iron Triangle, past Wu Xie/Huo Daofu, Post-Canon, hurt/sarcasm, Fade to Black, Dialogue Heavy, meta-adjacent, Self-Indulgent Use of Chinese, Emotional Hurt/Comfort Summary:

Some emotional loose ends are never going to be tied up, but at least they can be recognized and shared. Or, a selection of the worst best only ways to comfort one another in the aftermath.

Notes: absolutely nothing makes me, a Huo Daofu stan, happier than scherzanda's fics featuring him. You would think this is an odd pairing, but it's really not—the two people who love Wu Xie most and are left behind by him? They have so much in common. Also, this fic has a podfic!

[PODFIC] starting in darkness, like a pure line of light, by scherzanda (701 words) by Thimblerig Chapters: 3/3 Fandom: 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV), 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Huo Daofu/Bai Haotian, Bai Haotian & Wu Xie, Liu Sang & Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Bai Haotian & Liu Sang Characters: Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Huò Dàofū, Bai Haotian, Liu Sang (DMBJ Series), Wang Pangzi, Zhang Qiling Additional Tags: background pingxie, background Iron Triangle, past Wu Xie/Huo Daofu, Post-Canon, hurt/sarcasm, Fade to Black, Dialogue Heavy, Meta Adjacent, Self-Indulgent Use of Chinese, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Podfic, podficcer not a native chinese-speaker but is doing her best, Podfic Length: 1-1.5 Hours

‡

do the work, love the work (1616 words) by scherzanda Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series), Wu Xie (DMBJ Series), Wang Pangzi, Zhang Qiling, Liu Sang (DMBJ Series), Bai Haotian, Wu Erbai Additional Tags: Mid-Canon, Missing Scene, Character Study, Post-Canon, Yuletide Treat Summary:

It doesn't always look that way, but Huo Daofu is doing his best.

Notes: once again I just have to excerpt, so you'll GET IT:

The train had nearly reached Hangzhou by the time Wu Xie spoke to him beyond the commonplace. He was still sitting in the corridor, staring dreamily at the growing suburbs, while Zhang Qiling gave Wang Pangzi a hand in the cabin. He looked up as Huo Daofu came back from the hot water dispenser. “Xiao Huo, xinkule. Sorry you never got that chance to watch me die, eh?”

Huo Daofu closed his eyes and looked away from Wu Xie’s smile, unshadowed now with death, brilliant and painful. “I’m sorry too,” he said, eyes still closed, and did not say any of the things he was sorry for.

‡

not only the sugar, but the days (3000 words) by A Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: 盗墓笔记重启 | The Lost Tomb Reboot (TV), 盗墓笔记 - 南派三叔 | The Grave Robbers' Chronicles - Xu Lei Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Bai Haotian/Huo Daofu Characters: Huo Daofu (DMBJ Series), Bai Haotian Additional Tags: Mentions of Death, Healing, Getting Together, Youtiao as a Metaphor, Also Actual Youtiao Summary:

His gaze meets Bai Haotian's, who's trying so hard to keep it together, and he knows that Wu Xie will break her heart when he dies, and it won't even be his fault. He never fucking means to.

Notes: another recent entry in the HDF/Bai Haotian post-canon and I love it unreasonably. They both love Wu Xie SO MUCH and it's just taking them OUT. Their subsequent connection is natural and it's funny as hell, the author loves them both and it shows:

"Are you really sure?" Bai Haotian says softly, and Huo Daofu looks up.

"What?"

"About the week."

"At best," he says, then winces. Fuck it. "It'll be three days," he says, loud enough to carry through the bedroom door, "if he keeps pulling these stunts!" There's a muffled noise and some very clear profanity from Pangzi, which Huo Daofu ignores. "See if I care!" he adds, but it's just not the same without Wu Xie there to grin at him, unrepentant.

He can feel Bai Haotian's hand covering his own, just loosely, where it's half curled into a fist against his thigh. He turns his head. The look she gives him is so full of unquestioning kindness, of understanding, he almost has to close his eyes against it.

"I'm sure," he says quietly, not really looking at her. "But he's proven me wrong before."

He can see her nod as she takes that in, and then they just sit there in silence, her hand over his, not moving.

‡

In conclusion, just because I can, from some of my favorite posts:

[ohyka]

[jeong-guwon]

[januaryisnotanartist]

Please also do not fail to check out the magnificent Dr Mal Practice post, as well as "it's not his fucking birthday" and "I'll fucking do it but christ alive." These users truly understand the essence of Huo Daofu.

PS also don't sleep on Huo Daofu and Liu Sang having a fabulous bitch-off in Hua Mei, a Sha Hai side story ft. haunted Wushanju. Another side story, Ran Gu, also has a swooning Kan Jian. Quality entertainment!

[stardustizuku]

PART 5: The Core of Everything and Why Thomas is BAD

As I said.

The moment I realized that this show was losing its footing, was when they started to mess up Mairinette.

The moment I realized this was going to be bad show, was when they messed up the Love Square.

The moment I realized this show was going to mess up the Love Square, was the introduction of Rena.

But.

That’s not when I dropped the series. That’s not when I became disillusioned with it. Because, as I said, I could overlook that.

I don’t care, as far as this essay is concerned, if it’s a good or bad show. I don’t care if it has cringey writing. I don’t care if it’s a mess.

What I care about, is how it treats the magical girl genre. What it borrows from it, how it interprets it, and what it transforms it into as a westernization of the genre.

That’s what this is about.

The moment it fucked over the magical girl genre, was when they destroyed Chloe.

People have a variety of different opinions on Chloe. Hate her, love her, think she’s wasted potential, think she’s a villain beyond redemption.

But the mere fact, we can all think about her and have an opinion, proves she was the best thing the show ever had going for itself.

Not because she was likable, but because it spoke. It dared to say something. That something being good or bad, it’s irrelevant to this point.

It said something. For the first time, since the fucking series debuted, Miraculous Ladybug dared to say something. Make a bold statement.

I think we can all agree that the show was trying to do something with her. It build her up through many episodes as a sympathizing character.

I did have my suspicions that it was going to fumble her arc, when a lot of the time these small details of her character got introduced - just to be dismissed by the narrative a few episodes later.

She was always back to being a villain and acting in reprehensible ways, even when previous episodes attempted to give her character growth.

But, I truly wanted to believe. I kept trusting this show. Over and over again. Because it was finally, finally, saying something. And most importantly, it finally touched the core of Magical Girls.

But everything crumbled away when Mayura happened.

Marinette never gave Chloe a miraculous back again. And while she claims it was (mostly) because she’s not someone Marinette trusts, someone who reveled her identity to the world…I don’t buy it.

(Also sorta weird that Ladybug is the one who forbids it when it Chat Noir who continued to seek Chloe as Queen Bee, and it was his choice but…we know how Ladybug never treats Chat as equal at this point)

Time and time again Chloe showed she is very willing to help. Yeah, sure, she is not good at it. But it was also showed that her not being able to be good was linked to the neglect she suffered as a kid.

I mean, she couldn’t remember someone’s birthday because her own mother forgot hers. This clearly upset her. She wanted to care for Mrs Bustier’s birthday, but her own trauma was making it extremely difficult. And in an attempt to to rid herself of the guilt, she lashed out.

That’s a realistic way in which hurt people, hurt others.

But she also proved that, if given a chance, she is more than willing to resist those urges to hurt others. In Miraculer, she fights off an akuma. She wants to be Queen Bee, she wants to believe in Ladybug.

While her trauma makes her prone to lashing out to others, by having Ladybug in her life as a role model, she wants to be better. She wants to heal. She wants to be a hero.

In a GOOD series, this is a way of proving the MC that not everyone who is annoying or a missy, or has a different attitude than Hers, is a bad person. That are people who are willing to do good, if given the chance to do good.

But this is not a good series.

The reason behind this…can’t call it anything other than insulting take, is that Thomas claimed in various tweets that “bullies can never be heroes”.

This was the last straw for me.

I truly do believe I snapped and it was the moment I stopped watching the series altogether. This is spitting on the very sacred name of Magicals Girls and everything that came before it.

Never mind that Chloe is a neglected teen - this is show inspired by magical girls. Name ONE magical girl anime where the girl who’s kinda mean to the MC but WANTS to do better - is shown to actually be cruel.

None.

Princess Tutu has Rue.

Shugo Chara has Utau.

Sakura Card Captor has Mei.

Sailor Moon has - well not girl but Fisheye -.

Mermaid Melody has Sara.

Mermaid Melody PURE has Michelle.

Madoka has Homura.

Lyrical Nanoha has Fate.

Pretear has Mayune and Mawata.

Tokyo Mew Mew has Mint AND Zakuro-

THIS IS THE CORE OF THE MAGICAL GIRL GENRE

I don’t know WHO in the name of FUCK does Thomas think he is to imply he knows more about this genre than the women who created it. But he always hides under the defense of “this is a little girls show for little girls and they need to have a positive role model”

It’s not.

I have already said that Marinette herself has failed as a protagonist. Not only is she unlikable, she fails to represent anything. She fails to stick to a theme, she fails as both a role model and a flawed character.

And it speaks to me about Thomas incredible misogyny how he keeps treating this genre as nothing more than excuse to fulfill his thinly veiled fetishizes and power trips.

He has no right to be in show linked to the genre of Magical Girls, or anything related to its westernization.

Magical girls are about forgiveness. They’re about kindness and the power of perceived feminity. It’s about offering a helping hand, when the world is cruel to you. A magical girl doesn’t raise her sword first. She talks. She asks. She feels. And only after all has been exhausted, she fights.

It’s something you can’t get in media catheter to other demographics, where kindness and love is seen as weak or corny.

If a girl wants to be better, it doesn’t matter what she did before. She is allowed a second chance.

Even in Madoka, the “darkest” magical girl - she saves every girl who wanted to do better. She stopped them from becoming witches, because they didn’t want to. But they were forced to. Forced to become horrible monsters, until someone killed them. But Madoka saved them.

The fact is, even other children’s show about, borrowing or alluding to Magical Girls touch upon this theme.

Have Star and Eclipsa for example. Eclipsa is a person who’s done everything wrong in the book of Mewni magic. Even when she herself and narratives admit she has done wrong things, it still brings forth the main issue. She was hurt too. Her family was taken from her, her baby, her husband, her Royal linage, her magic, her own history got erased and rewritten. She’s shown as someone who did bad things but ultimately who meant well. In the end, she is granted by Star redemption. By giving her her child, and her wand back.

Steven Universe touches upon it too, via all the other gems that are from Homeworld, mainly Peridot and Lapis, who despite having a hard time, after getting kicked out of Homeworld, make an honest attempt to integrate into Earth

As I’ve said, She-Ra is perhaps the best integration of Magical Girls into western children’s show. The way they handle Catra is the perfect example of why I say that. She is the best example of someone who wants to do good but can’t because of the trauma she’s faced. She’s extremely sympathetic but her actions are undoubtedly wrong. Even so, Adora’s adversion is never towards Catra, but Catra’s action. Because she knows she’s a good person, but until she admits fault and asks for help - she can’t really help her. Even if she tried (and she did) Catra would simply lash out. This drives home the message “you can’t save or help does who do not want to be saved or helped” but it also reinforces to girls the idea that - no matter how late your change of heart is, that’s all you need. Admit your mistakes, try to do better, and you’ll find a place where you’re truly happy.

But, if you wanted a slightly more cynical look at it - we have the Owl House

That’s one of the few that say “some people are straight up evil, don’t try to sympathize with them or they’ll trick you”. Belos is bad news, period. No matter how human he may appear to be, he’s far more of a monster than the witches he hates. But that’s an adult man.

The teenagers around Luz’s age are just that. Teens. Amity is not a monster, Hunter is not a monster. And Boscha is annoying but not a monster either. Nor is she irredeemable. In fact, she’s portrayed in the last season as more of a lost child without Amity’s mean girl guidance. Yeah, she’s a mean girl but she cares for her friends, she misses them and cries when she reunites with them. That said, for every Boscha we had, we also had an Amity, a Mathomouel, and a Hunter. Three other mean or bully characters that were shown to be secretly good or with the need of nothing more than a push in the right direction to become good.

(Also, side note but if you’ve noticed, Magical Girl stories are extremely intertwined with queer stories. I do find it extremely odd that MLB never touches on any queer main story - aside from Marc and the subtext of Rose and Juleca. Which again, subtext. Most westernizations of magical girls make it explicit and risk cancelation over it. All more to say that the creators of MLB have a complete disregard and outright contempt to the genre they’re stealing from, if this is as far as they’d go.)

Their attitude towards Chloe, in comparison, is nothing short of petty.

Why would Chloe be beyond sympathy? Beyond empathy? Beyond an attempt to a second chance?

If she truly showed that she’s remorseful, if she truly tried to become better, why would a man like Thomas deny her that simply because “bullies can never be heroes”?

BULLSHIT. That’s a terrible terrible message to send to kids. We all want to believe the ones watching are perfect girls who get bullied and have never done anything wrong - but a lot of them aren’t. And you’re essentially telling them “if you made bad choice in the past you’ll never be a hero. You’ll never be good enough”

You’re hurting little girls. You’re hurting this genre.

THIS IS WHY CHLOE MATTERS. This is why I dropped the series when I did.

Instead of saying something important with Chloe, it doubled down and said “actually she’s a monster” even when it was shown she could be good, that she could be better.

And maybe I could understand it, if they hadn’t introduced Zoe.

She’s seen by the creators as a “watered down version” of Chloe. They realized Chloe was actually a good addition but they didn’t like how she was too much of a bully or too mean. So, instead of dealing with their flawed compelling character, they make a “nicer” version of her.

Yeah Zoe was mean but she was mean once (1) and because of Chloe’s pressure.

Which is. Bad. Writing wise.

Not because the message is bad but because it’s hypocritical. Why should one be praised for being mean because of peer pressuring but stopping - while the one doing it to impress her family, her mother, and trying to stop, be considered bad? Because one gave up the “mean” act sooner?

Again, terrible message. Healing and becoming a better person isn’t as quick as talking once to someone. It takes time, it takes effort, it takes work.

Why is someone who doesn’t struggle with being a good person be “better” than someone who tries to be good even when it doesn’t come naturally to them? Not to mention, by the point in time, Chloe was not only hurt by her mother’s neglect but Ladybug’s neglect. It makes sense she’s mean to others, she’s known nothing but neglect and abandonments from the people she looks up to.

Is it that weird she treats everyone she sees as below her as disposable, when the people SHE looks up to sees her as disposable?

Chloe deserves sympathy, if not forgiveness at least a chance to understand her.

The fact that Thomas spat on the very core of THE Magical Girl Genre. Shows what he is. An old dude, who THINKS he knows what little girls want. Who thinks a woman who was mean, is an evil creature that knows no remorse, and deserves to be hated forever. Not forgiven, or handed a second chance. But despised.

He is the type man that pollutes the genre. Who thinks he knows, but really no one wants him here.

Fisheye isn’t a a girl, but because of the LatinoAmerican dub I grew up believing he was. And his interactions with Usagi, to this day, left an impact on me bigger than you can imagine. Fisheye was someone who constantly made fun of Usagi, who was a villain in every sense of the word. They kept constantly trying to steal Mamoru from Usagi and made fun of her on the way out.

But Usagi, when she say how down and heartbroken FishEye was - she cheered them up. She invited them to her house. Shared with them her dream. In the middle of poor Fisheye having an existencial crisis over being nothing more than a creature without dreams, Usagi offered a helping hand and comforted them.

Because Usagi cannot leave someone crying alone. She recognizes that Fisheye is a bit mean, but just like Rei, secretly cares for others. In the end, Fisheye sacrifices themselves to save Usagi. They cry when Usagi’s dreams get shattered, horrified but finally understanding why dreams are important.

It sounds silly, but it changed my brain chemistry. Something inside me recognized at my 12 years old that you have to be kind. Because you never know what the other person is going through, because you never know the impact your kindness can have on others.

And this is why I love Magical Girls so much, why I love Sailor Moon so much.

Yet.

What this show did to the genre I love, it’s…it’s plain unforgivable.

ML is bad. For a number of reasons. But it fails to be what it promised to me. It failed me on the first day. And I still stuck with it. Because a lot of western series failed me on their initial take of a Magical Girl.

Star Vs wasn’t best. Steven Universe didn’t borrow enough. She-Ra’s transformation left much to be desired.

But they all gave me something. And what’s most important, it held its core belief.

“Women can help one another. And kindness isn’t weakness”

Miraculous isn’t that.

It disappointed and hurt me, because it believes the exact opposite. Marinette only cares about Adrien, and cares little for other women. She is antagonistic for any girl who shows interest in him.

In her eyes, kindness isn’t a priority. Her friends and teammates are all people she chose, not those who she had to learn to love and fight alongside with.

If She-Ra’s last season is the culmination of everything a Magical Girl should be in the west. Miraculous is the exact opposite.

It doesn’t only fail as a show. It doesn’t only fail as a Magical Girl show. It borrowed every last thing it had from the genre.

And once it was popular, it spat on it.

Miraculous ladybug hates magical girls. And honestly,

I hate it too.

PREV << MASTERLIST >> NEXT

[trolagygirl2022]

Heyy

Can you di a reading on what each riize members think of the whole situation with the thousands of scandal about seunghan?

Do you think anyone wants him to leave?

Anton: The World rev, Knight of Pentacles rev, 8 of Wands rev, 10 of Swords, 4 of Wands, 5 of Wands, The Hierophant.

I really like reading him, he's very precise with his words and gives me a clear answer. So yeah he doesn't think positively of it at all. He thinks that his antics are gonna put everyone's hard work into waste as he's ruining the stability and harmony of the group. "It's going to bite him but by the time he finds out it will be too late". He thinks he is slowing down the group's success. He thinks Seunghan is very reckless and stupid and he worries if the group could recover from this. He may have tried putting some sense into him too. He thinks Seunghan should try being more traditional or be smart on how he goes about things.

Eunseok: The fool, 6 of Swords, 5 of Pentacles, 3 of Swords, 6 of Pentacles, 9 of Cups, King of Cups.

He thinks Seunghan is too adventurous for this industry. "Acting like these westerners" is what came to mind. He's trying to focus on himself and his career but he can't help but feel sad about this and is concerned about himself. He probably had issues with Seunghan in the dorms.

Sungchan: 6 of Wands, 5 of Wands, The Magician, Death, 10 of Wands, Page of Cups, Ace of Pentacles, 7 of Cups, 8 of Swords.

He thinks Seunghan is a delusional little bitch that doesn't care about his reputation (sorry but he went OFF ahah). I'm picturing him swearing ahah. He thinks it's going to impact the group and him too and he's tired of having to face the consequences of his actions. He's quite trapped and tired. He too is trying to focus on his career but it causes a lot of issues in their dynamic.

Shotaro: King of Wands, Queen of Wands, 10 of Wands rev, The Emperor, The Hanged Man, Queen of Swords, The Moon, 3 of Pentacles, The devil.

This one is like the "dad" of the group. He tries to keep things under control but he thinks it's too much for him to bear. Shotaro thinks Seunghan is too reckless and fake as well. He thinks it's affecting the teamwork and causing unnecessary controversy. He feels tied up and just done.

Sohee: The Wheel of Fortune, The High Priestess, 2 of Swords, King of Wands, Knight of Swords rev, The World rev, Knight of Pentacles rev, 8 of Wands rev.

Does Sohee have tea on him?? It seems like there is something he knows that he's being quiet about. Anyways, Sohee thinks this is his karma and he deserves all what's coming to him though he thinks he may not move on from this as it's affecting him too. Sohee thinks Seunghan is too reckless, impulsive and doesn't think before doing things. "Your taking us all down with you".

Wonbin: 3 of Wands rev, 9 of Swords, The World, 8 of Wands, Knight of Pentacles rev, Death, Knight of Wands.

This guy is really worried. He wants to move on but it keeps piling up and up. It's just keeps happening and he's so puzzled and anxious. He thinks Seunghan is reckless and he's feeling quite unsure at the moment.

[shadowdaddies]

If you don’t mind, could you write a Asterin x Healer!Reader x Sorrel fic where reader comes over to the witch kingdom to help them rebuild, and quickly finds she has two witches who are “conveniently” always around when she needs something? Bonus points if the rest of the Thirteen keep teasing the two of them :) 🙏

hey hey love 💜 here's some witchy content for you

Any Excuse

Asterin x healer!Reader x Sorrel

Warnings: mentions of slight injury

Raised on the Southern Continent, you began studying under Hafiza as a healer at the Torre Cesme, quickly becoming one of the best healers along with Yrene. When the war ended and Yrene sent a letter back to Hafiza asking for aid on behalf of the witch queen, Manon Blackbeak, in rebuilding her kingdom, Hafiza did not hesitate to send you.

You had dreamed of leaving the continent, exploring other lands and using your healing abilities to help others now that magic was alive again in Erilea. Overcome with nerves and excitement, you bid farewell to the world you knew and travelled to the Western Wastes.

The castle was bare yet finely built, witches at work rebuilding what had been lost. You looked around, taking in the sight of those working on the castle, practicing training drills on the lawn - when two witches strode straight towards you.

They were both striking with golden-black eyes that glittered in amusement as they watched you. The blonde spoke first, a mischievous smile on her lips as she pulled you in for a hug. 

“You must be the new healer from Antica. My name is Asterin, and this is Sorrel,” she said, gesturing to the shorter brunette at her side. Sorrel reached out a hand, which you gladly accepted, shaking it as you introduced yourself to the both of them.

Weeks passed as you grew accustomed to working in the Witch Kingdom, your office constantly busy as you dealt with minor injuries, mostly from training. Rubbing your favored peppermint ointment from the Southern Continent on a young witchling’s bruised leg, a knowing smile graced your face as you heard two familiar voices echoing down the hall. You glanced up to see Asterin and Sorrel standing shyly in the doorway, a habit the both of them had developed in your short time here.

It was nearly every day, sometimes twice a day, that the beautiful pair would find themselves in your office for one reason or another. Biting back your smile, you patted the witch on your table’s knee as you dismissed her. 

“Keep weight off of that leg for the next day,” you called after her, wiping the ointment on your apron as you turned your attention to Asterin and Sorrel with a smirk. “And how can I help you two today?” you teased, lounging against the counter as you unabashedly admired Asterin’s golden hair, Sorrel’s bright smile.

Asterin laughed, the sound like silver bells as she hopped up onto your exam table, swinging her legs underneath her.

“I seem to have a scratch,” Sorrel noted dryly, moving to stand across from you as she held out her arm to show you the long, shallow cut from her elbow to her wrist.

With a questioning look, you gently held her arm in your hands, enjoying the small gasp that left her lips from the small touch. “This appears to be from an iron nail. How did you manage to get a scrape like this?” 

Sorrel blushed, glancing back at Asterin who waved a hand at you, long iron nails gleaming in the light. You heard a scoff from the doorway, the three of you whipping your heads to see Vesta leaning against frame.

“The two of you could not be more obvious,” Vesta teased, a smirk playing on her full lips. A spool of bandages flew towards the red-haired witch, her quickly batting it away with a laugh before she winked at you and disappeared.

Bending down to pick up the roll of gauzes from the floor, you prayed your blush wasn’t too obvious before turning back to Sorrel. The scrape was so thin that you could have healed it without blinking an eye, but you held onto Sorrel’s arm for longer than needed as you made small talk with her and Asterin, enjoying their company.

A knock on the door interrupted the conversation, a tall witch clutching a dagger in her side needing your attention. Regretfully, Asterin and Sorrel left, and your heart sank slightly as the room seemed to grow dimmer without their presence.

The next day, you were drawn from your paperwork as Sorrel led Asterin into your office, where they took their usual seats and began chatting with you about politics, training, and everything else happening in the kingdom. 

In a moment of silence, Asterin elbowed Sorrel in the side, earning a laugh from you as the brunette blushed under your gaze. Eyes flicking between Asterin and you, Sorrel pulled out a small box.

“We - uh, we got something for you... From the both of us,” she murmured, holding out the box for you to take. A movement from the hall caught your eye, and you glancing over to see Manon giving you an encouraging smile before disappearing around the corner.

You tugged at the twine that held the lid shut, looking up to see Asterin and Sorrel both watching you with anxious eyes. Opening up the box lid, you gasped as you held up a vial of your favorite peppermint ointment.

“How did you two get this? I’d just run out this morning,” you breathed, overwhelmed by their kindness. This oil was difficult to come by in Antica, much less this far west. 

Asterin beamed with pride, her bright smile lighting up the room. “Sorrel noticed you were running low awhile back. Let’s just say we know some people who were able to help us get some more for you.” 

Rushing forward, you pulled the both of them into a hug. “Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me,” you whispered, pulling the cork on the vial as you inhaled the peppermint, a sigh leaving your lips as you were transported home by the scent.

You put the stopper back in, wrapping up the oil carefully before stowing it in your cabinet. You turned to see bashful grins on the witches’ faces, and an idea came to you. 

“Well, since the two of you went through all of that trouble for me, the least I could do is make you both dinner. Are you free tonight?”

They glanced at each other in silent communication before turning back to you and nodding. “We would love that... But how do you feel about taking that dinner to go?” Asterin questioned, a playful smile on her face as she leaned in closer towards you. You nodded eagerly, excited for whatever they had planned.

A couple hours later, you found yourself taking a picnic basket with food and wine down to the warrens, Sorrel leading you to where Asterin stood with her wyvern. “Let’s fly,” she said, making a sweeping gesture as the blonde helped you up onto the beast’s saddle. 

As Asterin settled in behind you, Sorrel took the picnic basket, placing it in the saddlebag of her wyvern as she strapped into her own saddle. “Hold on tight,” Asterin whispered in your ear, a slight kick of her heel the signal as you shot into the skies, pink and orange sunset hues casting a glow as you soared over fields, Sorrel close by. Closing your eyes with a content sigh, you realized you could get used to living here.

[pruneunfair]

I was really holding on TRE to get good for a long time. My hopes were the highest when Navier just arrived to the Western Kingdom (forgot how it was called) and met Krista.

Oh, so now you are in Rashta's place. You are the outsider in the way of the beloved queen out to take her place. You don't have the local nobles' trust nor a family to back you. The perfect queen's ladies are against you. What will you do?

I expected them to lean more on the parallels between what Navier had just gone through and her current situation. Maybe now that the tables were turned would Navier sympathize with Rashta and realize what an awful situation she was in. Plus, now that Navier was out of the picture, maybe Rashta would realize how the former Empress didn't really play a part in her suffering, but the men around her (Sovieshu/Ergi/Alan) who kept manipulating her. I was almost wishing for Rashta to steal a bunch of money/jewels and leave with Glorym, further punishing Sovieshu by showing all he did was for nothing, since he has nothing left.

But no. Krista was punished for being in Navier's way, Rashta was punished for wanting to be Navier, and Navier never got character development.

Oh god the potential that was wasted!!

Morally grey characters, different perspectives, and character development. We could have had that if the story just dropped it's pride for 5 minutes.

Thankfully this is what rewrites are for, thanks God for Ao3

[3months2mordor]

Elves and Hobbits love to sing! Here’s the songs we’ve heard so far. Any favorites? Also for those audiobook listeners, how’s your narrator’s signing voice?

For those who love the movies. Frodo’s Dwarf Remix is sung to the tune of the Misty Mountains Cold and Frodo’s Walking Song is Pippin’s song (Edge of Night) from Return of the King!

Let us know if you want more polls!

For the full lyrics see below from Tolkien Gateway

1. Bilbo’s Travel Song

The Road goes ever on and on,

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

2. Frodo’s Walking Song

Upon the hearth the fire is red,

Beneath the roof there is a bed;

But not yet weary are our feet,

Still round the corner we may meet

A sudden tree or standing stone

That none have seen but we alone.

Tree and flower and leaf and grass,

Let them pass! Let them pass!

Hill and water under sky,

Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate,

And though we pass them by today,

Tomorrow we may come this way

And take the hidden paths that run

Towards the Moon or to the Sun.

Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,

Let them go! Let them go!

Sand and stone and pool and dell,

Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead,

And there are many paths to tread

Through shadows to the edge of night,

Until the stars are all alight.

Then world behind and home ahead,

We'll wander back to home and bed.

Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,

Away shall fade! Away shall fade!

Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,

And then to bed! And then to bed!

3. The Elves’ Eerie Forest Song

Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!

O Queen beyond the Western Seas!

O light to us that wander here

Amid the world of woven trees!

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!

Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!

Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee

In a far land beyond the sea.

O Stars that in the Sunless Year

With shining hand by her were sown,

In windy fields now bright and clear

We see your silver blossom blown!

O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!

We still remember, we who dwell

In this far land beneath the trees,

Thy starlight on the Western Seas.

4. Pippin and Sam’s Hangover Song

Ho! Ho! Ho! to the bottle I go

To heal my heart and drown my woe.

Rain may fall and wind may blow,

And many miles be still to go,

But under a tall tree I will lie,

And let the clouds go sailing by.

5. Pippin’s Bath Song

Sing hey! for the bath at close of day

that washes the weary mud away!

A loon is he that will not sing:

O! Water Hot is a noble thing!

O! Sweet is the sound of falling rain,

and the brook that leaps from hill to plain;

but better than rain or rippling streams

is Water Hot that smokes and steams.

O! Water cold we may pour at need

down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed;

but better is Beer if drink we lack,

and Water Hot poured down the back.

O! Water is fair that leaps on high

in a fountain white beneath the sky;

but never did fountain sound so sweet

as splashing Hot Water with my feet!

6. Frodo’s Dwarf Remix Goodbye Song

Farewell we call to hearth and hall!

Though wind may blow and rain may fall,

We must away ere break of day

Far over wood and mountain tall.

To Rivendell, where Elves yet dwell

In glades beneath the misty fell,

Through moor and waste we ride in haste,

And whither then we cannot tell.

With foes ahead, behind us dread,

Beneath the sky shall be our bed,

Until at last our toil be passed,

Our journey done, our errand sped.

We must away! We must away!

We ride before the break of day!

[thunder-jolt]

Two characters from my Dillon's Rolling Western/Dead Heat Breakers fanfic "Dillon & The Frost Dragon Wastes": Cocoa (left) and Frosty (right). Cocoa is a white fennec fox, and Frosty is a black Norwegian Forest cat.

Both of them live in an armored base during the harsh winter storms, they work together despite having disagreements with each other. They later find Dillon and Russ trying to find their way through the winter storm while Frosty and Cocoa are on their truck.

I would tell more of their backstories, but that's spoilers for the fic that they first appear in. But what I would tell you is that Cocoa and Frosty's headcanon VAs are Patrick Seitz and Cristina Vee respectively, with both of their designs and names being inspired by the characters:

Cocoa with his design based off of Jiren from Dragon Ball Super, his name based off of Dark Cacao Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom, and Frosty with her design based off of Homura Akemi from Madoka Magica, and her name based off of Frost Queen Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom. Though, obviously, the inspirations are pretty loose.

Now, to the basic synopsis of the fanfic I am making: Set in a harsh winter storm created by a malevolent entity known as the Frost Dragon, we follow the shoes of Dillon, Russ, and two others, Cocoa and Frosty, as they try to make their way through the storm and also confront the Frost Dragon. We'll just have to see.

(It takes place during or after Dillon's Dead-Heat Breakers, hence the whole post-apocalyptic themes here.)

[quotessharry]

Welcome to New York (DR3 one shot)

I am very keen on writing for Danny as you can see so here is it :D

Pairing: Daniel Ricciardo x original female character

Word count: 5803

warning: none

Synopsis: Daniel lands in New York for redbull's car launch and meets his best friend but the lines kept getting blurred

She impatiently paced the JFC airport, waiting for Daniel to show up. She missed him dearly, they haven’t seen each other since the Austin GP that she travelled for.

On the other hand Daniel’s heart was bursting out of his chest at the thought of seeing his best friend after months, he would’ve go to her much sooner if he didn’t intend to spend time in Australia as much as he did but they tried their best to keep in contact and it created a never ending cycle of Daniel calling her at midnight when it was only noon in Australia, then apologizing rapidly and saying he’d call another time but she knew he is calling to show her his talent in dirt bike or riding a horse and how could she deny the smile shinier than the sun behind him? They’d end up speaking until 2-3 AM and finally she’d excuse herself to get few hours of sleep before work.

Daniel was bouncy like a child to finally reunite with his best friend, he started waving his hand like crazy as soon as he saw her small figure in layers of wintry clothes due to how cold New York was. She noticed his action and smiled, waving back.

As soon as they stood in front of each other, without exchanging any words they embraced each other, his large hands fitted her comfortably as she struggled to hug all of him with her short arms. both unknowingly being touch starved. Daniel looked at her face, staring at her deep blue eyes and smiling wide “hey there, you look even smaller in these clothes” Daniel took pride in the fact that he was the only one who was allowed to tease her about it and wouldn’t waste a moment to take the privilege for granted.

She slapped his hand away from her shoulder and spoke “really Daniel? You see the greatest friend the world has gave you after months and this is how you treat her?”

He knew she wasn’t deeply offended “then what does the greatest friend the world has gave me, wants me to say to satisfy her?” He said with a laugh

“Oh I don’t know how about I’ve missed you so much and I can’t wait to spend time in your company?” She said, pretending she is thinking too deep.

Daniel laughed louder and pulled her into a tighter hug “I have missed you so much and I indeed can’t wait to spend time in your company, pun intended”

Her laugh was muffled by her face pressed against him, despite the fact that he hated cold he was always warm “no way I’m taking you to the company, it’s not bring your child to work day or something”

They started walking to take his bags as he talked “what? So you just gonna leave me unsupervised? That’s brutal”

Her hand slid down from gripping his arm to his wrist, fingers wrapped around his skin and she took him with her “come, we gonna be late for lunch”

They were finally in safety of the car from the rain and brutal wind, she settled back and waited for him to start the car, enjoying the warmth her hoodie and oversized coat was providing her.

“What are you waiting for, Daniel? Start the car” she said, after sitting there aimlessly.

Daniel pouted “you didn’t say it back”

She looked puzzled “say back what-? Oh I’m so sorry I thought it was pretty obvious how much I’ve missed you considering I drove all the way from Tribeca to Queens all by myself to see your pretty ass” she said the whole line pretty seriously.

Daniel was trying to hide the smile but failed and soon his face was adorned with his dimples “aw that’s why you’re the best” and he drove away. She told him the car is all his and he did use the opportunity, he played with the radio button until he found a channel playing those country western songs he loved and he made sure to sing along to every single one of them even though he just got off a 21 hour flight.

Both of them let out a sigh out of relief when they sat back on red leather sofa in restaurant, waiting for food to arrive. The rain was hitting the window and made them feel cozier in the space they were in. They didn’t know what to say so they just stared at each other, both feeling blessed that they got to stare at a beautiful human being in front of them. Daniel broke the silence, corner of his lips almost forming a smirk “so which hotel am I driving myself?” She yawned before replying “oh shut up you’re not staying in a hotel, I cleaned up a room for you. No way I’m letting you out of my sight”

That was her way of showing emotions and Daniel loved how indirect but genuine it always was, she would never bother to use pet names and sweet words but instead would do it with actions no matter how small or big.

“I mean we’re going to the same place at the end of the day aren’t we?” She said, shrugging her shoulders.

“What? You’ll be at car launch?”

“Yeah? They’re announcing me as new sponsor so I might as well come”

That’s how they met, she was an sponsor in his Redbull days and as he kept attending events they grew closer, they got close enough that she followed Daniel in every team he went and after a long circle they both ended up where they started.

Daniel had plenty of calls from Christian and Blake asking him to go to the hotel but he refused all of it, he didn’t want to mess up his stay with her after months. Staying with her felt warm and cozy, almost like he was back in his farm in Australia and he wouldn’t trade it with a repetitive hotel room with cold bed.

She unlocked the door and they both got in, Daniel headed for the windows to see the spectacular Tribeca view “rich lifestyle looks good on you” he teased, his face half facing her as he kept his eyes on the view of the skyline and the buildings ahead. She threw herself on the sofa, legs dangling above the floor so she wouldn’t get dirt on it, face hidden between the cushions as she spoke “rich lifestyle? Says the guy with 3 houses in three different continents, who owns 7 cars and got paid millions”

Daniel briefly turned his head to look at her, only to find her hidden in her extremely over sized winter clothes on the sofa with her head being the most obvious thing, his gaze was soon back to the view but he continued speaking “yeah need I remind you, you bought this house from Lewis for what, like $70 millions?”

With her head still buried, she showed him a middle finger “touché”

He saw her reaction through the reflection on the window and laughed, a loud genuine laugh that echoed through the empty house and made her feel better, it’s been a while since she heard him laughing as nice in her presence and she smiled to herself at the fact that he just seemed better and healthier. She left her spot and walked to him, slapping his ass to get his attention causing him to yelp “I didn’t know you have it bad for spanking”

“If i were you I’d be thankful I have it bad for spanking and not choking” she said, raising eyebrows and waited for him until the realization settled on his face “savage”

“I know Daniel, I know. Why don’t I show you your room and while you’re settling down I’ll think of dinner?” She offered, putting a hand on his lower back as she started guiding him to the elevator.

It was late, neither troubled themselves by checking the clock and they couldn’t careless. She carried two wine glasses and laid back on the bigger sofa, she heard footsteps on the stairs and soon Daniel came into the view with nothing but underwear and the burgundy silk robe she ordered for him with “DR3” sewed on its chest, he put two wine bottles on the table and filled both glasses, the sound of the glasses making contact broke the silence but neither said anything until she drank it, humming in approval “this is nice but I prefer my wine a bit more sour, this tastes a bit too sweet for me” she observed, and finished the glass nonetheless.

“So you wouldn’t mind if I take away both bottles?” Daniel teased and slurped his wine, eyes not leaving her figure. Even under the low lights it wasn’t too hard for him to notice her dark green sleepwear. Deep down he considered himself the luckiest for witnessing her sleeping on her back in nothing but a thin dark green silk that if the lights were on, he’d be seeing much more due to the sheer materia. He also knew he doesn’t need bright light to know she looks hella good in it and he’d have trouble to convince himself that he should be keeping his hands off from trying to get a small taste. He threw his tattooed leg over the other and didn’t take his eyes off her, it would be a crime to do it.

She held herself on her elbow and looked at him, frowning while actively tried to balance the wine glass so it wouldn’t spill on her flawless white sofa “what? No bitch those are mine they stay until one bottle is completely empty”

He laughed while taking more sips, cleaning his mouth with the back of his hand as his eyes tried to regain focus in darkness, god he missed her so much “whatever you say your highness, you know you can order more if you want right? You were there when we launched it for US” he made a valid point and pointed at the bottles on the table.

Her eyes briefly drifted to his thighs and the colored ink but she didn’t let it linger. She’d never admit it in a presence of another human being but it was her deepest desire to sit between his legs and get a close detailed look of the inks and ask him one by one what does every single one of them means, for now she’d settle with a view in the dark. She narrowed her eyes, hoping he’d see “now why would I do that when my best friend can get me a bottle filled with eternal love and friendship?”

Daniel didn’t bother to tie back his robe as it was loosen due to him constantly sinking deeper into the sofa “ just accept that you’re too stingy to pay”

She sat straight and poured herself another glass, before drinking she spared him a glance “sei incredibile” and gulped down the entire thing.

Daniel couldn’t say much but to laugh again at her.

The glass was filled again and she leaned back, letting her hair to fall on her bare shoulders “you know it’s nice”

“What is?” He asked innocently, Daniel knew the answer, he just wanted to hear her say it, he wanted something exclusive from her for himself to hold on to, something to let his mind to linger on when he had nothing to think about.

She laughed softly, shaking her head at him “you gonna make me say it, aren’t you?” and then she looked him as if the darkness had no effect on her eyes and she could see all of him, with a smile that he could see even if all the lights were off. He knew he’d do anything and everything to relive this moment over and over again.

She put the glass on the table and tangled her legs, her hand supporting her head “fine I will, it’s really nice to have you over here, satisfied?”

He smiled widely at her, the corner of his eyes crinkled “very, very satisfied”

He pointed at the loose robe “was the robe part of the plan? Be honest you just wanted to see all of this glory” he pointed at himself and his abs.

She was indeed enjoying the view, Daniel was one of the most good looking guy in her life, she had seen him all naked considering the multiple times they’ve shared a hotel room or went skinny dipping, but there was something in seeing him sitting in front of her, wine glass in his hand and a teasing smile on those perfect lips while half of his tattoo was hidden by his underwear and he sculpted body was only visible cause the robe was loose, it kept her guessing and asking for more but only in her mind.

“I could only hope you’re enjoying all of this glory as well” she threw back his line at him, the wine in her system making her not to care how much she’d flirt.

He sipped more of his wine, it felt good to finally drink in a presence of someone he deeply craved, and he wasn’t committed to the sport before so alcohol couldn’t really hurt. Through the low light he could see the perfect skin of her legs and hands, bare shoulders hidden underneath an army of long hair, no trace of makeup could be seen on her face, he knew she only appears like that in front of him and him only. She’d never say it loud but he also knew it’s because she feels a deep insecurity towards her face even though he would definitely say she is the most beautiful woman his eyes had the pleasure of seeing, he tilted his head to the side and kept looking at her “you” he said, laughing silently.

“Me?” She asked, slightly confused by his one word statement.

He laid his head on the sofa and blinked, the wine starting to make its affect obvious “yes, you. Just you. I don’t think anything else can do you justice”

It was only then that he noticed something else, wine wasn’t the drink she’d go to when the purpose was getting drunk, unless she wanted to stay drunk more than usual, the empty wine bottle makes his suspicious even more evident and he started to think something was wrong that she was actively ignoring.

“I think I’m going to bed now, sleep well Daniel” she said, before he gets the chance to ask something.

He rubbed his eyes and blinked rapidly “hey, hey wait” he called out before she gets into the elevator.

She stopped in her truck and turned around, watching him taking long steps towards her. He stopped and looked her down, eyes searching to see if he can find anything in those icy blue eyes, his hands resting on his sides. He subconsciously brought up his hand to put it on her face but changed his mind the last minute and pulled back, closing his fist. She didn’t miss any of this, her eyes fixed on his hand “you know, I don’t bite. Not you at least” she murmured, gulping loudly.

He stepped closer, his knuckles ghosting over her cheek “are you well?”

It was a simple question but with no simple answer for her, she blinked up at him, placing her hand on his bicep “I’m ok Danny”

He placed the palm of his hand on her face, she already loved the warmth and softness it gave her and she leaned into the touch much to his surprise. He traced the skin with her thumb and his face dropped lower, he noticed the strap of her nightgown fell and he reached with two fingers grabbing the strap and dragging it back on her shoulder, his fingers leaving goosebumps behind, he talked quietly “but I can tell something is wrong, it’s me, I’m not an stranger” he dared himself and put his other hand on her waist while dragging the hand resting on her cheek to her neck. She closed her eyes to fully enjoy his touch and long finger, letting herself to get lost in the warmth. Her reaction made him ballsy and he pulled her closer, his hand running up and down her side, feeling her hot skin through her nightgown. She hummed in response and didn’t move, not wanting the moment to end.

His hand moved from the side of her neck to grip the back of her head, his fingers digging into the muscle and kneading it, giving her a much needed release, he moved his hand higher and tangled her hair, she immediately leaned back into the touch. The sound that left her mouth hits him too hard and his grip tightened, he leaned down and pressed his forehead against her, closing his eyes to enjoy their closeness “talk to me, please, I’m worried about you”

She smiled at his words, it’s been a long time since someone has said words like that to her, the sweetness and feelings behind those words had her stomach dropping and tears gathering at the corner of her eyes, she put her hand on his face, feeling the roughness of his beard, his actions had her heart racing like crazy.

She nuzzled her nose to him “this is all about you, my issues doesn’t matter. I’m...I’m fine” she tried so hard to keep her voice steady but failed miserably. His eyes opened immediately at her broken voice and he decided not to push it more. They both looked at each other, his heart shattered in his chest at the sight of her blue eyes filled with tears. In all the years of their friendship he has never seen her as broken as now, not even when he was having the shittiest day ever she was the one who held him, made jokes and played music to lift him up. She accepted the hug with no hesitation, her hands wrapped around him as tight as she could and hands gripping the soft material of his robe harshly, her face hiding in his neck.

He softly kissed her cheek and wrapped his arms securely around her, keeping her as close as possible and felt her rapid heartbeat.

“It’s ok, you can let it go, I’m here” he murmured to her as softly as possible.

She felt like she has kept it all inside for too long and she finally had the chance to let it all go.

In that moment Daniel would do anything for her to stop sobbing uncontrollably, the sound of her was so heartbreaking for him to endure. He just stood there and held her in his arms, rubbing her back and saying he is always there for her and it’s ok while leaving small kisses wherever he could reach. They don’t know how long they stood there and she cried in his arms, he only let go when her body stopped shaking and he no longer could hear her heart wrenching sobs.

She looked up at him with teary eyes and wet face, his thumb wiped away the tears and both smiled at each other.

“Come, let’s wash your face and tuck you in” he said with a smiling face, booping her nose and throwing his hand over her shoulder as she smiled sheepishly.

The pair only got a good look at each other when he flicked the light on. They both stood in front of the mirror and she stared at their reflection, taking in how good they looked and more importantly how much healthier and happier Daniel was and it warmed her heart.

He moved behind her and gathered her hair, humming a song under his breath.

“You look good” she said, smiling at him.

He peaked from behind her “aw thanks, you look good too”

“This is going to look so weird but a man gotta do what he gotta do” he said before wrapping her entire hair around his fist causing her to laugh loud.

“I didn’t know you’re into that” she didn’t get the chance to say anything else as he pushed her head down by his fist and splashed cold water on her face.

“Oh you were saying?” He said staring at her wet face, she looked like a fish.

“Literally fuck you Daniel that was cold” she gritted between her teeth and grabbed the towel. “I know, but don’t you feel better already?” He tried to make a point.

“I’d much prefer warm water in winter” she opened a cabinet, grabbing hand cream and lip balm.

Daniel tried to be a good friend and not to stare at her when she stood in front of him, wearing the thinnest material of sleep gown she could find not to mention how well the color looked on her skin, he could swore if his eyes goes down lower than her neck, the things he would see gonna keep him all night with his hand dipped in his underwear.

He stood in front of her, his hands keeping her face straight so he could look at her “seriously, how are we feeling? And don’t tell me fine”

“I’m better now, satisfied?” She said, not wanting to look away from his handsome face.

He left a kiss on her forehead, lingering his lips before speaking “that’s good to know”

She reached and grabbed the lip balm, opening the tube and applying some to her fingertips “don’t you moisturize those pretty lips of yours Danny?”

The sentence made his brain glitch, and a blush made it’s way on his sun kissed cheeks, the thought that she found his lips pretty danced in his mind ruthlessly.

She laughed at his face as she touched his cheek “Danny? Oh my god, did I just make the great Daniel Ricciardo blush? What a day to be alive”

“Oh shut up you, you don’t see me making comments about you in this thing you’re wearing, what are you gonna do anyway” he scolded her, arms folded in front of his chest.

She raised her eyebrows, challenging him with the ice in her eyes “maybe you should” She stepped closer “stay still”

“What? No”

“Why no?”

“I’m a grown man I can apply my own lip balm”

“If you could, your lips wouldn’t look like you just escaped Sahara desert, it’s midnight cmon it’s just a lip balm it won’t hurt your fragile masculinity” this time she scolded him.

Daniel didn’t know how he was gonna get through her touching his lips but he shook his head as yes. She stood on her tiptoes and ran her finger on his chapped lips, he just stood there and reveled in her soft finger touching his lips ever so delicately.

“Look it’s over, you can go to sleep now”

“Yeah let’s tuck you in first”

He wasn’t joking about tucking her in, he helped her to get on bed, pulled the blanket over her body and made her promise if she ever felt like she isn’t ok in the middle of the night, she’d go to his room without a second thought.

Daniel was never happier about seeing a bed and being alone in a bedroom as much as he was in that moment. How was he supposed to get over tonight?

Her head was comfortably between two pillows and she was enjoying the warmth of the blanket until her phone ranged under her pillow, she whined and reached her hand to pick the phone, answering it with closed eyes “what the fuck do you want so early in the morning?”

“Early? Girl it’s 10 am and you were supposed to be here 2 hours ago” a male voice who belonged to her assistant spoke

She face palmed herself “what? Oh god sorry I was a bit wine drunk last night and-“

“And you forgot to tell me you won’t be coming in today cause you have guest over” he finished the sentence for her

“Well yes” she admitted

“I figured, enjoy your day and tomorrow, and weekend. I wouldn’t say no if you decide to show up though” he said, while laughing

“You dick, figure it out yourself, I don’t know forge my signature” she suggested

“That’s what I’ve been doing but I feel better now knowing you allow it, enjoy” and the line went quiet.

She got out of the bed, not caring enough about bed hair and went down stairs.

Daniel was in the hall, still in his underwear and a big box in front of him, he turned to her with his usual smile “hello pretty, good morning, slept well?”

She blinked multiple times at the pet name but brushed it off fast “morning, what’s that?”

He happily brought out a dark blue RedBull shirt “2023 team kit, I gave your address and it came in this morning”

She made her way to the kitchen to make breakfast “that’s why you’re standing naked in my hall at 10 am?” She threw him a look, letting her eyes enjoy the glory in front of her.

“Naked? You plan all of this to get me naked?” His hand teasingly moved to his underwear waistband and grabbed it with his two fingers, carefully sliding one side down and showing his hip bone.

She just watched with dry mouth and heart rate so loud she could hear it in her ear.

She opened her mouth to speak but the silence was broken by her Apple Watch giving high heart rate notifications, she slammed her hand over the watch trying to shut the alarm and screamed “fuck fuck fuck”

Daniel watched it all with an amusement in his eyes and a knowing smirk telling her it’s useless to try and make any excuses “I assume if I proceeded with the rest you’d have a cardiac arrest”

She silenced the watch and looked at him, not knowing what to do or say and went back to the breakfast.

She put the plates on the table “it’s too hot now, let it cool down then we can eat together” and made her way into the hall, standing next to him and peaking into the box.

Daniel didn’t miss the chance to enjoy the close approximate, she ruffled through the box and picked a hat. He breathed deep, she smelled natural without any odor, his eyes followed the lines on her neck and it stopped on her shoulder, watching the way the green strap fell from her shoulder. She took away her eyes from the box and glanced at the strap, then at his face, he felt her eyes on him but didn’t stop looking at the shoulder.

“What’s stopping you?” She commented, hinting last night.

He put his hand on her wrist, fingers dragging on her soft skin, he felt like he was dancing around something but didn’t stop until he felt the silk. He hooked his finger on the strap and made sure to tease a little before pulling it up “I really should buy you some new ones” he commented.

She let out a breath she kept and hoped to god it was not obvious, secretly wishing her watch wouldn’t make another fuss “come on, the pancakes are getting cold”

He bullied her into sitting on the chair, creating the scene in movies where someone would constantly change clothes and another one would give opinions sitting on a chair. Daniel was fresh out of the shower, hair sticking to his head and water dripping as he held two pairs of suits for his appearance on tonight’s show. One was the typical black tux and the other one was a green suit with a simple white buttoned up shirt.

She looked at both pairs thoughtfully, and pointed to the green one quietly.

“Fantastico madam, enchanté” he bowed.

“So you gonna watch me get naked and dress up or-?” He mentioned her presence in his room, then it strikes him that there’s a walk in closet “ok you know what, never mind”

He went inside and she waited, but not too long after he ran out, shirt undone and green pants on “I’m gonna look like an olive, let’s do the classic black one please”

She smiled and walked to him, smoothing the shirt with her hands “you will not look like an olive, now let me handle the rest” next she started to button up the shirt, her roaming eyes not missing the custom made 3 necklace she got him from his favorite designer matched with a chain but she kept the comment to herself.

He looked at her, holding back the urge to kiss her lips. He leaned down, lips hovering over her cheeks and he left a peck, causing her to look at look up at him with a smile.

Soon, he was fully ready and he looked as delicious as an olive. Lucious curls wild around his head that made her wanna run her hands through it and play with curls while comfortably sitting on his thighs but she put the idea behind “I might rent an ambulance and send it behind you cause all the ladies gonna swoon and drool” she complimented him, taking his hand so he can spin.

Currently they were running around the house trying to make it on time to the launch.

“I don’t understand why a car launch must be so early in the morning, what was wrong with 3 pm or something” she whined, untangling her hair cause she didn’t like the brain.

Daniel hurriedly slipped into a Redbull shirt “yeah I’ll make sure to bring that to Christian’s attention” the truth was they both overslept.

“Come on we should go, Max arrived at 7 AM” Daniel noted, already at the door waiting for her

“For christ’s sake he is just a fan boy, I love my sleep” she picked her bag “ok choose a car”

“Choose? It doesn’t matter we should go” Daniel urged her to pick one

“Daniel no this is important, we can pick something with driver like a Cadillac, something classic like Mustang or shelby cobra, or we can just get a good old BMW” she thoughtfully gave him a speech, but he reached and picked the BMW keys, both finally heading out.

She mostly stood backstage, watching Daniel jumping around and smiling so hard that his jaw must be hurting. She had no way to explain how good it felt to see him happy instead of pain and misery, a feeling settled at the pit of her stomach anytime she’d glance and see his smile reaching his eyes.

He walked backstage, quietly laughing to himself, he felt like he can’t contain himself due to how well he felt. He stood in front of her but neither said a word.

She placed her hands on his cheeks, feeling the stubbles, alooking at him smiling with bright eyes. She didn’t think twice, she stood on her tiptoes and pecked his lips, it was a light kiss just for the sake of feeling something.

She blinked “nah that wasn’t enough” this time she did it more delicately, making sure their lips are completely connecting. His lips tasted like the Redbull they had before the show.

He embraced the kiss wholeheartedly, a moan left her throat but neither broke the kiss, he saw an opening and his tongue entered her mouth, exploring every corner, lips nipping and biting shamelessly. He enjoyed every second of their lips connected but they finally separated. Neither truly wanted to end it, they stayed close and brushed their lips one last time, breathing each other’s air. She didn’t know why she did it but that was the best kiss she ever had.

Daniel dared to say he had never seen her as red as she was in that moment, lips swollen from kiss and he had to physically restrain himself from kissing her pretty lips again. but he knew it wasn’t the right moment to make a joke so he just pulled her into his chest, hugging her, she heard the loud thumping of his heart beating against his ribcage but didn’t make a comment about it.

“I kinda don’t know what to say right now” she said, confused.

He touched the back of her head, letting his hand to massage her scalp “you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to”

Before she says anything else, he was called again on stage “we uh talk about it later?”

“Yes, if you want to” he smiled to show her that it’s all good.

After the kiss he didn’t expect her to hang around but she stood even when he had to record a podcast. She picked a chair and placed it behind the equipments, smiling and waving anytime he’d catch his eyes.

They were about to leave when Christian found them “we’re having a dinner at the hotel tonight, I’m expecting both of you, no excuses”

She gave him a salut “yes captain, roger that” and laughed.

“I really missed you two, see you at dinner”

They didn’t have time to go home and change so they went straight to the Hard Rock hotel. The restaurant only included Redbull staffs, between sea of people and tables it wasn’t hard to find the two remaining empty chairs for them.

Daniel being the gentleman, pulled back the chair until she was settled in, his act cause the table to clap and cheer his name, Max slapped his back “nice one mate”.

Drinks were put in front of them and soon both flew in the conversation as if they were part of the family and no one made them feel otherwise.

It was close to midnight when she excused herself and went outside for a smoke, getting a fresh air have never felt better.

“I thought you quit” Daniel’s voice said from behind her.

“I thought I did too but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it boy” she teased, poking the cigarette. He threw his arm around her, tucking her in his embrace and resting his head on her hair “are we ok, Danny?” She asked, trying to get herself closer to his heat.

“Why wouldn’t we be?” He asked, playing it cool.

“Well you know, the kiss and stuffs”

He left a kiss on her temple, rubbing her hands to warm her “yes of course we are”

“It was such a damn good kiss though wasn’t it?” She scoffed

“Now that you brought it up, I can’t be opposed to that”

“We should do it more often”

“Now that you brought this up, I absolutely can’t be opposed to that, and next time I'm making it nasty.

I loved this one so much! Now I’m stuck if I should do another chapter and make it smutty or just leave it at that?

[tanoraqui]

marriage of convenience + gothic for el/orion, please!

[give me 1-3 tropes + 2-3 characters!]

(the gothicness comes from the whole environment of the school ok)

War came to the Scholomance the year Galadriel Higgins and Orion Lake were Inducted. Oh, it took a while to warm up—everyone had to get settled into their torments of classwork and survival. But there were two new monsters in the school, each worse than Patience and Fortitude combined, from diametrically opposed worlds with diametrically opposed destinies. War was inevitable.

By their junior year, the bloody conflict had settled, and the battlegrounds mostly returned to neutral territory. The defensive spell that blocked all but Enclavers from entering the alchemy lab was fully taken down, the petrification traps that activated only against Enclavers were removed from the library stacks. All cafeteria doors were left unguarded except, of course, against maleficaria.

There were so many maleficaria, and they were so hungry. Despite the active war broken out between the haves and the have-nots, between Orion Lake’s ceaseless heroism and El Higgins’ savage determination to look after every person who turned to the Dark Queen for protection, more students were still alive than in any year on record, in every class.

They didn’t have mana or even malia to waste blockading each other from classrooms, study materials and food anymore.

So the righteous, noble students of the Enclaves, led by their silver-haired hero with his shining sword (wrong, he was so wrong inside, twisted and hungry; couldn’t they see past their own greed) and the stubborn, righteous students of the exiles, led by their destined destroyer of worlds (who never once cheated for power, not once; all the great and terrible spells she cast to keep them safe were with power given freely)—briefly, for the first time, they not just called a truce but actually allied, to fix the mechanism, burn the school, and set the graduating class free.

The next year started… Well. They had energy to spare again. But they’d worked together. (Orion had saved dozens of her people, maybe hundreds by now, just as easily as he saved his own, and never demanded anything for it. El’s mother’s message scrolled before her eyes, but she wondered…) (El was so rude to him, all the time. When he’d saved her life, when he’d tried to kill her once or twice—she was never scared, she was never admiring, she was just rude. Like people were rude to…other people. Never to Orion, before.)

Magnus said they should attack while the witch-queen was recovering from the battle in the graduation hall and busy trying to recruit as many freshmen as possible. Liu grimaced and said they should attack while the Enclavers were recovering from the battle in the graduation hall and settling in their excess number of freshmen (the graduating seniors has told their parents what was happening in the school, and some had reacted fast enough to cut local non-Enclavers from Induction.)

Liesel said, “El, if you really don’t want this conflict to spill over into the rest of the world, we have to stop it in here, decisively. You’ve heard what the freshmen are saying—Shanghai is halfway to co-opting the movement, if they don’t flip and side with the Western enclaves instead. An unknown malificer destroyed Bangkok, and people are dying in the hunt for them… The second you and Orion graduate, it’s going to be war out there, one way or another.”

“What do you suggest?” El snapped. “Other than killing him. I’m not killing him, I’m not killing anyone.”

“I know you’re not,” Liesel said, which what she, personally, felt was infinite patience. “I think you and Lake should get publicly married—or, technically, engaged, since as far as I’m aware, nobody in here is an accredited justice of the peace.”

[singlesomethinginstyle]

Who's your Role Model?

When I was asked this question as a six year old, I had no clue what to answer. 

I had heard of the Queen Catherines and Queen Elizabeths, the Amelia Earharts and the Marie Curies of the western world, but none of them were from my country, my society, my kind of family or my reality, and I couldn’t relate to any of them. Women around me stayed meek and obedient, worked hard, got married, had kids and were obedient to everyone once again. 

Then, Kalpana Chawla had gone on her maiden trip to outer space and the whole country was in the throes of celebrating a big NRI victory, so the next time I got asked this question, I named her. 

A few months later, my father bought me a few Amar Chitra Katha comics, among them, the story of Jhansi ‘s Rani Lakshmi Bai. The story of this teenage queen who was as much a voracious bookworm as me, standing at the helm of a whole state and fighting the british caught my imagination. Never mind that we had transitioned to a democracy where such stunts may land me in prison. 

But still, our situations were so far from each other, I had no idea who to emulate. 

Three years later, as a nine year-old, I was visiting my grandparents during the summer holidays. My great-grandmother, a formidable immobile venerable old lady with a tongue sharper than a knife, stayed with them. In typical kid fashion, I woke up late, snoozed all afternoons, and hoped to spend the summers crafting with my grandma, watching cartoons and avoiding my holiday homework. 

When my great-grandmother found out I was “avoiding my responsibilities” of holiday homework and fooling around, I was made to stand in the middle of her room and endure a stern tongue-lashing. The old lady barked at my grandmother to “Call Veena here tomorrow”. 

Who was Veena?

The next morning, after I’d finished ogling at the traffic from the terrace, I was called down to meet Veena. I saw a tall, very dark-skinned indolent boy dressed in a loose cotton shirt and shorts, with a thick, rough voice leaning against the door of my great-grandmother’s room. 

My Great-grandmother beckoned to me, nodded at the boy, and said - “Greet Veena. Learn from her atleast a little!”

I took my place in her room meekly, and looked closely at this boy, who I realised with a start, was a pre-teen girl with a short crop and a complete tomboyish andaaz. 

Veena barely spared me a glance, nor was she interested in respectful posturing with all the adults in the house. She was the picture of a street rat. 

She turned out to be our maid’s daughter. But she was OH so MUCH more than that. 

In a careless voice, she described how she’d go to the local Zila Parishad school, and make sure her siblings attended without fail. And after school, she did house-cleaning chores in a few households, earning a princely sum of a thousand rupees a month. 

She refused to hand the money over to her parents. They’re illiterate and will just spend it on liquor, or waste it on useless neighbours and relatives, she’d scoffed. 

Instead, she’d take her pay to buy a month’s worth of rice, dal, oil, salt, spices and dry food supplies for the family. 

She’d take it home and make sure they didn’t waste a grain of it. They lived in a shanty, which was riddled with thugs. So at an early age, she chopped off her hair, dressed like a boy, and learnt to brawl, keeping even the local hafta collectors away. 

At an early age, she took responsibility for keeping her siblings in line, and finishing school. She took charge of the family to prevent her illiterate parents from making stupid decisions, and singlehandedly planned their survival month after month in that fragile shanty. 

Her only complaint was that her mother didn’t cook sambar often enough though it was her favourite. She had zero complaints - she just saw problems and took charge like a bull, at a tender pre-teen age. 

That day, Veena stood taller than Rani Lakshmi Bai to me. 

It has been more than two decades since I saw her and heard of her. 

In fact, I am a little scared of knowing where she has ended up. The vagaries of life could have taken their toll on her, like an early marriage, or abusive families typical of life in the shanty. I could never picture Veena bend to them, and hope she hasn’t. 

But to me, she stood as a shining example of what an Alpha was before I even heard of the term. 

Someone who faced problems boldly, courageously and head-on, even if it meant gaining notoriety. Someone who took charge of their life and the wellbeing of their loved ones - they knew better to they acted to make it better. Someone who was undefeated in the face of what was thrown at them, working this way and that way with their raw reality to emerge triumphant. 

I think of her even today, and realise she represents what a woman needs to have. 

Clarity, strength and control. 

Clarity over her reality, the strength to change to face it, and control over her circumstances and those of her loved ones. 

She represents the kind of person I aspire to be, and the kind of strength I wish for women around me to have as well. 

I realised I had to define what I admired, and work to achieve it. 

I hope you all can too. 

Because you may unwittingly become a role model for a young desi girl somewhere, watching, observing and learning from you.

[notsorryforbeingbluencold]

OKAY SO IM MAKING A CHNT MEDIEVAL AU

its abouttt as historically accurate i can get w/o becoming a medieval scholar or yknow, time travel, with the exceptions that: women can, and are, holding non-hereditary positions of power, the divine right of kings is there, magic is real and ive thrown in a castle position to include rowan.

ANYWAY

Lucille is the queen in a very externally troubled time in a vaguely western europe middle ages country as whispers of her coming death are arising.

Jedidiah is the crown prince, and very much does NOT want to be king bc he is scared of responsibility but does crave the control. He is incredibly interested in the occult and is shockingly good at hiding it, he particularly is fascinated w divination and death magic.

(In this i write syd to have capitalized He/Him) Sydney was raised outside of society, in nature, by His mom and often mistaken as a nature spirit. One day when He was maybe 10~ He met Jedidiah when he was on a hunting trip hanging far behind. From there they became fast friends and Jedidiah was able to convince Sydney it would be good for Him to live in the castle, so he was able to make Sydney a baronet. Sydney likes hanging around the castle gardens.

Elijah appeared out of nowhere one day and became the castle’s chaplain as a priest.    He enjoys the position as it gives him spiritual power over others.  He thinks of Sydney as the second coming of Christ and plans to get Jedidiah and Lucille killed so he can preform the divine right of kings and make Sydney king, and control Him from there.

He is obsessed with christian mysticism.

Adam is the castellan and Elijah FUCKING HATES HIM. Adam is a satanist and is using blood rituals to keep the castle safe from all the outside invaders that want the nobles killed. And im making this really historically accurate so uhm

help

ANY WAY I MIGHT BE BACK W MORE BYE

(this will be posted on my ao3 once i write it, all this research is NOT going to waste, also feel free to shoot me an ask if you want a specific character expanded upon)

LET US KNOW WHEN YOU POST !! /nf

[inkypearlz]

An Embrace

Snow was rather worried about her stepmother’s state. She saw how she shattered, her breath caught in her throat. Yet she did not collapse. The mirror, the one she looked so obsessively upon, is now, no more. With shards scattered all over the floor, there was a peculiar beauty to it though - They resembled star dust. And she doesn’t know whether this is a bad thing or not. Hastily dusting off the dwarves’ footprints, she rushed to check on The Queen, whose mood is certainly not at its best. 

“Breathe, your majesty. Breathe.” I sat next to Queen Grimhilde, who reclined on her luxurious chaise. My fingers interlocked with hers, which felt rather limp at this point. Her hands always had some sort of icy coolness, but this time, I also detect a hint of clamminess to it, followed by faint trembling. She was greatly frightened. 

“Fetch one of my calming draughts, Aurelia.” She blinked open her eyes, her voice strained as she drew in a ragged breath. Yet her gaze was a bit unfocused. I quickly nodded, moving to that cabinet near her vanity, where she kept a stash of potions. I knew where to look, as they are always arranged in such a meticulous manner. The calming draught shown with a promise, as I poured the aquamarine liquid into one of those special goblets she used when she needed to drink her potions. After all, The Queen is a renowned potion maker and alchemist, not to mention her passion for astronomy. I’ve seen those western zodiac carvings around her mirror. Anyways, I wasted no time as I handed the goblet to her. Her hands trembled in a way I have never seen before. She’s in shock, it seems. I subtly helped her raise the brim to her soft lips. 

She drained its contents, leaving the goblet with not even a stain from those crimson lips. Then, I hear footsteps, along with a polite knock. It was definitely Snow. 

“Tell her, I wish to see no one.” Queen Grimhilde ordered. And I rarely defied her orders. Rarely. As soon as I slowly opened the door (Therefore giving her some extra time to compose herself), Snow White rushed to her stepmother’s side, unexpectedly pulling her into a warm embrace. And The Queen sat as stiff as a fine candlestick, the potion already working its magic. Her heart must be beating like mad from this sudden display of affection. 

The princess’ initial instinct told her to check whether her stepmother was unwell due to the shock, as her hand went up to The Queen’s forehead. Thankfully, she let out a sigh of relief afterwards as she drew it back. “Duchess, how can I express my thanks? I’m so happy you are here with her…” Snow’s eyes shown with this innocence I rarely see among the palace. “Do you wish to…” I trailed off, slightly uncertain of how to word it. Instead, I turned to Queen Grimhilde. 

“Your majesty, Snow wishes to talk to you, it seems.” I can sense Snow White’s eagerness, and of course I would not pass of this nice opportunity to mend such a bond. “Must it be now?” The Queen gave an exasperated sigh, trying her best to find a dignified position to place her hands, which hovered rather awkwardly over Snow’s arms. The princess showed no signs of relenting, and I am quite grateful for that. 

“Very well, child. Out with it.” Queen Grimhilde’s hands finally found their place on Snow’s shoulders. The princess trembled slightly at the icy touch, but it was obviously not enough to quench that spark of determination within her. “Stepmother, you were…not feeling quite yourself when your mirror shattered, were you?” 

The Queen was silent, yet Snow White’s question was answered. “I’ve seen you how looked at it,” she continued, “but you…you seem lonely. And I simply want you to be content.” The embrace tightened. “It’s not easy to let go of such a beloved thing, isn’t it?” The question hung in the air, yet The Queen’s gaze betrayed her stepdaughter’s raw honesty. 

My lips curled into a smile. The Queen’s eyes flickered with a flash of tenderness. “It is also not easy for you to let go of this…embrace, it seems.” She unwrapped herself from Snow’s arms with slight difficulty, judging how firm that grip was, and smoothed out her gown. “Now go, you have already creased this fine fabric.” 

“Stepmother, do you need anything? Tea, perhaps?” Snow White turned back, her eyes full of consideration, the silvery kettle in her hands, Yet she blissfully unaware of the emptied teacup right next to The Queen. “I had more than enough, child. Now, leave us.” The Queen gave a dismissive wave of her hand, and reclined on the chaise once more.  

She trembled slightly, yet her hands betrayed none of that earlier clamminess. Her potions had always worked wonders. “Do you require a shawl, your majesty?” I inquired. I did not point out my observations, as it would further irk her. The Queen nodded with her usual sensibility, and I fetched the one she embroidered herself. Such fine work. The gorgeous monarch, wrapped in the embrace of something beautiful, crafted by herself. 

“Your embroidery skills have always been refined, your grace. And I sensed that you could use a bit of distraction.” I did not want to press onto her pain, so this is why I offered this. “Shall I accompany you to the drawing room?” 

“That, would be a welcome reprieve.” The Queen replied with an eagerness I had not seen for quite a while, and gingerly massaged her temples.

[saleeba]

10 songs i’ve listened to lately | tag game

rules ♡ list 10 songs that you’ve been listening to lately !!

tagged by ♡ the queen of my heart @808heartz (yonks ago >_<) 💖💖

tagging ♡ @chloevly @keishaaaa @judethluvr @leviscolwill @utdmoon @judectrl @leclercloml @mentalbaddie @j4mal @judesecret @f4ult-line @shesdevotion @judeswhore @belgianshortcake @s6lars @20-th-centurygirl @alxanderarnolds @hepburnsmagic @fcbellingham 🫂🩷 + anyone else that would like to do it — you can totally say that i tagged you!! :D if you’re tagged above then please don’t feel pressured to do this — feel free to ignore! 🫶🏽🫶🏽

• mr simple — super junior (we pretend it’s by shinee though, right? 🥸)

• matargashti — mohit chauhan (summer holidays on the mediterranean coast vibes !! 💛🤍)

• blue blood — ive (OBSESSED w the middle eastern/balkan instrumentals in this!!! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽)

• lutt putt gaye — arijit singh (wasn’t fond of this upon the first 3-ish listens which is insane bc it’s a pritam-arijit tune but now it’s on repeat hehe 🫶🏽)

• time traveller — m.i.a. (had no idea she had an album out in 2022 but i’m working my way through it after this song popped up in a daily mix! 😋)

• love is a waste of time — sonu nigam, shreya ghoshal (so whimsical & sounds like child-like glee & falling in love with ur best friend & frolicking along the french riviera on a summer’s morning with them 🥰🍭💖)

• you & me song — joy crookes (need her to cover every song in existence‼️‼️)

• what is love — twice (my winter anthem 4everrrr; made me fall in love with love ❤️‍🩹)

• talkin’ about it — jihyo, 24kgoldn (moreee female kpop singers + male western rappers pleek !!)

• uff — harshdeep kaur, benny dayal (my ultimate lover girl song !! 🥺👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩)

[rainbow-scarab]

Wilds Beyond: the vision of Hallownest and its implementation in the west

aka why the mantises hate the White Lady

This is a theory post about western Hallownest. It’s partially an overview of each region. But more than that, it’s about how each region relates to Hallownest—the expansion of the kingdom, its central government, the vision of Hallownest that the Pale King tried to implement, and how it was only ever partially successful. It’s also about the White Lady and what her role she played, and that’s the point at which I jumped off when writing.

Table of Contents:

0. Intro

Pilgrim’s Way

Mosskin and Queen’s Gardens

Monomon and Wilds Beyond

Monomon and the Vision of Hallownest

Deepnest

Mantises

The White Lady and Traitor Mantises

Intro

So. I’ve been thinking about the White Lady and her role in Hallownest.

She’s talked about less than the Pale King. She’s farther away from the center of the Kingdom. In the game, she’s hidden away in her own garden, a place that seemingly got little traffic from the average bug.

What did she do? Did she keep out of politics, reclusive? I don’t think so.

The Pale King himself was said to be reclusive. Even so, he must’ve made decisions, presumably ran the kingdom with some level of success. Symbols of his power can be found everywhere throughout the kingdom. Even if he kept mostly to the palace, he was the seat of power. He did not need to be in most places I’m sure, having others in his government who could travel.

The Queen, we know, was out of the palace at least some of the time during Hallownest’s height, visiting Queen’s Gardens. I will argue that she was involved in politics, and that her location does have some significance.

Hallownest can be roughly divided into two halves.

On the eastern side, we have the social/political/cultural center of Hallownest civilization, the City of Tears. Also on the east we have the waterways, Kingdom’s Edge, Ancient Basin and the Abyss, and the former Radiance territories of Resting Grounds and Crystal Peak. On the eastern side of the City, we have King’s Station.

On the west side of Hallownest, we have Greenpath, Queen’s Gardens, Deepnest, Fog Canyon, and Fungal Wastes. Deepnest is not politically part of Hallownest. Greenpath and Fungal Wastes are home to three peoples between them who maintain distinct identities from the rest of Hallownest. Fog Canyon has jellyfish, who don’t have much info on them (but I will be touching on them later). Queen’s Station can be found in between Fog Canyon and Fungal Wastes.

(Maybe I could divide the kingdom in three instead—with Deepnest, the Abyss…Ancient Basin? The Hive, maybe? It all roughly corresponds with the sections of the three Dreamers, and how the Hive used to be “Deepnest east”. But I digress—I’ll be keeping to roughly two sides for simplicity’s sake in this post)

In other words, one side is under the King’s influence, and fairly well established as “Hallownest”. The government, the City, and the moths, who changed allegiance to the Pale King, and tried to forget their old god. I’m gonna put the Crossroads in this category as well even though it’s more center than east. The other side, the west, is much more poorly connected to the Hallownest government. But it does have association with the White Lady, with Queen’s Station and Queen’s Gardens.

(And then there’s Howling Cliffs/King’s Pass/Dirtmouth. Which hell, I could even divide all this into four sections if I wanted. Those areas aren’t particularly important for this post though. I’ll just consider them closer to the eastern side just because there aren’t so many people and there’s no other rival power/people to try to exert significant influence. But again, it’s really not particularly relevant for my purposes here)

Pilgrim's Way

Ellina the Chronicler, in The Wanderer’s Journal:

The Pale King apparently took great interest in civil engineering, as evidenced by the complex building projects found throughout the far reaches of the kingdom.

The Old Stag says explicitly it was the Pale King “who ordered the building of the stagways and stations” (King’s Station dialog).

With the stag stations, the tramways, and other large infrastructure projects like the Royal Waterways, Ellina was clearly correct. There’s one other sizable project that caught my attention as well: The Pilgrim’s Way.

I saw this video by Lifeblood Core a while ago about the Pilgrim’s Way. In it, they speculate on various functions the road may have served. Among other things, the road may have been a way for the Pale King to assert his claim on the areas the road runs through. I am particularly interested in this point for this post.

Lifeblood Core points out that reference to pilgrims in its name may mean there was a religious aspect to it as well. He was, after all, worshipped by the citizens. With political and possibly religious aspects (such things already intertwined with his status of god king), as well as the king’s known interest in similar projects, I’d say he must’ve been involved at least at the planning stage.

(I do recommend giving the video, and their other videos, a watch! It’s only 3 minutes long)

There are signs marking the beginning and end of Pilgrim’s Way:

1. The Pilgrim's Way Travellers of Hallownest, descend through verdant wilds and fungal groves to the city at this kingdom's heart. There all wishes shall be granted, all truths revealed.

2. Here ends the Pilgrim's Way. Hallownest's Heart lays open before you. Proceed onward to share in its glory.

I’ve marked what seems to be the path the Pilgrim’s Way takes on the map below.

There are various signs along the path which I’ve numbered, 1 and 2 being those at the beginning and end as were already mentioned. I’ll be referring to other numbered signs as I go. The route is marked by roads and architecture in the style of Hallownest, as opposed to architecture from Unn’s people or the mantises (who have their own distinct styles), or other areas lacking such structures. There are a few areas with Hallownest architecture branching off of the path, but they don’t go far so I’ve mostly left them unmarked. I’ve marked a few connections to other modes of travel with stars. Greenpath Stag Station and Queen’s Station are both along the road. The road also goes by the lift that connects the Crossroads with City Storerooms (even though the door between the lift and Fungal Wastes is closed, unable to be opened in game, presumably it was once open).

Pilgrim’s Way is definitely not a very direct route to get to the City of Tears. If you were around the start of the road in the Crossroads when the kingdom still thrived, you could easily take something like the lift or a stag to get to the City.

It’s possible that most of the people traveling the road were using it to get to and from places along the route itself—in Greenpath, Fog Canyon, or Fungal Wastes. But the signs at the beginning and end assume one will start in Crossroads and end in the City. The territories the road travels through, being referred to as “wilds” and “groves”, seem to be treated as just places to pass through on your way to a supposed true destination, a City that brings glory to its inhabitants.

However, those areas along the path do have real people living there; they’re not just empty wilderness. Those peoples, though part of territory claimed by Hallownest, maintain their own identities. As Lifeblood Core says in their video, these societies make clear that even though the road goes through their lands, off the road it still belongs to them. We have this warning from the Mosskin right beside the road:

3. Those who stray from the White King's roads shall face the law of Unn

Even currently, with the Mosskin infected, their dreamnail dialog indicates they still think of Unn. One of the lines is even “Protect the road of Unn...”. That, and the name of Greenpath having “path” in it, does seem to indicate they have their own roads. It’s unclear whether these roads are more metaphorical (such a spiritual path, perhaps as ones who follow Unn) or literal (and perhaps something only recognized by those in the know, or currently overgrown by unchecked vegetation). Regardless, the Mosskin draw a line between their roads and laws and the Pale King’s.

The mushroom people seem a bit warmer, though more passively accepting than enthusiastic:

4. Warily shall we accept the will of the Wyrm. Its prescience shields us. Fate and Future we shall entwine.

7. Strength in the shared self. Strength in the mind united. In every bug that would pass upon our roads, only the melancholy of disparity.

Such messages would be for their own people and not others, as you need the spore shroom charm to read them. Both messages are next to the road. The mushroom people maintain their own identity, distinguishing themselves from the bugs that come through, but “our roads” seems to be an acceptance of the Pilgrim’s Way, at least somewhat. They may think of the territory as theirs, claiming the sections of Pilgrim’s Way in Fungal Wastes as theirs. Still I consider this as wary acceptance of their place in Hallownest, to consider something built by the Pale King theirs, rather than the sharp distinctions made by the Mosskin.

The mantises are about as warm as one would expect:

5. Wanderers seeking death, welcome. May you find swift end upon our claws.

It’s no secret in game that the mantises have poor relations with Hallownest, though they have a treaty. Note that Pilgrim’s Way doesn’t go through their territory at all. I doubt they would tolerate that.

I’ll be returning to these points, and examining each area of western Hallownest one by one.

Mosskin and Queen's Gardens

There’s one last sign I marked on the map of Pilgrim’s way, from the Mosskin:

6. Though once our lands, a pale being lays claim to the caverns ahead. It may appear benevolent but it does not share our dream. Be wary to wander that place.

The area with this sign is a fair ways away from the Pilgrim’s Way, probably something meant to be read among the Mosskin themselves. It’s at the only connection between Greenpath and Queen’s Gardens.

(A connection which, I may point out, is closed from both ends, with stones held up by vines. I assume such things were put in place by the Mosskin. The sign is in between these two roadblocks)

As the sign says…Queen’s Gardens used to be a part of Greenpath. The White Lady is indicated as not being of their people, someone to be wary of even if she seems nice. Do they consider it false nicety? Are they wary merely because she is different from them? It’s hard to say exactly how much one thing or another influences their thoughts, but it does seem clear they are unhappy that she inhabits their former lands. Though “inhabits” is a weak word for it. “Lays claim”, they say. This suggests to me that the ownership of the land is something she asserts for herself, and that those who wrote the sign do not agree.

How she came to hold Queen’s Gardens is uncertain. I already find it a mystery where the White Lady even came from in the first place. Is her presence in Queen’s Gardens a result of negotiations between Hallownest and Greenpath? Was there conflict? Had Unn already been distant from her people, and the White Lady was just able to move in and no one would dare contest a god for it? It’s hard to say, only that whoever wrote that sign does not like it, and, I would say, considers Greenpath/the Mosskin the more legitimate owners of Queen’s Gardens.

Mosskin do not seem to live in Queen’s Gardens by the time of the game*. The intelligent species we do see there are the infected mantises and spiny husks. The mantises were surely not originally there, arriving after they split from the main mantis tribe sometime after the infection came. The spiny husks seem to be alternate versions of what you might call “standard Hallownest bugs”**…whatever species is prevalent in places like Crossroads and the City of Tears. These bugs are called “overgrown” so I assume they did not used to have all that vegetation on them.

The nonintelligent creatures of the area include alubas, durandoos, fool eaters, loodles, maskflies, mosscreeps, and mossflies. Most of those are also found in Greenpath, and the ones that aren’t (loodles and mossflies) are visually/thematically similar to the rest.

I can only assume the Mosskin used to live there. The environment and creatures are similar to Greenpath. It was part of their territory. I don’t know why they wouldn’t have inhabited it when it was still theirs. But there’s no trace of them there anymore.

The region is almost half the size of current Greenpath. Its loss must’ve had a large impact on the Mosskin and possibly a large displacement of their people, if they all left when the Queen took control of it.

The Old Stag says, of Queen’s Gardens Station:

It was not often used by the common bugs, being a well-guarded retreat for our late Queen.

This makes it sound like, rather than be a populated territory ruled over by the Queen, the whole area was set aside for her personal use. I can only guess that most bugs found within were either visitors, or guards meant to protect the Queen. Excepting again the traitor mantises.

Due to the spiny husks, I wonder if those who visited were not from Greenpath but instead from the heart of Hallownest. Perhaps higher ups with connections to the Queen? Tourists? Later wanderers? It’s uncertain. The corpse of the rich bug from the Tower of Love can be found there as well, though the spiny husks do not share the fancy clothes.

The Mosskin may have left under their own power. They warn each other, with the sign connecting the two formerly-united regions, to be wary. They also may have closed it off themselves. It’s hard to say, ultimately.

*Moss Prophet and followers are technically in Queen’s Gardens, but there’s a (breakable) wall in between the building they’re in and the rest of the region. And then in the opposite direction, just outside the building, there’s another wall you have to break to open up into Fungal Wastes. There are also two breakable floors that go into Deepnest. How anyone got into that building when all exits are sealed off I have no clue.

**One caveat to “standard hallownest bugs”. The Spirit’s Glade in Resting Grounds has a huge diversity of bugs in it. Such diversity is not found elsewhere in the kingdom. There are limitations in game design that mean…well…you reuse some of the same things, like simple enemy designs. The spirits in the glade were kickstarter backers so each got special attention that is not given to each individual husk throughout Hallownest. Even so. When we do see those “standard hallownest bugs”, the more simple designs we see over and over in game, we might contrast them with those who don’t fit that design, like the mantises. I will be mentioning these “standard” bugs quite a bit, to signify those predominant in places like Crossroads and the City.

Monomon and Wilds Beyond

Fog Canyon is home to the jellyfish: the oomas, uomas, Monomon, and Uumuu. There’s not much information on them given in the game. Cornifer finds them strange. The Hunter just kinda gives in to wild speculation before giving up on understanding what they are. The dreamnail dialog of the oomas and uomas is only “Monomon”, and the Hunter is creeped out that he “can’t see where they keep their thoughts”. The Hunter’s Journal and Hall of Gods recognize Uumuu as intelligent though, even as both remark upon its strangeness. Uumuu does have actual sentences in its dreamnail dialog (though also thinks of Monomon).

Monomon herself is, of course, clearly intelligent. She probably had a hand writing the strange records found in the Archives, with their odd word usage in seemingly scrambled order. She can certainly write in a more usual fashion though, as she wrote the Elegy for Hallownest. She also has dialog alongside the three Dreamers, as well as dreamnail dialog.

Monomon is the biggest representative we have for all of Fog Canyon. It’s not a huge area. It’s only inhabited by jellyfish (and, okay, Millibelle and one dead snail shaman). It contains the Archives and little else. The Archives are quite unique architecturally, and don’t have the same style/symbolism typical Hallownest architecture has. But even so, she aligns herself with Hallownest, perhaps the most of any individual that can be identified as a native of western Hallownest. Quirrel says:

Within these chambers the Teacher sought to store the Kingdom's knowledge and at its core, she stored herself.

Her dreamnail dialog, when you enter her dream:

...For diversity, a Seal... ...A world forever unchanging... ...the Seals, must break... ...Forever... ...Forever... ...Better, an end...

Monomon, the teacher. One who prizes knowledge and change and diversity. There must have been something she found in the Kingdom of Hallownest that she liked. Its people, certainly, for that is what gives rise to diversity, and brings more knowledge. But it seems beyond just that.

The Elegy for Hallownest:

In wilds beyond they speak your name with reverence and regret, For none could tame our savage souls yet you the challenge met, Under palest watch, you taught, we changed, base instincts were redeemed, A world you gave to bug and beast as they had never dreamed.

The meaning of this poem is much discussed when it comes to Hollow Knight lore. I won’t be going over all of its implications. But two things stand out to me here. One, is that she seemed to like the vision of Hallownest, as it was under the Pale King and White Lady. Something that was taught, and created change in the creatures that live there. Later, as the land was put in stasis, she preferred it to end, according to what she valued.

Second…the implication for “wilds beyond”. What does this refer to? Typically, I see it interpreted as being in reference to what lays outside of Hallownest.

Some of the game’s lore, tablets written by the Pale King, addressed to higher beings, indicate that there’s nothing outside of Hallownest. Yet we do know in game that some characters came from outside. And surely in its heyday the kingdom would’ve gotten visitors from outside, as the Pale King a beacon bringing them in. And Monomon would have to know somehow, to write this poem, what those outside Hallownest thought in order to write about their opinions.

Or so I thought. In investigating western Hallownest, I came to an alternate interpretation. Remember, again, the sign at the beginning of Pilgrim’s Way:

Travellers of Hallownest, descend through verdant wilds and fungal groves to the city at this kingdom's heart.

We also have these words from Quirrel, in Queen’s Station:

I'd not expected to discover so huge a Stag Station after that foggy descent. The bugs of Hallownest must've been an impressive lot, building such grand structures so far into these wilds.

This word, “wilds”. It’s used here to refer to Greenpath and Fog Canyon at the very least. And with Fungal Wastes being described with such words as “wastes” and “grove” (“forests” too in the mantis warrior journal entry), I think there’s a theme here. All of these words have connotations of both nature and lack of people/civilization*.

Monomon lived within Fog Canyon…right in the midst of these places called wild. Her calling was to collect knowledge for the Archives. She was in position to hear the thoughts and opinions of a huge variety of bugs. Especially those in western Hallownest, who are, it seems, considered to be more remote.

The interpretation of “wilds beyond” to refer to outside of Hallownest is not necessarily incorrect. It certainly can refer to that. But I just keep noticing the way western Hallownest is spoken of, over and over. Wild. Remote. Something more foreign to the bugs in what is called the kingdom’s Heart, the City of Tears. I think the phrase has its strongest ties to western Hallownest even if it could possibly encompass a region greater than that.

The Old Stag has this to say on Queen’s Station:

This place was a bustling hub of travel, well-placed for travellers visiting the outer edges of the land. You're quite the explorer to find this place.

Even if some like the Old Stag are speaking as if these areas are remote (“outer edges of the land”, suggesting you’d have to be an explorer to find it), it seems they did get a fair bit of traffic. Even so, these bugs are said to be “visiting”, rather than living in. It seems the native inhabitants of western Hallownest did not use Queen’s Station as much.

One thing I kept noticing is that Hallownest is considered large, with many regions. Even if the map may seem small by the time a player has traveled its length a few times, it is of course meant to be an entire kingdom. There are various peoples within, each with their own histories and cultures. Even those native to the kingdom may be called travelers when they move through its various regions. They may get horribly lost when outside of their native regions. I wrote a whole post on this to illustrate this point.

What I noticed was, so many bugs, “standard Hallownest bugs” that is, had left their home regions and died. Their last thoughts had been about how lost they were, or other such conditions about how they died, perhaps trying to flee the infection. The highest concentration of them are found in western Hallownest, seemingly somewhere foreign to them, that they sadly did not survive.

The Wander’s Journal makes mention of Queen’s Station as well:

Queen's Station is especially impressive, given the inhospitable environments it links. To have constructed such a spacious Stagway station so deep into Hallownest with minimal impact on the surrounding landscape is truly a monumental achievement.

Similar to what Quirrel says, but with some extra detail. Inhospitable. Clearly, these areas were fine enough for their native inhabitants. But to some, it was deadly. Some who tried to flee the infection into the western regions may have died from that very infection…but some died to the environs themselves.

A bit more dialog, from dream warrior Elder Hu:

Have you come to tame this savage, ruined land? Many have come to purify this place, but all who dwell here are eventually consumed. Yes, even the wild bugs lurking below us. They were once proud like you, but now they are only monsters. Beware dreams of glory, child. Turn back, and do not return.

Elder Hu is a bit complicated. In developing this post, I ended up with so much to say on him I had to take some of it out and make it its own post. In summary, I do not think he was from Fungal Wastes, nor does he seem to primarily be treating native inhabitants of Fungal Wastes in his capacity as healer. His journal entry indicates that he traveled around Hallownest to treat the infected, though in my interpretation he may have focused on Fungal Wastes in particular.

There’s still a fair bit more to say on him though. In his dialog, we see him speaking of Fungal Wastes as “savage”, and the mantises as “wild”.

Elder Hu was most likely infected when he died. His words here are still affected by a warped perception. He died trying to “purify”** the mantises, and only realizes his mistake after you defeat him…that is, that the mantises were fine all along, and he was the infected one.

It’s quite possible he only describes the area as a “savage, ruined land” due to his warped mindset. But when he says “even the wild bugs lurking below us”….it seems as if he expects “wild” is a normal thing to call those bugs. The way “even” is used in this sentence indicates that the “wild” bugs being infected is an unexpected outcome to him. This suggests to me that even if he correctly identified the mantises as uninfected, he’d still be calling them “wild bugs”.  Though he calls them proud, he thinks them wild no matter what.

He expects that Ghost has come, from outside Fungal Wastes, to “tame” or “purify”, and says that others have before. In the Hall of Gods, he’s called the god of “travellers and sages”. This suggests to me that he himself is from outside Fungal Wastes. I wonder if the primary people he tried to help from the infection were the more “standard Hallownest bugs”, due to considering the mantises only secondarily in his speech. Possibly the mushroom people, though being called a god of travelers makes me think it was of those who may be non-natives to the region.

Elder Hu also calls the area a “land”, rather than just being a subsection of the kingdom. There are a couple other instances of similar wording:

Willoh, of Queen’s Station: This place must once have been quite the hub, built at the border between two lands, that misty drop to one side and those bulbous growths another.

Mato dreamnail: My brother, Sheo... how fare you in that green kingdom of thorns you call home? I think of you every time I raise my nail...

All of this to say, the picture I’m getting is that Hallownest has certain regions that are seen as more “standard”, more “normal”, areas like the City or Crossroads, full of bugs and their culture and norms, by which other regions of Hallownest are compared against. Those bugs view western Hallownest as more remote, more wild, and more foreign, even as these regions may be called a part of Hallownest. It may partially be due to higher amounts of vegetation, but even the native bugs may be called “wild”.

*To be fair, the Mosskin are by their nature concerned with greenery, so you might call their territory wild in that sense, rather than one lacking in people/civilization. But it doesn’t seem to be just about greenery. For Quirrel to think it’s impressive for Hallownest to build structures “so far into these wilds” suggests to me that it is the fact that it’s far from what’s considered….more “real” Hallownest? Far from its center, the City, against which the rest of Hallownest is compared.

**There is one darker possibility. The thought that the primary method of “purification” is to kill the infected. Elder Hu is a warrior, after all. And it may very well have been part of what he had to do. Anyone working with the infected should’ve been able to defend themself due to the violent nature of the infection. Now, due to his journal entry, mentioning him “tending to those affected by the plague”, I would like to think he legitimately tried to heal the infected if he could. But his wording when first speaking to Ghost, “beware dreams of glory”, does make me pause. One does not typically seek glory through medical service, but is a word frequently applied to battle. Did some bugs try to pick fights with the infected for their own glory? It’s quite possible…

Monomon and the Vision of Hallownest

Looking at the Elegy for Hallownest again:

In wilds beyond they speak your name with reverence and regret, For none could tame our savage souls yet you the challenge met, Under palest watch, you taught, we changed, base instincts were redeemed, A world you gave to bug and beast as they had never dreamed.

Let’s assume, even if Monomon may have come into contact with some bugs from outside Hallownest, that most of those she knew of were from inside Hallownest. She lived near others who might be considered “different” when compared against those living in the Heart of the kingdom, the City. She tells a tale in the Elegy that she may have seen in action around her. She considered that her own people the jellyfish (though their status is still mysterious, at least herself and Uumuu were intelligent) were changed under the Pale King. Such change was, I think, a process that was still ongoing when the infection came around.

She likes the Pale King and what came with the Kingdom of Hallownest. She speaks positively of the changes, the teachings. She speaks of others “in wilds beyond” speaking of Hallownest reverently. Also with regret, which I assume is about Hallownest’s decline rather than considering Hallownest negatively.

And just to note, I believe the poem is addressing a personification of Hallownest. Personally I thought it was the Pale King at first, but it is, after all, the Elegy for Hallownest. It does have an extended (seemingly unfinished) version in the files, with the line “Within your corpse can still be heard the plaintiff cries of one”. This seems to be about the Hollow Knight, and “your corpse” would have to be the dead kingdom. Of course this version is not canon, but, I think it does display the intent of the poem to be addressing personified Hallownest the most explicitly.

Anyway. If she is truly speaking of western Hallownest, those areas called “wild”, then, these views are different than what I’ve been highlighting for each of the peoples. The mosskin, the mushroom people, and the mantises do not seem particularly enthused about Hallownest. But any people is capable of having diverse opinions. In the course of the game, for instance, we see multiple divisions in the mantis tribe, both in the split into traitors/non-traitors, and also Traitor Lord’s daughter going against the xenophobia common in her tribe to get together with Ze’mer.

And I keep coming back to the significance of all the terms used. That these areas are called wild, that some of the people are called wild. That someone like Elder Hu calls the land savage. And, what does it mean to tame a soul?

There’s only so much I can go over. All this touches on the topic of the Pale King giving mind to bugs, how that contrasts with their state when infected, and how they were before the Pale King. Such is a huge topic with many interpretations, and a bit much for one post.

I do think there’s something to be said about the word “tame” contrasting with “wild” though. Those words are used as opposites in the real word. To tame, to take something wild and make it not so.

I wonder if Hallownest, the vision of the world it brings, its goal…might be said to be a work in progress in the western regions. That perhaps Monomon feels herself and the jellyfish to have been tamed, to have become a part of this kingdom and its vision. But some of the others….the mosskin, the mantises, the mushroom people. They are not quite…this same level of “tame”, from the view of Hallownest society. There is a degree of acceptance of the Hallownest government. But they also maintain a degree of distance, some with more force than others.

And then there’s Deepnest.

—But before that, I’d like to mention the Hunter.

Or rather, I already have. The linked post goes over a bit more than I want to highlight right now, but long story short, the Hunter’s position on society is quite interesting to me. He is highly critical of the civilization the Pale King brings. He thinks it makes bugs weak, cowardly, lazy.

At the same time, he criticizes those like the Hive Knight for being enslaved to duty.

He pretty much rejects most if not all family, friends, or companions. Even if he doesn’t hate the concept, he’s so focused on hunting he’d hunt even those close to him.

In a world so fallen apart as present-day Hallownest, someone like the Hunter thrives. His worldview is a sorta third option to everything I’ve been speaking of.

Hallownest is a kingdom that attempted grand civilization, over vast territory, with many different species under it. And then you have these smaller peoples, with varying degrees of independence, but who still hold themselves distinct. And they have their own societies and ways as a group.

–And then you have the Hunter, who does not associate with anyone really, does not make himself a part of any group, and greatly dislikes many of these things that come with society: loyalty to someone higher, and not relying on your own abilities and thereby becoming strong.

I just think his views are an interesting contrast, especially in light of the rest of the look into the Elegy for Hallownest. What it means for one to be “wild”…isn’t necessarily something like how the Hunter is. The peoples of western Hallownest have societies. It may be how they fit into wider Hallownest that designates how “wild” they are.

Deepnest

Though “Hallownest” is often used in a loose sense to refer to the overall geographical area that covers the whole map in game, as far as politics, Deepnest is not part of the Kingdom of Hallownest.

Deepnest is situated in the bottom left of the map, as I’m sure you know. It’s directly under Queen’s Gardens. It also has multiple connection points with Fungal Wastes. And finally, there’s a tram connection to Ancient Basin in the far eastern portion.

Deepnest and Hallownest had poor relations. Due to its location, those with the highest contact seem to be in Fungal Wastes. The mushroom people say, near a border with Deepnest:

This border bounds the twisting, scratching things. Their dead sire, once of honoured caste. Their sealed mother, but the common beast. No peace with them we make.

The mantises also mention them on a sign in their village:

The truce remains. Our vigil holds. The beasts are kept at bay.

Relations have been that of conflict. It seems the mantises have seen the bulk of it, from the giant pile of corpses at the door that separates Deepnest and the Mantis Village.

Many of those corpses are dirtcarvers, non-intelligent. Some corpses are deephunter though, which—well. Okay. I admit, I personally like to think they’re intelligent, but their dreamnail dialog is the same as unintelligent creatures, so maybe my thoughts are entirely baseless XD However, it does seem there is real conflict involving intelligent spiders too.

Team Chery, in a Q&A on Reddit:

Q: Is there any relation between Hornet and the Mantis Lords? Both the weapons they use and moves they attack with are vaguely similar... William: They do have a similar style and grace to them, although we're not sure if the connection runs any deeper than that. Ari: Although... Deepnest borders the Mantis Village, and the spider tribe (Hornet's tribe) has long been at odds with the Mantis Lords. Their weapons and attacks may share some similarities due generations of constant conflict?

Generations of conflict. Are any of these generations after the stasis began? If there’s any people that would be least affected by stasis, it’s the mantises, the only ones with a continuing civilization in Hallownest. Perhaps that includes new generations. …Regardless, it’s been a long time.

It is, of course, not just with the mantises and mushroom people where there’s been conflict. There’s the failed tramway as well.

The corpses near the bench have the dreamnail dialog:

"...My King. I'm sorry..." "...It couldn't be built..." "...this nest rejects us..."

The failed tramway is full of carver hatchers (and of course, the dirtcarvers they hatch). Whether it was only those that made the project fail and killed the people, or the spider tribe attacked as well, is hard to say.

Again in a Q&A, Team Cherry says:

Q: Where was the Failed Tramway going to connect to if it was ever finished? William: It was part of an attempt by the bugs of Hallownest to expand their kingdom into the unknown territories below them. Unfortunately things didn't quite work out for them.

This is a bit odd to me. Seems like an unwise decision to start a big infrastructure project before you get a good grasp of the area you’re building in. Did they survey the immediate area for the planned tramway and only later did dirtcarvers and/or spiders come in? It’s hard to say.

The Wanderer’s Journal also has this to say:

The kingdom made efforts to expand into this dark territory, but those efforts were met with ferocious resistance. The ruins of a tram station stand as a symbol of the conflicts that ended this expansion. It would appear there are some places even Hallownest's influence cannot tame.

This doesn’t illuminate too much, though I’d say mention of “conflict” hints at intelligent foes. And say, there’s that word “tame” again…

I’ll touch on this again later, but for now, the timeline as I understand it would be:

Hallownest bugs try to expand downwards from Queen’s Gardens.

They meet with hostility from Deepnest bugs, leading to the tram project’s failure.

Some time later, Hallownest comes to a truce with the mantises, in which the mantises agree to guard against Deepnest at the boundary between their territories. The mushroom people may or may not have been part of this.

Even if Hallownest did not know about Deepnest when they started expanding downwards, I think the mantises likely knew. They were not a part of Hallownest, or there would not have to have been a truce (and indeed the Wanderer’s Journal indicates they are not a part of it). The “generations of conflict” Team Cherry mentioned…it may have preexisted. Or perhaps relations were better in the past, it’s hard to say. At the very least, the mantises agreeing to keep Deepnest “at bay” likely worsened any conflict.

The mushroom people may have had prior good relations with Deepnest (with the mention of the “dead sire”), but they are clear in their dislike of Herrah. What happened to this “dead sire” and when it happened is unclear, though I think this sire may have been a higher being. Whether the death of this being had anything to do with relations with Hallownest or the mantises (in conflict, in respect, etc) I don’t know, but it does get my imagination going.

It’s uncertain how outright hostile the intelligent Deepnest residents may have been to outsiders. The corpses at the door to the Mantis Village, the culprits who attacked the tramway…those are possibly all unintelligent. There was real conflict between the spider tribe and Fungal Wastes, but that may have come later. But regardless, there is certainty that there was a biiiit of cannibalism going on.

The manual indicates, on Distant Village:

In the darkest corner of Hallownest, tales tell of a mythical village that grants rest to weary travellers. Those who seek it must find peace there, for none ever return.

This does not ever explicitly get said in game, though it does explain some dialog from Quirrel, when you find him at the Deepnest hot spring:

This is a ferocious place no doubt. Supposedly, there's a village deep in the warren. Its inhabitants never accepted Hallownest's King.

dreamnail: This one too must seek the village at the nest's heart. What mystery the purpose that sees it share my path.

I had thought it was a bit odd, before I read the text in the manual, that he would assume Ghost would be seeking this village. I can only infer that he knew of this legend (and assumed that Ghost knew it too).

Of course, when you reach Beast’s Den in the village, some kind of fake “villagers” try to entice you to sit on a bench. Corpses in a nearby building, wrapped in silk, indicate how they were lied to. One corpse within Beast’s Den was thinking “…Rest…”…I presume having heard this legend too.

I assume all these bodies were saved for later consumption.

Midwife, definitely, wants to eat you. Her dialog too hints at this legend:

Oh. Please. Please. Don't be shy. There are some nasties about here alright. Not me. I'm a friend to all and happy to serve a traveller so bold as you.

My dear. Aren't you so kind, checking again on my well-being. I'm ever the caring host. I can't understand why more don't visit in your manner.

Reference to hospitality to travelers specifically. Right before trying to eat you.

How did this legend spread? It’s hard to say. If no one ever returned, who could be telling others about it? Perhaps some were treated nicely, and let go, to tell others. In a conversation with @basilbellona, she suggested that perhaps some corpse creepers could have impersonated normal bugs by inhabiting their bodies and spreading this legend.

Regardless, somehow the legend got out. Was it early in Deepnest’s relations with Hallownest? Was it later, when society was collapsing, and perhaps Deepnest was particularly hungry? There’s no way to really know the timing. No matter what, it seems the perception of Deepnest by Hallownest was one of dangerous ferocity.

During the infection, Herrah and the Pale King made a bargain: Herrah would become a dreamer, in exchange for being able to have her child, Hornet. I’ve seen much talk about this…how Herrah had no heir, how the weavers helped craft spells with their silk, etc. It’s all a bit deep for my purposes right now. Now, I’m more wondering how Deepnest fit in with Hallownest.

It seems to me that, even if relations may have been slightly better due to this deal…they still weren’t great. Deepnest was still in conflict with Fungal Wastes. A stagline was built between Distant Village and the White Palace, but it seems it was at least partially secret, due to the Old Stag’s dialog:

On Distant Village station: Ahh, little one... Where are we? I have never been to this station. It has a strange air of danger to it. Let me take you somewhere safer, quickly.

On Hidden Station: Ah! What station is this, hidden all the way at the bottom of the world? Until I heard the bell calling, I didn't even know the Stagways travelled so deep. You've discovered something quite astounding, little one! No matter how old I grow, the world still keeps surprises like this stowed away...

Also just the fact that Hidden Station is…well…called hidden. I don’t know why keep it a secret. Perhaps if the plan with the dreamers was at least partially a secret, I’m not sure. But at the same time, Lemm says that the City switched from stone journals to writing on spider silk. There seems to have been some level of open relations. But not enough to undo the agreement for the mantises to hold back Deepnest, apparently.

There’s also the strange fact that Deepnest actually has a high concentration of standard Hallownest bugs in it. Or at least their corpses. Some of them, yes, were likely eaten. Perhaps there due to the legend. Or to flee infection? They may have come in on the tramway from Ancient Basin. I don’t really have answers here, but, hoping it may paint some small piece of this incomplete history.

My best guess is that, overall, Hallownest openly characterized Deepnest as a hostile foreign nation to protect again, even as it had some positive relations. Those positive things may have been kept more secret.

Now…the failed tramway.

The failed tramway confuses me, and leads me to draw some interesting and possibly startling conclusions in attempting to come to terms with its mysteries.

As I quoted above, Team Cherry says Hallownest was attempting to “expand their kingdom into the unknown territories below them”. This attempt seems to have began from below Queen’s Gardens, at the western end of the tram. The eastern end of the tram is in the middle of Deepnest, far from any other connections to Hallownest. The connection from Queen’s Gardens too seems like it was artificially built. It’s a vertical shaft, full of wooden (or, er, shellwood) beams. The Deepnest end is the area near Mask Maker. Top of the shaft:

Bottom of the shaft:

Room near Mask Maker, where you can see a typical tunnel connection trams go through, but filled in with something:

So there seem to be a line of structural supports from Queen’s Gardens to the tramway, and a lack of such on the other end of the tramway.

If this was an attempt to expand below the kingdom, where were they going? I have to ask again…why attempt to expand into unknown territory via a large infrastructure project? I did start to wonder. If Hallownest bugs dug down from Queen’s Gardens…were they trying to connect the area where they found themselves to more known territory?

To the immediate east of the tram, it’s more Deepnest. But if that line continued, it would connect pretty neatly with the City of Tears, only slightly offset downwards from floor level of the cavern with the Nailsmith.

As you might see from the map above, this possible route could cause a lot of trouble. It has the potential to not just enrage Deepnest, but the mushroom people and mantises as well, going straight through the middle of Fungal Core and Mantis Village. As I was theorizing above, I don’t think the mantises (and possibly the mushroom people as well) were yet part of Hallownest.

It’s possible the tram would end at Fungal Core, though. The mushroom people might’ve been part of Hallownest. I just keep looking at how well the potential line of the tram lines up with the City of Tears. If Fungal Wastes was yet to be part of Hallownest, it’s possible that the Hallownest bugs were hoping for the best that they’d be able to connect to the City, not knowing or not caring what lay in between.

Still, seems like horrendous planning.

I also wondered if Mask Maker specifically was a draw to the region. If, for some reason, Hallownest thought it important to have access to them. Mask Maker continues to be mysterious, and the tram does line up to their doorway. There’s no real way to know; I just feel obligated to add them to the pile of mystery evidence for everyone’s consideration XD

It’s also possible the tram was meant to get close to Distant Village. But since, apparently, this was a poorly planned project, and the bugs were not that familiar with Deepnest…it seems unlikely they would even know about Distant Village.

It’s also possible that the answer from Team Cherry about the tram is…not canon. The truest canon is anything actually in the game. Team Cherry has expressed before a reluctance to say too much about lore, to leave fans to their own interpretations, as well as leave things more open to future exploration. It’s possible the answer they gave is just not true. Or less thought out. Or perhaps I’m misinterpreting it. Because as I keep saying, the whole tram project seems so foolish, so ill-advised, so poorly thought out if you haven’t thoroughly surveyed where you’re building…it comes to a point where I’m dubious such a thing is the correct explanation.

Perhaps they had surveyed the area. Perhaps they did get a hold on where they were building. And perhaps, even with that, they miscalculated. Miscalculated the dangers of Deepnest, and just how hostile the reception would be with its intelligent residents.

The failed tramway is in the upper portion of Deepnest. Perhaps Hallownest bugs thought, it’s not too close to Distant Village, or Weaver’s Den. Perhaps they could get away with it, and expand their territory further, securing control of everything from the tramline up.

The Mantises

By now I’ve mentioned the mantises quite a bit.

Their willingness to kill to defend their territory, their generations of conflict with Deepnest. Who may be described by some bugs as living in wild territory, and as wild themselves, not tame. Proud warriors. Those who made truce with Hallownest.

It’s mentioned in the Wanderer’s Journal:

The people of the Mantis tribe always had a relationship with Hallownest that was tenuous at best. Long ago, they agreed to a truce to protect their village from the kingdom's expansion. They retained sovereignty in their domain, and in exchange, they agreed to stem the flow of hostile beasts rising up from the depths of Deepnest. They continue to honour that agreement even after the fall of the kingdom.

The mantises could not really be said to be a part of Hallownest, even as Hallownest would like to claim Fungal Wastes. And with the existence of a truce, peace seems tenuous, with the possibility that conflict could start up again.

The Wanderer’s Journal also indicates they didn’t want to use the technology the Pale King brought, using their own instead.

The Hunter’s Journal describes them in a way that marks them as pretty separate, in its entry on the Mantis Lords:

The Mantis tribe and the bugs of old Hallownest had no love for each other. The Mantises outlived their rivals though, and their civilisation still stands.

Again in the Wanderer’s Journal:

Though some might call the people of the Mantis tribe simple savages, their culture has a rich history steeped in traditions that date back to ancient times, long before the birth of Hallownest.

Different civilization, different culture, different technology. Sovereignty in their domain. A people that still survives, when Hallownest has fallen. The only civilization left intact.

They’ve suffered losses. The split amongst their tribe certainly a huge shakeup. It’s unknown if they’ve suffered other losses such as loss of trade, lost lives due to conflict, etc. But even so they still stand. The only other intact settlement in Hallownest is Dirtmouth, and it’s hard to call that intact when most of its residents were lured down the well by their dreams. The rest of the land is just disparate survivors. But the mantises remain.

I do wonder how hostile they were to Hallownest, long ago. There must’ve been fighting, to have needed a truce. And of course, the mantises are initially hostile to Ghost. But there’s a little more to them than that.

Cornifer: Very territorial types make their homes within this area. I'd suggest avoiding them where possible. Further below some strange thin creatures gave me quite a scare. They seemed an intelligent bunch. In my youth I'd have braved their caves but I fear my matured physique wouldn't be able to outrun them were they to turn violent.

Quirrel: I suppose you've already met with the tribe of this village, hmm? They seem a little distrustful of strangers... to put it lightly. They're not brutes though, no. The sickness in the air that clouds the mind of lesser beasts... they resist it. They retain their intellect and their honour, though also their lethal traditions.

Somehow, Quirrel and Cornifer assert that they are intelligent. They both know that the mantises are ready to fight, but, perhaps they had interactions that were a bit more than that. Those two bugs are both able to speak, so perhaps they were able to actually converse with the mantises. In fact, Cornifer mentions them turning violent as if it had not happened yet, though he knew it could happen. I’m not sure how he would know unless there was some kind of communication. Body language at the very least. Quirrel as well knew they had “honor” and “lethal traditions”, though this may be due to his memories instead.

I’ve seen it theorized before that the area in the above picture was a jail cell. The bug within has dreamnail dialog of “…I’m sorry…”, and they were in this area with a closed entrance. It’s possible a mantis could get in/out better than many bugs. Regardless, if this was something like a jail cell, it would mean that “death” is not the only answer outsiders will find in mantis territory. Er, despite the fact that this bug is dead now. Presumably they weren’t dead when they were put in there or there’d be no point.

If others could communicate with the mantises and have non lethal interactions, what went wrong with Ghost then? Was it because they can’t speak? Were the mantises unsettled by their odd look as a being of void? I dunno, perhaps it’s just the limitations of a video game. Regardless, they aren’t 100% kill on sight.

As it currently stands in the game, some mantises willingly gave themselves to the infection and were outcast. They turned against their tribe, and went to live in Queen’s Gardens.

The Hunter’s Journal says on Traitor Lord:

Deposed Lord of the Mantis tribe. Embraced the infection and turned against his sisters.

I had wondered how long ago this happened, how long ago Traitor Lord and his followers took on the infection and took over Queen’s Gardens. It does seem that the infection was dormant until the Hollow Knight became infected, something that game dialog seems to indicate was a fairly recent event.

If so, then, I would think that Traitor Lord only became infected recently as well. However, evidence around his daughter indicates it was long ago. Ze’mer says:

Ahhh Le'mer, you could not know of tragedy as complete as che's, true lovers stripped apart, two worlds that could not meet. And now meled'lover, dead so long in time. Dead, so far away. Buried, moina? Ai. Amongst its hateful kin that did deny our union, that did reject che's... outside-ness.

Traitor Lord’s daughter’s grave reads, “Here sleeps the Traitors' child.”

This indicates that not only did she die a long time ago, but also that Traitor Lord was already called a traitor at that time. Interestingly, it would seem her grave was marked by the main mantis tribe rather than by the traitor mantises, to refer to her like that. It’s possible infected mantises were not in a state of mind to be able to write.

The circumstances of her death are a mystery. Ze’mer blames the mantises for keeping them apart, but doesn’t mention what killed her. Violence seems likely, due to her location in Queen’s Gardens. I entertained the chance that Traitor Lord’s daughter was there for some completely unrelated reason, before her father embraced the infection, and died some accidental death, but…well, it seems unlikely. I’ll assume she was there due to her father’s break with his sisters and attack on the Gardens.

I had to ask though. Why would Traitor Lord attack Queen’s Gardens? Why not the City of Tears? Or, why the White Lady and not the Pale King?

I spent a long time analyzing routes Traitor Lord and his followers could take according to the map, the regions they would have to go through, the obstacles they would face on the way. It was all quite long and I eventually realized it was only minimally relevant (may make another post for fun though). If it was so long ago, conditions may have been different.

But in summary. I think the area of the palace had too many obstacles on the way, and that’s counting on the palace still being there. No way Traitor Lord could get into the dream realm XD

The route to Queen’s Garden’s is simpler. And though the area was said to be well guarded…I doubt it was anywhere near as much. We can’t even see any evidence of dead guards—only Marmu (maybe???? who knows how she died) and Dryya.

(It was also pointed out to me (thank you @grollow) that if was so long ago….they may have all just taken the stag. Oh boy. What a sight that would’ve been XD Yes please take hundreds of us to Queen’s Gardens all at once. No you may not ask why)

More than all this, though. I think Traitor Lord may have had reasons other than convenience/accessibility to go after Queen’s Gardens.

The White Lady and Traitor Mantises

Queen’s Gardens is an area primarily set aside for the White Lady. Various characters refer to it as the Queen’s retreat, estate, or sanctuary, suggesting it’s mostly for her personal use. It’s in a central location in western Hallownest, connecting to Greenpath, Fog Canyon, Fungal Wastes, and Deepnest.

The Queen’s presence can be shown throughout the western Hallownest beyond the Gardens. Not only do the Gardens have a stag station, but there’s also one named after the Queen in between Fog Canyon and Fungal Wastes. As I was mentioning earlier, it seems the attempted expansion into Deepnest happened through Queen’s Gardens. I’ve also noticed that a portion of Pilgrim’s Way, the shrumal ogre arena in Fungal Wastes, is a small garden of its own, with plants and architecture the same as Queen’s Gardens:

To quote the Old Stag again, it was the Pale King “who ordered the building of the stagways and stations.” But as far as I can tell, to residents of western Hallownest, the White Lady was the face of Hallownest. Many things may have been on the king’s orders, or have the Hallownest seal on it in a form that represents his body, but it was the White Lady with more physical presence.

And as I’ve noticed previously, though the Pale King does have symbology throughout Hallownest, the White Lady seems to have some of her own in Queen’s Gardens (and a lack of the Pale King’s).

The true extent of her role is unknown. It’s possible she was just…there…in her gardens, enjoying the plants. I personally think of her taking part in directing affairs throughout western Hallownest. She also says, when Ghost first meets her, “Within my roots, the weakening of the Vessel I plainly feel.” She may be monitoring the region (and areas beyond).

In truth, there is very little that can be said about her and her role explicitly. It is only her centrality in the region, in the midst of all the people and events and projects, that, combined with her power and abilities, make me think she involved herself in the lives of the various bugs in western Hallownest.

Whether or not she did much, Traitor Lord brought himself and his followers to her doorstep.

And of course, there’s the fact that Traitor Lord’s daughter died there. Though I think she likely died due to the fighting Traitor Lord started, there’s still a possibility that something unrelated killed her there, driving his rage, and taking on the infection before she could even get a grave marker (leaving the uninfected mantises to make one). And if she did die after the attacks started…well, I’m sure that still could drive his rage.

I don’t know what goals the traitor mantises might’ve had. To get rid of the White Lady, for one. Traitor Lord was right there, near her location, and Dryya dead after defending from many mantises. I’m sure that he would’ve liked to get to the queen. I’m not sure why exactly he was not able to accomplish this. Perhaps the protections around her were too strong, even with no one left to guard her. He probably couldn’t physically fit into where she was. Some smaller mantises might, I don’t know. For whatever reason, it did not happen. And yet Traitor Lord still stays nearby, in a pavilion.

The traitor mantises are living in the Gardens. They have their own small settlement, and other structures and objects of their scattered throughout the region.

Their dwellings are nowhere near as complex as what you find in the Mantis Village. It’s possible they lack the same resources they’re used to, or lack the craftspeople among their group…but I wonder if it’s the results of the infection on their minds. It’s also possible these were supposed to be temporary dwellings, but the effects of the stasis did something to them and they never tried beyond this.

I do think their minds must be affected to some extent, though. Traitor Lord’s daughter still remains with her grave marked “Here sleeps the Traitors' child.” Had they the ability and/or awareness, I’d think they’d change it.

The mantises are presented many times as having strong minds. Proud and intelligent, and able to resist the infection. I again have to wonder at the goals of the traitor mantises. Were they aware of what the infection was? Some of Hallownest’s residents were. Perhaps not aware of the Radiance herself, but aware, like the Moss Prophet or Bardoon, that it offered some sort of unity.

The traitor mantises all share the same dreamnail dialog:

...Outcast...Survive...Kill... ...Intruder...Destroy... Our lands now...

Survival. Securing territory, and protecting it.

I am doubtful that the mantises would want the kind of unity that the infection offers. The journal entry on Traitor Lord suggests embracing the infection to get stronger, though that is really more the Hunter’s musings. Still. I can’t help thinking of Traitor Lord and his followers using the infection as a means to an end.

Traitor Lord is angry, as indicated in the Hall of Gods. I doubt he was motivated solely by his daughter’s death, in the case it did happen before his infection. He got people to follow him somehow, to choose him over his sisters. I assume they wanted to avenge wider grievances.

I wondered if it was about territory, as their dreamnail dialog focuses on. The mantises possibly feeling threatened by Hallownest and its expansion, the taking over of Queen’s Gardens, and the infrastructure popping up around them.

I wondered if Traitor Lord would find common cause with the Mosskin. The mantises are aggressive and protective of their territory, but they aren’t 100% harsh after all. They could’ve held better diplomatic relations with peoples that weren’t the ones who tried to expand into their territory. Still. “Our lands now…” seems to indicate the traitor mantises are playing for keeps, and do not have interest in the Mosskin possibly reclaiming their former lands. I don’t think all this was only about a land grab. But more territory could have been an attractive factor. Definitely would stick it to the White Lady anyway.

I wonder if the traitor mantises, once able to kill the White Lady or otherwise remove her, intended to free themselves from the infection. I don’t know if such a thing would be possible. But they might have believed it to be. Again, I am doubtful the infection itself was attractive to them beyond its strength, and it goes against their fierce independence. If any species would be able to uninfect themselves, well, it probably would be the mantises. But…well. The infection has the ability to bring back even long dead husks. The mantises bodies, even if not dead, grew and warped. They might not be able to survive.

Such things are only hypotheticals. They of course were infected until the end, and never got rid of the White Lady. I just find it tragic in its own way that their goals, their vision for their future, may have been impossible from the start.

As for the main mantis tribe, I am doubtful they care what happens to the White Lady. The mantises don’t like Hallownest. But, pride, honor, and tradition are important to them. They made a truce with Hallownest. And Mantis Village seems adamant to uphold their agreement.

The Mantis Lords destroyed a fourth throne that surely once held their brother. The grave of Traitor Lord’s daughter marks his status as traitor. Clearly the whole affair was a huge upset among their people, tearing apart their society into two groups. Mantis Village calls him a traitor. Not, I think, for any allegiance to Hallownest and its queen…but instead for violating their agreement and their code of honor.

And so, we come to the end....

Western Hallownest was a place in change. Just as Monomon prized. Many peoples, with their different histories and values and conflicts. Some coming to embrace the Kingdom, some not. Hallownest civilization never seemed fully realized there, people “tamed” under one rule and vision. And with the kingdom’s fall, it never would be.