#re: na siblings

[unhetalia]

Could you share some of your headcanons for the relationship between Alfred and Matthew? Like what kid of relationship they have?

These two are weirdos, first and foremost. I have a few different configurations for how they are depending on how angsty I want a universe to be. If we're talking headcanons for the relationship that looks similar to what they have in canon (they spend time together of their own volition), this is what I have.

My Matthew and Alfred's relationship can't be talked about wholly without mentioning the fact that there is an additional sibling - Maria, the eldest - and that she actively preferred Alfred to Matthew, meaning that there has NEVER been a time when Matthew felt in equal standing with Alfred when someone knows both Alfred and Matthew. I cannot emphasise how much this fucks Matthew up.

(Lack of self-awareness on Matthew's part, he also vastly prefers Alfred to Maria.)

This means that Matthew really doesn't like sharing friends with Alfred. This means he tends to be friends with Nations who actively dislike Alfred - Cuba, for one. Old English colonies who have always been bitter about having to compete with the ghost of Alfred Jones.

Alfred doesn't mention it, but this is something that hurts Alfred quite a bit, and leads to Alfred seeking out Maria and others' company more than Matthew's, which upsets him.

Matthew's blind spot is absolutely Alfred - he doesn't consider Alfred's feelings because he can't imagine that Alfred's feelings are capable of getting hurt. He truly sees Alfred as someone with a charmed life.

On the other hand, Alfred underestimates his twin. He never brings up anything Matthew does wrong because he believes Matthew "doesn't mean anything bad by it" and doesn't think Matthew can handle the criticism, thereby leading to a relationship where Matthew feels like he is a better sibling to Alfred than Matthew is to him.

It isn't just in their relationship - Alfred sees Matthew as dependent on his government, on England and France. He doesn't really see Matthew as someone who can stand on his own two feet, and therefore he doesn't see Matthew as being able to handle lots of things. (This is kind of a bigger thing wherein both Alfred AND Maria look down on Nations who work too closely with governments, as they see it is antithesis to their existence - more on this later.)

So these two have a lot of issues! Matthew blames Alfred for too many things that Alfred can't actually control instead of addressing his own issues with his self-worth, and Alfred lets Matthew get away with a lot of things because he sees Matthew as a delicate flower who is incapable of malice and can't handle criticism (or anything too hard, really).

BUT as with all familial relationships it's not all bad! These are two people who love each other DEEPLY.

Matthew doesn't love anyone more than he loves Alfred, no matter their issues. He will defend Alfred from any physical harm (see: Canadian response to Pearl Harbour - there ARE pluses to being attached to your government).

Alfred never forgets Mattie! He's on his speed dial! (Which number he is on speed dial I have not yet decided). He and Mattie have a lot of things they do, just the two of them - a lot are hiking-in-nature related. Or food related.

Matt and Al have six different secret languages - one of which is a form of sign language and three which they can use to communicate while one of them is bound and tied up and the kidnapper makes the ransom call in the same room.

Matthew has one of Al's baby teeth saved all the way from the 1600s. It's one of his most prized possessions, as its basically one of the only real proof of them ever being children that he has.

I've always headcanon'd that Al only has one home in the US, BUT he also has a cabin in Canada that he and Matthew stay in often. (Al just stays with Maria when he's in Mexico, but Al feels uncomfortable staying in Matt's house because both the Canadian AND US governments know where it is.)

Alfred remembers Kumajirou's name and vice versa.

Matthew favourite food is Alfred's apple pie - even more than pancakes. Alfred likes hockey over American football or baseball.

[polux-aka-hyakunana]

Cooking my own food between projects pt.2

Pt 1 feat Tycoon and Buffa

And context on the rambling tags of this past post lol

[luckycheesefoodie321]

Wait wait wait hold up hold up hold up I can’t I’m emotional

Each of Sanji’s siblings taking turns rescuing him?? Starting with the boys, who despite saying they’re there to take down Big Mom and are only coincidentally on the same side as Sanji and have no obligation to help him having already done what they needed to “repay their debt” earlier at the tea party, go OUT OF THEIR WAY to help Sanji.

Calling him a pain and troublesome in the MOST affectionate they’ve ever sounded. Sanji is still fully in argumentative mode but they’re almost playful?? Like Ichiji is the typical leader not showing anything except order Sanji to run in the most “I’ll handle things from here” kind of demand. But Yonji and ESPECIALLY Niji (who was by far the most brutal of the brothers) cracking jokes but propelling Sanji forward nonetheless into safety???

The way it so heavily reads “yeah we were assholes to you but no one else is allowed to be”. And the way I’m like, do I… do I see a speck of humanity?? Even if it’s nothing more than some semblance of loyalty to someone they once perceived as their brother??? And it wasn’t by Judge’s orders that they help him either. This is purely their own volition. They want to help him out.

And then the last person to help was the first person that helped Sanji escape the first time around. Reiju sends him off last but instead of demanding he never look back like she once did, she says “ja na!” Which is closer to see you later in Japanese. Which means she is hopeful they will meet again! That they may even meet again under nicer circumstances!

And she returns to the battle with a smile that Sanji mimics. A stark difference to the tearful parting when they were children.

And when Reiju re-enters the fray, it’s so subtle as her smile shifts to a straight face as she goes back into battle mode.

But once she’s back on the ground with her brothers, they all smile.

And so does Sanji! Because it wasn’t just Reiju that sent him off this time. It was all his siblings. They may never get along. They may never truly heal the wounds of the past they dealt on Sanji (tho I argue given the boys programming and how their father manipulated them they only did what they were inherently born to do and Judge has zero rights as a father to have anything close to this kind of reconciliation with Sanji), BUT in this moment, they all fought as a family with the same mission. To get Sanji to safety.

And Sanji knew that. And in this one moment he felt like their family. And he was finally returning to his true one.

[scarletwinterxx]

fool for you - mark lee dad scenario

a bit late to this but OH MY GOD MARK LEE GIRL DAD😭🥺😭🥺 we already know he's going to be the best dad to his kids in the future🤍🤍

you already know my feels went through the roof after seeing that cli[ so here's another mark dad scenario and can you believe this is the 10th one OMGGGGGG anyways i hope you like it!

part1: day with dad mark lee

part2: another day with dad mark lee

part3: a day with the lee's

part4: (prologue) i don't know how to make eggs

part5: glitter pens and goodnight kisses with the Lee's

part6: first love and kisses

part7: naps and baby kicks

part8: then there was three

part9: just like you

For my other works you can check them out here, and for my other story series’ you can check them out here.

and if you want, u can buy me coffee(totally optional but any donation is very much appreciated!) thank you🥺💛

All works are copyrighted ©scarletwinterxx 2024 . Do not repost, re-write without the permission of author.

(gif not mine, credits to rightful owner)

"in my next life, I think I'll become a fool for my daughter"

"Lovie, can you stay with Minjee? I'm just going to the mall with Minjung to get new shoes and a few other stuff for the baby" you tell your husband who is currently on the sofa resting.

It's around that time again when you're counting down the days until the new baby comes, this time the two of you choose to keep the gender a surprise. You won't find out until you give birth. There's an on going bet in your household whether it'll be a girl or a boy.

"Why don't I come with him? You sure you okay to go out?" he asks, watching you struggle putting on your shoes. He chuckles before walking toward you, kneeling down to put it on for you even double tying the shoelaces just to be sure.

"It's okay, besides the doctor said it's healthy to walk around. And we both know it'll be easier to look after Minjung then Jee" you laugh, your husband agreeing with you

"She's the main character, we're all just living in her world" he says

You smile at Mark, giving him a kiss before getting your purse and keys.

"Call me if you need anything" he tells you

"Minjung, let's go" you shout, your son appears from the staircase ready to go

"You already know, buddy. Take care of mom, okay? Call me if something happens" he gives his son a quick hug before watching the two of you drive away

The two of you finished the errands and is now getting a quick snack before heading home. You like having one on one time with your kids. It helps you keep a closer relationship with them. And even though you know the two siblings get along very well, you still make it a point to spend time with them one by one. And so does Mark.

"Is there anything else you need, buddy?" you ask your son

He shakes his head, taking a bite of his sandwich. You smile watching him, it feels just like yesterday you were sitting in the backseat with newborn Minjung in the baby car seat on your way home from the hospital and now he's 13.

"How do you feel about getting another sibling?"

He looks at you, it's like looking at Mark's eyes. They same round, adorable chocolate eyes you love so much.

"Excited. It'll be cool if it's a boy. I'll teach him to play basketball and bike. It's okay too if it's a girl" he shrugs

"You know mommy and daddy loves you very very much"

"I know, I love you too" he smiles back at you

When you get home, Minjee welcomes you excitedly asking if you got her a cakepop which Minjung hands over to his sister

"Wah thank you, oppa! Dad look oppa got me a pink cakepop!" she screams excitedly, running to wherever Mark is. You and Minjung follow her, Mark in the kitchen getting dinner ready

"Cool, but you can have that after dinner okay? Na uh don't give me that look, missy. I ordered chicken just like you asked" the father-daughter banter continues

The two siblings help set up the table while you stay in the kitchen with Mark, "How did it go?" Mark asks you

"Good, we had fun. You sound like you had fun too" you joked

"I swear she knows how to make me says yes" he mumbles, you walk towards him, giving him a side hug

"You love her" you tell him with a chuckle and a kiss on the jaw

"That I do. I'd do anything for our kids" he says, looking down at you. He kisses you on the nose, eliciting giggles from you before breaking away

"Okay, dinner time!"

After dinner and everyone finished with their night time routines, it's finally time to call it a night.

You lay on your side of the bed, getting the pregnancy pillow ready

"Can I keep that after?" Mark asks, you watch him step out of the shower. Towel hanging on his hips while he dries his hair with another

"No" you tell him with a tight smile, Mark laughs before walking towards the dresser to get clothes

"Oh come on, let me enjoy the view some more"

"Woman, you are already pregnant" he tells you, playfully throwing the towel he was drying his hair with towards you. He puts on his sleeping shorts, leaving the shirt behind. He goes out the room to check all doors before going to bed

He turns towards you, the two of you face to face.

"Just a few more days and it'll be five of us" he whispers. His hand resting on your belly

"I'm calling it, this one will look like you again" you tell him

"You love us"

"That I do, I love you and all versions of you. Especially the little humans we made" you smile at him. He scoots closer to kiss you. Kissing you on the lips then on your cheeks a few time until you were laughing.

"Okay, time to rest. Goodnight, baby. I love you" he tells you

"Love you"

Minjung woke up to something poking his back, groggily looking to see Minjee

"Jee? What?"

The girl hiccups, still crying. This woke Minjung up more, sitting up on his bed and turning the bedside light on,

"Why are you crying? Did you have a bad dream?" he asks

"Will mom and dad not let me live here when the baby comes?" she asks, her tiny voice breaking

"What? of course not" her brother immediately answers. He gets out from under the blanket to hug his sister, wiping a few tears running down her face

"When you were born, I was so excited. Dad took me to the hospital to meet you. You had this big bow on, you were crying a lot too" he tells her

"You were there?" she asks

Minjung smiles "Yea, dad even helped me to carry you. You were really tiny. When the new baby comes, we'll go together to meet them"

"Will you still play with me when they come?"

"Of course I will, we're bestfriends right? You gave me this" he says, showing the beaded bracelet Minjee made for him. Similar to what she's wearing.

"You promise? You'll still get me cakepops?"

"Of course, pinkypromise"

The two siblings lock pinky fingers, the younger one finally smiling.

"Wait here okay?" Minjung says before going out of his room and carefull walking towards his parents bedroom. Knocking lightly before going in.

He walks towards Mark's sleeping figure, tapping him awake

"Huh what wha huh?? Minjung? Are you okay? What's happening?" Mark asks, sitting up immediately

"What time is it?" he asks, looking for his phone to see it's 2am

"Minjee woke up crying, she's in my room now"

Mark stands up carefully, looking over at your sleeping figure before quickly putting on a shirt and walking out with Minjung

"She okay? bad dream?"

"No uh it's about the new baby"

His son didn't need to elaborate anymore, already getting a hint why his babygirl was crying.

When the two walks back to Minjung's room, Jee still sitting there.

"Hey, Jee. Come on, dad will come with you. Goodnight buddy, thank you for being a good brother" Mark tells his eldest, kissing him on the head before stepping out of the room with the younger one

"Do you want warm milk before going back to bed?" Mark asks the 6 year old girl, getting a no from her

When they get to Minjee's room, the two sat on the bed

"Are you sad right now?" Mark asks his daughter

"Will you still love Jee when the baby comes?" Jee asks and Mark crumbles

"Oh my girl, of course I will. I'll love you longer than forever and that's a long long long time. You'll always be my princess. Even after the new baby comes, mom and dad might need to spend more time with them but that doesn't mean we love you and your brother any less" he tucks her hair behind her ear, pinching her cute round cheeks she definitely got from you.

"Can dad have a hug?" he opens his arms, Minjee scooting in her father's embrace

"Always remember, dad loves you so so much. I'd give you the moon and all the stars if you want. If you ever feel sad you can come and talk to me okay?"

He feels the younger one nod. Tucking her in bed, giving her a kiss on the forehead before calling it a night (again)

When he gets back to your room, he slides under the sheets then he feels you search for him

"Min?" you mumble

"Here, baby. Go to sleep" he leans over to give your temple a kiss. He sees a sleepy smile on your lips before your heads goes down on the pillow again.

Just like that everyone was asleep again, but before he fades into dreamland he says a silently thank you to heaven for this life. Ready and excited to face tomorrow with his family.

[uraniawrites]

𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐥𝐫 𝐫𝐞-𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨

Hi there, I'm Ale (she/her) and I'm making my re intro again because I was struggling so bad with uni and I couldn't be here so much. Now I'm trying to be active again to post my writing and repost other people's writings. I'll try to explain my wips and update regularly. Please interact with this post if you'd like to be mutuals and reblog our writings as well!

𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

I'll try to explain them because they're a mess, but stick with me. It'll be worth it. I promise. My native tongue is Spanish, so, sorry in advance if there's any mistake, lol. Also, I'll create/post tags, pages in these days because I had to remake everything from scratch.

𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

-Science fiction, fantasy (urban, paranormal, high, epic), historical fiction.

-Found family. Because I'm a sucker for this trope. Also, I have siblings dynamics, trauma, death, action, etc.

-Both, character and plot development.

-Morally grey, ambiguous characters who don't think of themselves of heroes for all the bad things they've done, but still, they try.

𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐩𝐬.

𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 (𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧).

Sci-fi NA series (6 books) about superhumans (people with superpowers). Due to an accident, hundreds of super end up in jail. The altered are human creations that are getting out of control and threat to break the order. A group of superhumans are selected for their powers to try to stop the altered and the experiments that humans are making with them and creating new drugs. The only problem? These kids are in prison for being super. Will they succeed or will they kill each other before the fun begins? (This is my main wip)

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐎𝐧𝐞 (𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧).

This is a prequel trilogy of Hidden Heroes. Sci-fi NA. Set during The Cold War (with some historical changes, just because, lol), a group of superhumans discover that humans are experimenting with them to create a super soldier, someone who can fight their wars and stop them before they even begin. They will have to risk their lives and hearts trying to stop something that seems impossible. First generation.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐲.

Standalone sequel after the events of the Second Generation. Sci-fi NA. Vasilisa Azarova (orphan since 7 years-old) has been trained since she was young to become a lethal spy, trained to kill and torture, and to blend to get information, by a Russian organization that specializes in training humans and superhumans to create the best European spies. During a mission, Vasilisa discovers that the things she's been told all her life, may be lies. Vasilisa and her team will try to scape and destroy the organization that once raised them and trained them. Will she succed, or will she lose everything again?

𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬.

Paranormal urban fantasy YA trilogy. Isabelle Jones is a witch that wants nothing but greatness and to become the greatest witch the world has ever seen. But first, she must understand that the world doesn't revolve around her and that some alliances and friends from her new paranormal school, Ashckerton Academy, are important to defeat the evil that is looming on them.

Thanks for reading! Please interact, I'll try to follow back. If you're interested on being in the taglist, please let me know! <3

[jukti-torko-golpo]

A Moment with the Mothers :

Hiranyavarna

It has always seemed that I am not built for the corporate life. I sit in the office shivering in the cold air conditioned room. The air seems so synthetic. I can see the sky from the large windows, the brilliant clouds painting the sky with so many colours, the birds....I feel trapped. The screen burns my eyes, the fear of failing eats me up. I have dreams to lead a creative life with the love of my life. The corporate life is a stepping stone for that dream life some day. The fear of the dream shattering keeps pulling me down with mind-numbing anxiety. I want to run away...far far away.

I return home, exhausted, after a day in the office. My bag is heavy, hair plastered on my forehead, I feel some deep sadness in my heart, a longing for my freedom. I sit on the bed crying. I know I have privileges but I cannot help feeling how I am feeling.

A soft scent of incense wafts into the room. There is a warm golden glow behind the door. I wipe my tears and open it. I walk into a cozy little hut. I am greeted by a man with a beak-like nose and a familiarity that I cannot explain. It feels like we have been siblings for so long.

'Kire? Etokkhone eli?' (1) He asked me. 'Meye elo naki?' (2) A voice sweeter than honey called out from another room. A woman walked out wiping her hands on the anchol (3) of her saree. A golden glow emanated from her fair skin. She had a heart shaped face radiant like a comforting winter sun. Her lips were the colour of fresh rose petals. She was dressed in a soft pink taant saree with intricate golden borders. Delicate gold jewelleries adorned her body. It seemed as though she was the one for whom solah shringar was made. Her alta stained feet looked like fresh buds of lotus. Her anklets chimed with every steps sending waves of joy each time.

She looked at me and smiled the warmest smile. Her eyes beheld me with the love of a mother who is looking at her child tucked into bed happily and peacefully. 'Hyan re bhaat bere rekhechhi toh...chol...khabi na naki?' (4) She held my hand and led to me to the other room where she had prepared somefood for me. Khichudi and bhaja. It tasted like the first time I had tasted puja bhog. I could not help my tears. I finished every bit of food on that plate. She stood up and walked up to me.

She held me close to her, occasionally wiping my tears. I cried my heart out. She then took me to a bedroom dimly lit only with her glow. 'Ne ghumiye por toh shona meyer moto,' (5) she said smilingly. I laid down and she sat beside me stroking my head. I shift my position to lay my head on her lap. She lets out a loving giggle. There is such a beautiful sense of peace. This is where I belong.

As if hearing my thoughts, she tells me this is where I actually do belong. This is where I can return to anytime. It is not silly to have dreams. It is not silly to be scared of that dream shattering. But we must carry one. She resides in that dream which leads to a happy honest life. Money is not something that should govern life. But it is a blessing from her that lets our spirituality and principles govern our lives efficiently. We often face a bumpy stretch of road. But we must not give up. She is there holding our hands and waiting with food after a tiring time. Vairagya is not everything that fulfills a person. Sometimes the smiling faces of our loved ones are the biggest peace before we attain moksha. In fact it is a stepping stone for the same. We must seek out simple joys and comforts which leaves our hearts feeling warm. Only then can we strive for knowledge and wealth. The perilous road is unavoidable but stopping for a while to look at a pretty wildflower does not deters from our path. In fact it fills us with more motivation and bhakti. Life should be a balance of gyan, samsaar and adhyatma.

I clutch the corner of her anchol tightly. She laughs ever so sweetly and plants a loving kiss on the top of my head. The golden glow fades and I wake up clutching my pillow. My mother is calling me for dinner. My room smells of incense and there is a pink cotton thread on my pillow.

(1) - You came so late? (2) - Is daughter home? (3) - pallu of a saree (4) - I have laid the table for you to eat...won't you eat? (5) - Go to sleep like a good girl. ( Shona literally translates to gold and is a term of endearment )

[pomnavi]

The Trials and Tribulations of My Next Life as a Noblewoman - LN 1 Impressions

The Trials and Tribulations of My Next Life as a Noblewoman Volume 1 by Kamihara, Illustrated by Shiro46. Published by J-Novel Heart (J-Novel Club).

When I first saw this cover among the new licenses by J-Novel club, I didn't think much of the series. A lot of the newer female-centered isekai novels play with tropes related to Otome dating games, like "My Next Life as a Villainess". I've watched and read a few series here and there that piqued my interest, but I haven't gotten too deep into the genre. And even if it's not isekai, "noblewoman" series might as well be a genre itself. Even in western literature, regency fic is super popular.

However, while looking at the forums, I saw it mentioned that the author of Ascendance of a Bookworm, Miya Kazuki, actually recommends this series! I couldn't find proof of this anywhere, but that plus the other fans who have hyped this series up have definitely marked this as a series to look out for. I also noticed that this book is also extremely long for a light novel (Kobo reports this book as being 180k words long!!).

Given all the buzz around the series, I had to give it a chance!

Right at the beginning of the story, the main character Karen is disowned from her noble family due to being the product of adultery. However, her siblings still care for her, and just a few years later, her older sister has managed to negotiate a comeback for Karen with the condition that she re-enter noble society through marriage!

Since the main family dislikes her (Karen is from a branch family), they present her with two options. An old margrave on the frontier, or a young, handsome knight from a prestigious family? Everyone assumes she'll pick the knight, but Karen has her own goals and picks the older man!

This is just the starting premise, and it's already a fantastic one. This book is a wild ride; the "Trials and Tribulations" in the title are not for show. The Japanese title, 転生令嬢と数奇な人生を| Tensei Reijou to Suuki na Jinsei wo, roughly translates to "The Reincarnated Noblewoman's Misfortunate Life".

Karen goes through it, and there are many harrowing scenes that follow. It's not all torture, but this book may as well be otome isekai x game of thrones. There's a lot of disparate "bad" events that piece together to make up a larger political environment that Karen has to navigate. Notably, the main character doesn't have any remarkable skills. Even when she tries to do the typical isekai thing of introducing "inventions", it simply doesn't work because she doesn't have the necessary expertise. Other than her previous life experience, Karen truly is just an ordinary woman who wants to live an ordinary life.

Because the book is gigantic (for a light novel), there are many twists and turns in the plot. It feels like 3-4 books were condensed down into a single volume, as so many things just occur, with no discernible reason in the beginning. However, by the end of the book, you start to get a feel for what's about to occur.

This is just the first novel, and in Japan, there are 6 books total for this series (and another spinoff series ongoing). J-novel Club announced that they were going to start splitting up future novels due to their length, so there's probably 10 volumes left to read.

I've certainly decided to stick with this series, and I recommend it! However, there are definitely some trigger warnings required for this book. It doesn't linger on it, but the scenes are there.

Dreamwidth Mirror

TW: near Sexual Assault, Violence, Battery.

[suzannahnatters]

2023 In Books!

Due to mild fatigue, 2023 was a bad reading year for me - I did not reach my yearly 2-books-a-week goal for the first time since I began logging them, and many of the books I did read did not agree with me. But I still found ten fiction and 7 (!) non-fiction books I had to shout out for the end of the year.

Top 10 Fiction THE RED PALACE by June Hur A historical murder mystery set in Joseon Korea, featuring crystalline prose, a painstakingly evoked historical setting, and an understated romance in a dark atmosphere of terror, secrets, and palace intrigue. Despite being written for a young adult audience, this book impressed me with its complex picture of a deeply flawed real historical context.

TOOTH AND CLAW by Jo Walton A Victorian style comedy of manners in which every single character is a dragon, from the dragon parsons and spirited young lady dragons to the crotchety old dragon dowagers and feckless young dragons-about-town. All of them wear little hats. Sheer cosy perfection.

DRAKE HALL by Christina Baehr My bestie surprised me this year by spontaneously producing four whole novels pitched as "cosy Victorian gothic, with dragons". I haven't read the final edition of DRAKE HALL yet but it's sunshiney, summery, cosy goodness. With dragons.

CRIMSON BOUND by Rosamund Hodge (re-read) A dark and bloody fantasy full of lifegiving female friendship, ride or die siblings, theology, guilt, and stabbings. This one also contains gratuitous St Augustine quotes, a one-page retelling of the VOLUNDARKVIDA, and a love triangle that exists to present the heroine not so much with drama as a proper ethical dilemma.

EMILY WILDE'S ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FAERIES by Heather Fawcett The story of a mildly autistic lady academic researching faeries with her flamboyant rival professor, who is probably secretly an exiled fae king…but the annoying part is his habit of making his students do all his field work. Cosy, thrilling, hilarious.

THE LAST TALE OF THE FLOWER BRIDE by Roshani Chokshi This gothic-infused psychological thriller was dark, creepy, and sometimes heavy, but it's also a tale that flips the roles of innocent maiden and Bluebeard, engages in valid Susan Pevensie Discourse, and ends on what I found to be a genuine note of hope and healing.

THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN by Holly Black This book tackles vampirism as a metaphor for the evil hidden in the human heart, and it's epic, bloody, twisty, and monstrous. I couldn't put it down. Not sure I'd recommend it for the target audience, but it's mature and well-crafted enough to be enjoyed by grown-ups as well.

THE WITCHWOOD KNOT by Olivia Atwater I've read a number of Olivia Atwater books, and this one is head and shoulders above the rest. The best blend of gothic and fae, like a grown-up LABYRINTH, with one of the great fae butlers and so many subtle yet walloping feels. It felt like an old fairytale in the best possible way.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN by WR Gingell The WORLDS BEHIND series is about trauma and healing and repentance, and in this, the fourth book, everything comes decisively to the boil as our favourite twisty knife uncle pits his wits against an enemy who very uncomfortably mirrors himself.

Top 7 Non-Fiction (because I couldn't get it down to just five)

TWO VIEWS ON WOMEN IN MINISTRY by Beck & Gundry (eds.) Four New Testament scholars from a range of complementarian and egalitarian perspectives debate the question of women in ministry, with a lot of detailed scholarship. If nothing else, this book proved that this is something orthodox Christians can honestly disagree about, because there are significant exegetical strengths and difficulties with each position - it's time to stop seeing women holding ministry positions in the church as tantamount to heresy.

REFLECTIONS: ON THE MAGIC OF WRITING by Dianna Wynne Jones This collection was magical - funny and sad tales of her life, many good and passionate thoughts on books and writing, and one absolutely marvellous study of narrative structure in THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Absolutely delightful and highly recommended.

PATERNAL TYRANNY by Arcangela Tarabotti A 17th-century nun takes aim at the misogyny of early modern Europe, wielding razor-sharp logic to argue boldly for the equality of women. But it's Tarabotti's passionate faith, which somehow managed to survive moral injury and spiritual abuse, and even came to see hope and encouragement in scriptures which must so often have been used against her, that will stay with me.

THE GOLDEN RHINOCEROS: HISTORIES OF THE AFRICAN MIDDLE AGES by Francois-Xavier Fauvelle A series of bite-sized essays on the medieval history of Africa from approximately the Islamic conquests of the 7th century to the arrival of Portugese colonists in the fifteenth. Each essay offers the most fleeting glimpse of a long-vanished, half-imaginary world of often breathtaking sophistication and splendour. I loved them.

ONE HOLY LOCAL CHURCH? by Bojidar Marinov This short book, which draws very solidly on past luminaries like Rutherford, Gillespie, Spurgeon, and Hodge, helped me think through some of the questions I've been asking myself about ecclesiology and the role and authority of elders, particularly as I've been rethinking women in ministry. Terrific.

TEN DAYS IN A MAD-HOUSE by Nellie Bly "People on charity should not expect anything and should not complain." In 1887, the American "girl reporter" Nellie Bly got herself locked up in a New York lunatic asylum, and this shocking expose was the result. Sometimes, nineteenth century attitudes towards women and the poor were beyond parody.

A PEOPLE'S TRAGEDY: THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION, 1891-1924 by Orlando Figes Some aspects of this book have aged poorly - the unthinking acceptance of Russian imperial aspirations, for instance - but apart from that, this is a sweeping, epic picture of the Russian Revolution, covering three decades and every level of society, from daily life in the village commune to the political rivalries of Lenin's declining years, without ever becoming dull or bogged down in detail.

[eclipsecrowned]

RE: Laerion. A key character point is how he avoids a leadership role. As AU fodder, if Rhaen*s was to take the throne and Laerion was born a prince, how does that change his approach to personal power? If something should still happen to his older siblings, would he take the throne for himself after his mother passes? If yes, how would his rule progress? // anonymous.

anon i just want it on the record i love u and i have been chewing on this literally since about 10 am this morning. this is everything i want in meta/au asks. i get to be so unwell about the lil bastards i make up with my own brain juice <3 i love hypothetical/if they were canon scenarios so much!

As for Laerion, well. I feel like there was always this feeling of like, the comfort of Laen0r's shadow in his mainverse? He's the second son, and he would sooner see La*na rule before him if anything should happen, as if it can somehow make up for what their mother went through. There's this earnest joy to him when he thinks of a life as advisor/council to a sibling, that he can have it all, that he can aid and support his family while still pursuing his own happiness at sea.

That's completely different in any scenario where he's credibly in line to the throne. A lot of it would depend on how differently he'd be raised by his parents in any event where his mother takes the throne, whether at the Council or saying 'fuck that. rebellion.' Laerion doesn't face the potential pass that is 'Eh, Laen0r and La*na have kids, if the lords of the realm push me too hard I'll just abdicate.' In fact, I think in his mainverse this is precisely what he does for Alyn by necessity since he breaks canon. Here, he's far too caught up in legacy and, in essence, the miracle his mother pulled in upending generations of tradition.

He is her son. Her last living child, in the scenario you described. He's got to make something of that, regardless of if he's as much the free-wheeling sailor or a more composed princeling. Plus, presuming that he was groomed to take a different throne altogether and represent his consort father's family in the future, he'd have a much stronger base than he does in mainverse.

(Not that I think either iteration of his parents would skimp on his stewardship lessons, mind. I just think it would be at two different octaves between 'the spare to the island' as compared to 'spare to the throne at best, doubtlessly becoming lord after his father at absolute least.')

Regardless, Laerion in this concept would have a sense of devotion and obligation to his role. He has to do this for his family, even if he would as soon give all of it up. Especially, I feel, for the siblings he lost along the way. Even if it's just a role he's playing to serve his family, he'll review his lines and steps to as near to perfection as he can get. The First of His Name. Son of the first reigning queen.

As for what his reign looks like... That will really depend on the foundation his mother laid down. I am not enough of an expert on the character to conjecture, she's just a MILF I froth over whenever I go into tags, you know? But I think he'd be devoted in legitimizing his mother's reign as much as he can, carrying on what works she pursued, working the PR machine for her almost as soon as she passes so that she is as entrenched and legitimate to the realm as Aeg0n himself, or J*haerys and Alys*nne. Slap her name on some building, chase leads towards getting some Divine Right of Queen propaganda going. Make sure the people remember her as a just, powerful woman, devoted to her people, whatever her rule might have been.

Once he's solidified Rhaen*s' legitimate rule and started getting people to come around to the propaganda, he's got a few core concepts. He's definitely looking at the last great T*rgaryen success story in his great-grandparents. Start small -- with smallfolk. Peasant court, beggar feasts, making sure the people know him, and that he can understand them on some level. He can never fully balance the scale without the Lords of the realm killing him outright, but he can at least enforce some new rights and make the plight a little easier. Some might grumble he spent too much time among common sailors in his youth, and they might be right -- he does this to aid those who there there for him on his ascent but will be forgotten by the singers.

Trade. Economy would be a major aspect of Laerion's rule. He's got connections in Ess0s and he needs to pull those strings before they can be pulled from the other side. He wants to bring prosperity to his realm in a way that will last, something that outlives him and benefits all in the kingdom. Strengthening bonds overseas, making sure that the gold and goods are spread around within Wester0s, provided he actually has a head for economy and not just trade, he might just get somewhere. Worst case scenario is he falls for some Trickle Down Economics spiel and starts over-rewarding certain nobles for their part in the game expecting them to actually pass it on to those who worked the fields/looms/mines.

Personal diplomacy is definitely going to be where he suffers most. He's very easygoing, not fussed with certain aspects of life. In mainverse, it's very 'I find someone I love and settle into bliss or I don't, it doesn't matter, my siblings have the family covered for future generations.' A king can't do that. A king can favor his relatives, but not without some backlash for his nepotism. I think balancing his fondness for the Velary0ns and his exhaustion with his mother's kin would be a hard line for him to walk. You can't exactly wine and conversation Daem0n into behaving as is his most common trick to foster amiable relationships. He'd have to send the madman to the Wall if he was still up and kicking at the time of Laerion's coronation just to know peace.

(Vizzy would be fine in this setting. Dude is making models of Valyr1a, his beloved wife is probably still alive due to not being a broodmare for the Throne, he's got a hellion daughter to mind and spoil, he's doubtless floating through court winning at life. It's Daem0n that would be the sore loser about the Council and we all know it.)

Back on track. I think he definitely makes personal plays to mitigate the control others have on his personal life and his future children. No Great House marriage, and definitely no marrying back into the family. He'd likely aim for a lower but still prominent House with no grand designs, or at least those that could not be brought to heel. Ed floated Bolton as a potential match, but I could as easily see Tarth, Frey, Dayne, Reyne, Royce, similar 'known but not as hot of shit as their liege lords' Houses. I also think he might indulge in more of a love match, but not totally guileless. He wouldn't marry solely to serve his position, but he also wouldn't ruin it with a disadvantageous match based solely on compatibility.

Wild as it is, I can also see him establishing something regarding Dragons. Regulations, perhaps. He is no rider himself, and based on certain maternal relatives, he'd like to keep the scaled nukes on a tighter leash. He might not be able to control Dragons proper, Targ blood aside, but he can control those who would approach.

Lots of progresses! He'd miss sailing so much, being landlocked, he'd want to sail to every place he could when his schedule allowed. Lords are either sick of him or love this man for the energy he brings every time he drops in. He also makes sure the smallfolk see and know him not just in KL, which serves his own ends.

Overall, I think his legacy is pretty good to the little people he gives a shit about. I'm less certain about the histories written by those in power, be they Noble or Church. I can see him being held up as a mild but successful king in pursuit of servicing the realm, if perhaps something of a nuisance or bitch for the way he treats his council. Didn't quite live up to the splendor of a king. Sept might go for it, but nobles likely mock it. Considered an underwhelming but not necessarily bad follow up to his mother's rule, more someone who laid the foundation for his own dynasty off of his mother's works.

[unhetalia]

i see so many posts that has matt being annoyed at al bl a bla bla and to ME it's not quite the right flavour of their dynamic that i like to consume because most of the time it's "matt has issues with alfred (alfreds fault)" BUT to ME the right flavour would be "matt has issues with alfred (matt's fault)"

like TO BE HONEST... matthew does not care that alfred is loud and talks too much and is oblivious. i truly believe if al offended the whole world matthew would not give a shit. someone complains to him about how al did this and that and he is HMMing brain thinking about pancakes and planning a hike.

matthew's issues with al (to me) is that we have this man who gets too little attention with a sibling that gets ALL of it. he notices it and he wishes he got that. Al is the same. A guy who feels lonely envying his brother who is amazing at being perceived as friendly. the difference is that Weirdly, matt is more prone to lashing out than al. al is envious and that envy is wistful. matt is the same 75% of the time but the remaining 25% it twists into something too bitter and he has to stop himself from taking it out on his brother. he's successful three-quarters of the time.

SO ye. matthew being annoyed at his brother but I'M his counsellor and i respond to his 3 hour rant with "is it your brother who you want to change or the way people react to him?" "do you truly care that your brother doesnt pay attention to world meetings or is it the fact that both england and france will be paying attention to him and not you?"

[a-z0-9-i-n-gram-completionist]

1:    a b c d e f g h i k l m n o p r s t u w y    21/36    (21/26)    ⚢7/7⚢

2:    aa ag ai al an as at ba bb be bi bl ch ci co di dy ea eb ed ee ei el en er es ey ff fi fl ge ha he ia ib ic id ie il in is it kn la lb le li ll lm ln ls me mu na ne ng ni no ns of os ou ow pe ra re sa sb sd se si sn sp ss st tc te th tu ur us yi yo    83/1296    (83/676)    ⚢40/49⚢

3:    aaa ail alb ale ali all als ana ang ani ans ase asi ass atu bal ban bas bbi bbl bea bee bia bib bis ble bli cha cia cos did dyi ean eba eel een eis eli ell ens era esb ffi fic fla ged han hey ial ian ibb ibi ibl ici ien ies ill iln ine ing ini isd ise ite kno lag lba lee les lie lil lin lit lli llm lme lna lsa mus nai nan nas nge nia nib nie nis now nsi off ost pel rat rei sal sas sbi sdy seb sen ses sib sil sin sna spe ssa ssi sss stc tco tel ter the tur ure use yin you    119/46656    (119/17576)    ⚢76/343⚢

4:    aaaa alba alee alie alsa anan ange ania anie aseb asil assa assi atur bale ball bani base basi bbib bble bean beel bian bibb bibl bise bles blin chan cial cost dyin eani eans ebal eeli eisd elin elli ellm ensi erat esbi ffic fici flag hang ibbi ibbl ibis ible icia illi ilna inis isdy ises iter know lban leen lesb lien lies liln line ling lini lite llie llin llme lnas muse nail nana nged nian nibb nies nsib offi ostc pell ratu reis sals sass sbia sdyi seba sens sibl sill snai spel ssas ssin ssss stco tell tera they ture urei ying    107/1679616    (107/456976)    ⚢71/2401⚢

5:    aaaaa alban aleen alien anana anged anian anies aseba assas assin ature balee bania baseb basil bbibb bbles beani beans beeli bibbi bible bises blini chang costc dying eanie eball eelin eisdy eline ellin ellme ensib eratu esbia ffici ficia hange ibble ibise icial illie ilnas isdyi itera lbani lesbi lilna linis liter llies lling nanan nibbl nsibl offic ostco pelli ratur reisd salsa sassi sbian sdyin sebal sensi sible silli snail spell ssass sssss tellm terat turei ureis    79/60466176    (79/11881376)    ⚢52/16807⚢

6:    aaaaaa albani asebal assass aturei baleen banian baseba bbibbi beanie beelin blinis change costco eanies eeline eisdyi elling ensibl eratur esbian fficia ficial hanged ibbles ibises illies isdyin iterat lbania lesbia lilnas litera nanana nibble nsible offici pellin rature reisdy sassin sdying seball sensib sillie spelli ssassi ssssss tellme teratu tureis ureisd    52/2176782336    (52/308915776)    ⚢30/117649⚢

7:    aaaaaaa albania aseball assassi atureis basebal beanies beeline changed eisdyin ensible erature fficial isdying iteratu lbanian lesbian literat nibbles officia pelling raturei reisdyi sensibl sillies spellin ssassin teratur tureisd ureisdy    30/78364164096    (30/8031810176)    ⚢14/823543⚢

8:    aaaaaaaa albanian assassin atureisd baseball eisdying eraturei iteratur literatu official ratureis reisdyin sensible spelling terature tureisdy ureisdyi    17/2821109907456    (17/208827064576)    ⚢5/5764801⚢

9:    aaaaaaaaa atureisdy eratureis iterature literatur ratureisd reisdying teraturei tureisdyi ureisdyin    10/101559956668416    (10/5429503678976)    ⚢1/40353607⚢

10:    aaaaaaaaaa atureisdyi eratureisd iteraturei literature ratureisdy teratureis tureisdyin ureisdying    9/3656158440062976    (9/141167095653376)    ⚢1/282475249⚢

11:    aaaaaaaaaaa atureisdyin eratureisdy iteratureis literaturei ratureisdyi teratureisd tureisdying    8/131621703842267136    (8/3670344486987776)    ⚢1/1977326743⚢

12:    aaaaaaaaaaaa atureisdying eratureisdyi iteratureisd literatureis ratureisdyin teratureisdy    7/4738381338321616896    (7/95428956661682176)    ⚢1/13841287201⚢

13:    aaaaaaaaaaaaa eratureisdyin iteratureisdy literatureisd ratureisdying teratureisdyi    6/170581728179578208256    (6/2481152873203736576)    ⚢1/96889010407⚢

14:    aaaaaaaaaaaaaa eratureisdying iteratureisdyi literatureisdy teratureisdyin    5/6140942214464815497216    (5/64509974703297150976)    ⚢1/678223072849⚢

15:    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa iteratureisdyin literatureisdyi teratureisdying    4/221073919720733357899776    (4/1677259342285725925376)    ⚢1/4747561509943⚢

16:    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa iteratureisdying literatureisdyin    3/7958661109946400884391936    (3/43608742899428874059776)    ⚢1/33232930569601⚢

17:    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa literatureisdying    2/286511799958070431838109696    (2/1133827315385150725554176)    ⚢1/232630513987207⚢

18:    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa    1/10314424798490535546171949056    (1/29479510200013918864408576)    ⚢1/1628413597910449⚢

...

90:    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa    1/116741446195279078628053382791335881633270131715832481723779676398836856930282974584939114053628368372944886748404030500135265750611474251776    (1/22263903829969996912976647181757169390323557208501249825339683936386553656853271234102179783588778043841325996746915453260005376)    ⚢1/11450477594321044359340126713545146077054004823284978858214566372120240027249⚢

lesbian 2-grams missed in this post: ab, ae, bn, bs, ii, nb, nl, nn, sl

[shadowserenity28]

Serena Shadowens

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥 𝕠𝕗 ℝ𝕒𝕞𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕔𝕜𝕝𝕖, 𝕒 𝕤𝕙𝕪 𝕘𝕚𝕣𝕝 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒 𝕓𝕚𝕘 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥. 𝕊𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕠 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕙𝕠𝕞𝕖, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕔𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕟'𝕥, 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕕𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖…

━━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━

┏━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓

┗━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┛

“If any of you knew what I know, you’d have an existential crisis.”

━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━━

~General information~

Full name

Serena Shadowens

Pronunciation

Se-re-na

Sha-do-wens

Meanings

First name:

Serena

Latin origin, means clear, tranquil and serene

Last name:

Shadowens

Rare British last name, meaning unknown

Nicknames:

Shadow

Madame Trickster(Rook)

Shrimpy (Floyd)

Sex:

Female

Gender:

Female

Age:

19

Date of birth

28th June

Zodiac sign

Cancer

Sexuality

Straight

Nationality

German

Homeland

Germany

Place of residence

Ramshackle Dorm at Night Raven College

Job/Occupation

Student

♡Relationships♡

Family

Unnamed parents

Unnamed stepmother

Three Unnamed siblings

Friends

Ace

Deuce

Jack

Epel

Malleus

Significant Other

None

━━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━

“I’ll never call my family crazy again…”

━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━━

◇Appearance◇

Skin tone

Generally pale, but tanned in summer

Eyes

almond eyes, brown

Hair

shoulder-long, brown hair with purple underneath

Height

1,72 m

Weight

99 kg

Body type

A little chubbier, most of which is in the upper legs and lower stomach.

Birthmarks

three moles next to her right eye

Clothes and accessories

Serena usually wears comfy and practical clothes, she has lots of hoodies with Mickey Mouse on them. But occasionally, she enjoys wearing dresses and skirts.

Special features

She always wears three festival ribbons on her right wrist.

━━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━

“I don’t get the Savannaclaw guys… what’s so fun about running in circles?”

━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━━

.°. Personality .°.

Description

Serena is kind and easy to get along with. Among big groups or people she doesn’t know too well, she’s rather shy and quiet, often overwhelmed by the presence of the others. But among people she’s close to, she is way more open and enjoys cracking jokes. She dislikes fighting and avoids it at all costs, if she can’t avoid it the fight usually ends with her crying from anger. Most of the time, she can blend in very well and not be noticed by others. She will help the people around her in every way she can.

While she is a creative person and loves everything crafty from drawing and writing to building little models and crocheting, she has a very scientific mindset, which shows itself in her career choice and in how adept she is in chemistry and biology. She also thinks of magic as a type of science.

Likes and loves

Science

Disney

Languages

Drawing

Writing

Festivals

Dislikes and hates

Noise

Disorder

Intolerant behavior

Running

Good traits

Creative

Smart

Kind

Funny

Bad traits

Reticent

Shy

Forgetful

Socially awkward

Habits

Biting her lip

Bobbing her foot

Hopes and Ambitions

Serena wants to work in a forensic laboratory to help with solving crimes.

Motivations

She has always been interested in the human body, but she knew that she lacked the social competence to be a doctor. So she opted for her second most interest, crime solving. Again, she couldn’t handle speaking to victims or potential suspects, so she decided she wants to work in a laboratory where she evaluates the evidence found at the scene of the crime.

Fears

Heights

Spiders

Riddle

Insecurities

She feels down whenever she has to analyze something poetic or needs to understand idioms, as she often struggles with them.

Biggest Dream

Becoming a forensic scientist

Pet Peeves

Letting paint brushes stand in the water

Open doors

Too much on the table

Favorites

Favorite color

Purple

Least favorite color

Orange

Favorite food

Sushi

Least favorite food

Brussels sprouts

Favorite drink

cola

Least favorite drink

iso-drink

Trivia

-Serena is a self-insert, so most of the information as well as her looks are based on Shadow Serenity.

-To not share too much personal information, some of the information has been altered or exaggerated.

-Serena is the vice prefect of Ramshackle, the prefect being Naomi

-Originally, Naomi had the nicknames “Madame Trickster” and “Shrimpy” but these have now been transferred to Serena.

-Serena Shadowens is a play on Shadow Serenity.

-If Serena had magic, she would be in Pomefiore due to her scientific knowledge

-Serena knows the stories of the Great Seven from how they were told in our world, but decides not to say anything about it.

-Aside from drawing and writing, she also does crocheting and embroidery.

-Naomi and Serena share the spot of the MC. They usually work together, though one might shine more than the other in different chapters.

━━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━

“Why are you all coming to me? I’m literally magicless.”

━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━━

~•~ School Life ~•~

School

Night Raven College

Dormitory

Ramshackle Dorm

Year

First

Class

1-A

Student Number

Nr. 9

Best school subject

Potionology

Worst school subject

P.E.

Club

Science Club

━━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━

“I want to go home, but… I’ve never had so many friends before.”

━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━━

Backstory

Hehehe ... Wouldn't you like to know?(•̀ᴗ•́)

━━━━━━━━━~•~━━━━━━━━

“If you always look back, you’ll run against a wall. So I look forward to everything.”

[marin3llyells]

Unto the first days of a new year; 2024.

Spent a whole day with the family at Indang, Cavite wherein the place was not crowded as if we got it for ourselves. I honestly loved the idea that we only planned to go out but without specific plans on what activities to do or even having a specific place to go to. I even got to realized that I was no good at navigating google maps as we have missed turns since I was not able to direct which turns to take, during that time I was always late to say it out loud and the google map needs to re-route multiple times.

Still we ended up to a place wherein it actually fits our preference of being able to avoid heavy traffic and crowded place. It was so peaceful.

Peaceful— I meant, good food, time well spent away from all our usual routine and errands such as school works for my siblings and work for my parents and I. We were also able to enjoy our own "thing" such as painting and journaling for myself. Took lovely photos as well! And best part was, got to play monoply as initiated by our bunso, Bing. 🤍 (she won btw!)

Our January first was really a good recharge as I was also able to return to work with a fresh start. I was able to perform sessions with my students as if di ko ramdam yung pagod. My heart was definitely happy. This continued for few more days after.

One thing I also appreciate was receiving a gift from my brother. We've been talking about dressing up, improving outfit styles lately, and yep, I was taught to going back to basics. I've been receiving jeans from him which definitely was a step forward for me in embracing other styles than my usual fitted jeans and a shirt.

Sagot niya one basic top from a brand I would've never buy from as a kuripot sa sarili, or probably it was still something I'm working on for myself. This time tho, I bought 2 more shirts that time alone. Thanks to my brother for encouraging. I love being reminded unconsiously to do better on treating myself other than buying myself coffee most of the time. It actually motivated me in gaining more self confidence, lalo nung nakikita ko sarili ko sa isang malaking mirror during fitting. Sakto pang may new body mirror ako since mama and dad tried to save a mirror from a vintage cabinet na inaanay, sakin na lang raw. Siempre yes na yes agad! Placed it in my room and took photos as I pair the shirts I bought with another short I got on a thrift shop with my brother few months back. Reading a message (as feedback lol) "bagay nga" was a big yey moment for me, lalo di ako usually nagsusuot ng ganung klaseng outfit dati.

Anyways...

I'm really looking forward that this year will motivate me to do more, be encouraged to better on both small and big things. Lalo na hearing mama saying, "24 ka na". It was definitely a reminder that I have to face adult life. (Scary, tbh!!!)

By the next few days; even months, I know I'm still preparing for more attempts on improvements and embracing challenges. Yes, I'm still scared, but as one of my aunties say, "It has to be done".

Good thing I found new bunch of people that could potentially be part of venturing a new journey. Sana nga nakaka-motivate rin ako para sa ibang taong nakakasalamuha ko.

For now, I'll yell for motivating myself and shoo away my negative thoughts.

Ewan ko, siguro tama rin namang mapagod sa pagiging takot na mag-stay sa comfort zone at failures na nangyari. Surely, it's happening to simply see how far we'll get.

I'm happy to share that fear is what could remind as that there are some things we still value, which potentially will help us to do better. Kaya takot, kasi may halaga at gusto kasi talaga natin mga bagay na yun.

I'll definitely get back to this, hopefully, in a way that I'm already done with just dwelling with the past and already celebrating what "attempts" of doing better has good results already. Yung masasabing may bunga na lahat, klaro na kung bakit nangyayari mga di inaasahan.

Cheers to our attempts for the past year of surviving. Let's kickstart with a fresh one—mindset ba!

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Granite Hills Bios: Dallas Gray (1980)

Filmography, History, Music Technology & Theatrical Studies Student D. N. Gray.

Student & Member of multiple groups Dallas Nathaniel Gray.

"Jethro, introduce us to your new friends."

Name

Full Legal Name: Dallas Nathaniel Gray

First Name: Dallas

Meaning: From a surname that could either be of Old English origin meaning 'Valley house' or of Scottish Gaelic origin meaning 'Meadow Dwelling'.

Pronunciation: DAL-as

Origin: English

Middle Name: Nthaniel

Meaning: Variant of 'Nathanael', from the Hebrew name 'Netan'el' meaning 'God has given', from the elements 'Natan' meaning 'To give' and ''El' meaning 'God'.

Pronunciation: na-THAN-yal

Origin: English, Biblical

Surname: Gray

Meaning: From a nickname for a person who had grey hair or grey clothes.

Pronunciation: GRAY

Origin: English

Titles: Mr

Nicknames: Nathan, Nate, Nat, Niel

Goes By: Dallas (Pronounced: DAL-as)

Characteristics

Age: 23

Gender: Male. He/Him Pronouns

Nationality: American Citizen. Born in America

Ethnicity: White. American

Birth Date: 25th February 1957

Sexuality: Straight

Religion: Christian

Native Language: English

Known Languages: English

Relationship Status: Single

Astrological Sign: Pisces

Played By: Brendan Fraser

Appearance

Height: 6'3" / 192 cm

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Colour: Brown

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: Sparse

Facial Hair: Mostly Clean Shaven

Tattoos: None

Piercings: None

Scars: None

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Social Drinker

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Affiliated Groups: Camera Heads, Fencing Club, Historical Re-Enactment Society, Music Appreciation Society

Friends: Monique Curtis, Andrew Garfield, Ruben Valdez, Luke Flynn, Orlando Guerrero, Hugh Sweeney, Trenton Abbey, Ramona Dunn

Shares A Dorm With: Jethro Butcher, Quentin Hollister

Significant Other: None

Parents: York Gray (46, Father), Montana Gray (48, Mother, Née Green)

Siblings: None

Extras

Classes: Filmography, History, Music Technology, Theatrical Studies

Occupation: Student

Employer: None

Hobbies/Interests: basketball, running, swimming, rock climbing, dancing, reading, listening to music, playing guitar

[thanathicca]

Penakluk Kematian

(Thanatologist from Pathologic the Musical: Indonesian version/translation/translyrics)

Click here for my new and improved version of the recording from 2024! :D

Original/English Title: Thanatologist Indonesian Title: Penakluk Kematian (Conqueror of Death) English Lyrics, Music: @pathologic-the-musical Indonesian Lyrics, Vocals, Audio Editing: @thanathicca (me) Version: 3 (may not be final)

Konon, hiduplah sosok melegenda Konon, ajalnya tak menghampiri Jika benar Jika bisa bersua Tujuan hidupku terpenuhi!

Konon, ia tinggal di padang tundra Konon, ia bermukim di stepa Ku 'kan coba, Singkap rahasianya- Hingga 'ku diakui Yang Kuasa!

Penakluk kematian Berawal di ajal Rona darahmu Pelita untuk jiwa yang kekal

Penakluk kematian Capai mimpi luar biasa Kutantang maut Walau nyaris tak mungkin ia senang Ku 'kan menang

Tatapan warga yang menyangsikanku Adalah sambutan yang aku tunggu M'reka tak tahu - ha! Takkan mengerti Visi mulia yang kujunjung tinggi

Dunia sungguh kelam Manusia sungguh naif dan kejam Namun selama aku masih bernyawa Ku takkan sirna Bersama sukma sang legenda

Penakluk kematian Terbiasa dengan kegagalan Tetapi akhirnya 'Kan kucapai yang t'lah lama kudamba!

Demi Thanatica!

.

Translation notes (including the literal English translation of my lyrics) and recording notes under the cut!

Recording Notes

Boy, oh, boy. I live in an environment that isn't very conducive for singing (BIRDS! DOGS! CATS! PEOPLE! xD). The tempo admittedly needs work, but considering my environment, I can't re-record it again (no other recording is as good as this one, which is fucking wild). So you get this take!

(I use it, they, he, and she pronouns in case you're wondering...)

Also, this is my first time using Audacity. So pardon the... imperfections. //D I had to edit my vocals (mostly removing the horrible inhaling sounds xD)

Not to mention that I'm unsure if I really, truly embodied the Bachelor in my singing. I had so much fun, though!!! <3

Since I'm not much of an audio engineer, I'll be moving on to the...

.

Translation Notes

Preface

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A LINGUIST OR A TRANSLATOR WITH A LICENSE. I AM JUST A HOBBYIST WHO LOVE PATHOLOGIC, MUSIC, PATHOLOGIC: THE MUSICAL, AND WRITING TRANSLYRICS.

.

"Why 'translyrics'?" It's the lingo in Vocaloid cover circles. "Translations" means "subtitles", and "translyrics" means "translations you can sing to the song"!

Now, the first thing you should know is the fact that Indonesian has a lot more syllables than English. Especially if you don't get creative. For example:

English: dead (adjective) -> death (noun) Indonesian: mati (adjective) -> kematian (noun)

That's long as hell, isn't it? So to make these translyrics, I activated my BIG BACHELOR BRAIN to find alternatives to "kematian", such as "ajal" or "maut". Please be proud of me, Daniil T_T

Also, the Bachelor doesn't just use basic words, no! I make sure this song has the most poetic, pretentious lyrics possible, using uncommon or complicated words or try to evoke some Cool Shit to show his level of education.

Fun fact: "the Bachelor" would be translated into "Sang Sarjana" if we go the literal route.

But also no one calls other people "Sarjana" as a honorific (i.e. "Bachelor Dankovsky") unless they're being tongue-in-cheek trying to cheer up a fresh graduate.

Also my biological sibling said "Daniil Dankovsky, S. Ked." and my life has never been the same since. (S. Ked. = Sarjana Kedokteran = Bachelor of Medicine).

We can translate his title to "Sang Cendekiawan" ("the Intellectual") if need be, but... "Sarjana" also means "intellectual/expert" in a more archaic sense.... I digress. xD

Another thing about Indonesian is that the Indonesian word for "psychologist" is "psikolog". But "thanatolog" sounds kinda silly so I just thought, hmm, Tha-na-to-lo-gist... five (5) syllables... hmm... For a thanatologist... seven (7) syllables... I can't fucking say "untuk seorang thanatolog" (9 syllables)...

"Penakluk kematian" it is. It means "conqueror of death", as if he's already succeeded. The hubris of Sang Sarjana is unparallelled, and I adore him. <3

If we make an Indonesian translation for Pathologic, he can also say Sanskrit phrases, because like English/Russian speakers who want to sound smart(TM) speak Latin, Indonesians use Sanskrit. It's in various organization mottos around the country. You're welcome! ;D

.

English Translation (so you can see what's lost and what's gained):

Original

Indonesian

Literal English Translation

[My notes]

.

They say there is a man who never dies, here. They say there is a man who can’t be killed. If this is true, and if I can see him, then finally my purpose is fulfilled!

Konon, hiduplah sosok melegenda Konon, ajalnya tak menghampiri Jika benar Jika bisa bersua Tujuan hidupku terpenuhi!

They say, there lived a legendary man They say, his demise will never approach him If this is true If (we) can meet My life's purpose will (finally) be fulfilled

[I decided to call Simon Kain "a legend(ary man)" because there is no way to say "deathless man" or "man who can't be killed" without being extremely clunky.

Deathless man (3 syllables), man who can't be killed (5 syllables), BUT the Indonesian version, "Pria yang tidak dapat/akan mati" (9 syllables), "pria yang tak bisa/mungkin dibunuh" (9 syllables)... and those are the non-poetic translations. I can't fit all these syllables in it unless you want the Bachelor (or me...) to rap, which sounds like it'd be super unique to Pathologic's somber tone (I'm not averse to it if someone does make a Bachelor rap, though :D)

"Sosok" literally means "figure". Often a larger-than-life or mysterious one.

"Bertemu" is the #basic form of "meet". "bersua" is more like... "rendezvous".]

.

They tell me that he lives here in the tundra, they tell me that he lives here in the steppe. I will prevail, I will win his secrets- a victory the Powers must accept!

Konon, ia tinggal di padang tundra Konon, ia bermukim di stepa Ku 'kan coba, Singkap rahasianya- Hingga 'ku diakui Yang Kuasa!

They tell me, that he lives (here) in the tundra They tell me, that he lives (here) in the steppe I will attempt to Reveal his secrets Until the Almighty acknowledges me at last

[There isn't really a concept for "the powers that be" in Indonesia. So I invoke the monotheistic God (yes, "Yang Kuasa" literally means "The Almighty") instead.

Indonesia is a deeply religious, monotheistic state (for better or for worse), and my translation for Burakh invokes way more religious vibes than Dankovsky in his word choices, though it's for a different belief altogether.]

.

For a thanatologist, the ending is the start! The answers I seek are in the lifeblood that leaks from your heart!

Penakluk kematian Berawal di ajal Rona darahmu Pelita untuk jiwa yang kekal

A conqueror of death Begins from the end The fire in your blood Is my (guiding) light towards an immortal soul

["Ajal" just means "death", and "Pelita" means "light", but they're both very poetic, especially the latter. You see the theme.

Also, using blood as one's guiding light is so metal.]

.

For a thanatologist, nothing cannot be overcome. I will spit in Death's face, though the odds may be thousands to one! It will be done!

Penakluk kematian Capai mimpi luar biasa Kutantang maut Walau nyaris tak mungkin ia senang Ku 'kan menang

A conqueror of death Achieves the grandest dreams I will challenge Death Even though They will hardly be happy I shall be victorious

["Spit in one's face" is not a phrase with an Indonesian "twin". We have different phrases... like "menantang maut" (challenging death)

Making Death a sentient being ("they won't be happy") is more of a western concept than an Indonesian one, but it's the best I can put it, because "though the odds may be thousands to one" (9 syllables) would be "meski kemungkinannya ribuan banding satu" (14 syllables)... but since "thousands to one" is "it's almost impossible", you get "will hardly be happy"!]

.

The people staring, hungry, from the shadows, are a fitting welcome for a man like me. Still, they don’t know – ha! They don’t know a thing about the visions only I can see.

Tatapan warga yang menyangsikanku Adalah sambutan yang aku tunggu M'reka tak tahu - ha! Takkan mengerti Visi mulia yang kujunjung tinggi

The stares of those townsfolk that doubt me Is a welcome I've been expecting They don't know They'll never understand The noble vision that I uphold

[The 1st line was lost in translation, which saddened me. but instead of a "fitting welcome", it's an "expected welcome", reiterating that Sang Sarjana is even more arrogant than the Bachelor.

Like the Town on Gorkhon, Indonesia is a very conformist, superstitious society... innovations are often considered arrogant, and defeating death is truly a goal that deserves to be burned in hell.

This vision is noble for Dankovsky, though. I mean, what's the life expectancy in early 1900s Russia? Not 80, for sure. And Indonesia was still colonized by the Dutch at the time. And the plague... is a manifestation (or friend, etc., etc.) of Death, too.]

.

For the world is dark and cruel, and all of us are cowards and fools. But as long as I’m alive, I will go on, I will thrive! I will win this fight… when I meet this deathless man tonight!

Dunia sungguh kelam Manusia sungguh naif dan kejam Namun selama aku masih bernyawa Ku takkan sirna Bersama sukma sang legenda

The world is truly dark Humans are truly naive and cruel But as long as I'm alive I will not be vanquished With the legend(ary man)'s soul by my side

[With the amount of Indonesian syllables... I had to cut some words out. Again.

The repetition of "sungguh" is my attempt in trying to imitate the anaphora of the next English lines ("I will go on, I will thrive, I will win this fight...")

"Sirna" is a very pretty word. The basic meaning is "disappear without a trace" - it's often used for dramatic, nebulous things like emotions, or grand things like the sun.

"Sukma" is a poetic way to say "soul". No one says this in conversation, unless they're extremely formal.

Also, unrelated to the song, but "Sukma" is a female given name, did you know that? Now you do!]

.

For a thanatologist, failure’s just the premise of the game. But at last I’m so close to the goal I’d give my life to attain!

Penakluk kematian Terbiasa dengan kegagalan Tetapi akhirnya 'Kan kucapai yang t'lah lama kudamba!

A conqueror of death Is accustomed to failure But at last I will achieve what I've been dreaming for eons

[I can't use the Indonesian word "premis" without sounding like my Introduction to Logic homework from university. :p

"lama" just means "a long time" but for Sang Sarjana I'll give him the best words <3]

.

In Thanatica's name!

Demi Thanatica!

In Thanatica's name!

["demi" is used to make a vow, and conservatives only allow people to say "demi Tuhan" (in God's name), or for goals, could be "demi Indonesia" (for the country). But Daniil Dankovsky cares not for such limitations!

All in all, it's the most straightforward line. And it's done!!! >:D]

.

I really appreciate you reading thus far - seriously, thank you! I hope this gave you some insight.

Terima kasih dan sampai jumpa!

(Thank you and goodbye!)

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Maybe it’s my past that’s talking

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/9OAhK5f

by Itz_dezzyinnit

I just wanted to give dick a bad time I’m sorry. Not really but okay. Also, I’m making a discord server soon! If anyones interested in joining- please do! Trigger warning for c*tal*na fl*res, m*ra*ge and slade Wilson. Referenced sexual assault, slutshaming, the titans are not nice :(

Words: 2776, Chapters: 1/2, Language: English

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Nightwing (Comics), Teen Titans (Comics), Teen Titans (Animated Series)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Other

Characters: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Cassandra Cain, Bruce Wayne, Catalina Flores, Miriam Delgado

Relationships: Dick Grayson & Jason Todd, Cassandra Cain & Dick Grayson, Cassandra Cain & Dick Grayson & Jason Todd

Additional Tags: Bruce Wayne is a Bad Parent, Dick Grayson Needs a Hug, Dick Grayson Gets a Hug, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Dick Grayson-centric, Dick Grayson is Renegade, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Good Sibling Cassandra Cain, seriously those three make my heart melt, Angst and Hurt/Comfort

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/9OAhK5f