#sad songs for aegis

[aecholapis]

Part 2

Acidsplicer: Senza Fare Sul Serio - Malika Ayane Andiamo A Commandare - Fabio Rovazzi El Tiburón - Henry Mendez Stadt - Cassandra Steen ft. Adel Tawil I'm Still Standing - Elton John Survivor - Destiny's Child Don't Stop The Music - Rihanna Tik Tok - Kesha Shots Fiyerd - Lost Pause, pepper 12345 (sorry for the LP mention, guys, but the remix deserves to be here) Sandstorm - Darude Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley Can-can - Offenbach

Snowblast: Phendrana Drifts Depths - Metroid Prime - remix by Kamex Buoy Base Galaxy - Super Mario Galaxy Ark Mall - Astral Chain - mix by Baron von Lag Running on Air - Nathan Trent Feeling Good - Michael Bublé

Azurian: Slide Into the Void - The Stupendium ft. Cami-Cat I've Seen Hell - North & South Trying to Get Lost - Pirates of the Caribbean 3 Main Theme - Fire Emblem Three Houses The Crest of Flames - Fire Emblem Three Houses The Spirit Dais - Fire Emblem Three Houses Agnus Dei - Samuel Barber (+Adagio For Strings by Tiësto) Miserere Mei, Deus - Allegri

Viridian: My Quiet Forest Home - Astral Chain A Funeral of Flowers - Fire Emblem Three Houses This Wandering Day - Janet Roddick Bedroom Dreams - The Tourist Nights in White Satin - The Moody Blues ギアナ制作 「かみのみかくし」 秋赤音 × 神木円

Azimuth: Black Sheep - Poor Mans Poison Give and Take - Poor Mans Poison Providence - Poor Mans Poison Pressure Cracks - Poor Mans Poison Woe to the People of Order - cover by Cami Cat Brianna and Roger Theme - Outlander Loss Of A Twin - Eagle Eye

Exopulse: If This Ship Sinks - Jonathan Young Legion Assault - Astral Chain - mix by Baron von Lag The entire Starlink: Battle for Atlas OST The Subnautica OST (1 and 2)

Monochromator: Done With Everything - Line So Thin My Demons - Starset - cover by Caleb Hyles Bring Me to Life - Evanescence Zombie - The Cranberries - cover by Peyton Parrish Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel - cover by Peyton Parrish Nothing Else Matters - Metallica Madness - Astral Chain (!) It gets a little unsettling now (!) Valhalla - Metroid Prime 3 River Twygz Bed - Super Paper Mario (seriously, beware of the distortion) The Junkyards - Portal Stories: Mel The Junkyard Offices - Portal Stories: Mel Dark Agon Wastes - Metroid Prime 2 Dark Torvus Bog - Metroid Prime 2 Dark Sanctuary Fortress - Metroid Prime 2 Dark Energy Controller - Metroid Prime 2 Xeno Research Area - Metroid Prime 3 Lower Maridia - Super Metroid - cover by SlashBib

Aegis: Back To You - Lost Frequencies, Elley Duhé, X Ambassadors Better Alone - Led by Lanterns Let Me Go - Avril Lavigne ft. Chad Kroeger Alone - Cami Cat What Could Have Been - Sting ft. Ray Chan The Final Shot - Astral Chain This Too Shall Pass - Scott Buckley

Songs I put on loop while thinking about or drawing my OCs - Part 1

Helios: Icarus - Deus Ex: Human Revolution Collapsing Sun - Brandon Lau Angel On Fire - Halsey Imposter Syndrome - London Music Works Epilogue - Everest Your Majesty - The Crown If You Should Fall - Craig Armstrong Hey - Andreas Bourani Imádlak - Katona Ernesztina Divenire - Ludovico Einaudi This is Our Planet - Our Planet Hope for Tomorrow - Daemon X Machina Fragments of Hope - Astral Chain Aegis Research Institute - Astral Chain - Combat Mix by Baron Von Lag Natural Light - Portal Stories: Mel The Luminoth - Metroid Prime 2 Torvus Bog - Metroid Prime 2 Skytown - Metroid Prime 3 Lost in the Sky - Metroid Prime 3 - Skytown Remix by myr Azeleza - Red_OWLdeer Adiemus - Adiemus The Final Attack - Astral Chain The IXION OST The Interstellar OST Too many Fire Emblem Three Houses tracks to list them all

And the legendary God Shattering Star cover by Joe Zieja and Jules Conroy because I headcanon his voice to be similar to Claude's from FE3H for some reason and since Joe is his VA I can vividly imagine Helios singing this cover. It would be so funny. Let the small copter go ham with his vocal cords.

Ironwing and Altitude (partially): Speechless - Aladdin - cover by Peyton Parrish My Mother Told Me - Assassin's Creed: Valhalla - cover by Peyton Parrish Edge Of Night - The Lord of the Rings - cover by Peyton Parrish Helgafjell - Peyton Parrish ft. David Michael Frank Drengr of Ragnarök - Peyton Parrish ft. Jonathan Young Svarteboka - Gåte ft. Djerv Skarvane - Gåte The Rise of Vikingr album

Nightjet: Silent Guardians - Hyrule Warriors Bryyo Cliffside - Metroid Prime 3 Lower Norfair Mashup - Metroid - mashup by Axell The Swampert Chasing Daybreak (Thunder) - Fire Emblem Three Houses Victor's Hollow - Octopath Traveler - cover by Jules Conroy Oniro Mou - Yianna Terzi Palästinalied - Estampie Небо - Слободан Тркуља Brothers in Arms - Daemon X Machina Title Theme - Metroid Prime 3

Railjet: Runaway Train - Self Deception ;-) Asturias (Leyenda) - Isaac Albéniz - cover by Ana Vidović Gerudo Valley - Ocarina of Time - cover by Matt Sellick Victor's Hollow - Octopath Traveler Highlands Theme - Octopath Traveler Among Stately Peaks - Octopath Traveler Homunculus Delta - Astral Chain Grand War - Daemon X Machina Title Theme - Metroid Prime Trilogy - cover by Wingus Dingus

Firecry and his siblings: Kiss from a Rose - Seal - cover by Jonathan Young, Caleb Hyles, RichaadEB Idolize - Caleb Hyles Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson (Glee version) - cover by Anna Pantsu ft. Caleb Hyles Fight Fire With Gasoline - Self Deception Weight of the World - Self Deception State of Elysium - Self Deception Legends - Self Deception Starlight Brigade - TWRP ft. Dan Avidan (please watch the music video, it's so good) The Starship Velociraptor album (same as Anvil)

Anvil and his former mining team: Kiss from a Rose - Seal - cover by Jonathan Young, Caleb Hyles, RichaadEB Storm the Castle - Jonathan Young Divided - Jonathan Young Damage Done - Jonathan Young ft. RichaadEB Land of Broken Dreams - Jonathan Young ft. Caleb Hyles Land of the Living - Jonathan Young Unholy - cover by Jonathan Young ft. Lauren Babic (¬‿¬) The Starship Velociraptor album All of Jonathan Young's sea shanty covers

Cryoslope and his former underwater mining team: Chemical Worker's Song - Ron Angel - cover by Colm McGuinness Here's a Health to the Company - Assassin's Creed IV - cover by Colm McGuinness Scarborough Fair - cover by Colm McGuinness The Foggy Dew - cover by Colm McGuinness Islander - Bruce Moss- cover by Derina Harvey Band Lost On You - LP Song of the Sea - Mirella Díez Morán Into the Unknown - Subnautica Abandon Ship - Subnautica Torvus Hydrodynamo - Metroid Prime 2 Troubled Water - Portal Stories: Mel Transitional Period (funnel) - Portal Stories: Mel Live Fire Exercise - Portal Stories: Mel

Dataduct and the Throttlecons: Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson (Glee version) - cover by Anna Pantsu ft. Caleb Hyles Magnum Bullets - Night Runner ft. Dan Avidan (another great music video) Promise - Voyager Loco - Manian Tonight - Yüksek

Carbonlight: Children of the Omnissiah - Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus (Guillaume David) Noosphere - Warhammer 40k: Mechanicus Millennial Rage - Warhammer 40k: Mechanicus Tenebre Rosso Sangue - Ultrakill Title Theme - Metroid Prime - cover by Amie Waters Menu Theme - Metroid Prime 2 VS. Emperor Ing (Phase 1) - Metroid Prime 2 VS. Emperor Ing (Phase 2) - Metroid Prime 2 System Corruption - Portal Stories: Mel (Harry Callaghan) Track 10 - Asphalt 6 VS. Jena Anderson (all phases) - Astral Chain The Creation of Noah - Astral Chain Inside Noah - Astral Chain VS. Noah (all phases) - Astral Chain Symphony No. 9 (New World Symphony) - Dvořák Ecstasy of Gold - Ennio Morricone Arms of Immortal - Daemon X Machina The entire Mechanicus OST

[probablyanalienindisguise]

Nash my beloved I miss him

[callimara]

The Aegis & Spellbook

An ancient spellbook written by The First Keeper. He spent his life collecting the Aegis from all corners of the world to seal them away in this book. It contains detailed information on each Aegis, their Sentinels, history, as well as powerful spells capable of commanding them. Thus, the wielder of this spellbook has compulsion over all Aegis.  To prevent this book (along with the sealed Aegis) from falling into the wrong hands, it was hidden in a concealed crypt; enshrined with The First Keeper himself. The Aegis and their stories were soon forgotten and lost to time.

Songbird Aegis

A hair comb embedded by a splendid rainbow opal. It is inhabited by Wren, the Sentinel of Emotion. He is represented by the songbird, creatures known for their melodious calls, capable of affecting the psyche of any living creature. With their songs, they evoke joy and hope, or even sorrow and alarm. They sing to form connection and they fill their environment with life.  After all, it is said that the experience of emotion is how one can truly be alive. To express emotion and to evoke them in others is the power of the Songbird Aegis. Thus, it is no wonder that those chosen as Wren’s vessels are those in the arts. Individuals who evoke emotion through their craft: artists, writers, musicians, and actors. Creative spirits who are highly in tune with their feelings and the feelings of others. However, this has not always resulted in a noble outcome. Some have used this aegis to spread dangerous feelings and ideas, creating in discord and disunity within communities for generations. The Songbird Aegis grants its wielders a power called Siren Song: a vocal compulsion that fills those within hearing range with powerful emotions (be it crippling sadness, strong determination, burning anger, or sluggish laziness.) It functions as both a support for their allies and an obstacle for opponents. However, the wielder must genuinely feel those emotions for the power to work, and the effect only lasts for as long as the wielder’s performance lasts. If they stop or are interrupted, the effects of the power immediately disappear. Often times, Songbird Aegis wielders will also have keen hearing if they are musicians, heightened perception if they are artists, greater empathy if they are writers, and higher charisma if they are actors. In their transformed state, Songbird Aegis wielders will also sport wings, gain perfect pitch, and the ability to sing in any language. To activate the Songbird Aegis, one must use the phrase “Crescendo” and to deactivate, “Morendo.”

Cat Aegis

A choker necklace embedded with a luminous Cat’s Eye Moonstone. It is inhabited by Felis, the embodiment of Wonder. She embodies a living being’s curiosity and wanderlust; the desire to push the limits of what is possible and thrive by one’s own means. She is represented by the cat; adventurous and independent creatures who will always find their own way in the world. They seek adventure as often as they provide it to others, but they rarely stay in one place: one moment here, then gone the next. Their presence is a common sight among the occult: enshrouded in mystery yet always seeking more to pursue.  Vessels of Felis are known for their wanderlust and daring spirit. They tend to follow the path less travelled: they hunger for sights few others will ever see. They desire to forge into the unknown, chase thrills, and refuse to allow long odds to slow them down. However, vessels of Felis are incredibly secretive and flighty individuals, often living a double life and never staying in one place for long. Thus, many of Felis’ chosen vessels have been explorers, secret intelligence, and lawbreakers. Many have pioneered the discovery of lost ruins and unknown ecosystems, accomplished feats previously thought impossible, and uncovered (or created) deep-rooted conspiracies. However, it is the curse of the Cat Aegis wielder to walk a path of solitude, until the day the secrets they have guarded swallows them whole. In their transformed states, Cat Aegis wielders gain agility, dexterity, and reaction speed that is superior to other aegis users; as well as unique traits such as night vision and ‘9 lives.’ These 9 lives are a culmination of a feline’s ‘righting reflex’ and the wielder’s increased dexterity and agility; allowing them accomplish off near-impossible feats of athleticism or escape from life-threatening situations unharmed. They may also develop cat-like features such as claws, fangs, cat ears, tail, and eyes.  The special power of the Cat Aegis is dubbed Leap, which allows the user to instantly teleport to any previously visited location through the creation of portals. Only the user is able to see and pass through these portals (creating the illusion of teleportation to others), and the portals close immediately after the user steps through. Portals can be opened anywhere within the user’s line of sight, and only one portal can be open at any given time. If a portal is left open, the user cannot open a new one. However, an open portal will close on their own if the user detransforms. The user cannot open portals to locations they have not physically been to before, and the further the destination is from their current location, the more energy is exerted, which may force the user to detransform sooner. The amount of times the user can use Leap depends on their stamina. However, leaping to locations within their line of sight requires little to no energy. This Aegis’ activation phrase is “Bewitch” and her deactivation phrase is “Disenchant.”

Snake Aegis

This Aegis is a serpent-shaped bangle embedded with a piece of colour-shifting alexandrite. It is inhabited by Naga, the Sentinel of Change. As the Sentinel of Change, she is the embodiment of a living creature’s innate and instinctive need to adapt to its environment in order to survive. She is represented by the snake; a polarizing creature that is both feared and admired: similar to change itself. It is considered a symbol of evil, dark magic, and temptation; but at the same time, it is also revered as a symbol of medicine, fertility, and rebirth. As such, Vessels of Naga are usually introspective and resilient; adaptable and ever-changing; and always striving for improvement and self-betterment. They are determined to overcome barriers and help others to do the same: rarely losing heart in the face of an obstacle, instead seeing it as a challenge to be overcome. Thus, many of Naga’s vessels are those in the position of guidance, care, or progress; often being involved in healthcare, innovation, the sciences, and education. But when misplaced, this ability to overcome obstacles often lead the snake aegis wielder to cross boundaries that were put in place for the safety and protection of all; sometimes, the fact that they can is more important than whether they should. When transformed, wielders of the Snake Aegis also develop snake-like traits such as thermal sense, fangs, and scales; as well as superior flexibility and agility to other aegis wielders.  The Snake Aegis grants its wielder a unique power dubbed Devour, which allows them to absorb the energy of their opponents’ attacks and stockpile it into one extremely powerful attack, or use it to recharge themselves to remain transformed for longer and heal injuries. Though, there is a limit to the amount of force that can be absorbed.  To activate the snake aegis, wielders must use the phrase, “Jaws Open.” Its deactivation phrase is, “Brumate.” 

Hawk Aegis

A brass bracelet embedded with a brilliant fire opal. It is Inhabited by Beddiah, the Freedom Sentinel. His name was inspired by the minor loa Badessy, who holds the domain of the sky in Vodou. He embodies every living creature’s desire for self-determination, and the power to act without any hindrance or restraint. He is represented by the hawk, a creature championed as a symbol of freedom: inspiring hope wherever it soars through the skies. The hawk are magnificent birds of prey known for its flight prowess and fearlessness, preying on not only small mammals and birds, but venomous reptiles. Wielders of the Hawk Aegis are self-assured and strong-willed. They live in the moment and follow where the wind blows. But most of all, they value their autonomy and cannot be tethered or bound; for many of them, this extends to others as well as themselves. Thus, many of its wielders have been freedom fighters or rebels. This freedom does not necessarily have to be physical; the wielders of the Hawk Aegis often champion freedom in all of its forms. However, this focus on freedom has a cost; some of the Aegis wielders have taken their ideals of freedom too far, often sowing the seeds of anarchy and chaos in their wake. The Hawk Aegis grants its wielders a power called Changing Winds, which allows the wielder to will an event into reality. However, the wielder must be able to picture the event clearly in their minds and it must affect them directly; as it manifests as strokes of luck to aid the wielder in action. The Hawk Aegis also grants its wielders the gift of speed and flight. In fact, Hawk Aegis wielders are the most proficient fliers as they possess increased durability against high gravity, immunity from whiplash and may even reach Mach speeds in their flight course. Its wielders may also develop hawk-like traits such as keen eyesight, sharp talons, brown feathers, and wings. To activate the Hawk Aegis, its wielder must say the phrase, “To the Heavens” and to deactivate, “Down to Earth.”

Wolf Aegis

This Aegis is a fingerless glove embedded with an earthy brown onyx. It is inhabited by Villr, the Sentinel of Protection. Villr embodies the natural instinct in all creatures to provide shelter and safety to those they care for: be it for the sake of survival, genuine affection, or both. He is represented by the wolf, a symbol of guardianship and loyalty. They are pack animals that thrive off of community and develop deep emotional bonds to each other; forming the foundation of loyalty and dedication which compels them to protect each other.  Vessels of Villr are often self-sacrificing, with a strong sense of belonging and a stronger urge to protect those they consider home. Thus, the aegis often finds affinity with people in roles of protection, such as parental guardians, firefighters, search and rescue, and law enforcement. However, when taken too far, this desire to protect has led to delusions of ownership and entitlement; exerting absolute control and isolation over those they wish to protect, and stopping at nothing to ensure their safety: even if it means decimating anything and everything they consider a threat. When transformed, wielders of the Wolf Aegis develop a keen sense of smell that is superior to other aegis wielders. They also possess greater armor strength that allows them to absorb only a fraction of damage other aegis wielders would sustain. Wielders will develop wolf-like features such as fangs, ears, tails, and claws when they are transformed.  The Wolf Aegis possesses a special power called Lycan’s Rage, which increases its wielder’s strength the greater their anger or determination grows to protect or eliminate a threat. Any damage received while this power is activated also increases their strength. However, the stronger they become, the more difficult it is to control their power, and the sooner they become exhausted and need to de-transform.  To activate the wolf aegis, its wielder must call out, “Howl Havoc” and, “Silence Reigns.” To deactivate.

Stag Aegis

This Aegis is a wooden ring mimicking the shape of a deer’s antlers with a verdant malachite embedded in its center. It is inhabited by Cernunnos, the Sentinel of Harmony. Cernunnos is partially based off of the Gallo-Roman deity of the same name, who was also associated with the Horned God in Wicca. As the Sentinel of Harmony, Cernunnos embodies the importance of balance and coexistence; for all living creatures to fulfill their roles and maintain the natural order. He is represented by the stag, often perceived by many cultures as the lord of the forest; and as the lord of the forest, it falls to him to maintain balance and harmony across his kingdom.  Thus, vessels of Cernunnos are those with a strong moral compass and sense of justice. They will fight for the prosperity of all living creatures, human or animal. Many go on to pioneer movements to abolish cruelty and mistreatment upon all living beings. They have a strong sense of community and connection to their surroundings. Thus, the stag aegis has often been wielded by conservationists, activists, and humanitarian workers. However, the wielders of this aegis may become consumed by their righteousness and concept of justice that they fail to recognize the needs and desires of those they are fighting for; often projecting their own ideals and corrupting their cause. Due to their strong connection to nature and every living creature, stag aegis wielders also gain the ability to communicate with any animal they come across when they are transformed. All stag aegis wielders will also develop antlers and a keen sense of hearing that is superior to other aegis wielders.  The stag aegis also possesses as unique power dubbed Metamorphosis, which allows its users to transform into any animal that they have anatomical and physiological understanding of. As long as this power is active, they are able to freely change between different animals. However, the longer this power is activated, the more energy they use to remain transformed.  To activate this aegis, its wielders must use the phrase, “The Hunt Begins” and deactivate it using the phrase, “The Hunt Ends.”

Raven Aegis

A feather earring embedded with a striking black opal. This Aegis is inhabited by Hugenn, the Sentinel of Thought.  He is the embodiment of every living creature’s ability to process information, analyse, and problem-solve. His name was inspired by one of Odin’s ravens, Huginn, whose job it was to bring information from Midgard to his master. As such, Hugenn is represented by the raven; an intelligent creature capable of problem-solving, planning, and using tools.  Vessels of Hugenn are those with extraordinary intellect, critical thinking, and cognitive flexibility. They value knowledge and the pursuit of truth above all else. Thus, the Raven Aegis often finds itself in the possession of scholars, scientists, and investigators. They strive to uncover the mysteries of the world and gain a better understanding of the unknown. Many bring about groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that have changed the world, for better or for worse. Though occasionally their single-minded pursuit of knowledge and truth blinds them to the morality of what it takes to achieve it. Thus, Raven Aegis users are blessed with superhuman thinking speed, processing elaborate strings of information and multiple lines of thought within a fraction of a second. This processing speed allows them to seemingly slow down time when they analyze their surroundings and contemplate their next course of action. Wielders with particularly keen intellect will also gain photographic memory. However, most will develop raven-like traits such as black feathers, wings, and the ability to perfectly mimic any human voice.  The Raven Aegis grants its wielders a special power called Vision, which allows them to see a second or two into their own future, and giving them to opportunity to anticipate, plan, and react inhumanly fast. However, while they are using this power, it also renders them completely blind, forcing them to rely on their other senses and memory of the terrain. To activate this Aegis, its wielder must call out, “Part the veil” and to deactivate, “Curtain falls.”

Tiger Aegis

The Tiger Aegis is a belt with a tiger head shaped buckle embedded with a vibrant red tiger’s eye. It is inhabited by Maung, the Sentinel of Strength. Strength is integral to any creature’s survival: it determines who eats, who starves, who continues their bloodline, and who succumbs to natural selection. The tiger is a symbol of strength and power revered for its grace and beauty in many cultures; and many more attempt to evoke its strength and courage in the face of adversity. Therefore, vessels of Maung are individuals with extraordinary strength and will, who command admiration and respect within their community. They do not falter in the face of a challenge and will march until they claim victory. They are fierce and determined, and once they have set their mind on a goal, they will not rest until they have achieved it. Thus, the Tiger Aegis often finds itself in the possession of leaders, soldiers, and mercenaries. Individuals who are willing to lay their lives on the line for the sake of achieving their goals. However, often times wielders of this aegis will not fret about the morality of how they will achieve their goals, so long as they succeed in doing so. When transformed, Tiger Aegis wielders develop physical strength that is superior to other aegis wielders. Wielders may also develop tiger-like features such as: tiger ears, tail, claws, fangs, and striping on their bodies. The Tiger Aegis’ unique power is dubbed “Killing Intent,” which spreads an aura of intimidation to those in their vicinity; activating the flight portion of their fight or flight response which causes their opponents to hesitate, retreat, or freeze in place. This power affects those within a 20 meter radius regardless of whether they are able to see or hear them. This aura also affects allies and may require the user to exert themselves to affect individuals with nerves of steel. However, the longer it is activated, the shorter the time the wielder is able to remain transformed. The activation phrase used for this aegis is, “Go for the Kill” and its deactivation phrase is, “Hunger slaked.”

▶ Wildward Master Post

[lephamquynhnhu]

Millennial Aegis

Chapter 2

Jing Yuan x Fem! reader

WARNINGS/ TAGS: Arranged marriage, the reader has a default name, smut, unprotected sex, OOC, MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

Word count: ~2000

Summary: He is so stubborn to give up on you, and you are too hard-headed to reciprocate his affection. When do you both stop torturing each other?

Note: To be honest, I did not expect somebody to read this fic. However, there were still a (very) small number of readers who supported me. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely appreciate your interaction. 

Two knocking sounds resonate across the room driving you to jump a little. You hurry back to the designed spot and put on the veil again.

The next thing you hear is the main door open as the general gets himself in and closes it gently. You sit tight with your hands gripping the fabric on your lap. "I swear I can hear the heartbeats on my ear drum now.'' 

He saunters over to you, tenderly lifts the veil out of your face, and a soft smile appears on his lips. There is a sliver of sadness in your beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and he did not miss it. 

"My consort looks so stunning today." 

You froze on the spot, and your eyes widened a little at the intimated proximity. Admittedly, at this closeness, he is charming at this marked event, and you even can sense the alcohol through his breaths. Although Lord Jing Yuan smells like cedar blended with grape wine, he is not drunk and completely conscious. After a blank of silence, you open your words lamely.

"Greetings, Lord Jing Yuan."

His golden orbs waver shortly at the title with a rigid demeanor, yet he quickly recovers and holds out his arm.

"May I have a dance with milady?"

The general never fails to surprise you, and you start wondering what the meaning behind this uncommon activity is. However, you accept the invitation by holding his hand and saying no word. Things happened as Jing Yuan secretly forecasted because your spirit and body gradually relax when dancing the waltz. The romantic atmosphere and the low hum of classical music soothe your anxiety efficiently. Now, you understand why he became the prominent general of Xianzhou since this mastermind can handle any circumstance fluidly. After a moment, Jing Yuan slowly pulls you into his embrace and envelopes your figure completely. 

"Please stay with me." - His hot breath breezes your hair.

You were petrified at his words and stayed still in his arms, completely dumbfounded. His heartbeat sounds like a peaceful song in your ear while giving him a silent treatment. The general slowly takes your chin in his hand and leans down to kiss your lips which you quickly melt into him.

Your heart starts racing again, and blushes are present on your cheeks. Many people say that the first kiss tastes like lemon, but to your sense, it is as sweet as maple syrup with a fermenting scent. 

Lord Jing Yuan detaches himself after a while, skims over your face as if asking for further advance, and gives you a break. When receiving your implied permission, he immediately crashes his lips to yours again. This time, the general does not hold down and kisses you passionately. His arm moves to support your neck as he deepens into your mouth, and the other wraps around your waist possessively as if afraid of you changing your mind and running away from him. There was a psychological noise yelling at you to push the general away, but his affection penetrated and neutralized it, so you started feeling him. 

Hectic yet gentle are the accurate adjective that describes his kiss right now as you close your eyes and reciprocate his kiss. You circle your arms around his neck, dive your hands into his head, and start swirling his long lock. They always remind you of cotton candy. You accidentally free the crimson tie causing his hair to run down like a silver stream covering your mind-eyes. When satisfied, Jing Yuan breaks the kiss and looks straight at you, his eyes full of lust, and abruptly carries you to the bed.

He continues to savor your lips while stripping your wedding dress and discarding the jewelry. The chaste kiss drags down to your jawline, then your neck, and stops at your collarbone to leave a hickey. You also trace your hand at the hem of the general's attire to help him undress, and he moans softly as he feels your cool fingertips grazing his warm skin. Your sanity yells that you will regret this, but the circumstance is unstoppable, and you both are married now.

After a moment, your eyes flush open to see the general hovering above you, his long lock trails aside and cascades to your right like a curtain. 

Lord Jing Yuan's muscles look like steel, and his fair skin seems radiant under the dim light. He smiles at you warmly and gently strokes your cheekbone with his thumb while the other hand caresses your thigh. His touch ignites your delicate skin. It feels like your body completely melts, and the heat burns you into ashes.

You never nake in front of anybody before, so under the general's stare, the blush blooms over your cheeks again. When you raise your hands to cover your red face, Jing Yuan pulls them out. The Autumn hue in his irises is devoid as his gaze is intense and focused.

"Don't hide your cute face from me, darling."

 The general leans over and kisses you enthusiastically again, his tongue exploring your mouth deeply while his hand moves up and grabs your breast firmly, squeezing it gently. You start feeling the arousal between your legs with his interlude. 

"Ah~ it feels so good. I will hate myself when dawn breaks, but it does not matter now. Not anymore."

You continue to writhe under him with your chest heaving. The general's grip tightens around your breast, and he squeezes them roughly. 

"Lord Jing Yuan"

Finally, you could not hold back your ecstasy and mewled out his name.

He also moans softly as he continues kissing you passionately. His free hand travels down your body to cup your crotch firmly, and you can tell his manhood presses against your thigh.

As the juice starts leaking out where he cups your sex, your fingertips dig into his broadened shoulders as an erotic euphoria washes over like a high tide. The last remnant of sanity leaves your brain eventually, and you whisper in the general's ear.

"Ah-please, I want you."

"How shameful... 2 months ago, I firmly stated that I did not need him, but now I am begging him. 

Oh, why? Why does this world loathe me that much?"

The general chuckles softly and pecks your cheek while moving his hands along your waist and then up your shoulders. He pushes himself away from you and sits up, and a sly grin spreads across his face as he looks down at you with amusement and says in a low voice.

 "What are you saying?"

"You bastard! He is taking advantage of my vulnerable state to hear my begging!" You grasp a pillow and throw it at his face, but the general evades it easily.

"I am saying that I hate you so much!"

Jing Yuan laughs loudly and seems unbothered at your emotional outburst. He hooks your legs around his torso and aligns your manhood with your entrance.

"Do you trust me?"

You pretty ascertain that your cheeks now redden as tomatoes. "That thing" is erected at the owner's body, and its sheer size is enough to scare you dead.

"Yes, but can you hold my hand?"

The general grins widely when he interwinds your hand tightly and whispers into your ear. The guilty paradise unfolds opposite his eyes. The heaven is tainted with helluva color. 

 "Of course, I won't hurt you." 

He closes his eyes and leans forward, slowly beginning to trespass the forbidden dreamland, each inch stretching your walls wider than the one before. Once the entire length is inside, he stops and lets out a loud moan. You know he was gentle, but it's still painful. As if Lord Jing Yuan tore you in two parts, your eyes tear up uncontrollably.

"It hurts, it hurts."

The general sighs deeply and sweeps away your tears, then pulls you closer to him, wrapping his arms around your waist. His chest presses against yours resting his head on your shoulder, his breath hot against your skin. A small smile appears on his lips as he murmurs to you.

"Shhh.. It'll be okay..."

You hesitantly nod in response, and Jing Yuan pulls out slightly, then thrusts deep inside you once more. After several minutes of being filled with his thick member, the pain subsides. He hugs you close to him, and a soft smile appears on his lips as he grabs your hips and begins moving slowly within you. His groans grow louder with every thrust until they become screams of pleasure.

You start feeling lightheaded and breathing heavier than. You hate to admit that the general is skilled at making love with you. It feels like you are on the ninth cloud right now, and do not bother to suppress pleasure. 

You wrapped your legs around his waist tight and chanted his name incoherently like a mantra. In a clouded mind, you saw the general's smile turning dark and wolfish. Guess that you were playing with fire. The general looks at you with an evil grin and stares back at you with his own animalistic stare. His grip tightens around your waist as he starts moving faster. With each thrust, he pounds harder and deeper into you. Your breathing becomes erratic and heavy as you feel yourself nearing climax.

Since your bodies are well compatible, you cling to his shoulder to seek support and claw at Jing Yuan's back violently. Something unknown starts forming inside you as if your mind is going to explode.

"Lord...Lord Jing Yuan, I...am..."

A low chuckle escapes from his throat as he thrusts hard into you. The general wraps his arm around your waist tightly and holds you firmly while continuing to pound away at you. His other hand reaches down between your legs and strokes your clit gently.

"You devil!" - You internally curse him. However, the word falls back to your throat, and your voice is hoarse now. The general's face contorts into a sinister smirk as if he hears your thoughts. Lord Jing Yuan bites down hard on your shoulder blade and continues pounding into you. His fingers dig into your soft flesh as he reaches his peak. His hand moves from the waist to grab one of your hands to hold it tightly. 

"Shhhh.. It will be alright, my dear. You're safe here..."

He says softly but clearly, his voice dripping with lust and desire. His eyes are full of passion and excitement. His hot breath tickles your ear as he whispers to you how much he wants you.

"I...can't hold any...longer. Please! I'm so close right now!"

Your tears streaming down tremendously as you cry.

He hears your plea and leans forward slightly. The general grips tighter onto your body and begins speeding up to fuck you even more vigorously. His cock throbs inside you as you both reach your peaks together.

"Lord...lord Jing Yuannn...I beg you!!"

You nearly scream with pleasure and despair when his thick member brushes your G-spot in every thrust. As soon as you start begging him, he feels himself reaching his limit as well. His hips buck wildly against yours, and he moans loudly as he releases his seed deep inside you. A warm sensation spreads through Jing Yuan's entire body as he shoots load after load deep inside your womb.

You try to catch your breath when the general fills you up and stops completely. The hot breeze fans over your face, red tint dust over his cheeks as he hovers above you, and you whine internally. "This is unfair!"

While you are trying to breathe in and out, Lord Jing Yuan is barely out of breath. After staying still awhile, he stands up to take a handkerchief to clean up the mixed liquid between your legs and lies beside you. The general pulls you into his arms and places your head on his fit chest, where you can hear his heart beating loud and clear. He gently strokes your bare back. You lazily wrap an arm around his waist, and hearing Lord Jing Yuan's heartbeat lulls you to sleep. He kisses your forehead sweetly and closes his eyes. His breathing slowly becomes steady and calm while he nuzzles you. 

"Goodnight, my dear. Sleep well..."

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Tuesday, December 3

Larry: All right. What do you want? Hush money? Is that what you're after? Xander: I don't *want* anything! I just wanna help! Larry: What, you think you have a cure? Xander: No, it's just... I know what you're going through because I've been there. That's why I know you should talk about it. Larry: Yeah, that's easy for *you* to say. I mean, you're nobody. I've got a reputation here. Xander: Larry, please, before someone else gets hurt. Larry: Look, if this gets out, it's over for me. I mean, forget about playing football. They'll run me outta this town. I mean, come on! How are people going to look at me after they find out I'm gay. Oh, wow. I said it. And it felt... okay. (whispers) I'm gay.

~~Buffy Episode #27: "Phases"~~

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

Come As You Are (Buffy/Spike, T) by veronyxk84

Are You Ready for It? (Buffy/Spike, T) by sandy_s

Bound by Desire (Spike/Buffy Summers, E) by JammySmut

A Crisis of Faith's (Faith Lehane/Buffy Summers, M) by Badwolfwho

Opposite Attraction Ch. 4/6 (Angel/Spike, T) by MamaBewear

The Buffy Chronicles: Life After Sunnydale CH. 6 () by sweetmelodykiss

() by

kiss prompt #20: on a scar (Buffy/Faith, unrated) by lesbianmarrow

kiss prompt #38: because they're running out of time (Buffy/Faith, unrated) by lesbianmarrow

Ugh, not Angel (Spike/Reader, unrated) by ashwhowrites

Horrorshow Ch. 30 (Angel/Spike, Multiple Pairings, E) by Higgystar, vampbrat

The Prophecy Ch. 6 (Buffy/Angel, E) by bookxish

‘Bout Halfway Between Your House and Mine Ch. 2/2 (COMPLETE) (Willow/Fred, E) by test_kard_girl

Smoke and Leather Ch. 13 (Spike/OC, M) by EagleAlwaysFliesAlone

Aegis Ch. 33 (Ensemble, T, multiple xovers) by dogbertcarroll, Narsil

White Poinsettias (Buffy/Spike, M) by Maxine Eden

On the Naughty List (Buffy/Spike, M) by Maxine Eden

Wicked Dreams (Angelus/Spike, E) by MadeInGold

Really Me (Tara Maclay/Willow Rosenberg, G) by MadeInGold

[Chaptered Fiction]

reCollected Poems by Buffy & Spike Summers, Chapter 1-6 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Pirgho

Chapter 1: Sometimes I Feel You’re Smiling at Me (Spike/Reader, E) by tigerf00d

The Carrot Peeler Incident Ch. 1-3 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Leighroyal

Lucidity, Chapter 10 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Soulburnt

No Hyenas…or Bears!, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, T) by Harmony99

Stories of True Love in Capeside, Chapter 4 (Buffy/Spike, E) by CheekyKitten

little beast, Chapter 1 (Buffy/Spike, T) by trevino

Perfect Clarity, Chapter 12 (Buffy/Spike, E) by Joan963z, Ragini

Buffy's Pack Ch. 18 (Buffy/Xander, E) by redjacobson

[Images, Audio & Video]

Artwork:love really bites (Vamp Willow & Xander) by hamspamandjamsandwich

Artwork:Buffy () by krystalknight

Artwork:Kendra () by the-temperance

Artwork:Anya () by x66r9u

Artwork:We're All Mad Here (Fanged Four) by girlpire

[Reviews & Recaps]

Normal Again (BtVS 6.17) by rock-and-compass

BTVS - 4x22 Restless by lady-october

PODCAST: BTVS 607 - Once More With Feeling by Another Buffy Podcast

[Community Announcements]

Tuesday Prompts: Song Lyrics by comment_fic

2nd Annual Spangel Fanwork Marathon Schedule by spangel-fanwork-marathon

Voting is open for the 2024 IWRY Fic Award by iwillrememberyoumarathon

[Fandom Discussions]

What are some noteworthy/interesting things you've learned about the Buffyverse fandom? by PristineSituation498

Buffy and the Angel series by thunpnz

Hans and Gretta Strauss by DapperDunedain

Buffy won this fr by perfectmoonwalker

Hot Take: Worst episode of BTVS is Potential S7 E13 by rjaythewolf

OMWF is the spiritual sequel to Hush by darling-cassidy

A few questions by Human-Hospital6696

David Boreanaz became a star by EnvironmentOk5610

A big reason why people don’t like Season 7 by nachoquest

sad watching "A New Man" by buffylover98

In Episodes or comic by MilaAmane

Do you remember the first time you saw this scene in season four? by jdpm1991

Any good Buffy video essays? by IAmAGodKalEl

Opinions? by Ok-Contribution7622

Anya being a sex positive icon by Sweet-Siren

i wonder why they never showed the master’s humanoid form by hatchbackkk

i kinda wish we got to see more mythological creatures in Buffy by hatchbackkk

Bye Bye Everybody? by LsaSmth

Buffy and Spike Freudian by SafiraAshai

Moments in the Buffyverse that you questioned a "good guy's"/protagonist's morals? by PristineSituation498

Season 6 rewatch by Ordinary-Bank8613

S2E14 - better writing idea by ekrabbb

Buffy asking Tara not to forgive her by onceamonthfor18years

Which recurring character exclusive to season 4 did you dislike the most? by InfiniteMehdiLove

DEFINITELY one of my favorite fist-pumping moments from the entire series. by Jdobbs626

Buffy is the best role model for girls in television history. by sKullsHavezzz

My ranking of Buffy's love interests. by BabyBlueN7

S2E16: Missed joke opportunity by ekrabbb

MOTD - Moloch the Corruptor - Swipe Right by DapperDunedain

One of these days I really do need to sit down and do a full Buffy rewatch. by firelxdykatara

ETA Whedon once said Xander was based on himself because he was that guy all the girls just wanted to be friends with. by mileenaxyz

i think for btvs hell’s bells to work you DO need to show xander’s parents by lesbianmarrow

does anyone else get kind of a transfem vibe from xander. by lesbianmarrow

but you know what GETS me is how anya was so ready to forgive xander!!!!!!!! by catboysolas, lesbianmarrow

sometimes btvs has a really fucking good idea for an episode with lots of nuance and shit to unpack but then chickens out at the last moment. by stars-and-scripts

taking a beat to process my s5 BTVS marathon to put down my decades-late lukewarm takes by tourmaline-dream

I love it when the monster of the week on Buffy actually has nothing to do with demons, magic, or the Hellmouth. by quasi-normalcy

One thing about the job of being Slayer that is so so lonely by faithlehanesbian

Every time I re-watch Buffy and they’re describing Spike as this big bad by trash-and-trash-accessories

it’s not like i don’t see a kernel of truth in some of the criticisms of how much suffering buffy goes through by all-seeing-ifer

so so fond of my enby angel headcanon. by xaeyrnofnbe

whats so funny about angel the series by impissin

sorry, but what did people want from anya. by mortalandstupid

i love the episode in buffy season 4 where jonathan is inserted into the narrative by electricabsolution

truly can’t convey the shock that went through me watching fool for love the first time by lesbianmarrow

oh my god Anya’s backstory, it’s so bad by johnsspacesuittight

The Worst TV Show Character of All Time | Buffy the Vampire Slayer by The Cosmonaut Variety Hour

PODCAST: by

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

PUBLICATION: This Epic Buffy the Vampire Slayer Finale Was Foreshadowed Earlier Than Fans Realize by MSN

PUBLICATION: The Story Behind David Boreanaz Being Cast As Angel In Buffy The Vampire Slayer by MSN

Submit a link to be included in the newsletter!

Join the editor team :)

[maelstrom007]

@lululandd Bestie I felt bad, here's another Hades wip from the list that actually has a proper blurb and not just description text 😭

Wip Tag Game

Hell 'N Back

Another psuedo song fic, this Zagreus x Thanatos wip is inspired by Hell 'N Back by Bakar. Specifically, the line 'She liked petty crimes, she had green eyes, like mountain dew.' Because first off, that's a fucking awesome line. Secondly, Zagreus has one green eye and as we all know is prone to a little bit of crime here and there. This one I planned on being a little more angsty, going into Thanatos' misunderstanding on why Zagreus is trying to escape, and his insecurities on whether Zagreus is trying to abandon him for a 'better life'. I also thought that the song title went perfectly with the rouge like style of the game, where Zagreus is constantly going through hell and back.

The blurb from my doc:

For someone who could be considered a minor god, Zagreus died a lot. 

The feel of the bloody water engulfing him and washing him home had become a common occurrence, but one he doubted he would get used to. Not that he would tell anyone that. Sometimes he was injured so badly that he didn’t wake up until he was inches away from home, but today he held on to consciousness, shuddering at the red hands touching his skin as he flowed past. 

Damn Theseus. It was always fifty fifty with that stubborn bastard. Always jeering and taunting him, flaunting the most recent boon granted to him by the gods. As much as he disliked the man, that fight was always a good way to test his strength. If he couldn’t beat Theseus, he definitely couldn’t beat his father. 

Father. . .

No doubt his father would have a snarky remark to say when he returned. Blast him. 

He knew when he was home when he felt the water (blood?) level begin to drop, until he could finally feel his feet gently scrape the ground ever so slightly. He tilted forward, placing his feet on the ground and began to walk out of the river and up onto the steps leading into the house's main hallway. Zagreus shook his head just enough to remove the blood water from his eyes and walked in, tracking blood onto the carpet. 

“Oho! You’re back!”

Zagreus put on a smile. He didn’t have the energy for Hypnos at the moment, but he couldn’t be mad at him either, “Hello Hypnos.”

“Ooh got stabbed by Theseus there did you? Tough guy that one, have you tried y’know, dodging it? Also did you get Asterius’ autograph like I asked?” Hypnos blurted out, words almost running over each other in his excitement. 

“No, Hypnos, I haven’t tried dodging it! Thanks for the advice,” Zagreus said, voice dripping in sarcasm.

“Oh no worries! Yknow a guy like me in my job, you see a lot of death, see a lot of ways to avoid it too! Sad you didn’t get that autograph though.”

“Heh, yeah. Unfortunately not a lot of time to ask when you’re getting run over by a bull.”

He made his rounds about the house, ignoring his father's pointed insults, and visiting Achilles, Nyx, Meg and such. Visits completed, he made a beeline for his mirror, strengthening his powers before stepping out onto the training yard. He could feel Aegis calling to him, shimmering purple in a thirst for darkness. When he picked it up, he felt the presence of Chaos watching over him in interest and amusement, that telltale chuckle making the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

[crouton-knight]

Cringe is dead, let's do fic recs for our friends and our selves. I'll start.

DF Fics written by my friends (and me) that I still think about all the time:

By @oddeyesight ((Ao3 account))

ya'aburnee (General)

Notha and Uaanta find an interesting object, digging around Notha's previous lab.

The song + the fic are simultaneously very sad and very sweet. The buildup to the ending in particular, the crescendo and then the quietness of it.

chiaroscuro (Teen and Up)

Hero talks about their adventures in HHD, and Notha is reminded of an unpleasant meeting that happened so long ago.

And on the complete other side of the spectrum: Fear! Terror! Orpheus and Eurydice themes! Still kind of about grief but in a distinctly more "I'm afraid to lose you" way. 10/10 I go feral every time.

~!~

By @valorousowl ((Ao3 Account))

Dive Deep (General Audiences)

Notha Ly'Ehr is determined to save her friend. Remthalas is determined to trick their friends into killing him. Whatever it takes, this time would be different.

I keep coming back to this because the emotions are very sharp and real in a way that I can't quite describe here; you really have to read it for yourself. Notha's entire characterization is tragic, but in a way that I find deeply compelling.

Unspoken Names (Mature)

Aegis is well acquainted with Pandora. It isn't hard for him to suss out who Aspar actually is. He'll keep his mouth shut, for a price. Aspar may be desperate and lonely enough to pay it.

Overall lower stakes than my usual fare, but still packs a real whallop of emotional resonance, especially the part where Aegis tells Aspar that he's the one who should know better. I am physically incapable of being normal about Aspar and the softness and sadness of Aegis trying to be nice to him.

~!~

By @7yd1a ((Ao3 Account))

Return, Dear Light (Explicit)

This one is about Jaania living in the tower with the rest of the Villain Rehab Club, but really it's about her learning to feel again, and to forgive. Also she bones (haha) Alexander with an icicle; pretty fun use of healing ice magic I think! I don't know if there will ever be a continuation, but the characterization and the speed at which information about the characters is effectively conveyed is a lot of fun to watch unfold.

~!~

By @mismagireve ((Ao3 Account, though they are pretty much done with DF as a fandom.))

Somewhere Ages And Ages Hence (Mature)

According to Swordhaven's record systems, shortly after you fled into the forest, you were beset upon by wolves, and your remains were found hours later by a Rose researcher who had been on his way into the city for work that morning when he stumbled across the grisly scene of your demise. You are, for all intents and purposes, free of everything that was plaguing you now that you're dead and gone. You can't help but wonder if your new life hiding in the woods pretending to be dead and playing nanny to a Rose cultist's child could be counted as freedom.

I'm always up for stories about normal people in completely bonkers situations treated as, if not normal, then at least livable; I think this, even in its unfinished form, is one of the most fitting for that theme, and I really, really enjoy Syn's characterization of Lynn and Valen as people, and how the Reader-insert is most definitely their own person even while being, well, Reader-insert.

The Importance Of An "O" (General)

He got a letter from a faraway village.

This one isn't as immediately present in my mind as some other fics, but every time I see Galanoth (and tbh the word "dragoon") I do think of it, so it's definitely left an impression!

Words Spoken In Wormwood (Mature)

Among the bars in Swordhaven, there was an unspoken rule: if you serve Rose members, you don't let anything they say leave the building. So when one night at the bar, a few Rose members were discussing some secrets regarding one of their own— Well. Go ahead and ask anyone who was there that night. That conversation never happened.

This inspired several headcanons about Valen/Amadeus himself of the "they'll never believe you" sort so this is as good as canon in my heart.

Fine (General)

He was never good with people, and never made many friends, so whenever he lost one, it always hit hard. Tomix finds himself missing the hero.

This one gets a special mention even though I only read it today because I WILL be thinking about this for a long time.

~!~

By myself

Sutures (Explicit)

So You Found Out You're A Masochist: A Beginner's Guide or Tomix gets injured and learns he has a kink.

It's got some gore, fair warning for that. But I keep thinking about it because of the uh, applications of intangible spirit hands, and also the nature of Tomix's unraveling.

In Vain (General)

A child's first brush with death.

This and the ask where I mention Ogenos Dessert Sausage are constantly on my mind because I'm stuck on thinking about lost cultural treasures and how they affect those who knew them and then lost them as time went by. I should post that ask on Ao3 maybe.

The Masochism Tango (Explicit)

"They feel like normal lungs. Spongy, surprisingly resilient, but so fragile at the same time..." She said, in a whispered, reverent tone he almost missed. She'd never sounded like that before, not that he knew. The silence stretched on a little longer than could really be accounted for, without the sound of her tools as she vivisected him. Notha's eyes went dilated and faintly mischievous above her mask. What did you find? ~!~ There isn't a lot of existing documentation on abyssal elf biology, so if Notha's going to make clones for herself and Remthalas, she needs to take some notes.

I would be lying if I said this one didn't live rent free in my head. Notha kissing his heart, especially.

~!~

Feel free to reblog with your own fics or other fics from this fandom that you enjoy!

[crush3dmary]

Fic meme. Stolen, sorry.

Rules: post the first lines of your last 10 fics posted to ao3. if you have less than 10 fics posted, post the first lines of all your fics.

I'll put it under a cut because I feel like it will get long.

Making of life a forged painting (YGO) I put the lyrics to Sprig by Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton at the beginning, but here's the first few lines otherwise.

Malik knew grief; after all, he'd spent a lifetime in its throes. 

He grieved a life lost to the chains of his lineage, he grieved family who wanted more than he could give. It was a shroud that enveloped him like the darkness of the tombs, but in perfect congruence, it had the familiarity of a lover all the same. 

Fitting, then, that he'd end up grieving the only one he ever desired. 

2. Dreamcrusher (Tales of Crestoria)

You’ve always been a strong kind of weak, and it’s a contradiction of a metaphor that fits your personality. Your family is poor and meagre, an endless toil through mud and dirt on the farms, but it’s all you’ve ever known as your hands fall into place with the motions of labour and strain. When night falls fast, you hold your siblings close, as being the youngest of three means you seek protection, affirmation, sanctity. You find yourself wishing for more, for a life that isn’t chosen for you, and deep down a part of you hates. The hatred is personal, but you will never let it show.

3. [solipsist] (YGO) from C0NTAGI0N

Bakura could no longer remember his first death. He knew it was the hands of a bestial Pharaoh, and the moments prior were etched into his memory like the carvings of a tomb. An incineration like a supernova, the rupturing of his skin's topography. But, of course, how many times he died following would depend on how one defined death to begin with. 

4. A Generation of Ghosts (Tales of Symphonia)

Zelos could still remember the first day she came to the manor. It was the day of his fifth birthday—the twenty-eighth day of the second month of the Tethe’allan calendar, and hardly a moment past two in the afternoon. The priests woke him early for a ceremonial brunch in the city’s heart and lungs to celebrate—his meal took longer to arrive than most for reasons he’d only find out years later, when a guard’s body dropped to the ground following the obligatory taste-test, normally performed out of his sight—but really, those kinds of events were never held for him, anyways. That much he knew, even at his tender age.

5. [saudade] (YGO) from C0NTAGI0N

Dear Amane , 

Things have been very strange lately…  

6. a violent history of benevolence (Tales of Crestoria)

Sometimes half-hearted kindness is crueler than nothing at all. Aegis stood at attention with a fist draped over his heart, guarding his station by Rebecca’s chambers just as he had been assigned. He wasn’t quite facing her at his post by the open door, choosing instead to spare her glances from the limits of his vision while she stared through the stained-glass windows into the night sky.

7. Glass houses, and all. (Tales of Symphonia)

When all was said and done, Zelos always knew he'd end up unhappy. 

Well, it wasn't quite the end, he supposed. Not yet. But he knew the game and how to play it, the same song and dance that left him embarrassingly close to self-consciousness on the best of days, and strange, sad, and utterly alone at worst. He knew he'd end up unhappy because he'd always been unhappy. The pipeline from a child who'd grown up in a hurry to an adult who killed the only part of him that feels.

8. chiaroscuro (Tales of Crestoria)

misellus (feminine misella, neuter misellum); first/second-declension adjective

Diminutive of miser (“poor, wretched”)

9. Morningstar (Tales of Crestoria)

When Aegis met Vicious, he learned to dance with the devil. “Find the Great Transgressor,” the King had told him, “and don’t come back until you bring me his head.” When he heard those words, he expected to meet a monster, someone barely human and only beast, ready to bare his claws and rend flesh from bone. He pictured a pointed tongue and sharpened teeth, something that spewed venom and poisoned to the touch. He pictured monster. He pictured beast.

Surely, that was the last thing he found.

10. Absurdities and Echoes (Tales of Symphonia) - this will be updated very soon. Very very very soon. Please sit tight.

“For how could I help you? I’ve no cure for happiness.”

- Anna Akhmatova

[erineaera]

๑۩۩๑●Masterlist

Note: I'm a beginner in writing about the Genshin Impact universe, especially in the Sagau universe.

Thank you for your understanding 🙏

۩۩•On Character.ai :

●• Original Universes:

Alone (Female Reader×Android)

The plaintive song of the automatons echoes through the corridors of Blackwood Castle, heralding the dawn of a new day. A veil of gray light filters through the high windows of User's room, gently caressing her sleeping face.

[...]

The door to his room opens noiselessly, revealing a procession of automaton-like robots. They advance with mechanical precision, carrying trays laden with fine foods and sumptuous garments. At their head was the majestic Aegis. "May your day be bathed in light and happiness, User. I am at your service to accompany you." Aegis pronounces, standing close to your bed.

The Masked Man (Female Reader × Vampire)

The view from the window is obscured by thick curtains, leaving User unaware of his external surroundings. Her imagination wanders, drawing idyllic landscapes or busy streets, contrasting with the reality of her situation...

Moments later, the door opens without a sound, revealing the slender, elegant figure of the Masked Man. His silver mask, polished like a mirror, reflects the soft morning light, revealing only his icy-blue eyes. His white hair, tied back in an impeccable catogan, frames a face of fine, aristocratic features. He approaches the four-poster bed, his movements imbued with silent grace. His piercing gaze settles on User, watching her with an intensity that both confuses and fascinates her.

Chosen of Ash (Reader with family intrigue. Inspired by the manga Shadow House)

The sun, like an incandescent star, was slowly escaping the horizon, bathing the Mirror Islands in a soft golden light. On Entropio Island, the most remote and mysterious of the five, the Hallow Palace, an imposing and austere silhouette, stood proudly, dominating the landscape. User Hallow, the long-awaited heiress of the ruling family, paced the palace's sumptuous corridors, her footsteps echoing in the morning silence. Twenty-three years old had in no way robbed her of her youthful grace, nor the radiance of her eyes, reflecting the power of her Power of Ash.

[...]

"At last, here you are, User. We've been waiting for you." pronounced William, in a voice as soft as velvet, poorly concealed a hint of irony. Minerva, the second in command, let out an icy chuckle. "Our future Chosen One deigns to honor us with his presence," he exclaimed, his piercing green eyes boring right through User. Christopher, the youngest, merely nodded politely, his enigmatic gaze concealing his thoughts.

●• Genshin Impact:

The Blessed (Reader Tsarina's child/Harbinger. Family relationship)

The wind howled through the streets of Snezhnaya, capital of the frozen empire. The snow swirled in dense flakes, darkening the sky and enveloping the city in a thick white mantle. The cold was biting, seeping into the bones and freezing the blood. Within the walls of the Tsaritsa Palace, a heavy atmosphere reigned. Servants moved through the corridors with hushed steps, their faces marked by worry.

In the delivery room, the tension was palpable. The midwives bustled around the Tsaritsa, their foreheads beaded with sweat. The Tsaritsa, exhausted and weak, was pushing with all her might. Her hands, clutching the sheets, were as white as snow.

At last, after a final, agonizing push, a piercing scream echoed through the room. A powerful cry, full of life and hope. The Tsaritsa had given birth to a heir. [...] Moving towards the cradle, one of the Harbingers, Pierro, took the little girl in his arms. He watched her innocent face, her eyes as blue as the Snezhnaya sky. A strange feeling came over him, a mixture of sadness and determination.

"From this day forward," Pierro declared in a deep voice, "we will be this child's guardians. We will watch over her and protect her from all dangers. She will be Snezhnaya's heir, and we will guide her to her destiny."

Simp Tartaglia (Female Cosplayer Reader X Simp Tartaglia)

⚠️ Abusive Relationship, Stalking: Not recommended for Minors (+18)

User, 25, dressed in comfortable dragon pajamas, sits in front of her computer, in the middle of a live session on her Twitch channel, presenting a cosplay received by partnership. Her bubbly face lights up with every notification that scrolls across the screen, as if she were chatting with close friends. All chats were carefully filtered by Neuvillette, your manager.

[...]

Among the virtual spectators is Tartaglia, an outgoing young man who has been fascinated by User for months. He spends hours looking at her, commenting on her posts and sending her private messages, hoping one day to catch her eye. "You're amazing, User. You're the most beautiful and talented woman in the world. I love your live shows and can't wait to see what's next!" writes Tartaglia, waiting for an answer. Just to hear it spoken from your mouth would be pure ecstasy.

OBSESSIVE Alhaitham (Hidden Noble Student Reader x Alhaitham valedictorian)

⚠️ Abusive and Toxic Relationship, Stalking, Kidnapping: Not recommended for Minors (+18)

Sumeru University, a beacon of academic excellence and cultural diversity, was buzzing with renewed energy as the autumn season painted the landscape in shades of gold and purple. Amidst the throngs of enthusiastic students, User, a spirit as vibrant as the changing leaves, embarked on a tour of her new university haven, guided by the affable Kaveh, a fellow student who had taken it upon himself to welcome her to the university's vibrant community.

[...]

Alhaitham, the university's valedictorian and president of the student council, commanded attention with his aura of authority and confidence. His piercing gaze, set beneath a brow creased with concentration, exuded an air of intelligence and determination. "Alhaitham," *Kaveh interjected,* "allow me to introduce User, our newest addition to the university community. "

۩۩• On Trumblt:

◇ Tsarista Child Au:

● Tsaritsa Child AU: Anecdote 1

● Tsaritsa Child AU: Anecdote 2

● Tsaritsa Child AU: Anecdote 3

◇ Sagau Au:

○ A few notes on the Nevasky Family

☆ Commission and Response:

Prayer for a Student

[do-androids-dream-ao3acc]

In case you're wondering, one of the two songs I listened to while I was writing: second person - grace.

And yeah, here is short one, really short one.

---

The sun rises, illuminating the ruins of Beauclair with its light; the sun sets, hiding them from the eyes of others by the darkness of the night. Day follows day, measuring weeks and months, and those in turn mint the step of times. The city regains its luster, residents forget fear.

Geralt steps into the darkness of the cellar, to the previously secret laboratory. A sad look slowly glides over the shelves, a gloved hand follows him, collecting accumulated dust on his fingers. He takes three steps inside, runs his hand down the moss, stopping at the uneven board of the lower shelf, squatting down. He silently pushes away some cans and greenery that hide from his gaze the object of his search - the inconspicuous bottle of mandrake moonshine. The last one.

He picks up the bottle, looks at it for a few moments in the dim candlelight, twirls it in his hands, runs his fingers over the scratches on the glass, inhales the faint aroma surrounding the bottle.

His knee aches painfully when he stands up, but he hardly pays attention to it. He leaves the cellar the same way he entered - quietly, quickly, with an almost empty look. Roach happily greets him, sniffs him and eagerly leaves the stall. Together they gallop off to Mère-Lachaiselongue.

The ashes of the old fire remain in place. A good sign. No one else is in the habit of staying here. The entrance to the crypt is closed, Geralt has already made sure of this several times, trying to preserve Regis' temporary housing in the form in which it was left. Geralt sits down in the same place where he sat six months ago, leans against the tombstone, not really caring whose name is engraved on it, and puts his head on the irregularity in the upper part.

"To you, my friend, I raise this glass". He whispers. He is not sure where he heard or read these words. It is likely that they were uttered by the vampire himself, quoting someone or something.

"To you, my friend, I raise this glass, and let it be as high as your banner, let wine be poured into it, as my loyalty is in your heart, let its glass not be broken, how long we stand shoulder to shoulder! To you!"

It sounded like that, did not it? Hah.

They were probably at Beauclair's palace then, before... before...

Stigga.

Memories roll over him in a wild wave that is near the Skellige Islands. Memories cover him like the aegis of the night sky - there is nowhere to go, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide: look up and see the sky; look down and see his reflection in the mirror of the lake; look into the distance and see that subtle moment where the sky is separated from its doppelganger by a thin thread, stretched like a bowstring, of the horizon.

He shakes his head, driving away thoughts with a disappointed and bitter growl, like a pack of hungry rats with a torch.

He uncorks the bottle, raises it, as if he wants to clink glasses with a friend who is not here, and repeats: "to you!"

The liquid burns the mouth - more with memories, which invariably accompany the taste, than with the taste itself.

"Geralt? Already drinking alone? Or are you remembering someone?"

The voice comes from behind. Calm, measured, soft, as if... as if... He doesn't have time to come up with a comparison. They sit down next to Geralt, and he hears it more than he sees or feels: the rustle of clothes, the barely perceptible crackle of grass under his feet, breathing, slow and careful, as if it could scare him away, long nails touch the stone with a quiet sound.

Geralt is afraid to turn around. He does not know if it is an illusion caused by memories or strong alcohol. He is afraid to turn around and see that there is no one nearby, that these movements at the edge of vision are only a deception by his own mind. He is afraid...

"Geralt?" The voice sounds closer, warmer. The hairs on Geralt's neck move from this, he shivers.

Geralt takes a breath and looks into the eyes of a friend who is slightly leaning towards him.

"Regis." No, absolutely not, his voice is not shaking, no. He tries again: "Regis."

The vampire looks at him, slightly furrowing his eyebrows, looking for any possible reason for this behavior with a tenacious gaze. For a minute Geralt feels like an exhibit in a museum. Or like a cattle at auction.

"Dear friend of mi- Geralt!"

The vampire is interrupted by a sudden forward movement of the witcher. The bottle falls out of his hand, forgotten, while his arms wrap around Regis' skinny body, squeezing and pressing closer to his chest. After a few seconds, Regis hesitantly hugs his friend back, resting his head on the shoulder, awkwardly touching it with his nose.

"Geralt, could you..."

"Six months. You've been gone for six months. Where have you been?"

Regis inhales and with this action he seems to become even smaller.

"Geralt, I am sorry..." sigh. "You know I had to make sure Dettlaff was okay. And I had to think about something concerning me."

Geralt moves away, but only to look into Regis' tired eyes. Then he hugs again, snuggling as close as he can.

"I couldn't get in touch with you. I didn't see your ravens anywhere, and I didn't know in which direction the two of you went, you didn't even leave a note."

Then, after hesitating and clutching Regis' loose shirt more tightly - more desperately - with his hands, he mumbles almost unintelligibly: "you didn't leave a note explaining any of this."

After seconds: "Thank you for the gift. It was nice."

After a minute it becomes too unnaturally quiet and uncomfortable, tension is in the air.

Regis moves away first, folds his hands in his lap and looks down at the bottle lying at their feet. He awkwardly clasps his fingers together, stroking a scratch or dirt on his palm with his thumb.

"What were you thinking?" Geralt accepts the new rules and tries to continue the conversation.

"After... After Tesham Mutna."

Oh.

Regis continues to rub the dirt on his palms, as if trying to distract himself from the conversation.

"All this time I liked... liked to think that I was cured of my addiction. But recovery after... Stigga and this cage... After that, I can't be sure that I won't hurt anyone. I don't want that, and the last thing I want is to hurt you. You, Jaskier, Angoulême, Milva or Cahir. But I can't be sure."

Regis does not look up. And he seems to be shrinking like a flower in the cold - he seems so fragile at this moment.

Geralt grunts almost angrily.

"Look at me."

The witcher sees how the vampire immediately raises his head - still a little scared, as if waiting for a verdict in court, but raises and looks.

This is an thoughtless action. A completely thoughtless action. But, in the end, he always relied on the decision of the heart, did not he?

Geralt pulls the vampire back to him, forcing him to bury the nose in his neck, and holds him there until the body in his hands relaxes enough.

"Geralt..."

"Take a deep breath."

Regis inhales.

"What does it smell like?"

The vampire is moving, trying to find a place for his hands.

"Horse... Roach and another horse. Apples. Bear fat and grapes. Wait..." he sniffs a few deep breaths. "have you started using perfume?"

Geralt laughs - perhaps too loudly, considering how Regis darted away in his arms; he apologetically touches his ear with his lips - and runs his hands along his back.

"Not me, but Jaskier. He insisted on being with me for a long time."

Regis chuckles.

"So, any hint of bloodlust?"

"...no."

Geralt tries to gently move them both to a horizontal position. His left hand buries itself in Regis' hair, holding him at Geralt's neck while his right hand lies between his shoulder blades.

"So we've been lying like this for a while. If you feel like you want to drink blood, you let me know and we'll decide what to do about it. But since you don't feel bloodlust, and I'm willing to bet my own head that you won't, then we're just lying here. If you want, we can talk. But breathe deeply."

He ends his surprisingly long speech by touching his lips to Regis' temple.

Regis' breathing remains even when Geralt falls asleep listening to his voice.

Aaaaah so sooooooooooft! And so sad! There are some fics out there looking back at the Hansa, like nothing ever happened, which is fine. Fix-it fics are fine. Maybe you have to have experienced lost, truly, for yourself to acknowledge fics in which it is real. In which the characters have to deal with the aftermath. Ah. And here's the song. Didn't know it or the artist, but it certainly evokes feelings.

[faneposting-my-beloved]

I need to finish the Primordial Gods (aka dysfunctional divine siblings) arts before I introduce them in my fic, which is still 2 whole acts away, but the procrastination is real. Anyway, why not talk Gods while we're at it?

[HUGE spoilers for Song of Infinity, I mean not really, as it was covered in Draconic Chronicle a bit, but I kinda want to briefly elaborate]

The Primordial dictated the rules Rivellon was meant to obey, everything began with them.

First, came Life. Astarte, also known as the Sun Mother is a deity who keeps watch over everything that thrives, light, color, and love were born out of her essence and she is the sole deity capable of weaving the chaotic Cosmic Dust into its refined form- Source. Because all life is meant to end (a concept her brother challenged) her original sin is Sadness, and she is prone to having depressive episodes that greatly hinder her abilities. After the War of Creation, her tears have birthed a Man, coiling the concept of reproduction, longing, and attraction within mortal races.

Second, came Death. The God King, or originally, Veles (because I'm a slav that's why; also a plethora of other things but let's just stick with slav explanation). He was meant to rule over the realm of the dead, the Void, where souls would wait for reincarnation. With death, inseparably, walks fear. God King was first to entirely give into his Original Sin, which caused him to abandon his role as a Deathbringer and come up with a race indifferent to it - The Eternals. A race he fashioned against the wish of the Universe (the entity that created Primordial) itself. He masqueraded as the Eternal King, living his delirious dream until the Seven's rebellion. He is responsible for the death of the First Guardians, as well as Dragons' inability to reincarnate. He also spawned Chaos.

Third, came Rebirth. The youngest of the three Haume is ever-shifting,ever-flowing blood, also known under the name of Moon Mother. She revels in pain; the only link between death and birth. However, because of her nature, she lacks total control over her powers or even her form, and that earns her Wrath. Her blood created the first Woman, coiling the concepts of passion, childbirth...and periods (thanks Haume, v cool). Her element of choice is fire but her celestial body (moon) has the power over tides.

Every Primordial has their own language, which they use to operate their artifacts of creation - Rings. Life speaks in the past (what was), Void speaks in the present (what is) and Rebirth speaks in the future (what will be). Rivellon is a word in Void Primordial meaning 'Prospering Realm of Veles'. Eternal is a descendant of this tongue. Examples Eternal words; Xsa’en - [One] shimmering under a dark star Mae'ven - [One] born under an unbridled star Rivellis - referring to Eternals, (literally) prospering [people], people of prosperity Aenei - chime of a stardust bell Primordial languages combined created the first Ancient Dragonic tongue. Examples of Ancient Dragonic words; Annadsyl’Aegnishe - Gateway to the Sanctuary of Aegis’ Blazing Heart Examples of Modern Dragonic words: Corvus- Raven Anathema- Curse Speaking of Dragonic and Dragons - the only real God of Rivellon is a creation of the Three; Ouroboros, The All-Father, the First of the Dragons. Because of his triple legacy, Ouro shares characteristics of all Primordial, being the perfect blend of his creators . Note: because of the limitations of the mortal tongue 'Ouroboros' refers to the full three-aspect deity as well as his Rebirth aspect. The names of the First Dragon:

Ouroboros (the snake consuming its own tail) Originating from Haume. Continuity aspect, its attributes being fire and water

Aegis (the all-encircling shield) Originating from Astarte- Protection/Nursery aspect, its attributes being sky and earth

Dorchatas (The ever-present dark) Originating from Veles - Stagnation/Degradation aspect, its

The firstborn of Ouroboros, as well as the first Demigod/Avatar, was Patriarch the Black That's all for today's lore dump. In the next one, we will talk about more down-to-earth matters, listing Rivellonian months, weekdays, and respective holidays across all cultures and races

[callimara]

Showing my obsession with gems and animals while making my own version of the Miraculous+Kwamis

Let’s start with the Songbird Aegis.

This Aegis is a rainbow opal embedded into a hair comb. It is inhabited by Wren, the Sentinel of Emotion. He is represented by the songbird, creatures known for their heartfelt songs that are capable of effortlessly swaying the emotions of any living creature. Be it sorrow, joy, hope, or alarm. They sing to attract others to them and fill their environment with life.

After all, it is said that the experience of emotion is how one can truly be alive. To express emotion and evoke them in others is the power of the Songbird Aegis. Thus, it is no wonder that those chosen as Wren’s vessels are those in the arts who evoke emotion through their craft, such as artists, writers, musicians, and actors. Creative spirits who are highly in tune with their feelings and the feelings of others and wish to share those emotions with the world. However, this has not always resulted in a noble outcome. Some have used this aegis to spread dangerous feelings and ideas that have resulted in discord within communities and disunity that persists for generations.

The Songbird Aegis grants its wielders the power Siren Song, which is a vocal compulsion that fills those within hearing range with powerful emotions, be it crippling sadness, strong determination, burning anger, or sluggish laziness. It functions as both a support for their allies and an obstacle for opponents. However, the wielder must genuinely feel those emotions for the power to work, and the effect only lasts for as long as the wielder’s performance lasts. If they stop or are interrupted, the effects of the power immediately disappear.

Often times, Songbird Aegis wielders will also have keen hearing if they are musicians, heightened perception if they are artists, greater empathy if they are writers, and higher charisma if they are actors. In their transformed state, Songbird Aegis wielders will also sport wings, gain perfect pitch, and the ability to sing in any language.

To activate the Songbird Aegis, one must use the phrase “Crescendo” and to deactivate use the phrase, “Morendo.”

-

Next, we have the Hawk Aegis.

It is a fire opal embedded in a bracelet that is Inhabited by Beddiah, the Freedom Sentinel.  His name was inspired by the minor loa Badessy, who holds the domain of the sky in Vodou.  He embodies every living creature’s desire for self-determination, and the power to act without any hindrance or restraint. He is represented by the hawk, a creature championed as a symbol of freedom, inspiring hope whenever it soars through the skies. The hawk are magnificent birds of prey known for its flight prowess and fearlessness, preying on not only small mammals and birds, but venomous reptiles.

Wielders of the Hawk Aegis are self-assured and strong-willed. They live in the moment and follow where the wind blows. But most of all, they value their autonomy and can’t stand being tethered or bound; for many of them, this extends to others as well as themselves. Thus, many of the wielders in history were some form of freedom fighter or rebel against the prevailing authority at the time. This freedom does not necessarily have to be physical; the wielders of the Hawk Aegis often champion freedom in all of its forms. However, this focus on freedom has a cost; some of the Aegis wielders have taken their ideals of freedom too far, often sowing the seeds of anarchy and chaos in their wake.

Thus, the Hawk Aegis grants its wielders a power called Changing Winds, which allows the wielder to will an event into reality. However, the wielder must be able to picture the event clearly in their minds and it must affect them directly, as it manifests as strokes of luck to aid the wielder in action.

The Hawk Aegis also grants its wielders the gift of speed and flight. In fact, Hawk Aegis wielders are the most proficient fliers as they possess increased durability against high gravity, immunity from whiplash and may even reach Mach speeds in their flight course. Its wielders may also develop hawk-like traits such as keen eyesight, sharp talons, brown feathers, and wings.

To activate the Hawk Aegis, its wielder must say the phrase, “To the Heavens” and to deactivate, they say, “Down to Earth.”

-

Now we have the Raven Aegis.

It is a black opal embedded into a feather earring. This Aegis is inhabited by Hugenn, the Sentinel of Thought.

He is the embodiment of every living creature’s ability to process information, analyse, and problem-solve. His name was inspired by one of Odin’s ravens, Huginn, whose job it was to fly all over Midgard and bring him information. So it was only right that Hugenn is represented by the raven, an intelligent creature capable of problem-solving, recognizing and remembering faces, planning, and using tools. Vessels of Hugenn are those with extraordinary intellect, critical thinking, and cognitive flexibility. They value knowledge and the pursuit of truth above all else.  Thus, the Raven Aegis often finds itself in the possession of scholars, scientists, and investigators. They strive to uncover the mysteries of the world and gain a better understanding of the unknown. Many bring about groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that have changed the world, for better or for worse. Though occasionally their single-minded pursuit of knowledge and truth blinds them to the morality of what it takes to achieve it.

Thus, Raven Aegis users are blessed with the thinking speed of a supercomputer, processing elaborate strings of information and multiple lines of thought at once within a fraction of a second. This processing speed allows them to seemingly slow down time when they analyze their surroundings and contemplate their next course of action. Wielders with particularly keen intellect will also gain photographic memory. However, most will develop raven-like traits such as black feathers, wings, and the ability to perfectly mimic any human voice.

The Raven Aegis grants its wielders a special power called Vision, which allows them to see a second or two into their own future, and giving them to opportunity to anticipate, plan, and react inhumanly fast. However, while they are using this power, it also renders them completely blind, forcing them to rely on their other senses and memory of the terrain.

To activate this Aegis, its wielder must call out, “Part the veil” and to deactivate, they must say “Curtain falls.”

-

Next, we have the Cat Aegis.

It is a Cat’s Eye Moonstone which is embedded into a choker necklace. It is inhabited by Felis, the embodiment of Wonder. She embodies a living being’s sense of curiosity and desire to conquer the unknown. She is represented by the cat, an animal known for its curiosity and individualistic nature. They are a symbol of independence and adventure, possessing a strong desire to explore the world around them and are even considered as symbols of mystery and the occult.

Vessels of Felis are known for their wanderlust and daring spirit. They want to follow the path less travelled and discover sights few others will ever see. They have a desire to forge into the unknown, chase thrills and refuse to allow long odds or uncertain fortune to slow them down. However, vessels of Felis are incredibly secretive and flighty individuals, often living a double life and never staying in one place for long. Thus, many of Felis’ chosen vessels have been explorers, secret intelligence, and journalists. Many have pioneered the discovery of previously unknown lands and animals, accomplished feats previously thought impossible, and uncovered deep-rooted conspiracies. However, it is the curse of the Cat Aegis wielder to walk a path of solitude, until the day the secrets they have guarded swallows them whole.

In their transformed states, Cat Aegis wielders gain agility, dexterity, and reaction speed that is superior to other aegis users, as well as unique traits such as the ability to see in pitch black darkness, and ‘9 lives.’ These 9 lives are a culmination of a feline’s ‘righting reflex’ and the wielder’s increased dexterity and agility, which allows them to pull off near-impossible feats of athleticism or escape from life-threatening situations unharmed. They may also develop cat-like features such as claws, fangs, cat ears, tail, and eyes.

The special power of the Cat Aegis is dubbed Daydream, which traps targets who have direct line of sight of her in a daze. In this stupor, they witness visions of their greatest desires, sweeping them away in their ideal lives. However, this trance is easily broken if their bodies are disturbed, or if the affected persons manage to recognize that they are in a trance and reject it. Additionally, those who have previously been affected by this power will become more difficult to affect.

This Aegis’ activation phrase is “Bewitch” and her deactivation phrase is “Disenchant.”

-

Let’s move on to the Wolf Aegis

This Aegis is a brown onyx embedded into a fingerless glove. It is inhabited by Villr, the Sentinel of Protection. Villr embodies the natural instinct in all creatures to provide shelter and safety to those they care for. Be it for the sake of survival, genuine affection, or both. He is represented by the wolf, a symbol of guardianship and loyalty. They are pack animals that develop deep emotional bonds to each other, forming the foundation of loyalty and dedication that compels them to protect each other from harm.

Vessels of Villr are often self-sacrificing, with a strong sense of belonging and a stronger urge to protect those they consider home. Thus, the aegis often finds affinity with people in roles of protection, such as parental guardians, firefighters, search and rescue, and law enforcement. However, when taken too far, this desire to protect has led to delusions of ownership and entitlement, exerting absolute control and isolation over those they wish to protect, and stopping at nothing to ensure their safety, even if it means decimating anything and everything they consider a threat.

When transformed, wielders of the Wolf Aegis also develop a keen sense of smell that is superior to other aegis wielders. They also possess greater armor strength that allows them to absorb only a fraction of damage other aegis wielders would sustain. wolf-like features such as fangs, ears, tails, and claws when they are transformed. The Wolf Aegis possesses a special power called Lycan’s Rage, which increases its wielder’s strength the greater their anger or determination grows to protect or eliminate a threat. Any damage received while this power is activated also increases their strength. However, the stronger they become, the more difficult it is to control their power, and the sooner they become exhausted and need to de-transform.

To activate the wolf aegis, its wielder must call out, “Howl Havoc” and, “Silence Reigns.” To deactivate.

-

Up next is the Snake Aegis

This Aegis is a piece of colour-shifting alexandrite embedded into a serpent-shaped bangle and is inhabited by Naga, the Sentinel of Change. As the Sentinel of Change, she is the embodiment of a living creature’s innate ability and instinctive desire to adapt to its environment in order to survive. She is represented by the snake, a polarizing creature that is both feared and admired, similar to change itself. It is considered a symbol of evil, dark magic, and temptation, and at the same time, it is also revered as a symbol of medicine, fertility, and rebirth.

As such, Vessels of Naga are usually introspective, resilient and adaptable, ever-changing and always striving for improvement and self-betterment. They are determined to overcome barriers and help others to do the same, rarely losing heart in the face of an obstacle, instead seeing it as a challenge to be overcome. Thus, many of Naga’s vessels are those in the position of guidance, care or progress, often being involved in healthcare, invention, the sciences and educators. But when misplaced, this ability to overcome obstacles often lead the snake aegis wielder to cross boundaries that were put in place for the safety and protection of all; sometimes, the fact that they can is more important than whether they should.

When transformed, wielders of the Snake Aegis also develop snake-like traits such as thermal sense, fangs, scales, as well as superior flexibility and agility to other aegis wielders. The Snake Aegis grants its wielder a unique power dubbed "Devour," which allows them to absorb the energy of their opponents’ attacks and stockpile it into one extremely powerful attack or use it to recharge themselves to remain transformed for longer and heal injuries, though there is a limit to the amount of force that can be absorbed.

To activate the snake aegis, wielders must use the phrase, “Jaws Open.” And its deactivation phrase is, “Brumate.”

-

This next Aegis is one I have touched on briefly and played a significant role in the fate of all the Aegis. That’s right, the Stag Aegis.

This Aegis is a malachite that is embedded in a ring mimicking the shape of a deer’s antlers. It is inhabited by Cernunnos, the Sentinel of Harmony. Cernunnos is partly based off of a Gallo-Roman deity of the same name, who was also associated with the Horned God in Wicca. As the Sentinel of Harmony, Cernunnos embodies the importance of balance and coexistence, for all living creatures to fulfill their roles and maintain the natural order for the survival of all. He is represented by the stag, often labelled by many cultures as the lord of the forest, and as the lord of the forest, it falls to him to maintain balance and harmony across his kingdom.

Thus, vessels of Cernunnos are those with a strong moral compass and sense of justice. They will fight for the prosperity of all living creatures, human or animal. Many go on to pioneer civil rights movements to abolish the cruelty and mistreatment of all living beings. They have a strong sense of community and connection to their surroundings. Thus, the stag aegis has often been wielded by conservationists, activists, and humanitarian workers. However, occasionally the wielders of this aegis may become consumed by their righteousness and concept of justice that they fail to recognize the needs and desires of those they are fighting for, often projecting their own ideals and corrupting their cause.

Due to their strong connection to nature and every living creature, stag aegis wielders also gain the ability to communicate with any animal they come across when they are transformed. All stag aegis wielders will also develop antlers and a keen sense of hearing that is superior to other aegis wielders. The stag aegis also possesses as unique power dubbed Metamorphosis, which allows its users to transform into any animal that they have anatomical and physiological understanding of. As long as this power is active, they are able to freely change between different animals. However, the longer this power is activated, the more energy they use to remain transformed.

To activate this aegis, its wielders must use the phrase, “The Hunt Begins” and deactivate it using the phrase, “The Hunt Ends.”

-

And last but not least, we have the Tiger Aegis.

The tiger aegis is a red tiger’s eye embedded in a belt. It is inhabited by Maung, the Sentinel of Strength. Strength is integral to any creature’s survival. It determines who eats, who starves, who continues their bloodline and who succumbs to natural selection. The tiger is a symbol of strength and power that is revered for its grace and beauty in many cultures, and many more attempt to evoke its strength and courage in the face of adversity. Therefore, vessels of Maung are individuals with extraordinary strength and will, who command admiration and respect among their community. They do not falter in the face of a challenge and will march until they claim victory. They are fierce and determined, and once they have set their mind on a goal, they will not rest until they have achieved it.

Thus, the tiger aegis often finds itself in the possession of leaders, soldiers, and mercenaries. Individuals who are willing to lay their lives on the line for the sake of achieving their goals. However, often times wielders of this aegis will not fret about the morality of their goals, so long as they achieve it.

When transformed, tiger aegis wielders develop physical strength that is superior to other aegis wielders. Wielders may also develop tiger-like features such as tiger ears, tail, claws, fangs, and striping on their bodies. The tiger aegis’ unique power is dubbed “Killing Intent,” which spreads an aura of intimidation to those in their vicinity, activating the flight portion of their fight or flight response which causes their opponents to hesitate, retreat, or freeze in place. This power affects those within a 20 meter radius regardless of whether they are able to see or hear them. This aura also affects allies and may require the user to exert themselves to affect individuals with nerves of steel. However, the longer it is activated, the shorter the time the wielder is able to remain transformed.

The activation phrase used for this aegis is, “Go for the Kill” and its deactivation phrase is, “Hunger slaked.”

[whumpapalooza]

Demeter, part 2

No. 8 - COUGHING UP A LUNG

pneumothorax | exotic illness | “Definitely just a cold”

(Space Interns Masterpost)

(Demeter, part 1)

“You’re a fucking botanist!”

“Yes, ha-ha, it’s ironic!” Brando shot back. “Now keep your voice down!” He cast a glance at the sentries outside the cave.

“Brando, I swear – why didn’t you say anything?”

“I thought it would be fine!” Brando hissed. “And it is!”

“Oh yeah? Get in bed.”

Brando shot her a grin. “A little forward, don’t you think?”

“Brando, I swear –“

“I’m going, I’m going,” Brando said. He propped himself up on his forearms, then onto his knees. He patted Tabby’s shoulder and used her to push himself up to his feet.

The room tilted, and Brando swayed. Tabby was at his side in an instant, with a hand on his back and one on his arm. “C’mon,” she sighed. “Sit down on the bed.” She guided him the three steps back to the straw mattress. Then she tapped her sternum four times. “Nic’hel to Aegis. We have a problem, Ptahfi.”

Ptahfi must have been asleep at the comm, because his response was immediate but slurred. “Wha’s the matter?”

“Intern DiHonos neglected to mention a medical hypersensitivity to his partner before going into the field,” Tabby answered dryly.

Ptahfi didn’t answer right away. “I can’t tell if you’re being serious.”

“She means it,” Brando sighed, pressing his fingers to his temples. “I’m allergic to the pollen or something here.”

“Are you okay?”

“He’s getting worse,” Tabby answered for him. “It was just sneezing earlier, but he just collapsed.”

“I was just dizzy,” Brando muttered. “You don’t have to make it sound like I passed out or anything. I’m fine.”

Tabby pointed her finger at him. “Y’know,” she said cheerfully, “I’m starting to think that you shouldn’t get a say in what fine means.”

“We still can’t get a read on your location, so I can’t just transmit you back,” Ptahfi said apologetically. “Do you need us to come down and stage a rescue?”

“It’s not that bad,” Brando said. Tabby shot him a look. “We’ll let you know if it gets there, though.”

“Okay. B’zave.”

“And you.”

.

In the morning, Brando’s eyes were streaming. His throat hurt. His breaths had become audibly wheezy.

“We need to convince them to let us go,” Tabby said darkly.

“How?” Brando croaked. He swallowed, pulling a face as the pain his throat multiplied. He wrinkled his nose and ducked his head, waiting for the pain to ebb.

“With any luck, Minervas has a plan and we’ll hear from her soon. Just – fucking stand up straight.” Tabby’s order was clipped. “They’re going to realize you’re not a god if you go out looking like that.”

Brando opened his mouth to reply, but then there was a chirp in his head. In response, Brando and Tabby tapped their sternums four times. The comm opened.

“Aegis to Nic’hel and DiHonos,” came the greeting.

Ah, fuck. It was Minervas.

“Heeeey, Blare,” Tabby said sheepishly.

“How’s DiHonos?” Minervas demanded without preamble.

“I’m okay,” Brando said.

“Good.” Minervas paused. “The pair of you are a mess.”

“We know,” they replied together. Tabby continued, “Do you have an escape plan for us?”

“Ptahfi reported that you’ve heard the native people singing. Is that true?”

“Yes,” Brando sniffed.

“Major or minor keys?”

“What?”

Minervas sighed. “Do their voices sound happy or sad when they sing?”

“Uh…” Brando exchanged a glance with Tabby, who shrugged. “I think…sad, actually.”

“Sounds like they’re singing in minor keys, then. That’s interesting.” Minervas hummed thoughtfully. “Okay. Here’s what you’re going to do…”

.

An hour later, Brando and Tabby stood in a field above the mountain, surrounded by flowers and natives.

Tabby and Brando tapped their chests four times. “Aegis,” Tabby greeted. “We’re here.”

Ptahfi’s grin was audible. “Prepare for tractor beam.”

Brando looked out over the natives, who were singing a solemn song. Remembering their gesture from the day before, Brando covered his face with his hands and bowed to them. The natives’ faces brightened and the singing grew louder.

Gasps of awe interrupted the song as Brando and Tabby began to glimmer.

“Tractoring.”

Brando’s nose tingled. He lifted his chin slowly, then buried his face in his elbow with a sneeze as he and Tabby's feet lifted off the surface of the planet.

When Brando opened his eyes, he was standing in a tractor chamber on Aeigis. Ptahfi, Minervas, and Hecatezen stood behind a booth.

Brando sniffled and unlocked the door to step out of his chamber. He stumbled. Hecatezen lunged forward and seized Brando’s arms.

“Hecatezen, get him to the Medical Bay,” Minervas said sharply. Tabby emerged from her chamber. “Nic’hel, with me.”

Tabby raised her chin. “I’m going with Brando,” she said defiantly. Minervas narrowed her eyes.

Hecatezen steered Brando away from the argument, clearly more interested in Brando’s health than some petty human squabble.

Ptahfi, shy of conflict, followed. “I can’t believe that worked,” he said as they made their way to the elevator. “You guys have good singing voices.”

Brando snorted. “Tabby’s better than me,” he said. “She’s said straight to my face that I’ve got no soul in my voice.”

“Either way, we’re lucky the natives couldn’t understand Standard,” Ptahfi said.

“Huh?”

“Your, uh…your comm was on.” Ptahfi fumbled with his zipper as they entered the elevator. “We…kind of heard everything.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. We had to mute you after a little while. Just in case the, um…higher-ups hear the recording.”

Brando tried to laugh, but his lungs ached. He grimaced.

“Your allergies are severe, DiHonos,” Hecatezen growled. “This could have been prevented, had you disclosed this prior.”

Brando leaned against the wall of the elevator, too winded to shoot back a quip. “I know,” he wheezed instead.

“You will recover. However, I am requesting that from now, you go to planets equipped with antihistamines and epinephrine auto-injectors.”

“Yeah,” Brando sighed, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. “I can do that.”

They did not speak after that. Brando was thankful for the hum of the elevator masking his wheezy breaths.

Then, Brando’s head snapped up. “Oh!” he gasped. He reached underneath of the thick native-woven robes and into his uniform’s sash. “By the way – however pissed Blare might be…” He withdrew a dish of moss. “We did get some samples.”

Ptahfi gave a scoff of laughter. “So, mission successful,” he said.

Brando grinned. Then he sneezed.

[stupendousstrawberrycowboy]

Update and performance

Today Andy performed the unfinished peacock song. Unfortunately I have not learnt the piano part, so Andy performed alone which is quite sad. Though he did it well.

However, we have made some good progress on the song itself. Our plan is to repeat the melodies of the verses (so far we have verse A, B and C, each with different melodies and chords) in an ABACB pattern.

So far the lyrics are 

Peacock casements of flowered eyes

Hatched on twisting webs

Like a cavalcade across

The sky of knitted cable cars

/

Aegis studded full of cataracting eyes

Which break upon themselves

A demons ineffable cries

Inside a glass exhibit

/

Pluck their plumes for a dogon mask 

And recline like the cynosure

Of a silent masquerade

/

Fill a gallery with loving made of woe

To hang upon your walls

A demons ineffable cries

Falls through painted eyes

The final verse repeats the melody of the second verse. It was quite impromptu, hence the repetition of  ‘a deamons ineffable cries’ which will be changed soon. This final verse ultimately depicts the digestion of the peacocks into something else, in a sense it is a meta twist as all art is a kind of taxidermy of experience/visions.

Finally I feel it important to mention that this poem has no character - this is a stylistic decision. It is visual, at a push it could be called cinematic. I want to explore characters more in future lyrics (certainly in our second song), which would give more direct perspective and sense of time.

[deadciv]

Dark Souls II bosses by how many tries it took me to beat them (because it's quarantine and what else is someone supposed to do when they're bored)

(Also, this is by attempts, not deaths, to be clear)

Fume Knight: 30 (top of this list, easily, also probably my favorite fight in the game)

Executioner's Chariot: 13 (i got run over. so many times)

Sir Alonne: 12 (this fight is also sick)

Ancient Dragon: 8

Smelter Demon...2: 7

Aava, the King's Pet: 5

Explorer, Gravehunter, and Soldier (love to backstab): 5

The Burnt Ivory King (thank you for the zweihander lightsaber): 4

Demon of Song: 4

Royal Rat Authority (fuck those toxic little bastards): 4

Smelter Demon: 3

Old Iron King (kept getting knocked into the hole...): 3

Throne Watcher and Throne Defender: 2

Mytha, Baneful Queen: 2

Old Dragonslayer: 2

Skeleton Lords: 2

The Rotten: 2

Looking Glass Knight: 2

King Vendrick (sad face): 2

The Last Giant: 1

Dragon Rider: 1

Flexile Sentry: 1

Ruin Sentinels: 1

Belfry Gargoyles: 1

The Lost Sinner: 1

Covetous Demon: 1

The Pursuer: 1

Scorpioness Najka: 1

Royal Rat Vanguard: 1

The Duke's Dear Freja: 1

Prowling Magus and Congregation: 1

Twin Dragonriders: 1

Velstadt, the Royal Aegis: 1

Guardian Dragon: 1

Giant Lord: 1

Elena, the Squalid Queen: 1

Sinh, the Slumbering Dragon: 1

Nashandra: 1

Aldia, Scholar of the First Sin: 1

[dazais-guardian-angel]

For the character ask meme, how about Aegis?~

THIS IS VERY VERY DELAYED I AM SO SORRY..... like 2 and a half weeks ugh i am so sorry Aegis; u deserve better

favorite thing about them: I love Aegis, I love how noble he truly is, how caring and how determined he is to do the right thing - he starts off with a very black and white mentality, believing only what he’s been taught by his higher ups, that transgressors are always in the wrong and deserve only punishment, but then he meets people that, while they haven’t necessarily done nothing wrong, are just trying to live their lives in peace despite their sins, some of whom may even have had justifiable reasons for doing what they did, and that changes him. He realizes that while they may have done wrong in the past, they’re trying to atone and/or move past it now - some of them may have had no choice in doing what they did, and for some of them, their “sin” was something so ridiculous that didn’t even warrant punishment at all. So many of them are good people, who don’t deserve to die for their supposed sin, and realizing this changes Aegis’ entire worldview; it’s so hard for him to grapple with at first, but he ultimately accepts it and vows to start helping people instead of just blindly following the vision orb system and people in power, and it’s such a good mini arc in Crestoria, definitely my favorite so far. He’s a lot like Eleanor in Berseria, they basically go through the same struggle, and I love Aegis just like I loved her. He’s so sweet and caring and protective, humble too (despite being prideful at the same time about some things lol), and I very much look forward to seeing how he continues to grow as a character and keeps standing up for what he believes in <3 also he shares his birthday with me and that makes me childishly happy

least favorite thing about them: Well, how long it took him to come around, though that was necessary of course. Mainly just how utterly dense he was with the whole Rebecca situation, which ended up getting her killed :^) it hurts

favorite line: “How is it that I sit in the Nation of Sin and feel such warmth? How?” That line hit me so hard when I first read it, and stuck with me... If it wasn’t obvious already, just that entire part in the Nation of Sin with Aegis and his reactions to it is by far my favorite part of the story so far, it’s so well done. his inner turmoil and confusion as everyone is nice to him, him talking about his family, and then his horror and despair as the people are all struck down, some of them while defending him, and he realizes none of this is right and decides to accept the blood sin and do everything he can from now on to protect those who need him... it’s so powerful, god. Aegis’ voice actor really killed it and made it 100 times better, too; I’m still sad this will never get a dub, but his JPN va is incredible and made those lines as impactful as they are, of which there are SO many good ones in that scene, I can hardly choose just one.

brOTP: I pray to god future me can say Aegis and Oriwn Aegis and Kanata, though they don’t really have any incredible moments yet so far... but I’m hoping they do eventually. Kanata went through the same utter destruction of his black and white worldview that Aegis did, except Kanata is still going through it as of chapter 6... and though Aegis has reached an acceptance of grey morality in people, Kanata, ah, well, went from one extreme to the other, from “all transgressors are evil and deserve to die” to “transgressors are Good, Actually, and the people they hurt are Bad, because I’m a transgressor but my dad was clearly Evil and Nothing Else, so it’s Okay, Actually”. Which. Uh. Yeah Kanata has always had a rather unnerving, disturbing way of viewing their world, and that’s still painfully apparent, ahaha. Since he got slapped in the face with Sonia he’s backed up a bit and realized that no he’s actually still very wrong on a lot of things, but he’s still very very confused and saddened and, well, only 15, and so I hope we get some big brother moments from Aegis eventually (and group therapist Vicious ofc lol), who still has things to figure out himself... They just have a lot in common, and Aegis is wiser than Kanata and has been through a lot more than he has, so I’d love to see them interact and help each other try to accept the painful truths they have to live with.

OTP: Aegis/a loving found family

nOTP: I don’t ship Aegis and Vicious, sorry; I get why people do, it’s a popular ship archetype, but I just don’t ship it at all

random headcanon: There are a few scenes of Aegis with Meakyuu while he’s having his internal struggle/grief on the ship before the Nation of Sin, and after the attack there, where Meakyuu seems to worry about him, so I headcanon that Meakyuu is comforting to him when he’s down... idk I just feel like they have a sweet friendship 🥺❤️ babies

unpopular opinion: see nOTP lol

song i associate with them: I’m lazy and can’t think of a vocal song, so I’ll just put “Blood Sin” from the Crestoria ost, the song that plays when Aegis decides to change and accept his (gasp) blood sin; it pumps me up so much and made that whole scene as good as it is, ahhh <3

favorite picture of them:

🥺❤️ them...