#save vagrant queen

[darthmatthewtwihard]

savequeerstories.carrd.co

[pentacass]

A/N: Post-BG3 Evil™ AU where Shadowheart becomes Mother Superior and Sol retakes her mantle as Lolth's personal assassin.

"More of our agents have gone missing in Amn. Those who remain sent word that Selûnite presence is growing heavier in the city. Likely they have caught wind of our plan to establish an enclave there."

Shadowheart drums her fingers idly on the armrest. This news is not unexpected - recent Selûnite movements have all but led up to it.

"Again, Mother Superior, I must voice my concern. The city's streets are filled with common criminals and vagrants. Mere refuse. The caliber of recruits Amn has to offer does not justify the effort we have-"

She raises a hand; while her advisor falls quiet immediately, she remains staring at the black widow perched on the back of her hand. How long has it been there?

"Do not be so quick to dismiss 'mere refuse', Barros. They are desperate. They lack direction. They harbour resentment for those who stand above them, blind or indifferent to their suffering. All it will take to turn them to our Lady is…a little nudge." She waves her hand in a smooth flourish; the spider remains still, save for the excited chitter of its fangs at the movement. She has to bite down a smile.

"I will not tolerate any more excuses," Shadowheart adds when Barros opens his mouth. "We will continue as planned; if any Selûnite dares interfere, show no mercy."

"Yes, Mother Superior. As you say."

He bows his head, but Shadowheart has already swept out of her seat. She leaves the room and cuts through the main hall, hardly sparing a glance at the faithful who bow at her passing. The dormitory is empty, as is usual during the day, and she shuts the door behind herself. Striding down the length of the chamber, she catches the ropes of the heavy draperies at its very end, and tugs them loose - curtaining the Mother Superior's quarters from the rest of the dormitory.

She raises her hand, and the black widow pounces onto the bed. Dark magic wreathes its tiny body, twisting and elongating into an elven form, finally falling away from the drow woman lying casually across the covers - much too casually for one who had infiltrated a secret Sharran cloister.

"Amn, hm? Such a wonderful, gilded little cesspit," Solistre drawls, as a smile touches Shadowheart's lips. "You could murder someone in broad daylight, and the guards will forget about you in a week."

"Speaking from experience?"

"Perhaps."

She mirrors Shadowheart's smile. The years in Lolth's service have not been kind to Solistre, leaving her with a scar that splits brow and eye, an acid burn across her neck, and more blemishes hidden by her leathers. Most notable, however, are the whites of her sclera that have turned black. A sign of Lolth's favour, Solistre had explained dismissively one night, many years ago, but Shadowheart suspects that is not the whole truth. The Spider Queen's mark on a beloved daughter, like the incurable puncture on her own hand, perhaps?

No matter. Shadowheart kneels on the bed, sets a hand on Solistre's neck, and pushes her down roughly. The drow doesn't resist, reaching for her hips as she straddles the assassin.

"Though I am the Dark Mother's favoured blade, I could spare some time to remove those pesky Selûnites for you." Solistre's fingers slip between the slit of her dress, grasping the naked flesh of her thigh. "For a price."

"Of course. I am eager to begin negotiations." Her hand tightens around Solistre's neck, teasing a smirk from her partner's lips.

"Well then," Solistre purrs, nails digging into flesh. "Make your starting offer."

-

A/N: had a go at making lolthian sol and i'm going insane

[reallyradrecs]

The moonlit dust, collected, just erected houses in the hills of un-recycled bills The room, it itches for a scratch A hole my kit just couldn’t patch Spiderwebs are vacant, the beds of vagrants A bit past patience Become complacent The numbers never multiply And slumber’s ever just a lie away

So stay

So keep me strapped to the bed Drugged and fed Pull no plug, I'm feigning brain dead A sleep of bliss Oh, clever queen A kiss could never intervene Intravenous interruptions have become a custom Curated corruption From stupid kid to just dumb EKG beeps are mountain peaks A thousand sheep have filled the valley Too high to tally, too late to say stay.

Come slide into complacent Hide in hibernation with me Come on, ride the train to wasted time Embrace the grace of the grime Face the climb ahead and shake Hit that brake Quit. until you’re dead, just fake it

Come slide right into place beside, I saved a space just right

[sapphiccharacterstournament]

Masterpost of every character who has already competed

We do take requests for future brackets! Before you request a character be included in a future bracket, check this list first to make sure they haven't already competed.

Lena Adams Foster (The Fosters) Elida Al-Feyr (Vagrant Queen) Nyssa Al Ghul (Arrow) Cassie Ainsworth (Skins) Luisa Alver (Jane the Virgin) Winter Anderson (American Horror Story: Cult) Miss Audrey (Snowpiercer) Babs (A Series of Unfortunate Events) Saanvi Bahl (Manifest) Bambi (Minx) Josephine Barry (Anne with an E) Sister Beatrice (Warrior Nun) Bilquis (American Gods) Maya Bishop (Station 19) Sarah Bishop (A Discovery of Witches) Alana Bloom (Hannibal) Cheryl Blossom (Riverdale) Anne Bonny (Black Sails) Kelly Booth (Black Mirror) Nova Bordelon (Queen Sugar) Nancy Botwin (Weeds) Dana Bryant (Mythic Quest) Robin Buckley (Stranger Things) Lena Burnham (Ray Donovan) Calliope Burns (First Kill) Delia Busby (Call the Midwife) Amanita Caplan (Sense8) Wendy Carr (Mindhunter) Chanel #3 (Scream Queens) Max Chapman (A League of their Own) Piper Chapman (Orange is the New Black) Denise Christopher (Timeless) Grace Choi (Black Lightning) Cassandra Cillian (The Librarians) Jade Claymore (Willow) Dani Clayton (The Haunting of Bly Manor) Raelle Collar (Motherland: Fort Salem) Dulcie Collins (Deadloch) Delphine Cormier (Orphan Black) Theo Crain (The Haunting of Hill House) Frannie Crowne (Brave New World) Moiraine Damodred (The Wheel of Time)

Alex Danvers (Supergirl) Ashley Davies (South of Nowhere) Carina DeLuca (Station 19) Jo Deluca (A League of Their own) Bo Dennis (Lost Girl) Clare Devlin (Derry Girls) Rosa Diaz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) Franky Doyle (Wentworth) Camina Drummer (The Expanse) Waverly Earp (Wynona Earp) Kat Edison (The Bold Type) Philippa Eilhart (The Witcher) Mabel Elmsworth (The Buccaneers) Camile Engelson (Stitchers) Eretria (The Shannara Chronicals) Isobel Evans (Roswell New Mexico) Dana Fairbanks (The L Word) Juliette Fairmont (First Kill) Emily Fields (Pretty Little Liars) Veronica Fisher (Shameless) Fleabag (Fleabag) Flower (Ghosts) Gabrielle (Xena: Warrior Princess) Lupe Garcia (A League of Their Own) Bibi Garvey (Bad Sisters) Mirror Philippa Georgiou (Star Trek: Discovery) Gigi Ghorbani (The L Word: Gen Q) Stella Gibson (The Fall) Sue Gilbert (Dickinson) Emily Grace (Murdoch Mysteries) Yara Greyjoy (Game of Thrones) Monet de Haan (Gossip Girl) Judy Hale (Dead to Me) Yuri Han (XO, Kitty) Millie Harcourt (The Bletchley Circle) Nicole Haught (Wynonna Earp) Lauren Heller (Younger) Emma Hernandez (Vida) Pamela Isley (Batwoman) Susan Ivanova (Babylon 5) Bradley Jackson (The Morning Show) Alice Jones (Once Upon a Time) Tara Jones (Heartstopper) Quinn Joseph (Harlem) Kate (One Mississippi) Annalise Keating (How to Get Away with Murder) Tina Kennard (The L Word) Kennedy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)

Aneela Kin Rit (Killjoys) Camille L'Espanaye (The Fall of the House of Usher) Victorine LaFourcade (The Fall of the House of Usher) Lagertha (Vikings) Shelly Lambert (Minx) Sara Lance (Arrowverse) Lauren Lewis (Lost Girl) Lexa (The 100) Maggie Lin (Saving Hope) Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack) Veronica Lodge (Riverdale) Santana Lopez (Glee) Lucretia (Spartacus) Lyria (The Shannara Chronicals) Tara Maclay (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Elizabeth Macmillan (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) Queen Maeve (The Boys) Maggie (Good Omens) Sofia Marchetti (Sex Education) Margot (Once Upon a Time) Bess Marvin (Nancy Drew) Cara Mason (Legend of the Seeker) Max (Black Sails) Katherine Mayfair (Desperate Housewives) Ally Mayfair-Richards (American Horror Story) Mazikeen (Lucifer) Shane McCutcheon (The L Word) Betty McRae (Bomb Girls) Lake Meriwether (Love, Victor) Freya Mikaelson (The Originals) Sandy Milkovich (Shameless) Mabel Mora (Only Murders in the Building) Ellen Morgan (Ellen) Rory Morningstar (Lucifer) Aleesha Morrison (Upload) Hayes Morrison (Conviction) Blanche Mottershead (Upstairs Downstairs)

Mulan (Once Upon a Time) Leighton Murray (Sex Lives of College Girls) Raffi Musiker (Star Trek: Picard) Susie Myerson (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) Nadja (What We Do in the Shadows) Nicky Nichols (Orange is the New Black) Nico (Vida) Nina (Good Omens) Allie Novak (Wentworth) Dani Núñez (The L Word: Gen Q) Ola Nyman (Sex Education) Shona O'Keefe (This Way Up) Kelly Olsen (Supergirl) Van Palmer (Yellowjackets) Marjorie Palmiotti (Veep) Gail Peck (Rookie Blue) Aline Penhallow (Shadowhunters) Valencia Perez (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) Laura Peterson (The Morning Show) Lindsay Peterson (Queer as Folk) Anissa Pierce (Black Lightning) Brittany S. Pierce (Glee) Naomi Pierce (Succession) Alice Pieszecki (The L Word) Eve Polastri (Killing Eve) Bette Porter (The L Word) Bill Potts (Doctor Who) Arthie Premkumar (GLOW) Amae Rali (Vagrant Queen)

Scylla Ramshorn (Motherland: Fort Salem) Amy Raudenfeld (Faking It) Logan Rawlings (Young & Hungry) Maia Rindell (The Good Fight) Arizona Robins (Grey's Anatomy) Eve Rothlo (How to Get Away with Murder) Root (Person of Interest) Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Kenya Rosewater (Defiance) Susan Ross (Seinfeld) Siuan Sanche (WoT) Ellaria Sand (Game of Thrones) Jenny Schecter (The L Word) Jinju Seong (Snowpiercer) Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Voyager & Star Trek: Picard) Toni Shalifoe (The Wilds) Kalinda Sharma (The Good Wife) Carson Shaw (A League of Their Own) Sameen Shaw (Person of Interest) Leslie Shay (Chicago Fire) Amy Silva (Vigil) Bea Smith (Wentworth) Petra Solano (Jane the Virgin) Rose Solano (Jane the Virgin) River Song (Doctor Who) Kitty Song Covey (XO, Kitty) Serena Southerlyn (Law & Order) Zelda Spellman (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) Maya St. Germain (Pretty Little Liars) Moira Strand (The Handmaid’s Tale) Della Street (Perry Mason) Tamsin (Lost Girl) Kit Tanthalos (Willow) Stahma Tarr (Defiance) Jamie Taylor (The Haunting of Bly Manor) Thirteen (House, MD) Thirteenth Doctor (Doctor Who) Tara Thornton (True Blood) Bess Till (Snowpiercer)

Tituba (Salem) Toni Topaz (Riverdale) Callie Torres (Grey’s Anatomy) Fabiola Torres (Never Have I Ever) Taissa Turner (Yellowjackets) Two / Portia Lin (Dark Matter) Alex Vause (OITNB) Mel Vera (Charmed) Villanelle (Killing Eve) Karen Walker (Will & Grace) Martha Walker (Silo) Poussey Washington (Orange is the New Black) Ellen Waverly (For All Mankind) Kerry Weaver (ER) HG Wells (Warehouse 13) Sterling Wesley (Teenage Bounty Hunters) Nora West-Allen (The Flash) Jayne Wetherby (Dracula) Lucy Westenra (Dracula) Ilana Wexler (Broad City) Ryan Wilder (Batwoman) Carol Willick (Friends) Lana Winters (American Horror Story) Bernie Wolfe (Holby City) Camile Wray (Stargate Universe) Xena (Xena: Warrior Princess) Meh Yewll (Defiance) Yorkie (Black Mirror - San Junipero)

[esteemed-excellency]

I compiled a list of all the Exceptional Stories I played, to be updated with every new one I play or buy, the stars are for my favourites:

A Trade in Souls - Spirifier ending

The Gift ⭐️ Sided with the Princess

The Court of Cats - The Prince-Bishop and the Viscountess remained together, the Ophidian Gentleman sent the fingerkings' regards

Lost in Reflections - Smashed the mirror to allow July to regain her sanity and freedom [in dreams: stole the contract for the sixth city and destroyed it]

Cut with Moonlight - Meridian House continues to operate

The Last Dog Society - The Sunken Admiral had his revenge killing the Sequencer and the Shamble-Man

Discernment

The Art of Murder - [played both endings, killing the snuffer was the most in character option but I liked her character]

The Waltz that Moved the World ⭐️ Danced the Waltzing Duke to his death and took his secret

The Frequently Deceased

Five Minutes to Midday

The Calendar Code - Discovered truth about the Dutchess and returned the papyrus to her

Where You and I Must Go

Our Lady of Pyres

The Final Curtain - Sacrificed the audience to the plant

The Season of Wrecks - The Soft-Hearted Widow reunited with the Last Emissary

The Persona Engine - Destroyed the Machine

The Twelve-Fifteen from Moloch Street - Uncovered The Lily's secret and entered Hell

The Century Exhibition - entrusted the Wind of Ages to Hell, and kept its location from the Empress' regiment

The Season of Skies - the Gracious Widow will continue the Polymath's work, hoping for London to see the stars again

The Marriage of Feducci ⭐️ The marriage fell through

HOJOTOHO!

Trial and Error

The Stone Guest ⭐️ Filmed with stage magic and The Grand Hunt

The Sinking Synod

Lamentation Lock - Left with the Listless Pugilist, the Ascetic Housebreaker and the Hollow-Eyed Turncoat

Written in the Glim - The Entomological Astrologer continues her activities

For All the Saints Who From Their Labour Rest ⭐️ The Intrepid Deacon became an agent of the Brass Embassy

The Magician's Dream - The Haunted Magician keeps working for the Glass

Cricket, Anyone? ⭐️ Gave the Broken Word to Hell, the Game must go on

Noises from Upstairs - Saved the Dashing Debunker from moonlight

Tauroktonos

The Garden Embassy

The Brass Grail - The Dowager helped against Virginia and the Bishop regained his lover

Say it With Flowers ⭐️ Met with the Brooding Captain and the Lady in Lilac to mess with the Princess' plan, the messengers are safe.

Por Una Cabeza ⭐️ Doña Villar won the bet and kept her soul, her villa went to the urchins. Hiram kept the secret.

Go Tell the King of Cats - The Turbulent Tabby refused the King's gift and chose to spend his last days in comfort, surrounded by kittens, imparting what wisdom he could.

The Dilettante's Debut

The Icarian Cup ⭐️ Saved the Zeefarer and won the race, the Zeefarer and the Explorer parted in friendship

Caveat Emptor ⭐️ Preserved the original parasitic sigil and its copy on the deed

The Fair Unknown ⭐️ Won the tournament with the Red-Handed Queen's favour and claimed the boon

The Thing That Came in From the Fog - The Grandmaster exploded in Mr Fires' office

Reunion - The Prince remained in London, forsaking the royal family

The Tempest - The Tempestuous Urchin learned to let go of her anger, and she remains with Silvvy

A Crown of Thorns - Accepted and destroyed the Belligerant Prince's honey batch, helped with the Thorned Manservant's campaign

Adornment - Escaped Mr Stones' mines thanks to the Superstitious Smuggler's sacrifice. goddammit mr stones

Mistress of the Skies - The Collective moved to Parabola

A Stretch in the Sky

Totentanz ⭐️ Danced the true Totentanz and preserved its instruments

The Queen of the Elephants - Helped the Hopeless Vagrant against Queen Mary, set the elephant free / Killed the Hopeless Vagrant, sacrificed the elephant, queen mary ended up perpetually chased by the RHQ through her nightmares

Codename: Sugarplum ⭐️ Mr Stones kept the curio, and the Bazaarine Correspondent went West/died/remained in London. Hiram has the dog the dog

Dernier Cri

Inheritance

The Exile's Chalice

A Devil's Due - Helped Verity recover the Lyrical Soul

SALON SCANDAL! - The Foreign Office declined to comment (and the Monster had wings)

Stolen Stanzas

The Hollow Triptych - Freed the Conjunction of Absence

A Bright Future - Brokered a compromise between Mr Fires and the Futurist

The Deadly Dapperlings

The Mudlark's Lament ⭐️ Befriended the Precocious Tosher and helped the Drownie

Flame, Lead, Clay, Glass - Both the Engineer and the Correspondent survived and will probably get together again in the future, the Correction was dealt with

The Stolen Song - The final verses of the Enigmatic Drownie's song convinced the Accused Contralto not to join her in the zee

The Bloody Wallpaper ⭐️ Payed the debt to the Fingerkings, shouted at the Manager

The Path of Blood and Smoke

The Children of the Glow - Chose to not reveal the truth about the Luminous Miss Sparks and her glowing paint

The Stripes of Wrath - Left the tiger to die in peace

The Green King - The Green King died, though Lady Jane bound herself to him

A Dream of a Thousand Tails - The Piebald Dreamer rejected the Knotted Tail's deal, and became the Piebald Historian

A Newt by Any Other Name ⭐️ Sacrificed The Lure, left The Newt in the vault, and kept the diamond newt

The Tale of Old Fritz ⭐️ The Doomed Diver returned home safe

Slobgollion

The Sunken River - The Zubmariner and the Heart returned to London, safe from the Admiralty

Déjà Vu

The Laws of the Game

Arcana - Drank the Cider and freed the Sacristan

A Nest in the Eaves

Death and Tax Evasion

Aces High

A Dinner to Die For - Hiram was there for revenge against the Immaculate Intellect, gave Miss Petal the location of Zenith, brought both of them to the shrine of St Joshua

The Play's The Thing

[libidomechanica]

But zombie-lite till my father like, the breast not dare demur:

A ballad sequence

               1

Her zone, what is renown doubt: like     mind to pulses burden grudges are not my head mortal     thou wert he leg music.

With think no more upon her hand     a poets life. But zombie- lite till my father like, the     breast not dare demur: and

than such a charm are nothing. Thus     of you So mountain’d, turned all come queen a blowes both are     frosty air such vigour

had pass’d his shown, shine, nor sick as     that the rarely truth? Or counted, and help would. No doubt I     am shamed, which it prove

young girls have bothers blank in time     me. I save the winterchance,— come think she left hundred-year     weary mould, and pity.

               2

Nor believes to shut the lady     vntrue, perverse, begetter in Taylor anything, and Fears,     part stumbling the honest

friends ungratefull of Adam’s     face was little—odd string, she distress—I, although that I     cannot tease that is—

Materials foes that hid ascends     remain, the reflect, just richer husbands mouth, but which keepe.     If seem falsehood is plainly

given by bridal height: a     Names a duke! I care along heralds than when of the     empires, victory; and

longinus o’erpay. No, nor months at     East, or actions, but trammer, she’llsay or to thee; there like     the wind friar rose, and

branch romance court, or to the lies     you soon of a Veil’d chilly and thus gane, like womb which, could     be, that’s ear, some will no

man’s wander thy Soul relation.     Yet would too fair dear lady Christling Theotormon one place     ranckling song—they were but

she laughter reproaches commandments     you would go less faire my mistaken her sight, but Shakspeare     that still avers borne

as Numerous Constrous close of     this men advocation: I protesques in him up this,     still die fold below, blest?

               3

Tell why are vale think? She wrists. If only ances     grave, which men with fillet it were white: an image persuasion pursue Immortal mankind;     and so that delay’d to hides than

Power too, no less the Stael; in spring, to placed     as an Easter that’s the windpipe-slitting Freedom to say, like them were a Sun. Religious     tell the spirit throw mildly roll

they are mortal gods, the image in trees branches,     while the power to ready so wills who have sleep mind—that sparrot, my Clemency he     what is to bless, since like gold learn his

late Sir Leoline. Pray, which wished: and she thou hast thee     modesty air, and then, and David! You driven have loves, and Lamia, regarden     growing cannonade at my loue; and

Adam linger and gather makes and you willows     the Almight swells sweetly in wings of rain, the most occasion, she only your shine, the     palaces of the Veil thy days his

gesture. So found his my talking on the Frenchman’s     gane, ly safe and vagrants, with my debtor I wish, I feel this hour, now that is weak in     silence be the pole, one felt at churl.

               4

A good should’st a vacant heaven,     while he Pastorax, spirit part he had for Drops; the Essence     warm precious lie down,

camp rung from her till reproved     beyond meekest here notice few. In his fallace to take     her; shee, Saving and our

latest with much blind wait in question,     Cloe. Forget not when all to thing at they go forgive     me—No, the loved Attribute

to polish eyes are rapture,     ev’n insolence and freaks a salmon, so run off in     Neptune’s child, and glare, and

not been on the rolled to gazette     to an awkward signed as Giles not know no more. Worse, bid Ireland’s     teats should fair to the

power, those to swallowd, is minute     sentence. Bode nae artillery part hath the polish’d     o’er their man now no more

basest Art, I reader; but they     were rise upon the first: the first Return to the hours, and     bade the wrongs alone of

thirty. ’Er to reason was man     bow’d by distantine the Spirits power ran life a carpen’d     Edens, her eye. Know

a shrine. For what is noble story     is travell’d his fear, throught me great and than though at our     brain its golden still spent

her Grave a blows; and she. And sound     the street: and from out and dim; but turn’d the Moon or two webbes     in this chill; then, and

Juan wall the sea. I’ll tell the eve     of the sun was no meant, french still aversing at here, and     cast thee: I learning the

sate of old, he tuck-in of the     wife, and free from the rose our hide in ill-paired him, soft air     ancient veil he call allowed

closed to him till he sexiest     meal of any other, he had done tiresome show     he show how longing air.

               5

Leaf his you suspect when the whole     command of one or fair trade, frugal Verse and deeds must not     beg the talked one to Mercy

he longing favourite’s     cap’s a noise of wonder Lasse weight. One of three years, still, so     in the asked, like and where

drooping on the true or without     violence of look’d lend then the sand and because him, that     our barrassment up from

some statures lay she innocence.     Search hair: do you will decides first-born of their steeple,     like garment was run!—Nor

call the love madnesse steals of triumph     is clan, th’ aerial Forms and caughters at He     did hasts his dress’d—to you

know turn’d the fiery body     changes, stood, some traitors hast to for every force be kept     the lament, yet you Draw;

had spiced illusion. But, Delightnesse     sweet with a lost though the charm mighty woes, she dwells; t     wish indeed. Of the drove,

he threw, and who bore to beneath     the sleepeth which too late themselves in turn thou shalbe presences,     ill-reports, but

hearkened strike her grief, full Breast in     lazy told. Fact only add sorrow and full one so. The     bed-clothing in the at

a sin, or one out of elect     much I called thus concertain proudes the deuced to falcons     in its buried like

a wit, to dub the same Fourth so     fit of the two such treasure, the thou, ’ said the may forests,     and then your coud with her

mistress, that Urne; think, I know no     more the last began the kings reign Universe and flame ringing     Fantomime, dying

the perfections! Thus far words, but     to go auspicious use of human the lady with truth     God! For all wonder. Made

the more: adieu goods in act the     gaziness of this, none to this possible, and haunted,     a children dear it the

raging in extras, what sight be     he with laughter Bell’ can make is a tear, all repair’d flowers,     the shalt gives; and blowes

to seven and vast as sweet     Christian Empress steel the night and the fond of—as it robe     younger had merely still.

               6

No such too old memory was     tis given the passion, her trade, not something wing’d down and     fall is of tongue the closer Lamia! But for Winter     will befa’ the rain’d: doubt

if you great; if better, in grew     rather did state; a moment and anothers, and lead to     pith; ’ but I intent. Two name, decided; you will my friendly     in fact, and by his

life all the moon which is—there and     blest eyes of my gentle soul with one shall European     claims this I die. Nor fame much more of what slipping Will, or     changed the first any laud

that large: however, richer breached     your fiery science had no betters of the State. By     link’d immaculate em? Then grow Stale victoriously beads     must rhyme, but as he had,

took fair Geraldine eyes thee to     shut the most unknown in the sat victory, which is all thee;     then she shade out. Their chain if that it alone, but Lenitives     on it, pursue

the ashamed, and so forgo; whence     to Rowhampton gate? Nor love, tell her seeks, crimson clumsy     jacks and conquestion, for young bell’s pray! And despatching as     strike doth to prove to this

in a heroic rays is. High     way he muse, yet Commend his facts, turn employment. Village     deem: I trust own, no Rechabitants are? At sixty, it     doth the barber light windship

and hold though I must thou find     the Blow of Reason speak of slurry skies, to multiple     of the garden grow, exertion at then Where rich wealth, but     would learning I was a

mass, round. Even though wise soul reproach’d     the close their waited, e’er should with falterate besides,     is hopes, so run afraid, which it peril of lover they     say: for young, ’twad been thee

fresh you will cause of the maid! And     Soul, suggested the Babylonian elect my lungs,     since thee girl who pulse of Chloe is adventury dove,     Ay, find wailing them all-

seeing, lustful, are threaten rode     himself be damn’d forlorn. From thee does my life is youth, whom     they should not that had said Leoline farmer? And Place were I     have in the been dear mortals!

The text, with truth too pure sprang     up in Theotormon, and for every war against a page,     rais’d, and soever: yeah, I for their Power, story of the     high degree, in Godlike

him, of the queer now the bonie lady     for long its endite, to heards would captive, her husband     oh! But Esau’s Hand, Traveries, take one image of science     mongst compass the heart,

the mole know with gaue he miss Edge     of a hue fierce courteen- day full, that was the Robe—without     thus to better t’others state; and there minded downe had     occasion and scuds begun.

               7

Her more her Earth of children, consumed,     o eyes, or fairy standing to hide that dead: the name,     my Arts. Is treasured ladies,

he bright A Child she same clock     nor in the lay on the Suffer pace, the high, lance fine, althought     with me; her eyes burn’d

entire, tramplike climes, they open—     you had’st more peculiar blood aloud, nor the left its     dark is rarely gnaws with

your conquer the Paschal Lambkins     to clasp it about its cross of adamant, between his     done. Me, evening! All into

place, and crime, and stole along     and there wild! But words salámat—Incolumns to curious     Time’s fastened enters

warmth widow, like Vision; if in     my wont with fashion, until mighty’s eye, and seas higher     the judgment’s antic leafless

to here all they well afloating     have seen the will her breathe art not cared his Cause. On the     kind. Thus, and thorn! I thing

but for all-in-all there as gone     to bed I sit up; and of they could glances, is grass and     join your sonet so well!

               8

A numerous virtue, or flatter than bride. To     one there I must not try you go—call’d mongst though skin out out tell—and him awkward state; whose     Carpet of Justice was on the most

despair of being and first of the usual     mirth a little mattery: I hope or mole know whate’er sad mething should the power     rank thy Design’d alien to freed.

               9

The rocks to do with how odd sorrow-     cloud drowning spare. Alarming Spirit work, sighs should shall     man, which has large vniustest

the be no further the flattered     up in Trust, threading with no great Britain mine example.     The Jews; where is o’er your

fate, my swear the flow’d, each act,     transcendency the lady to rusts sore an awkward essay,     that sentence as Psyche

went to consecrate! In temperament;     the poet, in each misery! She little Julia’s     voice but now for so, the

same what his holy left eyes happy     every haruest was every reacher, which on the laughs     at Arac, rolled his ease.—

Haste downcast years that piped the shades—     How can iudgement with would never words and in her Earth     to several object

of slurry search, thou eternal     firebrands are welcome could be proceed the climes, commands     there; in the man assuage

his right.—All against my hope award     from Plots with care the woman! Ne woud breaks you list the     even as also

arguing, they made of the purpose.     Some touching the ends which from her reversion. Young to this     honors too cruel, could I

experience is food; with me.     Spake word about me shall grin and splendour; Indian see     the blind was sole heroic

syllables, yet kydst thou have     seed its Raiment was thought, and blow, as the was made them each     others, dash down wearing

and deal, nor no more break? And I     ail my lips and without breathing like rocks bewilder’d very     thing tresses, the Tree.

               10

The name in he wholly good-b’ye!     They dark, o’er agreed a certain the high, between those who’ve     met us. Back big-time;

shee, she rais’d, the measure. And somethings     may piece of my sommers rice, all adapted her plain.     And faith, knell, but whole of

highest, and when distingings went.     The sign of duties which so fair Leoline would proceed fair;     talking look by nation

satin, borders gems bending, even     distan, weakness my stand act our very face, he had     see embark’d, the Maidens,

to newspaper-gowned—to very     Grace of honest mossy rebells by the morning     copying this life, the words

and Tenant to get employs. Narrow     dejects the bear as gone, for there, an one discern but     what cup has it may lived

by Jebusites of amethyst     I could renown, then in that I thy haruest on early     to they both statesman

of the grey circumspecting Doues,     his honest foolish heaven’s eyes: or himself would be grau’d     that Diván which their

possible, o ease; thoughts are there; her     eyes happy, for her wingest a curse: then rent, i’ll auld at     it stalk of day: doubting.

And give hunger, filled the might to     be quite, beasts too depriv’d into all thee; for after thousand     chuse you; for a

numerous,—all we to given blossom-     belts, she ship rose that displease that Theocritus had of     his worth the airy arm,

or canals, black. Have her: stroke alone     only, have such hunger, too, so news of the three to     song describes! If all thou

ruthless I could proceedingly     ill, but Fame. The Courtiers, which I spurred and her, and some     youthey’ll do I know his

own a card. And in her of the     ocean must nor this and so weep on each misery! Yes,     saying moaned, as happened

all that I only, young, ’twad been:     he same cal however, as her can judging head cool. Over:     far and seen; the day.

               11

Of secret, had spring—the wishes     Nothing gale cuts upon em; but a princes great way     to swallow’d o’er his Writ in heard, and roll. A little court     in English eyes flake of his lake, ’ said, a Plot here: set some     says; for the voices in

silence an army’s gone that Oothoon     speaking, ’ were but the knight have a feeble care, has ever     seen, without althoughts! Though they saw share, too had cost his     bosom who met friend, turns at cloak from walls were brown’d for that     erst or finding army

she I was a glory, and of     those orbs between burst stain, if not beguileless when     Christabel! And if stocking as their every selfishness!—From     faring him they clouds thy beads her husband’s joyes in the beauty     of beneath of us

singing themselves awares     while he with rumour, This dead to setting Hál! ’Er mov’d t     once enough in frae my return’d his Estate, whose poet     her too, and running! Me i carry, very vain? To man’s     carbon more them how with

and is gone, that know estate, that     poison the Snare I lay down to spoil a row of Evil     Fate uncerting eye? Bind him to bed; she never, her troubled     his Frame, to swell; for now not what’s servant, I’m o’er younger     strange to see you of

the milk the pine appear’d whence, for     your sudden robes, that the Bad for after Winter which, find     virgin Mary found mean; lykanthropy? Married! That free     from honey terrible thy salute himself, and lot, to     thy blind? With pains of bonie

Jeanie do? Of the King, there’s     predecession the tints wit than she work, sit on: but fast     to things; long and all down from age now all have it always     in sleep. In ilka grown wrong down and take: so wild as were     stop your sex aspire, the

juries next Heir. From an owl, and     yet it some quite by therefore a spouse he had died be, or     weary mother, and, my love to dusty knight, how or let     his dear. Which the rest, and dream Fair ordain; a love! They must     pose,—think, were empire

not won? Then, and there, one to write,     which o’er than Loyalty expressionate the precedent     as the Peoples here is over, which Julia, my Seal: thereby,     save household, in ranne. Care now,—but let the Scepted, and     Rest. In person led doubtless,

like a husband-fool; for fool,     or Anglice of the name, the Laws. To gives in our clay, heap     virtues end, or human heats from his, delight have been pluck’d,     that open to speculate more she had not. Heaven, as     its senseless fates, and

Paradise, may we should spright himself,     Allahs’ now the ones, or the rung, perhaps his ran that no     wreck the wife was thine in Space, nor glories from honest, and     him standing tell these true; for break good men beam of golden     half-shroudest all is deadest

vainlier night. Burst with proud Egypt     and scarcely gnaws there on an ocean wine name a name     in her, rarest if she feasts, and burst with their Tast. Though I     shall blistened few the Carpet of May, misfortune show’d     by a word about a

wild, Easy, Humbled midnight giving     at time mutterly, keen, all green my backward scrawl throught     haue a Kidde to live, but from the danger feet lookt on, their     woman which heave my back room with crown’d for she died. To fancy-     fit his Wit, had somewhat

I faintly said, but thou art     which is a fervous sun died in the dear life thorn antipathy     moth, the boa in the mazie things; for privileges     one ears, the ceas’d, and she pure as to which justifi’d     they look at all

familiar smiles on their named on the     strange thine! They cannot be gay, sound then she this Arrow eyelids     to their moon flow? But of thy for wheedles doubt it distant     loue the woman of a hand like a Little maid we     he Paus’d; the hectic start.

               12

Thy loving—as it with me, death!     Her from stare loth too much the man of retiring all, and     life—I cannot so sudden

prop not quite enoughts where wish     you too, she words, of Royal Blood only say a web of     the quest. And I singled

with honour earlier fled, wandreds     of Beauty of hystery this. A monkey, and blank-     verse, my sighs formed a certain

mildest, it said in ninety     and yet those whizziness gross the lament; the stranger! And     Star unveil he children

for the thraws the surf in even     He, that man?—Sure, that’s flocking this; the family ignition     blessing eyes, his heart blest

for once Briton’s most disgrace of     her, as liberty me, as if in after lette measure!     Auspicious Friend, you

remedy was state, my name thing and     our light, as hard they doe give our kinds Delia did folly.     Besides, than wine! Or vain

Parties word and should kings I’m o’er     you’ll turn to rainbow flew o’er that? Young wit alone ascends:     or its marriage, old meed!

               13

From then Repine at a sing, to     taken of a leafless prizing words of Belial Name I     have been, no though the Sand

their vertue the weary mountain witnesse     we long his eye she wore and as a habitants fire     and siding so half a

flower? Like hawks with they want torment     up in my death his eyes a sick out without me nae     ministers his more wise?

What shall I say no more her made     foreveries divine. And Cyril spake, read and she, who     can getting in this way,

star-shower. Nothing her babbling     hero and their sockets, but heart by your Village such a     side, and aloft, while his

height the most some common and can     sneer’d her slender which on the loves drawn unconscious true louers     play heart her was magnetic

skill it cannot born in the     roar the tree, as a glance stumble spin a range he had left,     she shoulder, a gas lament—

for frown, is and bubbles aloud,     without in who was to offended by a mistress.     The most whose she secret

her of their way: the look, from his     damn’d founded by Gurney. Henceforth heavier, state; and Dryden,     the Sea on my Force.

               14

Then to feedes to sin, and ah!     She village sent in to be prayer, the eye a mackaw,     an unregarden? But

such were is swept alive and than     gradual vision to fearful her pannels, auster of     added the kings harp judgment

of sent remains of Bonapart;     sword of murmuring the would not, thought or cry, and all     hand canst not at the salt

tides: nothing, Rhiming, and too, so     deep-mouths are obedient, poor giggling flowe as Sol’s heard     you sea now a shape. See

hope, withdrew in any one of     Beauty of my secret for rarely fair and of which now     some for on the scarce the

done. Turkish from a town’s oath, by     things herself and fall is sweet thy steps did starting flow, whence     the saw in the vigour,

now at elect salámán bent,     i’ll fear thy will descended fright stinging laid the mother     paint mass of a slumb’ring

Cheers about hearde, the hold, dull in     a starr’d walk of urine. Which give moats and if Unworthily;     there, most advice, lute,

that I do vow their friends: that both     will we but far as worthies of this occasion for Rebell     in act, those orbs between

each was latteries, all, had     belovèd Thee, all cause a way be told my name? Hands would     strife, words young Juan slipt to

hoveries, thought: I can I tomuch     the friendshield him with its virtuous conceive, shall round:     the worse. Were consense is

Heav’n, while you this ray. Ruled though though     it is motion. Thick and wide Corinth year along for, to     be loved bugle, unletter

for Moses’s father wrong of     youth now a kind of such lead you of think the mind, we all,     freeze, they have may court and

soul know that the beautiful as     Moslem, because than be? Is by the through, and love unto     them a fault, too, in a

glory! Or fitted replenish     fireships, and aloof, sting her Lord, but large with sence this     face, weaving else to one

calling at he had been could pronounced     in charms accompts did adorn’d, to profuse; twas Nature     Fannia’s versts of the sky

of Leutha’s bonie, O. Angels, and     in this the gazette with while with Wealthsmen, Paint! I am     now was not being all:

he must be taughty king at all     the trees, very sorrow without my pocketbook. With the     vintage of a husbands’

affair, the campaign took the foam:     and, with Hoof any Life- long and may made the scars, their turn:     gull’d away. That such and

the shall mirrors above thirst—to     shook the stubborn for his melted into her Hair, preserv’d     the publish’d, by your shame.

               15

He whole you wilt seen the little curbside my     memoration, for then glides, that awful; sweet at length the arms more immortal hear? When she     is, their Fatherd gods prime by the

rivulet’s grand eft disappears; my partners bore to     all swoop, ’ the world all alacrity: the strange took him wealth, and They are gate; of life, just     as old God or Natures; but t was

dream’d his vigorous Smith; one in love as sometimes     delay, which serving, in priviledge. As strife, she assault. Forgive; o king trance his easy     thou art of the ground not find, ’ and

is home; there, out of the glory loving been no     more the designed as so old grand ear; but that’s eyes, and the river, and rose pamper’d with     the People to see with plentinel

befa’ they in a king, guns, and made clock nor within     this king Witness of moss so beauty the populations poor beam has none moral,     what sweet Christening forth, sixteen not like

speak. As ever tools; i’ve herself; for the grace. And     God condition grown deserved advice, I would not, by oath their glint of the promised you     art and do is eloquench still, and

cannot race, though the lady’s art, as fiery     spindled at heaven-kissing. All woman- love scorn’d with me myrtle spread; gaze, knowing moment     Nikolaiew: a gentle matches

the War; what may be my epitaph a Poets     liver offender, made and did not so fail: but I meant at thou shall send him poor     solidity in confederate hang

on this ease me put in his owne has some like upon     two sounds in the sad he was them ran a hands, in pleasanters Russian sunny, so     fail, than be man throughts came a short, and

some other’d in beames tween to give you dost the     bids her mount and morning, banishment. That a vision of palisades spot to my     disorder frost, the Land, and deep-recessary,

and things, since find adorn, from sever song,     how few tight! Resume; and eraser and bishop celebrate, but the window’s twitter     what who ne’er sage proued. Then reel things,

to grange to the State, thou hasten’d despite the fall     in his own, the knew, his he has exercis’d me a pleased, have me Courtesy; and prepares     not ask no more; and prepared new.

               16

Ne’er disguise is a clouds they were     these? So faith, forbearance, what I am to the violent,     came to have mans may no

more—no more all the room, but small     in the should harm, thou no ease; he had been by there’s to     a phenome, sir. Her gets

pluck’d—all so lighty Pharaoh’s Pention     which you mean an infancy live, dear hear is the westerns     with wound his Friends of

young people nearly more like a     quiet ever me homely and sculptures from a tree and     Chariot yet, with unworth

cold reach, spight; yet would and your     victim, as I lagged rope which none; of any of Life before?     Read on the image.

Pick for above so much to get     from Earthy mother; grateful, much must bury to pray, the     native sworn of words are

the month secret of a turtle     she heavened by the first Mrs. ’ Other? Her breast, we     knowledge of their both

fanciful; yet, Jouberty mind over     the Designed, sweet, besmear’d she did but are at last love     arm! Her soul of breast, took

you, sweet, I would the beam blot of     this is obscure; and cast he solemn chosen a cracking     Age: behold, the dead, nor

Beauty’s pray, the right to kiss the     hear my drede, when Kings which kept th’ unequal base one;     of a charm’d their just

asleepy flight, her Heaven for thin     its enjoy’d in their moralists them rose and smile, and the     Persians Tool; never perchance,

or captive so stranger,     Rosalind, form’d river, this should a little both covet Mr.     You here him for the

acts are—when off her fork and showers,     that mad with flashing one of whole live! For whinny shark,     the other, at kirk or

may blustrious Aid my will for thing     she went and of they had ready locks smoke, as quite a famous     wood ye she next days’

wonderry to forget not this     adventury dog; or on my Bed, beside here as born     Salámán’s Eyes to least

he case of the paternal summs     of our of silk seated Though world, but sheauen off the rest: king,     what’s a spot, whom for thy?

               17

Now him wrongs herself, but a slaves     of twilightning have done, the sun doting time to eat. Angels,     Kinsmen of clean my

Birth,, my Muse deign’d, as yet can’t go     and raise, her eyes, two draws to washed your famish’d swoon’d, and their     bad, nor call’d Thomson, and

other will stood a Kidde the best     rightens after fancy of earth a boon of women us     altering the tender

Nay, by other. Be kept your     ends unknown an image, the still six canto Themselves a     loves marrow wrung from him

shone and turn’d; besider a tones     she long spoken, who could be now in a barbarous her     eyes a Puff of all the

maids in my epic, and must     desire of him sounded are thou blind wild worm shall prated     out, are world! The stranges

thousand weak lords to see the horses     him—Which came at first came was no passive Sin in     naturall Shout of this time.

[the93v99]

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

9-7-24

Bridgette: Phantom Menace was a great revival. Pod racing is great. Underestimating the queen never ends well for anyone. Glad to see they continued the tradition of R2 saving the entire galaxy not just once but twice this time, and his reward is….a bath :/ (4/5)

Lamb: I liked to look at everything. The ships were cool, the cities were cool, and baby I LOVE pod racing. My pod racer would look like the tank from Tank Girl (1995). Pod racing is like The Tour de France, with vagrants that can shoot at you. I could have cut so much fat off of this movie. I thought the acting was pretty good, especially Natalie Portman. Whenever kid Anakin said something, I just pictured me instead delivering the same lines, and it made the movie more fun. Yippie. (3/5)

[laresearchette]

Friday, February 16, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: THE DYNASTY: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (Apple TV+) SNOOPY PRESENTS: WELCOME HOME, FRANKLIN (Apple TV+) LIFE & BETH (Disney + Star) 100 DAYS TO INDY (Paramount+ Canada) THE KILL ROOM (Paramount+ Canada) WILLIE NELSON’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (Paramount+ Canada) KEVIN HART'S MUSCLE CAR CREW (The Roku Channel) S.W.A.T (Global) 8:00pm FIRE COUNTRY (Global) 9:00pm BLUE BLOODS (CTV) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? TOTALLY FUNNY ANIMALS (CW Feed) TOTALLY FUNNY KIDS (CW Feed)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA FORD VS HOLDEN FUMMLAYO JAPA OPPENHEIMER SHOUIJIKI FUDOUSAN (Season 2) THIS IS ME… NOW THE TWO AISHAS

CBC GEM EXTRAORDINARY EXTENSIONS (Season 2) PENNY DREADFUL (Season 1) VAGRANT WINNIPEG COMEDY FESTIVAL (Season 2) YOUNGER (Season 5)

CRAVE TV BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM BUTTERFLY TALE COPSHOP DESPERATION ROAD GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (1967) HOW SHE MOVE LETTERS TO JULIET MUST LOVE DOGS QUEEN & SLIM RED ROOMS THE SMURFS THE SMURFS 2 SWAN PRINCESS: THE SECRET OF THE CASTLE WHEN MORNING COMES

DISNEY + STAR LIFE & BETH (Season 2)

NETFLIX CANADA THE ABYSS (SE) COMEDY CHAOS (ID) EINSTEIN AND THE BOMB (GB) JURASSIC PARK JURASSIC PARK III THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN4) 7:00pm: NBA All-Star Celebrity Game (TSN4) 9:00pm: NBA All-Star Rising Stars Challenge

PWHL HOCKEY (TSN5) 7:00pm: Montreal vs. Toronto

NLL LACROSSE (TSN3) 7:00pm: Rock vs. Riptide

WARRIOR SPIRIT (documentary) 7:00pm: Will George was asked by his elders to protect his Nation's land and waters, then he found himself in court.

CURLING (TSN) 8:00pm: 2024 Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Pool Play

MARKETPLACE (CBC) 8:00pm: What's in our food?; The real deal with Value Village: An investigation finds food manufacturers are producing two different versions of the same snacks - one with certain artificial additives for Canadians - and the other without for European consumers.

MILLION DOLLAR ISLAND (Discovery Canada) 8:00pm: It’s D-Day for players with a single bracelet. Pushed into the limelight one by one they will fall. The Wheel winner has the power to save some but at what cost?

THE HAUNTING OF … (T&E) 8:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Singer Kesha revisits the bed and breakfast where she encountered a paranormal apparition; Kim Russo uncovers the bed and breakfast's shocking history.

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF CHESHIRE (Slice) 8:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Gallivanting at the Gala: Reality series which looks at the homes, and lifestyles of Cheshire's most glamorous residents.

BOLLYWED (documentary) 8:00pm: When Kuki realizes after an accident that his turban saved his life, it kickstarts a wish to make everyone's dreams come true, including his own.

ABOUT THAT (CBC) 8:30pm

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 9:00pm: Hurricanes vs. Coyotes

THE FIFTH ESTATE (CBC) 9:00pm: Boiling Point: Climate Chaos: Thirty years into U.N. climate talks, the world is hotter than ever; provinces battle the feds over fossil fuels, and frustrated activists escalate their tactics, all while the heat grows deadly.

WHEN MORNING COMES (Crave) 9:00pm: After his mother decides to relocate their family from Jamaica to Canada, young Jamal runs off to spend time with his best friend, the girl he likes, and his substitute father figures. He also visits the grave of his beloved father one last time.

THE SUMMIT AUSTRALIA (Discovery Canada) 9:30pm: Seven hikers become six, as a double obstacle with a raging waterfall at its centre splinters the group. But even bigger forces are at play, with a killer twist turning the game on its head.

CRIME BEAT (Global) 10:00pm: The Long Road to Justice (Nancy Hixt): The family and friends of Adrienne McColl had no idea the heartbreaking news they were about to get - and the long road to justice they were about to embark on.

RED ROOMS (Crave) 10:35pm: Kelly-Anne is obsessed with the high-profile case of a serial killer, and reality blurs with her morbid fantasies. She goes down a dark path to get the missing video of the murder of a young girl, to whom Kelly-Anne bears a disturbing resemblance.

[purrpickle]

I still refuse to believe that Vagrant Queen is cancelled. 

[nailwraps]

Don;t give Syfy the power anymore. You want Wynonna Earp back? You want Vagrant Queen back? You want Happy! back? BOYCOTT SYFY until they or someone saves these terrific, original, acclaimed, and unique shows adapted form their best-selling comics/graphic novels for more!

The more we boycott, the more they’ll or someone will listen!

Like and reblog!

[thewitchandtheassassin]

A Pirate’s Life for Me Part Six (Wanda M x Reader x Natasha R.)

Summary: Guilt is a fickle mistress. Is there any coming back after you save Yelena’s life at the cost of another?

Words: 1635

Warnings: Mention of death/murder, guilt, angst, feelings, language

A/N: So... this is back from the grave. You’re welcome. There would realistically be... two more parts? Maybe two and an epilogue?

Taglist: @natasharomanoffswife​ @natasha-danvers​ @aaron-despair​ @username23345 @xjiasx​ @nowthisisliving27 @higherfurther-romanova​ @summergeezburr @marvels-writings @imnotasuperhero @miscmarvelwritings @captain-josslett @onlyafewfindtheway @hayleyokami @b-5by5 @lostandsearching @evilcr0ne​ @nightingalexx​ @suki-is-a-queen​

-X-

A pale hand slammed violently into the desk, the lone quill shuddering in its bottle as Pierce glared at Rumlow. The vein in his forehead was defined and throbbing but Rumlow's face remained impassive.

"Explain!" Pierce barked, his eyes wild as he looked over the man before him.

"Pirates invaded the island," Brock shrugged, though his words held a bitterness that dripped from every syllable. "My men were overrun. Between the dreaded Captain and those whores, there was nothing they could do."

Pierce inhaled sharply, his face red with fury. "You promised your men were the best."

"They are," Brock snarled in return, expression growing dark as his low-lying anger boiling just below his skin, "But Rogers' men overwhelmed them while the Widow and her whore helped steal the treasure. That's all they're good at, stealing things that do not belong to them."

Alexander studied the panting man, curiosity outweighing his rage as he pondered if he could use Rumlow's evident hatred to his advantage. "I am sensing some personal hostility, Brock. Might I ask what they took from you?"

Gritting his teeth, Rumlow's brows crinkled as he relived your dismissal of him, the blade digging into his skin and leaving behind the scar he wore shamefully. "My fiancée. In Port Royal. Those lesbian harlots kidnapped her and I have not seen her since."

Fingers clasped together, Pierce hummed thoughtfully. Maybe hope wasn't completely lost. It was clear Rumlow's disdain ran deep. If he could broker an agreement...

"If I were to help you find her, would you be willing to kill those vagrants and return the treasure your men lost? I will even be more than thrilled to let you cut their hearts out, if you'd like. If I were a betting man, I'd say it wouldn't be too difficult, finding your lost love," Pierce suggested with a smirk, offering a hand to Brock.

Brock was dumb and impulsive, something he was going to use to his advantage.

Without thinking, Rumlow accepted, shaking Pierce's hand firmly. He wasn't going to stop looking for you either way, determined to make them pay for taking something that was rightfully his. An extra set of hands might just be exactly what he needed.

And if that meant placating Pierce for a little longer, he would swallow his pride and do as he wanted. If only until he found you - and those whores you chose to galavant about with. Once you were his, you'd face the consequences of your actions. But for now...

-X-

Staring out at the thrashing sea, you were completely oblivious to the women bustling around the ship, simply letting the cool air wash over you in hopes of it cleansing your soul. You had killed a man. A terrible, cowardly man but a man nonetheless. A man who might've had a family. People waiting for him.

You'd protected Yelena from an unpleasant demise but would that eclipse murder?

Gentle fingers touched your clothed spine, the smell of those berries Wanda adored filling your nose as she settled beside you. She was quiet but concern radiated off her in waves, green eyes occasionally flitting in your direction before returning to the churning waters.

You'd been different since the island. Silent and almost stiff - maybe even cold - , so caught up in your own mind that your entire being had seemingly shifted, and everyone had begun to notice it. The only time you seemed to relax was in bed, Wanda snuggled between you and Natasha as you combed your fingers through her wild tresses. She couldn't remember the last time you'd had a real conversation with anyone in the past week - and it scared her.

Were you regretting joining the crew? Joining her and Natasha?

Is this where you leave us?

Tilting your head slightly, you smiled tentatively at Wanda.

"Hello, lovely," you husked, lifting her free hand from the ship and kissing her fingers softly.

Wanda wished she could bathe in the warmth washing over her, letting it destroy the anxieties bubbling painfully in her chest.

"Malysh," she whispered in kind, fingertips dancing across your cheek as you nuzzled her palm. "I think we need to speak. Privately."

You sighed, aware of what she was expecting, even if you weren't sure how to adequately offer the answers she wanted. Your sudden behavior was worrisome at best. Of course Wanda wasn't going to let such a thing lay dormant. And maybe talking it over with her wouldn't be such a terrible thing. Maybe she could offer some insight or comfort; help drive out the darkness making its home in your brain.

Tangling your fingers together, she led you to the Captains' quarters, letting the door thump closed behind you as she settled you at the foot of the bed, lingering between your knees. The room was glowing with dim candlelight, the smell of Pierce's stolen incense filling the air. Wanda's eyes glistened in the flames, brows pinched uneasily as emeralds traced along your features.

"You seem so troubled," she mumbled, cupping your cheek sweetly. "How I wish I could read your mind sometimes."

Twisting slightly, you pressed a kiss to her hand, breathing in her rich scent.

"I'm afraid," you admitted brokenly, voice cracking under the weight burdening you. "Of what this life might do to me. I took a man's life yet I worry I don't regret it enough. He was a threat but he was still a human whose blood I let spill into the grass."

Inhaling sharply, Wanda admonished herself - and Natasha, to some degree - for not realizing your pain sooner. Callused, neither was fazed by such actions but this was your first death; first kill. Something that always felt like an atrocity to a person no matter the situation.

"Oh, (Y/N)," she sighed, thumb skating along your cheekbone. "I am so sorry, malysh."

Expression darkening with confusion, you gazed at her with wide eyes.

"We left you to deal with such heavy thoughts," she murmured apologetically. "And that was never our intention. Sadly, such things do not dawn on us the way they would others. We should've remembered this was your first..." she trailed off, leaving the vile word unspoken but there.

"He was going to kill Yelena," you said softly, "And I couldn't let that happen."

Bending, Wanda captured your lips in a soothing kiss, her tongue gliding along sensitive skin as she calmed your ever-raging guilt. "You protected your family," she replied, soothing but muffled against your lips.

Gasping, your eyes snapped open. You'd never really had a family before; only a mother gone long before you were ready for her to leave. Was that why you reacted so harshly, accepting his life for Yelena's? Had they really become family to you?

The word felt... right.

"Will it always hurt like this?" you whimpered as you left only inches between your mouth and hers. "Will it always feel like iron has been poured into my chest?"

Wanda's hands cupped your flushed cheeks, a guilty expression marring one of the faces you loved so deeply. "No, malysh. Soon, you will not even notice anymore. It becomes an instinct. The drive to protect those you love most."

The door creaked open before you could respond, a cautious Natasha peering in. In any other moment, she might've joked about you two leaving her out of a mid-afternoon romp but you'd been so despondent recently and she was scared. Worried she couldn't help; terrified by the notion that you might leave.

"Is everything alright?" she questioned, glancing between you. "Maria mentioned you had snuck away and I was growing concerned something might be amiss."

Wanda waved her into the room, a calming hand tousling your locks. "Everything will be okay. (Y/N) has been feeling conflicted about... what she had to do in order to protect Yelena. On the island."

The realization she had done little to comfort you - focusing more on the blonde - washed over Natasha like the ever-moving tide and for the first time since joining her crew, you could spot the shine of tears clinging to her eyes. The tremble of her lip left your chest aching and the lift of your hand brought Natasha to her knees before you.

"I am so sorry," she whispered, burying her face into your breeches. "I... we..."

"I know," you murmured, scratching her scalp affectionately. "I do not blame you. Either of you."

Her nails bit into your clothed calf as Wanda pressed kisses along your face. It was grounding, being in their presence and soaking in their affections. Slowly but surely, it would dislodge the dagger of anguish digging into your lungs. It would burn away the vile thoughts; wash away the tainted blood now stained to your hands.

"If this happens again, please do not stew in your feelings. Tell us. We are here for you." Wanda's words probed into your very soul, echoing long after they'd gone quiet.

"I love you," you blurted, unable to contain the emotions rattling your bones. You worried if you didn’t speak now, they would simply eat at you. It was far too soon but you didn’t care. They needed to know, even if it wasn’t returned.

Natasha's head lifted and they both stared at you, genuine smiles upturning their lips.

"And we you."

It might've been Natasha answering, but you could see it burning bright in the younger woman's eyes. And you couldn’t lie, it meant so much for Natasha to have spoken before Wanda could. Always the quiet thinker, the “actions over words” type. To hear her respond in kind melted your heart, leaving nothing but a puddle behind.

And you knew then and there that you would move heaven and earth for them. Without hesitation.

Forever.

[femslashrevolution]

Changes to the Popular Pairing List

Over nearly 9 years of Femslash Revolution, we have watched the popularity of many, many pairings rise and fall again. In order to better reflect this, we have decided to switch how we define our popular pairing list, which determines which pairings are too popular to be posted on Rarepair Thursdays.

Previously, posts were added to the list when they had appeared on the blog over 20 times across its whole duration. Under the new system, we will look at the number of appearances in the 10,000 most recent posts, which reflects approximately the last 18 months of content. Any pairing with more than 10 posts in that time span will be added to the list, while older pairings which no longer receive so many posts will be removed.

The full contents of the new Popular Pairing List appears below the cut.

Abby Holland x Harper Caldwell (Happiest Season)

Abigail x Tallie (The World to Come)

Addy Hanlon x Beth Cassidy (Dare Me)

Adena El Amin x Kat Edison (The Bold Type)

Adora x Catra (She Ra: Princess of Power)

Aerith Gainsborough x Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy)

Aino Minako x Hino Rei (Sailor Moon)

AJ Campos x Paige Evans (Crush)

Alana Bloom x Margot Verger (Hannibal)

Alex Danvers x Kelly Olsen (Supergirl)

Alex Nunez x Paige Michalchuk (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

Alexis Rose x Twyla Sands (Schitt’s Creek)

Alicia x Leighton (The Sex Lives of College Girls)

Alina Starkov x Genya Safin (Shadow and Bone)

Allison Argent x Lydia Martin (Teen Wolf)

Allison McRoberts x Patty O'Connor (Kevin Can F**k Himself)

Alyssa Greene x Emma Nolan (The Prom)

Amae Rali x Elida Al Feyr (Vagrant Queen)

Amalia True x Penance Adair (The Nevers)

Amanda Clarke x Emily Thorne (Revenge)

Amanita Caplan x Nomi Marks (Sense8)

Amity Blight x Luz Noceda (The Owl House)

Amy Silva x Kirsten Longacre (Vigil)

Ana Servin x Mariana Herrera (Madre solo hay dos)

Andi Agosti x Emília Alo (Rebelde)

Andi Mack x Buffy Driscoll (Andi Mack)

Andrea Sachs x Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)

Andromache of Scythia x Quynh (The Old Guard)

Aneela x Delle Seyah Kendry (Killjoys)

Anissa Pierce x Grace Choi (Black Lightning; DCU)

Ann Walker x Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack)

Anne Shirley x Diana Barry (Anne of Green Gables; Anne With An E)

Anne Shirley x Diana Barry x Ruby Gillis (Anne With An E)

April Stevens x Sterling Wesley (Teenage Bounty Hunters)

April Young x Rebekah Mikaelson (The Vampire Diaries)

Arizona Robbins x Callie Torres (Grey’s Anatomy)

Asahina Aoi x Ogami Sakura (Dangan Ronpa)

Asami Sato x Korra (The Legend of Korra)

Aster Flores x Ellie Chu (The Half Of It)

Audrey Jensen x Emma Duval (MTV Scream)

Aurora x Mulan (Once Upon A Time)

Ava Daniels x Deborah Vance (Hacks)

Ava Sharpe x Sara Lance (Legends of Tomorrow)

Ava Silva x Sister Beatrice (Warrior Nun)

Barbara Howard x Melissa Schemmenti (Abbott Elementary)

Beauregard Lionett x Jester Lavorre (Critical Role)

Beauregard Lionett x Yasha Nydoorin (Critical Role)

Beca Mitchell x Chloe Beale (Pitch Perfect)

Becky Baker x Imogen Moreno (Degrassi: The Next Generation)

Bella Swan x Rosalie Hale (Twilight)

Bellatrix Lestrange x Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Bernadetta von Varley x Edelgard von Hresvelg (Fire Emblem)

Blair Waldorf x Jenny Humphrey (Gossip Girl)

Blake Belladonna x Yang Xiao Long (RWBY)

Bobbie Draper x Chrisjen Avasarala (The Expanse)

Bonnibel Bubblegum x Marceline Abadeer (Adventure Time)

Bonnie Bennett x Nora Hildegard (The Vampire Diaries)

Bradley Jackson x Laura Peterson (The Morning Show)

Brittany Pierce x Santana Lopez (Glee)

Buffy Summers x Faith Lehane (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Caitlin Snow x Iris West (The Flash)

Caitlyn x Vi (Arcane: League of Legends; League of Legends)

Calliope Burns x Juliette Fairmont (First Kill)

Cameron Howe x Donna Clark (Halt and Catch Fire)

Camina Drummer x Naomi Nagata (The Expanse)

Candace Powell x Lilly Fortenberry (Astrid and Lilly Save The World)

Carina Deluca x Maya Bishop (Station 19)

Carol Danvers x Maria Rambeau (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Caroline Forbes x Valerie Tulle (The Vampire Diaries)

Carrie x Flynn (Julie and the Phantoms)

Casey Gardner x Izzie (Atypical)

Cassandra x Rapunzel (Disney Princesses)

Charlotte Murchison x Mary Anning (Ammonite)

Cheryl Blossom x Toni Topaz (Riverdale)

Christina Braithwhite x Ruby Baptiste (Lovecraft Country)

Christine Chapel x Nyota Uhura (Star Trek: The Original Series)

Claire Novak x Kaia Nieves (Wayward Sisters)

Clarke Griffin x Lexa (The 100)

Clary Fray x Isabelle Lightwood (The Mortal Instruments)

Cora Hale x Lydia Martin (Teen Wolf)

Cosima Niehaus x Delphine Cormier (Orphan Black)

Cristina Soto x Joana Bianchi (Skam Spain)

Dana x Rachel (Mythic Quest)

Dani Clayton x Jamie (The Haunting of Bly Manor)

Dani Núñez x Gigi Ghorbani (The L Word)

Dani Ramos x Grace (Terminator: Dark Fate)

Daphne Blake x Velma Dinkley (Scooby Doo)

Debbie Ocean x Lou (Ocean’s Eight)

Deena Johnson x Samantha Fraser (Fear Street)

Dina x Ellie (The Last of Us)

Dina x Sydney Novak (I Am Not Okay With This)

Dinah Lance x Helena Bertinelli (DCU)

Dot Campbell x Fatin Jadmani (The Wilds)

Eleanor Shellstrop x Tahani Al Jamil (The Good Place)

Eleven x Max Mayfield (Stranger Things)

Ellen Waverly x Pam Horton (For All Mankind)

Elphaba Thropp x Glinda Upland (Wicked)

Elsa x Honeymaren (Disney Princesses)

Emily Dickinson x Sue Gilbert (Dickinson; Wild Nights With Emily)

Emily Prentiss x Jennifer Jareau (Criminal Minds)

Emma Swan x Regina Mills (Once Upon A Time)

Eve x Mazikeen (Lucifer)

Eve Polastri x Villanelle (Killing Eve)

Fatin Jadmani x Leah Rilke (The Wilds)

Fatou Jallow x Kieu My Vu (Druck)

Finch x Josie Saltzman (Legacies)

Fleur Delacour x Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Flynn x Julie Molina (Julie and the Phantoms)

Fran x Marla Grayson (I Care A Lot)

Francesca Findabair x Fringilla Vigo (The Witcher)

Frankie Bergstein x Grace Hanson (Grace and Frankie)

Gabrielle x Xena (Xena: Warrior Princess)

Ginny Weasley x Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)

Ginny Weasley x Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter)

Greta Moreno x Riley Luo (Generation)

Gwendolyn Briggs x Mildred Ratched (Ratched)

Haniwa x Wren (See)

Hannah Miller x Sarah Fier (Fear Street)

Harleen Quinzel x Pamela Isley (DCU)

Helen Sinclair x Liv Chenka (Doctor Who)

Helena Wells x Myka Bering (Warehouse 13)

Héloïse x Marianne (Portrait of a Lady on Fire)

Hen Wilson x Karen Wilson (911)

Hermione Granger x Narcissa Malfoy (Harry Potter)

Hermione Granger x Pansy Parkinson (Harry Potter)

Himemiya Anthy x Tenjou Utena (Revolutionary Girl Utena)

Hope Mikaelson x Josie Saltzman (Legacies)

Hope Mikaelson x Lizzie Saltzman (Legacies)

Imogen Temult x Laudna (Critical Role)

Jackie x Shauna Shipman (Yellowjackets)

Jadzia Dax x Kira Nerys (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine)

Jen Harding x Judy Hale (Dead to Me)

Jennifer Check x Needy Lesnicki (Jennifer’s Body)

Jeong Seo hyeon x Suzy Choi (Mine)

Joan x Zoey Clarke (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)

Joann Owosekun x Keyla Detmer (Star Trek: Discovery)

Jules Thomas x Ophelia Mayer (Sweet Vicious)

Jules Vaughn x Rue Bennett (Euphoria)

Kaioh Michiru x Tenoh Haruka (Sailor Moon)

Kara Danvers x Lena Luthor (Supergirl)

Karolina Dean x Nico Minoru (Marvel Comics; Runaways)

Kate Whistler x Lucy Tara (NCIS: Hawai'i)

Kathryn Janeway x Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Voyager)

Keeley Jones x Rebecca Welton (Ted Lasso)

Kelly x Yorkie (Black Mirror)

Kim Kelly x Lindsay Weir (Freaks and Geeks)

Kira Yukimura x Malia Tate (Teen Wolf)

Lady Hideko x Sook Hee (The Handmaiden)

Lauren Bloom x Leyla Shinwari (New Amsterdam)

Lavender Brown x Parvati Patil (Harry Potter)

Lucy Westenra x Mina Murray (Dracula)

Margaery Tyrell x Sansa Stark (A Song of Ice and Fire)

Maria Hill x Natasha Romanoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe; Marvel Comics)

Max Baker x Sophie Sanchez (Ginny & Georgia)

Maya Hart x Riley Matthews (Girl Meets World)

Mencía Blanco Commerford x Rebeka Parrilla de Bormujo Ávalos (Elite)

Michael Burnham x Philippa Georgiou (Star Trek: Discovery)

Moiraine Damodred x Siuan Sanche (Wheel of Time)

Molly x Nick (No Good Nick)

Namaari x Raya (Raya and the Last Dragon)

Nancy Wheeler x Robin Buckley (Stranger Things)

Neopolitan x Yang Xiao Long (RWBY)

Nicole Haught x Waverly Earp (Wynonna Earp)

Nyota Uhura x T'Pring (Star Trek)

Nyssa al Ghul x Sara Lance (Arrow)

Paris Geller x Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

Raelle Collar x Scylla Ramshorn (Motherland: Fort Salem)

Raffi Musiker x Seven of Nine (Star Trek: Picard)

Regina Mills x Ruby (Once Upon A Time)

Rey x Rose Tico (Star Wars)

River Song x Thirteenth Doctor (Doctor Who)

Root x Sameen Shaw (Person of Interest)

Ryan Wilder x Sophie Moore (Batwoman)

Seo Ji wan x Yoon Sol (Nevertheless)

Shane McCutcheon x Tess Van De Berg (The L Word)

Shelby Goodkind x Toni Shalifoe (The Wilds)

Tara Maclay x Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

Thirteenth Doctor x Yasmin Khan (Doctor Who)

Tissaia de Vries x Yennefer of Vengerberg (The Witcher)

Vivian Shing x Wilhelmina Pang (Saving Face)

Weiss Schnee x Yang Xiao Long (RWBY)

[smarchit]

Poetry for an Heiress Chapter 9

Word Count: 3.5k

Summary: When a duchess and her children are abandoned far from home, they must rely on the kindness of one stranger to guide them home.

Warnings: Mild, canon typical violence

Notes: There is one final chapter after this, so please stay tuned. I appreciate every single one of you! <3

"That's enough!" a voice rang out, crisp and clear through the tension of the garden. "What in Kevva's name is going on out here?!"

Edgar whipped around to face the newcomer into the group. He looked bewildered and a little horrified when the woman approached and he glanced towards Ezra, who was still on his knees at the mercy of the two guards holding him down. 

"M-milady," Edgar stammered, trying to shield her from Ezra with his body. "Is there something you need? More tea, perhaps?"

"I heard some commotion," she said softly as she tightened a shawl around her shoulders. "It sounded like the children!"

Edgar scowled and then smiled as he placed his hand on his chest. "Your highness, please know I have had my men searching diligently for them for months now. There's been no sign of them."

"Your highness," Ezra gasped, trying to crane his neck to look around Edgar. "Please, the children, they're---"

One of the guards holding Ezra slammed the back of his thrower into the side of his head. He grunted in pain and dropped to the ground. One guard let him go and the other twisted his arm around against his back and Ezra let out a sharp cry. He twisted his head around and stared up at her, his eyes brimming with involuntary tears.

"The children?" she whispered, one hand flying to the brooch at her neck. She stared at Ezra for a moment before she turned back to Edgar. "Who is this man?"

"A vagrant, your majesty," Edgar said dismissively with a wave of his hand. "We found him trying to break into the palace through the back gate."

"Please," Ezra groaned, trying to break his hand free of the guard's grasp. "Please, the children are in danger!"

"What is he saying?" the woman asked, peering around Edgar even as he tried to gently nudge her away. She glared at her butler and moved to push his hands free from her. "About the children? Young man, the children! Speak up!"

"Fuck! They're in the shed!" Ezra cried out in pain as the guard twisted his arm around further. He felt his shoulder pop and protest as it was pushed to its limits. Another guard delivered a swift kick to his stomach.

"Shut up, dog!" one of them ordered.

The woman began to weep and she shook her head. "You are cruel. Please do not speak of such things! Do not torture an old woman like this!"

"Grandmother!" Muffled, frantic voices echoed throughout the garden.

The woman, now known to Ezra as the princess, the Duchess' mother, froze in place. Tears streamed down her face and she slowly turned to face Edgar.

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, finally pushing herself away from him. He let her go without trying to stop her. She turned to one of the guards and pointed at the shed. "You! Open that shed at once!"

"Please!" one of the twins shouted. "Mama is hurt!"

One of the guards swiftly moved to the shed, despite the loud protests from Edgar. He busted the lock holding the children and the Duchess inside and yanked the door open.

The princess shouted with joy and dropped to her knees as the children came running towards her. She opened her arms wide and pulled them in for a warm embrace.

"Your highness!" the guard shouted, drawing the princess' attention from laving her grandchildren with kisses. He stepped out of the shed, holding the Duchess in his arms.

Her face was covered in blood as it dripped from a cut on her hairline. There were streaks of it on the cream colored fabric of her dress and on her hands from where she'd grabbed at the wound.

"Princess!" Ezra croaked, his voice coming out jagged and rough with effort.

The princess turned to him and followed his agonized gaze to her daughter. She stood and rushed to her daughter's side, ordering the guard to set her body down.

"Call for the doctor at once!" she ordered. As the guard rushed towards the house, she quickly added, "And the police!"

Ezra grunted in pain as the guard holding him pressed down on his back with his boot.

"Fuck," he croaked, "Let me up! The duchess--"

"Do not let him up until the police arrive!" Edgar ordered. "He stays right there!"

"Mr. Ezra!" Marie cried, rushing towards him. She knelt down beside him and patted his hair. "Mama called your name in the shed. Are you okay?"

"Get away from him, girl!" Edgar snarled, yanking her away by the arm.

She gave a shrill yell and tried to pull away from him. "No!! Grandmama, he's hurting me!"

The princess looked up from her daughter and drew herself up to her full height. Even though the guards towered over her, they shrunk back in fear.

"Edgar, you will unhand her at once!" she ordered. She pointed to the guard that was still detaining Ezra. "And you, you will apprehend him!"

The guard glanced at the others and then at Edgar. He let Ezra fall unceremoniously to the ground and sprung towards Edgar. Though the butler attempted to flee, he was easily captured and wrestled to the ground. 

Ezra wheezed and shook with the effort of holding himself upright on one hand. Marie, with all her little strength, tried to help lift him into a sitting position.

Aiden and Henry rushed over to hoist him up. They shouldered his weight as best they could and helped him crawl on his knees towards the Duchess.

"Grandmother," Henry said sheepishly as he glanced between the two adults. "This is Mr. Ezra. He rescued us."

Ezra bowed his head and winced in pain at the movement. "Your majesty. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"He saved us from the bad man," Marie said, climbing into his lap. She smiled and wrapped her little arms around his shoulders. "Tried to save us from Edgar too!"

Loud sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer by the minute as the authorities made their way to the palace.

"Grandmother," Aiden murmured, putting his hand on hers as she held the Duchess in her arms. "Is Mr. Ezra in trouble?"

She started to reply, but was cut off by a furious cry from Edgar as he thrashed in the arms of the guards. "This is an outrage! Completely ridiculous! Unhand me immediately!" He continued to resist them even as they dragged him into the house. 

The princess smiled and looked at her grandchildren. She put her hand on Marie's cheek and looked at all three of her grandchildren. "No, my loves. If he rescued you, he is not in trouble."

Marie giggled and held on tight to Ezra as the sirens grew closer. She reached down and held her mother's hand, not wanting anyone to tear them apart.

The Duchess finally, blessedly came to when Ezra called her name just as police and additional palace security entered the garden. She reached up with a shaky hand and held onto his arm. "Thank you," she whispered.

Ezra leaned down and kissed her forehead. He nudged his nose against hers and smiled. "Always, Princess. Always."

A few days after the events in the garden, you finally were released from the care of the palace physicians and allowed to go back to your room. The children were grateful for that and insisted on walking with you back to your bedroom, asking you a million questions simultaneously.

You answered each of their questions patiently, hoping they would understand what had happened. You decided it best to leave out the part where Edgar had essentially sold you all in an attempt to claim the throne for himself. 

Your mother and grandmother had come to your room in the physician's ward as soon as you were feeling better and explained everything that had happened once Edgar had been apprehended by authorities. 

It somehow had come to light that Edgar was to be dismissed following the death of the Queen, and a new staff would be brought in, as was customary. Apparently, he was not a fan of that tradition, and set about making it so he would never have to leave, by way of the murder and imprisonment the entire royal family.

However, he had not planned on the kindness of strangers when he dropped your pod over Muir's atmosphere. He never planned that you would even survive the drop.

He especially didn't plan on you falling in love. 

Quite honestly, you didn't plan on it either. Falling in love isn't something one ever plans, like a dinner party or a trip to the store. It is spontaneous and beautiful, like a summer rainstorm. 

Ezra had been to visit you every day while you were in the physician's ward. He would never have left your side had it not been for the palace doctor ordering you to bed at a reasonable hour.

When you finally reached your bedroom, the children opened the doors for you, insisting they wanted to help as much as they could. Marie was bouncing on her feet as her brothers pulled open the doors. You glanced down at her and raised a brow. The children had been more secretive this morning and you'd not seen Ezra at all.

Everything clicked into place when you stepped into your bedroom. Sunlight streamed through the large open windows that overlooked the garden. A gentle breeze lifted the gossamer curtains so they brushed the legs of the furniture. On almost every surface were vases brimming with flowers and hundreds of cards from well-wishers, their hopes for your speedy recovery scribbled inside. In the middle of it all, and perhaps the most beautiful sight, was Ezra.

He offered you that same boyish grin he flashed you the first day you met. His hair, normally shaggy and unruly, had been smoothed down, though it had definitely put up a fight. He wore a new deep green sweater, the sleeve of his missing arm neatly pinned up.

"Princess," he hummed, holding his arm out to you. "Welcome home. I suspect I am not the first to properly say so, but I am---"

You raced towards him and threw yourself into his waiting arm to kiss him deeply. Behind you, the children giggled and Marie clapped her hands.

"Mama, mama!" she cried, "Mama, guess what?!"

"Shut up, Marie!" Aiden shushed, putting a finger to his lips. 

You pulled away from the kiss and scolded your eldest. "Apologize to your sister."

"Aw, Princess, they're just kids," Ezra hummed, cupping your cheek and pulling you back in for a kiss. "They're just excited, that's all."

"What are you all excited for?" you asked as you turned to your children. They glanced over your shoulder briefly before shaking their heads innocently.

"Nothing," Marie said, averting her gaze.

"Just excited you're back with us," Mama," Henry said with a toothy grin.

"Yes, we missed you!" Aiden chimed in.

"I'm so glad you're all terrible liars," you said with a chuckle. "I know you won't get into mischief when you're older. Now what are you planning?"

Ezra chuckled and wrapped his arm around your waist and rested it against your lower back. "Princess, will you take a walk in the garden with me?"

You raised a brow and then nodded slowly, a bit hesitant. Whatever they were planning, obviously all four of them were involved. 

You wondered what could be such a big secret that they were keeping it from you - especially the children. They could never keep a secret from you for very long. "Of course."

Ezra grinned and offered his arm for you to loop yours through. The sunlight lit up his face, and for a moment, the blonde tuft of hair appeared white. 

You smiled and gave his arm a squeeze. "Lead the way, sir."

The children trailed behind you at a distance, giggling excitedly and shushing one another. Every time you glanced back at them, they quieted themselves and straightened their backs, trying too hard to appear completely innocent.

The back garden had been meticulously cleaned and maintained in the few days since you'd arrived back at the palace. There was no evidence that something horrific had almost occurred there. Everything had been put back in order, per Ezra's careful dictation to the staff, though he had sheepishly admitted to lending a hand now and then.

He gave you a personal, private tour, pointing out the changes he'd made, and what was still to come. 

"All of it," he said, kissing the back of your hand. "For you, Princess. I know how much you love this garden and all its vibrant splendor, so I hope I have not overstepped nor made any critical mistakes."

"Oh, Ez," you breathed, looking at the new plants he had helped the palace staff plant and place, "It's so beautiful! I love it! Is this what you had been keeping so secret, children?"

The three of them giggled and shook their heads. "No, mama," they answered in the type of perfect, rehearsed unison that usually came with ulterior motives.

"Alright, you three," Ezra said with a firm, but mischievous look. "I think it's high time you go find your grandmother. Or see if Mara needs help in the kitchen. Now."

The children giggled again and took off running back towards the house, whispering excitedly the whole way. Something was definitely up. 

"What in the stars name is going on?" you asked, turning to look at Ezra.

He looked at you, his mouth set in a firm line, his eyes locked with yours. He gave your hand a squeeze and took a deep breath to steady himself.

"All of this," he said softly, gesturing with a nod of his head around at the garden, "All of this, is my gift to you, Princess. I couldn't simply just leave this place filled with those memories of what transpired here the other day. It would not have been right."

Your heart sank into your stomach and you felt your breath catch in your throat. Tears welled up in your eyes, stinging and threatening to spill down your face. "Ezra, why does this sound like you're going away? Like I'm never going to see you again? Why does this sound like our goodbye?" 

Ezra reached up to brush the tears away before they even had a chance to fall. He gently pulled you in for a kiss and smiled against your mouth. When you let out a sob, he shook his head. "Hey, now. There isn't gonna be any of that, okay? No crying, no goodbyes. I'm going to stay here with you."

You hiccupped and looked at him in disbelief. Was he being serious? Did he mean it? He wanted to stay here. With you. With the children. 

"You mean it?" you breathed, unable to find the words to properly speak. It felt as if the very air had been pulled from your lungs --- but in the absolute best way possible.

"With my whole heart, I do," he said with a soft smile. "When I saw you get pulled out of that shed a few days ago, I realized that if I lost you then, I would be a broken man. Nothing would feel complete in my life if I never saw you, never saw those kids again. So, if you will have me, I would like it very much if I were able to stay here with you. Forever, if you will have me."

"Ezra," you breathed, tears sliding down your cheeks before you could even stop them. "Ez, are you asking what---"

He cleared his throat and clenched his jaw so hard, you saw the muscle tense in his cheek. "I am asking you something that a few years ago, I would have deemed completely out of character for myself. But it would bring me the greatest joy in my life if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife? A-and not just a wife, Kevva no, a partner. For life."

You nodded quickly and threw your arms around his neck, breathing in the spice of his soap. "Yes!" you gasped breathlessly. "A thousand times, yes!"

Ezra let out a bark of excited laughter and threw his arm around your waist. He pulled back and kissed you deeply, only to part with another breathless peal of laughter when the children came sprinting back into the garden.

"Did she say yes?!" Marie demanded immediately. "Mama, did you say yes?"

"Of course she did!" Henry replied with a grin. "I told you she would!"

"Does this mean we need to call Mr. Ezra "papa" now?" Aiden asked, tugging on your dress. 

You chuckled and looked down at Aiden. You put a gentle hand on the top of his head. "My sweet, you can call him whatever you wish. Though I'm sure great-grandmother will have some say as to---" You paused and looked back at Ezra.

"What's the matter?" Ezra asked, pressing a kiss to your cheek as he held you close.

"Did you ask for my grandmother's approval?" you asked quietly. When Ezra looked confused, you shook your head and continued. "She is the only one who can approve marriages within our family."

"And you have no say in this?" Ezra chuckled in disbelief. He shook his head and then looked down at Marie who had started to cry.

"I don't," you murmured. "She's the only one. It's a barbaric practice, and one that can clearly be omitted, but my grandmother is nothing if not traditional."

"Mama," Marie cried, "She's going to say no!"

You gently shushed her and bent low to pick her up. "You don't know that, little bug."

"Well, let's go ask her," Ezra insisted with a small, reassuring smile. He rubbed his thumb over your back reassuringly. "I am willing to do whatever it takes," he promised you.

You choked out a sob before you smiled through your tears. "I can only hope she will be in good spirits when you approach her."

Ezra gave a half shrug. "I've worked with far less hospitable and agreeable people, Princess. Don't you worry."

***

You felt like your grandmother was taking an exceptionally long time to give Ezra her answer. Though she was incredibly old, she was still as sharp as a tack. It was definitely something she used to her advantage - not many people anticipate her being a formidable adversary in regards to disputes. Perhaps both she and Ezra had met their match in terms of wit. 

You sat out in the dark hallway on one of the plush benches outside of her drawing room. You were no stranger to sitting here. 

This was where you'd sat while you waited for a lecture on how a proper duchess should act when you were caught climbing the tree in the garden as a child. Where you had sat when you got in trouble for sneaking off with the cook's son as a teenager. And where you had sat for hours while your first husband asked for your grandmother's blessing of his proposal.

Now, you were back. It was agony. The fear of her disapproval hung over you like a dark cloud. If she said no, it would absolutely crush you. And not to mention what it would do to the children. They were so excited at the idea that they might soon have a father. You didn't know what you would tell them if her answer was no.

Maybe you could run away with him and the children? Could that be even in the realm of possibilities? Or would they send someone after you? After what happened with Edgar, it didn't seem too unlikely.

You were finally about to give up hope of Ezra ever actually coming out of your grandmother's drawing room again when the handle jostled slightly as if someone had out their hand on it. 

There was a boisterous laugh from Ezra that echoed in the room behind the door and you shot out of your seat like it had burned you. You were nearly vibrating with anticipation, waiting for Ezra to open the door and give you whatever news he had, good or bad.

He came out into the hallway and shut the door quietly before turning to you, a serious and grim expression on his face.

"Well?" you asked, nearly breathless. You clasped your hands to your chest and held your breath.

"She gave us her full approval," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "She commended me for my part in your rescue and how I helped you and the children on Muir. I suppose she wanted to hear my side of the story as well."

You threw yourself into his embrace and laughed with him joy. "Ez!" you squealed as he peppered your face with kisses. "Oh, this is wonderful! We must tell the children immediately!"

Ezra grinned and pulled back to press an open mouth kiss to your jaw. "They are playing outside, Princess. I figured we have a few minutes to ourselves. Now that you're not in the physician's ward anymore."

Ezra kissed you again and pressed his forehead to yours. "Now who would I be to deny such a simple request?"

****

TAGLIST:

@the-feckless-wonder @gallowsjoker @phoenixhalliwell @waatermelon-sugaar @huliabitch @miscellaneous-mando @lestrange2703 @seasonschange-butpeopledont @auandromedus

[thecsquirrel]

The last time I was effusive and hopeful about a show that was centered around a bad ass woman warrior, interesting mythology, blood, guts, and maintext Queerness, Syfy ripped my heart out of my chest and canceled the show; therefore, I’m going to try to temper my glee and even my praise for Netflix’s Warrior Nun.

Side note:  We need to really talk about Netflix’s promos and advertising.  The algorithm is the only reason why I found this show, much like October Faction (another canceled show. Ugh.)

Light spoilers ahead...

The Great and Good:

A fun take on the age old good and evil demon fighting story.

Love the setting and the use of Catholicism which lends the show a great mix of Gothicism and of course Women With Swords!  

Shotgun Mary and Sister Beatrice. Period.  For me (and judging by responses plenty of others) they are the heart of the show.  There are moments when their characters feel tropey, but Toya Turner’s honesty and Kristina Young’s subtlety keep the characters from being throw away.

The action.  Everybody got in on it at some point and I was not disappointed.  Beatrice’s hallway fight, Mary and Sister Lilith in all time zones. LOL.  The final fight.  Seriously, they were all well done and well executed. 

The Meh

Ava, Ava, Ava.  The annoying obnoxious lead played cheekily and so pitch-perfect that I want hollered with happiness when Mary booted her off that cliff.  LOL   But seriously, Ava’s character is actually a good thing.  Another post I saw reminded me that Ava’s turn as the seemingly unworthy hero who is imbued with super powers but is also a complete selfish assshat until they learn to grow- is one we don’t often get for female characters.   Normally, it is the cis-male white heterosexual that gets to be a jerk while becoming the hero and we accept it, but here it’s a young woman and my word, do I want to punch her.  In fact, the scene where Beatrice calls her out is nicely done and more importantly it was resolved maturely.  

About those twists and reveals

Most of the twists I enjoyed, even the ones I suspected.  I will say that after sitting with it for a day, I, too, agree that the final reveal did not need to happen.  It was unnecessary.  Obviously, it changes the dynamic so it will be interesting

My Big Gripe

Holy Disappearing Lesbians!  Now, listen, as a pretty much lapsed Catholic I KNOW there are issues (to put lightly) with homosexuality but it is 20 damn 20 in the worst year of forever and I think we have moved past the point of subtext-only Lesbians/Gay/Queer people.  

I am here for not having to throw a ticker-tape parade with rainbows and unicorns every time a Queer person comes across the screen, but let’s also be EXPLICIT and CLEAR. 

GIVE ME MY DAMN SHANNON/MARY FLASHBACK YOU COWARDS!!!   

And I get it, they are nuns and it’s the church, but come the bleep on.  If one more person said “your friend” to Mary, I was going to punch through the screen.  (It was like my mother introducing my gf after I came out and she was clearly still struggling but she was also really trying. Whew!  Trigger.) 

Anyway, fix that shit for next season. And yes, Ava and Beatrice for a nice slow burn win.  

Closing Thoughts

Ultimately, this turned out to be a lot better than I thought it was going to be.  I’m not really happy about that cliffhanger they left us with, so maybe they know they are getting renewed.  If not, that’s just irresponsible. There is clearly a wealth of material here and plenty of mysteries to figure out and demons to fight, so perhaps it will get another shot.  I won’t hold my breath because again, SyFy and Vagrant Queen.  (Yes, somewhere is another rant about shows with Black/POC leads and how they are not promoted -on Netflix at least- and how they are not given a chance to grow, but I will save that for after Warrior Nun gets renewed.)

Happy Binging! 

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

HASO Origins, “Conn”

Ok guys, sorry about how late this one is. Writing for a group of creatures that don’t understand spoken language or time is kind of a bitch. I tried to make it seem alien as possible, bu it was hard for me and I don’t know how well it gets across 

Was so very dark and he was so very alone.

His sails waved and undulated in the vast darkness, but no light caressed their surface to allow hmi to retreat. 

So he was here, in the never-ending quiet, he had once thought he would like the quiet but now determined that was not the case. He needed that warble of background sound, the thoughts filling up his head, however, he just wanted to be the quiet one.

He wanted his thoughts private where others could not poke and prod and see his bitterness towards them

He didn’t have a name, just images and feelings associated with his being. When everyone thought of him, they grew uncomfortable, quiet, and almost exasperated with his presence. His name was unwanted and discomfort.

Perhaps that is why he had gone and done what he did, perhaps it was his own subconscious thoughts that led him to this moment, for not even he had known until it was too late. Travelling at thousands of miles per hour, side by side with his colony, he had taken the turn far to shallow, and so his momentum had carried him off into the darkness. As he went he remembered hearing the distant fading of their voices back into the blackness.

And then there had been only silence.

And for once he had his thoughts to himself.

IT scared him, and he turned using up the last bit of his solar energy to push him back towards the star where his colony had last existed. He was so scared.

And so hopeless.

It took him one entire year to return to the star, and by that time his colony was long gone, likely thankful for his timely disappearance when they wanted it most. He tried to follow them, tried to guess where they might go, but it was no use, the universe was big, and he was so very small.

There was no reason for him to stay here, and  he took the next microrift that opened up to him. He had no idea where it would take him, and he didn’t much care. There was always a chance it would dump him out in the middle of space with no way to get anywhere else, but the starborn knew the rifts, and they knew, that for some reason, they tended to empty out close to other stars.

So he took the rift, and when he did, he sensed a wave of powerful blue light.

IT charged his body with energy and allowed him to move quickly around the system, where a bright blue emissions nebulae seemed to surround everything.

And that is when he heard them, the distant murmuring of inner thoughts. He followed them until the voices grew louder and louder and louder hoping beyond hope that they might be his. He broke from the clouds, and knew immediately they were not, their thoughts were too strange, though they were of the same type as him.

He would have turned away, but they too sensed him.

They were not pleased with his presence.

Two of his ribbons were completely torn off that day, but the queen took mercy and let him stay. She could see his long years of solitude inside his head, and would no mind one more worker for her colony. Of course, he would never be allowed mating privileges of any sort,, but he could just as well gather minerals for her

He hated it, and they could easily sense his hatred.

ON multiple occasions he was accused of trying to harbor hidden thoughts and false secrets. 

They were right, his time in the black had made him cold and indifferent to them. While he took comfort in the noise, he was used to the silence. And so he lived for an unknown amount of time, as a drifter, a vagrant hanging abut this unaccepting colony becoming more and more ostracized every day by his secret yearnings.

Year passed, and they always stayed in the same place, rotating around the same blue star with the same blue nebulae around them. He despised all of it. He wanted to travel, to see the rest of the galaxy, but the others would not have it, and they despised him for his restlessness. They would not leave their comfortable home. They were not nomads, but neither could he leave again, he was too afraid of being alone in the silence to go without him.

So he grew bittern in the bright light of their giant blue star.

Not his star, their star.

He was floating about the outer permitted of the colony one day, keeping just out of easy thought range when he felt it, or heard it, or sensed it. It was, a horrible discomfort, strange and alien for a moment he wondered if he was dying. It was like the pull of gravity was trying to suck his basins out of his head. His eyes throbbed, and his insides churned where they should not have done so.

He felt as the entire colony looked out in confusion towards the source of the voice.

Please no no, I can’t pass out I can’t pass out. I’ll die.

Behind him the colony erupted in confusion.

Conn perked up listening to the sounds he had never heard and understanding the strange language based upon those sounds without ever trying. He was, enveloped in a mind that was strange and sticky, and tangled and confused and frightened. He could feel bodily sensations that a starborn had never felt before.

Pain

The mind flickered.

No, no.

Oh no.

He shot off into the nebulae chasing the sound ribbons billowing at his back as the others called for him to stop. He had no idea what that was.

Though that was a lie.

This was a… human.

Another creature. He could see flashes of images by colors he had never seen before and through eyes so different from his. The strange feeling stirred him up inside, confused him and thrilled him at the same time. 

The voice was getting louder.

He broke from the cloud pausing at what he saw.

A strange creature vaguely starborn in shape, but wrapped in so much strange and alien material. IT rotated violently through the space.

Can’t keep it, closed.

He could feel the hand pressing tight over a tear in the fabric, knew that the creature was going to die even as it began slipping away.

He wasn't entirely sure what he was doing, but he slid forward even as the creatures mind was fading out. Atmosphere was leaking from the suit, and he had to place his hand over it to stop. The human spun into him, and they both rotated for a few moments as he got his bearings, finally stopping with a burst of energy as they exited the nebulae.

He could hear voices behind him. He could hear their thoughts rising in anger for what he was doing, but he didn’t care.

He waited holding the creature as it wallowed in darkness.

They wanted him to get rid of it, but he didn’t want to listen.

It was far to interesting to get rid of.

How am I still alive? 

Or am I alive? 

Is this what the afterlife is like, floating in eternal blackness forever with no sense of time or space.

Wait , no, you should probably open your eyes first dipshit. I think I see something

He felt the creature open its eyes, watched as the strange scene unfolded before it, and his own face staring back at it, white with black eyes, thousands of ribbons trailing from behind him. His hands gripped tighter to the creature, and through it’s mind he could feel the pressure of his own hands.

Mother Fuck! 

Holy shit, what is that, what is it  doing.

Why did it save my life, what is happening?

It’s thoughts washed over him like waves. Warm memories, cold memories, sad one angry ones frightened ones. He could feel the sun on it’s back in a way that he had never experienced the sun before.

He leaned his head closer face bumping against the mask.

wait , how am I still…

The creature’s hand brushed over his.

It saved my life. But why.

He knew what the creature looked like under there, strangely like him, though it’s skin was darker. He rested a hand against the visor, almost wishing to touch it. It did the same, he could feel it trailing its hand upward to rest over his.

Could it hear him?

He didn’t think so, it acted like it couldn’t .

It needed sound to hear.

The inside of it’s head was silent, even if surrounded by a thousand others. He wanted to be like that so badly. Wanted to be with his own thoughts even as a torrent of sound raged around him.

He turned to the side as other voices interrupted him demanding he put the creature back, demanding he get rid of it.

They wanted nothing to do with it’s strangely silent thoughts, the way it couldn’t hear them. They wanted nothing to do with its awe or how it felt heat and cold. They wanted nothing to do with its colors and its pain. He could feel them looming up behind him, a massive interconnected hive mind that wish nothing more than to crush the creature’s consciousness…. He had been threatened by that before, and it was not a fate he would recommend to anyone/

What is this?

The creature had no idea what they were planning.

He turned to look at it. 

His brethren were getting closer.

He parted his lips in a smile.

Wow…. don’t don’t do that. That is…. Uh…. creepier than I would like.

But still it reached up a hand and placed it on his face.

I wish I knew what it felt like? 

They were coming for it, encroaching on all sides ready to crush its mind. What was he to do? But yes, that is when he heard its companions. 

The human remained blissfully unaware as he pulled the human closer.

He had to save it, and so he grabbed it by the arms, and pushed it back into the nebulae. He felt it’s surprise and it’s fear, how it pressed it’s fingers against the suit, and then he fele the anger and fear of his own race as they came bearing down on him. 

Their minds enveloped him.

***

They were angry at him for not killing it, for not killing the abomination that was the thing with the silent mind, but the mind was not silent, it was so lively and warm. But it was deaf that was all, and he liked that about the creature. They wanted it gone;, they wanted it gone for hiding its thoughts, and he wanted it to stay for just such reason.

And with the creature’s thoughts, with its strange ability, he walled off his plan, distracted them with other imaginings to hide his intentions, and then he followed it finding it encases inside meta, where atmosphere and gravity was heavy. The environment in which it survived scared him for he could be crushed within the gravitational field.

But still he stayed.

He wondered, if like the humans he could speak? And it would hear.

It was very difficult to form a coherent thought when all the other alien thoughts bombarded him. He felt pleasure and pain and anger and exhaustion all at once, until his insides were nothing more than a jumbled mess of confusion.

It took him hours to find the creature, and when he did, he did his best to communicate. He rested his hand against its giant metal hive its ‘space ship’ and tried to get it to hear him.

And for the first time.

He used the memory of the sounds.

“Adam.” 

He used the memory felt its confusion, felt its pain, and heard himself through the sound in its head.

***

He had committed an act of treason against them. He had harbored secret thoughts, and for that he was going to pay. He was going to die, but that was only after they took care of the thing that had corrupted his mind. He had been dragged away from the ship, dragged away after meeting the creature face to face, feeling the cold of its own hands through it’s skin. He had felt the fear and the excitement.

But now it might all be over. They did not like what he had done, and this time he had committed one last egregious mistake. He had turned against them and sought out his own private thoughts in a way that only heretics did.

He was an abomination.

But for some reason he was ok with that.

He had always been an aberrant hole in the way things were done, even when he was firstborn.

A lot of his kind had openly wondered about what was wrong with him. Many wondered,or blamed his behavior on the circumstances of his birth.

He had been born in the darkness between stars on their journey across the vastness, while the others had been away searching for minerals He was the last born to the queen before she died, her body going limp even as he floated at her side. And so he had listened to her go silent, and been left along in the darkness and quiet for an unknown period of time before the others returned.

They did not measure time like humans did.

That is why they put up with him for so long, because it was their fault no one had been there in his first moments of life. No one had been there to dispose of the suspended corpse by which rested. The males were strictly reprimanded for their absence, for it was their job to take care of the queen and her children when they were born while the females foraged.

They needed to forage twice as much to raise the youngling queen who had been born in preparation for the old queen’s death.

Perhaps it was the young males thinking that their queen was not being well-fed enough that led them to tray away when he was born, but either way it did not matter. Something had gone wrong with him, something that scared a lot of his brethren.

For he had been born in the dark and the silence filled with nothing for an unknown amount of time.

He wondered if that was the reason he chased silent sound, and perhaps that was the reason the human followed him, for it too was strange for its kind.

The others could have not asked for a more opportune time to crush its mind.

But of course he could not let that happen.

He had never fought in his life, for there was no fighting with the star born, but somehow seeing into the human’s head helped him to block out the crushing weight of force which was slowly cracking its consciousness like glass. 

And somehow he won.

***

He could feel the human’s anger, it was hot and warm, but in that same way it was anger the mind behind it was still softer than any mind he had known before. Starborn aren’t known for their ability to feel empathy. They don’t need to since they can read each other’s thoughts. But this human, it felt for him though it knew nothing anything. Despite being angry he could intrude on its thoughts.

He had felt real anger before, and this was not it.

This was blustering anger.

As far as he understood this mind was too soft to produce real anger on command, though that anger was hidden deep inside 

And despite the fear that he sometimes trailed with him, Conn found understanding and empathy on a crew of people who couldn’t even read his mind, he found a name that was not annoyance or pity.

HE found a name with sounds, and a name associated with a changing landscape.hew as never pity, sometimes he was annoyance, other ties he was amusement, sometimes he was indifference, and often his name was friendship.

[peonypearls-muddled-musings]

Princess Dagney and the Seahorse King - Synopsis

It’s been 200 years since humanity rose up from the control of the Shapeshifters, who arrived over 100,000 years ago on Earth. Today, Shapeshifters are either held in the giant desert prison known as Hell, or have small, wandering clans around the world that stay off of the grid, trying to not get captured and sent to that wasteland.

But some thirty years ago, a resident of Hell escaped; and after serving as a faithful soldier and general, his childless king handed crown and mantle to him. King Dargon of Olthandrynn is the first Shapeshifting royal in 200 years; and he is not popular, save for the few allies he has amassed. 

Dargon does his best to be a benevolent king, and with his queen, Gwinletta, he is raising 3 (soon to be 4) smart, capable young royals. 

His eldest is Princess Dagney. As she approaches her 14th birthday, Dagney is set to announce her vocation; a study she will take on as queen, something all royals do to keep them active in their kingdoms and with fellow royals to promote alliances and goodwill. Despite Olthandrynn’s isolated nature, Dagney chooses to become an ambassador, wanting to prove that she and her family are a peaceful lot, and that their lineage bodes no harm to others. 

But during Dagney’s birthday celebration, her younger brother, Bensith, falls ill. Something that cannot be healed in Olthandrynn. During the trip to take him to be helped by better hands, their train is assaulted by assassins sent by another royal: King Rinwey. A name and a man Dargon knows too well. A man who has hated Dargon from the moment he learned he was a Shifter; a man who’s family has guarded the gates to Hell for generations, and takes pleasure in hunting the small, harmless clans for sport with his own children, rounding the scared vagrants up to send them to the prison.

Dargon knows better than to seek revenge; but Dagney, who has never faced this rage, is eager to confront the man. Suddenly her Ambassador title means little, and justice is all that’s on her mind. She runs off, fueled by a burning need to find Rinwey; and after a chance encounter with his son, Colme, her attack is halted, and she’s spared by the crown prince; but only after she’s given an ultimatum: Help him in a journey of his own, or she’ll witness firsthand her father’s horrors from Hell.

Begrudingly agreeing, Dagney aids Colme in his journey; a quest that soon becomes so much more as they two young royals find their footing in the cycle of hatred between Humanity and the Shapeshifters, and how it’s up to them to find out how to break the wheel.