#scion edits things

[scioneeris]

[cheracarmichael]

Sorrowful Sands - The Editing Saga

So. Guess what time it is?? Editing time!!

I do this every time I start the final major round of edits on a Soula Deveraine book and here we go again! Expected publish date is sometime before the end of this month (Dec 2022) OR earlier! I'd love to get this done earlier, but as you guys know, Editing is torture for me.

To ease some of the mental strain, we have the editing commentary. Enjoy!

Today's edits bring—Ryder, WHY are you being so stubborn? Stop being an idiot just bc you don't want to talk to her. You have no idea why she's asking you that...

[neriyon]

Got tired of playing around with the elf boy in the character creator (I think I'll go with wine red hair) and hopped over to benchmark to test what I could do with N'jinh. And I think it turned out pretty nice. Def some changes (it's a completely different base), but I feel like he doesn't look like, too unfamiliar to me. Like I can still recognize that yeah, it's my smug boy, just with a new coat of paint on top and a few structural fixes.

^ Here's how he used to look. I made his blue eye a bit lighter shade, changed the red around eyes to more pink shade, and ofc switched the base. He actually has pvp hair right now, and I thiiiink I'm gonna go stick with that, but he looks good with his old hair too. Only complaint I have is that I reaaaally wanted him to have a scar in different place :/ Don't need the lip scar anymore with his lore changes, but would've loved if face 1 had some scar that runs across the bridge of his nose. He would've absolutely rocked that.

Also hair is different shade. I like the warmer shade old hair has, buuuuut it has the unfortunate effect of looking like this if there's any sun to be found:

So uh, I have to make a choice if I want to go with new hair or get flashbanged every time I try to gpose him outside like I do now.

[morocosmos]

Returning - G’raha

Intro chapter | Thancred | Urianger | Y’shtola | Alphinaud, Estinien | Tataru | Alisaie, Krile

Warrior of Light & G’raha Tia

Takes place during Endwalker, just after the end of 6.0. This is a series of vignettes on each of the Scions’ relationships with my Warrior of Light, Moro’a as he’s recovering after the end of the Final Days.

“How bad is it?”

Moro’a gritted his teeth as he tried to think through the haze of pain. “Bad,” he answered simply. The magic Frynn had used to treat his pain had nearly worn off, and he recalled the force of his fist colliding with Zenos’s jaw, followed by the accompanying crunch; from the way the shock had ripped through every muscle and bone in his arm, there was little wonder as to why it was in such a state.

He watched as G’raha nodded, his red eyes narrowed in a serious expression. There was more there – concern, as well as some other form of tension. “And…you are adamant that you would rather have me tend to it now, as opposed to letting the sages handle it?” the Seeker asked, after a long pause.

Moro’a considered G’raha’s words, working through the implications beneath their surface. The sages’ feathers had already been ruffled once in the aftermath of his aethershock attack; the Scions might risk incurring more than unsavoury thoughts were they to explicitly reject their expertise any further, and it was unlikely that Fourchenault would extend his authority to their aid a second time.

Despite that, he knew he would much rather have any one of the Scions do something than have the sages administer their form of remedy on him again. The first time he'd complained of pain, they’d carefully made adjustments to the machines linked to him, and several minutes later a strong numbness had followed, permeating throughout his body. It’d been deeply uncomfortable, comparatively mild to what he had experienced in Norvrandt as the Light had taken its toll on him, and yet. He’d been forced to endure the lack of sensation until blessed sleep at last claimed him.

Moro’a knew there was more to G’raha’s hesitation, too, but he was unsure of how to approach it. “Fourchenault said you and the other Scions could lend your magic ‘within reason'. Such was his wording, correct?” he inquired instead. G’raha nodded again, and Moro’a looked up towards the ceiling, weighing his choices.

“I believe you could consider this one such situation, then. If the sages pester you for a reason, tell them I’d be willing to explain it myself. They can present alternatives if they have any,” he decided out loud. G’raha didn’t immediately respond, and Moro’a noticed that his eyes had widened, though he maintained his composure. “Very well,” G’raha replied, settling back an ilm into his chair. The surprise was gone, smoothed over by a small, optimistic smile. “I shall entrust negotiations over to you, my friend. Then, if I may…” Moro’a felt G’raha lift his arm, and he couldn’t help but wince as his mending nerves protested. “My apologies,” the Seeker murmured.

“S’fine.” G’raha’s touch was neither rough nor gentle, but a cautious balancing act that Moro’a felt as he tilted his arm here and there, feeling where bone had been fractured and flesh torn. Moro’a half-watched, half-turned his gaze to the side, unsure of what more to say. Even after all this time, a faint air of awkwardness remained between them; an undesirable reminder of year-old differences and disappointments that made itself known when no one else was around. But Moro’a was glad for his presence all the same; pain aside, staying in this small room while all but immobile had made him want for company.

“Does it hurt most around the proximal phalanges of your hand, or is it more generalised?” G’raha enquired, after a time.

“Slightly concentrated there. But the rest of the arm hurts almost as much as where I’d hit Zenos,” Moro’a replied, feeling slightly embarrassed detailing how he had punched the Garlean. It still felt too surreal that he’d fought Zenos bare-fisted at the very edge of the universe less than three sennights ago. But G’raha made no move to bring it up as he continued to inspect Moro’a’s arm and hand with what the Keeper could only describe as utmost concentration. G’raha had been tense when he’d arrived for what would be his first visit since Moro’a had awoken; he had relaxed a little, though that undercurrent of something other remained. It was several moments more before he placed Moro’a’s arm back by his side, seemingly satisfied enough with his assessment to speak.

“The damage to your arm was certainly, well, extensive,” G’raha began. “Llorhis, the head nurse did report multiple fractures extending from your fingers to your lower arm…from what I can tell, the Technon restoration unit has focused on steadily repairing these, as well as where the muscles were torn all throughout.” So that explained the heightened pain in his right arm, Moro’a thought. “As for what I can do to relieve the strain it’s placing on you–” an odd shadow crossed over the Scion’s face, for just a moment – “I can modify a spell that Beq Lugg taught me for numbing pain. It was, ah, intended for my own use as the Crystal Exarch, once upon a time. But I should be able to adapt the spell without issue.”

G’raha was looking intently at him now, as though trying to gauge his response. “Additionally, I believe I can also adjust the extent of said numbing to your preference…should you have any concerns in that regard," he said, delicately.

It took a moment for Moro’a to catch on to G’raha’s meaning, but as he did, realisation had him staring at the other miqo’te, and G’raha dithered. “T’was only a hunch,” he added quickly. “After the aethershock, and learning you’d rather the Scions attend to your pain over what the sages have used.”

Moro’a blinked. “What was your hunch?” he couldn’t help but ask.

G’raha’s ears lowered to the sides a little as his gaze travelled to his lap. “Thanks to an explanation from Alphinaud, I learned that the sages employ several forms of umbral aether when treating pain,” he explained. “It led me to wonder if you might’ve found the effects of potent stasis-leaning magic uncomfortable, or perhaps even distressing…given what you’d endured on the First."

"...Like how the Light was affecting me." Of course G’raha would have picked up on this, Moro’a realised. He’d somehow neglected to anticipate that G’raha would have thought to consider how he might feel about it, before he’d even brought it up. Truthfully, it was a relief to see him approach the situation so conscientiously.

"Thank you," Moro'a said quietly, G'raha's ears swivelling towards him as he listened. “I was going to mention it, but you’re right about how I feel towards their methods. By which I mean I despised every second of it,” he sighed, leaning back into the pillow. The pain was beginning to tire him out again. “I would take just about anything else, perhaps even going without any remedy if I had to.”

“Well, ‘tis good that you need not resort to that last option. I would say you’ve endured enough for an age and a half,” G’raha stated. “But surely you know that my white magic will have a similar effect. Would that still be alright?”

“Yes – I doubt it would be half as uncomfortable as what the machinery did to me,” Moro’a explained. “I trust that you’ll figure out something.”

“Very well.” G’raha was smiling, and his shoulders looked more relaxed, as though the tension he’d been holding had abated significantly. “I’ll need to fetch my staff and take some time to work out the spell, but rest assured it won’t take long,” he said.

“And…thank you in turn. For trusting me with this task.” Moro’a nodded, feeling several onzes lighter himself. The air between them had changed – not entirely, but enough to soften the awkwardness into something far more hopeful.

[impossible-rat-babies]

g’raha watching there be something Very Wrong with eyrie’s brain in arr and still deciding oh yeah that one is gonna be my hero

[kinghlaaluhelseth]

i think that the your own thoughts patch for scion is what's conflicting and causing vampire abilities to disappear???

[jacesvelaryons]

His Chosen Bride (Senator!Coriolanus Snow x Capitol Reader).

Chapter 1

masterlist

series masterlist

excerpt

summary: senator coriolanus snow seems on top of the world with everything in his life ahead of him except for one thing. the perfect bride. in his pursuit, your life changes forever.

word count: 1.7k

a/n: thank you everyone for your patience as I prepared this!! i hope you all love it and show your support through likes, reblogs and especially comments of what you thought! i love hearing what my readers and other people in the fandom think about my work, so any of your thoughts would be appreciated.

requests OPEN

Upon his return to the Capitol, his reputation restored, wealth acquired from the Plinths who so generously named him the heir to their grand fortune, his path to power was paved for him and he knew he just had to take the strides to get to the prize. The Presidency.

Coriolanus Snow, scion of one of the oldest and most elite of bloodlines of the great Panem families was home, his shameful exile to District 12 remembered by no one and purged from the registry.

Enrolled in university and an apprentice gamemaker, he was eventually promoted to become Senior Gamemaker upon Dr. Gaul’s semi-retirement and her preparation to hand off the reins to her protégé. Her brain child whom she molded from the vestiges of his sorrow and pain, of his loss in the districts and what hardened him into the man he was now.

When he graduated with honours from the political science department, it was only a few months before he was elected in a landslide to become the youngest Senator in Panem’s history, relying on his contributions to the recent games, memories of his late parents to those of a certain age to secure his win.

He would have considered re-election for another term before advisors of his and other cabinet members of the old, sickly President Ravinstill were close to swearing their support but all echoed the same thing that he lacked, they said. It was not his youth, he was wise for his age they said, but he was not married. If he had a wife, they said - they would be on board for his presidential election. And it seemed that election would be sooner than later, even before his first term finished.

Coriolanus needed to find a wife, not just of good breeding, but of the most impeccable lineage, from among the most illustrious hundred or so families of Capitol society. It was a given it would be purely political and strategic, someone whom he could not love and open his heart to after his previous tragedy pursuing such.

The perfect bride. The search for the perfect companion, the woman whom he would call his wife, his future first lady, and mother of his heirs. The ideal woman who would bridge the gap between his dreams to make them a reality.

He could not just choose the first possible candidate recommended to him or that caught his eye, Coriolanus had to devise a thorough, multi-step testing process to find his perfect wife, his bride.

A rigorous procedure would be curated in finding her. Interviews, tests, exams, genealogical inquiries, fitness tests, and practice scenarios will be prompted from eligible candidates, already filtering through those only from the old, grand families upon application.

Digging through his family library into the latest edition handbook of noble and elite families of the Capitol’s upper class, the creme de la creme, ignoring recently disgraced clans, ones full of scandal and controversy, with plenty of illegitimate children, and extinct ones rotting in poverty nearly like his own had he not reversed their fortune.

He scheduled a meeting with his advisors and closest allies on creating the program, the selection process, examinations and interrogation, and how to make the announcement for the families of these eligible girls to put their names in, with their consent or not.

Coriolanus Snow was born from the upper echelon of society, and only deserved the best woman with whom he would continue his lineage with and hail his presidency with. No one had dared, rather self-important he could argue if he cared, to make as many girls clamour for his attention rather than to propose to a woman of his choice.

Just as he was about to put the book down and shut it closed, a name caught his attention. Yours. Your lineage, accomplishments, your etiquette were second to none, and he had to have you. At all costs. He would burn heaven and hell, but the question remains - would he win you over? Or will he have to force your hand no matter what?

Besides, he requires others to choose from, even if you are the most qualified. It would not do well for your ego to have the satisfaction you were chosen for. He wants you to want it, to beg for it, claim it and aspire to be one worthy to be by his side, motivated by the competition who would slit your throat and ruin your reputation for it.

And yet a lingering thought crept up his mind. He had brought life back into the Hunger Games, that was on its dying breath before his arrival, why not another? Everything is a game if you try hard enough.

…

A brightly lit room surrounded you as you grabbed a few more pieces of dandelions and baby’s breath bunches for your bouquet, in your floral arrangement lessons for the week. Under the watchful eye of your teacher, a premiere florist who is hired by the Capitol’s elite for the most fashionable and well-sought events every season.

Hailing from one of the oldest families among the Capitol’s blue bloods, your family may not be the wealthiest but definitely prosperous to be among them, yet your lineage is prominent even before Panem’s founding, the most ancient of them all.

In your family home’s perfectly manicured garden, you immerse yourself in the arrangement, something that would impress your teacher yet also something you would find pleasant in a vase by your study. No way would someone of your heritage be found associating with anything subpar.

After your studies at the Academy, your lessons and tutoring would never end, usually something different for each day. Piano, ballet, etiquette, floristry, household management, painting and so on.

As you gathered a crimson bow around the branches of your bouquet, you could hear murmurs among the uniformly dressed maids and servants around the stately home, as your mother jaunted towards you in her glossy designer heels.

“Yes, mother?” You greeted politely, observing the unreadable expression on your mother’s face.

She approached you carefully, gently taking your hands in her own, soft and having never experienced hardship.

“A great honour has been bestowed on you, daughter. A promising Senator has taken a liking to you, and wants you to be considered for his future bride.” Your mother smiles in celebration and pride, and your brows furrow in consternation.

“A Senator as old as father? A man old enough to be my grandfather-”

“Hush, darling. He is young, from a proper family of the elite family unlike those Plinths, new money scum. Senator Coriolanus Snow, the son of late General Crassus Snow and his wife Victoria Snow. He is only twenty four, I think you would like him.” She brushes your hair behind your ears, but you turn away from her, pushing her hands away.

“Twenty four, when I am eighteen?”

Your mother shrugs. “It is the way of the world I suppose. I was your age when I met your father. Eighteen and he was twenty one, a match fit for the sort like us.”

“You mentioned I was being considered but no outright proposal or courting has begun. What do you mean?”

She unveiled a large envelope she was holding behind her back, taking it out for you before a gold hued canvas invitation was unveiled.

Dear Y/N L/N and family, I hope this letter finds you well. As I have progressed through my career as a gamemaker and politician, it has been too long since I have navigated through life without a lifelong companion and wife.

You are a woman of unblemished character, accomplished in many ways, intelligent, well-bred and would fit the bill of what a man like me seeks in a future partner.

There is no guarantee that you must receive this invitation and accept, but rather that your name will be included in a pool of candidates to be considered. I hope that you and your family would view this as a position of honour, and even if you shall not be chosen, you will be compensated for your time and this shall only raise your standing in our society.

Please reply to the number and address attached below with your response, and I would be beholden and pleased to hear if you would put your name forward to possibly become my future First Lady.

Sincerely, Senator Coriolanus Snow

You could not believe it, the humiliation of not being asked directly for one’s hand in marriage but having to compete with other ladies of society and grovel for his attention.

“Are you and papa seriously making me do this? The Hunger Games to be someone’s wife and heir maker?!”

Your mother sighs, shaking her head as she crosses her arms. “You do not understand, child. I have heard of other elite families whose daughters, sisters, nieces such as the Heavensbees, the Cardews, Dovecotes, among a few have been invited and all have accepted. No one would even think to refuse a Snow!”

“But it is not guaranteed. How would I not be offended if he did not make a guaranteed offer but wants me to participate like I am in a beauty pageant. I have to close off even entertaining other suitors and I am not even assured that I will not be left dry and humiliated if I was not chosen.”

“Your grandmother was Miss Panem many years ago before the war and those rebels ruined everything, I am sure he will choose you. Even if he did not, any other unmarried peer of yours would scoop you up in no time, that if Snow perceived you as someone potential, they are from the cream of the crop.”

You sighed, putting down your shearing tools and your bunches of daisies and baby’s breath. You never liked roses.

“You have always aimed for the stars, daughter. Would you pass on an opportunity like this or be forgotten to the tombs of time?” Your mother suggests, walking over to you with a guiding hand on your shoulder. “Choose wisely if you want to make something of yourself, to not pass on opportunities like this.

Golden letter in hand, you stared intensely at the dark line above your name, signifying whether you would submit your name or not. With a bold stroke of your ink pen, you sign your fate and future away. I agree to participate.

Let the games begin.

His Chosen Bride Taglist:

(if your name is bolded, I put in your user but it didn't show up when prompted so I'm not sure if you got notified!) Please let me know if you'd like to be added and reminded every time I update.

@xsunaxrinx @bialuvss @emma0320 @callieyanderechan @crimsonred13 @starcrosslove @castellandiangelo @sylmthadmnglla13 @tragicmiserybone @o12lk22gr @anna-stasia @paumartinezsstuff @coriosbunni @nora4us @jupiterstearx @corvinaweeb @batman1asf @imperfectophelia @madmaxsalltoowell @vicky2408 @folklorelogy @bradpittwh0re @linaa20 @abcde601375 @kickmybark @emynunez21 @princessofthereach @maeve-a24 @ellie-bellie-29 @ashfromurfire @dante-pearl @yuuuumii @kxksksjjd @everythingjp @frill0 @aslalali @addriaenne @joyfulyouthlover @rbrsvb @motomami111 @imamybubbles @x-gabrielle-x @crystalstars88 @cc13723things @izzy02soph @shycandykitty @thtweirdointhecornr1917 @drpeperrlover11 @starmaiden @itz-me-cherie @papi-chulo69000 @meetmeatyourworst @sombodynotimportant @hyunjinspdf @bellaramseysgirlfriend @mari-mari12 @kis9na @lvrdilfs @mizuki80mizuki80 @deago21 @hafisjfjsit @miniatureblazellama @livid-euphoria @sugaxmamii @kropka4321 @jamesyrobin @joana2934 @kotadislikesthissite @byisy @shinae28 @atlasedelgard @eimearj123 @urfavewh0r3 @sophs-sofa @dreammie-marrie @cos-ilsee @nikolaikirche0 @bigwmc66 @mandoskenobi @theswreties @soniusstuff @1lovesnowballs @bitvhese @craftycloudcollection @byraaaaan19 @mythic-moon-moth @reading-in-velaris @bestboymikey @marytargaryen @cleverpeachheropersona @adeline32sblog @snowdrops-png @lysonal @tiffdx @bingxuu @noothemoo

[megamuscle885-blog]

Alright so, Ward, except it's a Hbomberguy video about Gold Morning, and it balloons up into a 32 hour long video about Skitter, the path she took towards becoming Khepri, her time as Weaver and it spirals into a comprehensive treatise on trigger events/crisis points, Cauldron, cluster triggers/mosaic power expression, massive amounts of unknown parahuman science, the murder of Alexandria, Case 53s, etc. He does his usual thing of setting up a few short stories about similar parahuman cases before he gets to Taylor herself, setting up the main thematic points he wants to cover once he finally gets to Skitter, Weaver and Khepri. He ends up citing dozens of parahumans and their testimonies, including short comments from Victoria, a massive help from Tattletale who saw his genuine motive for clarity and understanding and basically wants to finally get the story out on Taylor so she isn't misunderstood, and comments from Weld and a few of the Irregulars concerning the secret Cauldron base assault and both sides that emerged because of it.

It ends with a plea for the world to be kinder to one another because of how parahumans are made and a strong message for unity in the wake of Gold Morning. It fundamentally changes how the public see parahumans since it blows trigger events wide open. It spreads like wildfire over the reconstructed internet, and he has to release it in two parts over six months because of the sheer effort of editing, and then has to release a third part that is another seventeen hours long because the events of Ward all happened and he needs to catch everyone up on Victoria Dallon and what she's doing.

I don't know if he lives in Britain but it would be funny if he never really explains how he survived Scion's initial attack, or he keeps interrupting himself when he tries to get to it.

[anneapocalypse]

I absolutely love Urianger's walking-on-water scene, and I think what I love most about it is how much he's trying not to ask for help and what that says about him and where he's at right now.

At first glance it's easy to respond just as Alisaie does, gods above Urianger you have two friends with you who can breathe underwater, just ask, but the thing is he is trying so hard right now not to ask any more of the Warrior of Light than he already has. Look at how different this is from the early game's "Primal needs slaying? Dangerous thing needs doing? The Warrior of Light will do it!" coming from everyone. Urianger in particular is agonizingly aware of how much he has asked of all of his friends but especially Minfilia and the WoL. He knows what they went through to save the First and he knows it was ultimately all because of him that any of the Scions were dragged into this in the first place.

And sure, it's easy to poke fun at him for trying to walk on water rather than learn to swim, as Alphinaud does (and look, the twins have Urianger-roasting privileges, I'm not picking on them), but from another angle, he went and sought the help of the fae again at who knows what cost just to try and get around what I think from his dialogue is a genuine fear of deep water, just so he could handle this himself and not have to lean on his friends any more than he already has. And when it doesn't work, he's obviously embarrassed, not just at the indignity of falling in the water and having to be rescued, but also because he failed at something he's supposed to be good at, magic.

And of course, when Bismarck asks for help with the barnacles, the obvious thing to do is to ask the Warrior of Light and Alisaie. But his pride is still stinging from the previous failure and he just... doesn't want to ask any more of his friends than he has.

If he could, I think it would always be Urianger's instinct to handle everything himself and never involve anyone else, never ask for anything, never be a burden. That might even work if he didn't have an enormous heart that was always trying to help and do the greatest good and save the world--though it still wouldn't be good for him, in the end, because it would just isolate him further. He's still in the process of learning that not only can he not do it all alone, no one wants him to!

(Edited to add: I am still in post-Shadowbringers and haven't played Endwalker yet, so no spoilers please!) Update: I have finished Endwalker, I am FREE.

[blessedtoaster666]

WITCH WEEKLY - Issue 94 - December 2006

Editor’s Note:

Gentlebeings of the Wizarding World,

Our cover feature this issue is the one, the only Draco Malfoy- a man who needs no introduction, but whose presence might require the briefest of explanations.

Lord Malfoy has had no shortage of press over the years… but since his release from Azkaban we have dutifully kept an eye on him, and for sore ones he is a sight. Every time we feature him, the owls pour in. Some carry missives with love potion-laced ink, in the hopes that we’ll pass them to the man in question (no judgement, we’ve tried to slip him a little something in the past) while others are Howlers bursting to scream about our hideous facilitation of lusting after a war criminal. How dare you drool over a terrorist! But drool we do, like a three-headed dog.

It’s one of our favorite things about Draco Malfoy: those who love him, would die for him… and those who hate him, would like to see him killed. We fall into the camp of the former- do you?

Read on for 10 of our other favorite things -

Venia Plumberton, Editor-in-Chief

BEST OF Draco Malfoy

We surveyed our editorial staff, as well as witches and wizards on the street (Horizont Alley, to be exact) to determine the 10 best features of the wizard we love to hate, but don’t hate to love. Caution… at least three witches went feral after editing this piece. You’ve been warned.

#1 - CHEST - We don’t know if it’s that he’s vaguely the color of honed marble, or that we had too many brushes with the fit statues at Hogwarts during our formative years… but oh, Mummy. We don’t get to see shirtless Draco often- perhaps he’s self-conscious of the scars? Are they from the whip of a lover… or perhaps the Dark Lord?

Our seven-page coverage of his trip to Bali last year, “Draco’s Treasure Chest” July 2005, contributed to our best selling issue. EVER. We are certain our journalistic prowess has not gotten that much better. When it comes to Draco, we’re delusional, not deluded.

#2 - EYES - Pureblood politics like to keep things in the family; but if inbreeding is wrong do we want to be right? Like pools of mercury, Draco’s eyes look terribly inviting but might just kill us if we take a dip. We have on record that his nickname in school was, “The Heir of Slytherin”. Basilisk, much? We’ve heard stranger. Speaking of basilisks… this magazine doesn’t stoop to such levels… but we know where your head’s at.*

*Right next to ours, in the gutter. But at least we’re looking at the stars… specifically, the Draco constellation.

#3 - HAIR - We here at WW celebrate a man who takes the time to learn grooming spells, and we dare say the Malfoy Scion created a few of his own to tame his mane just the way we like it. Tousled, pushed back, glittering platinum everywhere the light touches it. Oh, to run a hand through that hair. Maybe pull it, just a little. Ruin our life, Draco. We are at the ready.

#4 - SIZE - When the DM walks in the room, suddenly, we orbit around him. Is it because of his white golden hair (see above) or is it perhaps that he’s the size of a planet? The Muggles have really gotten into something called gravity, look into it friends - because Draco is our sun. 6’5”, the wing span of a bloody hippogriff and the legs (oh we’ll get started with those next) of a semi-giant.

#5 - THIGHS - We could be pressed to include the whole leg, look at those calves, but in the interest of being specific- Draco Malfoy’s thighs get us through our work day.

Thick as tree trunks, we’d surrender our wand to be a part of that forest.

We spoke to Madame Mirabelle, tailor to rich and infamous, and she assured us that while she hasn’t fit Draco in years, she knows for a fact he has a tailor on staff to “rightly pinch and pin” every set of trousers he wears. One must not assume that anything off-the-rack could surround such thighs, wrap that arse, cover that bulge and hug that waist without being magically pinched and pinned. We’re due for a sewing spell seminar, it would seem.

#6 - ABS - Speaking of waists… Well. We shan’t. We’ll just show a picture, it scores a V, for va va voom.

#7 - FOREARMS - Again, we feel remiss not mention the scrumptious biceps, the scandalously sexy shoulders… but let it be known, Draco’s forearm game is unmatched. Maybe it’s the veins; maybe it’s the sheer size of them. Maybe it’s the Dark Mark- you know we need to be reminded about the danger lurking underneath. Or maybe… we are ovulating? No matter. We’d let him cast any spell he wanted at us so long as he used those arms to hold his wand.

#8 - SNEER - A snide look, on the face of Draco Malfoy, is better than a smile on any other man… We’re sure should Draco ever smile our way, he’d be crowned ‘Most Charming Smile’ in an instant… but to that end, we’ve never seen it. We’re not sure he’s capable. So we covet the sneer.

Eyes narrowed, nose flared, lip curled? Check, checkity, check. Sign us up for the next war!

#9 - JAWLINE - We long to go to a taffy emporium with Draco and watch him sample the wares… such is our obsession with seeing him clench. For Merlin’s sake, someone get the man some gum! We deserve such visions, we’ve been so good.

#10 - HANDS - Hands tell the story of the man- and here’s what we know… Draco’s hands can palm a quaffle and are typically adorned with family heirloom rings. He likes a Muggle watch, and doesn’t always need a wand. An eyewitness told us she saw him stop a falling bottle at his bar, The Jobberknoll, with just a flick of his fingers, as he dined with friends. We love a wizard who takes matters into his own hands.

[daemon-in-my-head]

Past Life Dark Urge Asks - 9th Edition:

OK but how does Durge actually view relationships and romance?

What does their room look like? Describe it to me. Neat? Messy? Organised mess where everything has its place?

What's their favourite spot to hang out at after a long day of temple managing and murdering in Father's name? Is it by the altar, their desk, a certain someone's office or by the docks?

Gorion's Ward was a hero and a Bhaalspawn that defied Bhaal. But they're also a powerful person who rose far above many, as well as the reason Sarevok once returned. What does Durge think of them? Is he an idol or a villain to them? When did their view of them change or do they perhaps even feel pity for the sibling which had been led astray?

Durge loves efficient killing, but what was their one little indulgence whenever they did it? I don't mean getting loot, keeping trinkets. Did they perhaps draw out the hunt or play with the mouse unfortunate enough to fall into their trap?

There's this funny bit that Durge refused to clean themselves, but is it true for yours? Did they indeed always carry the scent of entrails or did they bathe regularly? After all, Bhaals Scion has a reputation to uphold.

Speaking of Water, Baldur's Gate is a Port City. What did Durge think of the sea? Did they long to sail or do they prefer solid ground beneath their feet? Did they feel any connection, or was it just a body of water, perfect to drown some innocent souls?

Durge is clearly a skilled master of their craft, but would they ever consider taking an apprentice? Perhaps they already did? Or would they absolutely detest those who yet lack skill and prefer they attain it on their own?

Orin makes for a great spy and even the Bhaalist Temple relies on intelligence to survive and operate more efficiently. Did Durge ever try to help out Orin in attempts to gather intel? What was it like? Did they charm their way into hearts and minds, or did they rely on the thing they did best, a skillful killing?

Bhaalspawn are pretty similar to Aasimar in every aspect, well except that Aasimar are children of celestials and good aligned powers while Bhaalspawn hail from the Lord of Murder. What did Durge think of their goody-two-shoes counterparts?

Bhaal is widely hated or feared, as are Bhaalspawn, but what does Durge think about that notion? Would they hunt down anyone who dares speak I'll of their father, or could they not care any less? Do they perhaps revel in that fear and hatred?

If Durge knew they'd lose all their memories in the future, what would they think? Would they weep for their treasured moments or perhaps even feel delighted about forgetting a dreaded past?

Name a personality trait of theirs which is, in theory, something great, but they've taken it to such extremes it became something negative.

How is Durge handling failure? Do they handle it at all or do they just refuse to acknowledge any?

Would Past Life Durge like for their life's story to be told and remembered? Why or why not? In what way would they have liked it to be remembered?

In general, how does your Durge cope with stress, life, and the things that happened? How did it affect them? Are there any lasting effects from an outburst once?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how easily does your Durge snap? 1 being the world could end, and they'd barely be mildly inconvenienced, and 10 being somebody looks funny in their direction, and the next minute, they're in a nasty brawl.

What is their favorite spell? It doesn't have to be one they themselves know or learned. Just a spell they think is neat, handy, cool, etc.

If there happened to be a street fair in the Gate, would they attend? Yes or no, who would they go with, what would it be like visiting one of those with them?

Bhaal was a netherese arcanist. Does Durge, considering they're made from Bhaals flesh, consider themselves to be netherese? Have they ever thought about these things or do they simply not care?

I totally forgot I had these I'm sorry lmao. They've been rotting away in my drafts the whole time.

[scioneeris]

Things Scion is doing this week:

RBATL Chapter

Starspun updates

Crying about edits

Editing SOT4

Patreon December schedule

Last of the fluff week prompts!

Maybe a bonus prompt? I have the urge to write fluffy smut. I have no idea whether I will or not. 🙃

More paperback approvals for recent novellas

Paperback checks for SOT4 so I can get the final files before edits are done

[cheracarmichael]

Sneak peek for SOT4!!

😏 Ryder is definitely having *thoughts*

[valeriefauxnom]

Unintentional Comedy - Dragalia and Feh Artwork Edition

So, remember Alfonse, from FEH?

Y'know, this dude?

For an okay crutch for those without Gala Euden or Albert or other handy light swords they didn't want to invest in, he was rather popular, only partly owed to any pre-established fondness FEH players had since they already knew him. People liked the more expanded personality we got than FEH's bare-bones story, additionally before they started trying to spice Alfonse up in more recent books.

In his story, however, one of the events that happening is Euden falling off a cliff, shortly followed by Alfonse.

Miraculously, cliff-falling isn't quite as dangerous in Dragalia Lost as in real life (also demonstrated by Leonidas in Stranded Scions, etc...), and the two survive. Alfonse has some sort of injury to his foot, however, conveniently hampering his ability to move but not much else.

Euden, being Euden and unwilling to throw anyone to the wolves, comes up with this idea:

Nothing atypical here, right?

...Well, as it was revealed in a book published two years later than his debut in Dragalia, Fire Emblem Heroes Character Illustrations, Volume 1...

Alfonse is 180cm tall, AKA 5'11.

...Is it any surprise coming from 195cm/6'5 and 180cm/5'11 parents? Someone check the Askran royal food for steroids that Sharena has apparently not been consuming, presumably because she's instead dining with heroes in the barracks.

I digress.

Now, as I've gone over before here, here's where it gets hilarious in retrospect.

In short, Ranzal, the resident big buff burly dude of Dragalia...is stated to be 6'1/185 in the joke comics.

...And while literally nobody else got an even vaguely-official number to their height, Dragalia instead opting for a 'comparison heights' to keep track of who's shorter and who's taller in a pair... Euden often seems to wind up in the 150-155cm/5'0-5'1 range or even shorter when in illustrations with Ranzal:

At most, I've seen him crack about 5'9/175cm in the comics, which aren't exactly a stable source of art, as demonstrated by these two panels, in which both seem to be on flat ground and standing pretty straight:

I need to stop before I mindlessly repeat the other post, but my point remains:

Euden, by most depictions, is tiny. A literal short prince/king.

And yet, no matter what way you slice it, he's trying to carry a dude that seems to be quite a bit taller, let's say. How much, we'll never know, but the fact remains he'd likely need to pull out a dragon phone to search 'how to carry people much taller than you?' just in case and hurriedly read a wikihow 10-step article explaining some strats, were it not for the fact that dragons would have destroyed smartphones in Dragalia a long time ago (good move, dragons....?).

I will admit that there are a few arts that frame them as the 'same height' but I would more point to the fact Euden, when drawn with crossover characters for promotional art, is usually portrayed on an 'equal footing', so as not to have one take up more space/attention. Also, the Feh team might not have even decided on a height for Alfy boy before!

Even then, he's still portrayed as shorter than 5'9/175cm Joker in some art:

So yeah. Crossover art is not exactly consistent, and all I can do is look to the general trend in the 'canon game' of him being absolutely dwarfed by Ranzal.

Now, it's one thing for Euden to be lugging about Alfonse for a while.

The idea he might have done so with such a potential height disparity is pure comedy.

No wonder he's so tired after a while, lugging about another human who is both taller, heavier, and also wearing armor!

Not only that, he later tries and partly succeeds in fighting heavily armored soldiers (who are admittedly aiming to capture him and kill Alfonse) with Alfonse 'draped across his back like a sack of potatoes'. Talk about determination, adrenaline, and/or the simple principle of 'small but mighty'!

Maybe that's why Alfonse was saying "I don't think that's wise" at the start there before he quickly found other rationale besides 'you sure you can give a piggyback without my feet dragging along the ground the whole way?'

My case rests, Your Honor: they unintentionally made part four of Alfonse's personal story a lot funnier to envision by publishing an art book 2 years after he first existed in Dragalia Lost!

[autumnslance]

Something I’ve been wondering: Aeryn is of course romantically involved with Thancred, but how does this affect her relationship with Ryne? In fact, what is that relationship like at all? (Between her and Ryne)

At first, it was a little awkward; Aeryn arrived in the First, learned Thancred had been there for 5 years and 3 of those were spent caring for an adolescent...reincarnation? of Minfilia. It felt a little strange at first, especially given the sudden rescue and run into Il Mheg and things there, with Thancred being changed while no real time had passed for Aeryn. And things were rocky between Thancred and Aeryn at first in the First, between that time gap (when their romantic relationship was still pretty new when he'd been Called) and his being a Suddenly Dad (and a not great one, especially for someone with Tanzel Eadir and Iron Summer as their measuring stick).

But Thancred spent some of those 3 years telling Ryne about Aeryn, and writing himself letters on Aeryn's nameday each year to tell her about Ryne, himself, and simply things he wanted to remember while they were apart.

As in most cases, Aeryn was immediately protective of the girl, and Aeryn pretty quickly ended up treating Ryne as she does other adolescent friends; by acting like an older sister and a bit of a Mom, easily falling into a mentor, and a bit of a caretaker, role. She supported Ryne as she struggled with her sense of self and identity, understanding such things all too well...and also maybe encouraged the kid to be a little more of a kid, and even bit of a gremlin at Thancred and Urianger, cuz they deserved it, obviously. Though even Ryne can get exasperated by Aeryn's more impulsive moments! And sounds an awful lot like Thancred when she scolds the Warrior of Darkness for her brashness...But Ryne also liked watching Thancred and Aeryn being domestic and loving at each other, at the sides of him Aeryn drew out that Ryne hadn't seen yet, and at how he can steady and support her, let her relax and just Be Aeryn, not the realm's hero. She liked that this woman Thancred spoke so highly of, told such stories about, was someone Ryne could call friend, and then family.

Aeryn and Ryne became close during the course of their adventures, and Aeryn checks back often, especially once the Scions returned to the Source, carrying letters and gifts back and forth. She wants to help Y'shtola's goals in order to see Thancred and Ryne have a chance to be together--to have all 3 of them together all at once again (well, 4, cuz we have to count Gaia in there!). She wants her family to be together again, and Ryne feels much the same way, glad for the visits and time with Aeryn, but the missing pieces are obvious to them all.

It's actually been awhile since I've done an Aeryn & Ryne edit...

Original posts here and here.

[narzissenkreuz-ordo]

HSR OC Timeline [Up to 2.2]

I wrote this timeline a few weeks back and just went through to add/edit things based on the recent quests: the whole timeline details about 700 years

Key

Aster mentioned by her previous identity [Pollux] is described in Purple text

the real, now-deceased Aster is described in Red Text

[My silly self-indulgent au where Dan Feng gets his own body separate from Dan Heng is described in Brackets & Strikethrough text]

OCs covered

Aster [Pollux Interitus] - Quantum Nihility, Emanator of Remembrance

Yueshi - Wind Nihility, Mara-Struck Ex-Vidyadhara Record Keeper

Sen - Ice Hunt, Amnesiac Xianzhou Spymaster

Castor Interitus - Imaginary Abundance, Corrupted Halovian Abomination

Dianran - Fire Destruction, Scion of Long and Elusive Craftsman

Gawain - Physical Hunt, Trailblaze Pathstrider from Belobog

'Aster' - ???, Doctor of Chaos [deceased]

Referenced Time-frame

HSR is annoying as hell and has MULTIPLE calendars in use so I'm sticking to the Xianzhou based Star Calendar since we have some reference points to The Sedition AND the current story arc. Fuck the IPC's 'Amber Era' system

Sometime before the Sedition – The Shuhu Upheaval Period Year 7379 Star Calendar – Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae Year 8100 Star Calendar – Luofu arc starts

Beginning

Yueshi, a Vidyadhara record keeper in charge of aiding new High Elders in recounting their previous incarnation’s memories is partnered with Dan Feng and sent to the Xianzhou Luofu

Xuefeng Sen is born to a family of prominent Cloud Knights from the Xianzhou Zhuming

An outworlder’s boy is found & presumed an orphan during one of the various battles against the Abundance is adopted by the Xuefeng family and is named Dianran

[insert some sort of meeting between Sen & Jing Yuan as young kids]

Dianran, a previously thought orphaned human boy, starts exhibiting Vidyadhara traits and send to the Luofu to be examined & watched by Yueshi

Sen is stationed to the Luofu as escort to their younger, adoptive ‘brother’

Yueshi & Dan Feng appear to be on bad terms, especially after the transfer of a certain arrogant craftsman to the Luofu

Furnace Master Yingxing takes Dianran on as an apprentice, against the Vidyadhara’s wishes

Yueshi & Dan Feng on much better terms (marriage saved by a cool sexy polycule)

The Shuhu Upheaval Period

Baiheng dies in the final battle

Sen is never accounted for, presumed dead in the battle

Yueshi is declared as an Abundance abomination, reported as the first mara-struck Vidyadhara and is quickly imprisoned deep in the Shackling Prison

The Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae & directly afterwards

Yueshi remains in the Shackling Prison, unaware to the horrors happening outside

Dianran survives the Sedition, determined to keep his master’s craft alive and is smuggled out of the Luofu with the aid of Jing Yuan

Sen somehow survives the battle against Shuhu with no memories, becomes the perfect empty vessel for the Cremator’s to shape for their own schemes

Within the last 100 years

Yueshi manages to escape the Shackling prison after centuries of imprisonment, flees from the Xianzhou

The original Aster is born

Halovian twins, Pollux and Castor are born into the Throne of Calamity, a sub-faction within the Annihilation Gang

Aster’s home planet is left decimated by the Annihilation Gang and becomes a Self-Annihilator in the process, but attempts to fight against their inevitable fate as a Doctor of Chaos.

Pollux leaves the Throne of Calamity for unknown reasons and is on her way to becoming a Self-annihilator

Pollux & Aster meet and become close companions despite the bloodshed of both their pasts, Aster is able to pull Pollux from the void

Aster succumbs to the Nihility. Instead of falling back into IX’s shadow, Pollux ascends as an Emanator of Remembrance and takes on the appearance and identity of Aster

Gawain is found abandoned in the Outlying Snow Plains as an infant, is adopted and raised in the Overworld of Belobog on Jarilo-VI and eventually becomes an officer within the Silvermane Guards.

Direct Pre-Game

Yueshi meets Luocha, is recruited by him & Jingliu for their ‘lets kill Yaoshi’ plan

Aster accumulates a bounty within the IPC & occasionally works together with the Stellaron Hunters & Galaxy Rangers

Sen is found by the Stellaron Hunters and Aster uses their emanator abilities to restore Sen’s memories, Aster takes them back to the Luofu in hopes for a future favor by Jing Yuan

Sen is fairly unstable and out of their mind, trying to come to terms with their past while in care of the Xianzhou.

Aster & Yueshi briefly meet.

Aster & Boothill are on friendly terms and have probably worked together in the past.

Gawain leaves the Silvermane Guards sometime after The Supreme Guardian issues the order to seal off the Underworld, Probably works with Sampo to smuggle the much needed goods to the Underworld.

Aster & Aventurine meet and start trading information with each other, trying not to be on opposite sides of a situation so they don’t damage their ‘relationship’

Aster is betrayed and chained by the IPC (physically & spiritually) in order to capitalize on an unaffiliated Emanator of Remembrance and their real identity as a former high-ranking member of the Annihilation Gang is exposed.

The Stellaron Hunters / Kafka approach Aventurine & Topaz to make a deal: Aster is needed for Elio’s ‘script’ during the Charmony festival and will break Aster out of IPC control, making sure the heist is not connected to Aventurine or Topaz.

Herta Space Station / Jarilo-VI

Aster is stuck in a physical form and most of their emanator abilities are locked away, becomes a passenger on the Astral Express while trying to find a solution to their predicament. Nothing much comes from it.

Yueshi provides intel to Luocha on how to smuggle his Stellaron shaped contraband aboard the Luofu.

After the Stellaron crisis on Jarilo-VI is solved, Gawain leaves the plant surface to start their Trailblazing journey.

Aster and Aventurine reconcile after Topaz runs into Aster on Jarilo-VI, Aster leaves the Express crew.

Xianzhou Luofu

Yueshi does not physically assist Luocha & Jingliu during the Luofu Stellaron crisis and is NOT arrested.

[Insert my old fix-it au idea of Dan Feng gaining his own body & memories back but it’s no longer a fix-it au its more pain actually]

Aster & the IPC 3 end up fairly acquainted will eventually collaborate for the events of Penacony

Aster has an encounter with an Abundance abomination Castor at Pier Point and leaves with an ominous warning about the events of Penacony. Aster opens up about their past to Aventurine and Topaz. The two are the only ones in the Universe who now know Aster’s whole story, and not just snippets.

Aster cashes on Jing Yuan’s favor and wants to learn more about mara-struck behavior in other non-xianzhou species, casually mentions working with a ‘mara-struck Vidyadhara with a broken horn’ before

Jingliu’s Story mission gets its own header

[Dan Feng is also present for the HCQ reunion at Scalegorge Waterscape]

Sen makes their decision to fully align themself with the Xianzhou again

Castor is somehow connected & Involved with Jingliu & Luocha’s ‘lets kill Yaoshi’ plan

Yueshi is revealed to also be working with them, [Luocha taunts this directly @ Dan Feng]

Dianran’s Status is still currently unknown

Penacony [up to 2.1]

Elio’s vague script for Aster: ‘act as you usually would, as if you know nothing’

Castor is probably not on Penacony himself, but in direct contact with Sparkle (depends on what will happen in the Epilogue)

Yueshi could possibly be on Penacony (revisit this once we know more about Jingliu & Luocha’s plan)

Aster reveals her status as an (incapacitated) Emanator of Remembrance to the Astral Express crew & Acheron

Sunday & Aster know of each other. Sunday knows that Aster is actually Pollux, but does not know she is an Emanator of Remembrance.

Aster is in on Aventurine’s plan, and is transparent about having a ‘script’ to follow

Aster is present when Sunday questions Aventurine

Aster completes their part of the script by jumping in front of Acheron’s strike against Aventurine but though she knew this was part of his plan, in the moment she moved to protect him without thinking. And it was exactly what she needed to do for the chains on her emanator powers to break

Penacony [2.2]

Gawain stays on the Express w/ Dan Heng, hits it off with Boothill.

Aster falls into Dreamflux Reef with the Astral Express crew, behaving erratically after regaining her full powers. Unable to control her emotions and abilities after meeting Sunday face-to-face again, her appearance as a Halovian shifts back into reality and her cover is blown.

Aster is finally fully upfront with the Astral Express and continues to work with them in this final confrontation, Gawain stickers with Himeko, March 7th, Firefly, and the Trailblazer

Aster is relieved to hear from Argenti that Aventurine was saved by him.

After Aster wakes up from Sunday’s Order-fueled dream, she has a fairly long conversation with Acheron about the Aeons, Aster’s past and their philosophies.

Gawain & Aster aid in the final fight against Sunday

Aster follows Boothill when he goes to interrogate Aventurine post-final fight.