#secret third option: abandon them

[gardenoflupins]

Y’all i need your help. What do I do with my unfinished fics. I said that I’d only publish my finished fics but I have 6473837473 wips marinating in my docs.

[venuswarmlight]

Goddess! Reader x caitvi

Warnings: smut at the end, really rushed. Not proofread.

It happened like a miracle, a magical dream come true from the old books placed in the Kiramman house. When they found you, they knew they were struck by cupid.

It all started when during a mission, the dynamic duo found an abandoned Museum, a colossal treasure in ruins due to time and weather, something so destroyed but at the same time hiding a delightful secret.

The first one to notice was Vi, when they started stepping into the bricks and collecting the remains of what were beautiful sculptures decades ago, a breeze that placed its hand right beside her, on her shoulder, and a soothing whisper “You should not be here.” A vibrant yet peaceful aura and that ethereal voice made her quickly turn around, her powder blueish-eyes prepared to confront a monster, a witch, everything but the body of a feminine representation, very much taller than her, with the most delicate ornament and jewelry displayed all over your body in the right places, that woman was too stunned to speak, she definitely knew you were not a common creature.

“Who are you?”She said, her husky voice resonated in the landscape, her echoes vibrating on the droplets of water falling down the vines and falling on the moss, she stepped back, completely mesmerized by your presence. Her gauntlets let out vapor that broke the suspension in the room, you didnt flinch, just answered with a mellow tone “Do not be afraid.” You whispered, following by your name, her curiosity grew intense in her heart.

Caitlyn wasn’t the exception, when she found the two of you talking, both sat down on a block of broken concrete, surrounded by vegetation and nature. The blue haired girl had at first very resentful thoughts about you, but when you spoke to her, she instantly understood. How could she not give herself to you?

And with that, they extended the case, just so they could go up that hill and sneak between the ruined structure, just so they could see you. You exchanged likings, stories, and fluttering moments that wrapped both of them in your singular charm. For you, they were nothing but another experience, humans and common species used to come and go whenever they wanted, with the time, you grew more distant and mature about them, but Caitlyn and Vi were different. This time you were starting to feel… Mundane things, unknown feelings that you thought disappeared lots of centuries ago.

Caitlyn fell first, your knowledge and wisdom instantly enveloped her in an obsessive attraction, making her blush and laugh more often when she was around you, finally letting herself have a little fun and rest when you helped her choosing and structuring her strategies and plans in her work, your intellect and ease to solve extremely difficult cases lighted up her heart, slowly falling in love with you, despite the fact that she denied it at first for respect to her girlfriend. But it wasn’t too much time later before Vi also started to feel the same, romantic butterflies flew around her stomach whenever she was with you, her confident personality totally screwed over when you two were talking, basically making her feel like a high school girl. You could be so adaptive to both of their needs and interests that it was almost like you were a third complement, not just another option or some funny thing to spend the time with.

You started getting more comfortable around them, letting them guide you over the town and inviting you to places you didn’t think you would be able to enjoy. For the first time, you felt imperfect and alive, and the security they provided was more than enough to make you fall in love with them. Even if you knew that soon they would probably forget you. At some point, you started neglecting your divine duties just to open a space for them, something that could bring consequences later.

Finally after six months, they realized they could not keep hiding this from themselves anymore, leading into a discussion.

“It just happened, cupcake, m’sorry.” Vi said, while holding the other’s hand, thumb slightly rubbing against her skin, trying to console her.

They were both laid in bed on their sides, face to face, inches apart. Caitlyn’s eyebrows furrowed, thoughtful, it’s not that she wasn’t okay with it, it was just weird to her. As someone who had only seen traditional relationships in her life, it was hard for her to accept the situation, she loved Violet with all of her heart, and all of what she has done was only to love her, but her suggestion was something she was hesitant of. She never shared, and she is quite possessive of what’s hers.. But there could be an exception.

“Don’t worry, darling. I think.. I agree with you on that.” Her words made Vi raise her eyebrows, surprised and amused by her reaction. “I have never done anything like this before, are you sure you really want this? Do you think she feels the same about us?”

“Y’know, I don’t have a problem with having a third, wouldn’t change anything between us. M’ pretty sure she has done this before, or she could know about this stuff, so why not?“ She answered, getting closer to Caitlyn, her eyes connecting deep to hers, she added “Take your time n’ when you’re ready, say the word.” She smiled right next to her lips, before kissing her passionately, her hands hugging her waist and pressing her body close to hers while the giggles filled the bedroom.

Caitlyn didn’t really wait long until their makeout session finished to tell Vi her final decision, the pink haired girl could not be more satisfied.

When the moment came, what they thought would be easier became actually more complicated. You were a goddess, you couldn’t love and commit to them the way they wanted to, just because of the fact that you couldn’t. Gods don’t do that. A wave of sadness rushed across both Caitlyn and Vi’s bodies, a gut wrenching feeling that transformed into a sigh of relief when they heard you negociate with them. “You have become the first thing I think of when I come down from the heavens, and the last thing I remember in my dreams, but if your hearts are truly devoted, I shall not end the bond.”

And it was more than enough. You had no arguments about it. You decided how it would be. And it would remain like that, just so they could keep you a little more. What started simply as dates in the midnight ended as you transformed into a fully human being, living human-like experiences and behaving like a human with them. A world where you could hide from the heavens and the sky, not caring about anything else.

You realised you were more than fucked when you gave in to them, fully.

Caitlyn’s moans where displayed all over the room, her chest raising up and down as she saw literally stars and the heaven itself because of your artwork with your mouth, your tongue flipping and lapping on her folds, lips sucking and biting her clit just to drive her closer to the edge, your hums sending vibrating waves all over her arousal, making her squeeze your head between her legs and pull your hair close to her sensitive skin. “Right there, god. Now I—fuck, understand why you’re so experienced, mmm.”

An amazing view for Vi, who was praising and worshipping your body from behind, one of her hands roaming all over your body, hugging your breasts and leaving purple prints on your hips that would disappear instantly, her fingers knuckle-deep inside your walls, pumping and curling in your wet softness, memorizing every inch of your skin and every reaction of yours, how you arched your back everytime she spoiled that spot too much, how you muffled her name in Caitlyn’s core, it send shivers down her spine, encouraging her to get you over and over again to your limits, her dirty talk always making you squirm and squirt everytime. “S’good for us, look at that, ffuckk… You’re creaming all over my palm.”

Two bad bitches at the same damn time. 🤞🏽

[spicycinnabun]

SO excited for the results of this make me write. It was so hard to decide and I wish I could do them all but I think I will ask for 🤖🤖🤖 or ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 whichever you get less of 🥰

I've got about six other beep boop asks in the queue lol, so I'm going to go with ❤️‍🩹! Let's rewind to before the break-up. c:

♡

They were cuddling on Tommy’s couch. Tommy was behind him, hands resting protectively on Buck’s belly. He had been doing that a lot lately—holding him there, touching him there. Buck wasn’t sure if Tommy was aware he kept doing it.

Buck hadn't said anything. He didn’t want to call attention to it and risk having Tommy stop. Because he liked it. Okay, more than just liked it. His body was sending him strong signals about what the Alpha wanted, and it was making him a little stupid with need.

His heart sped up.

Of course, Tommy noticed. One of his hands started rubbing in a hypnotic, circular motion. “What's up?”

“I-I’ve been thinking,” Buck started, trying not to get distracted by the petting. His eyes closed. “I’d like to spend my next heat with you.”

“Oh?” Tommy said, after a small intake of breath Buck couldn’t really decipher.

He didn't say anything else, waiting for Buck to elaborate on his thoughts.

Buck had never enjoyed his heats. Dreaded them because of how desperate they made him, among other undesirable attributes, but maybe it would be different with Tommy. Every time they’d gotten hot and heavy with each other, it was so good, an intense burn that kept building.

Buck was used to being a service omega, but with Tommy, he hadn't fallen into that role. He didn't feel like a wind-up toy, only good for one use, one purpose. His world had been shaken and turned upside down. He actually felt kind of giddy, for once.

“Y-you said I could set the pace, but I also don’t want to pressure you,” Buck continued. “If you’re not ready yet or don’t want to, that’s totally fine. Or if we get to the middle of things and you decide it’s too much—t-that I’m too much—you don’t have to stay.”

That already went unspoken, but Buck wanted to assure Tommy that he had an out. He wasn’t stuck with Buck if he got too whiny, too needy, too clingy. Like he always did.

Tommy’s grip on him had gone slack. He was silent for so long Buck had to sit up and turn around. Tommy looked… kind of horrified, actually.

Buck’s stomach twisted. That was definitely not the reaction he’d been hoping for.

He backtracked. “O-or! Secret third option: We can forget this conversation ever happened and go on a fun date after my cycle is over. I was looking at this new sushi place the other day that has—”

“No.” Tommy let out a slow breath, eyes wide. “I’m sorry, I’m just still trying to process what you said. You think I would leave you in the middle of your heat? That's ludicrous, Evan. Even if, for whatever reason, I couldn’t continue, I wouldn’t abandon any omega like that.” Tommy tilted Buck's chin up gently, eyes filled with sincerity. “Especially not my omega. Have past partners done that to you?”

“Uh.” Buck swallowed hard, feeling suddenly very off-kilter and overwhelmed. “Yes? I’m… you know, a l-lot to handle. D-difficult. E-e-exhausting. It’s okay.”

“Oh, it is so far from okay,” Tommy said. His scent had changed, no longer relaxed. Filling the air with an edge of bitter anger he was trying to keep at bay.

Buck didn’t know what to do, so he followed his instincts and hugged his Alpha. Tommy's tension released. He hugged Buck back. They nuzzled each other, Buck focusing on Tommy's scent gland.

“And now you’re comforting me,” Tommy added with a weak chuckle of disbelief.

“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Buck murmured, burying his nose in Tommy’s shoulder and kissing it.

“I’m upset for you, Evan. You didn’t deserve to be treated that way. You're none of those things.” Buck made an involuntary sound, and Tommy squeezed him. “I’m going to take care of you, okay? I’m going to show you what a heat is supposed to be like.”

♡

tag list: @chococara25 @lemon-drop151 @bidisasterevankinard @cannibalhellhound @theallyandhisbeast @loulou-land @harmonic-intervention @manifestingchaoticvibes @notacyborg @tedious-waffle @ginny-lala @figuringitoutaloud @monstertrucksactually @eliotwaughdeservesbetter @know1udno @styxhuntress @all-the-feels @perfectlyhopefulruins @espressopatronum454

[zentriii]

i was thinking about tobirama's death [as one does] in the first war compared to how hiruzen led konoha during the third war and had to sit with the cultural change in warfare in which clan leaders [during the warring clans]/kages take a backseat to lead their men. and i was like okay well tobirama grew up and spent his life on the battlefield of course he dies in war. and with hiruzen only being selected right before he dies, clearly it wasn't a smooth transition to power, likely leading hiruzen to not fight in the next wars, knowing just how turbulent a change in power in the middle of the war can be [which adds to more reasons beyond age and increased manpower in the war for why he holds onto the hat until the end of the third war. it seems to be a choice the other kages either choose not to follow or can't by the time of the fourth war but anyways–].

tobirama. dying in the war. back to that.

hey why the fuck is the hokage even running missions during the war with only his escort unit anyways?? Clearly it must be something important, right?? i mean u got the leader of a whole ass village during the first ever war since peace was made, tobirama's presence had to be vital. yes you could explain increased risk taking behaviour coupled with apathy towards his life by grief but he's not kakashi. fun parallel but i think circumstances are different enough to explore the route that no one else could have taken this sort of mission. as in top secret. as in hush hush.

while i think the idea of a leak is great fuel for danzo's seal [beyond the obvious reasons], i think it's just standard shinobi luck that eventually got them. apologies for the brief powerscaling but i do NOT think tobirama couldn't have taken out the kinkaku unit by himself if he was in peak condition. like yea there were at least 20 of them, two of which were like. mini jinchurikis. so it wouldn't have been an easy, decisive win, but at no point do any of them suggest taking them head on. which i think is interesting because your options are that konoha's presence cannot be known due to the delicacy of the mission or something OR they're injured and know there's no chance of victory. i mean come on, it's 7:20, not the greatest odds but not impossible either, especially with a hokage in the mix. which given the plan they went with, it can't be a complete secrecy thing.

so yea. you got a weakened squad of seven, likely on their way back from a mission since there's no line about abandoning it after running something of importance. and like. not to pin everything on danzo [whom i find interesting and complex and want to squash like a bug], but building on the fanon that he played a role in the destruction of uzushio? i think running an errand or message or wtv to them of great importance bc of konoha's alliance with them but then losing their hokage for it?? oh it would be so easy for him to look the other way, to not quite consider sending help as an urgent matter. according to this analysis, konoha already had its hands full of their own matters anyways.

if danzo learns how easy it is to look away, mayb even how beneficial it is to konoha in the long run without powerful yet unreliable allies, well. the uchiha massacre is just another domino in this series of events, isn't it? [danzo my beloved unreliable narrator ur descent into madness captivates me babygirl]

[i referenced this timeline when my memory was a bit spotty bc kishimoto's timeline is a horrendous mess btw but i might have missed a few things. if you'll excuse me i have to go scream into a pillow or something]

[theamityelf]

You mentioned the potential for despair disease in the Naehinahara killing game and all I coyld think about was Makoto with despair disease (again) with Hajime/Hajizuru and Shuichi trying to keep him safe. Do you think the despair disease would be a lot more serious since there are more people that could catch it?

This is very fun. The fun thing about this is that the killing game is clearly meant to mess with the three protags specifically, so the choices for who gets the disease would be calculated for what outcome would be the most stressful.

(I'm going to say Despair Disease is still a chapter 3 thing; it belongs in a third chapter. Also, despite saying before that DD could only be a factor if this killing game is a simulation, I'm going to say that the killing game is still happening in real life. Someone just found a way to make Despair Disease real.)

Here are our options:

Makoto and Hajime get it and Shuichi doesn't. The third person, in this case, would be someone from Shuichi's group; I'll say Kaito, assuming I haven't killed him by this point in the story. (My heart says he's a Chapter 1-er, but my brain says Chapter 1 is probably a revealed-secrets motive in this AU, to drive up paranoia, so Syo and Maki are probably in the most danger there. For a disease motive, Kaito is of more use to the mastermind as an infected than as an uninfected.)

This serves to put Shuichi in a position where the ones he looked up to at the start of the killing game now rely on him. Specifically, Chapter 1 would have been a loss for Shuichi and maybe also Makoto (supposing Maki and someone from THH dies; let's say Maki and Hiro), and then Chapter 2 is Makoto losing Hina and another THH character (I really do think this is a Syo or Toko kill). This means Shuichi has been made to see Makoto's humanity through his grief and has learned the grim side of Hajime's hypercompetency through the fact that Hajime's friends are surviving at everyone else's expense.

With Despair Disease, Makoto is suddenly as unhelpful, obstructive, and problematic as possible and Hajime is suddenly at levels of apathy surpassing even Izuru Kamukura.

This is already a problem, but more so because deliberately-counterproductive Makoto will definitely be saying things he shouldn't.

The protags have been doing their best to keep the memory situation under wraps, to avoid unintended reactions from the others, but Diseased Makoto is another story. The morning he wakes up with the disease, he skips breakfast and goes straight to wherever Byakuya's isolating himself to and chatting with reckless abandon about secrets Byakuya hasn't told him yet.

Just plops into a seat across from him like, "Do you think maybe we'd have been freed by now if your million siblings hadn't been excommunicated from your family?"

Byakuya looks at him sharply. "I beg your pardon?"

"I mean, your siblings lost the competition, but they were still contenders, so I'm sure if you were on good terms with all of them, they'd probably be really helpful. Instead, we have to wait for the cops to save us. Or whoever is acting in the role of cops these days; who knows how much time we've lost. I think I'm still the same size I was last time I checked, but you must have noticed a difference, right?"

"How do you know these things?"

"I'm a corporate spy." And then he falls off the chair sideways because he's very ill.

Meanwhile Hajime is just in bed 24/7, sweating profusely and not bothering to move or do anything. When Shuichi talks to him, he's mockingly dismissive. Saying things like, "You again. Still wasting your chance to protect your friends, while I'm indisposed."

Shuichi has to keep Makoto out of trouble, make sure Hajime is eating and drinking water and generally surviving, and...well, he'll try to handle Kaito, but I think Kaito's going to slip through the cracks, since he's someone any of the others can care for, whereas Hajime and Makoto have to be Shuichi's job, and he has to tend to them separately because they make each other worse.

This is going to lead to drama, because while Shuichi never blames Makoto for anything, he does hold Hajime's actions against him. Makoto is going to come to Hajime's defense when this all comes to a head, after the disease has passed. Ultimately, it'll make their bonds stronger, but Shuichi does need to go through some anger at Hajime so he can come to terms with the fact that he's just a person doing his best instead of a superhuman being selfish. And Shuichi will ultimately realize that some of his disappointment comes from how much he respects and admires Hajime.

Or, all three infected are Hajime's friends. This hearkens to their past as Remnants of Despair AND brings Hajime's preference for protecting his friends sharply into focus, after Trial 2 and his conversation with Shuichi. He's probably introduced himself to the group as the Ultimate Medic anyway, since that's the most useful talent to fess up to, so he's protecting and caring for three of his friends while trusting Makoto and Shuichi to look out for the others.

Or, all three protags get infected and it's just up to everyone else to keep them in order. No one knows to stop Makoto from spouting out things he knows, so he's talking to everyone. Crying at Kyoko like, "You and Hina were best friends. Don't you feel it?!" until Fuyuhiko and Himiko drag him to bed. Shuichi gets symptoms that make him super accusatory. Not in the way Nagito was under Despair Disease; he's not just making random wild accusations. His accusations are calculated for maximum distress. Telling everyone Kokichi is the mastermind, telling Byakuya the mastermind is one of his brothers, etc. Fortunately, Akane and Kaito pretty much tune it all out as sick talk and make sure he's taken care of. Kaito might catch the disease from him, though; I feel like he's extra sensitive to it.

Man, imagine having a cast so packed that I don't take the opportunity to give Kokichi truth disease.

(Whatever the case, this chapter could be first time one of Hajime's friends die.)

[fairypaw]

YEAHH TREE TIME EVRERYNYANN

me babbling abt tree under the ✂️

in my humble and objectively correct opinion tree is THE most interesting cat especially with his impact in the books both narratively and the impacts he has for the worldbuilding. Tree is a care free almost lazy, and weird but he makes up for it by being charismatic, highly intelligent, and hes??? so funny?? he met four cats and he makes up a DIFFERENT fake backstory everytime, he's a chronic nonsensical nonchalant nonbinary i love him.

He was born in a unique origin so to say, although putting aside the criticism around The Sisters, Tree or back then Earth, gives us an outsider pov for once and its genuinely so refreshing! i loved Tree's roots and seeing what hardships he went through to be moulded as the clever, witty yet untrustful cat he's become

He overcomes trauma from his origin and his fleeting attachment issues stems from a constant back and forth lesson and events that led him to be disclosed yet painfully longs for a place to set foot.

From the very start, all he ever wanted was just to have something, somewhere, someone to rely on. but from the death of his best friend, to the Sisters "banishment", to his dad's death and every other harsh lesson the world gives that he was better off alone. He slowly comes to unlearn it, by squirrelflight's hope, a quote from him really speaks about how far he's come and how he finally finds grounding and a home, a *family* in the clans

“Her kits deserve to have a

mother, even if only for a short while.”

“They’ll have the Sisters.”

“I guess.” “But Rootkit and Needlekit will have a father and a mother

for as long as they need them, and if they’re in trouble, they’ll always have a Clan to turn to.” PUNCHES A WALL. I LOVE YOU TREE TIMES A GAZILLION !!

Tree knows the bitter lifestyle he had to endure in his childhood, he was so young when everyone around him expected the world, to be larger than life. he would never want that for his shrub babies..

And Tree also embodies the *middle option* that choices and roles arent put into objective boxes, he questions the roles of toms and she cats in the sisters, the way he struggled in his role as a tom, the way he abandons his name, the torment between always wanting a home but constantly taught either by tongue or harsh events that the solitary life, the way he couldnt choose between being a warrior and a medicine cat, to the way he becomes the secret third thing every choice his given.

As a queer person specifically i relate to him but also just in general <3 Tree is a cat who represents healing from past trauma to move forward, who serves justice and sees common ground in every situation, someone who is everything he chooses to be and also he makes awesome horrendous jokes.

[horizon-verizon]

I've thought about this again because I saw some posts that spoke in favor of Elia, against Rhaegar/Lyanna and many mix the two canons. I personally think they were in love and I've always been curious how Martin would handle it when we had the "ultimate truth" and I have been indifferent to whether Elia knew/agreed/there was bigamy/a secret third option.

I like Rhaegar from the books quite a bit, but among the mountain of horrible things S8 did was make me really dislike the character and fans of Rhaegar and Jon. And I can't blame Elia or Anti Rhaegar fans when they use the show's canon (but I do wish they would acknowledge that that's unlikely what happened in the books).

Every time I remember that show!Rhaegar unilaterally and without notifying anyone ANNULLED the marriage with Elia, transformed his children into bastards and named his new son AEGON I want to strangle him and kill him. According to the show's backstory, Elia died and was held hostage for an engagement that was already void. Rhaenys and Aegon lost their rights, were abandoned and died because of a shitty father (When I have to assume it was relatively good in the books because Rhaenys goes to hide in his room, his daughter associates him with safety). I have no words for how absolutely disgusting it is to throw away a child and give that same name to the 2.0 model.

And all of this was done with the intention of legitimizing poor, innocent Jon Snow and giving him a "stronger"* claim to the throne over his aunt who was going "mad" and "power-hungry when the throne "always" was Jon's "rightful" birthright.

I pray that neither of the two things (Rhaegar annulled his marriage and and Jon's Targ name is Aegon) whatever it ends up on paper because literally any fan theory over the years has been better and it wouldn't feel like the character assassination that I felt that creative decision was.

I have a post explaining why I do not think Rhaegar was THE devil with how he handled stuff w/Lyanna and Elia HERE AND why Lyanna is and never was his "war prize" HERE. And in it, I also make it clear how/why Rhaegar actually did not canonically (bk) abandon his kids...but it was more that he couldn't be at 3 places at once.

*EDIT 1/12/2025* Overall, Rhaegar failed bc he was way too idealistic that he let ideas of heroism carry him away from observing issues with is own acrions or how e implemented a lot of them. So he was both irresponsible in one sense and was obsessed w/fufilling an ultimate level of "responsibility" through a prophecy I think he took as way to justify/redeem te corruption around him. Yes, he wanted to be "authentic", but went about it unfairly & disastrously under that inevitable weight. *END OF EDIT*

🤗. Thank you, anon, another take I agree with! I can't totally blame those Elia stans either for how they feel abt Rhaegar of either book or show when yes his affair with Lyanna--even if he had never loved Elia that way--is an social affront to Elia, and the show made it worse with Rhaegar somehow deciding to fuck over his own kids Henry VIII style in the way you describe (idw to repeat myself or you). And for some reason, I haven't really ever come to the realization that he'd be "giving" his leg son's name to his ileg son in the context of his having emotionally/politically affronted Elia. If it is just about the "sanctity" of marriage and a misunderstanding of what marriage is, I lean towards @faintingheroine's (deactivated) reblog:

I think people also simply emotionally understand cheating more than they understand actual physical violence. Cheating is something people can relate to their own lives. Whereas violence of this kind is something that most of us will hopefully never have to deal with. But it is a very flawed and myopic way to look at high-stake stories like this one of course.

I def understand some's arguments for why Elia WAS totally against Rhaegar for his liasion w/Lyanna both for her own sake and their kids. Aside from just not wantin that shame or to share a spouse. But the show's explanation for Rhaegar and Lyanna being for Jon having legitimacy is not for Elia but for Daenerys and the show's attempt to mitigate her role for said Jon Snow. Because the narrative is about the misinterpretations of the kind of heroism as in who we should love but who is using their power for a "greater good". Rhaegar was trying to balance the immediate political landscapes with future possible events that he likely thought had to be addressed as soon as possible, but it also didn't mean he didn't also make more personal self concerned choices but even this doesn't mean that he was always selfish when we see clearly canon evidence of the reverse.

I do "blame" those who think Rhaegar abandoned Elia and his kids to his abusive father for Lyanna or that he legitimized/tried to legitimize his child by Lyanna BY CANON. That shit's annoying. Neglect for te sake of te prophecy, yeah sure but leave beind to Aerys, no.

I suppose the reason why people like you and I have been "indifferent" to whether Elia knew abt the affair and how she'd take it and whether or not she "agreed" is that:

a) we simply don't know yet/GRRM has only ever said it was a "complex" relationship b/t her and Rhaegar...whatever that means

b) GRRM's handling of age gap relationships IN WORLD reflects both strange medieval-ish ideas of youth and sexuality AND how he's not really "in the know of" how such relationships work, thus they don't really materialize "realistically" in the book as they would other than with Dany and Drogo (Dany and Drogo is a slave-master situation...Lyanna chose Rhaegar under no compulsion from him)...so IN WORLD, it's far more likely that Rhaegar didn't actually seek prey in Lyanna for her youth/vulnerability (as Robert, Craster, some slave masters, Walder Frey, etc. do) nor "hated" Elia. But that he just really fell for Lyanna AND wanted to make sure the prince that was promised prophecy come to fruition at the same time. That he felt torn between these two--

(not that he used Lyanna for the prophecy, but that these two things AS WELL AS HIS KIDS, likely came at odds in terms of "what can I do to make these two things happen without compromising the other"...perhaps, after a life of performing "duty" towards his family, dynasty, the "world", Lyanna is the "love" that NARRATIVELY becomes his "weakness" in a long career of putting "duty" first [when he also has been emotionally distant and set against by his own father's paranoia and abuse for years by this point] bc he finally gets to perform something not intertwined with a sense of this great pressure of "duty". Even though I def headcanon he was attracted to Lyanna for how she views/acts out justice and all that --THIS DOESN'T MAKE HIS ACTIONS NOT "STUPID" OR HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH LYANNA ANY LESS EXRAMARITAL. I'M PROVIDING CONTEXT PEOPLE MAY NOT BE INVESTIGATING IN THEIR ASSESSMENTS AND ANSWERING THE QUESTION THEY MAY HAVE FOR WHY HE WOULD SUCH A THING, FILLING IN BLANKS HERE, PEOPLE AND SAYING THAT THE TRAGEDY HERE IS THAT THE LOVE COULDN'T BE BECASUE OF POLITICAL ARRANGEMENTS)--

bc I think he left Dragonstone with some of his crew to explore some secrets for said prophecy AND to possibly meet up with Lyanna, maybe partly to keep her safe from his own father and/or Robert, and while there are many fans who have cited he was "obsessed" with prophecies and not enough on his own family, I think they forget that the entire series is devoted to what and how one transforms their own privilege or suffering into "duty" towards those needing protection on a wider scale, and the prophecy is critical towards that--to "save the world" has been Rhaegar's most enduring goal. Perhaps there are those affronted by the idea that he was more "torn" abt the prophecy vs Lyanna versus the prophecy/world-saving versus Elia, or as they interpreted was happening

c) even if Rhaegar had stayed with his part of the family, he'd been called to arms for his father and if he didn't that's treason/endangers his part of the family...this is in answer to those arguing how Rhaegar's infidelity puts Elia's and their kids' lives in danger

The prophecy is about saving the world, yes? It's also very possible Rhaegar was "melancholy" all his life bc:

from his birth--connected to Summerhall & the continued Targ search to reconnect with their dragonflame origins and possibly use it to bring about some changes (necessary or not) in the world where they straddle the line between Other and exceptional--he's lived with a continued sense of isolation

he wanted to be a person responsible for "renewing" the world from Targaryen & other Westerosi destructive actions from the past centuries nearly similar to how Dany is now using Dragons to reverse the effects of Valyrian slavery in Essos's current slave system...which is destroying the entire slave system. For Rhaegar, that was bringing about the Prince that was Promised; the specifics, we simply do not know and that's the part of the mystery to be "solved" in WoW.

[moibakadesu]

I have been rotating one of Haruka's lines from the earphone collab in my brain for a while now, because it stood out to me as very important.

And that would be the line in which he apologizes to Amane in a very distressed and tearful voice.

So, Yamanaka had mentioned that these lines are important to canon or "critical to uncover the secrets of the prisoners", which is also why I think they made sure that they are not hidden behind a paywall, you can read up on all of them on the website of the collab.

And I think this line gives us hints for things to come in t3.

//cw for the topics of suicide and Milgram-typical violence

Alright, so let's assume that the restrictions of the guilty prisoners don't work the way we imagine. For context, I always assumed that they are not physically bound (after all they still have to eat, use the bathroom etc), but it's more of a emotional barrier that keeps them from inflicting violence or defending themselves. But we never got a confirmation on that, this is just what I combined by observation, but it might as well just be that they consider the longer straps (and in some cases sleeves) as restriction, which is ... well, that is not something that is stopping someone with the intent to kill, that is for sure.

So I would say we are all terribly aware about Haruka's threat of suicide. But I think his plan might have changed a bit, he had a long time to ruminate about it after all. And he clearly does not want to die (AKAA even has the lyrics "I don't want to die" translated as "Don't wipe me out", but we are all aware how scuffed the translation for that song is). His conversation with Kotoko on her birthday already made me rise an eyebrow. My first assumption was that he is planning a murder-suicide with Muu, in a way to safe her both from being scared in Milgram and from being alone when he is gone.

But what if he came up with a third option? An option that would show he is serious without destroying the time with his mother. (I still think Muu won't want to hang out with him anymore in t3, but that is beside the question here.) Our blue boy once stated that "he can kill anything that is smaller and weaker than him", and who fits that description the most in the prison and also has a bit of an overlap with his presumed victim? Amane.

An important detail is, that Amane is a prisoner that Haruka had no interaction with whatsoever. He does mention her, in his t1 VD explaining that he is not good with children of her age and in the t2 VD that he apparently does not have problems with her anymore. Still, he seemed to (understandably) always keep his distance from her.

So why of all things does he get a line in this collab addressing her directly? It doesn't feel like a "sorry I'm not interacting with you" kinda line, it's very pained, you can feel the tears in his voice there.

And this lead me to think that Haruka will attempt to attack Amane, which ... oh boy, it will be all kinds of messy. We know Amane is armed, even with the overwhelming strength disadvantage she could easily stab him with her scissors in a death-struggle. Not to mention the conflicts that will bring among the prisoners (I don't even want to think about how that could sour how Fuuta thinks about Haruka tremendously).

And it would be a very interesting turn story wise, instead of going the way too obvious and telegraphed path of Haruka attempting to kill himself and Amane planning an attack on Shidou etc.

It would also be a very mean and ironic way to repeat Haruka's misery (I am crying), getting abandoned by Es/us and very possible his second mother Muu and trying to change things by taking the life of a young girl.

[manygeese]

@lost-trio-week day 4: godly parent swap

~*~

Lightning cracked like a whip, splitting the night sky in fractured halves.

That was when Leo knew he was in for an interesting evening.

The deck, once blissfully dry, was suddenly pelted with a relentless rain. Leo’s hair was flattened to his head in an instant. Hazel had abandoned the son of Aphrodite as soon as the ominous clouds had started closing in on the sun, which he couldn’t blame her for. It was every demigod for themselves when it came to storms, whether they be natural, caused by venti, or from a not so secret third option: Piper.

Like the thunder itself, Piper’s frustrated cry rose from the lower decks of the Argo II, telling him all he needed to know about what sinister force was behind the sudden hurricane. With a sigh and an executive decision to leave Coach Hedge by himself for night watch, Leo slid down the stairway banister and found himself in the darkest depths of the hold. When one of them had problems, all of them had problems, so he had decided to go get Jason first.

A warm, familiar glow came from the end of the hallway. The engine room’s double doors were slightly open, letting the light from the forge escape its metal prison, if only from a skinny sliver between wall and door.

Something was afoot- Jason never left the door to the engine room open. Even when he wasn’t in it. Leo theorized that it was because the son of Vulcan liked it stuffy in his work places. He could just never seem to get warm enough.

Creeping up to the gap in the darkness, Leo peered into the engine room like a four year old trying to catch Santa in the act of laying presents under the Christmas tree.

Usually, he would have seen Jason hammering away at one pet project or another, or sticking his torso completely into the activated engine to fix something, which never failed to make Leo yelp and attempt to pull him out. He swore Jason did it on purpose. Piper could also be found there. Right behind the daughter of Zeus’ own cabin or the upper deck, she spent the most time doodling in the engine room or trying to help with repairs.

But that night, Leo found Jason all alone, head in hands, no Piper in sight.

Yup. Something was definitely afoot.

“Jason, do you mind telling me why the door was open?” Leo asked, stepping into the abnormally hot room and shutting the door behind him. He slipped a little charmspeak into his voice, since Jason usually couldn’t resist the stuff.

But Jason’s mouth just warbled and released a truly pathetic whimper along with a puff of steam. No eagerness to explain, like the Roman golden child was prone to show, or even his signature big dumb puppy eyes.

“Jason,” Leo admonished, feeling distinctly like he had come home to a ripped up sofa and a guilty-looking dog.

Jason screwed his eyes shut and shook his head. Flames licked around his hands, which were covering his face.

“Okay, dude,” the charmspeaker scoffed, turning around to leave, “be that way. If you don’t want to talk, I guess I’ll just head over to Piper’s…”

“Wait! Don’t leave!��� Came the desperate, but not unexpected response.

Jason had played right into his hands, as usual. “If you want me to stay, you have to tell me why you’re moping and if it has anything to do with Piper’s stress-storming.”

The other boy broke out his signature big dumb puppy eyes. Honestly, Leo would have been more worried if he hadn’t.

“Wuh oh, looks like I’m leaving the room… I wonder if there’s anything a certain blond mechanic could do about it…”

“Okay, okay, you win,” Jason relented, pushing himself back up to his feet and approaching Leo like a wild animal, hands raised in surrender and apprehension.

“Earlier today, me and Piper had deck duty, right?” Jason started, hand reaching back to itch his neck. “And she brought up the prophecy.”

Leo sucked in a breath through his teeth. Discussing the prophecy was huge no no. After the fight with Khione on the way to Epirus, Leo had put it on the List of Banned Topics, 1984 style. It was right up there with the best ice cream flavor (controversial, Piper said it was neapolitan when it was clearly moose tracks) and what they were going to do after the war (better not to jinx it).

“She was talking about one of us dying again. She wanted to make me pinky promise that I would let her do it.”

There was a tense silence. “Did you?”

“No.”

Leo heaved a relieved sigh. “Good.”

“Instead, I tried to make her pinky promise that she’d let me do it.”

“Oh, come on, man.” Leo plugged his ears and tried to forget what he just heard.

The prophecy made him feel helpless. His two best friends were the key players, storm and fire themselves, and he was just Leo. A scrawny, weak demigod whose only use was his pretty voice. Half the time, he was just the damsel in distress, and the other half, he was the mediator. And sure, Annabeth had told him that “peacekeeper is an important job, it’s crucial that you get it right, blah blah blah responsibility, blah blah blah use your empathy,” but it was hard to believe that whoever was essentially just a let’s-all-get-along-and-make-friendship-bracelets hippie was as important as the slayer of Gaea.

The slayer of Gaea who would wind up getting themselves killed.

The fact of the matter was: one of his best friends would die saving the world, and there was nothing Leo could do about it.

“Hey, don’t cry, Leo, it wasn’t like she actually did it or anything,” Jason reasoned, reaching for the other boy’s hand. Leo clutched at it before it could even brush his fingers.

“That doesn’t make me feel any better, dumbass.” Leo squeezed Jason’s hand in his to a rhythm that didn’t really matter, it just felt right. “I made a pinky promise with you and Piper that we’d never talk about the prophecy again, and yet, here we are. They aren’t exactly sworn on the Styx.”

Jason pursed his lips and moved his other hand to pat him on the back. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words died on his tongue.

After a minute of thoughtful silence, Leo couldn’t take it anymore. “You’re coming with me,” he demanded. The charmspeak wasn’t even a secret.

If he was going to be the mediator, he was going to be the best damn mediator in the history of ever. It was the least he could do.

One forceful knock on the door labeled “PIPER ONLY, NO BOYS OR EQUINES ALLOWED” (complete with stick figure drawings of who appeared to be Percy and Blackjack. There had been an Accident, and the less said about it, the better) later, Leo and Jason had marched their way right up to Piper’s desk.

Leo poked her in the shoulder. “Piper.”

“Leo,” she grumbled, rubbing her temples as she sat up, “I’m really not feeling well right now, so if you could be quiet, that’d be-”

“I know that you two have been talking about the prophecy. Without me.”

Piper blanched and directed her gaze to Jason as a peal of thunder rang out in the distance. “I thought we agreed to not tell him about it.”

Jason fiddled with the strap of his goggles. “Well, I thought it was a little unfair for him to not be in the loop.”

“He was never supposed to know!”

“Listen, it’s not like I was going to let you commit suic-”

Leo groaned. “Stop. Talking. Or I swear to the Gods, I will feed you to Gaea myself.”

That shut them up pretty quick.

“Piper, you were willing to pull that shit. Why?” Leo huffed, crossing his arms and hoping he cut an intimidating figure.

“I- I…” she stammered, fidgeting with her sweatshirt sleeves, which were popping with static electricity, “I wanted to keep you safe.”

Leo scoffed. “And how, pray tell, would your death keep me safe?”

Piper fell silent for a second. The quiet fell over the room like a sheet of glass balancing on the tip of a finger- unstable, ready to fall at any moment, sharp, pointed, and shaky.

She broke it first with an involuntary cry. “You love Jason more than me,” she managed. “If (I) died, you’d both be happier than if… if he died.”

Leo’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. His hands went up to his face to cover his gaping mouth because he knew it wasn’t going to shut on its own, and his godly mother had once told him that it wasn’t attractive to look like a dehydrated fish. He wished that hadn’t been the one thing that stuck with him from his brief encounter with Aphrodite. “What?”

“You know it’s true,” Piper insisted, averting her eyes. Crack, said the thunder.

“When- why? What? Huh? Who told you this?”

“Just a hunch.” She shrugged, as if she was just telling him she wasn’t sure what she wanted for dinner.

“Well, your hunch couldn’t be more fucking wrong, you goddamn idiot. I love the hell out of you, in case you haven’t noticed already,” he exclaimed, shaking her by the shoulders. He let out a sigh and pulled her into a hug when she started to frown like a baby about to cry. “Get in here, Jason. Contrary to what’s apparently popular belief, I don’t want either of you to die and I intend on showing you that once and for all.”

There was another type of silence, now. One that could take over a space like the draping of a blanket accompanied by the wish of sweet dreams. A quiet that would reign once a head with drooping eyes met a soft pillow after a long day.

The lack of sound was lifted when Leo spoke in the most delicate of whispers. “What are the chances I can convince Annabeth to lend us her laptop to watch movies on?”

Piper chuckled. “I’d never bet against you, Leo.”

[kyluxtrashpit]

Transferring this post from twitter, with some edits and additions, because the mess that was the development of the sequel trilogy fascinates me on an extremely deep level

Okay so. You’re probably aware that Adam Driver gave an interview a few weeks ago where he said that the original plan for Kylo in the sequel trilogy was to get progressively eviler throughout. Which I’m not here for redemption vs corruption arc discourse, that’s not what this post is (because I prefer a secret third option), and what I want to dig into here is what makes this an incredibly curious statement

Because this is the first time anyone involved with the ST has mentioned there ever being a plan. So, let’s explore that for a second because why is he saying something that’s completely at odds with every other piece of information we have?

(behind a cut for length, as I went and pulled a bunch of interview quotes and other materials and then analyzed them, you can scroll to the very bottom for my conclusions if you like)

So first, I went and found this, which I purchased many many years ago in 2017

In it, an interview with RJ himself confirms what the story has been for a long time: there was no plan, there was no required plot points, no endgame to lead to, just absolute freedom (I recall reading this then and feeling a spark of confusion and concern - what do you mean there was no plan?) 

I also found this, and while I don’t have the TLJ art book to verify it, another person on twitter confirmed it and also advised that RJ was even in the know regarding the Aftermath series (confirmed by him and Chuck Wendig at a convention) - so he knew a lot. And this plus the above shows that if there was a plan, it was abandoned before TFA was even released, likely even before it finished filming

And then we have the rather well known moment when JJ himself pretty much confirmed that the ST should have had a plan (question asked was about sw, even if JJ didn’t say it himself). Could this be shade at abandoning a plan instead of never having one? Maybe. But it’s unclear 

And as our last piece of evidence, we have confirmation from RJ that he asked JJ to change the ending of TFA. Which once again shows TFA was not finished when RJ, who explicitly said he was given no plan to follow, was writing TLJ

And that was the story all along, confirmed multiple times over. We can say for sure that as of the writing for TLJ being started, which was before TFA was even finished, let alone released, there was no plan. So it is certain that if there ever was a plan, that plan was abandoned at the very latest in early 2015, but I suspect 2014 is more likely

So why would AD say there ever was one? He has no reason to lie and I don’t think he is, he has nothing to gain and everything to lose by doing so. But with so many other pieces of evidence directly contradicting what he’s saying, I think we can also say that RJ is telling the truth too. But how can both be true?

Well, knowing the mess that is d/lf and also how disney treats actors I think it’s one of two possibilities:

Option 1: there was indeed a plan, likely pitched by JJ himself, and that d/lf agreed to that plan with no intention of ever following it through. They sold the actors on the plan, telling them it was a capital P Plan, but then didn’t ever tell them it had stopped being the plan, so that’s also why we saw the actors becoming increasingly frustrated throughout the series. They were told there was a plan, what the plan was, and then watched none of that come to fruition because it had secretly been abandoned long ago without their knowledge. It’s extremely scummy, but I could see disney doing it

Option 2: the plan was never a firm capital P Plan but rather was just the initial concept JJ had. No one ever committed to it, but since the actors couldn’t see the script, JJ’s initial vision was used as a “here’s my concept” kind of thing to sell the actors on without it being a firm plan. Just a concept that was used at the time but later discarded, as I’m sure a good number of concepts were. But it would be easy for that to get misinterpreted by the actors, and this gives us the less scummy option on the mouse’s part because it’s more about miscommunication than anything else

And if it is option 2, it’s also possible that the actors did know it wasn’t an confirmed plan, just a concept, but clung to those concepts since they were all they had. Which I can understand, given that not knowing the eventual story makes their jobs harder. I can totally see AD sticking with that initial concept even if he knew it wasn’t a “plan” per se, because he had literally nothing else to go on and he needed something to play the role. And once again, given how increasingly frustrated the cast got over the course of the trilogy, I suspect this experience would have been shared among the whole cast

Overall, I lean towards option 2 on this, because even though I do think disney is pretty fucking evil, option 1 might actually be a contract violation or at least open up the possibility of one. And plus, the entire story group would have had to be in on it, and if they did straight up knowingly lie to the entire cast and JJ, I just feel like that would be something which that many people can’t keep secret (plus wouldn’t RJ have accidentally spilled the beans when talking to JJ? Or was he in on it too? Too many players imo). I know it’s disney, but still, things leak all the time (as those of us who followed the tfa or tros leaks know lmao). Plus, I do agree with the adage of assuming stupidity over overt malice when in doubt, so I’m going to stick with that here

So ultimately, my suspicion is this was never a true, capital P, confirmed Plan, but rather the initial concept they used in place of a real plan (which they never made) because d/lf had nothing else to use to sell the actors on it and the actors had nothing else to cling to when actually playing the characters, so they used it where they needed gaps filled. And with it being more likely just a vague concept that was never committed to and was abandoned in 2014 than anything else, well, no matter how good or bad it might have been, I don’t even think it’s worth considering as something we ever would have gotten. It clearly wasn’t in the stars (ha) from very early on and thus belongs in the pile with the rest of the surely very numerous concepts that never came to fruition

And this, kids, is why trilogies need to be fucking planned lmfao

[undertale-fic-librarby]

Do you have any recs for good isekai/transmigration stories? Especially the "reader is a sans" type of isekai. Thank you in advance!

Howdy, thanks for asking! Here are some fics that might fit what you're looking for!

Kiss Me, Kill Me (And a Secret Third Option) by Embrace_the_Deep (Teen And Up, Incomplete)

What had Ink tried calling him again? Someone named Killer? As fitting as that name would have been for the previous owner of his body, he clearly remembered that he had been referred to as 'Sans' in the blurred bits of memories. Maybe he was being mistaken for someone else. He hopes he never meets this actual 'Killer', but even if they were some sort of shady person- skeleton- thing, that doesn't excuse kidnapping a stranger and chaining them to the floor of your home after nearly killing them! With the most unimpressed expression he could muster, Quill forced the aching phalanges of his right hand into a wrist-up fist, and extended his middle finger. i.e. A self-indulgent crack-treated-seriously fic featuring isekai!Killer vs. the Multiverse. Enjoy!

Reincarnated as an Ink! by LalaAnAbsolute (Not Rated, Incomplete)

A person is reincarnated as an Ink sans and has no clue on what's going on. I don't claim any characters or Aus.

Beautiful Blue Strings by AyoNaze (Not Rated, Incomplete)

What if you woke up as Error Sans today. What would you do? Panic? Grieve for the and people things you left behind? Yeah, most people would react that way, but not them. They didn't have much to leave behind anyway. They were perfectly fine being the Destroyer of AUs himself. They would rather sit back, watch the Multiverse burn as they break the records of being the most apathetic Error Sans in existence, coming out of the Anti-Void when needed. It was a pretty nice gig, just relaxing like this. Was. Since when did people start calling them God? Even better, since when did people think it was a good idea to worship them?? Gods, when will the misunderstandings stop pilling up?!

Monochrome by ChainedCanary (Teen And Up, Incomplete)

You didn’t want to disappear as a nobody. You wanted to be someone. Heh. You should really be careful what you wish for.

Reincarnated and Soulless, Yet I Create by GhostinthePepper (Teen And Up, Incomplete)

You don't need a soul to reincarnate. If a certain powerful deity wanted to she could rip your consciousness from your soul and attach it to another body. It is truly tragic then that Fate wanted a soulless god of creation, taking the soul from a recently dead creator who wanted to keep creating. I was that unfortunate creator. I had never finished any of the AUs I had made, desperately wanting more than anything to finish what I started rather than abandon my creations to die. Well, be careful what you wish for. [On indefinite hiatus]

[sincerely-sofie]

omg wAIT this question’s been in my brain for a while - if grovyle’s name is clover, and celebi’s name is skye, what would dusknoir’s name be? would he ever reveal it to the rest of the future trio? to twig? dID TWIG GET ENOUGH REST AND STAY HYDRATED TODAY

Dusknoir has had multiple names throughout his life, given to him by multiple people. It's hard not to describe those names without describing his backstory as well... So let's get into the meat and potatoes!

The first name he received was after he reached his second birthday. The group of ghost, dark, and steel-types he was hatched into didn't name their children before they'd survived to that point. This was a tradition rooted in how infant survival rates were so low, and waiting to name a child helped the group avoid getting attached "too early" in their eyes. As was tradition in the group, he was initially named after a recent misfortune that faced the group— Famine, in his case— to keep the memory of the struggle fresh in their minds, and to keep them mindful of future struggles.

After growing into adulthood, he was given another name: Solace. The group gifted virtue names to their young adults to give them something to build their new lives around— to provide them a sort of direction, a goal. Solace eventually left the group he grew up in and set off in search of his namesake, having gone through a strange period of sorrow that had no apparent cause and which persisted for several months, stretching out into the start of his journey.

He returned not long after, as the sorrow had come and gone with little fanfare— one day he woke up and didn't feel hopeless and mournful immediately upon doing so— and found the group struggling to survive. Something about them had caught Primal Dialga's attention, and that attention came with it explosive anger and immeasurable violence. Solace came up with a plan to turn Dialga's hatred elsewhere by feeding him false information about a secret rebellion against him forming in the valley over thataway. Unfortunately, Dialga decided his group were the only people he could trust amidst the imagined rebellion threatening to overthrow him. A number of the adults in the group were picked to be Dialga's trusted servants, with Solace numbered among them.

Unluckily for them, it turned out there was a conspiracy against Dialga— a legend called Celebi was enlisting the assistance of mortals to travel back in time and prevent the Future they lived in from ever occurring. None of them stayed committed to her plot for long after entering the Past, and they always chose to live out their days in the era of calm before the storm, but she didn't show any sign of giving up on her plan.

During this period of time, Solace rescued a set of sextuplets from a cave-in that had orphaned them, and had taken on the task of raising these children left adrift in the wake of tragedy. He dedicated most of his time to their upbringings, and Dialga made his displeasure at him neglecting his duties clear— Solace was forced to choose between abandoning the young sableyes that he'd taken in, an action that would likely lead to their eventual deaths, and refusing the command of a Legend, an act that guaranteed it. He chose a third option— he told Dialga that he was training up the sableye to become new additions to his throng of servants. Dialga bought the lie, but expected them to be viable additions sooner rather than later, and Solace had to work hard to train these poor kids to fight viciously enough that they wouldn't be gutted the second Dialga demanded their service in stomping out the rebellion that Celebi was still eagerly stirring up.

The sableye started calling him Obsidian after a time, apparently either after some folk hero or storybook character he'd never heard of. The name swiftly devolved into him being called Obbi as well when in private, safely out of the sight of Dialga, when they could forget the roles of master and servant and resume the odd family atmosphere that formed about them.

Flash forward to after TPiaG. A little girl— an infant so small she fits comfortably in the palm of one hand, and so delicate she feels likely to blow away with a single breath— looks him in the face and calls him Grandpa.

All of that backstory aside: Dusknoir is very private, and doesn't speak of his past much. He wouldn't plan to give any of his names to the members of their motley crew, but when Grovyle laments missing Twig calling him Clover toward the beginning of the Future Trio living together, he'd share his own homesickness for being called Solace, or even the nostalgia of being addressed as Famine.

Grovyle wouldn't address him as either name after this— Dusknoir doesn't really like people using the names in conversation unless they're one of the people who gave him them, like the sableye calling him Obsidian or the nicknames they derived from it— but Dusknoir feels a lot better knowing that he's now not the only person who knows him by those names.

Celebi has a similar interaction with Dusknoir, but reversed— she comforts him when he briefly, dismissively mentions the longing he has associated with his old names, and tells him that he's lived up to his virtue name very well.

Twig probably wouldn't ever learn the names she wasn't around to hear be first given, and wouldn't use them as a result. However, she's always used his species name as if it belonged only to him— and has gone on detailed rants about how strange it was to have another Dusknoir introduce herself as such. She gave him a name of her own, in a way, strange as it was.

Also: It was an unseasonably hot day in Verdant Village and Twig was chugging water and juice all day to cope. She took a nap to catch up on sleep after a bad night for insomnia. It wasn't a very successful nap, thanks to a squirmy little Opal demanding she be included despite refusing to settle down and actually sleep, but she got some good bonding time with her baby— so she'd count that as a win.

[stromuprisahat]

Siege and Storm- Chapter 13 (Leigh Bardugo)

I can interpret show!Zoya's change of alliance easily. She was present on the skiff, she saw Aleksander move the Fold, she was jealous he's no longer interested in her, so she switched sides for the one that served ~her~. Fuck the army and the guy, who doesn't favour me anymore,- let's save MY aunt (and thwart a strategic move I don't care about even though I'm familiar with its purpose) and get rid of the dick, who humiliated me by replacing me by another.

Selfish? Yes.

Short-sighted? Absolutely.

Yet it DOES make sense.

But book!Zoya?!

There are rumours Novokribirsk is Darkling's fault, but no survivors. All Grisha are blamed (and hunted) also, hell, even the capital wasn't safe for them! Her aunt's dead (due to her own idiocy)- sad. How does any of that translate into "Let's kiss the ass of the girl I've hated since the day one (and who stole Daddy's attention and made him take my amplifier)"?!

Is it because she got let down by the Darkling- "her" spot on the sun (Pun intended.) given to another, who never did anything for it, her amplifier (She TOOK from others.) confiscated, and even if Darkles weren't to blame for the Fold and pogroms after, he FAILED TO PREVENT IT?!

Is it because Alina's in the Crown's favour now, so she's the safe option?!

Is it the math of The Fold made by a Darkling expands = another Darkling's fault => join the opposite force?!

All I can come up with is either selfish, childish or both.

Her distaste towards Alina's caused by Darkles too, isn't it? If HE didn't want Zoya to adore him, she wouldn't mind the undeserving girl, who got everything with zero effort... even this aspect of her enmity is discredited by her actions. While I can understand hating you're working hard for less appreciation, than someone, who has everything falling into their lap, abandoning the blind leadership FOR the undeserving rival's beyond me.

Why doesn't Zoya aim for leading position herself, if she believes herself to be SO good?

Why doesn't she cooperate with Sergei (Oh yeah, he's Corporalnik and she haven't left the world of high school cliques yet.)?

Why does she switch someone she doesn't idolize anymore for someone she despises, instead of looking for a secret third thing?!

How does her tragic loss translate into "I'll back up the incompetent girl I hate"?!

Sure, Alina's THE Sun Summoner, but Zoya's not a religious person, and Sergei's points about Alina being unfit to lead the Second Army are justified.

[greatrunner]

Democrats deciding that they're gonna go with the "secret, third option" (patriotism/nationalism, conservatism) and abandon running on social policies or anything else ("those are handouts") their working class constituents want - by effectively alienating them from the party - is pretty on brand.

Take the opposite lesson from leaning into conservatism by (doubling down on) blaming the people you ignored and want nothing to do with. Those people being the CSAP (commies/socialists/anarchists parties) and the working class (that vote for dems) who aren't the aforementioned.

More explicitly, they're clearly gonna be pushing anti-CSAP messaging and anti-public service messaging, blanketing folks with the term "far left" (dogwhistle, btw) should they make a public fuss (criticize, denounce them) about it. They will definitely be working overtime to (continue to) paint genuine leftists with the same brush as the alt-right (aka the individuals they want to make nice with), explicitly because of the rising anti-billionaire, anti-wealth sentiment amongst the general public.

(And if you recall how anyone remotely critcial of AO3 were called "puritians"/"puriteens" for calling out the rising normalization of incest, peodphilia, and rape? Get ready to hear that sort of speech, too now that they've explicitly used "ideological purity" as a talking point.)

The fact that they're being bald-faced about it is not. Unfortunately, I can see a lot of people coming away from this and saying, "The Democrats still have a chance."

[tea-cat-arts]

Disclaimer: this is 3am rambling. Whether or not this rant ends up being a cohesive thought is between me and God. Also, I'll be switching around what pronouns I use for Shi Qingxuan and He Xuan every paragraph

"Shi Qingxuan should've chosen He Xuan! Shi Qingxuan would never chose anyone other than his brother-" man, if choosing He Xuan was one of the options he was given, I honestly do think Shi Qingxuan would've taken it.

Cuz here's the thing: Shi Qingxuan was thoroughly sick of their brothers bs. They wanted to go their own way, they wanted to break out of the house, they wanted to handle their demons on their own, they wanted to choose their own gender expression without getting told to "put that thing away", they disagreed with their brothers actions and what he did to turn them into a god... they wanted to get away from their brother, but they never got the chance to unpack or deal with any of that because both of their lives were constantly being put in danger (so they were kinda distracted).

And I don't even know where to start with how Shi Wudu had been breaking down their self esteem, getting them to second guess all their wants/desires/choices, and pulling the "big brother knows best" card on them for god knows how long. I know it came from a place of love, but it still had to have done something to Shi Qingxuan's brain chemistry

Shi Qingxuan options were never "He Xuan or her Brother," it was "chose to abandon your luck for both your lives, or chose yourself and become a murderer" so ya, of course she's gonna go with the first option because she's not a terrible person. Shi Qingxuan probably would’ve chosen He Xuan (who was her best friend, who'd been going along with her antics for centuries, who remembered which resturant she wanted to go to even after the breakup), but that wasn't a card they put in her hands, and even if it was, its not a real card if she had to kill her brother to get it. At that point, giving up revenge and finding love again wasn't an option He Xuan had even considered yet, and it'd be unreasonable to suggest Shi Qingxuan should've come up with a secret third option off the top of her head given she only knew the full story for like what? A minute before she was forced to make a choice? And even though she tried choosing the option that would hurt the least amount of people, Shi Wudu could not for the life of him respect her choices. Kinda makes me think Shi Qingxuan never really was given any choices to make in the first place 😒

Anyways, I'm choosing to believe at some point, He Xuan realizes this, spends the rest of her life trying to make amends, they get some time being a ghost couple together, and then they eventually find peace and disappear into the afterlife

[nachosforfree]

you're correct!! it's Henry!!

this is. gonna require explaining Henry's weird ass family tree, so bear with me a minute.

to start off: Henry's biracial. he, effectively, has three dads - his birth father (died before he was born), his "dad" (Jen's father), and his stepdad (where he and Jen get the last name "Emily" from).

to give a brief rundown:

Henry's mom didn't like her husband (he sucked, trust me) and left him for Henry's bio dad.

Henry's bio dad, unfortunately, died a couple of months before he was born, leaving his mom without a lot of options but to return to her old husband.

Henry and Jen grow up around him for around twelve years before the guy gets arrested for almost killing someone in a bar fight.

enter their stepdad, and the rest is history.

Henry's mom and Jen both have red hair, and Jen has green eyes. both Jen and Henry have freckles.

now onto my attempt to describe Henry, or at least the parts that are relevant to this (i cannot describe appearances through words to save my life, so if something's worded weird, then that's why):

Henry skin is a lighter shade than Charlie or Sammy, but like. he's still Visibly a POC, if that makes sense.

Henry's hair is a really dark brown, but it has a very slight red tint to it that's practically unnoticeable unless the light hits it right.

as you can probably guess, He's Transmasc.

now, onto what happened:

Will and Henry slept together one night in mid-1974. i don't exactly know what William thought was going to happen, but maybe he was cocky enough to think "well, what are the odds anything's gonna happen? i'm sure it'll be fine"

fast forward a little while later and Surprise Surprise, Henry's Pregnant, And William's The Father.

after a little bit of panic and trying to figure out what to do, Henry comes up with a plan: whichever parent the baby visibly takes after more, that's who gets them.

Genetics Fucks Them Over - Elizabeth is born (Feb. 16th, 1975) and. she's white. there ain't no way in hell Henry could pass Liz off as his and Annabeth's child, no way in hell. so, who gets the baby? William.

Will just comes up with a story that oh, he just found her abandoned somewhere and took her in as his daughter. Claire, Henry, and Anna just help him keep up the lie (because it's that or Henry gets outed as a trans man, and guess what William's not gonna do). it hurt Henry, to some degree, to have to act like Liz wasn't also his baby, that he was just a family friend, but...well, he doesn't really have another Option that isn't significantly worse for him than this one.

now...why does William specifically say that Liz is adopted and not that she's his and Claire's biological child? two reasons! 1) Claire obviously hadn't been pregnant before this, so William couldn't have lied about that in the first place, and 2) Claire was a black woman. so in two different ways, William couldn't just say Liz was a child that he'd had with Claire; that lie would've fallen apart at the seams immediately.

and it works...for a few years. specifically, up until late 1979, when Liz is four.

Genetics Fucks Them Over 2: Electric Boogaloo - Liz gets older, and starts to Much More Obviously take after William. like, enough so to the point that William's "She's Adopted" lie starts to fall apart quick. William only has two real options: either out Henry, or keep his mouth shut and wait for things to blow over.

what he doesn't expect is someone coming in with the steel chair and giving him a secret third option.

enter Tammy Schmidt. she worked at the Diner, she had ginger hair, and her eyes were...more hazel than green, but it still worked. she even had some freckles! she claimed that she was Liz's mom, and...well, William just went with it. Henry was a lot less fine with having to go with it, for obvious reasons, but...well, he also didn't want to get outed. so his hands were kinda tied here.

so why'd she do this? well...there were some employees at the Diner who were Aware of things between Henry and Will, and some even knew Henry was trans, but they didn't really care enough to out either of them (and some really didn't want to, either). Tammy was one of them. she just told her bosses, after the wave of questions and backlash started coming to her, that they both owed her Big Time for this.

so yeah! it's...a long story, but there isn't really a Short way of explaining all that.

to summarize: Genetics Fucked William And Henry Over Really Bad, And It May Or May Not Have Been One Of The Plot Points That Would End Up Causing Things To Happen.

OHHHH VERY NEAT

I love when people have really fleshed out family trees and dynamics for the aftons and emilys❤️❤️