#she will take interest maybe in the future /

[littlemissmaples]

What does your Future Spouse look like?

Pile One: Flowers

Whether your FS is male or female, I'm getting the impression that they have some similarities to Chapelle Roan, or simply just listen to her. I’ve already written everything I need for this reading, I’m just going back and polishing it, so I would like to take the time now to say that there are three consistent themes within this reading that appeared within this reading for me.

1. Your FS likely resembles a celebrity in some way (you’ve probably read another one of my PAC’s before and you fell under the pile where I talked about Zendaya and Tom Holland)

2. Your imagine of your FS isn’t entirely what you think. There is something here that is a little different than what you image or expected.

and 

3. Some of you are Queer and want your FS to be a woman. (For some of you though, you could be straight but just don’t mind if your FS happens to be queer or a woman who has many partners before. Some of you are looking for a dominant woman lmao. You’ll have it, haha.)

Anyways, if that sounds like you, welcome, welcome, let’s get onto your reading!

If your FS identifies as a woman, there’s a strong chance she has a similar look or vocal tone to Chapelle Roan, this hasn’t leaved me as I typed, although I’m getting that she probably doesn’t sings much, if at all, although she may just have that striking tone to her voice and appearance as a whole. She may also be a theater kid or have more of a theater-kid vibe about her, although this may just be you more than her. There are some parallels between the two of you (I’m also getting red lips, take it if that resonates, drop if not.) they may have a lot of similarities to you if not in appearance than interest. (I’m getting Hamilton and 21 Chump Street for some of you, maybe she likes musicals.) As I mentioned before there is a bit of a queer energy here, although don’t worry if you’re not, i’ll get to those of you who’s partner is likely male in a minute, but I digress. If you’re looking for a woman, I’m getting you’re looking for one who’s not only queer but also has a bit of that femme-fatale, Joan-of-Arc kind of vibe to her, like she’s a mix of princess and knight with a Renaissance-like appearance. I’m getting she definitely has that. Although for some of you this is likely a “Dream” and you’re being asked to be a little bit more “realistic” about your FS, no that they don’t exist or you the way you imagine but some of you imagine this warrior of a woman with big bright red flowy hair, something like maxie from Under the Oak Tree maybe, (but less shy) when in reality, her hair may be more of a brown-ish red rather than that bright almost blonde-ish ginger red you would see in like a movie or something, or perhaps more of a dyed color red. I feel like for some of you your FS may not even have red hair but just have dark wavy brown hair and freckles and while they will be outspoken they’re likely a little bit more introverted than you expected, but this doesn’t mean she’ll be any less fun or into the kind of stuff you’re into, i’m getting this is somewhat of my kinky pile and some of you are looking for a dominant woman, you’ll have it, you’ll have it, but don’t reduce her to only that, okay, haha. <3

If your FS identities as male, I sense a mix of patience and a bit of impatience from you lmao, you’re sick and tired of waiting both for me to get to describing your FS and also you’re sick of waiting for him to show up, but I’m getting there’s this back-and-forth inside you of what you want your FS to look like vs what they’ll most likely look like. (I know what my next PAC is gonna be about now lol.) Look, my love, your FS might not match the exact picture in your mind. 

And that’s okay. I’m literally getting the image of a slightly sun-kissed, blonde-haired, bright-eyed, “golden retriever” type of boyfriend who could be a book lover and surfer who hangs out at the beach often and is a fond of marine life and what not, the “perfect” guy with a chiseled jaw and bright gorgeous brown eyes that make you melt under the sun. Thiiiis is not him lmao, but this does not mean this is “not” him. What do I mean by this.

Much like I told you, or the other side of Pile one if you skipped the first half. Your FS has some qualities about them that are different from what you expected. I get the sense that you’re afraid he’s not going to be your type and that you’re not going to be attracted and perhaps you try hard to let go of this and tell yourself that you’re okay with “any” type no matter how he looks like, but sugar, 1. It’s okay to have a type but 2. It’s okay to allow yourself to be okay to like someone outside of your type. You need to be a little bit more kind to your mind and understand that you have no idea what this guy looks like, perhaps you have very high standards or maybe even a light prejudice that holds you back from imagine him to look like anything except what you imagine him like, I’m not here to judge you but you need to understand that if you want to grow past this, healing does not come from judgment, you can’t grow and shame yourself all at once. If you’re judging yourself, ask yourself why, sit with that thought or feeling and see what it wants and why is it there, do whatever you need for yourself in that moment and then let it pass by and evolve. You’ll be just fine <3 But back to your FS, your FS is a criminally attractive. You might not notice it at first because they don’t look how you imagined in your head, but once you give them the space they need to shine in front of you, oh man you’re never coming back.

I’m getting some of you are looking for more of a “Golden Retriever” type boyfriend but you’re likely to end up with more of a “Black Cat” kind of personality. They might actually be Black, like African American (I’m getting some of you are African yourselves, perhaps you’re from West Africa, you might be the same ethnicity but don’t worry this man will NOOOOOT look like your father lmao) or if they’re a woman, they may have more “Cat-Like” eyes and be a little quieter and have sharper more model like features than what you expected, think Nara Smith but with more of a bolder, Alt style/personality. Anyways, your FS is hard for me to describe because of this very reason, whenever I go to say something about them, your energy comes in with a panic “NO!” you say, hahaha. For some of you, you have NOTHING to worry about and they look EXAAAACTLY what you imagine them to look like, but maybe with one tiny, itty, bitty difference like maybe they longer lashes than you expected or they have a beauty mark on their face. But for others, they look like how you imaged but 1 key treat is just the opposite. If they’re male I get the sense, you’re looking for someone whos has softer feature or maybe they’re “beautiful” in an almost feminine sense, your FS will likely be likely be like this.  I feel like this is a very beautiful guy or maybe this is just your rose colored glasses trying to paint him like that again, haha, guys, please, I promise he’s beautiful, he’s very pretty but I get the sense some of you are attaching an almost unrealistic standard to how he’s gonna look like. You’re really indecisive here arent you? I keep repeating myself in this reading, it’s wild. But I promise I get it, it ain’t your fault. But do know that your FS DOES looks like a celebrity of some sort, if it’s not someone you recognie then maybe they just have the appearance of someone who would do good under the public eye, someone who’s very aesthetic and dresses well. But do keep the whole “1 opposite trait thing.”

If you expect them to look feminine, they’ll likely be masculine with feminine features.

If you expect them to be be silent and reserved, they’ll likely be calm but very sociable.

If you expect them to be tough and a lonewolf, they’ll likely be warm hearted but stern in a way.

I’ve been all over the place with this reading, let’s focus solely on their appearance.

If female she may look like Nara Smith or Chapelle Roan, If male a celebrity isn’t coming into mind (instagram model for some) but whatever image of a person, celebrity or not it is that you have in mind is the “Base” of their appearance BUT, find a trait, whatever it is that sticks out to you the most and switch it for something else. If her hair’s short, it’s likely rather long. If she’s Tall in your head, she’s probably a littler short. If he’s thin and a bit more on the delicate side, imagine him to be lean in his built or with a slightly rugged edge. Brown or “Reddish” Brown eyes for them.

That’s all for now, haha, as wild of a ride as this was, I had fun, I hope this reading brought you something. If you’d like a more personalized reading though feel free to buy a reading from me off my Ko-Fi! Donations are also appreciated (though never required, your time here with me was more than enough today <3)

I hope to see you again babes!!

Pile Two: Bicycle

Wow.. I don’t know how to describe your FS to you, I suddenly got this overwhelming sense of peace over me. I was just listening to United In Grief by Kendrick Lamar and now my phone’s Playing Blue Dream which honestly tells me so much about them. I feel like this person is just, honestly, a dream, I want to say they’re so pretty, but honestly calling them a beauty would be almost an understatement. They could be very spiritual, I’m struggling to pick up if they’re male or female, they may be non-binary and Identify as they/them or they may just be somewhat genderfluid. If they’re a woman, they have some “masculine” features to them, perhaps thicker eyebrows and wider shoulders, but honestly these features of their just make them appear even more mystical and more elegant. They can have very clear skin. If they’re male they might have some more “feminine” features about them, like soft beautiful lashes or a little beauty mark under the eye like that of a 1920’s actress. This person makes me think of incense, perhaps they meditate often or light some nice incense around the house, they really have this lovely earthy-spiritual vibe about them. If they’re black they may be light skin with soft curls, though for some of you it’s a tighter curl pattern, for others of you this person is simply foreign she could be south african if a woman and kind of resemble someone like Tyla, if male their ethnicity could genuinely be anything, though I’m getting they’re likely very mixed, they really give me Jhene Aiko vibes which makes sense given how she’s Black, Japanese, Dominican and something else I believe??? Correct me if I’m wrong. Overall this man is a beauty, I’m not sure why the Movie Millenium Actress by Satoshi Kon is coming into mind, but like the main character he could have a very calm, yet determined demeanor to him, I’m getting he’s been patiently searching for love for a very long time, much like her, a love that he’s not sure he’ll ever come to cross but he’s possible he’ll find one day. Gosh I can’t wait for you guys to meet. 

Alright let’s continue talking about appearance, they may have a ���sleepiness” to their eyes and a sweetness to their smile that’s very calming, they might wear very flowy clothing or comfortable loose fitting clothes. I want to say street wear but honestly it’s a little more modest than regular street wear, this is only for a few of you but they may be muslim. Even if they aren’t they’re very stylish but they have a uniqueness to their appearance you wouldn’t expect to find anywhere else, it’s like a mix of modern and ancient. Like Imagine mixing punk with decora but still somehow making it work. I get the sense your future spouse might either be experimenting with their style or simply not have singular style and likes to try out different clothes. 

This is also something not appearance related, but they may not talk much, they’re likely more a of a listener, they’ll likely like to hear you talk more, although I’m getting the sense you won’t be able to do much talking around them when they’re admiring you lovingly with those deep inquisitive eyes of their, haha. Honestly, being with this person is just going to bring you such a sense of peace and I get when they do open their mouth it’s always going to be the silliest thing that makes you laugh or something that’s thought provoking and inspires soul-searching. I recommend you listen to Blue Dream by Jhene Aiko, their energy to me feels so similar to this. I keep finding myself saying “What a Dream! What a Dream!” this could be you, or them although I get that you’ve never been with a person like this, I get that you might not expect to fall for them as hard as you did, but just know that when they met you, god, they knew it’d be no one else but you from that very moment <3

That is all my dove!

If you’d like a more personalized reading, feel free to purchase one from me off my Ko-Fi! (link at the end of your pile)

Donations are also appreciated (though never required, your time here with me was more than enough for me <3)

I hope to see you again, my dream!! (This could also be a nickname they might have for you or you for them now that I think of it <3)

P.S

Snoop Dogg keeps coming into my head during this reading, Idk why lol, it’s possible they may be very silly and good hearted or just have ADHD or be Neuro-Divergent in some way lmao.

Pile Three: Tabby Kitten

Pile one and two both had people who’s future spouse’s were likely Female, I’m sorry to say that if you’ve selected this pile expecting a woman, this is likely not for you. Wow, this person is MASCULINE like H.E.L.L honestly, they’re almost influencing the way I write, it’s very hard lmao to type casually like I do, but they’re very forward in the way that they talk. I feel like you likely know this person, I wouldn’t say this is an ex or perhaps someone that you’ve had a situationship with. I feel like they have a lot to say to you, I’m getting someone who’s more on the “Rough and Roudy” side, I almost don’t want to give physical descriptions, they’re someone who likes to banter a bit or sometimes be a little bit of a tease. They’re a lot to handle, maybe a bit intense but I don’t get that they’re toxic. This is for a few of you but he gives me “Booktok” vibes lmao, he might have tattoos. Is this guy real? Lmao??

I want today this guy doesn’t exist and I just got sma-OH SHIT!! WAAAAIT I GET IT. LMAOO.

Oh my gosh girl!! It’s not that he doesn’t exist, it’s that Y O U think he doesn’t exist!! This guy that you describe as your “boyfriend” could be like a mix of several book-boyfriends, he’s every troupe that you like but with a healthy-mindset-not-actually-toxic-and-wont-hurt-you-maybe-others-but-never-you vibe. BIIITTTCH AAAHH, oh my gosh, I feel like we’re at a sleep over and I’m geeking out with you. I get the sense that maybe you’ll be hanging out with friends and when you finally show them a picture of him they’ll all be screaming with you like I am. I really want to say this person is not real, but Jesus fuck, you’ve manifested this so hard I get the sense that this man actually does exist, like maybe you’re into super natural and your favorite character was Dean, he may look somewhat like Dean but with Tattoos and black hair and drives a motorcycle. Do you watch Doctor Who?? Are you a 90s kid or do you just like the aesthetic because I feel like I’m time traveling, maybe Dean isnt exactly your type but you’re more into a slender, pretty guy aesthetic who have piercings and isnt afraid to paint their hair and wear dark clothes. Lmao, I have no idea where this is going but sis I get that this person really exists, I’m not getting any opportunities to say no even as a joke. 

The only thing is though that there are two of you here, for some of you, you really want the bad boy boyfriend of your dreams and you’ll get him exactly and you imagine him! But for others of you this – OK, idk wtf I just pressed but my computer like glitched almost and I deleted half of everything I wrote before pressing Ctrl + Z to bring it all back. KEEP THIS MINDSET THAT YOU HAVE AND DO NOT CHANGE IT BECAUSE BABYGIRL YOU’RE ALMOST THERE!! The only warning I am getting is to NEVER settle for less, because for a lot of you, you might fall victim to depressive energies and wanting to heal someone else and trap yourself in toxic relationships with shitty guys who use rock music and punk aesthetic and “nonchalantness” as an excuse to be dickheads to their partners and the people they’re supposed to love. NEVER settle for less, you paved the way, maybe some of you have been in past toxic relationships already LET THIS GO and never fall behind again, pick yourself back up Queen (or King or Your Majesty if you’re male or a they/them <3) and PUSH!! PUSH FORWARD YOU GOT THIS!!

And finally some of you don’t give a damn about no future spouse or tarot stuff but you just wanted to pick a pile and read something for fun haha. For others of you your spouse themselves may be reading this together with you in the same room, haha, I’m rooting for you!

Anyways, whomever you are, I hope you get the experience of your dream with this person and that they treat you like absolute royalty, don’t always remember this, that you don’t need to be reminded by someone else that you’re worth treating correctly, you are and have always been special, you are and have always been worth loving <3

“See ya, princess <3” (they may call you this, that’s for a few of you)

Byeee!! I hope to see ya soon! And if you’d like a reading from me, feel free to purchase one from my Ko-Fi or perhaps leave a little donation! Anything and Everything is appreciated but never required! Your time here with me has been more than enough! :D <3

I hope to see ya again soon!

[seneon]

INTERTWINED GAZES ──── katsuki bakugo

about. in which, everybody's watching her, but she only has eyes for him. romantic fluff. wc of 700+

notes. inspired by "this is what you came for" by calvin & rihanna. okay maybe katsuki is interesting to write too... forrr @seumyo aka katsuki's girl and @angeliicheartt my pooki

you took a trip down to a memory lane ingrained and portrayed with the best moments in your life back in UA. it all started with the very first step you took into hero class 1A, and it all travels to your final year in 3A.

it has been a journey. to grow in your quirk and to grow in your friendship with your classmates. for whatever reason, your love for katsuki seems to grow as it has with the other aspects that bring your whole life up.

now you're standing amongst all the other future heroes who danced and reveled in the pool of their sweet graduation. the bass of the party song finds a funny comfort at the back of your ears as the colourful lights run around in every direction, painting your skin whatever hue the light shines.

the emcee announces for a time where the next song will be the momentary dopamine boost for the students, a dance with a partner. by now, most of the students have their own partner. you can tell, they've grown on each other. they've fallen in love. they've locked their fates together.

not that you aren't a fan of romance, but the eyes of every other student that darts to you right after the implication of a partner dance has your eyes locked onto one boy, and only him.

every soul is watching you, but you're looking at katsuki. dear sweet katsuki who stands at one corner with a fruit punch in one hand, and his other hand stuffed into his pockets. he takes a sip of his drink before his scarlet eyes shoot to your direction and he freezes.

katsuki freezes because the girl he's always admiring from afar is looking at him. she's on the dance floor with so many other boys, but her sights are set on katsuki.

your heart starts to speed up as your hands are gently pushed against your chest to stop the rapid beating. even under the blaring colourful lights and the music that is almost ending, you looked like the ultimate beauty to katsuki. even though your eyes are taken off from him, his gaze is still fixed onto yours.

“dance with her,” midoriya breaks katsuki out of his trance and glances at his friend who shot him a smile. “you’ll never have this chance again, kacchan.”

midoriya’s words seemed to puncture some sort of idea in his mind. katsuki walks towards you, pushing his way through the crowd while setting his drinks aside so he could tap on your shoulders to get your attention.

when you looked at him, he lost all his confidence. it's all because in this moment, he feels so vulnerable under your gaze. your eyes that hold some kind of beauty in them and they see through all the imperfections of katsuki.

and though there are many people special to him, you are the only soul who can touch his cool heart with your warm smile that surfaces.

“i want to dance with you,” the blond blurts out with a murmur, the colour of roses painting his cheeks and you couldn't help but feel your blush own deepening. “i’ll dance with you, katsuki.”

everything was so sweet. the way his hands held yours so gently, a monstrous contrast to how aggressive he usually is. his touch is so warm and it has you falling in love all over again with this boy. you had your first dance with the first boy you liked.

and when you look back at it, you've always wondered why it took three years for you to confess your love to katsuki. you still wonder until now, years after the graduation party where you're now a pro hero, just a few ranks under katsuki.

“are you looking at our graduation picture again?” the voice of your husband asks as you pull your gaze off from the photo album and nod at katsuki who takes off his costume gears.

“it was on this date where you asked me to dance with you, and we ended up confessing to each other,” you said as he walked over to you sitting on the couch and gave your cheek a peck.

“of course. i still remember."

katsuki will never forget about it. because if a genie grants him a wish, it will be for him to ask you to dance with him over and over again.

© SENEON 2024 ♰ do not repost, alter, or translate.

[rafayelsbelovedbride]

Lemurians and the Sea God

As the new branch revealed that Rafayel borrowed the Sea God's powers rather than being the Sea God himself, I want to discuss why the Lemurians needed this power in the first place.

So let's start by summarizing what we know so far, and what these things can imply.

First, Rafayel accepted the Sea God's powers with a price.

Rafayel accepted the Sea God's powers from the tome which had an aether core embedded in it. This implies unlike what was mentioned in the Forgotten Sea, Rafayel is not a god but a vessel for the Sea God's powers. And, he has to pay a price and obey the Sea God's will (the prophecies of tome of the Sea God) for using these powers.

I wonder why there was an aether core fragment in the tome. Did Rafayel receive the power through this aether core? And, was Rafayel drawn to that because he also possesses fragments in his heart, just like MC? Is that why he is the vessel? Can this also explain the strength of their bond that can bring Rafayel back when he was possessed by these powers? Can MC differentiate the frequency of Rafayel's heart and the Sea God's heart when she resonates? Does that mean there is a little difference between all the aether core fragments?

Rafayel and the Sea God are different entities as Rafayel can lose his control to the Sea God.

I think there is a reason why Rafeyel described the tome of the Sea God as the island's cornerstone that bore the weight of Lemuria's past and future. I think the original Sea God (maybe the first Sea God) was the core of the planet. The same core that was described to be empty and had long been exhausted in the Shooting Stars myth, which probably belongs to a timeline after Rafayel's and the last Sea God's death.

I think the Lemurians used the Sea God's power as a supply for the earth's core the same way the king of Philos wanted to use the aether core of MC.

Maybe many years ago, this whole thing started with Lemurians asking for a god's help when they faced with the fact that the earth's core was dying. And, the god accepted their prayers and made a vessel so that it could come down to earth and use its powers to keep the planet alive a little while longer.

This power is described as a great "flame" that has burned in Whalefall City's temple for thousands of years. And without it, the Lemurians are said to transform into hideous beasts. (wanderers?)

Also, I wonder if the vessels were created by the god from an aether core fragment. And to be able to inherit the Sea God's powers, their aether core needed to have a certain level of strength that could carry the Sea God, otherwise, the vessel would shatter when it was filled with its powers. And that's what the prophecy refers to. The vessels must increase their strength before they can fully inherit the Sea God's powers.

Rafayel was born in flames and he needs his most devoted follower's heart to gain strength. Also, when MC first met him, Rafayel said "You awakened me."

In Rafayel's case, he has to do it by getting MC's heart. I think the prophecy is a little misleading here. I think MC does not have to give her heart because she is the most devoted follower. Instead, I think she has to do that because the vessel needs the aether core's energy, that MC already possesses, to carry the Sea God's power. Prophecy refers to MC like that because that's just something that describes who MC is. There could have been no other devoted follower of the Sea God.

In addition to that, he then gave his own heart to MC, increasing the power of MC's aether core when he's supposed to do the opposite. And that's why, when they look at the tome in Sea of Golden Sand, the prophecy changes to "to take back what he's lost the God of the Sea must kill his beloved".

Also, I find it interesting that Rafayel said you awakened me when they first met. As Rafayel was said to be trapped in a place with very strong currents just like the blue hole where the tome of the Sea God resides, I think we can assume that this is the place where MC first found him. So, I wonder if Rafayel was awakened because he felt the power from MC's heart, the same heart that he needs to enhance his strength to become the Sea God in the future. I also wonder if MC found Rafayel that day because she was also drawn to his aether core by her heart.

Rafayel rewrote the tome of the Sea God and choose to burn away.

But Rafayel has never taken MC's heart. So he never fully inherited the Sea God's power to keep the flame alight and the earth's core stable. Instead, he rewrote the tome and gave away his life to keep the core intact for a while longer. And that is why he is the last Sea God. And when the energy he gave to the earth's core was exhausted at some point, the heart of Philos remained empty after him.

The heart of Philos is empty and hungry for energy. This energy can be supplied by ordinary human life or by the MC's aether core.

And that's how I connect Lemuria and Philos. I think in the beginning, Lemurians were the ones being fed into the planet's core and turn into wanderers until they found a way to inherit the Sea God's powers and use the aether core for the same purpose. But then Rafayel broke this deal with the Sea God and left the earth's core empty again until the core started to feed on people of Philos. To prevent this, the king of Philos decided to use MC and her aether core again.

So, in the end, even though Rafayel sacrificed his life to take MC's place, his sacrifice was not enough to keep her safe. And this is a very sad story.

[jackoshadows]

Doesn't this also apply, maybe more, to Daenerys who does know about and engages with some prophecies but ignores it in favor of staying in Meereen dealing with the administration of a city state including but not limited to building irrigation canals, agriculture, trade and taxation, justice, an insurgency, famine and a possible pandemic.

It's interesting with Dany because she connects power and queenship with administration and ruling for the people, as in - 'If I want to be queen then I need to get down and dirty and work for the people'.

Yes, there are parallels here with Daenerys and Jon Snow in terms of their administrative arcs as leaders and Jon's ADwD arc is basically him going around from chapter to chapter engaged in rebuilding the Wall.

However, Jon doesn't really give a shit about the TPTWP because no one is telling him that he's the chosen one with a magical sword. That's Stannis. As readers we know about his parentage and that he may have connections to prophecy - he doesn't.

There's also the difference in religions. Melisandre thinks that swearing oaths in front of the Old Gods is like swearing before a shoe. Jon thinks this whole PTWP/Azor Ahai stuff is Lord of Light business. This difference in thinking is why Stannis/Melisandre don't get Jon as Lord of Winterfell because of preconditions like burning down the Winterfell Godswood and converting to the Lord of Light. Jon would have never done that.

As to your other points:

Like, very explicitly, everything that happens to him drives him to recognise the arbitrariness and incapacity of the cultural-political status quo in westeros. Like, it's not a 'revolution' in any sense, but rejecting radical change is the one thing you don't have the chance or the right to do when winter is coming. Both the most typically-heroic POV characters do this lol

I think it's more that Jon recognizes that he has to work with the cultural-political status quo to get things done.

He is only able to enact reform and change because he is Lord Commander. Imagine if Janos Slynt, Cotter Pyke or the old Denys Mallister won the election? Jon would just have to take orders from the likes of Slynt.

He is trying to integrate the Freefolk into the NW and the North - for example the marriage of Alys Karstark and the Magnar of Thenn. But for this to work he needs the support of some of the great houses of the North - like the Umbers. To get that support he needs to work within the system to try and change in some small way the status quo. The Freefolk would have to become kneelers. I don't think their anarchism would work anytime in the near future.

And as much as he enacts radical change as Lord Commander of the NW, some of it has to do with the support he gets from Stannis Baratheon. And Stannis is the epitome of the cultural-political status quo in terms of the views and opinions he holds.

It's Stannis who starts bringing the Freefolk this side of the Wall and both Jon and Stannis agree on an united realm to take on the threat of the Others.

“And the more we bleed each other, the weaker we shall all be when the real enemy falls upon us.” Jon had come to that same realization.' Your brothers will not like it, no more than your father’s lords, but I mean to allow the wildlings through the Wall … those who will swear me their fealty, pledge to keep the king’s peace and the king’s laws, and take the Lord of Light as their god. Even the giants, if those great knees of theirs can bend. I will settle them on the Gift, once I have wrested it away from your new Lord Commander. When the cold winds rise, we shall live or die together. It is time we made alliance against our common foe.” He looked at Jon. “Would you agree?” [–] “I agree.”

Which is why Jon throws his support behind Stannis as the one true king and advises him on strategy and tactics despite this being him treading close to breaking his NW oaths of neutrality with his deputies like Marsh and Yarwyck not looking kindly on this.

been thinking more abt this and its kind of interesting how despite the structural handicaps (their fortresses are indefensible from the south) the nights watch has way more state capacity than basically any other actor in westeros. they have a professional army (not drawn from feudal obligations), direct administration over holdings, and an extremely centralised command structure. not sure whether this was intentional on grrms part but its interesting to see how they basically fill the gap which the absence of rule from kings landing or winterfell creates during the war of the five kings- obviously, they're still vulnerable to any direct assault by a 'legitimate' (read: feudal) power, but this is in large part due to their retention of westerosi tactics.

This is interesting and I think this can be attributed to the NW being a neutral military command post with the Lord Commander being the top General elected by the people - who come from all over the realm and from different houses. I think the oaths are a big part of this. Neutrality means they stay away from any feuds and conflicts like the WOT5K.

However, I don't think this gives them any kind of advantage because despite having more state capacity, their fortresses are broken down and many of them unusable - leaving them open to an attack from the North. Their army is dwindling in terms of men and lack proper training and as we saw more recently their centralized command structure fell prey to mutiny and assassination after the Lord Commander enacted radical change and broke oaths to go save his little sister.

Their resources were already dwindling when AGoT started with the LC Jeor Mormont requesting Tryion to ask the crown to send more funds. With the WOT5K, civil war and chaos, it only got worse. It's actually shocking how much house Stark abandoned the Night's Watch as an institution in terms of it's upkeep.

The NW would have lost to Mance's host without Stannis Baratheon and his army getting there. Jon would have most probably died, killed by Mance or Janos Slynt. Mance takes the Wall by force. NW is destroyed and the Freefolk reach the Seven Kingdoms - where it's possible the Boltons unite the North against this new enemy.

And then the story would be different.

jon snow in the books is a great character bc he's notionally set up as a Hero of Legend and Prophecy but the minute he gets any institutional power hes like 'right. time to invest in root vegetables and structurally transformative agricultural infrastucture'. doesn't really give a shit about The Prince That Was Promised. the westerosi Numbers Fuckstein albeit also a therian. Just wants to mess with tax quotas and free folk resettlement distributions

[milkteabinniechan]

♡Dear Lover - Hyunjin

MINORS DNI 18+ ONLY MEMBERSHIP//M.LIST

pairing: fiancè Hyunjin x fem! reader

summary: Your parents have picked a husband for your sister and the two of them have been writing love letters back and forth for years before they meet on their wedding day. There is just one problem: you've been the one sending the letters to her future husband and now you're in love!

warnings: just fluff! some angst, drama, very soft hyunjin, lovesick reader

“Maybe start with why you were the one writing me the letters and not your sister?” Hyunjin’s nostrils flared as he spoke. But his tone wasn’t angry, just confused. You looked exactly how he pictured you from your letters. A softness about you that translated through your words.

“She asked me to. In the beginning, she didn’t want to write to you. So, she asked me to do it instead to make our parents happy.” You pulled at the hem of your shirt, twisting it this way and that while your eyes stayed fixed on the ground. “Please, don't be upset with her.”

Hyunjin stepped back for a moment. His eyes searched yours as the two of you finally locked onto one another. Eyes that he had pictured late at night. A face he had only seen in his dreams. Everything he had said in the letter was true. He was in love, just not with your sister. But the wedding was planned, the invitations sent out.

It was springtime when the letters first began. You remember the sound of birds chirping outside your bedroom window when your parents made the announcement that your sister was to be wed on the year of her 21st birthday.

“But I don’t want to marry someone I’ve never met!” She screamed. You were only partially paying attention. You were no longer the focus of your parents' attention. You were twenty-four now and practically a spinster. Your sister was going to have her wedding the very next spring. One year. She had one year to comply and accept what was happening.

“We’ve already failed with your older sister, we will not fail with you.” Your father boomed. His fat finger pointed sternly at you.

While your little sister protested for a few weeks, she ultimately agreed upon the marriage if she could at least see who she was to be betrothed to. But letters are all his family would agree to. A stern, traditional family that negotiated the terms of advised letters to be written once a week for one year until the wedding day. Meetings were held in secret by the patriarchs of the two families. Hands were shook and large cigars were smoked in celebration of the upcoming union. Then one cool spring night, your sister came knocking at your door with a favor to ask.

“You’re a writer. Just write the letters for me and make me sound good okay?” She begged, her hands folding together while her eyes pleaded with you.

Reluctantly you agreed. One week after the other, you tried your best to sound like your sister. You wrote about her interests instead of your own. You included her favorite color and her favorite kind of food. But somewhere down the line, you slipped. Hyunjin had written about a favorite book of yours – Little Women. He had written paragraphs discussing the different characters and the depth of their description and diversity from one another. He had gushed about the writing style and the eloquent use of simile and metaphors. And your heart fluttered, fluttered and flipped in a way that was new and exciting. Your next letter was completely you. It was your voice, your thoughts, your ideas. The words just flowed out of you like wine and you would feel almost drunk by the time you signed your sister’s name at the bottom.

Hyunjin would soon write about more personal subjects; his fears and insecurities. Of which you felt a kinship with. You would respond with words of comfort and love, thanking him for being so open and vulnerable with you. You would tell him about a beautiful sunset you saw or the lovely sound that snow made when you take a step early in the morning. Hyunjin would tell you how ready he was to hear that sound. How eager he was to hold you, to hear your laugh and touch your lips at last-

When everything was said and done, you knew the exact moment that things had gone too far. You had said “I love you” in your final letter before the wedding. Hyunjin had responded that he was on his way and that he “loved you more that there were stars in the sky.”

You held that last letter tightly in your hands as the all black town car pulled into the driveway of your family home. You would see him, finally see him, and he would see you. Only you would be a shadow cast behind your sister. Hyunjin could never know that those words were not hers. He would marry her and you would go back to your life before. As Hyunjin slowly stepped out of the car, the sunlight shone through his hair like a beacon. His forearm flexed as he gripped the car door and closed it behind him. He stood still for a moment, his eyes flicking between you and your sister until his gaze finally landed on you. Your sister hastily stepped in front of you and introduced herself. Hyunjin shook his head for a second to break the stare between the two of you before smiling warmly at your sister. He held her tightly, his long arms sweeping around her waist and pulling her close to his chest.

“I am so happy to meet you in person, my love!” He exclaimed, his hand coming up to cradle your sister’s face.

Dinner was a complete blur. The clanking sound of silverware and glasses swirled around your ears while your mind drifted further and further from the dining room. The voices of your family were distant, just an echo of a sound as you attempted to keep your food down. After dinner, Hyunjin and your sister snuck off somewhere in the house to be alone. You made your way up to your room and lied on your bed, willing your brain to erase the last year so the heaviness in your chest would subside.

“Fine! Okay? I didn’t write those stupid letters! But that doesn’t mean anything, right?” your sister shouted from the other side of the wall. You stayed in bed and made your way to the wall that divided your two rooms to see if you could hear anything. “She’s a loser! You don’t want her!” Your sister screamed.

“If she is the one that wrote all those letters, then I do. I do want her.”

Your heart dropped. You moved your head away from the wall and turned to face your bedroom door as you heard footsteps approach.

“Please, don’t be upset with her.”

“I’m not upset with her.” Hyunjin took a step closer, closing the gap between the two of you. “You look just as I imagined.” He whispered, his breath brushing softly against your neck.

Your breath hitched as he moved closer. Your hands move instinctively to his waist. Your hips coming into contact with his as his hands move down your back and come to rest at your sides. He leans into your ear and speaks in a low tone. A secret shared just between the two of you. Something intimate that nothing in this world could penetrate. “You’re the one I want to marry. You’re the bride I have been waiting for.”

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[arcane-ish]

Arcane Act 1 - Everybody ends up where they don't want to be and why that is a problem

In my first reaction I talked a bit about structural weaknesses and after a bit of sleep one thing popped into my head. I tried to get not spoiled too much but one of the few things I read that there was an interview and somebody from the writing team said that in a way everybody ends up where they don't want to be or something a long those lines.

I think this theme is heavily present in Act 1 already and I think this is kind of a structural writing problem. Because it is usually fundamentally more interesting to see characters have a goal and try to achieve it and either get it or fail than for characters to be pushed into something by higher powers.

The additional problem is that so far in Act 1 we haven't always seen enough of what the characters want instead. So character A wants X, but is forced into Y.

Let's go into detail:

Back when I read the spoiler I assumed it would be something like that:

Jinx ends up as a revolutionary

Vander who wanted to curb his violence ends up as a violent beast

Vi ends up as a cop

Caitlyn ends up in a position of power and influence

Ekko ends up working with Piltover even though he wants to protect his people

Now that Act 1 has rolled around we concrete have:

Vi taking the badge

Caitlyn being thrust into leading Piltover (maybe being thrust into her mother's spot)

Viktor becoming an object of worship without wanting that

We see the first traces of Jinx becoming a freedom fighter and Ekko being pulled into working for Piltover.

Ironically, I think I've been enjoying the story of Mel and Ambessa (I know I'm probably in the minority) because that theme feels least present with them so far or at least they seem to be acting more along the lines of their genuine interest still.

Mel

Mel wants to protect Piltover in her way and doesn't trust her mother. She is also forced by circumstances to do stuff she doesn't like (like agreeing to the invasion) but she's still overall pursuing her interests (trying to figure out what Ambessa's plan is, trying to soften the murderous interests of the rest of the council). Maybe in the future her "ends up where she doesn't want to be" will be her working with her mother or becoming like her.

Ambessa

Ambessa of cource we find out is being hunted by the Black Rose, so I presume her "I don't want to be here" is being in Piltover. But she still feels like she's expressing her personality and making moves and being proactive within the situation she finds herself in. Maybe her ending up doing the opposite of what she wants will be either protecting Piltover or having to fight her own daughter (maybe a Black Rose possesed Mel).

Their stories are more fun to me because they are still in the "want" phase and not in the "forced" phase.

Caitlyn

Next we have Caitlyn. I think she's actually one of the better ones (again I presume many people will disagree with me on that). For one she actually gets some room to express what she wants. She wants peace (scene where sits at her mother's pond). She wants like Mel to soften the blow of Piltover against Zaun to some extent. We can infer that she wants a happy life with Vi (though I think that could have been really driven home if we had gotten a dream sequence which makes it clear: yes what she really wants is sit in a flower field and hold hand and play footsie with Vi, thus making it more tragic when her actions end up driving them apart).

It also benefits from her conflict not being purely external "Ambessa pushed her into taking power", but being actually an internal conflict. She wants to be a good person, but she also wants revenge and struggles with those feelings and her growing prejudice.

Viktor

With Viktor the whole "forced" is most present. He probably wasn't planning to be a prophet, it just sort of happens to him. I think his story is still weak because we have seen very little of what he actually wants. We can infer if we remember season 1 that he wants peace and hextech not being used for war. But in the show it feels very "oh, yeah, gotta go."

Vi

Vi of course ends up taking the badge. I think her story suffers because to me it feels very muddled what she wants at the moment. She wants to help apprehend Jinx. We presume she wants to be with Caitlyn.

Also her "forced" push is pretty unimpressive (like really? being flattered that Caitlyn praised her to other people plays a role?). She protects people almost out of instinct (ie the chemtech attack on the council).

In season 1 Vi's wants were a huge driver of the whole story. Vi wants to prove herself that's why she organizes the heist, Vi wants to make up for the mess she made with the botched heist, Vi wants to protect her family and save Vander, Vi wants to find her sister, Vi wants to rescue Jinx from Silco's influence.

Every single one of her wants ended up blowing up in her face and that made up the deep tragedy of season 1. We like Vi, we care about Vi's wants and hurts us to see her fail. She wants to prove herself but brings tragedy on the Lanes, she wants to turn herself in but gets foiled, she wants to save Vander, but he dies, she wants to find her sister and when she does it turns out that her sister is a different person, she wants to pry Jinx from Silco's influence but it turns out Jinx really enjoys it and there is no way bring Powder back.

In season 2 her wants feel pretty muddled and much weaker. She wants to apprehend Jinx with the task force. She feels bad and guilty over Caitlyn's mom. She presumably wants to be with Caitlyn.

I think it worth noting that there is IMO no strong drive to protect Zaun. I think a lot of fans probably perceived her as this is something she should feel, but IMO I genuinely don't see it.

Vi is somebody who suffers from being perceived as a Zaunite, she has some loyalty in the sense that she doesn't take the badge, but I genuinely don't get a deep connection between her and Zaun. Vi I think is more universal in that if she sees anybody getting attacked she wants to step in and help, there is no special loyalty to her people. She defends the Pilties when the Chembarons attack, she stands up to Caitlyn when Isha is in the line of fire. There are hints of Vi having a codex but I feel unclear on what exactly that codex is (no killing kids? no kiling at all? no killing except proven guilty people?).

Please note how at no point when the subject was on attacking Zaun she brought up Ekko (ie come on Caitlyn, you know there are good people down there, such as Ekko, or no attempts are made to warn Ekko that an attack is coming). [it's a pity I think if this connection had been made it would have ramped up the tragedy and emotional punch a lot, would have portrayed Vi more as somebody who is torn between Zaun and Piltover]

(my personal read is that Vi feels no connection to Zaun because she was in jail for so long and when she came back she no longer recognized it as "her" Zaun and maybe she associates Zaun with having poisoned her sister)

Anyway, Vi's clearest moment of tragedy coincides with her moment of stating an actual believable want and it says a lot about her as a character in Season 2 so far. It's the scene where she tells Caitlyn that everything around her changed and she wants Caitlyn to stay the same.

And of course she states it exactly 5 minutes before Caitlyn changes on her (becoming like Jinx as Vi puts it).

Still, what Vi expresses in that conversation is very telling of her character. That she feels like she has lost her connection to everything and she was clinging to Caityn as her one thing and that that one thing changes and rejects her.

I think Vi's story suffers from her stated want coming to late in the act and her morals being inclear (ie she against killing? can't be since she asks Caitlyn to take the shot on Jinx? so just kiling children? innocents? what violates her moral code and what doesn't?).

Jinx and Ekko

I think Jinx and Ekko are not completely deep in the "forced" phase, but I think they are sort of muted" in the "want" as well. Jinx has expressed that she wants to die but imo it feels sort of half hearted. Jinx says she wants to blow it all up, but imo it feels sort of half hearted. Jinx expresses anger over what Caitlyn using the grey but we don't really see the process of what she does about it.

Her forced aspect comes in the sense of the girl latching on to her (and there's potential there in her repeating what happened between her and Silco) but I think all of the new characters fall pretty flat so far. NuGirl really would have benefitted from getting a flashback to explain her backstory. (yes even if she ends up getting killed)

Ekko just wants to protect his people but the illness of the tree forces him to go to Piltover with Heimer. At this point both his wants and his forced are pretty muted.

Jayce

I think Jayce's story suffers from him being actually the character who is in multiple stories. He's a little bit with Caitlyn and Vi (he wanted to honor Viktor's wishes not to build hextech weapons but he makes them for Cait after all), he's a little bit Mel, he's a little bit in Viktor's story, and a little bit in the Heimer/Ekko story.

I think better writing could have really made use of the fact that Jayce is the character who is in multiple storylines but imo it didn't happen.

At the moment (maybe just because of how Act 1 ended) Hextech feels like his big tragedy. (Mel's line about wanting to protect his dream) Season 1 Jayce was cocky and wanted to make the world better with Hextech (+ be a magician), in season 2 he finds out that hextech is actually completely fucking over the The Arcane.

Again this is something that could really have benefitted to a flashbacks for Jayce's highs when everything was still golden and glorious for him rather than just pans onto his old mug.

Conclusion

Structurally the tragedy is there for everybody, but I don't really *feel* the tragedy of it yet because the show isn't making heavy enough use of contrast (ie investing more time of emotionally showing us what the character actually wants so we can feel the weight of when they end getting the actual opposite, I think flashbacks could have accomplished that).

[warningsine]

In my heart of hearts, Rio gets her own spin off series; a prequel where we see Death's origins and journey into human history.

A format where Rio meets and reaps some interesting souls each weekly episode. It doesn't even have to include Agatha.

But I know this premise isn't Marvel-like.

Speaking of Agatha, Jac's "We didn't give you any Agatha/Rio scenes in the past, because the story will continue and we could see more of them" was so disingenuous, because this was Agatha's show.

In the future, Agatha will be Billy's ghost mentor; she'll be the sidekick, not the focus.

As for Rio, well. If a bunch of guys are in charge of her arc (instead of Jac and Mary Livanos), they'll give her a male love interest--not even Thanos or Deadpool--faster than light to make her more palatable to general audiences and the fanboys.

But I was thinking that we don't know much about her. Excluding her adventures with Agatha, Rio can be read as a virginal goddess, impartial and harmonious within the universe.

Surely though, there must have been other divine beings that saw her appeal. Right?

So what if another powerful lady--another immortal goddess--had been pursuing her for centuries and now that Agatha and Rio's canonical story is over said lady gives it another try?

And what if Agatha changed her mind in the future only to be met with Rio's perceived indifference?

In reality, of course, Rio would be in mourning and simply respecting Agatha's wishes (to retire her human form and stay away from her).

Wouldn't be interesting to briefly flip the dynamic there? Somewhat, at least.

We know Agatha is resurrected in the comics eventually.

And we've seen Rio's possessiveness, so maybe it's Agatha turn--for once--to deal with a little jealousy, a little competition there.

Agatha was so arrogant that she'd thought that Death was her equal. So how does she react when she finds out that Rio has other romantic options--options that are way more powerful than Agatha?

How long would Agatha's "I don't care what she does, I don't want her toxic embrace" act last?

And how much time would it take for Rio to fold? (<- Because this is a given.)

[thequietkid-moonie]

Ayaka Kamisato, Sparkle and Ruan Mei making their stoic crush smile for the first time!

Making their stoic crush smile for the first time

[ SCENARIO ] [ Ayaka, Sparkle, Ruan Mei ]

[ Genshin Impact ] [ Honkai Star Rail ]

A cute prompt with such cutes ladies!! Thanks for requesting it dear annon <333

First time writing for Ayaka 🎉 she is so cute

Ayaka Kamisato

Despite the fact that Ayaka is part of a powerful and respectful clan she is really kind and just want to have friends, she has some troubles to relate to others out of her duties but she likes meeting others, what she wants the most is have new friends and yet falling in love had caught her off guard

It isn't easy for her fall in love, she has to know you first but for her to develop a crush after that is pretty quick, it will take her a while to recognize her own feelings and it something that will make her too flustered and shy, this is the first time something like this happens to her so of course she is excited but at the same time insecure

Even so, she accepts quite quick her feelings and even tries to act on those feelings, more than trying to win your heart she tries to open up and show you who she truly is, she wants to get to know you more and more, besides with her crush for you also comes some admiration (and, honestly, you being quite stoic just increase her admiration)

Ayaka spends as much time as posible with you and she never stops smiling, despite feeling quite shy she just can't help but want to be closer and closer, she simply grows closer to you and open up when she feels like is a good timing to speak her heart out, so everything just end up coming naturaly, even when she can be quite organized and even have plans to what to do whenever you hang out she had never do something like make a plan to actually make you smile, so when it happens she is speechless

Ayaka freeze on her spot because she is a little shocked when she sees you smiling for the first time, and not only that but also you are smiling because of her, it take her a moment to get out of her shocked state just to become incredibly flustered in a second, suddenly her heart is raising and her cheeks feel like burning, even she has to look away in an attempt to calm down and yet she will not be able to get out of her mind the imagine of you smile

This event is something that will be stuck in her mind for several days, and every time she remember it again her cheeks immediatly flush bright pink, she is unable to stop herserlf from being excited because maybe that means that she has a chance with you, still she tries to remember herself to don't force it to happen again, just enjoy the memory and hope that she can make you smile again in the future

Sparkle

Sparkle is quite misterious and mischievous, when you speak to her you never know if she is speaking the truth or if she is just planning to play another prank, she is a masked fool after all. She doesn't mind at all meeting all kind of new people because at the end the only thing that matters to her is her own entretaiment

Falling in love with you was something quite unexpected but it isn't disappointing, after all this new feelings just means more to Sparkle's entretaiment, she is incredibly aware of herself and her surroundings so noticing her feelings for you is quite simple and not accepting them isn't even an option

Sparkle's crush just lead her to be closer and more interested on you, clinging on your side or vanish for a while to get to know about you in diferent ways, her feelings are really sincere but that doesn't mean she can't find joy on them and even play some jokes and pranks, besides the fact that you are stoic just make this even more entrataining

Sparkle will take as her own goal make you smile (or at least show any kind of emotion), she is a masked fool after all, she has a lot of trick under her sleeve, she has not shame on constantly bugging you to play games or even putting pranks on you, even going as far as disguise as yourself in an attempt to make you laugh

Despite being her whole goal the moment she finally manage to actually make you smile Sparkle is surprised for a brief moment, she simply stares at you at the moment she finally managed to make you smile before chuckling and teasing you about her victory, saying over and over again that she have win because she have finally made you smile and even praising herself for it

She will never admit it out loud but this actually makes her feel quite flattered, and not just that but it also bring her some pride (even more if you have laugh, even if it was a small laugh that is still her victory), the memory of your smile is something that she will keep close to her heart and it even makes her smile at herself everytime she remember it, still now that she have finally achive it she is constantly trying to make you smile and laugh more and more, even joking about how she can easily make you smile

Despite everything her feelings for you are sincere, so even if at the end her feelings aren't reciprocated she will not suffer since the memory of your smile would be enough

Ruan Mei

Ruan Mei has always had dificulties with understanding the feelings and relating to others, she has being taught that her work and studies are the most important thing so getting closer to her to be considere being close is quite dificult, and for her to fall in love its even a little more dificult but definetly posible, but even when she fall in love it will take her a long time to realice what she feels for you

In the meantime she tries to understand her sudden change in mind, suddenly she is thinking more on you, interested on what you have to say and even more she wants to be close to you! So, at the end, she decide to follow those desires to see what she can find out, to see to what will lead her

The fact that you are so stoic isn't much of a problem, she doesn't really understand feelings after all so even if you would express them frecuently doesn’t make much diference, she prefere to speak things clearly and directly, and the more time you two spend together the more she gets used to simply not seeing you change your expression

Since Ruan Mei doesn’t even fully understand her feelings everything she does that be an attempt to get closer and win your heart are just with the excuse of following the wishes she has to try just find out what exactly is what is making her feel and act like this, so when she end up making you smile one of those times you two were hanging out is something that caught her off guard

Making you smile wasn't her intention nor goal but now that have happened it make her feel warm and happy, it will be this what will make her finally realice that what she is feeling is love, she has a crush on you. It still take some time for her to fully understand her feelings but this have made it more clear

Even if she tries the memory of your smile simply doesn’t leave her mind nor that happy feeling she had the moment you smiled at her, even so she doesn't mind it, not only she likes feeling it but also give her the change to start a new investigation to see how far this feeling can lead her

There is a small desire for those feelings to be reciprocate but for now she has more than enough just be able to be at your side and enjoy this new little reseach, besides, with this new project of hers now she is more curious about seeing you express more and more, hopefuly she will be able to make you smile again someday

[wretchedwitchpussy]

arcane theme predictions/headcanons for season 2:

• obviously we're seeing the setup of Jinx as the hero/savior of Zaun. this is most likely going to set up a Cait/Jinx diametric opposition as they flourish into leaders in their own way especially as we see cait leaning into a centralized police state/fascism.

• I think we're also seeing Zaun gain a political edge over Piltover. Last season we saw Piltover was on top of the world (literally lol). This privilege of security, strong leadership, and safety they enjoyed was destroyed with Jinx's attack at the end of S1. It's continued by Ambessa's betrayal and Jinx's powder attack. Piltover is in a state of fear and destabilization. This is in contrast to Zaun this season—obviously there's a power vacuum left by Silco's death, but I think Jinx is the obvious successor as the savior of Zaun post-council attack and as his adopted daughter. I think this change in Zaun's leadership is going to unify it.

•I think the two issues we saw that Zaun had in S1 (political infighting and shimmer) are going to be addressed by Jinx and Viktor this season. Jinx's leadership paired with Viktor purging the scourge of shimmer on Zaun is going to heal Zaun imo and lead to renewed morale and pride.

• I think Jinx's colored powder attack is symbolic of Zaun and Piltover switching places sociopolitically in the future. We know gas/the Grey is pretty representative of Zaun like clean air is representative of Piltover. Jinx's powder attack left a colorful, visible mark on Piltover, importantly using gas as her modus operandi to deliver the message. Essentially they're not safe up there—not even their air is safe and Jinx has shown them that.

•specific headcanon/prediction here. I'm p sure in the teaser, there's a scene of a LOT of people sporting Jinx's distinct hair color, as well as a mural of people with her same hair color surrounding/worshipping her. I'd be really interested to see if we see another Cait/Jinx chase scene where Cait is tracking Jinx's hair through the crowd and suddenly can't find Jinx because the crowd takes off hoods/whatever and she's in a sea of blue hair (think Avatar cave scene when they're in the fire kingdom and Aang's teachers are trying to to find him but can't because everyone looks like Aang)

• adding into my previous point—maybe we see Cait start criminalizing certain aspects of individual expression? Like dying your hair like Jinx?

• add on with your own!!

[halcyonarylus]

Honestly, I don't blame Alhaitham for opting out of researching something in this scenario. While many scholars would have been over the moon to research a relic like the wedject eye - especially one connected to gods like Deshret and the Dendro Archon because people put gods to a high esteem - Alhaitham doesn't. Gods and humans are just different forms of existence in his eyes. So to me, he would view the object like someone else's possession - something very personal that contains nothing but memories. Like yeah, it's a magical item, but functionally it would be no different from a container of momentos. It would be like breaking into a box of childhood possessions or a locket to find a personal family photo or something to that effect. (And I'm of the opinion Alhaitham does have more moral guidelines than most people give credit for because of his objective perspective and monotone delivery. Seriously, he's very emotionally aware and human).

The only thing left of interest for the relic is how it records the memories as a mechanism. Or look at the material of the gem itself, or any potential inscriptions on the relic. Which wouldn't take much time to observe. So instead of taking personal time off from work or other life to travel a good distance just to look at something for a few minutes doesn't seem like a time worthy investment. If it were me, I'd rather wait for a stars align situation, like maybe when I go to the desert to research something else and oh the temple of silence is right there. Or, even better, that the item in question comes to me.

That said, Alhaitham being lazy crushes my hope to drag him to places of interest to me - like Enkanomiya, Dragonspine, etc. (I desperately want to bring the smart people to places of mystery in game as a lore person so they can explain things to me). and it dashes my hope that this amazing Sumeru cast can interact with characters of other regions, like Cyno and Tighnari with Albedo. I'd like more of that. Please let Alhaitham and/or Kaveh leave Sumeru or participate in other festivals. (Yes, I'm biased)

It is interesting Sethos is so cool with being open to letting Alhaitham (and Kaveh) research it and other things the Temple of Silence has, considering I don't think they really interacted directly in it (I haven't done Cyno SQ II yet; I just know the main points that happen). I take it Sethos has a good vibe check and can tell the scholars in the Crew-meru friend group would treat materials of the Temple of Silence properly and with respect. There's a lot I could say about how Sethos really isn't that close to Cyno despite being initially tethered to him, and how despite this he is finding a place and purpose outside the life that had been set for him, making all sorts of connections past the desert - hence why he is steadily creeping in to be a true member of the gang - but I should reserve that for when I actually do the story quest proper. He's in such a unique position in many ways, with a lot of story potential and growth available.

Sadly, little do all these characters know there is a high possibility that the memories contained within the eye might show the truth of the original Dendro Archon. I kinda hope, if not for the wedjat eye, that we get a future story or event at the Temple of Silence, given that the location is permanent even after Cyno's SQ II, instead of being a one time domain like in other story quests.

Regardless whether the wedjat eye comes back or not, I do feel we're inching closer to a Deshret and Nabu Malikata reveal - like with Guizhong. Candace did catch bits of conversations between the two gods (things like "will she find out" and "follow the tracks.") And I hope we get all of the Sumeru crew to research that (copium, I know). Like, I know the scene is functionally covering their tracks of 'the characters are so close to accidentally stumbling on a big truth on something they never questioned the validity on before (Rukkhadevata's existence) and giving excuses for them to avoid it - but it's precisely that that makes me think we'll at least revisit the topic in some form.

And speaking of which, they were not subtle about Nahida at least suspecting something. I expect Nahida to learn about Rukkhadevata eventually, though as a thought experiment I like to imagine what would happen if the other characters involved in the rescue operation were to also learn the truth - how that would affect or challenge their understandings of knowledge and memory. Like Alhaitham is especially fascinating in that regard because he both values written records, as shown in his teader, while also constantly questioning 'truth.' It's one thing to be critical, but how would your worldview change knowing the world actively deceives you and hides things. (Again, don't think it'll happen; just a thought experiment of mine)

Hi! Thank you so much for all your analysis, I really enjoy them!! Did you find it strange when Alhaitham, at the end of the event, said he is not interested in visiting the temple of Silence for that gem? Because Alhaitham has always been one to pursue knowledge (sometimes to the extreme, i.g archon quest, where he offers to be taken as a hostage instead to learn more about the truth) Even Kaveh was confused by his answer. I wonder if Alhaitham only meant it in a "I wouldn't go through the trouble JUST for this gem" or if this might be a potential hint to his next storyquest? Idk, it just stood out to me that even Kaveh commented on it, when he knows Alhaitham the best.

i'm glad you enjoy them, thank you so much!! anon this is a delicious sumptuous question, this ??? inkling has been rattling around in my head since finishing the quest, so thank you for giving me a chance to break my own thoughts down about this!

alhaitham's own thoughts about the wedjat eye are that there is little more research to be carried out, as the wedjat eye is perceived as a piece of history, whose purpose and meaning has already been identified - and this can contrast against his active research pursuit with the forbidden canned knowledge capsules as it was uncertain what danger they posed, and the root of the danger

but kaveh points out (as you rightfully say) that since the gem is a legendary historical artifact, it's strange that alhaitham isn't interested in at least seeing it, to which alhaitham states that he refuses to go to the temple of silence to do so because it's too far for him, which is so funny to me??

as if he isn't seen roaming around in the desert and going on research trips to ruins in his character trailer, as well as the latter part of the archon quest taking place in the desert. i suppose that since alhaitham had personal motives to be in the desert these times, and, apparently the wedjat eye doesn't particularly interest him, that he isn't willing to make the journey this time, okay give us nothing!!!

alhaitham brings up the chance of the wedjat eye being brought to the akademiya for appraisal, and says that in that case, he would take a look, as he likes to know when interesting things are brought to the akademiya - which can be seen as well in his story quest, where he keeps files on interest on his desk that the player can read

i think it's interesting that it is sethos himself who directly invites alhaitham to look at the wedjat eye for research when it's now contained in the temple of silence, as in cyno's second story quest, when the temple of silence is explored, sethos gives cyno and lord kusanali permission to choose people deemed "worthy" to pursue knowledge in the temple of silence, warning that they must be careful with their choice of candidates

cyno then extends this invitation to kaveh and alhaitham, with them seemingly being these 'candidates', as kaveh says he is interested in visiting the temple of silence in order to look through ancient documents, with cyno saying "that day will come" which seems to imply the temple of silence being at the centre of some future event

each sumeru event (an odd textual mystery and now nahida's birthday event) since then has, of course, included sethos, as he is now a mainline sumeru cast character, and the mention of the wedjat eye now belonging to the temple of silence is consistent with maintaining the organisation as a pivotal part of sumeru

whilst alhaitham's reluctance to physically go there seems to be for comedic purposes, in line with him not helping with the celebrations as it isn't part of his job description (oh but you can head on over to port ormos for no apparent reason to yap with kaveh and leave to go back to the house of daena? like it's a brisk stroll away?? SICK!) i think it's very likely that we'll get more of an exploration of the temple silence in future events (or perhaps a sethos hangout which i am once again asking for), especially (as you say) alhaitham is associated with pursuing knowledge, and the temple of silence is described by sethos to be the hub of this, i'll assume that there has to be something there that entices him to make the journey

as for the wedjat eye being brought to the akademiya, i'm not so sure if this will be explored in an event or character story? the purpose of it seems to be fully explored in this event, with candace being the only one to be able to operate it, and with alhaitham saying that there's no need to study it further could be a narrative choice of essentially wrapping up this story thread - but who knows?? (thinking along these lines, it's notable that candace shows the wedjat eye to the traveller and paimon, but doesn't reveal it to alhaitham and kaveh when directly discussing it, ensuring that the two never see it...? worms in brain actually)

going back to the temple of silence, the information it actually possesses regarding king deshret's civilisation being a mystery, as well as the wedjat eye being a gift from king deshret now being contained there, (along with mehrak's core being from king deshret's civilisation which i think would be very !!! to explore), is really interesting to me, especially with the emphasis on there coming a 'day' in which it's possible for the temple of silence to be explored by the main crew, or those that cyno and nahida select as candidates. i'm very much hopeful that hoyo will fulfill this foreshadowing!!

[spittyfishy]

i'm curious, what HCs do you have for which Remnant took which part of Enoshima?

The thing is I’m not sure I have any very unique head canons on that front. I mean there’s the three that most people seem to agree on, that being Nagito with the hand, Mikan with the womb, and Fuyuhiko taking the eye.

I might have said it before but I do think the most interesting one of those three is by far Fuyuhiko. Cause like Mikan and Nagito make sense, they’re the ones we get to see be remnant-y the most and grafting Junko onto themselves checks out with how they act, but Fuyuhiko? I don’t think he does anything in the game that would indicate he’d willingly rip his own eye out to replace it with a dead girls.

But the fact that he did (allegedly at least) gives a really interesting look into how despair affected him specifically. It’s really the only bit of insight we get with Fuyuhiko since the brief scene we get of the remnants out and about at the end of despair arc just has him leading some soldiers against the Future Foundation. So we know he took control of the Kuzuryu clan, and that he still works with Peko since she’s there too, but that’s kinda it. So figuring out how the eye thing fits into that is really neat.

But as far as headcanons for the others go, I do think that if Fuyuhiko got something then Sonia and Imposter would feel like they deserved something too. I don’t think either of them could really graft a whole body part though, Imposter still needs to be able to become anyone else at the drop of a hat so having to be ‘Togami but also he has a girls hand haha don’t worry about it’ wouldn’t really work. And with Sonia I always see it as she keeps herself a level above everyone else, like most people are dirty and sick and scrounging around just to stay alive but then here’s this glittering image of unflappable royalty to juxtapose that. It makes Sonia seem more reverent but also makes everyone else seem worse, so I don’t think she could afford to blemish that unmared image.

That being said, I could definitely see Sonia using some of Junko’s bones to fashion a crown or some other kind of jewelry, that way she’d still have a symbol of Junko without compromising her status. Imposter I’m not sure about, but maybe their despair would come from being the only one of the remnants political powerhouses that didn’t get anything.

[themyscirah]

Suffering more than Jesus atm (being a fan of 80s/90s Suicide squad in 2024)

[puthyflapps]

I have an intimate truth to share: I think Sunday would be a very cute name for a shoni baby who lives on a farm with her two moms. Sunday Shalifoe??? They could call her Sunny!! C’mon it writes itself!! And if she looked just like Shelby?? The material is there!! 😭😭😭

[christian-halloway]

christian didn't expect to be going home after this date tonight being excited for the next one to take place. he needed to text his friends and thank them for introducing him to maybe the most intelligent and interesting girl that he'd had the pleasure of crossing paths with so far in this lifetime. este was someone that he could see himself getting to know more. the spark between them seemed to be mutual too. christian raised an eyebrow as the girl in front of him checked him out from head to toe. "did you openly just check me out while i was staring right at you?" christian laughed as the girl mentioned she wasn't looking at him inappropriately and explained she was just looking to see if he'd brought his cowboy boots with him tonight or not. that made sense. although, of course, he wouldn't mind este checking him out either. she could do that whenever she wanted too - as long as he could do the exact same thing back. "trying's the most important thing there. we don't mind people drinking as long as they don't ruin the experience for everyone else around them. i have no doubts that you would be the fun kind of drunk though as opposed to one of those that gets mad at everyone around them." christian would normally have to call security on the people that tried to kick up a fuss when drinking too much. talking about a possible future between them wasn't something that scared him. wasn't the point of dating people to try and find the one? everybody out there was searching for a soul mate in some form. he didn't have much faith in a blind date maybe helping him discover the one but who was he to not throw caution to the wind and have one last go at searching for love? christian had kissed the girl behind the cover of his cowboy hat - something he wouldn't usually do on a first date but este seemed like someone he wanted to leave something with. he hoped it would make the girl relive the memory and think about him until they had their second date. este's hand cupped his cheek as his eyes stared right into the girl's as a ghost of a breath escaped from his mouth at the sight in front of him. she looked so fucking beautiful. christian was just about to pull back and move before este leaned in and kissed him a second time. "oh, you bet. i'll keep it safe up until that point." he pretended to take the kiss from his own lips and put into his back pocket to seal it there until they met up again in the near future. "don't let me forget, alright?" christian placed the cowboy hat back onto este's head again. she looked like the cutest cowgirl in this entire town. christian made sure it was sitting right on the girl's head before pulling back ever so slightly to examine it. "yeah, that's perfect. you pull off the whole cowgirl thing."

she thought she’d be leaving this date with a story to tell her friends about how terrible it was. that was her expectation, to go out with some random guy and have a pretty forgettable night. but somehow, christian was changing that. she didn’t feel awkward at all—in fact, she felt comfortable, which was rare for her on a first date. she found herself really enjoying her time with him. "i won’t believe it until i see it," she teased, curious, glancing down to check if he was actually wearing cowboy boots. she didn’t normally check out guys' shoes, but this was different. "just so i don’t look crazy, i wasn’t checking anything inappropriate, just seeing if the cowboy left his boots back at the ranch or not," she added with a playful smile tugging at her lips. it surprised her how relaxed she sounded, especially when, deep down, she was nervous about messing things up. "oh, i can for sure drink," she laughed. "i’ll be the drunk one there, i bet i can do that better than dancing," she joked, knowing she always tried to keep her drinking in check, especially with work or parents around. she loved her job and couldn’t bear the thought of people talking bad about her. but then she remembered her earlier slip-up—blurting out something about finding a boyfriend after barely knowing each other. if that didn’t scare him off, she didn’t know what would. still, christian didn’t seem freaked out. in fact, his response gave her a tiny sliver of hope, or maybe she was just imagining things, getting ahead of herself as usual. that was the thing about este—she read too many romance novels and started thinking real life worked the same way. and then there was that kiss. quick, unexpected, but enough to make her heart race. his lips had barely left hers before her hand moved to gently cup his cheek, just a ghost of a touch. but when he pulled away, she felt herself hesitate. "sure," she nodded, playing it cool, her hand dropping back to her side even though her mind was racing with thoughts far from innocent. and then, without thinking twice, she leaned in, pressing a quick, soft kiss to his lips, stealing another moment with him. "you can ask for it back when we meet again," she whispered with a smirk, her heart still hammering in her chest, already thinking about the next time.

[adreamingrevenant]

Unenlightened: The Knight of the Dawn and Princess Leia were both perfect analogues for both Aurora's parents and the Aurora and Prince Philip from the 1959 Sleeping Beauty movie relationship wise.

Enlightened: The Knight of Dawn and Princess Leia had a relationship superficially like the stereotypical fairy tale couple, but actually married/make it seem like their relationship was romantic out of convenience and to spite Henrik so Leah could secure her right to the throne and eventually fell in love along the way/did still have Silver and loved him but didn't love one another like that.

Ascended: The Knight of the Dawn and Princess Leia were in a fake relationship but one was either Ace/also batted for their own team and fake dated mostly so Leah could get suitors off her back, on occasion they were one another's wingman/woman.

[spaghettiandart]

WAIT. WAIT. WAIT. A FNAF DAEMON AU WOULD GO INSANELY HARD.

(Rambling in tags)