#so def looking forward to that when I have some more free time and good food in front of me 😅

[yourqueenb]

THE TITLE 💀😭 (not a lie in the slightest, I was just caught off guard lmao)

No but in all seriousness, I think I have a bit of a complicated view of Kiara. Imo the issues with her have less to do with her interactions with the other characters as an individual and more to do with how she was treated by said characters, the writers, and fans vs. how the white women of the court were treated — which is why I understand why you often compare her to them and agree that that is pretty much essential to comprehending just how bad the writing for her is.

In an instance where someone is playing chapters with a week in between each one, hiatuses of several months, and give or take a year between each book PLUS all of the retconning throughout, Kiara disappearing for significant periods of time or having minor cameos, and an MC who is not romancing Drake, I think her poor treatment is very easy to miss and it’s equally as easy to take misinterpretations as fact. *I would even say that there is some basis for people to have a less than positive opinion of her if the conversation from book 2 chapter 1 about her and MC’s alliance is one of the factors.

*From what I understand about the fandom at the time of the series’ release, people definitely took the ‘Kiara is a snob’/‘Kiara is so fake’ thing too far. But I think it would be a bit disingenuous to say that she does not come off as rude and snobby in that scene, especially given everything else we know about her. Kiara is intelligent, observant, and calculated. As a diplomat and noblewoman, she values etiquette and propriety. And as a polyglot/linguaphile, she not only has a deep understanding of language but also tends to choose her words and when she participates in conversation overall very carefully. So with all of that in mind, her saying things like “even if MC were someone we deigned to associate with”, ordering Penelope not to “start up on those dogs again”, and pointing out her and Penelope’s high position of honor in response to a disgraced MC asking if they’ll be joining her in the back (which could’ve been meant matter of factly but looks bad within context)…. definitely cuts deep and feels unnecessarily snooty (and patronizing in Penelope’s case). Not to mention the whole “she’s beneath us” comment in response to MC being a bit sarcastic after everything just mentioned.

However, the absolute vitriol many fans had for her along with how eager they were to paint and view her only in a negative light no matter what makes no sense considering all of Penelope, Madeleine, and Olivia’s wrongdoings. Like Kiara doesn’t even come close to being as hateful and malicious as the last two and isn’t fake at all like Penelope. So why do the other three get excessive amounts of grace that they aren’t even deserving of while Kiara gets none and is either actively hated or largely forgotten instead?

If the writers valued and cared for their Black characters as much as they do their white ones and focused on consistency instead of favoritism, then some of the writing for and dynamics between the TRR cast wouldn’t have been as bad. But even then, that would still require entire scenes and chapters to be completely different. And that still doesn’t cover the fans’ eagerness to purposely misinterpret things and project their biases onto Black characters or the writers’ willingness to pander to those fans regardless.

Thankfully, PB didn’t reflect the fans’ view of Kiara as a Jezebel in the writing (which is honestly a bit surprising considering how much they catered to Drake stans and the fact that they have used the stereotype before in other stories as you pointed out). But given this essay and what I remember of this series myself, I just want to briefly point out and comment on some of the other stereotypes and real world experiences I noticed PB perpetuating and reflecting within TRR.

The first is the scene where Drake and MC can prank Kiara by dumping out her hair products. I haven’t read the scene or romanced Drake myself, but I think the inclusion of that at all is… let’s say interesting… considering the fact that attacking Black women’s physical appearance and beauty is often one of the first things non-Black people do when they feel threatened in any way. And of course, the prank seems fairly harmless in the grand scheme of things and is nowhere near equivalent to real life policing of Black hair. However that particular option appearing after the overall rage/jealousy of Drake stans toward Kiara isn’t really something that can be ignored.

The next is all of the questioning, mocking, and challenging of Kiara’s skills and capability. This one especially rubs me the wrong way because it’s such a common microaggression, but I feel like most people didn’t even notice it in the story and definitely don’t irl. Like Olivia is lauded as some sort of badass super spy who Cordonia couldn’t survive without even though she does nothing with any of the intel she manages to get…. But sure, Kiara is the one with delusions of grandeur who needs to prove that she’s as capable as she says she is 🤨

And coming off of that, I think it’s very telling how a lot of the fans take issue with Kiara’s perceived “snobbishness”, but ignore it or find it amusing when Olivia, Madeleine, or anyone else at court acts the same way if not worse. If it were an issue with classism and arrogance in general, then surely Olivia, Madeleine, etc. wouldn’t be exempt from criticism/backlash, right? But they usually are and are even seen as people who deserve to be cocky… so then what could possibly be the issue now??

And once again, I feel compelled to point out how a lot of the time Black people can’t escape the ugly realities of the world that we live in even in fiction. We can’t be too beautiful, too smart, too aware of our accomplishments, or too comfortable in prestigious spaces lest we threaten the inherent superiority of everyone else. Society holds us to a higher standard yet expects so little of us at the same time. And unfortunately, Kiara and many of PB’s other Black characters are indicative of all of this

Drake and Kiara: When You're Fucking Racist

Series - TRR's Alternative LIs - The "Romances" that Didn't Happen

Previous - Hana and Madeleine: When You Reward Your Favourite Bully with One of Her Victims

A/N: Again, apologies for the length. There was a LOT to unpack in this one!! I'm really, really not going to be nice to Drake here. It was harrowing to go through a lot of these scenes again and I honestly don't have the patience or inclination to sugarcoat any of it.

CW: Mentions of gun violence and minimization of trauma. Mentions of racist fan vitriol towards a black character. Examination of the Jezebel stereotype.

Whenever I think about how unhinged the hatred towards Kiara (and especially towards Kiara's attraction to Drake) was, a specific edit comes to mind.

On the surface, it looks quite simple. Kiara in a white wedding dress, Drake right next to her in his blue formal suit. Both of them are smiling at the viewer. The background is a beautiful forest, and the entire picture is bathed in a lovely, muted sepia tone. A sweet, simple wedding scene.

The caption underneath this edit?

Classify under things no one asked for.

Kiara's dream come true!

The tags read "#i barf a little looking at this" and "#i must post to share the suffering". You find out in the comments that the OP created this edit inspired by one of the many fics where Kiara was Drake's stalker, and intended to make her creepy and deranged (but ultimately failed).

The comments are...tbh, things that this fandom has long since normalized and shrugged at when it comes to Drake stans. Multiple puke-face emojis. Multiple gifs signaling disgust. One stan even equates the ship name (Driara) to the word diarrhoea.

"She looks very stalkeresque and white "I drugged Drake so he's marrying me" wedding ready!"

"Well it's close to Halloween so we should expect scary shit"

"THAT is why I made that bitch my Maid of Honor...so she got the message LOUD AND CLEAR...it ain't NEVER gonna happen honey" (right below a barfing gif)

I wish I could say this example of Kiara hatred was the worst of the lot, or even the only one. It wasn't. I'm not sure even an entire essay would be adequate space to explore the sheer levels of vitriol, hatred and double standards dumped on this one character.

Until now, we've seen examples of alternative LIs that were treated with respect. With adulation. Often with kid gloves in case we hurt their poor lill fee-fees. Up until now, no matter what an alternative LI may have done, the LI matched with them wasn't allowed to treat them badly, nor was the MC able to get away with hurting them without punishment.

But in this series, Kiara was, is, and will always be an anomaly.

The Jezebel Stereotype

In most media, black women in particular tend to be subjected to a variety of stereotypes that often have serious, real-world implications. The Mammy, the Sapphire (that over time evolved to what we now know as the "Angry Black Woman" stereotype) and the Jezebel, being the most prominent ones among them. In this essay, I will be focusing specifically on the last.

An article in the Black Then website explains the definition and history of the trope this: "The portrayal of black women as lascivious by nature is an enduring stereotype. The descriptive words associated with this stereotype are singular in their focus: seductive, alluring, worldly, beguiling, tempting, and lewd. Historically, white women, as a category, were portrayed as models of self-respect, self-control, and modesty – even sexual purity, but black women were often portrayed as innately promiscuous, even predatory. This depiction of black women is signified by the name Jezebel."

So it isn't altogether uncommon to see stories where black women are juxtaposed against "pure", "innocent" white/white-passing women, and viewed as lesser. PB hasn't exactly escaped these stereotypes in their stories either - though there are a variety of characters and character types, we can't deny that there was a time when a black woman was made the antagonist, often in ways that were meant to measure her up to the MC/another white woman to her detriment.

(VoS screenshots from the HIMEME YouTube channel, ACOR screenshots from Vika Avey's YouTube channel)

Two very prominent examples of PB using this trope are Scarlett from VoS, and Xanthe from ACOR. There are other black women who serve as antagonists but in a more professional space, but these two particularly are measured on their attractiveness, sex appeal and "purity" in the narrative in comparison to either the MC, or someone close to them.

In VoS, Scarlett Emerson and Kate O'Malley are the sisters of the two male LIs (Grant and Flynn), but their treatment couldn't be any more different. Scarlett's role in the book is pretty short-lived. She's very prominent in the first half of the book as Kate's potential MOH who secretly hates her, before it's revealed in Ch 5 that Tanner was cheating on Kate with her (and that she'd loved him since she was a child). Notably, in that very scene, the MC places most of the blame on Scarlett (rather than on Tanner for choosing to betray his fiancée) by labelling the act as her seduction of him.

Thereafter she is either only mentioned, or has blink-and-you-miss-it appearances in one or two chapters. We see her in the "memory" portion of the bonus scene, but we are never shown what her future is like (even as minor characters like Miss Harleney get one!). Her bonus scene shows us how her bracelet ended up on Tanner's boat, and it is an uncomfortable scene to get through. Tanner berates Scarlett for having sex with him a week before his wedding, but it is she who points out that he asked her to come there! Yet the MC and others view her as the temptress who "seduced" Tanner, as if the man had no mind of his own.

The narrative often juxtaposes her with Kate, the pure, innocent, sweet fiancée (and she actually is! No pretence there) and the fandom lapped it up. There were many demands for Kate to be upgraded to LI status, which eventually resulted in PB allowing us to marry her if we chose. As I mentioned earlier, both Scarlett and Kate are sisters to two of our LIs - but one is made an LI, while no one bothers to even imagine what the other's future entails.

An even worse fate greets that of Xanthe, the sole female antagonist in ACOR. The slut-shaming and disgust over her overt sexuality is far more blatant here. And it is extremely ironic for Xanthe to be viewed in this way, because the MC herself is a courtesan and uses wiles to get men to do her bidding. While Xanthe herself is not perfect by any means - she is depicted as xenophobic and callous, going as far as to mock Syphax when he is sent away to a possible death as a gladiator - the MC's targeting of her goes beyond just her "righteous indignation" and develops into a form of hypocrisy. She has no qualms mocking Xanthe for her direct approach or her skimpy red dress (even though the MC herself wears a skimpy red dress and can seduce a man in a temple not too long after).

The end Xanthe meets is horrific in its implications - the black matron of her scholae (who began by promising the MC herself that "you need do nothing against your will") sends her away to sexual slavery in Sicily, while the black man who was one of the few bastions of morality in the book, escorts her, smiling, to the ship that will take her there. As far as the narrative is concerned, the end was well-deserved...even though PB has had no issues allowing white women to do far worse without any punishment.

We cannot view what ACOR did with Xanthe in isolation. They had built up to it early on - from the MC's reactions towards her, her patrons' dismissiveness of her, the MC's LIs' viewing her with derision and zero respect. The MC - despite her own unscrupulousness - is viewed as the "noble whore" to Xanthe, yet it is clear on even a surface read that there is not much difference between the two women.

The Jezebel stereotype, ultimately, is about dehumanizing the black woman it focuses on, so that her actions and choices are viewed as deviant from what is "normal" - feeding into either responses of disgust and derision, or a desire to objectify her. To some readers, it makes whatever awful or comparatively unfair end they meet, more palatable. Scarlett and Xanthe are not viewed as people by the narrative - especially not the way the MC of their books or even white female antagonists are. No one cares for their backstories, coos over their losses, wonders if they are okay. When they meet their inevitable end, the characters and so many in the fandom alike just shrug and move along.

How does a character like Kiara fit into this? Her smarts and linguistic talents are her most prominent traits, and while she does have feelings for Drake, she never really acts out-of-pocket towards him (more on this later). So at least from what we see in canon, there's very little about her that seems to apply to the Jezebel stereotype. Yet, the fandom is not only inclined, but eager, to view her as one. Kiara's feelings have been viewed in a far more predatory light, perhaps more often than any other female character in the series. Why is this so?

A response I have often seen - on reddit, on Kiara's wiki page, at times on Tumblr too - is how there is a "certain something" about Kiara that people "just don't like". Many players who prefer Penelope to her are often very aware of what she has done, but still insist they like her far more than they do Kiara. On a reddit thread about questioning the logic of having Kiara and Penelope as options for the MC's MOH in TRR3, certain players commented thus:

"I don't know why, I just dislike her a lot. Penelope is fine to me, but Kiara irritates me." (said commenter is an Aerin stan)

"I liked Penelope, I thought she was nice. But Kiara got on my nerves."

In her book, The Sisters Are Alright, Tamara Winfrey Harris makes an eye-opening (to me at least!) observation about how misogynoir works:

"Misogynoir, abetted by dehumanizing caricature, is like water. It fills its vessel, taking many forms, and then overflows, creeping unnoticed into the cracks of things, rotting the foundation. It spreads a belief in Black women’s inherent wrongness." (Italics mine).

Now of course, if I were to ask the current fandom, they would come up with a range of reasons. Some that emerged from fandom myths and became more popular than the truth in time, some from PB's excessive pandering to players that hated her. But the root of it all is in a certain "je ne sais quoi" that makes her automatically unappealing, resulting in those readers leaning towards misreading or misremembering her scenes, misrepresenting her motives, or watering down the impact of worse actions from whiter women. It results in a group of writers (who have thus far gone to the extent of retconning the worst of a white woman's actions just to make her look good) leaning into such readings, even when they're not true.

TRR1 Kiara: Pragmatic Courtier or Backstabbing Snake?

"Kiara is fake", "Kiara is a snob", "Kiara is self-serving", "Kiara promised to be friends with us but dropped us like a hot potato the moment we became unpopular". These are some of the most enduring takes about Kiara in the past few years, and readers who say this usually bring up a vague recollection of TRR1 and 2 as proof. Mostly that "Kiara was our friend" in the first book, and left us hanging at the beginning of TRR2.

Is that reading based in fact, though? Let's take a look at TRR1!Kiara and find out.

We are introduced to Kiara (along with Penelope, and standing next to Hana) in TRR3 when we meet Liam's other suitors. Olivia introduces each woman differently, and the descriptor she uses for Kiara is that she is the "daughter of a diplomat and fluent in ten languages" (note: Kiara never boasts of her linguistic skill, Olivia does. Nor are there any scenes of her looking down on anyone who doesn't speak her mother tongue French, unless of course you accidentally ask her to sleep with you).

Both she and Penelope note immediately that the MC doesn't quite fit in - if the MC questions the women about being allies with Olivia, a woman who calls them "harpies", they view that as an overreaction. When the MC tells the ladies at the Derby about getting lost, Kiara finds her tardiness and inability to fit in, a sign that she cannot keep up with the competition. Until the chapters in Lythikos, Kiara's and Penelope's characterizations are almost interchangeable, personality-wise. It is likely the team envisioned them more as European nobility rather than specifically Cordonian (based on Olivia's introductions), and they are both depicted as poised, refined and aware of their place in court.

It's in Lythikos that Kiara, at least, begins to show a more distinct personality (for Penelope it's after the Regatta). Unlike the rest of the court, who watches Olivia's unwanted kiss on Liam with either mild shock or disinterest, Kiara is angered by what she sees as a very obvious power-play - which gives the MC the opening she needs to gain an alliance.

Now this "alliance" scene of Kiara's is interesting, for two reasons. One is that fandom often uses this scene to establish her "double standards" in TRR2, claiming that Kiara opted to be friends with the MC. Yet nowhere in the scene does the MC or Kiara ever suggest a friendship with each other - they both agree to an alliance. Furthermore, this is an arrangement that benefits the MC more - there isn't exactly anything she contributes (or is expected to contribute) to Kiara from her end. Kiara's promise is that she will put in a good word in the MC's favour, and she upholds that promise throughout the social season.

Another is that among the courtiers, Kiara herself is the first person to identify and respond to the MC's potential if she shows it at the Derby and the tea party (though Hana is also a courtier, I view her strictly as an LI in this context - since her support is by default and is founded on a more emotional basis). Not many nay notice this, but there is a distinction between how Kiara responds to an MC in a successful play vs a failplay...in a way that none of the other suitors do. Take note of the screenshots below:

The top two pictures in this collage are dialogues that feature by default. The bottom two, however, are dependent on branch-coding. They only appear IF the MC has managed to win the approval of the King, the Queen and the press. If you don't succeed in the same, she will not mention your performance in the social season at all, nor will she say anything about the value of your alliance.

That is a far bigger deal than most players of this series realize. It means that Kiara has been watching us closely, and has understood our potential over the course of just three court events. Only two other characters are shown tracking our progress this way: Bertrand (who is our sponsor, so he has to keep track) and Queen Regina (who can guess already her stepson's feelings for the MC, which automatically makes her a person of interest). For Kiara to understand the MC's capabilities, and to openly admit she has potential this early in the competition - it takes a high level of rationality, honesty and pragmatism to come to such a conclusion. Unlike Olivia (who lashes out in jealousy at the MC), Penelope (who has to be told why exactly it's good to have allies), and Madeleine (who dismisses us as competition until it's too late), Kiara actually views the MC with a discerning, impartial eye and an objective approach.

So on the surface, it appears as if Kiara is written by a team that likes her! You could almost be convinced that they thought she was cool but were forced to pander to "crazy Drake stans" in their writing later (which is an argument I have heard often). After all, she's established as beautiful, skilled, smart and observant. You wouldn't do that for a character you don't like, right?

But even as early as TRR1, a disdain for Kiara creeps in from the writing that you rarely see for any of the others.

This is especially apparent when you look at how Kiara's proficiency with language is spoken about. It is supposed to be her most visible skill - Olivia identifies her by it, we see her peppering her English sentences with French words (of course, many may argue that she doesn't exactly sound like an actual French person...but let's remember that her writers aren't exactly very used to the language themselves or interested in doing extra research for authenticity!). As we approach the end of the first book, there are at least two dialogue options that result in people doubting her abilities or mocking her for speaking only English and French most of the time.

In TRR1 Ch 16, Madeleine optionally speaks to the MC over phone (believing her to be a reporter taking her interview) about her thoughts on Kiara. Kiara's tendency to speak mostly in French and English is supposed to be a sign that she "exaggerates her accomplishments". Mind you, this is from the same woman who claims to be the best choice for Cordonia despite her poor strategies and her antagonizing potential allies during the engagement tour (TRR2); who complains if the MC doesn't compliment her for mediocre work as a press sec (TRR3). The MC can also choose to diss Kiara in a similar way, treating Kiara like she is a circus performer and her skills as if they are meant for the MC's entertainment. The only solace I could derive from this dumpster fire of a dialogue option, was that Kiara managed to shut the MC up with her multilingual response.

No other time are we allowed to call a courtier's abilities and skills into question. The MC accepts on faith that Olivia is a badass with great fighting skills. Same with Penelope's ability as a seamstress. The MC is never even allowed to have legitimate complaints about Madeleine's work as press sec, besides maybe that she could "be a little nicer". So the fact that the writers not only have other characters doubt Kiara's talent, but also allow people to mock her about it in all three books...is really something.

Another possible indicator of this disdain is the fact that Kiara is the only suitor who never gets a chance to actually interact with Liam on-screen. Even Penelope, a fellow minor character, can approach and talk to him twice...and her gift to him is shown in Ch 18 whereas Kiara's and Hana's aren't. Despite the fact that Kiara is a potential suitor, the story never allows her to interact with Liam. She doesn't exactly have any interactions with Drake in this book either, but honestly nor does any other couple have much time together besides Liam and Olivia.

Drake and Kiara hardly seemed to be a possibility back in TRR1. Drake himself didn't seem to associate with anyone besides the MC and the group in the first book (and even with the group his interactions were infrequent). Kiara herself doesn't have many scenes that aren't related to the court or to the competition, even once she is no longer participating. The closest she comes to any sort of association besides Penelope, is a friendship with Hana that begins sometime before the Fox Hunt. Drake and Kiara never actually have any scenes together, or interactions, or references. It is likely that the idea to pair them up was entirely a Book 2 thing.

On a fandom level, neither Kiara or Penelope garnered much attention or fan reactions. They weren't noticed much, nor did you see their scenes too often. Probably that is why it was so damn easy to remember Kiara's entire equation with the MC wrong. Why certain stans of the book were able to get away with misrepresenting the relationship between her and the MC in TRR1, to hate on her in TRR2. I will not deny, though, that certain dialogue choices from PB (like "I thought we were friends!" in the Fydelia scene) may have had a hand in those beliefs becoming the "truth".

TRR2 Kiara - Pragmatic Courtier or Backstabbing Snake (Part 2)

I plan to get into the way the Drake and Kiara angle is framed in canon, but before that it's important to tackle that one elephant in the room - Kiara telling the MC the alliance is over. Because very often, people used this scene (coupled with their misinterpretations of Book 1) as their "justification" to hate her. Often, people would choose the ruder options (such as the Christmas card dialogue) and assume that Kiara was rude by default, rather than as a consequence of the MC's behaviour towards her.

Kiara and Penelope are the first to express surprise at the MC's return (and their reactions are shown as representative of the rest of the court). Kiara in fact is shocked that the MC dared to return (which is kinda warranted! Several people in these early chapters view that as a risky move, a gamble that could backfire on her. That's why Bertrand gets her a press secretary). Their scene with the MC immediately follows the MC's conversation with Liam and Madeleine (and mind you, in the option where the MC can tell her she was set up, Madeleine herself voices disbelief of the same. Conveniently, this is never used as a reason to hate her). Both women let the MC know of their change in status, and therefore the change in their relationship with her.

What gets missed overall, is that Kiara is a lady-in-waiting (which is an actual role with specific duties) to Madeleine, which means her loyalty now has to lie with this woman whether she likes it or not. For her to even agree to approach the MC and explain the situation, is a risk. In at least two dialogue options in this scene, she tells the MC straight-up that they will be in trouble if they're even seen talking to her (this becomes a moot point by Ch4, mostly because Madeleine herself is shown talking to the MC and allowing her into conversations in public, once Hana arrives).

Penelope is often viewed in a better light in this scene because of her obvious friendliness and her sadness at no longer being the MC's friend, but once you have the reveal of her being a traitor, her behaviour in this scene seems wildly disingenuous, and I'm surprised more people didn't call her a fake when the reveal came out. She had to know the allegations against the MC were fake when she rushed to hug her, having been an integral part of that fabrication. It makes her lament when she's caught, in the failplay, ("I can't do anything right. You were never supposed to find out!") that much more chilling. She is eager to have the benefit of the MC's friendship and emotional support, without ever being honest about her role in smearing her reputation.

The other was that - no matter what you may choose to think of this scene - Kiara was placing herself at risk to let the MC know it was over. Approaching the MC was the right thing to do, but what is never spoken about is the fact that it was also a brave thing to do. Rather than ghost the pariah of the court and never give an explanation, she tells her honestly what the situation is, and strives to protect her impulsive friend (who could get both of them in trouble) at the same time.

When you view Kiara's actions from that lens - when you look at the facts - suddenly the claims that Kiara was "fake", "a flip-flopper", "a backstabber", "unscrupulous and self-serving", sound pretty hollow.

TRR2: The Drake x Kiara "Romance" Begins...and So Does the Vitriol

So...an interesting thing about the general reaction to Kiara in the early chapters of TRR2. I was new to the fandom when this book was released. There was an annoyance at Kiara when the first chapter came out, but to my surprise it didn't exactly become full-blown hatred until she started showing an interest in Drake in Ch 3.

This book is often used as a reference by Drake stans when they speak of Kiara as an obsessed, stalker-type, sex-hungry woman - often in contrast to their "pure", "innocent" MCs. Basically...the Jezebel. But the five scenes we see of this ship in the book itself tell a completely different story:

1. Drake Helps Kiara Lift A Heavy Beam (TRR2 Ch 3)

Chapter 3 is perhaps the first time we see an indication of Kiara's attraction to Drake on a physical level. The scene takes place at the barn raising, but only if we choose to stay with Drake over Hana for the barn raising activities. Kiara shows up in a rather pitiable state - her friend Penelope abandoned her for thirty whole minutes, leaving her to lift incredibly heavy beams alone. Drake helps Kiara and mildly chides her for not asking for his help, and Kiara stares at his bare chest, mesmerized.

She isn't exactly alone in this - the MC herself ogles at his bare chest at one point (if we go by the lines in the narrative that read "his muscles glisten in the sunlight" which is def from the MC's PoV). This scene was meant as fanservice for stans who wanted to drool over Drake's physique for a bit, and belatedly build up an alternative (at least for all three male LIs, they were trying to do this in TRR2).

The MC can either point out Kiara's obvious attraction towards Drake, or suspect her of being part of the plot. This will not be the last time the MC or the group will view her with suspicion, with little to no basis in fact. In the option that calls attention to Kiara's attraction to Drake, she is shown covertly sneaking a second look at him. Drake is shown with a visible discomfort at even the idea that Kiara could like him, one that only the MC notices considering she is working in proximity with him.

The reaction to this was instantaneous from several Drake x MC shippers. One or two glances at Drake's chest was enough for Drake stans to begin typing posts in capslock, screaming "BACK OFF KIARA HE'S MINE". The excuses given at the time were that the MC didn't get much opportunity to romance him (Drake was trying to refrain from kissing her in Ch 2 because he felt guilty), and largely-inaccurate judgements of Kiara's character. Jealousy of this kind is sometimes seen as the norm when you have a popular ship and a third angle is created, but this was about to take form in some...very disturbing ways in later chapters.

2. Kiara was Once Savannah's Friend/Kiara's long-standing crush on Drake (Ch 4)

A misconception I often see in the fandom (particularly in relation to how Kiara's feelings for Drake aren't given the same level of consideration that Olivia's for Liam is) is that Olivia's are "more genuine", and Kiara's are "mere lust" or "only physical" and this is probably why she's not given as much respect as Olivia was. Even though, tbh, Kiara was far, far more respectful of Drake and his personal space, than Olivia was of Liam in TRR1.

Leaving aside the obvious problems with that train of thought (viewing sexual feelings as "lesser" just because they're not rooted in some intense emotion), this is not even true, and the first part of the Driara garden party scene is proof enough. Kiara says, straight up, that Drake had been "such a good friend to [Liam]. It's part of why I always liked you." (Bold mine). If the MC voices doubts about this (likely incorporated for readers who would question it as a retcon...and it was a retcon since they didn't interact in TRR1), Kiara tells her that she doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve, which actually matches her practical approach to most things. In fact just a few scenes earlier, when the MC questioned her about wanting a husband (when she'd mentioned earlier about wanting to join the ministry), Kiara informs her that it would never hurt to have both. So it makes sense for her character if she's someone who kept her feelings for Drake a secret, especially while in a competition for winning the Crown Prince's hand. But we cannot, in any honest capacity, claim that Kiara's feelings for Drake weren't deep enough, or lasting enough, or genuine enough. At least based on the evidence we have.

Another point this scene brings up is Kiara's friendship towards Savannah. Up until this point, the only people who did reference her were Olivia, Drake and Maxwell - and Olivia's mockery of especially seemed to imply that the ladies of the court weren't very nice to her. Kiara's account is very different from this, and actually quite affectionate ("she was one of us", "she was coming along so well in learning French"). It's not the closest friendship, but Kiara did care enough to tutor her in the language and clearly missed her. It is possible that this scene was positioned to both build up to the alternative romance and foreshadow Savannah's presence in Paris. There is a lot more that could have been done with this angle, but perhaps that is a discussion for another section.

3. Never-Have-I-Ever (Ch 9)

This is a small option in a drinking game - the MC can get to say "never have I ever had a crush on Kiara", and loses, because Drake says she isn't his type (ironically he claims he isn't her type in the next chapter). It's interesting that he does consider her as not as bad as some of the others in that group.

3. Flirting with Drake in Paris (Ch 10)

For five chapters, we don't see any more hints of this romance. We see Drake in plenty, and we see quite a bit of Kiara. But none of it shows them together.

Kiara's scene with Drake at the tea party, is in some ways a continuation of his diamond scene with Savannah. He knows now where his sister is and what her big secret was, but this scene is where he realises how little he actually knew about her, if even her "noblewoman friend" knew she had intentions to go to Paris and he, her brother, didn't. This scene also takes place at what I call a "rest period" in the story - the group has just come out of a high-intensity altercation with Bastien, and it is one chapter before the major reveal about Constantine. So the MC can relax a little, some of the loose ends of previous stories can be tied up, and we get a vibe check on at least two alternative ships.

Drake is rather civil to Kiara in this conversation, mostly because he's trying to get information about his sister out of her. There isn't much he contributes besides this - it doesn't seem to matter much to him that Kiara was a rare friend among the court to Savannah (tho TRR3 would later retcon this), and when she talks about herself he doesn't pay much attention. Kiara does make an attempt at a light flirtation which goes largely unnoticed.

The MC's response when she first sees them goes three ways - a neutral comment about the petit-fours, a "matchmake-y" comment that points to them that they "look cozy", and a "jealous" comment about interrupting them. The third one especially results in Drake inadvertently confirming he doesn't think of Kiara in a romantic light, and Kiara appearing disappointed. Remember, at this point she doesn't see much evidence that Drake and the MC romancing him are an item.

The follow-up conversation with Drake, too, follows along similar lines. The neutral comment just asks him about the information he gathered from Kiara, the "matchmake-y" one points out she has feelings for Drake and the "jealous" one is... something.

The third response is very obviously crafted for the more possessive Drake stans to get satisfaction from dissing Kiara, perhaps in a more aggressive way than the Maxwell stans could. While the Maxwell MC can pass an insult or two to discourage Penelope, the Drake MC will go as far as to tell him he belongs only to her, and can threaten to "push her into the petit-fours".

Ironically, this scene follows a scene with Olivia about her lingering feelings for Liam - and Olivia's grief, the MC's clear sympathy and Liam's concern for Olivia are all by default. There is a certain level of sensitivity the Liam MC is required to have for Olivia that is never once expected of the Drake MC, and that plays out in very dangerous ways in the next book.

This scene, again, brought forth rather violent reactions, and in fact the language of the MC's responses itself seemed to encourage that kind of response. A poster later compiled an entire set of these responses ranging from mocking, to "back off, Kiara!" to straight up demands for murder (I couldn't link to this post because the names of the people involved were included in it, but I do have quite a few of those screenshots for reference).

After this point, you don't see any more scenes where Kiara actively flirts. In fact for most of the second half you see her and Penelope very rarely. So it does feel really wild in retrospect that "obsessed Kiara" became such a popular interpretation, after one checking-out scene, one flirtation and one rather sweet and genuine compliment of him as a person.

4. Pranking Kiara (Ch 17)

A pattern you would have noticed by now is that there is a bit of a mean streak in Drake for Kiara that is either very dominant or latent, based on whether the MC tries to encourage him, or shows jealousy towards her.

And this isn't necessarily an indicator that he can never be interested in Kiara. A distrust for nobility is almost a norm for him at this point, and let's not forget that Drake's first few interactions with the MC too didn't exactly leave her with the best impression of him either. Kiara initially being on Madeleine's side at the beginning of the story could be a factor in some level of disdain too. Such complications could - in a good story - add layers to a potential romance in the future if that was the direction the writing was going for.

Around the MC who doesn't mind them as a pair, he shows a small sliver of an inclination towards Kiara herself. His response if the MC points out that Kiara was flirting with him (Ch 10) is that he doesn't believe he is Kiara's type, not the other way around. In this scene, a drunk Drake who is encouraged to write a "nice note" to her as a prank, can write "your hair is pretty and your French is totally not stupid". Both of these lines present a sign of a possibility that a romance could happen. His behaviour when an MC casually hints at this possibility, is of someone who may like this woman deep down, but show it in very strange ways (akin to the age-old metaphor of the "boy who pulls the pigtails of the girl he has a crush on"). They wouldn't have even needed to show his responses in this way if they weren't trying to hint at a possibility.

His response to a "jealous" MC is to delightedly bask in her possessiveness of him, and to go hand-in-glove with her as she insults or suggests violence on Kiara in any way. Now one could perhaps headcanon this as a behaviour that comes from being unused to female attention focused on him, coupled with his affection for the MC - but when you take into account his behaviour towards Kiara herself in TRR3 as well, there seems to be a blatant lack of consideration or compassion towards her as a human being. Compare this, again, to the way Liam's behaviour towards Olivia is written in canon, and interpreted by the fandom. Liam is expected to be kind to her, even if he's clueless about her feelings or if she is harming him (eg. Even when she kisses him, he cares enough to opt for a reaction that will not publicly humiliate Olivia).

Not so for Drake. He is very happy to follow in the MC's lead, even in hurting Kiara. And in this scene, he pretty much kickstarts it with the suggestion of a prank.

Drake knows where Kiara's room is (thanks to a nameplate on the door, and the familiarity of the hallway, which he likes for the view outside) and wants to prank her. The MC can either accept or refuse. If she accepts, there is one nice option, and two distinctly mean-spirited ones. The first proposes to mess up her book organizational system, and the narrative describes the attempt as "ruining any semblance of order to Kiara's bookshelves". These are materials she likely requires for her career as an aspiring diplomat, or even books she uses to update herself on the world. But to this MC and Drake, her work and interests are little more than a joke.

The second one is not only aggressively mean - it also is an attempt to ruin her personal space with her personal items. Going by the array of haircare the narrative mentions, maintaining her hair is very important to Kiara (I am not equipped enough to speak about black women and their relationship with their hair, but this option did make me very uncomfortable, because of the little I've seen on how essential regular haircare and good products can be for many black women). Not only does the MC suggest using all that product to render Kiara's bed practically unusable, she also insists Drake waste the full bottle of said product. Because, yknow. "It's a prank. Go big or go home". Drake has one moment where he tries to be less mean in this option (when he attempts to use less of her hairspray), but the moment the MC encourages him towards a crueller direction he does not hesitate. In fact, when the MC first suggests this option, he regards her with something approaching awe, and praises her as "an evil genius".

There's a mean streak in Drake here no matter which option you choose. If you do go for the nicer one, he complains at first that it's not exactly a prank and in fact does claim that they "could still put glitter in her cupboard" as an alternative prank. But the other two options encourage the player to give full vent to whatever underlying frustration/enmity/hatred one could possibly have against Kiara, goading a drunk Drake to be merciless towards the things in her room, in her absence.

Maybe, perhaps, one could just view this as a "fun vent" for the "possessive stans". It allowed the Drake MC and her LI the chance to gang up on her, mock her and cause her discomfort through things that were clearly important to her, treat her like the butt of their joke, and get away with it. When you encourage that kind of hatred with your writing, it can go into some very dark, disturbing places. And it did, especially in TRR3.

The overall response to this scene didn't show much, since it was just one small sequence in a larger scene - and most of the focus was on the heartfelt bonding between Drake and the MC when he takes her to his "special hideout" and his reveal about his motives behind calling the MC by her surname.

Many Drake stans, however, took note of this specific section, and took their interpretations in a completely different direction. Questions were asked about why Drake knew about Kiara's room - completely ignoring that he frequented the hallway regardless for its view and her nameplate is literally placed outside her door - and several fans suspected the two to be involved in an affair just on the basis of him knowing where her room was. These suspicions, again, would crop up from the fandom in a more dramatic way in TRR3.

5. Drinks at Homecoming Ball (Ch 19)

This scene takes place in the finale, just before Kiara and Penelope apologize jointly to the MC for their comments in the beer garden.

Drake is, quite predictably, at the bar in this scene. In some ways one could draw a parallel between this one and the "bar" scene between him and the MC in TRR1 - the only differences being that the two were alone in the first, and that he and the MC are free to romance each other now. However this time, the two ladies of the court could also communicate with him about drinks, and he could use his knowledge of alcohol to guess their preferences.

The scene with Kiara is, again, written to be both a possible sign of familiarity and a diss (mostly the second, I think). With Penelope he just vaguely mentions cocktails and focuses on the decoration for the drink - with Kiara he is able to name the specific wine even though in TRR3 he has no idea what tannins are. There are ways one could envision that as a sign that he notices more about Kiara than he lets on.

The diss, of course, comes with his claim that no matter how top-shelf the wine is, it will still always be "old grape juice" (which is a very strange thing to say because most alcohols are fermented from basic ingredients be it fruit or grains - where did he think his high-quality whiskey that he regularly carries around in his personal flask came from??).

Kiara's attempt to impress him is pretty obvious, but the diss isn't something that weighs too much on her mind. There are less indicators here of a dejection if he brushes her aside, unlike the scene in Ch 10 - she just looks a bit surprised he could guess the exact drink she wanted. Kiara in this scene is more likely to shift gears to something more important. In this case, that is apologizing to the MC for what she views as poor behaviour that sprung up under the influence of alcohol, and offering her an olive branch (the specific apology is for her asking the MC if she came to gloat, not for telling her the alliance was over at the beginning of the tour. In that scene specifically she feels she has nothing to apologise for, and I'm inclined to agree for the reasons I stated in that section).

The overall pattern for this ship seems to indicate that it's...kinda there in case the MC doesn't want to pick Drake, but I always feel like they focused a lot more on the jealousy options and didn't spend enough time to see what a possible relationship could look like. They do claim later that Kiara's affections were supposed to be one-sided, but the buildup at least seemed to indicate some small baseline of interest from Drake's end, even if shown in some rather bizarre ways. However, because there seems to be very little respect for this character already, having the MC threaten violence and having her and Drake overreact over what were essentially harmless interactions from Kiara's end really does indicate that the writers didn't mind taking potshots at her whenever they felt like it. Like I've said before, the trashfire that was Kiara's treatment in TRR3 didn't develop overnight.

Smart, Skilled...Disliked?: Kiara and the Writing Team in TRR3

On 25th Sept 2023, PB released a two-chapter series on Storyloom called "Choices Secrets", which involved at least three writers (Andrew, Kara and Chelsa) talking about ideas and plots and backstories that didn't make it to the released book. In one section, Kara Loo speaks specifically about the ending of TRR2:

According to this account, the original idea was to kill off Olivia and possibly use that as a segue into the Nevrakis plot of the book, since her aunt and Justin were the real villains at the end of the series. When they decided to keep her alive in the series, Kara mentions finding "more members of your group get injured, like Drake".

Interestingly, Kara referred to "members" in the plural, and Drake is the only person from the core group to get shot. So it's just as possible that the choice to have Bastien, Justin/Anton and Kiara sustain injuries, was made once they decided to do away with the storyline about Olivia's death.

Olivia got spared because her writers cared for her. Kiara was likely one of the people injured in her stead, and probably the only one out of them (except for the one who was the main villain) who wasn't getting a prominent scene that focused on her being a survivor of the attack until some readers protested (the entire intro of TRR3 was dedicated to Drake recieving tender care from the MC, Bastien gets showered with concern and care from Constantine, Liam and optionally the MC. The MC comes to the estate, makes a perfunctory mention of the injury once and proceeds to emotionally blackmail Kiara into joining the tour. Let's not even talk about Lythikos. That shit warranted its own essay). No matter how much you downplay the situation, the truth is that Kiara got grievously hurt in a terrorist attack and her writers didn't think it was important enough to address.

I often wondered in the beginning, why Kiara was chosen for this. A close friend at the time theorized that perhaps it was done to ensure Madeleine would become our press secretary, because there was no way the MC would be considering her for this position if someone less hostile (like Kiara) was around. Another wondered if we might get opportunities to address palace security through the experiences of the survivors. Being a Drake x Kiara supporter at least by the end of TRR2, I wondered whether it was a coincidence that they both were injured at the same ball, and the possibility of the two bonding over such a painful experience.

Well. Boy was I about to be disappointed.

Because why did Kiara have to be so badly injured, if it was going to amount to nothing? If they weren't even going to address it in her own home? If - after even players who didn't care much for her, noticed the silence around that attack - the best you could offer was a scene that followed the MC and her friends suspecting the victim of this attack??

Had I looked at Kiara's narrative treatment (from TRR1 onwards) closer back then, perhaps I wouldn't have expected so much. It would have occurred to me that maybe they hurt Kiara the most, because they cared for her the least. Kiara is viewed as smart, poised, talented. Madeleine even calls her "one of the more competant courtiers" at some point. But that doesn't always mean that the team that writes her deems her worthy of respect.

For one, the writers tend to lean more into fandom perceptions of her in this book, rather than looking at their own canon. Kiara being a snob is not canon - that is ridiculous considering that she was such good friends with Savannah, and her support of the MC when she fits in well. Kiara acting like her linguistic skill makes her better than anyone else isn't canon either - nor is she obliged to speak in all ten languages on a loop just for the MC's or Maxwell Beaumont's entertainment. Kiara being perpetually mean to her best friend is inaccurate at best - she is often frustrated by Penelope, sure, but she spends far time and energy helping her than anyone else in that court.

Yet the narrative gives both these statements as dialogue options for the MC, where she can bitch about Kiara...but somehow only ever allows the same MC to be nice and caring and loving to Penelope - never once reminding her of the hell she'd put the MC through in the past. And because the fandom expected the Kiara-Penelope friendship to focus only on Penelope, PB got away with having Kiara's "best friend" stay conveniently silent as the MC berated her in her own home. The narrative even threw Kiara under the bus in TRR3 Ch 16, in order to make Madeleine look better in Hana's memories of the TRR2 bachelorette, claiming falsely that Kiara shouted at Penelope so much while drunk, that the latter was brought to tears. There is way more energy spent in painting an inaccurate and negative portrait of Kiara, than there is in showing the truth.

For another, the way the courtiers' and their parents' agreement to join the tour is coded...is extremely suspicious. When you compare both a successful and a failplay, you will find that all the parents have the chance to reject the MC's proposal to join the tour...except for one. Kiara's father, Hakim. In a failplay where you purposely do all the wrong things...out of the entire group of people who are still doubtful about supporting you, only Kiara and Hakim join your tour by default, without any expectation of a reward (Madeleine demands her own department after the wedding). They will be a part of it no matter what you do, no matter your failures, no matter how badly you treat them.

Hakim may have joined mainly to confront his old friend the King, but he still stays on even after Constantine dies. The writers made sure to branch-code things in a way that Kiara and Hakim could never drop out even if the MC was awful to Kiara, and never once acknowledged what it must take for them to do that. After Kiara herself had been fucking stabbed!!!!

Joelle, Kiara's mother, and Ezekiel, Kiara's brother, can reject the offer if they aren't impressed with the MC, but out of these two characters only one is viewed with respect - the one they were going to pair up with Penelope.

The narrative doesn't mind letting the MC mock Joelle for her passionate support of the arts if she doesn't win her approval, and her insistence that it is the sign of a thriving kingdom...and they make her sound petulant and churlish in response to that mockery. This despite the fact that in a successful route, she says one of the most profound political statements in the books:

"Hakim and I don't just want Cordonia to remain stable and peaceful. Those are blessings, naturallement, but our kingdom can do so much more than just survive."

In contrast, when you look at the same failplay, Emmeline and Landon are treated with far more respect from the narrative, even though Hakim and Joelle's plans for the country would benefit Cordonia as a whole. Drake looks up to Penelope's parents as an inspiration, especially if he's going to become a duke. Meanwhile Hakim actually acknowledges Drake and his bravery in a way that none of the other dukes and duchesses did, and Drake never gives a shit.

Emmeline can accuse the MC of not taking their situation seriously, if she does a bad job at the polo match, and the MC only has the grace to look contrite rather than lash out at her. Landon himself is never judged for coddling his daughter the way he does. Their focus on Portavira rather than the country is respected, and the MC not meeting their demands is viewed as her weakness, not an overreaction from their end. They never get the snarky responses Joelle gets, where the MC can outright call her "a handful" in front of her own husband.

And then there is the matter of how PB deals with the problems of all the court ladies.

(Screenshots from the Skylia YouTube Channel)

The period of the Unity Tour isn't exactly an easy time for anyone. The LIs each deal with their own shit, and the ladies of the court themselves have their own reasons for being reluctant to return. The entire point of this tour is to address their specific concerns as well as that of their families', because without the courtiers themselves we wouldn't have as strong a court.

In Madeleine's case, we have to talk to her through a diamond scene and then educate her mother on her ways of mourning lost opportunities, among other things. In Penelope's case we are required to give her complete protection and emotional security, for her to even bother joining the tour (there is branch coding where she can refuse to be a part of the tour at all). Even for Olivia - who is already an ally - the diamond scene encourages us to stand up to her aunt, by letting Olivia know that it is valid for her to lean on others for support without being considered weak.

But for Kiara? The best we can come up with, while in her duchy, is some version of - "You're smart. You'd know that if you left now, people will say bad things about Cordonia and then it would be your fault". You either manipulate her, or insult her as being a useless excuse of a diplomat. As I mentioned in another essay, Kiara's comfort is a non-factor. The gap between the care we were expected to give to Madeleine and Penelope, and what we deign to give Kiara in Castelserraillan (which is...well...nothing), is massive. And this gap would only increase - not reduce - in the books to come.

It might seem a bit irrelevant to talk about this, especially when this essay is about Drake and Kiara. But it's important to take note of this inherent disdain the writers had towards this one character - and people close to her. Because it is only too easy to pretend that the writers "got scared of the crazy stans".

Of course the stans had a huge, huge role in this. Of course their vitriol and racism succeeded in bringing about (what I consider) one of the most disgusting dialogue options in this series...or perhaps in any series. But I doubt those "crazy stans" would have gotten this far, without a team that didn't mind being cruel to Kiara.

When the Fandom and Canon are both Heartless: Drake and Kiara in TRR3

As I've mentioned in previous essays in this series, playthrough divergences truly begin in TRR3 (eg. While the playthroughs acknowledge who you chose as endgame by end-TRR2, you can still access diamond scenes through a small tweak that allows you to romance other LIs). And whichever LI didn't get engaged with the MC had indications of a new romantic possibility coming up. These were scenes you wouldn't find in your own playthrough with that LI as your fiancé/e.

Kiara doesn't appear in TRR3 until Ch 7, when the entourage comes to her estate Castelserraillan. There aren't a lot of Drake and Kiara scenes themselves, and I will get into why, section by section.

1. Kiara Greets the Group at Castelserraillan (TRR3 Ch 7)

Many Drake stans - once they found their MCs engaged to Drake in TRR2 - seemed to be practically giddy at the prospect of showing off their newly-engaged status to Kiara, and hurting her through the news. They were perhaps more excited about this than their upcoming wedding.

Well, they got that chance in Ch 7. In every other playthrough, she still holds the same feelings for Drake, and compliments his suit as Drake awkwardly fails to meet her eye. In his specific playthrough, Drake defiantly shows off his relationship with the MC, and Kiara shows a slight wistfulness before she forces herself to be normal then wishes the happy couple well. You'd think that would be enough to satisfy the stans who had been baying for her blood all of the previous book.

A throwaway line about Drake knowing where Kiara's room was, had already raised the heckles of a whole bunch of his stans. Kiara's "wistful look" in her first TRR3 scene somehow added fuel to that fire. Suddenly, you got to see a raging torrent of posts demanding to know if Drake had had an affair with Kiara. Fanfic had already been written about Drake cheating on the MC with Kiara by this point - and some of those headcanons and fanfic hinged on making Drake the innocent/vulnerable one, taken advantage of by this sexy, obsessed woman who would be either a danger to him or would be juxtaposed with the "pure", "virginal", "perfect" MC. Drake would never be the problem here, and none of the stans screaming over the possibility of Drake sleeping with Kiara would dream of blaming him for it. No, Kiara was predatory, Kiara was obsessed, if anything happened between them it would be likely Kiara's fault.

This is where it's important to note, again, that none of the more obvious signs of the "Jezebel" stereotype seem to be used in canon for Kiara. While cruel in her own way, the TRR MC doesn't exactly slut shame her or believe Drake will be unfaithful to her, Kiara isn't accused of seducing (or even trying to seduce) anyone, and she actually places respectful personal boundaries for herself in her attraction to Drake, that she never crosses. She may indulge in a light flirtation with him, try to impress him or simply talk to him - but you will never catch her forcing her sexual attention on him like Olivia did with Liam. Yet in popular fanlore, even Olivia's feelings were often cast in a far more noble light in contrast to Kiara's.

In her essay, The "Offending" Breast of Janet Jackson: Public Discourse Surrounding the Jackson/Timberlake Performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII, Dr Shannon. L Holland explores the historical and contemporary uses of the Jezebel stereotype in depictions of Black women in popular culture and discourse, especially in contrast to white masculinity (which in these contexts, is often viewed as innocent and blameless - and much of the blame lies with the Jezebel figure). The "Jezebel" stereotype "has come to symbolize both a malign, cunning sexual object and an autonomous, liberated sexual agent" - she is at once an independent sexual being making her own choices, and someone who is "incapable" of reining in her sexual appetite...and is therefore often depicted as not only a threat to the "purer" (and often "whiter" or "lighter skinned") woman, but also dangerous for whoever she is "obsessed" with. And we see this time and again in the discourse around Kiara - the fanfic that depicts her in a range of scenarios (stalker, obsessed lover, abusive girlfriend who will break a bottle over Drake's head, at times even descending into murderer to get the man she wants). Which is how we wound up in a position where Kiara even breathing the same air as Drake was viewed as a threat.

It didn't matter that he was flaunting his love for the Drake MC in that playthrough to send a message to Kiara, or that he stayed silent with the others as his wife badgered her into joining the tour. It didn't even matter that Kiara never got a diamond scene the way the two other women did, despite being the most harmed among the ladies. What mattered was that Kiara existed. Her damn existence was the threat.

2. Cheering for Drake's Victory (Ch 10)

Ch 9 of TRR3 was released to players on April 27th, 2018. Immediately after, a mid-book hiatus was announced, mostly to work on some new art (very possibly the red pandas), work on the wedding, and make changes (such as shifting diamond scenes from character-centric ones to LI specific - they'd already started making changes to LI diamond scenes). The book would return 2 months later, in June.

In a livestream before the hiatus ended, the writers had made it very painfully clear that Kiara's feelings for Drake was one-sided. And by that I mean they really emphasized on the one-sidedness of her affection, almost as if to reassure the panicking stans. This would manifest in any future interactions between the two - both in Drake's single and engaged playthroughs - and any hope that such a pairing would even be hinted at was over. But there was one variation that the team had perhaps neglected to edit out.

A small one-word depiction of Kiara cheering Drake when he wins his duel against Neville, joining his friends to praise him. It really isn't much - just Kiara saying "bravo!" before Savannah rushes up to hug him, which is replaced by a scene of Drake himself going up to the MC and passionately kissing her in his own playthrough. What is definitely striking about this depiction is that Kiara was clubbed with his close friends and his sister, rather than the second group of people that largely represented the larger court (Rashad and Queen Regina) who offer their congratulations.

Given the way the writers wrote any remaining interactions between Drake and Kiara, and the fact that this small appearance doesn't really amount to anything, it is possible that this variation was part of an earlier draft that involved other hints, that the writers failed to notice when they put up Ch 10. If they had, I'm pretty certain it wouldn't have stayed in the book.

3. Leaving Court + Wedding Conversations

Remember how I kept stating in this essay that the narrative was going to take their enthusiastic pandering of the "possessive stans" end of the fandom, to some dark, disturbing places? Well, here we are.

Tbh, the writers could have just stopped showing any interactions between the two, or given Kiara another boyfriend if their aim was simply to show that Drake and Kiara would never be endgame. They had done that with Maxwell and Penelope already...oh. I forgot. They actually wanted us to care for Penelope.

Up until this point, Drake's mean streak re: Kiara was present, but not really as obvious as it gets here. PB takes that cruelty several steps further in these two chapters, starting with Ch 11. Ch 11 was fanservice to the people who shouted abuses and "joked" about killing Kiara in every chance they could get. Ch 12 showed this sentiment at its worst, covered it up with enough fluff so it would be harder for people who liked Kiara to notice...and let those players get away with it.

In Ch 11, Kiara approaches the MC and her group to inform them that she is withdrawing from the tour. Drake is the first to respond to this, remaking at the suddenness of the departure. The MC can speculate on a couple of things, ranging from sympathy (that she might be afraid), selfishness (that she is "bailing out" on the MC) and suspicion (that she is hiding something).

In all three options, a pensive Hana expresses sympathy and encourages the group to "reach out". In all three options, Drake will only view Kiara as a suspect.

Mind you - according to Ch 12, Drake is saying this knowing Kiara was injured at Homecoming Ball...and knowing exactly which weapon she was injured with. Aware that she has gone through an event as traumatic as that (if we go by his "just one step at a time" monologue to Kiara), better aware than most how it would feel...he still opts to act like her motives should be suspicious.

This is further emphasized in the Drake playthrough, through the armory scene that the MC takes with Maxwell.

As I've mentioned in the post on this scene, it is divided into three halves. The first half deals with whoever the MC rejected (either Liam, or Drake in Liam's playthrough). The third is buildup to Lucretia's plans to usurp the throne. The second is supposed to be about the excitement among the members of the court for the wedding, and of course as the only people who come for the tour by default (and Madeleine is already taken for the first scene), Kiara and Hakim are used for this scene!

I will only focus on the Drake version of this scene today. There are a few things you notice straight off the bat:

1. Since this is Drake's playthrough, the narrative seems to do away completely with any lingering feelings Kiara may have had are done away with. In this scene she is quite happy about Drake's wedding - in fact, practically chipper. Literally nothing about her behaviour here serves as a reminder that she once had feelings for him.

2. Drake's response to Kiara attending his wedding ties in pretty well with his earlier default suspicion of her. Unlike Hana who is surprised but also happy that Kiara is attending, he seems to voice it as a doubt or a question. While that makes sense and there is continuity, it's pretty awful that he is allowed to suspect her like this and feel no remorse when the truth about her is revealed.

3. Now as I said in the post, this scene is meant to be a buildup to Drake's ice-palace scene. He speaks about wanting a private, country-style wedding in a natural place there, and Kiara's gentle teasing in this scene is supposed to be an indicator of how much he dislikes the usual fanfare. Okay. Fair enough. You're uncomfortable with the fancy decorations and the insane planning, fine.

4. But it's Drake's attitude towards Kiara in this scene that leaves a bad taste in the mouth (unless you were one of those Drake stans that liked to threaten murder on this character ig). The narrative really went out of their way to make him sound uncommonly angry with her, just for asking about his wedding. He angrily hisses at her to keep her voice down the moment she asks about the wedding, and then lashes out the moment she teases him about his love for the MC and his reluctance to be very public about it in that context. Of course, people who either liked Drake or hated Kiara would downplay this scene - either blaming Kiara for not magically knowing his likes or dislikes, or acting like Drake's behaviour in this scene is no big deal.

And his explanation in the ice palace scene really doesn't cut it as a reason for why he should be this pissed off at Kiara's excitement. There is no real bitterness or resentment tied in with the fancy trappings that are mentioned in that specific scene - it's just that he likes simplicity better. If Kiara doesn't know him well enough to understand that - it's because he has never properly talked to her. She made attempts to converse whenever she could. You can claim he never owed her a conversation - but in that case she doesn't owe him a complete understanding of his wants either. He could have just politely answered the question and changed the subject, or quickly took his leave.

He is well-versed enough in court etiquette by this point that he could have managed to sound civil enough. That he could have made a quick, polite exit. But no, he gave her the kind of anger that one reserves for someone who is kicking a puppy or stealing candy from a child, instead. And it was Kiara's grace that allowed her to view that awful behaviour in a more positive light.

It's pretty clear this scene - and to some extent the framing of the next - was made specifically for those Drake stans who were screaming and throwing tantrums about a possible affair. It was to highlight that there was no way Drake could ever return Kiara's feelings - and the only way they could do that was by making sure he treated her as rudely and inhumanely as possible.

I didn't think it could get any worse than this, when I saw this version of the scene...but then I saw Ch 12.

The Talk

If you were to speak just about fandom reactions to this scene...the responses to Kiara chronicling her trauma after Homecoming Ball, were pretty positive. Plenty chose the middle option "You're suffering from the trauma of the event. You need help", and cooed over Drake's touching little monologue about "taking it one day at a time".

I admit at the time I was fooled too. But one thing did niggle at me as I played both this option, and the "understandably cautious" one (I would later understand that the latter was not very good either - it has a thin veneer of "validating" Kiara's feelings, but it still has the MC and Drake expecting her to put their needs before her own safety and sanity).

Drake was reassuring to an extent in both options, sure. But why were his responses so different? Why was his answer to Kiara so closely tied to whatever point the MC was making, rather than independent of it? After all, he was the one who should be able to better relate to Kiara - wouldn't he have thoughts of his own here? If the MC chose that horrible final option, Drake would correct her and comfort Kiara instead, wouldn't he? Wouldn't he???

It was only when I (reluctantly) pressed that third option ("not as driven as I thought you were") that I understood what Drake's role in this scene was.

He wasn't going to be there for Kiara. He wasn't even sympathetic to her! It wasn't even going to be about two traumatized people connecting over their trauma. Drake was a puppet. He was there to parrot whatever garbage came out of the MC's mouth.

Because in the third - and most horrific - option, the MC is allowed to minimize Kiara's trauma, and mock her ambitions in the face of what she has just gone through. Drake is allowed to agree with her ("sometimes ambassadors have to work in dangerous areas"). Kiara is forced by the same narrative to find value in these words.

And all of this, stems from a scenario where Drake and the MC go in suspecting this woman from the jump. Where Maxwell is happy to make jokes about her being a suspect. Where the only two decent people in this group - Liam and Hana - are conveniently written out of the scene, ensuring that these ghouls can act the way they want around Kiara, and get away with it.

Not once is Kiara herself ever allowed to know that the group suspected her by default, nor is she allowed to go through with her intention to leave court. The very roots of this scene are rotten.

Very often, when this scene in particular is addressed, not many people actually address Drake's behaviour here - or in the previous chapter. Stans will vaguely, and conveniently, blame the group as a whole rather than their favourites. Such a tactic allows them to never name the specific people or specific actions, and therefore the main people involved in speaking to Kiara the way they did never have to be held accountable. This is particularly relevant in the case of Drake.

It was Drake's idea to interrogate her. He was the one constantly harping about her "suspicious behaviour". He was the one aware of what happened to her yet chose to think of her as shady. He was the one who should have known better, yet was absolutely game to minimize her trauma or engage in emotional blackmail. And neither he nor the MC came out of this conversation feeling anything resembling remorse. Because, apparently, they never did anything wrong.

They got what they wanted. At best, Drake and the MC manipulated this woman (again) into returning to their court. At worst, they badgered and bullied her into that decision. Either way, she was going to return, and the narrative was going to pretend that the MC and Drake were great people for making it happen.

I have heard some justifications over the years for Drake's behaviour here. One is that he "tends to act like an asshole to everyone". Another is that Kiara is a noble so he was never going to see her in a positive light. Which is hilarious to me, honestly, because in the same book you have Drake reassure Penelope - the woman who had made the MC the target of a reputation-ending scandal - and comfort her when she sees Madeleine. If this was really about the chip on the shoulder he had for nobility, why was he so kind to Penelope? And if Penelope's mental health warranted a change in mindset and behaviour from Drake's end, why was Kiara not worthy of that as well?

The truth is this. Drake was allowed to express his mean streak to a black woman, bully a black woman (the pranks), lash out at a black woman (the conversation at the Lythikos Ball), suspect a black woman, and finally minimize her trauma if the Duchess he had a crush on wanted to. While being overly protective and chivalrous to the white woman who actually did harm her. No matter what way you spin it, that is what Drake's behaviour - especially in TRR3 - is.

The way the team trampled over this "pairing" post that miniscule hint in TRR3 Ch 7, would make a rampaging elephant look like a ballerina in comparison. They wanted to make it clear after the hiatus that Drake x Kiara would never happen, in any eventuality, in any future, in any universe. And no matter how much we pin this on "crazy stans" (who do hold some responsibility for sure, for their own veiled racism), it's a fact that the writing team was comfortable doing this. They had already found other ways to pile disrespect on their sole recurring black female character - what was a little more?

TRH and Beyond: Taking Away What Was Left of Kiara's Remaining Fanbase

Given all the narrative back-and-forth and shadiness, I'd have to say the end Kiara got in TRR3 was comparatively...decent. Not great...not exactly satisfying...decent.

Her fighting off the assassins at the boutique ("not again...not again!!") was the highlight of that scene. In Hana's playthrough, Kiara was her MOH by default, and the lines the MC could give if you chose her in other playthroughs was pretty sweet. At the end of the book, her father would make Kiara his heir, after her older brother Ezekiel abdicated. There were still things I was always going to hate (such as the fact that we could lie about "having Kiara's back" - we absolutely did not) about the aftermath, but all in all as a fan...I could maybe envision a fairly happy ending for her with what we got.

The next series, The Royal Heir, would debut on June 2019, almost a year after TRR3's own debut. This would be the first series that would go completely LI-divergent, spanning four books. It started out as an attempt to envision the future (and pasts) of the main characters, as well as tie loose ends...but descended into an incoherent, retconning mess with each book.

Kiara doesn't feature much in Book 1, but is pretty prominent in certain chapters like Ch 7 (Savannah's bachelorette), Savannah's wedding, and the Apple Ball in the finale. You'll often find a marked difference between the way she is looked at for most of the book, and how the MC speaks to her in TRH1's finale.

Savannah's bachelorette, for instance, features all the ladies of the court in Texas, with new "country" looks and engaging with Texan culture. Here, too, you see a sign of PB leaning into popular perceptions of Kiara rather than remembering their own writing, when we see how Savannah praises the MC by default but has very little to say about her former friend Kiara. Since Savannah's return to court in TRR3, the team seemed to have forgotten that other ladies of the court weren't very nice to her, and Kiara was the only one concerned for her. They have Olivia act sweet and caring towards Savannah in both TRR3 Ch 17 and TRH1 Ch 7, conveniently forgetting the insults she piled upon Drake's sister in the first book. Savannah never has to talk about Kiara's friendship at all, other than a teasing comment hinting at her French lessons. Savannah was never expected to have any gratitude or affection towards Kiara even though she was the only woman who cared about her in court before she left.

An interesting thing to note in the diamond scene of the bachelorette is the way the courtly ladies' previous/current "romances" are framed. Kiara's, in particular, warrants a lot of discussion. Unlike Olivia (who can address her feelings for Liam regardless of playthrough, if asked, and can actually show some level of resentment towards him for not picking her), Kiara's feelings are addressed only if the MC isn't married to Drake. If she is, Kiara mentions a fondness for "rugged, down-to-earth men" (which the MC and Penelope perceive to mean hunky and muscular), and avoids mentioning his name at all.

There are two very interesting things to note about this sequence. One is the pattern of how, and how far, are Olivia and Kiara are allowed to address their feelings for these men. Not only is Olivia allowed to be open about her feelings and her bitterness (despite Liam actually romancing her in TRR3!), the narrative demands our respect for her position and plight. The Liam MC lauds her honesty and her decision to move ahead, unfazed even by her anger for something Liam didn't even owe her. In contrast, in the Drake playthrough, the writing makes sure Kiara never mentions him by name. And not only that, when the MC and Penelope tease her about her romantic preference, she is shown to stammer and seems downright afraid of the MC.

The fact that there is such a gap in how Olivia and Kiara are allowed to act about the men they love, and the fact that this gap was normalized so much in fandom discourse that it didn't even warrant a discussion, tells us plenty about the fandom too. The fandom position has almost always been that Liam owes Olivia love, appreciation, kindness. And that Drake owes Kiara nothing, not even common human decency. Which is why the fandom wants Liam punished for the high crime of not loving Olivia back. Which is why Drake is allowed to treat Kiara like an irritating pest at his best, and like utter garbage at his worst...and almost no one so much as bats an eyelid.

Since most of the story of TRH1 seemed to revolve around the ranch, the ladies of the court made minimal appearances and most of those were in keeping with patterns established in TRR3 (except for maybe Olivia's spy scenes). Some of their parents - too - feature in Royal Council scenes: Godfrey and Landon are part of this council and are seen during the MC's announcement - no one from Kiara's family, besides her brother Ezekiel who is dating Penelope, make any appearances in this book. Towards the end of the book, however, you suddenly find a scene or two where the narrative is suddenly, and inexplicably, syrupy sweet to Kiara:

(Screenshots from the Skylia YouTube Channel. 1-5 are from Ch 18, during the council meeting. 7-10 are also from Ch 18, at the start of the ball. The last two are from the finale as buildup for the pregnancy photoshoot)

There are indications of Kiara's diplomacy and good advice in other parts of the book too (such as her suggestions for dealing with the foreign royals at the baby shower) but never were the praise and compliments as obvious as they were in the last two chapters of TRH1. Kiara was given a quippy dialogue to spout at Godfrey, who would later be revealed as the murderer of Queen Eleanor. All three of the MC's dialogue options in response would praise Kiara by default (a rarity). King Bradshaw would shower her with compliments too about her talent and expertise. And when Kiara approached us with an offer for a pregnancy photoshoot, the MC could cheerfully say "for you, Kiara? Of course!" as if they'd been bffs from the beginning.

There isn't any obvious reason why we saw this sudden change, but I can make an educated guess or two. A pattern that commonly emerges with attempts to address something that would benefit Kiara, is that the writers often only do it when enough people complain; that was how we got the horrible Lythikos sequence. Midway through TRH1, I managed to put up an essay exploring Kiara's treatment (centered around the Lythikos sequence in TRR3 Ch 12) in comparison to Penelope's and Madeleine's. It did not receive an immediate fandom wide response, but several readers did come away from that essay feeling like Kiara really got the short end of the stick, compared to all the other court ladies. I'm not sure whether that essay had a direct impact, but those three scenes PB added to the finale chapters do make me wonder. Was the team trying to prove to the fandom that they did like Kiara and wouldn't personally sabotage her, either for their own enjoyment or to pander to a section of the fandom?

If they did, then that plan didn't last beyond these two chapters.

Another possibility of course was to give Kiara something slightly positive before they did her dirty - again - in TRH2 and 3. Because in those two books, they managed to first make her - along with the rest of the council - party to a vote (that everyone was involved in, including the LIs!) that would later prove detrimental for the country. They would then have her be the only heir involved in the notorious Coventus Nobilis, which ensured that anyone who wanted to hate Kiara could tie her to her vote in favour of Bartie Sr, without ever asking any further questions. This was a far more successful attempt, because most of the fandom already believed the misconceptions of Kiara's characterization to be truth, and these storylines simply added fuel to the fire.

Kiara's biggest supporters tended to be a section of the Liam fandom, as well as wlw stans who tended to like most of the courtly women. Having her vote for Bartie at the end of TRH2, and her explanations in TRH3 about the "MC's ruling style" (which was really canon's way of making sure she did more a silent diss on Liam) was written specifically to place a serious dent among her fans who liked Liam. And sadly, it worked in part. Because even if one considered Kiara's thoughts on "reactive ruling" accurate, it was a fact that the nobility (she included) would have to be blaming Liam for something that the entire Council voted for, and that Liam and his friends fixed on their own.

Making Kiara the lone person to voice this argument, made her a target in this fandom. I mean, people were ready to praise Madeleine and speak of her as loyal (eagerly ignoring that she was actively involved in the child's kidnapping if you didn't coddle her enough), and badmouth Kiara in the same breath, claiming that Kiara wasn't worth forgiving and people should just get over Madeleine's deeds in the past.

This resurgence of hate didn't just erupt out of nowhere. Once they finished spending two chapters on two-second compliments to Kiara, PB reverted in the next two books to some of their usual patterns with her. For instance, remember how I mentioned that PB had an obsession with never letting Kiara and Liam interact? In TRH, they repeated this pattern, but with the Heir. The only scene Kiara has where she can so much as touch the heir is in the last part of TRH3, if you choose for Kiara to read to her. Penelope is regularly allowed to hold her even though she has often placed this child in dangerous situations (on one occasion, Kiara herself had to stop her) - even Madeleine is given an entire babysitting scene to win her favour. But Kiara is the only lady of the court who is made to stay away or care for the child from a distance.

Kiara's family (besides Zeke, and just because he is Penelope's fiance/husband) is subject to disrespect in this book too. Hakim and Joelle were both conspicuously absent from the pregnancy announcement presscon in TRH1 (where Landon, Godfrey and Bartie Sr somehow featured!!), and future books would either retcon the family or force them to do things the other families didn't have to do. In TRH2, the MC takes a tour of the Great Houses with her newborn daughter, and each house is expected to pledge loyalty to her and the crown in different ways. Hakim is written as "bending to his knees" for the child. This is something only Adeleide and Madeleine - whose house, might I remind you, are considered the house of traitors at this point - have to do. Landon and Emmeline are never expected to express their loyalty to this extent.

In TRH3, the narrative callously pushes the Therons under the bus to make the Ebrim family's reluctance to help the MC make sense - the Therons are now "traditionalists" who frown upon scandals and may not allow Zeke to marry Penelope on the account of her past annulled marriage (this makes no sense when you take a closer look at the Therons themselves in TRR3 - they're a far more balanced, far more progressive family than any of the other Great Houses. They even took Zeke's abdication well!). Furthermore, you'll notice that the framing of Penelope's past with Guy is worlds apart from the disdain the narrative shows for the Therons during the flower festival. It is notable that in the latter, the black women are depicted very negatively - Kiara is shown unable to manage her own competition, Joelle is depicted as pompous and incapable of losing gracefully, Drake gets to take sarcastic potshots at Lerato for trying to charm the MC into voting for her and Drake into convincing her to vote. Meanwhile white people like Landon and Marguerite are presented in a just as humourous but less mocking light (eg. Landon moving his table courteously before flipping it in the flashback).

Even into TRF (Ch12), the narrative gives us choices where we can stand up to people criticizing Landon and Emmeline's parenting ("Duke Landon and his wife raised a kind, generous daughter..."). We are allowed to be far less critical of the Ebrims overall, we are allowed to be more charitable even in the dialogue options for suspecting Landon than we are of Kiara (think of how Maxwell can suspect that Kiara was planning to betray us all along). At the end of the Flower Festival, Kiara is made to appear contrite as the MC can choose to either demand she make this right before the latter can forgive her, or indicate that she never will. Ironically, a Penelope who can choose her fancy wedding over the safety of the MC's child never has to face words that harsh.

You will also notice if you look more closely, that the narrative continues to frame events surrounding Penelope and Kiara in opposing ways. Penelope is perpetually viewed as a victim, and Kiara constantly as a suspect.

We are expected to support Penelope, and to mistrust Kiara. And even though Kiara's feelings had long since become a thing of the past, Drake still maintains his animosity towards her and her family. And like everything else, it is so normalized at this point that you barely even notice it anymore.

In TRH2, Drake is allowed to tar all nobles with the same brush because of Godfrey's actions. Though his statement about the nobility ("We can't trust any of them to have Liam's back...not unless it's in their own selfish interests") is about the entire nobility, it is striking that he says this just before they go to Castelserraillan. The Therons are also the only noble family that Drake makes sarcastic comments about (in reference to Liam informing us that their province is a trade hub, Drake quips that "they are going to want to trade babies with us"). These snide comments he rarely makes about other noble families, and serves as a sharp contrast to how he treats the Ebrims (during Penelope's wedding festivities, he is unnaturally invested in Penelope getting a happy ending with Ezekiel). We can't even claim that his behaviour towards Kiara is in line with his disdain for nobles, because Penelope is proof that he is perfectly capable of showing compassion to most of them!

TRH3 ends with Kiara doing an apology tour of sorts - diplomatic missions aimed at improving Cordonia's international relations. TRF finds almost all the ladies of the court - even Olivia - in very minimal roles, as the focus shifts to the Via Imperii. Still, the narrative makes more references to Penelope than to Kiara, to the extent that the epilogue ends on both the MC and Penelope celebrating their pregnancies (Penelope's first and the MC's second) together.

Overall, you will find that the narrative repeated certain patterns with Kiara - the tendency to find her suspicious, purposely limiting scenes with important characters like Liam (TRR) and the heir (TRH) while the white courtiers get almost unlimited access, the discrepancies in expectations for her vs other ladies (eg. Madeleine is hailed for being "good" even though that is solely dependent on how you treat her. Kiara is largely ignored whenever she does help, and attacked when she is written to support the enemy). Drake - even as a former alternative to her, who should have gotten over whatever nonsense beef he'd had with her earlier - is allowed to make snide remarks about her home and family.

It's pretty clear they could do this because they could get away with it... because most of the fandom made it so easy for them to get away with it.

Fandom

When I look back at how the perception of Kiara in the fandom progressed over the years, I find it half-amusing, half-sad how much of it is rooted more in fanlore, and how little in actual fact. And this is something you couldn't just pin on "crazy Drake stans" - they were the biggest promoters of these lies and misconceptions, sure, but normally analytical, commonsense readers often believed that Kiara was fake and a snob and awful to Penelope too.

I get some of it, given the timing of Kiara and Penelope's scene at the beginning of TRR2. It takes place at a low point in the MC's story, a time when she isn't even sure the LIs want to support her. Coupled with that is the lasting image of Penelope hugging you and complaining about Madeleine, making you feel like she's more willing to give you a sliver of solidarity. Coupled with that, is Olivia's newfound popularity in the fandom - once she emerges in Ch 5 of that book, fans believed they found their wildcard who would stand by them in complete solidarity among the ladies of the court (did they ignore Hana's already massive contributions to the investigation? Yes they did. Yes they did). Madeleine herself is shown giving quotable quotes about female solidarity and Tariq's guilt in TRR2 Ch 7, which - coupled with Justin's high praise of her - made people want to find things to like about her too. Penelope's own betrayal was overshadowed by an expectation to support a person with serious mental health struggles.

Kiara's the only one who doesn't get such backstories or explanations. So at least in the heat of the moment, in reading those chapters between weekly gaps, it makes sense that a false impression of her got somewhat solidified.

But when you build your interpretations out of lies and misinterpretations, how does it become so valid that even the writers bend to it and prefer to show that?

Every fandom has its "crazy stans". And this instance wouldn't be the first or last time they are pandered to. But when the same stans get backed up by the "saner", more commonsense members of fandom; when even neutral readers promote versions of a story without actually looking at the scenes in question - that's when a fandom is in danger of turning a "headcanon" into canon.

Kiara being a horrible friend to Penelope wasn't canon. Kiara being a snob was not canon. Kiara being creepy towards Drake wasn't canon either. Especially when you take the fandom response to Olivia's forced kiss on Liam into account.

And that brings me to another point. I had been asked once why I felt the need to compare Kiara to the other ladies in my defenses of her. It's important, when we speak of the kind of hate Kiara received, to understand how a lot of flaws that the entire court has (eg classism) is often pinned onto a lone person, and how several white female characters could get away with worse behaviour while Kiara alone was slammed for harmless interactions.

This is most apparent when you look at how Olivia's violation of Liam's consent is perceived, vs Kiara's harmless flirtation with Drake in TRR2. Which woman had fans foaming at the mouth and wanting to kill her? Which woman was given dozens and dozens of fanfic and content that depicted her as creepy, desperate, downright obsessed with their man? Which woman got the "oh well, he doesn't owe her anything 🤷🏽‍♀️" vs a "he doesn't love her back?? WHAT AN INSENSITIVE ASSHOLE!!1111"?

Perhaps this Olivia/Kiara comparison is where the fandom's tendency to cast Kiara into the Jezebel stereotype is the most visible. Kiara's very act of talking to Drake sometimes is registered as a threat to those stans, and it reflects in the way they speak of her, the way they speak of their MC's own relationship with Drake in association with her (eg. the number of posts rejoicing at the thought of showing off their "engaged to Drake" status at Kiara's estate), the way they're allowed to dehumanize her and villify her (eg. The edit I mentioned at the beginning). This is often encouraged by their friends who are fans of other characters, and you can see that in sharp contrast, Olivia - despite her actions in Book 1 and her resentment of Liam for not loving her back in other books - is still often viewed with sympathy and respect. Her feelings - still viewed as genuine, even pure. To the point where PB eventually allows Olivia to constantly address her feelings about the MC's and Liam's relationship, while forcing Kiara to not even utter Drake's name in his playthrough.

But you see this with other characters, and in other contexts too. Particularly how Madeleine can be duplicitous, hypocritical, and power-hungry, and it's Kiara who is called these things despite her actual honesty in canon. Madeleine can get away with actually helping Bartie Sr kidnap the MC's daughter in TRH3 without a murmur, in the same fandom where people can curse Kiara for voting for Bartie Sr "to take the child away" (despite her telling the MC and spouse that she was promised they would have custody of the child, therefore the claim that she "voted to take the child away from their parent" is inaccurate).

You saw some of these discrepancies in how Penelope and Kiara were spoken about too - Penelope's crime in TRR2 was considered easily forgiveable, while Kiara's innocence is constantly called into question. Kiara was often viewed negatively for what the fandom perceived as "meanness" to Penelope (when it was in fact Kiara worrying about how Penelope would fare when she wasn't around) while Penelope herself was never expected to be a good friend to Kiara. An interesting thing to note about the fandom response to Penelope and Kiara showed that often when posters wanted to hate on Penelope, she and Kiara would be clubbed together, almost as a unit. This was especially prevalent in TRH3. It was easy to express hatred for Kiara independently, but most posts that showed a dislike for Penelope (besides from specific Kiara stans) would often tie her with Kiara, as if there wasn't much to hate about her otherwise.

It is important to line up whatever hate Kiara gets with the responses to the other women - especially in the face of what the latter are allowed to get away with. In doing so, you get a better sense of what is allowed for a certain subset of women, and what isn't allowed or permitted for black women specifically.

Often, the fans who would not hesitate to call her alone fake, opportunistic and creepy were WOC, and there have been cases where some would use their identity as WOC to shield themselves from the criticism concerning their vitriol. It would often descend into "I don't hate her because she is black, I hate her because {insert inaccurate/false/convoluted justification here}". It didn't matter that much of this information wasn't based in fact, or had a heavy bias that they never applied to anyone else. It only mattered that because they were WOC, somehow that meant that they couldn't possibly be racist. That their unfounded hatred for Kiara had to be legitimate. As if there was no chance that someone who was WOC couldn't be antiblack too.

Overall, it is possible that the fandom did take some of their cues (for their impression of Kiara) from the inherent disdain found in canon itself. But many of them also misinterpreted several things about Kiara, then didn't bother to revisit those biases with a critical eye, or even try to see if they were wrong. And that baseless hatred fed the already-existing disdain that Kiara's own writers had towards her. Resulting in the kind of horrific, racist garbage that we got to see in TRR3, and the constant attempts in canon to pull her down in TRH.

Did Drake and Kiara Ever Have A Chance?

There have been various opinions - from both Kiara fans and haters - for why a Driara ship would never work. He hates nobles, she won't like his disdain for art and culture, he likes the simpler life, she's a snob...so on and so forth. Many people will agree it's not a great ship, but of course with differing opinions on why.

I, however, often wondered at possible scenarios where such a pairing could work. The magic of shipping is often that you can play around with personalities and pair almost anyone, and find enough reasons to explain why they would tick. And in Drake and Kiara's case, personally, I do feel like it's a complicated question to answer - primarily because I feel like the authorial intent at the beginning may have been very, very different to what finally happened in Drake's story.

A lot of Drake's early writing focused on the reasons behind his mistrust of the court and his tendency to view the people he loves who are part of it (eg. Liam and later the group) as anomalies. There are two ways you could take such a story in TRR2 - you could either get him to admit to the flaws in his own thinking (thereby providing a more nuanced insight) and allow him to grow from there, or you could just have him double down on his biases and never change beyond the superficial. The team of TRR - esp the head writers, Kara and Jen who were both v fond of him - definitely seemed to go in the latter direction.

Drake's prediction in Coney Island does indicate that he should let go of the past, and I honestly feel like the sequences where he learned about Maxwell straining House Beaumont's finances to help her, and Kiara and Savannah's friendship, could have been turning points for him if the writers weren't so obsessed with proving him right all the time - even when he was supposed to be wrong. Maxwell and Kiara, in their own ways, were proof that not every noble was the same, nor would every noble treat the commoners around them all the same way. However, the narrative trampled all over this possibility in TRR2 Ch 9, where Drake could optionally claim that the Beaumont brothers (among others) were "just looking out for themselves, no matter the consequences", or later when the narrative had Savannah be grateful to him for breaking her confidence to Bertrand, and have Maxwell try to earn his forgiveness in Ch 12 rather than the other way around. It allowed Drake to be selective about the nobles he admired or defended, while still free to treat certain others like garbage.

I could easily envision a Driara pairing for most of TRR2. I could even see it as potentially salvageable in certain parts of TRR3. But the moment they had Drake readily suspect her, the moment the team thought it would be okay for Drake to even suggest minimizing her trauma...that option was no longer worth seeing. Not for Drake, but for Kiara. Drake would have to be the worst possible guy I could find for her, in such a scenario.

But I could see potential in a storyline that had Drake understand that some of these people weren't the monsters he so desperately wanted them to be. In one where he could hear about Kiara's friendship with his sister, and learn about a whole new side of her. One where he maybe felt insecure ("I'm not her type") and could be reassured by a woman who had likely held a torch for him since they were teens/young adults. One where they could reach out to each other in their pain and trauma, and find solace. One where Drake knew that the family he may be marrying into would respect him, and his father too. There were possibilities there.

It would still take more work - his mean streak for one would need to be reduced by more than a half. A lot of it, of course, was kept for the Drake stans, but it really doesn't add much to Drake's character besides making him a mean-spirited, hypocritical bitch who only targets the lone black woman this way (and Olivia occasionally, if she goads him). If the narrative did want to keep a characterization where Drake acts weird around the girl he likes, they could - but that story would need a lot more work to be palatable.

All of this is to say that regardless of personal bias, there were possibilities there. There was a sliver of potential. And if they wanted to let go of that potential midway, they didn't have to go about that the way they finally did. They could have just worked on creating another love interest for her. They managed to create a brother for her overnight just so Penelope could have a boyfriend; they could have easily done the same for Kiara.

Multiple factors went down that explain why the Driara ship didn't take off. But many of them boil down to one specific root cause - the white women (whether they caused actual harm or not) needed to be protected, needed to be cherished. The black woman who dared to ask for the same things from their pet LI, would be viewed as a threat, a villain, a creep...just for breathing in his direction.

And her writers cared so little, that they took the fanon perception for her and stamped it onto their canon, like it was the truth.

They didn't do any of this for the woman who forced a kiss on a prominent LI. They didn't do this on the woman who betrayed the MC and set her up for assault. They didn't do this to the woman who bullied the lone female LI, and swore to continue doing so till she broke.

They did this for the one woman who was fairly innocent of most of these crimes, actually respected the LI and treated him well.

They did this because they could get away with it. Because they were confident that the fandom they wrote the story for, would let them get away with it. And tragically...they were right.

--

Resources I used to learn about the Jezebel stereotype:

The "Offending" Breast of Janet Jackson: Public Discourse Surrounding the Jackson/Timberlake Performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII by Dr Shannon Holland

Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, the Jezebel and white masculinity by Khadija Mbowe (I actually got the recommendation for the first paper from this video essay).

From Mammy to Jezebel: The Portrayal of Black Women in American Cinema from the BlackThen website

[honeytonedhottie]

HONEYS IT GIRL MAGAZINE july edition⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🎀

welcome back to honeys it girl magazine, this is the july catalog. get ready for the inside scoop on data that i've collected, things i've learned/started doing, and just general info like that organized in kind of a teen-magazine inspired fashion. a magazine for it girls ✨ and now please enjoy, the it girl magazine.

in this addition i've experimented with new sections (like the horoscope section) so i hope that u guys look forward to it and if u have any more suggestions for the magazine feel free to share and without further ado, lets get into it with some beauty talk…💬🎀

BEAUTY SHOPPING LIST ;

♡ kiko milano lipgloss

♡ L.A girl glitter spray

♡ cotton candy baby lipgloss from victorias secret

i've gone for more tubes of cotton candy baby because its just SUCH a good lipgloss but i recently lost mine and its been on my list to get next time i go to the mall…💬🎀

♡ crispy marshmallow bars body wash from philosophy

ugh just the NAME of this soap sounds absolutely delicious and im dying to try it out. im a big fan of the philosophy body washes anyways because of the quality and scents…💬🎀

♡ coconut craze lipgloss from victorias secret

♡ pink mimosa lipgloss from victorias secret

another thing that i wanted to talk about in this months beauty column is the DIFFERENCE that blush placement makes. so i was scrolling on pinterest when i came across this chart that talked about blush placement.

when you apply blush a certain way it balances out ur beautiful features and plays around with proportions in such a way that can make ur features more prominent. also the way that u apply ur blush totally changes the way that ur makeup looks.

for example when u apply blush to the apples of ur cheeks it gives a more youthful and glowy effect. when u put blush high on ur cheekbones it gives a more lifted and sculpted look which is where the blush chart comes in. depending on ur face shape u can determine which style of blush placement complements ur pretty face the best 💗

WHAT R WE LISTENING TO? ;

the most listened to album i've listened to all month has been butterfly by mariah carey. it was released in 1997 and every single song on that album is a total MASTER PIECE. some of my favorites include

♡ honey (DUH)

♡ babydoll

however that album is from 1997 so lets talk about some new music that i LOVED that also dropped this month…💬🎀

♡ brat- charli xcx

♡ muse - jimin

another album that has been gathering lots of attention on lots of social media platforms is ice spice's Y2K album and i've seen a lot of mixed reviews about it. personally im not a fan of the album, my favorite song on the album is did it first but im not a fan of the album as a whole. im curious though to hear what your thoughts on the album are…💬🎀

FASHION FLOPS VS FASHION BOPS ;

in this column, lets look at some old and new fashion trends and see which trends are flops and which ones are bops. my sources include vogue, and glamour magazine…💬🎀

according to vogue, statement gowns are OUT and discreet chics are IN. discreet chic is mixing basics in minimalist yet compelling ways. this includes things like trench coats, pencil skirts, trouser suits and good jeans.

according to glamour magazine, crisp whites and butter yellows are trending this summer. along with sequins and basics like denim pants and white t-shirts, polished kitten heels and mary jane flats also. the styles that are trending for this summer are boho 3.0 and little white dresses.

something i can DEF get behind is little white dresses. its like a blank canvas on which u can make the outfit into whatever you want. personally i would style a tiny white dress with chunky bracelets and wedges/kitten heels…💬🎀

LETS TALK MANIFESTATION ;

manifestation techniques are overrated - all you have to do to manifest is affirm -> persist. thats essentially all you have to do and when i first started i was so caught up in techniques and routines that i wasn't even affirming/persisting. i was doing anything and everything and i saw manifestation as a process and manifestation is NOT a process. when i shifted that and realized that manifesting is instant and all techniques are for funsies, the pressure was taken off.

this is an excerpt from my manifestation opinions post and i've released this poll to talk about what manifestation topic you guys would like me to talk about and the winner was saturation so lets talk about it. so what does it mean to saturate? i got this question a while ago in my inbox so im just gonna copy and paste my response.

saturating is simply soaking ur mind in the fact that u already have what u want. i do this with affirming, some people do other things to saturate but affirming is the most simple for me. just think as if u have it over and over and over again…💬🎀

you can saturate for hours at a time or a little bit everyday it doesnt rly matter its just thinking over and over again. i saturate while listening to music, playing video games, doing mundane tasks etc. all i do is think my affirmations and thats all! if theres something specific that u guys are curious about with saturation lemme know in the comments but its super simple bcuz MANIFESTING is super simple.

JENNIE KIM STYLE DISSECTION ;

jennie kim is a fashion ICON. i swear every photo that i see of her, her outfit, hair, face, everything is absolutely perfect. jennie's style is very posh and feminine. and a rly great example of this would be her look below. i love how she color coordinated her hair accessories to her outfit and the black and pink is so ICONIC cuz she was a black pink member.

shes rocking her trademark chanel in the form of a waist chain and everything just goes together beautifully. jennie knows how to mix posh and hyper femininity in her outfits super well and we can see that in her next outfit…💬🎀

THE CHANEL CHAIN AHHH IM OBSESSED. in the next outfit shes rocking a red two piece with buttons that just add that very chic and posh look. her chanel chain is such a statement piece and her matching chanel purse, shes literally chanels princess atp.

WHATS MY HOROSCOPE (JULY 22-29) ;

♡ its leo season and leo season is all about TIMING. you will receive ur answer very soon, listen to ur intuition and notice how everything is coming together for you. while you’re shining in the moment, remember to think about the future when mercury enters virgo and your value zone on thursday. you’ll want to go over details with a fine-tooth comb, so take your time making decisions. don’t rush into anything!

♡ for aries the next four weeks are ideal for enjoying entertainment, starting hobbies, and expressing yourself. indulge in the pleasures that summer has to offer without burning your life down.however, while you enjoy the rest of your summer, consider getting your life in order when mercury enters virgo and your productivity zone on thursday. the retrograde will be here shortly, aries, so take this time to get your ducks in a row. 

♡ for taurus, start the week by practicing self-care when the sun enters leo and your home zone on monday. the next few weeks could be a little hectic, so try to spend as much time as you can with your loved ones. be generous with your time by hosting family dinners and small parties.despite the upcoming retrograde, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities for some fun when mercury enters virgo and your creativity zone on thursday. this is a great time to busy yourself with creative projects, flirt with people, and entertain yourself with concerts and movies. have fun!

♡ for gemini, you’ll have a flair for the dramatic over the next few weeks once the sun enters leo and your communication zone on monday. everything you do and say will be bold and vibrant. your social calendar will be full of summer activities, so enjoy yourself without getting exhausted.get ready to become the family problem solver when mercury enters virgo and your home zone on thursday. it seems like everyone is coming to you to fix their lives before the retrograde, so this is a great time to focus on domestic issues. remember to set boundaries so any family drama doesn’t bring you down, gemini.

♡ for cancer, as your season comes to an end, your mind will be on your financial security when the sun enters leo and your value zone on monday. however, if you want any luxury in your life, you’re going to have to work for it. this is a great time to start side hustles and invest in things that matter to you. say what you mean and mean what you say when mercury enters virgo and your communication zone on thursday. this transit gives you the ability to cut through the chaos and get to the truth of any issue.

♡ for virgo, spend the rest of your summer break away from the madding crowd when the sun enters leo and your privacy zone on monday. over the next few weeks, you might feel the need to retreat from the world and focus on yourself. give yourself a mental and emotional cleanse before your season begins. your communication skills get a major boost this week when mercury enters your sign on thursday. while this is a brief reunion before the retrograde, this is a great time for new beginnings and getting your point across. speak with confidence, virgo.

♡ for libra, you’ll be feeling like a social butterfly over the next few weeks once the sun enters leo and your friendship zone on monday. this is a great time to hit the summer parties and make some connections. you could even meet your new besties. have fun! however, you might feel the need to retreat into yourself when mercury enters virgo and your subconscious zone on thursday. perfectionism could lead to your undoing as you come to terms with what’s working and not working in your life. focus on how to fix these areas without overcorrecting, libra. analyze your dreams to find clarity.

♡ for scorpio, despite being in the heart of summer, you’re more focused on building a reputation and making a name for yourself when the sun enters leo and your public image zone on monday. over the next four weeks, go after your ambitions and stand out from the crowd to get noticed by the right people. you’ll be especially interested in your personal aspirations when mercury enters virgo and your humanitarian zone on thursday. you have some big dreams, so lay the groundwork to get them going. make a wish, scorpio. it might come true.

♡ for sagittarius, start the week on an adventurous note when the sun enters leo and your expansion zone on monday. the next few weeks will give you opportunities to expand your horizons, for better or worse. this is a great time to travel or interact with people from different walks of life. as we get into the heat of summer, start thinking about your future when mercury enters virgo and your career zone on thursday. this is a great time to think about your professional goals and how you can get ahead in the workplace. think smarter and harder, sagittarius.

♡ for capricorn, the start of the week brings changes to your life when the sun enters leo and your transformation zone on monday. you might feel like a phoenix over the next few weeks as you sit with the ashes of your former life. while the sun shines a light on everything that is hidden, you’ll need to decide what to let go of, capricorn. class is in session when mercury enters virgo and your expansion zone on thursday, especially since this transit will give you plenty of lessons to learn, for better or worse. this is a great time to expand your mental horizons through education. it could change your life.

♡ for aquarius, “me” turns into “we” over the next few weeks when the sun enters leo and your partnership zone on monday. this is more than just a summer fling; it’s the real thing, so lock it down now. however, make sure to balance your time together and apart or it could cause some drama. read between the lines and you can uncover hidden meanings when mercury enters virgo and your intuition zone on thursday. trust your gut, aquarius, because it can guide you through the hidden motives others might have for you. be careful, and don’t make any big decisions before the retrograde.

♡ for pisces, even in the heat of summer, you’ll still have plenty of work to do when the sun enters leo and your productivity zone on monday. work on taking care of yourself through self-improvement. what do you want to get better at, pisces? try it out now. the rest of the summer could be intense, so make sure you have a buddy to help you through when mercury enters virgo and your partnership zone on thursday. this is a great time to end all conflict and work on agreements before the retrograde hits. compromise is key, if you’re willing to work at it.

[panelshowsource]

my girl was on the brink of disassociating ⚰️⚰️ LMAO i can't believe how long she lasted — she was the dark horse imo!! PROUD OF U HARRIET

eeeee i got this question a few times and it's so hard to choose!

this series had more or less exclusively big, mainstream comedians, and since they're all in a similar tier of activity (mostly television work) they've worked together a lot before and clearly know each other outside of the show. obviously there are a few exceptions but it was pretty clear how close a lot of them are irl. that makes for the best combination of people imo—you want at least some people who are either friends already and know how to get each other, or a lot of people who at least are fans of each other's comedy so they'll be susceptible to laughing. in my opinion, one stranger having to learn what makes another stranger laugh isn't as engaging — especially in 6 30-minute episodes — as people who, right off the bat, want to laugh just from looking at each other. because that's so cute!

that makes me think it's important to cast a group with these dynamics, which is why i see why you'd choose people who are friends already like ed and james. if it were up to me hmmmm well i said this before but i think a james vs rhod would be iconic, so if we were going that route sprinkling in a few frends like jess knappett, ed gamble, john kearns, alex horne, rose matafeo, rosie jones, and/or sam campbell would be the way forward imo. i also love the idea of jon richardson (who is gigglier than a lot of people realise) vs russell howard, and jon is good buddies with alex, which is cute too hehe what about paul foot? he's hilarious just to look at let alone to talk to. natasia vs jamie demetriou? jamie is also so good at making hilarious faces

i'd want at least one undeniably hilarious, universally loved wildcard (like bob was this series imo), like vic reeves, johnny vegas, liza tarbuck, sally phillips, lee mack, alan carr, or (maybe ultimate picks for me) matt berry or catherine tate. limmy (PIPE DREAM), fatiha el-ghorri, and nick helm would also be agents of chaos i just know it!! and you know i want to see my girl jess hynes in anything i can it's so annoying she's busy being a Real And Very Talented Esteemed Actor instead of doing endless series of outsiders

since everyone loves a challenge, when you think about a few people who reeeeeally really really don't crack, who else comes to mind? maybe jack dee or jo brand lmfao

and you know when they have the extra peeps like nick, alison, and danny come on to do lil bits? i think kevin bridges specifically would be a great shout, he could crack a lot of people i'm sure of it

so i know this isn't a dream line up per say but it is my word vomit and it counts for something (ㅅ´ ˘ `) I'LL THINK ABOUT THIS SOME MORE...

i did watch the irish version and put it on my drive for you guys! it wasn't bad — i really love graham (who doesn't!!!) and the girlies were so funny & cute. it seemed like, compared to the uk version, there were a lot of BIG personalities and even big egos on the irish version. it felt a lot more competitive and focused on offense than the british version, where everyone was almost too scared of making themselves laugh to go super hard lmao there hasn't been an american version, which surprises me, but mae was on the english canadian one, and i do recognise a lot of comics on that one! i'm not sure if i'll get around to watching it (i'm trying to watch more films in my free time) but if you guys really recommend it i'd def give it a try!

hahahahahahahaha well listen... it's a show about tension and about liking each other so much you just can't help it, so i get it!

i can't help that i'm suuuuuch a joe wilkinson fan it hurt my heart that he was out so early but at the same time the fact that he is so giggly is part of what i love about him! he's really good at supporting other comics and their bits with his enthusiasm. when he had to sit on the naughty step i knew he was ruined💔🕊️ lmaooo

i thought this was a great format for daisy, too! i can't remember who said this but she is so good at asking questions/starting convos and manipulating her face while listening lmao idk i thought she killed it

there are certain comics that you KNOW other comics completely fold for and every series of this (it's a massive hit come on we knowww it's getting renewed!) needs one of those people. my vote for the next one? MATT BERRY

hehe yes can do!

thanks cutie ♡(˃͈ ˂͈ )

—

➜ FAQ, where to watch, and more ➜ https://ko-fi.com/panelshowsource

[kittievampire]

Hello! Found your page recently and kicked myself to send in due to mammon and beel brainrot .-.

Anon because the filth req makes me shy lmao

Some ideas for ya (f!mc)

- 69 with Beel, but he's gagged with cloth, poor baby can only use his hands and whatever bit of tongue he can get out

- Exhibitionism and teasing from Mams (Cockwarming at the casino? Fingering on The Fall dance floor? These sound like bad porn titles oops)

- Beel wants a subtle spread leg MC dessert under the table at dinnertime (big hungry demon can't stay quiet and the other brothers def notice)

Also - folks HC that Mams would be too posessive to share MC but imo he'd prioritize MC's pleasure above anything soOoo..

- Sub mammon tied up and only getting kisses/ hj from MC while Beel hits it from the back

- DP with greedyboi and hungryboi (who prefers pussy/ ass? Writer's choice!)

- Beel gets a meal *cough pussy*, while Mams gets a beej

- Overstim feat. both of them, greed and gluttony means orgasms til they're satisfied. Get wrecked mc.

I feel both of them have a praise kink? Both giving and receiving. But this might just be me wanting to give the good boys a treat

*This turned into a long brain dump sorry lol feel free to take or leave any prompts :') My brain is now free and I pass the rot to you

Hoooollllyyyyy

Damn

I just

Damn

Yes

YES

Lemme see what I have in my bag, my dear~

Click here if you wanna request!

Warnings: Smut, Switch!Fem!MC x Switch!Beelzebub x Switch!Mammon, Dacryphilia, Bondage, Overstim, Oral (f. receiving), Gagging, Concealed!Public Sex

Enjoy, you horny fucks.

"How you holding up, Beel?"

You gently stroked his large, hard cock with your small, soft hand, placing little kitten licks against the tip that was drooling with precum. His length was coated in your saliva as a result of you happily gagging and drooling all over it when it was in your mouth, as well as the stimulation you were getting from the Avatar of Gluttony's fingers.

You were so cruel.

When he tried to muffle a response through the red cloth that you'd shoved into his mouth, you couldn't help but giggle. You didn't even need to look at him, you could just tell that he was obscenely drooling at the sight of your cunt. You moaned, not only at the feeling of his thumb circling your clit while his fingers thrusted knuckles-deep into you, but also at the thought of how he looked right now.

Were his eyes blown out?

Did he look ready to pounce?

How was he still keeping himself together?

"D-Don't worry, baby, just a little while longer, I promise." You'd said that many times over, and yet, you still haven't given him the privilege of ravaging your pussy like the starving glutton he was. You felt him inch close to your opening and pressed your tongue and lips against his cock, sloppily kissing and drooling all over it once more. "The m-more you struggle, the more time it will take for you to taste me, Beel," You cooed, pushing yourself down against his fingers, earning a lewd squelch sound and for some of your juices to land on his face.

He groaned, and you could hear a low rumble in his stomach.

"Almost done, Beel, promise."

To be quite honest, talking to his opponents, playing poker, and trying to keep you quiet was a lot of work. You were planted on his lap, cock pushed past your folds and the tip snuggled against your cervix.

"Royal Flush, baby! Looks like ya better cough up!" Mammon exclaimed with a snarky grin on his face, bouncing his leg, which caused you to move up and down on his cock. You blushed, biting down on your bottom lip to hold back your noises.

Thankfully, his opponents were too drunk to notice your reaction to his movements. "G'dammit. Double or nothin'!" One of the demons said, to which Mammon threw his head back and cackled.

You almost let out a whine, knowing that one more game means more time that you'd have to sit there and warm his cock, nothing else. Mammon leaned forward, lips close to your ear so he could whisper ever so quietly, "Ya heard that, Treasure?" He gripped your thighs tightly, making sure you wouldn't move. "One more game, yeah? You can last for a while longer, can't ya?"

You shuddered.

Your pussy was aching to be thoroughly fucked, and at this point, you wouldn't care if he bent you over the table. But you didn't want to disobey him.

Your walls clenched around his cock and he grunted. He pecked your cheek. "Good girl," He cooed before turning back to face his opponents.

Beel completely caught you off-guard.

You honestly didn't expect him to grab your thighs from under the table and push them apart, nor did you expect for him to be under the table in the first place. You looked down, eyes wide in shock as he pulled down your panties. He looked up at you and smiled sweetly before attaching his lips to your cunt.

It was all happening way too fast, and you were at the table having dinner! With his brothers, no less!

You nearly choked as you felt him drag his tongue lazily over your folds, a shudder running down your spine as a dark blush formed on your face. You clenched your teeth to suppress a gasp, covering your mouth as your eyes darted over toward the brothers.

Thankfully, Mammon was causing a bit of a ruckus at the dinner table, so none of their eyes were on you at the moment.

Beel's grip on your thighs only tightened as you squirmed, shoving his tongue into your cunt, groaning softly as he got a taste of your walls. You muffled a whimper into your hand as you closed your eyes, his thumb rubbing circles over your clit to further stimulate you. He wanted the sweetness of your release, and he wanted it as soon as possible. The lewd slurping against your cunt, as well as your soft whimpers, only made it through your fuzzy head when you looked up to see six pairs of eyes staring you down.

I'm gonna go ahead and make the three-ways in a seperate part. I'll link it once it's posted, but I hope you liked it, anon!

Masterlist

[venusandsaturnsrings]

VENUS IM BACK!! LIKE A WEEK BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY (it's the 24th!!)

I present inceltaru with ANGEL GF <333

Incel childe how just things you're the cutest thing!! Ofc just because ur an angel doesn't mean you're free from his sinful thoughts<33 ugh he's such a little freak that he researches angels mating habits so he knows what signs to look for:((( definitely not so he can fuel his little fantasies in a more accurate way!! He would never!!! Imagine him reeling when you ask him to preen you're wings cause it's only something mate's do</33 he's SO hard at the thought of being your beloved mate that it hurts!!<33 the purrs you let out when he preens you're wings aren't helping either:(( all he can think about is just pushing you down and fucking you :((( ofc he wouldn't do that without you're permission, BUT!! Later when he's done with preening you're feathers and being the perfect little doting mate he's watching angels be fucked stupid on different sites <333 he likes imaging its you while pumping his cock while you sleep all curled up on his bed!!

Ugh bringing back his filthy panty stealing habit he just snatches them right out of your basket when you're distracted (they're all cute and frilly!! Ofc you don't know what it does to him </33) imagine him slipping in some aphrodisiacs into you're food cause angels don't rlly go into heat :(( he just thinks you look soooo cute all sobbing and needy <333 he can't help but playing and teasing you're pretty pussy for hours on end not letting you come until he sits your cute cubby body on his face for him to eat out!! When he's finally had enough of you're juices (he could never have enough but his cock is painfully hard, and he's cum once untouched!!) he starts to fuck ur fat pussy the right way, praising you for being such a good girl<333 he def creampies you cause he just wants you're cute little chubby belly full of his kids!! I forget to mention the amount of marks he leaves to show others you're HIS pretty little angel and no one elses!! He definitely messes with the base of you're wigs to get you all whiney from how sensitive they are on aphrodisiacs :(((

-chubby darling anon!!

WAHHHH OH HOW IVE MISSED YOU… omg!! birthday!! i love birthdays :3 i love festivities and balloons and cake and confetti and sprinkles!! you better have had a super duper awesome birthday OR ELSE!! happy one week belated birthday :3 but… my god… your brain is huge… angel girl and yucky inceltaru :((

any sort of creature or hybrid has the blood rushing lower in his body but, he admittedly has a soft (hard?) spot for pretty angels. put the prettiest little angel ever in front of him? he’s a goner. now, have that little angel be absolutely fascinated by him? double whammy, he’s done for.

the soft and nearly iridescent feathers of your wings called out to his mind and hands incessantly. with fluffy down at the base, it was difficult to repress his constant need to mess with the soft surface. Ajax eyed them up day and night while flicking through various adult videos or books divulging the mating habits of angels. if he became your mate, he’d get to care for you constantly which includes getting his dick wet AND petting your wings. what does he truly have to lose? so when you approach him shyly following your afternoon nap requesting he preen your wings, he thinks he’s died and finally gone to heaven alongside you. yet, he sits himself down and fixes up all your feathers. the little hums and whines you let out do nothing to settle the raging boner he’s developed yet he can't find himself wanting to stop; you're just too cute to resist.

later, you request his assistance nesting. with your fluttering lashes and doe eyes the idea of declining doesn't even cross his mind lest crystalline tears fall; that's something he looks forward to seeing when he finally splits you open for the first time. he brings you an infinite source of soft toys and blanks to cozy up in yet you still request some of his clothes to add to the pile under the pretense of wanting his smell to linger. cheeks thoroughly flushed, he hands you a couple hoodies and shirts to bury in the already large nest you've built. the satisfied noise you make upon deeming the nest complete has his heart about to burst from his chest. you're just too cute and you don't even seem to know it!! that said, since you've taken some of his favourite pieces of clothing, it's only fair he steals some of yours, right? sure, his plans are significantly more lewd but he's a man that regularly thinks with his dick more than his head. his favourite panties are always the ones in sweet pastel colours with pretty bows. your pussy most certainly would be a present so a bow suits the piece of clothing. Ajax always makes sure to aim right for the crotch, where your entrance would sit, when he finishes.

angels sure are interesting beings! being monogamous mates and sharing similar habits with other creatures that have heat and rut cycles, one would assume you'd have one as well, but angels are beings with a biological duty of sorts and consequently don't have any such cycles. Ajax isn't opposed to manipulating your body and needs to the slightest degree so if aphrodisiacs are what it takes to finally fully have you, he won't turn away at the idea. he justifies it as simply appealing to a biological process you sadly don't have!! it's no crime to finish what your body had already started.

every morning he lets you take care of the cooking while preparing a glass of juice for you. this particular morning, he had chosen orange juice due to the opaque nature disguising any cloudiness made by the drug; he does have brain cells. with eyes low over his glasses, he watches as you eagerly drink the beverage, feet lightly kicking underneath the table and a smile playing on your lips. you really are too sweet for your own good, he thinks. it takes mere minutes for the warmth to build up in your body and the slick to gather in your panties. your eyebrows are furrowed with short pants of breath leaving you mouth. Ajax plays the caring mate roll perfectly, asking if you're alright and gently touching your forehead with the back of his hand. even that slightest bit of contact has you keening and begging him to keep touching you exactly the way you both want. he's quick to scoop you up and place you back in the sweet nest of your own creation while murmuring promises of taking care of you. long fingers slide your panties off your hips and drool drops from his mouth onto your stomach at the sight of the spider web like strings of arousal clinging from your cunt to the flimsy cotton. thoughts and rationality left behind, he dives into your pussy slurping and sucking on every part he can. Ajax nibbles gently at your lips, clit, and thighs just to hear you sob more for him; these are the tears he wanted to see. he takes time easing you to orgasm after orgasm on his face until the wetness against the front of his boxers becomes unbearable to which he shucks them off in favour of slowly rubbing his tip back and forth between your folds. he soothes your watery cries with his own mouth as he sinks into you slowly. the aphrodisiac did its job in getting you needy but certainly couldn't bypass just how tight you are around him. he's, regretfully, anything but slow while he fucks you. it's your first time but he knows you need it hard. with fingers playing at the base of your wings, he fucks your velveteen hole with vigor only matched by agression you see in one of his big gaming matches. it's sloppy and harsh but enough to finish you both off quickly and oh, how you've fallen in love with the sensation of being bred so very full.

[idcbabyialreadylostmymind]

Rebellion Pt.3

Word Count: 10.8k

Pairing- Sully family x f!sullyreader x na’vi oc (kinda)

Summary- Your going through a rebellion and how easy can it be for your siblings to keep all the stuff they see you doing a secret.

Warnings- argument with a parent, underage drug usage, underage drinking, kissing

Pt.1 Pt.2 Pt.3 (Discontinued)

A/N- i know i know its been a while for this one, but i hope you guys like it I plan of finishing it for you guys in like a week or two def more parts coming and if you like Tsm’siyu in this I have a masterlist for him two things written and feel free to req 💋

»»————-　♔　————-««

Music blazed through the forest as drinks went around your small circle. Tonight would be the last night with the Omatikaya, your siblings managed to get kidnapped by some avatars and to keep you ‘safe’ your father is moving you all. Pulling you out of your mind Ao’zuk stumbled up holding what seemed to be his sixth cup of nectar. “Can’t believe it’s our last night partying with the Y/N Sully.” Ao’zuk said. It was a small group hangout, well not small, about twenty people smaller than usual talking and other things. “Oh shut up.” You say as he passes the pipe taking a deep hit, the burn hits the back of your throat spreading to your lungs. The smoke let out of your mouth clearing your throat afterward. Sitting the burnt out pipe down you watch as Ao’zuk pulls a bag out of his satchel and hands it to you. “What’s this?” You ask. “Some pollen in case that reef shit doesn't hit good.” He laughs as you let out a light hum. “Thank you Ao’.” You say before getting up and walking home.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that your father has decided that a reef clan would be safer rather than a forest clan. Forest clans will be the first place the RDA would look so naturally your father decided a reef clan would be best. You couldn’t say you were thrilled but you needed a change of scenery anyways.

When the morning came around you hadn’t gone to sleep when you got back so all of your bags were packed. You and your family walked away from the Tree of Spirits after the ceremony after your father transferred the responsibility and title of Olo’eyktan. Mounting your ikran Khal you look back at your friends, Ao’zuk stood in the front bringing his hand up waving you off with a tight smile on his face, giving him a grin you bow your head. Jake watched the interaction as he mounted his ikran, Bob. ''Y/N.'' He said and you turned to him. ''Time to go.'' He said, rolling your eyes you look back at the boy and say a silent farewell as you follow your family.

The weather getting to the reef clan was brutal, but you still rode through rain and wind. And finally it seemed you made it to the reef clan as your mother and father landed on a shore you and your siblings not long after. You were the last off of your ikran holding your satchel close to yourself as you observed your surroundings. Your father talked with the Olo'eyktan, it seemed the Tsahik wanted you to leave, but your father persisted. And then Ronal stepped forward grabbing Lo'ak' by the arm saying how weak you all would be, moving to Kiri she tugged on her tail, saying you would be slow. She made her way over to you and you straighten your back with a small smile on your face.

You were her height so you stared deep into her eyes. Her gaze was cold and penetrating as she finally lifted it off of you turning back to her husband. After a while you quit paying attention as you just look off into space, after a while the world went quiet and you couldn't see it was blurry. Those two seconds of peace quickly vanished as Lo'ak tapped your shoulder bringing you back to your mind. ''Hm?'' You reply, ''They granted uturu (sanctuary).'' He replied and you nodded and you got your bags off of Khal giving him a few love taps on his back making him purr. You laugh before following the chief's daughter, Tsireya, who would also be teaching you the way of water, whatever that meant.

''Here you go, I'll leave you to get comfortable, have a good day.'' She replied and you saw the way Lo'aks eyes lingered on the girl and that made you smile a little bit. ''This is good, this is great.'' Jake said the thudding of the carpets thrown down by Neytiri made everyone look at her as she went to sit down.

The following day your father sat everyone down before your first lesson and day on the island. He went over the rules, to be honest you weren't really listening to anything he was saying missing the parties and your friends, ''Sully's stick together.'' Everyone around you said and you pulled your eyes from the floor are rushed out of the mauri.

Tsireya was standing at the edge of the beach you ducked out before she could see you and walked in the opposite direction. ''Y/N?'' You hear Neteyam walk behind you and you turn around face with no readable emotion written on it. ''Yeah?'' You ask, he points to the others who were walking with Tsireya. ''Uh, yeah I'd rather be eaten by a palulukan.'' You say and he sighs. ''Just tell everyone to pretend I was there today.'' You tell him.

''And what will you be doing while the rest of us at least try and adapt?''

''Dunno might explore, y'know.'' You say as you begin to walk away.

''Tsk.'' Neteyam shook his head as you disappeared into the forest and out of his sight.

»»————-　♔　————-««

Your arms held onto the branch as the fruit was in your mouth held onto by your teeth, your fingers began to slip and you looked down and sure of it there was at least a ten-foot drop. You take in a deep breath, breathing in the scent of the trees, the salty smell of the ocean, and your swing your legs letting go of the branch and jumping onto the tree that would ensure your safety. The fruit falls from my mouth and you curse, all that trouble just for it to be lost at the last second. Jumping down from the tree and to the solid ground you look at the sky and deem that it's time to head back to the village before everyone else makes it home.

As you make it to the home your siblings are walking up at the same time. Jumping behind them as if you've been there the entire time you all walk throughout the entryway.

Your father looks up and glances over all of you not suspecting a thing. Your mother picked up Tuk as she ran up to her and smiled before returning to the dinner she was preparing.

Kiri walked over to help your mother as Neteyam and Lo’ak sit down around the fire just like your father and talk about all the stuff that happened today.

“So what do you think of Awa’atlu Y/N?” Jake asked and your pulled from your thoughts that you dwelled in. “Oh, uh, it's cool if you like total isolation from.” You say making Tuk laugh and run to you jumping in your lap.

“Not funny.” Jake says.

“Really? Tuk thinks its pretty funny, don’t you Tuk?” You ask as you begin to tickle her sides unrelenting until she agrees. As she runs to your mother a huge smile plastered on her face.

“Can you at least try and make an effort to fit in.”

“I am.” You reply and he shakes his head.

“Then why did Neteyam tell me that you didn’t go to your lessons today.” He says, raising his eyebrows up in frustration. “It’s your first day!”

You turn your head to Neteyam and look at him and click your teeth. He tries to talk again but you just turn away and close the curtain not wanting this ‘talk’ to end in yet another screaming match between you and your father because you're ‘immature and selfish’.

Your mother tried to call you for dinner but you pretend to be asleep. You couldn't handle being in a room with both Neteyam and your father or you would actually combust with anger. Instead you laid on your sleeping mat getting comfortable for a short nap.

»»————-　♔　————-««

Your eyes peeled open as you awoke for your nap. You get up quietly and look at your surroundings as best you can with the light the moon graces you. Four other bodies laid around you, your siblings obviously, breaking from your check around a twig snaps from outside your marui. Your ears perk in high alert, you crouch towards the window and open it slightly and to your surprise, no ranging animal or sky person, just a pair of teens going to a….. party.

The sides of your lips twitch up in excitement, you grab your bag and make sure your clothes look presentable before you go off.

It wasn’t hard finding the metkiyina teens as the music they played was loud enough for the clan to hear, it seems no one cares. “Cool…” you whisper as you step out of the dark trees into a clearing that was lit by a great bonfire as teens danced around along with the traditional music and drinks were passed and a few people took what looked to be blue and green pollen.

You walked around as if you belonged and no one seemed to care as a girl and boy danced around with you pulling you into the dance circle, you watched them dance and listened to the music letting you move as you pleased. Your peers around looked at you as you danced with them, a boy hands you a drink and makes a toast about something you have no clue about but you shoot the drink back and get to the girl that pulled you into the circle dancing with her until the song ended.

Sitting down on a bench with some random guys sitting next to you breathing heavily and really, really drunk. “You were good out there.” A deep voice catches you off guard as your cheeks heat up.

The man looked to be your age and he definitely was, big. Just one centimeter shorter than your father, and a tattoo wrapped around his large bicep that crawled up his neck. His hair long and curly only a small part kept up out of his face. And he was beautiful, his jawline sharp but his face soft and content.

“Thank you.” you reply.

“So, you do pollen?” One next to him asked.

The Metkayina definitely aren't shy when it comes to asking questions.

“Bro I told you to stop bringing that stuff.” The taller one scolds him but the other one just rolls his eyes. and then smiles at you.

“No it's fine, I do.”’I nonchalantly said, his smile widened and seemed to glow in the light the fire gave off.

His hand digs in a bag that you had not known was next to him, he hands you four small flowers, the same as the ones you saw before, blue and green. He gets himself the same amount, you tilt your head down once before taking the pollen. The other boy just shakes his head side to side. The taste wasn’t great, but you sat still waiting for the effects to kick in.

»»————-　♔　————-««

The world's colors mixed and you felt as if you walked on air, the captivity of gravity no longer weighing you down. Your head, light as a feather, felt as if it was going to roll off your neck. “You like it?” The boy sitting next to you asked, the one who gave you the pollen was up playing a drinking game with a few others.

Looking at him your pupils blown so wide you couldn’t see the yellow in your eyes anymore. You smile lazily as you shake your head yes. He laughs before getting up and lending his hand out for you to take it. You look at his hand for a second noticing the jagged scar on his palm before you take his hand and get up, arms intertwined, the rest of the party follows, walking through the vast trees.

You could tell you were getting close to the village as the salty smell of the ocean became more fragrant the closer you got.

As you all step out of the trees you aren’t meeted with the maruis that were on the island but rather a secluded spot with nothing but a diving board and the ocean and a deep part of it.

A loud splash is what brought your attention from your surroundings. Following the one splash many more until almost everyone was in the water. The boy, you still hadn’t learned his name, he dragged you to the dock before looking at you sending a happy smile, his aquatic skin glimmering in the moonlight along with his freckles that were scattered along his body.

He jumped in the water splashing up against the dock. You looked down into the water and it was too dark to see anything.

“Come on forest girl, jump!” Someone yells and you step back a little before running and jumping off into the water.

When you made contact with the water and came up for air you sick in oxygen as the natural chill of the water surrounded your body.

You swam to the boy and used his shoulders as an anchor. “That was, that was….” you try to formalize what you were trying to say but you couldn’t. “Fun?” He asked and I looked at him and nodded, “Yeah fun.” You say over the louder people around you. You and him looked at each other and your eyes switched from his captivating blue iris boring into your soul to his full lips and his hands on your hips made your body heat up.

He leaned in and so did you, and finally you connected your lips to his. You know this probably isn’t a good idea because you're under the influence and he’s drunk but you couldn’t care less as your lips danced with his.

After a minute you pull away and he looks shocked and surprised which made you giggle. “What's your name?” You ask and he smiles once again. “Tsm’siyu, what about you?” He replies to you with a question of his own. “Y/N.”

“Beautiful.” Tsm’siyu says under his breath as he moves a loose hair out of your face making your smile drop and your stomach twist.

You ignored it and pulled him into another kiss hopefully to calm the new summons of nerves.

»»————-　♔　————-««

As you all get out of the water and squeeze the excess water off of yourselves. As everyone left to their own homes except for Tsm’siyu who told you he was going to walk you home.

You obviously denied but he wasn’t listening to the protest. “C’mon can’t have you passed out on the beach.” He says and you roll your eyes. “Fine.” you mutter, too out of it now.

As you made it a few feet from the back of your home you stop him. “Okay you stay here I���m gonna go in from the front.” You say and he nods and just before you go away he gives you a tiny kiss on the top of your wet hair.

You walked in the sand and onto the floor in front of your marui. And to your surprise your father, hands on his hips and a scowl on his face, was waiting for you. You sigh as you realize life here isn’t gonna be any easier.

»»————-　♔　————-««

Taglist- @jojo-munson @ellabellabus07 @ihonestlydontknowwhattonamethis @ssc7514 @neteyamforlife @tejas-kris @kurogxrix @liyahsocorro @c0meandgetyourl0ve @universal-slut @elegantkidfansoul @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @jakesullywife @oceanstar19 @navs-bhat

If you don’t see your blog its because i couldn’t find it sorry for the inconvenience

[pb5-a35]

fsu game thoughts

the start was so good ice started so well but the end of the first was...well they were on the court!

another season of piss poor refs i'm so tired like what was that bullshit

paige was hot and definitely took over toward the end of the second just scoring in every way and i loved it you can see how much more aggressive she is. 22 on 90% is crazy lmao like she's insane bro and only had to play 28 minutes i love it. the fouls and turnover...mmm girl and the missed ft on the and one

i love kaitlyn she's not afraid to go and hunt a shot and she's assisting well. wee need to keep the turnovers down but i like her balance offensively and her defense is solid

ICE ok miss girl!! i wasn't even mad when she took the jumper so proud of her. also that TO should've def been a usf foul but whatever. she played so well and smartly today andshe made her BUNNIES THANK YOU

BIG RAH!! she's so skilled and does fucking everything it's insane she reminds me so much of phee and she just hoop

ASH BUZZERRRR yeah my country queen she got going in the third fr that middy so pure. paige with her after the third i love them omg

the hook from jana oh my i love her so much thought she could've had more minutes and had some with ice but idk

MORGAN 3 love her sm and she be fighting for jump balls lol

kk getting blocked driving to the rim?? we're so back!! and after she made that layup?? lmao love her glad the ankle's good

i think these games where paige gets to sit the 4th are going to help us immensely not only getting paige rest but also giving the younger girls experience and seeing who works well together and without paige. there's definitely a drop off when p sits (duh she's the best in the country) but i think overall from what we've seen it's a lot better than the past seasons when she's getting rest esp when you have kaitlyn, ash and sarah out there

i thought morgan had a the best showing out of all the people fighting for time tonight

the fouls...yeah we need to work on that and and one free throws

the scoring was so balanced ugh i can't wait for azzi to be back bro

usf is so physical, but the girls handled it well. the defense was pretty good and paige took over when she had to like always. first road game at unc friday is where we're going to find out more about this team especially given that it'll be the first road game for like half of them. i'm looking forward to how the play but i'm a little traumatized from how they played at nc state last year ngl but i think we'll be more prepared

[princess-of-the-corner]

Any thoughts on how Mic & Aizawa got together in CC? Like, did they start dating in high school? After they graduated? Was there a painful pining phase that made all their friends want to kill them?

OH GOD SO LIKE

I hinted before that it was a poly thing with them and Oboro(who was probs the one who asked them out if Midnight didn't watch them all pining and smack them upside the head) and like.

They did get together in high school and that was mostly just some normal pining and such but also due to the Oboro situation that went sideways for a bit.

Oboro's death kinda. Hit them hard in different ways and swung between finding comfort in each other but more often than not it was just. A lot. For them to be with each other.

Mic is handling things.... decently. He's more bottling everything up and it /will/ come out one day but he's just kinda trying his best to move forward while Aizawa is kinda lost in grief. And that does kinda fuck them up because Mic is upset that Aizawa doesn't seem to be trying to make progress while Aizawa's in the 'how dare you try to move on' thing. (neither are right or wrong here but god do they need therapy)

They didn't explicitly break up, but they weren't exactly together anymore.

And then I'm like. I'm speedrunning Aizawa's character development so that a lot of it happened pre-Canon of him like. Coping by overcompensating. Pushing himself too hard. And eventually taking out his anger on people who aren't pushing themselves to the same unhealthy extent in the same unhealthy ways

Ms. Joke was kinda the first target in this, given her entire persona is about being goofy and all so when given close proximity... but she's also got thick skin and is a determined motherfucker and is like "I can fix him!" (baby girl please your taste in men is awful)

This continues for a while and even into Aizawa's first year as a UA teacher where he just starts randomly expelling any student he feels isn't extremely dedicated and taking it seriously. Which is, ultimately, all of his students within the first like month. Because they're dumbass 15 year olds who are mostly trauma-free ofc they're gonna good off and not buckle down and be serious all the goddamn time.

Nezu is like 'look I love some chaos as much as anyone else HOWEVER you need to get your shit together because I can't have you expelling literally all of your students. PLEASE get therapy!'.

Which does piss Aizawa off for a bit. Because he's heavily projecting. He lost someone. Any of them could die at any moment they need to take this seriously and prepare for it! They're here to be Heroes not have fun! Not taking things seriously will get them killed!

This does swing back around to Ms. Joke who does end up snapping at him of just like a 'god don't you get it? People have to have fun and goof off and be fuckin happy sometimes or else they're absolutely miserable and probably just want to die!'(she might like being silly and all but humor is /also/ a coping mechanism for her)

And it's.... yeah just her snapping and pointing that out does kinda. Hit. In having him realize that 'oh I'm very much Not Okay™'.

Which gets him to actually get his ass some therapy so he can help process the grief and the whole like. You're allowed to take a break, you're allowed to be happy and do things that aren't serious when you don't have to be on the job you don't have to be paranoid 24/7 that someone else you love is gonna fuckin drop.

After a bit of this he does meet up with Mic again to talk on just. Everything. Kind of apologize. Mic def hits his own breaking point here too. And they need to do a bit of work but GOD do they miss each other.

Slowly but surely they work on themselves and each other and by the time of CC they've gotten to the point where they're married now and while they still have some hiccups they're a hell of a lot better.

ofc we get the added 'oh hey your dead boyfriend is actually alive but was kidnapped, experimented on, given amnesia, and has been forced into villainy for the last 10+ years and for bonus points he's a dilf now' drama later

[littlebetesofeverything]

Welcome to Night Vale Ep 11

Okay, Tuesday was better than Monday I think. So let's get spooky and eerie.

Yes, butts can be creepy, especially when just that good on such a bad person.

I kinda want mauve air, I think the blue is starting to get stale imo

I've been doing a lot of the docs say to avoid, but I haven't got telekinesis yet TnT

Trust me, I am one of those that can inhale wheat and not die. I'm doing my part!

Oh good, the Apache has transformed into a Native American. Good for him, but I think he needs to check his language settings. Or find a construction man and police to hang around

I do NOT want to see a pus tornado...

I don't think you should describe summary execution as "mere", Cecil.

Oh great, I love that static, don't give me a heart attack like that man. Now this is the creepy I was looking for when I started

Don't tell me not to eat wheat! actually, maybe I can be gluten free for a little while...

That sounds like a lot of energy, and of course it is going to the football stadium. Makes me remember high school too much.

Hmmm, that corn doesn't sound half bad. Need to try that I think

Oof, even the wealthy gets a break in Night Vale.

Soul strength 4? please tell me more, Cecil. This sounds like Soul Eater reference but idk

Sorrow Songs Singalong, try saying that 5 times fast. Please don't drown people unless they are witches though.

See, I want to say babbling brook, but my heart says blood rushing through an electric drill

C'mon FEMA, you should stop by and have some fun.

Carlos! You were stammering and couldn't answer? please tell me has a crush. (also I was told the ship name is cecilos. Def better than carcil)

Emergency state? ohhh the wheat is still trying to kill people. That's a shame.

Always fall back on the answer "prophecy" when you get asked about being prepared. I'm doing that going forward.

Josie! Nice to hear from you! What could angels be wanting to watch? Bowling vs The West Wing, I got say bowling loses.

Noooo, I want wheat back, but maybe not the killing kind. I can't live without bread.

Community-minded sacrifice sounds a lot cooler than it was lol

Yes, I will always have the radio, thanks Cecil.

Cecil please tell me you can get out at any time, or have someone giving you food.

Now this was definitely on the creepier side, I loved it!

[antisocialite83]

One of my guilty pleasures is watching popular shows AFTER the popularity is all gone. For example, I’m watching #Scandal. Like, THE OLIVIA POPE(!!!) for the first time ever. Don’t get me wrong, I know the outline. However, since there are no such thing as #spoilers (my opinion bc I’ve never “heard” a description that EVER does a film justice), something always gets left out. I have to see the story unfold for myself. I like to fill in my own blanks.

THIS SHOW IS GOOD!!!!

Wow. #OliviaAndFitz are actually the least interesting thing happening on this show lol. There’s always some unbelievable actual scandal going on. So far, I’ve made it into the second season and jeez! It’s free smoke for everybody. They be reading each other for fiiiiiilth!!!(I especially HATE how condescending and downright mean #Cyrus is to James). Also, is Olivia Pope a republican!?! Cuz, what!? But not surprising.

So far I really like Olivia and Cyrus’ odd couple friendship. Huck and Olivia are better friends tho. I can tell their relationship is more intimate, less transactional. lol Even when they’re pissed with each other, they’re still fiercely loyal. I hope he gets to be with his family again. The callous way Charlie tried to break him(#752 🥹), I hope he die real slow. Somebody gon have to pop his ass. I can’t believe I’m only on season 2. Speaking of which, I’ve just gotten to where Eli Pope reveals himself to Cyrus. Olivia doesn’t know…yet. Looking forward to that. Most importantly, it seems like everybody run the White House EXCEPT the president. Specifically, #Mellie, Olivia, and Cyrus.

This is def not everything I’ve noticed/seen BUT I am getting sleepy, finally(!). My sleep’s been better these past couple of nights. I guess political dramas lull me 😂😂😂. I’m glad to have another insomnia treatment.

Oh yeah, Fitz is a immature DICK. Even tho I’m only on S2, something tells me that will be consistent throughout the series.

Finally have made it to season 6. Lemme just once again say, THIS IS A GOOD ASS SHOW!!!!

Also, every character needs therapy.

More importantly, can Lauren, the President’s secretary, PLEASE get some props. She the least corrupted person on the show.

First of all, so glad Olivia and Fitz did not get a happy ending. They didn’t deserve it. Cyrus really got what was coming to him and it was sad but also not really. Too much blood on his hands AND he’s a deadbeat/absentee father!!!! Like, he had no concern about Ella at all. Too busy scheming smh.

Abby is a dick. Lowkey, and now majorly highkey you can see how envious/resentful she is of Olivia. That can happen when you feel indebted to someone. Also, take Olivia off the pedestal lol cuz she def be fuxking up to. Fitz is painfully…MEDIOCRE. And also co-dependent. Like he can’t function without a women around men…managing him. I can’t believe how corrupt this firecr**ch ass bitch became. Also, tho if these the same people who have manage to (somewhat)muzzle Rowan, then I get it. The scary lady who’s name i don’t know, is the actress who plays the mom in #YoungSheldon lmao seeing Mary Cooper be a badass is sendiiiiing me 😂😂😂. “Ms. Majorie Ruland”, and ole boy really knew how to tap into Abby’s insecurities.

RIP HUCK!!!! 🥺😡🥺🥺 …..sike! That was a damn good plot twist. But my boy should stick to his guns. A lesson in trusting your instincts. Had Olivia not started questioning her most loyal friend, I don’t think this would’ve happen. But I knew that girl was a weirdo. And he did to. Of course tho, Olivia couldn’t see the forest for the trees. At least not when it comes to her father.

Season 7!!!!

Mellie is president! And a damn good one. Quinn and Charlie being badass vigilante murderers, who make a kid 🥹🥹🥹>>>>>. That damn Cyrus ain’t NEVA leaving the White House. He should have his own wing atp. Seeing Olivia become Eli is cray. She don’t even wear white anymore!!! But Noir Olivia does have much better hair. Lol. I’m so glad Abby is back in the also(it’s lowkey still fuck her tho). I feel like Olivia is gonna snap. And I’m so ready.

Curtis > Jake > Fitz.

Overall : 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[lost-boys-chapter]

I have successfully completed the twok reread!! got through the sanderlanche this afternoon. hoping to get through words of radiance before september as it's the last work month before many a school month meaning my free time is gonna plummet dramatically. anyway

I've not got a bunch to say about the end of this book, considering how much happens. I think most of what we actually learn in twok is resolved in the next few books. but of course who would I be without my rambles?

genuinely one of my favorite moments of this book was when kaladin went around the tower looking for someone in charge and when he couldn't find someone he just looked at one guy and went 'you're promoted.' my man does NOT have the authority and everyone knows it but they're just like. yeah sure why not. kaladin ily.

I do really feel for rlain at this point. not sure I ever really processed how shit his situation was when he revealed himself in (wor or ob?) cus by that point the carapace armor shit has passed but jesus fucking christ someone give that crab therapy. renarin I'm looking at u

KABSAL!! we've been knew by this point that I forgot about him but he was a ghostblood?? mind you not a very good one was he. that was a very cool reveal that I feel like. did actually hit harder in cool points the second time around.

think I'll def begin to enjoy dalinar's pov now again. he's so boring in twok I'm so sorry. but yeah

looking forward to shallan's pov chapters next book. I wasn't really paying attention to Team Scholar the first time around but knowing more of actually what's going on with them now they're like. crazy lore dropping left and right. I wanna see what I can glean from these two now I'm more invested in both their characters and their storylines.

I think wit is suspicious. but I love him. his epilogues are great. I fear his goals will be beyond all of our understanding until it's too late xxx

also the more I reread the more I buy into the city-shattering/continent shattering theory I've seen around. totally forgot about that vision that dalinar has where kholinar shatters. given it was the first one he had I suspect it might be an end-of-book event in kowt. but who knows Brandon's mind is unknowable!!

I've definitely been thinking a lot about the death rattles too. a couple of main thoughts:

does anyone else think the 'I hold the suckling child in my hands....and know that all who live wish me to let the blade slip....and with it gain us breath to draw' one leads into 'so the night will reign, for the choice of honor is life?' it definitely sounds like they're both referring to child champion theory. which I do hate as a theory but I see it.

I think the 'I'm standing over the body of a brother. I'm weeping. is that his blood or mine? what have we done?' one is usually agreed to be about gavilar but I think it's about kaladin and moash. I won't b elaborating.

also the 'I raise my hand. the storm responds' one could so be about dalinar if he becomes a fused. like he loses the battle but still retains some bondsmith powers and now uses them for ✨️evil✨️ or something. who knows.

anyway that's all for now, hopefully about 40% of it is coherent. will be reading the new preview chapters after work tonight or tomorrow but I'm hyped for them !!

[isa-the-great-and-powerful]

Some more notes on my first T4T experience. So, that weekend was an anime convention and like 2 days before it I got a Google photos reminder of when I went last year. I didn't even know it was coming up. I had just finished making 3 cosplays a couple months back for a different Convention. So I went ahead and bought the tickets for it.

These past couple years I haven't actually felt really confident in my cosplays, like for real. And this week was a week where I felt actually not too presentable nor passable. Maybe a monthly thing? Idk just yet. Also because I had a laser appointment scheduled like a couple days after and my facial hair was showing it was def time for that laser appointment. So, going into this not feeling great about my looks and also wearing cosplays that accentuate parts of my body I am not particularly fond of... I walk in and see someone I have met at past trans things before and we also met at the convention last year. Well, she was with a group of trans people and I immediately became friends with one of them. Later when her girlfriend showed up I realized I had met her before and that was fun. This is in my Spider Gwen cosplay that I actually feel sorta a little uncomfortable in for different reasons. Casually in conversation it comes out she is poly and her girlfriend talks about that a bit. I pay not much mind to it, it's just a fun conversation topic.

That night, a group of us go get tacos at a place. As a group of transfems, we talk about all sorts of things, but at some point it comes out that I am on the ace spectrum. I forget the context. But my joking self probably said something wasn't much the case since I am on the ace spectrum, in regards to something. I actually am funny though, so everyone especially my new friend (knew the others previously to that day) said I was funny at multiple times, or laughed at my jokes. (Mind you , I am a comedy queen, bow down to me) But nothing out of the ordinary for myself to pick up on. (Oh at the beginning of the day I add people on discord and they invite me to a transfem group that meets weekly)

Next day is my most confident cosplay, my Android 18, I think I actually look killer in it. But I still didn't feel 100% confident. Well I meet up with one friend again, and really only see new friend for like 3 minutes that whole day. When I get there I realize I forgot my badge and have to spend like $38 on a replacement.... Sorta pissed at that.I almost leave. I message new friend about this just as a friend sharing info thing. She isn't there yet. So, fast forward to like the whole day passing and me only seeing new friend for like 3 minutes it's super late, I go to leave and my tire has a screw in it. After a long struggle with things and finally getting someone to plug it miraculously, I drive home. Mind you, the Con is 30 minutes from my house. So I am nervous to even go the next day with the plug, despite the guy saying some people drive them forever and they stay good. So I almost don't even go that day. Well I decide to go after debating it, but since I bought a second pass I gave one to a friend to use so they could enjoy the last day of the con for "free". Well he enjoys con, I walk around with him a little. Then new friend shows up to con as a spectacular Spider Gwen. Like, stunning. She asks me if I want to go to a panel with her. I say bye to my other friend, and go with her. A group of trans watching a cosplay dance contest thingy is fun. Her girlfriend shows up to watch with us. I'm still thinking of new friend as a pretty friend and that's about it I think. But she might have complimented my cosplay or me or said I looked pretty or something. I was in my least confident cosplay, my Roxie Richter. It shows my pooch too much. But alas, calling friends pretty is pretty standard. So after that, I help take photos that are darling of her and her girlfriend doing couples photos for spider Gwen and her girlfriend. They really do glow. But new friend's old coworker is there also. He's super shy and stuff. We talk about art when waiting for new friend to take her makeup off to get photos with the spider mask on also. So that's another just simple friend interaction I have with someone. Now though, her girlfriend has to go for something she had scheduled.

Now, it's just her, me and her old coworker. We explore the con a bit. She actually starts to continue to call me pretty or cute and laughs at my jokes and calls me funny. I'm starting to see patterns of more than just friendly things... Like, sincere "you're pretty" with a look that can stop your heart. We all 3 go to get Taco Bell. The coworker joins us because he has no ride yet and I actually had to move my bed in my car around to get a 3rd seat to work. I was going to just drive them both home but obviously we got Taco Bell first. well that shopping center had a bookstore also. He says he can just wait for his brother to pick him up there. New friend says she'd like to go there sometime. But .. in that kind of way that suggests she might want to walk around it right now. I ask her if she'd actually like to go there also, we can all go there. We walk around looking at things. She gets excited about two books and then looks sad because she can't afford them right now. It breaks my heart a little. I let her choose one and buy it for her. It makes my day to let her get it. During the Taco Bell/bookstore trip though, casual flirting continues to ramp up to the point I feel bad for the shy coworker that is with us. Well, he parts with us because he'll be picked up there soon. So it's just new friend and myself, alone now. We decide to go to the PetSmart right next door. She at one point looks at the dog collars a little too long for someone without a dog. My rizz kicks in and I comment something along the lines of its a good color for her or something, who knows? Well, a few blushing moments later we are in a part of the store near the lizards and whatever happened you can see she really wants to lean in and kiss me right there. My heart was pounding. Well after a few of those moments, we leave and go to my car.

Not gonna lie, we were both feeling the tension strongly at that point. Sitting in the parking lot still during a conversation she says she'd really like to kiss me right now and asks if that's alright. I agree with her assessment on the situation. She then says I'll need to come over there to do it. So here I am in an outlet mall parking lot leaning across my car's center divider thing kissing a girl, both of us in cosplays... And I am only now just thinking about how that could have been seen by anyone. So obviously my mind was only thinking about one thing at that point. Well... This revs both our engines up enough to make a request to take this elsewhere if you catch my drift. We first go to a park with lots of hand holding and tongues in each other's mouths. Then we figure out a place to go. (I'll let that be a different post if I ever do write it, no sense in spilling all the beans to y'all)

[wisteria-tarot]

Could you do a reading on Alexander Isak Newcastle United player? Personality (in a relationship with girlfriend/spouse), his future spouse (career, personality, foreign- from his home African country or elsewhere?)

Disclaimer: This reading is only for entertainment. Take it with a grain of salt. These are my personal interpretations of the cards with a sprinkle of intuition. Tarot is not set in stone it is not the end all be all of someones life.

What is his personality like when he's in a relationship?

9 of wands (rx), the devil (rx), 4 of pentacles, 7 of cups, 9 of pentacles (rx), 5 of pentacles (rx), 5 of wands (rx), 4 of swords:

He’s clingy, might be insecure and probably overthinks everything. He’ll latch on, and while that can feel flattering at first, eventually you’ll realize it’s more about his own need for validation than connection. He does have commitment issues, always fantasizing about what else is out there, and has a ton of emotional baggage. He might be possessive and controlling. While it can be said that he is trying his best to break free of toxic patterns, it’s a bit of a work in progress. Expect him to retreat into his own world when things get too real, and maybe even avoid conflicts until they boil over. He’s definitely not the smoothest when it comes to communication, and if you’re not careful, it could feel like walking on eggshells.

What will he be like when he gets married?

3 of cups (rx), 7 of pentacles, ace of cups, ace of wands (rx), king of cups, 10 of cups, king of pentacles (rx), 3 of wands:

When he gets married, he’s going to be emotionally invested, but not without some challenges. On one hand, he’ll work hard to build a solid future, and he’ll want a stable and loving home life. He’ll be emotionally mature, be a solid provider, and want to make the relationship work. However, there will be times when the excitement and the financial stability may waver. He might feel a bit uninspired or face some stress about the material side of things, other than that, he’ll be a good partner, focused on building a lasting, loving connection. Expect him to look to the future and be someone who’s committed to working toward a long-term vision with his spouse, but there might be some struggles with keeping the balance in other areas. His marriage will likely be filled with love, but he might need to make a conscious effort to keep the passion alive and stay grounded financially. He’ll likely value family and emotional connection above all.

What is the career of his future spouse?

justice, the tower (rx), the world, the lovers (rx), the fool, the hanged man, strength (rx), queen of swords:

They’ll likely have a career all about justice, ethics, and accountability. They’ve probably gone through some crazy career shifts, and they might have a turbulent relationship with coworkers or work partners. They’ll probably do big things reaching a point of some kind of recognition. Expect them to take risks, follow unconventional paths, and reinvent themselves. But, when they’re burned out or feel weakened, they’ll need their space to recharge. I see them most likely having a quick tongue.

What is the personality of his future spouse?

3 of wands (rx), 6 of swords (rx), 9 of swords, the hierophant, the hermit, knight of wands (rx), the fool (rx), queen of wands:

On one hand, they’re a bit of a worrier and can get stuck in the past, so they may come off as anxious and constantly running from one drama to the next. They’re not always forward-thinking or ready to take risks in their personal life, so there’s a little hesitation in them. They might even be reluctant to take that leap into new things or new commitments. But this person has depth. They might seem quiet or even detached at times, but they have a strong sense of tradition and loyalty that makes them a rock in relationships. They want a stable personal life. They’re got a magnetic personality, even if they don’t always show it. When they let loose, they’ll definitely be the one lighting up the room, full of confidence, passion, and a little drama thrown in for fun.

Is she a foreigner or will she from his home country?

king of wands, page of cups, 8 of pentacles (rx), the star, 4 of cups, the devil, 9 of wands, 8 of swords, the hierophant:

She might be a foreigner, or someone who feels a bit out of place even if she’s from her country.

[criphd]

phd books of 2024 :

i answered an ask on my other account about dnfs from 2024 and in it i ended up including a bunch of phd stuff which made me wanna write a full list of what i read this yr as well as what i dnfed !

4 short stories by women published in clarion & labour leader: mary's lover, a bit of tragedy, a shop girl and a mystery - whenever i start to engage w socialist women's writing, especially after having read some lit crit on their work im always surprised bc i feel like the life-fullness of them is not articulated at all.... these were pretty interesting & sometimes politically complex!! looking forward to reading more

the first men in the moon by h.g wells - a sci fi novel that is a bit socialist - mostly read this bc i was thinking about what a general sense of 'socialist fiction' might be at the turn of the century

shirley by charlotte bronte - this doesnt really count lol but it is interested in the novel, class struggle, politics & form & luddites even if it is extremely tory lol (but also.... shirley could be a dyke?!)

the story of an african farm by olive schreiner - a rly foundational text/ writer for a lot of utopian socialists so good to have read it, there are parts that are a slog & i dont think i could ever call this feminist, but certainly an interesting novel

the story of a modern woman by ella hepworth dixon - kinda a nightmare but again an interesting novel abt women's roles / work / solidarity / (fraught!!) connection between women of different classes. not totally within my purview bc it isnt socialist but it was serialised in the 1890s so thats somewhat why i picked it up.

aimée furniss, scholar by katharine st john conway - gayest victorian novel i've read in a while, and considering i did read shirley this yr thats saying something ! its not a very good novella tho lol, but it is very explicitly about christian socialism and lke hintonian sexual ethics [so sort of abt free love without being too deep or too radical)

dnfs for now

the poetry of chartism : aesthetics, politics, history by mike sanders - i loved this sm !! but i only read the first two chapters & the intro ofc bc its not directly relevant to my phd but i wanted to read it for the methodology used regarding columns in periodicals. i would love love to come back to this bc its fascinating and rly clever.

the victorian press and the fairytale by caroline sumpter - i read one chapter in this that was rly relevant to my work but the rest is less so, but if i have some space & spoons for it i might return to check into the other stuff

the making of british socialism by mark bevir i also read a few chunks from [maybe two chapters overall? i cant remember]

new women, new novels by ann ardis - i started looking at this bc i was thinking about my critique of the category of 'new woman novel' / 'new woman' but i didnt have time to read all of it now - but will def return when im writing an intro / thinking about contextualising socialist women in their literary landscape

inventions of the present : the novel in its crisis of globalization by frederic jameson - i just like was reading too much to rly get to it.... also not sure id read this all anyway but i thought it sounded interesting and there are some sections that might be better than others

dnfs forever

victorian narrative painting by julia thomas – fine, just not something to bother finishing tbh

im literally still reading / refuse to actually dnf for now the hannam and hunt book socialist women and hunt's solo book equivocal feminists bc i just feel like at any moment i might pick these up and read some more of them lol but that hasnt happened for a wHIle now.

anyway there you go :)

[m1ckeyb3rry]

The amount of scrolling I had to do just to get the bottom of MY OWN ASK LMAOO

My face after reading that first paragraph after having written an essay with yuki thoughts even though it’s not really a request in the same way LMAOO I definitely trust you more with direction than I trust myself so hopefully something in there helps spark something!! LMAOO ok I will keep that in mind going forward I wasn’t sure how stumped you were but definitely very good to know now HAHAHA

I remember always looking at this one accounts YouTube videos and they were usually like no more than a minute long and usually detailed the breeding plus mass feeding of the dragon (the dude had like 100 billion treats I swear) I definitely started using guides after that…especially for events!! Like where you get some special event currency and cash them out for a dragon in shop I’d look up all the evolutions and see what looks best before I picked LMAO you know what my biggest betrayal is…the galaxy dragons…like the eggs are so pretty and in concept the galaxy theme was so nice but why were the most of the dragons so. UGLY????? Like really giant blocky heads or odd proportions please I just wanted a pretty galaxy dragon </3

I always laugh at your responses “haha…girl you’re so funny..” sends me LMAOAOA so true though bro just had to smile and wave

TRIO???? This just keeps getting better and better but SHHSS THE “spoiler: not well” also sends me your responses are just as entertaining to read as your actual pieces LMFAO I cannot wait….im like more excited to read this than whatever’s going on in the actual PxG match right now (if they give Karasu some action I’ll get more hyped though)

Great minds think alike hehe but I saw that note about the ooc concern and I honestly think you did his canon character more justice than a good majority of fics out there HSJSHS Like maybe ooc in terms of fanon sae LMAO (sometimes I feel brainwashed by the fanon and I’m like wait a minute…so I mean I guess in terms of fanon fboy sae it’s ooc but that cancels out and makes him more canon compliant LOL)

100K WORDS IN A MONTH IS INSANE OMG stop I’m going to go read it now it’s binge reading hour…and sometimes atp I’m like is what geges writing right now even canon either LMAO I’m def gonna revisit that post of yours too to see what you meant I remember reading it in passing and being like I have NO idea what this means but I’m sure it’s right LMFAOAO

SHDSHS I HOPE IT ACTUALLY HELPED YOU SOMEHOW BECAUSE I LOWK DONT KNOW WHAT I WAS WRITING HAHAHA also feel free to take the ideas and mesh them however you see fit or don’t use them at all if you’re not feeling the vibe LOL I think I’d classify these more of just brainstorm thoughts as opposed to a request or anything else so just have at it LMAOAOA I’m always up for a good brainstorm session (whether any good ideas come out of it is a different story LOL)

Wait you’re so right I didn’t even register the tabieitaken order but now that I think about it it also fits their top 6 ranking order?? Our man Karasu #3 >>>>> (sometimes I forget Shidou exists and think he’s #2 but whatever ) no because any miscommunication or drama trope would DIE with yuki he’s just too mature and socially adept like I bet he has no problems communicating at all like…actually reading the Bible kinda poured some water over my head though because I’m wondering if maybe he’s more selfish than he leads on?? I guess we see it in his confrontation with Isagi in BM but apparently his shortcomings (I think) are like “idgaf about other people’s lives” LMAOO but I mean that doesn’t change the fact that he’s probably the most emotionally/socially mature still….I mean peak eye condition time is always good for angst I feel since that’s probably when his emotions are all over and he’s probably not at peak mental condition!! But yk!! Anyways LOL

BEST FRIENDS BROTHER FROM VICTORIOUS???? SHUT UP I LOVED THAT SHOW HAHAHAH The songs from that show are still some karaoke go-tos for me and my friends to this day!! I also get sm inspiration from tiktok too the stuff on there is too funny sometimes… but um!!! If you feel inclined to do so!!! You should definitely add those onto a to write list!! Definitely NOT because I’m dying to read what would come out of them….definitely not…just a passing thought!!! Haha!! (Really only if you feel inclined since your lineup is LONG LMAO) But anyways that’s actually genius honestly I love seeing family dynamics in fics…I’ve definitely seen a couple ones where it’s like Y/n is otoya’s sister who gets with Karasu which I found was an interesting take but being bffs with their sisters is a whole different story…I feel like that avenue is a bit more interesting also because like, well their siblings are already sorta established?? Like having y/n be one of them feels ever so slightly off to me (no shade to those writes though!! Still fun to read from time to time)

I guess I shouldn’t be but I was kinda surprised to see all the only children in bllk I mean well statistically they aren’t that overpowering?? But what the combo of Nagi Reo Isagi Bachira yuki hiori shidou somehow always stuck out to me….I mean some characters the only child is kinda important like how Bachira is lonely and Nagi has neglect issues but I think itd be interesting to consider what’d happen if they had siblings! Idk siblings also spice up the dynamic and I love just looking into character lore and background and siblings are just a fun little bonus LOL

-Karasu anon

HAHA NOOO omg i love reading your thoughts and essays!! your requests are always fun because they set up the groundwork of what needs to happen and then i can expand on that in my own way…truly a teamwork makes the dream work scenario 🤩

HELPP I WAS LURKING ON THE FORUMS i forget there was a guy on youtube who i used to watch as well LMAOO it was probs the same one ngl…and yeah the galaxy dragons were so disappointing 😔 the theory was showstopping jawdropping gorgeous but then they hatched and were just kinda awk looking 💔 i do remember one of them had a rlly pretty pale yellow and lavenderish blue color scheme but that was the only redeeming quality it had and the others didn’t even have that much 😭

bro the pxg match chapters are just too short i feel like nothing has been going on but i know it’ll be so fun to read all at once!! me personally though i only release chapters if they’re over 5k words so you’ll always be in for a bit of reading whenever hollyhock updates 😏 hehe besides otoya x y/n there’s so many relationships that i can’t wait to write and so many characters w more layers than you expect at first glance!! NOBODY IS SAFE 😈

100% i think every time i’ve thought i’ve written a character ooc it’s just been me being so accustomed to their fanon selves that sticking close to canon feels odd almost?? the same thing happened w kaiser in the instrument rin in cherry tree and even nagi in peregrine…but every time people say that i wrote them super in character so i think it’s just a me thing 😭 plus canon and fanon being so diff

OMG KEEP ME POSTED ON YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU READ!! i think pomegranate ink will be more reflective of how hollyhock is going to go in the sense that it’s more in depth and lore heavy than my one shots, plus it incorporates original characters and ideas which i tend to do in my long fics but not as much in shorter things!! i hope you like it hehehe yuta and y/n’s relationship in that is so important to me…like truly i will never stop thinking abt them

BRAINSTORMING FTW!! for sure i def will draw from your ideas if/when i get around to writing him 🫡 YES karasu on top as always (as he should be) him being number three in bllk always gets me like omg wdym you’re number THREE like the world 5 and ego thought you were that good 🤩😍🤤⁉️ also if you think abt it he’s the highest ranked one of the people who didn’t score on the world 5 which is sooooo 🤭🙂‍↕️ WHAT A MAN!!

i agree yuki’s egoist bible entry is kinda conflicting to me?? because in some questions he seems like super sweet and such a family guy but in others it’s like “yeah idc abt other people’s lives” HELLO?? i’m going to assume he means like randoms though which is honestly fair in a way. maybe he’s secretly the true kitty cat of tabieitaken…only sweet to those he cares abt and neutral on the rest!! he’s def the best communicator though HAHA like the miscommunication trope isn’t flying w him at all and honestly he has such a generally kind demeanor that having a rude mc (like fwtkac reader and her bff) would just feel excessive 😭 he might work better w someone who has a personality like freaky friday y/n or even y/n from seabird/the instrument?? generally pretty benign and almost oblivious at times but not afraid to put people in their place when needed

YESSS FROM VICTORIOUS!! haha i must confess i never watched it but i love sooo many songs from it (best friend’s brother and take a hint are the ones i can think of atm) and as soon as i heard best friend’s brother earlier i was like FIC ALERT 🚨 honestly don’t be surprised if i post those next LMAOAAO i’m so bad at being disciplined and just doing my requests…it doesn’t help that everyone who’s requested is so sweet and completely okay w waiting 😭💖 i think brother’s best friend is a super explored trope especially in bllk because we don’t really see any of the sisters (besides chigiri’s but she’s much older) in the main manga!! i’ve seen it a lot where y/n is reo’s younger sister and ends up w nagi too, and for sure i’ve seen a couple where y/n is otoya’s younger sister and ended up w karasu HAHA. i do think it’s fun to see a reader who takes up a canon character’s mantle in that way every now and again but i like to deviate from the mold myself and i just think best friend’s brother has sm potential w tabieita specifically!! like it’s almost an angsty character study w karasu whereas it’s more of a cliche romance novel type of thing w otoya

okay wait going off of the earlier point i think another thing is a lot of reader inserts i’ve seen have this tendency to shy away from having female characters in them — the exception is if they’re MAJOR parts of canon and kind of unavoidable, but there’s def a trend where like any female side characters are treated w disdain almost?? maybe i’m just jaded as someone who likes to write w an extensive female side cast and has received annoyed comments abt it on w*ttp*d LMAOAOA but that could be another reason why people go for the brother’s best friend trope instead of the best friend’s brother trope 🤔

i think the diff characters who do and don’t have siblings for the most part make sense to me!! i will say isagi lowkey has younger sibling energy though…i always forget he’s an only child he feels like he should have an older sister LMAO and kunigami being a middle child instead of an eldest did throw me off at first but it grew on me!! OTOYA as a middle child though i’m still stunned by that he does not have those vibes 😭 and karasu at first was kinda giving older sibling (maybe because of how he is w hiori) but tbh he’s a particular brand of shithead that only a younger sibling could ever be plus him having an older sister does fit so it’s again it’s grown on me. SHIDOU BEING AN ONLY CHILD IS SOOO REAL THOUGH because if i was his mother and i gave birth to HIM i’d not dare to try again 😩

[boyfhee]

realised that i didnt reply to the latest ask you have answered ;-; hope medicine isn't treating you hard but if you work hard and think it is going to go good, that should be enough. don't take too much stress sweetheart <3 wow a neurosurgeon needs a lot of strength and patience, as the tools for brain have not been discovered yet, it is quite hard, brain surgeries and becoming a doctor for it — i respect you for that. ( imagine five years from now, i become engineer and cry about jay too 😭 we sit on the same boat sweetheart!! )

but yup yup, you are right, once classes start they will teach but if i were ready beforehand , it would be easier for me hehe, so i asked my mom what to study, she recommended to study c language + she said she would teach me + i never knew my mom specialised in c language 🥲 but i will try my best in learning from my mom and the internet

no for real, last year we had out lab practicals written too, during dusheera holidays, i put flicker, bills and chaconne on repeat <33 please help, i knew chaconne would make it well, i still can't understand how people can judge a 10 second music clip without hearing the whole song like dude?? listen first, judge later!!!

haha, waiting for season 3 patiently and beusoir is so cute and your discord name is much cuter :( wow, but i dont have discord so ill give you my instagram when i feel like it :p (because i havent created one yet for my future tumblr friends 🥲) noo because you always expect the unexpected hehe… but i was your fan, true fan <333 love you sweetheart :)

— lover club anon <33 congrats on 5k again

love, i have two of your asks unanswered i'm the worse one between the two of us :/ neuro is acc really interesting because wow!!!! live surgeries :D u def can't perform a heart surgery while keeping someone up ( although i think patients are awake during stenting :O ) but i wanna do cardio more because i remember stuff about heart and thorax easily .. idk u ask me nature of twelve cranial nerves and i'll fumble but ask me one thing about heart i'd be lore dropping TT

RIGHT five years later i'll text u on insta ab someone from enhypen enlisting and we'll be crying and next sec i'll be like oh shit gotta go someone in the er burst an artery ? 😭 or you'll be writing the best of the codes like mhm yeah jay is enlisting— why isn't this code working 😭😭😭😭 struggles bruh

omg c++ ?? i didn't know it was still in use so i never mentioned it but i think it might be necessary .. who knows :O but ur mum knowing coding is so cool, i hope u have a fun time learning ^^ let me know how it goes, feel free to drop some info here to feel smart while i stare blankly and take notes :>

prdx always helps me concentrate on physics idk why 😭 i wrote my phy practicals and practiced the mocks to that song TT also yeah, i get u might have fav tracks js from snippets but still!!! i remember when memorabilia dropped, everyone who didn't like teeth that much was bashed on ?? like playfully, most of the time, but some of them were really mad like cmon aren't i supposed to choose my fav song lmfao

take your time with the accounts, i'll be looking forward to following you on insta as well ^_^ and it's completely fine if you don't have disc, it's not like we have to be in touch everywhere :"> love u too, bby mwah