#so thankful that it never came to that

[innerchorus]

Arslan Senki Chapter 130 (Part 1)

You know, I'm starting to get so nervous for these that the last ten minutes before the chapter comes out are a really unpleasant experience!

Arakawa reminding us of Innocentis's presence in this scene by having Hilmes's disarmed sword land between his legs... There's a reason for this (I already know it, but for readers who don't it's a good choice not to let us forget he's there).

Then we move to a flashback montage of sword training scenes for Arslan, some old and familiar (with Vahriz and Daryun) and some new (with Gieve in Gilan, and I'd have to check but I wonder whether that was mentioned as one of the ways Arslan passed his downtime there?).

Funnily enough, I did look back through Arslan's training scenes before to see if there was any sign of the move he pulled on Hilmes AND HERE IT IS; Narsus's approach to swordplay put into practise by Gieve. Basics, practice, application; all the components that Arslan drew on to help him defeat Hilmes. Yes, there was an element of luck in that Hilmes's mental state was so shaken, but not only did Arslan take advantage of that, behind it lay months of diligence in training.

Arslan's dialogue really shows that now Hilmes has been defeated, he has no clear way to deny Arslan's victory and therefore his right to the throne, and at this point I really just wanted to see his face but instead we backtrack a little more to Narsus and Gieve on their way through the waterways...

I think I uttered my first "holy fuck" of the chapter here?

GIEVE WAS LITERALLY READY TO HEADSHOT HILMES FROM A DISTANCE IF ARSLAN LOST, BECAUSE HE REFUSES TO ALLOW HIM TO BE KILLED.

(Never have I been more glad that Hilmes lost. For the record, Narsus did NOT try to stop Gieve, lmao. I imagine, though, that they will keep this agreement between themselves.)

(Also, things coming full circle etc etc with Gieve in a high place on Ecbatana's walls drawing a bow to protect Arslan versus his mercy killing of Shapur)

Anyway, Gieve lowers his bow when Hilmes stands there defeated and ZANDEH CRIES OUT HILMES'S NAME after seeing Hilmes stood there weaponless with Arslan's sword levelled at him (help me I love Team Hilmes so much it's really hard to be coherent right now but I love this moment and what happens next)

It really feels like Daryun just becomes an obstacle to Zandeh; nothing more than something standing in his way on his path to Hilmes's side. Duel be damned, he just wants to get to his Prince at all costs. Yes, I know he swings his weapon at him but Daryun is literally standing between him and Hilmes and in that moment I think it's clear that Hilmes matters more to him than revenge.

And he gets to Hilmes's side after having his mace swept away by Daryun and sustaining a wound to his wrist and honestly I'm sure Daryun could have killed him there and then but he lets him go to Hilmes... another thing to be thankful for

I'M FUCKING CRYING ZANDEH YOU GOOD BOY, look how he puts himself between Arslan and Hilmes without a thought, without a weapon in his hand, ready to protect him at all costs. He would die for Hilmes if need be (really hope I'm not tempting fate by saying that)

Sam asking for mercy because of course he would! If I remember rightly, in the novels he orders their men to put down their swords to prevent further pointless bloodshed. What's Hilmes thinking right now? In all likelihood he's as numb as his sword arm, but I hope he understands that both Zandeh and Sam value his life this much.

I can't zoom in on this any more but...

Zandeh's protective posture 👌

Sam kneeling to beseech Arslan that Hilmes be spared 👌

Both of them positioning themselves in front of Hilmes, between him and Arslan 👌

THANK YOU ARSLAN but surely none of those who know him were actually thinking he'd kill Hilmes.

Arslan: "He can live. But I'm not gonna forget about his crimes." That's fair.

MY BOY ZANDEH KNEELING TOO. He's giving thanks! I really think he must have been worried that Hilmes might not be spared; he looks so taken aback by this suggestion. Or perhaps it's also the fact that they're apparently not going to be restrained and imprisoned? Though I'm sure that room will be under guard.

What if Team Zahhak were to kidnap Hilmes from that room? Team Hilmes can't get out, but snakes can get in... But with a change that was made later in this chapter, I'm now considering that maybe it's not Hilmes who is in line to be a vessel for Zahhak? Or at least, there's another option.

Okay this marks the halfway point of the chapter so I'm just gonna post this part and then write up some thoughts on the rest.

[bacchuschucklefuck]

they licensed his ass

my finished piece of the FWMS (official name definitely 100%) thing we started a few days ago! I had fun I hope folks had and/or continue to have fun with the sketch as well.

[aunmenosheteroenespanol]

2.12 Chimney Begins - 2.09 Hen Begins - 2.16 Bobby Begins Again - 7.04 Buck, Bothered and Bewildered

Tommy's family arc

[endermagpieart]

What do you mean I’m a bit late for Janus’ big day? Of course not, how could you say such a thing! I definitely didn’t forget all about it in my absence and only get reminded in the incorrect quotes video live chat; that’s not like me at all ;]

Anyways I decided to dress our sassy snake in some different outfits I think he’d like. He seems like the type to get all dolled up on his birthday and it goes with Thomas posting pics in outfits inspired by the sides on their appreciation days!

@thatsthat24

[comfort-character-central]

Your f/o would never make you feel bad about your intelligence or the way your mind works. Even if you have a hard time understanding or processing, they'll never see you as dumb, stupid, or anything of that sort. They support you completely and the last thing they want is for you to feel insecure about it.

[steeltwigz]

marshmallow, are you seein this shit?

[2aceofspades]

Ohh #25 leo and raph :0

I love these things hehe

25.) "I know you have no reason to trust me. But please... I'm asking you to anyway."

TW: Eye Strain/Bright Colors, Blood/Injury

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Thank you for your submission! 🙌🙌

(:

[unriding]

me n moze say good morning to the world !!! ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ

art by @rabbbitseason of course <3

[sapphickitii]

do yall ever think abt thalassa giving trucy her bracelet. because i think abt thalassa giving trucy her bracelet

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

In Stars and Disco

(Disco side of the swap)

[gunsatthaphan]

🫡🫡🫡

[bookshelfdreams]

look at my new wheel

She was technically a christmas gift but for various reasons I couldn't pick her up until today. She's an antique; I have no idea how old she is, but I would be very surprised if it is under a hundred years. She is clearly handmade, and was almost intact! My father found her for me.

He had a friend of his make a new leg and new distaffs. I love how he made sure everything matches precisely.

She was clearly well-used by her previous owners. Look at that wear! She has some woodwork too but honestly that adds to the charm.

All the little details! Someone clearly put a lot of love and effort into making this wheel. She used to be painted as well, but unfortunately, there are only traces of that left.

She came with two spools and one still has a bit of yarn on it! There's a little bits of fibre still stuck on the flyer, too.

And she spins! There is a bit of a learning curve, my ankles miss the ball bearing, and as you can see, I'm having trouble getting enough twist into the yarn (I should probably have started out with an easier fibre than this merino/linen blend, too).

I love her, though. I bet she's so excited to do her job again <3

[mazken]

brush test slash rendering practice with ayem

[lady-raziel]

hilarious that with each new day that passes a new bit of dirt from JD Vance's past gets discovered and plastered over the internet...it's almost as if this is why presidential campaigns have always announced their running mates well before the convention...so that if glaring issues with a candidate came to light quickly there would be time to replace them on the ticket before they were officially locked in...it's almost as if certain things in political campaigns were done for a reason, donald...because the very same critical failures had happened before...but no i'm sure you and your guys attempt to recreate a fantasy version of history while ignoring all the reasons that history was a disaster will work this time...because you are built different and the 10000th time trying fascism will work like a charm...

[egophiliac]

here's the Meleanor chibi speedrun! upfront warning for some flickering and/or flashing throughout from all the sped-up zooming/layer changes.

it turns out I only really recorded up to when I exported the PSD for the first time, so I went back and recorded a bit more to at least show a little of the reworked cape breakdown and background. and then bounced her rig around so you can see a bit of it too! the parts I'm not too embarrassed to show, anyway

even sped up it's still like 47 minutes (s-she took a really long time to make okay), so there are timestamps/chapters in the description if you click through! I certainly don't expect anyone to sit and watch it through, but maybe it'll be interesting to skip around in?

[not-so-superheroine]