#speaking of i want to do something with dragon r

[darkartistyt]

layherzen au backstory (details subject to change)

pretty much the whole backstory of folsense is rewritten. the town came under attack by vampires (vampires are real in this au), and a great number of people died as a result. some were killed by the vampires themselves, others after being turned

sophia was attacked by a vampire, and while anton was close enough to hear her screams and rush over to try to help, he was too late to save her from dying. he tried to attack the vampire and ended up getting bitten pretty badly, so much so that the other people who tried to help worried that he would die. he barely managed to hang on by a thread

knowing that he would likely be murdered on sight if he were to leave the castle, he stayed safe at home and simply watched as the town quickly became smaller and smaller, either from people dying or from people fleeing. eventually, any vampires who didn't chase the townsfolk down moved on, leaving him alone

most of the events of pb remains the same until luke and hersh meet anton for the first time. he doesn't hide the fact that he's a vampire; both of them at one point notice his fangs. because vampires are real in this au, it doesn't come as that unbelievable to hershel, and he grows wary of anton's intentions behind letting them stay the night

things continue canon compliantly until right before the fight scene due to the obvious: katia isn't there. this of course means that the fight is not prompted, so anton instead simply continues his scare act, threatening one last time to kill and eat them both. hershel starts protecting luke, saying that he wont let anton hurt him, which takes the vampire by surprise. hes never had someone refuse to leave before. not to mention there's something about hershel's determination that anton finds respectable at the very least. still, he keeps up the act and leaves for a moment, giving them one last chance to flee, although part of him knows they are not going to take it

while hershel does still wish to figure out the truth behind the elysian box, there's also something about anton that he cant help but feel drawn towards. on one hand, he's definitely afraid of him; the man kidnapped him (poorly, but still) and threatened to kill him and luke! even if he was bluffing, his attempts to frighten them both still worked. on the other hand, hershel cannot help but want to know more about the man, and he cannot figure out why. perhaps it was simply his connection to the elysian box. perhaps it was the mystery surrounding his being a vampire. or perhaps it was more personal than that. after all, even from first seeing him, hershel had thought he was quite pretty, something which his voice and demeanour only added onto. and though it scared him, waking up tied up with anton leaning over him calling him "feisty", seeming more than ready to sink his fangs into him... but that cant be right, can it? if all this means what he thinks it means, surely those would have been aspects of himself he would have discovered by now. he's nearly fourty, for crying out loud, and never in his life had he felt this way that quickly, nor towards another man, nor in that kind of context! there must be something weird going on that hes just not fully aware of yet

and to say anton wasnt feeling confliction of his own would be to lie. part of him still wants to drive the two away as he had done to countless other trespassers, and yet there was something special about hershel. the man was determined, brave, protective; he didnt run away or try to fight when anton revealed he was a vampire, even maintaining his politeness; and admittedly, the loneliness had been taking its tole on him for quite some time. decades, in fact. he wants to believe that was the only reason why an ever growing side of him wishes to keep hershel around, but something in the back of his mind practically demanded that there were other factors at play here, that he isn't just desperate and instead actually admires hershel at least a little

it is at around this point that id want the front-story to begin if i were to ever turn this into something. my ideas for the general themes are as follows:

the beginning includes a lot of self discovery, mainly on hershels end. hes realising shit about himself that he feels like he should have figured out years ago and, if anything, is a bit ashamed of, especially once anton bites and turns him out of desperation to get him to stay

luke wants to help hershel, but he practically demands he leave just in case. luke eventually complies and rushes out of the castle. he goes to find chelmey and tell him what happened. idk what id do with that but it is a conflict that exists

yeah this part is basically just a rewrite of that one fic i wrote

while hershel and anton stick together, things go from awkward to normal and great and awesome to... "codependent in a spicy way" is the most appropriate way i can put it. its very much a thing where if youre uncomfortable with the very specific elements of their fucked up relationship youre not gonna like what i have to say about them. thats part of where my hesitance lies. i wont go into detail, you get the hint (i hope...)

its a fairly slow burn tho, so slowly in fact that neither of them realise how bad things are getting even when theyre in the thick of it. gives me the chance to play around more with unreliable narration

chances are, this is just going to be an au that i keep rotating in my brain instead of sculpting into something for others to enjoy, but i wanted to get my thoughts down in case it was interesting to people. itll definitely be more mature than what i usually make, but part of me does want to write a longfic. whatever i decide to do will depend on future me's comfort levels

[povofjustme]

The Queen of Death

Part (1/?)

Fandom- House of the Dragons

Being Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys first born, your farther heir

Your were the most sweet and kindest child and that stayed with your until you were a maiden

But you never forget that you are Princess Rhaenys (the queen who was never) is your mother, your leaned many things over the years from her

You were a year younger that Rhaenyra and your grow up together

You both even claimed your dragon (Vermithor) at the same time as each other

Your were best friends and told each other everything

Even your little crush on one of the king’s guards Harwin Strong

You thought nothing would never changed your friendship

Even when she married your younger brother Leanor Velaryon’s and your marrying your first love Harwin

but your were mistaken when your was hold little baby Jacaerys

Your were heart broken when you was holding the babe in your arms

-Over the years your knew that Rhaenyra and Leanor marriage wasn’t perfect but she told you they have arrangement

But she never told you it was with your fucking husband

“I guess the little babe has more Arryn then targaryen”

That was the last thing you said before going mute

Your never felt so betrayed

Your husband, your best friend and your brother

Your cried in your mothers are for days and still hasn’t said a word, Rhaenys was heartbroken

She couldn’t done nothing but hold you

If Rhaenys was the ask the king for annulment the king would say no, just to keep Rhaenyra safe from the rumors

“Cousin you can not be that stupid” r

“Rhaenys watch yourself, we are family but am still king” v

“REALLY want to talk about family, Rhaenyra should learn the meaning of family!”

So her daughter had to stay in the marriage, but she would do everything to keep her first safe

Corlys was furious, there are no word to explain

He wants to pack up his daughter things and move her back to Driftmarks

But Harwin wouldn’t let it happen, after the birth of Jacaerys your wouldn’t speak a word to him

“She is my wife and she will not be going anywhere!”

He would try to grab your had and you would pull away

Ask you to had dinner with him and only meet with no response

Try to get physical and say ..

“I think is time for a baby” h

“….” Y/n walk out the room

And when your move out of your shard quarters together, he know he had lost you

Rhaenyra would do anything to get you back

She would try to have you break her fast with her in the morning - your mother would shut it down in a heartbeat

Tried having you go on walks in the garden with her and Jace but would find you with Queen Alicent children instead

Tried flying with you but be Vermithor would have Rhaenyra lost in the clouds and lost site of you

Even tried summoning you to dinner and sit right next to her, she would talk and talk to try to get something out of you

Even tried telling that Harwin didn’t mean a thing but then get caught up in her words, everything comes out bad

But you never utter a word

And you used it against everyone, even the king hisself

“So y/n how have you been feeling” v said in front of the dinner table “I heard you been unwell” v

“….” You

“Y/n-“ v

“Cousin leave her be” r

The king would try to talk to you but Your mother had your back no matter what

Some people found it rude or disrespectful but you had no feeling left to give

Everyone saw the change in you, you were the girl who was smile at everything and one

And now they never seen a smile on your face, unless it was with the Queens children

It’s been months since the birth of Jacaerys, the king was having a tournament for the babe, all the lords and lady’s where coming to celebrate

The looks and the whispers alone was getting louder and you couldn’t take it

You stood next your husband at the feast, when you saw that everyone was distracted you took your chances

In your room, your grabbing your ridding gear, a few pouches of gold coins. Not needing any else but the clothes on your back

Found your way to the dragon pit, got on Vermithor and fly

You didn’t know where you was going but you knew it was away from kings landing

Flying for hours, you found yourself in a storm

-Vermithor having a hard time trying to navigate again it….

Thing everything went black……

When you wake up, you were on a island… The death Island

(Had this in my head for awhile, don’t know how many parts but let me know if you want this in story!!)

[multifandomfix]

Rhaenys Targaryen Fluff Alphabet

A = Affection (Are they physically affectionate in public or just in private?)

It depends on the company. Around trusted individuals, she’s happy to be free and open with her affection for you, but she’s careful around those who may use it against her.

B = Babe (What would they use as pet names? Do they use them a lot?)

Pet names aren’t used a lot with her, aside from the standard ones. But if she stumbles across one that makes you particularly flustered, she will use it more often.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

She definitely doesn’t mind a cuddle. She won’t be quick to admit if/when she needs one, but she won’t refuse if you were to offer.

D = Domestic (What’s it like living with them? Do they do their share of chores?)

With Rhaenys you’ll want for nothing. You help each other dress in the morning, and have anything you want when you want it.

E = Easy (What is the easiest way to win their heart?)

Win over her dragon, and pledge your loyalty to her and she’s in. If you can bond with the creature most precious to her, then there must be something worthy in you.

F = Fun (Where do they take you for fun? Are they flirty?)

She’ll take you for a ride on Meleys, anyplace you want to go in all of Westeros. She’s very flirty when it’s just the two of you. She likes to tease you and make you blush.

G = Gifts (Are they a gift giver? What kind of gifts do they give?)

She can be. It’s not a big habit of hers, but her gifts are always precious and you know they come from the heart.

H = History (What’s their relationship history like? Do they have any plans on settling down?)

There’s Corlys of course, but a princess is allowed her dalliances. If the right person comes along that she wants in her life, she’ll find a way to make it all work.

I = I Love You (Who says I love you first?)

Probably you. She’ll want to keep those words close to her chest until she’s sure of your own feelings for her.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

She can definitely get jealous. Usually it will only be a passing feeling, but if there’s any merit to her jealousy, expect someone to be flayed by dragon’s breath.

K = Kids (How are they around children? Would they want some of their own?)

Rhaenys is a wonderful mother. As for wanting to raise any more kids at this stage in her life, unlikely.

L = Love Language (How do they show their love to you?)

She shows her love by acts of service. Anything you need done that you put off, she finds a way of getting done for you or with you to make your life just a little easier.

M = Meet (How did they meet you?)

Rhaenys met you in the city’s market. She saw the way you paid the merchants just a bit extra for their wares than they were asking, and that small kindness touched her, which led her to introduce herself to you.

N = Nurture (Are they good at taking care of you if you’re hurt/sick?)

She is, yes. She’ll watch over you even to her own detriment of losing sleep and she’ll see that whatever you need be brought to you.

O = Options (What are some things they would like in a partner?)

Loyal, kind and strong are Rhaenys’s top three qualities in a partner.

P = Protective (How protective are they? How would they protect you?)

She’s very protective. She’s lost too much not to be. She’ll risk whatever it takes to keep someone she loves safe.

Q = Quirk (What small habit/feature/quirk do they have that you find especially endearing?)

The way Rhaenys rests her forehead against her dragon is always a marvelous sight for you to see. There’s so much trust and love there that you can’t help but feel it too.

R = Realization (When and what makes them realize they’re in love?)

When she starts to defend you to people who speak ill of you, that’s when she realizes that you’ve become important to her and that she’s falling in love.

S = Sentimental (Are they the sentimental type? What things hold sentimentality for them?)

She’s not overly sentimental, but there are a few things that she keeps close to her heart, usually reminders of a significant moment with each person she’s loved in some way.

T = Try (In what ways do they support or help you?)

In any way she’s able. No favor you ask of her is too big or too small. If you need her help, she’s willing to provide it.

U = Unique (What’s something they’d only do for you?)

Show her sillier side. She has one, but it’s buried deep down, as she’s always been taught it should be. But with you she opens it up and gets to really be herself.

V = Vacation (Where would they take you on vacation? What would you do?)

Again, she’ll take you anywhere for as long as possible, preferably somewhere with a beautiful shoreline. Despite her responsibilities, she’d want to stay away with you forever.

W = Wardrobe (What would they wear to impress you?)

Light blue and gold are the colors she’s always looked most captivating in, so anything in those colors would be suitably impressive.

X = XOXO (How do they kiss?)

There’s no one way that Rhaenys kisses you. They can range from tender to passionate, though each type is just as enjoyable as the next.

Y = Yes (How do you/they propose?)

She asks you with a ring crafted of shed dragon scale. She makes sure that you won’t be interrupted and asks you to remain a part of her life for as long as you or she should live.

Z = Zzz (What are their sleep habits?)

Her sleep is usually quite restful. She doesn’t toss and turn or stir much in the night, but she does rest easier when she knows someone is by her side.

For anon

Forever Tag: @baubeautyandthegeek, @ghostsunderstoodmysoul, @immyowndefender, @valencethefriendlychangeling, @crimsonwidow666, @rebelbossheart, @thedailyspiritualist, @orangeisnttheonlyfruit, @woman-simp, @aperol-with-izzy, @leonoralessoem, @ellepossum69, @lakita-fisher, @nclgsticore, @analuw, @luvlesavyy, @malfoyfeed, @aliciabrower, @bitchr-mkay, @sparrowspixie, @imaginationismyworldlypleasure, @og-kxsh-420

Rhaenys Targaryen: @thekirbishow, @astrogrande, @yellowbird-flying

[danpuff-ao3]

Bottom!Snape Snarry Recs

If you're craving Snarry fics featuring bottom!Snape....I have just the list for you!

Disclaimer: all rec lists are based on my personal experiences and preferences. This is not the be all end all of rec lists and we all have our own tastes. All opinions are mine and mine alone.

An Evening Adrift

by alhaz_red. Rated: E. Words: 4,966. Dirty talk. Canon divergence.

Severus and Harry keep themselves occupied during a lull in the War.

Imperio

by asharie (@ashariewrites). Rated: E. Words: 2,308. Dubious consent. Hogwarts 8th year.

Strictly speaking, Severus had asked for this. He just was never any good at giving up control.

Close Encounters

by @bleedcolor & @likelightinglass. Rated: E. Words: 35,494. Awkward romance. Accidental bonding. Hurt/comfort. Praise kink. Anonymous sex.

Years after the war, Harry Potter and Severus Snape meet and fall in lust, then love. Too bad they don’t know who they’ve fallen for.

A Light in the Silence, a Voice in the Dark

by Cayce_Morris. Rated: E. Words: 76,153. Brief non-con. Underage (17).

Severus lives, just barely. Now what’s going on between him and Harry is too shocking for words. Everyone around Harry fears he’s lost his mind, but could there be more to this situation than meets the eye?

Lover Boy at Play

by danpuff. Rated: E. Words: 4,448. Parseltongue kink. Virginity loss. Voyeurism. Harry/others. Angst with a happy ending.

The sex is bad. Yet Severus wants.

The Tumtum Tree

by eldritcher. Rated: E. Words: 4,039. Impotence.

Harry figures out a thing or two.

Leo Season

by Ephemeral (@fleetingdesires) & JacksWild. Rated: E. Words: 2,215. Established relationship. Crack. Quickies. Dirty talk. Orgasm denial. Mentions of switching.

Severus and Harry test a lust potion. It works too well. Two horny men be doing what they do.

Unnatural Desires

by IvvyMoon. Rated: E. Words: 13,385. Parseltongue kink. Magical accidents. Mild dub-con.

Written for the prompt: Harry has some kind of accident and can only speak in Parseltongue, which drives Snape mad with desire. Can be taken seriously or as crack, with Snape jumping Harry every time he says something.

Hunger

by JoyousRapture. Rated: E. Words: 2,431.

Severus didn’t know what to think. He’d intended to bed the boy, certainly, but it had never occurred to him that he’d be the one on all fours with a cock shoved deep in an arse that he’d never known might be hungry for it.

Finding Freedom

by Leela. Rated: E. Words: 1,997.

Having Potter in his mind left Snape feeling wide-open and vulnerable, but held to the earth by the weight of Potter's body, he finally felt free.

What Ever Would an Honest Hero Do?

by neymovirne. Rated: E. Words: 8,000. Romance. Humor. Fluff & smut. Light angst. Getting together.

Harry must slay a dragon to save his prince.

Warm

by perverse_idyll (@perverse-idyll). Rated: E. Words: 11,323. Established relationship. Rimming. Mentions of switching (Snape usually tops).

Severus still suffers the after-effects of Nagini's venom, especially in winter. Harry knows just how to warm him up.

Sheer Dumb Luck

by rexluscus. Rated: E. Words: 7,842. Captivity. Torture. Voyeurism. Humiliation. Somnophilia. Legilimency.

For once, Harry and Voldemort want the same thing, and they want it from Snape.

Magic Words

by Serpenscript. Rated: E. Words: 1,863. Fluff & humor. Orgasm denial. Cock rings. Make up sex.

Severus is a bastard at times, but Harry knows how to make him say the magic words. A drabble that grew too long to be called a drabble, prompt was "Does that hurt?"

In Perpetuity

by starcrossedgirl. Rated: E. Words: 11,830. BDSM. Hurt/comfort. Character study.

Some stories in life repeat in the same old patterns. Until they change.

Folie à Deux

by thesewarmstars. Rated: E. Words: 7,783. Christmas. Meet the family. Homophobia.

My Snarry Holidays 2009 gift for torino10154. Basically, I took Torino’s prompt of ‘meeting the family’ and ran with it.

made to be broken

by theshopislocal. Rated: E. Words: 10,334. Established relationship. Mild dub-con. Sexual dysfunction. PTSD.

For all Severus is softer, warmer with Harry than he is otherwise, he’s still a prickly bugger and notably maladjusted, with strange, almost inexplicable habits that Harry is only now beginning to truly understand.  In hindsight, Harry wonders how he hadn’t seen it before.

Whispers of Intent

by tiranog. Rated: E. Words: 30,213.

Auror Harry Potter has a life changing encounter at a bar.

Fly by Night

by twisting_vine_x. Rated: E. Words: 2,647.

It was one too many dark nights, one too many nightmares. One too many meetings in the late hours, with neither of them wanting to be alone. One too many moments of weakness, and it’s somehow gotten them here, with Severus pressed up against the wall of his chambers and Potter sucking a bruise into the side of his neck.

[jacesbeloved]

ladylike ✷ j. velaryon

✷ ⎯ summary: wherein the battle between the blacks and the greens has one of the most feared sellswords picking a side—for the right price.

✷ ⎯ tags: jacaerys velaryon x afab!reader (18+)

✷ ⎯ notes: happens before luke d-worded, also this is not beta read sorry!!! anw i hope u like this new fic since i tried something new with it (+ the cover)! comments and likes r very appreciated <3 if u want to chat or request for something, my asks r open :D

"This is not enough. If we are to show our power, I say we make the first move at Harenhall. Burn their blockade to send a message." Daemon's suggestion was full of fire, turning to the Queen with an intent of starting and leading this war.

The figures around the painted table shake heads in their dismay. Looking at the Queen with worried looks as she stares blankly at the table in front of her with revenge in his eyes.

"We cannot wager on just yet, your grace. We may have the dragons but our men our far too short in amount," Bartimos Celtigar argues.

Rhaenys expresses her agreement, "I agree with Lord Celtigar. If we are to win this war, we need to approach it with careful thinking both externally and internally. I suggest not making any haste decisions, your grace."

"Haste decisions? What a jest." Daemon scoffs. The jab at the princess results in nothing, choosing to ignore the Targaryen prince.

The rest of the table on continues on about their plan. It was Daemon against majority of the council members; he was pushing for Rhaenyra to attack, get the starting advantage while the others disagreed.

They may have numerous dragons, but it is still hard to gauge their capacity especially with the beastly Vhagar in service of Aemond Targaryen.

By the time when every member has dispersed to their own affairs, Jacaerys and Lucerys head back to their chambers. The younger Velaryon sighing as he rests his head on the thick wooden frame.

"Are you...are you nervous of where Mother is sending us?" Lucerys asks Jacaerys, who had already been fixing his stuff for tonight's trip to the North.

Jacaerys noted the look of nervousness on his brother's face. Halting in his actions to reassure him. "I am worried, a bit, but we are doing this to defend our mother's rightful throne. The Greens have no right to steal it from her."

"And anyway, you will be going to the Stormlands, am I correct?"

"And you to the North," Lucerys says, beginning on arranging his stuff as well.

After which, Jacaerys made his way back to the great hall, two guards approach him. Apparently, Daemon is asking him for a word outside of the castle. Somewhere near the edge, he figures.

And he was correct, Daemon is by the edge. Overlooking the busy seas and cloudy skies with his hand on the butt of his sword, the usual tout look on his face as Jacaerys makes his way to him. He doesn't notice his stepson approaching until Jace is calling him first.

"What is it that you want, Daemon?" Jacaerys questions.

Daemon does not move, except for glancing at him with a raised eyebrow. "Each second we waste, the Hightowers are celebrating their usurped throne. Westeros think of them as the rightful heirs of the iron throne."

Jacaerys' jaw clenches, remaining quiet. Daemon calls him closer. Caraxes appearing to his sight as the beast flies above them and around the other mountains of the island.

Daemon pauses for a minute, "It has seem as though your mother could do all but launch this war."

"Mind your words, Daemon," Jacaerys warns. "Mother has decided no action be done until her word. Your men are well to know that."

The older Targaryen lets out a deep exhale as he turns around, leaning on the stone block, his eyes set on somewhere away. The two of them stay there in silence before Daemon speaks again.

"Two days from now, your mother will send you to the North for Lord Cregan Stark. I am advising you not to."

"Not?"

"Instead, you will go to King's Landing this evening. I have men there that will take you to the place we need if we want to win this war before it even starts. No bloodshed needed, as you and your mother so prefer. Am I correct?"

Jacaerys looks at him wearily. The tone of his mother's husband sounding suspicious enough as the smile on Daemon's lips.

"Why me? Why not you?"

"I am needed at the blockade," Daemon answers simply.

Silence is what Daemon receives as a response. "It is up to you. As the heir to the throne after your mother takes back her rightful place at the iron throne, it is your responsibility, already, to start thinking as the future king."

More silence follows. By this time, Daemon is smirking at him as he toys with a small piece of paper that he had received earlier through a raven from King's Landing.

"Is mother aware of this?" When it was Daemon's turn to be silent, Jacaerys already has his answer.

As the day passed, Jacaerys watched his mother struggle with her unborn child. Every now and then looking outside the window. Lucerys has been everything of help to her, aiding her in possible ways while Jacaerys pondered on about what Daemon told him.

As the words of Daemon echo in his head, Each second we waste, the Hightowers are celebrating their usurped throne...

"What am I even doing here?" Jacaerys sighs to himself, the hood of his cloak hanging lowly on his head whilst various chatters and lewd noise from the sketchy alleyways fill his ears.

"Here you are," the men—man that Daemon apparently knew halts him at a seemingly plain brown door. It was clearly at the back of some building, some brothel Jacaerys guesses.

"Are you not going to accompany me inside?"

The armored man shakes his head, looking side to side, "My payment only serves me up to here," he pauses. "Go inside and whatever is in that paper is what you seek. Ask for a Lady." Jacaerys sighs at his instruction, throwing him the bag of gold coins that Daemon had given him.

Jacaerys takes a deep breath before he goes inside. A circus of lights and cloths dance around his sight. The busy environment with numerous naked women pulling around men of various stature.

"Good evening, my lord," one woman purrs, draping her arms across the expanse of his chest. He coughs awkwardly, shaking his head.

Look for the biggest woman, she is the keeper.

Jacaerys need not to move for a few minutes of standing there, he is pulled away by three women. "What—Hey, I am looking for the keeper," he tried to say but the women ignored him. Pushing past numerous people before they arrive at a room.

"Jacaerys Velaryon," a woman with a gold-colored dress speaks. An eyebrow raised at him before he even gets to pull down his hood.

"Prince Daemon had already informed me of what it is that you seek, however I fear it is not here."

She will tell you a Lady is not there. But a Lady is there.

"I was informed you would say that. However, Daemon told me she is here. A Lady is here." The keeper grins, waving off the women that clung on his arms.

"If that is what you believe, then I shan't hinder you from finding," she looks at him up and down, "The Lady."

"You may explore the brothel...confidently. We will help you no more than ensuring your protection inside of this establishment. If you are unable to find a Lady befit for your liking, your protection outside of this is not of our concern anymore, my prince."

"What does a Lady look like?" Jacaerys asks the keeper.

The keeper merely shrugs, waving at the women around Jacaerys. "Those are ladies, my prince. Everyone here is a lady."

Jacaerys clenches his jaw at the useless answer, leaving the room with the keeper's chuckles echoing in his ears.

She has a scar on her left. Burgundy hair with embellishments.

There is one that catches his eye. The burgundy lady showing off skin with a light pink fabric covering her body. He does not quite see the scar but the hair, he does.

The woman was pretty occupied with bringing this one guard somewhere. The guard had his hand in hers, eyes longing with hunger.

"Her. I need her," Jacaerys calls out quietly, fast in his steps to follow the couple. He loses sight of them for a moment before he sees them once more, finally entering a room.

Multiple women hiss at him as he follows them. Taking one more breath before he goes inside of the room only to see no one but the lady.

"It is rather uncourteous to barge into a lady's room, is it not?"

Jacaerys takes a look around, it was only the two of you inside of that room. You were leaning lazily on of the bedposts, the darkness hindering Jacaerys from seeing your face.

"Where is the guard?" Jacaerys asks.

Your eyebrows furrow in feign innocence, "What guard, my prince?"

"The guard—you came in here with a guard. Where is he?"

"I do not know of such guard that you seek, my prince," your purr strikes that one chord inside of his chest.

"If it is a man that you seek, my apologies but this is a brothel. The street of silk has a different brothel for those that seek men."

Jacaerys shakes his head. "A Lady is what I look for. Burgundy hair, your height, has a scar on her rib."

You hum, silently disposing of the blade in your sleeves to get on the bed. Alluringly pulling off the sheer cover that you wear on your shoulders.

"Burgundy hair is most definitely, the scar, however, I am afraid you would have to find out for yourself," you grin at him, slowly making your way towards the end of the bed where he stood.

"I do not seek such service. I was told a Lady is what you are."

"We are all ladies, my prince," you cock your head to the side, standing on your knees as you finally see his face thanks to the very dim light above.

You were the most beautiful woman he had laid his eyes on. It was as if he was enchanted the moment you put your hands on his shoulders, lips stretching side to side.

Once you are in her grasp, it is all but a pleasurable transaction. You would have to act fast, not to—

"What is it you ponder on about, my prince?" You break him from his thoughts. Trailing your hand down his tunic as you kept your eyes on his. He was speechless, unsure of what to do. "You only have to say the word and I assure you, I will make you forget about them before next morrow."

I must think straight, he repeats in head over and over again until your lips have already touched his neck. Hands expertly unbuckling his cloak before he can even notice.

Jacaerys is then left there, in his tunic and trousers, blood awfully rushing through his lower regions as you now grab his hands and place them all over your body.

Your lips suck and bite tenderly at every skin you come across, grinding your body in his hands as you whisper sweet nothings. Slowly, but surely, pulling him to the bed.

Jacaerys' eyes roll to the back of his head when your hand falls to palm his growing erection. A soft gasp leaving his mouth as you do so.

Refer to her as Lady if you want to get her on our side. Offer her whatever she wants.

He bites his lips, inhaling deeply before he stills himself from your ministrations. "The Queen is in need of your services, Lady."

You chuckle, "The Queen? The prince seems to be in more dire need of my..." you pause, "...services."

"We have gold to offer. More than you may think of. More than any has offered you, I am confident," Jacaerys stammered on with his words, unable to speak straight especially with your gaze on him.

"I do not need gold, my prince. I have gold to spare," you reply back, slipping off the bed to turn Jacaerys around.

"Then what is it that you want?" Your hands grip his shoulders firmly, pushing him to sit on the edge of bed.

"I want you to tell me what you want, my prince. After all, I am a Lady and you are a prince. I live to serve my prince," the words roll off your tongue way too smooth for Jacaerys' liking, your ability to flatter seemingly too good.

You get down on your knees, brushing away your hair as you look up at Jacaerys. The prince breathes heavily, his open mouth unable to let words leave.

"Just relax, my prince. Tell me, is this what you seek?" You breathe in his ear, palming his hard-on as you await his word. He is like stone on your hand, his shoulders tensed and extended.

"I—N-no..." shaky words leave his mouth.

You halt, "No? Do you want me to stop, my prince?"

It takes a minute for everything to register in Jacaerys' head before he's speaking again. "No, my lady. Don't stop."

Your lips stretch into a grin, getting on your knees as you untie the string of his trousers. Jacaerys hastily helping you take them off. When he pulls it off, he's pulling you up by your face to plant a kiss on your lips.

You were caught a bit off-guard and so you pull away, the two of you staring at each other. Jacaerys is staring up at you with heaved breaths.

Pushing him down again, you get on your knees and push your head back. Hand gripping his hard shaft. He lets out a deep guttural groan as you do so, the man biting his lips as you start moving your hand.

You pull your hand away to spit on it before going back to jerking his cock again. Head tilted up to watch his reaction as you put your lips on the head of his cock. Tongue swirling around the head making him thrash his upper body around. Groans and whimpers leaving his mouth.

Soon enough, the prince is all but calm as you bob your head up and down his cock. His arms flailing all around as he looks for something to grip.

"Does it feel good, my prince?" You ask innocently.

Jacaerys breathes, "Yes, oh gods, just like that, my lady. It feels so good."

The encouragement shakes your core when his hands come over to rest on the sides of your head, his hips thrusting up shyly which made his tip reach the back of your throat. Jacaerys' release evidently coming up.

"Don't stop! Please, don't stop," he whimpers desperately trying to reach his high. Hips now moving on its own as you focus on breathing through your nose. The rough movements of the known gentle and calm prince igniting your core.

Sounds of gags and deep moans fill the room. Next thing you know, you're pushing his thighs back down on the bed as you take back control. Sucking his cock with hollowed cheeks while swirling your tongue and hands around the length. My lady was all that was pouring out of his mouth.

"I am near," he informs you. "Do not stop, my lady."

A loud groan sounds through the room. Jacaerys' chest heaving up and down as he explodes inside of your mouth. Quick tingles running through his body the moment your tongue licks around his tip, jolting when the overstimulation hits him.

You wipe your mouth. Spitting out his seed in a random towel on the floor while keeping a keen eye on his body.

"My lady," he pulls himself up to his shoulders, taking a look at his surroundings only to see you dressed in a top. You raise an eyebrow at him, coming close until you're both an inch away from each other's lips.

His eyes shift from your eyes to your lips, internally debating with himself before he seals your lips.

You return the gesture, swiping your tongue on his plump lips before biting something inside of your mouth. The sides of your lips stretching when you see his eyes slant.

And from there, Jacaerys' sight goes black.

For hours on end, you navigated through the darkness. An unconscious prince with a sellsword in the middle of the Blackwater Bay, sailing with hope in a dark heart.

Slowly, the prince's eyes flutter open to a dark and unfamiliar surrounding. He froze. The wood against his body prompting him to jolt upward. You, who was rowing the small boat, watched him unfazed. Much more irritated at the unnecessary commotion than the sword that Jacaerys draws to point at you.

"Where am I? Who are you? What have you done?" his questions shoot at you like a crossbow.

"Calm down, my prince. If you do not think of jumping or killing me with that sword, we may arrive at shore no less than an hour."

He inches the tip of the sword closer to your neck, moving with caution, "Where are we?"

"Calm now, my prince," you let go of one oar to slowly move the tip of his sword away from your neck. Maintaining eye contact with the prince as you smile, "That wasn't how you were acting earlier."

Jacaerys' cheeks faintly flush, gulping silently. You snicker at that, answering the prince. "I am bringing you back to Dragonstone, my prince."

if you liked my writing, you might want to consider buying me a ko-fi <3

[celtigxr]

The Pink Dread (Master List) - - - - - ch. viii: Still Falling for You

Chapter Summary: Incapable of finding sleep, both Valeana and Aemond seek refuge in the sanctuary of the library, together. Alone.

Word: 3751

Sneak Peak: “Is this your way of forgiving me, Lady Valeana?”

Warnings: +18/MDNI. Masturbation, P+V sex, Smut. Descriptive anxiety attack. PTSD flashbacks.

T H E  G R E E N S 

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Aemond was a black and silver mass of fury and rage as he left the training yard. He made a beeline towards the stables so that he could exit King’s Landing and find Vhagar, wanting to put as much distance between himself and Valeana and Aegon as possible. He didn’t trust himself in the castle where he could bump into someone that could set him off. The Keep crawled with crabs. 

But before he was even able to get to the stables, Criston had reached him shortly after he exited. His firm hand clutched the side of shoulder to stop Aemond’s long and fast stride. 

“My prince–” Cole cut himself short when Aemond whirled on him, eye filled with violet fire. The knight let his arm drop to his side and took a step back, but otherwise did not move. “Do not let him get under your skin. Your brother only seeks to provoke you. You let him and he wins.”

Aemond’s nostrils flared, “He did not provoke me.” His words were forced through his teeth.

Cole tilted his head, not believing him, “You lost yourself the moment the two of you locked swords. I saw him whisper something to you, what was it?”

Aemond’s jaw was tight, and his lips were a thin line. His eye flickered down from Cole’s face to a vacant spot over his shoulder. 

“Shall I describe it to you? Her delicious, untouched cunny–”

He shut his eye tightly, trying to rid the image of what Aegon was alluding to; what he implied he had done. He wished to believe that Valeana had far more dignity for herself than the weak-willed female servants that Aegon lured to his bed. However, he did not recognize this Valeana Celtigar – she was a different person. 

“He was speaking immorally of a lady of court,” Aemond surprised himself by the truth of his words, although vague. Alas, He did not think Cole was of a lesser mind to not know who he was referring to anyway.

Before the knight could prod onto why that bothered him so, Aemond continued. “I grow weary of my brother’s depravities. He seeks to dishonour not only himself but this entire family. Should he–” He cut himself off, eye flickering around the corridor they found themselves in. When satisfied that they were alone, he took a step closer to Cole, his voice lowered. 

“Should there be a shift of succession upon my father’s death, Aegon’s reputation will only bolster my half-sister’s claim and make us look like fools.”

Criston kept his opinion on the matter to himself. Aegon wouldn’t be first nor the last whoremonger that was crowned, and that had never given the people a reason to question whether or not they deserved the title of King. He doubted Aegon would for that reason alone, should he usurp his sister’s crown. With that knowledge, Cole could see Aemond grasping on straws. 

“Do not worry about your brother’s reputation, my Prince,” the knight finally spoke. “Worry only of your own mind and what you intend to do with it. It is the sharpest and most lethal weapon on your person. Use it to protect your heart, Aemond, because the moment you let someone commandeer that, they can use it against you.” 

Aemond stared at him in quiet contemplation. There was something behind his words and his dark eyes that the prince could detect, but not make out. Cole spoke as if he was speaking to himself, almost like advice he would have given to his sons so they would not make the same mistake he had done. 

“Do not worry, Cole,” Aemond tilted his head back. He still simmered on the surface, but the inferno in his chest reigned in like a claimed dragon. “I never had any intention of letting anyone close. Not even my own family.”

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

Aemond was with Vhagar for over a day. When he returned to the Keep, it was the hour of the bat. By the time he instructed two servants to draw him a bath, and then got to his chambers to undress, it was the hour of the eel. 

The searing heat of the water burned off the sweat and grime that coated his body. He dunked into the water to wash out the sand and filth from his hair; he had spent the previous night asleep on a secluded beach east of King’s Landing, on the coast of the Narrow Sea just outside the Gullet. The morning after he had found crabs to boil in a stone basin he put over a fire. The screeching of the little creatures eased his mind; the symbolism wasn’t lost on him either. It was cathartic. 

But now in the Keep, boiling in his own basin, his mind wandered to crabs that still live. Namely one with hair as fair as his and eyes as green as wildfire. 

“Her delicious, untouched cunny–”

Aemond growled at the intrusive voice of his brother. He fisted the side of the tub before running his fingers over his temples and down to his chin with his other hand. Then, Aemond shut his eye and leaned his head back, trying to will himself to think of anyone else. One of Helaena’s attractive handmaids, the one with the long legs, hair as dark as a raven, and almond shaped eyes. He’s never had her, but he could. The way she stared at him with intrigue and awe, it was quite obvious that she desired him. 

Heat pooled at his pelvis, and his hand went under the water to inspect. Aemond’s lips parted once his palm met the hardening muscle between his thighs. A small sigh escaped at the first stroke and then his imagination took flight.

He imagined the maid coming into his bedchambers and finding him in the bath. He imagined her hands on his shoulders and chest as she cleans the remnants of battle off his body. Then he imagined her frumpy maids gown drop from her own before she slowly descended into the water. 

Then he was reminded of crabs in boiling water again. And when he looked at her, her hair brightened to a white-gold, and her almond eyes widened into a pair of doe shaped peridot orbs with pupils blown wide. Aemond tried to fight back, forcing the image of the other woman back into his mind’s eye, but ultimately his cock won. 

Pleasure overtook all sense of intelligence for Aemond Targaryen. His imagination feverishly feeds his loins with thoughts of Valeana Celtigar. Her ample tits sleek with soap and water, and his hands grasping and pinching her pink nipples. Her thighs wrapped around his narrow hips, and her pouty lips trailing kisses along the column of his neck. And then how she’d arch her back when she speared herself on him. One of his hands upon a breast, and the other on her buttocks, both kneading the supple flesh with large fingers as she bopped slowly up and down his length. 

“Is this your way of forgiving me, Lady Valeana?”

With her voice lost in his mind, she only nodded like an eager whore, mouth a perfect O as she took his full length down to the hilt. 

He was so close. 

Aemond grabbed her hair and yanked her head back as he leaned forward. His hips jerked wildly under her, water splashing everywhere around the basin. 

“You are mine. You always have been, and you always will.”

“Then claim me now! Inside! Aemond… Please!” 

His arms encased her body tightly against his, and his nose buried in the crook of her neck with his teeth nipping the skin there. As he reached his physical peak, he imagined filling her womb with his seed, and claiming her for once and for all. Like how he was always meant to do. What he should have done if he wedded her more than half a decade ago.

Aemond tilted his head back against the tub with mouth hanging open, thick veins protruding under the tight skin of his neck, arms and hands as he stroked himself to completion. A long, satisfied groan escaped from parted lips as ropes of white seed clouded the dirty bath water. His entire body went limp after, his muscles relaxed, but his breathing laboured. The post-orgasm still clouded his mind, but it didn’t take long until he gained some clarity. 

His eye opened and he found himself looking up at the ceiling of an empty room. Aemond curled his bottom lip under his teeth, and flexed his fingers angrily as he raked them over his face. 

“Fuck!” He shouted as the self-loathing settled in. He was so pathetically weak.

T H E   R E D S

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Valeana and her sisters went to their bedchambers at the hour of the eel, like they so often do. Sharing a room with Shyla left little room for privacy, but the younger of the sisters fell asleep fast. Soon the room was filled with soft sighs and the rustling of blankets and furs as Valeana tossed and turned in her bed, trying to will herself into a slumber. 

It was at the hour of ghosts when she had given up on trying, and promptly got out of bed and snatched her burgundy robe after hastily strapping her prosthetic. Her mind was a cluster of thoughts, namely to questions she needed answered. The old book she had read the other day still haunted her curious mind, and she needed answers to the question that burned at the forefront. 

Did she have a Targaryen ancestor? Did the Targaryens ever marry a Celtigar? 

There had to be at least one with a lineage so long and old. The Targaryens, with all their desire to preserve their Valyrian dragon blood, had many children with each other, and only branched out to very few houses outside of their own. With the Velaryons being one of them, why hadn’t they married a Celtigar? 

There could be many reasons, Valeana surmised, as she contemplated a list of them on her way to the Royal Library. Celtigars weren’t so eager to preserve their pure blood; their ambitions stemmed from wealth and reputation. Valyrian blood is strong, and because of that, many generations of Celtigars still birthed children with fair hair and purple eyes, even though their ancestral features dwindled with every generation. As did their names with every Andal or First Man married into the family. 

Valeana was the first child to be given a Valyrian name in a couple generations, and the choice, surprisingly, was by her mother, a Lannister of all people. She had chosen the name prior to her birth, but her father wanted to call her Lynora. Val supposed that had her mother not died, she would have been called Lynora, but her father ended up honouring his late wife’s wishes and titled his first daughter Valeana. The story, she learned early in her youth, was that her mother had found the name in a book about the houses of Old Valyria. Lysa, though, had mispronounced it at the time. “Val-awna”, she said, when it was supposed to be “Val-ayna”. But when Barty corrected her, Lysa waved him off and said she liked her way better, and thus the variation stuck.

The Royal Library was empty, aside from the patrolling guard outside that merely acknowledged her with a nod. Maester Artos, who usually presided over it, was blessedly gone. Artos was as old as the books that lined the walls, and always treated her like a nuisance whenever she had dared ask for a book. He would pop the vein in his forehead had he known that she was in there without him present, pilfering books off of shelves at the dead of night. Books that he spent his entire life meticulously organizing and keeping clean of dust and oils from dirty fingers. 

The book in question wasn’t difficult to find. It was placed on a pedestal inside an alcove in the north chamber. It was large in dimensions, but not as thick as other tomes she had seen there. The binding was made of iron and leather, embossed with the sigil of the House of Targaryen. It was broader than her shoulders, and one of the heaviest things she had ever had to lift. But, Valeana was stronger than people gave her credit for. She heaved it up with her entire chest and then shuffled to the nearest table and did her best to gently lay it down with the back facing her. 

With a heavy exhale, Valeana fell into the chair and flipped the back cover and blank pages over to get to the latest entry. She was going to begin from the earliest entry, since it would be easy to skim through given her recent knowledge. 

“Visenya, Viserys, Aegon, bigoted from Princess Rhaenyra and her uncle Prince Daemon Targaryen… Silver of hair, and violet eyes,” Valeana read outloud, and pursed her lips. It had been a week since they had taken port, and they had yet to receive confirmation that the Princess and the Rogue Prince were coming. Then after learning about the possible fatal wound Lord Clorlys Velaryon suffered at the Stepping Stones, Valeana started to believe there was a distinct possibility that the King would not get his wish in reuniting the Valyrian houses. 

Valeana hadn’t been able to go to Laena Velaryon’s funeral all those years ago, but her father and stepmother went with Clement. While they had not witnessed what happened at Driftmark on that fateful night, Bartimos was made aware of it the morning after. Aemond had claimed Vhagar, and in a skirmish of just children, he had lost his eye for it. When Alicent did not receive the justice she wanted, she had attacked her step-daughter and former friend in a fit of maternal rage. 

Val wondered if her mother had been still alive, would she have the same rage when she saw what Aemond did to her? Would she reach for a knife and try to take Alicent’s leg in lieu of the Prince’s? 

From what she was told, Lysa Lannister had the demeanor of a contented lioness. Very little angered her; she was patient, listened intently to her husband and friends, and rarely talked in social settings. However, when she did, all listened at the table. Her father said that the only time he had witnessed Lysa’s anger was when Queen Aemma, her closest friend and mistress, had died on her birthing bed, and not long after, the sharks of the small council swarmed King Viserys about remarrying. The tipping point was when Prince Daemon had called the late princeling “Heir for a Day”. After the King had summoned his brother to the Throne Room to confront him about it, Lysa intercepted Daemon in the corridor outside. She slapped him with the back of her jewel adorned hand. then spat in his eye and called him a jealous blackguard with a tiny piece of coal for a heart. Allegedly she had gone to punch him, but a gold cloak had pulled her back with her kicking and screaming.

Valeana wagered her mother would have probably done a lot more to avenge her children. Probably commit treason. The thought of that made her smirk in amusement. 

When the door to the library was pushed open, she had barely gotten through the Old King’s long list of sires and grandsires, and the Targaryen bastards that were worth mentioning. Valeana jostled in her seat, getting ready to spew excuses for Maester Artos, but the person who walked in the door was much worse than the old man. 

It was Aemond. 

He looked equally as surprised to see her there, albeit briefly. Soon his face contorted into one of annoyance. 

“What are you doing here? It is prohibited to enter the library when the Maester is abed,” he looks about the library, seeing no other candlelight other than Valeana’s, confirming that she was, indeed, here alone.

“No-” she cleared her throat when it came out croaky. “No one stopped me. The doors were open.” 

“Hm,” from this distance she could see his lips thin, “Do you allow your guests to go where they please in your home during the hour of the owl over at Claw Isle?” 

Val’s cheeks turned red, though she thanked the darkness for shielding it from him, “Yes.” She lied. Truthfully, it would be strange if the positions were reversed and she found a guest she wasn’t overly fond of in their family’s library in the dead of night. But there was a fat chance she would admit that to him.

“I do not believe you,” he stood still before his eye flickered to the large book that sat on the table and then moved over to the empty podium it once sat. His jaw tightened as he strode over, “That is not a book to be removed from its place. It is not a book to be touched by common– anyone other than a Targaryen.”

Valeana bristled at his tone, but before she could give him a reasonable answer of: “how the hell am I supposed to know?” he slammed the heavy book shut in front of her, causing both the table and herself to jump in surprise. 

“I was reading that!” She stood up as he slid the tome across the table to his side and pulled it up to cradle it against his chest. 

He didn’t say anything as he lifted it with ease and brought it back to its podium. Aemond gently adjusted it to its center, and then inspected it, convinced she had damaged it somehow. 

It bothered her to be ignored, especially after so rudely snatching what she was reading, after all he has said and done. She was bothering no one, especially not him, yet her simple presence was enough to demean her. In her annoyed anger, she swiftly strode towards him, and without thought she reached out and grabbed his arm, repeating herself, “Aemond, I said I was reading–”

Once her hand grabbed his shoulder, his entire body jerked back. His other hand reached over to grab hers, only to shove it back into her, effectively thrusting her away. The shock of being pushed immediately brought back a riptide of memories, one after the other. It might’ve only been a second or less, but it felt like an eternity; it felt like her back was being passed through endless air and then surely be greeted by one sharp edged stair after another.

 Had she been an abled body woman, she would have balanced herself after a step back. Unfortunately, when she left her bedroom, she did not dress her leg properly, nor did she wear secured shoes. Her bad leg gave in to her weight when it found no security in the loose straps, and she slipped, landing flat on her back on the carpeted wooden floor. 

Valeana could feel the sting of tears behind her tightly shut lids. Her tailbone and shoulders were in the most pain, but luckily the soft carpet had absorbed the shock of it. Though nothing felt worse than her face, which burned and twitched as she fought back hard to control the sob that threatened to burst out of her throat. Even with eyes tightly closed, she could feel air on her good leg, which meant her robe and small clothes had left her legs bare, and the humiliating knowledge he could see everything made this all the worse. 

“Valeana–” 

Without so much as a hiccup, she rolled onto her knees and held onto her right thigh as she righted left leg carefully, yet swiftly. She refused to breathe through her mouth, afraid that the sounds of her sorrow would escape from her throat and echo an infinite amount of times in the grand expanse of the library. Valeana fled, at least as much as she could; the pain on her tailbone coupled with her loosened straps made her limp-sprint out of the library and down the corridor. 

She spared absolutely no glances over her shoulder. Her eyes casted onto the floor as she watched her mismatched steps on the stone tiles. It seemed, at some point, her shoe had slipped off, but she couldn’t remember when or where that happened. Her ears were ringing with white noise; if anyone were calling after her, be it a guard or a servant, she did not hear them. All she could hear was the sound of her inner child’s own blood curdling scream. Her left leg suddenly started to burn, a phantom pain shooting up her non existent calf. 

Valeana’s lips finally popped open, and something between a groan of agony and a sob escaped. Gasping, she faltered in her gait, and her eyes shut with a veil of tears that blurred her vision. Then she stumbled forward with a grasping hand at her left knee, chest and shoulders stuttering with each panicked gasp. 

“Valeana? Valeana?” Someone was holding her upright with masculine hands on her shoulders. “Hells, what’s wrong? What happened?” 

She allowed her weight to be pressed against the stranger’s chest as her own shook with sobs of anguish and phantom pains. His hands moved from her shoulders to her face, trying to urge her to look up at him. 

“Valeana, tell me what happened. Look at me,” His voice was familiar to her, but his identity remained unknown until the dew from her lids slipped down her reddened cheeks and her vision focused. Aegon’s wide purple eyes examined her face, full of concern and fear, two things she has never seen there before. 

“I hate him,” She finally spoke through gritted teeth. “I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!” 

His eyes searched hers, the creases in his forehead relaxed when he managed to piece the puzzle together with the little context she gave him. Aegon’s thumbs brushed away the tears from her cheeks and then pulled her to his chest. 

“Let’s get out of the hall,” He whispered after a moment. “My apartments are not far from here.” 

He pulled her arm over his shoulder, and slipped his under hers. Taking a brief glance down to her feet, he noticed her right foot was clad in a red velvet slipper, and the other a wooden one.

Note: This was an emotionally taxing chapter to write, so I hope it came out well. I had to channel a lot of personal experience into it. Also, I had to squish in Valeana's name pronunciation somehow XD. So there it is.

Tag: @queen-of-elves, @keylin1730, @anakilusmos, @weepingfashionwritingplaid, @sugutoad

( if you wish to be tagged for this story, just give me a reply! )

Please do not re post, redistribute or plagiarize my work. The only other place this story is posted on is ao3 under the same username.

[brittle-doughie]

Infinity and Beyond - Looking Into The Sweet Signals from Space Update!

We’re finding the imposters among us with this one!

The aim of this concept is to have it be a multi-update deal akin to the Dragons storyline with how they say “like the dragon series, we’re diving into a story set in a rich, expansive universe”. This peaked my interest, I’d love to see what they have in store! I know there are some folks who like or don’t like the Dragons story, so I wonder what you all think of this!

Meet Astronaut Cookie! She’s cute, has an ice cream sandwich satellite for a pet, even has a cat cookie motif with her costume? What more could you want! Yeah, her skill might be a bit too reminiscent of Cyborg’s (who also got a skin after 84 years lol), but I’m willing to look past that.

Alright, I’m kind of vibing with the setting already, cookies are probably toothpaste, wonder if they clean your teeth when eaten. How does one “escape” or even fortify against a blackhole? The event itself sounds similar to the Sugar Maze event to me…in a way somehow. Wait, why is Stollen Cookie here?Also Planet H A M B O R G A R

I’m now getting Star Wars: Rogue One flashbacks. Just like Cyborg, it’s been 84 years since he got attention, so I’m happy to see he got a cool skin to deck himself out with!

The Surprise Bears. They can either go well or go very poorly, still means I don’t have to run over and over again for the god damn legendary ingredients. However, I do hope the challenges aren’t meant to be a cap in any way, since that already drags it down when you were able to AFK for hours beforehand, even if it sucked. Team Fight getting a gem boost might give me more incentive to play.

(Gmod flatline sound effect plays)

The Deal with Legendaries is canceled, y’all /j. I can’t keep up with their pace, bro. I’m over here trying to write it from time to time and they already have another one on the way, I’m dead. Xylitol Nova himself is getting flak for having a supposedly dull design unworthy of the rarity, I’m already seeing it in the QRTs on Twitter lol. For me, I’ll wait until I cast judgment, he has a pretty cool skin though…

———————————————————————

(Astronaut Cookie looked all around her new setting, seeing the city’s sleek, clean, futuristic design she hasn’t seen much of back on Earthbread. The cookies here didn’t look all that different too, save for their ingredients being possibly toothpaste in some capacity. She was caught staring at this one cookie in particular, she observed them inspecting the shield and instructing the robots to different spots close to the barrier, Xylitol Nova Cookie chuckled at her once he noticed.)

Xylitol Nova Cookie: Ah, I see you’ve taken an interest in one of my cookies. That would be Xylitol Y/N Cookie, they’re in charge of making sure the barrier is in peak performance, they’ve been hard at work ever since we’ve seen reports of the blackhole.

(Xylitol Nova walked over to them as Astronaut followed. Meanwhile, you were instructing both cookies and robots alike on the status of the barrier, making sure that no fault in any way was detected. Until the voice of someone very familiar to you called your name..)

Xylitol Nova Cookie: Hello, Xylitol Y/N Cookie. How are you doing?

(You greeted Xylitol Nova in return and proceeded to ramble on about the barrier. You did your best at trying to speak to him, but couldn’t ignore that cookie next to him staring at you. It also looked like Xylitol Nova wasn’t taking your analysis seriously with that smile of his, something that bothered you to no end!)

Xylitol Nova Cookie: How routine of you, Xylitol Y/N Cookie. Always thinking about the barrier when we haven’t had any issues in the past couple rotations. We have a guest here today and I’d like for you to meet her-

(You couldn’t, you had to inspect the rest of the barrier-when Xylitol Nova Cookie suddenly hugged you from behind with a strong grip, a scene that made Astronaut Cookie feel…envious. You complained and grumbled as you try fruitlessly to free yourself)

Xylitol Nova Cookie: Xylitol Y/N Cookie. You are taking a break from now until further notice, I’d hate to use my authority on you, but this is for your own good. Feel free to interact with your fellow cookies, come and see me in my residence, or even introduce yourself to our guest here~! (I’d prefer you pick the second option in my opinion)

(You continued to struggle until it felt tighter to move, you looked to your front to see Astronaut Cookie hugging you from the front, her head resting on your chest. You swear she’s…shaking a little bit?)

Xylitol Nova Cookie: What do you know? Even our visitor is agreeing with me, she appears to have taken a liking to you too.

(…Who was this?)

[dxmoness]

SPEAK NOW | MULTI-MANHWA

note — for Jami once again. SURPRISE FIC!!!

characters — gallahan lombardi, claude de alger obelia, rezef hill, ijekiel alpheus

pronouns — she/her, this will be reader instead of Jami herself like the other two fics so hopefully it's enjoyable to everyone!

—“THE WATER'S ROUGH, BUT THIS LOVE IS OURS.”

→ G. LOMBARDI

Gallahan Lombardi had been the man she had wedded a year ago and until now he hadn't failed to make her feel loved. Always so positive Gallahan made sure she felt so good about everything she did. If Name felt bad, Gallahan was there to tell her otherwise. Now in all this negativity things got worse when she found herself in a heap of untruths planted by other nobles. Her mentally drained at it and she tried hiding it from her husband. "Name?" Gallahan's voice was gentle and sweet as her body was engulfed in a warm embrace. "Is something wrong?" He whispered kindly as his eyes gleam with concern for her. After all she hadn't been herself. She broke down in tears as she told him everything. "It's okay." he whispered, kissing her forehead. "You'll be okay." He smiles and then the day ended with her in his comforting arms.

—“THIS WAS THE VERY FIRST PAGE, NOT WHERE THE STORYLINE ENDS.”

→ C. DE ALGER OBELIA.

Claude de Alger Obelia was a cold hearted man. Especially after the death of his beloved Diana. But, this cold demeanor seemed to shrink when he met her. Name was just a maid that was captured from another nation. The people who had did the human trafficking behind her way here was arrested and she was brought to the Ruby Castle to be a maid there. But, days came by as a surprise to the young female as the emperor himself seemed to enjoy her company. He knew it was wrong, but who cares? He was emperor and no one was bossing him around thus they got close. But, one thing leads to another as Name falls for a man that wasn't him, which brings him in pain. At their wedding, he came forward. "I object to this !marriage." Words that brought the guests confusion and surprise. Even he didn't know where this was coming from, but he didn't want her to marry someone else. Name seems to brighten up as she walks towards him. An objection by the emperor made her feel something. "Why?" Her question was asked after they left the place of the wedding's display. "Because I love you, and I can't lose you now." His voice grew warm at least Name thought so as he leaned closer. His lips against hers.

— “DROP EVERYTHING NOW, MEET ME IN THE POURING RAIN.”

→ I. ALPHEUS

Name was the princess' sister. When Athanasia made her choice to be with Lucas, Name was there for Ijekiel. And let's just say he had fallen for her slowly. Her smiles and things she did to comfort him of his heartbreak. "Good morning, Ijekiel." Name says with a smile as she greets him warmly. "Good morning, Your Highness." He kisses her gloved hand delicately. His eyes meet hers, a certain emotion in them that she couldn't quite get. "Do you need anything?" She asks kindly. She asks this because he never comes unless she invited him. "I just...needed to hear your voice." His face flushed as Name just laughs, a good way of laughing. Her eyes gleam with delight as she hugs him. "Okay."

— “I HAD TIME MY LIFE FIGHTING DRAGONS WITH YOU!”

→ R. HILL

Rezef Hill didn't like anyone except his sister. This was extremely noticeable as he rejected every single match his father brought his way. But, he had a secret. He was in love with his sister's lady in waiting, Name. Every time he saw her, something unfamiliar comes to his feelings. It's as if she was driving him mad. He hid it very while in his cold expressions towards her, but it was hard even for him. With every move towards he felt less himself as he fought the feelings away. That was until Name got close to Raffaelo Kidrey, as how he sees it. He grew more determined to get her than ever as he practically made up excuses to see her face everyday. "Are you alright, Your Highness?" Name asks, confused as he called yet again for the second time today. His cheeks seemed tinted as he nods. "Okay then..."

tagging, @sxnful-sins / @sxnful-rage , @salvatvre , @orlic1a , @yevene , @roseadleyn

[mantisgodsart]

[...isolation of the transformation appears to worsen the standard disorientation of a new body. I believe that the familiarity of the upper body may be offsetting the psychological impact of the lower body - as not everything has changed, the subject still "expects", on some level, that their body will work similarly, despite radical changes to organ systems and locomotion and the near-total overhaul of the centre of gravity.]

[The subject appears to be leaning on hexapodal motion as a type of "crutch", despite the size of the lower body making most of these sorts of motions awkward at best - the tournament venue doesn't currently have many internal spaces sufficient to test this one's mobility, but outdoors venues seem more promising for testing, anyways. This confirms something that I've previously suspected, as well - subjects find it more difficult to adjust to addition of new limbs than they do subtraction of limbs.]

[Subject appears to exhibit difficulty with coordination in the lower limbs, and has adopted an extremely "cautious" form of motion, taking steps with one limb at a time. The difference between upper and lower limbs means that this mode of movement is extremely... clumsy, to say the least. I intend to keep them under observation for a few more days before release and see if this resolves within the initial settling period or not. After that, just some periodic check-ins should be...]

Hello, and welcome to: watercolor paintings for Round 2 of @bug-oc transmutations! Mirach by @ghost-of-hallownest. Some extra details under cut because this is a long post and we don't want to make it longer.

This one is based pretty heavily on Dragon!Falin from Dungeon Meshi, but we're bringing through some lizard-y aspects from last year, and very much having fun with the tabby-cat patterns on the back - though technically speaking, Mirach's blue is limited to her wings, adding some markings to the body helps us break up that big plane of sandy yellows and add some interest to the design. We think it turned out well!

If we could fit it in, we'd add a third bit of Marigold notes related to the actual transmutation method, since it's been living in our brain for a while, and we think our Potion Drawing might be a bit... abstract, otherwise?

More or less, the weave - the active transmutation medium - is woven to the inside of the lasso's... lasso, and upon encircling something with it, the weave is transferred to the target, thus making the lasso fall apart entirely as a major component of its structure abruptly ceases to be part of the object.

This transfer-and-break is the same general method through which most of Marigold's "one-use" charms work - as the effect is now tied to the target's body, rather than an object, it simply remains in effect until the weave "wears in" to the body entirely, shifting it from an effect active on the subject to a part of the subject's body.

This means that, before the effect is fully integrated into the body, it can be broken, though as with all charmcraft some effects may still linger. This also makes it so, technically, the charmcraft only casts an effect on the caster - the same effect through which pretty much all Medals work - rather than being a direct interface a la wiring it directly into the bug's body, which is illegal and what Marigold spends a lot of time tiptoing around to produce major effects on a bug's body without the single most useful method for bodily alteration Charmcraft has to offer.

...that was longer than we really expected it to be. We are working on the other contestants, both of this round and the last, though it's going very slowly seeing as the afternoon sun is currently hot enough to melt our brain into a fine sludge. We've got a solid idea of all three other Round 2 designs, and we've finally got a sketch for Mal - though Pola is being delayed, still, due to our poor comics-making decisions. We're working on it! Slowly!

If we could figure out how in the hell to represent it visually, we'd be working on making a loser's bracket, too, but as is... listen, we're not a graphics designer for a reason. If you are a graphics designer and we can outsource designing a loser's bracket to you then please contact us. We have a budget of approximately ten dollars. We can do PayPal but if your payment processor of choice is US-exclusive we cannot help you.

[raayllum]

Knowledge as a Burden / Subjective & Objective Truth :: A S5 Meta

Now, the concept of Knowledge being a burden is nothing new. It's quite literally baked into cultural consciousness (at least in the West; I don't know enough to speak for East cultural mythos) through both the story of Adam and Eve within the three Abrahamic religions, and its close sister story of Pandora's pithos (more commonly known as a box). We also see it in stories such as Bluebeard, in which a new wife is forbidden to inspect her husband's private chambers and deeply regrets her choice to do so, as well as phrases such as "the grass is always greener on the other side," "ignorance is a bliss," and "what you don't know can't hurt you" (all of which are debatable as phrases, of course).

However, it is one of the rare themes in TDP, I think, that wasn't really present in arc 1 and is introduced as an arc 2 (as compared to most that were already in arc 1, and have just been strengthened/matured) particularly as of S5, hence why I wanted to talk about it.

So let's talk about it (specifically Kpp'Ar, Akiyu, Viren, Rayla, Callum Ezran, Soren, and the Jailer, not at all in that order).

Thematic Origins

Like most things in terms of season four thematically, "Knowledge as a Burden" actually starts in Through The Moon, in a lot of ways. There's the other side of it as well - not knowing what happened to her family or Viren is causing Rayla to be increasingly irate and worried - but TTM closes out on Rayla at least being able to face the fact her family is gone. If that was the only big piece of information she'd learned by going through the portal, she probably wouldn't have left.

R: Right before you found me, he opened his eyes, and I knew... He may be caught between life and death somehow, but Viren is on this side of things. He's alive, Callum! C: I don't know, Rayla. I didn't understand half of what I saw in there. [...] I let you jump into the Nexus alone and I knew right away I'd made the biggest mistake of my life. I could have lost you.

However, she Knew - in her bones - that Viren was alive, and so she had to go after him. Even if it wasn't what she wanted (to leave or to hurt Callum) the knowledge itself felt like it was pressing down on her, that this was what she had to do. That she had no other choice.

That being said, TTM is at its core supplementary material. While it initiates the theme in this way (as does Callum's devotion), it may be worth turning to how S4 originates the theme and pursuit of Knowledge, which is not through Rayla directly, but is through Callum, instead.

(If you're interested in Amaya and Callum's parallels in 4x01 concerning partners and knowledge, you'll want to check out this meta here.)

In the beginning of S4, Callum is where Rayla used to be, left in limbo about the well-being and what's happened to his loved ones. And there is, of course, his frustration and quest to properly decipher the mirror, and anger at Soren, when he believes the man is keeping something from him.

This anchoring in Callum's plot line and curiosity indeed informs the true thematic basis of knowledge in Arc 2 in comparison in Arc 1. In the first three seasons, we always knew where we were going — to the Dragon Queen to notify her of Zym's safety/existence, with Viren's initial Aaravos plotline in S2 being a divergence from this level of certainty — but in arc 2, we're purposefully floundering a bit more. Because in a lot of ways

Arc 2 is About the Pursuit of Knowledge

This isn't particularly a surprise, given the seasons have the official title of "The Mystery of Aaravos," and mysteries involve clues that are in the inherent pursuit of trying to gain answers (i.e. knowledge), but it does mark a structural departure from Arc 1, as mentioned earlier, and informs S4-S5 (and most likely S6) more than we might've initially realized.

A perfect example is that, from 4x05 onwards, the main characters (including Claudia and co. until the of 4x09) up until approximately the end of 5x05 (a full 10 episodes) are simply travelling around trying to find the pieces to Aaravos' prison. To decipher its location, its material, and its very nature. But put a pin in it for later, cause I want to draw attention to another quest for knowledge that runs concurrently in season 5 in particular, AKA:

Knowledge as Power

I've talked before about Finnegrin's parallels to Aaravos, but thus far haven't touched too much on Callum's parallels to Finnegrin, even though they're uh

There, for sure. And of course, both Finnegrin and Callum (and Rayla, with her "We're going to need to know one thing: how do we kill a Startouch elf" + Finnegrin's "I just want one thing") have their own similar reasonings, ultimately, for wanting to kill their chosen targets: to maintain their own control and freedom.

(This isn't to say this is Callum's exclusive motivation regarding Aaravos — it isn't — but I do think we're meant to see the blatant parallels as well.)

Control, freedom, and power are all undeniably, understandably linked, then. But knowledge is the undercurrent (pun intended) of all of it. Finnegrin's awareness of his confines is what's driving him mad; Callum knowing that Aaravos can possess him and what the mirror entailed, things he lived in ignorant bliss of for 2+ years, are what worries him in S4. Knowledge and power are inextricably linked, as Viren's character makes particular apparent, which in the case of Kpp'Ar demonstrates a strong Knowledge of his student (with caveats) as well as Aaravos' assessment of Viren. If you have knowledge, you have power — and if you have power, you have agency and/or worth.

Which I think is the subtextual cue to Viren only having clarity ("This is nonsense!") once he casts down his crown (power) in the dream sequences, as well as his end of season "I finally see the truth" epiphany that also comes with relinquishing power and agency over his own life, while ironically exerting it more than ever. But more on Viren and all that later, so pin in it for now.

We also see this element of Knowledge as power come into play with other characters, most notably Claudia in her utilization of dark magic and the creativity she expresses with it, Callum's knowledge of spells, and even Ezran in S5:

However, knowledge in the 'traditional' sense in show isn't solely about magic or spells or prisons, or even overtly negative. There are far more positive sides as well (even if, like most things, it's a double edged sword). So let's talk about

Knowledge as Self Actualization

Have talked about self actualization in regards to Callum and Rayla's individual development in Arc 1 a few times in overlapping ways, so not going to repeat too much here (each of them examining themselves but also one another's worldview - of the cycle and magic/the war - in order to reach the people they were meant to be in many ways, etc), although I am going to touch on them later as per S4 and S5 again.

For a fresher example, I want to talk about Soren.

Dictionaries define self actualization as the process of becoming your fullest self — often times conflated with the best version of yourself — where you become more You than you ever were before. This is especially true for both Soren and Rayla in arc 1, where although they have dips and bends, they are both ultimately selfless protectors secure in the duties they've finally been able to fully choose (and to make up, to themselves, for prior failures). For Callum and Ezran, their self actualization is more transformative into someone entirely new — more confident, more assertive, more compassionate and with the power to express it — than restorative, but again: put a pin in Callum's arc for a bit, cause we're getting to it.

For now, let's talk about self actualization through recognition of yourself through the other (aka in this case, how Callum and Rayla view themselves through the other's eyes in S4 and S5) as well as love being both a subjective and objective truth (with some moon arcanum stuff for spice).

So objective truth is things that are undeniably real — magic exists in Xadia, Aaravos has been imprisoned. Subjective truth is whether Aaravos was imprisoned for a good reason, or that humans can't access primal magic; these can change depending on viewpoint or access to new/old information. For example, while Aaravos likely isn't lying about what he believes will happen ("The sun will rise and you will not") that doesn't make it objective reality; just because someone is telling their truth and perception of events does not make it unilaterally The truth.

But for a more interpersonal view...

In season four, just like Callum doesn't know if Rayla is alive, he doesn't know how to feel about her coming back. Rayla hopes that they can reconcile, but she also knows that her leaving hurt him — even if Callum won't admit it. She had her reasons for leaving and he has his reasons for being hurt, and although somewhat opposed, they can both exist. This follows what Lujanne and Ezran cite, i.e.:

Lujanne: Sometimes real trust is accepting even the dark parts we will never know. [..] Was it wrong? Or was it just differently true?

with notions of subjective truth, and Ezran's assertion of his truth that

But I think I left something out. I ignored something that was true. I denied something that is undeniable. We are angry! I am angry. I have been hurt. [...] But… It’s not that easy or simple. Because people are still hurting and they are still angry. We can’t ignore that, or pretend it will go away. Somehow, we have to hold it all in our hearts at the same time. We have to acknowledge the weight of the pain and loss, but open up our eyes and allow ourselves to hope and maybe forgive and love again.

Whether one has hope or not that the world can be different often times indicates whether they will be breaking the cycle or perpetuating it. We see these conflicting realities once again with Soren and his inability to get through to Claudia ("You're on the wrong side. I know because... I was too")

versus being able to successfully get through to Elmer:

When you can empathize and relate to others — which is a cornerstone of Amaya's growth as well across season three through to season five — you can lend understanding and self-actualization not only to yourself, but also to them: "You know who you sound like?" "Who?" "Me" much in the same way Soren is able to offer it to Elmer, and Elmer reasserts his own identity — his understanding and knowledge of himself, down to his name — accordingly in addition to becoming an ally.

Knowledge is also the foundation of consistency; how well we know someone is predicated on how well we can predict their behaviour and subsequently rely on them, not only in action but also in reaction and responses. There's few things more disconcerting than someone reacting poorly to something you thought they would take rather well. Moreover, if knowledge of ourselves can lead to self-actualization, then our knowledge of each other can also lead to mutual self-actualization. We see this first hand in Rayla and Callum's Arc 2 dynamic thus far, so let's talk about it:

Mutual Love as Self Actualization: Part 1 — Uncertainty to Certainty (S4)

As previously noted, Callum starts out S4 at both a loss with the mirror, and still coping with the uncertainty and stagnation of his loss of Rayla. When Ezran reaffirms that Callum still loves her, all Callum can helplessly rely that he doesn't "even know if she's alive." Things don't really improve once Rayla shows up, either, even if we see the persistent thread of not knowing vs knowing being knit throughout their arc with one another.

We see this knit through, lightly, in Janai's arc regarding her people and place as queen ("Elves and humans [moving too fast]? ... I don't know" "At least Karim would lead with some kind of certainty") as though uncertainty is nothing but doubt, rather than a journey involving doubt as well as the opportunity for growth just as much as any venture (as Callum and Rayla will soon find out).

After all, Callum soon finds a shred of comfort in said uncertainty, and offers it to Rayla accordingly in an attempt to comfort her:

Rayla: This is all my fault [that Soren is dead/missing]. I left him alone! I shouldn't have— Callum: Rayla. Don't. We can't know what happened for sure. I mean, this is the path to Rex Igneous, right? So maybe he couldn’t climb out of the pit, so he had to keep going. You know him. He’s brave. He’s gotta be down there looking for Rex.

And this is also built upon a foundation Ezran has set earlier with his friends. When he is trying to get Callum and Rayla to work together, he doesn't tell them to set everything aside, or even harkens back to their good old days. He asserts their identities and says, "Don't you remember who you are?" because to him — and evidently to Callum and Rayla, because it works — working together and helping each other has become a fundamental, core part of who they are as individuals. They are that interwoven with each other, and Rayla reflects that in 4x07 with, "Callum, you're the 'destiny is a book you write yourself' guy. No one can control you or make your choices for you" as well as what Callum offers up to her in 4x09 where we see the turning point in their prior uncertainty. Although they've both changed, they are fundamentally still the same people they were when they fell in love, and there is both comfort, sadness, and acceptance in that realization, where Callum says:

Which is the tipping point into season 5, and where they stay for the bulk of season five, so let's talk about that next stage.

Mutual Love as Self Actualization: Part 2 — Certainty and Discovery (S5)

Upon reconciling once Callum has said what we knew all along — "I'm so glad you come back" — Callum and Rayla return to the castle, and their searches for knowledge become arguably more explicitly stated by the text. Their first scene together in 5x01 establishes that Callum wants to know the Ocean arcanum ("I thought it would be about controlling the tides or fighting the currents" thereby exerting control, which he desperately wants over himself post-S4) as well as Aaravos, whereas Rayla is seeking answers about her family: "If I can figure out how he put you into the cursed coins, maybe I can find a way to get you out."

This is, of course, something we know she doesn't trust Callum with yet, not wanting to burden him with her problems especially before she's reached her own conclusion of what to do about it (to delay it for the good of the world) and we see that the certainty and forgiveness Callum found in 4x09 has more than carried over.

Opeli: Don't you want to know what she was up to? Why she did all this? Callum: If she didn't tell me, she has a good reason. I know this: the tides are true as the ocean is deep. [...] It means I trust her. Unconditionally. Let her go. Now.

This scene harkens back not only to the love poetry he quoted and then paraphrases ("To love is simply to know this") where loving and knowing someone is deemed synonyms, but also by his reassertion of Rayla's identity in the wake of her transgressions and her silence: "She's not the elf. She's Rayla" because Callum's love for (and trust in) her has always been rooted in the essence of who she is: "That's what makes her a hero. That's what makes her Rayla."

And we see Rayla's own knowledge of certainty challenged and reformed by Amaya in 5x04:

When I was growing up, my big sister Sarai was the smartest, strongest, bravest person I knew. When she died, I felt lost and weak without her. I hated feeling that way, so I learned to be strong alone. Stoic, strong, and lonely. [That does sound like me sometimes.] But the last two years have changed everything. Meeting Janai, falling in love, I am stronger than I ever was — because we are stronger together. And I realized that was the real truth of me and Sarai too. Love and trust grow a kind of strength that is much bigger than we each possess. To have that kind of strength, it is not enough to love someone. You have to trust them to share the burdens you carry.

And although very uncertain about opening up, Rayla still expresses certainty that she knows Callum could and can be there for her, if he wants to be — if he's ready to be.

Rayla: But I think — I know that I trust you to help me carry this. If you're okay with that?

This is, after all, with both Amaya's encouragement and Callum's reassurance that 1) "You can tell me when you're ready" and that 2) he does want to know from 5x01. Then, we see both their arcs in this way largely — or at least they would, in a perfect world — be resolved in many ways by their interaction later in 5x04:

But that's not where their season 5 arc ends, because 5x08 happens. To talk about that, though, we have to talk about a few other things, namely

Oedipus Rex

Bear with me, because I promise this relates. "Oedipus Rex" is a 5th century BCE Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, detailing the life of a man who's name is mostly (ironically) known for lending itself to Sigmund Freud's Oedipus complex theory. The play and myth itself, however, indicate very much the opposite. Prophesied to murder his father and marry his mother, both Oedipus and his parents are accordingly horrified by his apparent fate, and do everything they can to remove it as a possibility, including abandoning their baby to die on a mountainside, as well as Oedipus leaving the home of the family who saved and subsequently raised him, never realizing he was adopted.

He then goes on to discover the truth of the prophesy when a plague wracks his city that the seers say will not leave until the murderer of their king is found, and Oedipus unknowingly pushes until the point of revelation that it was himself, and that his wife for many years is actually his mother. Even when other characters, such as his mother turned wife, Jocasta, begin to suspect the truth and urge him to stop chasing down the mystery so they can have plausible deniability, Oedipus remains oblivious until the horrifying truth is staring him in the face. Jocasta hangs herself, and he gouges his eyes out and runs off into the woods to die.

The reason I bring this all up is because, in the Western literary canon at least, "Oedipus Rex" is considered the "ur-text," otherwise known as the text that all others are modelled after. Not necessarily in the incest or the tragedy, but the fact that most if not many Western stories (TDP included) are continually propelled towards the point of Revelation or epiphany, and that this revelation is inevitable, whether it is positive or negative.

While Viren and Harrow give an excellent display of a relationship that breaks down due to a lack of understanding and compassion, as well as self-doubt on both sides...

Harrow: Call it what it is. Dark magic [...] I've spent years going along with these creative solutions, and where has it gotten me? Viren: I don't understand. Harrow: I know you don't. Leave me. Viren: They will find you and they will kill you. Harrow: I know this. Viren: But know this: anyone of these men and women would gladly trade their lives to save yours.

Likewise, we see Viren through his dreams seek the form of acceptance ("I hope you know--" "I know") that Rayla has offered Callum, except from Harrow, as well as going further into what Viren has deeply wanted for most of his life and from Harrow in particular; to be listened to, to be valued. (How pure that is in practice is debatable given their dynamic outside of Viren's dreams, i.e. Harrow listening to you does not always mean agreeing with you, but I digress.)

Harrow: You are a brother. You're my family. Viren: I've always thought of you as my family, and you know, I would do anything for my family. However dangerous. However vile. Harrow: [Still hugging him] I know. Viren: It is everything to me, to know that I mean something to you, to know that I matter. It's all I ever wanted.

But what should be a scene of comfort and reassurance turns into a literal nightmare. Into entrapment. Into imprisonment.

Knowledge as a Burden / How Knowledge Can Imprison You

I've said before that Arc 2 is about the pursuit of knowledge, specifically because more than the mystery of Aaravos himself, the bulk of the main characters are trying to unravel the mystery of his prison. Season five, by virtue of offering more clues (the nature of the prison, its appearance, and its location) also reveals more of the layers in both the construction of the prison and the dispersion of the clues. Even the mighty Domina Profundis states, "I do not know where it is," but that "I do know what it is."

Previously, we've mostly talked about knowledge, especially within the text of the show, as a positive thing. It is the foundational rock of a strong relationship, it can lead to positive self actualization, and it helps the heroes keep Aaravos from being unleashed. When you do not have enough knowledge or perceived understanding of someone (Claudia assumes Soren could never understand her, and Viren and Harrow's relationship breakdown), your relationship accordingly deteriorates. When you share knowledge, and share experiences (Rayla to Callum about the coins, Soren to Elmer about abusive cycles), you can become stronger together.

But knowledge is not exclusively a good thing. It can also be harmful, or unwanted, or unwanted precisely because it's harmful. It can bind you to deals or bonds you don't really want, and once you know something, you cannot un-know it, whether about yourself or about others. And we see this most plainly in the story Archmage Akiyu shares about the prison.

Because Aaravos was a master manipulator, the Jailer knew all knowledge of the prison had to be protected... its location, its material, its very nature. She carefully divided information about the prison so that not even the Archdragons had the complete picture. Each knew only a piece. "The puzzle is the real prison," she told me with a proud smile. But I made a fatal mistake.

Akiyu didn't mean to look. She didn't mean to discover, to know. What should've been a noteworthy accomplishment of being trusted to keep the world safe, so it would be a better place for her and others to live in, nearly spelled her doom.

I begged her to let me live. I swore to keep the secret safe, but she said it was too important. "The archdragons will have to kill you," she told me, "to protect the puzzle, to secure the prison."

There's a few interesting things here. We can see, from the severity that Akiyu holds regarding her oath, that the Jailer was genuinely concerned about making sure the prison would hold Aaravos, in addition to the fact that Jailer would be condemning Akiyu to death without having to bloody her hands herself. But the intensity here does make sense; as she just said, "the prison is the real puzzle," and now that's been potentially compromised.

We even get a bit of bonus foreshadowing, as Callum turns to look at Rayla, indicating he hasn't forgotten what he asked her to do in 4x07, and that him gaining more knowledge about Aaravos (or the key?) may not necessarily be a Good thing.

Rayla: [About the cube] It's a toy. A piece from a children's game. I hope it was worth it to you, putting everyone's lives in danger (1x04).

If you have knowledge, you have the capacity to share knowledge, either for a common good with people you trust, or to potentially have it twisted out of you under duress, both of which could've posed a danger if Akiyu had trusted the wrong person...

or if someone (much the same way Ezran put it together) went after her to get information but with less favourable intentions...

And we see that Akiyu was likely aware of this as well:

So I proposed a pact. I made a solemn promise I would die before revealing the location of the prison to anyone. And she spared me.

She ends her history lesson by reaffirming a sentiment she already expressed earlier, citing, "I didn't want to kill you, but you left me no choice. I swore an oath, and I intend to keep it" and reaffirming it here with, "So you see, when you came looking for information about Aaravos, I had no choice. If I didn't deter you, I had to kill you." At best, Akiyu's acquisition of knowledge made her prepared to put blood on her hands (if it isn't there already from previous knowledge seekers) and provides her justification in doing so.

If she could just un-know something, her life and the information would've been much safer for everyone involved, and yet that wasn't really possible. Once you know something, you cannot un-know it. (What is done cannot be undone.) Although what happened was a genuine accident, and Akiyu wanted to live, she still understood the importance of what was transpiring and why the Jailer reluctantly wanted to remove her from the equation ("The archdragons will have to kill you" / "You have to kill me. I need you to promise") to be safe rather than sorry.

And then on the flipside we have Finnegrin, who is punished for 'genuine' crimes (we can assume based on his actions that his prior ones weren't much better, but we also don't totally know for sure), spared without begging for it, and is deeply resentful of the restrictions placed upon him.

So while to get out of her predicament, Akiyu is an Tidebound elf who holds onto knowledge, Finnegrin is a Tidebound elf who wants to get out of his predicament by gaining knowledge — by any means necessary. Because knowledge is power, knowledge is agency, and knowledge is imprisonment. Which means it's finally time to talk about:

Knowledge and the Ocean Arcanum

So if S4 is about beginning to navigate both in spite of and within uncertainty, S5 is about having the safety of that uncertainty stripped away, both in creating more of it, and in removing some of it. Namely, the Ocean arcanum:

Finnegrin: What did you think you could do, boy? I control everyone on this ship. Everyone.

Callum: [Internally] Do not ask how the ocean's blue... or why their time the tides do keep. To love is simply to know this. The tides are true as the Ocean is deep.

Now I've talked more about the specific symbolism embedded in the scene where Callum internally unlocks the Ocean arcanum — the closing of his hand mimicking what he must've done to crush the slug (as well as the importance of hands and consistent gestures throughout the episode), the sea and storm and darkness receding because the arcanum is, ultimately, enlightenment, etc.

And in some ways, Callum unlocking the Ocean arcanum should be outright enlightenment with all the positive connotations that comes with. It's him achieving the goal he wanted from his first scene this season ("I'm trying to get into a place where I can connect with the Ocean arcanum"), it has all the positive light and lack of storm associations, and it allows Callum to triumphantly break free from Finnegrin's blood ice grip, for lack of a better term.

Callum: But then, you already knew that, didn't you? Because it's the secret of the Ocean itself. The arcanum. Finnegrin: Impossible. Callum: You helped me figure it out. I thought it would be about controlling the tides, or fighting the currents. But it's the opposite. The Ocean arcanum is about accepting there are depths you can't see, parts of yourself you can't understand, and things you can't control. You know what I'm saying is true because you were born knowing it. No matter how much you try, you'll never control everything. And that terrifies you.

I'm afraid, Rayla. What if I'm on a path of darkness?

Callum does not frame him unlocking the Ocean arcanum, nor the arcana itself, as a victory. Not to say that either of those things are bad, but that they have layers, and complications, that largely were not present (at least at the time) with the Sky arcanum. While Callum learned in S4 the dark side of potential and how consequences can catch up to you, in many ways, S5 is about deepening that understanding to the fact that no matter how much power you have, you can still not control everything. There will always be moments you feel powerless. There will always be moments you are found desperate.

He chased the Ocean arcanum because he thought, if Sky granted him potential and freedom, then Ocean would grant him control, but the truth was more complicated than that. While it did grant him control (the ability to break free from Finnegrin's spell), it also granted him a rather hard truth he'd rather not know.

The first time he cites his poem about true tides and untold deaths, he is talking about his faith and trust in Rayla — the way he views her: "If she didn't tell me, she has a good reason. [...] I trust her. Unconditionally."

The second time he recites the poem, it is about himself. The untold depths are within himself, are parts he is still trying to understand in full because they are uncomfortable truths. In many ways, Callum unlocking the Ocean arcanum is his version of Ezran's 4x03 speech (see how we looped all the way back? 'Totally' intentional I swear), that multiple things can be, and sort of have to be, true in order to gain new ground, even if there's a part of you that wishes it could be simple.

I had a speech planned for today. It was about peace and love and hope. But I think I left something out. I ignored something that was true. I denied something that is undeniable.  [I'm not a dark mage. I will never help you. -> That's the dark magic you want. Just... just let her go.]

And just like his brother, Callum can no longer deny the truth.

Callum had to accept parts of himself that he was previously denying — where they could lead and what they could do, and how he could be manipulated/coerced/controlled — in order to access the Ocean arcanum. Love both makes him stronger, by his own assessment, and weaker, per Finnegrin's. Losing control made him realize what he'll do in order to have control again, even if it's temporary, even if it might not work, even if it might have disastrous consequences, because what he gains in the process — in this case, Rayla's life and safety - is worth it to him, even if all that knowledge is also scary to him and something he's going to continue to learn how to cope with.

Callum's knowledge of himself then becomes a burden, both a metaphorical and literal chain (undoing his chains so that he can free Rayla, while knowing he's chaining himself further to Aaravos in the process).

With this in mind, the ocean arcanum thereby embodies all the facets of Knowledge we've largely been looking at across S4 and S5 in particular. It is Love ("To love is simply to know this") and self actualization/discovery ("parts of yourself you can't understand"). It is power ("The secret of the Ocean itself - the arcanum" "Impossible!") and it is a burden ("there are depths you can't see" with his hands clasped like chains not for the first or last time this episode). It is freedom, yes, but the Knowledge Callum now holds is also imprisonment.

Conclusion

If you made it all this way, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed. While there were other elements this season (Viren's atonement and self actualization arc which begins and ends with him becoming aware of the Truth, or knowledge, of his actions, for example) I felt they were better suited to other core themes or motifs — a general theme of self actualization or the way TDP discusses truth and sight, for example, than being tethered directly to Knowledge in this way.

I expect we'll see this be continued further as the cast chases more knowledge about Aaravos and his past / power in future seasons, in addition to the potential knowledge he and other Startouch elves such as Leola passed down to humanity that had a variety of consequences.

For now, I will see you in the next meta.

—Dragons out

[gren-arlio]

Some Quest Stuff + Updates:

It's stuff like this that makes me come back to Tumblr to actually create a post. Interesting time, huh?

What you're seeing is the top 3 most popular characters in each of the colors for Quest. These characters will be given alts, so I guess the COMPILE Squad is getting even more alts, wahoo. So do the second and third place though, which is a very nice breath of fresh air.

So yes Feli, Ringo, Lemres, Raffine, AND the three Crowlas fans in the back of the crowd, we ARE getting alts for them. But speaking of alts:

These are what's currently being dubbed the "Spotlight" alts. And well, they chose the yellow first because they totally needed to spite me even more with witches, truuuuust me. Jokes aside, these alts are so damn good. Despite how I portray myself, I do like Witch's alt the most, then Raffine's, then Carbuncle's.

There's also stuff related for Quest that I...don't really need to explain much, it's mostly event stuff + The 6 Star versions.

Some more alts were announced for some others too, showing below is Dark Sig (Huh...they remembered the guy), and Popoi.

I mean I LIKE them, but I was never a massive Sig fan to begin with. But a lot of people love him, so I can't help but happy. Same goes with Popoi.

Oh, and Roquier, the new R for the ARS, also got a nice little alt.

Now THIS alt I like a lot. Anyone who wears a jacket like a cape automatically becomes the coolest person ever, and he's rocking it.

And the final thing I wanna say: A brand new character + Issen Stuff.

Now you may be wondering who this new girl is, and why does she have such a good design, and I'd be on the exact same boat as you. As of typing this (October 13), we dunno if the name is Toa or Towa at the moment, but it's one of those two. I personally want to lean towards Towa because of my love for Dragon Ball and whatnot, but either is perfectly fine.

-----

Updates:

That really big Schezo post is still very much in the works a month or so later. Trust me, it's hard to manage two writing projects alongside college as a whole. But I'll try to complete it by probably end of the year or something depending on how much time I've been given.

But that'd be all. Adios.

[and-corn]

The dragon update!!! Seeing it brought me back to your other comics and .... Something about them just really speaks to me. Your art just had a way of showing how to finding joy or comfort or love in the little things of every day life. Noticing and appreciating things that are so easy to move past.

The streetlights? I've experienced that, but never put much stock into it other than 'oh that's cool' until your comic.

I may or may not have once navigated a long dark road at night by (full) moonlight. Not quite the same as playing chicken with your own psyche, but your comic perfectly captured that isolated serenity I felt. So quiet, everything around asleep but me, gliding silently by (I swear headlights are so loud) through the woods instead of just barging through them. I feel that in my bones, especially in the panel with the rear lights.

The perspectives and angles in the scooping of Florida lizards - such drama! What a standoff! And what a jubilant victory (what was he thinking while he was yeeted out into the world again?). All just to say to a little guy that hey, I don't want to hurt you or eat you but please leave tyvm.

Also the selfie frogs. Adorable. I hope you understand that now they're eternally linked with this in my brain. https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/f47ctt/this_frog_trying_to_cool_down_in_a_very_hot/

I truly cannot put into words how much this means to me

Having my art resonate with people is something I've always hoped to achieve but never really thought I would, so messages like this are so mind-bogglingly wonderful. Especially with regards to the more conceptual comics like the streetlights and headlights ones because they're basically just stream-of-consciousness, and so I'll make them and think, "there's no way this means anything to anyone and I'll just embarrass myself if I share it." So the fact that you DO like it and CAN relate is so incredibly comforting and reassuring you have know idea. And it's even MORE fulfilling if something I make gets someone to see something in a new way like !!!!!!!!!!!!! It makes all the challenges and self-doubt of art making worthwhile! people like you make it worthwhile!!

anyway, just know that I am giving you a great big metaphorical hug

[crescencestudio]

Heyoo! 👋 I'm new to these asks, played your game, Alaris, and OMG is it so good! Aisa and Etza are on my mind, rent free, but mostly Aisa, I simp for Aisa, idk why I find the quiet ones cute/hot, I just do. 😭

👀 *coughs* Anywayyys, first things first, I'm curious about the world building of this game, ik there's already alot in it. But now I can't help wondering just how populated humans are in this world? Cause alot of the buildings seem to look worn-down/covered in plants, I can imagine the human race not to be very populated, unless they r and I'm just being dumb lol. But I couldn't help wondering since there used to be dragons, and now their's the fae race, and god knows if there are any other races out there besides those two (which I'm assuming there aren't, but who knows?).

I'm also saying this because the village(?)/town(?)/city(?) that MC, mom, human LI's are in seem to be in a relatively small, secluded town area, unless they aren't(?). Idk, if there even are big 'cities', but just little, scattered, hidden/overgrown towns like MC is in.

I'm also also saying this because i hope to build up my Alaris OC's life/background a bit, he's currently in the works rn ✍️👀 Speaking of, do u know of what happened to the MC's father? Or are we free to HC/imagine to whatever happened to him?

Lastlyyy (this ones most important of my asks I think 👀 mostly cause of trying to build my OC's childhood lol), what is the schooling like in this world? Where do the children go to learn about their world? Do they go to a regular public school? Or mentored/tutored/homeschooled by whoever is available/able to teach them?

Speaking of which, how do children even view this world? I bet their imagination must be top notch cause of humanity's history with dragons and all lol. I can imagine them little gremlins, running around pretending to be dragons lol.

Do the children/people of this world gain their "energy"/dragon magic, or are they just born with it?

Sorry for all of these asks 😭 I wasn't expecting to ask this much honestly, I was only going to ask like, 1 question then ask for a LI ask(which I'll do in the next ask since I don't want to pile them all into one) lmao.

I tend to ramble so apologies for that, I'm just really curious about this game and it's story, I also don't want to write something in my OC's bio that's canonically incorrect lol.

🫡 Anywho, I appreciate and salute u if u read all of this, idk if there's a number limit to how many asks we can ask but I just hope this wasn't too much lol.

hello!!!! ahhh i'm so glad you liked alaris this much omg q.q it's always a compliment to know players get into the game and stories i've toiled away on ^^ your ask and interest in the game mean so much to me!!!!

i'll try my best to answer all your questions--in the future, i def recommend splitting them up into separate asks (at least in categories) since it makes it easier for me to go through and answer everything <3

✨ Human Population

so you're right in that the world of alaris isn't densely populated. there was a lot of tragedy and destruction during the great war and so as the years have gone on, nature has kinda taken over (in a healing way) which leads to the look that you see in the game. i'd say most areas in alaris are towns similar to the size of where mc and cast are located!

✨ MCs Dad

there actually is a set backstory for mc's dad. i can't give any details since it's a spoiler but will be covered in the full game! you're totally free to HC your own theory/take on MCs dad but just to be totally transparent, it may end up differing from what is shared in game. as long as you're ok with that, feel free to HC away until the game is released!

✨ Schooling System and Energy

it's all public schools in alaris! homeschooling is actually not an option because the education system helps children hone their Energy. the schooling system teaches kids on the history, giving a lot of importance to the great war, the downfall of technology, and the significance of the dragons sacrifice. and then obviously other material that we would learn irl like math, language, and extracurriculars.

the unique part of the schooling system is, like i said, kids learn how to use their Energy at school. everyone in alaris is born with some kind of Energy. it may not be very strong, but everyone has access to at least a little bit of magic. Energy usually fully manifests by the time kids enter school, which would be around 4-6. once they go to school, they'll learn what kind of Energy they have, it's uses, etc. the schooling on education is pretty heavily monitored so that central can make sure no kids pose a danger to anyone. these cases are Extremely rare though since alaris is set in a very peaceful world!

kids are definitely imaginative, but i wouldn't say Significantly More than in our own world! the main difference is probably that some of their "fantasies" are a little more accessible to them since they actually have magic!

[tomb-the-god]

[Little intro post here]

"Tomb talks like this."

*Narrator talks like this.*

[I talk like this]

[This area is in Darkwood, follow the lanterns, get to the cemetery. You'll find its condition once you're there.]

[Trying to keep this somewhat short since I dont want to take up your screen. Or time.]

[Currently Tomb is only aware of (finally updating this rahhh)

@ask-theredcrown Narinder - GOD (God Of Death) (laugh)

@askacultleader Lamb - Leader Lamb

@askthe-littlepoet Poet, the bird

@ask-thebluecrown Kallamar, God of pestilence

@pbamoney Sean, the guardian.

@the-sleepydragon Imora, the dragon

@cat-mother-of-two Fornus, the mother

@tug6056 Tug, my child

@he-ofhavoc Leshy, the... That one.

@what-an-interesting-experiment Ethan, the anomaly.

@ask-afoxesshadow Shadow creature (Hallucination..?)

b r o t h e r .

]

[TOMBS LORE that you've unlocked!!]

family issues

Tomb's first love

Tomb's brother

THE VOID (And its global lore :D)

[Sorry for tagging yall, yknow how it is ;w;]

[Important tags:

#Everyone dies

- Someone doing something or saying something at the cemetery.

#Tomby

- Mod talking]

[Cemetery Condition]

*The cemetery has large fences surrounding the area, theres vines wrapped around a couple of the bars on the fences. Theres almost no gravestones inside of the fence walls, only a single tombstone marked "TOMB." with no date of death or reason of death...*

Followers *This is a new era.*

*This is who Tomb is, you can speak to him now. He's free.*

*This is who you shall only call Leader.*

[uselessmicrowave]

-• Rules + Other Information •-

DNI if: homophobic/transphobic, racist, ableist, a minor, a genuinely problematic person

-• Transformers Masterlist •-

-• 2nd Transformers Masterlist •-

-• The Legend of Zelda Masterlist •-

-• Call of Duty Masterlist •-

-• Kink(tober/cember) 2023 •-

-• Pick-a-Fic Masterlist •-

Pick-a-Fic events will take place on the first to second day of every month except for January, April, September, October and December.

-• Q&A will always be open! •-

All Requests Opened -> June 1st

Oneshots- closed

Headcanons- closed

Nsfw Alphabets- closed

Matchups- closed

Love Letters - closed

Doodles- closed

Call of Duty fandom requests are open- please ignore the space above if you'd like to request that! I will try to write for every character and not just my favorites I swear. (major brain rot wuh oh)

Want an answer? Just ask, this is a judgment free zone. Don’t worry about if your question is stupid.

Interact with me! I love it when followers or mutuals ask me something unrelated about writing or about opinions.

-• Rules for Writing Requests Below •-

Matchup Rules -> send the continuity and faction or fandom you want to be matched up with and some basic information about yourself (hobbies, favorite foods, smarts, bad habits, pet peeves, ect). You'll get some headcanons in return.

Love Letter Rules

Doodle Rules

Absolute No’s -> r^pe/noncon (dubcon is fine), beastiality, ped0philia, incest, crossovers, character x oc, female readers (all readers will use they/them or he/him wether afab or not), pregnancy/breeding (you can ask for it but it’s an iffy subject), religious topics, Q+/minority discrimination

I’ll say this one again: I Do Not Write For Female, Fem or Femme Readers at all. Your request will be deleted if it mentions a female reader. Afab readers are fine, female presenting and/or identifying readers make me uncomfortable to write and read.

Unless I know you personally, I will not be writing neutral readers anymore. Anonymously submitted requests will be male readers whether described as or not.

(The rule above is going to be enforced once I open and get new requests.)

Fandoms I write for -> Transformers (TFP, TFA, RB, RBA, RID15, G1, Cyberverse, MTMTE [Issues #1-#27], ROTB, War for Cybertron, ROTF, All AUs), Undertale (All AUs), BOTW/TOTK, Hasbin Hotel/Helluva Boss, Supernatural, The Dragon Prince, Breaking Bad, JJBA, Inside Job, Nimona, The Barbie Movie, Call of Duty

4 characters maximum per headcanon request.

I’d love to write for -> (TFA) Sentinel, Ratchet, rarepairs, angst, coregasm, degradation, stepping, sounding, (CoD) Soap, König, Ghost, Graves

Please include the fandom/continuity and themes/kinks you want in your request! If it’s just an ask with characters in it it’ll probably be discarded.

I may tend to write the requests that are not anonymous instead of the anonymous requests or doing the requests in order. The best bet to have your request finished first is to not be on anonymous.

-• Info ‘bout Me •-

I am transgender (female to male) and autistic. @gay4ratchet is my other SFW and TFA/RBA themed side blog. I’m fluent in English, I am currently learning German and need lots more practice. I have a lovely girlfriend (EEE @cyberrose2001 LOVE U POOKIE<3) and am quite happy with my cards in life, so to speak.

-• Tags •-

#valveplug -> where the nasties are.

#micro talks -> random thoughts, anons talking or asking questions, rambles or opinions on ideas.

#reblog wednesdays -> art or the occasional fic I reblog on wednesdays (CDT time).

#pick a fic -> where all of the Pick-A-Fic polls and fics are.

#micro matchups -> where all of the matchups are. they’re very personalized to individual people/not meant for every reader.

#love letter -> all of the love letters.

#nsfw alphabet -> all of the nsfw alphabets.

#micro’s kinktober -> where you’ll find all of the kinktober (and the kinkcember extension)event posts and fics.

#micro doodles -> where you'll find all of my art

[chthonicgodling]

Røkia moodboard by the way💞

teeny handful of specific design inspo pics collected over this whole year even though I had started with a loose idea of how I wanted him to look immediately when EeL got pregnant - plus many components of Tory that made its way in to him. notably in Tory’s spikes n’ spines and color palette etc etc

Literallly I designed him in the wayyy beginning of the year and. then. when Moo Deng dropped into the public consciousness fenixe and I???? Shrieked????? (And I updated my inspo folder LOL). on that note I have do have more lil doodles to post later in the week don’t worry

Okay what else what else!! Røkia posting at last!!! LIVE FROM ELYSIUMMMM

Røkia is wiggly and snuggly and SO00O CUUUTE and he mewls and purrs and kneads like a cylinder shaped kitten. he also squeaks and chirps like a bird. is this not all dragons are, anyway?

bear in mind he's fully sentient and cognizant by the way like!!! he literally is just a dragon shaped baby! He'll be able to fully SPEAK probably the way Fjöer can, and the way Fen and Jor could when they were animal shaped - although who knows I haven't made a decision about this like. sometimesDragons can fully talk!! Idk we'll just see. Either way his parents and siblings will all be able to seamlessly understand him.

his wings right now are crumply and soft - they'll harden, the way a butterfly's does post chrysalis.

hmm what else can I share!!! They picked his name in August. Rokia loosely translates to, quoth EeL himself, something to take care of- to protect.

Maci and him immediately got into an argument over pushing the nickname Røcky onto him fgkfkgkgkgkg EeL said absolutely NOT

(Maci and Tory don't know this but), EeL's been naming his recent children in matching sets haha. He has Fenris and Fjöer, Eisa and Einmyria, Vali and Vrykolakas, Sleipnir and Saunn... and now Rane and Rokia. The only names he'd offered them were "H” N," "L," or "R" - Hela, Nari, and Libby will get theirs next time around uwu

OH ALSO- Figuring out on the fly wtf Røkia was going to eat once he was born??!! (He figured out how to nurse its fine) but that led to this featured this wonderful Canon moment -

Maci: “What do dragons usually eat?”

Tory:  “People.”

Loki: “People, livestock.”

Maci: “Ohh, cutie pie’s too little to eat any sheep and people yet.”

😭 lmfao

What ELSSEEEEE um!!! the kids on either side haven’t met him yet :-) he’s so fucking cute that Rane and Neo will certainly come around

I think that’s it for now. oh it’s so exciting to FINALLYYYYY just say Røkia instead of being vague lmao AHH,, BOUNCESS AROUNDDDDDDD