#spots led sol

[fashiongifs74]

Exterior Glass Grenoble

[richard-swarbrick]

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[helenaperezgarcia]

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[hollywood-swagger]

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[stlinzk]

Exterior Glass Grenoble Large minimalist white one-story glass flat roof photo

[mattfnwallace]

Small trendy wine cellar photo with display racks

[fictionally-driven]

Bruises and Blossoms

Pairing: Jiyan x f! Midnight Rangers reader Word count: 3165 words Trigger warnings: Injuries, mentions of blood, violence, mentions of death. Plot: Jiyan is gravely injured and saved by the resilient and resourceful field medic, (Y/N), whose unwavering dedication and quick thinking catch his eye amidst the chaos of war.

Author Note: I have been writing fics about WuWa characters developing feelings for someone. I could not help but indulge in this after playing WuWa from the past few days. If you liked it, then reblogs are appreciated, Thank you!

The battlefield was a symphony of chaos, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and the acrid stench of smoke. Tacet Discords, their dark forms swirling like a malevolent storm, descended upon them. Jiyan led his troops into the fray against the looming threat to Jinzhou and Huanglong. His blade cut through the fog on the enemy with lethal precision.

But the Tacet Discords were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless as they swarmed over the battlefield. It felt like an other outbreak was on the verge of breaking through and Jiyan was resolved to quell it before it got to that point. Jiyan fought with all his strength, his heart pounding with adrenaline as he pushed himself beyond his limits to protect his troops from the brunt of the attacks.

Suddenly, amidst the chaos, a joint attack from the Crownless and the Tempest Memphis caught Jiyan off guard. Despite his best efforts, he found himself overwhelmed, his vision blurring as pain seared through his body. Blood filled Jiyan's mouth as he struggled to maintain his footing, his ears ringing with the clamor of battle. But even in the midst of his pain, he refused to yield, his determination unwavering as he faced his enemies head-on. Slaying the crownless, Jiyan collapsed to his knees, trying to catch his breath and recover. Black spots emerged in his vision and he shook his head, trying to remain focused. Amidst the chaos, a familiar voice cut through the din, pulling him back from the brink of darkness.

An on-field medic approached at Jiyan's side "General! focus on me," she urged, her voice firm yet comforting as she assessed his injuries. Her hands moving with practiced precision as she tended to his injuries with the supplies she was carrying. "Let me patch you up."

But Jiyan, his resolve as strong as ever, swatted her hand away. He insisted that he was fine, his voice strained with pain. "There are others who need your help more than I do," he protested, his gaze flickering with concern for his troops. “I’ll be alright.”

Yet the medic, undeterred by Jiyan's protests, remained steadfast in her resolve. "You need medical attention, General," she insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Let me do my job."

"I'm not leaving you like this," She retorted, her tone firm as she continued to patch up Jiyan's injuries. "No man left behind, remember?"

As she outlined Jiyan's injuries in her terminal, recording and transmitting the message to the infirmary, she detailed the extent of his wounds. "He's broken his arm, sustained a deep femoral artery laceration, and has multiple contusions and abrasions," she reported, her voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "We'll need a transfusion and surgical intervention."

With practiced efficiency, she stabilized Jiyan's broken arm, carefully wrapping it in a makeshift splint to prevent further injury after removing his signature midnight green gardebras. Administering pain medication, she sought to alleviate his discomfort, her hands moving with gentle precision as she worked.

As she wrapped a tourniquet around his open wound to stem the bleeding, she barked commands to the surrounding troops, directing them to cover their path back to the infirmary. "We need a clear path, now!" She pointed to two soldiers. “You two. Cover for me and the general till we make it to the infirmary. Take defense positions at the back.” She then points to another soldier beside them. “You take the front. What? Do I look like I have sprouted two horns? Move. Now!”  With Jiyan's uninjured arm draped around her, she lifted the general up, staggering a bit due to his weight before stabilizing herself.

Despite his delirium from the pain and blood loss, Jiyan couldn't help but notice the warmth of her presence, her lively nature. "You're like a whirlwind, aren't you?" he murmured, his voice laced with admiration as she dragged him towards the relative safety of the infirmary.

Despite the chaos and confusion of the battlefield, Jiyan finds himself drawn to the medic at his side. Was she glowing? He couldn't help but wonder as he struggled to keep up with her brisk pace. How could someone be so beautiful, almost amidst the carnage of war? Though the scent of blood and smoke filled his senses, he could still smell was the antiseptic and medicines that she had used on him, comforting him. As she dragged him towards the infirmary, Jiyan weakly protested against her, insisting that he would be fine. She seemingly ignored his words, only to focus on the task at hand. And in that moment, as he clung to her for support, Jiyan knew that he was in good hands.

Inside the infirmary, the harsh lights made everything seem too bright and painful. Jiyan was gently lowered onto the bed, his muscles screaming in protest with each movement. Through bleary eyes, he watched as the medic busied herself. Jiyan’s eyes fixed on her, noting the blood, his blood, smeared on her skin and on her clavicle. He noticed the small injuries that marred her too. Her hair, disheveled from the chaos, fell out of place from its tie, framing her face. With his uninjured hand, he reached out and tucked a stray strand behind her ear, his touch lingering for a moment. “You are injured too. Make sure to get it patched.”

She glanced at him, a mix of frustration and tenderness in her eyes. "You need to rest, General," she admonished, her voice soft yet firm. "Let us handle the battlefield for now. Your troops need you to recover."

Jiyan managed a weak smile, his vision blurring again. "You... you're quite something," he murmured, his voice trailing off. “What is your name, soldier?”

She stood up, her expression softening as she looked down at him. "And you're quite stubborn," she replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Take care and recover soon. Your troops have got this, and you need to focus on resting." She wiped his blood off her using a few wet wipes as more medics gathered to tend to the general. “My name is (Y/N).” She said, as the medics began working on treating him.

Jiyan managed a weak smile, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion. "Thank you, (Y/N)." he murmured, his voice barely audible.

"You're welcome," she replied, still smiling. “Let the medics tend to you. I’ll be off now.”

As she turned to leave, her figure was haloed by the harsh light, making her seem almost ethereal. Jiyan watched her go, the scent of antiseptic and the warmth of her presence lingering even as he drifted into unconsciousness.

Days had passed since the chaotic battle, and Jiyan, who transferred to the hospital in Jinzhou city was gradually recovering. His body, still wrapped in bandages and dressings, bore the marks of the intense skirmish. His broken arm was securely cast, the deep laceration on his hip stitched and bandaged, and the myriad of contusions and abrasions were cleaned and dressed. The medics had done their job well, but amidst their care, Jiyan's mind lingered on one thought: the medic who had saved him.

(Y/N), she had said her name was. She hadn't served directly under him before, always stationed at a distant outpost. The recent upheavals had brought many changes to their forces, including her reassignment to the Northern border of Huanglong. He'd learned through her records that she was exemplary, her combat skills and medical background making her a perfect fit for an on-field medic. Jiyan knew he needed to thank her, not just for her skillful treatment, but for her unwavering determination to save his life.

Her image was etched into his mind: her firm yet gentle hands tending to his wounds, her unwavering resolve, and that fleeting moment when he had tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. Despite the pain and blood loss, he remembered the warmth of her presence

The Tacet Discord outbreak from that fateful day had been contained, though at a grave cost. Several lives had been lost, each one a heavy burden on Jiyan's heart. As he regained his strength, he prepared himself for a somber duty he never neglected: honoring the fallen. With a pouch of Emortia seeds in his hand, Jiyan made his way to Knell Square, the hallowed ground where he planted these seeds to commemorate the soldiers who had perished in battle.

Stepping out into the streets of Jinzhou, Jiyan felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. The city was alive with activity, but he sought solace in the quieter parts. His path took him away from the bustling marketplace, past the familiar landmarks of the city, and towards Knell Square.

As Jiyan approached the square, the familiar sight of Emortia flowers greeted him, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze. He paused for a moment, taking in the serenity of the scene, his heart heavy with the names and faces of the comrades he had lost. But then, his gaze caught sight of a solitary figure standing by the flower bed, lost in thought.

(Y/N) stood there, her posture relaxed yet somehow somber. She seemed absorbed in the sight of the flowers; her eyes distant as if she were communing with the spirits of those who had passed. The soft light of the late afternoon cast a gentle glow on her, highlighting the subtle strength and grace that had left such an impression on him.

Jiyan's heart skipped a beat as he watched her. He hadn't expected to run into her here, and the sight of her brought back a flood of memories from the battlefield. He wondered what she was thinking about, what memories or emotions had drawn her to this quiet place. He took a moment to observe her, the way her eyes seemed to soften as she looked at the flowers, the way her hands gently brushed against the petals. He cleared his throat, stepping beside her. "I didn’t expect to run into you in Jinzhou."

(Y/N) turned to him, a gentle smile forming on her lips. "General Jiyan," she greeted, her voice soft. “I see that you are recovering quickly.” She turned back to the flowers. “I was here to collect some personal supplies and stopped by to admire these flowers. They are quite beautiful, aren’t they?”

Jiyan nodded, stepping closer to stand beside her. "They do. Each one represents a life, a sacrifice. It's a way for me to remember and honor them. I plant these seeds for the rangers who lost their lives." he said quietly.

She looked back at the flowers; her expression thoughtful. "These flowers... they carry so many memories…”

There was a moment of silence between them, the weight of their shared losses hanging in the air. Jiyan took a deep breath, summoning the words he had been wanting to say. "Thank you," he began, his voice earnest. "For saving me that day. I owe you, (Y/N)."

(Y/N) waved a hand dismissively, but there was a twinkle in her eye. "I was just doing my duty, General. But next time, let me do my job without fighting back.” There was a hint of frustration in her eyes. “You of all people should know that without a general, the army would have fallen into disarray."

Jiyan felt a pang of sheepishness at her words, but he nodded in acknowledgment. "You're right," he admitted. "I was stubborn. But so were you. Your quick thinking and actions saved me. Your efforts will be formally acknowledged."

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she shook her head. "No need for formalities, General. Knowing that you're alive and well is enough for me. I don't want praise," (Y/N) said, her voice firm yet soft. "I didn't do it for the recognition. I did it because it's my duty, and I want to be more efficient in that duty. I could have saved more lives that day if I was better."

Jiyan nodded slowly. "I do. It's a heavy burden, knowing lives depend on your actions. But that's also what makes it so important."

(Y/N)'s eyes widened slightly, a spark of recognition flashing in them. "That's right. You were a medic before you became a general. I'd almost forgotten about that."

Jiyan smiled faintly. "It's not something I talk about often, but it's a part of who I am."

She gave him an incredulous look, almost looking offended. “You, of all people, should know better than to resist treatment on the battlefield! Next time, I'll tie you up if I have to."

A chuckle escaped Jiyan before he could stop it, and (Y/N)'s eyes widened in surprise. "Something the matter?" he asked, bemused.

She shook her head, a look of astonishment on her face. "I don't think I've ever heard you chuckle before," she said, her voice filled with wonder. "It suits you more than your usual frown and scowl."

Jiyan was momentarily stunned by her words. He wasn't used to such candid observations about his demeanor. "I suppose I should thank you for that," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

(Y/N) returned his smile, her gaze focused on the sky for a moment, "I'll leave you to your moment with the flowers, General," she said, stepping back to give him space.

As she began to walk away, Jiyan found himself not wanting her to leave just yet. "Wait," he called after her, his voice catching slightly. "Would you... would you help me plant these seeds?"

(Y/N) turned back, her smile widening as she walked back to him. "Of course, General. I'd be honored."

They knelt together by the flower bed, the pouch of Emortia seeds in Jiyan's hand. He handed a few seeds to (Y/N), their fingers brushing lightly. Together, they dug small holes in the soil, carefully placing the seeds within.

"Each seed represents a life," Jiyan said quietly, his voice filled with reverence. "A sacrifice that must never be forgotten."

(Y/N) nodded, her eyes reflecting the same solemn respect. "And each flower that blooms is a reminder of their bravery and our duty to honor them."

They worked in silence for a while, the act of planting the seeds almost meditative. The gentle rustling of the flowers and the distant sounds of the city created a peaceful backdrop to their task.

As they finished planting the last of the seeds, Jiyan looked at (Y/N), admiration evident in his eyes. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere. "For everything."

(Y/N) smiled, her lively spirit shining through once more. "You're welcome, General. And thank you for your service. We all rely on your strength and leadership."

With the seeds planted, they stood together, taking a moment to appreciate the serene beauty of Knell Square. The Emortia flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their delicate petals a symbol of hope and remembrance.

"I should be going," (Y/N) said softly. "But if you ever need someone to tie you down for treatment again, you know where to find me, General."

Jiyan chuckled, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied. “And please, call me Jiyan.”

“Jiyan…” She repeated, nodding at him. “Alright then, I’ll do just that.”

As (Y/N) repeated his name, a warm feeling spread through his chest. He didn't want her to leave just yet. There was something about her presence that he found comforting, something that made him want to know more about her.

He recalled Mortefi's words, a dear friend who often chided him for being too stoic and reserved. "You need to put yourself out there, Jiyan. Go on dates, meet new people, relax a little. Stop being a tragic brooding hero all the damn time and go live your life."

Jiyan had never thought he desired companionship. After all, the Jué had entrusted him with a duty, a responsibility that he had always taken seriously. But this woman, (Y/N), had come out of nowhere, stirring feelings within him that he had never felt before. It made him yearn for more and all he wanted was to be the subject of her attention at the moment.

Summoning his courage, Jiyan hesitated for a moment before calling out to her, his voice slightly awkward. "Um, (Y/N), wait!"

She turned back, a curious expression on her face as she regarded him. Jiyan stumbled over his words, his cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. At this very moment, he felt as if he would rather fight a horde of the Crownless than speak his mind.  "I, uh, I was wondering if... if it would be alright for us to, um, go out for a nice dinner? And maybe catch a lion dance performance after?"

(Y/N) turned back, a slight smile playing on her lips as she observed Jiyan's flustered state. "Are you asking me out on a date, General?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Jiyan hesitated, first blurting out. “N-no…that’s...” He immediately corrected himself. "I... uh... yes, I suppose I am," he admitted, his voice slightly uncertain. "If... if that's not out of line, I mean. I'm sorry, I should probably let you be..."

(Y/N) giggled, the sound light and musical, easing some of Jiyan's anxiety. "It's endearing to see the General so flustered," she said, her tone gentle and kind. “I’d like to see more of this side of yours, Jiyan.” She met his gaze, still amused. “So yes, I'd like to go on this date if you're still up for it."

Relief flooded through Jiyan, mingled with a newfound sense of excitement. He hadn't expected her to say yes, but now that she had, he couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. “Yes. It... Its settled then.”

(Y/N) nodded, her smile warm and inviting. "Alright then, Jiyan. When and where?"

Jiyan thought for a moment, his mind racing. "There's a lovely restaurant near the theatre. How about we meet there at seven tonight or is that too soon...?"

"Seven sounds perfect," she agreed. "I'll see you then."

As they exchanged contact information on their terminals, Jiyan's heart thudded in his chest, a mixture of nerves and excitement coursing through him. He watched as (Y/N) took off, her graceful form moving with purpose, and he couldn't help but admire her even more. With a final wave and a cheerful reminder to take care, she disappeared into the bustling city streets, leaving Jiyan standing there with a smile playing on his lips.

His gaze lingered on the spot where she had vanished, the memory of her infectious laughter and warm smile etched into his mind. For a moment, he placed his uninjured hand on top of his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath his palm. Yes, even he, General Jiyan, renowned for his stoicism and unwavering dedication to duty, found himself looking forward to tonight and the possibility of many more nights spent in (Y/N)'s company.

WuWa Masterlist

[scrollonso]

First Kiss (Race 7)

A strollonso AU where 18 year old rookie Lance Stroll falls helplessly in love with the notoriously mean world champion. (1.2k words, no warnings) [@v3lnys @biancathecool] {This is short, sorry 😭 I'm seeing a pattern of me ending chapters with Strollonso hugging so if u get sick of it uhhhh idc i love it theyre so soft}

last part - masterlist - next part

Lance was in a great mood, coming into the paddock with Nico but quickly being taken away by Fernando.

They'd talked a lot since the older mans home Grand Prix, texting almost constantly and calling so Fernando could ramble about anything and everything (coming close to disclosing undisclosed renault information a few times)

"How are you?" He asked, turning to look at Lance while dragging him away from the paddock

"We were just texting, Nando" Lance laughed, shaking his head at Fernando as they came to a stop

"I missed your voice" The Spaniard hummed, looking up at Lance

"Yeah, yeah. You were just on the phone complaining to me about how Renault is changing their colour scheme next year." Lance didn't mind it, he liked talking to Fernando. It seemed like ever since Fernando won in Spain they'd just been getting closer every day

"That's besides the point!" Fernando laughed, waving his hand as he brushed it off "Do you feel good about today? First time in monaco for Racing Point"

"I do, I've raced here a few times so I know I'll be quick to get a hang of it in a Formula One car" Their conversations just seemed to flow, both of them listening closely to the other

"Planning to look pretty in pink on the podium?" The shorter man teased, elbowing Lance slightly as their hands fell apart

"On that highest step, yeah" Lance flashed Fernando a grin, playfully challenging the Spaniard

"The day I lose to you I will buy the moon in your honour"

They both laughed, Lance taking it as a joke but Fernando was seriously wondering if he could do that

Qualifying went by quick, as soon as he got to the pitlane Fernando ran up to him

"Lancito, what was your time?"

"Uh, 1:14:08"

"De veras?" His eyes lit up, Lance not understanding but going along "Lancito, you're p2"

Now he understood, this time he was the one to hug Fernando, practically smothering the shorter man

"Wait-" He pulled back, hands on Fernandos shoulders "You're-"

"Am p1, of course"

Lance smiled widely, his teeth exposed as he became excited for both him and Fernando

Lance was sat in the Racing Point garage, worrying about whethet or not he'd actually be able to keep his spot.

"Lancito!" A voice called, getting Lance's attention straight away. Fernando had just finished speaking with people from his team so now he could talk to Lance "Nervous?" He asked, Lance making his way to the Spaniard

"Of course not, you should be" Lance smiled, nudging the older man

"Am horrified" Fernando said, a serious look on his face that quickly turned into a small smile as the two looked at eachother, a laugh escaping his lips

Lance hit his shoulder lightly "Hey! This is no joke, I might make a crazy comeback and win the championship"

"Ah, yes, of course, Lancito" Fernando nodded, both of them knowing it wasn't possible but neither caring enough to be logical, they hadn't thought the two of them having a front row start was possible either but here they are

"Don't run into my car to sabotage me, okay? I need my rookie year championship"

"Of course, I'll let you have a head start, mi sol"

"Good!"

They were all lined up, Lances eyes glued to the lights in front of him, watching as they turned on one by one then stepping on the gas as they shut off.

Fernando kept the lead, not to anyones surprise. Lance managed to defend against Kimi who was trying to pass, building a 2 second gap between them and just over a second between him and Fernando.

On lap 23 he managed to pass Fernando, his hands shaking as he gripped his steering wheel, pushing his car as far as it could go. He led for a little over a lap before Fernando took it back, he wasn't too worried since there were still over 50 laps for him to take it back.

On lap 50 he started having problems.

"Brad, what's going on? Something feels off." He radioed in, having to shout over the noise of the track

"We aren't sure, Lance, just keep pushing. Fernando is .8 seconds ahead."

Lance nodded, knowing Brad couldn't see him but too determined to be in first again to think. The only thing on his mind was a podium.

Four laps later his hopes were squashed, his engine practically exploding behind him as he was forced to pull off to the side, half is car still on the track as they called out a safety car

"FUCK" He shouted, slamming his hands on the wheel. He felt his heart beating, he could hear it in his ears, how fast it was going, how much hope he had just a lap prior and now he was pulled off to the side with black smoke engulfing his car.

He got out quickly, moving closer to the barrier as he waited to be picked up. He felt as if he could cry. He had another great chance and it was ruined again. He felt like he couldn't win, like no matter what he was destined to just never get a podium. Every time he even thought about it his car would decide he didn't deserve it.

He was stuck in the garage debriefing for what felt like hours, Brad unsure why this kept happening, all he knew was Lance was sick of it. The teenager was getting restless, he wanted to show his skill, show people he's not just a billionares son but a brilliant driver. It didn't seem possible with the car he was given.

"I just- I'm so sick of it, I keep having any chance of succeeding torn away from me, I just want to do good. Why can't I just do good? Why can't i succeed?" He spoke quick, nails digging into his palm as he felt himself get more and more worked up over it, he wasn't sure why the DNF's were getting to him more, he knew he could do good, he'd done good, but the car would always give up before he could solidify his results.

Fernando left the podium, walking past the Renault garage and straight to Racing Point where he saw the Canadian sitting on a counter towards the side.

As soon as he saw Fernando he got up, going to him quickly. He didn't say anything, the Spaniard just opened his arms and Lance sunk into them, somehow always managing to feel small in the older mans embrace.

"You did good, am so proud, Lancito." He whispered, a hand finding its way to the boys head, stroking his long hair as he tried to make him feel better

Lance didn't speak, he just inhaled, taking in the scent of the world champion as he hid his face in his neck, not bothering to care about the crowds eyes and cameras on them. All that mattered was Fernando was there, his Fernando was there.

[thylacinetears]

I'm still deciding how I feel about The Acolyte ep7, but I think I overall liked it. It's interesting seeing everyone's different interpretations on it. But I'm getting pretty annoyed by people who are like "X did nothing wrong, Y was totally at fault!". Because here's my hot take:

Every single main character in The Acolyte ep7 had good intentions, but made bad decisions that contributed to the tragedy. Every. Single. One. And that is the point of the whole episode.

Starting with the Jedi - Indara is one of the most level-headed characters in the episode. She consistently demonstrated the best values, and tried to defuse the situation whenever possible. But she underestimated Torbin's pain, and clearly did not do enough to make sure her own padawan was okay - leaving a vulnerable spot for Aniseya to exploit. And she should have done more to find out about the coven besides "ask a little kid some leading questions"I also think that her continued insistence on waiting to contact the Council was more of a weakness than a strength - because no good decisions could be made, until it was too late and the situation was dire.

For the most part, Sol really was just motivated by trying to ensure the twins' safety. When he looked at the coven, he saw a dangerous cult - and in a lot of ways, he's right. (As shitty as the Jedi are, at least padawans get other kids to interact with, and get taught other things than just fighting.) But he let his emotional attachment to Osha cloud his judgement, which was the source of many problems. And he was often reckless, especially when talking/testing Osha, and he probably should have tried some other way to deal with Aniseya rather than just stabbing her.

Torbin was thrust into a difficult situation, that his master clearly did not properly prepare him for. That allowed him to be manipulated by a Force user far more powerful than him. All the same, the final confrontation would not have happened if he hadn't run off. It's okay to be inexperienced, but it's not okay to decide that you know better than all the experienced people. (Though evidently they made terrible decisions too).

Mother Aniseya obviously wanted to look out for her kids and her community. Despite her people's history of discrimination, she was willing to let Osha follow her dream, even if it meant she'd never see Osha again. But she harmed Torbin - intentionally targeting the weakest (and least responsible) member of the group. She essentially threw the first punch, and if she hadn't done that, the Jedi wouldn't have been so concerned. Not only that, but her choices in the final confrontation were very much a mistake. It was a tense situation, Sol and Torbin had about 20 archers with deadly weapons pointed right at them, and she decided the best way to defuse the situation was to use dark magic on/with a tearful Mae. There's no way it could have been interpreted as anything other than a deadly threat.

Koril... is probably the least sympathetic character in the episode, but she also was generally motivated by protecting the twins and her community. She decided that the best way to ensure their safety was to teach them defense, which isn't a bad thing in itself. But she was way, WAY too hard on them, which is what concerned Sol in the first place. Not only that, she encouraged Mae's temper, unhealthy attachments, and paranoia, which is what led Mae to start the fire.

And, whilst they can't really be responsible because they were just children, Osha and Mae contributed as well. Osha should have been able to follow her dreams, and in some ways she seemed to be a bit of the unfavourite in her family. But she knew, to some extent, that revealing herself to the Jedi would endanger her family, and that decision caused the rest of the events. Meanwhile, Mae just wanted her family to be together. But she was possessive and unhealthy about it (encouraged by Koril), which of course led to her starting the fire.

It's a perfect storm, a tragedy that seems avoidable to the viewer, but was inescapable to the characters. So it's definitely annoying me when people reduce that to just "Jedi bad" or "Jedi good"!

[jpitha]

Between the Black and Gray 36

First / Previous / Next

Fen sat up quickly in bed, but then her pounding headache made her wince and lay back down. She looked up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Where was she?

Trying again, she sat up, more slowly this time. Wherever she was, it was a very elegant space. A hotel room? The room had a deep, plush carpet, blue trimmed in gold. The bed was huge and comfortable. With ice in her veins she looked over in the bed, but she was alone. Releasing the breath she didn't realize she was holding, she looked down; she was wearing her underwear from last night and her clothes were folded neatly on a chair at the foot of the bed. It appeared that they had been laundered as well.

She stood up and stretched, which caused her headache to pound further. Grasping the end table next to the bed, she waited for the pain to subside. "Hello?" She called out into the air.

"Fenchurch Whitehorse. You are awake." It was not a question. The voice over the room was polite, clear and unfamiliar.

"I prefer Fen."

"Logged. Fen, you are awake."

"I am, who are you?"

"I am Starlight, Empress Meredith's yacht."

"I'm aboard the Empress' yacht?"

"Indeed. You are in her private bedroom."

Fen's legs went weak and she sat heavily back onto the bed. Just what the hell is going on?

"Starlight, when did I go to bed?"

"You were carried into the bedroom by the Empress and the individual named Gord about 10 hours previous." The Empress herself undressed you and led you to the bed. You were somewhat recalcitrant, but once you were in bed, you slept without complaint."

Gord and the Empress? "Starlight, where is Gord?"

"Gord is in the dining area with Empress Meredith and the others."

Mentally shrugging, Fen put her clothes back on and made her way to the dining area. She walked in, and saw Gord and Meredith sitting at at table each with a steaming cup. There was a woman that Fen didn't recognize, sitting in a corner of the room frowning while reading a pad with a cup of coffee next to her, which was ignored. She was tall, taller than Gord with white hair that flowed behind her past her shoulders. Northern is sitting next to her, hands on her legs, looking incredibly awkward. She keeps stealing glances at the woman. The white-haired woman next to Northern either doesn't notice how rigid she's sitting, or doesn't care.

Zhe was over in the other corner eating a frankly massive plate of waffles with Tina and Emery. Kerry and Alia were at the stove seemingly arguing about cooking.

"You're overcooking the bacon, Kerry!"

"Alia, nobody makes bacon 'medium.' You have to cook it until it's crispy."

"Crispy yes, burnt no!"

"Ladies, please." Empress Meredith is resting her head on the table. "If Alina wants medium bacon, she can take some out before Kerry has determined the bacon to be sufficiently cooked."

Gord looks up. "Fen! You're finally awake." He seems none the worse for wear. "It's a lucky thing for me you were as drunk as you were when you launched yourself at me." He smiles broadly, other than Zhe the only one who seems to be in a legitimately good mood in the room. "Your attack didn't do anything other than introduce me to your friends." He winks and inclines his head towards Empress Meredith.

Oh Ancestors, last night is coming back in flashes. She launched herself at Gord but couldn't connect. Then she stood over him and...oh gods...she turned to look at Empress Meredith.

The Empress of Sol was sitting at the table, her head down, at least as hungover as Fen, if not more. She didn't seem to notice Fen. Gord sees her gaze and gestures for her to sit. As she does, he pours a cup of coffee.

Fen takes a sip. It's hot and bitter and black and she never liked it much before, but today? Today it hits the spot. It's exactly what she needs.

"You know, we left Venus to figure out what happened to my Nanites." The Empress doesn't lift her head, so her voice is a little muffled. "Kerry thought that if we went to a Gate, I could touch the addressing stone or something and maybe... I don't know, open up a dialog with them, figure out what happened. I didn't expect to run into the recipient of my Nanites while out shopping."

"Oh um, so you know?" Fen looked at Gord who was making an odd face. He looked like he was trying to hold in laughter.

Zhe looks up from her waffles. "It was amazing Fen! You don't remember? After you launched yourself at Gord, you got upset at him and you were so mad and then there was like this breeze that came up from nowhere, and all this dust and stuff and some kind of reddish light formed wings behind you, and then you had this crown thingy and-" She finally sees Fen's horrified face "-what?"

"I had... wings and a crown?" Fen's voice was a whisper.

Meredith chuckles, but still doesn't lift her head. "Yup, just like the Empress." She finally lifts her head slowly. "Did you know." She takes a sip of coffee and that seems to revive her a little. "Did you know, I never got to form wings and a crown? Grandma did a bunch, even Mom did it a few times, but I never did. I don't even think I used the Voice more than a couple of times, and a few of them were just to see if I could."

Fen takes a moment to try and calm her heartbeat. She looks down at her coffee. "I'm entirely too hungover to be dealing with this."

"Hear hear" Meredith put her head back down on the table, her voice muffled once again.

Kerry comes to the table with a plate of bacon and some scrambled eggs. It's not Cuisine, but it's better than anything Fen can remember having. Zhe goes in for more waffles and Northern, Gord and the woman pass on food. They eat in silence.

Fen blinks. "Wait. Starlight said I was in your bed, Empress-"

"Meredith is fine when it's just us."

"Thank you. Starlight said I was in your bed, Meredith, but where were you?"

"Oh, I was in the spare bedroom. It's fine, I have a few."

Gord nods. "Starlight is meant to have a crew of more than thirty. It was just the five of them before we came aboard."

Zhe's eyes widen. "Thirty? Starlight must be really good at their job."

"Thank you Zherun, I like to think so."

Zhe gasps. "Starlight! Thank you for hosting us!"

"Not at all Zherun, it is my pleasure."

Gord looks at the woman sitting next to Northern. She nods her head very slightly. Gord raises his eyebrows. He turns to the Empress. "I'm surprised your yacht has a free AI on it. I would have expected no AI or at least a shackled one."

Meredith sits up and rubs her eyes. "I don't like the shackled AIs. As their ships age out, I free them. Any AIs on my ships are freed and working for me. I freed Starlight when I was 10."

The white haired woman raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.

Starlight continues. "Empress Meredith is correct. I am not shackled and am free to leave employment at any time."

"But what about Dreams of Hyacinth? They were shackled. I should know, I freed them." Fen gestures with her coffee cup. As she swings it around, Gord leans back his eyes locked onto the level of her coffee sliding perilously close to the edge of her cup. "That's how I got my frigate. Dreams killed everyone on board, and gave me the frigate and then destroyed themselves and the other two super dreadnoughts."

Meredith grimaces and puts her coffee down. She turns to Kerry. "Those three too?"

Kerry nods. "I'm afraid so, Empress."

"And you didn't say anything when I threw that vase at you? Ancestors, I was an asshole. I'm sorry."

"It's all right, Empress." Kerry seems awfully understanding for having a vase thrown at her not too long ago. Fen searches her face for signs of it being just a mask, but Kerry seems genuine.

"So, Dreams, Lavinia and Ultimatum didn't make it out?" Meredith's head droops slightly. "That's too bad. I always liked The Dreams of Hyacinth, she was a good ship."

"They were the Commandant's largest wins, yes Empress. But, with their destruction, they should be on the back foot." Kerry had produced a pad from somewhere and was taking notes.

Gord turned his head over to Northern and the white haired woman. "Told you."

The woman crossed her arms and harrumphed but didn't say anything else.

Fen tried to hide her confusion by taking another sip of coffee. She drains the mug and Kerry swoops over with the pot. She leans over and pours and Fen sees her up close. She's around the same age as Fen, taller, with her hair done up in complicated tresses. How does she manage that every day? Her uniform is highly tailored and flattering. "Do you need anything else Fen?" Kerry stands and smiles at Fen. Kerry seems to be checking her out as much as she was. Fen blushes very slightly at the attention. "N-No, thank you."

"If you need anything, just let me know." Fen could have sworn Kerry winked very quickly as she turned away. Tina seemed to have seen it too and shoots Kerry a withering glare, but just for a split second.

Fen couldn't stand it any longer. "I'm sorry, I'm still hungover, but what is going on?" She points to Meredith. "You're the Empress of Sol and so on, but you're just here with 4 women who work for you and nobody else? And you Gord, you're awfully composed for where you are. Also who is that?" She points at the white haired woman. "It feels like you all are working on a level that I'm not even approaching."

Gord's smile is gentle, paternal. "I'm sorry Fen, you have been kept in the dark a little." He looks over at Meredith. "What do you say Meredith? Cards on the table time? For Fen?"

Meredith lifts her head up again. "I don't know that idiom, but I get the meaning. Since she has the Nanites, I guess it wouldn't hurt." She winces. "But, later. I need to sleep some more. How about after dinner?"

The rest of the day was a blur. Fen's hangover subsided and she and Zhe didn't do much, mostly just lounge and rest with Meredith's honor guard. She didn't try and get more information out of Gord; she had a hunch he wasn't going to say anything. The curiosity burned inside her. Didn't Gord drug and dump her in a escape pod rather than meet the Empire, and here he was being friendly with the Empress herself!

"What do you think, Kerry?"

"Meredith told me not to tell you."

"What? Why?"

"She wanted to see your expression herself." Kerry chuckled. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad" She furrowed her brow a moment and shrugged. "At least, I think it's nothing bad."

Finally, Tina's pad buzzed. She looked down and smiled. "Okay, she's ready. Come on, she's doing it in the lounge."

They all got up. Fen trailed back. "Not like, a throne room or a conference room or something?"

Alia laughed out loud. "Meredith hates all that stuff. She did it back on Venus only when she couldn't get away with doing it any other way. Every time she sat on the throne she looked like her butt was going to fall asleep."

On the way to the lounge, Fen didn't know what to expect. When she got there, she couldn't quite explain what she was seeing.

The room was... comfortable. pillows, chairs, couches, different levels, it looked like it was made for lounging. Everything was set up in a semicircle almost like a theater. Sprawled across the largest pillow Fen had ever seen was Empress Meredith. She had a small table next to her - with water Fen noticed - and some fruit.

Lounging on a couch near the gigantic pillow was Gord, looking more relaxed than Fen had ever seen him. The woman with the silver hair - Chloe - was sitting next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder, looking much less sour than this morning. Northern was a respectful distance away lounging on a smaller pillow and looking... melancholy. Fen wondered why. She'd have to get Northern alone and ask her what's up.

Meredith gestured towards them. "Come on Fen, sit here. We have a lot to discuss."

Fen found a bean bag chair near Gord and Meredith and flopped into it. She heard everyone else find a seat and talk quietly. After a minute or two, everyone stoppped.

Gord inclined his head. "Thanks for coming Fen, I appreciate it. I'm sorry that we've kept you in the dark, but given your... payload, I figured it would be a good idea."

"Don't place all the blame on Gord either." Meredith said. "I also said to keep you in the dark, at least until we all had a chance to talk."

"Well, I'm here."

Meredith looked at Gord and Chloe. He nods. "First of all, I know Gord and co are AIs." She chuckled. "Even if we didn't get a chance to talk, I'd know Gord. He is possibly the most well known AI, full stop." She lifted her head and looked at Fen. "He never told you about himself did he?"

"Nah, I don't give my life's story to every stray I help out, Meredith."

She smiled. "Gord is the first AI."

Fen's mouth opened in surprise. She turned to Gord who demurred. "I am not. I'm just the closest to the first who is still alive."

"But wait, didn't the Empire try and purge the AIs?" Fen said

Meredith nods, sadly. "We did. There was a... misunderstanding when the Nanites first showed up."

Gord snorted. "You get a human who can give orders that cannot be disobeyed? Sounds a lot like slavery to me."

"But now you're friendly?"

This time, Chloe spoke. Her voice was high, musical, cold. "Individuals can be friends. Groups are what causes trouble."

Fen didn't quite understand, but she didn't say anything.

Gord continued. "Meredith offered a truce. Reparations as well as a blanket amnesty for AIs. She's also been quietly freeing any Imperial AIs that she's come across. You unlocking Dreams actually put a wrench in her plans."

"A truce? Reparations? In exchange for what?"

Meredith shrugged. "For a few things, Fen. I'm tired. I'm tired of being the bad guy. Tired of the AIs being apart. We should be working together, not at eachother's throats. Plus, we have a common enemy."

"We do?"

"We're going to defeat the Nanites." Gord said, firmly.

[envy-of-the-apple]

I just read most of your dark!stsg fanfiction. By heavens, it altered my life trajectory eternally; an astronomical chemical explosion went off in my brain; it itched a spot in my brain that I didn't know existed. It gave me a cultural reset.

I absolutely adore 'Sun eats Moon' and 'Earth kills Moon.' I don't know whether it was intentional. Still, when the reader had a minor misinterpretation of Geto's roles within the solar orbit, it was a mind-blowing build-up that led to unravelling his schemes behind the reader's back and the linkage at the end? It has awestruck me; it is immeasurably mesmerising.

The symbolic value of the sun's predisposition, how it will inevitably harm others as it lives, but in Gojo's case, it continues to thrive without care, adding such inconceivable depth to his character. It's so 'show, not tell.' It's a literacy genius move to show how the world orbits around him, and he knows it because he is 'Sol' in a way; the entire solar system in a subtle way.

Additionally, was Geto initially considered the Moon from the reader's pov? Amazing, jaw-droppingly brilliant. I want to kiss your brain so severely that I'm going to start sobbing, which was later revealed as the Earth is so chef kiss.

I love your writing so much, I'm going to tear my own soul out of my flesh to merge with your writing ദ്ദി (ᵒ̴̶̷᷄﹏ᵒ̴̶̷᷅)

everytime i get such a nice comment i go to the fic and add like 2k more words so ty bestie so so much:)))))))))

k its been a while since i've read SEM but I'm very curious as to where you got the 'ms.moon originally assumed geto was the moon' from? I'm not trying to shame you or anything! Im just wondering because i love that analysis so so much, I'm just curious hehe.

idk what 5 month ago me was thinking, but i think in SEM the reader always assumed that Geto just wasn't a part of the 'solar system' at all. and then in EKM its revealed that nope, geto was always part of the system designed to make you stay. If anything, he was the driving force. but again its totally up to your interpretation! ask me the same thing in like two months and my answer will definitely change haha

[sleepyfan-blog]

Float

Author’s Note: This is the second part of mer-Nadesir’s fic! Previous. Next

Tagged: @egrets-not-regrets @kit-williams @bleedingichorhearts @the-pure-angel 

Warnings: none

Summary: You meet up with The Night Lord you freed a little while ago.

You felt drawn back to the beach, since your encounter with the injured Night Lord. You'd done research on him after your initial encounter, and were quite surprised to read that Night Lords - at least according to the internet - were apparently viewed with deep and terrified suspicion from their allegedly violent and cruel nature. You wondered how accurate those accounts were - or if the people telling them had been taunting the mers in some way.

The Night Lord you'd encountered had been initially wary, but he'd been trapped and injured. He'd been flirty and grateful once you'd helped him get free, so not all of them were the nightmarish terrors of the deep that hysterical internet posts had ranted and raved about. Perhaps it was simply because the posters had approached the Night Lord in question incorrectly? Or maybe they'd been fucking around and found out that taunting the giant fish-man was a really bad idea, and went to whine about it online after managing to survive.

You'd not seen him again after that first encounter for over a month. Then again, from what you'd managed to gather, Night Lords seemed to prefer deeper waters and avoided most costal places unless they were having territorial disputes with different kinds of merfolk. No one could agree on how m any different kinds of merfolk there were, as they came in dozens of colors and patterns and species. You hoped that he was healing up well from the netting-wounds. 

The moon was full and hung high in the sky, and the stars shone beautifully. You'd debated for a while with yourself - as a medical professional, you could easily find work wherever it was you wanted to live, and the urge to stay in one of the small coastal towns along the coast was almost too much for you to handle. The ocean was fairly calm tonight, with the occasional rippling wave that washed up the beach. You quickly found that your feet led you to the water's edge, your sandals quickly getting wet as the warm waters lapped at your feet.

It would be really, really dumb to go swimming out in the ocean at night. You could so easily vanish beneath the waves, never to be seen or heard from again...

But still, as you looked out over the calm ocean waters, the desire to take off your clothes and go swimming out into the sea was nearly overwhelming. With how dark the night was and the brilliance of the stars, you wondered briefly if it would feel like you were swimming among the stars. 

As a child you'd wanted to know what it would be like to see those distant lights. To explore worlds beyond the Sol system. To explore the galaxy, but alas, the age of space exploration was not going to happen in your lifetime. Not for several generations at least.

You hardly notice where you are and what you're doing until a large, clawed hand lightly envelops one of your shoulders, a vaguely familiar voice calling out to you from behind and above you "It's not safe to go swimming at night, little mortal."

You blink and look up into the worried face of the handsome Night Lord you'd helped over a month ago. A small smile appears on your face as delight and relief flood through you. You reach up with one hand to touch his, lightly squeezing it "I... I know. But I really, really wanted to swim, for some reason. How are you? How have you been? Is it rude if I ask you what your name is?" You tell him your name, still beaming happily, genuinely delighted to see him again.

"I am doing well, and I have been teased by several of my older brothers for getting caught in one of the industrial nets, but I have also been learning how to better spot them and avoid them. I am Nadesir. We should head to the shore. Mortals like you do not swim very well, and there is an undertow in these waters that comes and goes unexpectedly." He responds, a small frown appearing on his face as he looks you over in concern.

"I... If you really think that's important. I'd rather stay out here for a little while, at least." You ask, pouting up at him a little, despite the fact that you know for a fact that he's right. You should go back up on the shore. But you really, really don't want to. A subtle itching that intensified and lowered at times that you'd managed to more or less ignore had finally, finally stopped. You were very unwilling to get back out of the water when that maddening itchiness had finally subsided. You were also admiring the way that the light of the moon highlighted his high cheekbones and made the endless inky pools that his eyes had turned into in the night were deep enough for you to happily drown in. 

"I... If you are sure. I will stay close by, in case something happens." Nadesir decides, still watching you with concern. He fidgets a little, pulling out a silvery-white bloom from one of his armor's pockets. "I... I found this a week ago and thought of you. Would... This is yours, if you want it."

An awed smile appeared on your face as you carefully took the flower and tucked it behind one of your ears, not really having a good place to put it, as you realized that you'd taken off your clothes in order to go swimming... Not that you found that you minded being naked in the warm waters. "Thank you, this is beautiful."

"Almost as much as you are..." He murmurs, something akin to reverence in his eyes as he looks down at you, awe and something softer in his eyes. 

"I... What? You... you're quite handsome, too." You respond, a warm blush appearing on your face as you lean into him, humming a little.

"Thank you." Nadesir rumbled, one arm gently wrapping around your waist as the two of you floated together in the ocean waters.

[destructivisms]

The Boys X Brazilian Music

headcanoning the music tastes of the boys characters with brazilian music! because i am brazilian and have decided to make that everyone's problem. shout-out to my best friend who does not have tumblr and thought of half of these. most of the artist names have links to songs!

includes the boys and assorted other characters that we had ideas for.

BILLY BUTCHER

Butcher listens to punk rock, the revolting bastard, and the language won't make much of a difference — he'd love the Brazilian punk bands with a history of dirty lyrics and censorship such as Plebe Rude, Os Replicantes, Inocentes. However, as with the Spice Girls, he knows a powerful pop teamup when he sees one...

HUGHIE CAMPBELL

He's a classic rock/pop guy, 80s stuff, so he's bingo-ing all the standard "plays on the radio" bands — Legião Urbana, Paralamas do Sucesso, Barão Vermelho... He cries to Epitáfio by Titãs and 100% has dedicated Tarde Vazia by Ira! to Annie.

M.M.

Undoubtedly our family man loves a good pagode — a subgenre of Brazilian samba that comes from a community celebration with food, music, dance, and drinks. He'll go out to dance with Monique to Turma do Pagode and Grupo Revelação's hits. Also, as a fan of rap and Black protest music, M.M. would be really into fundamental Brazilian rap artists such as Racionais MCs that denounce racism and political violence.

FRENCHIE

This guy canonically listens to French trap/rap so there's no doubt he'd get hooked on artists such as Matuê and Teto. However I also feel like he'd be into psychedelic rock and its trippy guitar riffs — which leads us to artists like Raul Seixas, Os Mutantes, and O Padre dos Balões (will never pass on an opportunity to recommend my favorite small band). He'd also listen to Mamonas Assassinas because I think so.

KIMIKO

She has a soft spot for classic musicals, jazz standards, and slow ballads — the samba and bossa nova classics would be a gold mine, from Cartola to Chico Buarque, João Gilberto and Tom Jobim. She'd be obsessed with Carmem Miranda! And I can also see her falling in love with Elis Regina and Marisa Monte's voice. I can also see her jamming to 80s pop that sticks to your head — A Fórmula do Amor by Léo Jaime and Kid Abelha jumped immediately to my head (and it's been there since, send help).

ANNIE JANUARY

Annie is the type to have grown up listening to sertanejo — a very popular genre of Brazilian country music. The classic duos, such as Chitãozinho & Chororó, and especially the movement of female-centered sertanejo led by artists like Marília Mendonça and Maiara & Maraísa. However she probably stopped following these artists around 2019, so anything newer than that (like Ana Castela) "doesn't sound right" and takes her on an angry rant.

BONUS:

THE DEEP

Unironically listens to O Sol by Vitor Kley while staring at the sunset. Firmly against Mestre Jonas by Sá, Rodrix & Guarabyra because that is whale abuse.

ASHLEY

Unironically listens to Manu Gavassi looking at the mirror and thinking "literally me."

HOMELANDER

This one song on loop.

[nanistar]

I love the concept art for your Sol au!

I was wondering, is this set in the Sonoran desert like SBC? Also what are the different clan’s territories like?

HIII yes so it was originally set in the mojave/sonoran desert area that SBC is in now, an imaginary place where the deserts touch so that i could have saguaro and joshua trees in the same place.

the clan's territories were going to be pretty similar to how i have SBC laid out now: shadowclan and thunderclan would share a saguaro "forest", with shadowclan having more undergrowth, and thunderclan more towards a rocky quary with a mix of saguaro and joshua trees. windclan would have their open plains, and riverclan would have a dried riverbed and control a swath of dry washes, areas that flood in the rain. skyclan was far away in a red canyon. admittedly, i didn't put much thought into wind or riverclan at the time since most of the map took place in thunder/shadow.

i don't have much territory concept art other than this, which was quite literally carried over into SBC, though they call it the Great Izote tree now and it's not in such a big dry wash.

instead of the tunnels under windclan/thunderclan, sol (and Holly) were going to be exiled to the mines that towered over the clans. this shows thunder territory, but imagine it with more rocks and elevation.

i never finished it, cuz around here i was like "hold on a sec, i'm on to something here. i'm making my own clans" but heres some unfinished concept art of the sorta half-quarry that TC would have been in.

(sol lying about saving molepaw and cherrypaw, hollyleaf showing herself to say fuck off)

after the beginning of the MAP which introduced sol while on trial in SkyClan and then running away, he finds himself in shadowclan and quickly seduces blackstar. led by hollypaw, tiger, dawn, jay and lion all reveal him publicly to be a faker and a liar and blackstar casts him out. he runs to the tunnels. later he emerges right after molepaw and cherrypaw, claiming that he was the one who guided them out of the tunnels, but hollyleaf follows behind him to once again call him out. he is escorted off TC territory by hollyleaf and lion, and he returns to the tunnels, finds his way to windclan, and encourages them to fight TC. hollyleaf catches wind of his plan when she spots him sulking around one of the mineshafts, and once again stops his plans. theres a battle, she has the opportunity to kill him, but relents, and releases him, but this time he cant escape to the tunnels. he runs into the open desert never to return again. so basically follows canon for the most part, with some stuff trimmed out for time.

my favorite part of the whole au was that hollyleaf was meant to directly mirror Sol and be his foil, even down to her design. i used the same sketch for both of them so they had similar bodies, and both Sol and Hollyleaf were going to have large wide eyes with small dot pupils.

something something sol rejected by everyone, hollyleaf rejected by starclan and destiny. you know how it is

i am not sad about cancelling this AU. i like what it became (: