#symbolise true love + romantic relationships

[miwiheroes]

Dropping Byler Evidence Every (Other) Day Until Season 5

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ Day 22: The Flowers . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

Ah yes, I can finally start analysing one of my favourite scenes heehehehe (the airport)

I have decided to split this analysis up into two sections lmaooo, um you can read under the cut down below the first part of the analysis if you want something that is very speculatory, and isn't necessarily evidence, more like something interesting.

First of all, the act of getting your girlfriend flowers is a classic, 'I know how to be a good boyfriend!' act, while still showing that there are problems underneath the surface. In this scene, the point of the flowers is to be a symbol. Otherwise, what would it be? Something to further show that Milkvan is cute and endearing? That doesn't line up with the rest of the airport scene which conveys their problems (all the lies and pretending).

The flowers are in this scene to be a symbol of Mike and El's relationship.

At first this seems like it sheds some positive light on Milkvan because it's obviously a nice gift, and she would appreciate it because they are her favourite colours. However, the things that Mike says in relation to the flowers seem extremely out of place and specific. Now, saying that he 'hand picked' them for her in Hawkins is a nice gesture that a lot of shippers really appreciate, but it is really important to the overall symbolism that he is the one who makes the choice about the colours. (more on that later)

He says some really 'random' stuff:

"I know you also like purple so I got some purples as well so I kind of did a 70/30 split kind of thing"

The 70/30 comment is so specific. The writers really like to put subtle foreshadowing into their dialogue, and being that this scene is at the beginning of the show, i believe it must be talking about how much he puts into the relationship versus how much he's getting out of it. An inequitable relationship is unsatisfying (x, xx), which may show that it's probably either Mike or El putting in the effort while getting less out of it. (Mike puts in the effort to seem normal and functioning while not getting true happiness out of it, El puts in the effort of lying and doing romantic things while not getting an expression of love out of it, which is what she thinks she needs.)

As for him handpicking them in Hawkins.... well....

The same flowers that El, EL, picks up and inspects are the ones that Mike picked out himself in the same town. By the end of the season, their relationship is extremely different than it was at the start, the 70/30 split is no longer a split, it's simply a 0, because the flowers are dead.

So these are 2 instances so far of the characters calling upon flowers for symbolism and.... there is a third one, which is right at the beginning of S4.

See this is why I truly believe that these must be a symbol of Mike and El's relationship. Mike picked spring flowers for El, which are a symbol of their relationship being inequitable, and later on, they are used to symbolise their relationship literally dying (damn). But this here is what shows that El will be fine on her own. Time and time again, Millie and the writers have said/written that El needs to find herself and who she is without the men in her life.

So: "At first I missed [my relationship with Mike], but now I [can find happiness]."

Flowers = Mil*ven. And it's also interesting that yellow flowers symbolise friendship and purple flowers symbolise admiration, and as we know, admiration for her powers is one of the main things that Mike ends up referencing when he admits his 'love' to her.

Now, the yellow flowers being in the bouquet is interesting because, as stated very importantly by Mike himself, he was the one who picked them. Meaning, he would have made the decision, however subconscious, to put 'too many' yellow flowers into the bouquet. And another thing we also know is that yellow is Will's colour.

This colour symbolism is emphasised during the season, when Will wears the colour yellow for the majority of it, and is placed under the yellow light in this scene^

Another funny thing that I noticed is that Mike says:

"I know you like the colour yellow, but now I'm realising that it's too much yellow."

Rewatching this scene makes me think it's kind of odd for him to say that he's just now realising that it's too much yellow. As if he accidentally put too much in, and kind of realises it in that moment like he's saying sorry to her about it?? But then he just takes that realisation and turns it into a 'romantic' thing, acting like he'd intended that the whole time with the '70/30' split.

That means he didn't actually mean to. The writers are trying to convey through symbolism that Mike has been thinking of Will subconsciously the past few months, which is then confirmed by the Rink o Mania scene and the Cool Cool scene. He only regrets the fact that he did it in retrospect. Aka as soon as he sees El.

SO: The flowers are a symbol for Mike and El's relationship, showing that they put in a lot of work into the relationship, but do not get an equal amount out of it, which is unsatisfying. The flowers also are shown to be dead by the end of the season. El says that at first she missed the flowers, but in the end, she's fine without them.

NOW TIME FOR THE STRANGE STUFF

So this is at the end of S1, and if we assume that there are no, throwaway lines in Stranger things, we should be able to also assume that this is meant to foreshadow something. In my opinion, this has to foreshadow S4 and S5.

In this scene, it's clear that the kids (symbolising the audience of stranger things) are talking about something that Mike (symbolising the writers of stranger things) has left out or not explained. This is what happens in S4.

What about the lost knight? -- This refers to Mike, whose DND character is obviously a paladin, but Will draws him and paints him as a knight in shining armour. He is clearly 'lost' because he does not know what to do about his relationships with Will and El at the end of S4. He has just said he loved El, but he still wants to help Will and doesn't really know his feelings until the painting is revealed. Therefore he is lost.

And the proud princess? -- It doesn't take much deducing to know that this has to refer to El, whose arc in S4 is to realise that she is not a monster for having her powers, making her proud of who she is. The audience are worried about her and her fate, because she seems at a crossroads.

And the weird flowers in the cave? -- Obviously, I've already talked about the flowers being a symbol for Mike and El's relationship. The 'weird' part about them is that they are so inconsistent and out of place on a show like ST, because of how conformist it seems in comparison to their nonconformist message. 'In the cave' refers to the fact that the flowers are dead, and now part of the UD, which is the 'cave'.

In This LAST SCENE:

El is stood in front of the others, now with her powers that she is proud of.

Mike is stood with Will, lost in relation to his feelings towards both El and Will, not truly understanding them.

The flowers are rotting. In the 'cave' (UD)

Just something to think about <3

[littlemoondarlingarts]

Did an artstyle study of the gorgeous art of @iliothermia and I genuinely learned alot so I'm very thankful that he gave me permission to do this 🙏🏻🙏🏻

As usual, rambles and process pics under the cut, be warned that I talk alot because this drawing was a true labor of love both for his art and Rouge

I wanted to use elements from his art but at the same time i know how deeply personal his art is to his own life and struggles and culture so i tried to be as respectful as possible (and if I failed at that please tell me I have no problem in deleting this) and tried to minimize my use of direct elements from his art to keep it to the skull which was heavily inspired by a drawing he has done, the waves which are such a beautiful staple of his art that I just couldn't not put it and the use of candles and small floral patterns and the style of the mold, but I tried to keep the rest to things that are symbolic to the character.

While he may have restraint to not explain everything, I'm not famous for that lol, so I will be explaining the symbolism behind my choices.

Part 1: the symbolism:

The red rose is Rouge's flower and it is heavily associated with him. The meaning of it being romantic desire and passion mixed with the thorns of it perfectly sum up his position as a beautiful black widow.

Voyeurism is a big part of this drawing and it is first noticed with the eyes motif on the roses' leaves, this symbolises his response to his trauma which left him feeling like an unwanted pervert on his own self. I can talk about this aspect of his story for hours but I'll spare you lol.

The X-ray cutouts are his complicated relationship with his own body and death, it is a thing that is constantly on his mind as he suffers from suicidal thoughts but at the same time he is always running away from it in fear, but he knows that eventually, he will have to stop running.

The candles melting represent him being only wanted when he is useful, when he is giving parts of himself up for others to use and abuse, when he is lighting their lives by slowly draining his own.

The piano is one of the rare things that bring him happiness and peace, but he needs to be heavily dissociated to be able to enjoy it which is represented by the hands being disconnected from the rest of the drawing and just floating in their own reality.

The snake represents two things, one is him being venomous to those around him, the mistakes he's made, the promises he's broken, the pain he's caused etc. But it also represents those who slowly wrap themselves around him in a warm embrace, presenting themselves as a saviour in his most dire times only to end up being the ones who will hurt him the most.

The book is about his obsession with keeping track of everything and of studying people, accidentally turning himself into an unwanted voyeur on their lives to the point where he has written the life stories of many people who would never want to be remembered through his eyes in his little books.

The butterflies are him, both in the way they are seen as "the good insects" and the beautiful delicate ones despite the fact that they eat flesh sometimes, it is also related to the way his simple presence for a few minutes in someone's life can create a whirlwind of change that will leave it unrecognizable, or he can simply be another body in their bed.

The hair turning into waves is meant to reflect the way he is always drowning in his own thoughts, a hand crafted constant state of misery.

The beta fish are some of the most beautiful and colourful fish out there, yet they are seen as cheap and easy first pets, leading to them being neglected and given environments that are too small and crammed, making their beautifully slow death the only thing they can offer to their owner. I don't think I need to explain more..

The skull is probably someone he's loved, or someone he's killed, or both.

The heart is his, it is rotten and covered in mold, any love he offers is tainted by his inability to heal and it is spreading to infect every aspect of his life.

Part 2: the inspirations:

The roses are a homage to the way Rachamim always places flowers in his art, either in the background or as a focal point of the illustration, most of the flowers he uses are cultural in nature, so I opted to not reuse any of them and changed it to a flower related to my oc.

Eyes are a repeated theme in his art, whether it be angel eyes, the evil eye or anything else, and as you can tell both of these are cultural and religious and while the evil eye exists in my culture, it does not in my oc's so I didn't use it. Instead I opted to pay homage to one of his beautiful merman drawings in which he used the plants to make an eye-like shape that stares at the viewer.

I thought I was being real smart in turning the hair into waves but yesterday I saw an illustration where he did the same so rip to me thinking i was being original lol.

The snake and butterflies are my way of replicating his use of animals while trying to not directly copy any animals that have a connection to himself or his culture/religion.

The beta fish is just to reference the ever present fishies in his art. I know he uses them because they represent friendship for him and they are the only animals safe from the evil eye (thanks for the fun fact) so I uh... I don't really know if this was disrespectful or not to be honest but I tried to use a different type of fish, idk this might still be slightly problematic and again I'm always ready to delete this if it makes anyone uncomfortable.

The waves are a direct copy of how he draws the gorgeous waves in his art, another case of something I fear may be crossing the line because the waves are drawn in the style of cultural jewelry 😭

The tiny flowers are an obvious reference to his own tiny flowers that decorate his art and characters.

The skull with the candles is heavily inspired by a specific drawing of his.

The cutouts are my way of paying my respects to my absolute favourite piece of art he's done without directly copying its concept because as far as I can tell, it is a very personal and emotional piece.

The mold style is a reference to his mold man (I forgot his name I'm sorry).

And the candles are another repeated motif in his art as well as the pillars and the pant style.

And ouf I sure do talk alot don't I? I just really love the amount of things I was able to cram into this piece and I haven't even mentioned everything😭😭 I will NOT be doing this again because I'm simply not as patient as he is and as proud as I am of the result, this was torture. I hope I didn't disrespect him, his art or his culture and I genuinely tried my best to be as respectful as possible but I might have some blind spots due to our experiences being so vastly different so again, please don't hesitate to inform me if you want this deleted!

[emeryhiro]

What are your thoughts on Connie and Daryl? I have always found his reactions towards her to be very different - he acts very giddy and light in front of her. Do you think the show would have ever gone in that direction? Bcoz that was a pretty popular ship during the last few seasons rie?

Hey Anon!

Thank you for the question ♡♡♡

I personally love Connie; she's definitely one of my favourite characters on the show.

Now, in terms of what I think about Connie and Daryl as a romantic couple (I really hope I don't upset a bunch of people with this): yes, it was and still is a pretty popular ship, and I can definitely see how it could work, just like how Carol and Ezekiel did for a time. But, I don't think the show would have or should have gone in that direction and here's my reasoning as to why:

Firstly, the GIF above shows a very intentional shot that was filmed and included in the episode (S10EP1). I think this shot is meant to symbolises the parallel between the two relationships: Carol/Ezekiel and Connie/Daryl. Both can be good together, but neither is the true love/perfect match for the other.

I think Daryl's giddy and light behaviour around Connie is completely genuine. Daryl is very good at reading people, and he can tell that Connie is truly a kind and good person, which allows Daryl to trust her enough to be comfortable and more open than usual around her. And if I had to compare their relationship to anything, I would compare it to a healthy sibling bond, where Daryl treats Connie like the younger sister he never had, hence why he's also very protective and gentle with her.

It's also important to note that Daryl only shows his good sides to Connie; perhaps that's another way of protecting her, like those of us with younger siblings do to shield them from difficult things. And that's also the difference between Connie and Carol. With Carol, he shows 100% of himself, the good and the bad. He can be completely honest with her even when he's at his lowest and trusts her completely because he sees her as his equal, which she is. They complete each other and rely on each other equally.

Carol and Ezekiel's relationship is also a great example of the depth of a relationship like that. Yes, they were in love and happy while they had their fairy tail, but when they lost Henry and the kingdom, and Carol was at her lowest, she didn't need Ezekiel; she needed Daryl, because he was the one she could be 100% honest with and trust completely.

And when I look at it as a romantic relationship, I think the difference between Donnie and Caryl is the difference between someone who can be good for you, and you can be content and happy with them when things are good, versus someone you need during the good and the bad, someone you can be your true self with without fear, someone who knows you better than you know yourself and loves you unconditionally, which is precisely how I see Caryl.

tl;dr Connie is great, but she's not Carol 😊

~~~~

Thanks again for your question ♡ I really hope I explained this well 😅 I would love to hear what you think, even if you disagree with me.

[itertarot]

Ace of cups

think we readers all know that the Aces are about new beginnings, but the Ace of Cups also comes in true love situations, be it romantic, family, animais or self-love. It represents the most ancestral feeling that ever existed, love in its purest form. Let's talk about it:

A little about the card itself:

It's impossible to talk about emotions without talking about the water, the most amazing suit to describe how our feelings work.

The Ace of Cups invites us to contemplate the image of the overflowing cup, where the water symbolises feelings so great that they cannot be contained, such as love, compassion and divine connection. It is a pure manifestation of emotions that transcend the boundaries of our being, gently pouring into a sea that is already full of emotions. And despite its abundance, water doesn't cause a stir. It flows calmly, feeding an ocean of tranquillity. Observe the calm, still waters, without any turbulence. This is true love: gentle, soothing and profoundly transformative. The Ace of Cups reminds us that love is not just a fleeting emotion; it is a state of mind that does not disturb, but uplifts. It brings us serenity and abundance, even in its intensity. This card is an invitation to open our hearts and welcome the emotional abundance that life and the divine has to offer. It asks us to trust in the purity of our emotions and to connect with the universal energy of love. Whether through a new relationship, reconciliation with our inner self or a spiritual awakening, the Ace of Cups reminds us that true love cannot be explained - it can only be experienced and felt. It is like an endless waterfall: abundant, generous and deeply regenerating.

Abundant, calm, serene, beautiful and filling everything around with life. After all, isn't the world more colorful when we love?

To me, it looks not only like the waterfall, but also like this picture: The flowers that decorate the space represent beauty and life, bringing a sense of peace, comfort and enchantment to the environment. The clear blue sky stretching over the palace symbolises mental clarity, inviting introspection and emotional balance. The castle, illuminated by the soft light of the sun, conveys a sense of home, security and belonging - an expression of love in its most welcoming and genuine form. Love, as shown by the Ace of Cups, is not just a single emotion, but an expansive state that transcends boundaries and takes different forms for each individual. For some, love is found in a special person, a partner or friend who understands us deeply. For others, it's in a special place. There are those who find love in an animal and its companionship, or even in something as simple as grandma's cooking. It reminds us that love is both an emotion and a lived experience. Love is the universal energy that shapes our essence, turn us into better spiritual/human beings and its beauty lies in its ability to be unique to each of us. By honouring these different representations of love, the Ace of Cups invites us to celebrate its diversity and live it to the full, in whatever form it manifests. Just love!

Back to the card:

The hand comes from a higher being, call it God or the Universe, bringing the cup. Love is a divine gift given to us by a being we cannot fully understand, I consider love the most beautiful gift left to us humans, it is not by chance that I believe our mission on earth is to restore peace and social well being, and this is only possible through love! I don't believe that everyone will experience true love, or that they will ever be able to let their own feelings flow freely in serenity. Love cannot be explained by science, it cannot be measured or explained, love is not human, it is divine and given to us by the grace of God.

The White Dove in the Ace of Cups is a figure rich in symbolism and spiritual meaning. In the Christian (i was evangélica) tradition, for example, it is often associated with the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, a symbol of spirituality, purity and divine connection. The Holy Spirit is seen as an intercessor, a link between the human and the divine, enabling direct communication with God and bringing his grace and protection. Culturally, the dove also has different meanings, but here, in the context of the Ace of Cups, it represents the pure and true love of the divine being manifested in our physical reality. This love is innocent, gentle and soothing, an energy that invites us to experience spiritual and emotional serenity. Just as the Holy Spirit plays the role of guide and protector, the dove reminds us of the presence of divine love in our lives. It invites us to embrace the purity and peace that only this love can offer, helping us to connect with that which is most sacred and eternal.

The card itself is full of symbolism, so it's a great way to test and connect with your intuition and try to understand what it means, and what it speaks to you.

The Ace of Cups also represents new beginnings and can indicate that someone is in the early stages of developing feelings for you. Even if it's not deep, it's a good, light feeling with the potential to grow. This card brings you something that fills you emotionally and bodes well both in love and in other areas of life.

In terms of professions, these could be careers related to the spiritual plan, creative work or healing work.

Nurse

Painter

Advisor

Therapist

Coach

Artist

Social work

[mx-myth]

Okay hear me out red string of fate mlc au (rough timeline) (you only see your string(s) and who they connect to but no one else's)

(This is long as fuck actually)

Li Xiangyi who grows up in the streets with two strings. One is red and sometimes he thinks about following it to see where it leads but he never does. He meets shan gudao and eventually gets picked up by his shifu (I forgot what he calls him in the show, so) and at some point learns that the grey string tied in a bow on his opposite hand means his other zhiji hasn't been born yet.

(Lxy doesn't think anything about this until one march morning years later the string bursts into colour and unravels forward when he's training (you can fight me on this but fdb is ABSOLUTELY a spring baby born in the morning. Something about the coming of new life and the dawn of a new day and how that's what he symbolises). Because of the mostly-romantic connotations of strings he's guilt-ridden over his zhiji being a decade (or thereabouts? I don't remember the actual age gap in the show) younger than him before he forcibly puts it out of his mind)

Fast-forward to when he meets qiao wanmian. They become close friends and basically everyone thinks they're fated. But a-mian sits him down to quietly tell him that she has no string, none at all, that they really aren't fated and never will be. And lxy, who, in the nights he lies awake, still is guilty about being ten years older than his youngest zhiji (he doesn't know whether his other one is older or younger than him, the string was already red by the time he was old enough to retain memories), lies and says he doesn't have a string either. But he wants to court her because he loves her. That part, at least, is true: li xiangyi loves qiao wanmian.

And then he starts the sigu sect and eventually meets di feisheng. Their first meeting is only in passing but they lock eyes and lxy sees not only the moment when it registers that they're zhiji but also the moment when dfs sees that he's walking arm in arm with a-mian. They both walk away none the wiser to each other's identities.

It's only when they meet for the first time as di-mengzhu, leader of the jinyuan alliance, and as li xiangyi, the number one swordsman in the jianghu, and cross swords does lxy truly realise what this means. Their string spools out between their bodies, fluttering away between their swords, as he realises that he and this zhiji of his are on opposite sides. That their string is the only thing that connects them across their unfathomable chasm.

(It isn't. Lxy doesn't know it but dfs admires his swordsmanship. Dfs thinks they have a lot in common via neili and fighting techniques and their devotion to their crafts but he thinks that lxy knows this. He doesn't say anything about it because he assumes that lxy knows this and also because it's common knowledge he and qiao wanmian are going to get married. So lxy never knows)

Afterwards lxy becomes consumed with red strings of fate. He obsessively starts searching for stories where the zhiji turn out to be enemies. He finds almost nothing (most of what he finds is enemies to friends, or worse, enemies to (friends to) lovers, and all of it he throws out in disgust) and in his frenzy he begins neglecting his relationship with a-mian.

The ultimate betrayal comes when lxy learns that dfs killed shan gudao. A-Mian just recently broke up with him and that combined with his zhiji killing his shixiong is what does it. It spells the beginning of the spiral of li xiangyi.

Switch to di feisheng. He'd thought they had an understanding and sigu sect and the jinyuan alliance were approaching peace talks but suddenly lxy is killing his members left and right. He has no idea what this is about until jiao liqiao congratulations him on killing shan gudao. He grunts in confusion but everyone talks it to mean he did it. So dfs just had to roll with it.

There's nothing he can do about it. Dfs sends people to investigate sgd's death and trains. There is a real and oncoming war soon and so he issues a challenge to duel lxy on the eastern sea.

(The war comes anyway)

(Di Feisheng loses something on that ship anyway)

He spends the next ten years while he's in seclusion recovering thinking about it. About lxy, the bright, brilliant zhiji who was never his. About the fact that he killed his own zhiji. About the moment when, as he sank into the water, he'd closed his eyes and thought that following his zhiji to the underworld wouldn't be so bad.

Execpt that li xiangyi isn't dead. His string isn't white, is still as red as the robes he wore, and it still leads somewhere he doesn't know. Dfs takes a sort of pride in this. Of course lxy wouldn't die in their duel. Of course he's strong enough to come out of it alive.

He doesn't really think about his xiao-zhiji at all, except when he touches that string and wonders if lxy is also connected to this person. He wants to meet them someday to test their skills, to take them to meet lxy. In seclusion dfs makes that deal with himself - he'll make his zhiji meet, and then he'll leave them with each other, because for all he knows, li xiangyi still hates him.

(I picture it going dfs > lxy/llh > fdb age-wise, with dfs only being a some months older than lxy/llh. But neither of them know that because of their childhood circumstances)

He leaves seclusion with this goal in mind.

And then he figures out - as a six-year-old, no less - that his zhiji have already met each other. That they've been traveling in tandem for months and have been solving cases. That li xiangyi is for some reason li lianhua (he knows why. The first thing jiao liqiao had said to him was congratulations on killing li xiangyi). That this stupid naïve little puppy named fang duobing is his xiao-zhiji.

Llh treats fdb kindly. He's mischievous and he teases fdb about inconsequential little things and dfs burns, because he still remembers lxy vividly wanting to kill him. He burns because this is side of him he's never seen and he burns because his xiao-zhiji is already used to this and he burns because he wants that too.

Whether he forgets that after he writes li lianhua's name on his hand doesn't matter then.

Switch to fang duobing. He's really fucking annoyed by the fact that no one is telling him anything. He's been traveling with llh for months, but despite the fact that they both know they're zhiji he won't talk about it. He won't even answer any questions about that kid.

Fdb isn't an idiot. His strings have been red ever since the day he was born. No way is some kid not even half his height his zhiji. The math doesn't work out.

(This is terrible, llh thinks. Of course he knows dfs has been alive because his string never turned white. Of course he recognized that little face as dfs' before he even saw the string connecting them. Of course he realised what was up as soon as fdb started pestering him about that kid and whether or not he has another string. Of course he knows dfs must've clocked it too.)

Fdb is severely skeptical when the Iron Head Slave or whatever llh claimed he was shows up and llh tells him they're old friends. But he's delighted to meet his other zhiji formally - right up until the point when they have their first chopstick battle over the food. At that point he becomes exasperated, and then he becomes ready to throw down once they begin arguing over who gets the guest bed.

(Fdb believes in respecting your elders but dfs is showing him absolutely no respect so guess what? He can sleep on the floor. Not even his handsome looks will help him win the fight)

(They end up squished together on the bed, both of them fuming because llh told then to just share)

(He and dfs never talk about their string, but they both observe enough to be able to tell that they're both connected to llh. They don't talk about this either, but sometimes llh will do something especially stupid or crazy or clever and they'll Look At Each Other)

(And then they can't about it, because A-Fei is learning from scratch)

But then he learns that A-Fei (who used to correct him when he playfully called llh da-ge, saying that he was er-ge and that fdb should be calling him da-ge, and fdb had gotten so tired of him and llh fighting with their eyes that he just straight-up called him gege with his most shit-eatting grin, to which dfs stared at him before dragging him outside to beat his ass) (who, after he lost his memories, would sleep in the bed with him with their backs against each other, and fdb loved feeling like his zhiji thought he could watch his back, and even if A-Fei was a stupid early riser and his half of the bed was always cold when he woke up it meant that he could always smell breakfast cooking downstairs) (who, after all, fdb felt like he was finally understanding) is actually di feisheng, villain of the jianghu, he feels like everything they'd had together was built on lies. He asks llh if he knew, if he knew that his (their, their zhiji, but llh still won't talk about it) zhiji was dfs, and then he has to go on with the knowledge that he was the only one kept in the dark.

And then when he learns that li lianhua was li xiangyi all along it really dawns on him then. His zhiji have known each other for years (and everyone thought they had killed each other on the eastern sea, and something about that is so wrong that fdb can't even think about it) and never told him the truth. They said that they were friends (llh said that) and that they knew each other for years (llh said that) and everything he knows about them is based on lies of omission and half-truths (that llh told him). He's torn and he's hurt and he's angry, angry at himself and everyone else.

(If he had known though, would things have stayed the same? Would he have laughed the same way if he knew the man he was wrestling in the dirt with was dfs, would he have still made the same suggestions on how to improve in cooking if he knew the man making the food was li xiangyi?)

(it isn't until li lianhua/li xiangyi are gone, though, that he realises that dfs was used by llh in the same way that he was)

Except that when li lianhua dies, there's two people who have to look at a red string that's supposed to be white.

(Switch to li lianhua. He crawls back from the underworld but what does he have left? The strings on his fingers are red, red like happiness, and aren't those two better off without him anyway? He's finally burned all the bridges of all of his relationships. It's time that he start over again.)

(Except that he stumbles upon the Lotus Tower anyway. He stumbles upon Di Feisheng and Fang Duobing and even as he asks them why they still even want him, he's crying, reaching for them, and there's tears on all their faces.)

[plan-3-tmars]

Goodbye, My Danish Sweetheart.

Hey I think the framing of this scene is really fucking cool and I wanna talk about it because I haven't seen anybody do that. yet so. yahooo!! let's get into it

BUT FIRST. Symbolism:

an empty chair can symbolise the absence or memory of someone dear who has passed away. This is very obviously meant to represent Hinako in this scenario

In my interpretation, this scene is Kazui saying goodbye to Hinako and apologising for the circumstances of her death.

The lyrics that play are:

"I’m sure nothing will change and we’ll laugh together and call each other stupid names, so many things I wish i hadn't known, I'm just a coward."

The first part of this verse sounds like he's wishfully thinking about what could've happened after he told her the truth - if anything a bit naively.

Kazui wanted (and still wants) to get the weight of his lies off his chest, but he wasn't ready to face the consequences of that confession, most likely making Hinako's death hit even harder.

Here, he bows to the chair before turning around leaving, a silent goodbye.

~

But what about what's going on in the background of this scene? Well!

As Kazui leaves, these two scenes flash in the background. On the table in the first shot is our good friend the green apple, and Background Kazui picks it up, analyses it, before biting it.

So let's go for another symbolism refresher!!

Green apples can sometimes represent platonic relationships, like friendship, but in Kazui's case this takes the form of a sin - as not loving Hinako romantically is what he's lying about - making it a reference to the Garden of Eden story.

Going from that, biting into an apple can represent feeding into temptation.

My interpretation of this scene is Pre-Marriage Kazui indulging in his 'sin', which in my opinion is the fact he's gay.

Let's go back to that lyric shall we:

"I’m sure nothing will change and we’ll laugh together and call each other stupid names, so many things I wish i hadn't known, I'm just a coward."

So many things you wish you hadn't known huh.. Not knowing you were gay would sure make lying to your wife a whole lot easier wouldn't it?

"What I gave up a long time ago, why is it questioning me now? So many things that I should now have known, I'm just a coward"

Woohoo evidence for Background Kazui being Pre-Marriage Kazui!!!

I think this scene is the last time Kazui let himself be free before marrying Hinako. This could possibly have been when he noticed she had a crush on him at their work.

He's indulging one last time. Embracing his sin instead of hiding it away one. last. time. before giving it up for good, almost like a. goodbye.

~

So. I think this scene is framed this way in order to show the parallel of Kazui giving up his sin, and Kazui mourning Hinako's death.

As established, they both have a "goodbye, I'm sorry things turned out this way" atmosphere to them. Kazui is apologetic, in a way, that he has to give up on being his true self and he is apologetic of his lies murdering Hinako, so Milgram conveys this by showing the two scenes posed the same way in front of one another.

This framing also gives the scene a Beginning Vs End feeling that I think is really cool, and the use of Dark Vs Light colours only heightens that! (Though that's slightly off topic rip)

Conclusion? I love this scene it's awesome and amazing and super cool

[m0rbidity]

  blasting  on melancholy hill  by  gorillaz  down  main  street  we’ve  spotted  ORIANA LAN ZHU  sporting  their  signature  seashell pendant.  the twenty six year old WITCH who’s  been  in  town  for twenty six years often  can  be  seen  studying supernatural history at portum university; reading quite literally anywhere in town; treating potion & pentacle like a third home  or  working  as  a  GAME STAND VENDOR  at  PORTUM'S FAIR.  people  say  they  display  intellectual  and  sarcastic  traits,  but  we  rather  trust  their  vibes:  colourful bath bombs that look like oil slick constellations, a complicated relationship with the sea somewhere between fear and morbid fascination, iridescent pearls & shells, well-worn ancient books.  also,  we’ve  heard  they  love  BUBBLE BATHS !   aren’t  they  fascinating ?   

DETAILS .

name: oriana lan zhu nickames: oriana (anyone), lan (anyone), little orchid (mother), ori (close friends) pronouns: she/they age: 26 sexuality: queer. happy to use bisexual or pansexual species: witch, but only on their mother's side. birthday: 2nd july 1998 occupation: student & game stand vendor, portum's fair languages: english & mandarin i: their special gift is in some way linked to the ocean I just need to work out the specifics. likely something to do with accessing the memories of water she touches. ii: in terms of names, she considers herself to have two: oriana & lan, but also oriana lan. they can be used interchangeably and they don't mind which people use. oriana is one of the few things they have to tie them to their father, while lan symbolises their mother and her family. iii: guitar player. mostly rhythm but they've attempted a little bass & lead. collector of gorgeous customs.

PERSONALITY .

oriana lan zhu has a dry & razor-sharp exterior, someone to whom sarcasm is a first language. but they're also playful & mischievous in their own way. they're an interesting mixture of honest & reserved, someone who can and will "tell it like it is" but keeps their internal life completely closed off. ori doesn't really understand what her connection to the ocean is, and has thus developed something between a fear and fascination with it. this fear sits beneath their surface and rules many of their life choices thus far. ori is also very well-read & tries their best to be logical, both when it comes to magic & the study of history.

BIOGRAPHY BELOW . . trigger warnings for parental death (spoiler alert!)

A true child of Portum, Oriana Lan is the latest witch to be born into the Zhu family, a typically matriarchal lineage of witches originating from rural southwestern China, although they've been settled in Portum since 1853. For their entire life, she has known the sanctuary of the town they've been raised in, and never ventured beyond the fog.

Her mother, Zhì Huì, is an especially gifted witch in the arts of healing, and had fallen for the nomadic merman Cathal Morowe when he washed up on Portum's shores. While she soothed his injuries, the witch listened in complete awe as he spoke of the wonders of the world, and the two formed a romantic connection. For years, it was bliss, with the merman venturing out into the world and bringing back wonderful stories and gifts for his beloved Zhì Huì. On a few occasions, she even travelled with him, and nine months after the couple had a beautiful wedding on Portum's shore, they had a child together: Oriana Lan (their first name suggested by her father for the golden dawn that welcomed the newborn to the world, with Lan as their mother's contribution, named for her favourite orchid flowers).

Cathal had always been a traveller, though, and with his partner's blessing, he resumed his travels out into the world once their child was old enough. It was like his job, away for weeks at a time and writing sea salt-stained passionate letters, then home for weeks at a time. Until one day, when Oriana Lan was six, he never returned and the letters stopped.

The shadow of her father's untimely demise hung over Oriana Lan's life, and Zhì Huì figured it would be best to protect them the best they could and focus much on helping her little orchid blossom into a witch like all those that came before them. While Oriana Lan displayed none of her father's merfolk physiology, it became clear that their gift as a witch was tied to the waters, something their mother was a little concerned to encourage after losing the love of her life to the ocean.

[rsatoru]

gege literally said ‘satoru gojo and suguru geto were made to complement each other- as partners. one can’t exist without the other, they are counterparts.’

gojo saw geto as more as friends and family.

gojo’s and geto’s breakup scene looks very similar to a scene from one of gege’s favourite bl.

all of gege’s favourite manga bl are stories where the couple does not get together. kind of reflects gojo and geto.

gege says he likes a manga called ‘feathers in the heart of love’, which is about school life, two boys who are best friends and in the same class, a tragic love due to separation at death.

in yuyu hakusho, a manga which contains mlm characters and whose author shows interest in making a more lgbt type series, there’s a character who, just like geto, had a mental breakdown and questions his own morals and sees the darkness and evil of humanity. the character’s relationship with another character is implied to be mlm, doomed and has a paranormal setting.

when gojo asked shoko and geto to throw something at him to test his limitless technique, geto chose an eraser, as to not hurt gojo. gojo let the eraser touch him, while he didn’t allow the pen—which shoko threw—to do so.

in hidden inventories outro, the flowers which are in between geto and gojo while they are sitting down and drinking soda are osmanthus, which symbolise true love.

gojo’s eyes, covered or not, were always staring at the shape of geto’s soul.

their appearances are complementary.

gojo wanted to get the same jacket uniform as geto.

geto is the first and only person who truly cared for gojo and saw him as a person, not ‘the strongest’.

'geto thought that love meant not taking the other person to hell, while gojo thought that love meant going to hell together with the other person, so it's inevitable that they would misunderstand each other.’ idk i saw this on twitter, don’t know if someone actually said this or the user made it up.

geto is gojo’s ‘one and only’ best friend. his first real friend.

gojo’s va said ‘geto’s presence was gojo’s emotional support. he would act freely like a spoiled child because geto could handle it.’ ‘geto was the only person that understood gojo and the only who could communicate with him.’

gojo actually listened to geto and changed the way he speaks. because of geto he also changed the way he acted around riko, getting an understanding of her and realising they’re all the same.

in anime or manga, ‘blue spring’ often means falling in love or the thrill of the more intense feelings you might experience as a teenager or young adult, yet it also means a certain amount of nostalgia and fondness, describing the ‘spring of youth’.

‘geto was gojo’s first and last blue spring’-jjk0 director.

jjk s2 hidden inventory promotion poster, specifically Geto’s one, says ‘the blue spring we can’t go back to’.

‘where our blue is’ is in the perspective of gojo. it’s about his feelings for geto and they used the word for romantic love, out of all the japanese words to describe love. when the song was being composed, the person got a request from the production staff, saying ‘we want a song than can encompass gojo satoru and geto suguru’s youth from the start to the end’.

literally the line when haibara asks what geto would want from his trip, yet he replies with ‘gojo might eat some too, so.. sweet, i think?’

when gojo was alone, he’d take sweet drinks, yet when he was with geto, he got drinks that he knew geto would like.

literally the chorus of one of gojo’s theme song which gege posted (shame on me by avicii) ‘that's what I get for lovin' you. you know I can't live without you’. the whole song is about love.

geto is gojo’s moral compass.

the song which plays when gojo begins to experience life and feel how wonderful everything is is called ‘if i am with you’. how wonderful everything is - if i am with you.

two people riding one bike is illegal, yet romantic in japan. it’s a common thing in anime, showing that these two characters are in love.

even after 10 years, gojo still recalls the events from the the hidden inventory arc.

geto’s gauges are very likely to be lapis lazuli because of the significance of lapis lazuli in buddism, which is gojo’s birthstone.

gojo asked if geto lost weight, in which geto replied it’s just heat fatigue. it wasn’t that gojo didn’t care, but he trusted his friend’s words.

geto left his second button from his uniform for gojo. in japan there’s a tradition, where after graduating you pull of the button from your jacket and give it to your loved one. though geto massacred the village before graduation.

gojo postponed geto’s execution for 10 years. he’s the only person that can kill geto, yet only did after he declared war.

before fighting geto, gojo said ‘i’d like to mourn suguru’s body’, even after what geto did.

the first thing gojo did after getting unsealed was to reach geto’s body because he wanted it back, to mourn and give it a proper funeral. he was literally in the deepest waters of japan, didn’t know if his students were alive or not, yet still teleported to kenjaku to kill him.

geto was capable of not leaving residules, yet he still left them for gojo.

gojo remembered geto’s curse power scent after 10 years (weird but whatever).

gojo died on the 24th december, just like geto a year before.

in japan, christmas eve is the most romantic day in the year. it’s japan’s valentines day.

gojo said that him and kenjaku should fight on december 24, in which kenjaku replied ‘are you a romantic? how nasty, scheduling our meeting on christmas eve’.

the song that played during geto’s and gojo’s last meeting was ‘this was pure love’.

geto dies, acknowledging how powerful the power of love and proceeds to tell gojo to curse him a little at the end.

‘this is my personal opinion, but there’s no curse more twisted than love’ was what gojo said to yuta, a statement probably indicating of personal experience.

geto said ‘i couldn’t wear a heartfelt smile while living in this world’, yet before he died gojo managed to make him smile.

‘when he heard the words gojo blurted out, geto couldn’t help but laugh, such embarrassing words. even when they were students, those words had never been said before’ jjk0 light novel. in japan, saying ‘i love you’ is seen as embarrassing.

gojo’s eng va said that gojo’s last words to geto were three words.

gege said that it was said in jjk0, plus the fact that the whole movie is resolved around the concept of love.

one of the va’s of jjk0 confirmed that gojo’s censored words to geto were along the lines of ‘you’ll always be my best friend and i love you so much’.

whatever gojo said to geto, it made geto blush.

‘show me your blushing face again’ was from gojo after all (from tawareco’s free press interview).

in geto’s last moments, gojo used the word ‘omae’, which is generally used only among close, close friends. it’s to show a deep bond between two people, even sometimes defined as referring to your beloved. it’s derogatory, but in this situation it shows that gojo still cared for geto.

gege connected the theme of ‘love’ and ‘satisfaction’ as he shows that gojo would’ve been satisfied if only geto was there. this made geto teary-eyed.

sukuna said love is worthless because he doesn’t need anyone to satisfy him, so he said to love someone is to satisfy them. then gojo told geto he’s the only once who could satisfy him.

when the girl with her mother came up to geto, asking for help, geto refused to call her by her name (which was saito) and continued to call her ‘sato’, because he said it sounds better.

geto’s clothes which he wears as a cult leader is a ‘gojo-kesa’. gege said it felt right for it to be that.

in japan, sharing an umbrella is an act to show that two people love and care for each other. it’s a common trope in anime and manga, showing that these two characters are in love. in hidden inventories outro, gojo was going to meet geto but it was raining so he brought an umbrella. yet it stopped raining when gojo got close to geto, meaning their relationship stopped before it got romantic.

in the outro, we see geto’s foot tapping anxiously while it’s raining. when gojo reached him, geto snapped out from whatever he’s been anxious about. the rain stops and the sun starts to shine.

there’s a phrase in japanese and it means a person bringing the sun with them and gojo is the sun in the outro. also, in jjk’s light novel, gojo describes geto as the setting sun.

gojo and geto always speak fondly of each other, even after 10 years.

jjk volume 26 cover has cameillas. they only bloom in winter. they symbolise union of lovers beyond death. it’s the birthday flower for 3rd february, which is geto’s birthday.

gege said to geto’s va, that when he’s calling satoru, he should do it like a wife calling her husband.

geto’s va was asked to soften his voice when talking to gojo.

kenjaku took over geto’s body not only because of his cursed technique, but mainly because he knew that geto was gojo’s only weakness and it was the only way to get him into the prison realm. he had no real plan other than that.

‘even a thousand measly human lives wouldn’t be enough to distract gojo’ yet kenjaku—in geto’s body—managed to do just that.

gege said that in the shibuya accident arc, when geto moved kenjaku’s hand and wanted to choke him, it was similar to a dragonfly after it’s head is cut off, implying that it’s muscle memory. protecting gojo when he’s in danger.

despite all these years, gojo still managed to notice that the kenjaku was not geto. kenjaku also couldn’t fully replicate his voice.

gojo always relies on his technique, except when it came to recognising suguru, he rather wanted to trust his soul.

apparently geto left a letter before he left. in one of the jjk expositions there were designs/concepts of this scene in and it just had ‘sorry’ written on it.

on a jjk exposition there was a clear kanji sign in bold that meant ‘romantic love’.

gojo wanted to become a teacher because he doesn’t want his students to end up on the same path as geto.

yuta said ‘don’t try to be the monster all alone anymore,’ in which gojo replied ‘that’s something i can’t do. at that moment i was left behind. i have to catch up to him’ and shows a panel of the kfc scene. what gojo means, is that he was left behind by geto because he’s not strong enough to choose his own path for what he truly believes (it’s not romantic but i wanted to add this).

[blueepink07]

Analysing backgrounds from Mahiru's magazine

(mentions of death!)

Mahiru's first MV will always be one of my favourites due to all the cute and aesthetic designs, but also, because it has a lot of details and symbolism that continue to amaze me! Even if I have to chose from her second MV and this one, the first will always be the one that holds a big place in my heart!

Without any further ado, let's start analysing!

The first thing that I want to point out is that every section or page has the magazine's title This is how to be in love with you. Based on the appearance of this title, I grouped the days together when I analysed the backgrounds.

Note: By pages, I refer to Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 8 which seem to have their own design with a background consisting of one colour, and by section I refer to the pages which are grouped together: Day 4, day 5, day 6, Day 7(group 1); Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12 (group 2); Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16 (group 3).

At first, I wanted to group the first three days together, but I decided that it will be easier to let them separated as it makes more sense with the pattern in which the magazine title appears.

DAY 1

Day 1 it's the front cover of the magazine and the table of contents, shown through clothes. Although the day described is mostly uneventful, Mahiru just taking care of herself and admitting that she "always has to be ready", it's the best introduction for her new found journey of finding love.

The background is simple and cute: light pink with white hearts.

But even this simple and cute design choice can have a meaning!

White hearts 🤍 -> symbolise pure love; a strong romantic attraction that's deep and infinite

Light pink -> symbolises innocence and youthfulness; it's associated with beauty of life before it becomes complicated

Together they can represent pure and unconditional love, often associated with new beginning and fresh relationships.

This background it's a summary for Mahiru's journey of finding love. She desires to find her soulmate and to experience beautiful and innocent moments with her chosen one. A deep relationship, in which they are always together, until death do them apart.

Not only that, but it also shows her lack of experience in dating and how, for Mahiru, this is a new beginning in her life.

DAY 2

In Day 2, Mahiru describes how she recently moved in Tokyo and everything is new and exciting for her. She also expresses her wishes to find her true love.

The background is very simple: a grayish yellow which matches her clothes.

Yellow -> a warm color often associated with sunshine; it signifies happiness, warmth, enlightenment and optimism; it is also a symbol of hope and new beginnings.

The background is a good representation of Mahiru's feelings and thoughts during that day. She is cheerful and excited, because she began a new life, in a new, big city. She wants to experience and visit locations and to try different activities. Mahiru also hopes to find her soulmate, saying that this will be the cherry on the top. ~🍒

DAY 3

Day 3 it's when Mahiru is meeting, for the first time, her soon to be boyfriend. Although they do not interact and only met eyes, Mahiru already thinks that he must be the one perfect for her and questions herself if she is overthinking.

The background is again very simple: a pink that matches beautifully with the dark blue text.

Pink -> symbolises youth, good health and playfulness. It's the flush of first love and stands for nurturing femininity; pink can also be the colour of inexperience, timidity or a tendency to be overly emotional

Considering that this is the day when Mahiru fell in love for the first time, I think that it's no wonder that pink is a perfect choice for the background. It also shows her inexperience in terms of relationships and how she has to ask herself if she's not, in fact, overthinking. Basically, Mahiru needed some time to process her feelings and to gain courage to start interacting with him.

Group 1: DAY 4, DAY 5, DAY 6, DAY 7

With Mahiru discovering her crush for him, in these days, she tries as much as possible to spend time with her soon to be boyfriend. Meeting him in different places, such as a shop, or at her part-time job, running with him despite her lack of interest in this hobby... Her describing how her favourite romance books hit different now that she knows how it feels to be in love.

The background in this section is also pretty simple: white with heart doodles

White -> symbolises purity, certainty, illumination and insight; it is associated with knowledge and learning

In these days, Mahiru tries to learn new things about him. At the shop, she discovers what bread he is usually buying and wants to try it herself. She also learns about his hobby, running, and so on...

The white background illustrates that Mahiru is starting to learn about what is love and how these feelings can change a person for the better. Moreover, she discovers what type of person is her soon to be boyfriend and things that he likes.

Doodle hearts -> "When you draw heart shapes, you're signaling that you believe in true love and are in search of your soulmate. These shapes suggest romance is a priority for you right now."

As I've written before, Mahiru is in search of true love. For her, romance is a main priority, admitting that she decided to live for love in her VDs. And in these days, Mahiru actively tries to gain his attention, being fully convinced that he is the chosen one. (basically she is searching for her soulmate)

DAY 8

Day 8 is when Mahiru finally confesses her feelings to him. She waited for his part-time job to be over and then talked for hours, in the park. She is happy, because he reciprocated her feelings.

Background: light green

Light green -> means balance, hope, love, mutual respect, optimism, rebirth, renewal, vitality, harmony, growth;

In other words, green may represent Mahiru's desire to move their relationship forward. From a simple friendship, to something much deeper. She has hope that he'll reciprocate her feelings and will have a beautiful relationship, in which both will grow as a person, mature and maybe start a new stage in their life. (marriage - a wish that, for Mahiru, unfortunately hadn't happened)

Group 2: DAY 9, DAY 10, DAY 11, DAY 12

During these days, Mahiru spends time with her boyfriend. Being at the beginning of their relationship, they start with simple, but cute activities, such as watching a movie together, going in dates (at the bar) or visiting each others houses.

The background has more elements: white background with silver stars and pink clouds

Note: white can have the same meaning for this section and the next one. After all, even when you are currently dating you still learn things about the person you love

Stars -> symbol of guidance, truth and hope; they represent goals that are difficult to achieve (one must endure great difficulties in order to attain divine height)

This design choice explains Mahiru's dreams and hopes that their relationship will be forever beautiful. Also, it shows again, her inexperience in love and how she needs guidance for her love problems. The beautician (from Day 10) is the one who acts as an advisor and friend for Mahiru.

Considering the lyrics from her song, the stars may indicate Mahiru's views about love. The way she is embracing the pain that comes after short break-ups and disputes as a simple test of love. How she believes that they will always overcome these problems and their relationship will grow stronger. In Mahiru's pov she has to endure these problems in order to achieve the best form of love.

Moreover, stars can symbolise the great love than can be share between two people. The term "written in the stars" describes two persons that is believed are fated to be together, whose love is so big that the universe has brought them together.

Mahiru believes in fate and many times has stated this fact. From the moment they met eyes, she felt like they were made for eachother. She even considers that the reason she was born was to end up with him, as the universe has created her to be his pair.

Pink clouds -> signify joy and happiness; fosters great relationships; represents the changes in your life that can bring you to a place where the struggle is nonexistent, and everything is too good to be true

The pink clouds not only are a great and cute design choice, but they also represent Mahiru's feelings during the relationship. She is cheerful, because she finally met her soulmate and everything seems too good to be actually true. Unfortunately, this is truly the case, as this is foreshadowing the death of her boyfriend and their slowly collapsing relationship. Mahiru, however, at these early stages, doesn't see any wrong on the occasionally break-ups and wants to experience as many things as possible with her boyfriend.

Group 3: DAY 13, DAY 14, DAY 15, DAY 16

In the last days, their relationship is significantly much deeper and precious for Mahiru. She starts dreaming about marriage and wishes at her first shrine visit, from the year, to be always together with him. Mahiru dedicates a lot of her time to learn how to cook his favourite dishes, excited to see his surprised face.

The background is very pretty: white with colourful gemstones and iridescent colours

Gemstones -> symbolise luck, love, passion, romance and protection

Not only gemstones are a dazzling jewelry choice for weddings, but they also represent Mahiru's wish for their relationship to last forever. Gemstones offer protection against evil and help their love to bloom more beautiful.

Iridescent -> represents cleanliness, beauty or angelic activity; can symbolise the presence of a divinity; temptation; negative meanings: false promise, worthless

Considering that in Day 15, Mahiru wishes at the shrine for their relationship to last forever, she is basically asking the help of the divinity. Iridescent colours are a good way to show Mahiru's deep desires and how she is slowly falling on this temptation to move their relationship even further (to marriage), despite of their obvious problems that are causing lots of breakups.

This wish at the shrine, unfortunately, doesn't help and feels more like a false promise that everything will turn to better. Somehow, it does the opposite and fate isn't in their favour. The boyfriend dies, leaving Mahiru all alone in her own misery...

Here is the MV text translation!

Thank you for reading!!

[ronaldanthony4]

As an avid digital artist, I find immense joy in creating artworks that capture the essence of my imagination. This one focused on my beloved original characters, Arlon and Liliana. They are the epitome of my ideal romantic love, and through my art, I aim to showcase the depth of emotions they share. This particular artwork depicts the young couple, Arlon and Liliana, enveloped in an embrace that exudes tenderness and intimacy. Arlon, with his chiselled physique, holds Liliana close, showering her with affectionate kisses on her rosy cheeks. Captured in a moment frozen in time, Liliana reciprocates his love with a gentle smile, cherishing their connection.

When conceptualising this digital piece, I drew inspiration from a fan art I stumbled across on DeviantArt. The portrayal of two individuals entwined in love, just like Arlon and Liliana, captivated my attention. The artist brilliantly depicted the intimacy of their bond, and I yearned to recreate that essence in my way. With their permission, I utilised their artwork as a reference, ensuring that the posture and gestures captured the very essence of love that I intended to portray. The use of vibrant colours and soft brush strokes helped bring the characters to life, adding depth and emotion to the piece.

This portrayal of Arlon and Liliana's relationship emphasizes the power of vulnerability and trust, highlighting the depth of their connection beyond superficiality. By removing physical barriers, the artwork invites viewers to appreciate their affection's genuine and raw nature, challenging societal norms and expectations. In this state of nakedness, they reveal a profound level of intimacy that transcends physical appearances, symbolising a love that is truly authentic and unencumbered. This artwork serves as a reminder that societal constructs or judgments do not confine true love, but rather thrive in an environment of acceptance and vulnerability.

As I delve deeper into my artistic journey, exploring the complexities of love through Arlon and Liliana's characters has become my refuge. With each stroke of my digital brush, I peel back another layer of their story, delving ever further into the depths of their emotions. This ongoing project serves as a testament to the power of imagination, allowing me to manifest characters that embody the very essence of my idealized romance. In their world, love reigns supreme, transcending boundaries and societal expectations, reminding me of the beauty that lies within genuine connections.

In conclusion, my latest digital artwork featuring Arlon and Liliana is a reflection of my unwavering belief in the power of love. Through this creation, I endeavour to capture the essence of their bond, showcasing a connection that traverses both physical and emotional barriers. Inspired by fan art found on DeviantArt, I meticulously crafted their gestures and postures, ensuring that every stroke encapsulated the purity of their affection. Whether gazing upon their clothed or naked forms, one cannot help but feel the warmth and tenderness that permeate every pixel. This project serves as a reminder that art has the incredible ability to communicate the intricacies of the human experience, unveiling the depths of emotion that lie within our hearts.

[caliburn-the-sword]

fhh ch47-52

this time i SWEAR i won't forget to include where i got up to. however, i think with the power of sheer force of will, i may complete the book. i WILL be staying up past midnight just to achieve it too. i n e e d to know. unless it puts me through so much struggle i once again need a break

debate on penguins HELP rosorion is literally the cutest. relationship goals

love how rosalind and celia went to bed fighting and woke up teasing one another. true siblings fr

how is alisa concerned for the state of rosalind's driving. as if she didn't run over a fence. like yes it was in smoke but STILL rosalind commented on her lack of driving experience. i love how they mutually think the other sucks at driving

YAY WE'RE SEEING ROMA AND JULIETTE AGAIN

alisa is so damn clever. i am however also concerned she is gonna be caught by lady hong's forces and used as bait. however i doubt lady hong grasps alisa's importance to the rest of the group

YESSSS ROSALIND AND ORION ARE PLAYING AT MARRIED COUPLE AGAIN LIFE IS GOOD

alisa if you didn't think you'd get this far WHY would you yeet yourself into lady hong's truck ;-; that's not very greatly thought out

okay i'm probably WAY overanalysing here but i remembered apples having some significant symbolism in chinese culture because we have it every new year. my dumbass assumed it was longevity like practically everything we eat at new year symbolises but i looked it up to double check and it actually represents safety. funny little easter egg miss chloe potentially dropped with rosalind buying those while hiding out at the hotel fksdjfsn

BENEDIKT

ik that we were all theorising that lourens was connected to this all but ARE YOU SERIOUS HE WORKED ON ORION FASKDJFS. everything is connected~

MARS I LOVE HIM YAY HE'S BACK I MISSED HIM

nothing more romantic than a couple fighting <3

i love how lourens is just straight up connected to every single crazy experiment in all of europe and asia. like goddamn this man is on the grind. working day and night putting his blood sweat and tears into developing every kind of supersoldier, multiple forms of mind control etc etc. this guy never rests

JULIETTE MY BELOVED. yk shit's wrong when SHE'S gotta be the reasonable one and stop rosalind from mauling a man to death

ROSORION REUNION HOLY FUCK HOLY FUCK I AM CRYING TEARS WHETHER THEY ARE OF JOY OR OF DESPAIR OR BOTH IS UP TO YOU

juliette is incorrect i absolutely need a mars/orion friendship immediately

omfg i'm glad alisa is safe

lourens is such a chad istg he shows up, cures orion, takes it upon himself to nap on roma's couch. what an icon. what a legend. he IS the moment

i take ALL of that back WTF DO YOU MEAN ROSALIND IS GONNA DIE SOON

"Orion was willing to argue with a literal rock if he suspected it had insulted her in some manner." i am melting into a puddle of jelly. i need me a man like this

couples that hate a random old man together stay together~

NO FUCKING WAY ORION AND MARSHALL HAD A FLING ASKJCNAJAN

mars is so right because jealous benedikt IS adorable

JULIETTE POV it's been so long my beloved <3

anyway it's ice cream time bitches i finish this once i've had icecream. or maybe when i wake up idfk. i don't want this to be OVER but i NEED to know how it ends. this is the real violent end fr

[amugoffandoms]

I FINALLY FOUND IT

@ozymandias5854

"Flowers: thank you to Puga and Oto in the MILGRAM Stanclub for identifying these!

Bird of Paradise: Paradise, freedom, joy. It can also symbolise faithfulness in romantic relationships and optimism. Wilted in the MV, which could suggest the absence of freedom, joy, etc, as well as a lack of faithfulness.

Dahlia: Elegance, inner stength, change, creativity, dignity. Alternatively, it can represent betrayal, instability, and dishonesty. It's also notable that in the Victorian era they symbolised a lasting bond/lifelong commitment between two people. Also wilted, which could suggest a lack of inner strength and a failed long-term relationship/committment.

ORCHIDS: There's a lot of orchids so I'm going to put their general meanings in here. Orchids are typically used at weddings and funerals and represent love, luxury, beauty and strength, as well as virility in Ancient Greece. They are very much associated with love, and their usage at funerals is often to represent everlasting love for the deceased. They can also be thought to bring good luck and fortune in love.

Elleanthus (orchid): It's sort of a purple/pink so: Pink orchids are the 14th wedding anniversary flower and convey pure affection. Purple orchids symbolise respect, and are generally given as a gift to show affection.

Egret orchid: Typically white, so they would normally symbolise innocence and purity, as well as elegance and reverence. However, the ones in the video are red, and red orchids typically symbolise fire, romance, desire, and passion. They're very rare in the wild, which is notable as in the tradition of gifting exotic flowers to show love and affection, the rarer the flower, the deeper the affection. (two seperate omori fans in the replies add: "My thoughts will follow you into your dreams.")

Dendrobium: Popular for use in weddings, particularly as corsages or in bridal flower arrangements to show the beauty of the bride.

Butterfly orchid: The most famous orchid species, they symbolise elegance, femininity and unity.

Cymbidium: Commonly known as a boat orchid, it represents morality and virtue, and in Asia it is an honour/gesture of respect and friendship to give a cymbidium.

Wilted: could represent a loss of morality/virtue.

--

Masterwort: Also known as astrantia. Can be a romantic flower, referred to in old folk tales as stars that have fallen to earth. Symbolic meaning is a strong, brave protector. Wilted, which could suggest that someone (probably Shidou) has failed in their role of protector.

Anthurium + Monstera: Anthurium signifies long lasting love and friendship, and it said to bring luck in your relationship. Known also as a flamingo lily, it's one of the most gifted plants on Valentine's Day due to it's heart shaped leaves and in Ancient Greece the flowers of anthurium were said to be Cupid's arrows. Monstera can represent suffocation, or long life and the honouring of elders.

King Protea: Named after the Greek god Poseidon's son Proteus, who would change his appearance to avoid detection. Generally thought to symbolise diversity, daring, transformation, and courage.

Calla lily: Symbolism varies by flower colour. However, they're generally used for occasions such as weddings and funerals due to their beauty and are also associated with purity, holiness, faithfulness. The 6th wedding anniversary flower. Dark red symbolises passion and intensity. Although calla lilies are not true lilies, lilies can symbolize that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death.

Roses: Love, romance, can also be linked to secrecy. Appears on four tarot cards: the fool, the magician, strength, and death. In Greek mythology, roses originated from Adonis.

Note: a lot of them have different features like not being fully bloomed, so keep that in mind. I'll update this later"

posted 2 years ago as of october 24th, 2023!

HELLO!! sorry i just remembered to respond to this but thank you!!

the meaning of the wilted cymbidium is so interesting woag…. loss of morality/virtue really hits with shidou to be honest

[appledotcodotuk]

hey. hi! I have thoughts about Burn Pygmalion <- (just watched a YouTube video and realised there was lore, if ideas from that worm their way in here then that's where they came from! shout out to popykai and the genius lyrics community for being God's strongest album understanders)

so, admire the architecture goes for a bit of a third person perspective - we watch as Jeannie watches the architecture in a moment that feels less like an escape, more a confirmation that even at some level of remove from her perspective, there's a sense she can't escape her own thoughts. i think this is best shown right at the end; there's a moment that seems to dip into either Jeanine's internal focalization (her thoughts) or, more interestingly, her dialogue.

first off, I love that there's some slippage between thought and word. so much of Jeanine is internalised, so there's an impulse to assume this is her own internal dialogue, but these lines jostle with 'sweet talk on the phone / ugly thoughts that won't leave me alone'. the rhyme brings these two juxtaposing ideas (perspectiveless talking vs embodied internalness) into a slightly uneasy harmony that, retroactively, muddles whether the prior two lines are spoken or thought. is this the (no doubt ironic) sweet talk? or the ugly thought?

I think it's interesting too how thought here symbolises internal personhood. Jeanine is closed off; her thoughts are her own and nobody else's - though, ironically we are now privy to them thanks to the magic of music. Dialogue however, by its very nature, requires an interaction between two different characters. Words are a reaching outwards, thoughts are a shutting off. That we can't tell which is which creates a sense of unreality. Jeanine is on her own in this song. Even if she speaks her mind, aloud, her words can only ever apostrophize Sylvia: forge a connection that is never to be realised.

And that's not even my main point!

'Made' is a loaded verb in the context of a album which makes frequent and obvious allusions to the myth of Pygmalion: the sculptor who rejects human love for love of his own creation. In some ways its a reiteration of the myth of narcissism. Pygmalion looks into marble eyes and sees a love that is both unconventional and (appears to be) tragically unattainable. He worships his granite Goddess with the awareness that she is an idol to the true God behind the work: his own hands. Hence the narcissism.

Anyway, how does this apply to Jeanine and Sylvia? Well, creation. Jeanine 'made' Sylvia. Even with the qualificatory 'what you are', that is the gist of the lyric: I created you, and now you're not even mine. TSJ refigure the Pygmalion myth in yet another way by handing Jeanine the scalpel. Part of her anger and sadness at being abandoned (which, yes, is reasonable when you've been left alone while your gf swans off to who-knows-where) is the rage of Frankenstein watch his creature flee into the mountains. It's the despair of the artist. She 'made' Sylvia with her own journalistic craft, and is now being forgotten.

This is not to reduce the romantic side of things, but there is a distinct streak of possessiveness, of the desire to own, that comes through in Jeanine's story. In the final line of the final song, 'Bets Against the Void', Jeanine says:

I know I'm an artist cause I just can't stand the thought / That a love as beautiful as ours can be / Forgotten

Her romantic feelings are bound up inevitably, inexorably, in artistic legacy. Like a statue that outlives the palms that shaped it, Jeanine and Sylvia love each other. It's Pygmalion, without the divine intervention. And there's a sort of tragedy to that love of their relationship as something that both buoys Jeanine into stardom and scrutiny alongside Sylvia, whilst also subsuming the both of them. Frankenstein is the name for the scientist; but is often misattributed to the creature. How many of us knew the statue was called Galatea? Pygmalion's name takes precedence, even as his fame is bound up in the grains of his own statue.

Sylvia is Jeanine's muse. And she, foolishly, hoped that she could keep her all to herself, whilst retaining a sense of self in the process.

[heavensinhell]

I LOVE MLP:FIM S5E9

i love love LOVED it. today is actually my first time watching it, since most of the time that i rewatch the show, i get stumped/busy before s3 or s4. i’m laughing so much because so many of the memes, of the frames, of the background characters was from THIS EPISODE.

it’s genuinely so refreshing to see an episode purely focused on the alternating lives of side characters. how it began with cranky and matilda and easily transitioned to derpy, then to dr. whooves and to the event going on outside of the bowling alley. i love it. genuinely so happy, genuinely enjoying it with my whole heart.

it gave such a deeper look into personalities and tropes, and even shows some references to older episodes, like the trio of gardeners fainting just like they did in the episode where the bunnies stampeded, or sweetie drops referencing the amount of times creatures from the everfree forest has bothered ponyville. the first example shows that it’s a normal occurence, and that the girls truly love their flowers—and the second tells the audience that the background ponies do, in fact, have LIVES in relation to the main characters. they’re still affected.

GUMMY AND HIS PHILOSOPHICAL SELF-TALK! I LOVED IT, TOO. not only did we get an insider on the ponies, but also the PETS. yes, we see them often, but we never know what they’re thinking and this was just SO NICE and reminded me of when, in barbie: life in the dreamhouse, the pets would be a part of the sitcom.

i also adored the short little moments with the princesses. celestia and luna arguing like normal siblings, one saying that this “chore,” or more accurately, this task (specifically, of finding and bringing a gift) was done by them last time, so it’s the other sibling’s turn now. AND THE “blabber blabber” with the “*in sassy tone* fine,” accompanied by an eye roll? ICONIC! it’s seriously a good representation of average sibling relationships. you can judge it and say it’s “mean,” but seriously, we have those moments with our siblings, too. just because they’re princesses doesn’t mean they stop being people.

then, of course, how princess cadence and shining armor are just your normal emotional couple in the side, though honestly i wonder WHY shining is crying. never mentioned in the episode.

AND AND AND ANOTHER LYRABON MOMENT. i love how it represents, and LITERALLY represents and not just symbolises, how easy people in TRUE love (be it platonic and/or romantic) can talk about their problems with each other, and still love each other. probably even more ^^

THEY ALSO LOCKED OUT THE MANE SIX. this time, i feel like it symbolises, REALLY symbolises, how this thing isn’t centered around them. and i love that. of course, i’m concerned about their feelings, but oh well!

i love the mayor’s speech. i love cranky’s story of finding matilda, and how he met so many people. and how happy those people were to be in that wedding because, a few years/months/days ago, this man was sad and grumpy and, frankly, cranky about losing the love of his life and now, there they all were.

in their wedding.

this episode will never run out of things to love about, i believe.

overall 100/10. adored it. and i loved it so much I WROTE A FOUR PARA ESSAY AND POSTED IT IN TWO BLOG APPS! HA!

[zenasflower]

Flowers For Romance

Flowers have long been entwined with romance, and each flower holds its own symbolic meaning. Some flowers, like the classic rose, are very romantic; other, like the exotic Bird of Paradise, represent soul deep love.

Daffodils represent new beginnings and can be a great gift early in the relationship. Daisy blooms symbolize innocence and purity, and are a great way to show your partner that you care for them.

Roses

Roses are the quintessential flowers for Romance Liverpool, inspiring love and passion. From romantic gestures to surprise bouquets, roses can convey deep sentiments with their timeless beauty and profound meaning.

One of the most common reasons why we associate roses with romance is because of the legend of Aphrodite and Cupid. When the goddess of love discovered that her mortal lover had been murdered, she ran through a rose garden to warn him. In the process, she pricked her ankles on the thorns and her blood turned the roses red.

Lighter hues like baby pink and pastel pink symbolize grace, gentleness, and joy. Orange roses, on the other hand, signify desire, energy, and fascination. They make the perfect gift for a vivacious friend who adds excitement to your life.

Orchids

Orchids are a beautiful flower that symbolises romance. Orchids come in a variety of colours and each colour has its own meaning. Black orchids, for example, can represent mystery and sophistication. They are also said to symbolize elegance and strength. White orchids, on the other hand, are a symbol of purity and innocence.

Yellow flowers are a great way to show your love for someone because they represent friendship and happiness. They can also bring a warm and sunny feeling to the room.

Lisianthus flowers are an elegant and sophisticated floral. They are also known to be the ultimate romantic flower because they symbolize true love and affection. You can pair them with other flowers like roses or tulips to create a stunning bouquet.

Peonies

A fairy-tale favorite, peonies captivate with their stunning color and shape. These blooms are also loaded with fascinating symbolism and curiosities.

Like roses, peonies symbolize love and romance. However, they also convey other sentiments, including innocence and elegance. White and pink peonies symbolize purity, while red blossoms signify wealth, honor, and respect.

Peonies are a wonderful choice for gifts to celebrate milestones, recognize accomplishments, and show appreciation. They’re also a fantastic alternative to traditional red roses for Valentine’s Day or anniversary gifts. They’re even great for a friend who’s feeling under the weather and needs a pick-me-up. These blooms are so uplifting and inspiring that they’re often used in floral arrangements for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. They also make excellent garden flowers. They grow to be a large, lush plant that thrives in almost any environment.

Daffodils

A classic, fragrant, and easy-to-grow spring flower, daffodils are a symbol of hope. They thrive in nearly any garden soil, but prefer slightly acidic to neutral and welldraining conditions.

One of the best of Division 2 daffodils, 'Romance' features elegant white flowers with a rose-pink cup. It's also a fast grower and naturalises well. Pair it with a dark-blue hellebore (Helleborus x hybridus) or powder-blue muscari (Muscari armeniacum).

To extend the blooming of your daffodils, cut the stems before they begin to wilt. This will allow them to re-hydrate before you add them to your bouquet. Adding a pinch of sand to the bottom of your vase helps anchor the stems in place and prevent them from flopping over. A light application of slug repellant can help keep slugs away while you wait for the foliage to fade.

Daisy

The daisy, Florists in Liverpool known as Bellis perennis, has long symbolized innocence and happiness. Its simple beauty has inspired many a poetic expression, such as "as fresh as a daisy."

The flower's meaning also varies by culture and the color of the bloom. The daisy is also associated with strength and faith. In fact, the ancient Romans believed that the nymph Belides turned herself into a daisy to protect her purity from Vertumnus' over-zealous pursuit.

Similarly, alstroemerias — or Peruvian Lilies — are known as the flower of friendship and devotion. Send this thoughtful gift to a close friend or family member to show them that you're always there for them. Keep these flowers happy and fresh by keeping them away from sunlight, changing the water regularly, and misting them often.

[cregan-starks]

not me being in another tab while historic events unfold on tumblr dot com 💀 first of all, AAAAAAAAHHHHH!! I'm so, so, so glad that you enjoyed the fic, darling!! My heart is so warm and full 🥺🥺🥺

ive never been an aemond girl... but you're writing him so so well and im just 👀 hes so crazyyyyy  

welcome to the club!! who can resist a pathetic meow meow who commits crimes?

THE SUCCESSION REFERENCE KILLED ME, I love that show so much!!

#missinglukehours is so real omg 😭

the takeaway from this fic is that EVERYONE WILL YEARN!!

jesus christ do you want me to pass out ih my god

don't pass out!! you're doing great!!

yes bc what crazy ass blood supremacist kool-aid the valyrians are on.... visenya is so real for this

Visenya a comrade fr lmaooo

the agenda will always be bearded Cregan, and bearded Cregan will always be on the agenda!!

you write him so incredibly well i have to love him

goodness, thank you so much!! 🧎🏻 I was aiming for a mix of book!Aemond and show!Aemond (perfectly balanced lol), so I'm glad you were into it as well!!

^^ us earlier talking abt musk lmao

this SENT me, that's so true. the anti musk brigade never sleeps

ALYN YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS!!! LOVE

you might be the first reader who doesn't dislike / hate him, so I applaud you 😭

the dynamic is so genuine and i just love the way you cultivated their trust and devotion and strategic respect its... like its so refreshing and so lovely

yaaay, thank you!! her relationship with Cregan is meant to symbolise something new and free, something that very much empowers her AND frightens her at the same time. in the iconic words of Cher, is there life after love?

im sick this is such a good few lines. god i love this so much its so poetic hes a POET... YOURE a poet

no, YOU are a poet! I do believe Cregan has a latent romantic / soft side... and it manifests only when he wants it to :')

once again she GETS it! she's the only one here (in the tent with two people) with a level head istg and shes so done with this mindset

it's the trauma 😩 no, tbh, I see it as Visenya having the privilege of fostering these views. she suffers from eldest daughter syndrome, she's hella stubborn (and low-key power-hungry), but her upbringing and her dynamic with her family were definitely healthier than Aemond's with his own family. her closeness with some of the Green kids (especially Aemond) also allowed her to sympathise with them. NEVERTHELESS, Visenya supports her mother's claim, firmly believes that the Blacks are in the right in this war, and tries to adapt to the most recent wave in the cycle of enmity and violence

another Succession reference, hell yes!!

anyways there was not a single part of this i did not absolutely adore. geopolitics. incredibly written, genuine dialogue. delicious smut.

geopolitics my beloved!! I always recite the dialogue out loud to check if it sounds real 😬 also omg you're so kind to say that, it's literally the first time I wrote and posted smut 🙈

incredibly developed and designed OC as well as other characters - i love visenya <3

I'm SO happy that you love Visenya!! she's my precious little pookie 😔

im in awe of your skill bb! like jaw dropped, i cant believe your brain. i patiently and excitedly await the next part & in the meantime can't wait to gush with u all about this! ur so incredible and this is ART! cannot express enough how great this is.

MY GOD, thank you so, so, so much for taking the time to read and to comment, and thank you so much for all your praise!! it genuinely means the world to me 🥺🥺🥺 I'm beyond ecstatic that you like my writing and the fic!! obviously, I can't wait to gush with you!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Flames of Deceit

Summary: Aemond and Visenya reunite amidst the Dance of the Dragons.

Words: 13,005

Pairings: Aemond Targaryen x OC, Cregan Stark x OC

Warnings:canon-typical incest (Aemond and Visenya are cousins, as well as uncle and niece), book and show spoilers, Westerosi geopolitics, mentions of imperialism and slavery, canon-typical violence, war, blood and gore, fire and burning, mass death, mention of amputation, mentions of torture and captivity, mentions and threats of execution and physical harm, mentions of poverty and starvation, parental neglect, food and eating, alcohol and drinking, sexism, victim blaming, slut-shaming, ableist language, explicit language, nudity, smut (vaginal sex in flashbacks), unresolved sexual tension, grief/mourning, trauma, angst, hurt/comfort, survivor guilt, mutual pining, emotional/psychological abuse, verbal abuse, mentions of pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, and death in childbirth, mentions of child/infant death, mentions of infidelity. If I missed any warnings, please let me know!Under no circumstances can you copy, plagiarize, steal my work, or post it somewhere else!

Notes: This totally didn’t take me almost 7 months to write. Cregan Stark is the protagonist of Fire & Blood. Rise, Cregan nation. My OC Visenya is Rhaenyra’s and Daemon’s daughter, and Jace’s older twin. Superfecundation, baby. Visenya and Jace are born in 111 AC, not 114 AC. The Battle in the Gullet still occurs in 130 AC, soon after the events of this one-shot. Reblogs and comments are encouraged and immensely appreciated. If this does well, I’ll post a reader version.

Credits: Huge thank you to my betas @maharani-radha-writes 💛 @aereth 💖 and @shewhomustbecalledking 🩶, and to @haystack-boy @lavendertales @buttercup–bee @agirllovespancakes and @oloreaa for their constant patience and support. It means a lot, and I’m immensely grateful. Apart from my OC Visenya, all characters belong to George R.R. Martin. Gif by @aemondtargaryensource (x)

Ao3 | Masterlist | Next

EARLY 130 AC

HARRENHAL, THE RIVERLANDS

          The sheer immensity of Harrenhal had provoked dizziness in Visenya. She had heard the story innumerable times. For four decades, King Harren Hoare had built greedily and obsessively, sacrificing thousands of slaves, and beggaring the riverlands and the Iron Islands. The indestructible construction had been no match for Balerion, whose fire had consumed the tyrant and his sons inside it, ending their line. Most Westerosi believed that the phantoms of the Hoares wandered the castle halls. The fortress is costly to maintain, and it devours its possessors. Qoherys, Harroway, Towers… All extinct. Whether cursed or not, Harrenhal remained a strategic location – the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms.

          The current castellan – Larys Clubfoot’s great-uncle – Ser Simon Strong had recently surrendered Harrenhal to Daemon Targaryen. The presence of Caraxes might have contributed to his hasty decision. Following the victory at the Burning Mill and the subsequent submission of Stone Hedge – terminating Green strength in the riverlands – Queen Rhaenyra’s allies had commenced their gathering at Harrenhal, in accordance with the Prince Consort’s stratagem.

          Visenya had departed Dragonstone on the same night that Daemon had summoned her, having been granted safe passage by the Velaryon ships patrolling the Gullet. At the outbreak of the war, the Sea Snake’s fleet had closed off Blackwater Bay, choking trade to and from the capital.

          As soon as she had dismounted her dragon in the castle yard, she had sensed the eerie ambience that had haunted Harrenhal’s colossal curtain walls and fissured, melted towers. Formidable and dreadful. Harren’s monument and tomb. Blackwing had responded to Caraxes’ fervent shriek with her own, flapping her wings at him. Happy to be reunited.

          Her father had offered her a warm welcome and a tight embrace, had even insisted that she sit on his war council, wherein she had befriended Alysanne Blackwood, whom she had grown quite fond of.

          At last, Visenya had thought, on the morning that Daemon had sent for her. Though she loved him dearly, her father hadn’t invited her there because he had missed his daughter. Visenya had met with Daemon alone, in the Hall of the Hundred Hearths – she had counted thirty-five – grander than the throne room in King’s Landing, the discolored ceiling looming loftily above them. Her father had donned his chain mail over his crimson tunic.

          Does he sleep in that? Or am I the threat?

          ‘Ser Crispin and the Kinslayer are marching on Harrenhal,’ Daemon had informed her, instead of “good morrow”, pressing a rolled parchment into her palm, ‘They mean to join forces with the Lannisters’, at Stoney Sept.’

          Her heart had jolted at the mere mention of his title. Aemond… At the Usurper’s farce of a coronation that the Hightowers had compelled her to attend – dressed in green – Visenya had kissed him farewell, forsaking any glimmer of hope for a future with him. I have demonstrated where my loyalties lie. I have chosen my family.

          Her lilac eyes had skimmed over the scrawled message on the sheepskin, the wax sigil foreign to her. The White Worm?

          ‘You are strangely poised,’ Visenya had observed, suspicious, studying her father’s amused expression.

          ‘I’ve been waiting for this,’ he had confirmed, smirking wickedly, curling his hand around the hilt of sheathed Dark Sister. Another one of his traps… and he’s pulling me into it. Daemon had gently cradled her cheek, purring, ‘I have a mission for you, sweetling.’

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