#taking life lessons from a vampire was not on their to-do list

[vitanithepure]

It seems this time around Vitani has a very... complicated relationship with Astarion. And it's giving them whiplash because it goes from absolutely insincere interaction like:

Which Vitani really begins to enjoy, because there is no venom in his constant bemoaning and a lot of fun to be had in playful quips once they stop taking them at face value.

But the next night they get hit with:

And suddenly it's no fun and games, it hurts... because he's right. How else to explain 200 years of this and nobody catching wind of what's going on in a lord's mansion in Baldur's Gate? Cazador Szarr is a prominent figure, and people powerful enough to know him... did nothing. Somebody had to know, you cannot stay hidden in a city this big without someone wanting to help you stay hidden.

Their perception of reality is being challenged, because a week ago Vitani was safe as one of the nobles, the Flaming Fist could do no wrong, and the city was safe, governed by the Dukes and patriars of Baldur's Gate. And the truth is...

The strong really did fail Astarion. Vitani won't give him their word to keep him safe, not to just be reminded again they are in no position to make such promises.

But they promise themselves to become strong enough to be able to help the next Astarion they meet.

[jeannyjaykaydeh]

Movie Lessons

(Part 2/3)

Part 1 is here (I don’t know how to change the name of a link so you can just click on the word 'Part 1'. Maybe someone wants to explain how I can do it 👉👈):

Fluff

Warning: Mentions of harassment

Alastor x Reader

And so it begins.

The great demon of radio would never have thought of lowering himself to this low, very low level and dealing with films.

He looks at the old CRT screen, which stands provocatively in front of him and looks as if it has that provocative grin of the repulsive face that belongs to Vox in an unobtrusive way.

At first, Alastor had conjured up a screen and an old film projector, but he quickly realised that this was a bit outdated.

After that, it only took a video recorder and a DVD player to find out that these days you can watch films on streaming platforms on the internet.

The advantage is that you can stream everything. From old to not-so-old to new.

The radio demon is on the verge of wondering what he is actually doing. He is going to all this trouble just because he is interested in a woman. Not even the slightest murderous intent is behind it.

No, it's all about damn romance.

And for the sake of that romance, he even crosses his own boundaries and puts a TV box in his room.

Alastor feels stupid and pathetic. Falling in love should be illegal.

Nevertheless, the chemical reaction in his dead brain takes control and makes the man sit down in his armchair, cross his legs, place a pad and pen on his lap and turn on the device.

Let the mission begin.

The first romantic film Alastor watches is, as expected, a boring one: man wants woman, gives her a bouquet of flowers, proposes way too quickly and she agrees because, as a woman from the fifties, she has no other purpose in life than to commit to patriarchy and bear the children of this macho man.

Alastor is ashamed of using this method with you, because he knows you well enough to know that you are not that easy to get and, above all, that you would never sell yourself short.

And yet he dares to.

The next day there is a knock at your bedroom door. When you open it, the radio demon is standing in front of you with his arms behind his back, grinning happily.

‘Hi. What's up?’ you ask, smiling.

And suddenly he holds out a huge bouquet of colourful and magnificent flowers towards you.

At first you are a little taken aback. On the one hand because of the unusually exaggerated size of the bouquet, and on the other hand because you have no idea why Alastor is giving you such a gift.

‘Y/N, my dear,‘ he begins, “I want to ask you-’

‘Al!‘ you interrupt him hastily, whereupon he looks at you in confusion.

‘Yes? What is it?’ he asks in astonishment.

‘Put the bouquet down!’ you demand in a croaking voice.

There is a rustling sound, and disappointment spreads through him. But it was clear that you wouldn't be satisfied with just a little meadow.

Alastor clutches the stems of the flowers tighter, and suddenly they all wither at the same time. Then he makes them disappear with a wave of his hand.

‘Forgive me, my darling. I saw these flowers and thought you might like them,’ he is about to say, but then he notices you staring at him, panting, eyes wide with pleading, one hand on your chest and obviously unable to breathe.

Alastor doesn't have to think long to realise that you are having an allergic asthma attack.

With your last ounce of strength, you point to the nightstand next to your bed before collapsing unconscious at the feet of the radio demon.

He rushes to your room to your nightstand to retrieve your asthma inhaler and save your second life.

Well, since film number one was a flop – Alastor crosses the first item off his list – there are a few more films to follow.

The next one on the list is a weird film. It's a bit more modern and is about ancient vampires infiltrating a high school to attract a few students.

Alastor watches this film with a raised eyebrow and, with the best will in the world, can't even begin to understand what people find so great about it.

He doesn't even have to try to know that you wouldn't be thrilled if he told you that he stood by your bed the night before and watched you sleep. You would think he was a freak. What worked for this Bella will almost certainly not work for you.

More films from earlier decades will follow, which essentially have a single message: stupid woman and macho man who explains the world to her. Fortunately, these stupid women have macho men to show them how it's done, otherwise these poor creatures would be lost. *sarcasm off*

After the third film of this kind – of which there are clearly too many – Alastor can only shake his head in condemnation and cross the other items off his list.

- Historical films with the damsel in distress and the noble knight saving her, which ensures him a big wedding afterwards: Alastor has brought her the asthma inhaler and it didn't work. So that's also crossed off the list.

- He doesn't even want to think about the film with the rich and narcissistic mother complex named something with beige or grey who brings a stranger into his playroom to beat her up. It was one of the worst things he's ever seen. Until now.

- Because the next film is a porn film. Yes, streaming services in hell also offer a porn category, but who is surprised? Of course, Alastor didn't search for this category on purpose, but accidentally came across one of these trash films after the streaming service offered him, based on a number of love films, ‘Based on your history, you seem to like romances and be single. You might also like this.’

He starts the film and the first dialogue begins: ‘Oh, Daddy, I didn't make you a sandwich. What are you going to do to me now?’

‘Shut your fuck-hole, you dirty whore, and blow me!’

A horrified look, the twitching of his left eye and strong static noise follow in response to this meaningless and obscene conversation. Immediately afterwards, the Radio Demon hastily reaches for the remote control and switches off the TV, accompanied by a decisive: ‘Nope!’

He doesn't need to watch this porn to know that this is definitely not an effective tactic for winning over a woman.

The next few films he watches are equally unpromising: ‘Bodyguard’: It's ridiculous to stop an entire plane to kiss someone. Besides, this approach is already out of the question because Alastor can't remember that you're planning to travel anytime soon.

‘Titanic‘: Apart from the fact that the rich girl hardly knows the homeless stranger who likes to draw naked women, but is already convinced after just one day that she loves the guy, Alastor knows from his aunt, who was a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic at the time, that this is not a desirable place to fall in love.

Then there are a whole range of films in which the man just won't take no for an answer. ‘Who in heaven's name ever believed that a woman would take her clothes off at the words ‘come on, darling, you know you want to’?’ asks the Radio Demon his shadow, who is no less appalled that these romances are written in such a way that sleazy, disgusting guys win the girl over with such lines. Alastor strongly doubts that persistent attempts after a rejection will achieve anything.

‘Love Actually’: At this point, Alastor has to admit that he would really like to paint a few big signs. With lots of grinning faces, funny sayings and a creative love confession. But he is opposed to it on principle, because he finds this film so pathetic and wrong on so many levels that he has no desire to be inspired by this disgrace.

If only there was a single film that would reveal the absolute truth to him. A film that would tell him exactly what he wants to know: What does he have to do to make you say ‘yes’?

[holidayinhell]

Whump Writing Masterlist

Drabbles (<1000 words)

I need it

Good Dog

Hunting

Tea

Morning Light

Went Too Far

Mistakes

Ashtray

Carewhumper

Failed Escape

Ask for it properly

Don't fight this

Oneshots:

(asterisks = explicitly sexual and/or NC)

Failed Escape - Fearing for his life, Whumpee tries to escape his captivity, only for Whumper to drag him back.

The Laundry Room ** - Whumpee’s frustrations with being kidnapped hit a boiling point.

Heat Stroke - Whumper forces Whumpee to walk home in the desert heat.

Role Reversal *** - Whumpee turns the tables on Whumper and finds himself in the position of power.

Help Me - Whumpee is denied medical treatment.

Thesis Project - Whumpee volunteers to take part in an experiment to impress his crush.

The Table - Whumpee thinks he's the exception to the rule. He's not.

A Tough Lesson to Learn - Caretaker has gotten too close to Whumpee, Whumper’s personal bloodbag. The vampire master teaches his charge a lesson.

Hands Up - Whumpee managed to steal a gun, and backs Whumper into a corner.

Unexpected Visit** - Whumpee receives a late night visit from his old fuck buddy, Whumper. It takes a while for him to realize just how much Whumper has changed..... (vampire whumper/human whumpee)

Series:

Brutal Honesty - Part 1

Whumpee is held for ransom, and time is almost up. (update 10/7-- sequel in progress!!)

Went Too Far - Part 1

Went Too Far - Part 2

Prompts:

Taunting Whumpee

Carewhump Prompts

Human Whumper / Vampire Whumpee

Intimate Whumper dialogue***

Intimate Whumper dialogue 2***

Feeding Whumpee

Miscellaneous:

Interview with Whumper and Whumpee***

(also, hey, if you run through this list and like 5+ posts please do consider following me, I post regularly! thank you!)

[lev1hei1chou]

Fun fluffy animes that I loved

This is basically a list of animes that helps get over or deal with the trauma inflicted by various animes. At the moment, I guess fellow JJK fans might need this, and prolly AOT fans on November 5. Have fun watching

Haikyuu

Short Synopsis: Determined to be like the volleyball championship's star player nicknamed "the small giant", Shoyo joins his school's volleyball club.

Episodes: 85 + 5 OVA

The worst thing that can possibly happen is either the 3rd year students graduating or you being unable to support a specific team (nah cuz bro how do you pick and root for one? I end up being happy for the team that won and depressed for the team that lost)

Two movies are coming up soon

Highschool Babysitters

Synopsis: After the sudden death of their parents on a plane crash, two young brothers named Ryūichi Kashima (a freshman in high school) and his younger brother Kotarō (a preschooler) are left orphaned and having no place to call home. The chairwoman of the prestigious Morinomiya Academy offers to take the boys into her care, giving them a new house and free tuition, on the condition that Ryuichi helps out with the school's daycare center while also attending normal classes during school hours.

Episodes: 12 + 1 OVA

Note: Plane crash seems sad but trust me, its only mentioned in the first episode, and the rest 11 is just fluffy goodness. Nothing can prepare you for the cuteness.

Cells At Work

Synopsis: One newcomer red blood cell just wants to do her job. Between bacteria incursions and meeting a certain white blood cell, she's got a lot to learn.

Episodes: 31 + 7

A good mix of science and entertainment. The episodes dont have to be watched in any specific order.

Mr. Osomatsu

Synopsis: The everyday lives of identical sextuplets who cause mischief.

Episodes: 75 + special eps + movies

Has a good amount of 18+ jokes, but its not too overwhelming. It doesnt necessarily follow a plot, and each episode is usually two different stories combined. So, skipping episodes should be fine. Also, it features very popular voice actors for the sextuplets (Geto's VA, Gojo's VA, Levi's VA, Koro sensei's VA, Erwin's VA and Haku/ Sugawara's VA), Iyami (Obanai Iguro's VA), Totoko (Shoko's VA)

The Vampire Dies in No Time

Synopsis: The story follows the famed vampire hunter, Ronaldo, who receives a job to destroy the supposedly invincible vampire lord Draluc and rescue a human boy he allegedly kidnapped.

Episodes: 24

Note: Its a hit or miss, the running gag is used constantly and gets tiring at times, but the overall anime is a good watch. I personally loved John the Armadillo

Buddy Daddies

Synopsis: Assassins Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa meet Miri, a girl looking for her father on Christmas Day. Kazuki, Rei, and Miri unexpectedly end up living together.

Episodes: 12

May get dark at times, so I wont guarantee that itll be a smooth sail, but we get a wholesome conclusion so you can count on that! Otherwise VERY fluffy

Blue Lock

Synopsis: High school soccer players from across Japan gather for a controversial project designed to create the best and most egoistic striker in the world.

Episodes: 24

Isnt exactly true football, but yeah. The anime is pretty fine. It doesnt exactly go under the fluffy anime like i mentioned in the title, but you can check it out if you want.

Free!!

Synopsis: The story is centered on high school student Haruka Nanase, a gifted swimmer. After encountering his childhood rival, Rin Matsuoka from Samezuka Academy, he and his friends revitalize Iwatobi High School's swim team.

Episodes: 37 + specials and movies

This anime to me, personally is what haikyuu is. A great comfort anime which knows how to make the viewer connect with the characters. I dislike it when the whole anime gets reduced to just fanservice, like guys lets look beyond that and actually enjoy the plot.

Life Lessons With Uramichi Oniisan

Synopsis: From smoking and exercising to nihilistic outbursts, everyone's big brother Uramichi always brings up the not-so-moral side to his life lessons

Episodes: 13

This one is very real and relatable in many levels. Theres a lot of screenshots and panels available online, so you can check a few out before watching!

Obey Me

Synopsis: Brothers Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan, Satan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub, and Belphegor are among the most powerful demons in the Devildom, serving as officers on the student council at the Royal Academy of Diavolo (RAD). However, being avatars of the seven deadly sins, their behaviors often tend toward the extreme. Their everyday antics belie their high status and fearsome reputations among others of their kind. When viewed behind the scenes, the members of this family are more lovable—and laughable—than they first seem!

Episodes: 24 + 1

It's based on a popular otome game, and can be watched as it is even if you havent played the game. The basic idea is that theyre based on the 7 sins, so their personalities are really amusing. As for the plot, its pretty wholesome.

Play It Cool Guys

Synopsis: Despite their distinctive personalities, Souma Shiki, Hayate Ichikura, Shun Futami, and Takayuki Mima all have one thing in common: though naturally clumsy, the four disguise their embarrassment from tiny slip-ups by maintaining a composed demeanor. However, it is actually the guys' airheaded natures that makes the girls' hearts throb. No matter what happens in their daily lives, the boys do their best not to lose their cool!

Episodes: 24

Each episode is barely 10-13 minutes, so it just doesnt feel enough lol. Most of their slip ups are relatable and could get a chuckle from the viewer. The art style is a little different but its good. Definitely worth watching, once or even multiple times.

Tanaka Kun is Always Listless

Synopsis: For high school student Tanaka, the act of being listless is a way of life. Known for his inattentiveness and ability to fall asleep anywhere, Tanaka prays that each day will be as uneventful as the last, seeking to preserve his lazy lifestyle however he can by avoiding situations that require him to exert himself. Along with his dependable friend Oota who helps him with tasks he is unable to accomplish, the lethargic teenager constantly deals with events that prevent him from experiencing the quiet and peaceful days he longs for.

Episodes: 13 + specials

Not gonna lie, Ive wanted to act like Tanaka. The characters are lovable and the anime is worth giving a try. An underrated gem. I personally loved the school festival episode.

@satoruukisser hope this helps!

[brunossan]

*Lacks sleep, creates this to add on my crackship list. Enjoy*

*Alucard looks at the city at night. Hundreds of years, and the world have changed. Even in other universes this rule remains the same. He wonders if in this world the same happened like his original world: Dracula, the Belmont family, the Great Castle War... He remember that he went to this world after hearing on his own world that after killing Dracula's Wraith the young Juste Belmont got sent into a portal to another world. Alucard followed him, and found out Juste fell in 2018 Japan, and fell in love with a member of Nakano family to the point He was willing to stay. Alucard knows that its not that simple. But he can understand the feeling, after all...*

Itsuki: You are still awake?

Alucard: I dont need sleep like you mortals. Also, i like watching the city from the top of this building. I love to see the changes that this world had in almost 300 years. Its all different but also the same.

Itsuki: I still dont believe in lots of things you and Juste told us. Like, monsters, Vampires, magic castles, you...

Alucard: He talked about me?

Itsuki: Like he was talking about a cool uncle or something.

Alucard: heh... In all my time on here, my duty has been 2 things. Taking care of the world so I could stop my father of destroying it... And taking care of the Belmonts. After all, they are the closest thing i have from a family.

*He looks at Itsuki with a teasing smile, the moonlight and the city lights shining across his fair skin, his yellow eyes looking at hers.*

Alucard: You consider yourself to be the older sister. You must understand why i care so much about them.

Itsuki: I do. But i learned one thing with a friend. If you care too much about someone, you must not forget to take care about yourself. *She puts a plate on his side, with a piece of cheesecake on it.* Here. I thought you could be Hungry.

Alucard: You thought or you were just attacking the fridge at night again?

Itsuki: *Blushes* I-its not my fault that correcting all these tests makes me hungry! Besides, i love sweets and i wont be ashamed of it.

Alucard: I know. *He gets up, taking a bite of the cake.* I saw you making it Last night. Its delicious.

Itsuki: Really?

Alucard: Could put the best bakers in the streets. *He hears Miku and Nino sneezes in their rooms, smiling a bit* What kind of lessons you teach in your school?

Itsuki: I teach both Maths and history. Now im correcting the history tests. Gosh...

Alucard: Considering that im a very old Dhampir, i would love to help you correcting the tests with you.

Itsuki: So sit down right here that im gonna bring the answer sheet. Oh and you can help me improve my next class!

Alucard: Go on. I have all night.

*Alucard and Itsuki spent the entire night together, discussing about the classes she would teach the next day and correcting tests and exams together. Alucard said to itself that night one thing:*

"When i first arrived at this world, i repreended Juste for wanting to stay and live a more peaceful life. But i did forgot thats a thing that one must experience to understand. After that night with her, all i can say its one thing."

"If i can choose, i wish i never leave her side too."

[murfpersonalblog]

Claudia's Celebration of Life: Spark in the Dark - Hobbies

As the title suggests, this event is to celebrate the wonderful Claudia; her personality, her aspirations, her journey. The heart for the past two seasons of AMC Interview with The Vampire. This is to take the narrative back to her, proving she's not just a shingle roof for us. 1. Aug 11th & 12th: Hobbies

For the Hobbies prompt, my brain immediately went to book!Claudia, where we know she initially loved playing with porcelain dolls. The only time we see AMC!Claudia with a doll, however, it's a voodoo doll.

This short but sweet scene is a stark demonstration of power; of how vampires are removed from (and even above) the practices & beliefs of mortals. Claudia takes the magical weapon and treats it as nothing more than a child's toy to be cooed over, dismissing any threat the terrified NOLA locals have of the "Weird Brothers and their child bride" who haven't aged in 30+ years.

When Loustat Turned her, we get to see the bedroom they give her; a confectionery dream. But I laughed out loud when I noticed this:

That tiny AF rocking horse is LITERALLY for toddlers--a FIVE year old, like she was in the books. Claudia's waaaay too big to get anything out of that rocking horse--a Hobby Horse would've been a far better purchase! (Which just goes to show Loustat was so hyperfocused on having a child that they infantalized her from the offset.)

Otherwise, AMC!Claudia never expressed the slightest interest in toys--which might make sense at face value, but I doubt this had anything to do with her being aged up. (I played with dolls at 14--I still play with digital dolls in video games like The Sims.) Instead, I reckon it has more to do with AMC!Claudia growing up in what was clearly an abusive & neglectful home, where luxuries like toys were unavailable.

I got James & the Giant Peach / Harry Potter / Mathilda vibes. I bet toys weren't on the list of things her mean aunt & reluctant caretaker would've bothered wasting what little money they obviously had on Claudia's hobbies. Whatever Claudia would've done to amuse herself would've had to require her imagination; repurposed from things already around her, or found in nature. And we see that when Louis takes her fishing--Claudia takes obvious delight in catching fireflies.

Claudia also obviously loved to dance (like Louis) and sing (like Lestat); which we see in NOLA and ofc in Paris, when she falls immediately in love with the Theatre; and even seemed to have some fun with the Baby LouLou performance (until the novelty wore off).

She also clearly shared Loustat's love of cinema--again factoring into the Theatre's appeal.

IDK if Claudia enjoyed the lessons Les taught her, or if she just used them as a means to an end--especially since we don't see her playing piano or chess (or even driving) after NOLA. (It couldn't've been that with Les gone, Claudia had no one to play with, since pianos & chess can obvs be played solo). Were those pastimes soured/ruined cuz of their association with Les? Was she never really interested in them to start? Regardless, she was great at it, especially chess.

In this same convo, we see Claudia painting/drawing on a tiny easel. And we know she drew a lot in the books/film, too (inc. the nude bodies of her female victims, and everywhere she & Lou traveled).

So she's clearly artistic in other ways outside of performance. Too bad we didn't see Lou take her to the Louvre--she seemed to enjoy listening to him talk/brag about hanging out with Paris' artist circles.

Ofc, there's also her diaries. Claudia was obviously literate when Loustat met her (well b4 she ran away & hid on college campuses); and she leapt on the chance to keep a diary like a fish to water. Diaries were her constant companions, up until she met Madeleine, and finally had a kindred spirit to talk to; closer than Lou.

We don't know what Claudeleine would've talked about, but we see her interest in literature, especially fiction, and her indifference to philosophy, giving us an idea of the topics she'd've been interested in.

And ofc, Claudia was an exemplary predator, who felt "vampire pride," and loved to kill and drink blood.

[asterhaze]

✨30 • All Pronouns OK • Sapphic✨

You've probably come here after I liked half your blog and then followed you to see if I'm insane, a bot, or have no life. Unfortunately for the universe, I am insane, have no life, and possess extreme freak privileges on the internet. I am very friendly, love being tagged or asked things, write, and art occasionally. Please feel free to message me.

I write:

Horror for children, horror for YA, and mature horror.

Vampires, Demons, Fair Folk, and Stinky Humans oh my!

Old protagonists, people of color, LGBT+ characters, neurodivergent characters, and healthy romantic relationships when appropriate.

My Kofi

Oh no, you're lost again? I know all of my works are masterpieces and that must be why you're confused, it's fine. Here are my Writing Prompt Replies. Here is my Original Fiction.

Post Master List - Here

About

A series that follows Glen, the vampire heir to the Sunniva kindred, after he returns from the Tiletsu Clan a broken and different person. Battling against the traumatic memories of his centuries long past, the impatience of his immortal kind, and the temper of a demon lord, Glen finds that the choices he made when he was barely immortal are coming back to haunt him and threaten the very existence of vampires altogether. Are vampires worth saving? If vampires are ultimately more dangerous and powerful humans, is humanity worth protecting?

Genre

Horror • Supernatural • Adult • LGBTQIA+

TW/CW

Death • Grief • Mental Illness • Abuse

Tags:

masterpiece • masterpiecewip • masterpiece • masterpiece ask answer

Read below to see a breakdown of the three most important characters in Masterpiece.

Characters

Willow William Sean Frederick Widower Quin Lucian

Glen

"Just call me whatever you like."

Just so we're not all confused, I think we should call him Glen. Lovingly nicknamed The Stupid Sexy Vampire on this blog, Glen is the heir to the Sunniva kindred and the main character in this series. He's a lovable, funny, and charming guy that is haunted by his past decisions and the deaths of his friends and family. The whole package, really.

Pansexual • Cis • Neurodivergent

Tags: Glen the vampire • masterpiece Glen

Dr. Vladimir Hayes

"Is there a problem with an incubus that knows everything? Should I have found a succubus instead?”

A fearless human psychiatrist that is fiercely dedicated to his patients, both human and otherwise, that no one wants for an enemy. Hiding in plain sight, Vlad seems to be able to figure out anything that catches his interest. When he is mistaken for someone he is not, Glen and Vlad's paths cross and are interconnected throughout the rest of the series. Someone else as well dressed and handsome as Vlad, who knew?

LGBT • Cis • Possessed

Tags: masterpiece Vlad • dr vladimir hayes

Ska

"I should throw you into the light of day."

A demon lord that takes an immediate interest in Glen after his return from the Tiletsu Clan and swears to teach Glen's kindred a lesson for an unknown transgression. Does he want Glen to recover just to tear him down again? What has the Sunniva done to anger such a powerful demon? Is there anything Glen can do?

Homosexual • Trans • OC Sexypants Award Winner

Tags: ska the demon • masterpiece ska

Wattpad: [Coming Soon]

Website Link: [Coming Soon]

Taglist: [Message, reply, or ask to be added]

I do have sensitivity writers for Masterpiece and my other projects since many of my characters are LGBT. Currently, I have sensitivity checkers to look over non-binary characters, trans (FtM) characters, twins, and sapphic characters. If you'd like to help, please feel free to ask!

(Re-joined Tumblr Dec 6th 2023)

[galvanizedfriend]

helloo, just feel really empty today but I reread all of the wolf chapters, but now after finishing im feeling empty again,

missing klaroline and eve, super love your writing , hope you can update soon💓

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time, nonnie 😢 That's really rough and I hope you can feel better soon. ❤️ I'm not sure I'll have an update to give you this week, since I haven't been working on the next chapter. But let me know if you'd like a snippet or something. 💕 In the meantime, I thought I'd give you a lil rec list. These are some of my all-time favorites and I hope you can find something to inspire or distract you there. Most of them are canonish, since you like The Wolf so much. 💕 But I included some AUs that I love as well. . In the Backseat by Lila2

Summary: Klaus goes on the run with Hope; Caroline comes along for the ride and does some healing of her own. . Wolf Club by Radioactive59

Summary: When Stefan kills Ray Sutton, a child is left behind, a precocious eight-year-old werewolf named Grace. Klaus, in a rare moment of hospitality, takes her under his wing and decides to raise her as a Mikaelson. Antics ensue. And against all odds, Caroline finds that she wants to dance with a different pack of wolves. . The Tale of a Hybrid and a Vampire by @idiot--wind Summary: A Klaroline-centric rewrite of the last two episodes of the Originals. Rated M, just to be safe.

. Lessons in Diplomacy by @misssophiachase

Summary: British Ambassador to the USA, Klaus Mikaelson, needs a babysitter to look after his daughter. Enter nanny, Caroline Forbes. . Quiet Light by @definedareasofuncertainty

Summary: Caroline Forbes sets off to the Bahamas with her boyfriend, Elijah, where she'll finally meet his brother for the first time. But as it turns out… she knows Klaus Mikaelson a little too well.

. Into the Woods by @jinxedwood

Summary: It's all Hallow's Eve and Caroline is looking for answers. The problem is, she's not too sure of the question… . The Parisian Deal by Borzoi

Summary: Inconsolable over her mother's death, Caroline turns her back on Mystic Falls… and on her humanity. At their wits' end, her friends decide to seek help from the most unlikely of allies. An ally with a very personal interest in Caroline's humanity. . this is a harvest by @highgaarden

Summary: “Ask me to choose you, Caroline,” Klaus continues heatedly, “go ahead, and I will, with everything that I have. But in return, you’re going to have to do the one thing you’ve been fighting since the night I sat on your bedside and fed you my blood. You’re going to have to choose me back. It’s only fair,” and he spits these last words out. . Light Years by @definedareasofuncertainty

Summary: there is no official summary, but it's just a short and perfect unrequitted klarolijah trilogy that lives rent-free in my heart. . Inertia Overcome by @avari20

Summary: Caroline made a bold move the night she fled Mystic Falls. She escaped from under Klaus' watchful eye and managed to disappear for two years. But while she was building a new life for herself, Klaus was searching, and when he found her, he was determined to collar his girl once and for all. Except this might be Klaus' game, but they are going to play it by Caroline's rules. AU after Tyler left Mystic Falls, no Hayley (EVER), One shot turned multi-chapter. Nominated for 2014 Klaroline Awards for Most Unique, Best Completed, and Best Klaus! . The Stubborn Grace of Being Loved Regardless by @helpless-in-sleep

Summary: “Someone fed on you,” Klaus surmises, eyeing the two perfect fang punctures on her neck from where Damon first bit her. Caroline itches with the urge to lift a hand and cover the mark, but she restrains herself. “Is that the only scar you have?”

Her eyes narrow, trying to figure out what he’s playing at. After letting a few seconds pass, she admits, “I don’t look as good in a bikini as I used to.”

One of his eyebrows twitches up before it moves back into place, like he hadn’t meant to let himself actually react to her remark. “Somehow, I doubt that.”

Caroline is still human when Klaus comes to Mystic Falls. . Old Love by @yanak324

Summary: He was wrong. Theirs isn't a last love, it is an old love.

One deep rooted in centuries; an unshakeable bond that entwines them in each others' lives whether they like it or not.

Her only mistake was not realizing this decades sooner.

[biblicallyaccuratepigeons]

@toytanks I had to ok

Have a list of every MCR song (that I've heard of) and how it relates to Billford, which I definitely do not ship and if you've ever seen any proof to the contrary noo you didn't

I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love

(fuckk even the album name is Billford-coded)

Romance -- no lyrics, but I do think that the fact that they only played the part in minor and not the major one does feel like Billford

Honey, This Mirror Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us -- post-betrayal Billford. There are two distinct parts to this song; the one that comes first is Bill, and the other is Ford.

Vampires Will Never Hurt You -- honestly this kinda feels like the opposite of Billford to me, it's more like Ford x Jheselbraum.

Drowning Lessons -- One Of Us AU? It still doesn't feel quite right to me though

Our Lady of Sorrows -- it definitely feels like Billford, particularly from Bill's perspective, but some of the lyrics make me think more of Fiddauthor (kill me right now)

Headfirst For Halos -- it feels like Bill starting to catch feelings for Ford and partying trying to forget but still gushing about him lmao

Skylines and Turnstiles -- it just kinda feels like Billford, I can't explain it.

Early Sunsets Over Monroeville -- to me it kinda feels like around the time Ford found out about the betrayal. Like, the narrative of being really close and sharing happy memories and dreams, and then suddenly your lover is a monster you have to destroy

This Is The Best Day Ever -- perhaps, if Ford was a shape like Bill, and Bill destroyed his dimension for Ford's sake.

Cubicles -- lmao I can see Bill sulking about Ford to this song

Demolition Lovers -- this song was definitely on the soundtrack of the most toxic relationship I've ever been in, so I know for a FACT that this is 100% a Billford song.

Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge

Helena -- I could see this being from Ford's point of view, during Wierdmageddon. Some of it feels like One Of Us AU.

Give 'Em Hell, Kid -- on the other hand, this one is definitely Bill during Ford's exile

To The End -- the level of toxicity is definitely there, but since it's a pretty clear narrative, I'll call it vibes-only-Billford

You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison -- it is, again, mostly vibes-only, but I can also see post-betrayal Ford feeling this way if they happened to hook up during that time

I'm Not Okay (I Promise) -- I really don't think this fits them at all, but the one clip of Frankie going "you have something on your face" and then violently taking a fallen eyelash from the cheerleader's face before absolutely booking it is something I could see happening between them and it cracks me up

The Ghost of You -- this feels like either post-betrayal Bill or if they became a couple and Ford died of old age

The Jetset Life Is Gonna Kill You -- This is just Billford. I. What do you want from me.

Interlude -- not really Billford. I'll say it. Yeah, it's melancholy, but again it feels more like Ford x Jheselbraum or Fiddauthor.

Thank You For The Venom -- Billford, either perspective. It feels very reminiscent of the exile era (or even during Weirdmageddon?)

Hang 'Em High -- This also feels very much like Billford. Not sure when I'd place it to, but the vibes are there, especially One of Us AU imo.

It's Not A Fashion Statement, It's A Fucking Deathwish -- Billford. That's it that's the commentary.

Cemetery Drive -- definitely post-betrayal Billford, particularly Ford's perspective ("Is this what you always want me for?" I'm going FERAL)

I Never Told You What I Do For A Living -- Bill. Bill. Bill. Bill. Bill. You Cannot Change My Mind It Is Imbued With His Essence And The One He Is Singing To And About Is Fordsy.

Welcome To The Black Parade

The End. -- nothing obviously Billford sticks out to me, but some of the lyrics could be applied to either of their perspectives, precisely because it's so neutral

Dead! -- post-season 2 Ford about Bill (though the last lyrics are definitely something Bill would vibe with)

This Is How I Disappear -- post-betrayal, pre-season 2 Billford. Could also fit pre-betrayal, but not as much due to its “laughing at a bad thing to hide the pain I lie awake over” vibes

The Sharpest Lives -- Bill. 100%. Maybe Ford during exile. Idk I know he made some decisions he regretted later back then.

Welcome To The Black Parade -- Ford post-season 2, maybe? It doesn't scream it to me, but it could be made to fit ("your weary widow marches on etc etc)

I Don't Love You -- post-betrayal, from Bill's perspective

House of Wolves -- it's just Billford. Idk what you want me to say.

Cancer -- if Bill reincarnated as a human and couldn't be with Ford

Mama -- this one fits Bill as a character really well, as well as One Of Us AU Billford

Sleep -- post-betrayal Billford

Teenagers -- yeah I don't really see it. Some of the lyrics do have that paranoid feeling Ford has pre-exile though

Disenchanted -- definitely feels like Billford from Bill's perspective. Some of the lyrics also feel like Bill reflecting on his life as he's dying, and the bridge in particular feels like post-exile Bill

Famous Last Words -- So. Much. Billford. I can't speak.

Blood -- doesn't really strike me as Billford. I do see elements of the two of them separately though

The Black Parade: The B-Sides

My Way Home Is Through You -- heavy Billford vibes, though some of the lyrics also make me think of Ford x Jheselbraum. That's neither here nor there though, as this is a Billford-driven list of reviews.

Kill All Your Friends -- Billford. It feels like both of their perspectives, but some of the verses feel like Weirdmageddon-era Bill.

Heaven Help Us --definitely a Billford song. Again, it could be from either of their perspectives, but I'm feelin a lot of Bill from a few of the lyrics. Ford has his moments in the sun too, though

Danger Days: The True Lives of The Fabulous Killjoys

(listen a lot of these are about love so ofc they're gonna be Billford that's just how my idealistic brain works ok I mean who said that I don't ship Billford hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha)

I am counting Look Alive Sunshine as part of Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na) because it's true ok -- it kinda feels like the two of them coping with their separation during the exile era and it cracks me up to hell and back

Bulletproof Heart -- Bill trying to convince Ford to join him during Weirdmageddon and it's working

SING -- this is definitely how Bill sees himself. In a Billford context, I can see this also as him trying to convince Ford

Planetary (Go!) -- wow, our first 100% pre-betrayal Billford song! It tastes like candy and battery acid and stardust

The Only Hope For Me Is You -- this could easily apply, with its galactic imagery and love-song-esque feeling. I could see this being Ford, having been by Bill's side after Weirdamageddon for many years, telling him "This isn't the answer, we only need each other"

Party Poison -- HHHHHHHHH it feels like Billford in that it feels like the two of them interacting. Lyrically, it mostly makes me think of Ford during Weirdmageddon trying to stop the party, but MCR are musical geniuses so it also feels like the party itself. This one turned me into a little geek ngl it's one of their songs that gets the biggest primal reaction out of me.

Save Yourself, I'll Hold Them Back -- gonna be honest, this one, more than anything else, reminded me of Dipper and Wendy's time together during Weirdmageddon. It does feel very much like Bill though in the sense that it bleeds anarchy and lasers

S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W -- again, this was part of the soundtrack of my toxic relationship, so I really want it to be Billford but if I'm being honest it's just hard to see.

Summertime -- This does feel like Billford, in a more fluffy way than any of the others. "Terrified of what I'd be [...] Could you stop the noise" feels a lot like Ford as he met Bill. Really, this whole song is more Ford-sung than Bill, but I could also see most of the lyrics being sung by Bill (it just depends on his back story, which as of now we can only speculate)

DESTROYA -- I definitely would put this on a Billford playlist, but imo this is another vibes-only one. Like, the denial of God and the "we're in this together" and stuff is there, but lyrically it just doesn't quiiite hit the mark for me

The Kids From Yesterday -- much like Planetary (Go!), this one feels like pre-betrayal, stardust and citric acid, Billford

Vampire Money -- this seems like Bill's initial ideal of how Billford would turn out lol. Also, Bill partying and pretending he's okay without Ford during the exile. Also, Ford partying and pretending he's okay without Bill during the exile. Also, Ford being mad at Bill during the exile. Also-

We Don't Need Another Song About California -- this does feel like Ford talking to Bill, and it also has Billford vibes

(i know there are others but i haven't heard them that often so i wouldn't be a good judge so! moving on...)

Conventional Weapons

(I hope to God these are all Billford cause they're some of my favorites)

Boy Division -- I can very easily see this as Billford, and like Bill is bein dramatic to Ford about what happened at Weirdmageddon cause you know he's not letting that little "murder" go even though it was incredibly justified and Ford has way more reason to be mad but he's just patiently sitting through it and waiting for Bill to let him talk

Tomorrow's Money -- despite the actual point of this song, it also feels like Bill talking to Ford post-season 2 at some points

AMBULANCE -- oh this is very Billford. Yessiree, this is the good shit, especially One Of Us AU

Gun. -- This is definitely from Ford's perspective. What are you obsessing over a gun for? To kill this dream demon? Why are you so worried about having a son? Hm? So in other words, you're obsessing over this dream demon and sad you can't have a family with him? Is that it? Pretty gay tbh

The World Is Ugly -- This is an us-vs-them love song. This was made for them.

The Light Behind Your Eyes -- Bill sad about losing/leaving Ford cause he's just one more in a string of people dear to him but especially Ford because it's been so long since someone was that close and he wishes now that he could've done things differently but alas

Kiss the Ring -- I'm sorry, it's mostly just Weirdamageddon-era Bill. Some of it is like Ford replying to him, but otherwise there's not really all that much Billford in it

Make Room!!!! -- yeah again, it's mostly just Weirdmageddon Bill, though in this one he is doing a lot of ogling Ford I think

Surrender The Night -- oh Billford 100%. Dreams, secrets, surrender, everything. It's just Them, and you can't change my mind

Burn Bright -- this feels like the idealized version of Billford we you all have in our your heads, y'know? Like, we you want them to go on these adventures together and be steamy about it a good amount of the time, and that's what this is. This is them being anarchist murder hoboes together and I love that for them <3 and that's that ig

[eric-the-bmo]

Behold, the Neighborhood Watch cast list! Taken directly from my notes document, accurate as of writing this (s2ep4):

Main Cast

Song O’Sullivan [she/they]: We got a witch! Was sent to the town by their mafia father in order to keep them safe, and had a ritual go wrong three years ago. Has a pet snake and never explains what her job is. 6'3. Lives in 1317.

Markus Jones [they/he/she]: (Bugs, bugs, and more bugs.) A very strange person from Romania with an obsession with bugs and no living family to speak of. Will not hesitate to threaten or even stab others. 5’4 and lives in 1313.

Louis Bon Fontaine [he/him]: The Crooked with a protection amulet, a deal with the devil, and a vampire who’s coming after him. 6’1, looks old enough to be someone’s dad, late 30’s-early 40s. Lives in 1303.

John Doe [he/him]: A monster confined to a human form three years ago, trying to keep his nature and hunger for human flesh a secret as he attempts to make friends and be loved. So far he hasn’t been doing too well in both aspects lmao. 6’10. Lives in 1311.

Neighbors

Shelby Waters: John’s roommate. A go-with-the-flow Twitch streamer who’s a total skeptic of all things supernatural.

Philip Moore: A divorced father trying his best to take care of his daughter. Louis’s neighbor. Revealed to be an alcoholic in s1ep5, though he’s been working on recovering.

Jenny Moore: Philip’s daughter. She’s a brat.

Bob Patterson: He and his wife are residents of 1315, and are collectively awful. Owes Markus a favor since they helped his wife, and in s2ep4 it was discovered he’s a monster hunter.

Karen Patterson: Bob’s wife. She has way too many cats, and in s1 was infected by a strange plant. Leader of the HOA, or is at least part of it.

Emmett: Song’s neighbor. Revealed to have uploaded his brain to AI in s1ep3, and was the one who constructed the Dome. Had been researching the Hunter cryptids, and provides us with information.

Arjun Sampath: Fatima’s husband, he’s a brilliant engineer who used to do government work and created Amira. The Sampath family lives in 1319.

Fatima Sampath: Arjun’s wife. She and Arjun had always wanted a child but were unable to, for several unspecified reasons. She made us fruit baskets when we all first moved in.

Amira Sampath: Arjun and Fatima’s daughter. Is on her cell phone a lot. Recognized Shelby and is a fan of her. Was taking archery lessons with Song before it was discovered in s2 she was a robot and lost her memories of the show’s events.

Kenneth Feinstetter: A loud and boisterous conspiracy theorist who claims to know the truth about this town. Revealed to be a prophet in s2ep4. Specifically, physical touch allows him to view memories; he can’t seem to be able to choose what he sees.

William Kreiger: A horribly socially awkward man with a pencil stache and many rats. Knows about Markus’s bug ability, and is implied to have the same talents but with rats.

Bonnie McMurry: John and Shelby’s new neighbor. A sweet old lady who had a son that passed away a few years ago. Loud music came from her basement at night until she decided to have a yard sale.

Heath Clark: An outspoken trans man who enjoys camping and the outdoors. Married to Sammy.

Sammy Clark: He’s totally the Sasquatch. Claims to be Blessed by Nature and can control birds, a little bit- has the same ability as Markus and William.

Lucretius [Lestat]: An incredibly pretty and charming individual who’s actually a vampire- and Louis’s ex. He moved here just to make Louis’ life worse, and is trying to get with Song because of this. Recently changing houses due to a bug infestation.

Townspeople

Walter Havershaft: The cheerful mailman of Greenville. Introduced in the season one finale.

Kathy Green: The florist. She and Walter like each other.

Jack: The local handyman/everyman of town. Runs a store called “Jack of All Trades.”

Laura Brown: The librarian. Likes to read romance novels.

Joseph Miller: The park ranger.

Vincent “Vinnie” Carbone: Runs the pizza shop.

Harold Wells: A bag boy at the grocery store. A “well, Actually-” kind of guy and carries around an anime body pillow (tf?)

Sunny: The ice cream stand man. Does he know they grant wishes..?

Dr. Amis Sutherland: The doctor of the family clinic, as there is no hospital in Greenville. Said to be a miracle worker.

Tawny Evergreen: An older woman with a flower crown and crochet top. She runs the local coffee shop/ cat cafe, Grounded in Nature.

Jewel Green: An employee of the coffee shop. Doesn't care for her job, has many piercings, and is legally not allowed to spell the customer’s names correctly. Granddaughter of the Crestfallens.

The Crestfallens: An elderly couple who runs the Circle general store [which is totally supernatural]. Very joyful, despite their last name.

Clara: An intern for the botanical parade, and also John’s coworker. Seems to have a crush on him, and has lived in Greenville her whole life.

Minister Jebediah Ford: The Minister of the church in town. A nice and well-dressed older man; he has a garden.

Bob Jr.: The Sheriff of Greenville and the Pattersons’ son.

Jason Chen: A cop.

[art-of-manliness]

The Best of The Art of Manliness: 2023

Another year has drawn to a close here on The Art of Manliness. We’re taking this week off to enjoy the holidays and reset for the year to come. While we’re away, please enjoy some of the best and most popular content we published here on AoM in 2023. From podcasts that took philosophical dives into big questions to articles that offered guides to practical life skills, we’ve covered it all — all with the aim of helping readers and listeners live more meaningful lives and start taking action on big and small things alike. Podcast Most Popular Podcasts of the Year Based on Listens * 7 Journaling Techniques That Can Change Your Life * Escape the Happiness Trap * The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in a World That Won’t Stop Talking * The Essential Habits for Becoming an Agile, Vital, and Durable Human Being * Optimize Your Testosterone * Become a Morning Workout Person * Master Microtransitions to Improve the Happiness, Success, and Flow of Your Life * Advice on Making Love Last . . . From a Divorce Lawyer * The Wisdom of Psychopaths * How to Avoid Death by Comfort * Get Fit, Not Fried — The Benefits of Zone 2 Cardio * The 5 Shifts of Manhood Our Personal Picks  (Some of the most popular above would be included in this list as well): * What Lifting Ancient Stones Can Teach You About Being a Man * Thick Desires, Political Atheism, and Living an Anti-Mimetic Life * The Most Insightful Personality Test * Throw a 2-Hour Cocktail Party That Can Change Your Life * The Survival Myths That Can Get You Killed * Counterintuitive Ideas About Marriage, Family, and Kids * Break Your Bad Habits by Escaping the Scarcity Loop * Turn Your Anxiety Into a Strength * The Golden Rules of Success * Unpacking the Emotion No One Likes to Talk About * What the World of Psychology Gets Wrong About Men We created a Spotify Playlist with all of our best podcasts of 2023. You can listen in the player below or here.  If you’ve enjoyed and gotten something out of the podcast this year, we’d be very grateful if you decided to subscribe to the show or left it a review. Both things give the show a big boost and help more people discover it.  Articles Most Popular Articles of the Year Based on Traffic * Use the 90/10 Rule to Decide Where to Live * 7 Japanese Concepts That Can Improve Your Life * My New Favorite Knot * How to Do a Dopamine Reset * Thomas Jefferson’s 10 Rules for Life * The Digestive Power of an After-Dinner Walk * Legendary Bodybuilder Mike Mentzer’s Heavy Duty Method for Maximum Muscle Growth * The Rocky Films, Ranked * 50 Amazing Rarely Seen Photos From World War II * Beyond the Standard To-Do: 8 Lists You Should Be Keeping * The Ideal Man According to 7 Different Philosophers * Dumbbell Workouts for Size and Strength Our Personal Picks * Nolan Ryan Energy * Aristotle’s 11 Excellences for Living a Flourishing Life * What Happened to Our Mental Bandwidth? * The Stages of a Man’s Life * How to Manage the Vampire Problem * Exit, Voice, Loyalty, Neglect: Why People Leave, Stay, or Try to Burn It All Down * 14 Attributes of Greatness * Think Like Feynman: Why You Should Have 12 Favorite Problems * How to Choose What Advice to Take * Is the 7-Year-Itch Real? * Are You a Strategist or an Operator? * 5 Lessons From the Iron Sunday Firesides Favorites * You Never Know How Many Chapters Are Still to Come * No Bad Feelings * Through Disappointment to the Stars * Worry More About Rusting Out Than Burning Out * The Courage to Be Well * There’s Only So Far You Can Get Off Track in a Week * Life Is for Living * Parent the Immature in Others * The Saddest Epitaph * Attention Adults — You Should Know What You’re Doing * Switch Off Your Handicap Radio * Remember IT Will Die To never miss an article or episode of the podcast, be sure to subscribe to our FREE email newsletter. You can choose the daily or weekly option.  Big thanks to everyone who… http://dlvr.it/T0gDk9

[myth-blossom]

Thank you for the tag, @cicaklah! Your picks were great and I’m adding them to my reading list <3

Rules: List ten books that have stayed with you in some way, don’t  take but a few minutes, and don’t think too hard - they don’t have to  be the “right” or “great” works, just the ones that have touched you.

As a preface, I‘ve been a voracious reader since childhood. I typically prefer fiction and I remember more of the stories I’ve read than I do their creators and titles (to my great dismay). There came a point in my life when I wasn’t able to dedicate much energy to read for fun and instead focused on reading for my studies and my professional duties, which got to the point that I was getting quite burnt out on one of my favorite hobbies of all time. So I did think harder on this list than I should’ve because the past is somewhat weighted, but I’m hoping to add to my list of impressionable books and new memories in the near future.

In no particular order:

Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien - I like to joke about the *thorough* detailing that Tolkien often provides, but I really do love LOTR and the fantasy and lessons it offers. But what I love most about it is my mother and I read it together when I was young, and I was so engrossed in the pages that I would immediately point out where we left off amongst the many generous details.

Magical young wizard books & Chronicles of Narnia series - I’m tagging these two series together (and leaving the obvious young wizard title vague) because these were books my grandmother would read to us. It was nice to share these stories with her, which also led to her taking us to some of the films and sewing a witch costume for me for Halloween.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - I read this for a class on gothic literature in film and it left such a mark on me. I have many thoughts but I’ll only offer one recommendation: please give this a chance if you haven’t already.

Dracula by Bram Stoker - I also read this for the first time in the gothic class mentioned above. It was really cool to analyze the text and how the vampire legend has been adapted differently over time in media. Plus, I enjoyed the horror and spooky pacing.

Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White - like I said, I read many many many (did I say many?) books as a child. But one of the strongest memories I have is visiting the library, finding this book on the shelf, and being so engrossed with the story of the trumpeting swan. It’s nice to get caught up in a book like that.

Tortall Universe by Tamora Pierce (specifically the characters Alanna the Lioness, Kel, Daine) - Ironically, I bought a later series of the Tortall Universe before realizing I had the original books on my shelf, not yet read. I really wanted stories with strong female characters and these three were fun to read and explore the world of. 

The Prince and The Dressmaker by Jen Wang - this book, OH this book, I love it so very much. I read it in less than 24 hours. I should’ve savored it, but I was just that taken with the story. If you like graphic novels or want to give one a try, I would highly recommend this one.

The Female of the Species by Mindy McGinnis - brutal is really the best word to describe this book. It contains a lot of triggering content (so please protect yourself, dear reader) and isn’t something I would normally pick, but it’s been nearly 7 years now and I still strongly remember the emptiness it left me with when I finished it.

The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey - I’ll be quite honest, I hardly remember the story itself. What I do remember is the show-and-tell that day from one of our book club readers. She shared stories from when she lived in Ireland and brought in items from her friends, and it was a lovely and emotional experience to witness.

Agent 47: Birth of the Hitman by Christopher Sebela and Jonathan Lau - As I mentioned, I found myself so burnt out from reading that it had been difficult to commit to a book for quite a while. Fanfiction really rekindled my love for reading and I decided to check out the Hitman comics. I was so happy to have the drive to finish a book again! I enjoyed the comics and the new headcanons they caused.

If you have a list of books or readings you’ve enjoyed, please feel free to share them! :)

[colormepurplex2]

ColorMePurplex2's Kim Taehyung Masterlist

RATING: (regardless, this space is not for minors) G - general audience | PG - strong, suggestive language | PG-13 - frequent use of strong language, grittier subject matter | R - large amounts of vulgar language and adult references | MA - strictly for adults 18+ WARNINGS: please do not take these lightly, if it’s listed that means you can expect to encounter it DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to own any part of BTS. All members of BTS are faces and name claims for these stories. Every post is entirely a work of fiction and by no means is meant to be a projection, judgement, or representation of real-life people. Any scenarios or representations of the people and places mentioned in my works are not representative of real-life scenarios.

▻ Did It Hurt? ↳ Pairing: x LostSoul!f.Reader ┉ AU/Trope(s): Fallen Angel, Strangers to Lovers ⤜ Genre(s): fluff, smut, angst ⤜ Rating: MA Chapters: [3/3] WC: 28,605 Summary: Cast from the Heavens and forced into a mortal form for breaking his Oath of Holy Divinity, Taehyung only has one way to regain his wings or forever be cast into the 9th Circle—save a lost soul seeking absolution before his 100-year damnation ends. As his one-hundredth year in exile approaches, the kiss of Hellfire seems to be growing closer. ⚠️ Crass language, unwanted drunken advances, being drugged, blackmail, descriptions of past sexual acts, hidden desires, criminal activity, alluded to SA & potential human trafficking/disappearances, Tae has feelings he’s trying to suppress, scars/vulnerability over past incidents, struggle with faith and beliefs, kissing, hesitant sexual exploration, guilt over sexual desires, v. sex, creampie, damnation Please check the beginning of each chapter for specific warnings.

▻ In Memory of Him ↳ Pairing: x Artist!f.Reader ┉ AU/Trope(s): Non-Idol, Late Husband's Best Friend ⤜ Genre(s): fluff, smut, angst ⤜ Rating: MA Chapters: [1/2] WC: TBD Summary: Cancer is a monster that you never saw coming. It’s been two years since you lost Yejun—the love of your life and the father of your six-year-old son, Sujin. Yejun’s last request was for his best friend to promise to take care of you and Sujin once he was gone, and that’s exactly what Taehyung does to honor Yejun’s memory, starting with giving you a letter. ⚠️ Mild language, death/loss of a loved one, deep depression, high anxiety, loads of guilt, hidden feelings, realizations, hurt feelings, repressed feelings, hurt/comfort. MORE TO COME as I finish the second part. Please check the beginning of each chapter for specific warnings.

WIPS: Make It To Me - jazz singer, bar life A Lesson Learned - vampire, blood mate Waterdrops - exes to lovers, heartache

◅ Back to MAIN Masterlist

Check out my other Masterlists: OT7 x Reader/OT7 Kim Namjoon Kim Seokjin Min Yoongi Jung Hoseok Park Jimin Kim Taehyung Jeon Jungkook Multi-Member x Reader/OC Member x Member

©️      2021-23    ColorMePurplex2  

[chronoxtreme]

The Cage: Chapters 2-5 Author's Notes

So, I'll be honest - one of the biggest weaknesses of this fic for me, personally, is that these 3 chapters don't really need to be here, but they do at the same time. They're important to Astarion actually getting to know Nanne, but at the same time they don't really move the story along in terms of the main thesis, i.e. "they met 10 years ago and now they're back together oopsies."

I've also been trying to break the habit of relying on canon dialogue/scenes to convey relationships. It's something that I notice I do a lot in my other fics that aren't AUs, so this fic is trying to get out of that niche.

As well, Nanne giving the tent to Astarion is something I kind of stumbled into and ended up loving. I think it's a nice way to establish Nanne's personality in context. That sort of generosity mixed with envy because you really want it for yourself but you know that it's the right thing to do to give it to this poor nobleman who's clearly never had a day of hardship in his life. The selflessness that isn't quite selfless because it's been engrained into you from a young age and is it really a choice? (Don't worry, we'll get into more of that later)

Some funny headcanons/canon events that I shoved into this fic:

Literally all of Astarion's camp gear is stolen from the crypt/the tiefling refugees/the druids at the grove. I refuse to believe that he obtained all of those trinkets by gainful means when it's repeatedly emphasized that this dude owned literally nothing under Cazador.

Astarion's burial shroud (inspired by the rags you can see in his various camp sites, especially in Last Light Inn). This is something that was almost 100% pulled out of my ass. I don't think the vampiric resting place rule applies to spawn, but I do like the thought of Astarion's sole possession being a reminder of his trauma. We'll do stuff with that later, don't worry.

Astarion thinks Wyll is hot because he's exactly his type of "innocent charming younger man who is selfless and slightly awkward but good at heart." Also Wyll is just hot.

Astarion making fun of Shadowheart's goth name is a thing that happens in game if you happen to recruit Astarion first before her and it's VERY funny

The sheer, utter frustration Astarion has watching everyone in camp target his seduction mark and try and pull the moves on them

I do also believe that Astarion's compatible with every single party member (except for Minsc and Jaheira for obv reasons), so while he does tick them off the list of "seduce for protection" candidates for various reasons, it's mainly because this is a Tav x Astarion story. Likewise, I love all the party members, no matter how much Astarion may shit on them lol

So, let's talk a little about Chapter 5 and what's going on here. A lot of the events are based on my second-first playthrough as Nanne (my first playthrough was on my old PC that died and the saves got corrupted, so I had to start over). Looking back, I do think it's pretty self indulgent to have everyone hit on my OC, but considering it happened in game just by playing a nice character who naturally wanted to get to know everyone and was a compulsive peacemaker, I can't say it's, like, over the top outrageous. (They literally ALL cockblocked Astarion's romance scene except for Wyll. Literally all of them)

If I were to go back and rewrite this section, though, I'd probably stretch out the timeline a lot more, moving Shadowheart's date later back, Gale's magic lessons, etc. One of the issues that I have with writing is the timeline, and nowhere has it been more obvious than with this fic, where I'll describe a week's worth of events happening in literally four days, then skip ahead two months and go "Hey guys, take my word for it that x time has passed." It's something I definitely need to work on lol. At the same time, this is very much a self indulgent fic for funsies.

Now SPOILERS FOR NANNE'S CHARACTER ARC: In case anyone's curious, no, Nanne had no clue that Shadowheart's little date was supposed to be a date. This is a person who has never been approached for anything romantic except from their sketchy employer. Astarion is exasperated that they didn't see the signs, but Nanne has no experience with "hooking up", dating, whatever you wanna call it.

They do feel bad about accidentally leading Shadowheart on, but honestly, they're torn because on the one hand, someone did find them attractive! Wowee! On the other hand, this is moving awfully fast and they're scared about being exposed. They have had it repeatedly bashed into their head that their body is disgusting, unnatural, a deviation that must be fixed, and so relationships are this thing that they can't ever have, but desperately crave. It is a deeply painful position to be in. They do a good job of hiding it and not coming across as clingy, but Nanne is a very lonely person who craves connection and intimacy (physical, sexual, emotional, any of it). At the same time, they can't risk being rejected again.

END SPOILERS

The boar scene is one of my favorite early on scenes because this is the moment when Nanne clocks that Astarion is actually a vampire. A lot of people make fun of the game for waiting like, five in game days before exposing the elephant in the room, but considering that everyone knows vampires can't stand in sunlight, it's reasonable to assume that Astarion's just an incredibly pampered noble who's got delicate skin and maybe some drow ancestry.

But then he starts acting VERY suspicious and guilty and, well, the boar is literally right there.

Nanne's comment of "You're protecting us from the vampire, aren't you?" is meant to be a very subtle way of thanking Astarion from not eating anyone yet, which considering what happens in the next chapter is, uh, lol. Lmao, even.

[businessconsiderations]

Recap of *Stay Sane in an Insane World*

The book--subtitled How to Control the Controllables and Thrive--by University of Michigan sports psychologist, Greg Harden, influencer of Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Desmond Howard and more

It's short, easy to read, broken up into 37 chapters, interspersed with testimonials from his disciples that reinforce points Harden makes in the chapters.

I read the book in spurts over about a month or so--highlighting and dogearing along the way--stopping to reflect on its key points a few times, sharing its wisdom with my wife and kids a few times.

I then left it on the ottoman for a month or so, knowing I wanted to digitize my notes, summarize its lessons to memorialize it in my brain, but I felt like reading other things. So I did, I read two other books over the next month, but Stay Sane kept staring at me. So over the last few days, I typed up my highlights in my note-taking app and will do my best to summarize here.

A lot of its message feels obvious and trite, but like I've written earlier, I'm not living in this obvious and trite way that would substantially improve my life, which makes me think its message feels deep and profound.

In its penultimate chapter, he lists 7 things to remember, which I list below. I then attempt to pigeonhole my notes into 7 sections based on those 7 things. Most of the remainder of this post are quotes or near-quotes from the book with a few paraphrases thrown in.

Greg's key message is 7 things:

Become an expert on yourself - so you can become the best version of yourself

Control the controllables - it's right there in the subtitle, you are the only person with control on your mind, i.e. your thoughts and feelings...a combination of the "focus on what you can control" conventional wisdom with a little Adlerian psychology mixed in

Practice relentlessly - giving 100% effort, you'll outwork and wear down the average people

Commit to improving your life - make incremental improvements, maintain those incremental improvements, move on to the next one, Albert Camus in theory, James Clear in practice

Stop being afraid - courage is facing your fear

Love and accept yourself - replace your self-defeating attitudes with self-supporting attitudes

Be your own best friend

1. Become an expert on yourself

Resolve your trauma, let go of your baggage, prove it yourself that you did so by i) being able to talk about it without returning to the original emotion state you were in when traumatized, ii) clearly articulating what you did to overcome it, and iii) identify how the experience made you stronger.

Forgive your parents for not being perfect. If not for their sake, then for yours. This is one of the keys to mental health.

Expose your psychic vampires into the light, the things from the past that are holding you back. If you really want to become the person you've dreamed of becoming, you have to destroy your psychic vampires and break their hold on you mind, body and spirit. This will take bravery.

If you believe in yourself it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

2. Control the controllables

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission. They can create conditions to make you more likely to feel that way, but they can't force you to feel that way. It's your choice, they can't have power over you unless you give them permission.

You are the only person with control over your own mind.

Tom Brady says focus on the positive and face your challenges with a enthusiasm.

Be assertive, value yourself, communicate with i) confidence, ii) clarity and iii) calmness.

3. Practice relentlessly

Think back to a time you went into an extra gear to accomplish something. Now imagine making that your permanent level of effort. That's what makes a champion.

Give 100% effort, 100% of the time. If you commit to this mindset, on your worst day you'll be better than an average person on their best day.

Tom Brady says obstacles are an advantage, because most people will back down in the face of obstacles. So if you keep a good attitude and push through, the obstacle actually helped you by getting your competitors out of the way.

Desmond Howard says you should always strive to get better at what you do. Never settle for good enough.

Opportunity will knock at some point. Make sure you have put yourself in the position to take advantage.

4. Commit to improving your life

Be humble and hungry to learn. Commit to the process of continuous self-improvement. Believe that you possess that special extra gear.

Your life belongs to you, and it's up to you to make the most if it. No one else can do this for you. Taking responsibility for your own life should be your highest priority.

Tom Brady say if you're not where you want to be in life, it's up to you to make it better. Your positivity and enthusiasm will help you toward your outcome.

5. Stop being afraid

If you believe in yourself, then there's only one way to change, you need to start doing everything different and stop caring about what anyone else thinks. If a coach believes in you, great. If not, don't get distracted by it. What you believe is all that matters.

It's not enough to dream big, you need to believe big.

How fun would it be to shatter everyone's expectations of you?

Desmond Howard says don't just be the best player on the field, be the most dominant. Think and behave that way, separate yourself from the rest.

Tom Brady says once apply a positive and enthusiastic mindset to all areas of your life, fear has nowhere to go.

Create your ideal self. Culture, media and politics is trying to program you, why not program yourself?

Get out of your own way. Those times when you were thinking nothing and having fun, that's when you were having the best games.

The best athletes have a short memory. When you make a mistake, give yourself permission to feel bad about it for a fraction of a second then get back to work. If you are someone that gets down on yourself after a setback, feeling sorry for yourself, how's that working out for you? Unless your objective is to be miserable, then stop beating yourself up, because the answer is it's not working for you.

Once you start to predict your self-doubt and fear, you can manage it.

6. Love and accept yourself

Your sport is not who you are, it's what you do. You will have an amazing life with our without your sport.

You can't let your self-worth be determined by the trappings of this world because those will ultimately fail you.

Ward Emanuel says it's important for young student athletes to understand at some point it could all be taken away from you.

You can't let your sport become a false god, or God will take it from you.

Love being an outlier, accept being one as a challenge, love being the person that broke the stereotype.

7. Be your own best friend

As you make these life changes, don't try to change anyone else. This project is between you and yourself.

You can rely on others for help sometimes, but you ultimately you have to rely on self-love and self-acceptance above all else. You have to be your own best friend.

To be a good teammate, you must believe in yourself first.

Summing it up

At then end of the chapter about psychic vampires, I wrote that mine is mediocrity. That I am mediocre. And if I step outside myself and take a risk, people will roll their eyes at me, I will be exposed as someone who is mediocre and in denial of my own mediocrity.

There was a worksheet in the middle of the book about what success looks like. I wrote some notes down one a separate piece of paper. Below are those notes...

My purpose is family, living long enough to see them thrive as adults, to meet my grandkids, doing interesting things along the way.

Success to me is good relationships with my wife and all three of my kids. After that, health: getting down to a better weight, more running. Then fun: travel, other. Then I wrote money with a colon too, but didn't write anything after the colon.

For measurable goals are wrote weight loss goals, running goals, money goals and family travel goals. I didn't write what those goals were. But I am already working toward a weight loss goal, 13 lb down, 8 more to go. I think it was Naval Ravikant that said the universe is good at giving you one thing, but only one. So maybe I can work on the other goals next, one at a time.

The self-defeating attitudes and behaviors holding me back from reaching my goals are i) I'm not good at networking, ii) making more money will require more/harder work and that's what killed my dad, and iii) life is boring without alcohol and unhealthy food.

Three things I will stop doing were i) drinking while weighing over 175 lb, ii) taking the easy way out at work, and iii) giving attention to things before my family, e.g. phone, computer.

Self-supporting attitudes and behaviors I want to cultivate are: people like me, I can make friends, I am fun not boring, and I can take steps to make more money.

Three things I will start doing, I wrote four: money/budgeting, weight loss/running, work development plan, family stuff. I didn't get specific

I am sort of meandering my way through a lot of that stuff. I could probably tighten a lot of this up and make my life better.

Like I wrote at the top, a lot of this is trite and obvious. The hard part is doing it.

[avampyone]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers (ू•‧̫•ू⑅)♡

My friends- I'm grateful for the friends I've stayed connected with over the years as well as new ones made. I get somewhat shy and not easy to come out of my shell, but appreciate their patience for me in that. There are a few I miss dearly that I haven't been able to see since before covid though hopefully sometime soon!

Better job recently - It was tough to leave a job I'd been comfortable in so long, but I let myself get too far of a point where the stress and burnout was taking a toll. It was 100% worth leaving and lesson learned! The new place has its ups and downs ofc, but less stress and vibing with everyone much better here.

Writing/RP - I wouldn't say I'm the best at either, but have enjoyed the hobby for many yrs regardless! Although it's great to do so for FFXIV now, I used to with Vampire the Masquerade and kinda miss that world/setting at times. I still appreciate it for giving me the inspo for Hemlocke and Seiro either way. Love all the chaotic gremlins <3

Cosplay/Sewing - I don't do as much as before, but I still enjoy it now and then. A lot of good memories of doing so with friends over the years :D.

Self improvement - I've been working to try to go easier on myself and focus on just living life one day at a time. I would always beat myself up with 'should have' types of statements, but at this point I think I'm doing the best with what I have and keep striving to work to where I want to be in life.

Thank you for the ask @avaritia-ffxiv !