#thank you to the festival i worked at for reminding me of the existence of replay by iyaz

[lit-in-thy-heart]

sometimes you just gotta combat random anxiety with 2000s hits at full blast

[thecutepoison]

I have been thinking about Ruben's summer hit, In Space No One Can Feel You Dying. We already know the song Ruben dedicated to Wanda at the festival was part of a ritual to get people infected with rage. It's very likely that his most famous work, blasting on every radio station, has a similar objective.

So let's go over the lyrics:

"Your boundaries slit my veins

Your no thanks killed my family

And when you asked for space

The space you made was outer space

Can you hear me screaming?"

My hunch is that these lyrics are from the Forgotten God's pov, addressed to Cassandra - perhaps Ruvina but less likely. I interpret this song as the God blaming Cassandra for their death. Please bear with me for a minute.

This entity changed aspects from a summer domain to something linked with rage, spite. That's probably when they ceased to be a giant deity and became a devil from the Nine Hells. We don't know why this happened exactly, but let's say this God felt so wronged by something that their wrath corrupted and distorted them to the point they became infernal.

I don't think Cassandra was happy about this change. And if this God wanted revenge, a reckoning and became a destructive influence on the world... Cassandra, even as their spouse, would not stand for it. So her lack of support (or even opposition) perhaps culminated in this God's death.

In first place, "Your boundaries slit my veins" reminds me of the glowing red veins those infected by the rage crystals have. Perhaps it's saying that they are wrathful by Cassandra's dismissal.

"Your no thanks killed my family" may be an accusation that Cassandra's refusal broke their family apart. In the sense that she destroyed their sacred marriage and fractured the quartet of seasons of the giant siblings. The cycle is incomplete because summer is dead.

Then, "And when you asked for space the space you made was outer space". I'm pretty sure outer space means the Astral Plane, where the dead gods lie. So, basically, it's saying you abandoned me and let me die.

The title of the song, In Space No One Can Feel You Dying, is referencing Obliviate Mori, since no mortal is aware that this God is dead on the Astral Plane because they can't even remember they existed.

Lastly, "Can you hear me screaming?" Sounds to me very omnious, like a threat. Will you continue to ignore my pain? I am coming for you.

What do you guys think?

[spacebarbarianweird]

Could please do some Halloween/All Souls' Day oneshot? It can take place during the time when Astarion and Aletha are adventuring together. It's a beautiful golden Autumn and they end up in a little town where there is late fall festival... They decide to indulge local kids and play a witch with the pointy hat and a vampire with long black cape. Fun stuff. If you want the do the "remembering the dead" thing, they can even get a trinket or a picture that reminds them of Tiriel as a reward. But this should probably be more sweet than sad. Thank you!

Finally did it! Hope you will like this story!

The Memory Night

Summary: Decades after Tiriel's death Astarion and Alethaine travel together through the continent

Tags: dadstarion, dhampirs, grief, father\daughter relationship, elven culture

In my HC "Silmarillion" and Tolkien's works exists as parts of elven culture in a form of ancient epic poetry (think about "Beowulf" or "Poetic Eddae"). Something everyone knows but isn't related to real history. So, elves sing a famous Elvish hymn but dedicate it to Sehanine Moonbow, not Varda

Alethaine's age - 176 years-old

Thanks @themadlu for beta-reading!

Read on AO3

Masterlist

Headcanons

In the Forgotten Realms, the closest holiday to Halloween is the Feast of the Moon, or Moonfest, an annual festival held between the last night of Uktar and the first day of Nightal. This event, similar in its themes of honoring the dead and reflecting on the supernatural, marks the end of the calendar year. During Moonfest, worshippers of Sehanine Moonbow participate in the Mystic Rites of the Luminous Cloud. In this sacred night, they are often transformed into scintillating streaks of light, flying across the starry heavens. The festival is a time to celebrate ancestors, remember the deceased, and embrace the turning of the seasons, embodying a mystical, otherworldly atmosphere.

**

“I am sure I am worth more than 30 gold!” Astarion remarks, trapped in a net. If it wasn’t for the silver he would easily set himself free, but since the threads are intertwined with thin metal strands the vampire needs some help. “Hey, where are you going?!”

Alethaine stops a few feet away. “Well, I'm going to those dwarfs and demand they pay me more because apparently the vampire I have ‘killed’ thinks he is more expensive. So, Dad, should I do this?”

“Princess, release me AT ONCE!” he demands.

“Don’t yell at me dad, I am 176 years old, not 7!”

Astarion huffs. “I am not “yelling”.I just… well… I don’t like being trapped.”

Alethaine climbs up to the tree and cuts the net. Astarion falls onto the dead leaves, swearing in all the languages he knows. He sets himself free and scratches a silver-induced burn on his left hand.

Alethaine wears her black cloak and shivers. Astarion sniffs the air. The dwarven village smells of warmth and blood and it is definitely a more comfortable place than the cold autumn forest in the middle of nowhere.

But you can’t “kill” a vampire and then come to the village with him.

“Let’s go,” Alethaine says. “I am freezing!” 

Astarion takes off his cloak and hands it to his daughter.

“Dad, I am fine.”

“And I have no use for this, for my heart is as cold as the grave I dug myself out of. Take it.”

Soon Alethaine stops shivering and father and daughter keep walking through the cold night.

Alethaine is visibly tired and barely talks. Astarion casts glances at her from time to time.

She doesn't look like Tiriel at all, he thinks. Tiriel, his beloved wife and his savior, died four decades ago and there hasn't been a night when he doesn’t think about her. Red hair, freckles, warm as a fireplace. Loud, rude, and sometimes unbelievably stupid (she hilariously believed the Spine of the World was a skeleton of some ancient beast). And an inborn leader who could make people listen to her and trust in her.

Unlike Tiriel, Alethaine doesn’t talk a lot. She leaves her thoughts in her head and rarely says more than she needs. The dark witch with a cold undead heart – Astarion has never asked her personal questions, but he suspects she has never been in a relationship with anyone in her 176 years of unlife. 

“Hey, cheer up princess, we will be back to the Swords Coast by winter. That means fat citizens with warm blood for me and tasty meat for you.”

“Are you suggesting cannibalism?”

“Maybe?”

Anethaine laughs, revealing her dhampiric fangs. “I miss finding books to read more.”

“You know,” Astarion pinches her nose. “I didn’t manage to teach your mother to read. Like, first I couldn’t believe she didn’t know how! She even didn’t know how to read ads in taverns.”

“Dad,” Alethaine asks. “Didn’t mum ever want to stay in Baldur’s Gate? I am sure you both had opportunities there after you’d defeated the Netherbrain. And now everyone thinks the city was saved by the Devil Duke and the Archmage of Waterdeep.”

“She didn't want to stay,” Astarion shrugs. “Escaped at the first possible moment. And honestly, I was fed up with that place.”

Alethaine looks up at the stormy skies and cold droplets of rain fall on her pale face.

“I have been there.”

“In Baldur’s Gate?”

“On the ruins of your master’s mansion.”

The silence is so thick that Astairon feels like he could touch it. 

“Some of the vampires return to the city using the tunnels,” Alethaine explains. “Some dhampirs try to chase them back but often get lost. You know, I sometimes think any sane person would have burned the vampire lair to the ground and hunted the rest.”

“Your mother wasn't sane,” Astarion smiles. “I mean, once she challenged a demigoddess to a fistfight. And then she got wasted with some goblins. And when I finally found her she was dragging a giant’s corpse to hide in the swamps because, quote, ‘no one must know…’”

Suddenly, Astarion feels the presence of another creature.

Very close to him.

“You!” a dwarf screams. “I knew you were working together! Brothers, halt!”

Alethaine grabs her dagger but Astarion stops her.

“There are twelve of them.”

“I feel fifteen,” Aelethaine corrects.

“There are twenty,” the dwarf sounds offended.

Father and daughter exchange glances.

“We aren’t in the mood for fighting, are we?” Alethaine implies.

“We aren’t.”

Alethaine runs to the right and Astarion to the left. No matter how fast those dwarves are or how many hammers they have, there is no chance to catch up with the undead in the woods at night.

Especially when it’s as dark as the last night of Uktar.

Astarion finds pleasure in running. His undead body doesn’t get tired and he feels warm from all that blood he’s been consuming in the last days. His shirt and trousers soon get wet, but they don't cause any discomfort.

He has been running like this for almost two centuries, ever since he broke his chains.

He has been running with awe and wonder in his chest because the night has no limits and no masters, and he can see all the marvels with his elven eyes.

Astarion stops.

Feels the presence of a crowd.

Of a song.

An aura of magic.

The vampire makes a few steps forward and upward to look around from above a tree.

At first, he hears a song. It dances through the night, enchanting and mesmerizing. 

Then he sees the singers.

About thirty moon elves in long silver clothes are walking forward, strangers in those dark and misty woods. They walk gracefully like spirits or gods and Astarion immediately recognizes what they sing. 

An anthem to Sehanine, the elven goddess of death, moon, and journeys.

Astarion hides behind the tree – the procession reminds him of something long forgotten and yet close that makes his undead heart ache and makes him want to howl at the moon.

“A Sehanine, 

Silivren penna míriel.

Omenel aglar elenath

“... na-chaered palan-díriel,” Astarion whispers the words of the song. 

The elves gather in a circle around standing stones. Astarion turns away. He doesn’t want to keep watching. He feels like he is sneaking, seeing something intimate, something he has no right to witness.

“Oh, I didn’t know there were Sehanine’s followers in the area,” Alethaine appears out of nowhere behind him.

“Fuck!’ Astarion exclaims. “Princess, you’re gonna give me a heart attack.”

“You need a heart to experience that,” Alethaine comments.

Invisible to his vampiric senses, Alethaine has managed to start a campfire and put up a tent while he was watching elves.

Astarion sits beside Alethaine feeling the pleasant warmth from the fire. The song can still be heard perfectly, and he notices Alethaine is being enchanted by it as well.

“Look!” Alethaine points at the dark skies.

Small silver spheres of light float in the air like little stars. A token of remembrance, Astarion realizes.

One light for every missing soul.

“Dad,” Alethaine whispers as if she is afraid to wake someone up. “Why did mum call me kitten? I always wanted to ask her when she was alive but forgot.”

Astarion follows the small spheres of light with his eyes.

“Because your fangs grew earlier than your other teeth. So you resembled a little kitten. And you also bit us to attract our attention,” Astarion chuckles. “And when you slept you curled like a cat.”

Alethaine puts a twig into the fire and watches it burn. “Then why ‘princess’?”

Astarion smiles. The flow of memories takes him to a past not so distant by elven standards.

“When I learned about you,” Astarion turns away to avoid looking at his daughter. “I ran away. I was scared, I was really thinking about abandoning your mother.”

“I don't blame you. I am the scariest monster in the area,” Alethaine chuckles.

“I spent three nights hiding and then saw a young human innkeeper. He had a little daughter who had been crying for his attention. And he called her ‘princess’. And I sort of got jealous. I wanted the same thing, to have a child. Then, I returned and your mother forgave me. End of story. Or maybe I just have some prophetic abilities that told me you would become a queen.”

“Me? A queen? A queen of what?”Alethaine laughs.

“Who knows. Maybe a prince is waiting for you. All royal and with a magic sword.”

Alethaine starts preparing her bedroll.

“When I was young and traveled with other dhampirs, a warlock did a card reading for me and told me there is ‘a king of swords’ waiting for me in the future. I told her I am as cold as a grave and know what sex is only because some of my cousins are fucking perverts.”

The song ends in the distance and Astarion hears soft echoes of elven whispers.

The moon elves are remembering their dead ones.

Wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, parents, teachers, friends. Hoping at least some shades of their personalities will survive the reincarnation. A desperate plea to Seldarines who couldn’t care less about their pointy-ear children.

Still, he joins the chorus.

“I remember,” Astarion whispers. “My wife, Tiriel.”

Alethaine bites her finger. “I remember my mother, Tiriel.”

Astarion gets closer to the fire. He doesn’t need to trance yet, but he decides the weather is too shitty anyway.

And he wants to remember better.

**

This autumn is different. It’s warm and foggy and local humans decorate the area with pumpkins that grin with their eerie smiles.

Astarion runs. 

He runs because he can and because there is no limit. He runs because he is well-fed and because no one can stop him from doing whatever he wants.

But always returns.

His feet are dirty and his shirt is in rags. He knows that his hair is messy and there are blood stains on his face.

He enjoys this too because he won't be punished.

Astarion jumps onto the roof of a small wooden house and crawls inside the window for comfort and safety.

“You look like you’ve been fistfighting ogres,” Tiriel notices from below the blanket. She has been sick for the last few days and spent all this time in a comfy bed.

“And you look like someone who has almost drowned in a swamp.”

“Astarion! You promised to forget it!” She hides her face in the pillow.

“How could I forget you going missing for a few days and then almost drowning in a swamp because you wanted to hide the body of a giant?”

Tiriel looks at him suspiciously. “You aren't going to forget that, are you?”

Astarion takes off his dirty clothes and uses wet rags to rinse off the dirt. When he is finally more or less clean he lies beside Tiriel who immediately hugs him.

When Astarion returns back to reality it’s already morning. He lies still, watching the gloomy skies from his dark tent. Trying to grasp the memory of Tiriel’s warmth for as long as possible.

--

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[jukti-torko-golpo]

Kolam : Part 1

So this is my first PS fanfic.... A two-shot. Kinda ended up long. I hope people like this. I do not know if this turned out well. I had a lot of fun though.

It was day 1455 of Arulmozhi pretending like she does not exist, she had cried herself to sleep and woken up with a splitting headache, the kingdom was gearing up for festivities and she was entrusted with the duty of decking up the palace. There was way too much noise everywhere to help with her headache and she had to use every ounce of her energy to focus on a work and get it done. So our doe-eyed docile damsel was a volcano about to erupt for the day.

Vanathi was trying to finish an elaborate Kolam at one end of a corridor. She was almost done with the job and at her wit's end. That is when Universe orchestrated the volcanic eruption.

The Chola prince and his newly found confidante, a certain Vana Prince, rushed through the corridor and before our hero could stop himself, he stepped on the Kolam and ruined a part of it. He froze.

Vanathi's eyes snapped to the ruined bit of the Kolam. It was one thing to ignore her during conversations but ignoring her entire existence and work while she was sitting there was a new low.

She stood up sharply and the expression which crossed her face reminded him of sudden tempests in calm seas. He had no idea from where did this inner poet wake up in him but he was kicked out of his mind very promptly by the sight of Vanathi striding towards him. With a short seething 'Ilavarasar...' she shoved the bowl of rice flower into his hands and marched off leaving behind two dumbstruck princes.

And the sound of a pair of anklets approaching just signalled the second onslaught of the storm.

'What has been happening here, Thambi? Where did Vanathi go? Thambi...' she trailed off when her brother turned towards her with a bowl in his hands and a messed up kolam at his feet.

'First you annoy me the entire morning delaying all my plans, then you mess up my uyir thozhi's work!! What has gotten into the both of you?? Have you forgotten your age Thambi?? What is this mischief that you are stirring up? Are you imagining yourself as Maya Kannan just because there will be a play...' a livid Kundhavai thundered.

'What Maya Kanna?' Arulmozhi was really confused now. 'Nothing...' pat came her reply trying to cover up what she had just blurted out. 'Vanathi was working with a headache and you ruined her work!' Kundhavai swiftly changed the topic.

'How would I know Akka? I was running thanks to you and I didn't notice the kolam,' the prince said as guilt started settling in his mind. He had no idea about the head ache part. 'I...well..I am really sorry,' he mumbled. 'TELL THAT TO VANATHI, THAMBI...UGHHH,' Kundhavai whisper-shouted at her brother.

Now begins a new adventure for our dashing Chola scion...apologizing to a certain woman for whom his heart acted very weirdly and he could not point out how and why it was weird to save his life. He walked to the chamber of the royal doctor and asked him to prepare some medicine for curing headache. With great impatience he waited for the doctor to be done with making the balm for the Ilavarasi.

He took the perilous nerve-wracking journey to Vanathi's chambers very uncertain of how she will react. He stood in front of her door and with a sheer lack of better judgement and and his brain ceaselessly rehearsing what to say, he walked in without announcing himself.

The curtains were drawn and the few rays of sunlight that could enter the room lit it dimly. 'Akka I am fine. Just a bit of headache. I will join the preparations right when this headache goes awa...,' the princess had been lying with her face buried into her pillow. She turned towards the door as she was speaking and she FROZE. Her anger had subsided and now she was very aware of the fact that she had stormed off from the very person who was now standing at her door.

Seeing her shocked and flustered face Arulmozhi panicked and launched into and apology while Vanathi started her own stream of apology. In her haste to get out of her bed she almost stumbled over her own dress and her cheeks reddened immediately. 'My apologies Ilavarasar, I will move the curtains...it is too dark,' she said as she drew the curtains open. She winced as her headache flared up due to the light.

'I don't mind the drawn curtains at all, Devi. I know that you have a headache. I have bought some balm for you from the doctor. please apply it. You will feel better.' These words from the prince made her face grow warm. He had thought about her? This was not a dream right? The Arulmozhi Varman had brought medicine for her? She extended her hand for the bowl rather bashfully. 'Thank you, Ilavarasar. I am very sorry for acting like that before. It was very wrong of me to speak to the Prince like that. Forgive me,' Vanathi said as her eyes teared up with guilt.

Her tear filled doe eyes sent a strange new ache to his heart and he said, 'No Ilavarasi it was my fault. I should not have ran into your hardwork. It was such a beautiful design. I will now take your leave and let you recover from the headache. I hope you will forgive me and join the preparations soon. I cannot wait for the festivities to begin.' Arulmozhi departed leaving a tear-choked Vanathi in her room.

After almost two hours of rest after applying the medicine Vanathi woke up. She emerged out of her room feeling much better. She was determined to finish the kolam this time. She made her way to that corridor and the sight that greeted her left her surprised ever so pleasantly. The ruined part of the kolam was fixed, maybe with slightly wobbly lines but fixed. And there lay beside the design Arulmozhi's ring. Maybe he had opened it while fxing the design and then forgotten about it. Vanathi picked up the ring, held it close and smiled to herself. She then happily completed the design and set off to return the ring to it's glorious owner.

Arulmozhi was reunited with Vanthiyathevan and they were overseeing the decoration of the palace courtyard. He raised his hand to direct one of the decorators and noticed that his signet ring was gone!It was his favourite ring. Where could he have left it? He was about to excuse himself and go looking for the ring when a soft voice called out 'Ilavarasar!'

'Aaah how is Maya Kanaa feeling now?' Vanthiyathevan exclaimed. She grinned up at him as he patted her head with affection. Maya Kanna? Again? Since when did the two of them get so close? Why was his heart acting in the weird way again after seeing her smile? What was up with everybody going Maya Kanna around him?

'I am sorry Kamsa Mama. I should not have stormed off from there,' Vanathi apologised to Vanthiyathevan, her voice laden with sincerity. Why Kamsa Mama? This was all too confusing. The dramatic Vana Prince feigned being deeply hurt by Vanathi's behaviour but Immediately dropped his charade when she pouted and said,' Anna please don't do this. I am already really sorry for behaving that way.' She took a quick glance at Arulmozhi and blushed deeply. His heartskipped a beat. But why? ' I am fooling around, little one. How can your Anna ever be angry at you?' Vanthiyathevan laughed and patted Vanathi's cheeks before he was called by someone to check a certain flower arrangement.

Vanathi turned towards him and her blush deepened. She was desperately trying not to make eye contact with him. Arulmozhi had given up hopes for his heart as it was wildly acting weird now. 'Ilavarasar I have something to give you...' she started. She held out her hand and on her palm was his ring. 'You had left it near the kolam,' she added coyly. 'Thank you, Devi. I was about to go looking for it.' Saying this he reached for the ring and his fingertips brushed on her palm. Her hand shook ever so slightly at the contact and she took off the moment he had taken the ring. She suddenly turned, walked up to him and mumbled a very shy 'Thank you for fixing the kolam.' This time she took off for good before could say anything.

Why did he spend the rest of the day twirling the ring in his hands and thinking of two shy doe eyes? Why did his heart start acting all strangely? Why did he find himself smiling when he thought of her blushing face? Why was she called Maya Kanna? All these questions swirled around in his mind. Would he never find the answers out? Or would he find them out very very soon?

@nspwriteups @thelekhikawrites @whippersnappersbookworm @harinishivaa @thirst4light @yehsahihai @nirmohi-premika @shaonsim I do not know who else to tag. Please tag anyone who you think would like to read this. And please leave your reviews.

[justanotherprettyapollodevotee]

Polytheist & Pagan Asks - @khaire-traveler 🫶

🙏 - Which pantheon(s) do you actively worship?

i worship the Greek pantheon!

🌞 - Which deity(s) are you closest to/do you worship the most often?

as you can probably tell from my url, i’m an Apollo devotee :) i’m closer to him than i have been with any other deity, and i worship him every day.

✨ - Do you believe in patron deities? If so, do you have any that you know of?

i do, and Apollo is my patron! i found this out a year or so into worshipping him, and it brought me so much joy honestly 😭

🌍 - Which pantheons do you believe exist?

this is a tricky one! in my practice i exclusively worship the Theoi, however i’m not sure on the existence of other pantheons as i can’t speak for them. however, i firmly believe that people’s personal experiences have to be considered, so i’d probably say that i believe there’s truth in every religion. my main focus will always be the Theoi though, so i don’t really dabble or look into much else beyond interest.

📜 - Have you ever made an oath, vow, or contract with a deity? If yes, how did it go (you don’t have to share)?

i have not! my relationship with Apollo is very personal between him and i, and i’ve never felt as though i needed to make a “contractual agreement” in order to feel his love or demonstrate my devotion. lots of respect for those who have though!

📿 - What are three things you’re grateful to your deity(s) for?

1) his understanding and care when i don’t want to be understanding or caring towards myself. 2) his support on my journey, no matter the path i take. 3) his presence, and the signs he sends me exactly when and where i need them

🖋️ - If you could say anything to your deity(s) right now, what would you most want to say?

just a very simple, always appreciated “i love you”. because i truly do, with my whole heart.

💌 - What is your favourite form of deity communication?

my favourite (and go-to when i really need to talk with Apollo or get advice) is oracle cards, but i also appreciate dream messages!

🎭 - What is an emotionally impactful or a silly worship-related experience you’ve had?

a silly little one: i went shopping with my parents a few years back, and just before i left i was praying to Apollo about wanting to find something to honour him but not being able to afford a statue. i was in the kids section, looking for a little something for my little sister, and then i saw a mini figure and practically felt Apollo tell with excitement. it was a yellow care bear with a sun on its belly, no bigger than my hand, and now instead of speaking to a statue of Apollo when i’m at his altar i talk to a little yellow care bear that he wanted me to get for him 😅

❤️ - What’s one memory of your practice that you reflect the most fondly on?

there are so many memories, but one of my favourites is when i was really struggling mentally after being rejected from my dream drama school. i prayed and sent thanks for the opportunity to audition, but i was absolutely devastated especially because i’d worked so hard. i’d finished crying and was about to settle to sleep when i felt almost like blanket of warmth wash over me, and i swear to this day i “felt” a hand against my back. i really needed that, and i’m forever grateful to Apollo for loving me and knowing exactly how to look after me.

🥂 - What is your favourite devotional act or offering to give?

being a musical theatre student/actress, i devote every show i perform in to Apollo, which is one of my favourite ways to worship him. i also sing a LOT whilst divining/using oracle cards, so that would be a close second. in terms of physical offerings, i’ve always adored the “i’d give you my last ____” sentiment, so often if i’m having a snack like an orange, or a pack of sweets, i’ll give him the last bit of it as a reminder of my devotion.

🎉 - Do you celebrate any festivals? If so, which ones?

i don’t really! i celebrate the traditional pagan holidays (lammas, imbolc, samhain, yule, etc) but none really in regards to my deity worship.

🫂 - Do you syncretize any pantheons with one another? If so, which ones?

i don’t 😅

🔮 - Do you delve into topics like the occult or the mysteries? Do you do anything esoteric?

i am hugely into the occult, especially the paranormal and things like that. before i discovered spirituality i was a ghost hunting girl through and through, and i’ve never lost that fascination with the occult!

⭐️ - What is something you wish people outside your practice knew more about?

the fact that our mythologies aren’t meant to be read like the Bible and taken completely literally! a lot of them are products of their time, as well as teaching lessons and humans reflecting their own flaws and features onto divine beings.

📖 - Do you like the way your pantheon is most often portrayed in media? Why or why not?

not at all :( between lore olympus, percy jackson (which i love, don’t get me wrong), and portrayals of Greek mythology throughout the years, it can be so difficult to worship online or in public when people have extremely stereotypical views on the Gods. i understand consuming that content - you do you - but i wish people would seperate the real Gods from what they see on TV.

🏛️ - Do you have a favourite statue or temple to your deity(s)? If so, which ones?

i’m wracking my brain but i genuinely can’t think of a favourite, i adore them all 😅

🔥 - Do you have a favourite myth or tale from your pantheon or others?

the tale of Apollo and Hyacithus always makes me bawl, but i love it - it’s a tale of true devotion and love.

🧭 - What led you to your practice?

i was very into Greek mythology as a child, and my parents said when i was little i used to leave little gifts and have conversations with the Gods. i started worshipping the Theoi around halfway through high school when i researched into witchcraft after going to a fair near my house, but i like to think they’ve always been with me :)

🧿 - Did you have any spiritual beliefs before discovering your current practice?

i did! i’ve always been a believer in energy/divination/witchcraft/paranormal etc, and i was a practicing witch for a few months before i stumbled across hellenic paganism.

🪽 - Do you believe in angels and/or demons? If yes, do you worship/work with any?

this is a bit of a weird explanation but bear with me. i don’t believe in angels and demons in the biblical sense, but i do believe in non-human spirits that either have so much positive or negative energy attached to them that they achieve a demon or angel like status. so like a haunted house may not have a demon in it, but it may have a spirit that is so dark and powerful that it appears like a biblical demon.

🪄 - Do you practice witchcraft? If yes, do you keep it seperate from your deity worship?

i do, however i practice much less than i used to because my main focus is paganism. but sometimes i will invoke Apollo or other deities for spells (with their permission and after giving them offerings ofc).

🪦 - Do ancestors or human spirits play a big role in your practice?

not really - i’ve never felt much of an ancestral pull spiritually and i have a lot of respect for spirits so i prefer to let them be rather than actively involve them in my life.

🐾 - Do animal spirits play a big role in your practice?

nope!

🌱 - Does nature - plants, nature spirits, etc - play a big role in your practice?

i don’t particularly invoke nature spirits, however when worshipping Apollo sometimes i’ll devote time spent in nature or connecting with the sun and the elements to him.

💀 - Do you believe in ghosts? If yes, have you ever had an experience with one?

absolutely i do! i’ve had many many many experiences, but one of the most notable was in my house. i was watching a horror film (i’m a massive horror film fan) and the TV remote was on the arm of the chair i was sitting in. out of nowhere, the volume started going up - i had it on 23, and it turned all the way up to 100. the remote was completely still next to me, and when i picked it up to turn it back down NONE of the buttons were working. after about a minute, i managed to turn it off and my dog started barking. i called him and he started coming down the stairs, but stopped halfway and yelped - his body moved back up a step like he’d been kicked. he then sat on the top step and refused to come down, even when i held his favourite treats out in front of him. terrifying 😅

☄️ - Do you believe in astral travel/the astral realm? If so, have you been there before?

i believe in the steal realm, but i don’t think i’ve ever been there; it’s not particularly of interest to me to visit it, so i’d much rather hear other’s experiences and research rather than attempting to get to it.

(disclaimer: these beliefs are completely personal to me. if you disagree, that is perfectly okay and i’m glad that we all have the freedom to explore and worship in our own way <3)

[gulliblelemon]

You get a music-themed collection of these questions: 🎵🎤🎧

Have a lovely day💜💜

Yay music questions! I listen to so much music. Thanks, Lia!

🎵 favourite artists

At the moment: UPSAHL, Dua Lipa, girli, FLAVIA, aespa

🎤 have you been to a concert

Yes! Lots and lots. I used to work at a gig venue in a fairly big city and got to see lots of great things accidentally (whilst getting paid 😎), I’ve also worked at a festival and at some outdoor arena venues. But I’ve also been to lots myself. Mainly 00s indie bands in my teens and 20s. And a few festivals too. I haven’t seen any live music for over 10 years because life happened. So obviously I’m travelling abroad to see Omar in a couple of months! 🤩

🎧 last song you listened to

(it has to be noted that this is why I’m so lucky to have @iwouldnevergetintofanfic reminding me that romantic songs do in fact exist 😅)

Thanks for the ask! I hope you have a lovely day too 💜

[just-a-carrot]

HELLO CARROT!

Given how apparently I’m immune to playing OW games without recording them now, you’ll audibly hear my thoughts within the next few weeks (I’m posting tomorrow because I’m an absolute maniac), BUT I WANNA SAY THINGS HERE BECAUSE APPRECIATION CAN’T WAIT THAT LONG!

Also Merry Christmas! It’s midnight when I’m writing this, so ‘tis the day of caroling and festivities and woah. Or happy holidays if you don’t celebrate!

Back to the Our Cinderella topic, I have only played Genzou’s route as of now (I’m sure that’s hardly surprising, he is my fav), but the others are next. Their time is coming. They cannot escape. SO SPOILERS FOR GENZOU’S ROUTE!

First off, I saw you included the little dancing in front of TV Iggy pose and the joy I felt seeing it was off the charts. I kept bringing it up, I was very happy. And seeing Iggy moving about was really cool in general, even without the novelty of seeing a suggestion I made exist in the game.

NEXT UP! Genzou drunk singing is an image I didn’t know I needed, thank you for the visual and the brain food. BUT ALSO I HAVE BEEN CONNECTING JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR SONGS TO OW FOR SO LONG AND HEARING THE MUSICAL BE MENTIONED BY GENZOU THREW ME FOR A LOOP. Great musical, very nice. Last Supper reminds me of Genzou and Orlam. Judas’s voice in general reminds me of Orlam. Musicals and OW can further connect in my brain hobby drawer.

The text interactions in general were really funny, actually. I liked the absolute chaos that was Iggy and Genzou’s text conversations, I was laughing while trying to read a lot of the time. I remember the aforementioned drunk singing conversation and the puddle one both got me pretty good while I was reading, and it was overall fun to see more lighthearted conversations from the characters, even if it’s in a different universe from the main canon.

To end things off, ‘cause again 1) I haven’t finished all the game’s routes yet, and 2) you’ll be able to hear my thoughts in the moment if you choose in future anyways, I wanna mention the version of Cinderella Bucks tells at the end? I can’t get it out of my head. When I was thinking about the game after having just played it, my mind kept flashing back to CinderJesus. It absolutely decimated my brain function, but in a very fun way. More slice-of-life Bucks, please, she’s peak comedy.

Very fun game, 10/10, very sad I couldn’t buy the Kirby in the first playthrough but it’s on my to-do list, aaaand yeah! Thank you for making this! I loved every minute of it, and I’m really excited to play the remaining routes once my irl festivities are over.

sob this is so sweet! 😭💕 i'm excited to watch your playthrough too -- things are a bit overwhelming in general for me right now as i'm still with my family and doing a bunch of things, but even if i'm unable to find time this week i will for sure watch once i'm back home next week. i'm really happy that you're enjoying it so much already tho ahhhh and that you're finding it so entertaining 🥺

i'm glad you liked the poses i had so much fun with them and also using some of the suggestions to add more! and LMAO JCS is a musical i grew up watching (my parents used to play the original album in the house lol) so i get the songs stuck in my head a lot, hence why it randomly worked its way into this (among many other random silly little references or inspirations from my own life hahaha). that is extremely funny to me 🤣

i'm glad you liked the convos they were the epitome of silly. and also bucks's part hahaha. i was half-worried it would end up being too ridiculous and random for people because it just got so weird in places hahaha

thank you so much for this lovely message and all of your thoughts and for playing the game! 🥺💕 i look forward to watching the playthrough so i can see all of your reactions in real-time lakjdfs

[star-wars-writing]

The Twilight Prophecy - Shadows of Soluna: Echoes of a Forgotten Unity - Prologue

A/N: "Hello, Guys! I know I said I would wait until I got some response before continuing, but I kind of wanted to put this prologue out there to give the story more of a back story. Thank for those who've read the story and for joining me on this journey through the world of Soluna. This chapter continues to weave the original tale of Crown Prince Cody and Crown Prince Obi-Wan with inspirations from the Star Wars universe. As always, your support and feedback mean the world to me.

"Copyright Notice: The original elements of this story, including the Kingdom of Soluna, its lore, and original characters, are my own creation and are © Love_of_fanfiction here on A03 and Star-wars-writing on Tumblr. These elements may not be reproduced, copied, or used in any form without my express permission.

The Star Wars characters and universe elements included in this story remain the intellectual property of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or Disney. This fanfiction is a non-commercial work created for entertainment purposes only and is not officially affiliated with the owners of the Star Wars franchise.

Please respect the rights of all creators and do not replicate or use any part of this story for commercial purposes. Let's continue to enjoy the world of fanfiction responsibly and respectfully. Thank you!"

Now let's start the story.

In an age now lost to the history of time, the illustrious Kingdom of Soluna stood as a paragon of unity and grandeur. Nestled in a world where the rhythms of day and night were harmoniously intertwined, Soluna was a realm where the natural cycle of the sun's rise and the moon's ascent were celebrated as the lifeblood of existence.

Soluna, sprawling across diverse landscapes, was a kingdom of breathtaking beauty. Its heart, the city of Lumina, was an architectural marvel. The buildings, crafted from stones that seemed to absorb the essence of the skies, shimmered in the daylight with hues of gold and amber and radiated a soft luminescence under the moon's gaze. The streets of Lumina, paved with cobblestones of moonstone and sunstone, sparkled, leading the way to bustling marketplaces and serene gardens alike.

The people of Soluna were a vibrant tapestry of cultures, each contributing to the kingdom's rich tapestry. In the day, farmers toiled under the benevolent sun, their fields a testament to the kingdom's fertility, while artists found inspiration in the warm hues of the afternoon. As night fell, astronomers and poets sought the wisdom of the stars, their works a celebration of the moon's mystique.

Soluna's rulers, the Solar Monarchs and the Lunar Regents, governed with a balance as seamless as the cycle of day and night. Their reign was marked by festivals that celebrated the duality of their domain – the Solstice of Sun, a jubilant carnival of light and warmth, and the Equinox of Moon, a reflective, ethereal gathering under the night sky.

The Royal Academy of Soluna, a revered institution, stood at the confluence of science, magic, and philosophy. Here, the brightest minds delved into the mysteries of the natural world, their discoveries a tribute to the enlightened spirit of Soluna.

Yet, beneath this facade of peace and prosperity, a shadow loomed. An envious sorcerer, coveting the kingdom's harmony and power, unleashed a malevolent curse. The curse fractured the very essence of Soluna, tearing apart the balance that had been its foundation. In an instant, the kingdom was split into two realms – one bathed in perpetual daylight, the Sun Court, and the other shrouded in eternal night, the Moon Court. The memory of their shared past, of the unity that once was, vanished, leaving behind a void filled with discord and longing.

The once-glorious Kingdom of Soluna faded into legend, its tale a haunting reminder of the fragility of harmony. As the Sun and Moon Courts evolved independently, the echoes of their common legacy dwindled, leaving only a whisper of the unity that once graced their lands.

This is the forgotten tale of Soluna, a kingdom where day and night once danced in unison, now a lost chapter in the history of time, waiting to be rediscovered and restored by those destined to reforge the broken bonds.

In the era when Soluna thrived, the royal family was revered not only for their governance but also for the unique traits that some of them possessed. At the heart of Soluna's lineage was a rare and revered characteristic – the blessing of dual-sex, an embodiment of the kingdom's cherished balance of sun and moon. Not every monarch was graced with this trait, but those who were, were celebrated as living symbols of Soluna's harmony.

King Orion, the last ruler of united Soluna, was one such individual. A leader of unparalleled wisdom and compassion, Orion's dual-sex nature was seen as a perfect harmony between masculine and feminine energies, a physical manifestation of the balance that he so tirelessly worked to maintain in his kingdom. With hair that shimmered like spun gold in the sunlight and eyes that held the depth of the night sky, he was a figure of awe and reverence.

Queen Althea, his consort, was a woman of profound intellect and grace. Her keen mind was matched by a heart full of empathy, making her a beloved figure among the people. Her long, raven hair was often adorned with silver and gold, symbolizing the unity of day and night that Soluna cherished.

Together, Orion and Althea had three children, each inheriting different aspects of their parents' qualities. Prince Solaris, the eldest, was a vibrant and charismatic leader, his features reminiscent of the sun's fiery glow. He was a skilled diplomat and warrior, his presence commanding yet warm.

Princess Lunara, the middle child, possessed a serene beauty and a deep connection to the mystical arts. Her intuition and wisdom beyond her years made her an invaluable advisor in the royal court. Her silver-blonde hair and moonlit eyes were a testament to her affinity with the night.

The youngest, Prince Eclipsion, was a harmonious blend of his siblings' traits. With a keen mind and a compassionate heart, he was the embodiment of balance. Eclipsion's unique nature, showing traits of dual-sex like his father, made him a symbol of Soluna's core values.

In the royal palace, a grand structure that mirrored the kingdom's splendor, the family's interactions were a microcosm of Soluna's ideals. Discussions at the dinner table were lively, with each member bringing their perspective to debates on governance, culture, and the future of their realm.

"I believe we must expand our trade routes to the Northern Territories," proposed Prince Solaris during one such discussion, his voice confident and persuasive.

Princess Lunara, always thoughtful, responded, "We must consider the impact on the local cultures. Our goal should be harmony, not dominance."

King Orion listened intently, his expression a mix of pride and contemplation. "Your points are valid," he said, his voice a soothing blend of authority and gentleness. "Soluna thrives not by imposing but by understanding and integrating. We must find a balance that honors our values and respects others."

Queen Althea, observing the exchange, added, "And let us not forget the importance of nurturing our own arts and sciences. Our strength lies in our ability to create and innovate."

Prince Eclipsion, quietly absorbing the discussion, finally spoke, his words reflecting his innate wisdom. "Perhaps we can find a way to blend these approaches – to expand with mindfulness and foster growth within."

The royal family's dynamics were a testament to their leadership – diverse in thoughts and opinions yet united in their love for Soluna and its people. Their discussions often extended beyond the palace walls, as they engaged with scholars, artists, and common folk alike, ensuring that every voice was heard and valued.

In the once harmonious Kingdom of Soluna, a sinister presence lurked in the shadows, biding its time. Darth Bane, a Sith sorcerer skilled in the dark arts, harbored a deep-seated disdain for the peace and balance Soluna represented. In his eyes, only in chaos and destruction could true power thrive. His heart, a void of darkness, sought to unravel the fabric of harmony that held Soluna together.

One fateful day, under a sky where the sun and moon hung in uneasy truce, Darth Bane made his move. With malevolent intent, he approached the grand gates of the royal palace. The guards, sensing an ominous aura, stood tense and alert, but they were no match for the sorcerer's dark powers.

In the royal hall, King Orion and Queen Althea, along with their children, were caught unaware. The family, a symbol of Soluna's unity, could not fathom the depth of the darkness that was about to befall them. Darth Bane, cloaked in shadows, stepped into the hall, his presence a chilling wave that washed over everyone present.

"Your reign of false harmony ends today," Darth Bane declared, his voice a sinister echo that filled the chamber. Before anyone could react, he unleashed his curse, a maelstrom of dark energy that enveloped the royal family and the palace.

King Orion and Queen Althea, caught in the eye of this dark storm, could only watch in horror as their world unraveled. The curse struck with merciless precision, tearing the very essence of Soluna apart. In an instant, Prince Solaris and Princess Lunara found their minds clouded, their memories of the unity and love within their family twisted into visions of division and rivalry.

Darth Bane's dark magic spun a deceitful narrative in the minds of the royal siblings, convincing them that the Sun and Moon Courts had always been at odds, that their destinies were to rule separately and in conflict. Prince Solaris, his thoughts now shrouded in the illusion of perpetual daylight, became the King of the Sun Court, forgetting the ties that bound him to his family. Princess Lunara, her mind veiled in the eternal night, ascended as the Queen of the Moon Court, her silver hair a trait revered in this new, divided reality.

The once majestic capital, Lumina, now stood as a ruin on the divide of day and night, its history and purpose lost to the curse's fog. The people of Soluna, now citizens of two separate realms, gazed upon the ruins with no recollection of their former unity.

King Orion and Queen Althea's fate remained shrouded in mystery, their end a tragic chapter in the history of Soluna. Prince Eclipsion, the youngest, disappeared amidst the chaos, his fate unknown, fueling whispers and legends among the people.

As Darth Bane retreated into the shadows, his curse complete, the Kingdom of Soluna faded into a realm of divided memories, its once glorious past now a forgotten dream. The Sun and Moon Courts, each cast in their respective lights, began a new chapter, unaware of the unity that once defined them, their future entwined with a prophecy yet to unfold.

In the wake of Darth Bane’s malevolent curse, the once-unified Kingdom of Soluna fractured into two isolated realms: the Sun Court, ruled by King Solaris, and the Moon Court, under Queen Lunara’s reign. The siblings, their memories altered, their hearts veiled in darkness, became strangers to one another, each leading their courts in isolation, disconnected from their shared past.

The Sun Court, bathed in perpetual daylight, became a land where the sun’s relentless gaze hardened the hearts of its people. King Solaris, once a prince known for his warmth and charisma, transformed into a ruler whose judgments were as scorching as the sun’s rays. The palace, once a beacon of balance, now stood as a fortress of light, its walls reflecting the unyielding nature of its inhabitants.

In the Moon Court, night reigned eternal, casting the realm in a serene yet somber glow. Queen Lunara, whose wisdom and intuition were once celebrated, became a figure of mystery, her rule shrouded in the silent contemplation of the moonlit skies. Her court, a reflection of the night itself, was a place of quiet strength and hidden depths.

As years passed, the void between the Sun and Moon Courts grew, fueled by forgotten kinship and a growing sense of otherness. The common heritage of Soluna, once the cornerstone of their civilization, became lost in the mists of time, replaced by a narrative of division and rivalry.

Skirmishes along the borders became frequent, as misunderstandings and fear bred conflict. The Sun Court’s warriors, equipped for battle under the blazing sun, clashed with the Moon Court’s sentinels, masters of the night’s shadows. Each encounter left a scar on the land, a reminder of the harmony that was lost.

In both courts, the people’s hearts ached for a peace they could not remember. Whispers of a time when sun and moon were one lingered in their songs and stories, like echoes of a forgotten dream. Yet, these tales were regarded as mere fables, the wishful thinking of those who yearned for an end to the strife.

King Solaris, sitting upon his throne, his features cast in sharp relief by the ever-present sunlight, often found his thoughts wandering to the Moon Court. A sense of longing, unexplainable and deep, tugged at his soul. “Why does the night seem so familiar, yet so distant?” he pondered, his mind clouded by the remnants of the curse.

In her palace, Queen Lunara gazed at the stars, her expression a tapestry of melancholy and longing. “There’s a sorrow in these stars, a tale of loss,” she mused, her heart echoing a grief she could not fully comprehend.

The prolonged period of conflict and mistrust between the Sun and Moon Courts wove a tapestry of sorrow and longing, a tragic consequence of Darth Bane’s curse. The once-great Kingdom of Soluna, now divided and forgetful of its past, stood as a land where day and night were no longer in harmony, but in silent contention, yearning for a unity they could no longer remember.

Years wore on, deepening the rift between the Sun and Moon Courts, as their forgotten unity became little more than a legend. The once harmonious Kingdom of Soluna was now a battleground for two opposing realms, each under the shadow of Darth Bane’s curse, oblivious to their shared heritage.

One fateful day, the Sun Court, led by King Solaris, marched upon the Moon Court’s borders. The sun blazed fiercely in the sky, casting a harsh light on the armored warriors, their swords and shields glinting ominously. King Solaris, astride his majestic steed, his armor reflecting the ruthless sun, wore an expression of grim determination. His once compassionate heart had turned steely, hardened by years under the unrelenting sun.

In response, the Moon Court’s defenders, shrouded in the protective cloak of night, emerged silently. Queen Lunara, a silhouette against the moonlit backdrop, stood atop the ramparts of her fortress. Her eyes, reflecting the cool luminescence of the moon, were pools of sorrow and resolve. Her warriors, adept in the art of shadow warfare, readied their bows, the silver arrows aimed at the approaching Sun Court army.

The battle that ensued was a tragic spectacle. The clash of swords and the twang of bows sang a discordant melody, a lament for the lost unity of Soluna. The ground, a witness to this strife, was marred with the scars of battle, the soil drinking the blood of sun and moon alike.

In the midst of the chaos, Solaris and Lunara found themselves face to face, their swords crossed. For a fleeting moment, their eyes met, and a spark of recognition flickered, quickly smothered by years of enmity and the sorcerer's curse. Words were unnecessary; their blades spoke for them, each strike a painful reminder of their division.

Around them, the battle raged on, the air filled with cries of anguish and the clash of metal. The once-peaceful land of Soluna was now a witness to the sorrow of its rulers, a canvas upon which the tragedy of forgotten kinship was painted in stark hues.

As dawn broke, marking the end of the conflict, both courts retreated, leaving the battlefield littered with the remnants of their clash. The cost of their division was etched in the faces of the surviving warriors, their eyes hollow with the weight of loss.

King Solaris, returning to his sunlit palace, felt a heaviness in his heart, a sorrow that the light could not dispel. He wandered the silent halls, haunted by the moonlit eyes of Lunara, a nagging sense of something lost lingering in his mind.

Similarly, Queen Lunara, amidst the quiet of her moon-drenched chambers, pondered the day’s events. The sun’s relentless blaze in Solaris’s eyes haunted her, a reminder of a connection she could not grasp, a puzzle whose pieces lay scattered in the shadows of her memory.

In their separate realms, Solaris and Lunara grieved for the unity they could not remember, the harmony that was once the foundation of their existence. The battles and strife, while momentarily ceasing, left a lingering question in the air – a silent longing for a peace that seemed as distant as the forgotten days of Soluna.

Years trickled by like grains of sand in the hourglass of time, and with them, the era of King Solaris and Queen Lunara faded into history, giving way to a new generation of rulers. In the Sun Court, King Yoren ascended the throne, a ruler whose very presence was like a soft dawn breaking the darkness. In the Moon Court, King Yoda took up the mantle, a sage whose wisdom was as deep and vast as the night sky.

King Yoren, unlike his predecessors, bore a heart not hardened by the perpetual daylight but warmed by it. His rule was marked by a gentle strength, a desire to see beyond the blinding light of day. He was a man of medium build, with hair that captured the hues of the morning sun and eyes that reflected a sky free of storms. His reign began with a vision of peace, a longing to bridge the chasm that had long separated the Sun and Moon Courts.

In the Moon Court, King Yoda's presence was as calming as the cool touch of moonlight. His wisdom, accrued over decades of study and reflection, brought a renewed sense of purpose to his people. With a stature small yet commanding, and eyes that twinkled with the light of distant stars, Yoda spoke with a voice that resonated with the ancient truths of the night.

In the privacy of his solar chambers, King Yoren often found himself gazing at the horizon, where day met night in a fleeting embrace. "The time for endless conflict has passed," he mused aloud, his voice echoing the resolve in his heart. "We must seek understanding, for in the light of the sun, all shadows are cast away."

Similarly, in the Moon Court, King Yoda pondered the future in his observatory, surrounded by star charts and celestial instruments. "In the cycle of the cosmos, balance is the eternal truth," he whispered to the night. "We must extend our hand to the Sun Court, for in the darkness, even the brightest star seeks companionship."

The desire for peace sparked a series of secret missives between the two rulers, each letter a tentative step towards understanding. Their correspondence, carried by trusted envoys under the veil of secrecy, wove a delicate thread of hope between the two courts.

As word of this budding alliance spread, it was met with mixed reactions. In the Sun Court, some praised Yoren's vision, while others, steeped in the old ways of rivalry, voiced their dissent. "To extend a hand to the Moon Court is to forget the battles fought under our sun," argued a sun courtier, his words a reflection of the lingering mistrust.

In the Moon Court, Yoda's councilors debated in hushed tones. "King Yoda's wisdom has always guided us," one advisor remarked, her voice laced with cautious optimism. "Perhaps it is time to step out of the shadows and embrace the light of peace."

Amidst these discussions, both Yoren and Yoda remained steadfast, their conviction unwavering. They knew the path to peace was fraught with obstacles, but the vision they shared – a vision of a world where the sun's warmth and the moon's grace coexisted – was a dream they dared to nurture.

In time, this dream led to the first historic meeting between the two kings, a clandestine summit under the stars, at the very ruins of the once-great capital of Lumina. There, amidst the whispers of a past long forgotten, King Yoren and King Yoda stood face to face, the first of their kind to seek a harmony that transcended the division of day and night.

Their meeting, though shrouded in secrecy, was the first flicker of a flame that promised to light the way for both courts – a flame that held the potential to dispel the shadows of war and illuminate a path to a united future.

Under the cloak of night, where the stars held court in the sky, the ruins of Lumina bore witness to a historic meeting – the first of its kind in centuries. King Yoren of the Sun Court and King Yoda of the Moon Court, each a ruler in their own right, stepped into the hallowed grounds of what once was the heart of the unified Soluna. The air was thick with anticipation, and the ruins, bathed in the soft luminescence of the moon and the residual warmth of the sun, seemed to awaken from their long slumber.

King Yoren, dressed in robes that captured the warm hues of the sunrise, approached with a respectful nod. His expression, usually serene, was etched with the gravity of the moment. "King Yoda," he began, his voice steady yet imbued with emotion, "I stand before you not as a ruler of the day, but as a seeker of peace. Our realms have been divided for too long."

King Yoda, his stature small but presence immense, met Yoren's gaze. His eyes, mirroring the depth of the night sky, reflected a wisdom born of years spent under the moon's watch. "Indeed, King Yoren. In the cycle of night and day, there lies a harmony we have forgotten. It is time to remember and rebuild."

The ruins around them, remnants of a time when day and night were one, stood as silent witnesses to their dialogue. Yoren and Yoda walked amidst the fallen columns and broken archways, each step a symbol of their journey towards reconciliation.

"The people of the Sun Court are strong and passionate, but in our unending day, we have lost sight of the stars," Yoren confessed, his gaze lingering on a fragment of a sunstone. "We need the wisdom and perspective that the night brings."

Yoda nodded, his hands clasped behind his back. "And the Moon Court, though introspective and resilient, yearns for the warmth that only the sun can provide. Our strength lies in unity, not isolation."

Their conversation meandered through the possibilities of a joint future, a tapestry of ideas and hopes. They spoke of joint festivals to celebrate both the sun and the moon, of exchanges of scholars and artists, and of trade routes that would benefit both realms.

As dawn approached, painting the sky with the first light of day, Yoren and Yoda stood side by side, watching the horizon. The symbolic merging of night and day in that moment was not lost on them.

"We stand at the brink of a new era," Yoren said, his voice imbued with a newfound resolve. "A truce between our courts is but the first step towards healing the rift that has long separated us."

"Let this dawn mark the beginning of our journey together," Yoda added, his voice soft yet firm. "A journey towards a peace that honors both the sun and the moon."

The establishment of the truce, there amidst the ruins of Lumina, was a promise – a promise of a future where the Sun and Moon Courts could coexist in harmony. As Yoren and Yoda departed, each returning to their respective realms, the first rays of the sun mingled with the retreating night, a symbolic reminder of the unity they sought to achieve.

Their meeting, though kept secret from many, laid the foundations for a slowly blossoming relationship between the Sun and Moon Courts. It was a testament to their wisdom and the realization that in unity, not division, lay the true strength and prosperity of their realms.

In the aftermath of the historic meeting at the ruins of Lumina, King Yoren and King Yoda began the delicate task of nurturing the fragile truce into a lasting bond between the Sun and Moon Courts. This journey, paved with cautious optimism, was a testament to their shared vision of a harmonious future.

King Yoren returned to his sunlit palace, where the walls echoed with the memories of endless days. In the grand council chamber, bathed in golden light, he addressed his advisors. "We stand on the cusp of a new dawn," Yoren stated, his voice resonating with a quiet yet unmistakable determination. "The Moon Court is not our enemy; they are our counterparts, integral to restoring the balance that Soluna once knew."

His council, a collection of seasoned diplomats and warriors, exchanged glances. Some bore expressions of skepticism, their minds shadowed by generations of conflict, while others looked intrigued, their curiosity piqued by the possibility of change.

General Arcturus, a veteran of many sunlit battles, voiced his concern. "Your Majesty, the Moon Court has always been shrouded in mystery. Can we truly trust them?" His tone, though respectful, carried the weight of years of distrust.

Yoren’s response was thoughtful, reflecting the depth of his conviction. "Trust is like the dawn. It begins with a mere sliver of light, growing steadily until it illuminates all around us. We must be the first to extend this light."

Meanwhile, in the Moon Court, King Yoda convened a similar gathering under the soft, ethereal glow of moonstones. The atmosphere was one of contemplative silence, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the Sun Court.

"Change, like the phases of the moon, is inevitable," Yoda spoke, his voice a calm, guiding force in the dimly lit chamber. "Our path forward lies in harmony with the Sun Court. This is the way to true wisdom."

A murmur ran through the assembly, a mix of surprise and contemplation. Lady Celestine, an advisor known for her insight, shared her thoughts. "The night has always been our ally, but it has also kept us in solitude. Perhaps it is time we step into the light of new possibilities."

As months turned to years, small yet significant steps were taken. Joint festivals were initiated, celebrated on the borders of the two realms. These festivals, a blend of sun and moon traditions, became a symbol of their growing unity. People from both courts mingled, sharing stories and customs, and discovering the beauty in their differences.

Trade routes were established, allowing the exchange of goods and knowledge. Sun Court’s merchants brought the warmth of the sun in their wares, while Moon Court’s traders offered the cool wisdom of the night.

Cultural exchanges flourished, with artists, scholars, and musicians crossing the borders to share and learn. In the Sun Court, the melodies of the night played by Moon Court musicians captivated the hearts of many, while in the Moon Court, the vibrant colors of Sun Court's art opened new vistas of expression.

King Yoren and King Yoda continued their correspondence, each letter a reinforcement of their commitment to peace. Through these letters, they shared not only the progress of their endeavors but also the challenges they faced, forging a bond of mutual respect and understanding.

The gradual process of building trust and cooperation laid the foundation for future generations. It was a testament to the belief that unity was not only beneficial but essential for the prosperity and well-being of both realms. In this journey, the Sun and Moon Courts slowly rediscovered the harmony that was once the essence of Soluna, illuminating a path towards a future where day and night could coexist in peace.

In the unfolding tapestry of the Sun and Moon Courts' history, the lineage of rulers bore the responsibility of upholding and nurturing the delicate bond established by King Yoren and King Yoda. Following Yoda's wise reign, the Moon Court was guided by King Dooku, a ruler of sharp intellect and a commanding presence. Dooku, though a man of more stern disposition than his predecessor, recognized the value of the alliance with the Sun Court. He continued the tradition of cultural exchanges, though with a more strategic approach, ensuring the Moon Court's mystical and intellectual heritage was preserved and respected.

In the Sun Court, after the era of King Yoren, King Jaster ascended the throne. He was a leader of valor and strength, with a charisma that shone as brightly as the sun itself. Jaster's rule was marked by a period of expansion and prosperity. He took to heart the lessons of cooperation with the Moon Court, fostering trade relations and joint military exercises that strengthened the bonds of trust and mutual reliance. Jaster, with his vibrant energy, brought a new dynamism to the Sun Court's interactions with their nocturnal neighbors.

The subsequent transition of power in the Moon Court to King Qui-Gon was a return to the more introspective and philosophical approach of King Yoda. Qui-Gon, a thoughtful and wise ruler, married the serene and insightful Lady Tahl. Together, they embodied the tranquility and depth of the Moon Court. Qui-Gon's reign saw a resurgence in the arts and sciences, with a focus on understanding the natural world and the cosmos. His gentle guidance further solidified the Moon Court's reputation as a realm of wisdom and introspection.

Meanwhile, in the Sun Court, the transition from King Jaster to his son, King Jango, marked the continuation of a vibrant and powerful dynasty. Jango, much like his father, was a ruler of great courage and determination. His marriage to Queen Seraphina brought a blend of warmth and intelligence to the Sun Court. Under Jango's rule, the Sun Court continued to flourish, its people basking in the prosperity brought about by ongoing peace and cooperation with the Moon Court.

The births of Crown Princes Cody and Obi-Wan during the reigns of King Jango and King Qui-Gon, respectively, were celebrated with great joy in both courts. These princes, born into a legacy of burgeoning unity and cooperation, were seen as symbols of the enduring alliance between day and night.

In these years of gradual rapprochement, the birth of the Crown Princes in both courts marked a new hope. In the Sun Court, Crown Prince Cody was born under the auspicious first light of dawn. His first cries were met with the jubilation of a kingdom that saw in him the future of continued harmony. Cody grew under the relentless sun, his personality a reflection of its brilliance and clarity.

Similarly, in the Moon Court, the birth of Crown Prince Obi-Wan was celebrated under the soft glow of a full moon. His arrival was heralded as a sign of enduring peace, and his upbringing was imbued with the mystique and calm of the lunar realm. Obi-Wan matured into a thoughtful and introspective young man, his demeanor as soothing as the moonlight.

The parallel lives of these princes, born into a legacy of burgeoning unity, were destined to intertwine. Their upbringing, though separate, was underpinned by the same principles of understanding and cooperation that their forebears had championed.

As they came of age, the hopes of both courts rested on their shoulders – the expectation that they would carry forward the work started generations ago, and perhaps, bring about the fulfillment of a harmony that had once been the essence of Soluna.

A/N: Now I will wait before continuing this story, I did want to give you some backstory to the idea I have here. I would love to hear all of your thoughts, suggestions, ideas and comments you might have. I look forward to know what you think, and if you would like to read more about this story I've started. @swfandomevent @swfanfics @codywanbingo

[ckret2]

YO it's been so long but I just want to say i still really adore your writing style. Sometimes I'll remember your KOTM fics exist and re-read every fic in the master list again in like a day. Idk, there something intriguing about how you write language and culture differences, between humans, titans, and the different extraterrestrials.

(Honestly sometimes these fics remind me of alter-human experiences, which might explain my attachment for ur fics lol.)

Anyway, I was wondering what your plan was for the series? (And if u were just waiting for prompts, I got ideas. just wanted to make sure first lol)

Anyway thanks for tolerating my rambling 😅

Oh, thanks so much!! I'm glad you still enjoy them! :) I think that's some of my best work to date on writing inhuman/alien cultures.

Okay so, here's how writing works for me: I pour brain gasoline into my writing engine and then the words go brrr.

A huge, long-term writing project is like an SUV. I have to pour a whole lot of gasoline into the engine, but then it can go very far.

I get brain gasoline from things that mentally energize me. These things include going out to restaurants, cafes, and libraries to write; going to movie theaters and concerts; doing other art projects (like leatherworking or sewing) that require going out to craft stores or classes; getting furniture & decor to improve my home; going to festivals, conventions, or other fun events; and even just getting to walk around malls and downtown areas.

I ain't done shit since early 2020! Any writing energy I had toward the start of quarantine has gradually depleted. I know most of the planet has gone back to treating covid like it's no big deal because it's not as fatal anymore, but long covid is still a thing and my household has health conditions that would make gallivanting around in public actively self-destructive, so I still ain't doing shit.

So it's not a matter of not having ideas. I actually have a list of—let me check—twelve fics on my to-write list for the Rodorah plotline, and that's just to finish the current plot arc before launching the next phase of the plot.

But I'm just not getting the kind of brain gasoline I need to run the SUV-sized engine of a project like No Kings Only Monsters. I'm getting enough gasoline to power a moped. Right now my moped is a writing/art roleplay blog in another fandom where I'm working on an ongoing plot. For me a roleplay blog takes a lot less sustained mental energy than writing whole fics, much less a running series of fics.

So, the technical term for what I'm doing right now is "biding my time." I kind of just have to wait until I reach a more energizing period of my life, and look for opportunities to make that happen.

Within a couple months I'm going to be finishing up the most writing-intensive part of my current RP blog plot, and (fingers crossed) I'm going to be moving into a house. (I bought a house.) The new house is over twice as big as my apartment, and I actually OWN it, which means I can do a LOT to make it my own. I'm hopeful that the process of moving will energize me enough to start working on the place (painting walls, getting furniture, etc), and then the ongoing progress of fixing up my place will further energize me enough to return to fic writing.

That doesn't mean I'll immediately hop back on No Kings Only Monsters. I first want to do some more recent fic ideas that have been percolating in the back of my head. But No Kings Only Monsters is on my "by god, I'm gonna finish this" writing to-do list, so after I've gotten back in the swing of writing things I may revisit a writing strategy that served me well in 2018-2019: "write X amount of words on this project and as a reward you can spend the rest of the day writing whatever you want."

I'm hopeful for the future! But for now, I just can't focus on something that big.

(Hold on to your ideas though; flinging them at me now when I don't have any brain gasoline wouldn't do much good, but I'm not opposed to someday taking reader requests again.)

[redsoapbox]

AS THE CLOCK STRIKES MIDNIGHT, THE AMOUNT RAISED BY HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY INDIE CHRISTMAS III STANDS AT £2,573. THE OVERALL TOTAL RAISED FOR ALL THREE VOLUMES IS NOW £8,373. THANK'S TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

So, it's 2024. My three-volume collection of original "Indie" Christmas songs Have Yourself a Merry Indie Christmas has raised an overall figure of £8,373 for Crisis at Christmas. After originally reaching an agreement with Crisis for two-years, I can announce that the agreement is now open-ended. This means the albums will remain on sale exclusively at Bandcamp and any money raised each Christmas going forward will go straight to Crisis homelessness charity - Together we will end homelessness . So while there will be no more volumes, just one or two tweets form the likes of Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin and Ellie Goulding (all are Crisis celebrity ambassadors/supporters) can draw the albums' attention to thier 50m followers. The potential for these albums to raise tens of thousands of pounds is there for all to see. At this stage, only 0.00000001 % of music followers know that these albums exist, so I will be thinking of ways to attract the interest of the movers and shakers named above (Crisis' strict rules do not allow me to enlist their support through Crisis, as HYAMIC is not an official Crisis project). I'm hoping that a review of that rule in the future will enable the albums to reach a much wider audience.

Aside from raising the maximum funds possible for Crisis, my other aim, as a music fanatic and journalist, for curating Have Yourself a Merry Indie Christmas was to compile an album that might be regarded the best ever Indie Christmas compilation of all time. I was determined about that from the start and that is what drove me to listen to thousands of Christmas songs (more than 50% from artists that I had never heard of) throughout 2022/23. In doing so, I soon realised that while there were hundreds of exhilarating Xmas songs scattered about the UK, Europe, America, Australia etc, (and thanks to Christmas Underground – We are the War on Christmas Music) I was now very much on their trail, there was hardly a decent Indie Xmas comp to be found anywhere (A Very Cherry Christmas being a long-running exemption that proves the rule).

The most common Xmas album was a label compilation. Someone at a major label would be tasked with cobbling together Christmas songs that bands had recorded down the years. Not much quality control went into those, with honourable exceptions, so strong and weak songs tended to be meshed together under the festive banner. A similar thing was happening with charitable compilations. I've lost count of the number of well-meaning comps I listened to that barely yielded one or two quality tracks. Again, there was the odd exception to be found here and there. I was determined to only target songs that I fell in love with, there were many, many good songs that didn't make the cut for HYAMIC.

Christmas Underground's view that 'Have Yourself a Merry Indie Christmas Volumes 1-3 are a guidebook to an alternative universe of Christmas music that few know exists', together with the verdict of Wales Arts Review that HYAMIC was 'the ultimate alternative Xmas album' suggests that I achieved my ambition to curate a work that would be part of peoples' Christmases for years to come. The sensational reviews the albums received are laid out in full here - A REMINDER OF THE INCREDIBLE REVIEWS FOR HAVE... (tumblr.com)

The albums can be downloaded here - Music | Various Artists (bandcamp.com)

Thanks to all the contributing artists, the labels that generously participated (not everyone was keen - one manager of a group complained 'You do realise that we're trying to make money', proving the spirit of Col. Tom Parker was alive, well and stalking indie land), the writers, bloggers, radio presenters etc who championed the albums from start to finish. Happy New Year to you all.

[full-potential]

Embracing the Present: A Christmas Day Journey to Your Full Potential

Merry Christmas, dear readers! On this serene and joyful day, as the world sparkles with festive lights and hearts brim with cheer, I invite you to pause and ponder the profound gift of existence. Today isn't just a celebration of traditions; it's a reminder of the immense potential each of us holds within. The Blessing of Being Think about it: just by being alive, right here, right now, you are blessed. Life is not merely a series of events; it's a canvas for potential, waiting for your brushstrokes. And on Christmas, a day symbolizing hope and renewal, what better time to recognize this gift? Mindfulness: Your Anchor to Now In the hustle of holiday festivities, our minds often race to the 'next thing' - the next meal, the next gift, the next gathering. But true joy lies in the present. Mindfulness is that gentle hand on your shoulder, bringing you back to 'now'. It's about savoring each moment, each breath. Breathing: The Simplest Gift Breathing might seem too simple a gift, but it's the essence of life. I encourage you to try 'breathing packs' - take a deep breath, hold, release, and feel yourself become more anchored in the present. This practice is a gateway to clarity and calm, a tool to bring you back to the here and now. The Power of Thought: Neuro-Associative Linking Our minds are powerful landscapes. The paths we tread in thought are the ones we forge in life. This is neuro-associative linking - the principle that what we frequently think about, we begin to connect with. Be mindful of your thoughts; they are the seeds of your reality. Choosing Your Links What do you want to be linked to? Joy, success, love, peace? Your thoughts are not just fleeting whispers; they are architects of your destiny. Use this Christmas to start a practice of mindful thinking. Focus on thoughts that align with your deepest values and aspirations. Letting Go: The Path to Mastery To master your mind is to learn the art of letting go. Let go of wandering thoughts, let go of bodily tension. In their place, choose to refocus on positive visualizations and processes that align with your goals. Conclusion As we celebrate Christmas, let's embrace the present moment. It's in the 'now' that we find the strength to shape our destinies. Through mindful breathing, conscious thinking, and the practice of letting go, we step closer to realizing our full potential. Thank you for joining me on this journey of reflection and growth. As we move forward, remember that these practices are not just for Christmas Day, but for a lifetime of fulfillment and purpose. PS This blog post is a blend of my personal reflections and the efficient assistance of AI technology, working together to bring you insights for a more mindful and purposeful life. Read the full article

[junkshop-disco]

for the song meme: 3, 13, 23

3: A song that reminds you of summertime

I used to spend the summer working at festivals, supervising stage builds or setting up artist villages, which means I was there early enough to have a massive PA to play with. If anyone let me near the aux for a main stage, this is what I'd always blast, Idris Muhammad Could Heaven Ever Be Like This . It's just a huge slab of really vibey old school that just sounds magnificent in the sunshine (or, tbh, pretty much anywhere).

13: One of your favorite 80’s songs

There was so much cool music in the 80s, which is why I'm picking Wired for Sound by Cliff Richard. Look. I know. I know it's Cliff Richard. I know you're thinking seriously? But this is a bop. And more importantly, it's a bop about music equipment. It starts with the line 'I like small speakers, I like tall speakers, if there's music, they're wired for sound. Walking around with a head full of music, cassette in my pocket and I'm gonna use it.' Like. Come on. That is objectively fantastic.

23: A song that you think everybody should listen to

When I'm Going Through Something, I crave house. I think a lot of people see house as shallow, an ephemeral background music to pool parties on TV, with little more to offer than soundtracking conventionally attractive people having a nice, entitled time in the sunshine at some mansion. But it's so much more than that. House is built on being overtly anti-racist and queer. House is about protest and most importantly for me, it is deeply, deeply rooted in the revolutionary power of hope and community as salvation. So I think what everyone should listen to is house music.

Some of my fave uplifting house tunes: Mark Knight, Beverley Knight and the London Community Gospel Choir - Everything's Going To Be All Right, Raise Up - Kindness, Love. Hope. Happiness - Luke Solomon, Amy Douglas, Queen Rose, I'm Not Defeated - Fiorious Cassius mix, Hope Is The Last Thing To Die - David Holmes (technically perhaps not house but wouldn't exist without house, so), I Can't Kick This Feeling When It Hits - Moodyman. I am so grateful for the existence of house music, and these two songs just perfectly sum up why it's what I reach for when I need something to just give me hope for and in humanity: Divine - Jamie Anotelli and Can You Feel It - Larry Heard. You need house. Everybody needs house. The world would be a better place if everybody loved house music.

Thanks for the ask!

Questions here if anyone else wants to play.

[soobnny]

GUESS WHO?

☆.｡.:* as an idol, you have a myriad of responsibilities. among these are maintaining a good image and pleasing the fans, having a stan twt acc? maybe not so much. not that you and sunoo are admitting to anything. then again, you don’t exactly expect to find each other as fan accs undercover and you equally don’t expect to start catching feelings.

note: 7 more chapters !

previous ⟡ masterlist ⟡ next

chapter 39 — the moon is beautiful, isn’t it?

It’s only been a few hours since Kim Sunoo had given you a handkerchief in an attempt to comfort you from their performance (upon hearing you had teared up a little bit), and now you were going to be on a call with Sunwoo.

You don’t understand what you might’ve done in your past life to solicit this, but you’re never the less grateful for the people in your life. Including your members who had bought you ice cream a few minutes ago to comfort you. 

They know how tough the year has been - for all of you. The number of hate comments, how easy people are to jump on cancel culture, having suffered a neck injury. The year has been nothing short of cruel. But still, you persevered, and now the year has ended and the five of you will finally get your well-deserved break.

Tomorrow, you’ll be flying to your family.

Staring at your phone and waiting for it to ring, you can’t help but smile. You’re reminded that people as kind and sweet as Sunoo and Sunwoo exist. Maybe life wasn’t so cruel, after all. 

A few minutes later, the phone rings.

“Hello?”

“Hey.” You move to curl up your legs on a bench by the company garden. You liked to come here at night. It was usually silent, and you liked the cold. 

“What’s on your mind, pretty girl?”

You smile as you bury your chin on your knees. “Just of… how unforgiving this year has been. I can’t help but feel like I’ve made so many mistakes. I feel a little stupid. And - I don’t know how to explain it without letting out a lot, but… I don’t know. I’ve always tried to keep my composure and just work hard every day, but it gets hard.”

“Hey… it’s okay. You have to understand that your feelings and your decisions are completely valid. Forgive yourself for what you didn’t get right this year.”

“How do I forgive myself for all the things I didn’t become?”

You feel tears bunch up in your eyes as you sigh out. 

“You’ll always have next year. Just, forgive yourself for the times you weren’t true to yourself. Forgive yourself for what you did not live up to - the strides you took forward matter greatly, even if you haven’t reached the destination you want to yet. Forgive yourself for all the times you’ve failed and for what you never saw coming. You couldn’t have predicted what would happen in the year - what matters the most is that you heal. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“You got here, Angel. You made it through twelve long months. You arrived at the end of the year, and you have the chance to start all over. Let’s promise each other… to live better and to fail better and to forgive ourselves.”

“Thank you, Sunwoo.” Your voice comes out as a whisper, all the while you have your phone gripped tightly in your hand. “Come on, let me hear it.” You laugh at his persistence.

“I promise to live better and fail better, and to forgive myself.”

“That’s my angel.” 

In the midst of both your chaos-filled brains, you don’t piece together the familiar voices you hear through the phone as being the ones you heard backstage of KBS Festival. 

“Hey, are you outside?” He suddenly speaks up, and you nod your head, almost forgetting he can’t see you. “Yeah.”

“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It is. It really is.”

[kurogane2512]

~Sparks Fly~

Character: Lisa x fem! reader

Synopsis: Just celebrating your first and only love's birthday with her <3

Warnings: None (SFW, Fluff, just some kissing)

Today was finally the day, the day you had prepared so long for. A 'ping' resounded in your ear, prompting you to open your mailing system. You knew what it contained; you didn't need the reminder but reading such heartwarming messages was always a treat for you.

"Hello, cutie~ You know, we haven't seen each other for quite some time....." just the first 2 words had your heart pounding.

"You haven't forgotten about me given how busy you are traveling the world, have you? Otherwise, you'd make me really sad." Never. There was no way you could forget about her, there wasn't a single day you didn't think of her on your journey.

"Perhaps you'd like to pay me a visit? We can take advantage of the good weather and I can tell you more about the stories of my studies at the Academia." There was no need for her to ask, you were going to visit her anyways. You had already made preparations for it a long time ago.

"Now, I'm really looking forward to seeing if my 'magic' can trigger the electric sparks between you and me again. Hehe~" This made you unsure, you didn't know what would happen. Did these sparks even exist in the first place?

The way the letter was written seemed to say she certainly thought of you and wished to meet you but what was the truth? You barely knew anything about this mysterious librarian of Mondstadt who had captured your heart at first glance. There was so much to unravel about her, so much you wanted to unravel. But, time was short and you could only do so much.

Thanks to the waypoints, you reached Mondstadt very quickly from Inazuma and began your search for fresh blooming Cecilias, her favorite flowers. You had grown some in your teapot but you wanted to give her absolutely fresh and new ones that had just bathed in the sunlight. Sure enough, this took quite a while and before you knew it, it was already evening.

You quickly assembled the ones you found in a bouquet and teleported to the Mondstadt square waypoint and walked up to the Knights of Favonius HQ. The guards on duty were asleep as usual and you didn't want to disturb them hence quietly made your way to the library and knocked on the door, waiting for Lisa to open it but to your surprise, the door didn't open even after a few knocks. You touched the handle and tried to move it but realized it was knocked, "did she already leave? Or maybe she's having a party elsewhere?"

"Y/n? Long time no see." A familiar woman's voice called out to you and you turned around to greet the Acting Grand Master.

"How have you been, Jean?"

"I'm well, thank you. It seems you have come to meet Lisa, wishing her for her birthday?"

You shyly nodded and Jean chuckled, "She already went home, she'd never work overtime on her birthday. Not that she'd ever work overtime anyways but, on her birthday, not a chance."

"I see.....then it'd be rude if I disturb her now...."

You felt disheartened and looked down, Jean felt your sadness and smiled then patted your shoulder, "Just go, Y/n. I'm sure she'll always welcome you."

You looked at her wide-eyed then nodded after thinking for a moment and made your way to Lisa's residence in Mondstadt. You stood at the door and pondered whether you should really knock or not. What if this was fate telling you to turn back and not take a step further? It's not like you met her even once ever since you left after attending the Windblume Festival, you weren't sure if she still thought of you the same way as she did in the beginning. What if she hated you and didn't want to see you?

You glanced at the bouquet in your hand and down at your soiled clothes, you didn't even realize how dirty they had gotten and you didn't get a chance to change at all, "I should at least give these to her....doesn't matter what else happens."

You took a deep breath then finally knocked on her door, just a few taps later you heard approaching footsteps from inside and readied yourself. The door finally opened and you were met by the most beautiful sight you had ever seen in this world; no monument be it the Jade Chamber or Tenshukaku could compare to it, no scenery be it Guili Plains or the overview of Inazuma from the Grand Narukami Shrine could hold a candle to the woman in front of you.

It was a breathtaking sight, you saw her after over a year and didn't realize how much you had missed her; her lavender scent, her emerald eyes and her soft pink lips. You were instantly lost in your thoughts as you suddenly recalled all the times you spent with her, not even greeting her at this moment.

"Cutie, you actually came...."

Oh, how you had missed being called this way, those words and that sweet tone of voice was music to your ears.

"Cutie?"

She snapped you out of your trance and you immediately shook your head a few times and cleared your throat.

"S-Sorry, here, happy birthday!" You smiled and extended the bouquet towards her.

Her eyes widened and she slowly received the bouquet and took a whiff of the scent, her shoulders immediately relaxing then she looked at you with her lovely smile then gripped your wrist.

"Don't keep standing there, come in, my cutie~"

You couldn't even reply as she already pulled you inside her house. You nervously excused yourself and walked in behind her, following her wherever she took you.

"Take a seat, cutie. I'll be right back."

You nodded and sat down on the chair she pointed at while she went to keep away the bouquet in a vase. You let out a sigh of relief and glanced around the room decorated with various plants and flowers which made the room smell vibrantly. Lisa came back after a few minutes with 2 plates in her hand and kept them on the table and sat beside you.

"L-Lisa you shouldn't hav-"

"Sshh~" her finger brushed your lips and prevented you from speaking further. Archons, how you missed these little things.

"I told you I'll make dinner today, I made extra in hopes that you'd come and you really did. Hehe, my cutie really didn't forget about me it seems~"

"I....I always planned to come, Lisa. I'd never forget you..."

You blushed slightly and for a moment saw a faint blush appear on her face as well which she hid with another sweet chuckle and pushed the plate towards you.

"It's my specialty. In case you are wondering where that purple tint on the Bolognese came from, I promise you will find out the answer soon. Now go on, eat up, my cutie~"

You nodded with a smile and took a spoonful of the Bolognese in your mouth, your eyes immediately widening by the nostalgic taste. You had indeed eaten it once but not the one made by her, it was nostalgic yet there was a slight foreign taste, it must be from the purple tint. Not to mention, you felt rejuvenated after eating it and it was very light to eat as well.

Lisa enjoyed the pleasured look on your face, it had been so long since she saw you as well. She really didn't think you'd actually come to meet her; she only wrote that in the letter as obligation but of course deep down she wanted you to come. She waited for you the whole day to come and barge in the library just like old times but you didn't and she felt she got her expectations raised for nothing. But the moment she saw you in front of her door just a few moments ago made her feel at cloud nine.

She loved the flowers you picked for her so much, she glanced at your clothes and saw the dirt patches on it and on your face and had a slight realization as to why you were late. This made her feel so warm and fuzzy inside, she unconsciously smiled to herself and extended her palm towards your face to cup it and just gaze at you. Surprisingly, the moment you turned to meet her eyes an electric spark flew between you two, connecting you.

Both of you were taken by surprise, you continued gazing and leaned slightly closer and another similar spark flew between you two. You didn't know the cause of it but Lisa did, she smiled then let out a chuckle and cupped your face from the other side as well.

"My cutie obtained Electro powers, didn't she? And it looks like we are already resonating. Hehe~ I wonder if this is a work of fate...."

You weren't sure how to reply, she caressed your face then took hold of your wrists and stood up, dragging you along with her. She took you to her room and asked you to sit on the bed while she went to fetch a few things. Your heart was beating out of your chest being seated in her room, you had never been here before and you had no idea why she brought you here. After a few minutes, she came back with a tray containing a clean towel and a bowl of water.

She sat beside you and turned you to face her then began unbuttoned your shirt, her eyes passionately gazing at your body. She dipped the towel in the water then gently held your face and began wiping it with the towel, her face being dangerously close to you, her breath caressing your neck and her hands gently caressing your cheek.

"Thank you, cutie. For the gift and for coming here." She spoke in your ear, making you flustered by how close her voice was.

"D-Don't mention it, Lisa....I hope you liked them."

"I did, I love them. But more than that, I love that you spent so much time and effort to pick them and were able to come here. I know how busy you are and I wouldn't have been surprised if you didn't think much of today."

She moved the towel to your neck now and for a brief second, you felt her lips touch your neck. You didn't know if that was intentional or not but that feeling drove you crazy.

"N-No, Lisa. I'd always come for you....I really will...."

Those words caught her by surprise, she leaned in to the other side of your neck and planted another kiss, this time fully intentional. She moved the towel down to your chest now while planting soft and lingering kisses all over your neck and chest, she moved your shirt down and licked a strip on your neck which made you shudder and grip the bedsheet. Another spark flew between you two at this moment and you were struggling to hold yourself back.

"L-Lisa, what do these sparks indicate?"

Lisa put the towel down then wrapped her arms around your neck and came closer to straddle your lap.

"Want to find out, cutie? How about staying here for tonight? I'll teach you just like old times~"

You swallowed a lump in your throat and wrapped your arms around her then nodded slightly, she immediately pressed her lips onto yours and began kissing you passionately. She came closer and straddled you even more, pushing you down on the bed and rolling her tongue with yours. You wanted this so much and so did she, you never thought you'd actually get to do this with her but here you were.

"The real birthday present for me is....to have you here, my cutie~"

My cousin broke my keyboard and I had to type this on my phone using my fat fingers, I had planned to release this much earlier but at least I got it out before the day is over.

[amane-by-together]

Umbrella for the Autumn Rain || Teru Minamoto

genre: ???

pairing: teru minamoto x female! reader

summary: teru and [name] used to be close as children until years go by [name]'s inferiority complex got the best of her making her avoid teru. will she finally face head-on to her childhood friend?

Unforgivable.

[Name] watched from afar while Teru slains the supernatural so flawlessly, he moves his katana as if it was a part of him. Teru is an expert when it comes to exorcising evil spirits which envied her since she cannot do the same as him. He can even produce black lightning that seemed almost impossible to do.

Teru was her childhood friend. Both of their families knew each other due to being exorcists. The two of them had worked together, exorcising countless supernaturals until the present time. Practically, they grew up together yet how come Teru was better than her?

As [Name] notices his excellency throughout the years, she decides to distance herself from Teru to improve her skills as an exorcist by herself and hoping to surpass him one day. Teru and [Name] often work late at night, depending on which type of disturbance they were tasked to vanish. No matter how many days she trained to master her skills, Teru was always one step ahead of her.

“[Name], I need a hand.” Teru called.

“Got it.” She replied, running towards him to see what he needed help with. “Do you want me to freeze him for a while?”

“That’ll be great, thanks!”

[Name] unsheathed her katana and stabbed the supernatural as it slowly freezes till it cannot move anymore. Teru sliced the supernatural with full force before it disappeared in black smoke. He sighed happily when the job was done for the night. “I’m kinda hungry,” Teru mentions, putting his sword back to its scabbard. “Do you wanna grab something to eat before going home?”

“No.”

Teru chuckled. “Cold as ever, [Name].”

“Was that a pun?” [Name] asked, not amused by the joke he made.

“It wasn’t intended.” Teru wiped his jaw using his knuckles. [Name] shakes her head, she has no time for eating with her childhood friend and she needs to train for their next exorcism together. [Name] despised her parents for making them work together all the time, especially when they compare how good Teru is as an exorcist.

[Name] remembered when she and Teru went to the Star Festival together a few months ago. She can still recall what she wrote on her tag before hanging it to a tree. She wished that her relationship with Teru could go back to its normal state instead of what they currently have. Ever since the festival happened, both of their bonds are slowly regressing to their state when they were children.

“I have to go now Teru.” [Name] picked up her katana and sheathed it back to the scabbard. “Make sure to walk home safely.”

“[Name], sweetie.” Her mom placed their dinner on the table. “You and Teru-kun seem to be kind of off lately, is everything alright between you two?”

“Everything’s fine, I guess…” [Name] answered. She couldn’t tell her mom that she was evading Teru since then. The time she will be approaching him head on once she feels like she can surpass him. During her train of thoughts, a certain wonder came across her head.

How does Teru feel about her? Did Teru ever notice their relationship changing? They used to be so close but now they hardly have anything to talk about. And it’s all because of [Name]’s inferiority complex towards Teru.

The next day after that, [Name] usually avoids Teru in school but she does talk to him when he asks something about academics. Even at school, he’s always better than her and it's frustrating her even more. “[Name]!” The female turned around and saw Teru walking towards her, waving his hand. “I was wondering if you’re free later at night since I needed help in defeating this supernatural.”

“...I’m not going to join later.” [Name] crosses her arms, looking in the other direction.

“Huh? But you usually don’t miss it, right?” Teru questions, getting confused at her unexpected reply.

“Teru… I said I’m not.”

“[Name]-”

[Name] clenched her fist and slammed it against the wall in disheartenment, causing Teru to flinch at the impact. “I’m not going to go later!” she shouted. Good thing they’re alone in the classroom or else some student might interfere. “I don’t want to!”

Teru was shocked, this isn’t the first time [Name] got mad at something. [Name] retracted back, holding her arm in dismay and looking at Teru one last time. “S-Sorry, I don’t feel like talking right now… I need to be alone…” [Name]’s voice slightly cracked, then hurriedly ran away from Teru.

“[Name]... What’s wrong?”

You’re being a burden, [Name].

Why can’t you be like Teru more?

Are you scared of what he might do when he realizes you’re avoiding him?

Running away from Teru is the one preventing her from changing. A measly little wish from the tag won’t work if you don’t do something about it. If [Name] is going to distance herself from Teru a little longer, she won’t be able to make things right ever again.

[Name] does not fear supernaturals, even the sickening looking ones and the ones who brought the biggest of curses. But facing Teru head on, is her biggest fear. Just thinking about talking to Teru made her stomach sink.

“I wish Teru and I were more honest and closer with each other.”

That’s what she wrote from her tag from the Star Festival. [Name] knows she’s the only one who can make it come true. “I made my decision. I’m going to talk to Teru.”

The rain started to pour heavily, grey clouds enveloping the once blue sky. [Name] quickly placed her bag above her head and ran to a nearby shed. A lump formed inside her throat, then tears started to run down to her cheeks. She squatted down to the ground and continued crying, hating herself for not changing and hating herself for avoiding Teru.

“I didn’t think you’d be here.”

[Name] looked up and saw Teru, standing there and putting an umbrella above her head. “Teru? Why… why?” She asked in a soft whisper. If only Teru knew that she reminded him of the sun after the rain but she was too prideful to say it out loud. Her face was full of regret at that very moment. How dare he treat her with kindness even though she treated him like he doesn’t exist?

“[Name], come on.” Teru gently takes her hand and helps her stand up. Looks like the students weren’t wrong when they said that he looks like a prince. “Let’s get you home, it’s raining.”

No matter how many times [Name] has pushed Teru away, or even avoided him to an extent, he’s always by her side. Teru was trying so hard to get their closeness back, and yet [Name] was being stubborn of not letting him. [Name] started to tear up once again. “[Name]? Are you okay… did I make you mad again..?”

“...Teru I’m sorry…” [Name] cried. “I’m so sorry…”

Teru smiled slightly at her. “I know…”

Teru decided that [Name] should stay at his house until the rain stops. Her mom brought the key with her so [Name] couldn’t go inside her house. It’s been a while since she went to their house so some furniture arrangements had changed from what she remembered.

Both teens sat there in silence, mentally asking who's going to break the awkwardness. “... I apologize for what happened recently Teru.” [Name] spoke, remembering that she shouted at Teru that she didn’t want to go exorcising with him. “It’s time for me to look you in the eye and be honest.”

“I’m sorry… what?” Teru questioned, his tone was a bit dreadful which surprised [Name]. He’s always been so fearless, at least that’s what she thought by looking at him. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve developed an inferiority complex because of you.” [Name] started to speak, trying to let her feelings from her chest go. “You were always better than me whether it was about academics and exorcism. I didn’t want to be compared to you, I just don't want them to rub it in that you’re better than me…”

“I started to distance myself so that I can improve myself. Then one day I’ll be able to surpass my parent’s expectations, then you as well. No matter how hard I try, I see no effort in my improvement because you’re still better than me.”

“[Name], that’s not-” Teru blurts in.

“I have to…” [Name] raises her hand to prevent Teru from talking further. “If I don’t tell you this I won’t be able to change and let this stupid thing go.”

“I watched you fight countless times. There are times I would look away when you do your job because my thoughts will taunt me by saying that I’m a burden and then my hate for you would go stronger.”

[Name] painfully smiled at Teru, her eyes were puffy from crying. She sighed and kept on talking. “I made a wish from the tag that one day we could be more open and closer like when we were kids. I tried to get along with you, and started to fight supernaturals alongside you. I believed that there’s no point in relying on the stars to make my wish come true so I did it on my own.”

“I just… can’t take this anymore…”

“I’m disgusted by myself, avoiding you at all costs just so that I won’t be able to see you being the best at everything. To the point that I don’t want to do exorcism at all—”

“[Name]... you… You lied to me!” Teru shouted out, his voice slightly breaking. Everyone knows that he’s always laid-back and reserved, and seeing this side of him was out of character. “You said that we’ll always work together no matter what happens. We both sacrificed our childhood for fighting off supernaturals and you dare to leave me alone just because you thought I’m better than you?!”

“How could you?” Teru felt betrayed knowing that [Name] has always been distancing from him from the start. He thought he was just a change of attitude, he wanted to think it was a change. “I don’t think of you as a burden! Your skills are graceful as it is and I saw your fighting improving everytime we fought together.”

“I didn’t realize that I was hurting you…” Teru tried his best to hold back his tears, sniffling at the process. “I’m sorry [Name], you can hate me all you want but please don’t leave me alone in this hellhole…”

“I wanted to be close like we were back then and I guess it won’t be happening…”

[Name] sees that Teru was looking down on the ground, contemplating on what he did in the past few years to hurt her. The truth is that [Name] was actually hurting him. She took his hand, wrapping with hers. “Despite the fact… that you surpass me… you actually stopped and waited for me to improve.”

“How could I not?” Teru laughed lightly, placing his hand on top of hers. “I can’t leave my dearest friend like that, you know?”

“Even though I was sometimes strict towards you, you were kind enough to hold the umbrella to protect me from the rain.” [Name] said, squeezing his hand softly with a gentle smile curling up from her lips for the first time. “And of course, I’ll continue to fight alongside you. I’m not leaving you that easily, Teru.”

“You know, you were better than me in other things.” Teru sheepishly rubs the back of his blonde hair. “I can’t do household chores and I can’t cook.”

[Name] chuckled. She finally had closure with Teru, had blurted out their feelings and now she was able to walk by his side because she wanted to. “Teru, promise me you’ll wait for me.”

Teru pulled out his pinkie finger. “I promise.”

Then they both linked their pinkies together, sealing their promise. [Name] started to feel funny in her stomach when Teru’s face started to get closer, somehow he radiated warmth. Before they did something, the door suddenly opened.

“I’m home, Teru-nii!” Kou announced with a big smile on his face with sparkles all over along with his little sister, Tiara coming in. [Name] and Teru scooted away from each other and whistled innocently. “Ah! Nee-chan is here too!”

“Kou-kun, long time no see.” [Name] walked over to ruffle his hair, then she bent down to the little sister. “Oh my, Tiara-chan is all grown up.”

Teru and Kou watched [Name] carry Tiara in their arms. “Nee-chan seems to be in a good mood, did something happen to her?” Kou whispered to his big brother.

But Teru can only smile as a reply.

a/n: even though i red the umbrella event story of sayo and hina many times it never failed me cry ;-;

[theoi-crow]

Hi I asked sag-dab-sar and they recommended me to you so uh here I go. Hi I’m new to magick and now work with/ have as patron deities Apollo, Aphrodite, Athena, Hera, and Zeus. I was wondering about some advice like what are some holidays I should celebrate or how should I communicate with them. Thanks ^_^

Hi!

For this Ask, I will be separating this into two parts: The first part will focus on "How to Communicate With The Gods" while the second part will be focusing on "Holidays For The Gods"

How to Communicate With The Gods:

Communicating with the gods is easy! You just have to say a god's name and start talking, they're listening. You can do this either out loud or in your head. Either way, the gods can hear you. But it can be hard for us to hear them in return, that's when we turn to Divination.

I wrote a couple of posts on different methods you can use to communicate with the gods which you can find HERE and HERE. There are plenty of other methods, these are just the few that came to mind. I also always recommend theoi.com for more information on the gods (this site is especially helpful with planning festivals and finding hymns).

Also @screeching-0wl has made these amazing Cheat Sheets that can help:

———————————————

Holidays For The Gods

There are also a lot of ancient holidays you can incorporate into your faith, should you wish it (there are people who chose not to celebrate them and that's okay, we're all different). Here's a link that talks a bit more about ancient holidays: (LINK)

Although they are not the only city-state in ancient Greece, the Athenian festivals are usually the ones recommended for followers who want to incorporate holidays into their practice. (This is due to the amount of surviving information coming from Athens which recorded a lot more history than it's ancient neighbors): (LINK) (LINK) (LINK)

There are websites dedicated to Hellenic Polytheist calendars converting the dates from their original ancient time period to our current modern time: (LINK) (LINK) (LINK) ((Warning: some of these groups have problematic views so please tread lightly)):

You can also make New UPG based personal Holidays:

UPG stands for Unverified Personal Gnosis and reflects more on your own experiences and history with the gods than their historic interpretations. An example of UPG is something the devotee has learned about the god that is unable to be verified by historical documents, for example a worshipper of Aphrodite claiming she loves chocolate despite it never existing in ancient Greece.

Some UPG-based Holidays can be: the anniversary of the day you started working with the gods, the day you met the gods, your birthday to honor the gods present when you were born, a life transforming day you often think about, or any special day that reminds you of the gods because of their corresponding seasons, special shadow cleansing days, etc.

You can also repurpose modern holidays since, (depending on your local form of government and work/school status) you possibly get the day off. This is especially great for holidays you don't like, for example, as a native American I DO NOT like Columbus Day so I have repurposed it to honor my ancestors instead.

A more detailed example of another holiday I have repurposed is Valentine's Day:

Valentine's Day is the only popular holiday that features a Greek/Roman god: Er*s/Cupid (I can't type his complete Greek name or else this post will be censored due to his Greek name being used to represent NSFW stuff on Tumblr). Sky and I have chosen to rename it "Love Day," a modern sacred day for Aphrodite and Er*s in honor of them helping us meet and get married despite it being illegal for gay couples to get married at the time.

If you prefer to celebrate a holiday you have created/repurposed, there are a few ways to go about this:

1. You can consult the god/gods whom you are celebrating in order to get guidance on what they might want for their special day.

2. If you can't reach the gods in time for the day you were hoping to celebrate, you can still celebrate it by doing whatever feels right for you. In my experience the gods seem to really like seeing how creative we can get when left to our own devices. (Please be sure not to do things that feel like a chore. This is a special day and should never feel like a chore, if it does, it's time to change it up).

3. Find what other Hellenic Polytheists do in order to be inspired or get more ideas. Especially the ones that honor the same gods that you do!

4. Use the Ancient Greek Format to see if it works for your personal festival. Here's more information on the format: (LINK)

The Ancient Format:

You are free to use this format and free to do it your own way. Like I said before, the gods also like how creative we can get so it all depends on what you are comfortable with.

1. Purification (Cleansing)

2. Special Clothes (depending on the festival/not all festivals did this)

3. Visit the Temple

4. Special Prayers

5. Sacrifice (Disclaimer: This just means giving the gods a special meal, no literal animal sacrifice required)

6. Feast (and music)

7. Festival games/contest with prizes (depending on the festival/not all festivals did this)

If you're choosing to use this format I'll use the upcoming Love Day festival as an example on how we're using the format and how to adjust it for days with low energy due to depression, anxiety, personal restrictions, etc.

The Modern Format:

1. Purification: Sky and I will clean the apartment both physically and spiritually the day before the big event. The day before is also when we iron our chosen outfits for the day and clean the altars. On the morning of, we take showers / wash our hands, feet and faces. (Using baby wipes/hand sanitizer/wet cloth/washing your hands also works if you are having a day where depression makes it impossible to shower. Also, cleaning and ironing are nice but if low energy makes this very hard, just doing what you can works too, the gods understand).

2. Special Clothes: These can be special clothes you only wear for festivals or the nicest clothes you own. You want to look your best to feel like it's a special day. (if depression makes this step impossible just wearing your favorite shirt/sweater/hat/scarf or any one piece of clothing/jewelry you like, is okay too!)

3. Visit the Temple: Sky and I will be visiting a museum that houses ancient statues of the gods but we know not everyone will have access to this so you can decorate your altar in a special way and that can be your temple visit or you can go to a special place the god loves like visiting the beach in honor of Poseidon or going on a hike in honor of Artemis, etc. (If you don't own or have access to an altar or having low energy makes it hard to go out/can't go out at all, visualize yourself visiting their temple. Be sure to look up pictures of their ancient temples to make it easier to imagine visiting in case it helps.)

4. Special Prayers: These prayers can be anything so long as you feel inspired by them. They can be your favorite passages from the Iliad, Odyssey or any ancient piece of literature that features the god you're honoring/or one that reminds you of them. This can also be your favorite hymn. You can even make them a poem or songs. You can also make up a new prayer on the spot. So long as you are able to feel a deep connection to the god/s with these prayers, they work.

5. A Sacrifice: (Disclaimer: not a literal animal sacrifice!) Give the gods a special meal. You can make them something special or buy them something from your favorite restaurant. Sky and I will go to Paris Baguette for the festival since both Aphrodite and Er*s like it! (UPG) For Love Day, we're also planning on getting them a special cake with candles to celebrate. If you don't have the financial means for this step that's okay! You can share your meal of the day with the gods instead: (LINK)

6. Feast! The moment when you eat with the gods. This is a special time for bonding and communing with the gods. As for the music, make a playlist that sets the mood of the festival for the whole day and play it. (If you live in an environment where you can't do this step, using headphones and vibing is also fine)

7. Festival Games: Sky and I both write fiction (we met online while writing for fictional characters) so we plan on writing different stories dedicated to Er*s and Aphrodite. If you wish it, you can skip this step since not every festival had it. You don't have to turn it into a contest but you can turn it into a moment for you to flex your creativity and make something nice for the gods like drawing a picture, embroidery, writing a hymn, poetry, song, polymer clay figure, practicing a speech, reciting Shakespeare, literally anything so long as it's in celebration of the gods you're honoring.

8. Thank the gods for joining you: Now is the time to wind down and talk to them about your favorite moment/s. You can close the festival by thanking the gods, especially the ones you're celebrating. You are free to write down what happened, how you felt, what the gods did, how you felt the gods, etc. You can also post it online or share it with other followers (you can always share it with me) but this is optional because some people prefer to keep festival moments personal and private, and that's okay too.

No matter how you're planning to celebrate the gods, they're going to enjoy watching you get creative with the process because they know you're doing all of this out of affection for them which is in itself very touching and heart warming.

I hope this helps!