#the consummate merchant

[quarterdollar]

HAPPY VOLO FRIDAY!!!! PLEASE ACCEPT SOME ENCOURAGEMENT FROM TOGEPI

[lucky-clover-gazette]

pla protagonist: well that’s another noble pokemon quelled! i sure hope no one is going to appear out of nowhere and talk to me about the plates of arceus

the consummate merchant volo:

[scvcnmore]

†Hidden Washington Event 18 Plot/Starter Call!†

¡Hola mi gente!

This is a quick starter call, with some info about what the clowns will be up to and some potential plots tossed in. Apologies in advance, this is my best attempt at 'keeping it simple'. There is currently no cap of requests per mun, and the cap on starters is something I'm flexible on if you really happen to want one form a specific loser lol If there happens to be something that isn't explicitly listed here, but you feel any of my muses would be able to fit for a plot you've got in mind for yours, by all means feel free to let me know! My DMs here and on discord are always open <3

Olivia Benson † She/Her † Law and Order: SVU † 35 † Unaware † 3/3:

Aware of a change to the city

As if the coming to terms with the fact that your entire life, as you remember it, may all be lie wasn't hard enough on its own, let's add sudden change in venue to the existential crisis. Ever the consummate professional, though, Liv has been quick to pivot and shift her focus to adapting to the current environment, making sure she's still more than capable of carrying out her duties, and doing her best to ensure that friends and family -both 'believed' to be true and those recently re-discovered- are and remain safe

Sheriff

Potential plots/connections: fellow lawmen, fellow folks aware of the sudden change, faux-life friends and family (I know that one's not really even specific, but it could be something interesting to play with in the new setting)

Eisa Rigel † She/Her † Star Wars(OC) † 34 † Unaware † 2/3:

Unaware of a change to the city

As far as Eisa is concerned, this is the Queendom that's been a part of her entire life. An orphan, she once used her 'abilities' to help out an ailing knight, and in return he took her in as a page and his personal squire. Her training held the added burden of also ensuring the same abilities that earned her a home, stayed secret from any other soul. The 'flip' on her personality now being the more emotionally detached one of her and her twin from being unaware has translated over

Knight

Potential plots/connections: fellow knights, a squire nearing their own knighthood, another force user or anyone with powers in general they share their secret with

Viktor Hargreeves † He/HIm † The Umbrella Academy † 30 † Unaware † 5/3:

Unaware of a change to the city

He's been able to remain just a lil guy, running a place where people come to have a good time, and still depending on borderline-toxic positivity to keep whatever curse he's been born with in check. If he can keep his own powers hidden, he can continue to use the tavern as a front, while providing a safe-haven for other powered individuals that might be seeking help

Tavern Keeper

Potential plots/connections: regular patrons of the tavern, merchants he has business with, powered people in his inner circle that help with the tavern's 'underground'

Helena Kyle † She/Her † Birds of Prey '02/DC Comics † 28 † Aware † 3/3:

Aware of a change to the city

Currently really wishing she could be ignorant to any other life, because knowing there's an alternative just peeves her off even more that she's stuck in this one right now. She's apparently inherited the title of Marquise after the passing of both parents, and while Hel's found it easier to just play the part during the day, at night she's taken to slipping past her small guard and taking back to the streets to play the outlaw. It's a bit harder to keep the ruse of prim and proper Marquise while not getting caught as the true face behind the masked face on a few wanted posters

Marquise/Secret Outlaw

Potential plots/connections: other nobility they'd know by virtue of station, friends -noble or not- that are a bit more aware of their actual disdain for their position, someone they'd have helped while behind the outlaw mask and then have to also interact with as Marquise while trying to keep their secret

Caden James † She/Her † Charmed '98(OC) † 27 † Aware † 3/3:

Aware of a change to the city

At this stage in the game, Caden has come to expect just about anything, but a real-life ren faire with equally real, era-appropriate consequences for being found out as having 'abilities' was not on her bingo-card. If she can manage to keep her powers under control just long enough to ride this one out, that's all she's aiming for

Brawler

Potential plots/connections: someone she has to convince not to out her as a 'witch', arch-rival from her turn as a brawler

Rotta Tiure † He/Him † Star Wars † 26 † Unaware † 3/3:

Aware of a change to the city

If he was already suspicious of the city before, this is definitely cementing his theory that there's far more to this place than meets the eye. His position as a cleric gives him ready access to the material he needs to keep notes on anything and everything that he deems of note, and also gives him a slight in to speak with people who might have more information

Cleric

Potential plots/connections: fellow peeps that are aware there was a change that they can bounce ideas off of or can attempt to talk him down from reaching full-blown 'conspiracy theorist' status, open to a change in memory status

Alice Hart † They/Them † Fear Street Franchise † 26 † Aware † 1/3:

Unaware of a change to the city

As far as they're aware, this is the version of D.C. they arrived to. They found themselves relying on the knowledge left behind by their old habits, and taking up a spot as an assistant at an apothecary shop. They've developed quite a knack for the compounding aspect of it all

Apothecary's assistant

Potential plots/connections: clients that come to her directly as opposed to the shop, people that she works with to help out those that can't afford the shop's services or any other kind of medical care

Vi Zaun † She/They † Arcane † 24 † Unaware † 2/3:

Unaware of a change to the city

I'm committing to the bit, and this one will continue to be clueless to anything even remotely out of the norm. This has been their entire life, growing up with their lovely sister, and now being on the cusp of their own knighthood

Squire

Potential plots/connections: a knight they serve as squire for, fellow unaware peeps that want a childhood idiot friend

Rachel Summers † She/They † X-Men/Marvel Comics † 23 † Unaware † 5/3:

Unaware of a change to the city

They've been living in the same Queendom since ever, as far as she's aware. Ray signed up to train for and join the Royal Guard at the first opportunity she had, feeling the training would help her keep a better handle on her powers, the position would be beneficial to keeping herself closer to and in-the-know of anything coming from on-high that will affect fellow 'cursed' folks, and hopes that in demonstrating a high-level of loyalty to the Crown and the royal family will help mitigate if she's outed, especially if she's using them to protect the Queendom

Royal Guardsman

Potential plots/connections: fellow royal guardsmen, if anyone wants an 'assigned' guard let me know, their mentor in the guard, 'childhood' friends

[makapatag]

Warang Bidong was no stranger to blood. The cool stream water rushing; the sanguine carried away by the cleansing foam. The bodies were to be eaten by the waters because that is their destiny. There was no destiny but consummation.

His hand on his naga-hilted kampilan tightened.

"May the rainbow bring you to glory," he whispered. Fifteen bodies of teenaged warriors, surrounding him, a halo. The final line of defense of Banwa Himagudu-on. The wounds he had sustained were memory. The sins lashing his heart burned bright.

"Are my sins eternal, learned one?" he had asked the makinaadmanon once, after seeing him in a distant mountain. The makinaadmanon, wreathed in nothing but cloud and illumination, shrugged.

"Nothing is eternal," replied the sage, a toothless grin.

"Will my guilt endure?" he asked again, because his conscience was heavier than the damascened blade he had been granted by that Merchant Prince of Sonyoh.

"It will be the heaviest thing you must carry," said the sage. "But carry it you must. Like how the cook must cook or how the spear must cut."

"And if I cannot take it anymore?"

"You have no choice," said the makinaadmanon, and their voice held the gravity of one thousand ancient forests. "You must take it. Find those who will heal you through it."

Warang Bidong of the Damascened Blade could shed no tears for the young lads. He had no choice. Far behind him, a voice (svelte, professional, hoarse with bloodshed): "Noble Warang Bidong, is this all that is left of Banwa Himagudu-on?"

Antulanga stood over one of the bodies.

Warang straightened. "You watch?"

"The Eyes of the Naga Harimau must… lest the realm fall into chaos." She examined one of the boys. Dead. "Clean work. Healer-like."

"Think you that I deem to betray the Ponong Raja?"

"With the decisiveness that clearly whets your blade I doubt it." Antulanga shrugged. "You've done your work, Kadungganan. The barge home is ready."

"I need no such help," said Warang. The water sloshed; he moved onto land.

"Growing doubts in your line of work, murderer?"

"What honor can there be in such a profession?" Warang continued walking, towards the village he had slaughtered. "I am the basest of the base."

"Nonsense," said Antulanga, dancing over water to tiptoe on a river stone. "To kill in your caliber takes centuries of work."

"Make not a fool of me, I beg of you. I kill at the behest of warlords and aristocracy. I dance a farce enough."

"That is all we truly are, ser knight."

Silence was his reply. Antulanga shouted out before he walked out of earshot: "The Dimantag watch your movements."

"I am loyal to Bishaya," he replied, without turning around. As is obvious.

"The puppeteers steer your shadow," Antulanga called.

"No other choice is mine." The blade continues to cut: Warang Bidong trekked past a slaughtered village before boarding the barge back to Kangdaya.

- From THE SONG OF THE THOUSAND STAR SKEWERING SPEARS, as chronicled by the warrior Antulanga of the Luminous Knife, descendant of the Astrologer Kinnatha of the Cloud Continent.

[the-martyrfication-of-the-matron]

So in Lycoris Radiata you’ve mention how all the divine warriors had religions dedicated to them so like ceremonies ? Sacrifices ? Or temples ? I mean we kind of witness one of the werewolf cubs being sacrificed to the destroyer. Also you’ve done a very excellent job so far on the details of the different religions.

Tysmm!!! I do try :)

TW/CW: more adult themes mentioned, cannibalism, orgies are referenced at the end, menstruation mention, purposeful burning of oneself or a loved one, fantasy racism, religion talk, specific references to Christianity, animal/human sacrifices, mass death.

if there's anything i missed, please let me know

Worship of individual divine has slowly dwindled over time, still present but not as prevalent. Most divine worship has The Matron as the head of the religion, and treats them as a pantheon as opposed to singular entities. If someone worships a divine, they typically worship The Matron most of all, with the other divine being situational worship. This doesn’t apply to everyone, there are those who worship specific divine, mostly travelling Merchants who worship The Wanderer or scholars that worship The Keeper. In the years prior to LR, it was especially hindered by the introduction of a very eager High Priest.

Worship of The Destroyer is not considered to be an aspect of Divine worship. He is separated from all celebration of the saints, by those who worship him and those who don’t.

they're in colour order because i did it by accident at first and just went 'Fuck it'.

I also didn't proofread after, so... if anything doesn't make sense, whoops.

The Admirer

The admirer is a lesser-worshipped divine, unless done in conjunction with his wife and lover, The Matron. He is often prayed to by star-crossed lovers, or those faced with unrequited affections, in hopes that his blessing would will the pair together. He's also a favourite of incels, due to a number of reasons. Gene's very fond.

His temples are often smaller, held in the gardens of the Matron’s own churches, and most often he is worshipped at hastily built shrines and the statues of him with his other half. His temples are usually white marble pavillions, decorated with red roses and candles.

The concept of worship of him varies from place to place, some areas believing that newlyweds should consummate their marriages upon his altars in order to ensure fertility, others believing that individuals must sacrifice to him their pain, to suffer for their love as he suffered for his own. A more common practice is the burning of a piece of paper with one's lover's (or attempted lover) name written on it, to send a message to the saints for what they desire.

Most newlyweds under the faith of the Matron will kneel upon small, sharp pebbles as their wedding is officiated, in an homage to the tales that The Matron and the Admirer eloped whilst kneeling in the ruins of Scaleswind in the midst of the War. The couple will often keep a bloodied stone and pass it along to their children, as a way for their descendants to boast the strength and longevity of their lineage. Those who keep multiple stones are thought of as overly ambitious, and is usually only done by those of noble or lordly lineage.

Much of his history as a warrior has been lost in favour of the ‘knight in shining armour’ stereotype as The Matron’s lover. Even the creation of the Jury is presented as a gift to The Matron, instead of what it truly was. Only one statue of him presented as a warrior remains in Brightport, beside a statue of The Protector, within the halls of their Guard Academy.

The Matron

The Matron’s worship is often done in churches and Cathedrals, very heavy handed with the comparisons to Christianity lmao. Her religion is the main religion, so all of her laws apply to everyone else, regardless of who they believe in, but most of all they apply under the roof of her churches. Crimes that are ignored elsewhere are punishable by death in the houses of the Matron. because she'd dramatic. Her largest cathedral is in O'Khasis, though many of her followers pilgrimage to the cathedral in Scaleswind, due to it containing the only statues of her that were carved during her life.

Her religion holds no sacrifices, for it is believed that you must sacrifice yourself to her, devote your entire being to her, and so on. Plus, animal/person worship is very... old god-worship coded for them so they avoid it. Or at least they do in larger churches and communities.

Ceremonies are pretty vague, they wanted worship of her to be very ‘accessible’ and so they tried to avoid anything specific, in case certain cultures were turned away from the religion due to it’s practices conflicting with tradition. Ceremonies worship the coming of spring, with bright colours and loud music, the first birth of the season with a community-wide festival and the ‘blessing’ of the newborn with a name ‘chosen by the Matron’. Major life events are worshipped with some kind of song and dance, and decorative garb, but death is strictly avoided. There are private blessings, that’s all. There is nothing to worship in death to them, though back in the ye old days, death was celebrated by her worshippers most of all.

One celebration that is kept by smaller communities but not by larger ones, due to how 'distasteful' it is, is celebrating a period. It's a remnant from older times, and whilst larger communities that worship the Matron looks upon periods as disturbing or a sign of an empty womb, in smaller communities it is viewed as a sign of health. Malnutrition can shorten or even entirely remove the presence of a period, so in communities where food is in short supply, for someone to be so well fed is a blessing. An individual's first period is often given a little ceremony, and a sacrifice is made to 'reunite the blood of the person with the blood of The Mother'. Maybe a little weird, but fuck you, religion is funky as fuck (/aff)

The Protector

The Protector is one of the most worshipped Divine, as he is the patron of the Guards (formerly joined by The Admirer). Statues of him are erected in most cities, and his symbol is worn by most guards and lords as a means of protection.

He has temples in most major cities, though they are less common in communities without heaps of expendable wealth, and they are often kept near rivers, lakes and oceans, due to multiple of his stories relating back to water one way or another.

As for sacrifices to him, they are most often items of protective value. Swords are thrown into the middle of lakes, armour tossed into oceans, shields left to drift down the lake, in hopes that each item would sink down to him, and show to him how little each item meant in comparison to the protection he could offer.

In some smaller communities, guards will smear blood over his altars after they successfully fended off bandits or raiders. Whether it is their own or that of the attacker, it depends. All bloodshed is thought to be a sacrifice for the Protector, if shed in the attempt to save oneself or another.

Obviously some ceremonies under the following of the protector involves coming of age (or, becoming old enough to be entrusted with the defence of your house), becoming a guard, and even your first scar. Scars are celebrated by those who worship the Protector, as it is thought that he himself weaves the scabs and scars over your injuries to keep you safe. That said, if you accidentally tear open a scar, or reagitate an injury, it's seen as a punishment from him for not being grateful enough for what help he had given.

Most of The Protector's ceremonies and celebrations are very low-key. He's not a particularly flashy guy (though his descendants very much are). Most of it includes submerging in water, or having running water spread over one's face/hands/injury. His followers also often wed whilst standing in shallow rivers and streams, so that he may be as much of their wedding as they are, and for this reason weddings also don't tend to be particularly fancy. Nothing worse than getting a super expensive dress all soggy.

The Keeper

The smart-man's saint, he who the scholars swear to when another does not quite grasp a subject quite as well as they should.

All libraries, places of study, academies or archives are his domain, and so it is only fitting that his temples are lined floor-to-ceiling with books and scrolls, and knowledge. The biggest one is far north, in the stretch between Ru'Aun and Yggdrasil, the field of the gods. It's a long-since abandoned area, but the temple stands proud and tall, a tower filled with every shred of knowledge from that time and all times before it. Scholars set out with the intent of finding it, and return broken men or not at all. The Field of the Gods was abandoned for a reason, after all.

keeping everything to Ru'aun, there's not much to say for Ru'auni Keeper ceremonies. There are obviously those which appoint scholars to their towers, but worship of the keeper is generalised to those places which can afford to care about knowledge. Smaller communities worship him little, knowing survival is more important than smarts, and so the only practices for him are the 'savoury' ones that the Church of The Matron support.

Anyone who claims to be truly devoted to him think of him less as a god to worship, and more of a model to follow. They ensure they say nothing but the truth, unless it is in the name of gaining knowledge, and they protect books and information with their very souls. That said, as many of these scholars are under the employ of the church, they will burn whichever books that Zane desires. The will of the Matron overpowers that of the Keeper.

The Wanderer

He is surprisingly well-followed. He is the patron of Travellers and Merchants, of orphans and the homeless. Anyone who finds themselves between places, or travelling for any period of time, they will have some form of worship for him.

He has no temples, temples are too permanent, but travellers will often erect small shrines for him along popular paths and cross-roads, so that, if in need of guidance, one of his followers may find him. Many will carve his symbols into trees to guide the way out of forests, or scribble his symbol onto their maps so that he may never let them get lost. Boats will have it painted on their masts, so that the wind may carry them where they are intended to go. Everywhere is a temple of the Wanderer, as long as it leads to someplace else.

Following the Wanderer is very much a... personal practice. Whatever gets you forward. And that's all he teaches, going forward, getting from a to b, and continuing on from there. Of course, there are generalised practices, but no set-in-stone ceremonies. Some sailors may consider drinking big and making a fool out of themselves to truly savour the success of a trip to be a ceremony to bless him, others may think that travelling in itself is all the ceremony he needs.

The most common practice is dedicating meals to him, when that meal is consumed in the midsts of a travel, or to continue one on forwards. The meal sustains their adventure, as their faith in him does, after all. However, some will go to uncomfortable lengths to ensure there is a meal to dedicate, fearing that their travels may end soon without his interference, one way or another.

The Fury

The Fury, whilst widely worshipped in Tu'La, is a saint with little following in Ru'Aun. The church of The Matron does not support the direct worship of her, due to O'Khasis' long and complicated history of beef with Tu'La, but there are those that worship her anyways.

Immigrants and refugees from Tu'La make up the bulk of her worshippers, and as thus most of her practices are Tu'Lan ones. There are no temples for her, but the statues of her with the other Divine, and the shrines that her few followers are able to put together. There are also some werewolf communities that follow her, due to many Meif'wa refugees being forced out of human cities out of fear that they're just like the werewolves, so they join their fellow misunderstood animal-esque brethren.

Those born into the faith often have to walk over hot coals/sand/etc until there is a visible burn on the soles of their feet, so that they might always be one with her, when they come of age (usually mid-to-late 20s, in Tu'Lan culture, though those in Ru'Auni communities usually bring this to about late teens/early 20s instead.). Those who convert into it often have it done during their conversion, though many like to differentiate between the born-into and the converted, so the burns are put on their hands instead.

There are many ceremonies lost due to it being a religion that relies on the word-of-mouth of refugees that aren't given many opportunities to learn Ru'Auni before they go to the continent, but those that remain are often fire-filled and beautiful. Tattoos are given to show the life events of an individual, scars are burned into their skin for their every holy deed, so they might show off to others just how much they do for their god.

They consider themselves merciful, though others don't. One of their ceremonies is a 'blessing' ceremony, where they tie all of their enemies and prisoners to an unlit pyre, and have their own most devoted soldier be set aflame and walk into it. They believe that she blesses people for a more holy realm after they pass through her flames. Obviously others just go 'ah shit gonna get burnd'

The Destroyer

The Destroyer, Judgement, The Ancient. He has as many names as he does different followers. His worshippers follow most closely to the worship of the old gods out of any Divine (Menphia is a close second), and whilst there may not be many compared to the Matron's followers, they are varied.

All of his temples in the overworld are long-since destroyed, every statue of him defaced or removed entirely from where they once stood. To the people, he never existed, but as a boogeyman to scare children with, but those with any semblance of power, or who live outside of the protective walls of the major cities and towns, know that he is present. always. The few temples he has are old churches of the Matron's, which were either abandoned or taken, and repurposed into a domain for the Destroyer. They hold no idols of him, but they do have an altar. Even if they need to make the altars out of broken tables, or the corpses of those they killed, there *will* be an altar.

Any death to brace Judgement's altars is a good one, whether it be of one of his own followers, a rabbit hunted for food, or even the corpse of something long-dead. Humans, especially those of power, are preferable however. considering, y'know. ommy nommy. They give him these deaths not to ask anything of him, but to give to him more power, so that he might rise again and become their one and true king. That is all they want, all they desire.

They hold celebrations for new births, for coming of age, for first kills and first scars. They worship death beyond what any other religion might, and they view the hunt as the natural intersection between life and death. How they celebrate varies, but it is always at night, to emulate the Abyss that their god is trapped within. They can be as small as gifting jewellery, or as big as huge cannibal-feast orgies. I would love to go into this religion more bc it's my most developed but this is a long ass post as is, i'm keeping this as short as i can lmao. i have other posts on stuff too so...

[hiddenfolk]

Its my son (mr capitalism)

Bio under read more

Lazuli Decarabia • Rank 7

Bloodline ability: Chandelier

The Decarabia family has the ability to create crystals. Since these crystals are made up of pure magic, they double as an incredibly effective mana source. While they have the ability to create larger crystal structures, Decarabias are mainly trained to concentrate their magic into creating high quality magic stones.

While they typically have middling to low mana pools, they take full advantage of their ability to stockpile magic in advance to perform complex spells.

Backstory:

The Decarabias are a merchant family who have built their fortune off their ability to create magic stones. Over the centuries they have become well respected in noble circles, earning a place in high society. A ruthlessly business-minded family, they've structured their entire family around it- every family member is raised with an express role to fulfil, and as soon as they can produce high quality enough crystals, they are expected to. The family is also rather hierarchical- while everyone is expected to contribute to the larger family business, individual family members are expected to pursue their own business ventures outside of it. Respect is earned through success, and family members who fail to profit may be financially cut off.

The Decarabias are also famed for their information network. They breed a rare kind of bird familiar that they use as messenger birds, able to transmit information faster than anyone else (before the advent of modern tech that is). They tend to do their familiar summoning ceremony privately and most Decarabias summon birds.

Bio:

Lazuli is the fourth of five siblings. In the hyper-competitive enviroment he was raised in, he never really found a niche, and ended up falling behind. Perhaps that influenced his decision to go into teaching rather than remain in business?

Lazuli teaches Economics, and is also the school's Careers Advisor. Since he mainly works with seniors, he mainly stays in the fifth and sixth year buildings, so juniors may not see him around too often.

Personality:

Lazuli is a consummate professional. Unflappably polite, incredibly competent and always on top of everything he needs to do. There is never a flaw in his work, a hair out of place or a crack in his armour.

Here's the thing though: that's not just what he's like when he's working. He is always like this. Lazuli lives his life according to some rather rigid standards and lives up to them flawlessly. That isn't to say he's humourless, he'll definitely join in if invited to do something, but he doesn't ever 'cut loose.' He maintains pretty much the same personality no matter what.

Lazuli also tends to take what people say completely seriously. Not in the sense that he automatically believes everything people tell him, but he will very sincerely think through what they're saying and respond accordingly.

Despite what you'd expect, Lazuli is very close to his family (or at the very least his siblings.) He takes pride in his family and will often define himself in relation to them or the family rules. ("As a Decarabia..."). Surprisingly, he's not insecure about being labeled a 'failure', according to his family's standards. He carries himself with an unshakable dignity; since he takes pride in who and what he is, his composure will not shatter from others trying to bring him down.

Trivia:

•It's a family tradition to completely drain all your magic into crystals before sleeping. This brutal regimen ends up increasing their overall mp.

•The colour of their crystals actually corresponds to their main elemental affinity! Lazuli's is water.

•He joined Babyls at the same time as Aion, and the two are incredibly (platonically) close. They tend to nap together a lot.

•Speaking of sleeping arrangements: Lazuli's bed is more like a burrow. It is covered in blankets and covers, so many that he cannot be seen once he's in there. This is less comfortable than it sounds, because Lazuli is hoarding a lot of crystals under there.

•His eyes display asterism.

Likes:

•Money (he will tell you this 100% sincerely. 0 irony.)

[saddest-coal-boy-in-westeros]

S2 MUSINGS

IRONRATH

gwyn could die in an incident that occurs because of the two houses’ rivalry/a misunderstanding?

soldiers tried to capture her and bring her back to highpoint?

she and asher (if he’s alive lol) could also reignite their romance, which would lead to more conflict between the two houses

or the whitehills essentially winning by the end of the game could sour asher on any whitehill, period, regardless of how he used to feel about gwyn

house forrester’s collapse might be especially hard on talia

arthur glenmore’s flaying and death in season 1 really seemed to be a turning point in her development

season 2 might’ve seen her become more cynical and ruthless, echoing her mother’s desire to not repeat the fall of her house at all costs

if the traitor wasn’t killed, he might bear the responsibility of kindling her compassion and sensitivity or encouraging her to become more jaded and nihilistic

talia refuses to sing anymore after season 1

might find it childish because “life is not a song” (bitter) or she just can’t think of any songs worth singing/writing (depressive)

(i’d hope that throughout s2 she finds a reason to hope and persevere and regain some of her past innocence. maybe by the midpoint or by the ending, she’s inspired to write and/or sing again)

NORTH GROVE

if gared brought his north grove army over the wall = big culture clash

two unsocialized bastards living in the wilds beyond the wall and an army of possessed wildlings, all being led by a deserter of the night’s watch? that would not go over well

if gared did reunite with the forresters, then the family could possibly use blood magic, which could cause a big moral dilemma

KING’S LANDING

mira would have to navigate her way through being the prisoner of morgryn using her political savvy 

would be especially difficult since she’d be imprisoned in his stronghold

she might be struggling with guilt for letting tom die in her place

lots of stealth and secrecy

maybe she’d write letters to her family and try to send them in secret

every action would be under scrutiny if the servants were instructed to keep a watchful eye on her/keep her confined

mira might find a way to turn some of morgryn’s household to her side—maybe by being kind to them, as that’s what sparked the possibility of mira and tom’s alliance

on a darker subject, mira might also have to try to thwart morgryn’s attempts to get her with child

maybe her s2 story could even start with her wedding to morgryn; the first obstacle would be avoiding the consummation of the bedding ceremony

maybe she could manipulate morgryn into letting her stay a maiden, at least for a time; she’s got a time limit!

if she’s on good terms with sera (who married lord tarwick), she could even write a letter to her asking for help

maybe the tarwick retinue could visit morgryn’s holdfast; sera and her could reunite

mira could even possibly go to copperfall (the tarwick holdfast) once she’s escaped morgryn

the tarwicks might be in a position to help house forrester overall

mira could sway morgryn’s political allies (who he bought off) into allying instead with house forrester

she could appeal to westerosi conceptions of honor and chivalry; could reveal that she, a highborn maiden, was forcibly married to and imprisoned by an upjumped merchant lord

some of morgryn’s contacts might be swayed to help her instead (maybe for honor’s sake, or because it proves morgryn is a bad investment)

[cbairdash]

Author’s note: Hoist the Colors may eventually inspire fiction. Most likely will and I’ll gladly write it. But right now, it’s a role-playing game setting with what I hope is an interesting take and look at an “Alternate History” of Earth. It isn’t really “steampunk”, though I can see how someone would get that impression. For me, it’s more a “flintlock fantasy” set on Earth of 1722 in all it’s historical mess… that I’ve stirred up even more!

So, with that said, lets get into another Creature Feature! A type of wraith called a Sand Wraith!

Sand Wraith

Never bargain with a sand wraith. If you play their game, you’re betting with your life…

Lysander Riverwind, Navigator and cartographer for the Royal Institute of Otherworld Studies

The sinister sand wraith is another type of wraith that plagues the world. Sand wraiths are an uncommon undead, encountered far less than their soot or salt kin. Of all the wraiths, these are far more insidious, intelligent, and diabolical than their brutal cousins. A quality that has attracted more than one Engineer or Wavebinder to track down a sand wraith just to strike a deadly deal.

Sand wraiths are born from tortured souls that died in arid places like desolate islands or the deep deserts of the world. On the brink of death, the merciless sand claims those poor, unfortunate souls. Swallowed whole, the victims are mummified and molded with corrupted earth. After a full day and night, they rise a scheming creature of rage and unliving sand. No one knows why this happens, only that it does and the shifting sands refuse to say anything on the matter.

Death Dealers

They’re motivated by revenge and even pain, but aren’t controlled by either. Instead, sand wraiths follow a different path. Methodical, consummate planners, sand wraiths avoid the violent, often unpredictable, outbursts of their deadly cousins. Not that sand wraiths aren’t bound to their vengeance like any other wraith. In fact, they are.

This type of wraith follows close to the saying that revenge is a dish best served cold, or in their case, it would be ‘cold and dry’. Sand wraiths are patient predators, willing to make any bargain that helps them reach their goals. Bargains that are often more deadly for anyone other than the wraith.

Even though they are solitary spirits of revenge, their lairs are often in or near towns. They use their natural instincts for planning and scheming to their advantage, posing as local merchants or advisers. They go to great lengths to conceal themselves, using their aura and disguise, they wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that is shades of earth tones. Nothing that would stand out too quickly in a person’s memory. In addition, sand wraiths often build alliances through bargains, building up a protective ‘disguise’ of living associates that helps hide the wraith’s true nature.

For the rest about wraiths in Hoist the Colors, see the link above!

Taglist: @thelaughingstag

[asssueeue8e]

My (au) story, in addition to the original characters, is also present from danganronpa, another from the first and second parts and Project: Eden's Garden. And it turns out only 102 characters. More precisely, the students.

But the main action takes place near the student council.

The Student Council organizes events and contests.

President of the Council: Cody Burns.

Vic President of the Council : Kiyotaka Ishimaru.

Treasurer : Byakuga Togama

Secretary: Kirumi Tojo.

Student Council Members :

77 - b

Chiaki Nanami. Class Leader (Unsurpassed Gamer)

Cody Burns (The Consummate Spy and Virologist)

Ibuka Mioda (Unsurpassed musician)

Sonya Nevermaid (The Unsurpassed Princess)

Gundam Tanaka (Unsurpassed Animal Breeder)

78 - a

Makota Naegi Class Leader (Unsurpassed Happy)

Keka Kirigiri (The Consummate Detective)

Sakura Ogami (Unsurpassed Martial Artist)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru (Unsurpassed Duty Officer)

Mukura Ikusaba (The Consummate Soldier)

Byakuga Togami (The Unsurpassed Heir)

78-d

Kaeda Akatsumi. The Head Of The Class.

(The Consummate Pianist)

Shuichi Saihara (The Consummate Detective)

Kirumi Toje (The Consummate Maid)

Gonta Gokuhara (Unsurpassed Entomologist)

Maki Harukawa (Unsurpassed Contract Killer)

Exchange students.

(Project: Eden's Garden)

Kara Koskinen . The head of The Class (An Unsurpassed teacher's Assistant. )

Damon Maitsu (The Consummate Debater)

Eva Tsunaki (The Consummate Liar)

Grace Maddison (The Consummate Golfer)

Wolfgang Akire (The Consummate Lawyer)

Toshiko Kayura (The Consummate Matchmaker)

78 - b

Utsura Maeda (The Unsurpassed Lucky One, The Unsurpassed Big Brother)

Akana Tyner (The Consummate Maid)

Tsurugi Kinjo (Unsurpassed Police Officer)

Rei Mekaru (Unsurpassed Professor)

Teruya Otori (Unsurpassed Merchant)

79- a

Sora Tyner Class Leader (Unsurpassed Emptiness,

The Consummate Younger Sister )

Iroha Nijue (Unsurpassed Artist)

Shobai Hasmioto (Unsurpassed Broker)

Yuki Maedo (The Unsurpassed Lucky One, The Unsurpassed Younger Brother)

Yoruka Kabuya (Unsurpassed Officer)

Hibiko Otonokoz (Unsurpassed Vocalist)

Changes

I changed the talent of some characters.

Junka is now just an unsurpassed Fashionista. Without analytical skills and desperation.

Also now Ruruka, Seiko, Sonsiki are studying

at 79. And Natsumi studied at 78-b as an Unsurpassed Manipulator. Miratai is now studying at 78-D. This was done so that there would be seventeen students in each class.

Age

77 - b. 22 years old.

78 a, d,b . 20 years.

79 a. 18 years old.

My au is divided into two universes.

Despair is where all the student becomes fragments of despair. And the Bots and the Pry Team are trying to stop them.

And the second student of the academy comes to the island from the tragedy .

[crimsonlyinglilly]

Expectations and adaptations

More from Princess Viserra's line, the Mikaelsons in Westeros AU but before the appearance of any of our mikaelsons.

Theomore adapt to his new wife as nothing goes as he expect it and Viserra finds a freedom in being Lady Manderly.

Warning for underage and age gap, arranged marriage andmedieval expectation of marriage consummation ect.

---

They married as soon as the Maesters declared the princess well enough, even as he, Prince Baelor and the Queen had tried to argue to wait, at least until the bruises from her fall healed but the king in his rage had refused.

If Princess Viserra thought her near death would soften her father to her, she was wrong, however at the news the girl had simply lifted her head and smiled and said that purple always suited her.

He couldn’t help but pity the girl, his new wife, it was clear she was being punished for her elder sister’s actions by her father and due to her mother’s fear, Theomore may have been a good match decades ago but now he was far short of what a Targaryen princess deserved.

Too old and past his prime with many heirs already securing his succession and having already started to pass over his powers to his son so he could spend more of his last years with his grandchildren.

Theomore had agreed to it for Alysanne sake, it was clear losing daughter after daughter had fractured the once strong queen.

While he was lucky not to have lost a daughter to the birthing bed, he knew the loss, a sister, a niece and two of his previous wives had been lost that way, so this marriage was simply to spare his friend another loss, a companion in his last years with a smart girl until she came into herself.

The marriage was never meant to bear fruit, for all his house may have wanted to brag about adding Valyrian blood to the family. Perhaps after the queen and his own death, he had thought then his widow could wed a nephew or grandson, closer in age and let his house have the Valyrian blood, once the girl had lived more than a mere fifteen years.

 He had White Harbour's wealth and reach across to Essos, enough to distract the young woman from what she lost, once she adapted to the cold. 

The fact many in the north would flock to see the blood of Old Valyria should be a balm to her vanity.

He meant it when he had promised Alysanne he would treasure her, spoil her, the way he did his daughters, nieces and granddaughters.

A wise man knew there was a line between overindulging children and crushing them under demands, something he had learnt before he had his own, watching his sisters’ frustrations

 but it seemed in this as time went on the king had lost that wisdom.

He bedded her on the wedding night to settle the marriage but had been expecting the girl to avoid him following it; he had made sure her separate cabin had all the comforts for their journey home.

He hadn't expected the girl to arrive at his cabin the next night and demand it.

—

“I'm your wife, you're my husband, I'm not a whore. You're the only one I can take pleasure from. I'm not Saera.” she had told him, her eyes clear as she spoke of her duty even as she spat her sister’s name.

If he was a stronger man he would have refused, sent her away but he wasn’t.

—

He tried to find other ways to distract her instead during the day, Alysanne had described her daughter as intelligent in the same breath as vain and her charm was well known throughout the seven kingdoms even at her age.

He convinced his grandchildren to reach out to her, since the king had sent all her companions away after the accident, an so Theomore had already started a list of young ladies from the north that would be honoured to stay at white harbour, he would give her a court of her own if she wished for it.

He hadn’t expected her interest in learning how to sail, nor she sudden questions on how House Manderly managed their holding and merchant interest.

It seemed Queen Alysanne had in fact been underselling the girl's intelligence, her curiosity turned into a thirst for knowledge quickly.

They took their time returning to White harbour, taking a detour to several of the free cities , each time he’s a little less surprised at her return to the ship.

In Lys, his grandson had needed to hold the princess back from attacking the messenger, summoning her to see her sister. They left Lys that night and he listened to her rage until she had thrown herself onto the bed.

She didn’t cry but he knew by the way she blinked she wanted to, Theomore knew enough of the royal couple that Princess Saera’s fleeing had hurt them both but he wondered what it was like for her to lose the sister closest in age, watch her parents care and then suffer for her sins.

—-

By the time they reach White Harbour, Viserra has already missed her first moon's blood, despite Theomore’s best attempts.

She’s pleased by it seems and Theomore hates that he doesn’t know her enough to be able to tell if it’s true or hiding fear. He knew his other wives well enough but Viserra grew up in court surrounded by vipers, Theomore doubts he’d ever develop a mask as well as her even if he lived twice as long. 

Her grandmother, Alyssa Velaryon, her sisters; the Princesses Alyssa and Daella, the princess had enough reasons to fear and yet the girl seemed delighted at the idea of a child of her own.

Her little northern dragon, safe to grow free from the court and its eyes.

Still Theomore had wedded her on the idea that this would not be a danger for a few years to come.

He’s not surprised to be woken at news of Silverwing’s arrival, or to arrive at his own great hall to see a blank polite smile on Queen Alysanne’s face.

He knows Viserra sees the threat it is, but then again while she was the good queen to the rest of the seven kingdoms, to Viserra she was the mother that arranged the match to send her away.

So Viserra greets her mother loudly, but her arm linked with his and she made no move closer to the queen.

For the first time in their marriage Theomore truly realised that his wife was a dragon, he was a truly unfortunate realisation as he found himself between a pair of them.

—

All her life Viserra had been told was the blood of the dragon, a Princess of the blood, the image of a goddess of valyria, she was fire and blood.

All manner of childish tales, only to have them shattered as she learnt the only place a woman had was brood mare even blood of old valyria could change what laid between her legs.

But she was no longer a child, she was Lady Manderly now, she had grown fond of her old man and comfortable with the freedom that he granted her.

Her smile was as cold as her new home as she met her mothers’.

[quarterdollar]

volo: don’t you want it all rebuilt? all your suffering and wrong decisions and bad luck, gone in an instant?

nemona (normal person): hey man hows it going

[lucky-clover-gazette]

(for the request thing) sometimes i wonder how Volo would feel/react if someone (like arceus’s chosen 👀) took a blow for him from a wild Pokemon or another person. From his perspective, Volo doesn’t have anyone in Hisui that cares about his wellbeing, and the game alludes to him having a troubled and lonely past, and with him having planned on erasing all life in Hisui in pursuit of his desires, would he feel guilt if someone showed him a level of care that would make them sacrifice their safety for his, when he was ready to potentially sacrifice them for his own sake when it came to Arceus?

(also wanna say ive loved your fics on Ao3, so talented <3)

(also on ao3)

You really prefer not to die in front of other people.

The edges of your vision darken as you shove Volo aside, taking the full force of the Alpha Vespiqueen’s attack. You manage the subdue your attacker with a well-aimed sticky glob and ultra ball, but not before suffering an undoubtedly fatal blow.

The consummate merchant comes to you at once, leaning over your fallen body with an oddly indecipherable expression. Usually Volo is abundantly obvious with his feelings, whether he’s passionately rambling about ruins or earnestly praising your efforts as the hero of Hisui. But the man you see now, as your vision begins to blur, simply stares.

“Caught it,” you brag.

His grey eyes widen slightly. You haven’t shared this with him, but you’ve always found them rather beautiful.

“You shouldn’t have…”

“Saved you?” you ask with a dry chuckle. “That’s why I’m here, remember?”

Volo furrows his brow. Reaches out to touch you, then pulls his hand back.

“I sincerely apologize,” he tells you, bowing his head. “If you are to perish in these circumstances, you deserve to know—”

You die and can’t hear the rest.

And then you open your eyes.

You stand on your feet now, in the last place you felt safe before the Pokémon’s attack. Volo still kneels in the distance, seemingly unaware that your body has been replaced by a fallen satchel containing your entire supply of ultraballs, a fire stone, and exactly four medicinal leeks.

You frown. This is going to be awkward.

“Hey, buddy,” you say, coming up carefully behind him. Volo’s back goes rigid at the sound of your voice, his head turning around at once.

“You—you!!”

You rub the back of your neck, sheepish. “Surprise?”

“You died!” Volo exclaims with an accusatory finger-point. “I just saw—” His head swivels to the satchel on the ground, then he turns back to you. “How?”

You sigh and sit down beside him. “Chosen One perk. I die, Arceus says my work isn’t finished yet, I get another shot. It happened for the first time when I fought Lord Kleavor. I had no idea what I was doing, and it took like a dozen tries before I got good.”

Volo looks horrified. “You’ve died a dozen times?”

“Of course not!”

“Then why—”

“My death count’s definitely in the triple digits now. Lord Arcanine was ten times worse than Kleavor, because of all the fire and bullshit arena. At least Lady Liligant was a total pushover.”

“Did it not hurt?” demands Volo, his face growing noticeably pale.

“Oh, it totally hurt,” you admit. “But somebody’s got to deal with it, and I’m the only one around here who’s been made invulnerable by God.”

Volo looks as if he’s been slapped. You suppose that’s fair, considering the shock of witnessing your death and resurrection. But to you, this really is just another Tuesday.

“I know it’s disturbing,” you sigh, putting a hand on his shoulder. His muscles are tense. “That’s why I try my best to make sure people aren’t around to see it. Just easier that way, you know?”

Volo wears another unreadable expression.

“Sucks to lose a satchel, though,” you say, lightly. “Thanks for keeping an eye on it. Without witnesses, I usually lose some of my stuff. Never the plates, though, don’t worry.”

He still looks lost in his thoughts, which is no good. You don’t know how to explain that this happens all the time, for much less important reasons than protecting your favorite person on Hisui. The pain is a small price to pay for his safety, and you’d readily pay it again.

“I thought you died,” Volo eventually says. “Saving my life.”

You elbow him playfully. “I guess Arceus is looking out for you too.”

His expression darkens. “No.”

“No?”

He looks you dead in the eyes, with a different sort of intensity than you’ve come to expect from the eccentric wanderer. “Under an unjust god, endless life is endless pain. Do you truly wish that for yourself? For the world?”

Distantly, you wonder what exactly Volo had thought you deserved to know before your presumed demise. You have a feeling he’s not going to tell you now.

You offer him a hand. “Well, unless you’ve got a better god laying around somewhere, I think we’re stuck with what we’ve got.” And I like what I’ve got, you absolutely do not tell the merchant. I like that I’m here with you.

Volo still seems distracted, but he takes your hand anyway. “Right,” he mutters, and then smiles. “We live to fight another day.”

You rub your thumb against the side of his hand. “And maybe someday, we won’t have to fight. We’ll have everything we need.”

You can picture it, with him. You wonder, maybe foolishly, if he might feel the same way.

Supporting you is actually an investment in my own fortunes, Volo had told you once.

You would protect him regardless of your personal relationship, of course. Just as you protect the rest of this world. You want things to be better, for everyone, and intend to use your god-given powers to ensure that your dream becomes reality.

Volo nods, his sharp gaze fixed on your joined hands. A chill runs down your spine as he squeezes.

��Yes,” he agrees. “Someday.”

You smile softly.

“I think I can live with that.”

[paperanddice]

Rubezahls are demons that take the form of a black furred stag that walks on its hind legs. It's legs shift to those of a shaggy goat, and its arms end in clawed hands, but most dangerous are the immense, curved horns that grace its head. These demons are drawn to high mountains, where they enjoy using their magic to disguise themselves as travelling monks, lost merchants, or other innocent and vulnerable victims to draw in victims.

Rubezahls are consummate liars and tricksters, and also have control of lightning, calling down bolts from the sky onto their prey. One of the other nicknames for them is counting demons, coming from their compulsion to count objects. A rubezahl can be distracted for precious moments as it must count a handful of coins, a quiver of arrows, or a pile of rocks. Unfortunately, it is only for a moment, as rubezahls are extremely fast counters and can track even a giant pile of gravel in mere moments, after which they will vent their rage for their compulsion being exploited on the one who did so.

Inspired by the Tome of Beasts 1. This post came out a week ago on my Patreon. If you want to get access to all my monster conversions early, as well as access to my premade adventures and other material I’m working on, consider backing me there!

Pathfinder 2e

Rubezahl (Mountain Demon) Creature 10 Uncommon, Medium, Demon, Fiend Perception +19; darkvision, see invisibility Languages Abyssal, Common, telepathy 100 feet Skills Athletics +21, Deception +24, Intimidation +20, Survival +17 Str +5, Dex +2, Con +2, Int +0, Wis +1, Cha +4 AC 28; Fort +18, Ref +18, Will +17; +1 status to all saves vs. magic HP 220; Resistances electricity 10; Weaknesses cold iron 10, holy 10 Attack of Opportunity [reaction] Counting Vulnerability If a creature within 30 feet of the rubezahl uses an action to point out an ordered group of objects to the rubezahl, the demon is compelled to count the entire group. The demon must use an action on its next turn to count the objects, and can't use reactions until it finishes counting. If it is somehow prevented from counting the objects, it takes 8d6 mental damage. The rubezahl can't be compelled to count the same objects again. Speed 45 feet Melee claw +21 (agile, magical, unholy), Damage 2d6+10 slashing Melee horn +21 (magical, unholy), Damage 2d12+12 piercing plus Knockdown Divine Innate Spells DC 28, attack +20 ; 5th belittling boast, lightning bolt, translocate; 4th blistering invective, honeyed words (at will), translocate; 3rd illusory disguise (at will); 1st gust of wind; cantrips (5th) daze Constant see invisibility Divine Rituals DC 28; demonic pact Deceptive Strike [1 action] Frequency once per round; Effect The rubezahl feints and makes a single claw Strike, in either order. Sneak Attack The rubezahl's Strikes deal an additional 2d6 precision damage to off guard creatures. Thunderstrike [2 actions] (divine, electricity) The rubezahl calls down a bolt of lightning in a 20-foot burst within 150 feet of it, dealing 8d8 lightning damage (DC basic Reflex 28 save). On a critical failure, the creature is also stunned 1. The rubezahl can't use Thunderstrike again for 1d4 rounds.

13th Age

Rubezahl  6th level troop [demon]  Initiative: +10 Bucking Horns +11 vs. AC - 15 damage and the target pops free from the rubezahl. Charge: This attack instead deals 28 damage on a hit if the rubezahl first moves before attacking an enemy it was not engaged with at the start of its turn. C: Thunderstrike +11 vs. PD (1d3 nearby enemies in a group) - 12 lightning damage. Natural 18+: The target is also stunned until the end of the rubezahl’s next turn. Limited Use: 1/battle, when the escalation die is even. AC 22 PD 20 MD 17 HP 82

[writernopal]

7 Snippets 7 People

Tagged by @talesofsorrowandofruin and @mariahwritesstuff, thank you both! See their posts here and here, respectively.

Tagging (gently): @captain-kraken @tabswrites @sarahlizziewrites @outpost51 @dragonedged-if @thewardenofwinter @thelivingdeceased and anyone else who'd like to do this!

One (Axtapor's POV)

Perhaps many would be intimidated by the sight of Lord Rojundrog, Seer of Clan Oxlo, laying eyes on them like this, but to me, he was just a crooked old man with a talent for making himself bigger than he ought to be. He was born from my grandmother’s first clutch and had unusual crimson scales, or rather, unusual for Clan Oxlo. While we lizards came in a variety of colors, certain clans tended to favor certain shades. Ours were hues of blue, black, gray, and purple with the exceedingly rare orchid pink that appeared once every few generations, so his crimson was, at the very least, curious.

Two (Axtapor's POV)

“That is why the start of each social season begins with a reading of rites. A stupid commemoration of those ineffectual ones who fail to consummate their union in that place, the way true Dreamers should, and instead end up with their brains splattered all over their marriage bed. However, it is a rather effective culling tool to eliminate those who should not be trusted with our power or with the duty of representing our House.”

Three (Axtapor's POV)

“I could bore you with the details, but I doubt you are all that interested when it comes to ladies’ fashion, so I will spare you.” She responded, folding her hands neatly in her lap.  “I be plenty interested in lady clothes when it be on the ground...” I remarked under my breath. Egra and Ulsei both eagerly slapped my head, while Idhi and my grandmother shared similar looks of dissatisfaction.  I frowned as I rubbed the warm spot of impact and turned my focus back on Lord Haphrex. “How will ye be gettin’ to the Hefredies?” “I’m afraid that is where we will have to impose on your expertise at sea, my lord.” He said, “Fisla has told me about how talented you are at sailing.” “Has she? Ye’s be right familiar usin’ given names...” I muttered. Egra kicked me and shot me a frown. I growled at her. “Ye wee bitch.” “Grandmama!” She whined. “Settle down.” My grandmother admonished us both with a frown.

Four (Axtapor's POV)

“Well, now that we are on the subject of my beau.” She teased, “What is your opinion of him?” I sighed, not really wanting to provide her with my thoughts about him. I didn't dislike him, but it was still odd for me to see them so close to each other all the time. My grandfather had never been tender with my grandmother the way that Lord Haphrex was. The most I’d ever seen my grandfather do was kiss her hand, and that was only because we’d been at a social event where he was obligated to do so. I supposed Lord Haphrex’s intimacy with her was strange because I wasn’t yet accustomed to seeing someone be so openly affectionate towards her in a romantic way. There was something sad about that.

Five (Axtapor's POV)

“Then, if you can’t say, please, look out for yourself. You know that I care for you very much. But how you worry me, you troublesome boy—!” She let out a strained laugh in a poor attempt to hide the glittering of tears in her eyes. I squared my jaw and did my best to hold her gaze, but it was hard to when she cried.  “What be ye on about? I be a man grown now, proper as so, nay a boy.” I teased her weakly.  She let out another laugh, and this time her tears fell. “Oh no, you will always be a boy to me, hatchling. That same little boy who loved eating sweets from all the town stalls. When was the last time I treated you to something like that, hmm?” I laughed softly this time and pulled her into an embrace. “Right, long while.”

Six (Fay's POV)

Their coin was clean, and if the knights were pleased with that merchant’s quality of goods, they would certainly return with their business and that of other knights. And knights were easy to swindle. They paraded around in their fancy armors and capes, blithely unaware of how absurd they looked, dragging their velvets through piles of shit and stepping in vomit with their ignorant boots. They didn’t care for their belongings; that much was clear, so for a greedy merchant, they were endless fonts of gold.

Seven (Axtapor's POV)

“Lord Haphrex.” I greeted him with a small dip of the head.  “Lord Axtapor.” He responded with a similar gesture. “Tendin’ to business?” I asked as I saw him fold what looked like a bill of sale into his pocket. “One could say so.” He said, gesturing that I follow him with something of a busy look on his face.  I didn’t really want to have an extended chat with him, but I followed along anyway. “Fisla is saddened that you will be leaving us so soon, my lord.” He voiced as we took a leisurely pace toward one end of the harbor. It still irked me that he used her name so casually, but there was no real reason why he shouldn’t be able to, given their involvement. “Aye. I know.” “I do not like seeing her distressed, my lord.” He shot me a sidelong look this time. “That be...good.” I replied somewhat awkwardly.  What was he getting at? And what was that look from before? I hardly knew him well enough to be able to guess. He halted his advance and turned to face me. “So your mind is made up? You will not stay?” I sighed. “Did she put ye up to this?” “A man never reveals what a woman says to him in confidence, my lord.” He said with a slight frown. I pushed the leaves to the other side of my mouth impatiently. “I nay have time to be waggin’ tongues as so, my lord. What be it that ye want?”

[princesstillyenna]

NONIFICATION OF THE BAD PENGUIN WHO DIDN'T NONIFY THEMSELVES:

Hello 👋

For the Fanfic Writer Ask Meme M & U, please, and thank you 😊

M: What’s the weirdest AU scenario you’ve ever come up with?  Did it turn into a story?

Weirdest? IDK. I don't tend to come up with AUs. I have some notes for an AU where Dylan Strome is a girl? That's not so weird though because uh, Dylan Strome??? Let me go check the notes nonny.... Although lbr, an AU where the nyr are all secretly into kink and fuck each other into the team? That's quite weird. But no, back to the UNWRITTEN IDEAS DOCUMENT. The AU where the only reason Tony DeAngelo is nice to Mika is because he doesn't realise he isn't white... because swedish = white in his head. Amazing. Dumb dumb DUMB boy. I just didn't really have anymore than that? Actually no, y'know what, it's not even that. It's the following. And I will copy and paste WORD FOR WORD my fic notes from my fic documents (and yes, all of my fic notes read like this) Medieval AU, Teeks is like 3rd inline to the throne, important enough to make a political marriage, but not so important that it doesn’t matter that his future wife can’t have kids Arranged marriage between him and Nolanne Patrick who is the only daughter of a super rich merchant family. They’re like, yes, we can give the crown a massive dowry for this bitch, but she can’t have children. PLOT TWIST IT’S BECAUSE SHE’S A DUDE IN A DRESS They don’t consummate their marriage, and TK is like secretly wondering if it’s because Nolanne has an STD, but he doesn’t say anything, and she’s super shy, so he mostly is like. Ok, whatevs. This was always for the money, and I’m hella gay anyway. Whatevs. And then NP walks in on TK having sex with Laws, and is all, ohhhhhh oh I didn’t realise he was into dude. (TK was totally bottom btw, because he was) and then he’s all like, HOW DO I TELL HIM I’M  A DUDE. I JUST CANT But then they’re hunting, or out riding or whatever and Nolly gets injured which is sad, but it’s a super high up in the groin injury that needs dealing with IMMEDIATELY. So TK is all like, I know you don’t like me seeing you naked, but like YOU’RE DYING and THIS IS NOT WORTH DYING OVER. So GET THOSE PETTICOATS OUT THE WAY And Nolly’s like, fine, just don’t hate me or whatever. So TK moves the petticoats and SURPRISE! COCK! And he’s all like I NEED TO SAVE YOU but also OMG I WANT YOU. But he focuses mostly on the saving. And is all like, when you’re recovered, we’re talking about this. So Nolly explains that his family have like a million sons, and no daughters, and like, they really wanted this. So they just made me be a girl. And, honestly, I’m quite believable, and I’m queer anyway, so whatevs. And TK is like, hey, wanna consummate our marriage? Nolly: Can I top? TK: I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.

IT'S THAT ONE. BUT THEN AGAIN IN THAT DOCUMENT I HAVE NOTES ABOUT WHICH HOCKEY PLAYERS ARE EQUIVILENT TO WHICH MLP CHARACTERS SO THAT'S PRETTY FUCKING OUT THERE??????? ok back to the questions. What even was the next one? U: Is there a pairing you would like to write, but haven’t tried yet. Oooooh I like this question. i keep meaning to write some hockey sibcest but I haven't written any yet. Maybe Jack/Quinn, or Dylan/Ryan. Tryna think if there's any other hockey pairings that I like reading that I haven't written yet? MattDrai in their own right? OHHHH COLE AND MARTY ST LOUIS VERY MUCH. Basically cole and and old man that there is. Cole and an old dude. Cole and Santa.... oh wait no, I wrote that already.

[seyferta]

I saw the film adaptation of E. M. Forster’s Maurice by Merchant Ivory many years ago when I was still a teenager (perhaps over a decade ago; I finally read the novel only within the past few months), and through all these years, I still recall how resilient the ending remains, as portrayed in this song of the official soundtrack. Those two chords in the second part somehow bring about a closure to all the conflicting feelings Maurice experienced in his life… he finally met another gay man whom he loved & loved him back—the most significant thing to happen in a gay man’s life, especially during this time in Edwardian England. 

Most homosexual-themed media is severely depressing, because more often than not the gay main character dies or is killed, but Maurice was intentionally different, because the main character was able to experience love & physical consummation, despite living in an extremely prude & homophobic place & period. What’s more important for me, however, is that Maurice (the novel) was initially written in pre-WWI England (specifically 1913–14), meaning that it is NOT a period piece that was set in that time—it is an EXACT PRODUCT of that time—further meaning, homosexuality was alive & well beneath the heavy morality-filters Edwardian England held on history. 

E. M. Forster was never able to publish Maurice until after his death (in 1970). When I hear this piece again & again, I mentally hear Alec tell Maurice, “Now we shan’t never be parted” repeatedly, as a testament to homosexual male love in an era that was not kind to homosexual men.