#the crown of leaves chapter 2 act 3 spoilers

[constellationcrowned]

((Even with Flynn's possession being a factor it's also completely plausible that Flynn killing Kariom was intentional---he didn't try to bargain with him for one, didn't try to go for the thing that the possessor beast covets (eyes) in the slightest, he went straight for his heart---as if he were still trying to protect him.

Flynn knows Kariom can be resurrected and if he knew of both Bo and Milosh's plan to save him and how determined they would be to do so (which he would) then killing Kariom would be the perfect way to get him out of there before he could be hurt or killed by an outside force. It'd effectively be sending him towards the path he's meant to be on in order to save everyone; Kariom meeting Roui, Flynn (and by extension the beast possessing him) being contained and able to be confronted in some way, away from Phollie, etc etc.))

[nerdallwritey]

Cheeks All Flushed (Part 2)

***IMPORTANT! PLEASE NOTE: This is Part 2 to Part 3 (it makes sense, I promise) of my Beauty and the Bard series! Find Part 1 of this chapter here. If you'd rather read it all in one go, it's also posted to AO3.

Summary: “Oh, my love,” he looked at you affectionately and crawled back on top of you to kiss you, “you are breathtaking.” “Aw-” Astarion brought his fingers to your lips. “Say ‘aw shucks,’ and I will stab you.”  Instead of responding, you kissed his fingers.  “That’s what I thought,” he said, pulling back to gently uncross your legs with his hands. “Lift please,” he tapped your knees, wanting you to bend them for him. “That’s it,” he said quietly, “good girl.” OR The Tiefling party draws to a close and you and Astarion head to bed.

Pairing: Astarion x f!reader Rating: 18+ Word count: 23.1k (this particular part is 4.6k) CW: smut, reader is new to sex, oral sex (f receiving), mentions of Astarion's past trauma, soft Astarion, porn with feelings, consumption of alcohol, reader is an idiot (and a bard), so is Astarion (not a bard, just an idiot), the other companions are also idiots, reader likes kids, shenanigans amongst friends, general party antics Spoilers: Spoilers for Act 1 (in-game dialogue, plot points, etc.), as well as Astarion's plotline Also posted to: AO3 Last chance to go back to Part 1 of this chapter!

a/n: So sorry this had to be posted twice. Apparently the banter was too much for tumblr to handle all in one go. Thank you if you made it this far! Your reward is smut! Apologies to those of you here for more vampire penis, it'll show up again in the future surely, but tonight is more about tipsy/soft Astarion. I hope you all enjoy :) (Thank you once again to @kermitwazowski for beta reading!)

It ended up taking quite a long time to finish saying your good nights and goodbyes to the tieflings, knowing that they were leaving in the morning and that there was a chance you wouldn’t be able to find them when you finally made it to the Gate. 

Alfira had taken an especially long time to say goodbye to, given you were the only other bard she knew currently, and she asked you several questions to aid her in the process of writing her song about you. Lakrissa had watched on with nothing but fondness in her eyes and had hugged and thanked you when it was her turn to say goodbye.

Rolan and his siblings said their goodbyes and Rolan made sure to remind you that he’d be apprenticing under the wizard Larroakan. He drunkenly hinted that it wouldn’t be the worst thing if you came to say hi once you reached Baldur’s Gate and you promised that you would.

Danis and Bex had giggled through their goodbyes, swearing that they’d get back to the Grove safely tonight before leaving for the city tomorrow. Zevlor had thanked you and assured you he’d see to it that those who partook in too much wine would be shepherded back to the Grove with sober eyes watching them. 

Halsin had given you a big hug and told you he’d return to your camp soon to discuss next steps for getting rid of the parasites. Meanwhile, the kids bid their goodbyes in a wave of emotions; some were excited, some were sad, and others were indifferent. You smiled at the fact that they all still wore or held onto their crowns tightly.  

Polite goodbyes were exchanged with the other tieflings before saying goodnight to your companions and letting Shadowheart know that you would help with cleanup duty in the morning. 

With a yawn and a stretch, your feet carried you back to your tent. When you arrived, you were mildly surprised to see that the flaps of your tent had been drawn and that there was light flickering inside, brighter than the single candle you’d lit earlier. 

You cleared your throat loudly to make it known you were outside. “Are you decent?”

Astarion chuckled from within. “Yes, darling. Though I’m not sure if it would matter.”

You bent down to enter the tent, pushing through the canvas flaps and finding Astarion sprawled on your bedroll, a book open in his hands. He was perched elegantly among your pillows, looking as ethereal as always. 

“No, no, make yourself at home,” you teased, turning to make sure the canvas flaps were shut all the way.

“Thank you, I think I will,” to emphasize his point, Astarion sank himself further into your pillows. 

You rolled your eyes affectionately. “Reading anything good?”

“Mmm, just some strange eel enthusiast’s ramblings that I found on the road.”

You lifted your eyebrows. “Oh? And what have you learned?”

Astarion sighed dramatically. “Apparently giant lightning eels aren’t technically eels.”

“Huh.”

He sat up straighter, eyeing you mischievously. “Although I was just reading about how they breed in the Sea of Moonshae.”

You snorted. “You’re not seriously trying to seduce me with eel facts, are you?”

Astarion narrowed his eyes. “You’re weird, I don’t know, figured I’d try it.” He shrugged and placed the book off to the side before extending his arms. “Come here, won’t you?”

You crawled towards him, nestling into his arms and he kissed the crown of your head.

“Read to me?” you asked. 

Before you’d gotten together, you and Astarion would spend entire evenings at his tent reading, either in silence, or to each other, depending on the topic. You’d often try to make each other laugh with silly passages and dramatic readings. It made you look forward to settling in to camp for the night after long days of fighting Mud Mephits and Wood Woads.

He chuckled. “I doubt you’ll like it. I was just distracting myself until you showed up.” He brought his face close to yours. 

You looked back at him in challenge. “Try me.”

He sighed. “Alright.” He picked up the book, still holding you in his other arm. He flipped back to the page he’d left off on. “‘Now, where can you catch eels? Bloody everywhere!’”

You snorted.

“Hush darling, you wanted this.” Astarion cleared his throat and continued. “‘From Neverwinter to Elturel to Calimport - you can find an eel. But where do they breed? And how? Well, you probably heard the stories that they’re just snakes that learned to swim, or they’re baby leviathans, or they’re Underdark spies, but that’s all bunkum.’”

“Not bunkum!” you teased. “And here I thought I knew so much about eels.”

Astarion raised his voice to get you to quiet down. “‘They breed in the Sea of Moonshae, I’m sure, and then swim all over Faerûn. And if those pricks in Candlekeep’d give me money to sail-’”

“Okay, I get the picture.” You took the book from Astarion’s hands and set it beside you.

“Told you, darling,” Astarion settled further into the pillows, bringing his nose against your throat.

You inhaled sharply when he started kissing your neck. “Should I be insulted that you thought it might turn me on?”

“I don’t need some lunatic’s musings for that,” he murmured, lightly dragging his fangs along your flesh. 

You shivered and angled your head to give him better access. “No you don’t.”

He groaned quietly. “You smell divine.” He kissed your neck again.

“You can bite me if you want,” you breathed out. 

Astarion shook his head against you. “It’s alright, love, I’ve had plenty of your blood and wild hog blood and wine today. And you’re tired.”

“How thoughtful of you. But I’m not that tired,” you whined. 

Astarion lifted his head to look at you. “Oh?” He smirked at you impishly.

You raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said innocently, kissing your cheek chastely. In one swift motion, he rolled you onto your back, and lifted himself up to hover above you. 

Your eyes widened at him and his smirk grew wicked. You felt your cheeks flush and you looked away, trying to avoid his intense eye contact.

He bent and returned to kissing your neck, licking a stripe from the column of your throat up to your ear. “Relax,” he whispered, his hands drifting down to the hem of your blouse and pulling it up over your head.

You tried sounding normal but felt your voice catch in your throat. “Wh-at are you doing?”

Astarion kissed the valley between your still-clothed breasts. “Taking my time.”

You hummed and twisted your fingers into his hair. “You’re sending a lot of mixed messages.”

Astarion looked up at you, his tone seductive. “Is it not obvious how much I want you?”

You laughed softly. “No, you’re making that quite clear, but you said you needed time to get used to having a choice. You’re not forcing yourself, are you?”

A small smile graced Astarion’s features before he surged upwards and kissed you deeply. When he pulled back, his eyes were soft. “You’re far too nice to me. It’s disgusting.”

You shrugged awkwardly. “I care about what you want.”

He kissed you again. “Thank you, love, but yes, I’m fine. Tonight was a celebration! And I fully intend on celebrating.” He smirked at you again, flashing his fangs.

You wrapped your arms around his neck and searched his eyes for any sign of hesitancy. When you didn’t find any, you nodded. “Okay.”

He smiled again and reached for the hem of his own shirt, pulling it over his head and discarding it by where your new lute rested against your backpack. He climbed back on top of you and kissed you slowly, his tongue seeking entrance only after a few moments of clumsily moving your mouths against one another’s. His tongue glided against your own, and you moaned, once again twisting your fingers into his hair. 

You felt his hand move behind your back briefly, and suddenly he was pulling off your bra, making you whimper. 

He broke the kiss to look at you, nothing but admiration in his eyes. You shifted your gaze away, still not used to being so vulnerable in front of someone else. 

“Exquisite,” he breathed, leaning down to kiss you again and palming your left breast gently. His cool touch caused your back to arch and you whined when your burning chest made contact with his icy one. 

“Why-” you pulled away from Astarion’s kiss.

“Why what, darling?”

“Why do you think he chose eels as his hill to die on?”

Astarion plucked a pillow out from under you and placed it on top of your face, pressing gently as if trying to suffocate you.

You laughed wildly. “I yield! I yield!”

He pulled the pillow away and placed it under your head once more. “Mention eels again and I won’t hesitate.” 

“No eel talk in the bedroom, got it.”

“Possibly ever,” Astarion amended. 

“You brought it up in the first place,” you pointed out.

“A mistake I won’t be making again,” he said lowly, before kissing your jaw. He kept kissing down your chest until he reached your nipple and pulled at it lightly with his front teeth. 

You gasped and arched your back again, pulling Astarion’s curls and making him moan against your breast. He detached himself to kiss your lips, then brought his head down to your other breast to give it the same attention. His tongue swirled over your nipple at a languid pace, his cool breath against his saliva causing goosebumps to spread across your chest.

“Astarion?” You asked, angling your head to look at him.

He looked up at you, the flat of his tongue licking your nipple. He retracted it before saying, “Ask another stupid question and I’ll bite you.”

You blew out an amused breath. “That wouldn’t be the worst thing.”

Astarion reconsidered. “In a bad way.”

You laughed. “No stupid question this time. I don’t think.”

Astarion sighed, resting his cheek on your breast as if it were a pillow.

You brushed a few loose hairs out of his face. “When will it be my turn to pleasure you?”

Astarion’s eyes went wide before settling on something soft. He took your hand currently raking through his curls and kissed the inside of your wrist. 

You continued. “Especially since I sicced a bunch of kids on you and need to make up for it somehow.”

He chuckled quietly. “Thank you, my sweet, but I think I’d prefer to be in control for now, if that’s alright.”

“Of course it’s alright,” you said, resting your hand on his cheek. “It just seems unfair that I’m getting all the attention and you’re getting nothing in return.”

He clicked his tongue. “That’s not true. I’m getting plenty of pleasure just from watching you fall apart,” he smirked and kissed you breast again. 

You inhaled deeply, “I’m serious.”

He humphed and pulled away again. “As am I.” When he saw you weren’t satisfied with his answer, he thought for a moment. “Listen darling, it’s very sweet that you want to,” he cleared his throat, “pleasure me, but as I’ve said, I’m still getting used to… well, this.” He gestured between the two of you. “I don’t really want anyone to touch me without my consent. Unless it’s you.” He avoided your gaze, embarrassed to be admitting this. “But even with that being the case, I’d still feel more comfortable focusing on you for now.”

You nodded and took his wrist that was resting next to your head and kissed it just as tenderly as he’d kissed yours. “We’ll work our way up to it,” you smiled. 

He smiled back, then narrowed his eyes seductively. “Make no mistake, I am having a wonderful time with you,” he brought his forehead to yours. “Feeling you around me is probably one of life’s greatest pleasures.”

You blew out a breath, making your lips trill. “Relax, you’ve only been in me twice. You don’t know what you’re saying.”

He waved his hand in front of your face. “Ah, yes love, but you're forgetting the fingers and tongue.” He smirked at you when he saw a blush spread on your cheeks.

“Whatever,” you said, avoiding his gaze. “One of these days I’ll make you cum myself.”

Astarion chuckled. “I don’t doubt that,” he kissed your temple. “I await the day.”

“No rush,” you added quickly. “Obviously.”

“Obviously,” he echoed, pulling back to look at you fully again. He sighed happily, palming one breast in each hand. “What was it Withers called me again? A ‘boob buddy?’ A ‘breast friend?’”

You groaned and dragged your hands down your face. “My bosom companion.”

He leaned forward to kiss your lips. “I know love, I just wanted to hear you say it again.”

“Bastard,” you murmured. 

“But I’m so handsome and charming,” he murmured back, kissing you between words.

“Unfortunately,” you said, angling your head upwards when he moved down to kiss your neck again. 

He hummed along your throat, which sent tingles up your jaw that made you giggle. 

“I still plan on taking my time with you, my dear,” he said, hooking his thumbs under the waistband of your pants. “Let me take care of you tonight.”

“I-” you took a shaky breath, still getting used to Astarion’s undivided attention. “Okay.”

“I’m also keen to leave, if you want me to,” he was giving you an out, in case you were still unsure, but his eyes betrayed what he was thinking: I don’t want to leave.

You gripped his wrist. “Stay.”

He relaxed noticeably and hooked his thumbs into your waistband again. “May I?”

You nodded and lifted your hips, helping him get the fabric over your hips and down your legs. He’d taken both your pants and panties in one go, leaving you completely bare in front of him. You bit your thumbnail and looked at him nervously, crossing your legs at the ankle.

“Oh, my love,” he looked at you affectionately and crawled back on top of you to kiss you, “you are breathtaking.”

“Aw-” 

Astarion brought his fingers to your lips. “Say ‘aw shucks,’ and I will stab you.” 

Instead of responding, you kissed his fingers. 

“That’s what I thought,” he said, pulling back to gently uncross your legs with his hands. “Lift please,” he tapped your knees, wanting you to bend them for him. “That’s it,” he said quietly, “good girl.”

You whimpered, the cool air of the night making contact with your already slick folds. 

“It’s too bright in here,” you said suddenly. “Anyone could see what’s happening.” 

Astarion sat up, having just settled himself between your legs. “I suppose it is,” he agreed. He crawled around, blowing out candles, and you sat up, doing the same to a few that were around you. 

“Better?” he asked when all the light in the tent was out, save for the moonlight that was able to shine through the canvas and the torches that were still lit for the party that was dying down outside. 

“Yes,” you said, resuming your position on your pillows. 

“Good,” he purred, kissing your inner thigh and settling between your legs again. He tapped your thigh lightly in warning before licking your folds slowly. 

You gasped loudly and slapped a hand over your mouth, remembering that the party was still technically going on outside. 

“Shy, darling?” Astarion smirked up at you and you rolled your eyes, whimpering again when he returned to licking you. “But I love hearing you sing for me.”

He began sucking on your clit, making you shriek out a moan. You felt him smirk against you and you wrapped your fingers in his hair as tightly as you could, hoping to give him a taste of his own medicine. Unfortunately, it made him moan into you, sending delicious vibrations through your core and making you whimper again. 

He returned to licking up and down your folds. “If only you knew how delicious you were.”

“Then kiss me, asshole,” you shuddered, feeling his cold breath against your wet cunt. 

Astarion growled and climbed on top of you, kissing you harshly and making sure to slip his tongue into your mouth to let you taste yourself. He pulled away, assessing your expression. You smacked your lips dramatically. “Could be better,” you teased. “I’m sure I’m nothing compared to you.” You waggled your eyebrows and Astarion smiled, leaning forward to kiss you again. 

“In time, my love,” he promised, kissing your cheek sweetly before returning to his spot between your legs. He wrapped his arms around your thighs and began licking you again.

You reached over for your discarded blouse and bunched it up, placing it in your mouth to muffle your sounds.

“No, no,” Astarion scolded. “Let them hear us. You have the loveliest voice.” His thumb pressed tight circles into your clit and you whined before removing the shirt again. “That’s a good girl,” he praised. 

“No funny business,” you said, not liking the smirk on his face that shined with your slick.

“Me? Funny business? Never.” He lowered his face again and you nearly yelped when you felt his tongue dip into your core.

You squeezed his head with your thighs lightly. “Bastard,” you muttered and felt him smile again. As if to tease you more, he began to make loud slurping and sucking noises. “Astarion,” you whisper shouted, despite your eyes wanting to roll back from the sensation.

“Mmm?” He half asked, half moaned wantonly. His tongue continued entering your cunt while his thumb circled your clit.

“Loud,” you sighed absently, trying to be responsible, but feeling too good to be truly mad at him. 

He removed his thumb and returned to sucking your clit. He pulled away for a second to say, “Watch, precious thing, I’m going to make you cum using only my mouth.”

“You’re not going to talk at me, are you?” you laughed.

“I don’t know,” Astarion said between licks, “a joke made you cum earlier.”

“Shut up and keep tongue fucking me,” you groaned.

He chuckled and squeezed your thighs, sucking again at your clit. 

Tiny moans of pleasure escaped you, and you rolled your hips, trying to get impossibly closer to him. He hummed against you pleasantly, making you whine loudly.

“I love your voice,” he repeated and licked another stripe along your folds. His tongue entered your core again, making you squeeze your thighs involuntarily. He moved your legs apart and further locked his arms around your legs, attempting to keep them still. 

“I love whatever you’re doing with your tongue,” you exhaled, raking your hands through his hair again and massaging the tips of his ears.

He let out a moan that turned into a pathetic little laugh and the sensation sent a shockwave through your core. You rolled your hips again, wanting him as close as possible. 

“More,” you whined softly, shutting your eyes tight.

Astarion returned his focus to your clit, sucking hard and swirling his tongue loudly. He began to hum again, more prolonged this time, and you recognized what seemed to be the jaunty melody of “Bard Song.”

It surprised you, and hurled you closer to your climax. “Astarion,” you whimpered.

“Like that?” he murmured against your clit before continuing his ministrations.

“Keep going,” you encouraged. 

You felt him smile again and he continued to hum the tune he must have heard you play a dozen times by now. He nipped and sucked and swirled his tongue on your clit, all while humming. Your hands tightened in his hair and your legs began to shake.

“Yes,” he said into your flesh, “let go, my love.”

 With a few more harsh sucks and slightly off key hums, you felt yourself reach your peak and cried out loudly for Astarion. Waves of pleasure coursed through you and you felt Astarion eagerly licking around your cunt. 

“So good,” you heard him murmur between licks, “you did so well for me, darling. I adore the way you taste.”

With a sharp inhale, you opened your eyes and smiled down at him, breathless. His eyes were still closed as he cleaned you slowly, savoring your taste on his tongue.

When he opened his eyes, you saw them crinkle at the corners, indicating he was smiling. 

“There you are,” he said as if just noticing you were there with him, getting up onto his hands and knees and crawling over you again. He bent to kiss you and you sighed against his mouth.

“You like my music,” you looked up at him in wonder and wiped a bit of your slick off the corner of his mouth. 

“Mmm, I’m pretty sure that’s a fairly well known song,” he teased.

You made a face and he softened.

“Okay, yes, maybe I’ve been paying attention when you're playing that obnoxious tune.” He brushed some hair out of your face. “It gets stuck in my head, the stupid thing.”

You wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug, making him gasp in surprise. 

“Thank you,” you said softly into his hair.

You weren’t sure you’d ever properly articulate what you were feeling. All this time, Astarion had been paying attention. He’d whined and griped and moaned the entire time you’d known each other, and yet he’d been paying attention. To you, your music, your needs and desires… He was constantly surprising you with how thoughtful he was. He’d been so sweet with what you’d needed from him last night, and then today you learned he’d been holding onto a new lute for you since before he even admitted to himself or you that he had feelings for you. And just now he’d shown that he had always been listening when you played something for him and your companions. He truly hadn’t propositioned you out of the blue yesterday, he’d cared about you for much longer than either of you realized. 

Astarion laughed, relaxing his body against you and settling his face at the junction between your shoulder and neck. “I’m going to assume you’re thanking me for the excellent orgasm you just experienced and say ‘it was my pleasure, darling.’”

You let out an amused breath and mindlessly traced the raised peaks along his back. 

“You mean a lot to me,” you said quietly.

“Yick,” Astarion said, drawing tiny spirals on your shoulder with his index finger. 

“I know,” you agreed. “Imagine how I feel. You’re the most annoying man I’ve ever met.”

“You flatterer, you,” he kissed your shoulder where his face was buried.

You tapped his back lightly and made to sit up. Astarion took the hint and rolled off of you. 

You leaned forward and grabbed his discarded shirt, pulling it over your head. You inhaled deeply. “Smells like you,” you mused, batting your eyes at him before slipping into your loose sleep pants. 

Astarion looked pleased to see you wearing his shirt again, but his face fell when you peaked out the flap of your tent into camp.

“Leaving so soon?” he asked in a teasing tone, but you could tell he was a little nervous that you were actually leaving.

You smiled and kissed him softly. “I’ll be right back, I promise.”

“Take your time,” he said airily, examining his nails, though you saw in his eyes that he wanted you to hurry back.

You kissed him again. “You big baby. Stay right there.”

You poked your head out again, looking to make sure no one was in your vicinity. You saw the backs of Shadowheart and Gale huddled near the entrance of camp, sending off the last of the tieflings with Halsin, while Wyll and Karalach’s tents were shut tight, indicating they’d turned in for the night. Lae’zel, meanwhile, appeared to be meditating outside of her tent. 

Good, you thought to yourself, I’ll make this quick.

You crept out of your tent and made your way to the left towards the lakeshore. You grabbed your now dry blanket off the clothesline, folding it over your arm.

As you were about to grab one you recognized to be Astarion’s, Withers’ voice made you jump.

“I heardest you just now.” 

You slowly turned to look at him, his face as impassive as ever. “Like hells you did, Bone Man,” you said through gritted teeth. “No one will believe you.” You thought for a moment. “No, yes they will. But keep it to yourself. I just got a bosom companion, please don’t ruin this for me.” 

You pulled Astarion’s blanket into your arms and swore you saw the corners of Withers’ mouth turn upwards into a smile, but it may have just been a trick of the moonlight. 

“Goodnight, Withers,” you said, grabbing another of Astarion’s blankets off the clothesline. 

“Sleep well,” he responded. “You likely needest it.”

You scoffed out a laugh and turned back towards your tent, quiet on your feet. You crouched down and went to crawl back in, but found Astarion hovering by the entrance.

“Oh,” he said quietly and moved back to let you in. “There you are,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. 

“Miss me?” you smirked, tossing him one of his blankets. 

“Please,” he rolled his eyes. “I knew you’d come crawling back to me.”

You laughed and spread your blanket out over your bedroll. 

“What are you doing?” he asked, watching you intently as you rearranged pillows so that there were no uncomfortable lumps under the blanket. 

“Making a new nest,” you said casually. You wrapped one of his blankets around your shoulders and laid down. You spread your arms, inviting him to join you. 

He hesitated, looking down at the blanket in his arms. 

“Come here, dummy,” you said fondly, sitting up and taking the blanket from him. 

He scooted closer to you, laying on his side, facing you.

You laid beside him, wrapping the blanket on your shoulders around him too, and spreading the other one over both of your legs. 

“Now what are you doing?” he asked.

“Making us cozy so we don’t wake up freezing. It’s been getting colder at night.” You paused. “Does the cold even bother you?”

He nodded. “I can get very cold but-” he cleared his throat. “You want me to sleep with you?”

You raised an eyebrow. “Did we not do this last night?”

He smirked. “We did, but I don’t know, we were in the middle of the forest, it’s not like you had much choice.”

“Astarion,” you brought a hand up to cup his cheek, “I like you so much. And I want to fall asleep with you as often as you’ll let me.”

A soft smile found its way onto his lips. “You’re a clingy little shit, aren’t you?”

You huffed and dramatically turned over, facing away from him.

He laughed and pulled you closer by the hips. “Only teasing, love.” He kissed your hair.

You looked back at him. “It doesn’t have to be every night, I know you like your space, and we don’t have to cuddle or anything, but-”

He cut you off with a kiss. “Gods, you love to talk,” he said quietly. 

You pouted. “Fine, then I won’t tell you what Withers just said to me.”

He pulled you closer to him, tangling your legs together and settling his nose onto the back of your neck. “I’m sure it was something archaic and mildly cryptic.”

“He said he heard us.”

Astarion leaned up to look at you. “He did not.”

“He did.”

“Of all the…” He trailed off. “Whatever. Who’s he going to tell?”

“Doesn’t matter,” you laughed. “Everyone knows we’re together anyway.”

Astarion smiled at you and kissed your cheek before lying back down. He sighed happily. “That we are, my love. That we are.”

[theia-eos]

Elincia Was Not Too Hesitant to Act

I love the Tellius games. I think the writing for the Fire Emblem series as a whole peaked in the Tellius duology. There's a lot of nuance and tiny details and characterizations and depth and layers to every character. However, this does not mean that the games are perfect or beyond criticism.

And one such criticism I have is the message they try to sell in Radiant Dawn Part 2. I am not buying it. Spoilers below the cut.

In Part 2 of Radiant Dawn, we see how being ruler of Crimea is working out for our fair Queen Elincia. The last time we saw her in Path of Radiance, she was filled with self-doubt and worried about her ability to rule as she was never raised to rule and kept secret from the public, so her coronation as queen of Crimea is a big step for her.

Ike stayed on as a member of the royal court for a while, but dips out 6 months prior to the events of Part 2 because he's only causing her more grief than he is providing support now and he goes back to the simple mercenary life he loves.

Bastian has also left her side, citing sightings of the Black Knight returning in Daein and wanting to get a good understanding of Ashnard's "son," the new King Pelleas. He is lying to her, which I'll go into later. So it's only Elincia and the children she was raised alongside, her knights Geoffrey and Lucia, in the courts.

And the nobles do not respect Elincia at all. They disparage her at every chance they get, they blame her for Bastian wanting to go scope out Daein because she lets him go because he tells her, as her advisor, that it's the best idea. They chastise Lucia and Geoffrey for trying to defend her. Generally, you get the idea why Ike had to leave, he probably kept calling them out until he was blue in the face and then some.

Leanne comes looking for Ike, and he's disappeared into the wind, and then Elincia gets word from Nephenne, Brom and Heather from Ohma that one of the nobles, Duke Ludveck, is attempting a coup based on what the recruiter said. Elincia sends Lucia to Ludveck's territory, under the guise of showing Leanne around Crimea's best orchard region, to gather some more information. Lucia finds proof that Ludveck is trying to start a civil war/insurrection, and brings that back to Elincia, who then sends Geoffrey and the Crimean Royal Knights to arrest Ludveck. Elincia privately despairs to Leanne that she never wanted to be queen, she never wanted to deal with these problems, the burden of having to act against her own people is too much for her to bear.

There's some political espionage, Ludveck had a decoy force at his castle and attacks Elincia in her safehouse in Fort Alpea, and Elincia bests Ludveck, captures him, and then says he needs to be executed for treason. Ludveck says she should make him king instead, as she's too indecisive and feeble to be queen, she took too long to stop him plotting under her and that's weakened her authority in Crimea, and to force her hand, he says that he captured Lucia. His forces will execute Lucia unless she releases him and promises to pass her crown to him. Elincia refuses, Lucia is about to be killed but Ike and the Greil Mercenaries swoop in to save the day to save Lucia. Elincia resolves to be more decisive in the future.

So what is my problem with this plot? Well, let's review the chapter count of Part 2, it's very short.

Prologue - Elincia finds Begnion wyvern riders attempting to capture Leanne and intervenes immediately

Chapter 1 - Nephenne, Brom, and new recruit Heather fight their way out of Ohma to warn Elincia directly

Chapter 2 - Elincia sends Lucia to find solid evidence that Ludveck is a traitor

Chapter 3 - Lucia comes back with proof and Elincia sends Geoffrey to arrest Ludveck

Final Chapter - Elincia fights Ludveck

Please tell me where Elincia was indecisive, failed to take action, dwadled, or let the insurrection just grow. As soon as she finds out that it's happening she goes to get evidence, and then as soon as she has the evidence, she orders for Ludveck to be arrested. She immediately refuses to hand Ludveck the throne.

Ludveck: So I take it you understand everything now? And considering Lady Lucia’s life is on the line, you haven’t much choice. Now, let’s have you free me from this prison cell, and then we can discuss any further details… Elincia: I don’t think so. Radiant Dawn, Chapter 2-F, Elincia's Gambit Extended Script Translation from Serenes Forest

No hesitation. None. Even in the prologue where she fights and kills Begnion forces intruding on her home, trying to enslave Leanne, no hesitation.

Elincia: Begnion dracoknights… You will only be warned once. Leave this area immediately! I serve the queen of Crimea. Trespassers on Crimean territory will be dealt with. No exceptions. Zeffren: The queen, she says! The very queen that relied on us, the Begnion Empire, to free her nation. Imperial dracoknights are not frightened by soldiers so weak as Crimean pegasus knights. Listen up! Leave those two alone. It’s the Serenes maiden we want. Do not allow her to escape! Elincia: …Looks like we’ll not talk any sense into them. I suppose we have no choice. Sir Nealuchi! We’re here to help you! [Elincia attacks Zeffren] Zeffren: You… You Crimeans seriously believe you can withstand the might of Begnion?! Elincia: Crimea takes this sort of encroachment seriously. We will not overlook invaders in our domain. Release your weapons, and apologize for your discourtesy… Only then will we lower our own. Zeffren: You have quite a mouth on you… I won’t be addressed in that tone by anyone. It’s time to end this farce. Radiant Dawn, Chatper 2-P, On Drifting Clouds

Like yes, she offers diplomacy and a chance for them to stand down, but the story and Ludveck would have you believe that she's so crippled by hesitation that she wouldn't take action. Ludveck says "you were too hesitant and too concerned about harming the people" in stopping the civil war decisively to be a strong ruler.

What the hell else was she supposed to do? Elincia never caught wind of the rebellion until the beginning of Chapter 2, and then what was she supposed to do? Take the word of three villagers that there was some random unknown man they didn't even bring in with them recruiting for a rebellion for Duke Ludveck? Like I love Nephenne, Brom, and Heather as much as anyone else, but if she had just arrested and executed Ludveck based on that information she'd be a tyrant, the other nobles would never trust her and could possibly turn against her too. Getting proof was not a sign of hesitation. Sure, she says she'd like to attempt diplomacy first instead of immediately resorting to the sword, but as soon as she says that, a soldier runs in and says Ludveck is preparing to attack and Elincia realizes the time for negotiation is over and authorizes an immediate attack.

Lucia: As we suspected, Lord Ludveck is intent on rebellion. His followers are spread across the land, inciting insurrection. We have the documents to prove it. Geoffrey: Queen Elincia, I stand ready to defend the realm! I will lead the Royal Knights into Felirae, and we will seize the duke! Elincia: I am hesitant to resort to the sword without at least attempting diplomacy. At all costs, I must stop the people of Crimea from fighting one another. [A Crimean soldier rushes in] Crimean Soldier: Your Majesty! News from the countryside! Duke Ludveck has assembled an army and announced his intentions against you! The rebellion in Felirae is growing quickly! Elincia: I see… Lucia: He must have realized that his operations were no longer a secret. Your Majesty, we have no time to waste. We must stand against this, for the future of Crimea! Elincia: …I understand. Geoffrey, leader of the Royal Knights… I hereby authorize the use of military force against the rebel army! Geoffrey: Yes, Your Majesty. At once! Radiant Dawn, Chapter 2-2, Tides of Intrigue

Does a few seconds warrant Ludveck's criticisms? Is that a failure of Elincia, for taking a moment to say she wants to try diplomacy first?

Ludveck: Exactly, Your Majesty. If you truly had the power to quell the civil war… As long as I could affirm that, even if I were executed as a traitor, I would have no regrets. But, no, you were too hesitant and too concerned about harming the people… Now look what has happened. Radiant Dawn, Chapter 2-F, Elincia's Gambit Extended Script Translation from Serenes Forest

No, the real reason it took Elincia so long to act is because Bastian, Lucia and Geoffrey failed in their roles for her. All three of them had known that this was underway for a while.

Elincia: I see… So, that’s what’s going on. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I’m very sorry your village was affected by this. You have my sincere apologies. Brom: Oh, no, Your Majesty. We don’t need no apology. We’re just happy we could help. Geoffrey: Lucia… Brom’s story confirms what we’ve suspected all along. Lucia: Yes, as we thought. Duke Ludveck of Felirae is firing up a rebellion. We should have seen it coming. To be honest, Queen Elincia, there have been a number of indications that something like this was under way. We’d hoped to uncover something more tangible than hushed rumors… I should have told you sooner. Radiant Dawn, Chapter 2-2, Tides of Intrigue

They've suspected it. They've known it. They're not surprised when the Ohma villagers tell Elincia about it, which is the first time she ever hears of this going on. Lucia apologizes for keeping it from Elincia because she was waiting for more proof. If Elincia had known about this sooner, she could have acted sooner. She would have acted sooner, by how she immediately sends Lucia to gather evidence.

But worst of all is Bastian. Bastian not only knows that this is happening, he is so certain his absence would set things into motion that he hires Ike and the Greil Mercenaries to step in and assist at the last minute if things go as he expected. Does he warn Elincia of what might happen while he was gone? No. Not only that, but Bastian isn't even going to Daein to see if the new king is going to be friendly to them. He's going to Daein to get Izuka to force Izuka to cure Renning, even though Bastian has known all along for years that the herons could have cured Renning. Why does he go this route?

[エリンシア] ユリシーズ、あなたは いままでどこにいたのです？▼ 突然、連絡を絶ってしまって… とても心配していたのですよ。▼ [ユリシーズ] デインにて…… 長く探っていた”鍵”にめぐり合いまして。▼ それ故、表より姿を消し、 策謀を巡らしておりました。 全てはクリミアの未来のために……▼ Radiant Dawn, Chapter 4-5, Unforgivable Sin Extended Script

In the Extended Scripts (JP Only script locked to Hard/Manic Modes), Bastian explains that he is looking for a "key" to Crimea's future in Daein while working in secret, which is later revealed to be that he wants Izuka, former advisor of King Pelleas of Daein, cure Renning. This despite the fact that he could go to the herons the entire time, and eventually winds up going to the herons in the end anyway. While never talking to Elincia about any of this. The only justification for this is that Bastian is in love with Renning and Bastian is worried that Renning will die if he is cured through heron galdr, as Rajaion did, and Bastian's emotions get in the way of his reason. The best and most charitable explanation I can give Bastian saying that Renning is the key to Crimea's future, to the point he's left Elincia alone since before Part 2 begins when she really could have used his help, is that he hopes that Renning's support will make Elincia's rule more stable, but it's never explained why Bastian believes Renning is the key to the future or why Bastian doesn't go straight to the herons, so your guess is as good as mine.

But that still doesn't excuse the fact that he hires mercenaries to rescue Elincia without ever warning Elincia himself. He either doesn't believe in her himself, which him saying that Renning is the future of Crimea kind of hints towards, or he is just leaving the the queen of the country in the dark because he thought his plan was best. Either way, unforgivable.

None of Elincia's most trusted people, the people she relies on for advice and counsel, gives her a single hint of a warning of the information they have, even if it is only rumors. Elincia should have been told.

Is Elincia young and naïve? Yes. Ludveck's criticisms that she's too trusting, that it is too easy to assassinate her, or poison her food or drink are 100% valid. I'll even agree with his point about her letting the fleeing rebels leave after she captures Ludveck in the final chapter, they absolutely should be arrested and punished for treason. Maybe not killed, but punished.

But that she is too hesitant to act to quell the rebellion? No. Bastian, Geoffrey, and Lucia keep vital information from Elincia. That the civil war gets so far is on them, not Elincia. Elincia always takes the correct next step for her based on what she knows and what they know after finding out about it. Now, for all Ludveck knows, Bastian and the others found out and told Elincia from the start and the inaction was on Elincia, because why wouldn't they keep the queen informed, so he can say what he believes to be true. But the fact that Elincia believes him, the fact that no one calls out the three of them for what they did wrong, is a failure of the writing.

Elincia: Yes, that’s true. It’s for the same reason that, once I knew of the rebels’ movements… I didn’t immediately make any decisive orders. Radiant Dawn, Chapter 2-F, Elincia's Gambit Extended Script Translation from Serenes Forest

If they wanted me to believe that message, they would have needed to add another chapter into Part 2, not that Radiant Dawn needs to be any longer, ideally making Chapter 3 deal with her attempting diplomacy and hesitating to act (maybe they set up a place to talk that gets attacked and she still doesn't authorize an attack on Ludveck), and then Chapter 4 being Geoffrey's Charge when Ludveck mobilizes his army.

However, as it stands, Elincia hesitating to take action is completely absurd.

[brynnmclean]

The Goði & Thórgestr Narration for Borgarvirki (6/6)

Someone very helpfully posted a video on Youtube of comparisons between all the Narrators in Hellblade: Senua’s Saga. Last night, I finished writing down all the quotes for the Others / NPC Narrators, for reference. Hope it is interesting and useful to other people!

Note: I did add the final dialogue exchange between Senua and Thórgester even though it's technically not part of the Narrator tracks, but man. My heart. I couldn't leave it out.

Spoilers for the game overall (especially the end!), but all the narration quotes for Chapter 6 Borgarvirki under the cut:

The Goði (Áleifr)

She’s getting closer, the supplanter, the one who wants my crown. I’ve built a place of safety, where we can live as we used to. And once I bring them all under my wing, we will all live in peace and prosperity. All we need to do is feed the giants. With lives that don’t matter because they’re not our own. Not us. Not real.

We will build back to where we were, but the giants will make us stronger. That’s why I made them. Took the fear, the confusion, the panic of an arbitrary world where death can come from anywhere. Took that fear and gave it a name. And they will see how I love them.

All I’ve ever wanted is for my people to be safe. And they were, until she came along.

It’s no time now to question or look back. The choice is made.

-

She followed us across the land. Using my poor son, then that idiot Fargrímr, leading her here. I loved that man once, called him friend, though he was always strange. But he broke with us when I told him my solution to the giants.

-

She’s come so far. I have to grudgingly admire her. It’s a harsh land, and she made it here, with her followers in tow. My son, my son. And the others. Ástríðr, a thorn in my side always, just like her father, refusing to listen to me when all I want is peace and safety!

-

All I had lost and all I had to lose, they’re here. My son I thought would take my burden from me. This is the last sign.

-

The last sign. Circled round in red, we raise it up in defiance of the night, a wall to shield us from the savagery.

But we let the true darkness just walk in.

I should have stopped her.

-

I tried to keep my son on the right path. I tried. I took the reins. I tried. I wanted to keep them safe, my people. I found a way that they could live, no blood or tears. My son. My people.

-

Thórgestr

She had to keep them safe, her people. And that’s what my father wanted too. His people, he bore their weight, he acted in their name. I see it. And it changed him.

Now she knows that we are all our father’s children.

-

Senua: I see it now. The darkness is inside me. Not the way I thought. It is his darkness, not hers. And it carves a path for me. I can’t see where it leads.

A part of me wants to let go of the fear. Let go of my shadows and be free. No more pain, no more doubt. Honoured, loved, feared. Always true, always right because they tell me so. Keeping them safe, keeping their belief alive, no matter the cost.

Is this my fate? Can I choose my way?

Thórgestr: We are not our fathers. There is always a choice. You taught me that. You decide.

Full List: 1) Reykjanestá [Thórgestr] | 2) Freyslaug [Thórgestr] | 3) Rauðhólar [Fargrímr] | 4) Huldufólk [Fargrímr] | 5) Bárðarvik [Ástríðr] | 6) Borgarvirki [The Goði / Thórgestr]

[with-love-from-hell]

5 Sides of Human

{Part Nineteen}

Genre: Mixed

WC: ~4.1k

CW: Depression, Allusion to past trauma, Mentions of chronic illness, very fluffy chapter, Storm has a stutter but I am not depicting it with written word consistently, prolly lots of typos lol, spoilers for season 1&2, I'm skipping over/changing some things I didn't like in the main story so it will be a bit different from canon!

A/N: Expedited this because me and one of my friends could use some comfort from our boys <3

Series Masterlist

©️ artwork commissioned by @vivi8bit ©️  

“Fuck off, Old man.” Vivi hissed as she pushed past Lucifer toward Satan’s room, ignoring his warning of completing their homework before spending time with the 4th born. He had been hounding her about grades for nearly two weeks since the play, seeing as she had stopped going to classes in preference of doing...well...anything else. 

Lucifer sighed in frustration, rubbing his temples roughly. The headache that had been seemingly endless since the night of the play only seemed to become more painful. For goodness sake, where was Storm? She was the only one who offered him any sort of respite, and he had hardly been able to spend any time with her since Asmo basically forced her to be at his side 24/7 to aid him in the stupid Bloody Moon competition. His only solace was that the event took place in three days time, so she would soon become free again, but he worried that his brothers would easily trip over themselves to spend time with her.  He found himself often feeling jealous, but couldn’t set his pride aside to fight for her companionship.

“Vivi, Would you please listen to reason.” Lucifer turned and followed them down the hall, much to their displeasure. “Diavolo expects all of our students to be in class if they are able- so if something is preventing you from attending-” 

“Stop treating me like a 7 year old, Dick-bag.” Vivi whipped around, Lucifer nearly colliding with them as they suddenly stopped. “I don’t give a fuck about Diavolo and what his expectations are. I told you from the beginning I didn’t ask to be here!” 

Lucifer pulled his lips back into a thin line, holding back his anger as much as he could. Storm had urged him to try to be more patient and understanding, and her teachings to him on human’s emotions and trauma had been able to help him empathize with Storm, but Vivi was another Story. All he thought of when he interacted with her was a young Satan, though much less destructive. And he still struggled with the 5th born who was his own brother- how could he ever manage to deal with this human who had decided she hated him from day 1? 

“Vivi, I am merely acting out of concern for you.” 

“Ha!” Vivi shook their head, crossing their arms over their chest. “Concern for me?! Don’t make me laugh. All you care about is boot licking for the crown. Now leave me alone.” 

Unbelievable...Lucifer sighed, throwing up his hands in exasperation. “Fine- if you are refusing my sympathy, so be it.  But this conversation is not over, Vivi.” 

“Eat shit, Dracula.” They yelled back as they climbed the stairs toward Satan’s room, slamming the door after they entered. 

Lucifer growled in frustration, trying to massage away the headache that was very much present in the forefront of his brain.

“Hey, Lucifer!” 

Lucifer whipped around, shocked to hear the sickly-sweet voice of Storm suddenly behind him. His posture lifted and his eyes seemed to sparkle at the sight of her. His heart nearly lifted into his throat as it fluttered excitedly. “Oh, Storm!” 

“Hey!” she laughed running a hand through her hair. “Sorry It’s been a hot minute since we’ve really talked- Asmo has kept me unreasonably distracted.” 

Lucifer waved off the apology. “It’s no trouble. I know how my brothers can be. I’m always glad to see you regardless!” 

She was surprised by the excitement in his demeanor. She gave a small giggle as her cheeks turned slightly pink. “What? Did you miss me that much?” 

Lucifer cleared his throat, trying to hide a growing blush. “I merely find the lack of your company odd, given how accustomed I’d become to it.” 

Storm rolled her eyes with a small laugh. “Sure. Well, I managed to have Heart and Sarah distract Asmo while I snuck away for a bit. I have a lot of classes that I’m falling behind on because of all this, and needed a place to do it where I wont be bothered. Could I use your office, please?” 

“Of course. I was just going to get started on signing some documents for Diavolo.” Lucifer smiled. “I would enjoy the extra company.” 

“Great. I’ll make some refreshments then!” Her smile grew wide and she turned on her heel, nearly skipping down the hallway in excitement. 

Lucifer watched happily, finding the stress of the past 10 days melting away slightly. His shoulders relaxed as he made his way toward his office to clear some space for her to do her work. The paperwork Diavolo had been assigning to him had been piling up to the point where stacks had been set on the loveseat across from the fireplace. The chronic migraines he had begun experiencing had made focusing on anything extremely difficult, and he had been falling behind in his own work to the point where Storm’s missing assignments didn’t even phase him. The only reason Vivi stuck out was because their Devildom History professor had reached out about the attendance issue  along with numerous missing assignments, and a threat to remove them from the class. Even so, he knew something was going on with them to cause the sudden change. 

Despite not wanting to be here, as they had reiterated to him about a hundred times at this point, they still went almost all of their classes, and he knew Satan was helping them with assignments- or rather, doing it for them- so he was uncertain as to why the sudden changes happened since the night of the ball. They had been secluding themselves more, even from Satan, and even the calloused way they talked to anyone seemed to lessen in favor of mere silence. The only one who seemed to be able to get through to them was Storm, and she became oddly protective of them, offering anyone who offered any sort of criticism toward their demeanor a harsh glare or snapping at them to mind their business. 

“I made some cucumber sandwiches and chai, I hope that’s alright.” Lucifer jumped as she spoke, his thoughts having distracted him so much that he didn’t even hear her enter the room. 

“That’s perfect, thank you...though you didn’t have to do that.” He smiled at her as he set down a large stack of documents. 

She set the tray on the coffee table and dropped her satchel to the floor beside the couch. she crossed one leg over her knee as she poured them each a cup of tea. “I suppose I didn’t have to, but I know how hard you work yourself and how you tend to neglect to take breaks.” 

Lucifer scoffed. “Thank you for the consideration, but I am more than capable of taking care of myself. You worry to much, Storm.” 

She side eyed him for a moment, before returning her focus to setting two sandwiches on his plate. “Mmhmm.” 

“What coursework are you missing?” He sat on the couch next to her, propping his leg up similarly and balancing his plate on his knee while he sipped his tea. The sweet floral notes danced on Lucifer’s tongue, and the light carbonation fizzled as it slid easily down his throat. It reminded him of the feeling of kissing Storm, making his heartbeat increase ever so slightly as she pulled out her note pad from her bag, along with two text books. 

“I mean, I guess I shouldn’t have said I'm falling behind.” She laughed, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. “I just...don’t like not being ahead on my work.”

Lucifer smiled. That was something he had always admired about her. “So what is it that you’d like to get ahead on?” 

“Well,” She tapped her chin thoughtfully with her pen, “I have a research paper due next week in beast keeping- I’m writing about the dangers of serpents and basilisks. I have a lab on Monday in Potions, and I wanted to make sure to have the ingredients we’re using and their effects committed to memory...and I’m missing Curses and Hexes tomorrow because of the Bloody Moon thing, so I have some notes I wanted to catch up on in preparation for that.” 

Lucifer nodded. “That doesn’t seem so bad.” 

Storm shrugged, glancing down at the floor. “I just don’t like waiting until the last minute to do stuff...” 

“I wish my brothers were more like you.” Lucifer sighed, the pounding headache he was experiencing now coming back behind his eyes. “Or the other exchange students, for that matter.” 

“Are the other humans really so bad?” Storm glanced at him, sadly. “...Or is it that you havent taken the opportunity to get to know them better, like you did with me?” 

“Well, frankly I think part of the problem is that none of them appear to be as adherent to rules like you are, in addition to the fact that our personalities don’t blend as well. Each of them has found at least one of my brothers easy to get along with, with the exception of me. The only one not causing me constant stress is Heart, but even he tends to be more laissez faire about regulation and etiquette than you are.” 

Storm paused, thinking over his words for a moment. “Well, I suppose that’s fair. But, you know it even took you awhile to warm up to me, right?” 

Lucifer sighed. “I’m aware, yes. But you seemed to at least follow simple instructions, and frankly now I consider myself lucky that you were the first example of an exchange student we had. These other humans...” 

Storm glanced up at him as his words trailed off into a groan. Lucifer pinched the bridge of his nose tightly, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to stave off the pain at the front of his head. Storm shifted in her seat, setting down her tea plate and scooting closer to him. 

“Are you okay?” her eyes darted around his face, trying to see if she could figure out what was wrong with him. 

It took him a moment to reply, his voice strained. “Yes. No need to worry, just a mere headache, is all.” 

“That doesn’t look like just a headache.” Storm scooted closer still, gently touching the sides of his forehead where veins protruded against his skin. “It looks more like a migraine. How long has this been going on?” 

“Storm, I’m fine.” He reassured, though made no attempts to mover her hands away as her fingers traced the side of his face. He found her touch pleasing, no matter the circumstance, but tried to prevent himself from leaning into it and cause her more worry. 

“Clearly you’re not.” She shook her head as he winced through another sharp pain. “You should be resting. Migraines should be nursed with low light and water!” 

Before Lucifer could protest, she was on her feet, pacing around his office to dim the lamps and reduce the flame on the fire. She tugged the curtains closed to reduce outside light as well, and then jogged out of the room. She returned back within minutes with glass of water, another empty glass, and an armful of herbs. she shoved the water in Lucifer’s hand and snatched his tea cup away from him. She dumped the tea into a nearby plant, and quickly shred some of the herbs  and shaved some of the root with her thumbnail. After the materials were swiped into the glass, Storm took it and rushed out of the room again, returning within a minute with a perfectly hot cup of herbal tea. 

“Here. Drink this.” She shoved the teacup toward him. 

“What is-” 

“Just drink it.” She motioned for him to grab the cup, which he reluctantly did and took a small, cautious sip. “It’s something I drink when I have migraines. It’s a simple mint and ginger based tea, with lavender, butterbur, and coriander. It’ll help.” 

Lucifer nodded, not really finding the drink very pleasurable, but trusting in Storm’s knowledge given her chronic conditions. After finishing the tea, storm immediately took the cup from him and bolted out of the room once more. Lucifer sighed, standing and moving toward his desk, this time not missing when she came back in completely out of breath. 

“What are you doing?” She panted, dropping a large blanket on the couch.

“I’m getting started on the mounds of paperwork I have.” He noted flatly. “A simple headache isn’t going to stop me from my duties.” 

“Lucifer...” Storm murmured sadly. “You need to rest.” 

“Thank you for the concern but-”

“Lucifer.” She reiterated again, this time more sternly. 

“Storm, I’m telling you I’m fine.” He sighed in frustration, crossing his arms. “I don’t need-” 

“Lucifer, Get your butt over to this couch and lay down!” Storm narrowed her eyes as her voice raised slightly, denoting her seriousness. “That is an order!” 

Lucifer blinked and widened his eyes as her pact mark shimmered on her chest. He sighed again- though this time it came out as more of a growl. His feet propelled him forward against his well, coming to a rest in front of the couch. He plopped down, glaring at her the entire time, though she wore a warm, satisfied smile plainly on her face. She laid out a blanket over him as he adjusted himself horizontally. 

“This is not how I imagined you using our pact, Storm.” Lucifer grumbled, though felt eased with her care as she pulled a blanket up to his chin.

“You need to take care of yourself when you feel unwell.” She murmured, gazing into his eyes for a moment. “You overwork yourself too much and...I...worry about you.” 

Lucifer stared back at her, feeling his heart flutter in his chest once more. He wasn’t sure what to say, he simply watched as she pressed a cold compress to his head and loosened his tie. 

“Now get some rest. You don’t have to sleep, but just resting your eyes will help.” she smiled, caressing his cheek for a moment. “Your paperwork can wait.” 

Lucifer groaned. “Very well, but I expect you to wake me in an hour.” 

Storm nodded, smiling warmly back at him. He let his eyes gently close as she slowly ran her hand through his hair a few times. He sighed contently, now letting himself lean into her touch. He nearly whined as he felt her hand leave his hair. He heard her shuffle her belongings to the chair next to the couch, followed by the sound of a scribbling pen. Slowly, his muscles relaxed and the throbbing pain dulled enough to where he could drift into unconsciousness.

Vivi slammed the door behind her, causing the tall tower of books near Satan’s bed to waver with the intensity of the force. Satan steadied them, peaking around behind the mess to see a very angry Vivi approaching him. He hadn’t really even spoken to them in nearly a week, and they had strong armed him out of any conversation he tried to engage basically since the ball. The past 3 days were the worst of it though, and they had basically holed up in her room, refusing to talk to anyone in that time other than Storm- and even with her the conversations seemed minimal.

“Vivi! What seems to be-” 

“Shut it. I came here to get away from your annoying older brother and that’s it. I want to be left alone.” Vivi picked a corner far away from Satan, nearly curling into themself with their sketch book.  

Satan watched curiously, noting the slow, gentle movements they made on the paper despite their angry demeanor. He thought about what he could say- or rather, maybe not say- to get her to open up. At times like this he wished he had the seemingly seamless ability that Storm had to get through to people who were struggling and get them to talk. He attempted to channel his inner ‘Storm’ and try to engage with them, despite the fact that they so clearly stated they want to be alone.

“I haven’t talked to you in awhile.” He commented, picking up a book and mimicking their actions on his bed. “I’ve missed you, you know.” 

Vivi’s hand paused its movements for a short moment, before picking up at a faster pace than before.

Satan chewed the inside of his cheek. “You know I’m here for you, right?” 

“I thought I told you to be quiet.” She snapped her head toward him, giving him a pointed glare. After seeing his concerned expression, her scowl dissipated and she turned her attention back to her sketch book. “I...I just don’t want to talk about it.” 

“But you came here.” Satan added. “You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, but I want to help.” 

“There’s nothing you can do.” 

“What makes you so sure?” 

“I don’t...” Vivi sighed in frustration. “You wouldn’t understand. None of you stupid demons do! So just leave it alone.” 

“You talked to Storm, though. So there’s something she did that helped, right?” Satan slowly inched his way across his bed as he spoke, hoping she wouldn’t notice how cautiously he approached her. 

“Storm is...different. She’s the only one who at least kind of understands what growing up with-” Vivi paused, clenching her pen in her fist. “Just forget it. It doesn’t matter.” 

Satan’s expression softened further. “It does matter though. You don’t have to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean whatever is bothering you doesn’t matter.” 

Vivi stayed silent, though Satan could her their breath start to falter. 

“I care about you.” He stated matter-of-factly, and just the statement alone was enough to release the flood gates on Vivi’s tears. They curled into themself, trying desperately to hide their face from Satan. He immediately leapt from his bed, crouching next to them. For a moment though he hesitated to touch them, remembering Storm’s emphasis to him and his brothers on consent before offering any sort of physical comfort to her, and figured he should apply it here too. “Would you like a hug, Vivi?” 

There was a pause, and the only sound that could be heard was the sound of Vivi trying to regain control of their breathing. They didn’t speak, but saw their head move from beneath their arms, indicating an affirmative.

Satan smiled, pulling them tightly into his arms. They cried softly into his chest. He rubbed their back as they cried, offering small words of reassurance for them to cling to while he comforted them. Eventually, he had Vivi pulled onto his lap, cradling them as they tried to regain their ability to breath smoothly. Once they were calmed down, he decided to speak to them again. 

“Do you want a distraction? I guess I could like...read to you, if you wanted?” He shrugged, glancing back at their glistening eyes from beneath the mess of purple and black hair that was plastered against their forehead. They gave a small nod, which Satan returned with a wide smile. He snatched a book from a nearby stack and began reading, holding Vivi close to him while he did so. 

Eventually, he heard their breathing slow, and he glanced down to see their eyes fixated on the page as he read. His chest felt warm as he continued reading, glancing at them out of the corner of his eye as he did. They were cute like this, clinging to his chest like a sad lost kitten. He wanted desperately to do more for them, and he wish they’d tell him what had got to them so badly. His mind raced with possibilities, knowing it surly couldn’t just be Lucifer’s hovering that had them so depressed.  

After about an hour, finishing 3 chapters of the book he was reading to them, he set it aside. He returned his focus to making sure they felt comforted as he rested his chin on their head, unconsciously rocking them back and forth subtly. 

“Are you still not wanting to talk? It’s okay if you don’t, but I want to know what’s wrong or if I could help.” Satan brushed straggling strands of hair back from their eyes, searching them for a sign that he could be let in. 

“No...but I...” Vivi sighed, rubbing their eyes and smearing makeup down their cheeks. “...I appreciate...y’know...this.” 

Satan smiled sadly. “Okay. Well, I hope you know that whoever made you feel this way would easily get their spines shoved up their ass...if I had anything to say about it.” 

Vivi snorted. “Thanks. I’d like that. I’ll send you a list. Maybe you could start with your goth wannabe older brother.” 

Satan let out a loud laugh, nearly flinging Vivi off his lap in the process. Soon enough, they were laughing along side him. 

Lucifer rubbed his eyes and stretched, finally haven woken up after a nap he had needed for centuries. He felt well rested...calm, even. Through the small gap in the curtains on the window, he could tell that it was well into the evening. Now realizing he had definitely been asleep for longer than an hour, he immediately sprung up from the couch, tossing the blankets off of him as he did so. 

“Storm, I thought I told you to-” His annoyed tone faltered as his frantic darting glance fell onto Storm, who was curled up in the armchair next to the couch. Her textbook laid open on the arm, some jumbled notes scribbled on the note pad next to her. He sighed. It was hard to stay mad at her when she looked so cute. 

He grabbed the blanket that he had been covered with, gently spreading it over her instead. He folded her notes into the book, being careful not to lose her page, and set in atop the coffee table. To his surprise, he now noticed the coffee table had been completely cleared off, spare for a couple glasses of water. Lucifer furrowed his brow, now gazing around the room to see the status of the rest of it. His eyes widened when they fell onto his desk, noting that the papers that had been haphazardly piled onto it and the floor were now in neat, pristine stacks. He approached curiously, seeing sticky notes on the top in a familiar chicken scratch that was less messy than she tried to convince him it was. 

Review and Sign. Bills. Professor evaluations. Program reviews. Requests for funding...each small stack had their own sticky note attached to the top. One huge pile on the floor remained, with a piece of paper that said Completed on it. He picked up the stack, looking through it carefully. The things in this pile appeared to be a mixture of documents completed by his brothers that needed to be reviewed and approved. Atop each was another sticky note with instructions. Send to Diavolo for final approval, no errors. Review at council meeting on Wednesday. No further action. His jaw dropped in flipping through the easily two-foot stack of papers, each set of documents containing their own note of what was completed and what was needed to do next. 

Lucifer set the stack down and plopped into his chair. He carded a hand through his hair, seeing that Storm had easily gone through almost half of what was needed to be done, and even organized the rest so it could be completed faster. He glanced over to her in the arm chair, where the gentle rise and fall of her chest could be seen even from where he sat. 

She neglected her own work...for me. 

Lucifer felt warmth spread to his cheeks from his chest, finding himself flabbergasted that she would even bother to help him rest, let alone do his work for him. His heart felt full at the care she took to reduce his stress, which only added to her own. He sighed, picking up a stack of papers and setting them on the coffee table. He sat back down on the couch, debating briefly if he should move Storm to her bed. After watching her nuzzle into the blankets he decided against it, figuring she looked comfortable as is. He smiled to himself as began sorting through the bills, occasionally glancing over at Storm’s peaceful, slumbering body. 

The ease he felt with her here was immeasurable. So much so, that he barely noticed the slight pain in his head that began snaking through his temples once more. 

[mysticstarlightduck]

Can you tell us more about Xarian from Tales of Wilted Flowers? If it's not too spoilery, how did he become an outlaw? What's his greatest desire? Biggest fear?

Yes! Thank you so much for the Ask, @clairelsonao3!!! <3

I adore talking about Xarian and his story, so here we go!

Can you tell us more about Xarian from Tales of Wilted Flowers?

Xarian is a deuteragonist/second protagonist in the story of Tales of Wilted Flowers, and a love interest to the actual MC, Lorelai Wildwood. He is also a fairy/fae.

He starts his story looking for a way to unbind himself from the sorcerer that had him captive for years, as even after his lucky escape, the villains are still tracking him down. After becoming an outlaw - I will explain that in a second, don't worry (; - Xarian seeks Lorelai's help, as her father's journal could just hold the answers the fairy needed. Soon after, they end up framed by the crown and have to run away, setting out to discover what is truly hiding behind their kingdom's seemingly perfect facade, if they want their freedoms back (and end up discovering the awakening of a mythical evil they must stop in the process).

This is the gist of the beginning of his tale in the book, as the story will then progress as they venture into this adventure together and recruit new friends for their quest. I can say that Xarian will be faced with a difficult/ill-fated decision at the end of Act 2, so keep an eye out for that when the time comes!

If it's not too spoilery, how did he become an outlaw?

Okay, onto the tricky part!

Xarian's true past is revealed gradually throughout the story, as he slowly grows to trust - and love - Lorelai enough to share his backstory and situation. (Some very specific events in his past are major spoilers, but those don't necessarily revolve around the way he became an outlaw).

So onto the beginning then! Let's see me try to avoid the major spoilers lol

Years before the main storyline starts, Xarian moved to the capital of their kingdom and trusted the wrong person. Trusting the wrong person destroyed his life (at least recent future prospects), and he found himself trapped in a magical "deal" with a powerful sorcerer seeking power in the lands (the main villain).

Growing tired of his situation, and after figuring out the sorcerer's plans, Xarian escaped after temporarily shattering the bond that held him prisoner and slipping away unnoticed. (The details as to how this worked are spoilers, and he tacitly leaves out most of those details when he explains his past the first time anyway).

But that's not how he became an outlaw.

Keeping a low profile and knowing his time was running out if he wanted to avoid being captured again, Xarian decided to do something reckless: breaking into the royal castle, and stealing something important, something that could give him the information he needed to stop the sorcerer.

The plan didn't quite go as planned (SPOILERS, and it had repercussions, not so great ones in fact), but Xarian was able to escape again, and this time he knew what he had to do (more precisely what he had to find) in order to defeat his worst enemy. But now, he was an outlaw, wanted in every city of the kingdom.

And this chain of events is what led him to Lorelai's old manor, in the first chapter of Tales of Wilted Flowers.

What's his greatest desire?

Xarian's greatest desire, throughout the entirety of the story, is to regain his complete freedom and to defeat (a.k.a have his revenge) the sorcerer who tried to destroy his life. But mostly, behind it all, he wants to just be able to be at peace again, like a normal person should. (After his and Lorelai's love story begins, Xarian really wants to be able to spend his life with her, like to actually be together as a couple, but they both know that the only way this can happen is if they defeat the villains first and get their lives back first).

Biggest fear?

Xarian's biggest fear is to be controlled or used, to become someone's puppet. He also fears being trapped or shackled in any way and is deeply afraid of seeing his friends and loved ones get hurt because of him (even though he rarely lets this show through his sassy and unbothered facade). He doesn't really fear much else (except maybe for spiders and other insects, but that's a small phobia).

+ BONUS! Because you told me to talk about him, and I love this character, here are three random facts about Xarian.

Xarian cannot sing. At all. He jokes that he sounds like a dying goose when he sings. He might do it proudly just to annoy Kaladin on the road when Kal has a hangover after drinking too many flagons of wine at a tavern. (While he does not sing he can play the lute very well, tho).

Before his life went to hell, Xarian wanted to be an alchemist and magical inventor in the kingdom's capital. He was (and still is) very talented and very passionate about the subject.

He is the kind of person to make genuinely funny comments/jokes while in a situation that definitely does not warrant funny comments (like while being chased by the acolytes of a sorcerer who wants to painfully kill them).

[zeromora]

Thoughts on 1.4 Archon Quest

Khaenri’ah, Dainsleif, Aether & Lumine, and the Seven archons: Recaps, thoughts and theories. 

These are what I gathered and my deduction so please take them with a grain of salt. 

CW // Spoilers for Archon Quest Chapter I Act IV: We Will Be Reunited 

- MC has the memory of Khaenri’ah which was destroyed 500 years ago. This confirms that Aether & Lumine are at least over 500 years old. The CN script also shows that Aether is the older of the two. (Lumine calling him Gege/Older brother and Aether calling her Meimei/Younger sister.)

- The Battle Pass Cutscene mentioned about the first crowned heir being deceived and believing that she was the queen of the kingdom of darkness. This is very likely alluded to Lumine and Khaenri’ah. (As Aether seems to be the MC in this cutscene and MHY’s preview of the Teyvat chapters.) 

Once there was a glorious kingdom established among the heavens. From that kingdom came a crowned heir, tasked with seeking out the Genesis Pearl from the Kingdom of Darkness. The first crowned heir began her journey seeking pearl. But she was deceived, and the memory of her noble origins faded. She now believed that she was the queen of the Kingdom of Darkness. But take heart, a second crowned heir had already taken the path where the first had stumbled. This is the story of your journey of your tale to be told.

(ETA: Some mentioned that the BP cutscene might not refer to MC and their twin due to the female one being the younger one. While it is also plausible that the cutscene might be talking about other characters, it doesn’t completely disprove that the cutscene isn’t about MC and their twin either. Because the terms ‘first’ and ‘second’ crowned heirs do not always mean the first crowned heir is the older of the two.)

- Dainsleif mentioned that it was the gods that destroyed Khaenri’ah. From what we gather, Khaenri’ah was 1) a country without a god to begin with, and 2) advanced in technology (apparently beyond the current Teyvat), it is likely that Celestia’s excuse to destroy it was either the hubris of humans or Khaenri’ah was advancing in the direction that wasn’t beneficial to Celestia. Could be both.  

- The lore of Bloodstained Chivalry also mentioned that the curse upon the kingdom of darkness is unjust. 

He ventured into the fallen ancient kingdom, and died in battle in the monsters' lair. At the bottom of the world, he learned the origin of the monsters that destroyed the ancient kingdom.

"The ancient kingdom was wrongfully cursed,"

"Turning its inhabitants into monsters."

"The code of chivalry tolerates not such injustice."

"If Abyss be thy name, I pledge to you my loyalty."

Still, for a nation that ‘fought for land with steel and blood’ (See: Field Tiller), is the curse place upon Khaenri’ah truly unjust? And if it is indeed unjust, what are the reasons for Khaenri’ah’s war waging and for Lumine to empathize with its cause after its destruction? Is she really deceived/corrupted? 

- Lumine mentioned having journeyed through Teyvat before, but when she woke Aether up, it was the Cataclysm already. So the world Lumine had travelled was the world before the destruction of Khaenri’ah. This implies that it’s likely she knows (some if not all of) the seven archons. (Previous Dendro archon died ~500 years ago). 

Zhongli might know something, but whether he chooses to speak of it remains a question. This might also relate to why he gave his gnosis to the Tsaritsa. 

- Dain said it was the gods that descended upon the earth and destroyed Khaenri’ah, but there is no evidence (and the lack thereof) whether any of the Seven was involved in this. But it is possible that the Cataclysm might be related to the death of the previous Dendro god. 

I think Dain’s negative opinions of the Seven is more from the Seven's relationship with Celestia. He speaks of gods as collective rather than an individual.

- Celestia is foreshadow to be the actual antagonist? (Or at least, the cyclical system that should be ended?) The nature of the world(s) Celestia has been creating/controlling is cyclical. Civilization has been built and destroyed over and over again (See: Tiara of Frost). An interesting question here is whether the Seven Archons system has been implemented before the current Teyvat. 

Personally, I believe that the Seven system is exclusive to the current Teyvat due to the occurrence of the Archon War. Not only do the seven seats let Celestia control the direction of humanity through the Seven, Celestia can also monitor the gods. 

(Possible) Chain of Authority:

Celestia >>> The Seven Archons >>> Gods that accepted the rule of the Seven >>> Humanity 

Note (1): Gods that refused to be under the rule of the Seven fled from the continent of Teyvat and became evil gods.

Note (2): The fact that Tsaritsa only planned to rebel against Celestia after the Catacylsm 500 years ago could mean that not all gods have an idea about what Celestia is up to, at least until the destruction of Khaenri’ah.

- The Seven Archons are tasked with the responsibility to guide humanity. However, with the newer generation of archons not interested in the obligation to guide humanity, with Venti originally leaving Monstadt free of its rulers and Zhongli retiring, how important to Celestia is actually this duty? 

Perhaps Celestia never means for humanity to prosper to the point of challenging the heavens from the start? As long as the civilizaion doesn’t advance in the direction that Celestia finds undesirable, it is acceptable? 

Note (3): Rex Lapis’ death and Zhongli giving away his gnosis means that there will be no new Geo Archon to replace him. Consequently, this makes Liyue godless city but a nation run by humans. However, Liyue has yet to incur the wrath from Celestia for the time being.

- How omnipotent is Celestia? Is the eye of Celestia all-seeing? Does Celestia even know the Tsaritsa is collecting gnoses? And what about Rex Lapis faking his death? Does Celestia even know his death was fake? If so, has Celestia begun an operation, a counter-measure, against the possible rebellion and/or the Abyss? 

- Also, at the end of the quest, Dain chased after Lumine with the Eye of the First Tiller with him and the upside-down Venti Statue was still not destroyed. Are we still getting mecha-Osial? (They mention the attachment of Osial’s limbs to the statue, does this mean the abyss plans to dissect Osial first? Poor thing. I can only hope they leave him alone.)

[liddolwhynot2000]

Decisions Of a Capricorn

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Summary: Levi Ackerman woke up one fine morning. In the past. Shit.

Genre: Angst, lets-change-shit, drama, liddol romance (Levixhappiness)

Pairings: Levi/Original Female Character, Levi/Petra

Warning: Manga spoilers

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Chapter 1. Chapter 2

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Chapter 3: Brace

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Summary:  Capricorns can be naturally pessimistic. They already expect unfortunate things to happen in life, so they take them in a stride.

Alternatively, Levi braces himself for the worst and is pleasantly suprised.

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Telling his squad had gone better then he thought it would. His special ops members took the news it in a stride, immediately launching into a discussion of what they needed to do now and how to utilize this information best. Eren, as expected of his 15 year old version, was befuddled.

Levi wondered how someone so innocent looking transformed into a complete monster in such short time.

His squad had lived up to his expectations, easily concluding that they need to keep this information to themselves for now. Eld, ever the natural born leader, took the lead and suggested that they need to learn to work with Eren. So that they aren't caught off guard on the bare minimum skill level they can expect from the traitor.

Gunther was the one who brought up the possibility of facing the armoured titan, and even though Levi was sure they wouldn't have to face that particular beast yet, he still agreed with their suggestions of carrying some fire arms. Thunder spears didn't exist yet, which meant that grenades and canons would be their best shot.

Eren had tried to voice out his own suggestion, that he wanted to train his skill set too. He felt that he needex to improve in some areas, and although Levi bitterly recalled how much Eren had improved without help in another life, he had to agree with the brat.

His squad, however, didn't share the same opinion and immediately began to shut Eren down.

'Eren, your job is to trust us. We expect you to leave it all to us and transform as an absolute last resort!'

'Yeah, you brat, don't get cocky. The only way you'll fight is if we somehow di-'

Olou had bitten his tounge and cut himself off before Levi could. Levi had then interrupted before Eld and Gunther could throw in their two cents.

'Eren is the main target, what will all of you do if Eren is somehow dragged away you from you and has to fight for himself? We need to prepare this brat for everything, especially how to fight in his titan form.'

They had all shut up, but he could tell it was only because of Eren's presence. They wouldn't be caught dead speaking speak out against their superior, especially in front of Eren. Levi had taken advantage of that little fact.

'We'll get back to this in a while-- Eren it's time for you to transform. Four eyes is here'

____________________________________

It went just like last time, Eren wasn't able to transform. He sat in front of Levi, looking just as despondent he had the last time. He didn't walk away from Eren like last time, instead having chosen to stick close to the brat. Some things still needed to happen, and Levi was just waiting for that inevitable explosion.

When Eren accidentally transformed this time, he immediately took out his blades and points them at his team, not at all surprised that they had already drawn their blades.

They would always be talented little brats, but they had a long way to go..

'Captain-'

'Put down your blades Petra.'

'Captain get away from Eren-Please-'

It had continued on, with the brats arguing in favour of heatedly questioning Eren and his motives, while he had ferociously stood by the him. It was a part of the plan really-he knew that Eren would be fine no matter what. He just hoped that, at least this time around, the brat would take his taking a stand for him like this into consideration before he decided to launch a mass genocide on his own.

'Shut up and obey.'

His team had faltered, and then slowly lowered their swords as he began to speak.

'Do you have any other titan shifters?'

They all looked confused. Only Olou managed to speak croak out a strangled no. Levi pointed at Eren, who was panicking alot less since Levi had begun to speak in his favour.

'You see this dumbass? He's our only shot. There's no replacement for him. All of you can be replaced, Erwin can be replaced, Hange can be replaced. Despite your silly admiration of me, I could easily drop dead and be replaced too.-'

His squad had looked scandalised at the thought of their beloved captain being anything remotely close to being replaceable. Then again, none of them had experienced Mikasa and her unnatural strength yet.

'We need him. He doesn't need us. Understand that none of you can afford to point your blades at him without my orders. The next time you do so, I will be your opponent.'

Eld and Gunther had looked nervous, Olou had visibly begun to sweat and Petra had looked at him a little strangely. However, they all seemed to understand the point he wanted to make. '

'Am I clear?

They all nodded

'Yes Sir!'

____________________________________

He had made sure to still have that chat with Eren, to make him understand his squads actions. He knew Eren trusted him a little more this time around-his showing support toward him like this had likely changed his opinion of him, if only a little. Levi was banking on that, hopefully he could push the kid in the right direction.

He had gone to his room after Hange had explained Eren's transformation and his squad had shown support towards Eren by biting their hands. A filthy act, but he supposed in this case he would allow it. Not that it stopped him from ordering them to go sanitise their hands and not come near him for a while.

He had even made his tea on his own, unwilling to let them touch them with their germ infected hands. Petra had looked at him oddly when he had told her he would do it on his own, almost like a kicked puppy.

He sat in bed, tea long finished and mind occupied.

He had been somewhat productive so far, managing to manipulate Erwin into changing the plan to capture the female titan. His squad was well in the loop, and likely making several plans to take on a titan shifter. Eren was beginning to look at him with more trust, something he hoped would blossom more.

There was still too much to figure out though. And since Levi had resolved to not let Erwin in on the plan, he was now drowning in things he needed to figure out. How Erwin managed to sort through so much crap was beyond him.

Some things, he had already figured out. Others were still being debated upon.

When it came to Historia, he would injure her tommorow, to the point she wouldn't be able make it to the expedition. She would likely try to jail him for it after taking the crown, but he figured he could call it vacation time from work and enjoy the silence. Those brats were too loud anyways.

He knew that Rod Reiss might come after her sooner after hearing that she had been injured, so he would have an old friend keep an eye out for her. It was an aquantince from the underground, one of the few he could trust, that had managed to crawl their way to the surface too. He was strong and capable-and very good at hiding when he needed to.

Only Levi had ever been able to find him- and since he knew Kenny Ackerman wouldn't be used yet, he felt it was the best way to keep her safe.

He had also decided that he would have to kill Kenny. He had contemplated recruiting the old bastard, but Kenny was too much of a gamble. The type only Erwin would take on trying to recruit. And while it would be feasible to drop hints about his mentor in the underground to the Commander, he wasn't sure the Survey Corps could handle a mission like that. Their attention needed to be on capturing shifters and getting Historia to the crown.

Maybe Erwin could risk something like that, but this time it would be his deicison. Kenny, despite his conflicting feelings towards him, had to be eliminated. He just couldn't chance their opposition having someone like that on their side, and wasn't confident enough that they could get him to jump ship.

The rest he was still a little muddled on. He was reasonably sure he could draw Ymir to their side, especially if he told her about how Historia would be queen soon. But the girl wasn't dumb, she would also be able to tell that Historia would have a part time job as child breeder, and might even try to leave with her then.

It pained him to do so, but he couldn't save Historia from that fate. He could, however try his damned hardest that her children wouldn't be turned into shifters.

The other shifters left him feeling conflicted. They needed the Colossal titan, he would be their mass weapon against other nations. The moment he could, he would get the serum and feed Bertolts titan to one of their soldiers. There would be no compromising on that, no matter how much he wished he could lure the kid to their side instead and spare him from that painful death. He just didn't know the kid enough to ensure he could win him over.

As for Reiner, Levi recalled the young man who had stepped up to stop Eren. He recognised that he was stuck in a tough place, but again, he would have to harden his heart. He had to keep his side as safe as possible, even if it meant taking away the armoured titan.

A part of him still hoped that he could get the kid to join him though, he would definitely try for it.

As for Zeke and Pieck, who had likely already arrived on the island, they would be dealt promptly. Zeke would need to be restrained and hidden away in a deep tunnel, while the cart titan would be given to someone else.

He would, unfortunately, have to allow Zeke to turn Ragako Village into titans. But he figured not everyone needed to be turned for it, he could at least get the children out of there. Connie's mother had been key in figuring out the truth about titans, and so he would have to sacrifice her. But Connie's siblings would at least live this time around.

More of his cormades would survive the attack too, having less titans to deal with. He was hoping that Mike and his squad would get out of it alive and not be dealt the same unfortunate fate they had suffered through before.

When it came to Annie, however, Levi already knew what to do. If all went well, he was more then sure that the Female Titan would be fighting for the Island soon enough.

His plans regarding the shifters were a big gamble on his part, since it was all relying on one thing specifically.

Getting the titan serum from the Royal government.

But Levi was a thief at heart, a man who knew how to get things no one wanted to give, to find them in the shadiest corner, completely undetected. Worst comes, he would easily infiltrate. Their security was crap anyways.

He would know. It wouldn't be the first time he had stolen something from those bastards anyways.

Levi laid down, covering himself with a blanket. He thought of one last thing before he allowed sleep to overcome him.

It was dumb of Marley to send six of their shifters to the Island, and all at the same time too. Because Levi had no intention of letting any of them go back home, not this time around.

____________________________________

In all his years of living, Levi had gotten used to being surprised. He had gone through surprise attacks, friends turning into foes, getting punched by the Queen and even time travelled. Yet had taken it all in a stride.

He had expected that half his plans would fail, that he would end up losing his squad anyways, that Annie would escape this time too. But here they were, sitting in the mess hall, post expedition, and very much alive.

Erwin had informed more squads about the traitor, although thankfully Reiner and his squad hadn't been told. Most of them had understood that they likely wouldn't be able to take on the threat, and their squad leaders had made sure to have them engage very litte. They had tactfully allowed the Female Titan to pass through the formation, thus leading her to Eren. More lives had been saved this time around, much to his pleasure.

They had gone through the same plan, trapping her in the forest. Erwin had stood by and watched as the female titan glared at him. Beside him had stood soldier with black hair, wearing a hoodie. Their face had been hidden, but everyone had called that soldier captain Levi. It had made Annie think she was safe, that when she called titans to her and left to go after squad Levi, Humanity's Strongest wouldn't come after her until she accomplished her mission.

It was only when she reached the squad and made to slice at Gunther that she realise that she had been duped. The sight of Humanity's Strongest blocking her blade with his own had caused her to sweat.

Things had gotten on easily then, she hadn't been much match for him. And his squad had taken double their usual measures, going as far as to throw explosives at her before he could carve her out of the nape. Eren had watched it all in awe, thankfully the brat hadn't needed to transform this time around.

His expression had quickly changed to shock and betrayal once he spotted his comrade sealed in a crystal. Levi wasn't suprised that she had sealed herself like that this time too, he had been counting on it actually.

Levi snapped out of his thoughts and pushed his now empty tray away. He decided it was the perfect time to put his plan into action.

He needed to pay Annie Leonhart a visit.

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A/N: Heyooo. Here's chapter 3! Any guesses how Levi is getting Annie on their side?

Sorry I don't post much, but I swear things have been ridiculously busy. Uni life, housework, and my mom is sick too :(

[sourestlemon]

So. I made a bet with my friend that I could get through Omegaverse Haikyuu fanfiction because he says I can’t so if I read https://archiveofourown.org/works/13330632/chapters/30514041 that I’m going to get free icecream and twenty bucks.

But still, Bokuaka! Bokuaka is beautiful, I should rant about it more actually

This is me talking about this fic as I read, so it’ll be updated until I finish

Note, I’ve finished and it’s very very long. You’ve been warned

There’s my review and meta at the end of this as well as some critiques

Spoilers ahead.

“The Jewel of Seijou”

THE WHAT NOW

IWAOIIII

Bokuaka is so fucking cute dear god.

Oh. It’s sinful now

Ushijima better stop throwing shade at my boi’s

“"I can't believe you all think that you can go against the crown and live!" Ushishima says silencing them all. The alpha was slowly emitting his pheromones wanting to show them all his superiority. No one said a word against him. "Toru! I didn't know you'll be as lowly to use your family name to gather us here!" The alpha seethed to the omega that could have been his wife. Iwazumi hackles raised and bared his lips at the beginning of a growl. "And you!" Ushijima turned to Bokuto full on emitting his pheromones making the rest of the alpha's shoulder hackle cautiously and Oikawa to cling at Iwazumi. But Bokuto meet Ushijima calmly, unfazed by the bloodlust while Akaashi was frozen to his spot but didn't show any emotion.”

So what we get out of this paragraph is

1) Bitchy Ushi. I love Ushijima don’t get me wrong he’s precious but like. This fic Ushijima? Son of a bitch walking up in here like “Toru! How dare you be so lowly—“ and fucking trying to dominate everyone.

2) Protective Iwaizumi. Protect the precious Seijou Jewel. Do it, fight for him, protect him he’s scared.

3) Is Ushijima salty because Oikawa didn’t choose him? Oh god, he is isn’t he.

4) Akaashi’s go to emotion isn’t emotion.

5) Shits about to go down, Bokuto is gonna flip eventually, if Ushi threatens anyone—it’d probably be Oikawa or Akaashi seeing as they’re omega’s—I can see Bokuto and Iwaizumi just flipping their shit.

God I’m way to invested. Why did I read this

USHIJIMA IS A COWARDLY LITTLE BITCH IN THIS FIC, STAB HIM HINATA

D O I T

Awww Kageyama cares, Tsukki cares

OH MY GOD TENDOU!

More people came surrounding them. "What the hell," Akaashi recognized Iwazumi's voice.

Iwaizumi’s reaction is the only respectable reaction.

Wait this has major character death in the tags

Fuck

Everyone has decided that Oikawa and Akaashi must be defended but just once I want them to flip their shit and kill someone. Just once.

Bokuto, Lev and Iwaizumi all want to protect Oikawa but Iwaizumi doesn’t even fucking trust em.

Why does everyone act like Nishinoya not wanting to move on so quickly is a bad thing? It’s perfectly reasonable and I hate how everyone is like “What’s wrong with you, do you not like us?” And getting super standoffish or snappish simply because Nishinoya loves Asahi so much and doesn’t want to feel like they didn’t need him.

I really don’t like how Nishinoya/Tanaka/Ennoshita became a thing in this fic. It would be cute if it didn’t just happen because Nishinoya was desperate and if he wasn’t he wouldn’t have fucked Tanaka.

Oh dear god I don’t want Kenma to die.

Oh thank god it’s okay.

Fuck I forgot they had boobs

Did Bokuto almost name the Kuroken baby Oya but changed last minute?

BO ISN’T COMING BACK IS HE?????????

I’m feelin a little sniffly. I might fucking cry over an Omegaverse fic. Oh how the mighty have fallen

Oh my god the stars. I don’t think Bo is coming back y’all. I’m so nervous

The fuckin royals aren’t getting Keiji. No. Nuh-uh FUCK THAT SHIT

THAT’S BOKUTO’S MATE STAY AWAY FROM HIM

-cue mac worrying about oikawa because seijou is allied with fukurodani and an easy way to tear seijou away from the alliance is to kidnap oikawa and iwaizumi might split to keep him safe and ushi fucking knows this and possibly tendou also oiks is pretty as fuck-

BOKUTO IS OKAY!

Iwaizumi making Bokuto promise to save Oikawa if things went to shit makes me so worried but the same time his lil speech made my IwaOi heart so happy.

Suga bby...

BOKUTO JUST KILLED A FUCKING CHILD

Tendou, Ushijima I never thought I’d say this but I fucking hate them right now. They better not hurt the other best Boi’s.

Ushijima is salty as fuck confirmed.

"You truly are a piece of art," Ushijima said gently ...."But not as beautiful as him," the alpha muttered as he threw the omega to the floor.

So, this little snippet sent disgusting shivers down my spine for two reasons.

1) Ushijima just yeeted Akaashi, my son and

2) Any reader knows who the ‘he’ Ushi is talking about is, the only person in this book who is said to be as beautiful as Akaashi. You guessed it, the boi who rejected Ushi-fucking-jima, Jewel of Seijou himself Oikawa Tooru.

The thing that grosses me out the most about this paragraph just on its own is that Ushijima is either guessing about what Oikawa looks like, or he actually knows which overall just gives me the heebie jeebies because Oikawa definitely didn’t want that. What makes my skin crawl in this little snippet is what Ushijima would do when if he got his angry little hands on Oikawa—or Iwaizumi, but Iwa would probably be killed or used as a bargaining chip.

Hmmmmm, I’m pretty sure Ushi is in love with Tendou but the beauty statement still stands possibly???? Unless specified otherwise, because Akaashi and Oikawa are canonically considered the most beautiful people in the fic.

Also this entire chapter just makes me feel so gross, fuck Ushijima man. Fuck him.

My Ushijima loving heart hurts reading this fic.

I just want Akaashi and Oikawa to straight up kill someone. Please, anyone who I don’t care about

I FUCKING SEE THE MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH WARNING AND I DON’T LIKE IT

FUCK

FUCK

FUCK

NOT BOKUTO

WAIT IS HE ALIVE

I WANNA SEE MY LITTLE BOY

HERE HE COMES

I WANT TO SEE MY LITTLE BOY

"I came right on time," Bokuto forced out his voice cracking with emotion. "Now I can engulf you in my arms and brighten your days despite the absence of the sun. You will no longer have to endure the cold winters alone. I'll be with you, I be there for you and our child," The alpha vowed his hands itching in need.

"Are you going to leave us again?" Akaashi needed to know. The omega already knew that he wouldn't be able to survive being apart from the alpha. He knew that he wouldn't win the battle with the overwhelming loneliness.

"The seas could dry up, the mountains could turn to pebbles, the trees could die and the whole world could be on fire and I still won't leave your side."

That was all Akashi needed to hear as he leaped into his alphas arm and let go of all the pain he has held in

I’m not crying I swear

They walked together side by side and Akaashi finally faced them. They were both beaten, bloody, and torn butinstead of feeling satisfaction he felt remorse. They both looked at him with soft, wide eyes, and he realized that this was the moment they were waiting for. They wanted to see the child that they both desperately wanted and Akaashi decided to give them a parting gift.

Akaashi had won, he had won from the very beginning and he held his trophy who was a small babe with golden orbs, with mutant white and black hair. He hadn't lied to Tendou when he had said that the baby looked exactly like his father.

OH MY FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOD I’M SOBBING DON’T TOUCH ME

Meta and Review

So I just read A/B/O for the first time and I knew absolutely nothing about the entire trope that Mpreg existed and to stay the hell away from it. Please remember this in the meta and tell me if there way of dividing characters is ever specified or if it’s just decided by top-bottom dynamics.

Wow.

The story was pretty good outside of what I’m about to talk about. I liked the ships and most of the buildup, the worldbuilding seems solid, the war and UshiTens situation was really interesting to me and it made Ushi and Tendou a bit morally gray and could’ve talked about how people could do bad things for what they thought were the right reason and everything was clean cut.

Overall? Eh. Could’ve been done better

Not onto the rest

This doesn’t seem as toxic or inherently bad as most fics I’ve seen, I didn’t really like how Omega’s are always inherently feminine—the dresses, jewels, how they’re seen as inherently weaker and sometimes helpless, how they’re always referred to as “my lady”—and aren’t really given another choice because they might have the ability to reproduce in A/B/O but they aren’t women. It’s okay if a man is really feminine but for all of them to be? It rubbed my the wrong way.

I wish that the power structure was handled different in A/B/O in general. Omega’s seem to be treated like they’re helpless and I just...don’t like it? Omega’s might be submissive but that doesn’t make them physically weaker and if it did, I would’ve thought they would have picked up some other useful skills like diplomacy or strategy.

As usually, my example of how a character could’ve been handled better is Oikawa.

He’s my favorite character and I adored him but he just didn’t really deliver. It felt like he was being treated like a kid throughout this entire fic, it didn’t seem like he was doing anything during the war. Even if Omega’s don’t have a lot of physically prowess and abilities, what happened to Oikawa’s strategic and analytical nature? Why was it never mentioned in any of Bokuto’s POV sections because out all the leaders of the Allied Kingdoms, Oikawa is the best strategist—Kuroo is the exception, not the rule and I thought they should’ve been working together because smort boys—but he was simply hidden away.

Now I have no problems with all the protective IwaOi scenes when they’re in immediate danger—it makes perfect sense if Omega’s are physically weaker but have other usable talents that are taken seriously—and Oikawa simply can’t talk his way out of said problem.

I do however, have a problem with cowering Oikawa. That feels so OOC at the beginning of the first scene I cited, where is all of the quick wit and worthless pride from the show? Now, it makes sense for Oikawa to start getting scared and simply slip behind Iwaizumi once Ushijima tries to dominate everyone and all the Alphas start freaking out if Oikawa is at an actual, physical disadvantage—I feel like the alpha’s their have similar frames, or at least most of them do. Bokuto, Ushijima, Kuroo and Iwaizumi are jacked and beefy, everyone but Iwa is relatively tall too. Now, Oikawa’s tall too but he’s much thinner and leaner. I’d be scared too if everyone could break me like a twig if it came down to it—but no ??? Apparently at the first sign of any conflict he just gets scared??? He doesn’t know what’s going on in his own fucking kingdom ???

This is not Oikawa.

I didn’t like how they treated most of the Omega’s actually, it felt like they were just reverted to helpless damsels in distress. What happened to Kenma’s observation skills? Nishinoya’s everything?

More importantly, what decides Alpha’s and Omega’s? Is it up in the air like gender is? What are Beta’s then? It can’t just be who’s top and who’s bottom, that would mean the alpha-beta-omega- status wouldn’t be decided until you had a mate

From what I’ve seen in the fic, it goes by ship dynamics but what if the characters who had more strategic, cunning, observant traits and weren’t as buff and muscly would be Omega’s and had the brain power while characters who relied more on physical prowess would be Alpha’s and dominant in a purely physical way sometimes while characters who were an odd combination of the two would be Beta’s.

Going by my logic, instead of the top being the alpha and the bottom just being an omega without any personality it would be...

Bokuto- Alpha, like he was in the story. He’s definitely more physically inclined then Akaashi.

Akaashi: Omega, same as in the fic. Not to say he isn’t athletic but he relies more on his mind.

Iwaizumi- Alpha, like in the fic but from a purely physical standpoint and because he can rein Oikawa in when his friend starts going nuts.

Oikawa - Beta, he’s quite powerful but he’s also manipulative, strategic and his mind is scary as fuck.

Kuroo- Beta, he relies on his physical prowess and dorkily perfect brain a lot so he’s also a mixture of both.

Kenma- Omega, physically he’s a twig but his mind is what makes him the brain of Nekoma

Hinata- Alpha, he doesn’t use his brain a lot and has a lot of physical power

Kageyama - Beta, he’s pretty smart when it comes to volleyball and he’s also physically strong

Suga - Omega, he’s quite clever and his brain power out ways his physical prowess by a landslide

Daichi- Beta, he firms strategies and relies on his brain, plus his killer thighs

Tsukishima - Beta, he has his hue fur and athleticism but his brain power is also strong as fuck

Yamaguchi - Beta, he seems to be really people smart and eventually his serves are pretty good.

Can Betas get into a relationship with other Betas? I don’t know or care, we stan Alpha-Alpha, Beta-Beta and Omega-Omega ships here

I DON’T KNOW IF THIS IS HOW IT WORKS THO

do I have to read more

[constellationcrowned]

((This conversation with Kariom about his growing up at the hill camp reveals some important things: 1. He's very much aware of the lengths that his friends go to in order to help him with the shufflings/do-de and he clearly feels guilty about it (need I remind everyone of this commentary post as well) and 2. Flynn forbade him from speaking to the locals,))

((This is the response you get after selecting the third option, mind you. It really starts to paint a clearer picture of just how lonely he was and his efforts to fit in, make friends, etc. The commentary post I made about Kariom being similar to Serban in his youth with his antics, being a handful, and everything else? That's really starting to make sense/come into focus especially if Flynn was being overprotective/restrictive to the point of actively isolating him regardless of his full intent and so on.

There must've been happy moments, surely, but Kariom undoubtedly would've become restless and his obsessive focus on the constellations becomes even more complicated than it already is with just this little bit of additional info imo.))

[valdsforest]

“The Wife is First” Novel Chapters Outline Book 1

SPOILERS BELOW!

Incomplete / Work in Progress

[Back to Main Page]

Book 1 (Chapter 1- 39)

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Arcs:

Jing Shao's Reincarnation

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1: Despair and Rebirth 

Jing Shao escaped prison with an injured Mu Han Zhang/Jun Qing on horseback and fleeing from the pursuers.

On a edge of a cliff JS asks JQ, if JQ has ever resent JS for everything that happen to him.

JQ answers back with, how could he have not, everything that. However JQ never could blame JS for it.

JQ dies in JS arms and JS vows that if there is an afterlife, he will spend his entire life to make it up for JQ.

JS jumps down the cliff with JQ in his arms before JS waking up in bed with a bruised JQ laying next to him with half-covered torn red robes.

Note: Some lore about the Social Structure of the Royal family.

2: Reparations

JS look at his journey to confirm if he reborned/time has turned back to his 19yo self.

JS helps JQ to bath and JS treated JQ’s wounds/bruises.

JS decides to take the outside of the bed and both went to sleep.

3: Well Matched (in Marriage)

Empress Wu ploted the marriage of JS because no Crown Prince was yet selected and to exclude JS from that possible selection.

JQ followed the traditions of the wife to gift the servants of JS.

JS ordered to his servant Dou Fu to select JQ a personal servant and imperial guard (meaning JQ can leave the estate at will).

JS puts on JQ’s hair ornament (tradition wife -> husband).

On the sedan, while JS messaging JQ’s lower back, JS advise JQ how to act in front of the empress.

4: Entering the Imperial Palace 

JS and JQ greets the emperor and empress with all the traditions of offering tea as well as gifts.

Emperor and empress noticed JQ being pale and dismissed them both.

JQ fainted for a brief moment as stepping out of the imperial palace before being carried by JS into the sedan.

JS called the imperial physician Jiang to examine JQ’s fever.

JS comfort and explain his action in the imperial palaces to JQ.

5: Fever

JQ meant a divorce if JS gets the position of Crown Prince, both end up arguing with each other.

JS feeds JQ the medicine as well as candies.

JQ suggests JS some ideas to gain/win some followers.

The second prince and his consort visits JS’s palace and JS greets his elder brother Jing Chen.

6: The Concubines Residing in the Inner Court

JC visits JQ in his bed chambers meanwhile JC’s consort drinking tea/conversing with JS’s consort (2nd wife). 

JQ’s got inform by the consort action by Lan Ting(JQ’s servant).

Song Ling Xin the second wife/consort of JS as well as 2 concubines (Yan and Li) paying JQ a visit.

7: Visting Parents

JQ gifts consort and concubines with hairpins (dowry). JS comes into the room with consort SLX next to him.

JS hugs JQ so that both could read the both together. JS explains to JQ what his relationships with his consorts is. JS kisses JQ’s hand and JQ flees into the bedroom.

JS and JQ on the way to visit JQ’s parents. JQ warns JS about not agreeing with any of his parents demands.

8: The Marquis’ Residence

JS tells JQ always to remind him of things or tell him important decisions. JS cuddles JQ before resting his head on JQ’s lap.

JQ’s parents and cousins greets them with kowtows and JS comforts/reinsures JQ with a firm hand grip.

JQ visits his father’s wifes and gifts them a box of teas. (JQ’s birth mother was missing which he goes to visit in her room.

JS talking with North Marquis about martial arts/swords.

9: Gifts of Thanks

JQ comforts his mother that he is being treated very well in the Princes manor.

On the way back to the Prince Manor, JQ was still thinking about his mother and JS pouts because of it. 

While JQ was trying to cheer him up before losing balance and JS catches him to cushion the fall.

JS tells JQ to not call him by his title but rather call him by his name. JQ calls him ‘Shao’ and JS feeling happy feels asleep clinging to JQ.

Yun Zhu introduces himself to JQ (his personal servant). JQ questions YZ about reading and YZ tells JQ about the study room.

JS wakes up late and JQ thanks him for the study room before JQ rans away.

10: Peach Blossom Wine

JS took JQ to the highest place of the pavilion and both drunk peach blossom wine.

JS asks JQ why he never learned martial arts and JQ answered that he fell into the pond during winter.

JS hugs and questions who pushed him before kissing JQ and vows to revenge him.

JS orders Jing Hao to investigate JQ’s pond incident.

Steward Yun reports to JS that Official Li Yanqing came looking for him.

11: Villa

JS already hears about the rumors which led to his death in his previous life.

YZ advices JQ to not give in on SLX demands as well as keeping the households account books and JQ calls for SLX to discuss about it.

SLX gives the arrangements of JS’s bedtime dates to JQ.

JS arrives at the Villa (summer residence) and asks for the commander Ren Feng to spar with him.

JQ noticed that JS left some military strategy book written by JS in the study room.

12: Serving at the Bedside

YZ reports to JQ about the SLX’s distribution of JS’s bedtime days, with new dates 15 days for JQ, 9 days for SLX and 3 days for each concubines.

Back home, JS get the reports from Steward Yun about the visitor Li Daren.

After dinner, JQ massages JS and notices that his shoulder was bruised from practice martial arts and ended up treating the bruises.

JQ discuss about letting SLX doing the households for a few more months. JS started to pout and flee to bed before explaining his opinion on the household matter.

JQ agrees to JS’s opinion then getting kissed by him before both falling asleep.

13: Salt Trade Certification

JS and JQ are waking up and JQ is telling JS (who didn’t wanted to get up) that he has an appointment with Li Daren today.

Concubines came to greet both and Concubine Rose felt unwell and felt almost into JQ’s laps (she was caught by JS).

JS doubted her and was thinking of past life’s occurrences. 

JQ asked Concubine SLX for the account books.

The three concubines discussed about JQ and JS’s divorce talking. 

JQ and JS talked about the JQ’s father salt certifications and went on a date at Immortal Assembly restaurant, plus both heard about the JS-rumours.

14: Green Plums

JQ spoke his worries about the rumors. JS impressed by JQ and hugged him.

Both visited the wine store of Maiden Mei.

Both took a walk at JS’s brother private peach blossom garden and continue the talk about JS’s rumors.

JQ injured his hand on the bamboo cup, JS put JQ’s finger in his mouth and JS kissed JQ with tongue.

JQ startled pushed JS away and JS felt on his butt.

15: Crazy

JS were prepared to take a bath and JS gave JQ the choice to bath with him or apply medicine on his wound.

JQ applied medicine after JS’s bath while both blushing.

Dou Fu brought the account books to JQ and JQ explained his servant YZ, why he want to check them.

After JS came back with talking to his brother with his eyes red, went to see JS and took him to the training camp.

At the arrival, JS fought with RF before leaving the platform from JQ’s instructions.

JS collapsed in JQ’s arms while whispering that JS’s brother told him the truth about his mother’s death.

16: Shortage of Money

JS worried about JQ’s health, and JQ tried to downplay it but ended up making JS only mad.

JS told his youths situation and JQ conformed JS by hugging.

JS dreamed about his mother and her miscarried.

JS kissed JQ after waking up.plus as punishment for JQ calling JS at his title, JQ decided then calling him ‘little spoon/xiao shao’.

Steward Yun reported to JS about JQ’s falling into the pond matter.

JQ’s brother Mu Lingbao pushed JQ into the pond and JQ ended up sick for half a year.

JS ordered Steward Yun to investigate MLB and to spread rumors about 4th Prince Jing Yu eating raw meat.

JQ got reported that Grandma Zhou’s son broke a leg and she wanting to borrow money from JQ for a doctor. JQ asked JS for the money.

17: Rumors

JS gave the money to JQ.

JQ reminded JS of the arrangements of the flower book(the days JS spends with the other concubines), but JS stayed with JQ.

When JS was out (at court), JQ visited the city with YZ and eat at ‘Hui Wei’ restaurant.

Owner of Hui Wei restaurant, the male wife of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Yuan.

18: The small Assistant Minister

JS returned back to working at court, and thinking how to cooperate with the assistant minister of the ministry of revenue, while discussing about the 4th prince rumors.

The 4th prince is at charge of regarding the tribute from foreign lands.

After Court, JS went to Hui Wei restaurant and made acquaintance with the boss Zhou Jin.

JS asked discretely XY, how to avoid making his male wife afraid in bed and XY gave him some advise. JS thanked XY and asked that ZJ to take care of JQ.

JS returned home and heared JQ and SLX arguing about the flower book dates.

19: A contemptible Self-Actor

JS silenced SLX and asked JQ what is the matter, JQ asked if he could let his wet nurse recuperate at the main residence for a time.

SLX get slapped by JS for being lout and disrespecting JQ and JS retracted her control of the household as well as confined for a month.

JQ thanking JS by laying his head against his shoulder, while JS asked for a kiss, which he didn’t get.

JS working at the Ministry of War, declining the petition for the rebels (from his knowledge of the past life) which was recommended by Song An(father of SLX).

20: Misunderstanding

JS refused again to sleep at the concubines court side.

At court, the south barbarian issue is talked about with the emperor and the Ministry of War.

Before the court discussion, JS’s brother took initiative to warn JS about Minister Song An’s intent.

JS went to Hui Wei restaurant to eat breakfast and exchanged more infos about ‘husband-and-wife-life’.

JQ woke up alone and not able to concentrate on work due to last night event until his wet nurse family arrived at the palace.

RF urgently called for JS and JS just arrived home for dinner.

21: Opportunity

JS and JQ eat dinner and JS informed JQ about the hiring of a hero in the Jianghu ‘the ghost of nine blades’.

After dinner, JQ felt ill and recognized it as an aphrodisiac, JS ordered DF to investigated how it happened.

JS helped JQ release the tension before JQ offered to return the favor.

After both calmed down, DFreported that it was Concubine Li.

22: Farce

Concubine Li claimed that it was SLX’s idea but was punished by sending her to the nunnery.

JS angrily stated that he will asked for a royal degree to demote SLX to a 3rd rank concubine.

More discussing about who to send to the barbarian border, JS being punished/banned from court for a some days and eldest prince JR is send to the southern border.

23: Temple Fair

While dealing with the Concubine Li issue, JQ thinks of sending her as a gift to the 4th prince.

JQ motivated JS to finish his punishment fast so that they can spent some time in the alternate residence during the Temple Fair.

JQ wrote some of the punishment by copying JS’s writing style. JS recognizing it to be amazing and useful in the battlefield.

JS and JQ eat breakfast at Hui Wei restaurant, where JS felt jealous due to JQ and ZJ getting along like old scholar friends.

JS and JQ enjoying the Temple Fair until JS chased after a pink-clothed girl, leaving JQ alone, who encountered his cousins MuLB, MYW and MHFfeng.

JS punched and kicked JQ’s cousins

24: Ruo Yi

JQ wanting to ask JS about the girl but ended up asking for a piece of forest land which JS gladly exchanged a bit of his land to grant JQ’s wish.

JS thinking about the past life, Ge RouYi killing the southeast King and ending the barbarian war.

Birthday of the North Marquis, JQ’s painting and JS send more gifts. JQ tried to calm JS’s anger about the 4th prince.

GRY stopped the 4th prince carriage and asked for a petition. JS seeing that caught up and knocked her unconscious while explaining to 4th prince, he will send him a better woman next time.

JQ thinking about the girl and JS.

25: Eating Vinegar

GRY thanking JS for presenting the petition to the royal court.

JS went to the study room looking for JQ and found some paper balls on the ground and misunderstood that even JQ get annoyed at some point. 

JS became worried hearing that JQ didn’t had an appetite and went to the bedroom.

JS found JQ bathing in the spring pool and jumped in too. In the end JQ asked JS’s plans concerning Rouyi and JS explained her situation.

JS exclaimed to JQ that he will not take any more wife's or concubines and JQ concerned about JS’s heirs.

JS and JQ being intimiate.

26: The Gathering

JQ and ZJ went to the monthly male wives’ gathering in Mo Garden of Duke Mao’s household.

At the gathering JQ encountered an old classmate, Du Yinghao resp. nephew of North Marquess and male wife of the 3rd son of Duke Mao.

Right went JQ was about to leave the gathering JS came to pick him up .

JS was called to court by royal decree to get his advise on the southeast border war matter.

27: A Headache

An the way back home from the court, JS was deep in thoughts and his horse Xiao Hei just went on his own to JC’s house to eat the grass

JS gave excuses of wanting a drinking partner and invited JC to Hui Wei restaurant and used that to inform JC what happened in court.

MLB being beaten up and the heir of Duke Mao causing trouble in the restaurant.

JS and JC discussed about the potential problems could cause of JY and the daughter of North Marquis getting married, Mu Suzhi.

JS explained the current situation to GRY and JS offered her to teach her the art of assassination.

28: Foreshadowing

JS went back to court after and rewarded about his contribution of the vassal state war advices, which was given to JQ to re-gifted to his family.

The North Marchioness was questioning JQ about the JS’s concubines troubles and venting at JQ about not marrying his sister any more to JY

More court discussion about the southwest Tibet king sending tributes, plus asking the princes what they think.

JS and North Marquis went together back home while JQ visiting his mother and grandma and met his brothers.

29: Perfumed Ointment

JQ slapped MYW for not being respectful to him and JS, while JQ’s brothers wanting to fight back but were stopped since JS and North Marquis arriving at the scene.

JS was called by JC to talked about the emperor ordering JC to investigate the tribute robbering and ZJ visited JQ to talk about opening a shop to sell “perfumed ointment”.

Back home, JS found JQ with the ointments box and JS telling JQ that he will help him opening the shop and even bargain with old friends for the supplies.

30: Urgent Report from the Southwest

JQ opened the shop “Mo Lian Establishment”.

JS went everyday to court; eldest prince was could into/started a war and his states was unclear; JS advised the emperor to send tropes from the southwest king.

JS retold the situation on court to JQ and that he might need to leave for war.

JQ giving himself the fault for JS’s bad position in court made JS angry at him and JS hugged JQ quite forcefully while forbidding him to speak like that again.

JS noticing that he used to much force, started massaging JQ until JS asked JQ if they could consummate their marriage which JQ agreed to.

31: Frightening News

JS carried JQ into the bed and ... papapa.

JS thanked XY before entering court.

The empress looking for a wife for 4th Prince.

JS called by emperor to talked about the potential war and be informed that something might have happened to his brother.

32: Experimenting

JC was ambushed and JS asked to the emperor to go and help him.

JS greeted Eunuch An Xian, servant of the emperor.

At palace, Duchess Mao and North Marquess arguing about their sons fights.

At home, JS was informed that JQ still was not awake, JS climbed to bed while massaging JQ, both discussed who and why ambushed JC.

North Marquis happy that Mu Suzhi is chosen to be married to the 4th prince.

33: Position

The North Marchioness was angry about everyone knowing about the marriage of Mu Suzhi and JY, plus more discussion between the wife of other households.

JS and JQ talked about JC’s return and North Marquis requesting a visited to him.

JS visited the secret work on the barren forest side meanwhile JQ visited his father.

North Marquis realized that the empress abandoned his household from supporting the crown prince and rather help Duke Mao household. To improve his statutes he raises JQ’s concubine statutes to 2nd rank.

JS met up with JC at the entrance to the city, where he found JC injured inside the carriage.

34: Persian Silk Tree

JS gave a life-saving medicine to JC before returning home.

After dinner JS and JQ took a walk in the garden where JS owed to JQ his love and life.

JC reported the robbery and situation about the southwest king and North Marquis tried to persuade the emperor to send JS to rescue the eldest prince.

North Marchioness and MLB talked about the situation about rising JQ’s mother’s (Qiu Yiniang) concubine ranks and their statutes on court.

35: A Speculation

QYI send a letter to his son so that they can talked.

JC resting at home from the injuries but also trying to dissolve the rumors of JS sending assassins to kill him.

JQ gave JS some advise for the court and even motivated JS with JQ picking him up for lunch/dinner after work.

JQ made some small business at his shop before heading to pick JS up, who kind of ran away in the middle of a problem solving discussion.

36: Withdrawal of the Vassal States

JS and JQ had a nice lunch at ZJ’s restaurant before visiting JC and talked about the next steps about vassal states.

JC suggested to the emperor to withdraw the titles of the vassal states.

QYI got promoted to 2nd rank concubine and talked her concern about the princes fight to the throne, which JQ ensured her that JS doesn’t want to take part of.

37: Summons

The emperor send troups to withdrew the vassal states and the empress planning her plans for the 4th prince.

JS was practicing his sword then passed some time with JQ and reporting what happened at court.

JS reported that the emperor/empress wants to get him a second wife, daughter of the Count of Yongchang (JS feels sick about it).

The eunuch Dou Lu gave message to JS that the empress wants JQ to go to Feng Yi palace immediately (the empress’ imperial palace).

JS followed JQ to the southern part of the palace and ordered the guard Xiao Qian to let the maids report to him.

38: Punishment by Kneeling

JQ greeted the empress and followed her instructions, meanwhile JS went to the princes study room where he meet his younger siblings and talked with his father.

The empress got angry at JQ since JQ exclaimed that it is JS decision to have more wifes’ and JQ did not agree with the statement of the empress about inheriting titles or the throne; the empress punished JQ by kneeling at the Jade terrace.

The maid Miao Xi reported back to JS about the situation but was not expecting to see the emperor next to JS, both went to the empress palace.

When JQ heard that the emperor came with JS and the moment he saw JS, he fake fainted.  

39: Forgot to Say

The emperor ordered call for the royal physician.

JS filled with rage wanted to vent but was stopped by JQ.

The doctor reported to the emperor that JQ’s body is unusually weak for a man and ordered him some medicin to help him recuperate fully.

The emperor dismissed JS from court to take care of JQ, plus after both left the emperor punished the empress for 3 days.

JS treated JQ injuries and also told JQ that he will go a month earlier to the military camp.

JS felt that JQ was sad about it and comforted him with all kind of things like more papapa.

THE END OF BOOK 1

(last update 21th April 2021)

[theskytraveler]

So, here’s the deal.

I’ve been a terrible internet friend lately to the lovely @dreamwritesimagines​. Sorry. I didn’t mean to pull a Houdini, you know? In my defense, it’s been one of the craziest years of my life, but now I’m BACK! For good! And I know I said that before, but now it’s FOR REAL.

Btw, thanks for always tagging me in your work, it truly means the world.

Anyway, I need to make up to you, so here’s a little surprise 😉 Instead of reading each and every chapter I haven’t read yet and writing my lovely comments on them – spamming your notes with me in the process – I wrote this little thing here.

To you, Dream, here are my long overdue thoughts on your recent incredible work.

To you, my followers and whoever else might be reading this, here are some incredible fic recommendations. You’re welcome.

Since this is partially a fic rec post, I’m gonna write about everything available on your Masterlist, Dream. You know my thoughts on most of these, but ah well. I’m on a roll.

Series I have already finished: (so you can skip it if you’re curious about the ones I haven’t talked about yet)

First, my all-time favorite series you have ever written, the phenomenal Bad Habit. I guess this started as a one-shot and it became so much more. This series has it ALL! Great characters, smart and funny dialogue, fantastic character development and plot twists that hit you out of nowhere.

Oh, and the Y/N here is basically my spirit animal.

Btw, I reread this series a few days ago, and I wanna know: where is my sequel? Where’s the Christmas themed one-shot? My little Zoe acting as Matt’s sidekick and falling in love with Peter Parker (I still remember this anon headcanon, yes, and I still ship it, yes). Gah, I love this series.

While we’re on the Ben Barnes train, let’s talk about Daddy Issues. It’s a Westworld fic that doesn’t take place in Westworld. And it is GREAT. Logan and Y/N are so cute and the ending was perfect. And I still want a one-shot of a proposal, thanks.

And before we get into the more angsty stuff, we gotta talk about Invisible. It’s the softest series ever. I know it’s on a long hiatus for now, but I still think about Y/N and Steve and the fact that I lowkey ship her with Billy. When you find the inspiration for this series again, I’ll be ready. Also, what the hell happened in Detroit?

Ah, Don’t You Love Me. Don’t I love this series. (Sorry, terrible joke. Don’t you love me?). One of the best character developments ever. Y/N here is so flawed and struggling with so many things. It just makes her so human and real. And her road to recovery was a joy to read. And Steve is Steve. The most perfect puppy of a man. And how could I forget my favorite villain in all your series? Trent is GREAT! I STAN A PERFECT ANTAGONIST!

And, finally, it’s time to talk about Faint of Heart. Another one where the character development we see Y/N go through is astounding. I love Queenie, my favorite Y/N ever. This series had the most perfect ending I could dream of. And not just Queenie, I mean, this series has the most amazing cast of characters, I love all of them! The ones from the show and the new original ones. Queenie, Bree and Eric are my babies. AND I WILL DEFEND THAT SOMBER LITTLE PASSAGE WITH MY LIFE OK? THAT IS MY FAVORITE PART IN THE SERIES, NOBODY TOUCHES THAT!

From this point forward, be aware that there WILL be spoilers for new readers.

Series I started, but you have no idea who I feel about the ending because I never told you and series I haven’t started yet: (again, my bad, sorry).

There is never enough Billy Russo, is there? So, Once a Year. The one I never finished. UNTIL NOW THAT IS! Two dysfunctional people falling in love, ah. Or realizing they’ve been in love all along. Billy and Skittles give me the creeps, but I also couldn’t help but ship them. As I recall, the last chapter I read was Chapter 9 and I had a LOT OF QUESTIONS. Like, what the hell is actually going on kind of questions. AND WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR kind of questions. Here are my final (and edited, because this post was already super long, so I had to do some compromises) thoughts on this series:

Chapter 10: My desire to kill Krista is alive and well, I see. Carter is still a puppy and I see myself in Karen, because I too want to see all the drama up close. Skittles and Billy “broke up” and I am SAD. And also curious as to WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?! Always questions, never answers;

Chapter 11: THEY KISSED, OMG, STOP EVERYTHING THIS IS SO GREAT, SO FINALLY, OMG, I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR LIKE 84 YEARS, NOBODY TOUCH ME! THEN HE SAID HE WAITED OVER 10 YEARS FOR THIS, EXCUSE ME DREAM HOW DARE YOU? YES THIS IS HAPPENING IN A PUBLIC BATHROOM, DON’T STOP THEM NOW! (This five steps game is so cute btw, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS NOW)! HE BROKE UP WITH KRISTA? YAY! JSFOIAHFI IT’S HAPPENING;

Chapter 12: THEY ARE SO SOFT, I CAN’T- and now everything has gone to shit. Well, it was good while it lasted. Why can’t they just communicate? Tell him what is going on, Skittles. Why are you marrying Carter? AT LEAST TELL ME! Oh, wait. They’re communicating. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT! EXCUSE ME, WHAT THE FUCK? Bring me this Aldrich dude, I’ll kill him;

Chapter 13: This whole “second wedding” thing is cracking me up, I laugh every single time. Aldrich has some nerve showing up in the gallery. And I am reminded yet again of how much Skittles and Billy scare me hahaha it’s great;

Chapter 14: It really is one step forward and two steps back with those two, huh? I love my girl Karen! She ships it and her being confused about the situation is the funniest thing ever. And then she gives the best advice. Gotta love her. And now, back to the Skittles and Billy show… COME ON, MAN! Wait. IS SHE BREAKING UP WITH CARTER? Man, I’m so glad I don’t have to wait to find out, which brings us to…

Chapter 15: Oh, geez. I feel for Carter. Dream, set him up with Rose or something, I’m suddenly so sad. Carter is such a great guy. DAMN IT, BILLY! There are only two chapters of this left, how are you messing things up, man? Oh, wait. MERMAID! Oh, I just remembered that these two CREEP ME OUT. Jesus, Billy. That’s not romantic, man. Skittles and Billy need professional help, my GOD;

Chapter 16: Poor Carter. I’m not really a beach kind of person, but I’m glad Skittles and Billy are happy in a remote location. “BEYONCÉ TAUGHT ME BETTER”, THIS IS THE BEST QUOTE OF THIS SERIES, I’M DEAD! Awn, the gallery is so cute! I love it! OH NO! Rawlings. Of course you needed to give us on last plot twist, why am I surprised? EXCUSE ME, HOW DARE YOU? YOU WRITE AN EPILOGUE OR SOMETHING RIGHT THE FUCK NOW! OH MY GOD! WHAT THE FUCK.

I just...

Of the new series I haven’t started yet, how could I not begin with Crown of Hearts? After how much I loved Faint of Heart there is a sequel? GIMME! Let’s break this down chapter by chapter (again, I had to edit my comments, because they were just too long):

Chapter 1: OMG I’M SO EXCITED. Ah, Queenie’s childhood was so sad, I’m glad she won’t let the same happen to her children. EITR, THE BEST FALCON, I MISSED YOU! The domesticity between Ivar, Queenie and Ragnar, I can’t. It’s too cute. BJOR AND BREE! I missed them too! And Gala and Hvitty. Where’s Ubbe? And Torvi? Btw, I don’t trust any of these new people;

Chapter 2: “Baby shark”. I’m gonna laugh every time I see that. “BWE” OMG! I LOVE THAT! Oh, yes! Flashbacks! I love those. Ok, I’m warming up to this Osmond guy, but I still don’t know if I trust him. Threats everywhere, they really can’t catch a break, huh? STOP EVERYTHING, ERIC the love of my life IS HERE! I am so ready for more Eric content. Can he fall in love with that dog loving shieldmaiden of the headcanons now, please? WAIT, QUEENIE, DON’T LEAVE! I WANT MORE ERIC CONTENT! NO! ERIC, FOLLOW HER! That was cruel, Dream. Wow, those rumors about Queenie. People sure are creative in defeat (burn people from her home country, burn). QUEENIE IS A LEGEND PEOPLE, YOU TELL THIS RAYDON GUY;

Chapter 3: They are really talking about teaching poisons and swordfight to a baby? Of course they are. Oh, they’re waiting until he’s seven. That’s better. I hate Queenie’s mother. Such a vile woman. Ok, I like Osmond. Can we keep him? Make him fall in love with a Viking girl! Or boy! I see him falling in love with someone rather clumsy. I ship it already. “Who did Ivar kill?” AHAHAH I LOVE THEM. It will happen, guys. But oh well;

Chapter 4: I love them all ganging up to tease Hvitty. Poor guy, but still. It’s so entertaining. DAMN BREE, WAY TO GET ME EXCITED LIKE QUEENIE OVER NOTHING! I want this wedding, damnit! But, sure, go off on a raid instead, I guess. “THE BJOR INFLUENCE” AND “IT’S LIKE A CURSE” I’M SCREAMING AHAHHA. Ok, Bree, you convinced me. Go chase your freedom. Excuse me, but WHO THE FUCK TOOK BABY RAGNAR? I’LL END YOU;

Chapter 5: Bree is a godsend. Bless her heart. Taking care of Queenie during this mess. This entire situation is awful, btw. That was MEAN, Queenie! This fandom has raised you better! OH THEY FOUND HIM, THANK YOU! Queenie scares me sometimes, but I guess this time those guys had it coming;

Chapter 6: Queenie is gonna have to make up to Ivar, sorry I don’t make the rules. HVITTY CALLS GALA “MY HEART”, EXCUSE ME THIS IS TOO SWEET! DAMN, Hvitty. Tell us how you really feel. But, yes, I guess Queenie needed to hear that little comment about Edgard. Bree is so smart, I stan. Why are you being shady right after I decided I like you, Osmond? Please explain yourself.

I’m loving this. I missed this gang so much. The only thing lacking in Crown of Hearts is more Eric content. How dare you show him for like two seconds and then NEVER AGAIN? You’re torturing me here, Dream. But ah, I want to know more about what is going on in Kattegat. I don’t trust a whole bunch of people, but, well, can’t say I’m surprised about that. CAN’T WAIT TO READ MORE!

I literally squealed with glee when I saw that you were writing for Bucky. Untouchable is the one I was the most excited about reading. And the best part? I already have 7 chapters to binge! And I am obviously going to tell you my you guessed it, edited thoughts on them:

Chapter 1: I’m liking this setting! The 1940s, what a twist for most of Bucky fics out there, this is great. And Y/N is already so interesting! AH, HI BUCKY, I LOVE YOU! I love flustered Bucky. This feels like they are star-crossed lovers, separated by their “places” in “society” and I am HERE for it;

Chapter 2: OMG SHE’S IMAGINING BUCKY, YES! I already ship them so hard, I s2g. This Charles guy, I don’t like him. I bet he is a Hydra double agent. Who sent her the flowers? Does Y/N have a stalker? I’m worried. OMG, HI LITTLE TINY STEVE! The alley scene broke my heart, thanks;

Chapter 3: Wait. Bucky and Y/N are sneaking around? What happened? Did I skip a chapter? Did we skip time and I didn’t notice? Like, I’m glad and all, but still. AH, it was a dream. I see. Rude. And on that note, Shirley is rude too. Oh, not now, Charles! Go away! Y/N and Bucky were having a moment. Oh, there’s bad blood between Bucky and Charles, I see. Interesting. “If you knew half of the things he did, you would have nothing to do with him”. Bucky, darling, do you really think Y/N has a choice? Men are so obtuse, my god;

Chapter 4: “And sooner or later he would get mean, all of them did” I AM CRYING! This is terrible. Y/N must have had a very difficult life. And her current situation isn’t really any better. LITTLE TINY STEVE TO THE RESCUE! I stan. Steve also ships it, welcome aboard, buddy. And, Y/N is in denial. I would argue that a broth is never just a broth. Thanks for coming to my TED talk. I LIKE YOU THOMAS! He ships it too and he has no idea who is the other half of the ship. Bucky sees the real her, I can’t- “There’s nobody” and I am deceased;

Chapter 5: Daydreaming about Bucky Barnes? I sure can relate. NOPE, Linda! Don’t even think about it! And she thought about it. Argh. But who cares about that when we have Bucky and Y/N being their ADORABLE selves? Bucky, my sweet summer child, you are so fucked. You will be happy eventually, but Hydra, man. Brace yourself for the next 50 years. THE KISS! THIS MOMENT WAS SO SWEET! OMG, I’M DEAD! This was so perfect. So of course Y/N had to run away. Thanks. LINDA I’M GONNA KILL YOU! AND CHARLES IS NEXT! Y/N get OUT of there;

Chapter 6: I need to know. Are the bruises a regular thing with Charles or did she do something that made him angry? I feel like it’s the former. I don’t like it. WHY THE EVERLOVING FUCK DID YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT, Y/N? I hate you, Linda. And you, Charles. OH MY GOD, BUCKY IS THERE! He is the best person ever, so soft. Someone get me a Bucky. Omg, tell him, Y/N! Why don’t you people ever communicate? This is driving me crazy;

Chapter 7: Do NOT ruin this for us, Shirley! Don’t tell a single soul! Or else I’m putting you on my hit list. Y/N and Bucky are going on a date and I am SO excited. Hey, Ruth? Do NOT ruin this for us! Go away. “I want you to trust me first” and my soul has left the earthly realm for I am deceased. Again.

Ok, I’m loving this? I don’t want it to EVER end! Bucky is perfect, Y/N is so interesting and Shirley is also pretty great. I hope she does find true love eventually. But that General guy… I don’t trust him. At all. I’m also pretty sure he’s Hydra and things will get really ugly for both Bucky and Y/N. And given your recent history with Once a Year, I’m not really sure we’ll have a happy ending, so thanks for that. I obviously CAN’T WAIT TO READ MORE!

Now, Burn It Down has nothing to do with FoH and CoH, but it was influenced by The Last Kingdom? I’m sold. (Like I always am when it comes to your writing, as you’re probably aware, but oh well). I obviously read all three chapters and here are my thoughts (edited, as I’m sure you know by now):

Chapter 1: That was a creepy way to start a story. Like, first paragraph and I’m already kinda creeped out, thanks. Hmm, the animal heart bit? We’re not in Kansas anymore, I guess. But I’m intrigued. She doesn’t trust men what a mood, very smart of her. I like her. She’s creepy, but I like her. What happened in Ivar’s tent two nights ago? Ok, I’m intrigued;

Chapter 2: I’m liking Y/N’s and Ivar’s dynamic. It’s fun to see them getting acquainted with each other and figuring out how to deal with this little situation they have going on. Ok, but why is she helping Ivar? Like, yeah, their destinies are entwined or whatever, but he’s so rude. I’d tell him to go to hell, honestly. He’d have to earn my help;

Chapter 3: Well, Hvitty is obviously the brother that will be forgotten. Poor guy, but oh well. At least forgotten doesn’t mean he won’t have a good life. Now, the brother who “shall be the victor” is Ubbe and the “tragedy” one is Ivar, because of course. Also because I don’t accept anything bad happening to my sweet puppy Ubbe.  But like, “victor” of what? This is so vague. This Y/N and Skittles would be good friends.

Ok, I’m intrigued! Not sure how I feel about Y/N yet, but I think she’ll be more like Skittles than Queenie. I’m ready for that! This fic has a different atmosphere than the ones I’m used to see in your writing, but I’m liking it so far. Obviously can’t wait to read more.

So, there you have it! Hope you liked it and I promise I won’t disappear on you again!

[lee-jinkis-ponytail]

Meet the Players of Haunts & Hellhounds: Tatiana Davis

“Tat” - 18 - Party Role: Rogue

Tatiana truly believes in the Dungeon Crawlers’ Union chances of survival, if only they’d all refuse to give into the warlock Grimm Morreaux’s stupid, bigoted rules and play to their own strengths, rather than letting him divide and conquer. If nothing else, the DCU streamers share a love of tabletop RPGs. Certainly they can all band together to survive a real one. Right?

Read on for H&H stats, current status, backstory, and fears.

SPOILER WARNING: If you have not finished the most recent chapter of Haunts & Hellhounds over on Wattpad, and you wish to avoid spoilers (including whether the character has survived thus far), DO NOT read past this break.

The most recent chapter is: Chapter 7. *New chapters every Friday at 4PM EST!* :)

Haunt & Hellhound Level & Trope: LVL3 Recluse

EXP: 500

Student Background: Freshman, Studio Art & Chemistry Double Major, Minor in Women’s Studies

Alignment: Neutral Good

Defense Stat: 16

HP Maximum: 25 Current HP: 25

SP Maximum: 23 Current SP: 23

MP: 25 Current MP: 25 Spell Attack Bonus: +4 Death Saves: -Successes: ( ) ( ) ( ) -Failures: ( ) ( ) ( ) Hit Dice: 2d8 (unarmed) or 2d10 (armed)

Proficiency Bonus: +2

Attributes (* = proficient): (1) Strength: 10 (+0) (2) Dexterity*: 13 (+2) (3) Constitution: 12 (+1) (4) Knowledge*: 12 (+1) (5) Serenity*: 15 (+2) (6) Charisma: 10 (+0)

Skills (* = proficient): (1) Acrobatics (Dex)(+2) (2) Alchemy & Chemistry* (Kno)(+5) (3) Animal Handling (Cha)(+0) (4) Arcana & Witchcraft* (Ser)(+6) (5) Athletics (Str)(+0) (6) Crafting* (Dex)(+5) (7) Deception (Cha)(+0) (8) History & Lore (Kno)(+1) (9) Insight (Kno)(+1) (10) Intimidation & Distraction (Cha)(+0)   (11) Investigation (Kno)(+1) (12) Perception (Ser)(+2) (13) Persuasion (Cha)(+0) (14) Religion & Occultism* (Kno)(+5) (15) Sanity* (Ser)(+5) (16) Sleight of Hand (Dex)(+2) (17) Stealth* (Dex)(+4) (18) Survival (Kno)(+1) (19) Technology (Kno)(+1)

Extra Proficiences: (1) Yoga & Meditation: Tatiana enjoys attending campus yoga classes. As a result, she can roll all sanity checks at an advantage and gains an additional +1 to her Sanity skill on top of her serenity and proficiency bonuses. (2) Chemist: Tatiana majors in Chemistry. As a result, she is proficient in the Alchemy/Chemistry skill and gains +2 points in that skill, on top of her knowledge and proficiency bonuses. (3) English: This character speaks English. (4) Wiccan: Tatiana has found comfort in the Wiccan faith and regularly practices spellcraft. She is proficient in both Arcana/Witchcraft, and Religion/Occultism. She also gains an additional +2 points to both skills on top of the proficiency and attribute bonuses. (5) Artist: As a Studio Art major, Tatiana has a knack for creativity. She is proficient in crafting, and also gains an additional +1 on top of her proficiency and dexterity modifiers. Abilities: (1) Sound Mind: As a Recluse, this character is well-versed in the horror genre and can take whatever it throws her way. She will always roll sanity saving throws at an advantage.  (2) Vanishing Act: This character is stealthy, and can blend into the shadows. Once per battle, she may choose to disengage the enemy without the risk of the enemy making an attack of opportunity.

Inventory: -2 pockets (cell phone, health potion) -Backpack (lucky amethyst, regular sized bag of potato chips, anxiety medication [5 pills left], mana potion, $30, large empty pocket) -1-handed weapon: ceremonial dagger

Appearance: -Brown eyes -Long, curly, dark hair, currently half-up in a braid crown -5′5″ -Short, average build -Septum piercing, several tattoos on arms and collarbone/chest -Wearing 2 layered tank tops, denim shorts, a belt, and ballet flats

Backstory & Personality: A week before graduating high school, Tatiana came out to her then-boyfriend as bisexual. He immediately called her a cheater and dumped her, and the next day he outed her to the entire school and claimed she’d cheated on him. Within a matter of hours, Tatiana went from being one of the most well-liked among her peers to pariah status. The bullying became so bad, she decided not to attend her graduation ceremony. Luckily, Tat’s open-minded parents helped her through the situation, putting her in therapy to help her cope with the trauma and talking candidly with her about their support of her. But not a single one of her high school friends stuck by her side, even when she told them the truth: that, yes, she’s bi, but she’s also monogamous and never once even thought about cheating on her ex. She wants nothing more than to live her life as herself. But ever since graduation, she’s found it hard to open up to anybody about her sexuality. She’s as friendly and sociable as she ever was, but if anyone asks her any questions about herself, she immediately puts up her guard and diverts the conversation to another topic. Instead, she channels her pain through therapy and art, often painting wistful portraits of androgynous couples embracing, dancing, and living their lives freely. Which is why Tatiana finds such solace in tabletop RPGs. In the gaming world she can get a tiny taste of what it’s like to live a life that she believes she can never have. When she approached Laurie Prescott about starting the Dungeon Crawlers’ Union stream, she stressed the importance of building a safe play space for anyone of any background; none of the fantasy worlds they visited should be allowed to have any racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, or any discrimination towards marginalized groups. Laurie and the others don’t know why Tat was so insistent on building such a space, and they never asked, but they’ve all been happy to comply. And she will always be grateful to them for that. Thanks to the DCU, Tat can fantasize about being free to love whoever she wants without judgement, always playing puckish rogues and flirtatious bards. She wants desperately to admit to her fellow streamers that her characters are really just an extension of herself--“self-inserts,” so to speak. But the other players aren’t really open about their personal lives. Like Tat, they change the subject abruptly if they’re ever asked about anything other than gaming. Throughout high school, Tat made friends so easily, and she worries that since she was outed without her consent, she’s forgotten how to truly open up and connect with others. She constantly wonders what she’s doing wrong and why she can’t quite break the ice in the group. And that is why she picked the role of the Recluse to play in Haunts & Hellhounds. She feels she never really shed the “pariah” label even after leaving her high school, moving to another state, and starting fresh in college. However, Tatiana believes that all four of the DCU streamers can make it out of the dungeon alive--if only they can be honest with one another and play to their strengths instead of the weaknesses that the warlock Grimm Morreaux seems so determined to impose upon them all. 

Favorite Horror Movie: Nightbreed -- “'If we want to survive, we can’t hide.’ What a line. I love everything Clive Barker does, but Nightbreed is especially close to my heart.” Horror Movie She Will absolutely NEVER Watch Because It Is Just Too Spooky: The Cabin in the Woods -- “You know, I used to love this movie. But now that we’re kind of living it, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to stomach it again. If we survive, that is. Wait--what am I saying? We will. We’re gonna survive.”

[kbstories]

Wrestled down chapter 2 of my Charthur fic

Quiet For So Long

Tags: Domestic Fluff, Nightmares, Cowboys Being Soft, Charles Is A Top And That’s The Tea

Again, very mild spoilers for chapter 3. Enjoy!

>>Read on AO3!

Charles wakes slowly, consciousness returning to him gradually, then all at once.

He blinks. The room is dark, only dim streaks of light making it past the curtains separating it from the rest of the world. For some time, that's all Charles's mind lingers on.

It must be noon, or late morning at least; Charles feels heavy under the covers, that unique weight that comes with too many hours spent asleep. It's been a while since he could rest beyond dawn, and in a real bed, no less.

There's an arm wrapped loosely around his waist. That, too, is a rarity in and of itself – an experience so far removed from memory, he can't tell if it truly happened or if he dreamed it up – but the muffled snoring coming from the body tucked against his is deeply familiar.

Charles closes his eyes and smiles. A lucky bastard indeed.

With Arthur in his arms, time is an abstract concept. At first, Charles barely dares to turn far enough to press a kiss to the crown of his head, Arthur's hair soft under his lips. He sleeps on, and Charles is glad he does.

Life on the road is tough, something easily forgotten while you're on it yet just as easily comes to haunt you when you're not. Especially when people are counting on you to keep things going – and it's no damn surprise Arthur is out like a light, given that that's his role in the gang more often than not.

Carefully, Charles shifts underneath him, giving Arthur the softer mass of his pec to rest against. The other mumbles and burrows his bearded cheek further against him with a sigh that's so content it makes Charles chuckle a little.

“You're like a cat”, he tells him quietly, voice rough with sleep, and doesn't mind when the only answer is another snore.

He dozes off, for a while, dimly aware of the give and take of Arthur's breathing and the subtle nubs of his spine against his palm as he runs his hand up and down his back. Thus he misses the moment those calm breaths turn more strained; idle fingers suddenly clench around his side and Charles awakes with a start, muttering comforting nonsense before he's even fully there.

Indistinct noises grow in volume: whimpers of no, no slip out of Arthur's mouth, small and desperate, and stop. Realization slams into Charles out of nowhere.

“Arthur”, he says, repeats it more urgently at the flash of pain that makes Arthur's slack features twist – then Arthur gasps, eyes snapping open in the same instant he starts to push out of Charles's hold.

Charles lets him go, hands raised and tone soothing, “Easy, 's just me”; in a confused haze, Arthur glances around the room – the hotel's opulence and simulated homeliness strikingly out-of-place with how stressed Arthur's gaze is – and finally at Charles, sinking back into his chest with a raw, “Ah, hell”.

After a beat or two Charles puts his arms back where they were, almost touching. “You okay?”

Arthur just nods against his neck, but it takes until his breathing is measured once again for him to speak. “Sorry 'bout that”, he drawls with something akin to shame in his voice, and Charles's heart softens with empathy.

“It's alright, I was already awake.”

A pause.

“This happen often?”

It occurs to him a moment later that he might be pushing too much, too soon, but he hears Arthur clear his throat before he answers, “Every now an' again”, and the fact that he admits to it tells Charles more than enough. Pulling him in, he kisses the tense line between his eyebrows and, eventually, it eases, too.

Arthur hums, tilts his head up to direct him towards his lips instead, sighs into the gentle brush of lips they share.

“Wakin' up ain't usually this nice, though.”

Charles smiles, “Yeah?”, tracing the twin scar on Arthur's chin with his mouth that's always had him curious.

“Mhm”, Arthur hums and, with one last peck, rolls to his own side of the bed, yawning against the back of his hand. “How late's it anyways?”

The opportunity to ask is gone but Charles shrugs. There's always time later.

“Past noon, I reckon. Breakfast?”

Arm draped across his eyes in a somewhat dramatic fashion, Arthur perks up immediately. “Been cravin' somethin' other than Pearson's stew for ages, it seems like.”

“You and me both.”

*

They don't get very far, in the end. Charles is told to wait – time he spends in a half-assed attempt to put on a shirt and get his hair in a loose braid – while Arthur slips in and out of their room in the blink of an eye, carrying two plates of something warm and steaming when he returns. Charles takes one look at the smug glint in his eyes and shakes his head, fondly.

“We're both leaving this place through the window, aren't we?”

“Yup. Watch it, it's still hot.”

Always a fast eater, Charles finishes what looks like potato soup quickly, leaning comfortably against the headrest of the still-unmade bed; the food is fresh, well-made, and he relishes the bits of carrots and other vegetables he can taste. Idly, he muses out loud: “Ever wonder what you would've done in life if not for, y'know...”

“Bein' an outlaw?”

“Yeah, that. Among other things.” Chasing the last spoonful, he sets his empty plate aside, careful not to touch Arthur's journal on the nightstand. “I think I'd've made a good cook.”

Arthur considers him with a tilt to his head, nodding after a while. “I guess? Waste of a damn good shot, though... How 'bout huntin'? For a living, I mean. Certainly'd be more of an entertainin' life than wastin' away in some saloon.”

Charles hums at that. “Maybe, yeah. And you?”

“Me? Haven't really thought 'bout it much. Dunno at which point my life wouldn't've lead to this, one way or 'nother.”

The expression on Arthur's face is pensive as he chews, nothing more. Charles nudges his thigh with his naked foot, gesturing at him with a nod. “Humor me, then.”

“Uh.” Arthur blinks at him, surprised, perhaps, that he's insisting. “Maybe somethin' with horses? Always liked workin' with 'em, breakin' them in. Saw people make a good penny selling 'em, too.”

The mental image of Arthur on his own ranch, training a young horse feels right, somehow.

“Yeah, I can see that. You got a good hand with 'em. Hell, even Taima's sweet on you, and she's picky.”

Arthur's smile is small, humble, the true extent of it to be found in his eyes. He says, “Glad ya think so”, in that sheepish way of his, like he's genuinely astonished someone would think that of him. And really, the things this man does to Charles – with his clever charm, and that glimpse of shyness hidden beneath layers and layers of smooth talking and acting rough-and-tough...

A side of him that, if Charles has guessed right, nobody else gets to see but him.

It's intoxicating, that. Makes him want to drag him back into bed and kiss the living daylights out of him; and when Arthur makes to stack his plate on top of Charles's, he doesn't hesitate to do exactly that, grinning wildly at Arthur's yelped “Charles, what–!“ that turns into laughter half-way through.

“Gotcha”, Charles announces smugly against Arthur's shoulder, and with Charles's arms locked around his waist, Arthur resigns to his fate with an exasperated shake of his head.

“You are aware we gotta leave this bed at some point, right?”

Yet it's him who leans in for a kiss, nipping at Charles's bottom lip and smirking when Charles rumbles a groan into the next one, hungry for more. It seems to be enough of an answer for Arthur; with a hand sliding into Charles's hair, he tilts his head for a better angle and Charles lets him, feeling his braid come loose. A shiver runs up his back at the needy sound Arthur breathes against his mouth.

“Charles–“

There it is again, that uncertainty that is so at odds with the sheer need in Arthur's touches, the longing in his gaze; Charles's hold on him softens, he brushes their noses together, “I want you, Arthur”, he says, voice firm and untouched by doubt. “Let me have you?”

Arthur's chest moves against Charles's with each panting breath he takes. He cups Charles's jaw, searching his expression for something before he licks his lips, nods, confesses, “I... ain't, uh, done anythin' before. With a guy.”

Charles expected as much, but he just hums and kisses him, gently.

“'s okay. I don't mind taking it slow.”

But Arthur huffs, brows drawing into a frown that once might've been intimidating but now isn't, not anymore.

“No, that's not– I'm tryin' to ask for somethin', here.”

And Charles mutters a relieved “Oh, thank God”, pulls him closer with hands that are no longer idle but wandering lower, and his mouth swallows the noise of approval Arthur makes.

*

The truth is: Charles doesn't have much experience with any of this, either.

Maybe on paper, if he'd remember enough names and dates and locations to compile a list. With how society sees these things, however, anonymity equals survival, and none of the sloppy blowjobs and rushed quickies in the shadows of dirty alleyways and dingy saloons could compare to having Arthur fucking Morgan moan his name as Charles takes him for the first time.

All he finds himself capable of doing is gathering the man in his arms, hand splayed across his lower back as he sinks into the warmth of his body and holds there, struggling for breath against his temple. “Just me”, he mutters mindlessly, brushing Arthur's hair out of his flushed face, pressing an open-mouthed kiss to his ear. “Relax. 's just me.”

Arthur's clinging for dear life to his back, his nails having dug into the meat of Charles's shoulders slowly releasing, stroking down his sides in silent apology. Charles feels more than hears the breathless “fuck” he pants out, lids clenched shut.

“Okay?”

It takes a second or two for Arthur's eyes to open; Charles smiles when they do, falling all over again for how very blue they are, for the kind soul shining through them as Arthur mumbles for him to keep going in a low rasp.

Charles does, slowly, watches Arthur's face twitch with each thrust, his attempts to stifle the sounds tumbling out of his mouth, so receptive to his every move. Charles's own voice is hoarse – “Don't”, he asks, begs, strained as he tries to make himself last.

“Wanna hear you.”

It's hard to hold back when Arthur drops all pretenses, pulling Charles into a bruising kiss that affords more concentration than any of them are currently able to give – “Charles”, Arthur moans, and “harder”, head falling back into the pillow.

Charles growls, feels the muscles of Arthur's bared throat work under his lips, his mind drowning in Arthur Arthur Arthur as he runs his hand down his hairy chest and over the rapid beat of Arthur's heart, pounding against his palm.

The heart he has tied his own to, that day on the plains when it almost stopped forever.

Covering Arthur's body with his own, Charles's long hair slides down his shoulders, a shield keeping everything else out as he captures Arthur's mouth and comes, pushing in deep. Arthur whines, shakes apart, fingers reaching for his trembling hips and leaving burning lines across his skin.

“Look at me, Arthur, please–”

Arthur already is, with sweat trickling down his temples and his hair wild, and the look in his eyes is soft and open in a way Charles has never seen before; they kiss, unhurried, intimate, filled with words too precious to say out loud.

A kiss like a promise, gradually taking shape.

>>Read on AO3!

[unlikely-allies]

4/5

War Storm is the final novel in the Red Queen Series and picks up seconds after the end of King’s Cage. Cal and Mare have chosen their sides, but for the time being they remain allies. Cal, Mare, Kilorn, Evangeline, Anabel, Julian, and Farley accompany Davidson back to Montfort to petition their government for more troops and supplies in the battle against Maven and the Lakelanders. While in Montfort the group gets a first-hand look at evidence that equality between Silvers, Reds, and Newbloods is possible.

In Maven’s camp, the alliance between Norta and the Lakelands continues to be tenuous at best. Iris and her mother look to the future, plotting Norta’s downfall once the current enemy has been dismantled. Maven isn’t stupid, he knows that Iris can’t be trusted, but his increasing instability makes it hard for him to focus on anything that doesn’t involve Cal or Mare. Unsteady alliances and back-alley deals create many potential pitfalls in what ends up being two intense battles. All the players on the board are ready, but who will emerge victorious?

War Storm is told from the POV of Evangeline, Iris, Mare, Cal, and Maven. I understand this from a plot progression standpoint, but it honestly felt unnecessary at times. Evangeline, Mare, and Iris’ portions were fine, and Cal’s did serve a necessary purpose, but Maven’s portions were unimportant and cumbersome. Maven’s chapters provided little insight that was not already evident in other chapters. The best chapters were those narrated by Evangeline. I tend to not like when authors put the reader inside the “villain’s” head because it feels like they are trying too hard to justify the character’s actions. In this case, Evangeline’s chapters were insightful and showed leaps and bounds in her character development. Evangeline ended up ultimately being my favorite character.

***SPOILERS BELOW***

The action sequences in War Storm really helped in keeping the story exciting. The non-battle related portions were unfortunately reminiscent of Glass Sword. Luckily, these were few and mostly confined to the chapters narrated by Iris and Maven. In my other reviews I have expressed my issues with the lack of continuity of Mare’s “voice” in the chapters from her POV. The witty and passionate thief in Red Queen became the empty shell in Glass Sword. In King’s Cage some of the spark behind Mare’s character returned, but War Storm contain the chapter’s most reminiscent of Mare’s character in Red Queen.

There were two major story elements that I had issues with in War Storm. First, I struggled with digesting Mare’s feelings towards Maven. It is understandable that Cal would want to hold out hope that the person that he thought his brother was is still inside of him somewhere, but Mare’s grief for the boy she thought she knew rings false. In King’s Cage, Mare mentions that she had been Maven’s prisoner for a longer amount of time than she had even known Cal. This means that Mare was subjected to Maven’s evil for much longer than she believed him to be her friend. In War Storm, there are several times when Mare thinks about having to kill Maven and some part of her hesitates or grieves for the “boy she thought he was.” This boy never existed and even then, he only acted that way for a brief period. Mare doesn’t spend remotely the same amount of time grieving the death of her own brother that she does grieving this imaginary version of Maven that was nothing but a lie. The portions of the story involving Mare and Maven are thus tedious and annoyingly dragged out. Seeing these feeling from Cal would have done much more for his character than it did for Mare’s.

My other issue with War Storm was how things ended between Mare and Cal. There was such a push and pull between them, even after they finally “got together” in King’s Cage. The rift was made almost impassible when Cal chose the crown and Mare chose the Guard, but even then they openly pined for each other and silently hoped that the other would change their mind. When Cal almost drowns fighting Iris, Mare is beside herself, going as far as to choose to spend that night with Cal instead of checking on her best friend Kilorn, who also had a close brush with death. When Cal finally abdicates the throne, Mare decides that they need time apart to “figure out who they are now.” This is kind of a load of crap to be honest. Their relationship has gone through a lot in a year and its obvious that they deeply care about each other, so when they are finally able to be together its stupid that a half-assed excuse is what keeps them apart. In addition, Cal abdicating the throne is a big deal for his character, a goal that Mare wanted to see him achieve, so her leaving after he does so makes her seem wishy-washy and manipulative. Norta is in chaos, mostly because of Mare and the Guard, and reinventing the government is no easy task. This is a time that Mare should be spending helping Cal and seeing the vision through. Instead, she cuts and runs.

In the grand scheme of things, War Storm is ranked as a close third in my opinion of the series as a whole (1. Red Queen, 2. King’s Cage, 3. War Storm, 4. Glass Sword). The major issues that I had with the story were not enough to hinder my feelings towards the novel as a whole, they were mostly just annoyances that proved that I was emotionally invested in the story. Overall, I can’t say that War Storm was the ideal conclusion to the series, but I can say that it was an entertaining and engaging one. While I would’ve liked the Epilogue to provide more of an insight into the rebuilding of Norta instead of giving an incomplete feeling ending, I do suppose it allows the reader to expand upon the story in their mind. The Lakelander Queen and Iris are still alive and have fled back to their country, the High House of Norta are in for an upheaval, and Cal and Mare left their relationship defined as TBD. These loose ends aren’t necessarily crucial, but it would have been nice to have more of a conclusive ending.

[constellationcrowned]

((The strong association between Flynn and eyes---from the iconography on his clothes and the planchettes he carves, certain veves, the extreme focus on his gaze when Kariom takes the photo of him and Bo during Tigla-Dera (which Kariom even comments on when you examine his half of the photo later), the emphasis on his right eye when stabbing Kariom and the equal emphasis in this promo image (it's obviously impossible to miss the photo being centered over the right eye and only the right eye, plus the knife makes it a damn good closed circle), the fact that out of every single character Flynn has some of the most noticable (if not the most) eye changes/shifts when speaking to him and how it's a clear focal point for his sprites, the slight discrepancy re; the color of his eyes in general, etc---really hits hard when you realize that he's possessed by an eyeless creature that covets eyes and those are what it possesses, accepts in trade, and so on.))