#the isle of cedars

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

GRRM isn't really hiding that many details? I mean, ADWD and TWOIAF says what it was.

Valyria. It was written that on the day of Doom every hill for five hundred miles had split asunder to fill the air with ash and smoke and fire, blazes so hot and hungry that even the dragons in the sky were engulfed and consumed. Great rents had opened in the earth, swallowing palaces, temples, entire towns. Lakes boiled or turned to acid, mountains burst, fiery fountains spewed molten rock a thousand feet into the air, red clouds rained down dragonglass [obsidian] and the black blood of demons [sulfuric acid mixed with ash], and to the north the ground splintered and collapsed and fell in on itself and an angry sea came rushing in. The proudest city in all the world was gone in an instant, its fabled empire vanished in a day, the Lands of the Long Summer scorched and drowned and blighted. —ADWD, Tyrion VIII

Most say that it was a natural cataclysm—a catastrophic explosion caused by the eruption of all Fourteen Flames together. [...] A handful of maesters, influenced by fragments of the work of Septon Barth, hold that Valyria had used spells to tame the Fourteen Flames for thousands of years, that their ceaseless hunger for slaves and wealth was as much to sustain these spells as to expand their power, and that when at last those spells faltered, the cataclysm became inevitable. [...] Some, wedding the fanciful notion of Valyrian magic to the reality of the ambitious great houses of Valyria, have argued that it was the constant whirl of conflict and deception amongst the great houses that might have led to the assassinations of too many of the reputed mages who renewed and maintained the rituals that banked the fires of the Fourteen Flames. –The World of Ice and Fire

“He killed the slave?” That did not sound right. “He should have killed the masters!” “He would bring the gift to them as well…but that is a tale for another day, one best shared with no one.” –AFFC, Arya II

There was a massive geothermal event when the entire Valyrian volcano chain went off at once. The reason they all went off at once is because their spells controlling the volcanoes failed. The spells failed because the Faceless Men assassinated the mages who controlled the spells.

When the geothermal event went off, the lava and earthquakes killed just about everyone*, including the dragons. The Valyrian peninsula cracked in half, splitting it up into parts where the ocean formed an inlet, creating the Smoking Sea. Note the massive earthquake didn't harm only Valyria -- the rest of Essos was affected by the massive tidal wave afterwards, which entirely destroyed the settlements on the Isle of Cedars. It hasn't been mentioned, but I'd bet it caused damage to nearby coastal cities as well.

Those are all known facts. Theories: in addition to the physical cataclysm, there was also probably a magical cataclysm caused by the death of the mages, and the death of so many people and dragons at once, and the destruction of whatever physical or magical bindings that held back certain powers-- demons, hybrid creatures that the blood mages were working on, general standing spells, all now let loose. Those bare few survivors, perhaps only dozens (among the Valyrians, slaves, dragons, dragon eggs, wyrms, animals, etc) were warped and mutated by this freed sorcery and blood magic. (We know that the city of Mantarys, a Valyrian colony on the edge of the peninsula downwind of the cataclysm, reportedly is filled with "monsters".) What became of them -- well, by the status of Aerea and Balerion when they returned, evidently they are strong, and they can breed, when given a suitable host for their eggs...

(also fyi to @northstqr in the replies: The Stone Men living in Valyria is a GOT thing only, in the books they live on the Rhoyne way far north of Valyria, and their curse is mostly unrelated to the Doom.)

it’s interesting To Me that GRRM is so verbose on everything except for any details on what exactly was the Doom of Valyria except that it was something that ONLY impacted Valyria and not the rest of the continent of Essos but was so cataclysmic that no one survived the aftermath and no one has dared go back since except perhaps that one time which ended very badly

[leavethemtorot]

it is what it is (it's not the end of the world)

Yay! I've been able to write and finish something. Of course it's about cannibalism (my beloved)

⚠️Warnings:⚠️ Mentions and descriptions of cannibalism, themes of religious trauma, mentions of child abuse and neglect

You have been warned

Elias looked towards Cedar, unsure of how to proceed. He was finally being allowed off the boat. It had been a year since he had been rescued from the Righteous and the first time he was being allowed to roam outside alone. Well not alone, he had to still have someone with him, but he could choose who was with him! 

Elias had only ever lived in two areas, the Cathedrals and the Lost Revenge. Never really seeing the Isle or any other people than his family or the crew. Uma says he shouldn’t call them his family. That families don’t do what they did. He isn’t sure what to think about that but if Uma says so then he guesses it must be true. Uma was never wrong, Harry said so and Harry was the one who got him out of the Cathedrals and made sure he had food and an actual bed. It might just be a little cot but it's more than the single blanket he had then.

Cedar smiled, grabbing his hand to lead him to one of her favorite spots. Apparently it was nice and quiet. She had found it and told him and Gwen and Desiree all about it. Gwen wasn’t allowed off the ship without her dad and Desiree was busy with a new crew member so neither could come with them this time which is sad cause Cedar really wanted to show them the spot. She had said so last night, it was quiet and dark and they were supposed to be asleep which meant it was supposed to be a secret. Everything that happened when it was quiet, dark, and he was supposed to be asleep was supposed to be a secret. That was a Rule.

“Cedar! Elias! Wait!”

Jonas! Elias really liked Jonas. Sie was nice to him even when he had his fits. But wait Jonas was supposed to be in the kitchen because Desiree was busy. Why was he here?

“Cedar. Where is your spot again?” 

He had never heard Jonas sound like that before. It was mean and harsh and reminded him of his father. Why would sie sound like that? Sie has never sounded like that before. Had Cedar been bad? Elias didn’t wanna be bad again. It hurt hurt hurt hurt hurt.

“It’s near the woods. By the houses that no one goes in. I’m not hurting anyone there. No one lives there. I made sure Jonas! I’m not dumb!” Cedar’s voice kept raising, she didn’t like to be questioned.

Jonas looked over at Elias, seeing the fear enter his eyes and the tension laced through his body, ready to take a punishment, and took a deep breath. Quieting his voice, Jonas asked, “Is it past the houses marked with the C arrows?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Cedar, you can’t go over there.”

“Why not? It’s not anyone’s territory. I’m not encroaching or risking a gang war.”

“It is someone’s territory. The Cannibals territory. Your marks aren’t that visible. They will rip you from limb to limb and eat you whole. Don’t go over there. Unless you wanna be lunch. Do you wanna be lunch Cedar?”

Elias had heard about the cannibals. The Judge didn’t like them, he would go on and on about how sinful they were and how they should be exterminated. Hinrik used to threaten to feed him to them. Said that they loved little disobedient sinful girls the most. He didn’t wanna go near them. What if Hinrik was right and they could smell how bad he was? What if they would hunt him down if they learned just how bad he was? Elias didn’t wanna die. Not like that.

“No! I- I didn’t realize. Is that what the arrows mean?” Cedar’s voice got really quiet. He had never heard her sound like that.

“The fact that you don’t know that means you shouldn’t be going off ship. Go see if Gil has left today and have him reteach them.”

“No going off ship?” The quiet heartbreak and disappointment in Elias’s voice may not have been heard by Cedar who was busy stomping off but Jonas saw and heard every bit of it in him.

“We can go see if Maggie and Clay have disappeared yet?” Ser's voice was all soft like how it was when he first got here or after bad fits.

“No thank you. Maggie doesn’t like me very much and Clay…..Can I just help you in the kitchen?”

Jonas smiled.

“Sure kid. Come on, let’s go. Before Uma notices that I'm not in there.”

It might not be off ship but at least he won’t be alone. He didn’t like to be alone. And he rarely got to spend time with Jonas and he had never been in the kitchen before. So at least he was still getting to do something new. 

[boneszphoto]

visiting harewood

[cedarspiced]

say what you will about the isle (and trust me. there are a lot of things to say.) but the recent feathered dino designs fuck severely

i love you bird of paradise hypsilophodon and semiaquatic cormorant beipiaosaurus

[chaddavisphotography]

Boats on Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis in June 2024.

[rainhadaenerys]

For centuries Meereen and her sister cities Yunkai and Astapor had been the linchpins of the slave trade, the place where Dothraki khals and the corsairs of the Basilisk Isles sold their captives and the rest of the world came to buy. Without slaves, Meereen had little to offer traders. Copper was plentiful in the Ghiscari hills, but the metal was not as valuable as it had been when bronze ruled the world. The cedars that had once grown tall along the coast grew no more, felled by the axes of the Old Empire or consumed by dragonfire when Ghis made war against Valyria. Once the trees had gone, the soil baked beneath the hot sun and blew away in thick red clouds. "It was these calamities that transformed my people into slavers," Galazza Galare had told her, at the Temple of the Graces. And I am the calamity that will change these slavers back into people, Dany had sworn to herself. - Daenerys III ADWD

[greenwitchcrafts]

August 2024 Witch Guide

New Moon: August 4th

First Quarter: August 12th

Full moon: August 19th

Last Quarter: August 26th

Sabbats: Lughnasadh/Lammas- August 1st

August Sturgeon Moon

Also known as: Barely Moon, Black Cherries Moon, Corn moon, Dispute Moon, Harvest moon, Herb Moon, grain moon, Mountain Shadows Moon, Red moon, Ricing Moon, Weodmonath & Wyrt moon

Element: Fire

Zodiac: Leo & Virgo

Animal spirts: Dryads

Deities: Diana, Ganesha, Hathor, Hecate, Mars, Nemesis, Thot & Vulcan

Animals: Dragon, lion, phoenix & sphinx

Birds: Crane, eagle & falcon

Trees: Alder, cedar & hazel

Herbs: Basil, bay, fennel, orange, rosemary, rue & St.John's wort

Flowers: Angelica, chamomile, marigold & sunflower

Scents: Frankincense & heliotrope

Stones: Carnelian, cats/tiger's eye, emerald, fire agate, garnet, jade, moonstone, peridot, red jasper, red agate, sardonyx, topaz & tourmaline

Colors: Dark green, gold, orange, red & yellow

Energy: Abundance, appreciation, authority, courage, entertainment, finding your voice, friendship, gathering, harvesting energy, health, love, pleasures, power, prophecy, prosperity, vitality & wisdom

The name Sturgeon Moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes & Lake Champlain; this native freshwater fish was readily caught during this part of summer & an important food staple for Native Americans who lived in the region. At one time the lake sturgeon was quite abundant in late summer, though they are rarer today.

• August's full moon is the first Supermoon of the year, which means that it will appear bigger & brighter than the full Moons we have seen so far!

Lughnasadh

Known as: Lammas, August Eve  & Feast of Bread

Season: Summer

Element: Fire

Symbols: corn, grain dollies & shafts of grain

Colors: Gold, golden yellow, green, light brown, orange, purple, red & yellow

Oils/Incense: Aloe, apple, corn, eucalyptus, safflower, rose & sandalwood

Animals: Cattle (bull & calf)

Birds: Chicken/Rooster

Stones: Aventurine, carnelian, citrine, peridot, sardonyx & yellow diamond

Food: Apples, barely cakes, berries, berry pies, breads, colcannon, cider, corn, grains, honey, lamb, nuts, potatoes, rice, sun-shaped cookies & wild berries

Herbs/Plants: Alfalfa, aloe, blackberry, bramble, corn, cornsilk, corn stalk, crab apple, fenugreek, frankincense, ginseng, goldenseal, gorse, grape, medowsweet, oak leaves, pear, rye, sloe & wheat

Flowers:  Clyclamen, heather hollyhock & sunflower

Trees: Acacia, apple, myrtle,oak & rowan

Goddesses: Aine, Alphito, Bracacia, Carmen, Ceres, Damina, Danu, Demeter, Ereshkigal, Freya, Frigga, Gaia, Inanna Ishtar, Kait, Persephone, Sul, Taillte, Tea & Zaramama

Gods: Athar, Bes, Bran, Dagon, Dumuzi, Ebisu, Ghanan, Howtu, Liber, Lono, Lugh, Neper, Odin & Xochipilli

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Accomplishment, agriculture, challenges, darkness, death, endings, release & transformation

Spellwork: Abundance, bounty, fire magick, rituals of thanks & sun magick

Activities:

• Bake fresh bread

• Weave wheat

• Take walks in nature or along bodies of water

• Craft a corn doll

• Learn a new skill

• Watch the sunrise/sunset

• Leave grains and seeds in a place where birds, squirrels and other small animals can appreciate them

• Eat outside with family/friends/coven members

• Donate to your local foodbank

• Prepare a feast with your garden harvest

• Give thanks & offerings to the Earth

• Trade crafts of make deals

• Gather and/or dry herbs to use for the upcoming year

• Celebrate/honor the god Lugh by hosting a competition of games

• Participate in matchmaking or handfasting ceremonies

• Decorate your altar with symbols of the season

• Clean up a space in nature

• Plant saved seeds or save seeds to use in the future

Lughnasadh or Lammas is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Historically it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland & the Isle of Man. Traditionally it is held on 1 August, or about halfway between the summer solstice & autumn equinox. In recent centuries some of the celebrations have shifted to the Sunday nearest this date.

Lughnasadh is mentioned in early Irish literature & has pagan origins. The festival is named after Lugh the god of craftsmanship. It was also founded by the god Lugh as a funeral feast & athletic competition/funeral games in memory of his foster-mother Tailtiu. She was said to have died of exhaustion after clearing the plains of Ireland for agriculture.

• Tailtiu may have been an earth goddess who represented the dying vegetation that fed mankind.

• Another tale says that Lugh founded the festival in memory of his two wives, the sisters Nás & Bói. 

In the Middle Ages it involved great gatherings that included ceremonies, athletic contests (most notably the Tailteann Games which were extremely dangerous), horse racing, feasting, matchmaking & trading.

• With the coming of Christianity to the Celtic lands, the old festival of Lughnasadh took on Christian symbolism. Loaves of bread were baked from the first of the harvested grain & placed on the church altar on the first Sunday of August. The Christianized name for the feast of Lughnasadh is Lammas which means “loaf mass”.

Some believe this is the time where the God has weakened & is losing his strength as seen in the waning of the day's light. The Goddess is pregnant with the young God who will be born on Yule.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[missmimii]

✍︎︎ 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬

@st7rnioioss request (ily babydoll♡︎)

୨ৎ － 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬 | In the heart of a quaint town, Matt finds himself stumbling into the isles of a dear bookstore, adventuring through the labyrinth of towering bookshelves, he finds himself captivated not just by the titles, but by the girl who tells them.

୨ৎ — 𝐂𝐖. Teensey bit suggestive, but mostly fluff!

ℳ𝒾𝓂𝒾’𝓈 𝒩ℴ𝓉ℯ𝓈 － I’ve been so inactive due to medical reasons, but I’m back, and currently working on more projects. I love you all so very much, and am beyond grateful for all of the support (300 followers?! Ily)

✩－ With a soft thud, the glass door fell shut behind Matt as he stepped inside, instantly enveloped by the charming surrounding, a faint fragrance of crisp book pages and an aromatic cedar-like essence. Huh, he thought to himself, the weight on his shoulders falling as he took in his atmosphere. Unlike the usual bookstores or libraries that hustled restlessly, and made his heart jump in his chest, this was a sweet contrast.

✯－The idyllic store was faintly lit with a pink hue, soft on the male’s eyes as he glanced at the decor placed around. He felt as if the enchanted looking environment was far more traditional, rather than the bookstores that were designed in a modernized manner. Rustic furniture that he was shamelessly fond of, cozy looking chairs sat at wobbly tables, and a ticking clock.

✩－Matt drew his gaze from the small detailings, smiling at the odd by-passer as he shuffled through the aisles, before he turned toward the right end of the quaint store. Tick tock, tick tock. The clock hung just aside the array of shelves that leaned against the wall behind a large desk, ticking insistently in his mind. Keeping his distance, Matt curiously ran his eyes along the counter with interest.

✯－Pens and markers were sat inside a dusty little organizer, some upside down and others right side up. The comforting melody of ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles flooded from the speaker of an old record player, the disc making a little err’ every now and then as the vinyl spun. Thousands upon hundreds of books aligned on the shelves, many collecting dust from the prolonged placement.

✩－Mere seconds passed before Matt swallowed the anxiousness gripping his lungs, eyes flicking around the store as he took a step forward. The male bit down on his lip as someone abruptly dodged in front of the triplet, making him mutter a small “shit”. I guess this place doesn’t attract the most civil customers. “Hey sweetness.” The grey haired male spoke seductively, making Matt’s nose crinkle with distaste.

✯－Suddenly a head popped up from behind the counter, a meek girl standing from her crouched frame. “Two day’s in a row?” She sheepishly chuckled, tucking loose tendrils of hair behind her ear as she nipped at her bottom lip. Uncomfortable, she looked uncomfortable. Matt observed her small movements, becoming uneasy as her hands shook in the slightest.

✩－The man, who was visibly at least ten years older than the girl, placed a hand on the desk. “What can I say? Something’s caught my eye.” He mused, grinning like a fool as he leaned forward. Her lips parted, no words emitting as she stepped back. “Is there a particular book you’re interested in, sir?” Smart girl. Matt felt a smile twitch on his lips as he heard her switch the subject swiftly.

✯－Her eyes widen as the sleezey male points an outstretched finger toward the shelf behind her, quickly flicking her eyes to the area. “What about that one?” Glancing at the array of all the books, she nervously looked back at the smirking man. “Uh－sorry, what one?” Hands nervously wringing together, feeling as if she was failing at her job. Such a simple one at that.

✩－With a careless shrug, Matt lifts an eyebrow at his next request. “Surprise me.” Surprise him? Scoffing, Matt crossed his arms while watching the interaction. The urge the smash the male’s face into the counter was a little too tempting, but the triplet brushed it off as he watched the girl turn around. Looking meek, she stepped a pink sneakered foot onto the latter.

✯－The weak light shone down on her skin irresistibly, Matt’s breath hitching at the sight of something so normal, glimmering with such a provocative tone on her. It was such a captivating sight, his eyes glued onto her hand as iridescent glitters twinkled off of her rings as she plucked a book from the shelf. Was this one too romantic? But this one would be to much Sci-fi. Gosh, why couldn’t he have just picked a book?

✩－Matt watched as the unknowing girl flicked through the books, before glancing at the grey haired man whose eyes couldn’t keep off of the girls backside. Disappointed and disgust built in the triplet’s chest as he shrugged off the wall, a sharp glare on his face as he stalked toward the counter. “Fuck outa’ here man.” Matt muttered, the man who bit his lip while looking the girls ass, snapping his eyes in the boy’s direction. “Sorry?” He scoffed, sounding baffled.

✯－ “I said,” the neckline of the male’s shirt got balled in Matt’s fist as he grabbed ahold of the material, his eyes flying open at the contact. “get your eyes off the girl’s ass, and get the fuck out of here.” He counted in his head, one, two, three, four－rolling his eyes, the older man shrugged off Matt’s hand, storming away with a scowl.

✩－ “I’m not too sure if this one－” Stepping down from the latter and turning around, the girl was expecting to meet eyes with the odd man from before. Instead, the uneasy feeling that swirled in her belly came to a stop as she met eyes with a brown haired man. Matt cocked his head while looking at the girl, nonchalantly smiling her way as if he hadn’t just shocked the life out of her. “I’m not really into the whole ‘romance’, thing.” The triplet joked.

✯－Slowly parting her lips, she drew her eyebrows together in perplexity. Matt’s face dropped a little, clearing his throat as he waved at the book she held. “The book － I meant.” Oh. She felt warmth flood to her cheeks at the realization, blowing out an airy laugh as she glanced down at her shoes. “No?” He hummed, smirking with amusement as he gently shook his head. “Can I ask why?” The murmur made his heart flutter.

✩－Cute. He thought to himself. “Why do you like it?” Matt drew out, forearms lazily falling on the desk as he leaned over a bit. The girl bit her lip in temptation, eyes flicking to his hands that rested on the counter. Veins outlined the soft skin of his hands, two rings on the fingers placed aside his middle and ring. Slim, she thought, the sinful thought leaving her breathless. Clearing her throat, she shifted her gaze up to Matt’s heated one. “Who’s to say I do?”

✯－Matt opted to leave her waiting for a moment, too caught up in his own mind to put together a proper response. The way her lips moved was a fascinating allure, the sight of it playing over in the triplet’s mind over and over until he felt the heat flutter in his abdomen. Fuck, not now. “Just a hunch.” Flicking his blue eyes to her neck, he ran his tongue along his bottom lip. “Pretty,” he whispered to himself, just loud enough for her to hear.

✩－The girl’s heart locket rested sensationally against her flawless clavicle, a mouthwatering sight to the boy as his hungry gaze took in her enticing character. Tilting her head with curiosity, she spoke. “Tell me.” Matt lifted an eyebrow, seeing the perfect twinkle beneath the surface of her lustrous eyes.

✯－He silently admired her for a moment too long. “Tell you what?” Was he really making her do this? The girl peered into Matt’s eyes with an indescribable look, before sighing. “The hunch.” Ah, there it was. Matt tipped his head back with a soft chuckle, nodding a bit,“Well, for starters,” he waved a hand around her neck. “that.” The pink ribbon that was weaved snuggly around her neck got tugged at by her index finger as she dipped in under the satin, making a small ‘ah’. “It gives off a very .. romantic, look.” He explains, watching as her eyes lit up. She liked hearing that.

✩－ Grinning like a Cheshire Cat, her head tipped to the side as giggled softly. “Romantic?” Matt hummed, a smile of his own growing on his lips. “Mhm.” Fair. The girl absentmindedly toyed with the fabric as she looked into his eyes shyly, feeling a tad intimidated by his heavy gaze. “What else?” So unprofessional, she thought to herself, but her smile didn’t die down.

✯－ He pondered for a second, before answering without a beat missed. “You picked that particular book without knowing what the customer would think,” Matt started, watching as not only her eyes took everything in, but how her facial expressions changing with every word. “meaning that you probably were thinking of what you would’ve liked to be chosen, if you were in their place.” As his explanation came to an end, the girl felt speechless.

✩－Her heart swooned at the male’s interest in her, feeling special almost. It was a safe bet to say that her store didn’t attract the most intriguing men, especially not ones that would ever take such an interest in her of all girls. She was awkward, and said all of the wrong things － and probably should’ve spent all of the time she spent reading, out having a social life.

✯－And if anyone were to get that, it would be Matt. The two individuals shared the glimpse of each other’s stares for a while, the silence never awkward, and always deep. So much behind the surface of one look, an untold story swirling in the distance. Drifting from her irresistible gaze, Matt’s eyes fell on a small homely looking tote bag that sat behind the desk, a stack of books poking from atop. “What’re those?” The triplet mused, watching as her face lit up.

✩－ “Oh.” Peeking a look behind her, she felt embarrassment fill her body as she caught sight of her tote bag, various books of her own open to the eye. “Yeah..” Her hand reached up to nervously itch at her freckled cheek, seeing Matt’s smirk grow at the slightest. “it’s just a few I’ve been meaning to read on my breaks.” As her lips moved in the shy like allure, Matt fell something erupt in his heart.

✯－A tranquil mix of fresh air and adoration sinking into his chest while he melted into her gaze. There was something so simple about the way the two individuals caught up in conversation, neither of them having to even think before speaking. It was almost too easy, Matt pondered. “Have any recommendations?” The triplet inquiries, tilting his head with a curious expression.

✩－She bit down on her lip, hiding a grin. “You don’t like what I like.” Matt’s eyebrow rose with surprise at the bold statement, leaning in closer as he huffed out a sound of amusement. “And what is it that you like?” She’d really done it now. Warmth spread across her cheeks, pink tinting the soft skin as she unknowingly seduced the male with her star-struck eyes.

✯－ Butterflies pressed against her gut as she thought about all of the obscene things she’s read in all of her years, the sinful details written on cedar pages as she bit her lip while imagining all of the things happening to the female character, were taking place on her body. Only this time, the girl was thinking about him. The mysterious man across the counter dragging his calloused finger tips across her bare torso, slowly gliding down her dewy skin until he thumbed at the rough material of her lace undergarment. She could practically feel the chills going down her spine at the mere thought of him whispering sweet nothings against her ear. “Takin’ like the good girl you always were, huh?” It seemed too real to fantasize.

✩－A small －sick, part of the girl knew that if Matt was to demand or request something, that she’d comply without a second thought. Not in the sense of being forced, but because deep down something inside of her ignited with a burning need to please every time she met his eyes. And if anything, to the girl, submission was trust. Such a poorly portrayed dynamic in the books she read, but some aspects she found herself drawn to.

✯－ Swallowing the lump she felt in her throat, she gained the strength to fiercely look into the male’s domineering eyes. “I don’t mind romance.” She murmured, cocking her head with a shy glint in her eyes. Matt, already having caught onto this, urged on. “Yeah?” At her nod, “and what kind of romance, kid?” The inquiry came out in a condescending manner, making the girl’s thighs squeeze together shamefully.

✩－The way her shoulders tensed was all Matt needed to know, a small chuckle leaving his lips as he ran a hand down his jaw. “Not so innocent, huh?” Her eyes narrowed in defiance, shooting him a small glare. “Do I look innocent?” Matt shrugged carelessly, the diamond pierced through his ear glimmering with a gentle shine as he looked off. “Look, yes. Inside ..” Lifting a brow, Matt’s lips tipped up. “Not for a second.” Like he would know, the girl thought to herself.

✯－ Rolling her eyes playfully, a hand ran through her tangled hair with a sigh. “Yeah, because you’re inside me.” She says in a sarcastic manner, eyes widening as she realized what she’d actually said. Her hand halted from its place in her hair as she blanked. Oh my god － cheeks going red, she blew out a breathy laugh. “that is not what I meant －all I was saying was,” Matt listened patiently as she rambled, hooded gaze glued on her as she waved her hands around, making excuses for the silly slip up she’d made.

✩－Physically, innocence practically radiated off of the girl. The pink converse with frilled socks, a little skirt that often rid up her lustrous thighs, sending Matt into a whirlwind of arousal. Though, under all of the ribbons and pearly little bracelets, the sinful persona she hid under the faux innocent facade came eye to eye with the male. Did she think he was oblivious to it? Or maybe she knew, and was being a cute little tease.

✯－Shocked from his daze, Matt looked up as a book was plopped down onto the counter with a thud. The Love Hypothesis, he read, eyes that held a curious glint lifting to meet the girl’s timid one’s. “And what’s this?” He drawled out, watching as she girl offered a little shrug while flicking her eyes away momentarily. “Your recommendation.” So fucking cute. Matt huffed out a small chuckle, placing his hand atop the book. “Well aren’t you a doll?”

✩－The book was a makeshift pedestal for Matt’s larger hand, showcasing the silver glittering rings woven around his slim fingers, and veins that were littered gorgeously over his rough skin. Her heart fluttered with an indescribable warmth, as well as heat coursing through her core at the sight that gave too much attraction. Lifting her eyes to the unknown man, she finally uttered the words. “What’s your name?” She whispered in a melodic note, tilting her head gently.

✯－Flattening his palm onto the hardcover book, he slowly slid it across the counter and into his arm. “Hm..” Tucking his bottom lip into his mouth, he took a step back from the counter with a hidden smirk. “Maybe you’ll find it somewhere in those books you like to read.” Matt murmured, winking playfully as he walked from the gleaming class doors.

✩－And later that evening, just as the last gust of wind swished through the door that now held a CLOSED sign, the girl had found herself unraveling untold stories that made her heart erupt with blooming flowers. Bottom sat on a small stool, and a misplaced book sat in her lap as her palms folded the cover open with a little sigh. Swoop. Just as the book opened, a small paper slipped from dust-cover with ease.

✯－Her eyebrows came together with confusion as she plucked the folded sheet from the floor. ‘This was in the non-fiction isle, right next to a small piece of paper that has my number, which is also non-fiction.’ Corny, she thought, placing her palm over her lips to blow out a breathy giggle. Matt, it signed at the bottom, the name followed by a cheesy smile breaking across the girl’s lips.

✩－Too many more inked stories to come.

𝒯𝒶𝑔𝓈 － @fratbrochrisgf @jetaimevous @sturnstvr @sturnrc @stonermattsgf @imwetforyourmom @st7rnioioss @endereies @pkfferoo @mqttittude @mattsbrowser

[rosieethor]

Aromantic Books Let's Go!

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath

Black Wings Beating by Alex London

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson

The Siren, the Song, and the Spy by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor

Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer

This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria

Immoral Code by Lillian Clark

Tarnished are the Stars by Rosiee Thor

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl

Hullmetal Girls by Emily Skrutskie

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Loveless by Alice Oseman

Take Me To Your Nerdy Leader by Hailey Gonzales

Being Ace edited by Madeline Dyer

Queerly Loving edited by G Benson and Astrid Ohletz

Common Bonds edited by Claudie Arseneault, C T Callahan, and RoAnna Sylver

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria

Godly Heathens by H. E. Edgmon

The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl

The Butterfly Assassin by Finn Longman

At the End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp

Switchback by Danika Stone

Tell Me How It Ends by Quinton Li

Awakenings by Claudie Arsenault

Stake Sauce by RoAnna Sylver

The Ice Princess's Fair Illusion by Dove Cooper

The Threads That Bind by Cedar McCloud

Not Your backup by C. B. lee

Fallen Thorns by Harvey Oliver Baxter

Natural Outlaws and Fractured Sovereignty by S. M. Pearce

Wander the Night by Sydney Cobb

Stones Stay Silent by Danny Ride

The Story of the Hundred Promises by Neil Cochrane

Two Dark Moons by Avi Silver

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace

Archivist Wasp by Nicole Kornher-Stace

Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

Syncopation by Anna Zabo

Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao

The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford

Lord of the Empty Isles by Jules Arbeaux

Our Deadly Designs by Kalyn Josephson

The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray by Christine Calella

[saphronethaleph]

Horses For Days (And Weeks, And Months)

“We’ll want to get the whole army across the Narrow Sea, before the onset of winter,” Varys noted. “My Queen, that is our primary concern, or should be – landing your army in Westeros.”

“One hundred thousand Dothraki riders will certainly be enough to destroy any army Westeros can muster,” Tyrion said. “With the Unsullied as a base, they would be unstoppable… however.”

“However?” Daenerys inquired.

“We have to face that we may not be able to get the whole army across the Narrow Sea,” Tyrion replied. “The problem is ships.”

He chuckled, self-effacingly. “Of course, I realize that this means I’m about to bore everyone with numbers, and I do apologize… however, it has to be done.”

“All right,” Daenerys said, hiding a smile. “How bad is it, then?”

“Well,” Tyrion began. “We can start with the fact that it’s around four thousand miles by sea from Mereen to the closest point of Westeros – that’s in Dorne, as it happens. That’s a journey of around… hmm, so at an average speed of five knots and a direct journey, it would be a month, but that would be a touchy thing to do. I believe the standard time is more like two months, but expect delays.”

“That’s enough time, though,” Daenerys said. “Isn’t it?”

“Well, that’s why I say the problem is ships,” Tyrion noted. “To take the whole army of one hundred thousand Dothraki riders, it would take… well, every man has six horses and we also need to take their sheep since that’s part of how the whole logistics system works, and I will warn you now that landing the army in Dorne would be a potential disaster – sheep need grass, as do horses. Landing somewhere such as the Reach or in the Stormlands would do better. But that’s only a comparatively minor increment to the amount of time involved… because, put simply, we need more ships.”

“How many would we need?” Daenerys asked.

Varys, who had more of a head for numbers, winced.

“A dedicated horse transport takes thirty horses,” Tyrion replied. “We can’t do much more, not and also take the tons of food that those horses will require… and, as I have said, every man has six horses. Even before counting either the men or the sheep, the horses alone will require twenty thousand ships.”

Daenerys blinked.

“...twenty thousand,” she repeated. “That’s… I…”

Her gaze turned to the harbour.

“I don’t think we have enough ships,” she admitted.

“I don’t think we have enough wood to make them,” Tyrion said. “Or shipwrights. Or sailors… my numbers here are very rough, but I would say that a one-hundred-ton ship such as that kind of horse transport would require about ten sailors, and of course it also requires the cutting of around one hundred tons of wood… were we to clearcut completely, that would require us to take around a hundred thousand acres of forest. I do not think there is a forest that big around Meereen.”

“Or anywhere on Dragon’s Bay, except the Isle of Cedars,” Daenerys said. “And we don’t want to risk clearcutting the Isle of Cedars. Ten sailors would be… two hundred thousand? Meereen doesn’t have that large a population.”

“I assume we can’t make multiple trips,” Varys sighed.

“Not really, no,” Tyrion replied. “That’s the time problem – if it takes two months for ships to get there, it takes six months to get there, get back for the second load, and return, if nothing goes wrong. And remember, I’m already assuming that nothing goes wrong!”

He tapped his chin. “I do have an idea, though… perhaps it would be better if your armada transported some of the Unsullied and as many Dothraki riders as it can manage, to operate in central Westeros, while the rest of your army moves by land back across the Dothraki Sea and takes all of those Free Cities which are in truth slave cities?”

“You think that would work?” Daenerys asked.

“It’s certainly a good place to find fleets,” Tyrion answered. “And with the resources of the Free Cities under your control, it might be possible to transport more of the Dothraki across the Narrow Sea… though it will probably mean waiting until next spring.”

Varys was muttering under his breath.

“Perhaps,” Daenerys said, eventually. “You’re sure there isn’t a way to move the whole army?”

“I don’t think your dragons are quite that strong,” Tyrion replied.

Daenerys blinked.

“...pardon?” she asked.

“Oh, just thinking about the idea of towing the continents closer together,” Tyrion said. “If you got them close enough together then, well, the whole force could just ride across the gap. But there’s not many other options.”

“I suppose all the Dothraki is a lot of Dothraki,” Daenerys conceded. “As it turns out.”

“Actually, about that,” Tyrion added. “I assume you’re going to move most of them back into the Sea of Grass at some point? Because if you don’t, within a week or two they’ll eat out all the grass in the area and their horses and sheep will starve…”

[a-magpie-in-gravesfield]

Just me nerding out about fragrances

I was asked about the scents I picked for the fragrances I use on my letters/the other sents I came up with, so I decided to make a whole document nerding out about my thought process behind each one XD I might come up with a few more in the future, I'll put a "keep reading" so this post doesn't clog your timeline because it's VERY long XD

EMPEROR'S COVEN

Scent description : 

This is what I imagine the castle/Philip to smell like - it's the scent I use for the first couple letters I send with Etsy orders. It’s not too overpowering, it’s fairly calming and reminds me a little bit of scents from old historical buildings.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

Incense is often used in churches, which I thought would be pretty fitting for the character, especially considering the castle is, well, a coven ahah. The incense scent also has notes of sandalwood, which according to google "Because of sandalwood's purifying properties, it is believed to help clear negative energy from our surroundings. For this reason, spiritual ceremonies often use it to create a sacred space." Considering Belos says he wants to purify the isles from wild magic, this seemed to fit his vibe too (Obviously I don’t agree with this, but I was trying to pick scents that would be fitting the vibes of specific locations, so I tried my best to represent them the way they were intended to be portrayed, if that makes sense !). "Library" scent was because I can see the castle having a lot of these, Philip seems to be the kind to enjoy books a lot. The scent also has undertones of leather, dark musk and teakwood which I thought were scents that could go well with the castle too. For the "sage and cypress" cents, I found on google "Sage is also a symbol of protection, a guardian that stands sentinel against unseen forces that may seek to disrupt one's state of balance.", and that also fits the way Philip portrays his coven, where everything is always in order etc. The cypress tones were mostly because the castle is surrounded by a forest, but cypress also represents "everlasting life" and is also "used in rituals with the dead", also very fitting for the character ! "Golden Santal" had a really fitting name because of the gold part, cedar also represents "protection, wisdom and strength", lavender is told to have calming properties (and Philip often has a calm demeanour), amber and musk also contribute to those castle vibes.

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GRAVESFIELD

Scent description : 

This smells a little like after it rained outside, and has a sort of sad/gloomy vibe to it.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

"Rainy Morning" is a scent I wanted to use because rain seems to have significance to Philip, but also because rain scents can give a kind of sad/gloomy feeling, which I thought would be pretty fitting for 1600s Gravesfield "Noble pine" is a scent I picked because the town was surrounded by a lot of forest areas, Incense was used for the same reason as it was in the Emperor's coven scent, because church was very present in Gravesfield at the time. Sandalwood is "Said to bring people closer to the divine, inciting calmness and clearing the mind, it is the most commonly used incense for meditation, prayer, and other spiritual practices across multiple religions.", which also felt fitting for the town.

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PEACEFUL MEMORIES

Scent description : 

It smells really really sweet, it has a very “cheerful” and floral vibe to it.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

This scent isn't something I imagined a specific area to smell like, but was more meant to represent a certain mood, when I made it I was thinking about the good memories Philip and Caleb would have when they used to play as kids. Firewood is a scent I picked because I imagined this is what they used a lot to cook, and the scent also has undertones of sandalwood and incense. Even tho in that case the religious memories aren't the best for him, I thought that since these scents would have been a huge part of their upbringing, it would still bring memories of home. Moonflower is a scent I picked for two reasons, one of them was that during my research, I found "Moonflower is an essence that supports the heart in healing deep wounds of abandonment, rejection or betrayal.", which is probably what both of them felt when they lost their family (parents), but also being outcast by the town, and then how Philip specifically felt like when Caleb left. But the main other thing I found while looking it up was "Since they bloom in the darkness, moonflowers are also symbols of the ability of beauty to emerge in dark times. They can provide hope for people who are going through tough times and encourage them to seek positivity.", and I thought this was extremely fitting regarding the two brothers trying to make the best of their lives in a dark town like Gravesfield. Red roses can have many meanings, but in that specific context, I was thinking of "On a spiritual level, red roses symbolise passion and sacrifice.", so I was thinking about Caleb sacrificing his own childhood to raise his little brother. Red roses are known to represent love, but in that context I was definitely thinking of it in a familial sense. "Noble Pine" was meant to reference their time playing together in the woods.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

LORD BELOS

Scent description : 

It has a strong smell of spices, like if you walked in an old caravan and a lot of spices had been left to dry there.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

This scent was specifically thought of in the context of the caravan I designed for Philip's preacher era, aka what I imagined the inside smelling like. "Mountain Mist" was definitely a reference to the outdoors, him travelling through mountains and snow from town to town. Sage and cypress are there for the same reason as they are in the Emperor's Coven scent, I was thinking of Philip seeing his quest as "bringing order", plus this is a very woodsy scent, and the caravan is mostly made out of wood. For Smoked Oud, I read "Eastern culture often uses Oud during moments of prayer with the aim of getting close to God. The extremely intense smell is linked to the sacred, in fact oud is called “the wood of the Gods” in the Old Testament." I imagined Philip burning a lot of incense-like scents in the caravan as if to remind himself why he was pursuing his "holy quest" as he would see it, the general "Lord Belos" fragrance has a very "spicy" smell which I found fitting for that. "Frosted Juniper" is mostly there because I wanted the woodsy sent to be really present and also have a "winter-y" feel because of the snow we see in the preacher era memory flashback. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

PREACHER

Scent description : 

It’s definitely not a sweet scent, it’s very citrus-y with a lot of forest type scents (think if you get really close to a pine tree for example)

Thoughts behind the scent : 

This one is more of a "vibe" scent than a location scent, I was trying to think of the mood from his preacher era. "Firewood" definitely had to be in there because of the burning cities, "woodland snow" was there for the snowy landscapes. "White Birch" also has Eucalyptus notes which is often associated with winter, and Pine and Cypress both have the same sylbols as mentioned in previous paragraphs, but Philip seemed to travel through a lot of forest-like areas, so  wanted the woodsy scent to be very present too. Sandalwood as mentioned above was used a lot in religious ceremonies and incense, it also has undertones of "amber" and "dark musk", and I wanted to make sure this scent didn't really smell "sweet" in any way.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

BEAST

Scent description : 

It smells like mossy wet dirt, it doesn’t have any “perfume” type scent to it. It’ll really smell like it just rained and you opened the window very wide.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

I know there are a lot of different interpretations of what Philip's beast form would smell like, some think it would be more like rotting flesh and some think it would be more like moss-type scents.

Personally I went with the moss interpretation (I felt like if the smell was as bad as rotting flesh we would have seen characters like Luz react to that when standing close to him, but there was no indication of that), and his curse spreading also seemed very plant/mushroom like. I also didn't want to create a scent that was fully repulsive because no one would want to smell it ahah

But in any case, with that explanation out of the way, the "cut grass" and "rainy morning" scents are there for that exact reason. Cedarwood is there because cedar, at least to me, has a very "dusty" kind of smell - I wanted to have some kind of woodsy scent that wouldn't be too floral in the mix, and Leather is there because I have some leather fragrances of my own, and I wanted something a little stronger that would balance out the other "peaceful" scents like cut grass. (Plus, the leather scent also has undertones of incense, so that was a bonus too ahah)

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The scents after this one are more of "vibe scents" I created that aren't reflective of a specific moment from the show, so you can see those are more of my own things. (I picked the scents for every category, I meant more in the sense that these are my own original scenes/vibes ideas).

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOME

Scent description : 

It has a VERY overpowering smoky scent. Think if you just walked in the old Wittebane house but the window had been left opened and there had been fire outside. If you get it in candle form it won’t come off as strong as in pure fragrance form, but definitely think old medieval type outdoor house instead of modern time house.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

I wanted to have a scent vibe for what I could "home" smelling like for Philip. Library definitely had to be in there because Philip most likely enjoyed books and writing a lot, "Lush Linen" was because of the other fancy clothes he owns, like waistcoat etc, and I find the smell of linen very clean, enjoyable and calming. (Tho the more peaceful scents are first definitely overpowered by the smoky scent, you can only pick up on those when the scent settles a bit, if that makes sense). It also has undertones of white tea in the scent description, and I can definitely see him as a tea person. Lavender embers is a little different from the lavender scent I used in "Peace" later, but lavender is also calming, and "smoke" is a smell I thought would be fairly present in Gravesfield (mostly referring of people cooking over firewood outside). "Redwoods" is a very woodsy scent, and the outdoors would probably be a very home-y feel as well (more in the sense that it would seem familiar to someone from that time period rather than what a current home would smell like).

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FREE

Scent description : 

It has a very floral and outdoors type scent, but it doesn’t smell as overpoweringly sweet the way “peaceful memories” does, it gives me way calmer vibes.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

I was thinking of this as more of an AU type scent of, what if things had never gone bad, the moonflower scent is there for the same reason as it is in "Peaceful Memories" ("Moonflower is an essence that supports the heart in healing deep wounds of abandonment, rejection or betrayal.", which is probably what both of them felt when they lost their family (parents), but also being outcast by the town, and then how Philip specifically felt like when Caleb left. But the main other thing I found while looking it up was "Since they bloom in the darkness, moonflowers are also symbols of the ability of beauty to emerge in dark times. They can provide hope for people who are going through tough times and encourage them to seek positivity.") Incense usually has a church feel to it, but a lot of people also use it for things like meditation, and I find the smell very calming personally. Library definitely had to come back once again ahah

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

PEACE

Scent description : 

It’s a very soft and calming scent. When I smell it I really think “peace” ahah. You can definitely smell the lavender, it also has a very clean and fresh type smell.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

That one was more of a vibe scent as well. I'm guessing that back in Gravesfield, Philip had some moments to indulge in his hobbies such as writing, drawing, creating things in general. I was picked a lavender based scent because lavender has calming properties, tho the lavender scent doesn't feel too present to me. Library is there because I definitely picture him as a bookworm. The scent is super calming as a whole and something I love having around when I draw, probably one of my favorites actually ! Cedar and wood are also some undertone scents I could see him have in his old house.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

WITTEBANE

Scent description : 

It has a very soft scent, very outdoors-like. You can smell some floral smells, it has a very mossy undertone.

Thoughts behind the scent : 

I know Violet can seem like a strange choice of scent, but I didn't want to re use too much of the other previous scents, and in my research I found a lot of little facts : Violets have a symbol of "faith and spiritual passion", there are also superstitions that "Carrying violets keep malevolent spirits at bay". Another interesting thing I found was "The ancient Romans gave the violet flower a sombre interpretation. They perceived the deep colour of the flower as an image of spilt blood while its soothing scent lent a peaceful aura to proceedings.".The color of (blue) violets also feels very similar to the Wittebane coat (my interpretation of that is that it belonged to their father, was then passed down to Caleb and then Philip). Saffron was also a scent undertone of the "Violet" fragrance, and saffron has a lot of spiritual meanings such as "being closer to the divine". Another meaning of saffron is "courage and sacrifice", which Caleb would have definitely went through for his brother. But even tho we know Philip didn't make the right choices, he probably saw himself as doing those exact same things for Caleb when he went after him to "save" him (since well, going to the demon realm was probably the same as going to actual Hell to someone from his era). Saffron is also a very expensive spice, and I felt like it was fitting to the vibe the Wittebane statue gives off (considering the clothes they are represented with, even tho we know they had a very difficult upbringing). Leather is another scent that I liked being used as an undertone, because it balances out the floral sweetness a little. "Redwoods" is there mostly because growing up surrounded by the forest is a big part of the characters, so I wanted a woodsy smell to be very present. Cedar, Moss and Embers also balance out the rest of the scents.

[p-artsypants]

The Pale Rider (10) Pretending Everything is Normal

The Isle of Berk is cursed. Like, extremely cursed. It has been for generations. The extent of the curse has been forgotten over time, but no descendants of the original village are able to leave the island, lest they suffer a gruesome fate. Three years ago, the Blacksmith invited the Pale Rider to town. He’s a creature that’s haunted the forest and childhood campfire stories for centuries. Now, he arrives every day at noon. One day, Astrid Hofferson decides to be brave and talk to him. He’s actually really nice…for an eldritch abomination. A Beauty and the Beast AU.

Ao3

In the early hours of the morning, Astrid was awoken by the crow of a rooster, no, just a chicken. Just as she had every day, she was up like a shot, but paused in confusion at the red cocoon she found herself in. The bed was the most comfortable she’d slept on in years, and the blankets were soft and silky, not at all like the scratchy ones she’d had at home. 

As she sat up, she felt the soreness in her legs and saw the scabs on her palms. 

Then it came back to her. She was in the castle. She had fled from the village. Dagur had come and tried to get her to come back. He’d stabbed the Rider! 

She got up and pushed the canopy curtain aside. As she did, the flowers on the walls started to glow again, a warm white this time, and the chandelier above gradually grew brighter. There weren’t windows in her immediate room, but warm sunlight filtered in the doorway of the dressing room. She went over to peek. 

It was still early, and dawn had just broken. The garden below was still asleep and bathed in shade. 

The dress she had come here in was hanging on a hook on the wall, cleaned and mended. 

When did that get there? 

But considering the nature of the rooms she’d seen so far, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that the castle itself put the dress there. 

She dressed, feeling sore but more well-rested than she had in a while, then she went towards the cedar drawing room where she was to meet the Rider for breakfast. 

On the way, she saw something that made her halt in her tracks. Something that was so jarring in this fantastic castle of unexplainable wonders.  

A chicken. Presumably the same one that had woken her up. 

It was plump and lively, walking around without a care in the world. 

“That’s Gobber’s chicken!” She pointed. 

“I heard he bought it fair and square,” said Stoick, appearing in a painting beside her. “He had lamented about the castle being too quiet all the time, and I joked that he should get a chicken, one with personality. Apparently, he didn’t think it was a joke.” 

“No way…and all this time, I thought—“ she bit her lip, now guilty. 

“Let me guess. You thought he tortured the poor creature?” 

“A little, yes…” 

“It’s alright, lass. You didn’t know him then, did you? First time you talked to him in fact!” 

Her eyebrows raised in surprise. 

He answered her unspoken question. “He came back all happy and excited! Well, as much as he could show emotion back then. In comparison to where he was, he was practically bouncing off the walls!” 

“Really?” Astrid smiled widely. 

“Ah,” said the Rider, arriving from the other hall. “I see you’re embarrassing me again. You’re getting very good at that.” 

“Have you even learned to feel shame again?” Stoick asked, hands on his hips. 

“Of course. I regained the bad emotions first.”

Astrid frowned, but she didn’t comment on it. 

“Come Astrid, I made breakfast. Eat, and then I will take you back to the village.” 

She followed him to the cedar room where two plates were set next to each other, on a corner. It wasn’t a feast, just some eggs, bacon, and toast, but it was more than she ate most mornings. “This is lovely, thank you!” 

“Of course. I’m not about to send my first guest home hungry.” 

First guest. The first person to stay in 300 years. 

“How’s your wound?” She asked, though it was rather obvious. He wasn’t wearing a bandage, and she could see the scar. 

“All better,” he drew his cloak open a little more so she could see. “Even the scar will disappear in a few days.” 

“That’s a perk, I guess. There had to be at least one good thing about the curse.” 

“There’s at least two,” he said, then paused for a long time, hesitating. “The other good thing is that I got to live long enough to meet you.” 

Her face went red and she covered her blush with her cheek. “Are you just naturally good at flirting? Or is it a skill that you’ve honed over the centuries?” 

“I wasn’t flirting. I was being honest.” 

“Either way, that was really sweet.” 

“Learned from the best!” Stoick called from the mantle. 

“You haven’t paid me a compliment in decades,” Valka droned, from the other wall. 

After the entertaining breakfast, it was time to face the music. Time to leave the fairytale sanctuary, and return to cruel reality. 

After all, she had work to do. She had to pack up what she didn’t need, and let her friends know what was happening. 

But it all had to be done in secret. Besides Dagur, she could think of several people that would make a stink about her moving into the castle. Some of her mother’s old friends, to be sure. 

But what else did this mean? How long would she stay here? At first, she was just relieved to have a place to go after her mother passed. But what about after that? How long would she be allowed to stay? 

How long would Dagur keep up this self imposed rule of not selling property to her? Would that extend to her future husband, whoever it was? 

“You look troubled,” the Rider noted. “Feeling apprehensive about going back?” 

“Yes, but…I’ve got other things on my mind too. Most pressing…how long am I allowed to stay?” 

“As long as you want,” he said confidently. “If you’re still here as an old woman, I will take care of you.” 

She sighed, feeling better. 

He seemed to outdo himself in generosity as he added, “and if you take a husband, he is welcomed here as well. I have the room. This castle has been far too silent for too long.” 

“That’s really kind.” 

Then there was a tonal shift as he lowered his drink slowly. He rested his hands on the table, fingers folded together. “That is…if the castle lets you stay.” 

“Oh, I hadn’t considered that,” said Valka. 

Astrid frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean? I thought you said I was welcome here as long as you invited me?” 

He held up his hands placatingly. “Yes, for the most part. As you saw with Dagur, the second he entered the castle, he became weak and ill, while you were able to sleep overnight and you're fine, right?” 

“Right.” 

“Well, the castle itself is…aware. I think that’s the best way to say it. It’s like a sentry, alerting Toothless and I whenever someone new, or someone ‘not of the blood’ comes to the island.”

“Is that why the traders never stay very long?” 

“Could be. In the past, the castle has mostly responded to invaders, or those coming with malicious intent. I am aware of visitors, but those that bear no ill will are typically left alone pretty quickly.”

“Like Fishlegs’ Uncle?” 

“Exactly.” 

“So what does that have to do with me? I’m a direct descendant.” 

“True. I only brought it up so you are aware. I’m sure everything will be fine, but as I’ve said, you are the first visitor to the castle. I’m unsure if that will make a difference.” 

“I see.” She nodded.   

“Now then,” he stood, “are you ready for your first flight?” 

She hadn’t even considered that he was going to fly her back. Toothless was perfectly capable of walking! 

And yet…who was she to deny him anything? 

“Is it safe?” She asked. 

“Of course! Toothless won’t let anything happen to you.” 

“Alright…then take me home, I suppose.” 

By the small hum he made, she knew he was smiling. He held out his arm to escort her. 

“Lovely meeting you,” said Valka. “You’re welcome any time!” 

“We’ll be seeing you! Hopefully your more permanent stay doesn’t start for a while still,” said Stoick. 

“Oh, and tell your mother we said hello!” Valka added. 

“Thank you, I will.” 

The Rider led Astrid to the front door, where a clean pair of boots waited. 

“These are yours.” 

“I couldn’t possibly—-“ 

“What am I going to do with them?” He huffed. “Mother can’t wear them, and I certainly can’t.” 

“I suppose it is rather silly of me to protest. Thank you.” 

He helped her put them on and then they went out to the courtyard. 

In the morning light, the plants were bedazzled in raindrops from last night, making a glittering cascade of diamonds around her. 

The flowers were fading in the autumn temperatures, but the sunflowers were tall, peaking out among the arborvitae. The hydrangeas were drying out to beige seed heads, but remained voluminous snowballs on their dark green leaves. Wisteria and English Ivy scrambled up the stone walls, consuming the castle itself in nature. 

Oh to see this courtyard in mid summer! 

“It’s beautiful!” 

“I’ve always liked it,” he said. “Very peaceful.” 

“Who tends to it?” 

“No one really. I guess Toothless and I are responsible for its current state. Before I went into the village, it was very overgrown. The ivy on the walls covered everything, and there were barely any flowers. Then, when I started coming to town, I saw your cottage, and what a proper garden should look like. So every day, I trimmed a little back. Toothless ate the poisonous plants and weeds. Then, it all started to flourish. Birds came and new plants grew.” 

Then he turned to her. “But it really ought to have a proper gardener.” 

Her eyes lit up. “Oh that’s perfect! Then I’ll really feel like I’ve earned my place here! Is that alright? Can I please?” 

“Whatever you want.” He hummed. “You don’t have to earn anything. I’ve given you a place here…but you Vikings are so stubborn, I suppose you’ll be more comfortable with doing your share of the work.” 

“I can cook and clean too!” She insisted. “I’m not as good of a cook as my mother was, but I’ve come a long way since I started. Most of it is edible!” 

“I can handle the cooking,” he chuckled. “But I won’t stop you from doing anything. If you want to clean, that’s fine. If you want to spend the day curled up with a book, that’s fine. I want this to be a home for you, Astrid.” 

She squeezed his arm. “I’m looking forward to it.” 

He raised his hand up under his mask and made a loud, sharp whistle. 

The horrific whinny of Toothless echoed from above, before the dragon-turned-horse ran down the side of the castle and landed in front of them. 

“Show off,” the Rider chastised. 

Toothless responded by swinging his head into his chest and making him stumble. 

Astrid chuckled, “You sure you’ve got that horse trained?” 

“Dragon,” he corrected, “and no. I don’t. He trained me, actually.” With years of daily experience, the Rider mounted his steed with a grace and speed she could not comprehend. He held a hand out to her. 

She took it, and was about to look for a foothold to climb up, but he easily lifted her and placed her in front of him. 

“There we are.” 

Astrid had never ridden a horse before. No need to. Berk was small enough to get around on foot, and the horses that lived on the island were work horses that pulled stuff. 

The Rider held the reins on either side of her, while she looked for something to hold onto. Eventually, she found the horn of the saddle and took a tight hold. 

“Ready?” 

“You won’t let me fall, right?” 

“You’re safe, Astrid.” 

“Then…I guess I’m ready.” 

With a snap of the reins, Toothless was up in the air, ascending into the clouds at a dizzying speed. 

Astrid hung onto the saddle as she felt herself slide down in her seat, pressing her back into the Rider. 

He was laughing, and she realized she was screaming. 

Then the ride slowed as Toothless crested the clouds, delicately gliding through the pillowy whiteness. 

Astrid felt her stomach catch up to her and she sighed in relief. The Rider was still chuckling behind her. 

“Did you do that? Or was that his idea?” She accused. 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

She shook her head. The Rider had such a strange sense of humor she still didn’t completely understand. It was often self-deprecating, and took satisfaction in watching others squirm uncomfortably. Perhaps it was a reflex, to laugh when others are uncomfortable instead of crying. 

Eventually, she got the courage to reach out to touch the clouds around her, expecting cotton, but finding nothing but dampness. 

“It’s wet?” She wondered. 

He hummed. “Yeah, guess I forgot most people don’t know that.” 

“I never would have known!” She waved her hand through another one, watching it dissipate around her hand. “Incredible!” 

“You better hang on.” 

“What?” 

Toothless suddenly tucked his wings, and they were free falling through the sky. 

She scrambled and grabbed hold of his wrists, feeling herself start to lift out of the saddle. The Rider’s arm wrapped around her waist and held her tightly against him. 

Toothless’ wings unfurled again, and they swooped on the breeze, smoothly rising again. Astrid’s terrified screams turned to laughter. With the arm around her, she no longer felt afraid of losing control, and instead enjoyed the ride. 

Toothless thundered around the island, taloned hoofs pushing off the sea stacks for bursts of speed. He skimmed across the water, blasting a burst of mist up onto the passengers. 

They slowed as they glided by a fishing boat, and Astrid waved. “Hi Bucket! Hi Mulch!” 

“Astrid!? What are you doing, lass?! Have you gone crazy!?” 

“Quite possibly!” She laughed again as Toothless ran across the water and lifted into the sky.

Eventually, the Rider came to land just outside the gate to the village. Astrid was still giggling even as the guards drew their weapons and waited. 

Rider took hold of Astrid’s hands and lifted her from the saddle like she weighed nothing, and set her gently on the ground. 

“That was fantastic!” She cheered, trying in vain to tame her windswept hair. 

“I’m glad you had fun. We’ll go again sometime.” 

“I’d like that,” she smiled broadly. 

He reached his hand to her, and she took it in hers, squeezing tightly. “As long as the weather remains pleasant, I will meet you at the field.” 

“Sounds perfect.” 

“Now…go to your mother, and spend time with her. Worry about nothing else.” 

“I don’t have to worry,” she said honestly. “You’ve given me the greatest peace of mind.” 

He squeezed her hand back and pulled away. “Until tomorrow then, my lady.” 

“Until tomorrow.” She took a step back, but then just as quickly rested a hand on his horse’s–dragon’s chin, on those hard spines and just under his mouth of jutting fangs. She used her other hand to pet his nose, which was just as sharp and hard. “Thanks for the ride, Toothless. You’ve trained him well.” 

The dragon huffed as the Rider scoffed. 

Then she stepped away fully, allowing him to leave. He backed away, nodded at the guards in acknowledgement, before riding away. 

“Are you alright, Miss Hofferson?” One asked, though the answer was fairly obvious. 

“I’m wonderful, thank you.” She nodded to him. 

“Then…you’d better get on home to your mother.” 

That wonderful high she had been floating on disappeared, and she slammed back into reality. “My mother? What happened? Is she alright?”

“Yes,” the guard assured quickly. “We are just to alert Dagur of your return.”

She sneered. “Just because his father is wealthy does not give him any authority to boss me around!” 

The guards looked at her with pity, rather than aggression as she was expecting. 

“We have great sympathy for the awkward position you’re in, Miss Hofferson, but the fact of the matter is, this town has no official leader, and the Berserker clan pays our wages.” 

She swallowed hard. They were completely right, of course. In Oswald’s absence, all of Dagur’s authority came from the threat of starvation. That was worse than prison. 

“Fine. Go ahead and tell Dagur everything. See if I care.” 

As she entered the town, the guard called out to her, “as far as we saw, you walked back on your own.” 

It mattered little. Bucket and Mulch had certainly seen her riding on Toothless. Dagur knew where she was last night. 

And as she crossed into the village proper, where everyone was milling about, she got the distinct feeling everyone else knew too. She was getting stares, sideways glances, and the old ‘trying to avoid eye-contact with a hand in the way’ trick. She heard her name in whispers.

Well, Berk was rather sleepy. This was the most interesting thing to happen in a while. 

As she came towards her mother’s house, she spotted Dagur and his two goons waiting. Two different goons from last night. Dagur had a nasty cut across his face, no doubt her handiwork. 

She didn’t run this time, though she wanted to. 

“Dagur,” she said, by way of greeting. 

“Astrid my sweet!” He cooed, apparently not deterred by any of the events from the night prior. “Feel better now that you got that little tantrum out? Feel like talking?” 

“I feel better alright,” she said, shortly. “What is there to talk about? You’ve made my situation quite clear. You’ll be circling like a vulture until mother passes, and then you’ll be taking my house.” 

“Oh but it sounds so cruel when you say it like that, Sweetums! Let’s talk about our engagement!” He approached her with his arms open, attempting to lay one across her shoulder. 

She was prepared to catch it and twist it behind his back, but before he could even try to touch her, the hellish whinny of Toothless echoed across the landscape like thunder. 

Dagur recoiled harshly, a mighty tremble taking over his frame. He swallowed thickly and tried to regain that confidence he had a moment ago. “Um, perhaps we’ll talk about it later. You should…your mother probably needs you.” 

“She does. Thank you for noticing,” she said curtly, shouldering past him. 

She unlocked her front door, listening as the men dispersed from her property. 

Before going inside, she scanned the cliffs to the East, where the tip of the castle could be seen. On a ledge, she saw a shadowy figure on a horse, watching ever vigilant. 

She blew him a kiss in gratitude. 

“Mother! I’m back!” She called as she entered. 

A cough was her reply. 

She ascended the stairs quickly, only to see her mother looking just about the same as she had last night. 

She cleared her throat. “I meant to greet you, but I choked instead,” she laughed weakly. 

“Tea!” Astrid proclaimed. 

Once she had made her mother her medicine and breakfast, Astrid settled down in the chair beside her mother. 

“How do you feel?” 

“The same as usual. Woke up a few times during the night, but you left that water for me, so I was fine. Just woke up maybe an hour ago.” 

“I’m sorry I stayed away so long.” She didn’t reveal that Dagur had been waiting outside, or that they followed her up to the castle. 

“It was a terrible night to travel. I’m glad you stayed with him. I wouldn’t have wanted you to get sick.” She set her tray aside, having finished eating. “Now, tell me everything. What’s it like? Did you meet his parents?” 

“Oh did I!” She sprang from the chair and tried to recall every luscious detail of the castle. “Valka and Stoick are so nice! And get this, they’re trapped in paintings!” 

“Really?” 

“Yes! They can hop from canvas to canvas too! They joined us in the cedar drawing room for breakfast after having met me in the green drawing room last night!”

“Imagine having more than one drawing room,” Phlegma chuckled. “I can’t imagine having one!” 

Astrid recalled most of her experience, glossing over the more unsavory parts with Dagur. She said nothing of the Rider’s stab wound. She told her all about the rooms she saw, the bedroom she stayed in, and the dormant courtyard.

“…and then we swooped down over the ocean, and Toothless ran across it like it was solid ground!” 

“Sounds like a real adventure.” 

“Oh it was! It was incredible!” 

“I wish I could see that castle,” Phlegma hummed. 

“Perhaps you can! On one of your better days, I’ll have the Rider bring a carriage, and we can go see it!” 

“I’d like that.”

[sketchy-rosewitch]

Our Little Bird: Rusty Nail x gn!reader x Bo Sinclair

Warnings: A/B/O dynamics, slut shaming (?), angst with a happy ending.

A/N: @bisexual-horror-fan is hosting something called Multi-May! Or for some reason I called it PolyMay, all month she is posting Polyam focused fics! I wanted to participate so I chose my babies Rusty Nail and Bo Sinclair!

You shift awkwardly in the grocery store trying to pay attention to what you need to get in the isle you are currently in. Rusty and Bo needed to run some errands and said they’d meet you back at the grocery store. They said it wasn’t supposed to take that long. It’s been almost an hour. They usually never left you alone this long, mostly because you had a habit of attracting unwanted attention.

It isn’t your fault. Really it isn’t. Alphas see an omega by themself and all they wanna do is talk, make sure they’re okay, see if they’re single and maybe or maybe not move on. You bite your nails and try to focus back in on the list, humming to the music that played in the store.

Your nose picks up on a group of omegas coming towards you and you furrow your brows absolutely confused on what they could want.

There’s a strong grip on your shoulder as an Omega turns you around. You see four of them crowding around you. Your heart picks up its pace.

What did you do this time?

“So how’d you end up with two Alphas?” The one who grabbed your shoulder asks, she’s shorter than you, and looks a little older, she reeks of burnt sugar and sour blackberry. You try not to gag.

You shrug and look at the small group, not really wanting to talk to them.

“So what, you just spread your legs and they came running towards you?” Her jaw clenches as she looks at you with disgust. You shake your head absolutely hurt by her assumption.

“No! I- I dunno! They just saved me and both wanted me! I don’t know how to explain it.” Your hand fumbles with your tucked in t-shirt.

“Look at me Omega.”

Your heart clenches and because of your nature, you look up at the other Omega and whine lowly. You’re always such a great listener.

“You know Alphas are a rarity. All omegas know that. Yet you still decided to take two for yourself. You’re a selfish slut, you don’t deserve either one of them. I bet they hate having to share you. Bet they think you’re cheating right now. In fact I bet that’s what you were doing. Wanting a third, maybe a fourth to scent you. Well you’re not getting them!” The Omegas claws grip and dig into your cheek, you whimper loudly and that’s when you smell a mix of cedar wood, whiskey, fresh rain, and engine exhaust.

Your heart picks up pace. “Please.” You beg between squished cheeks. “They’re close by, if you could just back up so they don’t hurt you, I won’t tell them!” More whines come from your chest. They cause your ears to ring and you’re sure it bothers the groups ears too. The woman doesn’t let go until it’s too late. Your boyfriends storm into the isle, she looks over at them backs off with a disgusted look.

“I ain’t gonna hurt you. But you better stay away from our Omega.” Bo growls, Rusty comes up to you and holds your face gently, checking to see if her nails dug too far into you. “You okay little bird?” Rusty rumbles, you lie and nod.

“I ain’t jokin’ either. Causin’ them distress like that. I’m sure an Alpha wouldn’t claim you regardless if we were a rarity or not. Especially the way you’re actin’. Now git!”

Bo turns and faces you. Your heart rate slows as you calm down. Bo kisses your scent gland gently. “Are you okay? Sorry about takin’ so long. Line got held up. We’ll make sure one of us stays with you next time.”

Your eyes don’t focus on anything really. It’s all blurry, you just quietly nod your head and let Bo do the rest of the shopping.

You hear Rusty and Bo talking but don’t focus on anything they actually say, Rusty’s calloused hand holds yours and you just stare at the ground.

You are selfish. You’re a whore and you really could’ve just had one partner. One Alpha or even Beta to call your own. But no you had to get claimed by two of them, because you just couldn’t pick. Now you’re practically taking all of the resources. Greedy bitch.

Rusty and Bo know something is up with you. Your Cherry and Coconut smells burnt to a crisp .Their hearts ache for you to feel better. They wanna kill that omega for whatever she had said to you. You hate confrontation especially confrontation in public so Rusty and Bo silently decided to wait until the three of you get home to talk.

-

Groceries are brought up and put away. Bo and Rusty watch as you silently go up to your shared bedroom to lay down.

Rusty’s knuckles crack as his fists turn white.

“I’ll kill that damn bitch myself. Won’t take long for me to find her she smells of envy, sour and disgusting. Doin’ somethin’ horrible to our birdie’s mind.”

Bo huffs, he feels just as angry as Rusty. But one of them has to be rational while the other isn’t.

“I wanna kill her too. But we gotta think about birdie right now and what they would want.”

That hurt Bo to say more than anything. Not because he doesn’t want to put you first but because that bitch deserves to be put down.

Rusty and him take a few deep breaths. Something you taught the both of them so they would clear their minds. Then they make their way up the steps.

The bedroom door is shut and Rusty knocks before entering. Your smell is spread all over the bedsheets, you’re curled and looking out the window.

They come around you and crouch down.

“Birdie come here.” Rusty whispers, you look away and hesitate before getting up and sitting in the man’s lap. Bo gets as close as he can facing both of you and kisses your face gently. “Tell us what’s wrong. We wanna make you feel better. Hurts us seein’ you like this.” Rusty rubs his thumb between your brows soothingly.

Your body knows better than to deny him.

“Told me I was selfish for letting two alphas mark me. Told me how rare you guys were and that I was a slut and they said that they bet I’d spread my legs for any alpha. B-but I wouldn’t! It’s not my fault that you two marked me and I marked you two but it feels like my fault! I don’t like it! Because-Because then I am greedy! I should’ve never met you two then I wouldn’t have been so greedy.” You sob loudly. Bo and Rusty let out a small whine. You just barely hear it.

“Oh birdie. Ya ain’t selfish. Relationships happen like this all the time. An alpha ain’t selfish for wantin’ multiple omegas, a beta ain’t selfish for wantin’ an alpha and an omega, and an omega ain’t selfish for wantin’ two alphas. Etcetera Etcetera. I don’t want you thinkin’ that. That omega hasn’t found no one to be hers and she’s just angry because you found two people to be yours.” Bo explains, you nod your head, confirming you understand.

“If anyone’s selfish it’s both of us for wantin’ you little bird.” Rusty says.

Your heart flutters a little and you smile. Rusty picks you up and kicks off his shoes before moving to the bed, Bo follows closely behind him and the two of you squish you into a sandwich. They kiss your face and scent glands. Their hands move to feel you all over, finally you feel full comfort in the whole situation. You kiss both of them on the cheeks. You hum in contentment.

No you weren’t selfish, they weren’t either. Fate wanted you to be with two alphas and that was something society was just going to have to deal with.

[korcariiwitch]

oc(s) meme. ✨

Tagged by: @laezels! Tysm for the tag! <3

(So uhhhh I decided to fill this out for both my OCs, since I haven't really posted much for Skora and needed to flesh both of them out more, so umm don't mind me 🖤)

name: velwyn melarn name: skora aldisian

nickname(s): vel, v, wynnie (hates the last one though) nickname(s): kora, sko, allie

pronouns: she/her pronouns: she/her

star sign: scorpio star sign: virgo

height: 5' 4" / 162.5cm height: 5' 9" / 175.2cm

orientation: pansexual orientation: pansexual

race: drow (bhaalspawn) race: half-elf (sun elf/human)

romancing: astarion romancing: shadowheart (might be karlach depending on how her playthrough goes 👀)

fave fruit: cherries. fave fruit: dates.

fave season: less so a favorite season and more so she likes whenever there's a storm going on. something about the feeling of the rain/snow on her skin feels invigorating and the catharsis of everything being washed away. fave season: winter, preferably indoors and cooped up next to a hearth.

fave flower: orchids (ones that grow in the dark especially). fave flower: irises and hyacinths.

fave scent: iron, mint, and eucalyptus. fave scent: sea salt and cedar wood.

coffee, tea, or hot chocolate: coffee to compensate for the lack of rest most days. prefers it black with a minimal amount of sugar. coffee, tea or hot chocolate: many various types of teas. she's a bit of a snob about it actually (affectionate).

average sleep hours: it would be the standard 4 hours of trance, if not interrupted nightmares or the debilitating migraines brought on by suppressing her bloodthirsty urges. average sleep hours: skora is adept at quieting her mind and can reliably/consistently get six hours of sleep even under the most dire of circumstances.

dogs or cats: quasits, owlbears, intellect devourers. pre-events of the game it wasn't sustainable for durge to have pets, and she finds herself drawn to the more unconventional ones. dogs or cats: skora has a fondness for dogs, having grown up with many hunting dogs in her youth.

dream trip: pre-tadpole there was no point in dreaming of travel for pleasure, outside of her father's vision of a world covered in corpses. post the events of the game i think she'd just like to see more of the world beyond what the underdark/bhaal's temple has to offer her. dream trip: i think she'd like to return home to the isle she is from, she hasn't been there since childhood due to ~certain events~ and i think having a partner/friends in tow might help make that journey palatable.

amount of blankets: it doesn't matter how many you put on her because there's a 98.7% chance she's going to end up kicking them off at some point. secretly, velwyn prefers the compression of her partner acting as weighted blanket. amount of blankets: one, no more than two. barely moves in her sleep and wakes up in the morning with the blankets exactly where she left them the night before.

random fact(s): velwyn ❤️

velwyn is quite the sketch artist, and she keeps a journal (almost like a book of shadows) in the game chronicling her journey. some of the sketches can be a bit disturbing, though, especially if she's a fondness for the subject. (e.g. a rather gruesome sketch of astarion because she didn't know what to do with her feelings towards him)

fluent in common, undercommon, elvish, deep speech and knows some abyssal and infernal as study for a certain heist.

likes to collect weird shit for study and experimentation later. has led to some 'accidents' around camp during the squad's downtime.

knows how to stitch wounds together exceptionally well, will stubbornly insist upon patching herself up half the time until she becomes more comfortable with the concept of other people taking care of her.

enjoys being challenged and called out on her own shit by others, even if she'd never admit that.

random fact(s): skora 💙

fluent in common, gnomish, celestial, primordial, elvish, draconic and also knows common sign language.

knows how to sail from her family's business, but actually gets incredibly sea sick.

while in school, she double majored in abjuration and divination with minors in illusion and necromancy magics.

has an astigmatism but refuses to 'correct it' with magic, so she'll pull out glasses while reading.

she has a natural calming presence and a quiet confidence, she doesn't feel the need to gloat but will put someone in their place if pushed.

No pressure/obligation tagging: @anderwelt, @malewife-mansplain-magus, @topaz-carbuncle, @phasebun, @starryjuicebox, @elminsters, @vspin, @tavsboots @asharaks, @bhaalbaaby and anyone else who sees/wants to do this!

[chaddavisphotography]

People watch the susnet from Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis.

[aegor-bamfsteel]

What do you think happened to Red Ralf Stonehouse?

“Instead he had broken the great fleet into squadrons, and sent each by a different route to Slaver's Bay. The swiftest ships he gave to Red Ralf Stonehouse to sail the corsair's road along the northern coast of Sothoryos. The dead cities rotting on that fervid, sweltering shore were best avoided, every seamen knew, but in the mud-and-blood towns of the Basilisks Isles, teeming with escaped slaves, slavers, skinners, whores, hunters, brindled men, and worse, there were always provisions to be had for men who were not afraid to pay the iron price.” —ADWD The Iron Suitor

So Victarion decided to split the Iron Fleet (numbering 99 ships when they departed the Stepstones) into 3 squadrons to regroup at the Isle of Cedars; 45 ships arrive, and it sounds like Stonehouse’s squadron was the least fortunate of the 3, as Victarion notes “only nine” had made it. Victarion admits that his own squadron didn’t arrive all at once, but in small groups or even alone, so it could just be Stonehouse’s squadron was caught up in storms and thus lost at sea. Furthermore, there’s a new aggressive Corsair king in the Basilisk Isles who’d recently sacked Tall Trees Town, so it could be his squadron were engaged in a fight and lost some of their number (as Corsair kings have preyed on sailors by burning their ships and selling the captives into slavery). While acknowledging that north Sothoryos is a death trap, Victarion doesn’t admit that the Basilisk Isles are “…Hot, humid, and swarming with stinging flies, sand fleas, and bloodworms, these islands have always proved singularly unhealthy for man and beast alike.” (TWOIAF) The Red Death, which originated in the Basilisk Isles, is transmitted by fly bites and has a high mortality rate. I think the most likely explanation is that disease killed most of Stonehouse’s men, so corsairs preyed on the lightly manned ships, and then storms delayed those who were able to make it out. Ralf Stonehouse, as Victarion’s standard bearer who encouraged him to press his claim rather than stay put at Moat Cailin, I imagine tried to pay “the iron price” in the Basilisk Isles and thus contracted a disease (maybe being mercy killed, maybe deciding to go out fighting.) As TWOIAF says, “the Basilisk Isles are best avoided, for no good has ever come to those who journey hence.”