#the names and kinship of their princes

[inplateaus]

franco u r moving me so much

[catcas22]

Originally I think the general consensus was that Marika initially tolerated the people of the Crucible, with the omen genocide only coming after the conquest and possibly only after Godfrey's dismissal. The existence of the Crucible Knights and Godfrey's presumed affiliation with the Crucible was the most commonly cited evidence for this interpretation.

But given that vengeance against the Hornsent was foundational to all that followed, where do the Crucible Knights fit in? Is it possible that the Crucible Knights are to the Hornsent as Drake Knights are to dragons, mimicking their power without claiming kinship with them, possibly even using said power specifically to hunt them? Or are they quislings, as the trolls were to the giants?

Another interesting point -- I always assumed that Mohg and Morgott had not been discarded at birth, instead being raised as princes for a time before being banished after Marika turned on the Crucible. They don't behave like feral children, they know who they are and where they came from, Godfrey recognizes Morgott and knows his given name, etc.

But if the Hornsent genocide was already standard policy by the time they were born, we pretty much have to take the above as evidence that either Marika or Godfrey was still providing some degree of care and education during their exile, at least during their formative years. Speaking of:

Can we establish a pattern of Marika hiding away her children that she believes the world cannot accept, believing she's keeping them safe while unaware of the resentment and despair that such abandonment breeds?

[serpentface]

Historically plausible depiction of semi-mythological Wardi founding heroes Erub and Janes, engaging in rites of sworn brotherhood.

Each were princes of separate pre-Wardi tribes (Erub was of the western Ephenni, Janes was of the central-southern Wardinae from which the name 'Wardi' derives). Two men of their general description historically existed, but their cited exploits were likely performed by many people over a larger time scale (conquering lands to the south and east from rival Wardi and Wogan tribes and founding the kingdoms of Wardin and Erubinnos).

They are unclothed (as is necessary for the rite) but wearing recognizable regalia, as their sworn brotherhood was a display of alliance between the ancient Ephenni and Wardinae and performed before their men. Erub wears both gold and bean-bead jewelry, Janes wears gull feathers and a pearl choker (aspects of these have been retained in contemporary east and south Wardi regional adornment). Erub's wearing of tattoos (stylized paired lions across the back with their tails looping around to the chest) is an obsolete practice, and the form of headband Janes wears is now considered women's dress.

This post is not actually about them.

SWORN BROTHERHOOD IN IMPERIAL WARDIN: A POST:

Sworn brotherhood is both a ceremonial rite and a legal institution in contemporary Imperial Wardin. Progenitor variants of this practice occur or are attested to in all historical human inhabitants of the region (Wardi, Wogan, Cholemdinae, and Hill Tribes); where and from whom these traditions originated is unclear. In most cases, its historical function was as a form of allyship between larger groups of people (powerful families, tribes, occasionally entire kingdoms) via two men as a proxy, but its contemporary Imperial Wardi function is much smaller in scale has a heavily diminished role in politics.

The core function of sworn brotherhood is to both spiritually and legally bind unrelated men as kin. Similar rites involving the physical exchange of blood are used in marriage ceremonies and formal adoptions, for much the same purpose of kin-making. A person's blood is regarded as housing their living spirit, and thus to share it binds spirits together that would not already be bound by biological kinship. The contemporary variant of this practice emerged primarily between warriors/soldiers as means of establishing security for their families should one member of the brotherhood die prematurely, and to encourage loyalty and strong partnerships for mutual defense in combat.

It is an oath of exceptional loyalty and friendship, establishing mutual devotion in allyship and accepting the same duties and responsibilities to a compatriot that are otherwise only expected of blood relatives. The physical exchange maintains this bind tightly and ensures its lasting endurance. This bond provides a sense of spiritual security and will persist after death- if one brother dies alone and unburned, the other may be able to find his soul and help guide it away to the afterlife.

This rite establishes kinship in a very practical legal sense. Each brother is sworn into the other’s family, with most of the obligations implied. Each brother is sworn to familial duties towards the other’s parents- providing for them in old age, defending their status and honor and providing retribution for damages, and serving roles in certain familial rites.

Each brother’s wife and children is considered legally under the care of the other- if one brother dies, the other is in charge of filling practical obligations of a husband/father in continuing to provide for them for life, or otherwise arranging a new marriage or (if he is unwed) marrying the widow himself. He remains in control of the wife's assets, inheritance, and children unless or until she is passed into the care of another man. This is considered legally enforceable, and overrides any objections of the wife's father (who will have already lost his legal authority over her in handing her out in marriage). The wife has no direct say in this matter (and does not in general, with women being legally under near-complete authority of their father or husband).

These familial duties are required on part of each brother, but not strictly required to be requited by their family members. A family patriarch can refuse kinship to an unwanted son-in-blood, or accept one the rest of his family does not, and can enforce this decision on his wife, daughters, and any underage sons, having ultimate authority over their formal relationships. When accepted, a son-in-blood will usually receive a formal place in his new extended family's inheritance (usually treated as a youngest son). A son-in-blood is very occasionally adopted as a formal heir, though typically only in cases where a father's biological sons die prematurely (especially given this can cause complicated situations in terms of which family name the son-in-blood is bound to).

The rite of sworn brotherhood is accomplished in stages and with the assistance of a priest (generally those devoted to Ganmache, which presides over most domestic kinship affairs). Both men are blessed and purified by the priest and garbed in simple robes, and will then recite a lengthy, formal oath before God to declare allyship and swear to all expected duties as kin. The second half is done in privacy. Both men will remove their robes, with the metaphysical vulnerability of nudity under a mutual gaze allowing for the transformative effects of the rite. Each slices the palm of their hand deeply enough for blood to run and drains it into a bowl of wine. The oaths are then repeated, with remaining blood being smudged onto prayer parchment and cast into fire as an offering. The wine is then consumed by both, physically imbibing each other's blood/spirit to seal the rites. Most variants also include additional matched scarification in a prominent location (usually the forehead)- the intentional violation of the body via permanent modification, displayed prominently on the body to the public gaze, acts as a constant enforcement of the bond.

This rite is only strictly required to be performed once, though in practice is generally repeated on a yearly basis (as most rites with permanent effects are- the world's movements are cyclical and impermanent, the only permanency is in repetition).

The practice is regarded as an ideal of platonic affection between men. The family as a social unit is of vital importance in this cultural sphere, and inducting an unrelated man as one's kin is an ultimate, idealized display of loyalty and friendship. This practice may be notably attractive to men in romantic partnerships with other men, as it allows for a lifelong commitment to an unrelated man, comparable in many ways to a marriage. Though (like most male relationships) sworn brotherhoods are de-facto expected to be non-sexual, as it is a relationship between equals, a circumstance wholly out of the accepted realm of male homosexual behavior (you should not want to 'shame' your sworn brother). The vast majority of these brotherhoods are platonic.

No comparable rite exists in an official capacity for women, akoshos, or eunuchs (largely due to its place surrounding men’s roles as family patriarchs), though some may undertake similar rites to accomplish the same spiritual kinship results (without the legal benefits).

[brightest-stars-if]

iiiiii want to know Caius' peasant-lover's name so badly (if allowed, im not entitled, just excited), you said that's part of how he and Isolde bonded right?? that is very fascinating to me specifically lol

You're right, anon, Caius and Isolde did find kinship in loving and fumbling peasant women. I also have no issue with sharing some info about Caius' old flame :)

Her name was Emery. She was a servant who worked in the capital when Caius was still a prince. She saved his life, and from then on earned his eternal gratitude. As he tried to repay her, they fell in love. Well, more like he fell in love and she was like "Why tf is this spoiled princeling following me like a puppy," and eventually she fell for him too XD.

They had made plans to marry, but then Caius' cousin died, and suddenly he was the Crown Prince of Taras. He couldn't marry Emery, not after that. He offered to make her his official mistress, but she rejected this offer. He was shattered but accepted her choice and gave her money to start a life outside the capital.

Emery might have been the only woman Caius was both romantically involved with and actually respected. She's also one of the few women he didn't screw over. Ymeric is named after her.

[animeredhead101]

Jason Todd / Danny Fenton Masterlist

Completed

Wait For It by DisillusionedDanny :

When sixteen year old Danny goes to check out the Lazarus Waters in a different universe he doesn't know what he's expecting. Somehow getting a new halfa boyfriend and a baby brother was what were in the books for the young Ghost Prince. Everything seems to be going well, though, until first Jason decides to leave the League of Assassins and Danny to get revenge for his death, and then Damian decides that now that he is about to get to meet his real father, he will no longer need Danny. Years later, though, both Damian and Jason realize that they lost more than expected when leaving Danny behind all those years before. Especially after watching the powerful ghost king defeat an enemy within seconds. Now both must figure out how to fix their broken relationships with the ghost who helped them when they needed it most and never asked for more. Word Count: 33,891 Completed

Marriage, Who? by DeathlySilent13 :

Jason interrupts a ritual and gets far more than he'd expected. Like, an entire dimension more.

Word Count: 4,161 Completed

The Devil Wore a T-Shirt by DisillusionedDanny :

After a one-night stand, Danny finds himself pregnant with Red Hood's kid. Now he finds himself as a dad to a small child with an important decision to make. Does he tell Red Hood he has a child? Or does Danny raise the kid by himself? Word Count: 24,778 Completed

Deadly Assumptions and Their Consequences by Silver_star_06 :

The Justice league believes that Phantom is Captain Marvel‘s dad and tells the hero to summon him to help them with Darkseid.

They weren’t expecting the cryptic eldridge being to start hanging around the watch tower.

Danny couldn’t help but feel a kinship with the pre-teen that ended up as the current Captain Marvel. A scrappy black haired and blue eyed child vigilante, that only became one because of circumstance.

Danny was going to help this child whether he wanted it or not.

Word Count: 25,977 On-going

how to befriend your local ghost-boy by lizardtailsfails :

Fetch was a meta that managed to get in contact with the Bats, and did some support work for them. The first time Jason met him, however, the only thing he took away from that encounter was that somehow, this guy's very presence could scare the Pit into cowering. It kind of made him panic. He may or may not have shot at Fetch. And Fetch may or may not have disappeared as a result. Just when the Bats were resigned to thinking that maybe Fetch had left Gotham entirely, Jason stumbled across a warehouse that felt like Fetch's power. Looking into the owners, the Bats finally figure out Fetch's real identity--a kid named Danny Fenton. Word Count: 4,777 Completed

two dead guys sitting in a warehouse five feet apart cuz they're dense motherfuckers by lizardtailsfails :

Jason meets Danny again and gets treated to an educational slideshow. He was not prepared.

Word Count: 6,278 Completed

That Feeling When You (Accidentally) Seduce Your Landlord to Avoid Eviction by halfgone (milklywxy) :

Jason finds out the building his favorite safehouse is located in has been recently bought out. He could easily move, but he doesn't do easy. He'll just have to find a way to stick around, even if that means growing closerand catching feelingsfor his impromptu landlord. Meanwhile, Danny is pretty sure he hit the jackpot for surprise tenants. Word Count: 6,362 Completed

Like Betta Fish Do by Paperpuffin :

Danny had ended up trespassing in Jason's haunt. He didn't mean to. Total accident, he swears. (He blames Johnny.) So he bought the other halfa a basket of bathbombs and chocolate as a 'sorry, please don't disembowel me' gift. It was the proper thing to do, alright?

Everything was going to be just fine.

Then things got a little out of hand.

Word Count: 77,837 Completed

Take Out for Dummies by Mokulule :

"Excuse me?" Jason asked in disbelief. "How would you describe your ideal date?" The man repeated calmly as if he hadn't snuck up on Red Hood on a rooftop in the middle of the night. AKA Danny has been hired to take out Red Hood, there may have been a minor misunderstanding... Word Count: 2,009 Completed

Lightning in a Bottle by DisillusionedDanny :

Prompt courtesy of Stealingyourbones on tumblr: Jason gets his neck sliced by Bruce’s batarang. It irreversibly damaged his vocal cords.

Pros: He can still use ghost speak

Cons: None of his family knows ghost speak (as it’s sounds aren’t for living men to understand)

Thankfully Jason meets Danny Fenton who not only understands ghost speak but can teach him how to live again after his accident.

Word Count: 46,202 Completed

A deal with the Ghost King by JaxinKH :

When the Ghost King refused their offer of souls in exchange for saving the world, the Justice League had been scrambling to find something he would accept instead. But when the King dissapeared and the world was saved when they weren't looking, Constantine had been in a panic. Someone else had made a deal with the King, offering something worth more than all the souls on Earth. But what? And who had made the deal? Meanwhile, Jason left the meeting. He had a date to plan! Word Count: 4,524 Completed One of the cutest Jason Todd x Danny Phantom Fics I've read. I love the idea of Jason just looking at Danny in his whole Ghost-like glory and said to himself ' I need to tap that'

Core Bonded by GhostInGotham :

The only thing Tim could hear was his own beating heart and his harsh breathing. He barely even noticed that the demons had stopped what they were doing as well. Suddenly, the temperature around him dropped to the negatives. Snow started falling from the sky, melting as it hit Tim’s skin. There was a twitch from Trigon’s hand.

“ Mate, who…who was your brother just summoning? ” Constantine asked over the comms, his voice shaking.Ice spiked out of the ground into Trigons chest and forced him to stumble back. A man with blue tinted skin, and enough power radiating off of him to force an army to their knees, stood above Jason with a raised hand. Jason was on the ground and leaning his weight on his elbows, watching the being in front of him.

“ W̴e̵ ̸h̷a̶v̸e̷ ̷g̸o̴t̶ ̸t̷o̵ ̷s̸t̴o̸p̴ ̷m̵e̶e̴t̸i̸n̸g̶ ̸l̷i̸k̸e̶ ̵t̵h̷i̸s̷,̷ ̵b̴e̷a̸u̷t̵i̷f̵u̴l̴,̷” The man chuckled as he turned to the crime lord with an outstretched hand. Jason just snorted and took the offered hand,

“ Can’t help the life I live, Casper.” was heard over the comms. The being just laughed at the nickname.“ Bloody hell…Bats, your son just summoned the Ghost King… ” Constantine whispered.

Word Count: 10,085 Completed

On-going

Danny Fenton: Dead and Loving It by HyperKid :

Danny and Jason meet by chance in a graveyard on Christmas Eve over a certain someone’s grave. Neither expect to ever see the other again, until they run into each other at a coffee shop less than a week later. And once they’re both thinking clearly, there’s obviously something wrong. Between working out what to tell their families, what’s actually going on, and just… well, being happy pains in the ass and proud of it, it turns out Team Batfam and Team Phantom all over are a match made in Heaven. Now all they have to do is persuade Bruce that Jason having new friends hasn’t hailed the apocalypse. Word Count: 275,002 On-going

Ghost King in Gotham by GDogDfeld124 :

Danny Fenton moves into Gotham to get away from the GiW and his parents. Luckily for him he got a scholarship to Gotham University and could move in without trouble.Everything goes haywire when one day while doing his homework he gets summoned.

______________________________________________________________Planning for this one to be a long one. Trying not to make this crack.

Word Count: 74,968 On-going

I Am A Retired Hero And My Love Interest Is A Crime Lord!? byShyCrow :

Danny Fenton did the whole hero thing, all right? He fought bad guys, saved the world a couple of times, became enemies with a secret government faction. And it was fun. Really, he had no regrets! But now it's time for him to buckle down and focus on getting that degree. It's a good thing Gotham University gave him a full ride. But things are just now starting to get more and more complicated... It started as an accident that evolved into the Red Hood paying attention to Danny. And now ghosts are starting to lose objects that, if fallen into the wrong hands, can cause a lot of trouble for both Danny and the Ghost Zone. With the bats starting to take notice of him and the Zone's refusal to leave him alone, can he truly lead a normal life? And, more importantly, does he really want to? Word Count: 138,759 On-going

A Crow's Murder by kokoa_la :

Danny takes on a new moniker when he starts up business in Gotham as a human, but this time, he's not the hero. A vigilante to the core, taking risks and shots for the greater good at another's expense.

With his memories holding his left hand and his responsibilities holding his right, Gotham seems like the perfect place to hide.

Until he's got a clock over his head, ticking away to an unknown end.

i.e. Danny steals from the waynes and now have the bats on his tail, too bad for them the only one to have spotted Danny is the Red Hood himself. Maybe the halfa can trust the resident crime lord with his teeny tiny issue with the government. What's a little treason to murder, right?

(Post every Saturday)

TW: depression, thoughts of death (NOT suicide), character death (does it count if its danny and jason?), cursing, drugs? (idk man), sickness, fighting, injuries

Word Count: 95,530 On-going

Lost In Between Our Needs and Wants by Murriana :

After having to leave behind his mortal life in Amity Park, Danny ends up settling in Gotham. There, he gets mistaken for a vampire and decides it's the perfect cover. This has consequences, for both him and the crime lord Danny's nose keeps leading him to. Word Count: 13,001 On-going Not going to lie, as I was reading this the only thought that was going through my head. "Danny is finally living his goth dream and has made it his life's mission to make Sam jealous about it"

Danny's Daycare by RobinsEggHead :

Being the Ghost King is surprisingly boring when you're good at the job and therefore your people are at peace. In an attempt to escape his mind numbing boredom (and do a favor for Lady Gotham) Danny begins his ten step plan to help the city without donning the Phantom 'cape' once more.

Too bad the Waynes and Gotham's vigilantes seem to be taking such an interest in the strange man who willingly moved TO Gotham to open a daycare in the Bowery. It's fine, this is all fine, what could go wrong?

Turns out- a lot.

Word Count: 33,524 On-going

I find it really cute that Danny wants to help but hes like a tired Dad that has WAY too many kids. This is still an early fics, but it's already one of my favorites.

Rooftop Express by EmeraldsAndAmethyst :

Danny Fenton just wants to help his big sister be comfortable in Gotham. But he is getting so done with not being able to fly around freely. Danny tries to do things on the up and up but just progressively accidentally starts looking more and more like a new rogue trying to get set up. His parents must be retired super villains, which might not mean anything. But the rest of the evidence isn't very promising.And then he finds a half-ghost no one knew anything about. Befriending him in the suit instead of out isn't helping his 'definitely not a super villain' case in the slightest. *edit 4/3/2023 o my gosh there is now fan art!!! pics in the chapter and links here tysm AK! [sharelink] Word Count: 89,268 On-going

What could go wrong? (A lot) by Dreaming_Ember :

John Constantine sat quietly rubbing his temples with his hands. He was fighting to not pull out a cigarette and light it. He knew this meeting would be bad. As soon as the Bat called him here for a favor he knew it was going to get messy. Bats never needed him for favors. But with this League Of Assassins people joining up with an unknown cult it seemed John was the best bet, well after he tried contacting Zatanna who was busy with something else. So far they weren't getting anywhere and it had been two weeks, the only thing that John has noticed is how what the bats call the Lazarus Pits, looks suspiciously like ectoplasm. Boiling ectoplasm. But still ectoplasm. John sighs, he didn't want to have to ask Danny for help, but if those pits truly were ectoplasm he would need to get him involved. ___________________________________________________________ Or when The League of Assassins starts acting up and joining forces with an unknown cult, Batman contacts John Constantine for help. Word Count: 5,130 On-going

It's Not Sugar by ConspiracyCrows

Ellie is destabilized and nearly killed by Vlad while trying to make another, "better", clone of Danny. In order to stabilize her she was de-aged to about 7, and now has chronic issues balancing her ecto the same way a type one diabetic has issues balancing blood sugars. In fact that's the cover story the pair use when Danny enrolls Ellie at Gotham Academy. The one favor he will allow Vlad to do for them. While Vlad seems to have finally come to his senses about Ellie, Danny won't let him anywhere near her ever again. Which is why they moved to Gotham in the first place, Vlad won't step foot there. It also helps that Lady Gotham is more than happy to have the Realms' Ambassador to the Living in her streets. They settle into Crime Alley, and Danny may or may not have forgotten to introduce himself to the Haunt owner, assuming Gotham would handle the niceties as he gets Ellie settled, and handles the pressing issues of the negotiations between the city, the realms, and those denizens of both who want or need one thing or other. Word Count: 23,052 On-going This is just one of the cutest fics! I love how Danny takes zero shits when it comes to Ellie. Jason and his interactions are so wholesome, I can't wait to read more !

[rose-tea-and-strawberries]

Malleus x Reader Drabble

I write Reader as female

Masterlist

You really should be paying attention to what Malleus was saying, considering how considerate and enthusiastic he was. It was sweet of him, really, to offer you the seat next to him during break time when you offhandedly mentioned eating lunch alone in the library instead of at your usual table at the cafeteria because of Ace and Deuce’s shared detention - in fact, he even offered to help you with your Defense Magic essay. And what were you doing as a response to his kindness? Letting his words fade away as you observed how the sunlight did an exquisite job at highlighting his orphic beauty.

Despite being a creature of the night, a puissant being who can play with and control the nocturnal elements of his as easily and elegantly as he does his beloved violin, he looked just as ethereal under celestial rays as he does bathed in the colours of his domain.

You never really understood his cloak-and-dagger reputation, considering the fact that the same fairy whose name never failed to drain the blood from your schoolmates’ faces was also the one who’d pout childishly when Lilia would deny him his second box of ice cream or light up giddily whenever his Gao-Gao Dragon-kun would so much as move a pixel. Of course, you yourself felt the chill of intimidation slither up your spine when you saw the way he presented himself in public, from the way authority and might would adhere his form in every step he took, to the way resolution was laced in every word he spoke, to how he could rebuild an entire demolished building from crushed rubble to brand new in a blink of an eye. You were more than aware that the companion to your nighttime rendezvous was someone who should be respected and feared. 

But the strangest thing was - you never felt scared. Sure you had your moments of awe and outright reverence whenever his pure, unadulterated power was displayed, but you could never really feel anything other than that tempting allure that would tug you towards him, the tendrils of curiosity that made you want to know more about him. When you first met, you felt a kinship, a fondness to another lonely soul who felt out of place amongst their peers.

“Are you feeling well, child of man?” a deep velvety voice pulled you out of your reverie and you sheepishly noted how the page of your notebook was still mainly blank, your traitorous fingers having chosen to absentmindedly swirl your pen between them instead of jotting down what he was saying.

“Oh well I-,” you felt your face heat up at your obvious distracted mind, “I’m really sorry Tsunotarou, truly I - I guess I was just uh-”

“‘Away with the fairies’ is the correct term, I believe,” he gave you a fond smile.

“Well, yeah, I suppose,” you agree shamefully, completely embarrassed at how technically true his statement was and wishing that the ground would swallow you whole, “I am really sorry. You’re here doing me a huge favour and I’m not even paying attention. I guess - oh.”

Your still fiddling fingers had lost grip of your pen, letting it clatter against the marble floor and roll under the table.

“Sorry,” you were really getting more and more frazzled as the seconds went by, “let me just- ”

“Please, child of man, allow me,” and before you could even comprehend what was happening, the sixth foot supernatural dorm leader of Diasomnia had abandoned his seat and knelt down to retrieve your pen before holding it in front of you, a coy smile on his face, not making a single move to get up.

This nyctophilic fairy prince, whose entire existence is shrouded in fear and mystery, was kneeling before you in broad daylight, handing you your pen as if it was worth more than quadruple its weight in gold. Underneath the static in your head, you could hear the shocked exclamations of Grim and Sebek and Lilia’s ever suspicious snickering and you could feel the burning gazes of the entire cafeteria scalding against your frame. Dumbly, you simply took your pen back, all cerebral functions doing absolutely nothing - you couldn’t even remember how to breathe. 

Unaware, or unbothered, of the looks being thrown your way, Malleus sat back in his chair, just as regal and refined as he does everything else before turning to you with a secretive smile, “as we were, my dear. However, this time let’s try to keep your thoughts on me alone.”

[dead-girl-prolific]

Masky/Tim x GN!Reader oneshot (Fluffruary) pt 2

A/N:

as you can see i'm very very VERY late on writing these oneshots, but i have everything organized now so it shouldn't be too bad lol. Here's the playlist!~

TW: discussion of eating troubles, themes of depression and abandonment issues, one mention of alcohol and cigarettes. mentions of murder(?)

Prompt: finding you wearing his clothes.

You were cycling down a rabbit hole of memories, especially about the past. You used to be a hard-ass who didn’t give a fuck about anything or anyone, even before the mansion. Now you are a socially awkward, clingy partner who still fights the urge to be a bitch from time to time. Tim sees it as progress; you think it's tedious, but you’d do it for him. Tim’s always saying he used to be almost exactly the same; the only difference is he was chosen to be a proxy, and well, you strive to be a proxy.

There were a few reasons you wanted to be a proxy; the main reason was for Tim. As soon as you met him, you felt a kinship and friendly rivalry with the man. If you had to be honest with yourself, you loved him, and although he would never admit it, he loved you too. Tim didn’t throw around "I love you”s a whole lot.

While you were drifting into dissociation, you heard the door to the foyer open and close. You were immediately pulled from your trance and watched the open doorway. You knew it’d be hard to hope for Tim to walk through the doorway, but you hoped anyway.

Time seemed to be frozen in place as you stared at the doorway into the foyer. You were in a trance until you heard your name being called by none other than Jeff.

“Y/n! What’re you staring at? Waiting for your prince in shining armor or sumn’?” Jeff joked at you, and your face flushed ever so slightly, but as you were distracted, someone entered the room.

Your head snapped in the direction of the doorway again, and there he was. Sweaty, muddy, hasn’t showered in seven days, covered in blood, Tim. You flashed a goofy grin when he looked in your direction.

“Tim!” you yelled and got out of your seat, forgetting all about the food Hoodie so graciously gave you. You bounded over to him and hugged him.

“Did ya��� miss me?” Tim asked, melting into the hug.

“Of course I did.” You nodded and let go of him.

“Y/n?” Tim asked, looking you up and down.

“Yes?” Your sing-song tone indicated that you were enjoying the attention after a week of not receiving it from him.

"Heh, are you wearing my flannel?” He smugly asked, crossing his arms and smirking.

“I-” You looked down at the shirt you were wearing, and your grin faltered. Your face flushed, and you grasped your face, concealing your blush.

“Maybe?” You said it sounded more like a question than an answer.

“Uh-huh…alright.” He turned around and headed up the stairs, which you quickly followed.

“Y/n! You’re forgetting your food!” Hoodie shouted from the dining room, and you cursed at yourself.

“I’ll do the dishes in the morning if you clean it up for me!!!” you hollered in response.

"Alright," you heard him huff and the sound of a chair scratching the floor.

You quickly made your way up the stairs after Tim. Tim’s crowbar dangled from his hand, dragging across the hall’s floor, and his mask was pushed to the side of his face.

You both made your way to the end of the hall and walked into his room, shutting the door behind you. He dropped his crowbar and took his mask off, carefully setting it on his nightstand. You can’t count the number of times you’ve stubbed your toe on his crowbar when you had to get water or pee in the middle of the night, from it being discarded on the floor. He plopped himself on the bed and shut his eyes, rubbing them with his palms. You sat next to him.

“So how did it go? Well, I'd hope.” You said as you leaned back into the bed.

“Did I get the job done? Yes. Did I enjoy it? I never do," he responded dryly.

“Ah…” You sighed and shut your eyes.

“I’d rather talk about you," he said after a long pause.

“Well, I mainly stayed in your room for the past week," you paused. “and wore your clothes. I’ve been wearing the same three shirts over my own.” You smiled up at the ceiling.

“Have you been eating well?” he asked.

“As well as someone could while missing somebody.” You responded, avoiding the question.

“Y/n? Did you eat?” He asked again, which made you flinch. You wouldn’t admit it, but you struggled to take care of your health, mainly wounds and feeding yourself.

“Not a lot, no," you responded.

“You need to work on it," he said as he pulled you in close, wrapping his arm around you and letting you nuzzle your head into his shoulder. He chuckled, and you inhaled, expecting to smell his usual scent, but instead you were met with body odor, blood, and an earthy aroma. You pushed him away and grimaced.

“Go shower! You stink!” You chided him, and he only chuckled again.

“Only if you fall asleep in my arms afterwards?” he asked as he stood up.

“I’d love to, but right now you need to go shower!” You responded, plugging your nose in childish mockery.

It's safe to say you both fell asleep pretty fast that night.

[rynnthefangirl]

Your answer shows me what I already think, you, fans of this boys, dump all the emotional responsibility on Aegon and Viserys, they have to choose between family and having their right, and the fact that they did not want it is something that you assume. Aegon "You are sitting in my chair " Targaryen does not seem to reflect what you say and Viserys was a great hand and the year he reigned a great king .

And no, Jace did not die saving anyone, that is not mentioned in any text, only in a video where they do not even represent his physical appearance well, flying quickly between the ships spitting fire is not the best way to save Viserys, something that he again did not achieve if we assume that he tried it since Viserys became a father at 13 and was married to a woman older than him at 12, otherwise he would be a courtier, all because of a shitty idea had by Jace. Nothing is ever mentioned about Viserys in relation to Jace, he may have perfectly felt conflict with him and Rhaenyra, since they are the ones ultimately responsible for what happened to him, regarding Aegon, his relationship with the "Velaryon" princes is mentioned to say he adored them to compare them with Viserys (there is an abysmal difference, Aegon and Viserys were infinitely closer) and the feelings of a 9 year old boy are not those of a man who is aware of what was happening around him.

I will make assumptions but so will you, the only thing I believe is that the responsibility of giving up their "rights" as others have done before would fall on the "Velaryon" princes who are the ones who occupy a place that does not belong to them perhaps ambition and the desire to occupy a throne at all costs is not a characteristic attributable to Aegon and Viserys🤷🏼‍♀️ despite their traumas they were still men and Targaryen princes of their time and that your legacy (the legacy of House Targaryen) is reduced to some random house of the seven kingdoms to make alliances or that they predispose you to join a celibate order where that surname will die with you does not give me the impression of being what they would want. It is an issue that goes beyond them as people, it is a duty to their house. They also give the kingdom a stability that Jace would never give them, since anyone can threaten and oppose the reign of an illegitimate son, it is not so easy when your name is Aegon Targaryen and no one doubts your kinship, so that quality of Aegon and Viserys of caring for people would still be present since they would give stability, unlike others.

The "Velaryon" would have the throne and would be the new dragon lords while the legitimate Targaryens get crumbs. Because yes, this is what would happen. Jace would reign with the surname Velaryon. The fact that he would reign with the Targaryen is an invention of the series that makes no sense. But again it will always be the same, Aegon and Viserys are the ornaments that only have the right to speak when everyone dies and there is no one else to support and of course they have no other life than to be sad. But hey, everyone has their own interpretation of these characters, I will always support them as kings and heirs in any possible scenario.

It is not ambition to want something that is yours, it is justice.

Aegon "You are sitting in my chair " Targaryen does not seem to reflect what you say.

The context of that quote is Aegon dismissing his Hand and regents after having been manipulated, controlled, and assailed by ambitious lords for the past six years, at great risk to himself and his loved ones. Such an attitude cannot be assumed to apply to a situation where he never experienced the Dance and Regency, and his brother sits the Iron Throne.

Viserys became a father at 13 and was married to a woman older than him at 12, otherwise he would be a courtier, all because of a shitty idea had by Jace.

Regardless of the consequences, the point is Jace's intentions, which were explicitly said in F&B to keep his brothers safe. And reminder that despite the things Vis suffered in Essos, he did fare much much better than his brother did in Westeros. Had he been with his father's friends in Pentos, he likely would not have suffered at all. Given the horrors and danger that befell Aegon in Westeros, Jace's idea to get A&V far away from the conflict was not a bad one. It was just awful misfortune that their ship happened across the Greens.

Nothing is ever mentioned about Viserys in relation to Jace, he may have perfectly felt conflict with him and Rhaenyra.

And he may have loved them and not blamed them at all, so your point? Like you said, we have no info on this, nor on Aegon's feelings beyond "he worshipped them as a boy". Whatever we think is only headcanon. For my own part, I do in fact headcanon Aegon and Viserys having very complicated and mixed feelings about their family, especially Rhaenyra. But that is about my interest in angsty complex character dynamics, not some need to fulfill my bias by making Rhaenyra and the Velaryon boys either hated or loved.

Perhaps ambition and the desire to occupy a throne at all costs is not a characteristic attributable to Aegon and Viserys.

It isn't.

They were still men and Targaryen princes of their time and that your legacy (the legacy of House Targaryen) is reduced to some random house of the seven kingdoms to make alliances or that they predispose you to join a celibate order.

What do you think every second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. son of every house in Westeros does? Not being the one to continue on the main ruling branch of your family is a common experience expected of everyone who is not the first born son.

They also give the kingdom a stability that Jace would never give them

This is the one thing I agree on, and the only reason I have to be against Jace taking the Iron Throne. That being said... starting a war for the throne... also destabilizes the realm......... So one could say that Jace should abdicate in favor of his brothers for the sake of stability, but if he does not, then that is not a justification for A&V to start a war that will get thousands killed. It's the same thing as when TG say "oh Rhaenyra's reign would never be accepted so the Greens had to usurp the throne for the good of the realm" even though their action of usurping the throne quite literally destroyed the realm as much as or more than any possible instability from Rhaenyra's reign would have.

Jace would reign with the surname Velaryon. The fact that he would reign with the Targaryen is an invention of the series that makes no sense.

Is this not literally how things work in Dorne. I don't recall the Martell name being lost during all the times that the reigning ruler of Dorne was a woman with a consort from another house.

Also, this is not an argument against a bastard ascending the throne. This is an argument against a WOMAN ascending the throne. This would be an issue even if Jace was Laenor's true born son. Which means it has nothing to do with his legitimacy, and has to do with the idea that Targaryen blood being passed down from a mother doesn't "count" as much as Targaryen blood being passed down from a father.

But again it will always be the same, Aegon and Viserys are the ornaments that only have the right to speak when everyone dies and there is no one else to support and of course they have no other life than to be sad.

I think this is the most interesting line of all. Because all the value you have ascribed to A&V is entirely tied up in ideas of legitimacy and Targaryen blood purity, rather than anything about them as unique people and characters. They are the best because they are trueborn, because they are Daemon's sons, because they are the rightful kings, because they are pure Valyrian blood.... but you could replace them with characters of entirely opposite personalities and backstories, and that would all be true. They are "ornaments" to your ideas of the glory and legacy of House Targaryen.

For me, my love of them is tied entirely to their unique characteristics and identities. It's not just them being sad-- though of course their traumas are certainly a part of their characters-- it is every single thing they say/do/think/feel/experience/love/hate/fear. They are rich, complex, and fascinating characters. I am in truth, hardly a Velaryon boy stan. I like them, sure, but that's it. I just like them. They aren't even among my top 10 favorite Targs. Aegon III is my all time favorite Targaryen and Viserys II is definitely top 5. I'm not saying that others' don't do this, but don't think for a second that I am shoving them aside or into convenient minor roles to prop up their half brothers. Quite the contrary, the characters of A&V are first in my heart and first on my priority list.

It is not ambition to want something that is yours, it is justice.

The throne is not some sacred thing. Truth is, it is NOBODY’S right. Absolute monarchy is a terrible system of government, and nobody should hold that kind of unchecked power. It isn't "justice" to start a war that risks bringing your own people death and devastation over some messed up idea that you are entitled by birth to be the most powerful person ever. Aegon II believed that is was his right to rule over Rhaenyra because he was born with a schlong. If he believed that it was his by right, does that make him "just"? No, no it does not. It makes him a greedy warmonger.

Like do you think I care whose parents had a ceremony before they fucked, and whose didn’t? I don’t. If GRRM came out tomorrow and revealed via Word of God that Daeron II was in fact the Dragonknights bastard, it would not change my opinion on the First Blackfyre rebellion one bit. I still would not support Daemon. A true king wears the crown not because he wants it or feels entitled to it. A true king wears the crown because the REALM needs him to. THAT is what Aegon III and Viserys II understood. That is why they are better than Aegon II and Rhaenyra (though ofc Rhaenyra >>>>>> Aegon II, always).

If you want to imagine an Aegon and Viserys who would fight their brother for the throne, and cheer them on as they tear the realm apart because it’s their “right” and we can’t have dirty bastards on the throne… I’d recommend taking another look at Aegon II. Because that is his character. And to be clear I’m not saying Jace would be in the right in this hypothetical— it’d just be the Dance all over again, both sides refusing to give up a crown for the good of their people. I love Aegon because he represents an END to that kind of attitude. He makes peace with former Greens, he compromises, he leaves his uncle in the line of succession to avoid conflict, he sits by Tyland Lannister’s bedside to comfort him as he dies. That is why I love him, and his brother.

[artstar1997]

Here it is, two of my favorite OCxCanon ships by @jade-green-butterfly. Since John Dory is two of the BroZone members I didn’t give a precolonial makeover so I decided to add Amalthea, his GF who is a space troll, a species made by @x-elyssa-x, as well as Prince Cooper and Jussy, my first fave ship.

Since women in the precolonial era have the same kinship rights as men, they are treated as companions and equals. Amalthea has a scroll made of tree bark and bamboo that Lux also carries because I see her as studying stars as an astrologer. As for Jussy, she had already passed being a binukot, ready to marry Cooper. For anyone who doesn’t know the lost history, binukot is a pre-colonial Visayan tradition from the Philippines that secludes a young woman with the expectation that seclusion will result in a higher value placed on the girl by marital suitors in the future. It originally applied to young noblewomen. The name literally means "wrapped up" or "veiled" in Visayan languages, in the sense of seclusion.

[brainbuffering]

Top New Manga of 2024!

Another year has come to an end, so it's time to talk about all the great manga that came out this year! So in no particular order, these are my Top 6 New Manga of the Year!

In the Name of the Mermaid Princess by Writer Yoshino Fumikawa and Artist Miya Tashiro

T: Junko Goda, Adap: Shaenon K. Garrity, L: Susan Daigle-Leach, E: Annette Roman Publisher: Shojo Beat

“In the classic fairy tale, a mermaid princess gives up her special abilities for love. What happens if she doesn’t? Princess Mio is betrothed to Prince Chika. However, they’ve never met, and he doesn’t know her secret—she’s a mermaid! When her tutor, Yuri, takes her out of the castle to meet her subjects, Mio begins to accept her true self. But Yuri has a secret too… And when Mio tells her father, the king, she wants to live life openly as a mermaid, he punishes her. How can she stay true to herself? Plus, a bonus story about a royal subject with wings!”

This series was an absolute surprise to me! I always keep an eye out for new Shojo releases, but I accept that I am not the target audience for all of them. I assumed that was the case here, Mermaid Princesses were something I felt was in my past. Yet I took a chance on it on the Viz Media App and felt an immediate kinship with Mio! The story of the Unhumans' struggles for safety and respect really resonated with me as a disabled person. The series acts as a great “Disability Metaphor 101” for younger readers. With solid artwork, an enchanting story, and really moving and relatable moments it’s definitely been my highlight of the year! 

Otonari Complex by Saku Nonomura

T: Jenny McKeon, Adap: Carly Smith, L: Aidan Clarke, E: Kristina Korpus Publisher: SevenSeas

“Kuji Akira and Ninomiya Makoto are childhood friends and neighbors. Since Akira is “handsome” for a girl and Makoto is “pretty” for a boy, their gender presentation is often confused. As they try to untangle their complex feelings about themselves and each other, they find out their friends are crushing on them, too. It’s a complicated childhood friend love story!”

This was one of the series I was most looking forward to this year and it did not disappoint! “Gender Fuckery” has been a key component of all good Shojo since it began! From Princess Knight to Rose of Versailles to Fruits Basket, narratives about people discovering their gender identity, and playing around with what that means, are some of the most beloved. This was the year that I finally came out to my family as Gender Queer, so a having a book that has such a complex look at the notion of gender and gender identity in such a queer way was wonderful. I especially loved the way it explored body dysmorphia and misgendering. When Makoto presents as female, they WANT to have folks use she/her pronouns for them! Even if they still identify as a cis-man throughout the book. Meanwhile Akira chooses to present masculine, but when she gets misgendered as a boy she doesn’t experience the same euphoria that Makoto does. For her, it’s something painful and shaming. Volume 2 hasn't shipped to me yet, but I’m very much looking forward to seeing how these two love birds’ gender journey goes. 

Tank Chair by Manabu Yashiro

T: Max Greenway L: Evan Hayden  E: Maggie Le Publisher: Kodansha

“Shizuka takes on the most dangerous of assassin jobs, but she's not the one doing the killing. Rather, it's her brother, Nagi, a strong assassin who took a bullet to protect his sister, leaving him in a comatose state and having to use a wheelchair. However, Shizuka has figured out the key to waking her brother up: he must be faced with killing intent! Thus begins a violent journey of recovery, battling the most dangerous foes!”

I’ve already written about why I loved Tank Chair so much, but it’s worth repeating that whilst series like “A Sign of Affection” and “Blade Girl” are still great to have for disabled representation in popular media – nothing quite beats the euphoria I felt reading Tank Chair and seeing people get viciously murdered with disabled rage fueled Boudica spikes.

Magical Girl Dandelion by Kaeru Mizuho

T: Mei Amaki L: Finn K Publisher: Viz Media (App)

“Magical girls and villains are enemies, but can neophyte Tanpopo's bond with the villain Shade topple that destiny?”

To my knowledge, this is the first Shojo Manga that Viz have been simul-publishing from the get go! And they absolutely picked a superstar to start! Western Manga Fans have been chomping at the bit for more magical girl series to get localised into English, and this has not disappointed! Whilst series like Cardcaptor Sakura and Sailor Moon take a few chapters to get to their darker tones, Magical Girl Dandelion gets to it right off the bat! With cool battle sequences, fun character designs, and the battle between good and evil being morally murky from the start – Dandelion has the potential to be one of the all time greats!

Tokyo These Days by Taiyo Matsumoto

T: Michael Arias L: Deron Bennett Publisher: Viz

“After 30 years as a manga editor, Kazuo Shiozawa suddenly quits. Although he feels early retirement is the only way to atone for his failures as an editor, the manga world isn’t done with him. On his final day as an editor, Shiozawa takes a train he’s ridden hundreds of times to impart some last advice to a manga creator whose work he used to edit. Later, he is drawn to return to a bookshop at the request of a junior editor who wants his help dealing with an incorrigible manga creator who used to be edited by Shiozawa and now refuses to work with anyone else. For Shiozawa, Tokyo these days is full of memory and is cocooned in the inescapable bonds among manga creators, their editors, art, and life itself.”

A slow, thoughtful manga that gives you plenty of time to breathe and contemplate. The slower, and more mature pace was a great break from my usual diet of high energy action adventure romance. The book is a somber look at what it is to work in the manga industry in present day Japan, how it has changed over the decades, and what it means to age out of a business that’s famous for working their most talented artists to an early grave.

Colette Decides To Die by Alto Yukimura

T: Max Greenway L: Inori Fukada Trant E: Nancy Thistlethwaite Publisher: Shojo Beat

“Colette meets Hades, a fellow workaholic, while he is ill in bed with a rash and fever. After treating his condition, she learns about the work he does and what drives him, in turn renewing her sense of purpose as an apothecary. Colette is sent back to her own world, but is this the last she will see of Hades?”

This was one of those series that half my social media feed seemed to be absolutely begging to get published in English. And having read the first two volumes, I can see why! Whilst I don’t think it’s doing anything revolutionary, it’s still a cosy story of two people who struggle with self care falling in love and providing support, with a fun backdrop of greek mythology (although the lack of accuracy would make academics rage harder than at Disney’s Hercules) which makes it absolutely peek HanaYume. And heaven knows how much I love HanaYume! 

[the-hawthorns-ocs]

Trainee Aphid

Scared little boy... Save him.

Character Bio:

Kinship: The Hawthorns

Gay; tom; he/him

Age: 9 moons; 13 Hyrs

Voice Headcanon: Callum - The Dragon Prince

Future Title meaning: -eye =  a cat with especially good eyesight; this cat can spot things that others cannot; a very perceptive cat

Role: Trainee

Mother: Lily'mist

Father: Shadow'whisker

Siblings: Wasp

Other notable kin: Soot'storm (uncle), Sheep'puddle (uncle), Bee'briar (grandmother), Larkspur (grandfather), Termite'tooth (grandfather)

Extra Notes: his previous name was Fennel and his "warrior name" was going to be Fennelsight, but I decided to change it to Aphid (with the help of a poll) bec it fit him so well! His new full name will be Aphid'eye!

Character Summary: 

Aphid was born to Lily'mist alongside his sister Wasp, the liter's father is Shadow'whisker, though he doesn't act like it much. Lily was AroAce and never wanted a mate, but she did want kits, so she asked Shadow to be the donor of her liter and he accepted because he wanted to carry on his bloodline. The main interactions Shadow has with his kits are him looking at them judgmentally whenever they do something that doesn't live up to his expectations.

Aphid LOVED his mother, she was kind, and strong, she always made him feel safe and more confident. Aphid was always an anxious cat and he always felt more confident around his mother. However once Aphid and Wasp became trainees, Lily'mist and her brother Sheep'puddle disappeared and Aphid has become more anxious than ever before.

Monarch Spider'web claims that they ran away and abandoned the kinship. She says they were weak cowards who were not fit for the kinship life. Most cats believe her, including Wasp... however Aphid is not so sure. Aphid is a smart tom, he knows his mother would never abandon her kits, and that his uncle would never abandon his pregnant mate. Plus Aphid may have been young, but he noticed how much distaste Lily and Sheep had for the Monarch, they spoke out against her and her decisions often... and Aphid cant help but wonder if the terrifying leader might have something to do with their disappearances. Of course this would most likely mean they are dead... and Aphid is heartbroken at the thought.

Aphid's relationship with his sister is strained at best, Wasp believes what Spider'web says about her mother, and Aphid is horrified that his sister would think so lowly of their mother and uncle. Not only this, Wasp is also obsessed with being approved of by their peers and kinship. Aphid is considered the weakest of the trainees, and Wasp, being desperate for approval is pushing him away. She can often act quite cruel toward him these days, similar to how the trainees Bone and Ash treat him, but still Wasp hasn't been accepted by the more popular cats of the kinship, both siblings are alone... Aphid wonders why Wasp doesn't realize that Aphid is her only real ally and by pushing him away she has just sentenced them both to being alone.

[srim01997]

Second Change| Aemond T. X OFC

Paring:  Aemond “One-Eye” Targaryen x Viseara Targaryen (OC), Aemond Targaryen x Viseara Targaryen (OC), Implied Aegon II Targaryen x Celtigar! OFC

Fandom: House of The Dragon (HBO)

Warning: NSFW, Character Death mentioned, Non-con drugging mentioned

Writer’s note: Sorry for my grammar and I used this web to translate High Valyrian >> This web << and look who is became men like now ;)

Please ilke, comment and reblog!!

Previous Chapter | Second Chance masterlist | Next Chapter

Chapter 9 Me and the Devil

Viseara knew full well that she was using Aemond, manipulating him to destroy her enemies—enemies of the Blacks. If she couldn’t turn her second nephew to their side, she needed to eliminate as many Greens as possible, particularly the minds that could decide the outcome of the war. The families that had sworn oaths before King Viserys were already beginning to fracture, with some supporting King Aegon II instead—though Aegon himself had no desire to be king and was little more than a puppet for the Greens.

The rogue princess glanced at Aemond, who lay with his arms wrapped tightly around her, unwilling to let go. Their clothes remained intact, and nothing untoward had happened between them. Still, despite not being some blushing maiden, she had taken moon tea to prevent any chance of pregnancy. No child should be born in a time when war was on the horizon—let alone one born of such close kinship. The scandal alone would echo through the realm: the rogue princess lay with her nephew.

Carefully, she untangled herself from Aemond’s strong arms and slipped out of bed. She padded softly toward the hidden passageway in her chambers, moving silently through the secret corridors of the castle. Her mismatched eyes peered through a narrow gap in the wall leading to the queen’s chambers.

There she saw him—Lord Larys Strong. He had entered to deliver some report to Queen Alicent, but what followed made Viseara’s stomach churn.

Alicent removed her stockings, and Larys, that vile clubfoot, reached into his breeches, pulling something out.

She jerked back, hand flying to her mouth to stifle a retch, only to feel a strong hand on her shoulder. She spun around, startled, and saw Aemond. Before he could speak, her hand shot up to cover his mouth.

“Quiet,” she whispered, the sharpness in her tone silencing him.

Aemond’s lavender eye darted to the gap, catching a glimpse of what lay beyond. His body tensed with fury, his jaw clenching audibly as his hands balled into fists.

“Don’t,” Viseara hissed, pulling him back. “Follow me first.”

She dragged her seething nephew through the secret passage and back to her chambers, where she shoved him onto the edge of her bed. “You cannot act rashly—”

“He’s violating my mother, Aunt!” Aemond’s voice was a low growl, trembling with rage. “I saw him. That filthy lord...”

Viseara grabbed his shoulders firmly. “Aemond, listen to me. I know you’re angry, but acting without thought will only make things worse.”

The one-eyed prince was shaking with fury, his hands clenching the bedsheets. His breath came in ragged bursts as Viseara wrapped her arms around his shoulders, trying to soothe him. Slowly, he pressed his face into her stomach, his anger radiating from him in waves.

“Do not forget,” she murmured softly, her hand stroking his pale hair, “Larys is cunning. He is always scheming, always two steps ahead. We don’t know what he’s planning or what he’s already told Alicent.”

Aemond’s teeth ground audibly as he buried his face deeper against her, his hand sliding up her thigh beneath her nightgown. His fingers kneaded her flesh possessively before tugging her down to sit on his lap.

“I thought tonight there would be no touching, nephew,” Viseara said, exasperated but with a faint hint of amusement.

“Nephew?” Aemond scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. “You weren’t calling me that the other night when you were crying out my name, Aunt.”

He tugged at the ribbon of her nightgown, his eye gleaming mischievously. “You are breathtaking when you wear nothing at all.”

“Aemond!” she hissed, though the indignation in her voice was tempered by something else entirely.

The Gold Cloaks had sworn loyalty to the rogue Targaryen siblings, for it was Viseara and Daemon who had transformed their neglected city watch into a feared and respected force. The mere sight of golden cloaks billowing through the streets was enough to strike terror into the hearts of those who dared cross them. Viseara ensured their silence with quiet gifts of golden coins, and in return, they fed her valuable whispers as a former mistress of the Gold Cloaks.

It was through these whispers that she learned the old leech, Otto Hightower, had spies of his own. One of those spies had reported on Rhaenyra and Daemon years prior, which had briefly seen Otto cast aside—until her niece, Rhaenyra, argued the Green leech was not to be trusted. Yet Otto returned to power after Lord Lyonel’s mysterious death in that tragic fire.

Wasn’t it infuriating that she, Daemon, and Rhaenyra could all see how untrustworthy Otto was, and yet Viserys—blinded by his naivety—could not see the rot within the Hightowers?

“Who should I have killed first... Otto? Cole? Larys?” Viseara muttered aloud, sipping moon tea as she contemplated her options. Hearing footsteps approach, she quickly hid the cup inside a cabinet just as Queen Alicent entered the room.

Rising gracefully, Viseara offered a polite bow. “Your Grace.”

“Princess Viseara...” Alicent’s expression betrayed discomfort, her voice wavering slightly as she spoke. “I’ve heard whispers among the maids. They say you and my son Aemond have grown... too close. That he has been seen entering and leaving your chambers late at night.”

The Targaryen princess maintained her composure, her face a mask of calm as she replied, “We merely talk, Your Grace. Aemond speaks of things he cannot share with you or anyone else.” That much was true—partially. The first half-hour often consisted of hushed conversations and confidences, but the rest... well, it was less about words and more about something far more primal. She felt a dull ache in her hips just thinking about it.

“He’s heard whispers too,” Viseara added, feigning a shy glance downward. “The servants gossip that Lord Larys has been seen coming and going from your chambers far too often. Aemond worries such rumors might cast you in a poor light, that they could speak of you acting improperly behind our king’s back.”

Alicent’s face went deathly pale, her hands wringing nervously as though the weight of her secrets had just been exposed.

“Your Grace...” Viseara’s tone softened, her lips curving into a kind—yet subtly victorious—smile. “If there’s truly nothing to the gossip, then there’s no need to worry or act defensively. Perhaps you could explain it to Aemond yourself.”

Before Alicent could form a reply, Viseara offered a final smile and turned to leave the room, her silken skirts trailing behind her. She passed Ser Criston Cole on the way out, his sharp glare cutting into her like a blade.

Viseara tilted her head, smirking as she mouthed a quiet insult over her shoulder. “Keep strutting, Criston. Soon, you’ll have no neck left to hold up that head of yours.”

Due to the strange rumors swirling around the Red Keep regarding Alicent, whispers far louder than those of the rogue princess and her one-eyed nephew, Otto Hightower—acting in his capacity as King Viserys’ Hand—decided to send Lord Larys back to Harrenhal. This was done to quell the wild gossip, as the rumors surrounding his daughter carried far more weight than those concerning Aemond.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans. A raven brought grim news to the small council: Lord Larys had died while traveling back to Harrenhal. With no culprit found and no trail to follow, the council reluctantly concluded that bandits had likely ambushed and killed the master of whispers. The matter was allowed to fade, yet it left a lingering sense of unease within the Green faction. Whispers bred paranoia, and the Greens began to suspect one another.

Otto, of course, suspected Viseara. But even the Hand could not accuse her outright, for there was no proof she had sent assassins. At the time of Larys’ death, several witnesses—maids and attendants—confirmed that Viseara had been playing with her great-niece and nephews in Lady Elia’s chambers. And yet, Otto Hightower was not a man to let such matters go. He became more determined than ever to rid the small council and the Red Keep of the rogue princess.

Aemond, meanwhile, had become Otto’s second greatest concern. The young prince refused to marry any of the daughters of their Green-aligned allies, which raised doubts among their supporters. The Baratheons, for instance, had grown restless, suspecting the Greens would break their promise to wed Aemond to one of Lord Borros’ daughters.

It was little wonder, then, that Aemond stormed from the council chamber in a fit of rage when Otto announced his impending betrothal to one of the Storm Lord’s girls—alongside his brother Daeron. Before the stunned council, the one-eyed prince stalked out, his boots echoing down the stone halls of the Keep.

Aemond flung open the door to his aunt’s chambers with a loud bang, startling the small child sleeping in her arms.

Elia, clearly displeased, frowned at him. “Cousin... I’ve just lulled him to sleep.” Shaking her head, she gently took the infant from Viseara’s arms and resumed soothing him. Aemond nearly forgot that Elia often brought her sons to visit Viseara these days—her children’s grandmother.

He noted the absence of Aegon, no doubt chased off by Elia to study with the maesters or spar with Ser Criston Cole, as usual.

Aemond exhaled deeply, attempting to calm himself as he caught sight of the yawning babe. Guilt flickered in his chest for waking the child.

“Elia, you should rest in your own chambers,” Viseara said softly, her slender hand brushing over her youngest daughter’s fingers. “You’re with child, after all.”

The silver-haired woman nodded, rising carefully. Her maid, Lady Celtigar’s servant, came to help her, guiding her out of the room. Once the door closed, only the rogue princess and the one-eyed prince remained.

“They think they can command me—to marry a Baratheon girl,” Aemond said flatly, his voice edged with simmering fury.

“It is not so strange, Aemond. You are of age to marry,” Viseara replied calmly, reclining in her chair. “You are a handsome young man—a dragon’s blood flows through your veins. It is no wonder other houses wish to bind themselves to our family. It would do no harm to speak with them. You may find one among them to your liking.”

Aemond clenched his jaw, his lilac eye dark with frustration. After a moment of tense silence, he finally muttered, “Fine. I will speak with them, as you suggest.”

Lord Borros Baratheon arrived in King’s Landing with his four daughters—Cassandra, Maris, Ellyn, and Floris—to discuss the betrothal of two among them with Queen Alicent. The sisters, known collectively as the “Four Storms,” stood in a neat line as their father introduced them to the queen and her two sons.

Viseara watched silently as Lord Borros presented each daughter in turn. Daeron, the youngest prince, offered a polite yet strained smile, while Aemond, ever composed, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. The one-eyed prince’s expression remained unreadable as his gaze swept across the sisters with little interest.

Lord Borros spoke at length—boasted, really—about his daughters’ qualities. According to him, Maris was the cleverest, while Floris was the fairest of the four. Viseara noted how both princes received the introductions. Young Daeron eventually settled on Floris, likely due to their similar age, while Aemond’s response was far more terse.

“I will consider it,” Aemond said curtly, earning an expectant glance from both Queen Alicent and Lord Borros. Unwilling to let the matter rest, they pressed him to converse further with the three remaining sisters, hoping he might find favor with one of them.

“Word is that my cousin recently lost his wife,” Aemond remarked dryly, his gaze sliding toward Aenys Celtigar, Viseara’s eldest son. “He carries dragon’s blood, and the Celtigar name—perhaps one of you would find that agreeable?”

Aenys snorted, meeting Aemond’s pointed look with little patience. “You’re making too much of it, cousin. None of them would have me—I am a knight, not a prince.”

Viseara sighed, clearly unimpressed with the boys’ bickering. Her voice cut through the tension, calm but firm. “Aenys, go check on Aegon. Ensure he hasn’t wandered off again.”

The Celtigar knight inclined his head and quickly exited the room, leaving Aemond alone with the three Baratheon sisters. Before departing, Viseara caught Aemond’s eye and raised a finger in subtle warning—a silent command for him to behave himself.

Reluctantly, Aemond remained in the room, his lone violet eye flickering briefly toward the three daughters of House Baratheon as the door closed behind his aunt.

Viseara penned a letter to her brother, detailing the happenings within the Red Keep, including Lord Baratheon’s attempts to wed his daughters to Queen Alicent’s sons. She urged Rhaenyra to strengthen alliances with other houses quickly and reminded them of the oaths sworn to Viserys, affirming her as the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. The rogue princess handed the letter to her trusted maid to deliver to Dragonstone.

The death of Larys Strong had brought some relief, but Viseara knew Otto Hightower still had spies lurking in every corner of King’s Landing. She remained vigilant, and cautious with every secret message sent. Standing on the balcony, she gazed at the view below, only to startle when Aemond burst into her chambers.

The prince’s breath was ragged, his face slick with sweat as he struggled to undo his tunic. “Nephew—” she began, but the words died in her throat when Aemond crashed his lips against hers with a ferocity that outmatched any previous encounter. His body pressed against her, the hard ridge beneath his breeches unmistakable.

“You—”

“I’ve been drugged, Aunt,” Aemond rasped, ripping off his eyepatch.

Viseara’s hands instinctively moved to help him discard his clothes, the fabric pooling at their feet. The prince groaned low in his throat as her fingers loosened the laces of his breeches, freeing him. In that moment, she understood: Aemond had been poisoned with a lust-inducing elixir. If she did nothing, he would suffer agonizing torment through the night. Yet who had administered the poison remained a mystery.

“Viseara…” Aemond’s single violet eye fixed on her as she stood in her nightgown. “Bisa bantis nyke jaelagon ao naejot moan louder ēva everyone isse mele lua hearing skoros nyke emagon gaomagon naejot ao. Issa muñnykeā jāhor ivestragī issa wed ao nykeā nyke jāhor kidnap ao naejot zaldrīzesdōron naejot jiōragon married isse uēpa tradition.” (This night I want you to moan louder until everyone in the Red Keep hears what I’ve done to you. My mother will let me wed you, or I will kidnap you to Dragonstone to get married in the old tradition.)

Swallowing hard, Viseara lay back on the bed, her trembling fingers slipping between her thighs to ready herself for what was to come. Aemond knelt between her legs, brushing her hands aside and replacing them with his own. He made certain she was prepared before pressing himself into her in one swift, relentless motion.

The rogue princess gasped, her body arching as Aemond began to move. The room filled with the sounds of their bodies colliding—flesh against flesh—the creaking of the bed, and their cries of pleasure. Her nails clawed down his broad back, leaving angry red marks as the tightness of her body squeezed him mercilessly.

It was unlike anything before. The drug coursing through Aemond made him tireless, his thrusts more fervent and unrelenting than ever. Neither of them knew how many hours had passed or how many times they had reached their peak, only that they lay spent and tangled in the sheets, now damp with sweat and stained with their release.

The prince reclined on the pillows, his chest heaving as he held Viseara close. Her head rested on his chest, her breath slow and steady in slumber. Aemond glanced down at her, taking satisfaction in the marks he’d left across her body, evidence of their passion. He, too, bore her touch—scratches and bites marking his pale skin.

With a gentle tug, Aemond pulled the blanket over them, tightening his arms around Viseara. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered softly, his voice tender.

“Avy jorrāelan.” (I love you.)

TBC.

[royalty-nobility]

Elisabeth of Austria

Artist: Franz Xaver Winterhalter  (German, 1805–1873) 

Title: Empress Elisabeth of Austria in Courtly Gala Dress with Diamond Stars

Genre: Portrait

Depicted People: Empress Elisabeth of Austria 

Date: 1865

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum

In Winterhalter’s 1865 portrait, Empress Elizabeth of Austria (known as Sissi) wears a white satin evening dress covered with thousands of silver foil stars shimmering under the layer of tulle. The dress, thought to be designed by Worth, follows fashionable trends of the era, but also has singular touches, like the stars, befitting her status as Empress.

Elisabeth (born Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie in Bavaria; 24 December 1837 – 10 September 1898), nicknamed Sisi or Sissi, was Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from her marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I on 24 April 1854 until her assassination in 1898.

Elisabeth was born into the Ducal royal branch of the Bavarian House of Wittelsbach but enjoyed an informal upbringing before marrying her first cousin, Emperor Franz Joseph I, at 16. The marriage thrust her into the much more formal Habsburg court life, for which she was unprepared and which she found suffocating. Early in the marriage, she was at odds with her mother-in-law, who was also her maternal aunt, Archduchess Sophie, who took over the rearing of Elisabeth's daughters, one of whom, Sophie, died in infancy. The birth of a son, Crown Prince Rudolf, improved Elisabeth's standing at court, but her health suffered under the strain. As a result, she would often visit Hungary for its more relaxed environment. She came to develop a deep kinship with Hungary and helped to bring about the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867.

The death of Elisabeth's only son and his mistress Mary Vetsera in a murder–suicide at his hunting lodge at Mayerling in 1889 was a blow from which the Empress never recovered. She withdrew from court duties and travelled widely, unaccompanied by her family. In 1890, she had the palace Achilleion built on the Greek island of Corfu. The palace featured an elaborate mythological motif and served as a refuge, which Elisabeth visited often. She was obsessively concerned with maintaining her youthful figure and beauty, developing a restrictive diet and wearing extremely tightlaced corsets to keep her waist looking very small.

While travelling in Geneva in 1898, Elisabeth was fatally stabbed in the heart by an Italian anarchist named Luigi Lucheni. Her tenure of 44 years was the longest of any Austrian empress.

[serpentface]

Yeah epic poetry is a major convention and is what other traditions of poetry here evolved From.

They originated as forms of recording and passing on history and legends in pre-literate Wardi societies (and still are mostly performed and transmitted orally, though most of the old epics have been recorded in writing and are now strictly 'canonized', and most performers memorize from these 'canon' texts). Each story would be divided into roughly equal 'chapters' which could be individually memorized. They are traditionally designed to be sung, and follow strict poetic meter but typically do not have a rhyming scheme (though often show favor for alliterative rhythm).

Most of the genre is comprised of old, established epics, but the practice of recording history this way has been retained in the commission of epic poetry-form documentation of major current events (these are never as popular).

The main traits of the genre are:

Taking place over broad spans of time and locations

Focus is mostly upon esteemed individuals and heroic exploits.

Narrative rhythm is established through repetition of key words and phrases, as well as scenes that thematically echo each other

Heavy use of epithets

Very flowery text that lavishes in visual description of people, animals, buildings, weapons, clothing, and landscapes.

Extensive family trees are provided for most major characters.

Descriptions often rely heavily upon extended similes and figurative language

Characters speak with highly formal language and perform lengthy monologues

Heavy focus on normative male homosociality

Heroic figures embody societal values, though are often shown as imperfect and having to fight baser aspects of their nature (thus making them perhaps The Best embodiments, showing their self-control and discipline)

Heroic figures are 'allowed' to have major flaws, but these flaws are typically connected to a perceived virtue (ie a highly accomplished warrior is foolishly arrogant about it, a hero's fidelity to his family makes him gullible to a malicious relative, etc)

Heavy focus on kinship, family, and honor (and typically exploring multiple dimensions of these values, including negative ones)

Typically having elements of tragedy, which is often interconnected with the aforementioned values- the tragedy occurs because the heroes do the right things in spite of inevitable consequences.

The most culturally significant epic poem is a mythologized recounting of the life of Erub, a (semi)historical king and founder hero. The only thing historically definite about his life is that a prince named Something Like Erub (more likely Urub, Urbin, or Uru) from the Ephenni tribe was involved in a series of campaigns that lead to about 2/5ths of the region being conquered and formed into a kingdom (most of the present day provinces of Ephennos, Wardin, and Erubinnos), which experienced a period of relative peace and stability for about a century before the First wave of Imperial Burri occupation occurred.

The overall plot points:

-Erub's birth and adolescence, in which he is guided to become a great warrior and skilled leader by a deity who is only described in epithets, mostly war and khait-related ('The thrower of spears' 'with the khaitsmane shield', 'whose horns are iron', 'the wild bull(khait)', 'peerless mounted archer'). This is usually interpreted as the Face Inyamache (and Does very likely represent an early incarnation of this deity, possibly a contributor to Odomache as well).

-Erub's ascension to the Ephenni throne via the sacrificial bullfight rite, in which the bull is a magical animal and son of his tutelary deity.

-Erub courting Hippemides, a princess of North Ephennos (who is described as descending from the chief Burri solar deity Inanariya via his son, minor solar deity Nibeña).

-Erub's marriage to Hippemides as a chief wife, and two 'prince concubines' (they aren't assigned definite sex characteristics but are usually understood as akoshos in the contemporary, almost definitely would not have been men)

-Efforts for diplomacy between the Ephenni and Wardinae tribes, historical enemies.

-Erub's king-sister Inyari is insulted by the Wardinae king Janes assuming her to be Erub's wife (a lesser role). In retribution, she commands their younger brother Nedelas to trespass on the king's lands and steal his cattle (described as 'lunar cattle' and implied to be some kind of demigod animal). Janes demands that Erub hand over his brother or face war. Erub has a long monologue examining the complexity of the situation (as his siblings were clearly in the wrong), but loyalty to his family overcomes. War is declared.

-War between the Ephenni and Wardinae tribes.

-Erub and Janes agree to settle the war in single combat. Both are evenly matched and unable to defeat one another. They are both such great and honorable warriors and develop so much respect for one another that they ally instead, and swear brotherhood in front of their collective peoples.

-Erub and Janes pal around for a few years and undertake various heroic tasks and defeat minor enemies of each of their tribes.

-Erub marries one of Janes' cousins as a second wife.

-Janes (ignoring several warning omens) slays a mighty albino buffalo on a hunt, which turns out to have been a powerful animal spirit who curses him in its dying breaths, stating that his death will 'emerge from' his own hunting dogs (the word for 'emerge' is more ambiguous in the source language, and can literally mean 'will physically come out of' or just figuratively mean 'come from'). Janes kills all his hunting dogs and declares himself invulnerable.

-Janes' wife, the queen Mitlewari, is captured by Achetil, the king of the powerful Morinnae tribe (probably a Wogan group). Janes declares war, and Erub follows suit out of loyalty to his sworn brother.

-The fighting between the Ephenni/Wardinae and Morinnae turns into a year of bloody warfare, with many great warriors dying.

-The tide of battle turns to the Ephenni/Wardinae side, and Achetil flees with the remainder of his forces within the city walls. The city of Morinnos is sieged, and Achetil's wives and daughters throw themselves from the fort wall to avoid capture. Mitlewari has been raped in captivity and is pregnant, and, freeing herself in the chaos, she throws herself from the wall as well to preserve herself and her husband's honor.

-The city is sacked. Achetil and his sons are captured and offered as human sacrifices to the proto-Inyamache deity. Erub declares Ephenni, Wardinae, and former Morinae lands to be a new kingdom.

-Erub and Janes, at the behest of their people, are forced to fight once again to determine who should be king. The fight rages on for days without a victor as they are too evenly matched. Janes feels deference to his elder sworn brother and believes Erub should be king, but is unwilling to admit defeat to preserve his and his people's honor. A goddess in the form of an albatross (whose identity is ambiguous in the text and is usually interpreted as Pelannaumache) sends a wind to trip him just enough to slow his parry, and Erub stabs him through the heart. Janes briefly dies but returns to life, as his invulnerability is apparently real. His defeat was unambiguous, however, and Erub is crowned king, retaining Janes as his general and chiefmost advisor.

-The new kingdom is named Erubinnos, and a new palace is raised. A thousand cattle are sacrificed to consecrate the kingdom and eaten at a feast.

-Janes revisits the pyre mound on which his hunting dogs were burned, to mock the curse and revel in his confirmed invulnerability. A viper crawls out from the dog ashes and bites him in the thigh, killing him.

-The funeral for Janes, in which a hundred Morinae prisoners, a hundred khait, and a hundred hounds are killed to serve him in the afterlife. Erub's grief is so tremendous that he shaves his head and beard.

-Erub rules the great kingdom Erubinnos for fifty years until great old age. His eldest nephew Nedachemi (sometimes mistranslated as a son to fit modern Wardi kingship) undergoes the sacrificial bullfight and inherits the throne. Erub dies shortly after.

-The funeral for Erub, in which the same prisoners-khait-hound spread is killed in his honor. Hippemides throws herself onto the funeral pyre in grief.

-Nedachemi marries one of Janes' daughters, and his king-sister marries one of Janes' sons. The wedding consummation of each is described in a fair amount of detail, which has at least Some narrative function as a show of unification between the Ephenni and Wardinae and hope for a prosperous future.

-Ends very abruptly after the sex scenes, with a declaration that the great Erubinnos will one day be whole again (in reference to the state of Imperial Burri occupation that the tale was first developed under, and the fact that the Original Erubinnos was never reformed by the later date of the poem's written recording).

---

The oral tradition the epic descends from probably began about ~750 years BP under the rule of the 1st Burri Empire, and the 'canonized' version of the text was likely recorded about 500 years BP during an independent but heavily tumultuous period of warring Wardi states.

It's notable as a snapshot of the earliest forms of the Faith of the Seven Faced God. The Faith had not crystallized into anything resembling its modern variant during the period of purely oral transmission, and it shows significantly in the text. Entities recognizable as basal forms of some of the seven Faces appear in the text, but they are described as individual deities, are heavily personified and interactive, and some appear to have demigod children (none of these concepts are present in contemporary doctrine). Additionally, gods from the Burri pantheon that had been adopted during this period (and either abandoned or fully syncretized into the Faith in the period since) make distinct appearances. It also contains notable animistic qualities to its worldview, its world is populated by animal and other nature spirits and actions are frequently described as 'witnessed' and reacted to by inanimate and/or non-animal objects/features (sometimes specifically referred to with the antiquated word koya for a essential nature spirit (ie 'the very koya of the grass wept at this bloodshed upon her back'))

This is largely reflective of the proto-Wardi religious practices during the time of the story's development- most regionally native religions had an animistic outlook on the world and centered heavily on animal worship, the proto-Wardi tribes were under foreign occupation with Burri gods introduced as a part of state religion (prioritizing orthopraxy, adoption of rites was forced but there was little to no Active attempts to eliminate native belief systems). These native animal worship ft. general animism practices would continue among much of the population with Burri polytheism added on top, and syncretism between these elements in tandem with cultural upheaval led to the beginning of a new religion (which began to come to fruition after the 1st Burri empire's collapse, and would be a practice in full swing during the 2nd period of occupation).

It also records some obsolete practices with great detail and accuracy, such as the matrilineal kinship systems of the Ephenni where sovereignty passed from the king to his nephew via his sister (and correctly recording that the Wardinae did not have this practice), and the capture of high status war prisoners Very Specifically And Explicitly as sacrificial offerings to deities.

Much of its general themes and priority on honor, kinship, and the family are familiar to contemporary listeners, but a lot of its worldview, practices, and value systems are distinctly dated or entirely confusing. Erub is described as wearing tattoos and having multiple wives (two practices now seen as barbaric), the notion of kings fighting in single combat is seen as Cool But Absurd, and much of its religious worldview is alien to the modern listener. There are some attempts to reinterpret the source text to fit with contemporary outlooks and religious worldview, but it is broadly understood as a snapshot of the 'heathen Wardi' the Wardi peoples descend from and not something to be 'fixed'. Instead, focus is more on finding legitimatizing evidence of modern day religious beliefs in the text (identifying older deities as Faces of God that were simply misinterpreted by the heathen Wardi), and Most of the focus is on framing Erub as a collective father to their people and a great heathen king, whose exploits paved the way to their modern identity.

The declaration at the end that "Erubinnos will be whole again" is heavily reinterpreted to be a sort of prophetic description of Imperial Wardin's emergence as a kingdom for the collective Wardi people (when in context it Absolutely just referred to the specific kingdom comprising most of the present day provinces of Ephennos, Wardin, and Erubinnos, and specifically for the (rather briefly, in the long run) unified Ephenni and Wardinae people (not other proto-Wardi tribes)).

[erendur]

High princes and High Kings

So I read in a few places now that Finwë gave the title "High Prince" to both Fëanor and Fingolfin, but not Finarfin and that obviously it did not make things easier within his House.

So I thought about it, and it's probably been covered extensively elsewhere, but as always I'm too lazy so I just thought I'd go ahead and give my maybe unpopular two cents anyway.

So here it is :

I don't think "High Prince" is a title, and I don't think Finwë gave it to any of his sons.

As far as I understand, it's an idea that comes from that line in the chapter "Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor" :

"High princes were Fëanor and Fingolfin, the elder sons of Finwë, honoured by all in Aman ; but now they grew proud and jealous each of his rights and his possessions."

If there is another source for this claim, please just disregard anything I'm about to say :)

So in this chapter, Jirt is covering the creation of the Silmarils and the unrest of the Noldor (duh). The paragraph right before the above quote starts with

"Thus ere the Valar were aware, the peace of Valinor was poisoned. The Noldor began to murmur against them, and many became filled with pride, forgetting how much of what they had and knew came from the gift of the Valar".

Then the rest of the paragraph deals with the particular case of Fëanor there ("Fiercest burned the new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of Fëanor".

The "High princes quote" comes right after that. It's the beginning of a sentence, so "High" is capitalised, but not "princes", so I don't think it's meant to be a title. Jirt is about to go into more details about the rift within the House of Fëanor, and is basically introducing the two main opponents : Fëanor and Fingolfin, both princes, both "high", an adjective, meaning "grand, exalted, great", which is then reinforced by the statement that they were "honoured" by all in Aman.

Compare it with the fact that elsewhere, the title of "King" or "High King" is always capitalised ("Finwë was King of the Noldor", in "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië" ; "(...) by no means were all of a mind to take Fëanor as King", in "Of the Flight of the Noldor" ; "Ingwë was ever held the High King of all the Elves", in Eldamar again),

whereas the word "prince" is used more generally to say "important people from the royal families of the Elves", and does not seem to be an actual title("The Noldor afterwards came back to Middle-earth, and this tale tells mostly of their deeds ; therefore the names and kinship of their princes may here be told (...)", Eldamar again, before talking of Finwë and all of his descendants ; "Thus spoke Maedhros and Maglor and Celegorm, Curufin and Caranthir, Amrod and Amran, princes of the Noldor", in Flight of the Noldor).

After that, the rest of the paragraph has two sentences : the first one : "Then Melkor set new lies abroad in Eldamar, and whispers came to Fëanor that Fingolfin and his sons were plotting to usurp the leadership of Finwë and of the elder line of Fëanor, and to supplant them by the leave of the Valar (...)"

The second one : "But to Fingolfin and Finarfin it was said : 'Beware ! Small love has the proud son of Míriel ever had for the children of Indis. Now he has become great, and he has his father in his hand. It will not be long before he drives you forth from Túna !"

So the reason Finarfin is not mentioned in the first sentence of the paragraph, is because he's not really a main party in the quarrel, but stands with his brother in a "two branches of the family type of quarrel." He is not a third opponent, he has merely a supporting role with his older brother.

If there is indeed another source and it turns out to be a title, the only reason I can think about why Fëanor and Fingolfin are graced with, and not Finarfin, is a John Lackland kind of situation. John Lackland originally got the nickname because he was either too young or not yet born (can't remember which, don't quote me on it) when his dad Henry II distributed lands between his sons, but eventually got some later when he was big enough. So maybe Finarfin was just too young or not born, and left out.

Also given that his father gave him the name "Noble Finwë", it seems a bit strange to have excluded him.

The title of High Prince also just sounds weird. Finwë himself is King, not High King, so even though he might potentially want to make a distinction between his two elder sons and his numerous grandchildren (High princes as opposed to regular ones), it would still be a rather weird title to bestow, and probably one best left to Ingwë's kids.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy…

Lady Theodosia Balfour has certainly gotten the short end of the stick—her stepsister, the newly crowned Princess Beatrice, is telling everyone in polite society that Theo, her sister, and their mother are evil, wicked, and horrid people who treated her like a slave. Though Theo knows this isn't exactly true, it seems her life is thoroughly ruined by the rumor. With the Balfour family estate on the verge of bankruptcy, Theo's only path forward is a forced betrothal to the Duke of Snowbell, a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare for spare heirs. 

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother, one that supposedly helped her stepsister secure a prince. After discovering a way to summon a fairy in Beatrice's old room, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn't at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous, incredibly cunning, and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in gathering powerful favors and smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic for humans in a bind.

Before she receives magical assistance, Cecily sets Theo to three tasks, seemingly to prove that Theo is a selfless and kind person. Helping her along the way are Cecily's familiars, the flirty human-turned-mockingbird Phineas and the aloof Kasra, a fox shapeshifter who should not be as handsome as he is for someone with such cutting remarks. As Theo works on her tasks, she shockingly finds kinship with the magical creatures she's helping, and starts to wonder if a continued life among her human peers is what she really wants after all.

From debut author Laura J. Mayo comes a hilarious new spin on the Cinderella tale!

Review:

A cozy fantasy reimagining of Cinderella but from the perspective of her evil stepsister! Lady Theodosia Balfour is sick and tired of being second best and constantly losing to her stepsister, Beatrice, who just happened to get married a prince. When Theo's mother tells her she's got her a proposal from a Duke, she couldn't. be happier... until she finds out that said duke is a foul tempered old man and Theo doesn't actually have a choice since the family is broke and Theo's mother essentially sold her. Desperate for an escape Theo discovers a mysterious book that tells her how to summon a fairy godmother... but everything has a price and if Theo wants help from said fairy godmother she has to complete three tasks. Along for the journey are the fairy godmother's two familiars, a flirty human turned mockingbird named Phineas and the fox shapeshifter Kasra, who is as handsome as he is blunt. Theo finds herself thrown into a world of faeries, magic, and the start of her own journey of chasing what she wants. This was definitely a unique retelling of Cinderella and it is the first book in the series. It's got about one grain of romance so don't go thinking it's a romance heavy story, rather its a cozy friendship kind of story about growing and about the shenanigans. It's a cute book and I am intrigued to see where the second book goes with how this book ends. The retelling aspect was fun and I liked the twists of the story overall. It's definitely an easy read and one i'd recommend for fans of Cinderella retellings!

Release Date: October 8,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Orbit Books | Orbit for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*