#the premise? in the year of our lord 2024??

[entropificiationer]

super quick n messy sketch because. Erm. what the flirp

[bonaesperanza]

There's no plot beat more unsatisfying than a protagonist who is trying to escape the Cool Adventurous Setting for some reason. I get that it's sometimes realistic for them to do that but it's really difficult to root for someone or get emotionally invested in their success when their main goal is to get away from all the stuff you find interesting to watch/read about.

You get about the same frustrated feeling like when you're at a party and hitting it off with a person but the friend you're with is whining about wanting to go home.

[aethon-recs]

2024 Update to Tomarrymort Longfic Recs — 8 additional fics

I wanted to add 8 lovely new longfics that have been published since the last time I put together this rec list — 6 more for the Intermediate reads list and 2 more for Advanced. Hopefully you’ll find something within these additional 950k words of absolutely brilliant Tomarrymort fic to sink your teeth into and enjoy:

Longfic rec list collection:

Tomarrymort Beginner reads are the fics I would use to introduce someone to the ship and help them get a baseline for the variety, themes, and tropes that best represent our ship;

Intermediate reads are for readers that are already familiar/sold on the ship, and are looking for fics that explore interesting new facets of the Tomarrymort dynamic; 

Advanced reads comprise challenging works of some nature, whether the writing features more complex subject matter and/or pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in a piece of fanfic.

Please enjoy these 8 additions to the list, all of which are either completed or still updating as of 2024!

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Intermediate Longfic Recs

A Light That Never Goes Out by @kippipies (M, 80k, WIP)

Setting: Non-Magical AU Premise: If Harry is the target of a dangerous crime lord called Voldemort and his gang of Death Eaters in a modern mafia AU. Why I rec it: This is a delightful, high-energy caper of a fic in which Harry is a scrappy low-time criminal who accidentally crosses crime boss Voldemort. Naturally, Voldemort sets his sights on getting revenge, but Harry slips through his fingers at the last minute each time. The action scenes in this fic are incredibly dynamic and super fun — I felt like I was watching an action movie at each confrontation between Harry and Voldemort.

And the Living Will Envy the Dead by @k-s-morgan (M, 81k, WIP)

Setting: Time Travel (1940s) Premise: If Harry were flung back in time to Tom’s sixth year and almost immediately reveals he is Tom’s horcrux, setting off a chain reaction of obsession and control.  Why I rec it: An intricately crafted character study of Tom and how he gained control over the rest of Slytherin House by the time Harry meets him at the start of sixth year. Harry’s arrival throws Tom’s plans off-kilter, especially once Harry reveals he was Tom’s horcrux in another timeline. This leads Tom to believe the other version of him had somehow loved Harry, and shows him that it’s possible to form such a connection with Harry here if he wants, despite how dark, cruel, and violent he turned out and how little he cares for others. 

By Any Means by @corpium (E, 74k, WIP)

Setting: Alternate Universe Premise: If Harry has a younger brother Evan who is the Boy-Who-Lived, yet Harry’s overprotective actions towards Evan end up attracting the attention of Voldemort directly onto himself. Why I rec it: This is a really engaging and fast-paced adaptation of canon events if Harry were born 2 years earlier and his younger brother were the one that the prophecy applied to. The relationship between Harry and Evan is really sweet, as they share the burden of growing up at the Dursleys and all the adventures that Harry underwent in canon. There’s also such a fascinating exploration of magic as Harry gradually becomes more powerful as a result of all the trials that he’s put through, eventually becoming powerful enough to attract the attention of Voldemort. 

Pledged by @moontearpensfic (E, 118k, WIP)

Setting: Alternate Universe Premise: If Harry and Tom are best friends that enter together into a Hunger Games-crossed-with-Triwizard Tournament in their seventh year.  Why I rec it: This fic depicts co-dependency to such an intense degree between Harry and Tom. Not only are they inseparable best friends throughout their time at Hogwarts, they also perform a cooperative magic ritual that binds their magic to each other permanently, and allows them to share thoughts and feelings with each other across a mental link. There’s also an intriguing mystery at the heart of this story, as Harry and Tom try to figure out the origins of the Triwizard-style tournament that they enter into in their seventh year. 

Revolution of Configured Stars by @tollingreminiscentbells (E, 153k, WIP)

Setting: Voldemort Wins AU Premise: If Harry was raised in a pureblood family in a universe where Voldemort wins, and ends up attracting the attention of Voldemort in his seventh year at Hogwarts.  Why I rec it: This is such an intricate, incredibly thoughtful depiction of a society where Voldemort won and Harry was raised as a ward of a pureblood family. By the time it’s Harry’s seventh year, he’s a budding Arithmancy scholar who wants to explore whether it’s possible to choose the optimal timeline via arithmantic calculations, which catches the attention of Voldemort. Voldemort and Harry’s relationship unfolds in such a steamy way, and they truly feel like equals who hold each other in high regard, as Voldemort reveals that they have been inextricably linked by fate, whether or not he ended up trying to kill Harry as a baby in this particular timeline. 

the stars, my destination by @milkandmoon-ao3 (M, 15k, WIP)

Setting: Time Travel (Marauders Era) Premise: If Harry is sent back in time as an infant and adopted into the Potter family, growing up and attending Hogwarts alongside James.  Why I rec it: There is a dearth of Harrymort fics set in Marauders Era so it is such a delight to read about Harry’s friendships and rivalries with Marauders Era characters, like being best friends with Regulus and Quidditch rivals with James. As Harry starts his sixth year, the First Wizarding War heats up in the background and begins spilling into their life at Hogwarts as many of their classmates are recruited to fight on either side of it. All the while that he has to keep secret the strange mental connection that he’s had with the Dark Lord all his life. 

*

Advanced Longfic Recs

Hearthstone Abbey (Series) by @ramabear (E, 152k, WIP series)

Setting: Soulmate AU Premise: If second year Harry is plucked away from his canon universe by Voldemort from another universe who is his soulmate. Why I rec it: I wholly melted at all the ways Voldemort takes care of Harry in this fic, better treatment than Harry’s ever gotten in his entire life, and Harry is so lovable and adorable in turn. Voldemort has established himself as a religious figurehead/cult leader in the alternate universe, and it was very interesting to read about his alternate path to power. The soft grooming in this fic was so so delicious, ramping up in intensity as the fic progresses; Voldemort completely dotes on Harry and their dynamic is so sweet and tender, a very nice counterbalance to the sinister and predatory tones that underlie their relationship.

if we were lovers by @reggieblk (E, 277k, complete)

Setting: Non-Magical AU Premise: If Harry and Tom meet in a prestigious drama programme and fall for each other against a backdrop of high stakes threatre productions.  Why I rec it: The character work is so rich and detailed in this coming-of-age story in a modern AU setting. It’s clear there was so much thought that went into all the character interactions here, not only between Harry and Tom, but also the ensemble cast of characters who inject so much heart and humor into this story as well. I love the way that @reggieblk cleverly weaves in elements from Shakespeare’s plays and uses the theatre backdrop to depict how the love story between Harry and Tom unfolds — their developing relationship feels, at the same time, both very immersive and cozy, as well as highly fraught with tension. (As a bonus, there is an absolutely amazing original play in the interlude chapter that was written specifically for this fic!)

*

[gaphic]

watching bad reviews of that godforsaken uglies movie where people viciously tear into the mere premise of the pretty surgery as trite and stupid makes me want to SCREAM. you have NO idea what you're talking about you don't KNOW you don't know ANYTHING

the books are SO fucking good and have such interesting things to say about beauty and they RICHLY DESERVED a movie adaptation YES EVEN NOW EVEN IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2024 EVEN A FULL DECADE AFTER THE YA TREND BURNED ITSELF OUT. the premise is not the fucking problem the movie is just stupid and bad

even people who LIKED the books consistently seem to forget the most interesting parts and it's driving me absolutely fucking insane

[billyshakesp]

Conceptualising 10,000 Years

Yes, this is another post about how the ten-thousand-year-old primordial saints of the Resurrection are, indeed, very old. But the tricky thing about human minds is that they're really bad at comprehending massive numbers. So, in this post, I hope to give you, my dear reader, an understanding of what it means to be ten thousand years old.

Let us imagine, just for a moment, that today (28 August, 2024) marks the close of the myriadic year of our Lord–that far-off King of Necromancers, that blessed Resurrector of Saints!–and the Lyctors reach ten thousand years old today. From this premise, I believe we can better grasp just how old these people are, since we can timeline their lives based on real-world events. So, without further ado...

8000 BCE - The Great Resurrection. Earth is still experiencing the last great Ice Age. Woolly mammoths are still thriving, and, according to some estimates, the last of the smilodon and American lion species still lives. HS Sapiens are still in the Stone Age. Earliest records of ovens used for pottery.

7700 BCE - Lyctors reach 300 years old. Farmers first domesticate wheat in the area now known as Mesopotamia. Humans have yet to develop advanced agricultural technology, instead relying on very primitive methods.

7000 BCE - Lyctors are now 1000 years old. Domestication of goats in Mesopotamia.

6700 BCE- Lyctors are 1300 years old. Domestication of pigs in Mesopotamia.

6200 BCE - Lyctors are 1800 years old. The Bronze Age begins! Earliest evidence of the smelting of bronze dates back to roughly 6200 BCE in Asia Minor. With the advent of bronze, humans are able to make more effective and more durable tools.

6000 BCE - Lyctors are 2000 years old. First settlements along the Nile River

5500 BCE - Lyctors are 2500 years old. Earliest evidence of Ancient Sumer.

5000 BCE - Lyctors are 3000 years old. Major agricultural developments occurred around this time, including the first evidence for the usage of irrigation.

4000 BCE -Lyctors are 4000 years old. Extinction of the Woolly Mammoth. Humans develop the first cities around this time, and wool is first used as in textiles.

3100 BCE - Lyctors are 4900 years old. Construction on Stonehenge begins. Recorded history emerges around this time. The rise of Ancient Egypt begins. Earliest cuneiform texts date back to this time.

2334 BCE - Lyctors are 5666 years old. Sargon of Akkad is King of the Akkadian Empire.

2154 BCE - Lyctors are 5846 years old. Akkadian empire dissolves after less than 200 years wow!

2000 BCE - Lyctors are 6000 years old. Ancient Minoan civilization begins.

1341 BCE - Lyctors are 6659 years old. Birth of King Tut.

1250 BCE - Lycors are 6750 years old. Ancient Chinese and Ancient Olmec civilization begins.

800 BCE - Lyctors are 7200 years old. Start of the Classical Period.

500 CE - Lyctors are 8500 years old. End of the Classical Period. Sorry, too lazy to write all of it out. Plus, there's a billion resources on it.

900 CE - Lyctors are 8900 years old. Start of the Dark Ages.

1492 CE - Lyctors are 9492 years old. Planning of Dios Apate Major begins around here in the Locked Tomb timeline. Columbus "discovers" the Americas (and proceeds to slaughter indigenous peoples)

2000 - The myriadic year of our lord.

I hope you understand how old these people are. DISCLAIMER: Not a historian. Do not claim to be. These dates are from cursory research and could be inaccurate. Furthermore, this is nowhere near a complete account of human history, especially towards the end, when I got really bored.

Ty <3

[toooliix]

hey! alright so i may have done a thing

so for the past,,, idk 3 weeks? ive been going on a deep dive into spelling bee mostly to sedate my own curiosity of needing to know everything about what i'm interested in. as it turns out, there is a LOT of content with this musical, so i'm here to talk about my findings! note: i will be keeping this EXCLUSIVE to the original 2005 off broadway cast. as much as i'm a brown university girlie through and through, the original cast is where the content is. OKAY FIRST: youtube findings

a lot of small videos were made usually with logainne and leaf. you'll be quick to learn that they made the most off stage content. i have a public playlist with these videos, along with interviews, the original boot, and a few other things. the cast album isn't in it because that's audio only and i want visuals damnit. (plus its on spotify and easy to look up so.) the exception is 25apcsbmt12doc because its pretty underground and the purpose is to get word out about niche things.

second: myspace pages a lot of the spellers have myspace pages! this is like. a common thing!! only two were archived (leaf and logainne) and are able to be accessed! i'll talk about the others in a bit. they contain new information and i personally find them very interesting!

leaf logainne

HOWEVER: three are currently able to be accessed through modern myspace without needing an account. the format is off, but it's accessable.

barfee 25apcsb account panch third: other

there's two different things here so i'll separate them :]

3.1: r/v club

r/v club is a short film by rebecca feldman (one of the people that worked on spelling bee) that includes logainne! it can be found on her site with other short films. i believe this is the only one with her in it HOWEVER i have not checked therefore i could be wrong. it's set post-spelling bee, i believe. also jesse is in it but not as leaf.

r/v club

3.2: official site

spelling bee had a site!! and official merch!! its just a cool thing i think. it'll be mentioned again in the last section

spelling bee site

fourth and final: lost media (to my knowledge)

okay, spelling bee has.... QUITE a bit of lost media. again, this will be separated into parts.

4.1: C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E

before spelling bee was a thing, crepuscule (albiet mispronounced) was an improv play made by the farm. (same group who made r/v club) a lot of the characters were similar or the same, and it has a similar premise. however, it wasn't a musical. from what i've heard, there USED to be a boot of it, however i haven't found one of my own. i would love to be corrected.

4.2 myspace pages

remember how i was going to say this was going to come up again? hi thats now. outside of leaf and logainne, other myspace accounts were made! mitch (comfortcounselor), olive (mydictionary) + (oliveostrovsky), chip (chiptolentino), marigold (marigoldconeybear) an olive and barfee joint account (ilovemydictionary), and a leaf and logainne joint account (schwartzylogan). there's also another leaf account with the very confusing name of panchspell the issue with these is that theyre not archived, so you'll need a myspace account with a verified email to view these. in the year of our lord 2024 that's not exactly an easy find, especially since verification emails no longer send. plus, one of olive's accounts is dictionary.com now so,,,, who knows what it looks like there. most also need a connection, which makes things even MORE difficult. i hate how close but out of reach these accounts are.

4.3. spelling bee game

yeah they had a game. it's on the site, and it's eternally stuck at loading characters from my experience. here's the link anyway! game

4.4 the dirty bee

oh jesus its the dirty bee. so for context, in 2006 when the show was running, a few nights were booked for spelling bee that were meant for mature audiences and were 18 plus. it's catered towards people who have already seen the bee and want something new. it was inspired by jay (panch) and putting in words or sentences researsals that were clearly for funnies because he was bored. alas it became a derivative of the musical. all we know is what an article provides (theres more than one but the one linked gives the most info) and that chip quote unquote "finished off" at my unfortunate erection according to jose. there's rumor that chip is canonically bi in it but theres no sources so,,,, can't confirm that one.

article

(the quote is said in the reunion "stars in the house" and is found in the playlist)

conclusion:

there's genuinely so much shit in this musical i find it fascinating. this post WILL be updated with any other finds or information. PLEASE dm me or let me know if i got something wrong or if you have something to add (though do add a source, please and thank you)

ALSO: reblogs are greatly appreciated!! shoutout to the wiki, @/honkmaster69 and the people i spam in dms for helping and tolerating me <33

[thefudge]

so i watched "your monster"

and i'm glad we got mainstream monsterfucking in the year of our lord 2024, like that's huge for us freaks and a step forward lol

but it was a very tame (pardon the pun) effort. like, extremely safe and tame, to the point where it almost didn't count as monsterfucking for me, even if they included a very on-the-nose sex scene (which i did appreciate!).

and that's because this movie doesn't take its premise seriously, not only because it's a very tongue-in-cheek comedy, but because it doesn't really want to grapple with women's desires. It is, first and foremost, a feminist allegory about a woman embracing her inner monster and her rage. and the monster is just a place-holder for empowerment and self-discovery. and that's fine, that's v cool, i like that stories like this exist. it's just a huge bummer that disney's "beauty and the beast", a film catering to all ages, still has a more adult tone and sexual chemistry between the leads than a movie where the protagonist actually fucks the beast. this movie basically refuses to engage with the erotics of its own premise, never once entertaining the idea that this woman might want to explore smth with this monster just for the sake of exploring and not because she's trying to find her confidence/voice or in order to heal past trauma. those things are absolutely valid and needed sometimes, but the film is mainly interested in telling that story of healing, and we have heard/seen this before. there are so many scenes where the monster is therapizing her and using that annoying therapy-speak that is now embedded in everyday speech (i hate it here). and look, i do think that this works as a feminist allegory and there are creative moments that i appreciated (even sexy ones, here and there). it's just so...bland, overall? because the monster is only engaged with as a mental concept, as (an ultimately) safe manifestation of the ID. and that can be part of the subtext of monsterfucking, but when it occupies the entire text...it just feels like an elaborate and frankly boring therapy session. lots of what makes the monster an Other is toned down and instead we get "perfect boyfriend who wants what's best for you" fantasies.

still, this is a decent, fun little flick which doesn't aim to be more than an empowering comedy, and i'm glad that it's pushing the monsterfucking agenda lol. i just wish it had more to say about women's desires.

[gilsart]

I just KNOW that Frederick the Great is tweaking in his coffin right now with the victory of the rotten orange.

It's jover for all of us in politics 💀, we need a hero (historical political figure from Prussia who happens to be gay)

Oh no we do NOT need a comeback no thank you nuh huh not agreeing with this he better stay dead 🚩🚩🚩

All jokes aside!

I think we need to talk about this statement you made. I'm european, that means I'm not directly affected by Tr*mp's election, but I will be in the near future considering most politicians in my country love to lick fascist boots (not surprised, they're fascists themselves). This is a premise to say that we are collectively sinking deep in a pile of shit, but that I'm also used to fascist ideology comfortably sitting in Parliament chairs as I am used to anachronistic statements, so here's my two cents about what you just said.

I admit I have no idea if by "tweaking" you mean tweaking with joy or tweaking in horror, I've seen the verb being used in both contexts and English isn't my first language, but this doesn't matter. Whatever you meant, I wouldn't make a statement like this one to talk about the current situation, if I were you. Now, I know you were probably joking and that's fine, but I still feel like it is my responsibility to answer back to you with what I think about this, especially with what is happening right now: we need to stop thinking about historical figures with our 21st century mindset, ESPECIALLY when it comes to political matters like, for example, segregated and oppressed communities' basic human rights.

Especially when talking about queer historical figures such as Frederick, considering the time he was born, lived and died, he wouldn't even know what the word "gay" means. He wouldn't use the word "homosexual", he wouldn't know how to label himself, he wouldn't think like we do because we're talking about an 18th century rich white man. And he probably wouldn't align with any feminist ideology, as wouldn't most (if not every, but I'm not educated enough to speak on behalf of historical feminism) male figures from his time period. When thinking about it, being considerate enough towards oppressed communities as to, for example, not use certain slurs is a fairly new thing. The words used to describe a gay man back then would be considered extremely offensive right now – not to mention being a lesbian was equated with being mentally ill.

To mix historical figures and modern day society is anachronistic and aside from not leading us anywhere it can be extremely dangerous. What you said was innocent, I think, so I'm not accusing you of anything, and while anachronism can sometimes be funny (like, for example, a meme or a drawing) when dragged into modern society's ideology, it becomes a double-edged sword. Especially when it comes to Frederick. Idolizing him lead to some very bad stuff. N*zis glorified him as a hero and a great German leader prefiguring H*tler. Joseph G*ebbels commissioned artists to render fanciful images of Frederick, Bismarck, and H*itler together to create a sense of historical continuum amongst them and legitimise the Regime by doing so. To this day there are people who proudly call themselves "Prussian nationalists" which in the year of our lord 2024 is rather pathetic (wake up, Prussia doesn't exist anymore, guys) and deeply concerning. These people have reached out to me in the past and I ever so quickly blocked them.

When it comes to a drawing, something silly, something done lightheartedly, it is one thing. When people (not just me, people) draw modern AUs with historical figures just to have fun, with nothing problematic attached to it, that's just what it is: a drawing. But when it comes to politics let's remember that these people are dead, have been dead, and better stay dead and the fuck out of Parliament seats, politicians' mouths, and human rights movements because most of the time they wouldn't even know what the hell we're on about. And that is okay. They have done their time on Earth and we can study them, like them, make content revolving around them like I do along with many other people, but what we cannot do is use them to say they'd stand by us and agree with us because that takes us nowhere.

I'd like to end this by saying I'm not attacking you, and if you feel like I am or would like to talk about this further feel free to DM me. This is just a general message to everyone to not come to me with anachronistic takes, be they voluntary or involuntary, because I'm way too used to them not to start being really annoying.

[mrmissmrsrandom]

My 2024 Fics

Got this idea from my friend @damoselcastel and thought it would be fun to look back on my fics from this year. Quite a bit of them were written by request, fundraising, or commission, but I always like to think about them. :) You can find them all on my Ao3 page.

Out, out, brief candle: An FE4 Bloom and Hilda-centric fic written in request for the FE Rally for Gaza. It was the first time for me writing either of them, despite my love for Friege Family Nonsense. It was so interesting exploring them as flawed people, whose best intentions (or selfish wants) lead to everything in their personal lives crumbling even before the Liberation Army or Leif's Army get involved.

A Lioness Among Dragons: Another Rally for Gaza piece, this time requested by my friend and long-time fellow Jugdral brainworms haver @dithorba. Exploring an Azelle!Nanna raised by Arvis is such a fascinating concept, as she's honestly one of the only second gen children I can see withstanding the imperial court. It also was cool thinking about how Loptous!Julius would imprint on her in a similar but contrasting way to his possessiveness toward Ishtar.

Forbidden Sanctuary: (The first explicit work! There will be more!) A work for my dear friend Val in one of our ongoing Arvis/Lukas crackship verses. Has the usual highlights of possession and bodysharing, and I got to dip my 'pen' more into thinking about monsterfucking, even if in here its mostly centered around trying to escape some trapped ruins. I like returning to this verse since its the one firmly placed in the Urban Fantasy genre.

Loopholes: This time a full request from the "Out, out, brief candle" requester @/blueharmonix on twitter, and another fun one: exploring Kempf, the meme, the bitch, the legend--- and how goddamn twisted up he is about Reinhardt, and also imagining a way for FE5 to happen where together they learn to not be completely culpable soldiers in the empire's war machine. It was fun trying to balance how both of them would react differently to the same inciting event.

Dispersal: Another addition to mine and @charisu's Arthur/Hawk-centric verse, or "that canonsubkiddo AU." I liked thinking about more familial dynamics, both by blood and by marriage, and how different perspectives can add insight and assistance. A lot of this work is centered around Hawk and a recently de-stoned Azelle being gardening buddies, which was also fun. :)

Budding Union: An attempt at a short, sweet, and sexy friends to lovers with FE16 Mercedes and Annette confessing to each other on the eve of the final battle for Monse. I had written them before as a couple in some way, but it was nice thinking about that inbetween of a crush and a fully "matured" love.

Ball Seirce: Hoping I can return to this fic in 2025! I kept thinking of an idea that it felt strange to me that Tine wasn't betrothed or married off to anyone based on how it played a factor in Friege family dynamics (or at least an attempt) to gain political position, and I really love Tine/Altena, so I thought about the "Diarmuid of the Love Spot" and how that initial premise of becoming attracted to someone intended for your (much older) relative would be cool. Plus, I just want to think about Tine and Travant interacting, as that would be so curious: an underaged waif to a much older lord, which is the premise of many, many different varieties of stories, but Travant is only marrying Tine for the grain her dowry provides, and Tine is honestly?? Much safer??? In Travant's court? Its FASCINATING.

The Lion in Winter: I finally, FINALLY, finished my FE15 "30 years later" fanfic. I was so happy to finally get everything that I had been thinking about the final few chapters and reveals out to the world. Despite the gaps in writing time, I think my writing matured throughout. I love this verse so much, and hearing from readers that they enjoyed how Alm and Lukas's relationship changed and developed alongside all the side characters (and even my OCs!) interacted felt so satisfying that I was able to do that haha. Honestly, if you pick any fic from this lot that is only mine, please take a chance on this one.

Memories of Teatime: First fic I have written from Tailtiu's (especially early years to exile in Silesse Tailtiu's) perspective, and it was a delight. FE4, especially Gen 1, just has this overhang of somberness that I think suits Tailtiu's character, even if she is usually outwardly rambunctious and positive. It was also nice exploring an early romance for her and Lex. :)

Ensiege: A Leif and Miranda friendship fic!!! Monse gave me the opportunity to write a time for the two of them to actually TALK, which I think helps a lot. That also paired with the headcanon of Miranda being Ethnia of Friege's child is so fun (I've accepted that I cannot and will not escape Friege Family Nonsense. Its in my bones.)

Lure: A request from a NSFW meme prompt with Asahoku (Arthur/Hawk). Thinking about how to bring magic into the bedroom and connecting it with the prompt choices was a delight. My interpretation of Hawk is he usually tries to follow the lead of his partner, but he's also a bit of a freak lmao.

Brothers in Arms: Alec and Naoise fwb!! Not much to say about this one besides wanting to write something with Naoise in it for a friend and that it was fun.

Strung Up: The final of the NSFW request drabbles that is NSFW. Fernand longs to be a Third in any relationship he is near, imo. Berkut and Rinea can scent his longing from a mile away, and unlike blissfully unaware Clive and Mathilda they take advantage of it. It's fun placing the usually most outwardly "prim" and obsessed with image among the nobility in the FE15 cast as a toy.

Like Moths to a Flame: Thanks to @dornishsphinx for showing me the aching beauty that is Sonya/Rinea post-FE15. They were on the fringes of two of my other FE15 stories at this point, but the For You My Heart Zine let me fully realize a story for them, and explore a little more the struggles of trying to keep one's identity without your actual "soul." (technically written mostly in 2023, but only officially released this year).

Dewdrops: I watched Princess Tutu for the first time in 2024 thanks to dame, and it was WONDERFUL. I see why people recommend it alongside Revolutionary Girl Utena, even if it goes in its own directions and themes. This is just some sweet Fakiru thinking about the what-if Duck got to become human again and them having an ear piercing session (bc Fakiru, as the kids say, is Yuri---)

Basking in the Glow: A collaboration with @damoselcastel! I really got attached to Alear and Pandreo, and imagining how a post-FE17 would interact with so MANY Alears while ultimately missing his actual husband was both fun and sweet.

Tightrope: And FE5 AU where Jeanne is raised as Leif's body double and thinking about her, Leif, and Finn together makes me pace the room and tear my hair out (in a good way). Finn unable to accept himself as Leif's dad bc that can't be his job, pushing his own damage onto Jeanne knowingly, even though it hurts, because that's the only way he can think to protect Leif, and Jeanne somehow able to come to her own actualization regardless, when FINN never could. Oooggghhhhfff. Thank you @charisu I want to keep gnawing on this story idea like a bone.

In darkness, consumed: The Arkas vampire AU!!! I have so much lore for this story lmao. My friend Val just lets me indulge in my writing so much and I appreciate that. One day I'll get a commission of Fruit Bat Monster Lukas.

Close and Closer: A Suzume fic since I watched the film for the first time this year! I'm weird with Makoto Shinkai films in that I watched Children who Chase Lost Voices near the end of high school and got too utterly wrecked to want to check out any of his other works, but Suzume was a delight. Despite all the jokes about the chair and the initial concept, Suzume and Souta's bond was so strong by the end that I could really see a future with them together. This is a little steamy "what if" with them still early in their relationship and learning to communicate their wants with each other without being afraid of being "too much."

Rituals and Reaffirmations: Recently finished this one! My gift for a P4 Protag/Yosuke Hanamura secret santa exchange. I can't believe this was my first official Persona 4 fic! But I really love the game and the characters in it, and since I replayed P4 Golden throughout this year I wanted to contribute. Hopefully more for this game and P3 in the future. The fic itself was fun, and it felt so easy to imagine the dialogue and ribbing between the characters haha.

Bedfellows: My latest and likely last fic for 2024! Another request from Monse. It was nice thinking about Tailtiu and Lachesis's dynamic in this work, and how they could relate but also be affectionate in their own ways. A very fluffy and sexy end to 2024 lmao.

Wow, looking back on it, quite a bit of oneshots this year! The main project that I've been working on behind the scenes the past couple of months should by released in March, so that's something to look forward to, and I'm sure I have plenty of The Lion in Winter-related Oneshots and another exchange fic that'll show up in the first half of 2025.

Thank you to everyone who has read and played dolls with me, and here's hoping to continue in 2025!

[bloodmaarked]

lord of the flies // william golding

first published: 1954 read: 04 october 2024 - 13 october 2024 pages: 176 format: e-book

genres: fiction; classics; psychological; dystopia (ish) favourite character(s): justice for piggy least favourite character(s): jack merridew (WHEN I GET YOU-!)

rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 thoughts: as many people did, i read lord of the flies years ago as part of my high school english class, and i remember thinking this book was brilliant. i was curious to reread it as an adult to see if it captured my attention in the same way. whilst it's not amazing in the same way i remembered, it still holds up very well. repeatedly, though, i couldn't help but wish that another author had written it, or would take a stab at retelling the story!

the premise has all the ingredients for a story of psychological intrigue, a look at the basic elements of human nature told through a microcosm of society made up of prepubescent boys. i think this part of the story is done the best, because, through characters like ralph, piggy, and jack, we take a look at who we may become when we're not restricted by authority and societal rules. do we stick to our values, or do we abandon them in favour of our base instincts? there are some moments of conflict between characters that are pretty well written and kept me engaged.

i think where it fell a little flat for me is in terms of the excitement of the book outside these moments. the boys are stuck on a desert island and there's a lot that could go wrong and cause tension or fear. i think william golding tried to lean into that at times, but i think he didn't lean into it enough! hence why i think that another author might've ramped up those thrilling moments and given this book the edge that i feel it needed. i have heard and read a few times that others found this boring, and while i never found myself bored, i do agree that it was lacking a little something something. not too much thrill and terror that the book is transformed into something beyond the psychological study of human nature at its core, but enough that there were moments of greater excitement in between.

i don't recall this from my first read, but i did detect a racial undertone in how he described the kids' descent into "savagery". i thought i might be overanalysing, but then it culminated into one of the characters using the n-word 😭 i don't have a direct quote but something like "are we going to act like those n----?" casual racism in those classic books is gonna get you every time i guess.

overall i'm glad i reread lord of the flies, and it was a pleasantly quick read too. however, i would love to see someone take and reinvent this material - in fact i'm surprised a version with an all-female cast hasn't been done already! i think it's worth giving a read if you haven't already, but don't go into it thinking it's a dystopian adventure full of excitement.

[theoceanswaves0]

Time to be abnormal about Jewel Joker, thoughts below, spoilers for chapters 1 and 2

—> I can’t believe we’re back in the year of our Lord 2024 with a sequel, I never would have imagined

—> Like in my opinion, Encore wrapped up enough conclusively that I wasn’t really sure what they could do for a sequel. It’s the same reason I wasn’t sold on them doing a movie back in the day (and thankfully we didn’t get one)

—> But I’m actually pretty interested in the premise and the characters they’ve introduced so far. Erito is a nice evolution of the mean girl adversary Amu has faced in both Utau and Rima - both of them were pretty upfront about not liking Amu at first, which is honestly pretty indicative of the elementary school experience. But middle school? Totally different ball game. People laughing at you behind your back, spreading rumors, pretending to be nice while secretly hating you… oh how I don’t miss those days.

—> And the best part is that AMU KNOWS! I like that she isn’t oblivious here! Like they could have so easily written her not picking up on it and they didn’t! That’s going to make this conflict and dynamic much more interesting!

—> Something I don’t like though is Amy’s fan girly behavior around Tadase. I was pretty sure she was past this later in the OG manga? I don’t mind her getting flustered every now and then and I know it’s been almost a decade and a half since we left off, but I was hoping this part of her characterization would be more consistent (especially compared to the anime)

—> Also did I just not pick up on how sus Tsukasa was before, or is he just worse here? Like he sends these 2 to Arcana DAYS before they’re supposed to start middle school, and doesn’t say that they’ll be boarding there? He must have rolled a nat 20 for charisma with Amu’s parents bc IDK how her father would have okayed that (since he’s Tadase’s uncle, I don’t think his parents would have many objections). But then later after getting there, they find out THEY CAN’T KEEP THEIR PHONES?? THEY CAN MAKE 1 OFF-CAMPUS CALL ON SUNDAYS FOR 10 MINUTES?? I know this is functionally to force Amu and Tadase to get to know the other students, and possibly for Rima to try and make friends on her own (which would nicely parallel Amu attempting to befriend Rima in the Día arc) but like??? Did Tsukasa know this??? If he did, why didn’t he warn them???

—> The Arcana uniforms are DOPE. I love how, unaltered, they kind of look like detectives. Kind of fits the mission they’re here for!

—> And of course, the style game is still on point! I was enjoying the fashion and styling montage with Amu and Niya, since I always headcannoned Amu becoming a fashion designer in the future (her mad style game, and it easily blending elements from each of her charas).

—> I say enjoyed because then Niya got a little too forward with asking Amu out… only for her to firmly turn him down and set boundaries! I know the “cool and spicy” persona has been limiting to her at times (mostly people not being able to see past it to see the entirety of who she is), but I think it’s completely warranted here and not inauthentic. I def remember boys being pushy in middle school, and Amu already has enough on her plate.

—> The tech gap doesn’t bother as much as it could have. My understanding was that the OG story started in 2006 (when the first chapter was published), and it ended in 2008 (I have a theory to explain this but I’ll share in a separate post). So even if I continue to believe that Jewel Joker is still set in 2008, I can still buy it a little (since smart phones were around, even if they weren’t commonplace, though streaming is stretching it a bit). Compare this to the whiplash of Cardcaptor Sakura, which would have been set in the 90s, and seeing smartphones in Clear Card…

—> Now I know logically, they’re keeping the story contemporary with modern tech and fashion, but I refuse to believe that Shugo Chara isn’t still set in 2008. I’m particular about time being consistent, so I realize it’s a me issue.

—> We’re left on a cliffhanger regarding the Arcana games. My guess is that chapter 3 will explain the rules and set up, and possibly tease any rivalries that’ll crop up as a result.

—> In the scenario that they decide to make more anime, I hope they’ll decide to start off by doing a more faithful adaptation of the manga and then cover Jewel Joker. (mostly so they avoid having to pad out the seasons like they did in the OG days). Since we never got the ending of the manga or Encore adapted, this gives them the perfect chance to do that.

—> Which leads me to ask the following question…

[idkacatmonstermaybe]

okay hello @headfulloffeathers jess this is for you and the approximately two other people who might care about this meta breakdown but these are some of the parallels i see between look homeward and supernatural

(thank you for providing a distraction boot smut is stumping me i only have like 700 words written 😭)

(also uh supernatural spoilers? i guess? in the year of our lord 2024?)

okay so idk how much you know about supernatural so extremely surface level summary when dean is four and sam is like a few months old a demon kills their mom and then they spend their entire childhood on the road with their dad hunting supernatural monsters and searching for the demon who killed their mom. that’s like………. the bare bones basic premise of the show before they started delving hard into the angels/demons/biblical lore which gets really interesting and convoluted and tbh i stopped watching at a certain point bc i got bored and confused. SO basic vibes their mom (mary) is killed and their entire childhood they’re dragged around the entire country learning how to kill things bc their dad (john) is on a revenge bender.

so big overarching parallels: dean is a literal toddler when he is given the responsibility of caring for his baby brother which is so similar to a1 being 12 and assuming responsibility for sickly little 9 year old a2

sam is also like…. “assigned wrong at birth” lmfao bc the demon that kills their mom feeds him his blood to give him special powers? very confusing BUT there are moments where he’s ostracized for his powers and being born different and the way that parallels gods specialest boy a2 actually hurts me

follow up to that is sam goes through a phase where he is discovering these new abilities and goes a little power hungry and he starts drinking demon blood (lol don’t worry about it) and this gives me pretty strong serial killer era a2 vibes? but this one is a little looser bc sam and dean are still hunting together while this is going on and i’m pretty sure serial killer a2 is during the 92-01 separation? but they both have “dark” eras lmfao

okay also re: 92-01 when sam graduates high school he goes away to stanford for college and there’s a big falling out with john a “if you walk out that door don’t bother coming back” type moment so the boys don’t see each other for several years and there’s kind of the energy of really not knowing if they’re ever going to see each other again which parallels the very little we know about 92-01.

ALSO there are several moments throughout supernatural where sam is pushing to try to have a “normal” life—like going away to college to try and get a piece of normalcy that they never got to experience as kids. there’s also an arch in a later ish season where sam goes to hell (again……. don’t worry about it) and his like dying wish is that dean gets a chance at a normal life so dean shacks up with this woman lisa and her son ben but then when sam comes back he obviously ditches them lmfao. so there’s even an eden parallel sneaking in there lololol.

one thing that stays consistent throughout the series is also the way sam and dean are willing to do absolutely anything for each other like…… literally bring about the apocalypse if it means keeping each other safe which is The Dynamic of all time and is part of what makes a1/a2 so compelling

oh also sam is the vessel for the archangel lucifer and dean for michael which is flipped based on a1 and a2 but it’s also a fun little tidbit

obviously none of this means literally anything BUT early season supernatural was a fixation of mine for a while (obviously lmfao) so i find it so fitting that there are so many themes and motifs from one of my og hyperfixations are present in my current one

[claudz-vision]

Ukraine 15 July 2024

testimonial from a missionary on the ground..

Hello friends.

Just to add some perspective on the lady (Svetlana) who had surgery on her hand. I shared not to dramatise such injury. Actually it is a very minor injury compared to others. The thing is these people have lost everything. Their faith is tested as never before. For a lady like Svetlana to receive help from fellow Believers in another country who have never met her is hugely encouraging. She sees the Lord is truly with her in her darkest time. She is glad to be alive but has to start over with just a couple of bags that she could take with.

As you will see in the video of evacuations some people know the day before or even earlier so they can decide what to take with. For some it is even narrowed down to a couple of hours notice. Some have family members that will remain and look after their homes. Others just leave everything as is. Some will never see their homes again.

What does one choose to take with if all one could take is two bags or suitcases? Many elderly folk don't have family members to receive them so it it a step into the unknown.

For those that stay it is a life of day by day survival and misery under occupation. Nothing will get repaired, electricity and water will not be returned in most places. I have been in villages and towns that were taken back by Ukrainian Army. I have met and spoken to locals that stayed under occupation. Their cars were stolen and shops and business premises were looted. Some were kicked out of their homes and had to live in basements, and other places in the middle of winter with no heating and toilet facilities. I went with one brother to his parents home to see what could be salvaged. The Russian soldiers who stayed in the home looted and what they could not take with they trashed and smashed before leaving

We had a similar but not so dramatic experience living under occupation in Crimea. Yes there was no fighting but still quite scary. We could not draw money to live as VISA card stopped working. Currency was changed over night and anyone who did not take Russian passport were denied medical treatment. Even for me as a foreigner. I visited a clinic and was told I could not see a doctor without a Russian passport. They changed the mobile networks and nobody could buy a new SIM card without Russian passports. Things changed literally sometimes by the hour. I could say more. Fortunately we managed to sell our apartment and we were paid in USD, which is a miracle and another story.

We left just with our car (a huge blessing) and a boot load of clothes, etc.

All we had was an address in a city near Dnipro of a church hostel and a promise of an apartment that was empty, belonging to a church member. We left our home to the new owner. Everything was new. It was our dream apartment. The new owner walked into the apartment not having to buy anything. Fridge, washing machine, beds, cupboards, everything right down to cutlery items in the kitchen and bed linen. We got much less than it was all worth. I am not trying to play the victim here but just trying to explain what these poor people face. The Lord looked after us wonderfully and still does so we are not victims but victorious in the Lord. The Lord has been so very good to us but there were times when things piled on top of us. It is thanks to precious friends who prayed, encouraged and supported us all these years, right up to today and continue to do so that we can continue to serve the Lord. We thank God for each person, church and organisation who have walked this journey with us over the years and still do.

May we always be to the Svetlana's of this world that others were and still are to us!!

🙏👍🤝👏

[imaginemyreality03]

🚇💜 If you’re not willing to risk your heart for someone you know you’ll lose, what love do you have? 💜🚇

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Read: March 13 -> March 15, 2024

BRA Score: 76/100

Favorite Quote: “…she got off the train and you led with kissing? God, you are the most useless bisexual I have ever met in my life.” - Myla, Pg 168

~~~~~~~~

Book Gist: August moves to NYC on her quest to find a place that fits, with no hope that this is the place. But 3 roommates, a job slinging pancakes, and a one girl on the subway later, she starts seeing things a little differently. Subway Girl, Jane, also happens to be the biggest challenge to her childhood detective skills, as she is trapped on the Q, outside of her time, the 1970’s. With the Q getting shut down for maintenance at the end of August, they only have a few months to figure out how to get Jane unstuck before she disappears, and August is determined to save her… even if that means sending the girl she’s starting to love back to the 70’s.

Tags: Sapphic, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Found Family, Racism, Homophobia, Modern Universe.

~~~~~~~~

Overall review:

Pre-Read:

I tried to read this book back in 2021, and I just couldn’t get into it, the pace and August’s character were not hitting right for me. But that was also before I came out myself, so knowing I am obsessed with Casey McQuiston, I decided to give it another go.

I liked it so much more this time around. I liked the roommates of 6F and the staff at Billy’s more than I liked August and Jane, but that’s fine.

Plot:

The story was a very fun premise and the way it all overlaps historically was just so well structured and revealed. I called a couple connections overall, which always makes me feel good, so bonus points.

Cast:

I love being able to sense hints of other stories in various works by the same author. August has definite ACD vibes, which I love for her. And I really want to see Jane’s reaction to Alex and Henry in the year of our lord (fictionally) 2021.

[streetlights-was-taken]

usually I write for smaller fandoms and ships, so I'm blown away to receive comments for azazel considering that it hasn't even been 24h since I posted it yesterday (and I only remembered to share on social media today). I guess the saiou tag on AO3 is still going strong in the year of our lord 2024. amazing

anyway, I wasn't actually sure about posting it because there are some parts of the fic I'm still unsure about. but I workshopped it with a friend last night, and I think I have a better idea of how to write this fic. I have my themes and I have my murders, huzzah!

initially I wanted to play around with the theme of autonomy (or loss of) just for shuichi's character arc, but I think it's a general theme that I'll play around with angie, keebo, and korekiyo too. and juxtapose it with the theme of responsibility for ryoma, kirumi, kokichi, and kaede.

without spoiling anything, though you might be able to guess, I'm thinking that angie, keebo, korekiyo, and shuichi all fall in circumstances in the fic that challenges or limits their autonomy. there are certain restrictions they (or society or circumstances) put on themselves, and there's a general lack of freedom relative to others. what they think they're doing might not necessarily be things they actually wanted to do.

meanwhile, the responsibility camp will undergo character arcs where they realize that they have freedom and choice and it's all a question of what they'll do with it and what they're willing to be responsible for. to live, to lead, to serve, are all things they think they're doing for others, but they need to take ownership of those actions as well.

I also wanted to explore characters that usually don't get a lot of focus. I love kaito and maki for sure, but the premise of the fic doesn't really set the story up for the training trio to come together, unfortunately. on the plus side, I think it'd be fun to explore kaede in an actual leadership role, and how she'll butt heads with angie's student council. and of course, how characters like korekiyo and ryoma and kirumi would act if things went a little differently in their respective arcs.

V3 usually plays around with themes of truth/lies and trust/doubt, so I wanted to play with a different angle. I think it'll be interesting too in the context of a virtual reality simulation where tsumugi wrote in their backstories. how much of their actions are influenced by an outside script and how much of it is from their own free will? compare, for example, kirumi and korekiyo's actions and how their scripted backstory played into it, as opposed to kokichi who leaned in on his character and went all out on even trying to take responsibility of the killing game just to end it. and yet, we'd all probably say that he was the most "free" with his actions, and he did these things out of his own desires and free will, and not because his backstory dictated it so.

anyway, now that I have a clearer roadmap, I'm very excited to write the next chapters. tbh I wasn't sure of continuing the fic after spending 20k words on chapter one alone, but the comments have been unexpected and encouraging. I will try my best to write more!!

[xiakha]

FFXIVWrite 2024 Prompt #11 - Surrogate

Let it not be said that the Warrior of Light, Xiao Longbao, has two left feet.  To be fair, in many ways placing the feet for dance steps was reminiscent of combat drills, just less obviously purposeful and a lot less follow-through with the arms and torso. By the end of the third practice song, she stepped through each section with confidence, or at least as close to confidence as she could be with just her feet as her head was full of such doubt. “They say ‘m no lady. Can’t become neither.” Edmont de Fortemps paused, but only so slightly as to not miss a step, “Oh? And who is this 'they'?”

“‘Eard it in the Crozier. Say ‘m a sign ‘Ouse Fortemps is close to ‘eretical.” “Ah, the old rumor that we would betray the Holy See and open the gates to our enemies while Ishgard slept.” He smiled and winked, “The ol’ song and dance.” “...This song and dance?” The Count chuckled and twirled Xiao, the dress she had on for this practice billowing beautifully as she spun, “Nay, ‘tis merely an expression. House Fortemps is accused of being unreasonably trusting of external forces, and therefore more susceptible to undue influence. Guillaime, or at least the original Guillaime, was not the first inquisitor to come investigate the environs of Camp Dragonhead or other Fortemps holdings under rumors and circumstances. You see, we have gained much of our considerable power as a High House from the use of non-Isgardian resources and peoples. Resources that the other High Houses see as beneath them or borderline heretical, though they lack any ties to dragons or heretics, simply due to the potential of draconian influence. And so, because our House yet prospers, despite generations of hearsay and predictions of ruin, the rumors have begun to swing back the other direction yet again. That Fortemps is already infiltrated and we are bent to the will of the dragons who clearly fund our self-sustained and lucrative operations from the shadows." Xiao tilted her head to indicate that she understood the words, but not all of the meaning. "Worry you not, my dear. 'Tis just the idle observations of a long suffering count under the scrutiny of gossiping lords and ladies. Envy is most unbefitting of nobility, but alas noblesse oblige has suffered so in recent years. Instead, I ask you this: whose position would suffer if anyone could be made a lord by a House that would grant him peerage?” They made it a full three sets of steps before Xiao responded with a hesitant, “...No one’s?” “Precisely. Positions would remain as they were. A title does not grant by necessity land or power. But these jealous types see it differently, as if their own status would be lessened by someone without the 'right' sort of blood entering the peerage in any fashion, as if their own blood would become less blue.” Edmont waggled a rather inappropriate for his position eyebrow, “Unless you would be that fecund, Xiao? Would your lineage infiltrate as many houses as it can? Will Ishgard be covered in purple hair ere the end of the 7th Astral Era?” “Not interested.” He pushed his head back in laughter, “Fair enough! I know too well where your interest truly lies." After all, the premise of these dance lessons were to allow her something to do if she were present at a gala or other social event, something that would leave her visible to the many who would needs learn to accept her. That, and of course eventually this would be for Haurchefant. If she were ever to court him traditionally, if they were to be properly Lord and Lady as to best fit Ishgard's rigidity. it was necessary to prepare her in such particulars.

Edmont reined in his smile to something more fond, "But tell me, why do these doubts about your expected ladyship crop up now?” “‘S ‘cause this dance’s for the Lord an’ ‘is Lady.” And so the pieces were put together for the Count. Ah. “Oh? And what good would it be to go through all the trouble to have you adopted and then immediately marry you off? And who would take you? A Fortemps married off to a lesser House? Scandal! And what of your chances with the other High Houses?” He took his hand from Xiao’s waist and dramatically swung it to lie limp on his forehead, as if he were ready to swoon, “Alas! None would have my new daughter to wed!” Xiao giggled, half in relief. “Take my wishes to have you adopted as seriously as I take them. My clerks are perusing the laws surrounding peerage for a favorable interpretation. There have been many an orphan or bastard of high status who has found another home in Ishgard’s history. Some of which were lauded, and even are celebrated still to this day. The High Houses are loath to ‘dilute’ their blood but are always more hungry for glory and prestige. That you were officially named Azure Dragoon despite your origins proves that much: they could not bear the thought that they would have to record dragooning kills of notorious wyrms credited to an outsider! In truth, if they could, they would likely wish to resurrect those wyrms simply to take the title back, but now these things cannot be undone.”

He could see that that was far too much for Xiao’s current ability to express herself in Eorzean and signaled to pause both the dance and the music performed, “To be more vulnerable, I’ve always wished to have a daughter or granddaughter so that I could teach her some of the fineries in noble life, like ballroom dancing. Until another such arrives by other, dare I say legitimate, means, would you oblige me and grant me the favor of having you in her stead?” Xiao never knew her father. It simply wasn’t culturally important. In Eorzea, where the families were much more tightly defined among most of the Spoken, especially in Ishgard where everyone seemed to have their family trees completely memorized in case of dragon blood accusations or sudden peerage, they put so much more emphasis on paternal lineage and responsibility. She had many such analogous experiences of familial bonding and learning with aunties, sisters, and cousins, but nothing quite like this. Nothing quite so doting or patronizing, but in the best way. But it felt right, it felt good, to be cared for by the Count in this manner. Maybe it was flattery and insidious means to an end. She knew of the plot to legitimize Haurchefant without betraying the wishes of the late Countess. But why show such deep kindness? Why teach her how to dance if she would be tossed aside the moment it was convenient? Why not have a retainer or a servant teach her? Why would Edmont de Fortemps, with all of his power and status, personally go through the motions and the steps if it did not interest him? If he did not have a personal investment to see Xiao succeed in this manner?

Xiao wrapped her arms around the Count and lifted him slightly, to no undue protest.