#there will be a follow up post stay tuned

[deardiarywrites]

⋆˙⟡ — get up girl ! how to get out of a rut

ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 ˆ𐃷ˆ

have you been feeling pretty sluggish lately? life seems to be moving so fast, that you can't even keep up? you want to do things but just seem to not have the energy to do so? do you feel like you are stuck in a loop? the same days play out over and over, wake up, school, come home, crash in bed, scroll for hours, and then feel guilty for being so unproductive while your pile of work keeps increasing. sometimes it feels like life is just not playing out in the way you want anymore. it feels like you have lost control. you're spiralling, falling face first. everything feels so hopeless but then- you, yes you, decide to get your life together. for how long are you going to live like this? and that is how the metamorphosis started. 𖦹ࡇ𖦹 step one : accepting where you are right now yes, you heard that right. pause for a second. take a deep breath. look around you. the state of your bed. your books. your skincare products. your yoga mat. your screentime. your to-do list. tune into your body and just accept your current lifestyle. ⋆ if this makes you feel sad, don't worry you can change! ⋆ if you feel motivated to get better, great! this is how you can save a wasted day : 𝜗𝜚 take a nice long shower, wash your hair, do your skincare and a facemask. put on your fav cute outfit, state one thing you love about yourself and compliment yourself on it. then if you feel like you want to, complete one task from your to-do list. or if you feel like you aren't ready yet, complete atleast 1% of something. choose your outfit for tmrw. or read one page of a book. meditate for 5 minutes. switch off your phone for 15 minutes. just do anything which makes you feel alive. and then rest. the sun will rise again.

(˶ˆᗜˆ˵) step two : coming up with a game plan now that you are aware of your current lifestyle, make a list of all the things that you do/experience which drains your energy and those things which make you feel happy. for eg - energery drainers : doomscrolling, comparing myself to others energy replenishers : going for a walk, dancing to fav music now after you have created that list, choose one habit from each category. it is advisable to start slow as it prevents burnout + making yourself feel overwhelmed. starting with easy habits will help you trust yourself more and thus will make this journey a lot more fun. remember you don't need to get better overnight. this is a journey! now an example of a gameplan for your first week could be like this : habit : doomscrolling (habit to quit) replace with : dancing to fav music wake up 30 mins earlier and go to bed 30 mins earlier (habit to cultivate) slowly you can add more and more habits that you wish to nurture and delete those nasty habits which deplete your energy !!!! okay so now that you have a gameplan, how do you stay motivated? ✩࿐࿔ step three : how to make life feel more vibrant by romanticizing everything romanticizing life is one way to totally switch up the narrative as it helps you feel like the main character. id really suggest to have atleast some sort of platform where you can store your progress. you could take cute pictures and add cute songs and post them on instagram or blog abt it on tumblr. or if you are a shy person, you could create a private acc with 0 followers and track your progress there. every problem has a solution babygirl! so don't give in to your excuses. you could also make a new playlist and listen to songs which make you feel like your highest self. listen to it when you feel down. tap into your creative side. create things and share it with the world. you will feel 10x times better i promise. ‧₊ ᵎᵎ 🍀 ໒꒱ step four : believe in yourself sometimes.. life is just difficult. and you have no energy to do anything. so let yourself be. rest. crash out. cry. but promise me that you will always get back on your feet, no matter what. its okay to pause and step back. you can always start again. life can always change for you. but its up to you. nothing changes if nothing changes. so, what now?

[epicfroggz]

Age of Shadow

(This is a fan-made Messmer questline and ending, not based on cut content or anything of the sort. Source is: I made it up. Thanks to @sermessmers for helping with some of the items, inspiring me, and listening to my crazed ramblings at the midnight hours. Very long post ahead, enjoy!)

After his fight, particularly after the Hornsent has left his arena, you will be able to locate Messmer at the entrance to the keep’s infirmary, near the West Rampart site of grace. He will be standing in thought before these three chairs:

Messmer has donned a cloak made of Shadow and patched himself up using black gauze (see drawing above). When prompted, he says:

“Hello, Tarnished. There art three chairs here, but none fit me. That seemeth an oversight, does it not?”

Messmer does not turn to face you when he speaks. When prompted again, he says:

“… Thou hast not walked away yet. Doth thee needeth something?”

>Ask how he is alive

pleasantly “Serpents art exceedingly difficult to kill. Believe me, I have tried. Is that all?”

>Ask why he is not attacking

“I had underestimated thee, Tarnished. Thee hast strength befitting a lord. I shouldst not have doubted my mother.” pause “The serpent didst not expect a lightless creature like itself to be elevated to such a standing. It appears things hath changed in mine absence. I have much to learn.”

>leaving dialogue

“Tarnished, I have a request, if thou’rt up for it. I hath misplaced some notes of mine, a recipe for a particular physick. If thee bringeth it to me, thee shalt be rewarded. Farewell, for now.”

The key item Messmer’s Notes can be found in the Specimen Storehouse, near the Storehouse, Loft site of grace. It requires climbing up the catwalks and dropping down to an area with bookshelves.

Messmer’s Notes - Barely legible cursive scrawl written by Messmer the Impaler. Details a recipe for a medicine once derived from one of his mother’s blessings. It appears to be based off a childhood memory, with a few added ingredients “for taste”.

When you return to the infirmary, Messmer will be kneeling in the “O, Mother” gesture before a shrine to Marika that he has set up, the three chairs neatly pushed out of the way. When prompted, he retracts his hands, and says:

“Hello again, Tarnished. Didst thee findeth the recipe?”

You may then give him Messmer’s Notes. Alternatively, you may choose to give him a Blessing of Marika if there is one in your inventory.

>Offer Messmer’s notes

“Oh! I thank thee. Here, thy compensation.” gives you a Rune of an Unsung Hero

>Offer Blessing of Marika

“Oh, this is… Where didst thee get this? Nay, ‘tis not my place to ask. My sincerest gratitude, Tarnished.” gives you a Marika’s Rune

You may now ask Messmer more questions:

>Ask about the jarfolk

“Ah. What remains of my mother’s people. I hath tried desperately, for aeons it seemeth, to ease their suffering, yet… At what point is keeping a patient alive no longer in the interest of their wellbeing? At what point does it becometh insanity?“ shakily “I still feeleth as though I hast failed them…”

The second question only unlocks after you have defeated both Rellana and Gaius. If you have not, when you leave and travel back to the West Rampart site of grace, you will be greeted by the sound of Messmer weeping. Walking within ten feet of him or breaking objects in the room will cause him to stop. When prompted, he says:

trying to sound intimidating but holding back tears “Begone, Tarnished.” shakily “Messmer does not wish to speak to thee at this moment…”

Leaving and traveling back to the West Rampart site of grace will let you choose the second question:

>About your friends…

“I knoweth, Tarnished. They were in thy way, were they not? Rellana, and Gaius… I shall grant them a hero’s burial. May they returneth to the Erdtree yet, even if that is a vain hope in this land.” quietly “My friends, forgive me… For I have availed you nothing…”

>leaving dialogue

“Tarnished, thee can travel to the Lands Between, can thee not? I have another request for thee.”

A cutscene plays wherein Messmer carefully pulls a snake from his eye socket. During it, he says: “After shedding the seal, I recalled abilities lost to me. Some wonderful, some terrible, some… Gah! Hah… For thee, Tarnished. On thy travels, I bid thee well.”

Thus he will grant you this key item:

Juvenile Serpent - One of the base serpent’s progeny, pulled from the eye of Messmer the Impaler. Writhes around often. Stares longingly at the world, or perhaps stares hungrily at you. Who can tell? “Do take care of it, wilt thee?”

After reluctantly accepting the serpent, when you travel back to any grace in the Lands Between that Melina can spawn at, there will be a new option to Speak to Melina. She will say:

“What in the world is that creature you travel with? It seems to like me… You are exceedingly warm, little snake.” pause “It appears hungry. I can feed it some runes, if you would like?”

>Accept (-100 runes)

“Snakes are said to be traitors to the Erdtree, but we too are walking the path of heresy. Let’s get you fed, little one… There. Do tell, where did you find it?” pause “A long lost demigod pulled it out of his eye? Have you been afflicted with madness? No, you are entirely sincere. Huh. Well, it seems harmless enough.”

The serpent must be fed one more time to continue the quest. Speak to Melina at any grace and she will say:

“Hello. The little one hungers once again. Would you like to offer some runes?”

>Accept (-100 runes)

“I am surprised at its good nature, though I have witnessed it spit a red flame when angered. It is impossible not to question what sort of demigod it came from…”

An interaction occurs wherein Messmer materializes in a shadowy haze—not unlike the spirit fog through which Melina appears to you. He introduces himself: “Ah, so it was thee feeding the wee serpent? I knew it smelled like kin… I am Messmer, and thee?”

dumbfounded “Melina?”

“I see. Melina. Sister of mine, I knoweth of the kindling that smolders within thee.” he summons a small flame in his hand to show her “There is no need to burn thy self again. The Tarnished and I shall see it through.”

After this, the description of the Juvenile Serpent item updates:

Juvenile Serpent - One of the base serpent’s progeny, pulled from the eye of Messmer the Impaler. Prefers the company of the kindling maiden, as her touch feels like home. It will not bite the hand that feeds it. Serves as an anchor between the Lands Between and the veiled Land of Shadow.

(Optional) Taking the serpent in this state to the Church of Vows site of grace allows you to choose the new option, Speak to Messmer, which will summon him in shadowy spirit:

“Thou hast met Miriel? We became acquainted when Rellana once brought me here… ‘Tis a burning memory now, but the pastor is a wise beast indeed.” he looks to the sky “‘Heresy is not native to the world. All things can be conjoined’. We have forgotten that. We have forgotten ourselves, what we held most dear. To repair shattered Gold, I must layeth bare the ugliest truths of this world, those which I have been the bearer of for so long—I must mend it with Shadow. For there is no light that exists without the dark.”

Taking the serpent to the Forge of the Giants site of grace allows you to choose Speak to Messmer:

“Thou hast done well to come this far, Tarnished. Long have the prophets uttered of this moment. ‘Tis not lightly I choose to fulfill it, but… I wouldst prefer to give my men the option to return home, if nothing else. Art thou prepared to commit a cardinal sin, with me?”

>Accept

A cutscene plays, in which the Erdtree and Scadutree are burned at once in Messmer’s flame. Messmer speaks:

“Tarnished, hold my kindling aloft. From here, I shall do my part… O, Erdtree, and Scadutree both, ye shall burn together. For the sake of the new Lord, and a new world, mended.”

You continue your journey to Farum Azula and then back to Leyndell, Capital of Ash. Sir Gideon Ofnir will have access to the incantation “Messmer’s Orb” in his fight (why wasn’t this a thing already???). At the Queen’s Bedchamber site of grace, you must choose to Speak to Messmer one last time:

“Ah… Thou art close. Within the Erdtree, I intend to confront my mother. If it be true she has become infirm, and lost all sense of self… Then I shalt taketh her place. The Two Fingers rejected me long ago, but I am yet capable. If it cometh to this, will thee be my Lord?”

>Accept

“I thank thee. We have come a long way, Tarnished.” small laugh “When it cometh to thee, I find I have no regrets. Take this, and when the bell tolls, summon me forth. To stand before my mother once again.”

Thus you will be granted this key item:

Mending Rune of the Abyssal Prince - Mending rune gestated by Messmer the Impaler. Used to restore the fractured Elden Ring when brandished by the Elden Lord. Formed of a swirling mass of serpents, and the base serpent biting its own tail. It will embed a Shadow lost back into the Golden Order, restoring balance. The “base” in the base serpent’s name refers both to its nature and the place it once belonged, at the roots of the Erdtree where light does not reach.

After defeating Radagon and Elden Beast, you will have the option to summon Messmer from a shadowy summon sign on the ground, giving this final cutscene:

“‘Those who walk alongside flame shall one day meet the road of Destined Death’… Yet, it seemeth my road hast led me back to thee.”

“Mother… Thee may rest now. I shall put thee, and this world, back together again…”

Messmer gently gives Marika’s head to you, and you place it upon her body, the Elden Ring becoming mended with the abyssal rune. The scene lingers on her as the shadows in the background deepen, and as a squelching sound grows in volume, soon thunderous. From the darkness suddenly emerges the abyssal serpent to swallow her whole, its red eyes burning against the dark:

The scene cuts to black.

Messmer narrates the final scene, showcasing the now physical Erdtree grafted unto its Scadu counterpart: “The fallen leaves tell a story… Of a Tarnished who became Elden Lord... And the serpent that became a god. A god that ushered in a gentle dark, so that this shattered world may heal.

So that the light of Gold can shine ever more brilliantly, against an Age of Shadow."

[mintypsii]

sanuso runaway AU - where Usopp leaves syrup village after his mom dies to look for his dad and ends up at the germa kingdom, growing up with Sanji as the doctor's lab assistant

That's basically the gist of it, there's a LOTT more but I just wanted to share some of the art I made for it (came up with it with a friend of mine)

In short -> sogeking is usopp's clone (the kids aren't aware of this) and was created to help germafied sanji on missions (sanji's scores began to improve after he met usopp so judge decided to keep him for more infiltration or espionage based tasks, hence "stealth black" since he's considered weaker than his siblings)

reiju's here too :) she and sanji have a bit of a rocky relationship (it gets better!!) but she's besties with usopp and hangs out with him at the lab to make ,, various concoctions

I'll make another post with more art and info later (I HAVE A LOTTT) so i'll tag em with (#op runaway au) hehe ,, feel free to send asks about it too!!

EDIT: HE FINALLY GOT A TUMBLR @arttlars !!!!!!! blame him for all of this

[threefuckencrowsinaleatherjacket]

Every day we get closer to the last book in the Vicious trilogy and I swear that keeps me fucking alive

[johnnyshrine]

★ 021 // “Anime Expo 2025 Artist Alley Acceptance”

[f1amboyant]

Take what you deserve, baby

“You don’t have to,” he sighs. “I’m not mad at you, you know?” “I know. But I want to. Please?”

OR: Charles thanks Carlos properly after the Austrian GP 2023

smut, bj, angry sex, teammates with benefits

Read it on AO3

Charles finds Carlos in his driver’s room before he can leave and flee the paddock. His teammate’s eyes are deep pools of darkness when he glances up at Charles.

Shudder.

Fuck he is hot.

So hot.

“I’m not in the mood,” Carlos grumbles.

Charles knows him well enough to know he’s in one of his moods. Understandable. He would probably be too in his place.

Still. He steps into the room and closes the door behind himself.

Carlos sighs.

“What do you want, Charles?”

“I saw your race.”

“And?”

Charles takes a tentative step forward. Carlos doesn’t throw him out, just sits back, thighs spread wide. Charles’ gaze is immediately drawned to his crotch and he can’t help but gulp down.

“You were truly amazing today. Drove so well. So fast.”

“Obviously still not enough for the team.”

Charles moves one step closer again. The room is so small, his legs are almost bumping against Carlos’ knees already. And his teammate still doesn’t budge, just looks up at him with his furiously hot and dark gaze.

“That’s not true,” Charles whispers. “Xavi says you protected my P2. Perez would have caught up with me if you hadn’t defended like that.”

“Like what?”

“So beautifully.”

Carlos scoffs, turning his eyes away. Charles bridges the gap between them and touches Carlos’ knee with the tip of his fingers. At the contact, Carlos looks back up at him, eyes still dark and hot and drilling right through Charles’ soul. His heart skips a beat. Or a hundred.

“So I came here to thank you,” Charles says.

And he sinks onto his knees right between Carlos’ parted legs. His hands come up to the inner thighs on each side of his head, kneading the flesh softly through the red racing suit. Carlos is suddenly panting above him, eyes dark for a whole new reason. Charles licks his lips.

“Can I?”

Carlos keeps quiet for a few seconds then exhales deeply.

“You don’t have to,” he sighs. “I’m not mad at you, you know?”

“I know. But I want to. Please?”

Carlos holds his gaze when he answers.

“Okay.”

Heart racing, Charles practically pounces on Carlos, a starved man facing his favorite meal. And at that moment, Carlos’ dick might very well be Charles’ favorite meal.

“You were so good today,” Charles mutters.

His hands are quick and agile, undoing Carlos’ already half-unzipped racing suit all the way down and moving it around until he can free Carlos’ cock from its confine. The hot flesh starts to harden in Charles’ hand as he gives a few slow strokes.

“So so good, today,” he praises.

He is rewarded with a soft gasp that goes right to his heart (and to his dick). Fuck Carlos is so sexy like that, legs and pants open, dick rapidly hardening and already panting under Charles’ ministrations. Eyes dark with fury and lust, so sexy. Driving like a lion on track. So so sexy of him.

And Charles is only a man. He can fight his teammate on track, but he cannot suppress his desires now.

“So good for me,” he whispers leaning down. “So sexy,” he almost coos against the tip of Carlos’ cock, and Carlos shudders under him.

“Charles,” he sighs. “Please.”

Charles can’t keep him waiting much longer (can’t keep himself waiting much longer), and he finally takes Carlos into his mouth.

“Fuck! Charles!” Carlos gasps.

One of his hands grips the seat of the couch under him tightly, while the other goes to Charles’ head, threading through his hair. He tugs, a slight sting on Charles’ scalp, as Charles swallows him deeper and deeper and deeper.

“Fuck, Charles, yes.”

The cock is deliciously hot and heavy on his tongue. Charles could die choking on that massive thing and still be happy. Carlos is just so damn sexy. How did anyone expect them to be teammates and not end up in bed together? Truly ridiculous.

He lets him go with a wet pop, a string of saliva still connecting him to the head of Carlos’ cock. And he looks up at Carlos’ pink cheeks, at his blown pupils, his messy hair and his panting breath. That man will be the death of him.

“You deserved it.”

“I deserved that podium,” Carlos agrees, voice all raspy and straight from Charles' dirtiest fantasies. His pants are getting tighter and tighter by the second.

“Absolutely.”

Teasing, Charles leans back down, licking a broad stripe over the length of Carlos’ erection, before moving up and sucking at the tip lightly. Then he stills, mouth open and ready for Carlos, the head of his cock right at the entrance.

“Take what you deserve, baby.”

The hand at the back of Charles’ head tightens as Carlos tentatively thrusts once. Then twice. Testing Charles’ limits. Then a third time, pushing a little more.

Charles just takes everything, swallowing him hungrily, letting Carlos set his pace and fuck into his open and waiting mouth, slowly at first then faster and faster.

And faster.

“Fuck. I deserved that podium,” Carlos grunts above him. Charles hums in agreement. “I wanted it.”

Carlos’ second hand cups Charles’ jaw, feeling himself through his skin, angling him as he wishes to chase his own pleasure, his own thrill, his own victory.

Charles takes it all, wants to offer him everything.

“Fuck! I was so close. I wanted it. I deserved it.”

Through pants and groans and moans, Carlos’ voice stutters then breaks. Charles looks up, through long lashes, admiring as his teammate, his Carlos, his everything, is fucking his despair and frustration away. Using Charles in the best way possible.

His eyes shine with unshed tears of frustration and a deep hopelessness that Charles can feel in his bones. His own eyes water (from empathy, lack of oxygen and the strain of controlling his gag reflex). It feels like too much and not enough.

Still offering his mouth to Carlos, Charles sneaks up a hand to Carlos’ chest, spreads his fingers above his pectoral and his heart racing like crazy in his chest. Trying to convey what he cannot say out loud.

Carlos, his teammate, his friend, his everything.

They race and they battle on track. But here, in between them, only them, Charles would offer him everything.

Everything.

Because.

Je t’aime, he says with his heart, with his eyes, with his mouth around a hard dick, with his throat swallowing precome like it’s the sweetest nectar.

Je t’aime, he says with his hand over a racing heart and tears in his eyes.

“Fuck, Charles!” Carlos grunts. “Yes, fuck, yes, yes.”

Maybe he heard Charles’ silent confession somehow. His hips stutter, his pace becomes erratic. A couple of deep and hard thrusts, and he explodes in Charles’ mouth. A shout and a cry on his lips as he paints Charles’ tongue with his orgasm and his despair and his frustration. Charles swallows it all.

It takes a moment for Carlos to catch his breath and slowly come back to his senses. He pulls out of Charles’ wet mouth with an obscene squelch and an oversensitive gasp. His eyes never leave Charles’ face. His thumb traces along Charles’ red lips.

“Charles.” His name in Carlos’ mouth sounds so soft. Like a prayer. No one says it like he does. “Are you okay?”

Charles just nods. He cannot trust his voice just yet. Cannot trust his stupid, fucked out, infatuated mouth to not utter words he cannot say yet. Words he cannot say ever.

Je t’aime.

Another swipe of Carlos’ thumb over Charles’ mouth, a sweet stroke on his cheek, then Carlos tugs him up. Charles obediently follows, landing on Carlos’ lap. He tucks his head into the crook of Carlos’ neck.

“Want me to give you a hand, cariño?”

Charles shakes his head.

“’m okay.”

If Carlos understands the implication, he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t ask either. Charles isn’t sure he could have answered truthfully anyway. Not sure if he wants Carlos to know he came into his pants already, too turned on by what happened, by his own teammate and friend (more than friend) to restrain himself.

But still. When Carlos closes his arms around Charles’ body in a tight and sweaty embrace, Charles melts into him, burrowing deeper into the cradle of his arms.

“Thank you,” Carlos whispers.

“I would have preferred you on the podium with me,” Charles mutters back.

“Yeah.” Sigh. “Me too.”

“Next race?”

“Next race.”

It’s a promise they know they cannot keep but they will try their damnedest.

[willowcreeklesbeans]

I’ve been looking through the sus leaks and theory’s for the ak summer event and like none of them involve me winning but I have my own silly out-of the blue idea about what it’s gonna be, so, bear with me

It’s gonna involve Sunvalley Industries

Since the location in Sargon we are heading to is known for Gemstone distribution!

And the notable staff of Sunvalley Industries is this Freak (Who is popular in the ak community for some reason)

Then there’s this person from Pv-4 (which I’ve watched repeatedly) who people are saying looks “Pharaoh-Inspired” (Their words, not mine) (They don’t, In fact they don’t really look related to Sargon at all to me 😭) But I think their attire fits that of a expat!

Also, there’s Peppe! (Namie child from Reclaimation Algorithm 2 electric boogaloo) who is a cat! (With a giant hammer and platforms, Wow!)

And well uh

Well, Yeah, oki! lots of cat motifs!

So yeah! That’s my Ak summer speculation! This is probably way off! But I’m Tired and a sucker for speculation sooooo here you go! (Personally I just want a dark skin character and a fun/engaging story im not picky) Let know If you have any thoughts on my sleepy ramblings!

[bitzsims]

Marcus: Goodbye, Sae.

Sae: Goodbye, Marc.

As I watched who I thought would be the love of my life ride away on a bus to a new start of his life, I vowed that I would focus on bettering my life as well. A new start for Sae and a new healing for the heart. Better days are ahead for me. They're going to be.

The thought of that is enough to give me a small smile despite the warm steaks of tears going down my face.

~ END OF TIPSY ~

[luna-wing-cns274]

[ Encryption suite ESSEX SKIPPER active. Secure transmission outbound... ]

< Alright, I really shouldn't say this, but I can't keep quiet in good conscience.

A developing situation in the Diluvia system has escalated. We're getting called up. Not being sent there, but we're about to deploy. I'll say more when I can.

Don't want to alarm anyone, but if you're in any of the border systems between Constellar and Purview space, you might consider leaving. Sooner rather than later. Be safe. >

--Luna 3, Hachiko

[pandora15]

new surprise fic potentially coming to an ao3 near you

[kindlythevoid]

So anyway I did a thing today.

[hershelwidget]

After ALL this time... I finally have it!

Please may I welcome you to the OFFICIAL full design for Polly/Jarvis!

This is the most fun I've had doing a digital piece since making Lars! You have no idea how happy I am with this!!!

Some closeups of my favourite parts, there's so many 'cause they're all SO GOOD

They're definitely the most elaborate Spirit design, and for the Octopod itself that's very very fitting!

I might make a simplified version that mostly affects the coral/whisp because that would be the most difficult part to recreate exactly...

I can't stop looking at him. This is the absolute best I'm ever gonna draw this incredible entity :)

[girlmetalsonic]

thinking of changing my url nd blog theme, maybe even making a legit intro post. might theme it around sonic since im more into that now. but idk ive had some sort of agent 3 icon for so long its like they r just representative of my account. feels wrong to change it i dunno. 

[owedfavors]

ON THE ILLYRIAN LANGUAGE ;

ON THE SPOKEN LANGUAGE.

the spoken illyrian language relies both upon sound ( syllables, words) and upon music ( relative pitches and rhythm ). as such, monotone illyrian does not exist ( and it would be nonsensical ). all spoken illyrian is inherently song, the words carefully chosen and ordered to both convey meaning and for aesthetics. the latter is only cultural convention; even spoken illyrian that is melodically jarring can be comprehensible. however, the ability to speak elegantly is generally considered a measure of education, and illyrians will absolutely judge based on use of language.

through the nature of the melody, illyrians can convey the equivalent of what would be tone in english, created less by tone of voice and a particular set of words carrying particular connotations and more by the characteristics of the melody itself.

ON THE SIGNED LANGUAGE.

illyrians, because of their secondary brain and ability to multitask, also layer their verbal communication with sign language. these signs usually either serve as a supplement to convey tone and emotion or to add additional clarity and meaning to the spoken word. often, illyrians will use this to soften the directness that is characteristic of illyrian manner and speech.

sometimes, though, illyrians will hold two simultaneous conversations, one verbal and one signed, merely for the sake of efficiency. in academic circles, counter arguments and concessions are often relegated to sign language alongside the ( verbal ) main argument.

ON UNA'S ADJUSTMENT TO SPEAKING FEDERATION STANDARD.

for una, giving up illyrian and learning to speak federation standard means losing levels of communication. it means learning to speak flatly, and to be still when she does so. everything she wishes to convey must go into words and words alone, and for the longest time she finds that extremely frustrating. among everything else, it slows her down to not have three levels of simultaneous communication available to her.

on etienn’s cargo ship, she eases into the process, her way of speaking even federation standard still musical, her words often in strange orders when she forsakes grammar for rhythm. and though the crew cannot understand them, she often accompanies her words with signs. etienn, however, learns enough of the illyrian sign language to understand her, for at sixteen, patient is not a word that describes una.

by the time she arrives at starfleet academy, she has trained herself to speak “naturally”, as her federation audience will expect. much of her direct way of speaking and the stillness with which she holds herself, however, are the products of learning to show no trace of illyrian in her speech. in addition, she struggles at first to read the emotional tone of human ( and universal translator translated ) speech, and between this and her own inability to easily communicate everything she wishes to as she is accustomed to, she feels extremely isolated in her early days at the academy. by the time she graduates, she largely embraces that isolation, and she’s adept at using language precisely enough to accommodate for the lack of nuance.

[cyberia-design]

-