#trying to appear like your best most composed self

[selfshiplog]

imagine you're outside with your f/o. perhaps you're helping them with some work, or maybe youre just on a walk. it's been overcast all day- and you feel a drop of water hit your nose. your eyes open wide in suprise, meeting theirs with a grin.

and then, in half a second, it all starts to come down at once. maybe you rush to get inside, or maybe you let yourselves have some simple fun outside. but there's a moment where you meet their eyes again. their face flushed with color from the chill, water slowly beading down their face, hair stuck to their skin. and you notice they've been staring at you, drenched and laughing and enjoying the moment. it's like falling in love at first sight with each other all over again; you both get to see each other not trying to be perfect and composed but still totally smitten.

[jihyoruri]

❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ ❚ 𓍢 YOU GOT ME NERVOUS TO SPEAK yu jimin x reader

↳ warnings jimin’s a mess, yn is a model and producer and older idol!karina x famous!reader

you could never catch jimin lacking confidence. she carried herself with an air of self-assuredness that was impossible to ignore, and she always thought highly of herself. nerves? they were foreign to her.

however, jimin had her moments. moments where friends and managers took advantage of her kindness, slipping past her defenses. though these instances were minor, they left a lasting sting, prompting her to build a thick wall around her emotions.

now, nobody could make her feel less than the strong woman she knew herself to be. nobody could easily sway her into doing things for them, and most importantly, nobody could ever make her nervous.

or so she thought.

jimin had heard of yn a few times—just in passing. she knew yn was a high end model, admired for her beauty. but that wasn’t all. yn was also a talented music producer who had worked with various artists, particularly under SM entertainment.despite this, yn had never collaborated with aespa.

that was until their fist full album.

"oh my gosh, she's so cool," aeri exclaimed as she walked out of the recording studio, plopping down beside minjeong. her cheeks were still flushed with excitement. "she complimented my outfit, bro! I wanted to die. she’s so hot."

yizhuo and minjeong nodded in fervent agreement, both still riding the high from their own recording sessions with yn.

"she's in love with me," yizhuo bragged with a grin, her voice dripping with playful confidence. "she kept complimenting my voice. I was literally serenading her."

jimin rolled her eyes at her members’ antics, feeling a bit of skepticism creep in. "stop being delusional," she teased, getting up from her seat and preparing to enter the studio herself. "I guess it's my turn with your little crush," she added, a smirk playing on her lips as she walked through the door.

the moment jimin stepped inside, the first thing she noticed was yn, lounging casually in the producer’s chair, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as if lost in thought. there was something about the way yn carried herself—calm, composed, yet effortlessly commanding the room.

jimin cleared her throat, drawing yn’s attention. the producer turned her head, her eyes slowly scanning jimjn from head to toe. the intensity of yn’s gaze made jimin instinctively tug at her sleeves, suddenly hyper-aware of her appearance under the scrutiny.

“hey,” yn greeted, a lazy smile spreading across her lips as she leaned forward in her chair. “best for last, huh?”

jimin felt her face heat up at the comment. It wasn’t just the words, but the way yn said them, smooth and confident, with a hint of something more. the girls weren’t lying, yn had an undeniable charm that was hard to resist.

jimin, for the first time in as long as she could remember, felt a flutter of nervousness. she didn’t like it—not one bit. she tried to brush it off with a light chuckle, but it came out more awkward than she intended, causing yn to raise an eyebrow at her.

“oh-oh, sorry,” jimin stammered, quickly moving toward the recording booth, hoping to shake off the strange feeling that had settled in her stomach. as she stepped inside, she heard yn’s soft laugh. a sound that only made her cheeks burn hotter.

from behind the glass, yn adjusted her glasses, her eyes flicking between a piece of paper and jimin. “you’ve gone over your parts?”

“yep,” jimin replied, trying her best to regain her composure. she watched as yn nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

“good. I’m actually going to have you start with the bridge,” yn instructed, her tone professional yet still carrying that undertone of warmth. “I want to see how it sounds alongside winter’s voice.”

“sounds good,” jimin said, eager to get started. she wanted to get this over with—to finish the session so she could stop feeling whatever it was that yn was making her feel.

yn gave her a small smile. “confident.”

“always am,” jimin replied, a hint of her usual vibe returning.

“that’s cute,” yn remarked, laughing when she saw the shock on jimin’s face. “alright, let’s get recording.”

jimin was so ready to get this over with but who knew one producer could screw her over like this.

it wasn’t going as smoothly as jimin had hoped. an hour passed, and she couldn’t seem to get a single line right. wvery time she tried to focus, she felt yn’s eyes on her, and it threw her off completely. It was frustrating—she had never had this problem before. she was usually the epitome of professionalism, but now she was fumbling over words like a rookie.

jimin gently banged her head against the mic in frustration, eliciting a soft laugh of pity from yn. “Is there any reason why you’re having such a hard time?” yn asked, her tone laced with genuine curiosity.

“you,” jimin grumbled, surprising herself with the admission. she hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but it was the truth.

“me?” yn repeated, her voice tinged with amusement.

jimin sighed and leaned back against the wall of the booth, running a hand through her hair. “I’m just… I’m used to certain producers. you’re new to me, I guess. I’m having a hard time because I don’t know you.” the words tumbled out, a half-truth meant to mask the real reason behind her nerves—how was she supposed to tell yn that her presence was distracting because she was just too damn attractive?

It was totally bullshit but it’s all she could think of, how else is she supposed to say “hey, I’m having a hard time because you’re very hot and I can’t focus.”

yn seemed to sense the half-lie, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she nodded thoughtfully, biting the inside of her cheek as if holding back a smile. “alright, then. you can get to know me,” she said casually. “you know the party sm is throwing in a couple of days? find me there.”

jimin did know about the party. It was a big event, meant to celebrate sm artists, choreographers, and producers. she hadn’t planned on going—parties weren’t really her scene—but it seemed she had no choice now.

“okay… I guess I’ll see you there,” jimin agreed, her voice quieter than usual.

“yup,” yn replied, her tone light. “now go tell your members why you couldn’t finish recording because you didn’t know me.” yhe mockery in her voice was playful, causing Jimin to laugh despite herself.

“bye,” jimin said softly, her smile lingering as she turned to leave the room. she couldn’t help but glance back one last time, seeing yn wave with that same teasing grin.

Is it possible to develop a crush in an hour? because it seems like jimin definitely had one

jimin stood beside aeri at the party, her usual confidence feeling slightly out of reach. The sm event was in full swing, with artists, producers, and choreographers mingling under the soft glow of the ambient lights. laughter and chatter filled the room, but jimin found herself unusually quiet, her eyes scanning the crowd.

“you seem nervous,” aeri noted, nudging jimin with her elbow. “I thought you were too cool to get nervous.”

jimin forced a laugh, trying to play it off. “I’m not nervous,” she insisted, though her eyes betrayed her as they continued to dart around the room, searching for a familiar face.

“hh-huh,” aeri teased, clearly not buying it. “If you say so.”

just as Jimin was about to retort, she spotted yn across the room. he producer/model was in deep conversation with a group of sm’s top choreographers, looking effortlessly laid back yn’s presence was magnetic, and it wasn’t just jimin who noticed—several heads turned to glance at her, admiration clear in their eyes.

jimin felt her heart skip a beat when yn’s gaze suddenly locked onto hers. the conversation yn was having seemed to fade into the background as she smiled at jimin, her eyes lighting up with recognition. without breaking eye contact, yn raised her hand and waved jimin over, the gesture both casual and inviting.

“you’re gonna go over there, right?” aeri asked, leaning in with a knowing smirk.

“yeah, I guess,” jimin muttered, trying to sound nonchalant. but inside, her nerves were buzzing, and her feet felt heavier than they should as she began to make her way across the room.

as she approached, yn excused herself from the group she had been talking to, turning her full attention to jimin. “hey,” yn greeted, her voice smooth and warm, just like in the studio. “glad you made it.”

“yeah, well… couldn’t miss it, could I?” jimin replied, cursing herself internally for how awkward she sounded. she took a steadying breath, trying to find her footing. “You look great, by the way.”

yn’s smile widened, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “thank you. you clean up pretty well yourself,” she complimented, her gaze sweeping over jimin appreciatively. “though, I have to say, I’m still thinking about what happened in the studio.”

jimin’s heart sank slightly, knowing exactly what yn was referring to. she let out a nervous laugh, trying to brush it off. “about that… sorry I wasn’t at my best. It was just, you know, the new environment and all.”

“mm-hmm,” yn hummed, clearly unconvinced. she leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a playful whisper. “or maybe it was something else… or someone else?”

jimin’s cheeks flushed, the teasing sound in yn’s voice making it hard to maintain eye contact. “okay, maybe I was a little… distracted,” she admitted, the words tumbling out before she could stop herself.

yn raised an eyebrow, her smile turning into a smirk. “distracted, huh? by what, exactly?”

jimin hesitated, feeling the heat rise in her face. she knew there was no way out of this without admitting some of the truth. “by you,” she finally confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just… you’re different from the other producers I’ve worked with. It kind of threw me off.”

yn seemed to savor the admission, her smirk softening into a more genuine smile. “I guess I should be flattered then,” she said, her tone still playful but with a hint of sincerity. “but you didn’t have to make up that little excuse about not knowing me. I think you were just nervous.”

jimin bit her lip, feeling both embarrassed and amused by how easily yn had seen through her lie. “maybe I was,” she admitted, surprising herself with how honest she was being.

yn’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in even closer, her voice just a breath away from jimin’s ear. “well, if it makes you feel better, I thought it was cute.”

jimin’s heart skipped another beat, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe. the way yn was looking at her—with that mix of teasing and something more—was making her feel things she wasn’t used to feeling, and it was both exhilarating and terrifying.

trying to regain some semblance of control, jimin cleared her throat and straightened up, a small, nervous smile on her lips. “So… about that recording session. maybe we could, um, try again? Without the distractions this time.”

“oh?” yn’s interest was clearly piqued, her smirk returning. “and what kind of distractions are you talking about?”

jimin felt her face heat up again, but this time, she decided to lean into it. “how about just the two of us in the studio? no members in the outside room. no distractions,” she suggested, her tone carrying a hint of flirtation despite the nervousness still gnawing at her.

yn seemed to consider this for a moment, her gaze lingering on jimin with an intensity that made the air between them feel charged. “I think that could be arranged,” she finally replied, her voice low and smooth. “just you and me.”

“just us,” jimin echoed, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“well then,” yn said, straightening up but still keeping her eyes locked on Jimin. “It’s a date. I’ll make sure the studio is ready. you just bring that confidence you’re so famous for.”

jimin nodded, her heart racing but excitement bubbling up alongside the nerves. “I’ll be there.”

“looking forward to it,” yn replied, her smile lingering as she took a step back, giving Jimin one last look before turning away, leaving Jimin standing there, trying to process everything that had just happened.

as yn walked away, jimin couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and nerves. It seemed like she had gotten herself into something she wasn’t quite prepared for—but at the same time, she was eager to see where this new, unexpected connection might lead.

I guess you can say she was okay with feeling a bit nervous.

[asongofmarvelanddc]

Someone. Anyone.

PAIRING: Aegon II X Reader

WORD COUNT: 4688

WARNINGS: None

SUMMARY: Aegon has waited his entire life for someone to care.

A/N: This simply refused to leave my brain until it was written down. I can't wait to see more of Aegon II in season 2! As always, please reblog, like, comment, send an ask, a raven – anything! I wanna talk to you guys! ❤️

The days seem to blur together recently. Aegon can’t tell the difference between them anymore, bar something particularly extraordinary happening. No such thing has happened of late and so the days continue to blur.

When Aegon wakes that morning, he half-expects it to be the evening. It’s an odd thing the way he sleeps. Erratic. Some days he rises before the birds, and other days it’s just as supper is being cleared from the dinner table. No one thinks to wake him anymore – probably glad to be rid of his presence.

With a sigh, he shuffles out of bed, groaning when his head pounds in response to being on his feet. The thought of washing before he leaves the room crosses his mind. Briefly. There’s no one around to draw him a bath, and frankly, he’s in no mood to wait. He is hungry, tired…and lonely. But he can only do something about those first two things.

He exits the room looking quite haphazard, but rests easy knowing that no one would dare comment on his ghastly appearance. Most of the servants and guards avoid eye contact as he passes. Aegon takes that to mean that no one has requested his presence somewhere. No one wants to see him.

Even when he sits to eat, he’s left utterly alone. He stares into space as he downs his breakfast. A drink. That’s what he needs. It doesn’t distract from the loneliness anymore – it hasn’t in years – but it dulls the pain at least. He finishes eating, and though he has had his fill, the pit in his stomach remains empty.

Sunfyre.

Perhaps that is who he needs. She always manages to plug the hole in his heart, however temporary it may be. He rises and immediately heads for the dragon pit.

On the way down there he walks past Helaena’s room. The door is ajar, and the laughter of children filters out into the hall. Aegon’s lip twitches as he edges closer to the door. It has been a few days – two, maybe three – since he’s seen the kids. He wants to sit with them, play with them. They’re growing so fast.

He pushes the door open further and slides halfway through, but his smile falters when he realises that his wife and children are not alone.

His brother, Aemond, is sitting on the floor with the children. They’re tugging at his hair, completely unaware of the discomfort they might be causing, while Aemond sits there trying his best to appear annoyed with them. Alicent and Helaena are watching from the lounger, entirely amused by the scene before them.

They seem happy. Happier than they could ever be in his presence at least.

Instead of dampening the mood with his entrance, he quietly slides back out of the room, making sure he isn’t seen or heard. It’s selfish to be hurt by the fact that they are happy without him, but he can’t help it.

He can’t remember a time when his family were happy to see him. His father ignores him, his mother berates him, his brother is disgusted by him, and his wife can’t stand the sight of him��.And he’s not entirely sure he can blame them.

He has never been the best version of himself that he could be…but what is the point in being great when all that is expected of him is failure? They all look at him and see nothing of worth. Why prove them otherwise? Worthless he shall continue to be.

Aegon is content to wallow in self-pity for the remainder of the day until he runs into a familiar face upon turning a corner. Although you barely collide, it's enough to startle you and make you jump back.

"Aegon!" you yelp, but quickly recover and bow your head in a more composed manner, "My Prince."

His mood is instantly improved at the sight of you, and he can't say exactly why. He’s paid attention to you, in a way he never has to other young maidens in the castle. At first, it was purely due to the allure of your striking beauty, but soon it became…more.

Your father joined the Small Council only a few months ago, and you've been strolling the halls of the Red Keep since. Not long after your arrival, you joined Aegon for a drink just outside the servants’ quarters and he questioned you about why you accompanied your father to the capital rather than remain at home with your mother and sisters. You clammed up and offered a rather vague explanation that indicated a turbulent relationship with her. Aegon let you be, but since then, he made sure to stop and speak to you whenever you crossed paths.

He wouldn’t call you a friend. No, not at all. However, you are one of the few able to keep up with him when it comes to drink. You don't sigh when he enters a room, nor do you look at him with derision or contempt in your eyes. You laugh at his jokes, so he tells even more for your sake. Because he wants you to enjoy his company as much as he does yours.

He's starting to care, and though it terrifies him, it's better than anything he's felt for years.

"My Lady." Taking your hand, he turns it over so the palm is facing upwards. He raises a brow and looks up at you, "I see you have been drawing again."

It's the charcoal dust on your fingers that gives it away. He's aware of your hobby – drawing various flowers and documenting their differences and similarities. You swear it'll be useful to the maesters one day. Aegon is not so sure, but he doesn't share those thoughts because he sees how happy it makes you.

"Someone ought to do it," you shrug and wipe your hands on the small purse slung across your body, "If I don't, who will?"

"Is that where you are off to in such a hurry?"

"No," you sigh heavily and roll your eyes as you seem to recall something of particular annoyance, "Do you know that there are weeds growing in the godswood?"

"Weeds?"

"Weeds!" you repeat, even more concerned, "I have asked the gardener to prune them but it doesn’t seem to have been done properly. So, I have decided to do it myself."

Your passion is infectious, it breathes life into him. He cares not about the art of gardening, but he cares about you, your interests. It pains him to admit that he craves the idea of being a part of your life, in any and all ways.

"I shall join you," he says after a moment of thought, "If you will have me."

It's a silly question to ask, one to which you don't bother responding for he knows the answer is always 'yes'. Aegon walks alongside you, occasionally glancing at each other, but not knowing what to say. He’s always like this when he hasn’t had a drink.

"I called on you earlier. I was told you were still asleep."

Most are rarely happy to see Aegon, much less purposely seeking him out. This is unusual for him.

“I was, I only woke a short while ago,” he says, “Were you after something?”

You look up at him with a cheery smile, "No, I just wanted to spend time with you."

He frowns in confusion, "Why?"

You come to a sudden stop and look up at him properly, a soft pout forming on your lips, "You and I are friends, are we not?"

Friends. He cannot say that he has ever had one. Every person he has ever spent a reasonably enjoyable time with was either paid to be accommodating, or did so out of mere obligation. Everyone but you.

"Besides, who's to say you and I will even have the chance to speak at the feast later?" you say with a chuckle.

"We are to have a feast tonight?"

Your brows crease as you search his eyes for any sign that he may be teasing, “Today is your Name Day. Have you forgotten?”

You state it as if it is the most obvious thing to remember.

“No, I–,” he stutters as he tries to recall the date, “No one told me...”

Aegon retreats into his own mind. Until this very moment, he had completely forgotten that this is meant to be a day of celebration. Normally his mother would be dragging him out of bed first thing in the morning, and there would be some attempt from his family to spend time together. But today has been like all the rest, and they have chosen to exclude him.

That is expected. Forgetting his own Name Day is not. It's a painful thing when no one seems to care, but it's terrifying to know that he is starting to care less about himself.

"I'm sure your mother is preparing a banquet that shall be the talk of the Kingdoms," you gently touch his arm, a level of tenderness he can’t remember when last he received.

Aegon looks into your eyes, a ray of light in this haze of misery he calls a life. And just like that, he doesn’t feel so lonely anymore.

***

As the honoured guest, Aegon is seated at the head of the High Table, his mother and grandsire on either side of him along with his siblings and children. But somehow, as the night goes on, Aegon climbs down from the raised platform and joins you at one of the tables meant for the Small Council members and their families.

Although you are flattered, people are staring because it is not in fact common for the Heir to ignore most of the guests at his own Name Day feast in order to spend time with the Master of Coin's daughter.

No matter. You do your best to ignore them just as Aegon seems to do.

Slouched in his chair, right leg up on the table and his left hand holding a goblet of wine, you can’t help noticing that he isn't drunk – yet – and you hope it stays that way for the evening. He engages you in a heated discussion about whether or not the dance being performed by the guests is worth watching. You are of the strong opinion that it is entertaining to watch and romantic when participating.

Aegon shoots you a look of incredulity, "They are not even touching!"

"Yes, because this dance is about the simple intimacy of the near-touch," you hover your palms close together to imitate one of the dance moves.

Aegon scoffs and sips his drink, "There is nothing intimate about not touching your dance partner."

"True intimacy is about when you–" he stops himself and laughs, shaking his head, "I suppose it would be improper of me to divulge such salacious secrets to a virtuous maiden such as yourself, my Lady."

You roll your eyes at his condescending tone and shove him playfully in the shoulder which makes him laugh.

“Lady Y/N!” ha gasps in faux horror, “You just touched me! How will we ever know the meaning of true intimacy now?”

You laugh and shove him again, earning even more looks from the people around. Quickly you quiet down and focus on Aegon again. He's watching the dancers but you're looking at him.

Even half-drunk, with tousled hair from constantly running his hand through the cropped locks and red-rimmed eyes, you still find him beautiful. You feel the urge to reach out and touch his cheek or his hair, but stop yourself from doing something so inappropriate in public.

Besides, who knows how Aegon would react to such a thing?

“You truly don’t believe two people can share an intimate moment without touching?”

He chuckles at first, ready to brush off the question with a silly joke, but when he turns to you and senses how serious you are, his eyes soften.

There is many a moment you've shared with Aegon that you would consider intimate, and not once have you touched him during them. You want to know that he feels the same way about those moments. You need to know.

He holds your gaze for some time, and you can't be sure what he is thinking about, then he answers in a low voice, "Perhaps..."

He glances down at your lips, it is only for a second, but you catch it anyway. Aegon knows this, but it does not make him lean back into his chair, nor pretend to be embarrassed.

"There are people looking at us," you whisper, glancing around the room at the obvious stares, "Could we go somewhere?"

He frowns, "Why?"

"I want to give you your gift."

***

Aegon follows you to a less visible corner of the room. He doesn't truly care about what this gift may be, he is only happy to be alone with you away from prying eyes.

He watches as you reach into a hidden zip in the front of your dress, a clever design, and pull out an oval shaped case. It rattles when you pull it out so there is clearly something hidden inside. You step closer to him and press the case into the palm of his hand, practically shaking with excitement.

Whatever it is, it's small, which is quite an unusual kind of gift for Aegon. He often receives famous first edition books, expensive fabrics and custom-made swords for his Name Day. The gifts are piled high on the other end of the room at this very moment.

"Will you open it?"

Aegon, amused by your visible excitement and anticipation, snaps the case open. Inside is a golden insignia ring displaying the three heads of the dragon, perfectly etched into metal.

“It was supposed to be black and red, like the sigil of your House, but I think I like it better in gold,” you say, a look of pride in your eyes as you look down at your gift, “When it catches the light, it shimmers like the scales on Sunfyre.”

You smile as you tilt the ring towards the candle above you, “You see?”

Aegon can’t say for sure if your assertion is true because he doesn’t look to inspect the ring. Instead his gaze stays fixed on you, confused and in awe. He has been showered with gifts since before he had memories of his Name Day, but none as thoughtful as this.

When he glances down at the ring, he notices an inscription on the inside of the band. "To my dearest Prince, Aegon," it reads in High Valyrian.

"You added this?"

"There wasn't much space to have any more inscribed," you say, "But I had Aemond translate it to High Valyrian for me because I wanted it to mean something to you."

He doesn't know what to say. The gift is so small, yet sentimental. No one has ever offered him such kindness, and Aegon doesn't believe he deserves it. His entire life he has longed for someone, anyone, to care about him. Not Aegon Targaryen, Second of His Name, Heir to the Iron Throne – just him. He is not used to receiving such compassion and doesn’t know how to respond to it.

He ignores the stinging of tears behind his eyes and clears his throat.

"Thank you, Y/N," he says as he slips the ring onto his pinky finger, "I shall wear it always."

Your heart swells as he kisses the ring.

"I know it is improper for a Lady to ask," you begin, already feeling the burn of embarrassment on your cheeks, "But would you care to dance, my Prince?"

Aegon is beyond flattered and kicks himself for not asking first. He does not want you to think that he is not eager, when it is in fact the opposite.

"I would–" he cuts himself off at the sight of his mother approaching from behind you.

A frown carves itself into his lips, "I would love to, but it seems my mother wants to have a word."

You look behind you and nod in understanding when you see Alicent walking up, "Of course. Perhaps later then?"

He nods with a smile, "Don't tire yourself out."

You bow to the Queen Mother as you excuse yourself, glancing back at Aegon when you walk away.

Alicent sidles up to Aegon’s side, a goblet of wine in her hands. “I see you’ve grown quite close to Lady Y/N as of late,” she says, “You’re fond of her?”

Aegon’s brows furrow as he looks down at his mother. He’s not sure where she is going with this and thinks to lie, but even he knows he can’t deceive her.

“I am,” he answers, looking away from her and searching for you with his eyes.

Alicent nods slowly and sips from her cup, “She’s beautiful, is she not?”

Aegon finally spots you among the dancers, floating across the floor with Tyland Lannister as your partner. His heart warms as you laugh at something the man says, your smile tugging at something that has long been buried within him. As if you can feel his eyes on you, you turn your head to look at him, throwing him a wink.

“I suppose she is,” he responds absent-mindedly to Alicent's question as the corner of his lips begin to turn up.

Alicent looks at him again, growing more and more irritated as the seconds go by.

"I hear her father intends to propose a marriage for her to Tyland Lannister."

Aegon's head snaps towards his mother.

"Tyland Lannister?" he gasps violently, "He is an old man!"

In truth, Tyland Lannister is a mere six and thirty – not considered old by the country’s standards.

"He is the Master of Ships and brother to the Warden of the West," she says, ignoring the outburst, "A Lannister is a good match for her."

Over my dead body, he thinks. There is not a reality Aegon is willing to accept in which you belong to somebody else. If he must claim you as his wife, then he will. Just as Aegon the Conqueror had two wives, so it shall be for Aegon II. The thought of you being wed to another man not only makes him angry, it is sickening.

“Aegon.” He is torn away from his thoughts of you by his mother’s stern voice.

This conversation is annoying and agitating. He does not want to hear it. He wants to go to you, to tear you away from that Lannister Lord and take you somewhere you can be alone together.

"Whether it is to Tyland Lannister or some other nobleman, she will be wed," Alicent says, her firm tone taking on a desperate edge, "Her father sits on the Small Council. She will be married to a decent man someday who will make her a good husband."

His scowl deepens. "Why are you telling me all this, Mother?"

"Because she is not like one of your whores, Aegon,” she turns to face him fully, though he avoids her eyes, “You cannot sully her skirts with your debauchery. You must leave her alone.”

Aegon has never believed that he is good enough for you, nor that he even deserves your friendship. It is why he has kept you at a distance as much as he can. Too selfish to completely let you go, but also afraid that one day, you will see him as he is and abandon him. His mother has just taken that fear, and in a few words, beaten him over the head with it.

Does she not see that he is trying? He has not stepped foot in a pleasure house in some weeks now. And though he still drinks, he does not do it until he loses his senses anymore. The days no longer blur, and he wakes eager to start them. That emptiness that tormented him so, it has faded.

Does she really not see?

Devastated does not convey the intensity of the pain that descends upon Aegon in that moment. His efforts to do better, to be better, have gone completely unnoticed by the one who chastises him the most for his self-indulgence and lechery.

“Aegon,” she says again, pulling on his arm, “Promise me that you will leave that girl alone.”

Aegon glances in your direction. You’re still dancing, but with a different partner now. Blissfully unaware that his heart has just been shattered into pieces.

“I promise,” he grunts.

As soon as he says the words, Alicent leaves his side, no longer needing to be in his presence.

Aegon stumbles, a bit overwhelmed in the moment as he looks around the room for something, anything, to distract him from the shame and embarrassment he feels. He spots a pitcher of wine on the corner of a table by him and swipes it, heading down to the cellars of the Keep.

***

Aegon promised you a dance, but after searching for him for close to an hour, you find him in the cellars with Balerion, sitting against the stone wall, legs spread out in front of him as he stares at the dragon’s skull. A wine chalice lies discarded by his side, spilling out what was left of its contents.

Aegon does not react as you walk towards him. Even when you stand right in front of him he doesn’t look up at you. He is completely out of it, and the sight makes you let out a deep sigh.

You move beside him and slide down the wall, choosing to sit quietly with him. Aegon drinks wine like it is water, but to get like this, something must have upset him. You don’t ask him about it. He always wants someone to listen, because of that you never have to press him to share his thoughts.

“What is worse than hate?”

Those are the first words that leave his lips after almost an hour of silence. He’s still staring up at Balerion as he speaks, but his arms are now resting on his knees which are pulled up to his chest. Though he is right beside you, he feels a million miles away.

You ponder the question some, but can’t quite offer a response, “I can’t imagine there is anything worse than hate.”

“Indifference,” he answers, nodding to himself, “It is empty. Hollow. Lonely.”

Finally, he looks at you with tear-filled, bloodshot eyes, “That is all I see when my family looks at me.”

Your heart breaks for him, and a lump forms in your throat as you try not to cry.

“Aegon,” you whisper, voice shaking, “Your family do not hate you. Nor are they indifferent.”

He laughs bitterly as his head rolls back to rest against the wall. “You do not have to lie to make me feel better,” he says, “That is what the whores are for.”

You bite the inside of your cheek, preferring the sting of physical pain than the one caused by his words.

“It’s the drink making you feel this way.”

His head rolls to the side so he’s looking at you again, though at an angle. At first, he doesn’t speak and it sends your mind racing as you try to guess what he might be thinking in that clouded head of his.

“Without the drink, I sink into a hole of despair,” his eyes soften, “A hole…I fear I may never climb out of.”

You hate seeing him like this. So broken and worn down by what he sees as a burdensome life.

Aegon’s eyes shift from you to the ground when he feels you trying to lace your fingers through his. He shakes his head and draws back, burying his face in his hands. This is the first time he’s rejected the comfort you offer. He is in a worse state than you imagined and you don’t know what brought him to this.

“Aegon,” his name falls from your lips like a desperate plea. You reach out to pull his hands away from his face, but even that won’t make him look at you.

You look down at your hand as tears begin to well in your eyes. “I’m not indifferent,” you mumble, but in the quiet, the words come out clear as day, “And I don’t hate you, Aegon.”

That seems to stir something in him. He looks at you with narrowed eyes, as though he is suspicious. But the longer he looks, the suspicion fades. And without a second thought, he reaches over and grabs your head in his hands, roughly capturing your lips in a kiss.

His lips taste of wine and salt from the tears now freely spilling down his cheeks. Everywhere his hands find, they grip you tight, afraid to let you go. And you melt into him, promising him with every kiss and every tug that you won’t leave.

You don’t care that his kiss is not the sweet and tender one you imagined. It’s rough, needy and desperate, noses bumping into each other and hands fumbling against your bodies as he pulls you into his lap – a motion only made possible because you want it to be.

All you can think about is how you can’t get enough of this. Of him. Day and night he has consumed your thoughts, dreaming of being held and kissed and touched by him. His sad eyes plagued your mind from the first night you spoke with him. You knew he had burrowed himself deep in your heart the first time you got down on your knees in the Sept and prayed for his healing.

But even now, as his lips merge themselves to yours, his hands sliding up your thighs, you can’t enjoy the moment fully. Because he’s drowning. His heart is broken, and you’re not sure you can fix it.

Just as the thought crosses your mind, he pulls away from you – though, even that seems hard for him to do.

“Aegon…?”

He opens those beautiful sad eyes again and upon meeting yours, shakes his head. He’s fighting with himself, with what he ought to do and what he wants to do. What he needs from you.

He looks up at you again and gently strokes your cheek.

“I don’t want to debase you,” he chokes out, looking like he is in physical pain.

“How could you debase me?”

“I can’t–” He grips your face tightly and pulls you closer, searching your eyes in desperation.

More tears spill over and roll down his cheeks. “You are far too precious to me.”

The pain in his eyes is so raw you can practically see him twisting the knife in his own heart. He’s clinging to you for life while begging you to let him go. He doesn’t know that if you let him succumb, the darkness will consume you too.

“And what do you think you are to me?” you whisper, hands cupping his face, “A rarity. The person I love.”

His grip softens and his eyes widen.

“You love me?”

“More than anything,” you say without any hesitation.

He stares at you in awe, fingers tracing your cheeks and jaw and lips. You cannot say if he is in the room with you in this moment, or if his mind is somewhere else. As if snapped back to his senses, he sucks in a stuttered breath and his gaze refocuses.

“You love me?” he asks again, voice breaking as he speaks.

The last of his resolve breaks when you nod again. Burying his head into your chest, he begins to sob uncontrollably, arms squeezing around your waist as he holds onto you.

With trembling lips, you place a kiss to the top of his head, your tears soaking through his silver hair.

[wishluc]

hello! i love your writings so <3 the way you beautifully set up each prose is something worth applauding for!! since requests are open, i’ll bite ^^:

how about yan!heizou and blackmail?everyone knows he’s one of the best detectives inazuma has to offer, a bringer of justice. but what no one knows aside from you and heizou is that you’ve witnessed him murder a man you’ve taken a liking to. you try to expose him, but he threatens. one thing for sure is, how far he’s willing to go for you. if you were to ever expose him, he promises to pin the blame on you and frame you as the murderer. he’s willing to do anything to keep you hush hush and to keep you by his side.

waaahhh thank you :((

✧ CW: yandere character, manipulation, murder, blackmail

It was painfully easy to trust Shikanoin Heizou.

But if only you had heard more about him beforehand, you'd have known that he always acted in his own interest before anything else. There was no obstacle, no riveting case, or fear of consequence that would stop him from pursuing his own goals.

This was exactly why you shouldn't have believed a word that he said when he assured you that your correspondence with him was only for professional reasons. Information, he told you then, that will help in solving cases. In retrospect, the way his lips wavered while trying to keep his expression stern, at the very least, should have it gave it all way. That, and the fact that the detective had never pretended to look serious. (Even if you had pointed it out then, you supposed the only reaction you'd have gotten would be him crowing in delight, "So you noticed all these things about me? I'm flattered, partner—really!'")

You had ignored the glaringly obvious truth in favor of blindly trusting the fascinating figure, much too captivated by his self-assured air and his ardent desire to observe everything about you and your humble abode. You were charmed by him, by the idea that such an important individual would have made the long journey down here to see your modest town when no other government official bothered to even glance this way. And when he spins an elaborate, irresistible web of lies to you and everyone else in a courteous manner, his voice far too composed for the way his eyes brightened with newfound interest, that the Commission was trying to help smaller towns and villages now, that he was here to stay and solve all the cases that had gone unnoticed before his arrival, the smug smirk that appeared at the end was a subtle warning that you all had fallen head first into his trap.

It didn't strike you as odd when he approached you either, asking if you could help him out while he was staying.

"If you'd do me the honor of working as my temporary assistant during my stay," he had said, voice earnest and tinged with anticipation, "I'd really appreciate it."

There were more lies that followed, of course, that silvery voice promising you that you only needed to provide him with information and that you'd hardly be needed for more than a few hours, at most, but you paid them no attention. It was unnecessary since your reply had practically jumped out of your mouth, much to his amusement. Shikanoin Heizou had already won you over with that ever-affable smile and outgoing nature.

Once he actually started working, only high praises were sung about the young detective from the city. Files and files containing cold cases about missing children and stolen goods diminish at an extraordinary rate as Heizou scours through them all with a charming smile. You had no complaints either. Heizou treated you well; he was never curt with you, even if his words lingered on the edge of being condescending at times when he explained how obvious a criminal was being, he didn't throw all his workload onto your inexperienced hands, though he did insist you stay with him all throughout the night when he was working—not to do work, but to keep him company. You were a little confused about why he was staying when he had already solved his cases for the day, simply scribbling down into a book in between indecipherable looks thrown at you.

There were times you felt uneasy, like when the ghost of his touches felt more solid, and the usual brush against your back turned into a firm arm around your shoulder or a hand pressing into the small of your back, and his usual polite words turned more playful, more familiar than you'd have liked. Or when he insisted there was enough time for you to take a break and ushered you to a bustling restaurant, taking bites from your meal and offering you some of his, all while ignoring your questions about the cases he was supposed to be working on that day. Over time, you chalked it up to his personality, much like the times when he'd see you dressed up in a new outfit and point it out with a teasing grin ("Oh my, getting all dolled up for me?") or when he'd randomly make inferences about your relationships with others, by observing how long your conversation continued and listening to the tone of your voice, later confirming all his suspicions with you. It was a little off-putting, but perhaps all geniuses were eccentric in that way.

But there was no excusing the sight in front of you now.

Realization dawns upon you as any words you had turned to sludge at the back of your throat. You tried to find a reason, but as your eyes scanned the brutal scene it was clear to you that your fears had been confirmed. There was no other explanation for why Heizou was crouched over a still, unmoving body, or for the bruises littering his victim's skin. The ebbing glow of the vision at his side, the beads of sweat on his skin, and the final breeze that fluttered past...you didn't want to believe that he was capable of such sheer malice, but how could you deny the obvious?

"What brings you here?" a cold wave of fear envelopes you at his casual tone, accompanied by the impish smile that follows when he says your name, "Oh, was I missing for too long? Were you worried about me?"

"Detective, this is..."

"Now, how long have we known each other already? You can just call me Heizou," his eyes flit over to where yours are glued to, "Hm, this? Oh, it's such a pity, I know! But he was starting to get on my nerves a little, with all the cozying up he was trying to do with you."

It clicks after his words, why there was something familiar about the lifeless figure collapsed on the ground. Someone who had, just a few days ago, been trying to start a conversation with you while you were following Heizou around; but you remembered Heizou tugging you away while you were trying to think of a reply, with a callous reply in your stead, and you remember the startling fierceness gleaming in his eyes. You'd have never imagined that his anger went this far.

"So you killed him?"

Heizou blinks at you slowly, before chuckling as he stands up from his crouched position, "Well, what else was I to do? Hmm, something's telling me that you're about to go running...I wouldn't recommend that, partner."

Before you can even take a step, a strong gust of wind knocks you over onto your back. Heizou looms over you, a dark storm stirring in his previously bright eyes.

"You'll tell everyone that I killed someone, and drag them over to see the body. But nobody will believe that, will they? The Tenryou Commission's most prized detective coming to this little place to murder a random passerby? Come on, partner, I was hoping you learned a thing or two about a convincing case from me by now."

You gasp out, the shock from the impact yet to wear out, and Heizou laughs sharply at your helpless state.

"It's alright. There'll be plenty of time for you to learn after. I'll even tell you how I'll go about refuting your claims," Heizou leaned even closer to you, "Let's see, it would be terribly suspicious if there were someone messing with my files, you know? Only someone that works closely with me would be able to do that, and they'd know how much progress I was making here. It must have upset them, I'd say, they must have wanted to scare me off. Oh, and if I happened to find evidence of a murder weapon lying around...well, it would be a closed case, don't you think?"

You exhale sharply, feeling as though the world was closing in—or maybe, it was just Heizou's presence that was starting to feel heavy, "you wouldn't—"

Heizou smiles, but it's devoid of any previous warmth, "I could—isn't that all that matters? I've never asked for an assistant, I've never needed one—the Commission can tell you this—but you came and begged and pleaded with me, so I agreed to take you under my wing. You paid back my kindness by betraying me—really, how cruel. And when you've been named a murderer, there'll be no place to run either. You'll just have to sit nice and still in my house, hmm?"

It was just like him to have it all figured out. He had been stringing you along all this while, with his honey-coated lies and well-mannered facade, and you had followed him without a single doubt.

"I'm looking forward to many more days of being together, partner."

When it's your word against the prodigy detective of the Tenryou Commission, whoever will believe you?

all works © wishluc. do not copy, steal or repost my works on other platforms. (including translations)

[viiixs]

!! Far east Wind Scenario/Drabbles :3

FEW! Xie Bi’an + FEW! Fan Wujiu x reader insert

Reader is Gender neutral. + note at the end of post.

5. stages of love with them 🍃

« SCENARIO »

Living life in the Imperial Palace as a Servant, was it a blessing or a curse? it seems like a dream to work in such a gorgeous yet safe environment, and in return you only offer your services to clean. unbeknownst to them, life isn’t as “dream-like” as expected. It was a matter of survival living in the Palace, whether it’d be one small mistake, you could potentially risk putting yourself at harm. its even worse for the Imperial Concubines and Consorts, as they fight for the favour of the Emperor.

yet what choice did you have? you’ve been selected to be a Servant for the Noble Consort, to attend to Her needs, and take care of Her. It was hectic at first, yet as Time passed by, you’ve gotten used to your busy life in the Palace. growing friendships and trying to avoid punishment- it was the norm.

and despite having a good friendship with alot of Servants, there was one in particular that was rude to you. it was one of the several Eunuch’s working for the Emperor. and due to His Status, He takes advantage of it by bullying the others into doing what He wants. and Today was unfortunately your unlucky day as He chose you as His victim.

yet fortunately, before He can get even more Turbulent, Two men helped you and sent the Eunuch away, You were thankful and wanted to return the Favour, yet they declined and soon left, Their appearance and attire was different from the Usual attire of servants and guards. curiously, you asked about them to some of your co-workers, you soon found out those Two men are no more than the Emperor’s most trusted body-guards.

you were curious about them, yet knew your place as a palace servant. but you didn’t expect this twist to your palace life.

they were said to be smart and strategic Generals who bore no weaknesses, yet who knew that weakness would be you?

HCS/DRABBLES

no. 1 ~ first meeting 🍃

you were assigned with assisting the Noble Consort in the Palace, She wasn’t the brightest in terms of Personality, yet she wasn’t as self-centered as the others were. so it made the job more bearable, She was indeed a beauty, no wonder the Emperor graced Her with the fortunate role of Consort, and as the favourite, He must also grace Her a trustworthy servant, and that Servant was you.

One spring afternoon, The Consort wasn’t in high spirits. To try and Compose Herself, She tasked you with the job of getting Her some silk for embroidery to cool off her mind. as you were in the middle of doing what you were tasked with, you noticed a man surrounded by palace maids, Judging by his Facial Expression,It seemed like He was irked by the crowd, while the other was trying to stay composed. upon taking a few steps for closer inspection, it was no other than Fan Wujiu and Xie Bi'an who was the limelight.

~~~~~~~~~~

no. 2 ~ getting to know🍃

» Fan Wujiu along with his Partner, Xie Bi’an. were the most Trusted Imperial Body-guard of the Emperor, who showed utmost Loyalty to His Grace. They were also Generals who won countless battles against the Enemy Nations.

» They are also Known for their contrasting personalities despite the Noble Upbringing, it was rumored that Xie Bi’an was said to be much more ‘merciful’ while performing his duties as a general, yet still strict. while Fan Wujiu was known to be more strict and Imperious with the Soldiers. This made them more attractive in the eyes of the servants in the palace, and everytime they returned from a trip, They’d always be surrounded with a crowd.

» You knew a trick that can get the palace maids to scatter, Those Guards once did you a favour before with an Incompetent Eunuch, so why not return the Favour back to them?

» “The Emperor has returned!” you yelled, trying your best to Mimic the voice of the announcer. after hearing this, you’ve never seen a person’s face go pale so quickly, let alone a crowd, it was amusing. yet your trick worked, as the aforementioned crowd quickly scattered back to their stations, afraid to anger the said ‘Emperor’ from whatever shenanigans they were doing to disrupt one of His most trusted men from performing Their duties. and after They scattered, you were now left alone in the halls with them.

» “ You there.”

» “I have to say, that was quite smart. though aren’t you afraid you might get in trouble for falsely announcing the Emperor’s Presence?” Fan Wujiu exclaims, He doubts that you’ll even get caught anyways, and even if you did, Him and Bi’an can reason with the Emperor for your sake.

» “Not really, if anything you should be thanking me for helping you out.” you reply, “and besides, i need to return back the favor you both did for me, if it weren’t for you both, that Eunuch would’ve pestered me to no end.”

» “ It was nothing.” Xie Bi’an smiles “He wasn’t doing His Job properly, and it was the Bare minimum we could do. besides, you looked so annoyed with Him you might strike at Him soon.”

» “This is the only time we ever interacted decently, must you joke?”

» Your Conversation with Bi’an and Wujiu lasted longer than anticipated, from a small joke to multiple ones, moving from the Halls to the Garden. your mind completely engulfed in their Company as you forgot about the task-in-hand. one of the Eunuch’s that work for the Consort told you about Her now irritated state and immediately asked for you to deliver back the silks.

» undeniably, you did get punished by Her, it wasn’t severe yet it was enough to drop your good mood for the entire day. though that was a few days ago, its not as serious. yet after returning back to your headquarters, you notice a bag of treats along with a Letter from both Bi’an and Wujiu on your table. after reading the note with curiousity, it turns out that the news of the Noble Consort punishing you reached them, and out of guilt They bought you a bag of snacks that they’d think you’d enjoy as an apology for distracting you from doing your duties.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

no. 3 ~ growing relationship 🍃

» After the punishing Incident from the Noble Consort, you and both Guards have made a friendship, or a bargain somewhat. that said bargain is you luring away the crowd of palace maids that surrounds them, and their offer to take care of those who are mean to you.

» It was going well for both sides, yet later on your relationship with them gradually improved. you got to know them far more better and understood them more, and the reasons for them being so popular. as well as Hidden sides you would’ve never known if you weren’t acquainted with Them.

» Xie Bi’an is into drawing, and usually draws landscapes or sometimes portraits of those He finds kind or intriguing. while Fan Wujiu has a hidden soft side for those He truly cares about, a contrast to His Domineering and Strict figure He was known for in the Palace. These were the only ones you knew. yet you felt like there were more hidden secrets you have yet to see for them, yet surely enough today nor tomorrow isn’t the right time. maybe soon, as time passes, you’ll get to know them more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

no. 4 ~ recognizing feelings 🍃

» as seasons pass by, who knew things would drastically change in the Palace? let alone feelings for a servant?

» Xie Bi’an feels as if He’s enchanted, as all His sketches of Landscapes became sketches and portraits of you.

» Fan Wujiu feels as if Hes confused, rather than the feeling of delight when He sees you, its replaced by the feeling of butterflies in His stomach.

» They both truly didn’t expect to catch feelings for you, yet after several more interactions and time spent with you, They confirmed their feelings weren’t in the impression of a friendship with you, rather in the aspect of a romantic interest.

» and in the scenario of their profound feelings for you, it also took a toll on the way they treat their Soldiers. rather than the usual commanding and strict persona They use when training, They became suspiciously more lenient with the Soldiers. even they were suprised themselves with the Sudden change.

» It’ll take a considerable amount of time until the Guards can fully accept the growing love and adoration they feel for you. and after they confirmed their Interest, They’ll start treating you a little differently, by showing small subtle signs of their Love for you, until they’re ready enough to finally Confess to you.

» and those subtle signs of affection are in the form of Letters and Gifts. since They can’t always be there in the palace, They’re Generals for a reason. yet what they give you are sometimes too precious to wear in palace walls. such as a Jade ring or Jade Pendant. you once told them that its okay and you didnt need these expensive gifts- yet did you think they listened? yes and no. as the gifts and Letters they give represent something, and They hope you can atleast recognize the value of their feelings that they’re trying to convey.

» yet sometimes, the feelings can be too unbearable to bottle up, and it leads to an unexpected opening of feelings in a Tavern.

» as they were commemorating their victory against the enemy nations, they were given a vacation and a feast from the Emperor to Celebrate, yet after a little while, They invited you to join them at a Tavern for drinks. you asked why go to a Tavern when theres a literal banquet for them on-going, they only said they wanted to spend some time with you.

» and you accepted the Invitation, it was going well, you had fun laughs with them. it gave you nostalgia to when this Friendship blossomed, yet as time went by, Fan Wujiu had too much to drink. and unexpectedly confessed to you in behalf of Him and Bi’an.

» “so… what do you say?”

» “ Wujiu!”

» You were shocked, to say the least. it was Quiet on your side as the lively chatter from the background ensues. Xie Bi’an was pulling on Wujiu’s ear at this point now– they were planning on confessing, yes. but not this soon!

» Your quietness didn’t help the anxiousness from them, nor even answered the lingering question whether if you reciprocated. Bi’an quickly spoke up just in case you felt uncomfortable about the sudden exchange.

» “Ah– don’t mind Wujiu… He isn’t like Himself when Hes drunk.”

» “but… i wanna know, was that true?” you ask, him going quiet for a second, and then opening his mouth to speak with an evident blush

» “…well, I don’t think it’s worth it to lie to you about it.”

» that answer didn’t even help to hide the fact your face was practically burning at this point, whether it’d be the embarrassment or them admitting that they bore feelings for you. maybe both?

» yet soon enough, the silence fades from you, and soon enough is replaced by acceptance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

no. 5 ~ Imperial Lovers

» You have no idea how happy you made them that night, Xie Bi’an was ecstatic while Fan Wujiu was still embarrassed about his Wasted state during that time– yet the feeling of happiness was enough to counter that.

» You can also tease Fan Wujiu about it, yet beware this man will not speak to you for the entire day out of embarrassment

» Your palace life changed alot too after the exchange, and at this point in time you were getting spoilt rotten from them.

» whether it would be sneaking out the palace at night, to small yet meaningful suprises.

» You also noted some new factors about them, such as Wujiu immediately melting when you comb His hair while He lays his head on your Lap. its one of the things that relaxes him alot.

» and speaking of combing, Bi’an loves combing your hair and putting it up in styles you want, whether it would be braided or just a regular style, He’d happily do it.

» Their ways of showing affection, from subtly gifting you valuable yet meaningful gifts, from spending your time with them alone away from the Palace noise.

» Yet all good things come to a short end, as They have to go back to the frontier to train and protect the country oncemore. yet they always make sure you’re okay and know that they’re still thinking of you despite being so far away.

the Frontier is also an unpredictable location. who knows what would happen to them? the rumors that spread out don’t help aswell. after they found out, they send you letters from time to time, to reassure you that they’re alright and for you to not worry too much.

» everytime they come back from the frontier, They always make it up for the time you and them lost. and apologize for making you worry.

» without their knowledge, their soldiers actually know about the relationship you three share due to the letters they receive from you, and they see you as the Palace Servant whom the Two Generals Love.

note: damn i didnt know wtf i was going for when writing this?? but im suuuper sorry if i misuse some things here, l was rlly writing this with the knowledge i remember from watching some old stories ab ancient palace life in china on yt and wanted to incorporate it in this post. anyway it feels great to write for this man once again and i beg for netease to bring back far east wind no matter how useless my begging is i WILL beg just for this man. 💔💔 also its been a hot minute since i last wrote, probably last year? so im sorry if this sucks or smth

also btw yk i had some plans to transform this into an angst, bc reader is a servant, and Wu is a general… i thought of them keeping their relationship a secret from the Emperor cause the Emperor feels as if you’re too lowly to be with them. (smth like that) or maybe forced marriage? wooo idk anymore ‼���

[lovesongbracket]

Reminder: Vote based on the song, not the artist or specific recording! The tracks referenced are the original artist, aside from a few rare cases where a cover is the most widely known.

Lyrics, videos, info, and notable covers under the cut. (Spotify playlist available in pinned post)

Your Song

Written By: Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Artist: Elton John

Released: 1970

Cover included: Ewan McGregor for Moulin Rouge!, 2001

The song was composed and performed by Elton John but the lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin. It originally appeared in his self titled and second album. Elton John hadn’t come out of the closet yet, but Bernie Taupin knew, which is part of the reason why the lyrics avoid using gendered pronouns. In a 2013 interview with Rolling Stone, Elton John said: “What can I say, it’s a perfect song. It gets better every time I sing it. I remember writing it at my parents' apartment in North London, and Bernie giving me the lyrics, sitting down at the piano and looking at it and going, ‘Oh, my God, this is such a great lyric, I can’t fuck this one up.’ It came out in about 20 minutes, and when I was done, I called him in and we both knew. I was 22, and he was 19, and it gave us so much confidence. ‘Empty Sky’ was lovely, but it was very naive. We went on to do more esoteric stuff like ‘Take Me to the Pilot,’ of course, but musically, this was a big step forward. And the older I get, the more I sing these lyrics, and the more they resonate with me.”

[Verse 1] It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside I'm not one of those who can easily hide I don't have much money, but boy if I did I'd buy a big house where we both could live [Verse 2] If I was a sculptor, heh, but then again, no Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do My gift is my song and this one's for you [Chorus] And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you're in the world [Verse 3] I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss Well, a few of the verses, well, they've got me quite cross But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song It's for people like you that keep it turned on [Verse 4] So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do You see, I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen [Chorus] And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple but now that it's done I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you're in the world [Outro] I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you're in the world

Demolition Lovers

Written By: Matt Pelissier, Mikey Way, Ray Toro & Gerard Way

Artist: My Chemical Romance

Released: 2002

The Demolition Lovers are the couple seen on the cover for MCR’s next album, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. This song, along with much of the album, is a prequel to the story of Three Cheers… in which a man makes a deal with the devil to get his dead lover back by killing 1,000 evil men and giving the devil their souls in exchange for her. This song is most likely where the lover dies. The two “Demolition Lovers” are featured on the cover of the album.

[Verse 1] Hand in mine, into your icy blues And then I'd say to you, "We could take to the highway With this trunk of ammunition, too" I'd end my days with you, in a hail of bullets [Chorus] I'm trying, I'm trying To let you know just how much you mean to me And after all the things We put each other through and [Verse 2] I would drive on to the end with you A liquor store or two keeps the gas tank full And I feel like there's nothing left to do But prove myself to you, and we'll keep it running [Chorus] But this time, I mean it I'll let you know just how much you mean to me As snow falls on desert sky Until the end of everything I'm trying, I'm trying To let you know how much you mean As days fade and nights grow And we grow cold [Post-Chorus] Until the end, until this pool of blood Until this, I mean this, I mean this, until the end of [Chorus] I'm trying, I'm trying To let you know how much you mean As days fade and nights grow And we grow cold But this time, we'll show them We'll show them all how much we mean As snow falls on desert sky Until the end of every… [Interlude] All we are, all we are is bullets, I mean this All we are, all we are is bullets, I mean this All we are, all we are is bullets, I mean this All we are, all we are is bullets, I mean this [Guitar Solo] [Bridge] As lead rains will pass on through Our phantoms forever, forever Like scarecrows that fuel this flame We're burning forever and ever Know how much I want to show you You're the only one Like a bed of roses There's a dozen reasons in this gun [Outro] And as we're falling down, and in this pool of blood And as we're touching hands, and as we're falling down And in this pool of blood, and as we're falling down I'll see your eyes, and in this pool of blood I'll meet your eyes, I mean this forever!

[hellfiresmaster]

Omg yes there needs to be more Eddie Munson fluff !! Craving it so baddd

I’ve been going thru a rough patch recently. Laid off from work, no boyfriend, friends are distancing themselves… may I please request some cheering up from my favorite metal head?

I am sending you so much love and a big hug :( I hope things get better soon and I hope you like this little blurb :)

Special Day

Eddie Munson x reader

Warnings: were a little upset at Eddie in the beginning but it gets fluffy and he makes up for it I swear

Word Count: 873

Tag List

The mix of rocks and twigs creaked beneath you as you settled into the ground. You made yourself as comfortable as you possibly could underneath the large boulder. Skull rock was always a safe place for you to go ever since Eddie brought you here when you were younger. Whenever either of you felt overwhelmed or 'just done with everyone's shit' as Eddie puts it, this is where you'd go. He swore it would be a special place just for the two of you. Last year he'd even gone as far as to ask you out right here in this very spot. The thoughts had butterflies stirring in your stomach and a smirk appearing on your face at the memory of Eddie stumbling over himself and his words, trying to convey his feelings for you. 

You eventually allowed yourself to lean back against the enormous rock and take a deep breath, finally able to decompress for a bit and close your eyes. You thought back to every single detail of that day, every word you said to him, every touch, kiss, anything that could give you any sort of clue as to why Eddie had forgotten such an important day like today: your anniversary. Today made a year since you two started officially dating; it was a massive milestone for both of you; how could Eddie have let that slip? You were too wrapped up in your own self-deprecating thoughts to notice tears had been falling while leaving behind dark-colored stains on your blue jeans. You reached for your bag when a noise comparable to footsteps approached you from the woods, and he appeared. Eddie. You quickly tried to compose yourself before he could see and offered him a fake smile as he clumsily made his way to sit next to you.

"Hey, I've been looking for you." His usual playful tone was halted as he stopped in front of you, tentatively putting whatever was in his hands behind his back and speaking as if not wanting to startle your clearly delicate state. He glanced you over carefully, how closed off you seemed but particularly how puffy your eyes were from crying, he assumed. It shattered his heart, and his brain was already driving him crazy trying to figure out what had you feeling like this. "You're here." He motioned to Skull Rock as he sat in front of you instead. "So I know somethings gotta be wrong. Please talk to me." 

"You forgot." It was barely a whisper, but Eddie heard you as you kept your gaze downward at your fidgeting hands. "You forgot our special day..." 

"Baby." Eddie's hands grazed your cheek to lift your face towards him, and he leaned in closer, letting the light and shadow from the scattered trees dance across his skin. Man, he was beautiful, you thought to yourself. Before he could say anything else, he pulled out a small pack of roses with a small pouch attached to them and handed it to you with a crooked smile. "Happy Anniversary." 

You laid the roses on your lap, opened the black velvet pouch, and into your hand fell one of Eddie's favorite skull rings and the most beautiful necklace you had ever seen. It was a silver chain with a red and black guitar pick at the end, engraved in Eddie's handwriting with 'I love you' on one side of it. Your eyes welled up with tears as you glanced back at Eddie in disbelief.

"It's the guitar pic I used at the first show I took you to, where we first kissed, and the ring I thought maybe you could wear for me." Eddie paused before taking your hand and looking into your eyes again. "I could never forget the best day of my life, sweetheart. The day I got to call you mine. I wanted to make it special for you, so I spent all day running around putting that necklace together; I even put together a whole layout in the van with chocolates and roses and all that nice shit you deserve. I just wanted today to be special; I guess I got caught up in it; I'm sorry. And I know it's not the nicest gift ever. You're so fucking special to me; you deserve to be taken out to some nice dinner and shit. Not a guitar pic and a worn-out ring, but-" 

You crashed your lips onto his, rapidly stopping his rambling from getting out of control like it almost always did. Eddie immediately cupped your face between his hands. His lips were soft and pillowy against your own, like they were made for each other. You could feel the gentle tickle of his breath beneath your nose, your fingers carding through his hair as you breathed each other in before separating just enough for your foreheads lean against one another. You loved Eddie; there was no denying that, but the fact that he spent all day preparing the perfect anniversary date and gift for you made you your heart swell. 

"You mean everything to me. I love you so fucking much." He spoke against your mouth, not wanting to pull away much farther.

"I love you too. So much."

Tag list: @luvmunson86 @wickedmystery @hellfire1986baby @roanniom @mariesackler @theoncrayjoy (let me know if you’d like to be removed at any time)

[nonuggetshere]

I shared my (and my friend's ocs) that are related to PK SO-

This is A LOT and I'm kinda embarrassed but I'll fucking "cringe culture is dead" through life or so help me GOD

I like imagining backstories for characters and making cool little nonsensical and completely self-indulgent AUs

(Also for the few people subscribed to my patreon there's more stuff after what I've posted there, just scroll a bit down 👍)

F9r the record I also mangled mine and @demonicintegrity 's thoughts and ideas into one post so it's somewhat comprehensible but jsyk they contributed a lot

An AU where Adamas has her last clutch in her small form

As a refresher Amanita is White Lady's name and Ebur is Pale King's name. Adamas is Pale King's mother, though wyrms use dame and sire for their parents so that's what he calls her. I am yet to properly share Quercus but he's WL's father. Flower is my name for the Pure Vessel in this AU, Hallow is their birth name. Amaryllis is an oc, they're Flower's twin. Any other names that appear here are PK's siblings.

Also using they/it for Ebur and the rest of the family bc as wyrms they don't really have genders

Ebur and Amanita meeting while Ebur's family is travelling and Amanita still lives at the edge of her father's territory and her root system is connected with his but she's getting ready to leave hopefully in just one or two years when she's gathered enough strength and the spring's kind and abundant

Adamas' little group settles near her groove since it's brimming with life and there's not many people to get in the way or compete over resources with aside from the occasional traveller or two, and Amanita tolerates their presence for now, they give her something to do since her father is quite busy with his new seedlings now that she's grown and she doesn't have much company or things to do other than to listen to the occasional mortal passing by and watch the nature, so this small group of wyrms that's mostly composed of ones not much younger than her with all the hubris and boldness of young wyrms is the most interesting thing that's happened to her in a while

Some of them would probably push too far before Adamas had to smack them upside the head and reprimand them for ever thinking about taking over this territory, after all they're really on the larger territory of an ancient God, and even though Roots aren't known to be the most attentive of parents she still doesn't want to tempt fate and check if this one is the same by attacking his daughter

Either way, Amanita notices the younger wyrm isn't quite like the others and seems very intrigued by him

Although their first in face meeting wasn't the best, with her attacking him and managing to stab him in the ribs (you bet your ass Adamas chewed out his ass when he returned to their densite all bloody and holding his side), he kept returning to study her

Seems they both found each other intriguing

And eventually they get to talking, Ebur seemed excited to meet the first rootfolk in his life and actually to get to talk to her, he asks so many questions and she's amused with his curiosity, and eventually actually grows curious about the wyrms (and especially him) herself and asks him things in turn

They grow into unlikely friends though there's definitely more to it but neither is willing to acknowledge it yet

He often sneaks away from his family just to talk to her, and eventually they start sneaking into the more private parts of her groove with the excuse that they wouldn't want Ebur's family finding out they're friends, both of them just ignoring their glaringly obvious attraction to each other

One time Ebur brought her a kill he made and she hoped to GOD her blush wasn't noticeable (it was, not that he'd know because he was also avoiding eye contact to try and hide his own)

Ebur and the bad bitch he pulled by being autistic 💜

The group spends enough time around there for the two idiots to stop dancing around the subject and not only admit to their mutual attraction but to start to fall in love

Enough so that Ebur decides to stay when Adamas decides it's time to move on

At first she was about to talk sense into him about staying permanently in this place but he quickly corrected her

"No, no, it's not like that! I don't want to stay here permanently! I just..." He quieted down and looked away

"...You want to leave?"

"...mh..."

"Are you sure about this? Life as a lone wyrm isn't easy out there in the Wastelands, perhaps it'd be better if you stuck around until we find a suitable territory for you to stay at-"

"No, dame, I- I want to leave now. I think it's time. I love you all and I'll miss you, but...I just...I want to see what's out there for myself. Every year, every day, feels the same now; find some place, stay for a bit and hunt, move on. I- I can't live like this, it feels...suffocating."

"...You were always the curious kind, weren't you? I should have known this routine would bore you eventually," She sighed heavily and approached him, "I always knew this day would come, I just never expected it to be my youngest and smallest wyrmling that leaves the nest first..." She pulled him into a tight hug, "...Stay one last night with us, and if you're still sure about this after tomorrow's hunt I'll leave some supplies for you when we move on."

He smiled and hugged her back, "...Thank you..."

"Just promise me you'll be safe, okay?"

"You taught me well. I'll be alright, I promise."

He spends lots of time with his siblings and mother the next day, maybe Melpomene proposed she could come with since they were always the closest but he reassured her he wanted to be alone

The goodbye is very tearful, even Adamas cries and she's not the type to do that often

Ebur feels a little broken seeing them go, it feels weird being completely alone, strangely quiet too - he usually likes the quiet, but not this time. He goes to hunt to keep his mind off it then that evening he gathers his things and moves them to a densite way closer to his root's (his root, saying that makes him so giddy) and goes to share his kill with her

And that night, for the first time in their lives, he goes to sleep curled up around her amongst her roots. It does help him feel much better about having to say goodbye to his family

He spends the rest of the year in her groove with her - from summer to winter - before she's finally ready to move on next spring and he happily follows her to look for a new home for the both of them

Despite the new normal being hard to get used to at first he was still so unbelievably happy with her

And Quercus was considerably easier to hide their relationship from than his own family, considering they're on the outskirts of his territory and Ebur never saw him in person. As far as Quercus is concerned, Amanita just has a mild wyrm problem that she's handling well on her own

A few different  things could happen from then on

Could either go canon compliant or pull out one of my fav moves, a cute domestic AU where they don't found Hallownest or do it later down the line after already having children and just live for a while as a happy family

And also the Drama Flavour where Ebur ends up pregnant despite them not trying to, they say fuck it and have them but he gets very sick and she brings him to her father for help, cue him being appalled that she's partners with a wyrm and her telling him to suck a dick and she'll take care of him herself, then they have the worst luck ever after finding a brand new territory and stumble onto Ebur's family, and Adamas has some very strong opinions about him being mates with a root (she doesn't even realise he's expecting otherwise it would have been. Worse). Fucking Romeo and Juliet up in here

For the last idea, I like the idea of Adamas questioning if that root can even provide for him or any possible clutches he might have in the future and he gets so pissed off he bristles, tells her to drop it and he's done with her attitude and to get the fuck off his territory. She bristles and calls him out on being so cocky as to tell her to get out

"If you're so confident then come on, defend your territory! Kick me out yourself!"

"Stop it-"

"Come on, boy! Show me you can actually protect yourself and yours! If you want me out them force me out!"

"I'm not going to fight you, mother!"

"...Tsk, you even talk like her."

"...Just...Just leave...please."

She circles him, "You should know words won't be enough to protect your territory from intruders, and that young root definitely doesn't have it in her to do it. You promised me you'll stay safe, so show me you can actually take care of yourself!"

Instead she gets violently thrown back by a white root after Amanita returns to check up on her hubby <3

Puts herself between them, ready to snap their necks with her roots if she has to

"He told you to leave, so leave. Or should I make you, you old bag?"

"Amanita-"

Of course, it was 25% him not being willing to fight his own mother and 75% him being sick and not willing to risk the pregnancy, but he's not gonna tell her that when she reacted so negatively about him being mates with a root (and his siblings def teased him before the situation got serious)

He's gonna be SO fucking depressed about this later though

But I also just like the idea of them finding the place that would later become Hallownest and founding the kingdom together

Ebur: Babe do you want me to beat up this old slug for you?

Amanita: Oh how romantic~

Unn:(live slug reaction)

Unn: Just take the damn territory and leave me alone, you brats

I also made an entire AU with Integrity where PK moves on with his family with a promise that he'll be back next spring for her, only to realise he's expecting. And I am obsessed with this version, it's cute and domestic (in a wyrm kind of way) and I am sucker for these things.

Ebur leaves with his family, promising to return to her next spring so they can leave together, but what he DIDN'T account for was him getting pregnant

So now he has to think up an idea to sneak away and keep his pregnancy hidden until he's back with her. Very hard to do with his mother around, an old wyrm with decades worth of clutches she's reared into adulthood by herself, she sussed him out embarrassingly quickly

Ebur, trying to sneak out: 💦💦💦

Adamas, like she’s scolding a teen: where are you going at this hour?

Ebur: …. A walk to clear my head?

Adamas: do you think that excuse worked with your siblings back then?

Ebur: … no

Adamas: do you think it’s gonna work now?

Ebur: ……… no

Ebur, quickly thinking of something else: ......hunting...

Adamas: Hunting?

Ebur: Hunting.

Adamas: At midnight? With your white, glowing ass? After we just ate?

Ebur: .........I'm hungry.

Adamas: Uh-huh

Ebur, bristling: Well! I'm a grown wyrm, I can do what I want!

Adamas: Oh can you now?

Ebur: 💦💦💦

Adamas: You're an adult but I'm still this group's leader, including yours

Ebur: Yes, dame. I'm sorry, dame

He does his best to mask his scent and keep his hormones and instincts under control, tries to sleep a little further from the group, is very careful on hunts and starts eating away from them when food aggression starts kicking his ass

One time Adamas finally approached him at meal time, throwing him her portion

"Here, eat up."

He looks at her, confused, "...I...what?"

"Just eat, kid."

He hesitantly takes it and leaves it near as he continues with his portion, "Don't you need to eat also?"

"Eh, I've eaten enough. Besides, I'm not the one who's eating for more than one right now."

"HRK-"

He looks at her, horrified, and she can't help but laugh

"What? You think I haven't noticed? Come on, you could fool your siblings with your excuses but I've had plenty of clutches of my own," She pats him on the shoulder, "Come on, eat up, kid. You need to put some meat on these bones."

He sighs heavily and goes back to eating, red in the face and a little awkward, unable to look her in the eyes as she's just observing him

"...If you copulated around the time of your first heat last spring-"

"HRNK?!"

"Oh, don't be like that, you're not a child anymore. Anyway, your due date should be in winter...not the ideal time to have a clutch, but we could make this work. You'll need to eat a lot if this kid is to have any chance of survival, though," She looked back st him, "...If you want to keep it, that is."

He goes quiet, his tail curling in close, "...I...y-yeah, I do..."

"...Alright, if that's what you want."

"You seem nervous."

"...How- how could I not be? I mean, all of this, it's...it's my first brood, and if they're due in winter..."

She scoots closer to him and wraps her tail around him, "Hey...you're not alone in this, okay? You have your siblings and I, we'll take care of you and your young. It's going to be alright." And she nuzzles him gently

Obviously they figure out the children are part root, but only some time after they're born

At least now Ebur has an excuse to return to her, saying she'd have valuable input on caring for them

That doesn't stop his siblings from teasing him about possibly wanting to see her again and being in love (they're right, but he's not about to admit it)

Also the moment he accidentally let's her name slip he's not gonna hear the end of it

Adama: So you want to return to the groove?

Ebur: Yes. I mean, she taught me a lot about rootfolk, but-

Io: Uh-huh, I bet she did. Close and perso-

Ebur, slapping him with his tail: ...Anyway. She told me a lot, but still, Amanita would kno-

Adustus: YOU KNOW HER NAME?!

Ossum: OHHH, LITTLE LOVERBOY IS ON FIRST NAME BASIS WITH THE ROOT~?

Ebur: You're killing me

God can you imagine what kind of pains in the ass these cunts were when Adamas and Ebur broke the news to them

Constant teasing and asking who it was

Ebur gets no rest

Adamas takes her little shits on a training hunt again

"Why do we need to train anyway? You've taught us how to hunt seasons ago."

"I did, but not with two members down. You need to practice now before your sibling stops being able to join us on hunts."

"...two...?"

"Yes, two. It'll be safer if somebody stays behind with Ebur when he's further along and carrying for his young, so I need to know we'll be able to provide for this family with two hunters down and more mouths to feed."

"...Can't I join your hunts anyway? You hunted by yourself while pregnant, didn't you?"

"I did, but I was also alone, I had no choice. You shouldn't have to choose between your children's safety and finding food. We live as a family for a reason, what would we be but animals if we don't take care of each other? I'm not letting you or your young live like lone nomads when you have us."

They also hunt more since Ebur needs more food, especially later down the line, and if anybody complains she's gonna cut that shit down SO fast

"I don't want to hear it! Ebur and the brood they're carrying are your kin, so start acting like it and have some damn respect. Do you think Ebur would be here complaining if the roles were reversed? Do you think they wouldn't care for you when you need it? We're a family, we take care of each other, in sickness and in health. Your sibling and his children need you. If that's a problem for you, you're free to leave and live as a nomad, but as long as you follow me and are a part of this family I don't want to hear any complaining, got it?"

"...yes, dame. I'm sorry."

"Instead of apologising to me make yourself useful. And treat your siblings kinder, one day you might be the one who needs their help so you better hope your words don't come back to bite you then."

Adamas is a strict parent but very much loves her family and it's so important to her that they take care of each other <3

She's a good mum, if a little bit hard on them at times

Melponeme, loafing in front of Ebur: ….

Ebur: …. What. Go away

Melp: im not touching you

Ebur: what do you want

Melp, loafing, staring: ……….

Ebur: ………………

Melp: you’re gettin fat

Ebur: no shit it’s almost like a have a litter growing inside me

Melp, reaching over to poke his stomach:

Ebur, batting: stop that!!!

Melp: how many do you think they’re gonna be?

Ebur: I dunno

Melp: probably like. A lot of you keep growing at this rate

(And then it's just two. Absolute menace <3 won't give him a break)

Ebur, growling:

Adamas: Dear, if you keep poking at a predator like that it's gonna strike

Melp: Nahhh, they're harmle-

Ebur, pouncing on her:

Melp: !!!

"Don't be too rough with your sibling, they're expecting."

"Oh come on! They started it! They can't keep holding the pregnancy thing over our head constantly!"

Ebur sitting there like >:3

“Well they’ve got a few more months and then it’s fair game”

"Oh, so you'd beat up a new parent and leave my children orphaned? How cruel"

"I'm not gonna kill you, you maniac?!"

Also once he's much further along he digs himself a separate den and slowly moves in there, it worries his siblings but Adamas assures them it's normal, wyrms prefer to be alone in the first few days before and after giving birth

"Are you sure they're okay? Can't they stay with us?"

"Pff, would you prefer to get growled at and possibly mauled every time you come into your den? They'll be fine, don't worry."

His siblings go out hunting and gathering more often after that and finally give him lots and lots of warm and soft bedding for his new den

"Since you'll sleep alone we thought you and the baby could use some warmer bedding."

And he can't help but smile and wag his tail

Wondering if wyrms would have a word for aunt/uncle and what would it be?? Obviously not auncle, since aunt and uncle aren't wyrm temrs

Currently they don't have any, anybody beyond your parents, siblings and young are just "kin"

Maybe they'd use cousin? (As in. Also use cousin, not a replacement for aunt/uncle. I realised I worded this weird)

Half of this is Ebur's siblings fretting over him and Adamas having to keep them straight and from freaking out KDBDJRB

“GET OUT OF MY DEEENNNN”

“Oh but we worry about our poor lil sibling!!”

“FUCK OOOFFF”

Gonna get hissy and pissy and Adamas will just shake her head and say she warned them

“Can we see the babies now— UAGH”

“-HISSSSS-“

Glaring at them from the entrance of his den before the babies even arrive

"You're so lucky I'm round and slow right now"

“Hehe spherical”

“Shut the fuck up”

Also been thinking about the delivery. This sounds weird,,

TW for childbirth, pregnancy, etc, and mention of near infant death

Anyway, his siblings would notice he stopped eating, only stays in his den, and would bring it up to Adamas

Her ear just twitches and she looks over at his den, "...Seems the little one will arrive any moment, then."

"Huh?"

"How can you tell?"

"I also stopped eating like two to three days before I had you or any of my previous litters. It's normal. Just give them some space, they're going to be especially irritable now."

Then one night one of them wakes up and immediately wakes the others, as Adamas isn't in the den. They peek out to look for her and find her just sitting nearby and staring at Ebur's den

"...Dame? Why aren't you in the nest?"

"Quiet down. Do you smell that?"

They pause to scent the air

"...blood?"

"...It's been a while," She gets up and dusts herself off, "I'll go check up on your sibling, you keep watch for me. Don't come too near, he's probably stressed as is."

She approaches his den and they see her quietly talking before she disappears inside. They keep watch as promised, though all of them are fidgety and uneasy, pacing and shifting around, trying to chat to pass the timd

After what feels like forever though one of them tells them to shut up for a moment and when they do they can hear very faint cries coming from the den

They wait with held breaths and eventually Adamas stalks out of the den holding bloodied bedding (to a group of nervous wyrms looking at her like 👁👁 👁👁 👁👁 👁👁 👁👁, almost makes her laugh)

"...so?"

"So what?"

"Dame, please-"

She snickers, "There's two."

They all seem excited, which makes her smile

"How are they?"

"Ebur is fine. One of the wyrmlings is strong, and the furstborn..." She trails off, swishing her tail, "They'll make it, if they survive this night."

The five visibly deflate at the news

"...Are they gonna...?"

"Only time will tell. Like I said, if they survive this night they should be okay. Don't repeat this to Ebur, though, they've had enough of hardships for one night," She turned to leave, "I'll go burry these sheets. You five, go hunt for your sibling and their young, they're going to need the strength. I'll look after them."

They hurry off, a hunt seems like a good opportunity to blow off some steam

When they return, Adamas shows them how to thinly mince the meat for the the newborns before she delivers the food to Ebur and his kids

That's pretty much the norm for the next few days, Adamas is the only one who he allows into the den so she updates the siblings on the situation and stays with him while they go hunting

The day after, after they made their hunt for the day and Adamas once again disappears into their sibling's den with the food, was probably the most stressful. The five waited for her for what seemed like eternity and immediately pounce on her for info like young wyrmlings the second she's out

"Won't you five calm your tails?! Your sibling and their young are fine."

"And the firstborn?"

"They're doing much better and seem strong. You can stop panicking."

Though they're less intense about this afterwards, everytime Adamas leaves the den she's met with five wyrms staring at her and eagerly awaiting any updates

"Do they have names yet?"

"Ebur said they did pick already, you'll learn them once you meet the younglings"

"UUUUGHHH"

"MAAAAN"

"Stop being dramatic, it's only a few more days"

The five also get an idea to make the twins little clothes so they can stay warm and cosy

They get to gift them to Ebur once they finally meet the little ones

One day, after nearly a week, Adamas leaves the den to see the five wyrms once again waiting on her and she sighs heavily before smiling

"Alright, who wants to meet the babies?"

And they all get SO excited, before she has to remind them to keep calm to not spook their sibling or his kids

They go into the den one by one, which is thankfully big enough for all of them, where Ebur is laying in the corner, curled up around two little sleepy boundless and purring to them

His siblings are just awe struck at the babies and coo to them, showering them and Ebur with so many compliments

"They look a little odd for wyrmlings though, don't they?"

Io proceeds to get very roughly jabbed in the side by Fossor

"Ow, what the hell?!"

"Don't be an ass. Obviously they're not full wyrms, idiot, they're going to look different."

Though none of them is yet to clock that they're half-root

They get the babies thick clothes so they can crawl outside the den (under incredibly strick supervision by all 7 of their family members) once they're big enough

"Ebur, quit grooming them! They won't combust into flames if they have a speck of dirt or snow on them!"

"Mrrrr"

Melpomene: So, how did you name them?

Ebur: The firstborn is Hallow and the second born is Amaryllis

Io: Hm, weird names for wyrms

Ebur: 💦💦💦

Fossor, readying to hit him again:

Hallow, crawling towards Io with intent to Bite:

Io: Ohhhh little lad on a mission, what will they do? Beware the big bad wyrm

Hallow: Grrrr

Io:*casually just rolls away*

Hallow, flopping down and looking at him offended before SCREAMING angrily to voice their displeasure at inability to bite and maim uncle: EEEAAAAAAAAA

Gonna crawl towards him with even more determination

Adustus: Snrk- Stop giving the poor kid a workout and let them bite you

Io: If they wanna bite me they should prove it by getting me the legitimate way

Adamas: that one has a strong set of lungs

Ebur: mhm

Ebur: ...Was I this loud at their age?

Adamas: Absolutely. The loudest

Ebur: .......oh

Adamas: yeah. oh. Little snot

Ebur: hey!

(Mean to him <3)

Just wait till they figure out the connection between Amaryllis and Amanita

Of course loverboy would name the baby after a flower LMAO

".....snrk"

"shut up. shut up. shut the fuck up. I dont wanna hear it. Shut your bitchass up."

Start teasing him that he is SO smitten and in love

None know just how right they are

He's gonna die or commit murder at this rate

Ebur being all "it's not like that, it's not like that" and then when he sees Amanita again they're all lovey dovey and cute

I think Adamas' group was in the groove for like 2 years so they did have time to develop a meaningful relationship, though it's still nothing compared to how they're gonna be in a few years KFBDJFH

Io: not like that my ass—

Ebur: Shut the fuck—

Amanita: :? Not like what my darling?

Adustus: he’s been swearing up and down it isn’t love and he hasn’t totally been courting you

Amanita, amused: aaaww my dear Ebur, so now you’re shy with your affections~?

Ebur, sputtering: Ami, please not in front of my family...

Ossum: AMI

Ebur: I BITE

Ossum: Yeah, I bet ~your Ami~ knows a thing or two about that, huh~?

Ebur: GRRRRR

Amanita, laughing a little: I haven’t heard you growl that loud since we first met my wyrm~!

Ossum: good gods y’all are nauseating

Adamas: Her wyrm, huh?

Ebur: NOT you too

Amanita, not helping as she nuzzles him: My wyrm~

She's having so much fun <3 He can't help but smile though

Ebur: You're...impossible, my darling

Amanita: 🥰

Adamas: So, how long have you been together?

Amanita: Officially? Only one year, but we've been courting for much longer than that~

Adamas: Oh, you're official hm? Ebur, you never told me you've found yourself a mate. Look at you growing up on me, my youngest wyrmling has a mate and children already

Ebur: My dame, please

Amanita: ....children?

Adamas: ... you didn't know?

Ebur: Hey i was suppose to surprise her with that dame!

Ebur: Plus, I only found out after I left, not like I could tell her I was-

Amanita, grabbing him: Darling, what's that about children?

Ebur: .... We have two my darling.

Amanita: We have children!?

Ebur: yes. Our...... time together has resulted in me becoming gravid. We have two healthy children

Amanita, shaking him: Show me!!

Ebur, laughing: Well, stop trying to give me whiplash and I will!

(They're so adorable it makes me sick <- Ebur's siblings probably)

Presents her with the two little guys with a big smile. Tells her their names and she kneels down to hold them both and nuzzle and give kisses and be so so emotionally happy about it

The rest of the family give them some privacy so they can have a proper reunion and Amanita can meet her children

She's so SO happy

Scoops all three of them up and nuzzles him, looks at them as if they're her whole world

"Oh, my darling, they're so beautiful, so perfect...I love them..." She whispers, her breath caught in her throat for a moment, "...I love you."

His heart skips a beat and he nuzzles in close and kisses her cheek, "I love you too..."

And the babies are gonna ruin the moment and squeaking in protest about being held <3

"ooohhh my little sprouts, I need to plant you in my den and watch you grow big and strong youre so precious~"

"wait like. Actually bury them??"

"A little yeah. They should be able to root I think"

"...hm!"

"...Unless they're more wyrm in that regard?"

"Well, they seemed to do just fine on meat, but there's no harm in trying other things. Maybe a combination will be best for them?"

"Oh dear..."

"Don't worry, my love, we'll figure it out together"

Theyre rowdy and like to run around and play

but for sleepy time they get to be buried in the dirt. Makes em giggle and keeps them warm

OH the convo between Adamas and his siblings in the meanwhile

Adustus: ...He's gonna leave, isn't he?

Adamas: Hm?

Adustus: I mean, with our group we can't stay anywhere for too long, especially in a small groove like this, we'd run out of prey. And a root wouldn't be able to keep up for long, they're stationary. And...I doubt he'd leave her, just look at them.

Adamas: ...He seems happy. It'd be good for the little ones to have both parents too.

Amanita, planting the babies for the first time:

Quercus, waking her up at ass o'clock after he sensed two new seedlings near her: 👀 👀 👀

Amanita: huh wh

Quercus: KIDS?? KIDS?? DO I HAVE GRANDKIDS PRINCESS???

Amanita: pfft. yes.

Amanita:

Amanita, internally: wait shit fuck

Quercus: oh hey that wyrm problem came back. Lemme drop by and see how my daughter is doing since im not busy

What a fucking reunion that would be huh

Adamas: I've heard you want to leave? Maybe you should come with us, then, it'd be easier for you

Amanita: Ah, but would you like to leave now? Because it's already almost the end of spring, I don't think it'd be a good idea for me to leave now, I might not survive winter if I'm not rooted down somewhere by autumn. We were planning to leave early next spring, if you'd like to live in my groove until then you're fully welcome to

Adamas: But what of your parent? Wouldn't they notice?

Amanita: It's alright, he didn't came by last time you were here for over two years, I'm sure it's fine now, he won't even notice 😊 (narrator voice he did notice)

"Hey sweetheart how are you.... doing...."

Amanita, with the family of wyrms just hanging out in her den: .......... Daaaadddddddd what a suuurrrppprriiissseee💦

Her just trying to cover up this fairly large family of wyrms

Adamas getting defensive when Quercus is questioning Amanita

Starts growling and pushes to the front of them

Quercus: Stay out of this, wyrm

Adamas: Like hell I am! I'm not letting you step all over my family or my daughter

Amanita: It's really not nece- daughter??? 🥺

Quercus: Daughter?!

Adamas: Yes, daughter, she's my child's partner so as much of a family to me as my own children!

Amanita's just trying so fucking hard not to get emotional and cry over this now

too bad Quercus is bristling at that

Amanita and Quercus are emotional over this but in completely opposite directions

Amanita has to get herself together to step between them before it ends in a fight

GOD. I AM SO EMOTIONAL OVER THIS. AMANITA BEING ACCEPTED INTO HIS WYRM FANILY AFTER THEY SEE HOW MUCH SHE AND EBUR LOVE EACH OTHER 🥺 SO CUTE

She gets to root in and do some wyrm watching with her tubers

Amanita, to the kids: look how silly your father can be. Look, watch

Amanita, wiggling a root:

Ebur: 👁️👁️

His siblings watching him paw at the root

Adustus: ...Dude...

Fossor: Good fates he's domesticated

Adamas: …… oh how the mighty fall

She always knows how to embarrass him in front of his family 🥰

Zooming through her roots to play while Adamas wonders how he inherited such weird quirks

Adamas: I should have judged my mates better, what is this...

Ossum: hey they're the only one Like That

Melp: yeah we’re normal about things

Ebur: Snrk- Yeah, just wait till you find your own mates

Io: I think you're just weird, actually

Ebur: At least I have a mate and children, you lonely ass

Amanita delights in how silly the tubers are. Truly the most delightful thing

Ebur's family think it's funny how the twins have been dubbed the tubers since they came here

But hey, it fits

I bet Amanita sometimes just casually steals her wyrm away

Just picks him up with her roots like "I'll be taking that~"

They're so lovely dovey it's nauseating

Even Adamas teases him about her swooping him off his feet

And he can't keep the smile off his face when he talks about her or hide the blush when they tease him so he really can't hide it

Ebur and the tubers also sleep in her den, keep in her tangle of roots.

The others can set up a den as they please

He at first set up a den near her instead of with her but it was literally abandoned on night one

It's his den in spirit

The second his siblings realise its been abandoned and how fast he's getting teased AGAIN

“Shouldve just saved the time and effort and not done that altogether.”

“I didn’t ask you”

Adamas: No, I bet they tried really hard to use that den but really couldn't help themself be apart from her, didn't you?

Ebur: ...grrrr

Adamas: Snrk, seems I got it right

Amanita: you made a separate den from me???

Adamas: case n point

Ebur: Ooooh, God forbid I want to sleep with my partner! You insufferable twats

Adamas: You’re such a fucking sap

Amanita: Oh but they're my sap~ And I think it's so cute~

Gets a collective "Bleh" out of them

The two looking over their tubers playing with Ebur's siblings

Amanita: Oh, these kids are great, I love them so much

Ebur: Mhm

Amanita: We should have more~

Ebur, sputtering: Amanita!

Io: HEY WE HEARD THAT YOU FUCKING WEIRDOS

Amanita: what? You didn’t think I was going to want just one clutch did you love?

Ebur: w-what—

Amanita, curling around him: I have an urge for my seeds to spread my wyrm~

Io, gagging:

Fossor: What the hell, you two

Ebur: Not- not in front of my family, my love...

Io: literally traumatizing. What is wrong with them both

The rest is pretty much just VERY half assed future stuff and this is long enough as is 😐 So like. Yeah.

[baravaggio]

what makes steel ball run your favorite jjba part? <3

HIIIII GOOD JOJO MORNING and thank you for giving me a question to ponder over my toast this morning hehe 💏☕️

I've said it before but the main reason I love jojo in general has more to do with how fun it is to watch araki evolve his approach to storytelling and his art style from part to part...like jojo is silly and fun and by no means a perfectly executed story, but I think araki is uniquely radical in his creative approach in a way that's thrilling to watch! a big part of my enjoyment of sbr stems from the fact you can tell it's the product of 20 years of araki experimenting with his approach to major & minor character writing, fight construction, pacing, weaving in & delivering on themes, working with setting & his chosen genre in an engaging way, using paneling & art style to create atmosphere, etc. and he's able to deliver on nearly every front. it's by no means a perfect story (beginning is painfully slow, the zombie horse & magic thread that appeared exactly once, final fight happening AFTER the story's emotional climax, etc.), but when considered within the context of parts 1-7, it's his most well-rounded & complex work by far imo - that's played a huge role in my enjoyment of it!

and then of course there's specific aspects to steel ball run that are kind of like catnip to me personally!

johnny not being an easily likeable protagonist, and who has a character arc more complex than "selfish guy learns about the meaning of friendship" - too much to go into for this ask, but I particularly love how at the start of sbr johnny's perspective on his life and purpose is coming from a place of deep pain & a feeling of helplessness over his ability to exert control over his life...there's no short, clear path to fixing the psychological impact of his cold upbringing, the guilt & sense of responsibility he felt for his brother's death, the way the artificial sense of self-worth he obtained through celebrity backfired horribly on him, the abuse and abandonment he experienced after he was paralyzed. his arc isn't about trying to leave all this behind and transforming him into a perfect, fixed person - it's a bumpy road!! even as he grows, throughout sbr we see him continue to be selfish, irresponsible, lacking in confidence, overly reliant on others, even violent. and of course he has to grapple with obtaining and losing the corpse parts over & over again, and what that implies for his internal sense of meaning. I think the conflict he has about valentine's offer in their final fight (trying to avoid spoilers about specifics but AUGH) is one of my favorite character moments in all of jojo because it perfectly illustrates how despite all the growth he's experienced with gyro during the race, there is still a part of him that will have to fight against the impulse to let his pain, guilt, and perceived lack of agency drive his actions. by the end of sbr he's become a person who is more at peace with himself, someone with a quiet confidence and sense of purpose and agency he's had to build from scratch - he's taken the long way, but the shortest road is the detour. best jojo forever TO MEEEE

johnny & gyro as co-protagonists as opposed to primary and secondary characters. they are hands down the best written jojo & jobro duo, one really could not carry the story without the other. the way gyro's lessons and how they're delivered (and to an extent, tusk's evolution as well) represent key points in the growth of johnny and gyro together and as individuals....crying wailing gnashing my teeth because there's a million things I could say about this but I'd like to direct everyone to this wiki entry because whoever wrote it composed an entire essay that says it better than I ever could

the sbr race as a west to east affair instead of an east to west affair, it turns the western genre on its head a bit in a way I find really satisfying. steel ball run masquerades as a story about adventure, but its emotional core is about the characters taking the long way back home to themselves - to do this, they have to go far away from their physical roots (both east of the race's starting point) and must take a long time to return. it adds an even more bittersweet element to johnny's final action of delivering gyro's body back to his family in naples. beyond being the decent thing to do, it's an act that honors the work gyro did to figure out how the ability and duty that's been placed on his shoulders can be used in a way that doesn't require him to abandon the compassion, optimism, and even the struggles that make him who he is - this is the emotional weight & character significance the act of returning home holds in sbr's story

the side characters are genuinely interesting, they have their own fleshed out reasons for being in the race that are actually relevant to the story. they're not all perfectly executed (justice for soundman -_-) but it makes for a much more dynamic feeling cast and a more engaging read!

the mid-to-late sbr art style is my favorite by far. it feels so cinematic and adds a sense of drama that's so fitting for the setting and genre! the real turning point for me was gyro's fight with ringo roadagain, where araki starts using more close up, highly detailed "shots" and adds dialogue only sparingly to create a palpable sense of tension appropriate for a shootout. it's spectacular

once you get past the first like 30 chapters (ouch) almost every fight has a sense of relevance and purpose to the larger story. sbr's fights might not be the most bombastic in concept compared with other jojo parts, but I much prefer a fight where the stakes can really be felt to a fight that seems to be stuck in there so araki can explore some fun stand idea. sbr gets bonus points in my book for having some incredible fights where the emotional stakes are especially high - sugar mountain arc's shootout with the eleven men, civil war, johnny vs valentine to name a few!

ARGH I could go on and on but these are just some of the big reasons sorry for the essay ily 💕💋

[zecretsanta]

to: skylar @agentdate from: @kayzero Hi! Sorry if I twisted your prompts into something unrecognizable!

(prompts: post ztd sigma struggling to fit in + anything with d team being family)

In a base built into a crater on the moon, Akane Kurashiki heard Sigma Klim take a shuddering breath and knew that the Shift was successful. He was laid in bed in the hospital room behind the divider, and she could hear the rustling of sheets as he reacquainted himself with his circumstances.

She was also close enough to hear a muffled thud, the back of his fist hitting the mattress, most likely, and a barely audible growl. A failure, then. Pitiable, but there were other realities where he could have succeeded.

Akane waited exactly a minute, as was customary between them, before crossing the room and peering past the divider. Sigma was still visibly upset — interesting, considering how composed he was normally. Perhaps because the most recent failure was so final, there was no need to hide a negative reaction.

He looked up to see Akane, and tried to fix his features. A prominent scowl still remained, however.

“I’ll assume, since I’m here, that the Game was successful. If you don’t mind, I’d like to wait to debrief.”

“Of course,” Akane replied. And then, just to make sure, she said, “I would like to hear just a bit about your end of things.”

The scowl grew into a snarl for a split-second before Sigma closed his eyes to compose himself.

“I suppose there are two things I can impart before a full debrief. First, as far as we can tell, Radical-6 was never released.”

Oh? The project was successful? Then why was Sigma so…

“Secondly, the younger me missed the mark. By a full year.”

…Ah. A year with his young love, and then cruelly torn away.

Akane supposed she would be irate as well.

Sigma woke up in the past completely whole with a pair of babies in his arms. This was surprising on a few levels. The first was that he wasn’t missing any of his body parts — he knew his arms and eye had been replaced, and he assumed it was after whatever had happened in the Mars habitation experiment, but that appeared to not be the case.

Secondly, the wriggling infants that were exploring his face, frozen in fear like it was. Nobody told him to expect babies! He knew that they were reactive to people’s emotions so he was trying not to panic but it was getting harder because they were starting to notice his mild hysteria—

“Oh dear, did they wake you up?”

—and then he was saved. By a kind-looking redhead wearing a long skirt. 

Now, he knew he was wrong, but he had to ask to make sure. 

“Luna…?”

She looked shocked for a moment, then snorted and dropped her face into a hand, shaking with laughter. When she came back up, wiping a tear from her eye, she was muttering, “Of course. You would know yourself best, wouldn’t you?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Nothing, just a bet I lost with your other self.” She came over and took the babies from Sigma one after the other before introducing herself.

“My name is Diana. It will be a pleasure getting to know you, Sigma.”

He was taken aback. Not just by her kindness, but also…

“You sound so sure of that.”

She just smiled, just a little sad, and said,

“I am sure of it.”

Apparently, Sigma shared an apartment with Diana and her twins. And apparently, that apartment belonged to a compound owned by Crash Keys. Diana recommended that Sigma go and talk to Akane.

To better center himself, she said.

To figure out what he’s supposed to do now that there’s no apocalypse, he heard.

And wasn’t that a nice surprise, to find that the purpose of a nigh on torturous experiment was well and moot, to find out that Radical-6 had not only never escaped, but there had been no evidence to suggest that it had ever existed in the DCOM facility in the first place!

Yes, Sigma is happy that the world isn’t being destroyed. But now he’s just…

Lost. Without purpose.

He could go back to college? He’d only been missing for a few months, it wouldn’t be hard to get back to… normalcy.

What even was normal, anymore? Were the last two days just a dream?

Did he dream up Phi?

(He wanted to ask Diana about Phi, if she knew her, if she was part of DCOM, but something in the back of his head screamed that it would be a terrible idea, so he listened.)

Anyways. Akane.

She was supposed to be somewhere downstairs in the underground portion of the compound. Constantly working, Diana said, which matches Sigma’s perception of her in the future. Someone who was willing to let themselves be killed for a greater good doesn’t seem like someone with a good work-life balance — not that he’d say as much to her face.

Thankfully, for whatever reason, the compound was empty, so Sigma was able to just peek into rooms until he found one with a young woman hunched over a laptop typing furiously and a young man lounging in a chair behind her. It’s him that noticed Sigma first, standing awkwardly in the doorway trying to find a way to ask if this was the right room, and it’s him that snorted and shook his head.

“Hey, what do you know, it actually happened.” His comment makes the woman, hopefully Akane, look up from the laptop, take a single glance at Sigma, and sigh despondently before immediately turning back to her work.

“Uh, what happened?” Sigma’s forced to ask, still stuck in an awkward limbo.

“You Shifted back,” probably-Akane mumbles behind her screen. “We weren’t expecting it. It was mentioned offhand as a possibility, but not ever considered reality. Until now, I guess.”

“Wait, but me Shifting back was always the plan…”

“Well for starters, you’re a year off,” the guy takes over. “You were supposed to land in apocalypse-torn 2029, and instead you’re here, in hunky-dory 2030.”

“Aoi,” Akane says with a bit of reproach, then leans back away from her laptop to continue. “We were also discussing the possibility of this being too far of a branch timeline for you to be able to travel to, but obviously that theory was wrong.”

That part confused Sigma. If not having an outbreak of Radical-6 was enough to shift the timeline so far that he couldn’t return, then what was the point of Shifting back in the first place? That was the whole point! To prevent the outbreak! Which meant that if older Sigma did his job, this Sigma wouldn’t have a purpose at all. That was enough to try and deny the reality staring him in the face.

He tried to laugh it off. “I know that Shifting back and forth would create divergent timelines, but isn’t that the point? To make a future that isn’t ravaged by Radical-6? How could this branch be so far off that I wouldn’t even be able to land here, y’know?”

“That’s fair…” Akane agrees, putting her head in her hands in a way that really highlighted the bags under her eyes. “I guess he thought that between becoming a father and facing down a new apocalyptic threat, there might be enough interference to throw you off? I’m not really an expert on timeline theory…”

…Okay, one of those things was more important than the other, but Sigma really wanted to ask about the less important one. He refrained, though. “A new threat?”

“Yeah — we actually got the information from Zero, or Brother, as you’d know him. Some cultist or another trying to restart the world.”

“A cultist who was bent on ruining the world is telling us that a different cultist wants to ruin the world, is that what I’m hearing?”

“Yes, it does sound ridiculous when you put it like that, but the evidence is compelling.” Akane turned the laptop around, and you took a glance at graphs and data that didn’t have the  attention span to look into at that moment. “Someone else is tapping deep into the Morphogenetic Field and taking advantage of people in a way that worries me. And according to the information we were given, he has the ability to twist other people’s minds using the Field.”

Okay, so it was real as far as Akane knew, and it sounded serious. “How can I help?”

“Uh, well—”

“From where I’m sitting,” the man, Akane called him Aoi, cut in, “you’re missing about forty-five years of credentials.”

“Aoi!”

“No, he’s right,” Sigma interrupted Akane. “The other me has decades more experience than I do, that’s an unavoidable fact. But he’s gone now — and I’m here. I can’t imagine he would just sit back while all this was happening, what was he working on?”

Akane growls and rubs the bridge of her nose between her knuckle and thumb, but answers regardless. “His idea was to use machinery to get close to the cultist. An android of some kind. He was working on a robot that could pass for human that could serve as an infiltrator.”

“Oh, that’s a genius idea! It gets around the issue of corruption through the Morphogenetic Field entirely by not using a human brain!” Sigma ignores the fact that he has zero knowledge of programming or machine learning, and barely any experience putting a robot together in the first place. “Do you have any of his work that I can look over and get a base?”

“We can have a laptop ready for you tomorrow,” Aoi declares, to Akane’s sigh. “In the meantime, why don’t you get acclimated to the area and the compound? Settle in a little.”

“Yeah, let me… Let me go do that.” Acclimate to… what, fatherhood? Oh, Jesus… “See you tomorrow.”

There are two symbols on the door that Sigma’s been staring at for the past four and a half minutes.

Two Greek letters, Delta and Phi.

It could be a remembrance sort of thing. Delta means change, right? ‘We must change so what happened to Phi won’t happen again.’ That’s what Sigma’s afraid of. It’s possible that there could have been a Delta in DCOM that died with Phi. Diana and the other Sigma would have wanted to remember both of them so they carved their Greek symbols into their door. 

There really aren’t a lot of reasons to carve something into your door, Sigma thinks.

Diana or other Sigma could just really like Greek lettering, that’s always a possibility.

Five minutes, now. Sigma is officially stalling on going inside.

He knows it’s the right door, he took note of the carvings as he was leaving earlier in the day so the sameness of the compound isn’t what’s preventing him from entering. Nor is it the prospect of the tiny children actually being his tiny children — not totally, at least. He’s a few months late to the process, but he’s sure he can learn how to be a father. Feeding and changing babies is kind of like maintenance of hardware and maintenance is integral to engineering. Babies don’t scare Sigma.

Diana, on the other hand.

It’s not that she scares him, per se. It’s the implication, the relationship she must have had with the other Sigma to cause the tiny children to exist in the first place. The expectations she must have for him, now that he’s here, back in his body, after she had a harrowing and bonding experience with the older him.

…But she seemed so earnest earlier, wanting to get to know him, rather than looking at him like he was an invader in the body of someone she loved. Maybe he’s afraid of himself, rather than her expectations. He’s afraid of not being good enough.

Six minutes now. Stop stalling, Sigma.

The doorknob turned — he was surprised that he was surprised, maybe he believed in the bottom of his heart that he is an intruder after all — and the door swung inward, letting Sigma in to close it quietly behind him. He could hear Diana shushing a whimpering twin in the room just past the entryway 1-as he entered. 

“I know Delta, I know, but you have to settle down, you don’t want to wake up Phi, do you?”

Oh, well that explains it.

Sigma moves from the door into the apartment proper. Diana is sitting on the couch, facing away from him, but the baby, apparently Delta, sees him immediately and exclaims, waving their pudgy little hand excitedly. This, of course, makes Diana turn her head around to look at you.

“Oh, Sigma,” she says, standing up. Sigma’s arms seem to move on their own, grasping the baby and cradling them in such a way that they’re up by his face, eagerly grabbing onto his ear. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“It’s a habit I picked up,” he explained, sitting down with her and readjusting Delta. “I had a roommate with a nasty noise sensitivity — closing the door too loudly would hurt him, apparently.”

“Oh, wow.”

“I imagine that forty-five years in isolation would make the other me kinda blind to stuff like that, you seemed kinda shocked that I even could be quiet.”

Diana raises a hand to cover her mouth, but Sigma can see the corners of her lips turning upward.

“Yes, he was a bit of an elephant coming and going, but the twins enjoyed it, loved seeing him come in. He quieted down when it was time to put them to rest, though, he wasn’t completely without discretion.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to—” 

“I know, I know. It’s a bit funny how different the two of you are.”

Forty-five years will do that to a person, he doesn’t say. Instead, he asks about the door.

“Which one of you carved the, uh, the symbols, in the door? They’re the names of the twins?”

“Oh? You saw those?”

“It’s how I can tell the doors apart up here.”

“They are a bit samey, aren’t they? Yes, well, he took the twins to the park that’s nearby to give me a little bit of a break, but I got a bit stir-crazy, and like you said, the doors all look the same up here, so I took a penknife and decorated a little.”

At some point during the conversation, Delta’s little hand fell from Sigma’s ear to his shoulder and, looking down at them, he noted that the baby had fallen asleep. He gestured to them with his chin and Diana gently took hold and stood up, walking to the bedroom, presumably where the crib was.

Sigma followed, body on autopilot. He wanted to ask why Diana didn’t tell him that he was the father of the twins, but he couldn’t formulate the question without sounding accusatory, and the last thing he wanted to do was verbally assault such a kind woman. So when Diana came out of the room and closed the door, Sigma asked the other question on his mind.

“How did they get their names?”

Diana stopped walking, halfway to the kitchen, and seemed to shudder in place. Sigma wanted to move and help her, but she shook her head as if to clear it.

“Delta came second, we wanted his name to match Phi’s, and Sigma wanted to name him after me, so we ended up using the Greek letter D. For Phi…”

She stops again. Sigma takes a step closer, hesitant, and ignores the blaring in his head to ask the question.

“Did something happen to Phi?”

There was a pause, during which Sigma took another faltering half-step before Diana choked out an answer.

“We don’t know — I don’t know. We woke up during the game and she was just — gone. Phi was gone, Akane had escaped, and we were trapped in that facility for-for-”

Her choking picked up and turned into a cry. Sigma’s body moved on its own, gathering her into his arms and stroking her back.

“I gave up on Akane coming back for us,” she sobbed into his chest. “We ran out of food three days before she showed up, I didn’t have anything to feed them with! He was trying, God knows he was trying, but he’s just so pragmatic and everything he was saying was so morbid and-and-”

There were no more questions that night. Only Sigma holding Diana as she released sorrow at least months old.

The park was nice, Sigma supposed. He went the next day to get away from the compound, from Akane and his potential worthlessness, from Diana and the hole he couldn’t quite fill. He wanted to get away from existential crises brought about by circumstances out of his control, from different apocalyptic situations than he was mentally prepared to face. 

He wanted to get out from the other Sigma’s shadow. He couldn’t quite manage.

But at least the park was nice.

It was a small, grassy thing, with stone benches surrounding a slide and a swing set. The swings had a small little baby seat, so Sigma could see why it would be a good place to bring the twins.

He didn’t, of course — it would defeat the purpose.

“I’m sorry, but do you mind if I sit here?”

Sigma was snapped out of his thoughts by a face that made his left wrist itch. He shouldn’t be so suspicious — Akane said Brother was dealt with, and any guy could have blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slim face.

However, Sigma’s eyes did rove over all of the empty benches around the park, then return to the man with a raised eyebrow.

“Sorry, it’s just, I could really use the company right now, is all. If that’s okay! If it’s not, feel free to—“

“No, it’s fine. Have a seat, I guess.”

They sat in silence for a while, but either because Sigma felt awkward brooding with an audience or because his curiosity overwhelmed him, he simply had to ask.

“Sorry, but why?” The man turned his head with a confused look in his eyes, so Sigma elaborated. “Why didn’t you want to be alone, I mean. I’m sorry if that’s—“

“No, no, you had your day disturbed, the least I can do is tell you why.” He sat back on the bench and looked up at the sky, searching for the right words to say. “I was a caretaker for someone for a number of years, and they died recently.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you for your kindness, but, well, it wasn’t as if it was unexpected. The man was well over a hundred. Still, he was a constant. Something expected, right? And now he’s gone. I’m just — having a bit of trouble finding where to go from here. Should I become a caretaker for someone else? Would that be disrespectful? Being alone leaves me with all sorts of questions.”

“I understand that feeling,” Sigma admitted, more to himself than his conversation partner. “Being lost, not knowing the next step. I don’t know if the opinion of a stranger means much, but if you’re a good caretaker, and it certainly sounds like you are, it wouldn’t be disrespectful to find someone new to take care of.”

“See, I would have never gotten that wisdom had I chose to sit alone today. Thank you for that. I know Delta would hate it if I was mourning him for too long.”

“Delta, huh?” That was the name of one of the twins, right? Sigma’s… son. “That’s a good name.”

“It is. A symbol for change and adaptability.” The man stood and turned to leave. “I hope whatever situation you’re stuck in changes for the better.”

“Thank you…”

He walked off, leaving Sigma sitting on the bench for a moment before deciding to leave as well.

Diana mentioned that she was going out with the twins and gave Sigma a key for the door, so he was unsurprised to see that the apartment was empty. 

But there was a laptop on the coffee table, with a note taped to the top.

‘This is the laptop that Sigma was using to work. No password to get in, not sure why. There are also some notebooks and stuff down in his workstation if you need them. —Akane’

No password? Well, if it was supposed to be a work laptop with the intention of saving the world from an apocalypse then it makes a bit of sense to keep it open… 

It almost rings true, but Sigma doesn’t think that’s all there is to it.

Oh well, at least this way he doesn’t have to solve some kind of puzzle to get working. Sigma opened the laptop to a file directory.

In the directory were all sorts of blueprint files and coding files and other things that made Sigma’s eyes swim. But there was also a text file titled ‘Checklist,’ which Sigma could easily relate to — he started every project with a task list, and it seemed that didn’t change as he got older. So he opened the list.

ai code—c housing blueprint—c model blueprint—ipr ABT—c mat list—c housing—ipr model—nst

He even used the same code for the list — complete, in progress, and not started. And it seems like everything that needed forty-five years of experience was already done! Sigma wouldn’t have been able to code an artificial intelligence or develop biological tissue, but he could finish a blueprint for a robot and then put it together!

Was that the natural progression of work, or did the other Sigma prepare in case the Shift did happen? Either way, this Sigma was grateful as hell!

The door opened, and he turned his head to see Diana walking in with the twins in a carrier.

“Oh, hello Sigma.”

“Diana! I…”

He could have said any number of things then. 

He’s able and willing to help Akane. He’ll try to be a stellar father for Delta and Phi. He knows he isn’t the other Sigma and he can never truly fill those shoes but he’s going to try his best. 

But in the end, he could only say,

“I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”

[byronsmuse]

Even something frightening may appear poetic if you stand back and regard it simply as a shape, and the eerie may make an excellent picture if you think of it as something which is completely independent of yourself. Exactly the same is true with disappointed love. Providing that you can divorce yourself from the pain of a broken heart and, conjuring up before you the tenderness, the sympathy, the despair and yes, even the very excess of pain itself, can view them objectively, then you have aesthetic, artistic material. There are those who purposely imagine their hearts to be broken, and crave for the pleasure they get from this form of emotional self-flagellation. The average person dismisses them as foolish, or even a little mad, but there is absolutely no difference, inasmuch as they both have an artistic standpoint, between the man who draws an outline of misery for himself and then leads his life within it, and him whose delight it is, to paint a landscape which never existed, and then to live in a potted universe of his own creation. How, I wondered, could you regain a poetical frame of mind at times like this? I came to the conclusion that it could be done, if only you could take your feelings and place them in front of you, and then taking a pace back to give yourself the room to move that a bystander would have, examine them calmly and with complete honesty. The poet has an obligation to conduct a post-mortem on his own corpse and to make public his findings as to any disease he may encounter. There are many ways in which he may do this, but the best, and certainly the most convenient, is to try and compress every single incident which he comes across into the seventeen syllables of a Hokku. Since this is poetry in its handiest and most simple form, it may be readily composed while you are washing your face, or in the lavatory, or on a tram. When I say that it may be readily composed, I do not mean it in any derogatory sense. On the contrary, I think it is a very praiseworthy quality, for it makes it easy for one to become a poet; and to become a poet is one way to achieve supreme enlightenment. No, the simpler it is, the greater its virtue. Let us assume that you are angry: you write about what it is that has made you lose your temper, and immediately it seems that it is someone else's anger that you are considering. Nobody can be angry and write a Hokku at the same time. Likewise, if you are crying, express your tears in seventeen syllables and you feel happy. No sooner are your thoughts down on paper, than all connection between you and the pain which caused you to cry is severed, and your only feeling is one of happiness that you are a man capable of shedding tears.

Natsume Soseki, The Three-Cornered World

[thosearentcrimes]

I was going to read the next Dune book once I figured out which one it was, when I realized I still hadn't read the original. In Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Thomas Edward Shaw (né Lawrence) narrates his experiences of the Arab Revolt as a participant of the British mission to it. The testimony ranges from routine to highly implausible, but so long as you don't actually believe any of the claims he makes, it makes for an interesting read.

There are five major elements the author blends and transitions between quite seamlessly. The most common is descriptions of the geography of Arabia. As all physical descriptions, this does extremely little for me, but could be of interest to people with visual imaginations.

There is also a fair bit of reporting of both details and general principles of guerilla warfare. As with all texts about guerilla warfare, the principles are incredibly simple. Volunteer forces are even more dependent on morale than usual, the most important principle is to conserve forces, the function of guerilla warfare is ersatz strategic depth, and some way or another you should try to slowly compose a regular force in a location protected by your guerilla strategic depth because you don't want to fight a guerilla war if you don't really really have to. This can all be found in any of the major texts, while the applications and local contexts are all fiendishly complicated and non-transferable.

The author also spends a great deal of time racially characterizing the Semite, and more rarely anyone else he happens to run into. Very unpleasant stuff, but arguably useful as a reminder of just how racist people were about a hundred years ago. But while the racists certainly have gotten a lot more subtle, the substance of the arguments is entirely unchanged. As always, it is almost entirely characterizing obvious cultural adaptations and socio-economic phenomena as being instead genetically encoded, and a pathetic sense of superiority.

Sexuality occupies a fascinating amount of space. I won't try to puzzle out the author's, since he mostly doesn't see fit to share it, but I will note that he is on balance neutral towards homosexuality, and viscerally opposed to heterosexuality, and doesn't appear to consider women's sexuality at all. Mostly it seems like he hates and disdains women, and consequently considers straight sex undignified and condescending at once, like bestiality. But when he's not being a massive piece of shit, he can be quite endearingly tender about homosexuality. Or disquietingly bizarre.

Finally, the author has a mortification of the flesh and scrupulosity OCD problem the size of Jupiter. This manifests in very weird ways, and was certainly not helped by the whole attempted rape and torture thing, or the several years of deceiving his friends to best subjugate them to an empire he definitely still likes but also definitely understands it is not actually nice to be subject to. Others might think the arguably pathological mentalities are the result of these experiences, but I think it's more likely part unfortunate coincidences and part self-fulfilling prophecy.

Returning to the joke from the beginning, Dune obviously does owe a lot to Seven Pillars. Some of the pathologies even rhyme - both obsessed with genetics but in Dune it shows up with a far more individualist bent, partly because it's American but mostly because it's a fantasy novel with a protagonist. Also Dune/Seven Pillars forces you to spend a lot of time trying to figure out what exactly is wrong with Frank Herbert/Thomas Shaw. Oh and the misogyny, though Herbert is terrified where Shaw is dismissive. The big difference is Herbert is a massive homophobe. 50 years of social progress, everyone!

[moviewarfare]

A Review of “The Fabelmans (2022)”

The Fabelmans is a semi-autobiographical based on Steven Spielberg. Funny enough it is also directed by Steven Spielberg. I haven't ever seen a biopic story that is also directed by the person the story is about. That interested me a lot but knowing it was about the legendary director Steven Spielberg is what made me want to watch it. Is the movie an overly self-indulgent semi-biopic, or does Steven continue to show why he is such a great director?

The film is such an interesting piece as the characters themselves are fictional but based on real people. For example, the character that is meant to represent Spielberg is named Samuel "Sammy" Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle). What I appreciate is that Steven doesn't shy away from the flaws of the character representing him. Sammy is very passionate about filmmaking but he loves it so much that he puts it above his own family. His conflict is trying to pursue his passion while his family is tearing apart. On that note, there is a complex family dynamic with the clash of the logical but stern yet loving Dad (Paul Dano) and the artistic but selfish yet encouraging Mother (Michelle Williams). Sammy inherits both qualities from his parents but also some of their worse. Seeing the struggle of chasing a dream and their isolation is such an engaging theme. None of the characters is terrible people. They do wrong things but there is a lot more nuance to them. The story is incredibly warm, funny, gut-wrenching and powerful.

The performance here is terrific and worthy of an Oscar. Michelle Williams gives an unforgettable performance as the mother, Mitzi. She shows how caring yet weird of a mother she is but shows how she is gradually getting more and more broken as the movie progresses. She could have easily made her character incredibly hatable but her performance succeeds in making the audience sympathize with her despite her being the main cause of the rift in the family. Paul Dano is also terrific as the dad, Burt. His performance is less eccentric and more subtle but he perfectly conveys the internal struggle of the character. Gabriel LaBelle plays Sammy and he is great. His character is sort of arrogant and Gabriel manages to convey that without being overly pompous and annoying.  LaBelle is terrific at communicating a young kid whose emotions are on the verge of exploding. He is a very promising young actor. In terms of supporting actors, Judd Hirsch appears for only two scenes yet he gives such a strong performance that takes over the scene. David Lynch also appears in just one scene but his scene might be the most memorable moment in the film.

The music is composed by legendary composer John Williams and he continues to do a great job. Although, the score here isn't his most memorable. The cinematography is done by Janusz Kaminski of Schindler's List fame and he continues to be great here. There are tons of great and memorable shots that capture the essence of filmmaking in The Fabelmans. There is an amazing shot that has Sammy using his hands as a screen with a projector aimed at his palm which is stunning. If I had any issue with the film then it has to be the 2nd act with Sammy in high school. Scenes concerning Sammy's romance and his bullying are a little uninteresting compared to everything else. It doesn't help that his girlfriend feels very over the top and the bullies act like all the generic jocks you have seen over a dozen times. Fortunately, the high school stuff have a strong landing.

Overall, Steven Spielberg continues to show that he is still one of the best directors out there. Despite the film being a semi-biographic on him, he doesn't shy away from the flaws of him and his parents. He shows the struggle of chasing your passion which might resonate with a lot of people. If Spielberg decided this was his last film then this would've been a great final outing. However, from this film alone, I know he loves making films and he won't stop here. I can't wait to see his next work.

For more reviews like this visit:

https://moviewarfarereviews.blogspot.com/

[mrs-india-international-queen]

5 Essential Confidence Tips for Married Women Competing in Beauty Pageants

Participating in a Mrs India beauty pageant as a married woman is an exciting and empowering experience. It is a chance to showcase your beauty, talent, and inner strength. However, stepping on that stage can be intimidating, especially if it is your first time. Confidence is key to shining bright, and we have got some essential tips to help you feel more self-assured and prepared. Let us explore how you can boost your confidence and make the most of your pageant journey.

Practice Positive Self-Talk

Confidence starts from within, and the way you talk to yourself can greatly influence how you feel. It is common to have moments of doubt, but letting these negative thoughts take over can affect your performance. Instead, try to replace them with positive affirmations.

For example, tell yourself things like, “I am confident, beautiful, and capable of achieving my dreams,” or “I am prepared and ready to shine on stage.” Write down a few positive statements that resonate with you and read them aloud every day. Over time, these affirmations will help you build a more positive mindset and boost your self-esteem. The more you repeat these, the more you will start believing in them, helping you stay focused and motivated during your preparation for the Mrs India contestor any other beauty pageant in India.

Perfect Your Posture

Good posture is a powerful way to exude confidence. The way you carry yourself speaks volumes, and it can make a difference in how others perceive you. When you stand tall with your shoulders back, head up, and a smile on your face, you appear more poised, graceful, and confident.

Practice maintaining good posture throughout the day, whether you are at home, at work, or during rehearsals. When you walk, make sure your movements are smooth and controlled. Consider practicing your walk-in front of a mirror or record yourself to see how you can improve. Not only does this enhance your presence on stage, but it also makes you feel more self-assured.

Master the Art of Eye Contact

Making eye contact is a simple yet effective way to show confidence and engage with others. During the misses India pageant, whether it is while speaking to judges, interacting with other contestants, or performing on stage, maintaining steady eye contact will make you come across as composed, approachable, and sincere. It shows that you are attentive, confident, and genuinely present in the moment.

To practice, start by engaging in conversations with friends and family, trying to hold eye contact for a few extra seconds. It might feel awkward at first, but it will soon become second nature. When you are on stage, focus on making eye contact with the judges and audience, but remember to be natural—do not stare too intensely. A gentle, confident gaze is all you need to connect with your audience and make a lasting impression in any beauty contest, including the prestigious Mrs India International Queen contest.

Prepare and Practice Your Skills

One of the biggest confidence boosters is knowing that you are well-prepared. Whether it is your walk, your talent performance, or your interview answers, practice until you feel comfortable and natural. The more you practice, the less anxious you will feel on the actual day, and the more you can enjoy the moment.

Break down your preparation into manageable parts. Spend time practicing your walk, rehearsing your talent, and answering common interview questions. Record yourself or ask friends and family to watch and give feedback. Consider joining a pageant training class if you want professional guidance. Knowing that you have put in the effort will give you the confidence to perform your best on stage in any beauty pageant competition.

Surround Yourself with Positive Support

Having a strong support system can make a huge difference in your confidence levels. Whether it is family, friends, or even a mentor, surround yourself with people who encourage and believe in you. Their words of encouragement can lift your spirits, and knowing that they are cheering you on will give you the confidence to step onto the stage with grace and poise.

Before the beauty pageant, spend time with your loved ones, and let them know how much their support means to you. If you have friends who have participated in Mrs India beauty contests before, do not hesitate to reach out to them for advice and encouragement. Being around positive, supportive people will remind you that you are not alone in this journey, and that boost can make all the difference.

Conclusion

Confidence is a skill that can be nurtured with consistent effort and the right mindset. By focusing on positive self-talk, maintaining an elegant posture, mastering eye contact, practising diligently, and leaning on your support network, you can walk onto the pageant stage with poise and assurance. Remember, Mrs India beauty pageants are not just about winning a crown—they are about celebrating your journey, expressing your individuality, and inspiring others. Embrace every moment, be proud of your achievements, and let your confidence radiate from within. Whether you win or not, your grace, strength, and spirit will leave a lasting impression.

[illimitablespaces]

1, 5, 8, 12, 17, 20, 21, 25. c:

•What song makes you feel better?

It took me a while to remember, but Smile, by Charlie Chaplin is a sentimental little song, I have loved it dearly for almost two decades. My, how time flies yet these little loves remain steadfast.

•How do you like to take care of yourself?

A difficult question, since I've been in a state which sees me committing more self-harm than self-care as of late. I suppose the best things for me these days are spending time with or observing animals (they don't have the same worries we do and I find their mode of existence--taking things as they are, relying wholly upon their Sustainer--are worthy attributes to adopt as a human being), as well as communing with spirits that share a noble vision of life and hereafter. Be they living or departed souls, it does not matter. This can happen through conversation or, with the departed, through reading or listening in whatever appropriate capacity (poetry, critical text, or music, etc.).

As someone told me, it is crucial for anyone seeking to take care of their spirit to keep company with those who will uplift and engender noble thoughts and actions. I find it all too easy to become entrenched with the rubbish that is flooding all around us presently.

So, I've taken to not watching television, listening to the radio, reading newspapers or current articles in any form, and staying away as much as I can from social media. Tumblr has once again proven the most positive outlet for me in that regard. I can be more selective in what comes onto my dash, and I don't necessarily fear whatever news I read will be grossly biased here.

In short, cultivating a positive space for myself is what I'm trying to do for self-care these days.

•Whats a fabric/texture that’s nostalgic for you?

Another question to engage my memory... Calathea rufibarba and Calathea warscewiczii both possess a fuzzy texture on their leaves that is a pleasure to feel. Also, the silken feeling of petals such as those from Peonies or Roses bring back memories of evening saunters through gardens and delicately touching those flowers--almost erotically, yet without the connotation of sexual intimacy, an antiquated notion which appears lost on many.

My evening strolls through gardens have been some years past, though I earnestly hope to make them a regular part of my day, in some time and place, insha'Allah. Until such time, I shall tend to the warm embers of memory.

•What calms you down?

Walking, often with destination in mind, is a way for me to exorcise excess worry or frustration. I've relied on this exercise for years, and it's been my most helpful technique for stress relief.

•How do you feel best loved?

I believe this is the most difficult question here for me... I don't know precisely but perhaps it is when a loved one can point out a weakness or fault on my part and gently guide my attention to the issue and also suggest how I may best resolve the problem. That attention seems more important than even participating in joy with another, for that is relatively easy, but to help lift another through spiritual or personal trouble is on a higher level of love and kindness.

•Tell us about a memory you hold close to your heart.

I am going to amalgamate instances over the years, and these are among my most cherished memories.

Letters are an important--yet not-presently often employed--method of communicating intimate thoughts and emotions between two people. Think of all those quotes we read on this site, and how many are taken from letters throughout history. These quotes of course speak directly to us, yet that direct affect is related to the very human nature of the private act of composing a letter addressed to a specific person--it is intended to function (most potently) this way, in the way public addresses (which may or may not move us) do not.

I digress but my receipt of letters over the years has been a joy I can't begin to explain here, but I have in my possession a good number of digital letters as well as a smaller number of handwritten epistles that I will carry forever, if not by hand than always within my heart.

•Tea, Coffee, or hot cocoa?

Coffee, most often. My poor habits these days don't see me partaking in tea as much as I wish... though you did not ask, I will share a few favorites of mine.

The first is Lapsang Souchong--delightfully pungent, smoky, and rich; perfect for chill days and rainy weather (for me, that means its season falls between September and November).

Another is a tea from the Good Earth company, an herbal blend heavily spiced with cinnamon, orange, ginger, etc. I haven't had this one in years but it used to be my dessert drink after a meal.

The last I'll mention is Egyptian Licorice from Yogi teas. If you're familiar, you'll know the distinct earthy taste and slight sweetness which I find perfectly suited to late summer and early autumn (my favorite time of year).

•If your soul was a color, what would it be?

Hmm... what a curious question, one I hadn't imagined before, though color tinges other various aspects of my life. Something akin to synesthesia but I hesitate to qualify it as such.

But as for a color... my guess would be a sort of wine red--my reasoning I shall keep secret, since I feel (for whatever reason) a bit silly for disclosing my choice.

Thank you for these questions, it has been my pleasure to reply--M

[aromaticaperfumes]

Introduction:

Choosing the right perfume goes beyond just picking a fragrance that smells good to you. Your skin type plays a crucial role in how a perfume interacts with your body chemistry, ultimately determining how the scent will evolve throughout the day. Understanding your skin type and selecting a perfume that complements it can enhance both the longevity and the overall experience of wearing fragrance. Let's explore the best perfumes tailored to different skin types.

1. **Dry Skin**:

   - Dry skin tends to absorb fragrance quickly, often resulting in a shorter scent life. Look for perfumes with richer, more moisturizing ingredients such as oils and emollients. Fragrances with notes like vanilla, amber, and sandalwood are ideal for adding depth and longevity to the scent without exacerbating dryness.

2. **Oily Skin**:

   - Oily skin tends to hold onto fragrances longer due to its ability to trap scent molecules. However, it can also amplify certain notes, making them appear stronger than intended. Opt for lighter, fresher scents with citrus or green notes that can cut through the skin's natural oils without becoming overwhelming.

3. **Normal/Combination Skin**:

   - Those with normal or combination skin have the most versatility when it comes to perfume selection. They can experiment with a wide range of fragrances, from light and floral to bold and spicy, without worrying too much about how the scent will develop. Consider trying fragrances with balanced compositions that offer a bit of everything, catering to different moods and occasions.

4. **Sensitive Skin**:

   - Sensitive skin requires extra caution when choosing perfumes to avoid irritation or allergic reactions. Look for perfumes labeled as hypoallergenic or formulated specifically for sensitive skin. Fragrances with natural ingredients and fewer synthetic chemicals are generally gentler on the skin. Test a small amount on your wrist before applying it to ensure compatibility.

Conclusion:

Finding the perfect perfume for your skin type involves considering not only the scent itself but also how it interacts with your body chemistry. By understanding your skin type and its unique characteristics, you can make more informed choices when selecting fragrances. Whether you have dry, oily, normal, or sensitive skin, there's a perfect perfume out there waiting to become your signature scent. Take the time to explore different options and discover the one that enhances your natural allure.

Title: "The Art of Fragrance: A Journey Through the World of Scents"

Introduction:

Fragrance is a powerful form of self-expression, capable of evoking memories, setting moods, and leaving lasting impressions. From the delicate notes of floral bouquets to the rich warmth of exotic spices, each fragrance tells a unique story on the skin of its wearer. In this exploration of the world of fragrances, we delve into the history, science, and artistry behind these captivating scents.

1. **The History of Fragrance**:

   - Fragrance has a rich and storied history, dating back to ancient civilizations where aromatic substances were used for religious ceremonies, medicinal purposes, and personal adornment. From the ancient Egyptians who pioneered the art of perfumery to the sophisticated fragrances of the Renaissance courts, each era has contributed to the evolution of perfumery as we know it today.

2. **The Science of Scent**:

   - Understanding the science behind fragrance can deepen our appreciation for its complexity. Fragrances are composed of multiple layers of scent molecules, each interacting with our skin's chemistry to create a unique olfactory experience. Perfumers carefully blend different notes – top, middle, and base – to achieve a harmonious balance that unfolds over time, from the initial burst of freshness to the lingering warmth of the dry down.

3. **Fragrance Families and Notes**:

   - Fragrances are often categorized into families based on their predominant notes, such as floral, oriental, woody, and fresh. Within each family, there are countless variations and combinations of notes that give each fragrance its distinctive character. From the romantic allure of rose and jasmine to the exotic allure of patchouli and oud, there's a fragrance to suit every taste and occasion.

4. **Choosing the Right Fragrance**:

   - Selecting the perfect fragrance can be a deeply personal journey, influenced by individual preferences, memories, and associations. When choosing a fragrance, consider factors such as your personality, style, and the mood you want to evoke. Take the time to sample different scents on your skin, allowing them to unfold and develop before making a decision. And don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and explore new olfactory territories – you may just discover a new signature scent.

Conclusion:

Fragrance is more than just a pleasant scent – it's a form of art that engages the senses and stirs the soul. Whether you're drawn to the timeless elegance of classic florals or the bold allure of modern orientals, there's a fragrance out there waiting to capture your heart. Embrace the journey of scent discovery, and let your fragrance be a reflection of your unique personality and style.

Subject: "The Essence of Elegance: Exploring the World of Exquisite Scents"

Introduction: A lovely fragrance has the ability to take us away from the bustle and confusion of the outside world and into a land of refinement and calm. Scents have the power to excite our senses and boost our moods, from the subtle aroma of blossoming flowers to the comforting embrace of exotic spices. Come along on an enchanted voyage into the wonderful world of fragrances, where each sniff serves as a reminder of the grace and beauty of everyday existences

Science and art are combined in the centuries-old craft of perfumery to create enthralling scents that please the senses. To create the ideal harmony and complexity in a fragrance, master perfumers painstakingly combine a plethora of natural and synthetic substances in the top, middle, and base note combinations. Fragrance connoisseurs worldwide are enthralled and inspired by the art of perfumery, which is demonstrated by the superb artistry of specialty perfumers and the classic elegance of luxury fragrance houses.

Choosing Your Signature perfume: Personal tastes, personalities, and lifestyle all play a significant role in the very personal process of selecting the ideal perfume. In addition to having a pleasing aroma, your trademark perfume should represent your individuality and grow to be a part of who you are. Think about

Finding Your Signature Scent:

Scent memories are powerful time-travel tools that evoke strong memories of past events and feelings. A pleasant aroma might come to symbolize treasured recollections, acting as a sentimental harbinger of memorable occasions and adored people. Memories evoked by scent, be it the comforting sensation of a loved one's perfume or the familiar aroma of freshly baked cookies, can profoundly impact our emotions and improve our lives.

In conclusion, pleasant smells have the ability to raise our spirits, fascinate us, and infuse our lives with grace and beauty. Every aroma conveys a different tale and beckons us to embrace the enchantment of the present, whether it's the subtle fragrance of a single flower or the complex fusion of exotic spices. Thus,feelings.