#two stars

[andreai04]

It was bewildering how quickly the day went, when you had had the morning taken away from you.

“we were children—playing with the reflections of stars in a pool of water... thinking it was space."

[bandoseka-cards]

Seta Kaoru (Hello, Happy World!) Protective Prince ★★ Set: The Impromptu Wedding Dress

[acourtofquestions]

Rowan lingered in the steep hills above the southern entrance to the camp. He'd easily kept hidden from the sentries in the trees, his wind masking any trace of his scent.

Down below, spread across the grassy eastern plain, the army camp glittered.

She had to be there. Aelin had to be there.

If they had come so close but wound up being the very thing that had caused Maeve to take Aelin away again, to bring her along to the outpost...

Rowan pushed against the weight in his chest.

The bond within him lay dark and slumbering.

No indication of her proximity.

Essar had no idea that Aelin was being kept here until Elide informed her. How many others hadn't known? How well had Maeve hidden her?

If Aelin wasn't in that camp tomorrow, they'd find Cairn, at least. And get some answers then. Give him a taste of what he'd done--Rowan shut out the thought. He didn't let himself think of what had been done to her.

He'd do that tomorrow, when he saw Cairn.

When he repaid him for every moment of pain.

Overhead, the stars shone clear and bright, and though Mala had only once appeared to him at dawn, on the foothills across this very city, though she might be little more than a strange, mighty being from another world, he offered up a prayer anyway.

Then, he had begged Mala to protect Aelin from Maeve when they entered Doranelle, to give her strength and guidance, and to let her walk out alive. Then, he had begged Mala to let him remain with Aelin, the woman he loved. The goddess had been little more than a sunbeam in the rising dawn, and yet he had felt her smile at him.

Tonight, with only the cold fire of the stars for company, he begged her once more.

A curl of wind sent his prayer drifting to those stars, to the waxing moon silvering the camp, the river, the mountains.

He had killed his way across the world; he had gone to war and back more times than he cared to remember. And despite it all, despite the rage and despair and ice he'd wrapped around his heart, he'd still found Aelin. Every horizon he'd gazed toward, unable and unwilling to rest during those centuries, every mountain and ocean he'd seen and wondered what lay beyond... It had been her. It had been Aelin, the silent call of the mating bond driving him, even when he could not feel it.

They'd walked this dark path together back to the light. He would not let the road end here.

A small hole had been cut into the tent's ceiling.

And through it...

Aelin couldn't fight the trembling in her mouth at the night sky, at the pinpricks of light shining in.

Stars. Just two, but there were stars overhead.

The sky Itselt.

... It was not the heaviness of full night, but rather a murky, graying black.

Dawn. Likely an hour or so away, if the stars remained out. Perhaps she would last long enough to see sunlight.

Fenrys's eyes shot open, and he lifted his head, ears twitching.

Aelin took steadying breaths as Cairn shoved through the tent flaps, offering a glimpse of fires and lightening darkness beyond. Nothing else.

Dawn neared, the stars dimming one by one.

Rowan lurked by the southernmost entrance to the camp, his power thrumming.

Go, a quiet voice urged. Go now.

One last chance. She'd seen the stars overhead. It was as great a gift as any she'd received, greater than the jewels and gowns and art she'd once coveted and amassed in Rifthold. The last gift she would receive, if she played the hand she'd been dealt. If she played him right.

Essar's sister had advised to wait until dawn. When the shift was weakest. When she'd make sure certain guards didn't arrive on time. Go now.

That voice, warm and yet insistent, tugged.

Pushed him toward the camp.

Rowan bared his teeth, his breathing roughening. Lorcan and Gavriel would be waiting for the signal, a flare of his magic, when he got far enough into the camp.

Aelin huffed another laugh, haughty and cool, and gazed toward the ceiling, toward the lightening sky. The last she'd see, if she played this right.

Now, Prince.

He knew that voice, had felt its warmth. And if the Lady of Light herself whispered at his ear...

Rowan didn't give himself time to consider, to rage at the goddess who urged him to act but would gladly sacrifice his mate to the Lock.

So Rowan steeled himself, willing ice into his veins.

She ran--or tried to. With the chains at her feet, on her legs, she could barely walk, but she stumbled past him, knowing he was already twisting, already rising up.

Run-

Fenrys's eyes slid toward hers. Neither needed the silent code between them for the word she beheld in his gaze. The order and plea.

Run.

It was all she needed.

She scrambled to her feet, but halted. Fenrys, pinned by Cairn, met her gaze. Snarled in warning and command. Run.

Aelin ran.

Her weakened legs stumbled on the grass, her still-bound hands restricting the full range of motion, but she ran. Picked a direction, any direction but the river mists to her left, and ran.

The sun was rising, and the army camp... There was motion behind her. Shouting.

She blocked it out and aimed right. Toward the rising sun, as if it were Mala's own welcoming embrace.

[misscrimsondawn]

I'm really starting to hate those Wolfstar shippers tired of writing that the Blackinnon couple is dead and putting a tag with my otp under posts where all sorts of crap is written and 0 content Blackinnon is alive and will live, because there are old fans of the fandom who do not see all the heroes as LGBT, gay, trans, etc. sounds intolerant, but I see no reason to respect other people's headcanons and tastes, because I'm tired of such an AMAZING couple like Sirius/Marlene being mixed up with crap by stupid shippers Sirius/Remus

[alligator-with-a-top-hat]

Track #18: Parasite X

Artist: Mazedude

Original: Vs. Parasite Queen by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma

Length: 3:35

At last, we're on to Disc 2 of Harmony of a Hunter! And to kick things off is a remix fresh from Fusion... hold on. I need to adjust my glasses...

There we are. Oh! Despite the name and the thumbnail of this youtube upload, this is actually a remix of "Vs. Parasite Queen" from Metroid Prime! Where Disc 1 exclusively covered the sidescrollers, Disc 2 gives the Prime series special focus. If you were missing your favorite Prime beats, well, worry no more. They're all here.

For "Parasite X", remixer Mazedude goes for a more subdued, jazzy approach to the Parasite Queen's boss theme, a frightening, screeching theme from the very beginning of Prime that has since made regular reappearances in Super Smash Bros over other well-known themes from the Prime series. The wheedling synths in this remix follow the original song while adding some extra flair and de-emphasizing the percussion.

This is a nice groovy take on this boss theme. While the laid-back take on the song is already pleasant, there are some fun audio tricks and synthesized sound effects sprinkled throughout this track to make it pop. I don't know if it's a good fit for the first remix of the disc, but this is one I could easily imagine Samus listening to in her helmet in a fight against a big monster.

Rating: ⭐⭐

Track #17: Metroid Medley #19: Echoes in Eternity

[syscourse-flavortown]

My real dinner was so good, I forgot my syscourse dinner. Shame on me! This little snack comes from @n-clair. Good to hear from you!

Mmm. It's a little bit on the powdery side, but it's a sensation unlike any other. It sends tingles down the tastebuds and throat, with a delightful savory umami. I can taste something like mushroom -- controversial for some, but incredibly healthy and delicious (for me).

Rating: ⭐⭐ Worth a detour! A delicious little snack, all told. It could use a bit more substance -- a filling plate of this with a bit more to chew on would make for a perfect meal!

[rosegardendeprofundis]

Fluids by May Leitz Review

Date Read: January 16, 2025

Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Genre: Extreme Horror

2025 Reading Goal: 7/100

I checked this book out from the library because I saw someone compare it to Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk (I am slowly turning into Palahniuk’s #1 fan), and I was intrigued by the idea of a feminine rage horror novel in the same league as Palahniuk. However, I unfortunately did not care for this book very much. I appreciate the book’s representation of sexual identity and mental illness in the two main characters, but they are both such toxic people that it is very difficult to root for either of them. I also felt that a lot of the book was gory just for the sake of being gory (note: I am not someone who is squeamish or sensitive to intense scenes in books as long as there is a clear purpose as to why those scenes are there and, a lot of times, I did not feel the violence detailed in this book strengthened the themes or pushed forward the plot of this novel). There are points where Leitz does some interesting with the themes of loneliness, co-dependency, self acceptance, etc., which I enjoyed, but I felt those themes were disappointingly underdeveloped for my taste. This definitely wasn’t the book for me, but I do plan to look into May Leitz’ other work because I do see the vision here and have read positive things about Leitz’ artistry.

[jtl-fics]

⭐️⭐️

Helloooo

[jefkphotography]

Bathing water quality, good, two stars. Though the sea water looks quit bad in my opinion.

[technicallyjollyobject]

A Cozy Sweater

Here is my two star MEIKO card for my event! She’s supposed to be the VBS MEIKO, but this is my first time making a custom project sekai card and drawing outfits on characters. So without further ado, here’s her ability:

40% score boost for 5 seconds

[giannabooknook]

How I rate books

[andreai04]

‘The one who wears the chains is a thousand times greater than the one who wields them.’

[bandoseka-cards]

Hikawa Hina (Pastel*Palettes) Important Opportunity ★★ Set: Past Aspirations and Pastel Futures

[holyaphordite]

"You who swallowed a fallen star" a small animation as I'm trying to get back into it again🎆✨

[alligator-with-a-top-hat]

Track #13: The Mission's Briefing

Artist: Tim Hellmann

Origin: Last Instructions by Minako Hamano and Akira Fujiwara

Length: 2:53

"Last Instructions" is the uplifting theme that plays upon the reveal in Metroid Fusion as to the true nature and allegiances of Samus's AI commanding officer, playing as a way out of one of the most difficult situations she has ever encountered finally presents itself. This remix, courtesy of Tim Hellmann, is for the most part very faithful to the original. The song opens on a very 80s bass synth that wouldn't feel out of place in a John Carpenter movie before heroic strings introduce the main body of the song. This remix is soft but driving, winding down from the energy of the previous remix.

This remix is one of the more straightforward remixes on the Harmony of a Hunter albums (though there are some that are nearly one-to-one the original, which this one isn't). It's a very pleasant change of pace from the dark and gloomy songs that have come before, which is very needed as we approach the end of the first album's Disc 1. All in all it's a faithful reproduction of one of the only outright pleasant songs in Fusion, and between this remix and "The Caves of Brinstar" Tim Hellmann's great range in remix style is on full display.

Rating: ⭐⭐

Track #12: Cave Dweller #14: Metroid Legacy

[syscourse-flavortown]

My first meal of the day is sent to us by the lovely @seasidewanderers.

The first bite is a doozy, filled with initial notes of citrusy-acidity as well as a rich (but not too rich) creaminess. There’s a bit of spice there, but not overwhelming the dish. However, as you settle in and let the flavors ruminate, it all meshes together into a delightful little coat-the-mouth nostalgia, very reminiscent of a home cooked pasta.

This is one of those meals that you think, “Yikes, this looks so basic, how is this going to be fulfilling?” But you eat the whole plate and are then very happy with your past self for ordering it.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️ - Worth a detour! While it’s not the most impactful thing in the world, it’s a wonderfully warm meal with delicious undertones that leave me wanting more.