#viii. // answered asks.

[demaparbat-hp]

⭐

For better or worse, I'm rather obsessive over wording. I love to include little details and clues that tend to go over everyone's heads. Most of them are only there for my own devilish enjoyment!

Now, I'd like to talk about three specific moments from my Zuko-centric fic For the Spirits (read here!). Two of them are from chapter V, while the last one is a bit more recent, from chapter VIII.

Both lines include ridiculously subtle and obscure subtext that I'm not sure I'll get the chance to explore fully in the fic. So I'm using this excuse to talk about them!

Spoilers ahead!

Chapter V: There Was Sun

Read here.

He was left in silence, the thousands of eyes that lived in his bedroom standing watch over him. He laid down right there, ear pressed to the floor, his back to the door, and clutched his mother's anklet to his chest until the morning came.

Zuko was awoken by the ghost of a caress on his left cheek and the echo of a voice that told stories of dragons and spirits and love.

No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are.

Ursa dies and becomes a ghost in this scene—it's not really ambiguous, is it? I always knew Ursa was going to die to protect Zuko in this AU. That scene of Zuko staying behind to spy on Azulon’s edict—instead of running away as he did in canon—was actually what got this whole AU started!

It's a matter of seemingly insignificant divergences that just pile up until the consequences are so massive they impact the rest of the story.

In For the Spirits, Zuko directly hears Azulon’s order to kill him, so he stays awake all night in fear. When Ursa comes to say goodbye, she's confronted with a fully awake child she tries to calm down. It slows her down. It gets her caught. It gets her killed. And Zuko listens as it happens.

The scene I quoted is Ursa's final goodbye, after her death... But there's something else. One tiny, absolutely inconsequential detail that doesn't impact the story itself but I can't help but obsess over anyway.

Did you notice?

Zuko was awoken by the ghost of a caress on his left cheek...

(Some spirits don't know.)

(Others know too much.)

.

Agni was a beautiful being forever in repentance of some forgotten sin. Forever submitted to the Fire.

Zuko insisted on being alone the first time his bandages were removed.

The mirror was old and cracked, but did its job well, much like everything else on the Wani. Zuko sighed, hands bracing the sink before him in something akin to despair. He breathed in once, twice, before opening his eyes and facing the monster in the mirror.

The first time Zuko saw his scar, he laughed.

It was fitting, he thought, to bear the mark of the flames burning the flesh of a God.

It's Lore Time!

It shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm a sucker for narrative foils. Having a character be Touched (blessed, cursed, all the same) by a godlike spirit is just about the best excuse possible to chuck in as many parallels as one can think of.

That being said, I'm curious. Did you catch it at first read?

The fact that, while Zuko bears a scar from fire, Agni's face is forever burning.

(The first pic isn't supposed to be Agni, but rather Nightmare Zuko from my Perfect Prince comic. You get the idea, though.)

There's something about the imagery of it all, as well as the metaphor expressed masterfully in Zuko himself. Fire is all about the dichotomy. It's about savagery and control. Energy and burn. Gentleness and all-consuming rage. Fire is life. Fire is destruction.

A beautiful face forever burning, forever scarred.

Two halves of the same whole. All things the same.

.

Chapter VIII: Make You Stay

Read here.

In chapter II, Ming confessed that she had been one of the Royal Guards assigned to the Agni Kai arena when Zuko was burned. She helped General Iroh get him out of that place and heal him, given that medical attention was prohibited by the Fire Lord. Ming has stayed by Zuko's side ever since, but the Agni Kai still haunts her.

“I was nineteen!” she yelled, slapping the table. “I was nineteen and all I could smell was burnt flesh! That fucking scent still comes back every time I see him. It broke me and it wasn't even me! I wasn't the one who—I wasn't—I was nineteen and I wasn't ready!

When Yoi tells her in chapter VIII that Zuko is planning to go on a suicide mission, she panics and the Agni Kai comes rushing back to her mind.

Something quite interesting happens, though. Not only here, but also later on, during her conversation with Zuko.

See if you can catch it.

Ming felt the cold like never before. It was pumping in her ears, freezing the sweat on her nape, masking the thunder of her chest, tearing at her flesh—at her soul.

Rise and fight, Prince Zuko.

She snapped back into focus and sprinted away from an oblivious Yoi.

(...)

She refused to cry in front of Zuko. Not for this. Not after…after…

You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher.

Then so be it.

Zuko stared through her. She looked away.

Then so be it.

Haven't you noticed something a little...odd, about this AU? I mean, besides the spirit shenanigans, obviously. I'm talking about something that's missing. Something pivotal about Zuko's journey that just isn't there. The only word not yet written.

Avatar.

A larger threat, Zuko couldn't be allowed any chance to return to the Fire Nation. Not even a disgraceful mockery of an impossible mission. There's no chasing after the Avatar here. There's no looking for the last airbender (Zuko's previous visits to the Air Temples had a different motivation).

Zuko's banishment was a one-way ticket. And Ming just told us the reason why.

You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher.

(With open eyes and the misdirection of Agni's burning touch over his shoulder, Zuko had no reason to cower. So he stood up. He faced his destiny with honor and resignation. This was a test, wasn't it? Agni's challenge for his child...)

Then so be it.

(That line wasn't Ozai's to deliver.)

[grrrechka]

would you ever be willing to draw Donna as a half spider? k thanks bye!

Yess I love Donna requests!! Thank you for asking, I wasn't sure if you wanted recently rebloged design so I made my own

I got a little excited, I love putting animal behaviors into half-humans soo here is a bunch of doods

She covers her face with pedipals when flustered 😔💓

Also! Male spiders dance to attract a mate while female spiders can actually eat a potential mate, so I decided to incorporate both

[seijorhi]

about King oikawa, he has his heir to the throne and the spare and they are said to be sons of the late Queen, so they are allowed to be on the throne. But what about the other kids, cuz it is said that the Queen died in childbirth, are the kids treated like bastards, are "adopted", what do the People think of that? And how do the twins great and vire their siblings, do they know they are their real siblings, do they hate them for being kids of a different woman (not the late Queen), what is the relationship between the childen?

Anyway, sorry for the long question rant, let me just say that your writing, from the style to the way words flow so easily, is my favorite and thank you for blessing us with your talent!!!!

no, he'll just marry and do the whole charade again – better though, now that he's learned a few things.

eventually everyone's gonna put two and two together and realise that he's probably having his queen's killed after they give birth (or so they believe) but... who's gonna stop him?

[wonder-worker]

Do you think if Henry Fitzroy had lived he would have been named as an heir in Henry VIII’s will (after Edward of course). An interesting debate about whether he would have challenged Mary for the throne is going around on tiktok and I’d like to know your answer.

I have no idea, I'm not especially familiar or interested in the Tudor period after Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. It also goes without saying that we can't truly "know" the answer to a historical AUs like this so all opinions will inevitably remain speculatory.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help - maybe someone who sees this and knows more about this topic will be able to answer it better?

[thediamondarcher]

What are your opinions on the different stereotypes of the six wives/queens?

I've seen many people calling Catalina a weak and submissive person when she was the opposite, Henry was intimidated by her in some ways and she was a strong and proud woman.

the typical thing of Anne Boleyn being practically a "slut" keeps on going many many years later, i truly don't understand when people are going to start believing the truth and stop believing whatever they want that can help to grow their nonsense.

It's not a stereotype but i hate it when people put all the blame on Jane when it comes to marrying Henry 11 days after Anne's beheading, she didn't have the power Henry had and everyone seems to forget Henry was the one married to Anne and not Jane.

the whole "horse" thing keeps being told when Henry never called Anne Of Cleves that and the fact that she was described as a beauty by everyone who met her (excluding Henry), it all makes me so upset.

Katherine Howard being almost always seen or portrayed as a promiscuous woman when she was literally a teenager of 16 when she married Henry and was abused at 13, she got beheaded because those were crimes at that time and they were irrational, not because she was a "slut".

I honestly think it's absurd how people think Catherine Parr was part of the abuse Thomas Seymour did to Elizabeth I, Catherine loved him and she acted as fast as she could to get her stepdaughter out of there, i don't think this would ever be public if she was actually a part of the abuse.

[jeahreading]

hello accidental friend 🙂‍↕️

Hello!!! (I am genuinely so sorry lmaooo!!!<3)

[foreverinthepagesofhistory]

Is it true that Edward VIII was a potential suitor for Olga to marry?

Yes anon that was in fact true! The two were very close in age (only about 1 year apart) and were the eldest children of some of the most powerful Royal Families in Europe at the time. He was definitely a potential suitor for Olga but she never really liked him (they visited England in 1909) and the marriage never really took effect. This was probably because there were several other suitors that looked more eligible to Olga and her father Tsar Nicholas, plus they were both every young when they first met so possibly other suitors became a possibility than him. I am honestly glad that Olga never married him because I think that he would treat Olga very poorly (not as poorly as Carol lmfao 🤣) and would have several mistresses. My girl Olga deserves a loving husband.

Thank you for asking!

[kitkatt0430]

📓🤐

📓The Plot of a WiP I haven't (and probably won't) write.

So the plot that became The City on the HIll was original intended to be part of a series mainly about the Master that in theory I still like the idea of, but I'm probably never going to actually write. Though certain parts I've already recycled and will continue to slowly do so for continuing the verse for The City on the Hill.

The idea for the Master was that instead of hiding at the end of the universe where the Doctor, Martha, and Jack find him as Yana... he instead went a different route and hid on a world with a massive temporal paradox going on. Unintentionally becoming an essential cog in the paradox, as it were, but that just made it that much better a hiding spot because the Time Lords couldn't risk pulling him out if they found him there.

So the Master turns himself into a human child and stumbles out into history on a little planet called Centra. He's taken in to an orphanage, struggles to get along with the other children, and fixates on a kid names Squall in a similar manner to his fixation on the Doctor. This kid the Master has become? Seifer Almasy, the future Sorceress Knight to one of the most dangerous Sorceresses in the history of Centra - who tried to create Time Compression which is similar to what Rassilon was trying to achieve when the Doctor stole the Moment to prevent Time's destruction/the ascendance of the Time Lords.

Ultimecia - this evil sorceress - fails, Seifer is aquitted of his crimes due to the mental manipulations he suffered as her knight/representative in the present, and he moves on with his life with his two best friends - Fujin and Raijin. After Raijin leaves their little mercenary group to become a chef - Seifer and Fu happy that he's pursuing his dreams even if it takes him away from them - and Quistis Trepe, one of Seifer's fellow orphanage kids, joins them having quit SeeD. She fought against Seifer during the Sorceress war and isn't big on explaining why she quit, but Seifer never really thought being SeeD suited her so he doesn't push. And when Quistis and Fujin fall in love, he has a few new guesses about what drove her away. But he's grown up since they were teens and mostly does not make an ass of himself towards Quistis and they finally wind up friends.

And then come the Cybermen. No one is quite sure where they came from or how, but they're discovered when a scientific expedition to the Moon goes wrong and the newly reactivated Cybermen transport down to the planet. Esthar hires Seifer, Fujin, and Quistis to take a preliminary look at whatever these Cyber things are before it can be decided if the military can handle it or they need to hire more elite SeeD to go in and destroy the menace. And it turns to tragedy because the Cybermen get their hands on Quistis and convert her. Seifer barely gets out with Fujin and they report back that the Cybermen need to be wiped out, but they're worried not even SeeD will be enough.

Meanwhile, over at Balamb Garden - home of the best of the best amongst the SeeD mercenaries, led by Squall Leonhart, knight and Husband to Sorceress Rinoa Heartilly - a blue box appears with a man clinging to the side. A man who drops dead at first, but then seems to come back to life all on his own...

Basically it's an FF8/Doctor Who crossover. I do still really like the plot for this one but I can never seem to muster the energy to actually write it. I think the tragedy with Quistis plays into it, since I do like her character very much but I didn't want her traveling with the Master and Fujin when Seifer regains his memories/Time Lord self and runs off in his TARDIS at the end. I intended for Fujin to eventually wind up with someone else as her second love. I considered Jenny, River, and a few others over time... but since I never wrote any of the fics, save for carving out the Ianto-is-a-time-lord plot... who Fujin's next love interest would be never quite got finalized.

🤐Unpublished dialog

So in the fic above, I do have some written for it. Not much, but I had some fun little details, like Seifer had given Fujin a broken watch when they first met. His only connection to his dead family and he gave it to her when Fujin became like a sister to him. And similar to the kid who could hear the remnants of the Doctor in the fob watch when the Doctor became human, Fujin could hear the Master in there sometimes. So she was aware of who Seifer was/used to be and hid it at the Master's insistence, for their safety.

But with the arrival of the Cybermen - the Master telling her what they are - she worries that whether it's safe or not she may need to open the watch. To her, the Master and Seifer are the same person, so opening the watch won't change who Seifer is. It will simply let him be his complete self. And she isn't exactly wrong about that either, as the Master devotes a lot of time after waking to helping Fujin find the Cyberman who was once Quistis Trepe and giving Fujin a chance to say goodbye before the last of what made Quistis... well, Quistis, is subsumed entirely by the Cyberman programming.

“Cybermen...” Seifer whispered, his eyes distant. It was if he was trying to recall something just beyond his mind's reach... something hidden within the fob watch. “What did you say?” Quistis asked. “They're called Cybermen,” Seifer said, his voice stronger. “I've heard of them before, but I can't remember where.” “I remember hearing about them too,” Fujin said and then lied with a single name. “Ultimecia.” The Sorceress from the future – the bitch who'd twisted Seifer up so badly that he'd gone mad under the pressure of her control – had never mentioned the Cybermen. But Seifer's memories of those months were cloudy at best. He'd believe her. Fujin felt guilt curl in her chest as he nodded.

[bookishtheaterlover7]

Theres alot of people who have many sons out beating henry8ths desire . In who knows where the king of france tha baited henry for the son craze is laughing . Anne bolyn , catherine of aragon and more of his wives laugh at their tormented hubby

It's always a satisfying thought that the daughters Henry VIII rejected, ruled and had their turn upon the throne. When he did everything he could to make sure that none of the ladies succeeded him. 🤭

One was even named the Greatest Ruler in all of British History.

Jokes are definitely on Henry VIII 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[cantfixyou]

What’s the best thing about the fandom?

CANON QUESTIONAIRE | from HERE | always accepting !

when it comes to fans of five nights at freddy's, the greatest thing about them is their creativity. everyone i have ever interacted with is just so original and inventive, so smart and inspiring, so welcoming and warm and inclusive. there's never a dull moment in the community because of it. everyone is always talking, always inspiring each other, sharing ideas and headcanons and theories about everything to do with the story and its characters. there's never been a point where i felt left out, where i felt burnt out, where i didn't feel like i belonged. my age, my gender and identity, what my own theories and curated timeline are, none of it has ever been deemed wrong or bad or uninteresting. people have read my doc, followed my timeline, seen my pinterest boards and all my characterizations, and they've loved it. that is just so so special. it inspires me to be better and more creative every day.

[dreamofstarlight]

im gonna write an alternate history universe fanfiction where wallis and david weren't evil assholes and they have a daughter and that daughter marries one of joe and rose's kids and thus the Windsor-Kennedy dynasty starts 📝

Honestly I can't get behind any sort of positive twist on Wallis and Edward even if it's fake. In the back of my mind I won't be able to forget what they were like in real life.

[angelosearch]

✍️ Fic authors self rec!

When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to other writers you know. Let's spread some self-love! 💛 (sorry if it was sent two times, Tumblr didn't load properly!)

Ahhhh thank you for sending this! ❤️

Chaos Theory - Had to pick this one, my pride and joy multichapter alternate timeline fic! I talk about it on here all the time so sorry to repeat myself, but it is a reimagining of FFVIII if Ellone DID manage to change the past and gets Laguna to return to Winhill. Not only is it my longest fic, but my longest piece of writing to date. I am sort of almost finished with it! Honestly, I cannot believe I was able to write this after so many years of not writing creatively and even more years of thinking I was incapable of writing fiction.

Eyes of the Storm - My Squall/Rinoa magical realism romance AU. Writing a story like this (the flowery language, the vibes, the strong sense of place) has always been something I've strived for and I am so glad I finally did it!

Balamb Harbor Playhouse - Our heroes are watching a (terrible) stage production of their adventure and hilarity ensues. I loved writing this because I got to push all the criticism of the game and fan theories and personal observations onto one stage. I may never be this funny again.

Silver Anniversary - On the 25th Anniversary of the defeat of Ultimecia, Squall meditates on his life, how the world has changed, and his relationship with his friends and family. It warmed my heart to imagine Squall having a happy, hydrated, in-his-lane kind of domestic life and where everyone might end up.

I hope you love the flowers as much as I do - I wrote this from Raine's perspective while she was pregnant with Squall and it holds a special place in my heart. What can I say, I just love writing family orienented stuff!

[summonerluna]

😭 A fic that ripped your heart out (but it hurt so good)

Don't Come Closer by siobhane. This fic destroyed me. It's one of those that cut so deeply that I haven't been able to re-read it even though I love it and it deserves alllll the re-reads. It partly hit that way because one of the experiences Rinoa went through deeply mirrored something I was going through IRL. But partly because it is just that. good. It's devastating. It's beautiful. It is not something you should read unless you have time to really sit in the feelings it brings up.

Also adding eden by @irishais. The writing is so crisp, and the fic itself is deeply unsettling. Jana is an incredible writer and so many of her fics have stuck with me, from both before and after I was finally brave enough to say hi to this Person On the Internet I was super intimidated by, but this fic remains one of my favorites of hers.

[msfantasy-anime]

Why would I be jealous?

Monkey D. Luffy x Wife!Reader

Summary: a prompt provided by @matronofthevoid. Times when others expect Luffy to be jealous, versus times Luffy was actually jealous.

Part VIII

“Hey you’re gorgeous!” The drunkard slurred, hiccuping as he places a heavy hand on your shoulder.

You were two seconds away from committing unspeakable acts of violence but you recognise the man is barely coherent. So instead, you only sigh and wave him off.

The drunkard slouches sadly at your wordless rejection and begins to stumble off back to his table of friends who continue to hoot and holler.

Luffy continues to swallow clumps of food by the fistful - not taking any notice of the hoards of men that have approached you, Nami or Robin this whole evening; all whilst Sanji can’t stop watching the girls like a hawk. “This is unbelievable, how can you call yourself Y/n’s husband when you don’t even notice these filthy savages laying their dirty hands on your wife.” Sanji scolds his captain who’s finally paused from stuffing his face to swallow the lump of food stuck in his throat.

“Huh? What the heck are you talking about?” Luffy huffs- annoyed Sanji is interrupted his delectable feast.

“How can you not get jealous?! I would be driven insane if I saw anyone even glanced at my wife’s direction.” Sanji declares which makes Luffy’s eyes shoot out of his head.

“You’re married?!”

“No you idiot! I’m just saying if Y/n was my wife, I wouldn’t let anyone look, breath or even smile in her direction. But here you are stuffing your face whilst Y/n is harassed and hounded for her good looks.” Sanji spits venomously but Luffy doesn’t even spare a glance. Turning his attention back to his feast.

“I don’t get it.” Luffy he drawls, his brain going blank as he try’s to make sense of Sanji’s words.

Why would Luffy get jealous over other men having working eyes?

Brook places his tea-cup down on his saucer. “So I can ask to see her panties and you wouldn’t be jealous?” Brook asks, a twinkle of mischief in his … empty eye socket.

“No.” Luffy says stiffly.

“No? So I can ask her?” Brook asks - a glimmer of excitement making his heart race slightly… figuratively of course.

“No- I mean, don’t do it.” Luffy says pointedly, his serious voice taking over. Sanji lifts his brow.

“So you would get jealous of that?” Sanji taunts but Luffy shakes his head.

“No.”

The vein in Sanji’s forehead makes its return at his captains elusive words. “Why the hell not?”

“Because.” Luffy answers taking a hulking bite out of the meat stick, chewing slowly before swallowing the lump of flesh. “She’ll kill you.”

Now don’t get it wrong. It’s not like Luffy doesn’t get jealous. He certainly does, just not in ways other people expect.

It’s a brand new sunny day on the Thousand Sunny. The cloudless sky was inviting Luffy to come out to play - only for the day to start in chaos when you are no where to be found.

“Nami! Y/n fell overboard! I can’t find her anywhere!” Luffy shouts in a panic running in circles.

“Would you calm down!” Nami shouts back. “She’s swimming on the port side with Gimbe!” Dashing to the port side, Luffy flings himself onto the rail in a frenzied panic only to see you laughing and splashing about.

Luffy’s face sours to a childish pout. “Hey no fair, I wanna play too.” Luffy mumbles, his jutted chin sitting on the rail. “Hey Y/n! At the next island come explore with me!” Luffy suggests enthusiastically, only for you to turn him down.

“Sorry Stretch, Nami and Robin asked me to go shopping with them. Besides, I can’t keep wearing the same clothes everyday.” Luffy grumbles at the rejection.

“Fine! At least come have breakfast with me!” Luffy demanded only for you to smile back apologetically.

“… I kinda already ate though…” The gasp of betrayal that poured from Luffy’s throat was so tangible that you knew you had some making up to do.

[thediamondarcher]

TALK ABOUT THE TUDOR DYNASTY (we're here to listen to your hyperfixations)

thanks whoever you are!!

I'm going to talk a little bit about Anne Of Cleves since she's my favorite queen and i adore her.

She married Henry VIII and it was a political marriage (since he was the king of England and she was a princess of Germany), although Henry had seen Anne's portrait and immediately found her very attractive. She saw his portrait too but when they met in person she didn't recognize him, he was obese and looked nothing like he did in his portraits. So when she didn't recognize him, he felt completely embarrassed and so he started saying that Anne was disappointing in matters of attractiveness because his ego got hurt by her not recognizing him. Anne Of Cleves is described by many as an honorable person and a very attractive woman (which i hardly agree with). She even had a great relationship with Mary I and Elizabeth I (Henry's daughters). They were married for 6 months, she never married again and also never left England. She outlived Henry and every other wife he had

[corvidconniver]

💭 + strawberry milk

goro keeps it 100. // accepting!

VIII. // "strawberry milk? it's a fine enough beverage. it's cute, it's sweet, and when made right, it's refreshing. i've seen it used in many trendy and aesthetic food blogs."