#we both understand eo so well

[yoursjaeyun]

i appreciate this girl ( @hee-pster ) so much yall don’t even understand. the conversation we just had? everything i could have ever asked for. 🫠🫶🏼

[acourtofquestions]

KINGDOM OF ASH (by SJM)

Chapter 48

THE FAMILY REUINION🥹😆😭🫶& MY SOULLL

But when they reached Princess Hasar's battle tent, when they had all gathered around a map of Anielle, they had only a few minutes of discussion before they were interrupted. By the person Chaol least expected to walk through the flaps.

A moment later, Chaol was glad he was sitting down.

Nesryn breathed, "Holy gods."

Chaol was inclined to agree as Aelin Galathynius, Rowan Whitethorn, and several others entered the tent.

They were mud-splattered, the Queen of Terrasen's braided hair far longer than Chaol had last seen. And her eyes ... Not the soft, yet fiery gaze. But something older. Wearier.

Chaol shot to his feet. "I thought you were in Terrasen," he blurted. All the reports had confirmed it. Yet here she stood, no army in sight.

Three Fae males-towering warriors as broad and muscled as Rowan—had entered, along with a delicate, dark-haired human woman.

But Aelin was only staring at him. Staring and staring at him.

No one spoke as tears began sliding down her face. Not at his being here, Chaol realized as he took up his cane and limped toward Aelin.

But at him. Standing. Walking.

The young queen let out a broken laugh of joy and flung her arms around his neck. Pain lanced down his spine at the impact, but Chaol held her right back, every question fading from his tongue.

Aelin was shaking as she pulled away. "I knew you would," she breathed, gazing down his body, to his feet, then up again. "I knew you'd do it."

"Not alone," he said thickly. Chaol swallowed, releasing Aelin to extend an arm behind him. To the woman he knew stood there, a hand over the locket at her neck.

Perhaps Aelin would not remember, perhaps their encounter years ago had meant nothing to her at all, but Chaol drew Yrene forward. "Aelin, allow me to introduce"

"Yrene Towers," the queen breathed as his wife stepped to his side.

The two women stared at each other.

Yrene's mouth quivered as she opened the silver locket and pulled out a piece of paper. Hands trembling, she extended it to the queen. Aelin's own hands shook as she accepted the scrap.

"Thank you," Yrene whispered.

Chaol supposed it was all that really needed to be said.

Aelin unfolded the paper, reading the note she'd written, seeing the lines from the hundreds of foldings and rereadings these past few years.

"I went to the Torre," Yrene said, her voice cracking. "I took the money you gave me, and went to the Torre. And I became the heir apparent to the Healer on High. And now I have come back, to do what I can. I taught every healer I could the lessons you showed me that night, about self-defense. I didn't waste it-not a coin you gave me, or a moment of the time, the life you bought me." Tears were rolling and rolling down Yrene's face. "I didn't waste any of it."

Aelin closed her eyes, smiling through her own tears, and when she opened them, she took Yrene's shaking hands. "Now it is my turn to thank you." But Aelin's gaze fell upon the wedding band on Yrene's finger, and when she glanced to Chaol, he grinned.

"No longer Yrene Towers," Chaol said softly, "but Yrene Westfall."

Aelin let out one of those choked, joyous laughs, and Rowan stepped up to her side.

Yrene's head tilted back to take in the warrior's full height, her eyes widening-not only at Rowan's size, but at the pointed ears, the slightly elongated canines and tattoo. Aelin said, "Then let me introduce you, Lady Westfall, to my own husband, Prince Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius."

For that was indeed a wedding band on the queen's finger, the emerald mud-splattered but bright. On Rowan's own hand, a gold-and-ruby ring gleamed.

"My mate," Aelin added, fluttering her lashes at the Fae male. Rowan rolled his eyes, yet couldn't entirely contain his smile as he inclined his head to Yrene.

Yrene bowed, but Aelin snorted. "None of that, please. It'll go right to his immortal head." Her grin softened as Yrene blushed, and Aelin held up the scrap of paper. "May I keep this?" She eyed Yrene's locket. "Or does it go in there?"

Yrene folded the queen's fingers around the paper. "It is yours, as it always was. A piece of your bravery that helped me find my own."

Aelin shook her head, as if to dismiss the claim.

But Yrene squeezed Aelin's closed hand. "It gave me courage, the words you wrote. Every mile I traveled, every long hour I studied and worked, it gave me courage. I thank you for that, too."

Aelin swallowed hard, and Chaol took that as excuse enough to sit again, his back giving a grateful tinge. He said to the queen, "There is another person responsible for this army being here." He gestured to Nesryn, the woman already smiling at the queen. "The rukhin you see, the army gathered, is as much because of Nesryn as it is because of me."

A spark lit Aelin's eyes, and both women met halfway in a tight embrace. "I want to hear the entire story," Aelin said. "Every word of it." Nesryn's subdued smile widened. "So you shall. But later." Aelin clapped her on the shoulder and turned to the two royals still by the desk. Tall and regal, but as mud-splattered as the queen.

Chaol blurted, "Dorian?"

Rowan answered, "Not with us." He glanced to the royals.

"They know everything," Nesryn said

"He's with Manon," Aelin said simply.

Chaol wasn't entirely sure whether to be relieved. "Hunting for something important."

The keys. Holy gods.

Aelin nodded. Later. He'd think on where Dorian might now be later. Aelin nodded again. The full story would come then too.

Nesryn said, "May I present Princess Hasar and Prince Sartaq."

Aelin bowed—low. "You have my eternal gratitude," Aelin said, and the voice that came out of her was indeed that of a queen. Any shock Sartaq and Hasar had shown upon the queen bowing so low was hidden as they bowed back, the portrait of courtly grace.

"My father," Sartaq said, "remained in the khaganate to oversee our lands, along with our siblings Duva and Arghun. But my brother Kashin sails with the rest of the army. He was not two weeks behind us when we left."

Aelin glanced to Chaol, and he nodded.

Something glittered in her eyes at the confirmation, but the queen jerked her chin at Hasar. "Did you get my letter?"

The letter that Aelin had sent months ago, begging for aid and promising only a better world in return. Hasar picked at her nails. "Perhaps. I get far too many letters from fellow princesses these days to possibly remember or answer all of them."

Aelin smirked, as if the two of them spoke a language no one else could understand, a special code between two equally arrogant and proud women. But she motioned to her companions, who stepped forward. "Allow me to introduce my friends. Lord Gavriel, of Doranelle." A nod toward the tawny-eyed and golden-haired warrior who bowed.

Tattoos covered his neck, his hands, but his every motion was graceful. "My uncle, of sorts," Aelin added with a smirk at Gavriel. At Chaol's narrowed brows, she explained, "He's Aedion's father."

"Well, that explains a few things," Nesryn muttered.

The hair, the broad-planed face ... yes, it was the same. But where Aedion was fire, Gavriel seemed to be stone. Indeed, his eyes were solemn as he said, "Aedion is my pride." Emotion rippled over Aelin's face, but she gestured to the dark-haired male. Not someone Chaol ever wanted to tangle with, he decided as he surveyed the granite-hewn features, the black eyes and unsmiling mouth.

"Lorcan Salvaterre, formerly of Doranelle, and now a blood-sworn member of my court." As if that weren't a shock enough, Aelin winked at the imposing male. Lorcan scowled. "We're still in the adjustment period," she loudly whispered, and Yrene chuckled.

Lorcan Salvaterre. Chaol hadn't met the male this spring in Rifthold, but he'd heard all about him. That he'd been Maeve's most trusted commander, her most loyal and fierce warrior.

That he'd wanted to kill Aelin, hated Aelin.

How this had come about, why she was not in Terrasen with her army ... "You, too, have a tale to tell," Chaol said.

"Indeed I do." Aelin's eyes guttered, and Rowan put a hand on her lower back. Bad— something terrible had occurred. Chaol scanned Aelin for any hint of it. He stopped when he noticed the smoothness of the skin at her neck. The lack of scars. The missing scars on her hands, her palms. "Later," Aelin said softly. She straightened her shoulders, and another golden-haired male came forward. Beautiful. That was the only way to describe him. "Fenrys ... You know, I don't actually know your family name."

Fenrys threw a roguish wink at the queen.

"Moonbeam."

"It is not," Aelin hissed, choking on a laugh.

Fenrys laid a hand on his heart. "I am blood-sworn to you. Would I lie?"

Another blood-sworn Fae male in her court.

Across the tent, Sartaq cursed in his own tongue. As if he'd heard of Lorcan, and Gavriel, and Fenrys.

Aelin gave Fenrys a vulgar gesture that set Hasar chuckling, and faced the royals. "They're barely housebroken. Hardly fit for your fine company." Even Sartaq smiled at that. But it was to the small, delicate woman that Aelin now gestured. "And the only civilized member of my court, Lady Elide Lochan of Perranth." Perranth. Chaol had combed through the family trees of Terrasen just this winter, had seen the lists of so many royal households crossed out, victim to the conquest ten years ago.

Elide's name had been among them.

Another Terrasen royal who had managed to evade Adarlan's butchers.

The pretty young woman took a limping step forward, and bobbed a curtsy to the royals. Her boots concealed any sign of the source of the injury, but Yrene's attention shot right to her leg. Her ankle. "It's an honor to meet all of you," Elide said, her voice low and steady. Her dark eyes swept over them, cunning and clear. Like she could see beneath their skin and bones, to the souls beneath.

Aelin wiped her hands. "Well, that's over and done with," she announced, and strode to the desk and map. "Shall we discuss where you all plan to march once we beat the living shit out of this army?"

[acehoons]

dating the zerobaseone boys . . ?!

☆! ot8 x gn!reader. fluff. not requested.

a/n: i didn’t include yujin bc i’m not comfortable in writing about him in a romantic way, since we have quite an age gap. hope u guys understand.

% . . kim jiwoong

this guy’s the most protective boyfriend to exist ever

is big on physical touch as a love language

always have to have his hands on you

on your waist, holding your hand, even gripping your thigh sometimes??? this man istg

more under the cut.

loves taking you out in dates

is a big restaurant man

i feel like jiwoong likes “traditional” dating

like taking you out for dinner, paying for your meal, walking you back home

i mean you deserve the best treatment so

he’s also big on surprises

if he gave matthew a bouquet on his birthday, imagine what he would give YOU, his s/o

likes to listen to you talk

let’s you ramble about your day for hours

he doesn’t really mind it, even if you think you’re annoying him with your rants

his favorite past time is to listen to you so

can read you like a book as well

takes him 0.1 seconds to know if and when you’re upset

would always try to calm you down by holding you in his arms

hates seeing you cry too

he sees one tear fall from those pretty eyes and he’s already on his way to soothe you

“what’s wrong, are you okay? please don’t cry.”

overall he’s a big softie for ya

% . . zhang hao

zhanghao’s definitely the type of bf that just loves to annoy you

teases you to no end

he just loves to elicit reactions from u, i feel like

but really, he’s incredibly caring

won’t hesitate to pamper you at any given time

he even calls you his prince(ss)

especially when you get sick

boy!! this man is never gonna leave your side when you’re ill

always tries to make time for you as well

even if he’s super busy, he’ll clear his schedule somewhat

even if it’s just for 20 minutes

is big on updating you throughout the day

you’d receive texts from time to time, just zhanghao telling you about his day

“we’re on our way to the company” “gyuvin fell on the stairs and landed on his butt lol” “dw he’s fine”

calls you at the randomest hours of the day to check up on you

likes to make sure you both are aware of eo every day

because he’s afraid of you drifting apart

his favorite dates are the spontaneous ones

like eating in a diner at one random night or going out for a convenience store run at 2 am

will always be there for you

doesn’t matter what you need

a hug? a new bag? 15 million won? someone to help you hide the body?

he’s there to provide

% . . sung hanbin

hanbin is a bf and a mother combined into one

is never not coddling you

always makes sure you’re taking care of yourself

and if you aren’t, he will >:(((

big on words of affirmation!!

but i feel like he’s the type to try and hit all of the love languages as much as he can

but yours (and by proxy, his) favorite is words of affirmation

bc he never fails to praise you and tell you how proud he is of you

the first time he said reassured you, you cried like a baby

and he cradled you like one, too

is there to comfort you at the speed of lightning

whenever you tell him that you aren’t feeling well, his priority is to ensure that you feel better asap

makes sure that you’re prioritizing your health over everything

sends photos at random times of the day

“babe we’re in busan! wish u were with us rn :(“

the two of you aren’t big on going out

so date nights would be spent with just the two of you cuddling on the couch and watching a movie

although you end up falling asleep halfway through

he secretly loves it

takes photos of you when you’re asleep and sets it as his lockscreen

tries his best to make homecooked meals for you

but if not he’ll just end up ordering takeout for you

he just wants to make sure that you are always happy, healthy and fed

% . . seok matthew

now this man is the definition of a golden retriever bf

is the happiest when you guys are together

loves to take you out on dates!!

library and park dates are his favorites

just anything involving the two of you walking around together

is also a clingy baby

is immediately sad when you guys separate

spends most of his days thinking about what the two of you could do together

likes to listen to music with you

makes you lots of playlists to listen to

is also the type to facetime you for a period of time

when you’d be studying and he’d be practicing his vocals

likes to ask you for advice as well

he thinks you’re one of the smartest people he knows so, it makes sense

is fond of sending you photos of things he sees that reminds him of you

“babe look! this goat looks just like u ㅋㅋ“

teases you sometimes, but not as much

is also big on cuddling

boy if you guys sleep together.. good luck

expect this man to cling on to you so much

he’d almost be laying on top of you

likes to bury his face in your neck

this might sound weird, but he loves your scent so much

not your perfume, but your natural scent

it reminds him of home, almost

because at the end of the day, he always comes home to you

% . . kim taerae

another sunshine boyfriend

he’s just always so smiley when you’re around

likes to take buy you flowers and chocolates

you’d put one of the flowers behind your ear and he’d take a photo

later you’d see it as his lockscreen on literally every gadget that he has

likes singing to you

but also likes to hear you sing

even if you think that you aren’t good, he just likes your voice

sends you snippets of him singing whenever he can

is big on quality time and acts of service i think

whenever you go out on dates, expect this man to do everything for you

even if it’s just to tie your shoe or to ask for a napkin in a restaurant

you are a prince(ss) to him. period

likes playing with your fingers whenever you hold hands

he does it a lot, especially whenever he’s nervous

like before a performance

having your hand in his calms him down a lot

can also be a little protective of you

he’s okay with you wearing anything you want when you go out,

but expect him to wrap his arms around your waist whenever he notices someone staring at you outside

incredibly whiny when you won’t give him what he wants

“babyyyy, i need one more kiss, c’mon!”

i mean, who can resist this man???

% . . shen quanrui

make way for our young and rich tall and handsome charisma boss baby

this man is going to SPOIL you rotten

obvi buying you material things isn’t an issue

he’ll get you the most expensive things even when you complain

you need a new bag? he’ll get a louis vuitton. you need some clothes? there’s a chanel store near his place. you want some food? expect some gourmet takeout

he just wants to provide you the things you deserve, even if they are expensive

but ricky doesn’t just spoil you with material objects

he’s big on assurance as well

always making sure that the two of you don’t end up in any disagreements and misunderstandings

the thought of you worrying about him worries him

always asks your opinion on things, too

about his clothes, his singing, dancing, etc.

sometimes he uses that as a way to get you things

he’s send you a photo of a necklace one day and ask,

“baby, what do you think of this necklace?”

you’d say it’s pretty and boom, next day he’s bought it for you

if he’s big on giving you expensive gifts, he’s big on receiving handmade ones from you

he loves everything you make for him

handwritten letters, crotched stuff animals, everything

he keeps all of them in a box in his closet

and if you ever buy him any piece of clothing or jewelry

expect him to always be wearing it

because in a way, it makes him feel like he’s carrying you with him wherever he goes

% . . kim gyuvin

boy.. good luck

you just got yourself a bf and a baby all in one

i’m jk, but we all know gyuvin’s a (literal) giant baby

likes to be coddled by you most especially

acts just like a little kid when he’s with you

but that’s only because he feels comfortable being with you

loves to watch movies with you!

at home or at the cinema, doesn’t matter

buys you lots of snacks. like. tons

it’s his love language; to feed you

likes to go to fun little events with you, like music festivals or fiestas

this boy has a social battery as big as a truck, so prepare yourself

introduces you to his friends a lot

and invites you to their hang outs

you end up being a part of their friend group, almost

and everyone loves you because you take really good care of gyuvin

although you make sure not to mother him too much, sometimes you just can't help it

you end up buying him things he needs or calling him at noon to make sure he's eaten his lunch

in compensation, gyuvin likes to make sure that you are always happy

would be the type to say a random joke or to even embarrass himself in public just to see you smile

"babe, babe, what do you call a fake noodle? an im-pasta!!"

it gives you a headache sometimes but you genuinely love it about gyuvin

how he always prioritizes your happiness,

sometimes even above his own

% . . park gunwook

another giant baby, oh boy

but unlike gyuvin, gunwook doesn't require much care actually

you just give him few hugs and cuddles and he's good to go

requires a lot of attention from you. like. all the time

if you guys are separated expect to receive dozens of messages and facetime requests from this man

always wants to talk to you during his breaks or whenever he isn't busy

and he always has a story to tell you

he's a little clueless when it comes to dating, given how young he is

so most of your dates just end with either the two of you hanging out at home

or just a simple late night walk around town together

however, he does like shopping with you

he's not as "giving" as ricky, but he's definitely one to buy you a few expensive pieces here and there

especially if he sees a pretty bracelet or a nice pair of earrings

loves to surprise you with them

he's big on physical touch as a reward

it's his motivation

"ok so if i finish my chores i can cuddle with you? alright, got it"

boom he's washed the dishes and mopped the floor and cleaned his desk table all in under 20 minutes

physically relaxes whenever he's with you

like he'd be tense whenever he's out in public, always wary of everything he says and does

but when he's with you, it's like all of his worries wash away

he loves you so much

to him, you are his comfort

acehoons © 2023

[torchwood-99]

Eowyn's Will

"May I not now spend my life as I will?'

'Few may do so with honour.' "

Eowyn's one driving wish in a nutshell, to live her life as she will. To live as a being with a will of her own.

Eowyn having a will of her own is perhaps the crux of her character, her conflict with the patriarchal paternalistic men around her, and the expectations and limitations of her society.

Aragorn gently chides her for wishing to spend her life as she will, stating few have that freedom. And yet while Aragorn may be pressured and pushed by such things as honour and duty and conscience, how these influence his choices is essentially up to him. He can choose, he does have a will of his own. Often he chooses to act against his own inclinations (hide away with Arwen) but he can choose.

Eowyn cannot.

Aragorn; as a noble man in this patriarchal society, has a completely different understanding of what it means to live life as you will to Eowyn. Aragorn sees it as living life selfishly, seeing as his own sense of right and wrong is what causes him to go out and face hardships. Eowyn sees it as simply living as an autonomous being. A right Aragorn has rarely, if ever, been denied.

Both of them have had to act in a way that opposes their will on occasions, but for Aragorn it's because he personally feels a duty towards greater things. For Eowyn, it's because the very existence of her own will has been denied by those around her, and in authority over her.

'Where will wants not, a way opens, so we say,' he whispered; 'and so I have found myself."

The first time we see Eowyn putting her will into action is when she sneaks into battle, and brings Merry with her. This is in defiance of her uncle, and Aragorn himself. Once she looked to Aragorn to set herself free, now she's doing it alone. Back when she was begging to ride with Aragorn, she was still half stuck in the cage, looking to be freed by another, looking for permission from another.

She deserts her post, she fails in her duty, she acts out of bitterness and a longing for death as well as out of courage and a love for her kin and her land, and she's rewarded for it.

When she finally goes to battle, it is by her own will and her own will alone.

That is why I think the narrative awards her a victory (albeit a bitterly won one), that is why it vindicates her decision by having her slay he who wouldn't be killed by hand of Man, and has her win greater renown than she could ever have dreamed of. Because it was an act of freewill, riding to battle, bringing Merry, facing the Witch King, she does all this on no one's orders, but her own.

The narrative rewards this. it rewards freewill.

Now here's this line, from Faramir, after Eowyn reciprocates his love.

" Yet I will wed with the White Lady of Rohan, if it be her will. And if she will, then let us cross the River and in happier days let us dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden. All things will grow with joy there, if the White Lady comes."

Compare this to Eowyn's first introduction, when Eowyn is sent away by Theoden and Gandalf, where she waits on her uncle and her brother and their guests, pouring drinks while they sit and speak of weighty things, and even when she is being honoured, she is ordered to go to Dunharrow without consultation. An order that makes her feel as though she's in exile. She is silent, she stays on the side, and she serves. She has great value but no will.

Faramir speaks of Eowyn's will twice.

Eowyn's has been kept in a cage, kept on the side-lines, and denied choices. And here, when Faramir describes a dream of their future, he twice spells out it all depends on Eowyn's will, and he has them dwelling in a land known for its beautiful landscape, and building a garden together.

He speaks of of "us", showing he thinks of himself and Eowyn as a partnership, yet at the same time he also gives importance to Eowyn's personal will, and at the end speaks of Eowyn alone, Eowyn's influence and Eowyn's presence and Eowyn's special title, also showing Eowyn as independent being.

She is his partner but not his adjunct, and her personal will is valued enough to be spoken of twice, and his whole vision depends on her being willing.

She is neither side-lined as she has been in the past, left behind while the men join together to do great things, but her individuality isn't consumed by Faramir either. They're a team.

"Faramir, Steward of Gondor, and Prince of Ithilien, asks that Éowyn Lady of Rohan should be his wife, and she grants it full willing."

When Eomer announces Eowyn and Faramir's betrothal, he also describes Eowyn as agreeing to marry Faramir as being "full willing." This suggests a change to me, a small but significant hint, coming after Gandalf's speech, where Eomer is described as looking over their life together. He doesn't grant Eowyn's hand to Faramir, as might be expected in a patriarchal society. She does.

"May I not now spend my life as I will?'

Yes Eowyn, yes you may.

[yujeong]

Okk. I don't want to compare or anything but I don't get the people who's getting mad on Korn Tonkla scenes saying they had more screen time? Or shit. I mean tbh, I am understanding the plot of the series better because of the two of them because they are somehow related to all of the events. And Tonkla's situation is...... he somehow senses the other timeline which I think is an important role. And also, Korn! Like what you've said he knows Dome is dead, and at the same time he's with his brother who ’saved’ Dome. Both of the characters are pivotal in the series.

Also, I think that they are more talked about because a Bas and Fuaiz couple was not expected in the series, and at the same time their plot line is really good as well as the build up of their characters. And I've seen more & more people are falling in love with Fuaiz & Bas (as an actor) in this series.

But somehow, I get them because the main couple is GreatTyme but why does it feel like they are becoming more of a side couple. Also saw people saying that their ’plot line’ or how they were introduced to eo /wasn't it./

Thank you for giving me the incentive to speak about this issue, anon. I'm going to do it now because the new episode will come out in a few hours and hopefully I won't have to do this ever again - which I honestly doubt but anyway. Since I haven't seen this type of discourse pop up on Tumblr (thank GOD), I'd like to inform everyone that over on Twitter, there have been massive complaints about Tonkla, aka Fuaiz, getting more screentime than the main characters, aka JesBible, to the point of people tagging BOC in posts and demanding they give them more scenes with TymeGreat - as if BOC can just pull footage they haven't filmed out of their ass or something. It got so bad that Sammon herself saw them and AGREED with these people, further explaining how it was important for some plot elements to be explored now, in order for the rest of the series to make sense. Now, with all due respect to her position as a screenwriter: she's factually wrong here. Someone on Twitter actually sat down and counted the minutes each character is on screen and came out with these results:

It's not in English, but I believe the results are clear: Tonkla doesn't even come close to Great's screentime. He's a little closer to Tyme's, but the main character is Great, so he's the one we should be looking at. Also, in case it hasn't been fucking obvious, Tonkla is an essential character in 4 Minutes, which is why we're getting many scenes with him. The reason I mentioned the actors is pretty self-explanatory - people are mad their favourite actors are shown a specific amount of time, giving space to other plot lines and characters, instead of being there for the whole episode, as if the point of 4 Minutes is the romance between Tyme and Great and nothing else. Meanwhile, Bible himself was laughing and clapping and enjoying the flashback scene between Korn and Tonkla when they had their first time, because Bible wanted to be part of a good production, which he is and he recognizes it. But no, God forbid we get more context over KornTonkla, which is one of the most important relationships in the show, which guides Tonkla's actions, which moves the fucking PLOT of the SHOW. I could give the benefit of the doubt to people being upset Tonkla was shown for not even half of episode 4, but I won't, and the reason for that is because I'm sick and fucking tired of people getting their panties in a twist because a character who loves getting fucked is actually getting fucked in almost every episode. Good for him honestly, even if it's making him worse. (I've already ranted about this whole thing here, I'm not going to repeat myself) I don't know how your social media feeds are like anon, but mine are flooded with BibleJes + GreatTyme content and I rarely see anything about KornTonkla or Bas and Fuaiz or anything of the sort, so I can't agree with you that they're more talked about than the main actors/characters. (That's not the case on Tumblr though: I have a very varied feed + my lovely anon asks which give me the chance to talk about my boys and I'm thankful for that.) And I'm sorry, anon, but I'm going to have to disagree with you in the end: Great and Tyme do NOT feel like the side couple at all. They are and they feel very much like the main couple and they've had multiple scenes together in every single episode so far (at the hospital, in Great's garage, at the park, at the university, at the arcade, inside Great's car, at the rooftop of the hospital, at the warehouse, inside the tent etc). We've gotten plenty of fucking content for them AND also BOC has made sure to give Bible and Jes the chance to do a million interviews together + magazine photoshoots, with only half of the show being done, so fans have zero fucking reason to complain about anything. That's all. Rant over.

[mrs-monaghan]

Hi! Sorry if the question sounds weird…but I feel like this is a safe place to ask this.

How do you think Jikook handled their intimacy during The Soop, Bon Voyage etc? Also considering the ramen joke, the analysis going around about Jungkook putting on that jacket in BV and so on. Thank you!

I don't understand the question

But I think I get u. Maybe. I'm not sure. Okay we are gonna start from the beginning and I'm just gonna hope this is what u asked 🤭🤭

Bon Voyage season 1:

Well, we know JK ditches Suga to go sleep with Jimin in the living room. Which awwww 🥺🥺🥺

Tweet

BUT, I dont think the SEVENing took place in there. I'm thinking the laundry room. It would explain why they liked doing laundry so much 🤭🤭🤭

I imagine the boat would have been harder, too many people in one room. But if they wanted I'm sure they found a way 😁

Bon Voyage season 2:

This one is easy. They play for rooms, JK looses and he ain't happy to be sleeping on the couch. So Jimin sees his baby is sad n he naturally offers to switch

But JK chooses to sleep on the floor, turning down the offer. Surprising since he knows Yoonmin are sharing a bed. But maybe he'd rather not sleep with Suga 🤭 I'm kidding... I'm kidding 😂😂😂 This was probably JK's hyung kink at play where he likes to look after Jimin. So he'd rather be uncomfortable than have Jimin be uncomfortable.

Anyway, this is further down into episode 7 but u can see Yoonmin are in bed right before Jimin sneaks out the room.

You know he's not just leaving but sneaking out coz he's checking to see if Suga is asleep.

Justice for Suga. Jikook always be ditching him for eo 😂😂😂 anygays, seeing Jimin sneak out in ep 7 tells me he probably did it for the duration of their stay in that house. Coz in the next house, JK lost on purpose and they ended up sharing this room that we never saw the inside of

All we got was a sus photo of JK with smeared lipstick.

Anyone having flashbacks of Osaka Vlive?? 😂🤭 He he he heee...

Then we have the origin of Jikook doing laundry. Of course this is suspicious off the bat. But even more reason is because their stories weren't matching. According to JK, they stayed up till late doing laundry. So from him, they were doing laundry for most of the night.

But according to Jimin laundry was done in the morning???

Well, which is it Jikook????

Anon, these motherfuckers were SEVENing plenty in Hawaii. 👀

Bon Voyage season 3:

I don't really need to delve into this one, do I? Even the most out of touch person knows Jikook were sharing a room. I mean, Jimin was not only supposed to share a room with Suga and Jin, but he was supposed to share a bed with Jin. Now, why tf would he do that when his boyfriend had a room all to himself??

Anyway, analysis by Mizgator here. Timestamp 7:00

I also believe Jimin continued to sleep in that room even after V showed up. Jikook were on their honeymoon after all 🤭🤭🤭

Real talk though, this is what friends do for eo. Members have excused Jikook when they needed the privacy. That's just what people do. I know its bros before hoes, but who is the ho to V if both are his bros?? 😂

Moving on to Bon Voyage season 4:

I already covered how in the first house the SEVENing took place in the RV. So let's move on to camping. Now this is a bit hard to gauge when/where intimacy would have taken place. It was only 2 nights that they camped anyway, so maybe nothing happened during this time? BUT, like I will say many times during this post; it dont matter. If they wanted to SEVEN, it happened irregardless of location.

(There was however some camping sleeping drama that took place. I talk about that here. It has nothing to do with the topic at hand, I just like to bring it up coz I like drama 🤪)

Now onto the second and final house. First of all, we are going to quickly gloss over JK following Vhopemin into this room with all his luggage.

He has no business being there seeing as his roommate was RM. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Oh how satellite Jeon i do love you. 🤭🤭

So anygays, at some point you hear Jimin calling Jhope's name urgently

And then they start whispering and giggling like little kids.

Now that could just be Jihope well, Jihoping but this was when people were going to their rooms. I wouldn't put it past Jimin to enlist his bestfriend's help on Jikook getting a room to themselves at some point.

Like I've mentioned b4, cameras aren't always filming, and friends do each other these kinds of favors all the time. In any case this was a big ass house if Jikook wanted to get their groove on, they got it done.

I think we are good on the BVs so let's move onto In the Soops.

In The Soop season 1:

Here i talk about how JK used to spend the night in what was supposed to be Vmin's room. So that's that. Also if I was them I would have considered using that boat to SEVEN for sure. I hope they did. I mean, they wouldn't have to do nothing. Just let the waves do all the work

Mosquito net incident i dont think they did anything beyond making out, really. JK lost his hoodie, yeah. But Jimin looked the exact same way coming out like he did going in.

So clearly he didn't shed his clothes.

In The Soop season 2:

First there was Jimin's room. And then JK's and Bam's house... I can see it. Especially when JK asked Jimin if he wanted ramen and Jimin ran towards JK's house. I think he got his ramen 😏😏 Something tells me Jimin didn't actually leave, here.

He pretended to, but i don't think he did. I think he stayed and they either turned off the cams or covered them. But I've always had a feeling he didn't actually leave.

But while that's speculation, this however, I think this is a given---> I talk about the drone incident and them going to the forest/bushes 🤭 here. Why would they need to get rid of the camera unless they went to shout in each other's briefcases? 🤷🏽‍♀️ or even to SEVEN? One can get real creative on that ATV. Just saying... 😌😌😌

I knew it was game over because of the way Jimin looked at the camera here.

Look at his faceeeee

He was NOT a fan of that camera in that moment. It's giving flashbacks to this summer package

And then the way they both look at the camera again before taking off

He he heee.... if you ever watch these reality shows again just pay attention to how many times they glance at cameras. Its so funny. It's not really a surprise they waved away that drone for some privacy.

Thanks for the ask, anon. I believe that about covers it, yes?

[joojeans]

could i request hyung line during and/or after a fight? like them and f!reader have been so busy with their own jobs and dont have time with eo and theyre stressed and tired and everything? i need me sum angst :] thank you! <3

since you didn't request comfort or a fluff ending, this is pure angst!

&team hyung line: fighting w s/o because they miss each other

k: the first moments of silence in the last hour pass. the tension in the air is thick, your hands curling into little frustrated fists as you stand awkwardly on the other side of the room from k. "k, i just think—" you're interrupted by a loud groan as k leans his head back into the couch and forces his eyes shut as if he would cease to hear you if he couldn't see you. your heart aches. would he really wish you away right now if it was so easy? "y/n, today has been the longest day as it is. can you please not drain the last bit of energy i have?" your heart somehow sinks further, your lips pursing as you try to fight back tears. "i just thought we could make more intentional efforts to see each other even when we're busy. it's not easy, k, but we didn't sign up for easy." your tone is devoid of any feeling, k's eyes opening and looking over to you. he doesn't say anything, so you give up for the moment, heading in the direction of the front door as he watches you with sad eyes—eyes reflecting loss and a sense of having no control over his pain.

fuma: "i didn't realize i was asking for so much," you grumble, hissing when you accidentally touch the hot pot on the stove, minorly searing one of your fingers. "fuck!" you've reached your breaking point and it's obvious to you and fuma alike. fuma reaches for your hand as he stands next to you, but you yank your hand away, stepping away from him. "don't. i want to spend time with you just to be together. i don't want it just when you feel like you need to rescue me." your words sting. fuma has surely spent many more days of you being together showing you that he cares so much. all the days of missing each other that have been piling up shouldn't be able to make your strong foundation collapse... right? he stares at the side of your face as you examine your finger, your jaw tense. "you and i both know that's not fair, y/n, but i understand that you're saying it because you're hurt. let me know when you actually want to talk, because i'm not here to be your punching bag."

nicholas: you push nicholas's hands away with a frown instead of laughing like you usually do when he tickles you. his hands freeze in place, hovering in the air before he slowly moves them to rest on his thighs, turning his head to the side to look at you. you're sitting next to him but you're not really there. "y/n? are you okay?" you sigh, avoiding his gaze. "i'm just really not in the mood to pretend like everything's all happy and normal when you haven't had time for me for the last few weeks. feels like shit, nicholas." nicholas looks down to his lap, fingers nervously fiddling with themselves as he speaks quietly. "i'm sorry, y/n. i didn't mean for it to be so long. you know i'd always rather be with you." you feel a pang of guilt, but you're not over your hurt feelings enough yet to accept his words of apology. "if you wanted to be with me, you could've found time. you didn't." nicholas nods, resigned. "i'm sorry," he mumbles again softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

euijoo: you're trying so hard to focus on the movie you're watching with euijoo. it's your first night together in too long, so you want to enjoy it, but everything feels awkward. off. he's not smiling at you like he usually does, too tired from work to be fully present. before you can stop it, tears well up in your eyes and fall silently down your cheeks. it doesn't take euijoo long to notice—he's been glancing at you every few seconds all night, obviously trying to make sure he's making you happy. "y-y/n?" his voice is so soft, concerned. he's watching you cry but he's frozen. "what's wrong?" you shake your head and swallow the lump in your throat. "i just miss you, euijoo." his eyes are darting all over your face, searching for answers. "but... i'm right here." the worry on his face makes you feel ashamed. he hasn't actually done anything wrong, but you can't help how you feel. you nod, trying to force a smile as you look at him with glossy eyes. "i know, euijoo. i know."

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

Hi there! So happy I found your blog! I also love everything Rohan 😄 I'm a linguist and am just wondering about the language of Rohan. Given your extensive knowledge of our beloved kingdom, I was wondering if you'd be able to share what you know about their language? I understand it's supposed to be similar to Old English? Would a modern-day English-speaking person be able to understand them at all? Or at least identify it as a language that is similar to Old English? Did the people of Rohan more commonly speak Rohanese/Rohirric or Westron? Did all of them speak/understand both languages? Thank you so much!

Hello, Anonymous! I’m so glad you’re here and that you enjoy what you’ve found so far! Your question, coming from a linguist, makes me a little nervous because I am very much not. But I have confidence that someone else will pop in to correct me if I screw it up!

Any discussion of Rohirric gets complicated by the framing device Tolkien used. We’re supposed to believe that LOTR is an in-universe history, written by people who were there and who wrote in Westron. So what we see as English in the published book is supposed to be Tolkien’s translation of Westron. He then picked Old English to represent the language of the Rohirrim as a way to demonstrate the relationship between Rohirric and Westron – namely, Rohirric is an older, more archaic language than Westron with some shared historical origins (though the shared origins between Rohirric and Westron are not as direct as the way that English descended from Old English).

That means Old English is just used to make a point, not to show us what the language itself looked or sounded like. For that, we mostly have Legolas’s description (“rich and rolling”, “hard and stern” and “laden with sadness” 😬) and a few individual words that are mostly found in History of Middle Earth. The differences between the actual language and the Old English representation is pretty huge! The Old English-style name Éothéod (“horse people”) is actually Lohtûr. The name Théoden (coming from Old English meaning “king of the people”) is Tûrac in Rohirric. Because we know “loh” means horse in Rohirric and Éomer and Éowyn’s names both have eo- coming from Old English for “horse,” their real names would start with Loh- as well!

So a real Rohirric speaker would be using a language that has no relationship to Old English and wouldn’t be intelligible to a speaker of any form of English. As to whether a speaker of Old or Modern English would be able to understand Tolkien’s Old English-based representation of Rohirric, I’m not sure. He clearly knew a lot about Old English, so I imagine his use of that is probably pretty good (though he definitely made changes, like replacing “þ” with “th”). And I know that sometimes, as a modern English speaker, I can recognize and understand Old English words, but only those that made their way down to us largely unchanged. If I listen to someone reciting a whole bunch of Old English, it still sounds mostly like mush to me.

As for what languages are used on a daily basis in Rohan, I think we’re supposed to consider that Rohirric is the everyday language. Appendix F notes that the Rohirrim “still speak their ancestral tongue” and the guards at Edoras in TT say that using Rohirric is how they recognize their countrymen and friends. But Tolkien also says the “lords” use Westron freely in the manner of Gondor, and even the Rohirric-speaking guards switch easily to Westron when Gandalf asks them to. That suggests to me that Rohirric is for everyone/everyday use, but Westron is widely known, at least for anyone who might be interacting with outsiders.

I hope that was helpful! And thank you for sharing in love and appreciation for my favorite place in Middle Earth! ♥️🐎🗡️👑

[xunforseenthreatx]

Obsessed!reader x billy x stu

Tw: obsessed!reader, stalking, harassing, creep behavior, murder, Stockholm syndrome, typical dark content. in this the murders take place in college; characters are aged up. 

Headcanons: 

- This all started after a party Stu and Billy had. You were instantly attracted to both of them after talking with the pair about horror movies, Love at first sight as you called it. Your boys were perfect and you would stop at nothing to make them yours.  You started with making sure every class you took was with one or both of them and hung out with them as often as you could. Then, it got worse. You started to follow them after school and memorized their favorite restaurants, colors, and small details about them that they don't even know about each other. Eventually, You'd figure out they were Ghostface. it didn't take along, You basically watch them murder your peers. This only added fuel to your desire; You just knew you had to help your boys finish what they started or even maybe as blackmail if they didn't love you willingly . 

-You also had a thing with grabbing their jackets and taking them or taking a look through Sidney's window when Billy was there. For Stu, you just went to his home to watch him. You had been gifted with a Kodak eos 3 and you used that to snap photos of the boys or them killing. Your favorites ended up in a box where you kept their jackets and hoodies or other personal belongings you managed to grab. 

- Then, the "gifts" started about month three,once you had an inkling that Billy was catching on. You started to leave photos of them killing on their porch with a horror movie  or their favorite candies.  Some with notes about how cute they looked or even ramblings about how much you loved them and why. to you, it was sweet love notes. To Billy, it was his worst nightmare, more so in the fuck we got caught way.  

- Billy was freaked the fuck out; He got very paranoid after the gifts started and even started delaying the killing. He was obsessed with finding out who you were. Stu, on the other hand, was very indifferent about it. To him, you just wanted in their pants, he didn't understand how deeply you fell for them yet. If anything, it was flattering to the lanky weirdo.  

 - You had done an excellent job of covering your tracks and sneaking around so the pair had a hard time catching you. You were so good at acting shocked and concerned for them when Stu rambled about it during a smoke sesh. That was until Billy finally put the dots together 8 months after your obsession started. His first hint was he noticed your behavior shifted after he got with Sidney, You seemed to get meaner to her. Purposely giving her wrong answers, making passively rude comments towards her, avoiding her, and you getting sweeter to him and Stu. He noticed your eyes would never leave his hands if he was touching Sid and the  same when Stu would touch whoever he was fucking that week, currently it was Tatum. Billy soon realized who their lovely stalker was during another horror movie marathon at your house. He was looking through your closet for some blankets and by chance, he moved a back panel that had the box with their personal belongings. Billy looked through the pictures you had taken and clicked his tongue. "Shit." the box was damning, he thought it was Randy or one of Casey bitch ass friends. He acted as if he didn't have a clue and went back downstairs to enjoy the movies. On the outside, he was normal Billy, On the inside, he was thinking about what the fuck to do with you. 

 - However, You were ahead of them and planned this out before Billy realized your little scheme. You added some sedatives to their drinks and snacks. Once they were both out, You got started on putting Billy in a guest room and tying him up. Then Stu was placed in your bedroom and tied up as well. Once  you felt that the boys were safe and secure, You walked back into the main living area and started cleaning up from the movie marathon. 

- Stu was more calm about being kidnapped by you, he honestly just kept hitting on you and was whiny about the rope being too tight; It was so cute it made your heart swell. Billy, on the other hand, was pissed. He threatened to gut you a few times but you just giggled at him and padded his cheek. This only pissed him off more, you better hope he doesn't get out. 

- Stu would be the first to fall into Stockholm syndrome. He would quickly return your intense feelings for them. Billy would take awhile: the fact you were able to pull this off impressed him but his pride was hurt that you were able to pull one over on him. Eventually, Billy would also gain an obsession with you, just as Stu had. You became theirs, just like you wanted. 

[gumnut-logic]

Polly

The Adventures of Chicken Dad by WhatGaviiFormes

This little ficlet was written for @onereyofstarlight with all the permissions from @whatgaviiformes to use her wonderful Chicken Dad AU for my own nefarious purposes - if you haven't read that AU go there now and read it. Lots of Gordon and Virgil and FishTank.

I can only hope to live up to the majesty of that which is Chicken Dad. In this we have some Gords and Johnny and a chicken that @onereyofstarlight gave him and I hijacked. Piccy above is the genuine Johnny and his chicken from her Stardew Valley game :D

Thank you to both of you for allowing me to use your creations :D

I hope you enjoy.

-o-o-o-

“Here, hold her for me.”

John suddenly had his hands full of fluffy white chicken.

“Gordon!”

“Shh, you’ll scare her.” Gordon bent down and made his own version of clucking noises at the wriggling bird. “Isn’t that right, Polly. Don’t let the spaceman scare you. He’s harmless, I promise.”

“Gordon.” But John said his brother’s name a touch quieter.

Polly, for all her agitation, eventually settled in his hold, turning towards him as if to inspect her roost. A single chirp and apparently he had her approval.

Gordon, of course, was grinning at the both of them. “You’re a natural.”

Natural what, was the question. John had come down to talks accounts with Gordon. There had been some good results with several of the new products they introduced this season and John wanted to discuss the options for next season.

Though he had to admit it was just an excuse to drop in on his brother. Between rescues and TI, John hadn’t seen Gordon in a couple of months.

The fact John had arrived unannounced this morning had led to hunting his brother down in the chicken pens. This one apparently only held Polly.

“Why is she by herself?”

Gordon looked up at him. “Polly? Smother-henned. The other girls won’t leave her alone. So we separated her out to give her a break.”

John looked at the chicken. She had a sprinkling of feathers around her head that stuck out at odd angles giving her a touch crazed appearance.

“I can understand that.”

Gordon snorted. “I thought you might.”

John frowned. That sounded pre-meditated. “You knew I was coming today.”

Another snort. “Of course, I did.”

“Eos.”

“God, no. She still hasn’t forgiven me for the Hal joke.”

“I don’t blame her.”

“Ahh, c’mon, I was complimenting her.”

“By comparing her to an insane murdering computer.”

“Eh, family is family.”

“Now, I’m considering taking offence.”

Gordon straightened up and turned back to him. “Aww, c’mon, Johnny, you love me. You know you do.”

“Yeah, well, family is family.”

Gordon gave him a flat stare. “Touche. Anyway, it was Virgil who dobbed you in.”

“Virgil’s in Germany.”

“He has a phone.”

“How did he…?”

“Hey, don’t ask me, I’m not the brother whisperer.”

John grunted and shifted his weight.

Polly clucked at him.

“So you knew I was coming.”

“Yeah. Thought it would be a good time to give you your chicken.”

“My chicken.”

“Polly. She’s been waiting weeks for you.”

“I don’t want a chicken. What would I do with a chicken?”

“Be nice. You’ll hurt her feelings.”

“She’s a chicken, Gordon.”

“Yes, your chicken.”

He stared down and the mostly white chicken with just a splash of dark spots. “I can’t look after a chicken in space.’

“I didn’t say you had to take her into space. She can stay here, but she is yours.”

“Why?”

“There has to be a reason?”

“Of course!”

“Well, Scott has a chicken. Virgil has several, he’s a bit of an addict, apparently. Even Alan has a duck.” Gordon threw up his hands. “What can I say, I wanted to make sure you had your stake here as well.”

There was something in Gordon’s voice.

John swallowed. “I have a lot of stake here, Gordon. You are here.”

Gordon looked away. “I didn’t want you to think I had forgotten you.”

“I didn’t.”

“Good. And now you have a chicken.” Gordon turned back to doing whatever he was doing.

John looked down at Polly.

She was eyeing him again.

He let out a sigh. Gordon was being Gordon, so understanding was optional, but he was his brother and love and support was mandatory.

“Thank you, Gordon.”

His brother still had his back to him, busily doing stuff. “You are welcome, Spaceman.”

Polly clucked in agreement.

“And Polly is short for Polaris.” Gordon finally turned to face him, a soft smile on his lips. “Maybe she can help you find your way here more often.”

A bird squawked in the distance and Polly sat up straighter, fluffing her feathers.

Gordon placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Anytime, John, no pressure. Just know that you are always welcome here.” Bright brown eyes gleamed at him.

There was something tight in John’s throat. “I will. I do.”

“Good.” Gordon smiled again before turning back to sweeping out the pen.

“After all, I have to visit my chicken.”

Gordon eyed him, but John could only smile.

-o-o-o-

[marigarb]

The mess with Venus-Lucifer

You know, with Venus in mythologies, some kind of mess is always happening. Sometimes it is a symbol of light and love, sometimes it is a symbol of war with a rather contradictory character. For the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Morning Star is the son of the goddess of dawn (Greek) Eos - (Roman) Aurora. He is described as an incredible handsome man who can compete in this with the local goddesses of beauty (Venus-Aphrodite). And in principle, he is a rather positive character there, heralding the beginning of the day. He was not among the main gods, no one made temples for him, but in poetry and just in everyday life he was often addressed. Okay, that is, we have a positive, light-bearing near-deity. Why is there also a Hesperus-Noctifer (Evening Star or Nightbringer)? Because Venus is visible well before dawn and at sunset, and the ancients thought that these were two different "stars", and when they realized that this was not the case, it was too late and they decided to simply leave them separately as convenient metaphors for the poetry.

Now let's turn to the biblical "Lucifer", because this is where it gets really interesting. This name appears in the Bible exactly once in the Latin translation, in a passage where the author mocks the Babylonian king who has fallen from grace.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon."

So, first: in the Hebrew it says "Helel ben Shahar", that is, the Shining son of Shahar. Wait, what Shahar, you ask? And Shahar was the Canaanite-Ugaritic god of the morning. It is unknown whether this god had a son, and whether his name was Helel, I have not found any evidence, but maybe you will be able to figure it out. But there was a god Attar (the male version of the goddess Ishtar), who was also the personification of the planet Venus, and just had a rather ambiguous reputation as almost a god of war. On the one hand, his epithet was the word "terrible", and on the other hand, he was worshiped as a god-protector in some cities.

In general, Ugaritic mythology almost entirely refers to the Old Testament. There was a supreme god El, who created everyone and everything. El gave birth to lesser gods - they were called Elohim, children of El. (Yes, later they started calling angels Elohim). So there were a lot of Elohim, but we are only interested in a couple - Baal, Yahweh and Attar. There are a lot of things to think about, but as far as I understand, Baal was the local analogue of Zeus and ruled the other gods (Elohim), because El himself (the creator of the universe) preferred not to do anything special and dumped everything on his son. So Attar somehow sat on Baal's throne, but Baal returned and threw him down. This is according to one version, according to another - El himself offered him to become the supreme god after Baal's death, but the throne was too big for him, and he eventually went to the underworld himself and began to live there. Doesn't remind you of anyone at all, does it?) By the way, Attar's symbols were a bull and an antelope, so he was depicted with horns.

There is one interesting feature in the ancient Eastern pantheons, all the Elohim were not universal, but were folk gods, they patronized only one chosen nation, and fought against the rest. I mentioned Yahweh earlier, and Yahweh is the biblical god we are familiar with, whose cult appeared before Christianity and at some point he also became part of the Elohim. Over time, his cult became so popular that he absorbed the qualities of both Baal and El, as a result of which he was proclaimed the creator of the universe. But initially, Yahweh was the god of the Jews and only the Jews, and did not patronize other peoples. Remember the line from the Bible, where they said about "Lucifer": "I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon." So, in Ugaritic mythology, Zaphon is the mountain on which the supreme gods lived, that the analogue of Olympus. At first it was Baal's, but then he was replaced by the previously mentioned Yahweh. In the Bible, this mountain seems to be called Sinai (the place where God gave Moses the commandments).

So what happens: the God of the planet Venus tries to get the throne of the supreme god Baal-Yahweh, but in the end he goes into the darkness to rule there. Well, a pure biblical story about Lucifer as a fallen angel.

It is just not clear why these people did not like the planet Venus. Well, it shines and shines, so what? The thing is that ancient people REALLY loved to watch the sky. Really really. And they saw that before dawn a bright "star" appears in the sky, and they were like: damn, what does this mean? Then there was a sunrise, which blocked the glow of Venus and people were like: Hmm… The sun always defeats this star, Venus can only bring light in the darkness. But unlike the Greco-Romans with their positive Lucifer-Phosphorus, the ancient Eastern tradition interpreted this negatively, like: Ha, Venus, how dare you want to become the sun!

Well, here's your "devil". Now you roughly understand where it all comes from. And I look at all this and think: wait, so a huge number of people now live based on a rather chaotic mythological fan fiction of one of the ancient Eastern peoples? In short, I advise you to also check all this, google it, maybe you'll also find something interesting.

[vexic929]

Child in Time

Chapter 7

Warnings: implied child neglect

Chapter 1: link

Previous chapter: link

The pediatrician's office was bright and cheerful, colorful characters with vague resemblances to copyrighted ones decorated the walls and soft, kid-friendly toys littered the ground. Even the check-in desk seemed friendly, painted in bright pastel colors with wooden bead mazes embedded into the walls at toddler-height. Barry was anxious anyway.

With babies and toddlers running around it seemed to be more and more painfully obvious how...different Eo was. Sure, there were a few quieter kids but they all still seemed interested in playing with the toys if they weren't crying or sleeping. A little girl with brown ringlets toddled over to show Eo a block and he shied away, squeezing his teddy tighter with both tiny hands.

"Mr. Allen?" The receptionist called, her friendly tone bringing Barry back from his thoughts. He adjusted Eo in his arms and stood, walking through the doors into a hallway painted with cheery animals and floating balloons. The pediatrician, Dr. Rivera, greeted him with a warm smile that made Barry feel a little better.

"And who do we have here?" She asked, her voice as soft as her expression as she knelt to meet Eo's eyes. Eo chewed on the bear's ear, his big blue eyes fixed on Dr. Rivera with an intense stare.

"This is Eo," he said. "He's been staying with me for a bit, just...wanted to make sure he's doing okay."

Dr. Rivera nodded understandingly and gestured for Barry to sit on the examination table with Eo in his lap. As she began her examination, her tone remained soothing, explaining each step slowly and calmly as though Eo could understand her.

"So, Eo," she said with a kind smile, unwrapping her stethoscope from her neck. "Let's see how you're doing, hmm?"

Eo remained silent, his small lips pressed into a line and his chubby hands gripping his bear even tighter as Dr. Rivera continued. He wriggled away from the stethoscope and thermometer and kicked his foot to get the pulse oximeter off the second she put it on. Still, she moved through the examination with practiced ease, checking his eyes, reflexes, and motor functions, pausing occasionally to make notes.

"He's a quiet one, isn't he?" Dr. Rivera remarked, glancing at Barry as she typed in the notes. "No real fussing, even when I checked his ears - his hearing seems fine, by the way."

Barry nodded, his heart sinking. "Yeah, he...doesn't cry, actually...not really."

Dr. Rivera raised her brows in slight surprise. "Interesting." She stepped back, looking thoughtful before speaking again. "I do see you mentioned a few concerns here - developmental delays, like not sitting up or attempting to crawl. Was he in a stressful environment?"

Barry hesitated, his throat tight. He didn't know for sure but he couldn't imagine that the circumstances leading to Eo's arrival could have been anything but. "Yeah, I think so."

Dr. Rivera nodded, a small frown creasing her brow. "In cases like this, sometimes babies respond to stress by shutting down emotions and they avoid crying because they've learned it won't get them the comfort they need."

Hearing it confirmed hit Barry harder than he'd expected. He glanced down at Eo, who was clutching his bear even closer, his wide blue eyes not missing a single movement.

"So...what do I do then?" Barry asked.

Dr. Rivera smiled gently. "Well, the first step is to establish a sense of security for him. It sounds like you're already doing that but it'll take patience and consistency. The goal is to help him feel safe enough to express himself naturally and a big part of that starts with physical milestones. Right now, I'd like to focus on helping Eo consistently sit up on his own. It's foundational, not just physically but also in building confidence, and it will allow him to explore new foods and gain the core strength he needs to start crawling."

Dr. Rivera finished the examination, typing up a few notes on a tablet as she looked back at Barry. "Let's schedule some regular check-ins and I can give you a few exercises to help him start sitting up. Try to do them with him every day, just a few minutes at a time. The more stability he feels with you, the more likely he'll start to take small risks like letting go of that bear for a little while."

Barry thanked her, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as he left the office. He adjusted Eo in his arms, looking down at his tiny face. "We've got this, little guy," he murmured, planting a gentle kiss on Eo's forehead. Eo squeaked and nuzzled into his shoulder in response. Eo's past may have been filled with neglect but his future - at least as long as Barry had him - would be different. He would make sure of it.

Back at Joe's house, Barry set Eo on the living room floor with a few soft toys, staying close by as he lay a blanket down. He gently placed Eo in a sitting position, his hands loosely settled on both his sides to keep him steady. Eo stared up into his face, grabbing Barry's thumb and tugging at his hand as he swayed. Barry's phone buzzed in his pocket and Eo jumped, tipping over in surprise with a tiny 'oof!'

Linda: 'Hey! Just checking if we're still on for tonight?'

Barry glanced down at Eo again who had rolled onto his back and was busy trying to pull his socks off.

Barry: 'Yeah, we are, but I think we need to talk.'

Linda's response came almost immediately.

Linda: 'That's not ominous at all. Everything okay?'

Barry hesitated before typing back.

Barry: 'Yeah just maybe we do the date sooner? Lunch okay?'

Linda: 'Sure. Meet you at the deli by CC Picture News.'

—

Barry took a steadying breath as he wheeled Eo's stroller into the small deli. He spotted Linda near the counter, her expression lighting up when she saw him, though her gaze quickly drifted to the stroller with a look of surprise.

"Hey!" She greeted, leaning in to kiss his cheek before glancing down at Eo, who was clutching his teddy bear with both hands. "So...I guess this is what you wanted to talk about?"

"Uh, yeah," Barry confirmed with a sheepish grin. "This is Eo, he's...staying with me for a while."

Linda picked up her sandwich from the person behind the counter and gestured for them to move out of the way if Barry wasn't going to order immediately. "So, you're fostering him or something?"

Barry let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as he searched for the right words. "Something like that." He tried to smile, though it felt strained.

Linda's expression softened and she reached over to take his hand. "That's…really great of you, Barry," she said, squeezing his hand. "It is. But I don't think I'm ready for this...this kind of commitment. I'm sorry but...if this is going to be long term, maybe we should take a break."

Barry nodded in understanding, a flicker of relief crossing his features. He'd hoped Linda would understand and in a way, she did. Her decision made sense, really. They were at the beginning of their relationship and Eo's sudden arrival brought responsibilities neither of them could have foreseen. He smiled a little, not entirely surprised but somehow grateful that Linda had made the choice for them both.

"I get it. Thanks," he said, his voice soft. She gave him a gentle smile, squeezing his hand one last time before turning to go. Barry watched her leave, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest - sadness but also a strange sense of calm. This was the right decision for all of them.

[ccapdis]

One Piece manga spoilers

Every romance stands up a chance //thoughts//

At this point, so close to chapter 1100 (omg), I think there are, clearly, things that can be extracted from the global image that the story and its characters give away.

In the case of Sanji's character, anyone who has kept up with the manga can easily tell that, for whatever the reason is, his role is significantly linked to Nami, and it revolves specially around her.

When it comes to Nami, Sanji is a dog with a bone. She's always his first thought, his first option when it comes to women and romance. He refuses to give up on her, and all his advances will go (mainly) to her.

"Rejection" from Nami doesn't com from despise or exhaustion. It comes with distance.

In fact, to this day, advances and attempts from the sort, when they are not made on Nami but on other women, are still softly declined or ignored.

Still, partially because of the lack of self-confidence, I doubt he genuinely believes that there's really a chance for him.

But partially, too, because none of them takes him seriously. And that comes with the joke: Sanji is the only character interested in women and romance in the crew. Probably the one who has more chances to end up paired EOS. Still, he doesn't get any woman.

It is no surprise that women can't take him seriously, as most of the time he's simping and longing for women/romance, and he barely ever tries to flirt expecting to succeed (as opposed to his initial character description he is no ladykiller (lol), in fact, it really surprises me that cover 1089 has him asking Nami almost directly to go on a date with him, something he has never done before with her or any other woman).

So to understand Sanji's issue with women as a recurrent joke on the manga (not getting any of them as much as he wishes he would), you have to appreciate as well the fact that he, actually, gets them when he is not trying so hard, when he is basically himself, the kind, pure and selfless version of him.

In summary, having Nami in the 1089 cover decline Sanji's invitation is in character and makes sense for both characters. It has no greater meaning. If we ever see something from Nami's part, it is going to go unnoticed to Sanji when he is not trying at all.

But back to the present and regarding chapter 1089, it is worth noticing too that at the end of the chapter Sanji is approaching Nami with his "hearty-eyes" despite Bonney being there too.

Since the Egghead arc began, Sanji's role has almost exclusively orbited around Nami and Oda has worked, from the beginning, to build a common thread between him and Nami, since the first scene of the Mugiwaras facing the Seraphim has Sanji fighting back the S-shark to save Nami and that was, too, the last scene we saw of him, repeating the first scene. I deduce that Oda has bothered to do so surely because it serves a purpose we haven't seen yet.

Last but not least, Oda loves making recurrent jokes and gags with Sanji; be it his bounty posters, and eventually Duval, him meeting for the first time a real mermaid, Kokoro, Hiyori and Hacock being all lovey-dovey with Zoro and Luffy respectively, and finally when the latest bounties came out and he was replaced by Jinbe in the third position with the highest bounty of the crew (implying too his legitimate position in the Monster Trio).

But we all know that Sanji is in the Monster Trio, and that eventually he's going to get back the third highest bounty. And as much as the gag of him with women can go on, eventually things are going to fall into place and Sanji will get his happy ending EOS.

[zeroducks-2]

Okay but Zero. Zero Zero Zero. Service top Eo. Collared and worked up and panting on the end of a leash. Gripping the bottom’s hips and leaving claw marks as he tries to maintain the self control not to fuck them at the pace he wants to.

Let me welcome you to another episode of "You sent me a prompt but then my brain decided to do This Other Thing instead, really sorry about that".

(TW: NSFW, mutual noncon, dehumanization, long post)

The heavy loop attached to the front of his collar goes up and down as he rocks, keeping himself hilted in the wet heat of the Omega chained below him. “Slowly”, they said. “No knotting”. He trembles with the need to just snap his hips up but doesn’t, ignoring pleading mewls and begging little croons. The Omega is in heat, their scent glands swollen and inviting, but they said “no touching” and so Eobard keeps both palms planted to the sides of their head and keeps rocking, his claws painfully scraping against the metal slab the Omega has been strapped to.

«He seems so well behaved.»

«Indeed… this is one of our most fertile bitches and your boy is not even trying to smell them.»

Eobard barely hears the voices, focused on the way the Omega pants and starts to slowly arch up, their sex starting to clamp down. “No knotting”, that’s what he’s been told. He pulls back a little and arches as well, moving more quickly but without bottoming out, and the Omega chimes for him with a wordless plea. 

The weight of the collar reminds him that he needs to focus on something else, so he looks down, and their breasts say “five eight, for two”. They come from a facility too. Who knows who they were, before. The blue shackles around their forearms, not unlike the ones Eobard wears, suggest meta abilities but maybe they don’t even remember they possess them; their eyes are glassy, no light of understanding in them as they rock back in their bindings with breathless little moans. Do they remember their name…? He’s breathing hard too, he wants to paw at them and grab their chin to expose their neck, and bury himself into their heat, and-

He’s been told “no touching”, so he just leans down and his long hair brushes the sides of the Omega’s face, that’s not touching. They look up and arch as much as they can, whining, trying to reach him and breathe into his hair.

«Does he have an implant?» Another voice from the other side of the glass. 

«Absolutely not, we never use spinal implants. They shorten the lifespan of our products and reduce their fertility.»

Shocked murmurs from behind the glass. People are often so surprised to hear he has no implant.

«Take a look at his genetics.» Someone is saying and Eobard hasn’t been told he can stop, but he does it anyway. 

His shallow breathing slows down and the Omega below him struggles for a few moments but then quiets down as well, their eyes lidded and teary with overstimulation. His tamer is likely still focused on their intercourse but if he does this correctly it will look like he’s back to rocking his hips. 

«My god these are… flawless.» Someone else replies. «He was produced with nothing but quality in mind.»

«Indeed one of our best studs. Regardless of who you’ll pair him with, he’s bound to produce either a bitch or another stud.» 

More murmurs. They speak more about “three one, four three”. Eobard knows it’s him; he tends to forget those numbers but by this point he’s learned, and even the memory of when they got etched onto his skin has kind of dulled at this point. He needs to resume moving, and when he does the Omega's whine is so high-pitched it cuts the chit chat from behind the glass. He leans down more and rumbles so quietly, his instinct demanding he comforts the struggling little thing, but he can’t do that. No touching and no knotting, do everything slowly, show how good he is. 

Soon they order him off, and the quiet cries the Omega makes, trying to coax him back on top of them, force him to tune himself out of everything and just force his head into a blank space. He blinks back to reality with the interested buyers eyeing him, the Beta female of the couple turning his face this and that way, examining his features. 

«You were mentioning that the price is negotiable.» The Beta male is saying to the seller and he’s close enough, but Eobard stays focused on the woman, red eyes meeting her brown. 

«What’s your name?» She asks with a small smile, conversational. He quietly recites the numbers on his chest. «I’m asking your name, sweetie.» He blinks twice, and recites the numbers again. She offers an endeared look and pats his cheek. 

«We’re buying him.» She says, turning to her companion. «Take this ridiculous collar off and let’s bring him home. His pups will earn us a fortune, and there’s a chance they’ll be redheads too.»

The seller suddenly pales. «Oh, there is no need to remove it-»

«Why?» She reaches behind and easily unclasps the heavy leather from around his neck, and reflexively Eobard swallows over the strange absence of pressure. «What… is this…?»

«That is nothing. It’s just an old marking.»

«You did not mention that he’s mated.» The Beta male is saying, perceptible frustration in his voice. «We aren’t buying branded products.»

«This looks pretty old...» The woman considers with a frown, reaching up to touch the scar tissue on Eobard’s neck. He doesn’t growl. Doesn’t show his fangs, anything like that. He just stares her dead in the eyes, unflinching and unblinking, his expression entirely plain. Her hand pulls back before fingers can actually meet his skin. 

«I can guarantee you there hasn’t been any claim for restitution, either legal or informal. His mate is dead, whoever they were.»

«Then why haven’t you gotten rid of the scar?» The Beta male hisses, now clearly angered. «Let me guess, you tried and did not manage, because he’s still mated. Find someone else to scam.» The couple spins on their heels and leaves, ignoring any attempt of convincing them to buy him for a lowered price. Eobard is not surprised, no one ever buys him regardless of how flawless his performance turns out to be. This will get his tamers quite pissed at him, again, but there isn’t much that he can do about it. And he can’t deny to himself that all that fuss is amusing anyway.

[shinjiikar1]

So as I've been watching My Stand-In I've been writing down my thoughts on each episode, because boy do I have a lot of thoughts about this show. It's just really good to chew on! I'm a little behind and I'm trying to catch up before the finale, so I thought I'd post them throughout the week as the show comes to an end;; Starting with Episodes 1-4 under the cut ^^

Ep. 1

Joe… my guy… everything sucks so bad for you already huh ☹

Wut being at the hospital and talking about old joe… joe being like “guess I have to be a stand-in for another guy again” like so resigned, it hurts :(

It’s interesting to see like, Ming already having some sort of feelings for Joe when he probably doesn’t even realize it

The way he looks at him when Joe cooks for him and does nice stuff for him, he seems to just not “get it” and I think he’s confusing his feelings of like general attraction (esp due to his similarity to Tong) and his warm feelings of being cared for, for just that similarity

The fact that Joe just likes him immediately and wants to do things for him is I think not super helpful for his brain, like, in some ways it is, bc he’s being shown care in a way I suspect doesn’t happen often, but also Joe is really just letting himself get steamrolled

I do appreciate his mild level of self-awareness with the “you shouldn’t sleep with someone like me as your first time” thing

Ep. 2

Getting that jealous when you’ve slept with him once and he’s gay is Wild, like you have So many issues richboy

I appreciate that Joe is trying to communicate rationally, unfortunately your bf is a freak, sorry

The shit with Tong is Wild, you need to get over him girl he sucks So bad I hate this bitch

It’s crazy how you’re that jealous about a man you’re ostensibly not dating and “don’t care about”

Making him sleep on the floor in his own damn house and then yelling at him… girl……

Joe please run

Ming has so many issuesss, he can’t fuckin communicate at allllll

It’s nice to humanize him a little in these moments with his sister, he seems to love her a lot, which is nice to see bc based on the first ep you wouldn’t really see that was the case

He’s such a generally unhappy person already

The one person in his corner is the one person he Can’t tell damn… that’s kind of crazy

Oh man Joe is Gone already, I appreciate that he turned Sol down nicely, that does make the fact that Sol is kinda weird later a littler Hm. But not like So bad? We shall see

I wish we had more time to see Why Joe likes Ming so much (prior to him saying he’s in love) but also I get these things happen fast and we have a lot to do

It just seems like his feelings are So strong, otherwise he could let go on round two but… alas

Ming did seem like he was maybe going to apologize, Ming style at least, when he showed up

Cooking dinner is Really cute… making breakfast for my beautiful wife… the kitchen is burning down

The dinner scene is Really sweet, I think it’s a good way to show that they both do like eo

It’s crazy that Ming does still think this is about Tong on some level though, like, girl tf has he done for you

But the way they were laughing;;;;

Ep. 3

Shopping montage, Ming is So bad at not just defaulting to his first reaction to everything ever, which is being a huge bitch about literally everything on earth

Like clearly he doesn’t actually hate all this stuff, but Joe hasn’t learned to read him well enough yet to understand that (which isn’t on Joe, just that like, maybe he could’ve figured that out eventually if it weren’t for the other shit), so Joe just takes his initial reactions at face value (understandably so, he’s a very open person himself and also takes people in general at their word and assumes they are also honest in their reactions)

However, Ming does manage to resolve the apartment thing Fairly okay all things considered, even if it wasn’t entirely bc he’s actually fine living with Joe there (I think he kind of is but won’t fully admit that to himself), negligible points for Ming!

I’ll say this later but I think the show gives you like, some good moments where Ming doesn’t actually suck, which allow you to understand why this is so hard for Joe and also to keep him from becoming like, the devil dfhjgjdf

We’ll see how that progresses in the present, but at least in the past I think they do a solid job with that

I need everyone to stop trying to intrude in Joe’s private life, like leave his ass aloneeeeeee

That dinner did Not go good man rip

Okay Sol is pissing me off a little, idk why so many people keep defending him. Like obviously he’s better than Ming in some ways, but I don’t… love the way he treats Joe, and the fact that he keeps pushing him after Joe Very nicely turned him down… not a huge fan

Can Joe just have like, normal people in his life for once?

I think if they dated it wouldn’t have been like horrible, but I can also see it going poorly. Like imo Sol gives off the vibes of like, getting bored after he gets what he wants but I think I’m overreacting. It mainly just bothers me that he’s so pushy and doesn’t really respect Joe’s boundaries or autonomy. Like, if he tells you it’s his problem and you should let it go then let it go!

Also all the job stuff sucks so badddd Tong is the worstttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

I feel like Ming would have told him more Eventually, but Joe is really worried about pushing him, their relationship probably feels precarious to him a lot of the time, and he doesn’t want to ruin it by upsetting Ming

I think he also wants Ming to tell him stuff himself, based on what we see, it seems like he has some idea that Ming’s family situation is difficult, so I think he wants to give him time to trust him as well

ALAS

If Ming could communicate, we would not be here, but we are :/

Anyways Ming small win about the Christmas stuff, like he is trying a little, he’s not Totally understanding how to be in a relationship, but he has decent moments, the restaurant is way too fancy, but he does actually deal with the watch situation well, good job!

Unfortunately. Tong.

The moment he has with his sister is really sweet. I’m glad there’s someone to tell him that this seems to be good for him. Alas. Tragedy is about to strike.

The mugs is so fucked too…

☹ Joe ☹

Ep. 4

God. It literally couldn’t have gone worse.

Like, I’ll be real, I think if Ming had reacted better, he could have eventually won Joe back

If he’d /listened/, and backed off, and tried to show Joe that he cared about him as a person, not just as a stand-in, I think Joe is forgiving enough, and loved him enough, to make that happen

Unfortunately, it really seems like he’s still kind of unaware of his own feelings on a lot of levels

Like, I think he does think he likes Joe on some level, but he’s unable to untangle that from his feelings for Tong

It’s hard to know how much of his love for Joe is because he’s Joe

ALSO I know I’m not supposed to know this yet, but it’s hard to know how much he actually likes Joe for Joe at all. Like given the whole way he fell in love with him on a very superficial level… Obviously later on I think he does like Joe for who he is, but even though it was never really Tong, that image he had of Joe’s back wasn’t really Joe either y’know?

Anyways, that’s kind of beside the point but I’ve been thinking about it

I know I’ve been pretty charitable to Ming so far but that does end here LMAO

He handles this in literally the worst way possible, like confronting him /at work/?!?!? You’re deranged girl

He’s just so possessive and not used to not having whatever he wants all the time, his rich boy Momence

Like, Joe is /rightfully/ upset, and you’re like “well that’s my personal business” HELLO??? 911???

Ridiculoussssssssss

I hate Tong so bad guys you have no idea, I know it’s far away but I’m sooooooo excited for his downfall

Ming grovelling a little but it’s too lateeeee, or too early, like I said, if you gave it some time maybe

Crazy to be like “oh you’re cheating on me and all you care about is your job” when Joe has literally never lied or hid anything from you… like be SOooooo fr right now

Anyways literally knocking him out AND CHAINING HIM IN A BASEMENT is definitely like, idk how to even phrase this aside from girl what the actual fuck you thought that would get you anywhere????  THIS IS NOT KINNPORSCHE YOU ARE NOT IN THE MAFIA, YOU ARE A NEPO BABY WITH NO JOB AND THAT IS YOUR NORMAL-ASS BOYFRIEND

Joe like sadly seducing him to break out is really depressing, very hard to watch, I’m sorry everything sucks so bad for you I love u

Lets talk about Joe for a second too, I think you can make a case for the fact that he handles the situation a little poorly, but who among us would do better?

Based on his perspective, it’s really hard to tell what of Ming’s affection for him is real, and along with his own extant insecurities, there’s no way he could handle this calmly

Also why should he have to? Regardless of how he feels /now/, Ming did start this entire thing because he was comparing Joe to Tong. End of. Even if they had actually slept together that first night, he was with Joe partially because he was mad at Tong. He hadn’t necessarily made the connection about how similar they looked yet, but he still wasn’t doing it just because he liked Joe.

So like, the only thing I think Joe could have handled better was the acting situation, but he’s having such a miserable time, and trying to regain any sense of dignity and self-respect and this is the only way he can think to do it. If it helps him get back at Ming a little too, I get it y’know?

I don’t really blame him

And as for taking the job, again, what was he supposed to do? He has no support, and he’s obviously not willing to go back to Ming. Those are his only two options since Wut won’t help.

Sidebar I know Wut can’t do much, but to not give him any advice other than “if you do the only thing you can think of to do in this situation I’ll abandon you” ………….. wtf dude. I feel like he’s trying to scare him off it, but you can see how bad of a state he’s in right now… ANYWAYS, not thrilled with Wut

Anyways this show is such a tragedy, you can see all the points where each character could have gone a slightly different way and maybe it would’ve been better, but they didn’t, and now they’re here ☹

Joe’s death is also like, so horrifying btw, literally one of my worst nightmares

Anyways back to the present we goooo

[of-stories-and-stardust]

Vicious and Vengeful Duology by V.E. Schwab

After finishing The Darker Shade of Magic series and longing for more of her work I decided to give this set a go. I have to say this is probably one of the most interesting stories based in on a super-hero/super-power premise I've read.

I should note here that as a reader, I tend to be very focused on characters and their development (or lack thereof). Yes, plot, worldbuilding, etc... are always important and a big part of any story. But for me the characters are always going to be the most important component of the story and I can forgive a lot of things in a tale if they are written well. That being said, the most notable thing in this whole story for me is the lack of a clear hero. It's a Super-Hero book with no actual "Hero" No black and white with regards to morals. No "Good Guy". Only various characters who operate in shades of shifting greys.

NOTE: I'm not going to re-hash the summary of the books on here - you could go look that up anywhere. I'm planning to focus my efforts on discussion/personal observation for this blog, although I intend to avoid spoilers whenever possible. Seems like a fine line, we'll see how it goes.

When we meet Victor and Eli we are shown right away that not only are these two intensely brilliant guys, but that both are just a little "off-kilter." Turns out being ambitious, competitive, not quite mentally balanced, and possibly a genius is a recipe for disaster in a world where developing "Extra Ordinary" (EO) powers is possible if you are brave (or reckless) enough to force yourself to have a near death experience (or really actually die for a second and then somehow come back).

From the start my brain was trying to balance the two, attempting to make assumptions about who to root for, even as it's clear thru Victor's overwhelming jealousy (and later, revenge) and Eli's weird self-righteousness that neither have moral high ground. So, it's an interesting exercise in where exactly to draw the line between intention, motivation, and actions.

The true characters of Victor and Eli are shown more thru their choice in companions. Mich is such fabulous character - I just love the use of the underrated smart but big guy who everyone assumes is a thug. And of course, Sarena, an EO who can convince anyone to do anything she asks (while possibly an overused character type) is always going to be a frighting ally for any villain to have. Add in to the mix Sydney, the betrayed little sister to Serena who can resurrect the dead (and the dog she resurrected), a recovering addict vet who can move outside of time, and a whole city of brainwashed police officers and it's quite a showdown.

The second book gives us more of Eli's backstory and a further understanding of his religious mission to rid the world of EO's (except himself of course) and also his intelligence and patience. Victor is burning thru potentially helpful EO's in a misguided (or maybe just poorly motivated) attempt to just stay alive. Also, we get the rise of a new team of characters under Marcela, a slighted mob wife (mostly) murdered by her husband. Also, the police stand where exactly in all of this (because they are a present entity here too)?

I found it a refreshing change that instead of a "Good vs Evil" face-off that we typically get especially in a super-hero story, we get a 3+ way tangled up mess of a climax where you aren't really sure who will end up with how much of what in the end.