#wheels of aurelia

[lellalombardiapologist]

Fired up and tense for the start Foot on the throttle Let the dance begin You dance, the engine sings 80s Formula 1 + "Wheels of Aurelia" soundtrack

[ettadunham]

oh right, i also played this.

wheels of aurelia is one of those newer titles i played from 2016 and i don't quite know how to talk about it.

it''s a driving(?) narrative game that takes place in 70s italy, and it shows. the soundtrack, the mood, the references... it's all there to support and enhance that setup. there's also a lot of trivia that you can unlock if you want to dig deeper, and i think that's kinda cool, ngl.

the gameplay idea itself is also... kinda genius? you are driving on these 2-way roads and highways, while there's a dialogue going on with the passengers you're driving with, which you constantly have to engage with and choose dialogue options. i love how it forces you to divide your attention between the two tasks, kind of how real driving is, lol.

you also make choices by choosing sometimes which direction to drive towards, whether or not you pick up a hitchhiker, whether or not you take them to the city they want to go, etc. there's a lot of variety you can discover through these, especially since the game's loop in and of itself is pretty short, around 10-15 minutes. but that's where my criticism starts to come in as well...

not regarding the length, i actually kinda like that the loop is that short, but regarding that variety. see, this game has in theory about 16 endings - of which i only found 4. after a few loops, i just started getting the same endings, the same dialogues, etc. because while i said that there's variety here, with the concept this game has with the short loops and many endings, there definitely should be more here. i would have also liked more signs and pushes from the game to steer me towards the other endings, and not just have to repeat the same outcomes.

another aspect i have a bit of a gripe with is... the driving. remember, i said that i liked how it forces you to divide your attention, and that still stands but the driving is also just... really janky. there's an option to accelarate but not to deaccelarate or slow down altogether, so there's no way to avoid collisions, especially on a 2-way road. this in itself would be one thing, fortunately, there's no degradation system in the game, but there ARE places where you're not supposed to crash. and that's just annoying. because you ARE going to crash, because that's just the gameplay.

anyway, those are my biggest complaints. the writing itself is a bit on-the-nose and doesn't feel like it translates perfectly, but it's fine. there are some interesting characters here too.

idk, it's a bit of a curiosity, and it's an obscure indie game, so it might be worth checking out. it just didn't quite hit for me.

[marieshyperf1xations]

8th March 2025

Day 90 of Winter Break

6 days until Australia

Happy International Women's Day to all the amazing women out there!

What better photo to pick than of the 2024 F1 Academy grid (since we don't have any photos of this year's grid yet)

[frenchcurious]

Lancia Aurelia. - source Moto Vitelloni - Wheels n' wings.

[britney-rosberg06]

Why you should be excited and tune into F1 Academy this year

Coming up is the 3rd season of the all female f1 support series F1 Academy! Their first round of seven takes place in Shanghai in the (2nd) round of the F1 Season

Last year no doubt you’ve heard about the dominant form Abbi Pulling took to win the championship with a (number i forgot) deficit to her 2nd place counterpart Doriane Pin

Abbi, along with nine other F1 Academy drivers from 2024 left the championship as there is a two year limit to their time in F1A

Now. it’s 2025.

Not only are there going to be 10 other new drivers to the series but also a new team - adding three new drivers to the grid.

We saw, through wildcards and through the from of many of the younger drivers last season just how competitive this season would be.

For instance, Alisha Palmoski - the Qatar GP wildcard driver was a podium/point challenger in the first two races of the GP, often going head to head with the new open wheel racer Lia Block

Speaking of Lia, at the beginning of the season she was a firm back marker driver. she was new to Open wheel racing and still learning how things work. but by the end of the season she - and a lot of the newer drivers were consistently in the points and lia even podiumed by speed - demoted due to penalty - in the last race of the season!

Now Doriane, she was the consistent challenger to Abbi last season. but i don’t personally think she will have as easy of a time this year as abbi did. i think the rest of the field - whether that be Maya the P3 finisher last year who almost took P2 from Doriane’s nose or one of these newer drivers were in for a much more fun title fight this year

Also, finally, one of my favorite parts of F1 Academy is watching the growth of the drivers, it’s definitely a learning series and it’s clear even if you just watch races how much better they got as the season progressed

Girls like Aurelia, Tina and Lia were clear improvements, from spinning out locking up and being in the back a majority of the time to all being points players in the end of the season.

And with all these new drivers coming we can see all the more growth and competition in these girls as they move through the upper series and eventually - HOPEFULLY -into f1

(also also PS a lot of the girls who are sponsored by f1 academy in COFTA are gonna be in their last couple years of karting meaning we’re gonna get a new wave of female drivers really really soon pls tune in guys pls)

[eraserspiral]

ceremony: chapter two

When they turn into the somewhat less inspiring car park, it’s replete with classic Mercedes and Range Rovers in tasteful shades of anthracite grey, cabernet red and ubiquitous black. Gale’s bright purple Suzuki Wagon R with its rusting wheel arches represents something of a contrast.

ceremony (E | au | m/m | pre-written wip | 2/8) Aurelia's wedding. Astarion and Gale attend under false pretences.

written for @thekindredcollective's spring cleaning event!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63657097/chapters/165799669

[megraen]

Chapter Nine - Bloodlines

WORD COUNT: 6,269

Palace of Domitian - Rome 195AD

Lucia had barely been able to sleep that night, her mind consumed by the memory of Geta’s lips on her own. It made her nauseous. She wasn’t meant to have ever kissed him or to have these emotions swirling inside her gut, but she did.

In the late morning hours, two female slaves had entered her chambers, finding her collapsed in bed and the room a mess from the previous night’s temper tantrum. They had been afraid to see her, having heard the rumours circling the Palace of the princess’s sudden spark of cruelty, and seeing the smashed furniture and ripped clothing only gave evidence to those tales. But the slaves had orders to obey. The two female slaves had hesitantly thought when they arose Lucia from her bed and escorted her down to the bathing chambers, the young princess walking in a daze the entire time. Working together, they’d stripped Lucia of the peasant’s chiton and worked the oil into her skin before stripping themselves and leading her to the steam room and sitting with her.

She sat quietly, unmoving and dead to the world around her, her mind in inner turmoil. The slaves felt awkward, unable to speak themselves, as they weren’t sure what craze had possessed the woman, and that scared them. A quiet individual was more dangerous than a loud one. All slaves learned to know this, as it was the quiet ones whose actions you couldn’t expect. It was like comparing Geta and Caracalla. Both men could be cruel, but Caracalla was known for his insanity and bold outbursts of anger, and slaves knew the punishment they would face from the younger twin. Geta was the wildcard. None knew what he was thinking, the man’s mind always turning like a wheel. One moment, he was respectable and fair; the next, cold and cruel.

When one of the slaves dared to speak, asking the princess if she wished to enter the hot water, the woman stood and entered the water, ducking her head entirely below the surface. The slaves started to panic when the princess didn’t resurface straight about, fearing the woman was attempting to drown herself. Yet, the ease came when Lucia finally resurfaced, taking a large gulp of air and wading through the water. Lucia wasn’t one for the boiling water, but at that moment, it felt perfect, searing into her skin, distracting her mind from her throbbing thoughts.

It had been close to an hour before the slaves had taken her from the steam room, scraping the oil and water from her skin. They had also laid her down on a bench and washed her hair with rose-infused water, reviving her raven locks after the heat and dust had stuck to the strands after wandering down the Via Aurelia road. Once they had dabbed the perfumed oil onto her skin in the expected places and dressed her in a plain white chiton, as they had nothing else for the woman to wear and to redress her in the peasant’s gown would only be an offence to a woman of Lucia’s station, the slaves had walked her back to her chambers, their task of seeing to her bath complete. They didn’t enter the room behind her, as they had only been instructed to see that Lucia’s skin and hair were cleaned, and Lucia didn’t wish for them to linger. She needed to be alone with her thoughts to understand what she would do going forward, knowing she was in love with Emperor Geta.

Lucia froze the moment she re-entered her chambers, finding the mess wholly gone. The floors were cleaned of spilt wine and thrown food. The broken glass and pottery were gone. The furniture had been replaced, and even her wardrobe restocked with new dresses. Lucia swallowed thickly, stepping further into the room as the guards closed the doors behind her. In only an hour, slaves restored the space to its former glory, and a brand new lyre was on the small dining table. Lucia approached the table with a small gasp, her fingers gliding gently over the strings. It had hit her instantaneously who had done this. Geta. She doubted her mother would have been informed otherwise; Lucilla would have been glued to her side from the moment of her arrival last night, and Caracalla wouldn’t have been concerned enough with Lucia to do even the most minor thing.

Emperor Geta was the only valid answer. He had shown his feelings for her last night when he kissed her, and he could order the restoration of her entire bedchambers with a single click of his fingers. Lucia turned her gaze from the lyre to her bed, remembering how, just days ago, the bed frame and bedding had been changed to a new set after her attack. At the time, she had foolishly assumed it had been her mother’s doing, as she couldn’t fathom the idea of either Emperor being responsible. Still, she knew it had been Geta’s doing, his way of protecting her, even if it hadn’t been his intent.

Lucia smiled. She approached the bed and fell back onto the soft featherbed and silk sheets, breathing deeply. The bedding smelled sweet of rich flowers, having been switched out for fresh laundry during her morning absence. After a few breaths, Lucia felt her eyes growing heavy, the lull of sleep overtaking her mind as she realised that Geta was protecting her as he always said he had, even when she hadn’t seen it or accepted it. A smile still graced her lips when her eyes finally closed, sleep claiming her mind.

She awoke sometime later by metal clanging, and Lucia shot upright, her eyes focused on the dining table. There stood Dulcia, the young slave smiling sheepishly, placed down a metal tray filled with luxurious foods and wine for the princess’s midday meal. Dulcia bowed respectfully and greeted Lucia, the smile only widening as Lucia stood from the bed. The young woman began to ramble, gleeful about Lucia’s safe return. Lucia returned the slave’s smile and nodded, thanking her for the kind words and bringing her something to eat. It had been well over a day since Lucia had eaten a proper meal, having only eaten breakfast at Fosca’s home before departing Rome and then the sole loaf of bread given to her by Dido and Aural on the road.

Dulcia was over the moon to see the warmth and kindness returned to the princess’s soul. The rumours spreading between the slaves about the woman’s growing cruelty had left Dulcia concerned, as Lucia, while often blind to the hard life of a slave, had always been friendly to those far below the princess’s noble station. Dulcia quickly ushered the woman to sit, seeing how Lucia stared at the food brought to her chambers with an obsessive glance. Lucia didn’t hesitate. She moved from her bed to the dining table, quickly reaching for some freshly cooked pheasant as Dulcia poured her a goblet of wine.

“They say you went outside the walls,” Dulcia spoke, her eyes flashing with curiosity. She had only ever known the Palace, never having the luxury of being sent on errands outside Palatine Hill. Dulcia’s parents had both been slaves, which the last Emperor Severus owned, and when he took on the mantle of rule, he’d brought all the slaves he’d owned with him from his estate to the Palace. Dulcia’s grin grew, and her eyes widened in interest when Lucia nodded. “What’s it like out there? What does it look like?” She began to question, her curiosity getting the better of her, making her forget how to behave before a Woman.

“Green. Green as far as the eye can see.” Lucia stated, gesturing for the slave to sit and join her at the table. Dulcia obeyed without even thinking about how improper it looked. The idea of the green lands outside of Rome was thrilling, and Dulcia’s attention was stuck on the princess as Lucia shared everything she’d seen, from the farmlands, vineyards, forests, and endless flowers. “It was something my mind will never forget,” Lucia said, smiling at the memory. After having lived twenty-three years in Rome’s walls, the experience of seeing what lay beyond would haunt her soul, teasing her to see more of it. But her smile dropped when she remembered the attack on the roadside and of Dido and Aural being killed over a handful of coins.

Dulcia paused when she noticed the woman’s woeful look. “They also said you were attacked.” She remarked.

“Yes. Bandits.” Lucia nodded. She took a sip of wine. “It’s not something I wish to discuss.”

The slave pursed her lips but listened to the woman’s words and didn’t press her for an explanation. She had heard many tales of the bandits raiding trade caravans on the roads from soldiers and visiting Senators, the idea that one’s life could end so quickly over money shocking. Slaves didn’t own anything. They didn’t have that luxury. Dulcia didn’t even own the tunic she wore now. So the concept of killing for coins seemed foolish, yet there were plenty of slaves that would kill to be free, to have their bout in the Colosseum and take the risk to become free citizens of Rome.

“Eat,” Lucia instructed, gesturing to the food on the table before picking up a grape and plopping it into her mouth. Dulcia blinked, unsure of how to follow the instructions, but did. She began sampling the food; the fancy spread nothing like the gruel she ate daily. It was a luxury she soon wouldn’t forget.

“Why did you leave?” Dulcia asked, pouring herself a cup of wine.

Lucia frowned. “I didn’t wish to be here anymore.” She explained mournfully, her eyes flicking up to meet Dulcia’s. “I may be a free woman, but I have less freedom than a slave. I cannot marry, cannot have children, yet I am constantly pestered by greedy men who only wish to use me to elevate their station.” Lucia lamented, sharing how her life had been since her uncle’s death. Dulcia blinked, stunned by the news. She had always assumed that Lucia was living in luxury and had been just acting out like a spoiled brat, as that’s what all the other slaves would gossip about, but to think that the woman was a prisoner with no choices in life was indeed cruel. All slaves dreamed of freedom, of escaping their masters and venturing into the world to make their own choices, and it was understandable that Lucia wanted the same for her own life.

Dulcia sighed and muttered an apology, but Lucia waved it off. It wasn’t Dulcia’s responsibility to apologise for the actions of others, yet she still felt terrible for making false assumptions about someone who’d always been nice to her. Dulcia knew right then and there that she would speak out against any of the gossip that painted Lucia in a foul light, only speaking positively of the princess to any who’d be willing to listen and even those who weren’t. The two women continued to sit and talk as they ate and drank, enjoying the friendly moment between them. Lucia had hesitated to speak with the slave about her budding feelings for Emperor Geta, knowing that was a conversation to be shared with Fosca. Lucia’s eyes widened in panic at the thought of her blonde friend.

“My friend. Fosca. What became of her? The Praetorians told me she informed the Emperors where to find me.” Lucia enquired. She wasn’t sure what occurred to have her friend betray her to Geta and Caracalla, but whatever it was, Lucia wanted to be sure that Fosca was safe and well, that the twins hadn’t punished the blonde for aiding Lucia in her fleeing of Rome.

Dulcia paused. She blinked a few times, trying to recall what she knew about the woman who’d been summoned to the Palace yesterday under threats of treason. “One of her slaves reported her to the Emperors. She cut his throat out in the throne room.” Dulcia hissed lowly, leaning forward across the table as she shared the information, almost afraid of unknown ears hearing them. It was nerve-wracking that a man had died so quickly at the hands of his master, reminding Dulcia how easy it was for a slave to lose their life due to causing dissatisfaction. She visibly shuddered.

Lucia nodded. That sounded like Fosca. The woman was stubborn and proud. “Did the Emperors punish her?” She asked.

“No.” Dulcia shook her head. “They let her go.”

Lucia’s brows rose high on her forehead, the news surprising her. The fact that Geta and Caracalla had let her go without retribution was strange. The twins were known for their loud outbursts and anger when someone or something disappointed them, and a Roman woman committing an act of treason by hiding away their prized princess was the perfect opportunity for the young men to act out their rage. But it was pleasing news that her friend was safe and sound, not having been executed or thrown into jail. Lucia had to see her friend again to thank the woman for not directly betraying her trust and risking her life; there was also the need to discuss Geta and the kiss. She knew that Fosca would be practically foaming at the mouth and giddy to hear the heated lip lock that had taken place between the pair.

As much as Lucia craved to see her friend, she knew she couldn’t risk leaving the Palace again so soon, as she was sure Geta would have put more procedures in place to ensure her confinement to her chambers. Why else would he have two slaves take her to bathe and then return her to her chambers? Lucia’s brows furrowed, and she glanced at her closed chamber doors. It was odd that her mother had yet to come to see her, especially given that she had fled the city.

“My mother hasn’t been told yet, has she?” Lucia pondered aloud, not yet looking back at Dulcia.

The slave followed her gaze. “I thought she knew. Everyone knows of your return. The slaves are whispering back and forth about it.” The explanation caused Lucia to frown. Then, something else must be hindering Lucilla from running to her daughter’s chambers. But maybe that was a good thing. Lucia knew that once her mother did come for her, she would suffer from a barrage of lectures, with Lucilla questioning her daughter’s actions and sanity. “We were informed that you were kidnapped, but many of us knew it wasn’t true, that you left willingly,” Dulcia added after a moment, fiddling with some grapes on the tabletop.

“Anything for the Emperors to look good in the public eye.” The words left Lucia’s lips before she could stop herself. She froze, her eyes flicking to Dulcia. The two women shared an awkward look, Lucia silently begging the slave not to dare repeat what she had said, afraid of her remark offending the Emperors. Dulcia gave her a pitying look, knowing what would occur if she told anyone what Lucia had blurted out. “I should go see my mother…” Lucia murmured, moving to stand. She hadn’t eaten much, but it was enough to fill her stomach. Dulcia quickly stood, offering assistance to take Lucia to her mother’s chambers. Lucia accepted the offer mainly because she knew no one would question where she was going if a slave was leading her around.

After bathing, Lucia did not bother to change out of the simple white chiton she had been dressed in. She trailed behind Dulcia through the upper hallways of the Palace of Domitian, ignoring the guards’ questioning gazes. Yet none dared speak aloud, enquiring where the slave was leading the princess. They all assumed that the slave was acting on orders, taking Lucia to wherever the Emperors had instructed her to be taken. Dulcia wouldn’t admit it, but she felt a rush of power at how the guards and other slaves moved aside for her as if she were a personal servant rather than just another slave. She peered over her shoulder, spotting Lucia still behind her. Dulcia tried to emulate how the princess walked, walking tall with pride and purpose, like she was something more than just a slave. Dulcia wanted to be that, to be more than a meagre slave to those around her, to be seen not as someone insignificant but as someone worthy and dependable. She felt that way when she was with Lucia that she was someone who had a purpose in life other than being a slave.

“Shall I wait outside, Domina?” Dulcia asked as they reached Lucilla’s chamber doors. Lucia paused. It would be proper for the slave to do so. The princess didn’t know what fate awaited her inside. Lucilla would no doubt be a mix of anger and gratitude.

“Yes. I shall return momentarily,” Lucia instructed, stepping towards the chamber doors. The outside guards were kind enough to hold the doors open enough for her to slip inside and close them firmly behind her. Her blue eyes instantly found her mother, the older woman, standing at a window overlooking Rome. She didn’t turn around to see who had come to see her unannounced, assuming it would have been Emperor Geta who’d come to pester her once more about the wedding dress he’d found hidden among her daughter’s things. “Mother…” Lucia spoke, addressing the woman.

Lucilla flinched, her eyes widening as she heard her daughter’s voice. She turned sharply, seeing the raven-haired girl standing in her chambers, having not imagined her voice. “Lucia…” She whispered. Lucia took a few shuddering breaths, her heart racing at having her daughter back, and then, in an instant, she was bolting to her, wrapping her arms around Lucia’s neck and pulling her in close, embracing her child. “You’re home. You’re safe.” Lucia mumbled, tears pricking her eyes. She pulled back, grasping Lucia’s shoulders and inspecting the girl properly. There were no visible injuries or marks, and Lucilla could smell the fresh perfume on Lucia’s skin, meaning she had freshly bathed. But just as quickly as the joy had overwhelmed her, Lucilla’s smile dropped, and her mood soured. Her hands fell limply to her side, and she stepped back. “How could you? Run away without telling me! Making me worry! Do you have no respect for me?” Lucilla barked, her face serious. She shook her head and clicked her tongue. Lucia remained quiet as her mother started pacing around the bedchamber, her rage bubbling beneath the surface.

Lucia bit the inside of her cheek. She felt she’d face a lecture that her mother would scold her for fleeing. Her mother hadn’t thought to ask if she was okay or if there was anything wrong, only questioning how Lucia could offend her mother with her choices. Lucia was a grown woman of twenty-three, yet she was still treated like a small, unruly child incapable of making decisions.

“Are you listening to me?” Lucilla yelled when she noticed how her daughter was staring ahead.

Lucia frowned. “Yes. I have always been listening.” She retorted. Lucilla narrowed her eyes, not pleased with how her daughter talked back at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Lucia cut her off. “I made my own decision for once, the same choice you made fifteen years ago when you sent my brother away without me.” Lucia hissed, once again rubbing it in her mother’s face about how the twins had been ripped apart, with Lucia being stuck in Rome to suffer and Lucius being sent away to lands unknown. Lucilla stood there, staring at her daughter in bewilderment. It had always been her greatest regret to send away her son, never to know if he lived or died, but she knew of nothing else she could have done. Had she kept Lucius in Rome, he would have ultimately been assassinated.

“Don’t.” Lucilla seethed. She raised a finger accusingly, wishing to silence her daughter.

“Don’t like hearing the hard truths?” Lucia asked rhetorically. The mood became heavy between the two women, their relationship shifting once more. Lucilla didn’t understand why her daughter was only getting colder towards her this past month. There was once a time when Lucia was loyal to a fault, never questioning her mother, yet now she was constantly questioning anything that left Lucilla’s mouth, doubting that her mother was competent. They were their parent’s responsibility until a child was married off, even if the child had aged into their twenties. They didn’t have independence until marriage, yet for women, their ownership shifted from their fathers to their husbands. In Acacius’s absence, Lucia’s fate was to be decided by Lucilla.

“You have become cold. Dark. Uncaring and callus.” Lucilla scolded, a frown forming on her lips. It was the second time she had made such an accusation of her daughter’s change in personality, and once again, Lucia looked like she didn’t care. Before, Lucia had been cruel to her mother because Crito’s attack had broken her mind, but now, she was defiant, not cold or heartless. She wanted to be her person, to make her own choices.

“I am me, mother. I am no longer a girl who has not bled but a woman who seeks life, not to hide away from it.” Lucia declared proudly, her head held high. Her thoughts turned to Geta, and in an instant, Lucia knew she’d have to seek the Emperor out to demand answers from the kiss they shared and to determine what lay ahead of the two of them. There was no going back for either of them now that the seeds of passion had been planted. Lucilla blinked, taken aback by her daughter’s decree. Lucia spoke like the wife of a powerful and wealthy senator who bore no fear or shame. She had opened her mouth to speak, to try to coax her daughter away from such a bold demeanour, knowing that it wasn’t comely for an unwed woman. Still, Lucia turned suddenly, offering her mother a simple farewell before heading for the chamber doors. Lucia gripped the handles, pausing briefly. “I am sorry to have worried you, mother. Know that I will always love you no matter what choices I make from here on.” The princess spoke, not looking over her shoulder to gauge her mother’s reaction.

Finally, Lucia left, stepping back out into the hallway. Dulcia was quickly at the princess’s side, fretting over her. The slave had noticed the frown on Lucia’s lips and knew the talks with her mother hadn’t gone well. Lucia just shook her head. If wasn’t the place to discuss such things with the slave, not out in the open before the Imperial guards who would relay what she spoke without hesitation. Dulcia followed closely behind Lucia as the raven-haired woman returned to her quarters, where the next step would need to be heavily thought out. Lucia didn’t know if Geta would be willing to converse with her, based on how he bolted from her chambers last night, moving as if he’d seen a spectre. But she would hunt him down like a bloodhound if she must. Lucia wouldn’t be denied.

Palace of Domitian - Rome 195AD

Three days. That’s how many days Emperor Geta had been avoiding Lucia. It could have been considered comical if it wasn’t so sad. Anytime Lucia had sought out the eldest Emperor, wanting to discuss with him what had occurred between them, she had been turned away by the guards outside closed doors, or the man had even made pathetic excuses before scurrying off. Even Caracalla had watched on confused a few times, though it didn’t take much to confuse the youngest Emperor with how addled his mind was.

But it was after those three days that Lucia had enough of being ignored and avoided. That evening, after dinner, she marched to the Imperial wing, ignoring the guards that tried to deter her and went straight for Geta’s chambers. She had thrown open the large ornate doors before the guards could stop her, her blue eyes narrowing on Geta. He was lounging back on a sofa, dressed in a loosely tied robe, and choked on his wine at the sight of her.

The guards stood at the doorway, waiting in their Emperor’s orders as Geta rose to his feet, hastily tying his robe tighter. He had been expecting a slave girl, not Lucia. The princess had been the last person he wished to see.

Since that ill-fated kiss, Geta’s mind had been whirling with thoughts that left his head throbbing. Kissing Lucia had been a mistake. The princess was his enemy and prisoner, not some pretty little thing he could shower affection upon. Yet, since the kiss, all he could think about was her. She smiled when he saw her doing something she loved, the melodic sound of her voice, the way her hair rolled down her back like silken midnight. His mind was quoting poetry he did not understand, yet he loved it. There was an ache in his heart at the thought of her that was almost addictive, how it fluttered in his chest and made him weak.

“Emperor Geta. I humbly ask for a moment of your time.” Lucia gritted out, her tone practically demanding. The sound made Geta pause, wanting to hear her speak once more. He forced himself to pull his eyes from her, looking to the soldiers behind the woman who awaited his orders. Clearing his throat, Geta waved the guards away, waiting for them to leave and shut the door, giving the two privacy to speak. Yet neither did speak. They just stared at one another, waiting for the other to speak first. It was nerve-wracking, driving them both mad.

Geta didn’t know what to say. He had always prided himself on having a quick wit and being well-eloquent, but now, he was at a loss for words, not knowing what to communicate. Did he enjoy kissing her? Yes. Had he regretted it? Also, yes. He was Emperor and expected to be the epitome of masculinity, which meant showing no emotions considered feminine in Roman society.

Lucia’s hands clenched at her side. “Are you such a coward?” She snapped, her eyes narrowing when he didn’t utter a word, not even to the guards. Geta frowned, taking offence at her insult. “You kissed me. Laid a passion upon me that Venus herself couldn’t muster, yet you have fled from me for three days, avoiding me like a plague ripping its way through Rome.” Lucia scoffed, shaking her head and gesturing to him. He looked nothing like a mighty Emperor to her now but, instead, a timid little boy who clutched at his mother’s skirts.

“I am no coward.” Geta rebuked, breaking his silence.

Lucia scoffed again and rolled her eyes, not believing him for a second. “Then speak the truth, mighty Emperor; why do you hide away from a simple maiden?” She asked him.

His jaw was clenched tight, not speaking once as she demanded the truth from him. Geta couldn’t admit why because he had indeed been a coward. He was scared of how he felt around her now, how just seeing her, even from afar, made his knees weak and a fluttering echo in his chest. It was pathetic. He was pathetic. Geta looked away from her shamefully, unable to hold her gaze. He could hear his father’s taunts whispering in his ear, mocking him, calling him a weak-willed woman. For so many years, Severus was dead, and yet his ghost still haunted his sons, tormenting them from Tartarus.

Lucia’s scowl dropped. She saw how conflicted Geta was, his mind haunted by dark spirits. At that moment, He was a scared little boy, his shoulders slumped in defeat and stature small despite his towering height. “Geta…” Lucia murmured his name, taking slow steps towards him. Hesitantly, she reached up, cupping his jaw, angled away from her and gently turned him to face her, their eyes meeting. His expression made her heartache. Geta was fighting back tears, trying not to humiliate himself further by crying in front of her.

With a grim expression, Lucia lurched forward, wrapping her arms around his middle and embracing him, her head resting against his chest. Geta paused, his mind wheeling from the comforting gesture. She hadn’t mocked him or shown disgust but instead chose to embrace him, to accept him for the weakness he was showing. Geta wrapped a single hand around her middle, holding her closer to her body, his wine cup still in his other hand, and he was careful not to spill any of the rich red liquid on her. The scent of roses invaded his nostrils, mixed with Lucia’s warm embrace, his anxiety and fears melting away. They stood like that for a while, absorbing each other’s warmth and comfort. As Lucia pulled back, Geta’s hand moved from her waist into her long black hair, nestling into the raven locks at the nape of her neck.

“I shouldn’t have kissed you,” Geta murmured, admitting the fault in his actions the night before.

Lucia gave him a weary smile. “But you did. And I liked it.” She spoke, making his heart lurch in his heart. He couldn’t help the need that took over him, his head arching down and meeting her lips in a soft kiss. The air was knocked out of his lungs as soon as he felt her supple lips on his own, his hand tightening on the silky strands of her hair and pulling her closer. Lucia’s hands weaved their way up between their bodies, latching onto the front lapels of the robe encasing his body, matching his passion. She was trembling slightly, unsure if it was due to the overwhelming emotions she was feeling or the nerves at kissing a man when she had no idea if she was doing it right. Still, it didn’t matter, as Geta took charge, his kisses becoming more demanding and forceful.

His cup of wine fell from his hand limply, discarded without thought or concern for wine spilling on the tiled floors. He needed both hands touching her, holding her closer to him. The hand that had been holding the wine cupped her lower back, resting on the space just above the curve of her rear, so dangerously close to cupping her ass. The urge was there to roam his hands over her body and feel every supple divet and curve, but Geta was afraid to move too fast, to act hastily and scare Lucia so soon after her near rape and the attack on the road.

“Geta…need…air…” Lucia whimpered against his lips, her hand jerking on his robe to pull his attention away from the kiss. He reluctantly pulled back, his lips still inches from hers as they fought to restore their breathing. Geta took a moment to study Lucia’s face, taking in the reddened cheeks, swollen lips and the dazed look in her eyes. She had never looked more beautiful. He brushed his hand through her hair, his other resting firmly on her lower back. Lucia gave him a weak smile, her hands relaxing at the front of his chest. “Will you continue to flee from me…?” She questioned her voice barely a whisper.

His lips twitched, finding the question comical. “No…” Geta answered. He didn’t want to run away from her, not anymore. All he wanted was to keep her in his arms, to feel the heat of her body as it was pressed into his and kiss her until both died from a lack of oxygen. He lifted his head, placing a long kiss against her forehead. The sweet gesture made Lucia lean into the peck. “I fear I understand Catullus’s torment now,” Geta murmured, referencing Catullus’s poetry and making Lucia smile.

“Are you comparing me to Lesbia?” Lucia asked. She pulled back, gazing up at him.

Geta shook his head and chuckled. “I am utterly infatuated with you. You have haunted me these last few days, struggling to sleep as ever thought that has raced through my mind has been of you.” The confession left his lips bitterly as if it were a sorrowful confession to make. Yet, it moved Lucia to know that she significantly affected him in such a confounding manner. She cupped his jaw again, her fingers tracing along his cheek. The sensation trickled his skin, and strangely, he liked it. He hadn’t lied. She had been on his mind since he kissed her. No. Longer. Caracalla had been right. He was obsessed with the woman, his mind plagued with thoughts of her. Geta had watched her grow from a gangly child into a beautiful woman, yet he had never honestly noticed until now. It was as he leaned down to claim her lips once more that a solid knock rapped against his chamber doors, the guards outside announcing that the slave he’d requested had arrived.

Lucia pulled back, gazing at the doors, remembering where she was and how late in the evening it was. “I should be going…” She whispered, looking back up at him. He was frowning, clearly not wanting her to go. “It isn’t proper for me to linger…” Lucia added. Her hand dropped from his cheek, and she made to pull away from his grasp. Geta reluctantly let her go. He knew she was correct. She was a virtuous woman, and they were not wed; for her to stay would only lead to scandalous rumours if it happened to reach the ears of the nobility.

His brown eyes were glued to her retreating figure, and Geta felt a pang at the loss of her nearness. He no longer cared for the slave that had arrived for his pleasure, for he could only think of Lucia and her lips. Geta craved to feel her hands, the heat of their bodies as they connected, unburdened by clothes. It was a lustrous thought that should make him pray to the Gods for pity. When Lucia finally exited the doors, the slave entered, bowing to him. Her hands went for the clasps that held her tunic in place, and Geta waved her off, giving the slave pause.

“Clean up the mess, and you can go,” Geta spoke emotionlessly, gesturing to the wine coating the floors and the dropped cup. He turned his back on the woman, heading over to the table that held the pitcher and a clean cup, already pouring himself another drink. The slave blinked, confused. She had been ordered to his chambers to service him, to allow him to find pleasure in her body, but now, he had no desire for her. She moved quickly, not wishing to miss this opportunity to avoid being used sexually.

Geta went to the balcony that overlooked the gardens below, a small smile on his lips. He felt at peace, more than he had in a long time. Accepting his blooming feelings for Lucia seemed to have calmed his mind like no wine or woman had before. It was preposterous to think that to have such feelings was taboo for Roman men, but Geta liked how Lucia made him feel. It would be their little secret, something he wouldn’t share with his twin. Geta frowned. He knew Caracalla wouldn’t understand, especially with the man’s deteriorating sanity. Caracalla would only question the relationship, failing to comprehend Lucia and Geta together. Many possibly would. And there would be others enormously jealous that Lucia chose him, that their opportunities to foster a relationship with the princess were gone, and that they may never father a son within her womb.

“She’s mine…” Geta whispered faintly, so low that even he barely heard the words leave his lips. It was a bold statement. Lucia wasn’t his betrothed; he hadn’t purposed marriage to the woman, but currently, he was the only man in all Rome that had captured her interest and, therefore, would be the first contender to marry Lucia and have her bear him sons. Geta and Caracalla were no longer teens, and neither had shown any interest in taking a wife and producing heirs, much to the pestering of the Senate that demanded safety for Rome in an heir upon the twin’s deaths. And by marrying Lucia himself and having her sons be of his blood, there was no fear of the throne being stolen from him and his brother.

Geta could quickly solve the annoyances from the Senate and the fear of Lucia’s offspring by simply making her his wife. It was bold indeed, but this was the month of Juno, in which the Goddess of marriage is honoured, and many hopeful couples saw themselves bound together in matrimony. Maybe it was the will of the Gods themselves at work, aligning the stars so that the blood of two royal dynasties could become one, ending all doubt from those who opposed the twin rule.

“Maybe my brother will understand…” Geta pondered, slamming back the wine from his cup. He left it beside the pitcher as he went for his chamber doors, ignoring the slave girl cleaning the floor. He would speak to Caracalla, tell his twin of his plan, and make his brother see the reason for his desire to wed Lucia without revealing his love for the woman and making himself seem weak and feminine.

@barcelonaloverf1life @quuinyoung @justnobodynothingmore @sarai-ibn-la-ahad

[lukedanger]

Owlcatober - Day 2 - Fake Names (KM)

Day 2 of @owlcatober, focusing on a group of differently named adventurers preparing to infiltrate the Kingdom of the Cleansed...

[Ao3 Link]

And so dear readers, we leave the tale of the Baroness to follow the deeds of Sir Tristian, friend to Amalia of the Kingdom of the Cleansed! And the tale is now written not by Linzi the [insert title later], but Brynn the Ca

“Story check.”

Linzi looked up as she was interrupted by Ekundayo, her heavy maille shirt rustling as she did. They were all dressed differently, even Tristian had traded his Sarenite robes for the earthen robes of a humble pilgrim. A large black furred wolf with a riding harness was also sitting by the fire with them, next to Tristian at the moment.

“C’mon,” Amiri growled, clearly unhappy without her oversized sword in favor of the javelins, hatchet, and small shield of a skirmisher, “We went over this a bunch of times. I’m not dumb, I’m even learning those stupid letters!”

“Stories fall apart in the details,” Ekun retorted, having wrapped his head in cloth in a Thuvian style. “I will start: Taiwo, mercenary from Thuvia. Came north to see the world, offered to guide Tristian’s party. Prefer to be left alone.”

Amiri grunted, shaking head. “Fine - Valeria, thief from Numeria. Got caught robbing a League tower, sold as a slave, broke out after pushing a mill wheel for years, looking for a new life in Gevaudan.” She glanced at Octavia, “You next.”

“You had to use that as a background…” the wizardess exhaled, shaking her head despite the large pointy hat and thick black robes she was wearing. “Okay: Aurelia, necromancer from Galt trying to redeem herself. Fond of quite good whisky, late night strolls, and hates cities.”

Their attention turned to Kaessi, wearing a worn gambeson with a spear propped next to her seat on a log. “Layla. I came here to make a new life away from Qadira, joined a village militia with other settlers, and deserted after the troll attacks.” She cast a particularly harsh glare towards Tristian - the kind that stayed whether she was feeling kind or harsh that day. “So why does he not need to lie?”

“Amalia is… not fully aware,” Tristan admitted, looking down as if in shame as he was judged by kindness. “She knows me only as a humble pilgrim who was interested in how the Kingdom of the Cleansed offers redemption.”

“The covers were my suggestion,” Ekundayo added, “to reduce suspicion.” He turned to Linzi, then frowned at her notes. “I thought you left the book behind? Too iconic.”

Linzi exhaled. Yes, he had been quite firm on that. “A Cavalier of the Paw still has her entry in the annals to consider! A worthy cause sought, and a worthier one to charge into!” She stood up, the heroicness of the pose rather dampened by stumbling. Linzi was unused to the weight of maille on her shoulders, even with the belt of strength that Valerie had lent her.

“Regardless,” the bard-pretending-to-be-cavalier continued, “You can be sure to follow Brynn into gllloorrrrrrious battle!”

“Speaking of paws,” Amiri grumbled, “where’s Dog?”

Ekun sighed. “Too known. Besides, someone else plays the role of war wolf. Brynn?”

“Oh, right,” Linzi had almost forgotten the most important part! “Thank you Sir Tristian for keeping an eye on Gnaw while at Tuskdale!”

She could see Kaessi tilting her head and mouthing ‘Gnaw’ in confusion as the large black furred wolf rose and sniffed Tristian’s hand.

“Perhaps you should get her out of the harness for tonight,” Tristian suggested, gesturing towards Linzi.

“Oh, of course!” Linzi really should have known better. She didn’t have a squire, after all! Then again, I end up playing squire often enough… she thought as she started removing the strapping. Oh, if only she could write what she was really doing: she knew readers would have a laugh at it.

Hopefully the Baroness did not realize it either. That would be awkward. And embarrassing.

====

NOTES:

While I do not plan on doing as much with Kingmaker for Owlcatober, I did want to do a few things and test the waters a bit. Since KM was my first stab into Pathfinder at all I went relatively generic, and the baroness I rolled for it ended up as the proto version of Elaina. I've been mulling on ways to reroll her to stand out as her own character. Luckily, a confluence of circumstances such as the name I grabbed for the barony and certain problems like "They're In This Together!" constantly repeating offered an idea...

[ethanscrocs]

a bunch of my old art under the cut!

here we go:

usagi & mamoru's parents (headcanon)

human sid (noticed by john leguizamo)

proportionally fucked up color wheel

first time drawing donnie since i was a kid, ended up becoming a mix of rottmnt and 2012. i was watching rottmnt for the first time and 2012 is the ninja turtles iteration that i grew up w/

first ever lottie & aurelia (oh god)

older louise and rudy (trans+ edition)

a sailor moon redesign i don't care for

trolls OC concept, magma techno troll

[vampiresdontbelonginfairytales]

Hey does anyone want to do the spinny wheel thing? (Use at your own risk)

You can hang out with a randomly assigned Vampires Don't Belong in Fairy Tales character for the day!

What you gonna do? Where you gonna go?

Yes I'm being self indulgent you should try it. (removed the poll so that people can just keep doing the spinny wheel thing)

I didn't include everyone because everyone is a LOT of characters.

I left out characters who are villains or whose entire backstory is a spoiler.

I included some from the two manuscripts that aren't out yet even if only two people know who they are. Because I can do what I want.

Answers in tags or whatever you wanna do.

Super brief bio for all included characters under the cut! In A-Z order for ease.

You can ask me further questions if you wanna but don't feel obligated.

Andrew: 17. More commonly known as Pens. Lucinda's best friend since childhood. Likes anime and other cartoons, building stuff, meta, fanfiction, etc.

Aurelia: 50 (20-ish in human years) Tyrian's right hand woman and his best friend since childhood. Ex-fool. Cat yokai. Main hobby is messing with people. Very social. Likes drinkin'.

Celia: Early twenties, like 20, in human years though. Nixie(siren). Born in and lives in Fairyland. Very social person, but also likes books a lot.

Charming: mid-20s. Human. Prince. Likes travelling and reading and painting. Does typical prince stuff. Rescuing people and whatnot.

Clarissa: 29. Human. Calypsan. Witch. Retired from being a privateer to raise her two kids and help run the clothing store of her mother-in-law. Still works as a witch as well, it's about 50/50. Loves designing and making clothes and jewellery.

Contessa: 475 and yet 22. Technically human. Vampire. Contessa is currently retired from being a vampire. She's still a Lady (this is a job in the Otherworlds) but usually delegates most work to her many servants whose main job is blood donor otherwise. She does the fancy swanking about bits which she enjoys. She is pretty social for a woman who lives in a mansion miles from anything resembling civilisation, but after all, it doesn't matter if you have Otherworld doors to hand. Otherwise she does some charity work and often liases with the vampire hunter society. Likes a bit of all kinds of noble lady stuff. Music, dancing, poetry, reading, painting, embroidery.

Cynthia: 12. Half-Otherworlder. Born and lives in Stratford-upon-Avon but mark my words, she's off to Fairyland the second she gets the opportunity. Likes stickers and glitter and folklore and computer games.

Erlina: 17. 15 in human years. Fairy changeling, swan maiden specifically. Princess of the Light Realm of Fairyland. Likes computer games a lot. Also likes being told stories, but prefers to listen or watch than to read. Likes music. Plays a few instruments.

Freya: 20s. Japanese-Icelandic snow woman. Teaches Japanese for a living. Likes combat sports and also things like flower arranging, traditional dance and karaoke.

Gerda: 40s. Human. Valkyrie. Which in this sense is something like a special type of mercenary. Mum of two. Likes dancing and games, some sports. Obviously into fencing and stuff like that.

Granas: 20-ish? Human. Calypsan. Currently working as a privateer, but is saving up to travel. He loves animals, especially his cows. He can play a few instruments and likes singing too. Likes the occasional sport and some types of dance. Not that into stories, but likes to read factual things.

Henrietta: 19. Human. Vampire. The Otherworlds' first magical girl. The Otherworlds don't have magical girls but you don't stop this girl with some paltry little phrase like 'but that's not a real thing'. Would really like a girlfriend. Weeb.

Hugo: 28. Human. Vampire. Professional pirate puncher. Can't do magic, and is therefore a wall of muscle armed with a sword and at least two guns. Captain of the Ocean's Fangs. Doesn't like nobles. Hugo's main hobby is currently Not Dying. Dabbles in foreign languages and likes card games and also physical stuff like sports and dancing. Married to Clarissa and has two kids.

Johann: 22. Human. Vampire. Has retired from being a vampire and a count to live with his witch girlfriend in a cottage covered in flowers because wouldn't you?

John: 40s. Will's dad. Earthling, but married to an Anima immigrant. Accountant. Chill guy. Likes folklore and reading and learning stuff and crosswords and the occasional computer game.

Joshua: 18. Merchant's son. Really into being a merchant. Instead of say, adrift on the sea at the mercy of fate and pirates and stuff. His girlfriend is green.

Keiko: 20-ish. Dragon yokai. Treasure expert. Guards cursed treasure for a fee. Or she would, if people wouldn't keep trying to nick it. Likes gardening, sewing and being left the Hel alone to do her job.

Lily M.: 24. Human. Earthling. Nerd. Likes computer games, regular games, books, anime, travel. Likes learning, tends to fall down rabbit holes online of one topic or another. Current thing is elves.

Lolotte: early 20s. Fairy changeling. Her aim in life is to be a fairy godmother, but she's currently Hettie's magical girl partner. She likes singing, dancing, crafts, telling or hearing stories, drawing. A good chunk of her spare time is currently dedicated to getting better at god mothering, so she researches or invents useful spells and comes up with designs for outfits for herself or her future godchildren.

Louis: I forget his age but it's like. Late 20s, 30, if human. Fairy. Works as a castle guard. Fairies don't usually have jobs, but he'd rather work a few hours a day at the palace than forage and cook and stuff for himself. Social. Likes drinkin' and keeping himself in shape. The shape in question being a big, buff guy.

Lucinda : 17. Human. Earthling. Girl who works as a prince. Currently in the process of applying for semi-magical college. Weeb.

Miriam: 40s. Human. Born on Anima, but emigrated to Earth. Otherworld concierge. Really got into Earthling stuff. She likes nature documentaries and tv dramas and history programs and the like. Likes sightseeing, but prefers human dominated areas to nature, as her hometown had dangerous flora and fauna.

Molly: 17. Human. Greengrocer's daughter, but not interested in taking over the store like she's supposed to. Currently in Fairyland. Technically employed as a fool, but is helping oversee and coordinate the new magic school and tourism industry. Has started to learn a few languages and will act as concierge once everything is up and running. Likes a bit of everything. Singing, dancing, games, a few sports, does a bit of reading, bit of writing, bit of crafts.

Nerissa: 20s. Mermaid queen. Enjoys languages, traditional crafts and sports. Mermaids have a variety of sports, both in and out of the water. Also likes poetry and song. Merfolk tend to use oral tradition of storytelling rather than reading, and she also enjoys telling or listening to stories.

Rosetta: late 20s. Elf. Witch. Gaian, but now works on Calypso as a privateer. Hugo's right hand woman. Likes fishing and cooking and crafting. Knows multiple languages, including three dialects of merfolk sign language.

Rosie: 23. Human. Witch. Earthling, but now lives in a magical forest on Anima. Vampire researcher. 'Introvert' is an understatement, she does not like people.

Sam: 20-ish. Kelpie. Horse man, that is, a man who is a horse. Peddlar. Likes travelling and meeting new people. Likes good food and time spent with good friends. Likes running and the occasional sport.

Sara: 23. Elf. Queen of Sheva. Her hobbies are getting her country back on track and doing a good job as queen and throwing a spanner into the bicycle spokes of evil whenever possible. No but she really doesn't have any hobbies because of the trauma. To relax she does literally nothing. She likes tea though.

Trace: Human. Vampire - not a Stollenheim though! The most charming 17 year old boy you have ever met. Currently a college student studying a variety of subjects. Intends to assist with his grandmother's charity work. Likes any pastime that requires strategy and using your brain. Happy to just chat for hours also.

Tyrian: 54 (24 in human years) Fairy. Vampire. King of the Dark Realm of Fairyland. Cinnamon roll of a man. I'm not obligated to be unbiased in my description, that's my son. Main hobby is writing. Mainly original work, some fanfiction. Romance, lots of slash.

Victor: 18. Human. Vampire. Scared of humans, most animals, a lot of plants and the occasional rock. He's working on it. Very hard. I'm so proud of him. He loves books and he likes games. He actually quite likes people - he'd be more social if he didn't have anxiety.

Will: 21. Human. Half-Earthling. Fairy ancestry. Loves travel, languages, Shakespeare. Jester/Fool. Been obsessed with Fairyland since he was a kid. Now lives there.

Zaran: 19. Human. Paral of Gandar. Horse enby. By which I mean an enby who is into horses and not an enby who is a horse. They love painting and cooking and crafting.

[gamerknight7310]

Collab Box

Hey y'all, me and @celestiall0tus have collab together and have made a box of miraculouses filled with random concepts that we spun on a wheel. We had so much fun making this box, and I hope you like the chaos that we have created.

Jellyfish Miraculous

Pearl Necklace

Hush

Silence

Quiet - When activated, the user creates a bubble void of sound.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Silk Veil Fans

Owl Miraculous

Coin

Stolas

Death

Judgement - When activated, the user writes down the name of a target and the cause of death in their grimoire and eventually the target will die.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Grimoire

Cicada Miraculous

Diadem

Vida

Reincarnation

Expunge - When activated, the user erases the name in their grimoire in order to bring that person back to life.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Grimoire

Ant Miraculous

Circlet

Civitas

Order

Conform - When activated, the user sets things to their standard of Order.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Sword

White Butterfly Miraculous

Earrings

Luminara

Soul

Deliver - When activated, the user can receive and deliver messages from either living or departed souls.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Offering Bowl

Orangutan Miraculous

Necklace

Sage

Enlightenment

Awaken - When activated, the user is in a state of hyper awareness that allows them to remove mental boundaries and limitations to carry out whatever they put their mind to.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Staff

Lion Miraculous

Ring

Regal

Ambition

Fulfillment - When activated, the user becomes an unstoppable force that can't be defeated unless their purpose is fulfilled.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Shield

Automaton Miraculous

Googles

Ethos

Morality

Shift - When activated, the user can shift the morality of their target.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Wrench

Sloth Miraculous

Armlet

Lethara

Loneliness

Isolate - When activated, the user banishes their target into the void.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Ice Axe

Mandarin Duck Miraculous

Hair Comb

Aurelia

Beauty

Mesmerize - When activated, the user put their target in a stupor.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Fan

Manatee Miraculous

Shell Necklace

Serena

Peace

Serenity - When activated, the user creates a field of tranquility which negates all hostility.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Whistle

Dolphin Miraculous

Bracelet

Amica

Friendship

Befriend - When activated, the user can make an ally out of a target, seeing the user as a friend.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Ribbon Wand

Spider Miraculous

Anklet

Weavira

Destiny

Negate - When activated, the user can negate powers in effect.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Lasso

Honey Badger Miraculous

Pendant

Vex

Contempt

Berserk - When activated, the user becomes filled with hatred and tunnel visions on their target.

"Transform Me!" "Turn me Back."

Brass Knuckles

[inlovewithregencyera]

Granningham, July 4th 1818

Aurelia by now was dressed for her travels to visit her favorite Aunt in Henford. Her stomach was in knots and butterflies fluttered immensely within. Her heart could scarcely keep a steady beat and she was now more anxious than ever. What if her Mama told her no? What if she had to see him and make an awkward conversation? What would he think of her now that it's been 2 years? Aurelia was her own enemy, and her mind never knew peace. Sarah could always tell when Aurelia's anxiety was at its highest, and she would do anything to calm her nerves.

Sarah: Well m'lady, shall I go tell your Mama you wish to call on Lady Helena?

Aurelia: Oh yes please, I can't bear looking at him.

Emmeline: Ah, dear Sarah!

Sarah: Your grace..

It seemed that the sounds of the maids cleaning the foyer got louder with Aurelia's heartbeat. *Thump, thump, swoosh, swish*. Sarah was taking a lifetime to ask a simple question.

Emmeline: Well, the carriage wheel has broken, but do call her in!

Sarah: Your mama wants to see you...

Aurelia: But-

Sarah: She also says that the carriage wheel is broken and some footmen are out fixing it.

*Aurelia lets out a long, dreadful sigh*

Emmeline: And you know Lord Worthington, my dear Aurelia will be most galvanized upon your return!

Frederick: I'm not so sure about that your grace.

Emmeline: Oh nonsense! You two were very good friends back in 16' before you left.

Frederick: Yes..good friends we were.

Louisa: Oh need not worry Lord Worthington! I'm sure once you see her you'll become good friends again..

Frederick: ....

Emmeline: Yes, yes! Aurelia has quite blossomed since her 18th year. She's much more mature and serious, yet so beautiful!

Louisa: Mama is thankful for Aurelia's melancholic disposition. She says it makes her more beaut-

*Emmeline smacks Louisa's arm*

Louisa: MAMA!

A concerned and saddened look appeared on Frederick's face when Louisa's lips let the word melancholic fall out, but he continued to glare at the porcelain vases so mother and daughter would neither see. What could this mean? Was he the cause of this? He had to know.

Frederick: Melanch-

Emmeline: Oh look, here she comes!

Aurelia: Hello Mama..Louie.

Aurelia's stance was firm as well as her voice. Frederick felt the hushed symphony of memories awaken in Aurelia's voice. The sound of her words, once etched in his heart, stirring the echoes of the past he had almost let slip away. He turned around swiftly.

Frederick: Lady Aure-

Aurelia's stance no longer stood firm. As soon as he turned his body towards her she became weak and recoiled into an insecure posture. She couldn't dare meet his eyes, she might faint. She began fidgeting with her gloves.

Aurelia: *looking away* Lord Worthington..

Her voice was now soft and reserved. As if they had just met and were strangers.

An anguished look appeared upon Frederick's face. Did she hate him now? Did she hold some animosity towards him? He held none toward her and found it impossible to ever be cross with her. Even after that terrible night in 1816, he wasn't vexed, as he had blamed himself. Now he really blamed himself, maybe he shouldn't have run away to some foreign country for two years. Perhaps he should wait to talk to her, she was never open with her emotions, but he had a way of cracking her shell. He had always been patient with her, as he understood where her sorrows had come from.

Aurelia knew that look and saw it clearly out of the corner of her eye. It was the same look he gave her on August 2nd, 1816 except this time no tears were falling. She hated how she could remember how he looked in detail that night, and how his weeping was entirely her fault. She replayed that night in her head constantly, all day, every day. Why did she have to ruin her own happiness along with his? Why did he smile at her, for he should be the one to frown and look away. Why was she so cruel at times to the people who cared for her the most? Frederick was always kind to her, even when she'd been terrible to him. Not many people's sorrows had such an effect on Aurelia, but Frederick's did. Sadness lingered between them.

Emmeline: My God girl, are you deaf?

Aurelia: Maam?

Emmeline: I said what's all this business about calling on Helena? Surely you've never told me about it until I heard it from Sarah today.

Aurelia: Oh *brushing lint off sleeves* nothing Mama. I had just wished to pay my Aunt a call but since the carriage wheel is broken I suppose I'll have to do it another time. Or I could walk?

Emmeline: I do believe it will rain today and I'll not have my daughter appearing like a wet dog on the doors of the Ramsburys.

Frederick: I can take her.

Aurelia: WHA-

*Louisa starts giggling*

Emmeline: Oh surely, it's out of your way?

Frederick: I had plans to call on my mama. Lady Helena still lives in Henford, yes?

Aurelia: WHY-

Emmeline: Oh then splendid! You are an amiable young man, Sarah will accompany you two so I see it fit and Aurelia won't have to get wet! You three go along now, Louisa and I have to finish telling the servants what to pack us.

[el-michoacano]

“I wish we weren’t out in public…”

“You think you can just run that pretty mouth of yours whenever you want?!”

(Either of these would ✨️kill me✨️)

Here you go, love! 🖤

.

"I wish we weren't out in public…" They very much were, though. They'd been at this party of Eladio's for hours. It was to celebrate their takeover of Fring's operation, and they couldn't simply leave, or they already would have. They were, after all, the guests of honor.

"Why?" Nacho knew why. The hand on his thigh under the table was all the explanation he needed. He took a sip from his glass of tequila. It was the best he'd ever tasted, and he didn't mind sticking around, if only for the booze. They were on a pedestal here, and after the initial pats on the back and vigorous handshakes, no one had given them a second glance. Fucking cartel, Nacho thought with an amused roll of his eyes. Even Marco and Leonel seemed to be having a good time wheeling don Hector around through the throng, his bell chiming every so often. There was pride in the sound. Nacho had worried about Aurelia being here, but she was on Domingo's arm now, whispering something to him that had his whole face going cherry red.

"You know why, cariño." Lalo grinned at him, bright enough that Nacho could see it in the dim light of the torches around the pool. His voice was nearly lost under the chatter of the other dons and the laughter of the hired girls carrying drinks and sitting in laps. "You just like hearing me say it."

He wasn't wrong. Nacho said, "So say it."

[frenchcurious]

Lancia Aurelia B20GT Outlaw 1954. - source Moto Vitelloni - Wheels n' wings.

[mistfallengw2]

GW2 OC Questions: Combat Edition ⚔️✨

15. How powerful is their magic compared to their peers? How do they feel about it? Is it their limit?

Okay so, in short, Aurelia is not really a proper revenant, but more of a "proto-revenant". Rytlock is still the first proper revenant/herald trained by Glint, while Aurelia failed to complete her training and then got messed up by something in the Mists*, and the way it happened prevents her from reaching full potential. Then she became a dragon's champion, which put her on a whole different level, but it's also not just her own magic anymore.

To elaborate a bit, due to what happened in the Mists, her revenant magic is quite nerfed compared to Rytlock's, especially with how it was unreliable and a bit messy during the first years of having it. To be fair, even then it was still more than the average tyrian could achieve (who can even seemingly summon a crystalline dragon out of the Mists?), but the only really notable thing about it were her impressive self-regenerative abilities, which at least compensated for most of the hits she took while the magic didn't work. Her biggest "nerf" is that she was and still is unable to create portals to the Mists, in the sense that she can do so only on the surface levels, and anything beyond that spits her back out quite unpleasantly. Glint's facet was what had "lended" her the magic in the first place, and she fully believed that was what all she was working with for years. Little did she know that she had gotten better because she had learned how to use revenant magic by herself, but she never realize that until after the facet got shattered when Balthazar killed her, when she still had access to her powers, a bit less focused but just as strong. Granted, the bond with Aurene helped the learning process, aiding her recovery and boosting her abilities while slowly replacing Glint's magic, but even before she hatched the facet was already acting mostly as training wheels/a focus for her to channel the magic through (and filter some leftover corruption).

Rytlock was still technically a better magic user than her, but being a dragon's champion tilted the power scale quite a bit in her favor, as she could channel magic both through their bond and the Mists. On top of what she could do as revenant, the more powerful Aurene became, the more easily Aurelia could manifest forms of crystalline magic (like and beyond what the Dragon Stance can do), and so did Aurelia's skyscale once grown up. She can also become more powerful if Aurene chooses to boost her with her magic directly, as it happens at the end of EoD, and there's no telling if that's still as powerful as she can become now that Aurene is the only Elder Dragon.

Even after all these years, it still feels weird for Aurelia to be a magic user, let alone a good one by any metric. It will never be a 100% good thing for her due to it coming from Glint's failed attempt at training her and all the trauma and pain she suffered because of a mistake she couldn't even comprehend at the time, but at least knowing it now partially comes from Aurene makes it a lot better. With Aurene gone for who knows how long, channeling her magic is bittersweet, but it's a way for her to feel her close no matter where she is.

* bigger ramble about all that (it's a bit vague on some points and 100% up to date)

[never-surrender]

Consider this official friend divorce filings between Bik and Jess over: Jess being a fucking donkey.

Both parties freely and fully accept the provisions, terms, and conditions therein. Thereby agree to the following:

In light of recent events, plaintiff, Bik, seeks a divorce between the two parties. Plaintiff requests defendant learn they have two vampire muses and not forget them. Plaintiff will allow defendant, Jess, to keep all their loot goblin stores. ( Provided they also take the shit I shoved into their inventory for shits and giggles. It amuses me. )

The plaintiff pleads to the court for recompense. Full custody of ships listed herein as: Halstarion Astarion x Aurelia sibling shenanigans AA fucking with Aubrey’s head Strahd and Aurelia Aurelia and Rahadin

Plaintiff will also assume custody of ships with third party, Day’s ships as well. This includes the following: Bloodweave Gale x Aubrey In addition, plaintiff seeks custodianship of defendant's other dissolved friendships, namely Hex ( @spiritcrown ), and will assume all rights involved therein. Hex reserves full rights of the ships held with them.

Defendant is allowed to simp for all of them from afar. Visitation rights may be imposed in a separate court hearing. Provided Defendant has learned their lesson.

Defendant agrees they are a menace and live in a flaming dumpster. No, defendant may not keep the strobe lights. Those belong to the plaintiff. I’m reclaiming them. They are allowed, however, to keep the title of ‘petty heathen’.

Defendant expressly waives any rights or interests to the shipping container of dumpsters, and must spend no less than 12 days in horny jail. Horny memes and smut related asks are strictly forbidden during this time. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

Plaintiff will not be returning the adult sized hamster wheel he borrowed as payment for damages caused. Defendant can go to the local Walmart for another one. The kids can go outside in the park for a few days while defendant replaces it.

Defendant will be sent a surplus supply of HD2 hellbombs to enjoy at their leisure. Delivery of which will be no less than ten minutes after the court proceedings giving everyone else time to evacuate. Though we all know you’ll be blown up by them forcing a respawn. ( Oh goddammit indeed ).

Judge @galefcrce will preside over the proceedings, rendering the verdict between all parties involved. Judge Day reserves the right to activate all hellbombs with a punch or gavel according to his choosing.

Defendant has ten days to respond to this order.

mentions // @galefcrce and @spiritcrown

FIRST OFF MOTHERFUCKER I'M NOT AGREEING TO GIVING UP MY OTHER SHIPS WITH ANOTHER PERSON OVER OUR DIVORCE. Over my dead body will I give up Bloodweave and Gale x Aubrey.

Second. You can't take my friends!!!!!! That's cheating. They can choose which side they want to take in our divorce for themselves >:c

Third.... this is the funniest shit I've read in the longest time. I can't stop laughing.

And finally... no I'm not accepting any of these terms of divorce. You can divorce me when I'm dead.