#while less and less people understand her and she's less and less inclined to explain her reasoning

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

Yandere Ship //// Part 4

Part 1 • 2 • 3

Vera immediately becomes critical when the Captain and Lieutenant keep making their way to the meeting room that has no cameras, no recorders, and nothing to summon Vera with

“Uh, Vera why did you double lock the door like that?”

“No reason. Just checking that they work.”

“That’s not ‘no reason.’”

“Sorry, I messed up with my sayings again.”

“It’s fine, I mess it up all the time too.”

Vera was actually remote-controlling your communicator to silently alert Jule of this behavior

Jule acts immediately putting an EMP-immune drone smaller than a land-fly into the room

“--Captain I say we leave. Go to the enemy planet and try to find our secret base there. You’re right about this ship being unreliable.”

“But I wonder how can we convince the technician to come with?”

“Ugh! Who needs him?! And that (L/n) character too. I say we leave them to self-destruct with this virus-ridden ship.”

“We need the technician. He’s the only one with interplanetary know-how on top of understanding the inner workings of the escape pods we’d have to travel in.”

“Then let’s just knock him upside the head and leave that thing behind.”

“Lieutenant I admire your determination but I’m leaving no one behind to stay with this thing.”

The two continue to talk about how they plan on making a fire at the furthest part of the ship 

Something that could easily be fixed if the technician was near but they planned it so it’s on the other side of the ship 

And since he’s a priority person, they’d be evacuating him 

And if not him then you of course to lure him out 

“Hey Ver I think we should have you take a crack at your new bod.”

“Awesome! I’ll start booting it up now!”

Jule purposely doesn’t inform Vera of the whole conversation and plan

By now he knows just how intense Vera’s feelings are about those he cares about

Except he knows that Vera’s less concerned about restraint than he

So he’ll commence his own plan

Immediately running to you in one of the hobby rooms when Vera stops responding 

Knowing they planned to cut Vera to start the fire

When the alarm blares and Vera turns back on 

The Captain and Lieutenant are right there to tell them to prep the launch pods

“But Jule is more than capable of—”

“IT’S OUR CALL Veras!  Remember your programming!”

“....Yes Captain.”

He preps the pods for the location of an enemy-ruled planet 

Doing all the necessary protocols to filter everyone out safely 

Of course, Vera neglects to really inform you like the others

He knows that it’s best to have you in your own pod away from the stressed and hostile people cramming in

Which is why they’re not prepared when the lieutenant comes in harshly knocking whatever you were doing out of your hand to grab your wrists tightly

“OW! What are you—”

“STOP STRUGGLING! I’m saving your pathetic life.”

She does explain after knocking you around a bit before shoving you towards the captain’s pod

By the time Jule finds you they’ve tied you inside while beckoning the technician in

“I know you’ll think wrong of us for this but these people need you.”

“So IT’s OKAY TO ATTACK SOMEONE INNOCENT?!”

“Please Jule get in the pod. We can talk about ethics more when I’m not inclined to knock you out.”

Jule will step forward before stopping

The Captain goes to yell at him when the alarms stop

So does the smoke that had been permeating through the vents

“The issue of the fire has been neutralized.  The issue about an evil miscreant and their oh-so-powerful captain is underway.”

“V-ver?”

The voice of the ship was coming out of a beautifully crafted android

Glowing blue eyes and black hair flowing along their lean but strong shoulders

The body type is hard to place but from what you can tell it’s male and their stature is lean giving an elegant look to him in general

Their stance has the lieutenant attempting to punch them 

They dodge like they are dancing, grabbing her hand and twisting

“AAAAGH!”

Ver doesn’t let her mourn her wound because they’ve jump-kicked her into the back wall of the pod

“I’ve been wanting to do that since I first met you.”

The Captain’s stunned shock allows you to stumble out and into Jule’s arms

The Captain tries to reach for you only to be met with a stabbing pain in his eyes

Jule shuts your eyes and buries you into his chest, blocking your view

The Captain screams like his lieutenant but it’s cut off by the pod doors closing and then ejecting themselves from the ship

Ver immediately turns to join the hug, Jule’s keeps you in

Only to shrink back when Jule’s glares at their bloodied fingers

They wipe it away before joining the hug

“I’m so happy it’s you guys I’m stuck with.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Me three!”

“...”

“..Vera…I don’t know if you know this but it’s really improper to touch there without consent.”

“Yeah Ver get your hands out our pants.”

“But I’ve wanted to do this for so long.”

“VER!!”

“Fine, maybe later?”

As much as Jule doesn’t want to encourage that behavior

He has to leave you alone for a while to make sure his plan plays out perfectly 

His message to the enemy sky-guard under an alias he made years ago as a baby-hacker

‘At 43:94 enemy escape pods will be arriving in your airspace. Ur welx’

Watching the enemy broadcast reports about enemy spaceships it apprehended and the officials that were facing a public torture session

When he returns he’s insistent you both open a bottle of champagne

“I really don’t think now is the time, Jule.”

“Oh but it is babe! I think we should party now that we’ve gotten rid of those neets.”

“Wait got rid of–?”

“(Y/n)! I’ve never seen you drink that before! Will you please?!! I’d also like to hold a microphone nearby while you do.”

Now you three will have free reign of the ship learning to live your life in the worlds beyond

Vera knows it doesn’t get any better than this 

They’ve also decided that they’d do anything to keep it this way 

More?

[relaxxattack]

you are so very homestuck knowledgeable. when you have the time and should inspiration strike, please tell all your headcanons about oliveblood trolls.

ooo what a great question! for this one i think first we'd need to break down current stereotypes about olivebloods. there's actually not much that we're given about them tbh

according to the homestuck wiki, which is based on info from both the comic and more dubiously canon things like friendsim and hiveswap, the olive caste's two singular traits seem to be "wild animal" and "romance liker". both of these, obviously, are traits pulled from our wonderful main girl nepeta, who was the singular representation of the olive caste for a long time; alongside her dancestors. which is quite cute, who doesn't love nepeta?

the thing is though that i am one of those nitpicky people who likes to say, "well, hey now, nepeta isn't actually representative of her caste at ALL." in fact, none of the beta trolls are. i honestly feel like it should be assumed that just like the beta kids, the beta trolls are weirdos, and not really the 'norm' in their society.

nepeta lives out in the wilderness very specifically away from society in a way that is remarked on as being unusual even for someone of her color; and she does not even understand what role her caste would have given her in normal society. and i mean... considering aradia tavros and sollux are LOWER than nepeta, it doesn't really make sense for them all to have nicer houses than her unless she's unusual in her situation.

^ nepeta is in fact NOT a good representation of olivebloods.

which means... no, i don't think all olive trolls are romance obsessed wilderness girls, actually, sorry, hiveswap friendsim, i have to shelve you from my alternia analysis for now.

luckily, there ARE other olivebloods in the series!

first of all, the other leijons. unfortunately, none of them are really "good" examples either. meulin is from an entirely different planet, and disciple is from an ancient history perhaps even less representative of "normal" life than nepeta is. all we really get from them is stuff we already knew from nepeta-- the wildness, the relationship interest. with an added fact that both meulins seem to be somewhat bookish.

and so who does that bring us to? the final canonical oliveblood.

that's right.

troll will smith.

troll will smith is canonically an oliveblood. not only that, but he's a famous actor, which means he is basically a "model" for society- for what it looks like once you "have it all made". i would imagine this goes even more for alternia, supposedly a very movie-geared society.

the two troll will smith features that canonically exist on alternia are Fresh Prince and Hitch. in both of these films, will smith plays a character that is self-made and clever, a regular guy who is just skilled. it should also be noted that while a "threshecutioner" is a job with a heavy blueblood populous, greenbloods can also be one, and it's common enough that a show about it wasn't cut by the alternian dictatorship.

so therefore, what traits can we pull that all of these olivebloods (and equius lol) display to us?

olive trolls are lower class, but they're capable of working up through their connections

likely due to this, olive trolls are often clever and self made. they're likely quick-witted and sharp

they're good at their jobs! most olive trolls that are seen in the comic are very good with their respective practices (be it drawing, writing, bookkeeping, or melee fighting)

it's possible that olive trolls have a good intuition, and are fairly in touch with their own instincts. this would explain why some of them seem to fare better in the wild or in fights, and also why they are stereotyped as having a natural inclination for relationships. i think this is also a good transition ground between the impressive physical psionics of the castes lower than olive, and the emotional/mental psionics of the highbloods above them.

so, there we go. these are my olive headcanons! they're not comfortably well off or anything, but they're not wild animals either-- they're hard workers and skilled at what they put their minds to. probably usually working a nine to five and doing their best in life hoping to move up with a good quadrant or promotion. at least, in my headcanon anyway- no need to take this as fact!

[the-s1lly-corner]

Oooh idk if someone already asked for it but what about how TADC cast would react if they were under a mistletoe with their S/O

TADC cast x reader under the mistletoe!

i know i literally just said that i was going to post because i just came down from a little..... emotional high (negative) but i feel too guilty not answering stuff today so im probably going to answer this and a few more simply because im going to feel so guilty if i dont do anything today which is just going to make me feel worse than i already do so uhuhuhuhuh... jack stauber coming in clutch rn i know i usually answer stuff in the order of them being sent in but to do a silly compromise for my silly people pleaser mindset im going to knock out the ones that are easier for me sooooooo

CAINE:

oh you just know that hes the one who planted the mistletoe in the first place.... i mean as soon as he found out about the tradition, assuming he didnt already know.. i just know hes going to do whatever he can to get you under it. does he know that he can ask for a kiss? yes! but he wants to be festive and do some traditions and stuff! gives you the biggest "kiss" he can give you when you finally get stuck together under one... probably knocks you back a little bit from how enthusiastic he is...

POMNI:

very shy about it, i think she would give you a cheek kiss rather than a mouth kiss, especially if there are other people around. pomni doesnt strike me as the type to one to full on kiss their partner when theres an audience, so i hope you can understand her aversion! its not that she doesnt want to kiss you, shes just shy about the eyes watching the two of you... though, she would be more inclined to do it if it were just the two of you in the area!

RAGATHA:

honestly she looks like she would love christmas. i dont know why and i cant explain why. so i think she would love most of the activities and traditions surrounding it. and yes, this includes the mistletoe! i think for most of these, the mistletoe would be hung up by caine to really sell the festive mood.... and ragatha likely wouldnt have planned this, but inevitably you guys get under it at the same time. not as against PDA as some of the others, i think, so i think she would give you a very gentle kiss on your lips. very bashful if you beat her to it, though. kind of folds her hands together and digs her foot into the ground... you know the stance, hopefully.. kind of swaying a little while her face is burning up

JAX:

probably makes a big stink of it, whether trying to deny the kiss or to lean into it. i can honestly see both... does NOT let you be the one to initiate the kiss, since while he hates PDA, i think he hates it more when hes on the receiving end. say it all the time, its a vulnerability thing for him. he doesnt like other people seeing him flustered... now will a simple kiss from you make him pink in the face? probably not, but he would rather not risk it! plus, he wants to take this as a moment to tease you! will not let you live it down if you even get the slightest bit embarrassed from whatever hes going to do under that mistletoe

KINGER:

think i mentioned this in the kiss cam request, but kinger is not against giving you kisses when theres an audience. like he wont full on make out with you in front of others (ignoring the fact that he doesnt have a mouth, much less a functional one) but i am a firm believer that he and other characters with a nontraditional mouth just nuzzle into your face in place of kisses... hmm... probably make a big show of asking if he can go ahead, afterall hes royalty! whats a royal without chivalry! very gently presses where his mouth would be against your lips for a few seconds before walking you guys to where ever you were planning to go before someone stopped you and alerted you both of the mistletoe above. generally very sweet and dorky, i think

ZOOBLE:

does not like giving or receiving affection in public, the furthest they are willing to go is hand holding and simple name calling.... if no one is around when you guys are under the mistletoe, theyre more than willing to let you have your kiss, but if theres even one person around, theyre going to show a little aversion to it... on one hand i want to say that they might suck it up and lean into their "its whatever" attitude, but i dont feel... like that suits them, and on top of that whats the point if someone is clearly not having fun/not comfortable, you know? so theyre more likely to gently reject you... though i like to think that they make up for it by giving you a kiss behind closed doors!

GANGLE:

freezes like a deer in headlights when someone loudly announces that you guys stopped together under a mistletoe, the eyes of her mask going wide and her mouth just going straight... if she has her comedy mask, she might be a little less.. frozen, but not by much... but with her tragedy mask? nope, shes totally still and quiet, poor thing.... you almost feel bad, so really theres a chance you just take her away from the scene rather than kissing her.... doesnt like being put on the spot for things like that, especially if the person alerting you guys of the mistletoe is making a huge scene (either caine or jax... though with caine it would be more so lighthearted fun with no malice, whereas jax is just being jax)

[haedia]

OC meme

I was tagged by @zwitter-iconic and @larkinna for this and since I have two Rooks that I love dearly, I'm going to do this twice (and tag them both for both, sorry) for both of them. This one is for Nera Aldwir, the cousin of my canon Rook Kiore.

As for tagging, Iunno. If this looks fun, feel free to count it as me tagging you. And please tag me back so I can go read it. c:

I do like these a bunch, even if I don't always get around to doing them myself (thanks to energy levels, usually).

GENERAL

Name: Nera Aldwir

Alias(es): Less of an alias and more of a pet name: Stella Advena/"Wandering Star" (the term of endearment that Elek gives them eventually)

Gender: She's kind of apathetic about it but if pressed, will probably say female.

Pronouns:  Usually she/her. Nera would be find with they/them as well

Age: 36 at the time of VG

Place of birth: Somewhere in the Green Dales

Spoken languages: Elvehn, Trade/Common, Somewhat conversationally fluent in: Tevene and Antivan; passably understands Navarran, Orlesian, and Rivaini but can't converse in it.

Sexual orientation: Mostly attracted to men

Occupation: For the Veil Jumpers: Artifact acquisition/retrieval abroad: meaning she and a handful of others are sent out across Northern Thedas at requests for help with elven technology and other magical bullshit. When she's in Arlathan, she operates in part as an archivist, both in record keeping and in artifact care. But she's very good at the retrieval and care of artifacts in transit so she's often sent out and spends a lot of time traveling to and from Arlathan.

FAVOURITE

Color: She has two favorite colors: Rich red violet, like the ones in the edges of sunsets before the deep of the night sky bleeds in and the bright, fresh turquoise of the shallows on a white sand beach.

Entertainment: Nera spends a lot of time traveling and meets a lot of people. She's developed a love of storytelling and trading tales. It's another form of currency on the roads of Thedas, anyway.

Pastime: Okay, so. Her favorite thing to do while in a sufficiently large enough city (the size of the place matters for reasons that would take more space to explain), is to visit a tavern, enjoy some drink, and then take a like-minded participant to bed with her. This is how both her relation/situationships with Elek and Illario begin, btw.

Food: Nera's not picky about food. She'd also find it hard to pick a favorite. She has favorites for every region she spends time in. For Antiva, she's partial to almost any pasta type with pesto. For Tevinter, if she can catch a street fair, with a wide variety of spiced, grilled, and fried foods available, she'd be in heaven. The more intense the flavors, the better, generally.

Drink: Much to Illario's annoyance, Nera's favorite alcoholic drinks are Tevene cocktails. For non-alcoholic beverages, though, Nera really likes teas of all kinds. She also loves the tropical flavors of drinks that can be found in Rivain -- both alcoholic and not.

Books: Nera is a voracious reader. She likes almost all genres she can get her hands on. Though her favorites are historical nonfiction and erotic serials/novels.

HAVE THEY

Passed university: So, Nera's a special case in the Veil Jumpers. Being an archivist means she was sent to have formal schooling by the organization. She could read and do math when she arrived in Arlathan but she was very skilled at memory recall and that made her a candidate for becoming an archivist. It's not the same as going to a formal university situation like an educated noble or something but she did, effectively, get schooling on par with something like that.

Had sex: Yes.

Had Sex in Public: Yes.

Gotten tattoos: Nera has a few tattoos

Gotten piercings: Yep! On her ears, yes. Maybe other places later. Haven't decided yet.

Had a broken heart: When she was in her teens, yes. But she's much less inclined to fall for people in ways like that later.

Been in love: Yes.

ARE THEY

A cuddler: She can be. It's not a requirement but given the right person and setting, she enjoys it immensely

Scared easily: Nah. She doesn't exactly have nerves of steel but she's not easily bothered

Jealous easily: Jealousy kind of confuses Nera. She doesn't really operate that way. So long as the relationship she's in has a good foundation and boundaries, she's mostly unbothered by her partner's interests beyond her.

Trustworthy: Generally, Nera isn't one to lie and trick people unprovoked. Similar to her cousin Kiore, if you're not a jackass then she's probably won't have a reason to be duplicitous to you.

FAMILY

Sibling(s): Nera is the oldest of three. The other two are several years younger than her. At the time of writing, I don't have as much of them planned out. But Nera takes on a bit of a mother role in her family more broadly. Between the different aunts and uncles across the clans (part are in the Aldwir clan, the rest are in other Green Dales clans), there are a lot of younger cousins. Before Nera left for the Veil Jumpers, she was more involved with them than Kiore was (Kiore was more involved with clan herding than with familial things)

Parents:  Nera's father was one of the clan's hunters and doubles as a butcher and cook, especially as he gets older. He was injured on a hunt and so he has a bad knee and can't participate in hunts as much. When needed, he'll help teach younger elves how to use their weapons and how to track prey. He's also the brother of Kiore's father and they have a similar temperament. Nera's mother is one of the clan's textile artisans: she participates in all stages of fiber work: gathering, carding, spinning, dyeing, and weaving the fiber. I don't yet know all about them but both of her parents are on the quiet side.

Children: Nera ends up married to Illario at some point after VG and they have at least three children. The first is a daughter who ends up being a mage. The other two, I haven't decided yet. It's also entirely possible that one of the other two children is actually Elek's. (Nera, Illario, and Elek are all onboard with this arrangement and know it's a possibility but they don't care to know for sure either way)

Pets: Unofficially, Kiore's family cat, Fritter, is also partially Nera's pet as well. When he's present with both of them, he generally doesn't have a preference between the two. But as for pets that are specifically Nera's? Well, much later on, when all settled into domestic life, Nera's family ends up with a cat of their own. A black cat with green eyes that is currently unnamed. But his favorite thing to do is to sleep on Illario when he decides to nap on the couch.

[nervousladytraveler]

Smutty one-liners:

“Don’t act innocent when we both know where your mouth was two minutes ago.” 🙈

Ah @veryflowerobservation my dear friend, you probably thought I'd forgotten this (but like Ross, I forget nothing). I do apologize for the delay. Untitled, but on the theme of quick learners, this is roughly from The Shift universe (but only barely).

---

Ross squinted into the sun as Demelza, dripping and shimmering, emerged from the sea. 

Aphrodite, subtle of soul and deathless,

Daughter of God, weaver of wiles, I pray thee

Neither with care, dread Mistress, nor with anguish,

            Slay thou my spirit!

“Ha!” Demelza cried. “The water is brilliant!”

“Is it then?” Ross managed to reply. He suddenly felt as though he’d never really seen her before.

Where had those lines even come from? Classic verse forced upon him in school stored out of reach--In the head? In the heart?--until such moments when it could be properly applied. 

Yes, Demelza was something like a proper goddess, wasn’t she? Although less ruthless than Aphrodite and hopefully less vengeful as well. Perhaps there was some other mythological being who controlled the tides and men’s hearts in equal measure.

Her face was serene--muscles relaxed, eyes fixed forward in a soft focus. Eyes the same blue-green as the sea. Her usually spirited curls had temporarily been pulled straight by the water but a single jerk of her head put things right. She strode slowly and purposefully forward as though she belonged there, on that beach. And always had.

Demelza was good that way. A quick learner but also someone who’d early on come to understand--as a means of survival--that people had a tendency to take you at your own valuation so poise, or faking it, could carry you quite far.

Ross admired her for this. He knew that In fact, she’d come rather late to swimming altogether. While so many Cornish natives claim to have the sea in their blood, Demelza’s upbringing in Illogan had been a somewhat landlocked one. 

“First time I ever swam wasn’t by choice,” she’d once explained. “At my mate Tamsin’s 14th, her brother threw me into the pool--he was having a laugh and didn't mean any harm--but I figured I'd better sort it out or drown then and there.”

“I'm quite glad for your sake that you’re a quick learner,” Ross had replied.

“Oh no, it wasn't for my sake at all. It just didn't seem fair to ruin Tam’s party since she was having a rough go anyway. Her parents had just split and her dad was living at a hotel for the time being--which is why there was even a pool. Maybe your set had pools of their own but mine most certainly did not.”

“No, not my friends. Francis, my late cousin--he went to pool parties quite regularly as a teen but I just swam here at the beach with the village kids,” Ross had explained. One wouldn't suspect now that Demelza hadn’t been one of those village kids, let loose on the strand as soon as they could walk. 

She was a quick learner.

In the few years that he’d known her, he’d watched her quietly and casually collect new skills time and again, often to his benefit. On her first attempt at making a pie, she’d gotten it nearly right--but the second time, she’d absolutely nailed it. Since then, without any great fuss, she did most of the baking for the cafe. 

Of course, recently there was another domain where Demelza had honed new abilities. When they first slept together, she’d openly admitted to not having much prior experience but her sharp instincts--and eagerness to practise had taken her far.

Now, five weeks into their romance, there were times he felt she was the master and he the apprentice. She certainly had bolder inclinations than Ross did when it came to where they made love. The cafe storage room was an early favourite, as was his car after hours. On those rare occasions when she mustered enough patience til they got to his, even before they made their way to the bedroom, she often first required a dalliance in the kitchen, the sitting room, or on the hall stairs.

Today had been no exception. Before they’d had their swim, they’d been exploring one of the many caves carved in the rockface long ago. 

“Come, Ross…” Two words but he knew what she meant.

“Demelza,” he’d said weakly as she deftly undid the front of his swim shorts. 

“No one is here,” she’d assured him. “Just a few odd gulls.”

“But your knees…the rocks are so sharp…” 

Her fingers were cool but her mouth was smooth and warm and he quickly forgot his objections. Their exclamations no matter how quiet and muffled they aimed to be, still echoed in the empty darkness, and afterwards they stood breathless for what seemed like hours, until they made their way back out into the warm sunshine.

She’d stayed in to swim longer than he had. Content, in more ways than one, he sat on the soft sand and watched while her body glided through both air and water. Around them all was dazzled by that particular light only found by the sea in summer.

Dipping vibrant wings down the azure distance, through the mid- ether…

“Right ho! Hullo!” An unfamiliar--and unwelcome--voice now called down the beach from the north.

Ross pulled his gaze away from his beloved damsel emerging from her seashell and saw the Reverend Mister Odgers walking towards them. A wet black dog ran circles at his heels.

“Good day to you, sir,” Demelza returned the salute with a wave. She was wiping herself off using Ross’s shirt--they’d forgotten to bring towels--and though still clad in only her swimsuit, she’d suddenly transformed herself into the model of demure respectability.

“I say,” Odgers went on after a cursory nod to Ross. “Have you seen a dog round here?”

“You mean that one?” Ross asked sarcastically. He would have been considered the one with the ill manners had the beast not taken that very moment to shake his wet fur in Ross’s general direction.

“No, not our Daniel. Another one--a buff sort of colour, quite a bit like sand!” The man laughed and tugged irritatingly at his collar.

Like sand? That’s fucking helpful at a beach. Ross let out an exhale and grit his teeth, resenting that his intimate moment had so abruptly been intruded upon--and by a pompous man of god, no less.  

“Oh?” Demelza immediately began to scan the horizon. With hand raised shading her eyes, her present posture seemed to accentuate her lovely bust line. Then she licked her lip, presumably to taste the salt from the sea, but it reminded Ross how she’s done the same thing earlier in the cave to signal a job well done. This did little to assuage Ross’s annoyance.

“He couldn't have gone far…” Odgers fretted.

“Oh there he is!” Demelza laughed and pointed to a very small creature, barely noticeable amongst the sharp dune grass behind them. 

“Mufasa! Come, boy!” Odgers pleaded but the dog in question lifted his hind leg in defiance, ignoring his master’s calls. The man took a few steps and the little devil immediately scurried off in the opposite direction.

“Oh dear!” Odgers began to run in an inefficient arc to catch the errant Mufasa. The black spaniel barked great editorials at his heels then abandoned the scene entirely to chase a gull at the water’s edge. “Thank you, miss--and God bless!” Odgers called over his shoulder to Demelza, failing to acknowledge Ross was also present.

“Good lord!” Demelza laughed and took Ross’s hand in hers.

“The man's a fool,” Ross grumbled.

“In more ways than one.” She wove his fingers through hers, then raised their joined hand to admire her work. “First of all, Daniel? Daniel, the spaniel?” She rolled her eyes playfully and Ross found himself smiling. “And the other one? Oh you didn't catch it? No, you wouldn’t, would you. Our dear Reverend Mister Odgers thinks he’s so very clever. Mufasa is a lion from The Lion King. So Daniel and the…?” She danced on one foot waiting for Ross to catch the vicar’s Old Testament joke.

“Is that what passes for humour at the vicarage these days? Or for dog training?” Ross was someone who tended to like dogs but the Odgers pack had gotten under his skin.

“I think the small one is what’s known as a Chiweenie--dachshund and chihuahua mix.”

“Well, the man’s giving him exactly what he wants. A game of chase.”

“Then we should admire the little fella for being such a quick learner,” she said, then read his mood and softened her tone. “Oh Ross, forget Odgers. He’s long gone now. It's just us and the gulls again.”

“Yes, of course,” Ross said and watched her lick her salty lips again. 

Come to me now thus, Goddess, and release me

From distress and pain…

“Demelza,” he teased, ”Tell me, when did you get so friendly with clergymen? Is this one of your newly learned devices?”

“Are you suggesting that somehow I shouldn’t be polite to him of all people? That I should quiver in his very reverent presence--and that of his sacred dogs?” She dropped his hand in mock alarm and raised a brow. Then she smiled to show she was teasing back. “Truly, Ross, I was no more neighbourly to Odgers than I would be to any other passersby,” she added. 

Still, she’d managed the scene so well. And once again Ross was impressed at her poise, her own valuation of herself--and her deceit.

“Demelza,” he laughed. “You may very well act innocent but we both know where your mouth was two minutes ago.”

“Hmmn…” She played along. “I seem to recall something vaguely entertaining occurred between us this afternoon but that was far more than two minutes ago. In fact, it has already faded from my mind. Or maybe it just wasn't so memorable?”

“Oh, you are a little devil,” he said and pulled her close for a kiss. “Perhaps you need a fresh lesson to remind you.”

“Yes, Ross,” she said, “Perhaps I do.”

----

Notes: Verse Ross quotes come from Sappho’s “Ode to Aphrodite”. Read it here.  Do I think Ross would have read A level Classics and Sappho at school? No, I do not. But I liked the poem so let's just tuck that away under “artistic licence.” Also, line borrowed from Demelza’s first Trenwith Christmas visit in Ross Poldark: A Novel of Cornwall: “But she was learning fast that people, even well-bred people like those, had a surprising tendency to take you at your own valuation.”

[tamsiblings]

also zoe in relation to the mal & simon conflict is sooo fascainting to me. because like. obviously she is Fucking Extremely Loyal To Mal -

but part of the sense we're supposed to go get is that the especially rough times they've fallen into has affected everyone, ofc, to some degree, but mal and simon particularly both seem to have hardened a fair amount and become even more distant. and zoe more openly questions mal in the film than in any episode (not just asking about the man who begged them to take him with them, but also the plan to disguise themselves as reavers, etc.)

and zoe has historically actually been a bit of a mediator for mal and others - and maybe simon in particular. not to like an insane degree bc that's not her job, but she's a little better with people than mal is in all honesty hdshhs like in the pilot she steps in and answers simon's questions about the supplies, etc. in a deleted scene with him (while it's not exactly 100 percent friendly) zoe tries to explain both serentiy valley and mal to simon.) and while she and simon are not like ridiculously close best friends, she has a much friendlier/less fraught relationship with simon than mal does.

so in the two instances of violence between them when her reaction is emphasized, the contrast between them is fascinating to me!

because she sees simon punch mal - and her reaction is honestly pretty tame / appeasing, where i don't think the vast majority of people would get that reaction from her re: attacking mal. (i think she'd be more inclined to give the crew the benefit of the doubt ofc, but even then, i think the Reason would matter a lot.) she GETS why simon's upset. she's not yelling at him when she says river felt the reavers coming and they would have been left there otherwise; she sounds imploring. and she's not imploring him to stop attacking - he's already stopped, she clearly doesn't think he's going to continue attacking mal, she's not advancing on him or trying to physically intervene. he got his one shot in, don't think he wanted or intended on more, and i don't think it honestly crossed anyone's mind that he was going to try for a second one (mal is obviously pissed and threatens to shoot him, but honestly the fact that he doesn't react more physically and is JUST yelling says a lot.) and like. i love simon and will defend him on the "he's scrappy as hell" front forever and ever. but he's also not a trained combatant, i very much doubt zoe even thinks simon COULD take mal in a fair fight (rather than the sucker punch he pulled) and she's probably right. so she's not imploring him to stop; she's trying to calm him down. and she also, i think we're supposed to implicitly understand, is worried about him making the rash decision to leave that he does then make. when she talks with mal not long after about the tams leaving, she acknowledges that things will probably run more smoothly without simon and river on board - which is not anything knew. she said the same thing back in safe re: jayne's words about things running simpler without fugitives on board. "he's right, you know." but knowing that is not the same thing as wanting it to happen. and of course they went back for the tams anyway. this time, zoe's the driving force pushing the issue - mal's pissed enough to act like he's glad about it (and he's never gonna beg anyone to stay) - and i think there's a certain level where that's true and a certain level where it's not (it WOULD make things simpler, but also, it's two more people leaving the crew after book and inara already have - i do not think he wants or feels good about that) - but zoe is worried about how long they'll last on their own. so in the scene directly proceeding the punch i really do get the sense we're supposed to think zoe's trying to appease simon enough so he WON'T make the decision that he does. (in the original script i think this line also happens, but book is on the ship and a ltitle more explicitly tries to get simon to think it over).

which is a fascinating contrast to the scene with mal where he grabs simon and shoves him against the table. (sidenote: some of the dialogue from this scene is even the same as the pilot - "get your hands off me" from simon to mal, because in some ways this conflict is a bit rehashed (or at least being drawn from) the pilot so film-only watchers get a sense of it in isolation.) ANYWAY. that is a very tense scene where Everyone becomes very tense. and there's a shot specifically highlighting that zoe was - not reaching for her gun, exactly, but more lingering near it in anticipation - before the danger was passed and she stopped. and like... that is a little wild actually. like, do i think she actually would have shot mal? no - but the fact that even seemingly subconciously she was worried enough to be that on edge... is a lot. zoe is incredibly loyal to mal, but she's also deeply in tune with how he thinks and feels and his flaws. and we are, again, supposed to be getting a sense in the film that lately, mal is even MORE hardened and rougher around the edges than he historically has been. for her to be so concerned that he might genuinely harm simon (past what either of them has done to each other re: punching) is Significant - and i think the audience is suppsoed to be worried BECAUSE of how worried she is.

i don't know what the point of this is other than that maybe: i think they were having a Really rough time in the space between objects in space an the film... which is why it bothers me so much that the timeline is screwed up hdhssshsh

[bookcub]

Goodreads // Storygraph

Summary:

The action and adventure of Percy Jackson meets the complex heroines of The Cruel Prince as a family of valkyries fight to stop Ragnarök. For seventeen-year-old Bryn, being the youngest, messiest, most rebellious sister in a family of valkyries isn’t easy. Especially considering home is a Renaissance faire in Chicago full of costumed workers who see her as nothing more than a nuisance. When her mother disappears on a mission for Odin, Bryn begins having strange visions about the impending Ragnarök. Bryn senses their mother is in great danger, but her annoyingly perfect older sisters refuse to take her seriously. Their mother is, after all, captain of the valkyries. Things only take a turn for the worse when a half human, half giant named Juniper crashes the party with a violent zombie in tow, confirming Bryn’s worst fears—her visions of Ragnarök are real. If that wasn’t enough, the faire’s mysterious new addition, Wyatt the Black Knight, just so happens to have a ferocious secret that threatens everyone around him. Determined to survive Ragnarök, Bryn, Juniper, and Wyatt team up to combat the horde of monsters that keeps appearing throughout the faire. But after Bryn ignores the call to deliver Wyatt to Odin’s eternal warriors in Valhalla, choosing to save his life instead, she starts to wonder if she’ll ever get this valkyrie thing right. Whispers of divine interference—including sightings of the mischievous Loki—reach Bryn’s ears. Soon everyone at the faire becomes a suspect, leaving Bryn, her sisters, and their newfound friends the only ones who can stop the war to end all realms. Whether she’s ready or not, Bryn is about to learn how the ties between fate and choice are as interwoven and unbreakable as the bonds between sisters.

My Review:

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy to review. 

Reading Rise was like reading a YA book from 2012 but with less internalized misogyny and more openly queer characters. I had such a fun time with Bryn and her world. I have read less books about Norse Mythology than I would have liked and this will now be a fixture in my recommendations in that category. There was a good balance of explaining the lore to people who have no knowledge on the subject, as well subtle references more avid fans will catch onto earlier. 

However, the heart of the book is Bryn and her sisters, Reagan and Prima. I thought the amount of tension between them made sense, especially Bryn and Prima with Reagan as the peacekeeper. While readers are of course inclined to side with Bryn, it is easy to understand Prima’s motivations, despite vibrating in agreement with Bryn (and her questionable choices). I also liked how the absent parents were explained, especially that their mom is alive and does live with them but is on a super special Valkyrie meeting (as one does). 

The love story between Bryn and Wyatt was sweet. I enjoyed it, however, it was forgettable in comparison to the other interpersonal relationships of the novel. I am excited to see them develop in the future books. I also enjoyed the new friendship between Juniper and Bryn and the way they learned from each other. I love when a magical person discovers "the real world" and reacts to it in any story! I had a fun time and it felt nostalgic in the best ways! 

Overall, I had a fun time and think YA fantasy and Norse mythology fans alike will enjoy this book as well. Recommended to those who like reading about complicated sisterly relationships and YA fantasy adventures! Four out of five stars!

(Full disclosure, I do know the author! I don’t think this influenced how much I liked the novel, but I do prefer when other reviewers disclose this fact, so I am as well.) 

[the-hidden-writer]

A Piece of True Fiction: Chapter 6

An Alan Wake 2 fic. Spoilers for Alan Wake 2!

Summary: Aleksi Kesä manages to slip out of the spiral and film he was trapped in.

Saga Anderson, caught in the middle of Wake's horror story, finds a man that looks identical to her partner in the middle of the woods. He's lost, confused, and only seems to speak Finnish. Saga has to try and uncover the truth as well as trying to save her family. Where did he come from? How did he get here?

And where's her Casey?

Chapter Summary: Saga finally confronts Alan. Words: 2,524 AO3 Link: [Here!] [First part] [Previous part] [Next part]

A Piece of True Fiction

Chapter 6: Too Soon

“I just don’t understand. It was in my hands, but I could’ve sworn I was reading it for the first time.”

Saga fights the urge to roll her eyes as an FBC medic finishes wrapping her wound. Kesä had done a pretty decent job in Coffee World considering the circumstances, but it does feel better to know it’s been professionally done with less risk of infection. An amputation is the last thing she needs right now.

Right now, she’s itching to speak to Wake. The longer she sits still, the more her thoughts drift to Logan. The more her fury at the writer festers.

She’d described how she’d found Kesä to Estevez while she was being treated (in the morgue of all places). She’d also explained some of her own concerns, such as the mystery of how he ended up in Coffee World, Watery, when she’d last left him in Bright Falls and taken the car herself.

All the more reason she desperately needs to talk to Wake. He was the last person with Casey, and potentially the only person who could explain what’s going on.

Annoyingly, Estevez seems too caught up in her own experience to actually hear what she’s trying to tell her.

“I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I’m lead here for a reason”, the FBC agent continues. “I study and analyze every detail about a case before heading into the field and I’ve never had memory problems before. I should know this file inside out. I’m more inclined to believe that something paranatural’s at work here.”

“And the Finnish part didn’t tip you off?” Saga asks. She’s grateful that the FBC are taking her seriously though she’s also getting increasingly frustrated by them.

They’re acting too composed and methodical for a situation so dire and terrifying. Sure, Saga’s circles within the FBI are also fairly organized, but the FBC agents are on a whole other level. The way they mill around and make use of the small, rural space available to them is almost dystopian. Part of her wonders if it was a mistake coming here and if she’s ended up confining herself to their agency, when she could be outside trying to fix things and actually be making progress.

Estevez scoffs at her comment. 

“Reality’s malleable here. It’s harder to take people for their word.” She frowns. “Then again, we do have Wake in custody…”

Their conversation is interrupted by a shout and a clatter of metal from the other side of the room.

Saga looks over at the source of the noise, where she can just about make out a very uncomfortable-looking Kesä sitting on an examination table, surrounded by four FBC agents holding various items. One has a tablet, another has a clipboard, and another has a stethoscope. The fourth, the only one empty-handed, is recovering from being shoved backward. A reflex hammer lies on the cold floor by their feet.

“Saga!” Kesä cries out, peering between the agents to catch her eye. "Nämä ei helvetti suostu jättämään minua rauhaan! Puhu järkeä niille!"

Estevez approaches them. “What’s the problem?”

The female agent with the clipboard looks at her boss guiltily. “Don’t know, Ma’am. He’s not co-operating.”

“What about the translator?” Estevez demands.

“He’s refusing to type into the software.”

“Can’t you just get a verbal translator?” Saga asks from her side of the morgue, shrugging away the agent tending to her. “It can’t be hard to find one here.”

“I’ll agree with you on it being more convenient,” answers Estevez, “but bringing in external specialists without the Director's approval would be going against protocol.”

“Fuck the protocol!” Saga exclaims, no longer able to suppress her anger. “This is bigger than that! I don’t know how, but I don’t think that just because Wake’s here it means he can’t change reality. If you won’t take my word for it, fine, but I know things are changing and even you’ve acknowledged it. Why the fuck do you have a file on Casey anyway?!”

“That’s cla-”

“Classified, of course.”

While Saga regains her breath, Agent Estevez appears taken aback and the room is silent. Even Kesä looks somewhat shocked by her outburst.

“Just let me talk to Wake.” Saga pleads, more calmly. “I know more about Casey than you do. He’s my partner. Understanding Wake’s part in all this is the only way we can start figuring out how to fix it.”

The last part is a partial lie. It’s true, she needs to understand, but maybe getting the Clicker to him would be a quicker and more efficient fix.

Estevez sighs. “You have a point. Okay, you win, Anderson.”

Saga opens her mouth to respond but Estevez cuts her off. “-But, I’ll accompany you to the cells. Wake’s been agitated and I don’t want you getting hurt. Not to mention that the station’s cameras are video-only and it’s important for us to know what’s going on.”

Shit. If Estevez goes with her, she won’t be able to hand over the Clicker in secret. She can’t risk them taking it away from her.

“You really think he’ll talk to the agents that locked him up the first chance they got?” Saga argues, hoping that she’s passing off as convincing. “I’m FBI, I know how to handle an interrogation. I’ll pass on anything he tells me. For what it’s worth, you have my word.”

A tense minute of contemplation, then: “...Fine. I’ll unlock the door for you.”

Saga lets out a small sigh of relief. “Thanks, Agent.”

She’d really thought that she’d have to fight harder for her case. Still, she isn’t complaining that she’s getting her way.

“I don’t feel good about this at all,” says Estevez, moving toward the exit and beckoning for Saga to follow. “But we really don’t have much of a choice.”

As Saga stands, Kesä speaks up. "Mitä nyt? Mihin olet menossa?"

“We’ll work on getting a translator in the meantime.” Estevez remarks, already walking through the corridor toward the staircase leading up.

Saga hesitates in the doorway. Aleksi’s face is full of confusion, but also holds a twinge of sadness. Maybe even betrayal. They stare at each other for a moment, locked in another exchange via glances. 

Saga is the one to break away, guiltily shooting him a reassuring smile before turning to follow Estevez.

“I promise I’ll be back.”

Saga follows Estevez out of the morgue and back into the station itself. A wave of unease washes over her. She’s getting her way, but something about the situation leaves her feeling unnerved. She feels weirdly unprepared, like she’s missing something important and shouldn’t see Wake without it.

But she has the Clicker. That’s the main thing she needs, right? She tries to shake the feeling away and focus on the present.

How should she approach the situation with Wake? She wants to hold him accountable for his actions- hell, she wants to kill him for what he’s done to Logan, but she knows that she can’t. She could just give him the Clicker without saying a word. 

She won’t do that, though. She needs answers. She needs to hear him acknowledge what he did.

They reach the cell block door and Estevez pulls out a keycard. Before she gets the chance to use it, one of the officers approaches her.

“Uh, Ma’am? We might have a-”

“Give me a second, Young.” Estevez interrupts. “Let me just let Agent Anderson in.”

The door is unlocked and the light above the door turns green.

“I’ll lock this behind you for safety reasons”, explains Estevez. “Just knock four times when you’re ready to come out. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Saga does. She thinks. “I do. Thanks, Estevez.”

Estevez nods and turns to address the anxious officer to the side.

Saga opens the door.

She walks in. The door closes behind her and green turns to red.

“Saga!” 

The voice that greets her isn’t Wake’s, but Ilmo’s. She spots him in the cell closest to her and he stands up when she enters. In the midst of dealing with Kesä, Ilmo’s involvement had slipped her mind. The man looks disheveled and almost animalistic- a far cry from the friendly and confident persona she was used to seeing.  Ilmo steps right up to the bars of the cage to face her, practically snarling. “Fucking FBI, FBC, you government fucks all fucking this up for us! Where the fuck is my brother?!”

That uneasy feeling settles over Saga again. Instinctively, she looks over to the adjacent cell to Ilmo’s. The cell is empty.

When she doesn’t reply, Ilmo bangs his fist against the metal bar. “What the fuck have you done to him?!”

“I…” Saga doesn’t know what to say. Her mind replays the events of the hour since they’d arrived at the station. She doesn’t remember seeing or even hearing any mention of Jaakko Koskela. “Ilmo, Jaakko isn’t here.”

“Bullshit!” Ilmo spits. “You fuckers have done something. Something’s wrong with him, and you-”

“How do you know?” Saga interjects. 

“I just know!” Ilmo responds. It sounds more like a childish whine. Saga picks up on an element of desperation in his posture and voice, and suddenly something clicks. He sounds just like how she feels on the inside, desperate to get Logan back and to help Casey. He’s worried for his twin, but he’s locked up and helpless. She can’t help but sympathize with him.

She goes to respond, to inquire more about Jaakko’s whereabouts, when another voice speaks up from a cell further down.

“Saga? Is that you?”

Wake.

Her feet start to carry her toward his cell.

“No, don’t fucking talk to him, Saga.” Ilmo says behind her. “He’s a fucking monster! You don’t know what you’re dealing with, let me out!”

Saga ignores him.

Like Ilmo, Alan Wake stands at the edge of his cell to face her, except he’s gripping the bars so tightly that his knuckles are turning white. If she thought Ilmo looked animalistic, Wake is that turned up to eleven. He wears jeans, a bloodied white tee, and an unhinged expression.

“Do you have it?” he asks.

Saga sees red.

“You wrote Logan into the story,” she says coolly. “You told me yourself, from the Dark Place.”

Wake doesn’t react to her words, and instead carries on with his crazy spiel. “Listen! I think something’s wrong. Something- something’s off. The balance is… Scratch is-”

“My daughter is dead because of you! She’s a child.” Saga hisses. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Alan shakes his head. “I’m trying to fix this. I will fix this, I’ll save everyone, I just need to know what’s happening. There’s something different, just- Just give me the Clicker. I’ll fix everything. We’re running out of time.”

Saga fights the urge to slap the man.

“And Casey?” she asks. “You change his memories to what? Tear us apart? You already ruined his life with your writing, and you just had to do it again. You are one selfish fuck.”

Alan groans, frustrated. “No, I just…”

He trails off. His grip on the iron bars loosens. “I…”

He takes a step back. His strained expression morphs into one of confusion.

“...What?”

“Don’t play dumb. You admitted to using my family as part of your sick story. Well, you’ve gone miles over the goddamn line. How did you get him to Watery?”

Alan lets out a sound of disbelief. “What are you- What was that about memories? I don’t think I…”

“And why Finnish?” Saga snaps. “You twisted so much of him for no reason, even his name. How does this help anything?”

“Saga.” Alan says loudly, breaking her out of her rant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Saga waits for the prickling in her skin or the flash in her mind or any indication that he might be lying.

When none comes, she is taken aback. “What?”

“I didn’t do anything to Casey.” Wake states. He sounds genuine. Saga hates that. “The lodge was attacked by cultists and he ran outside, then Scratch and the Taken showed up. That’s all I know, I swear.”

“Casey showed up at Coffee World half-naked and talking in Finnish. He didn’t know where he was and he doesn’t know me at all. Are you sure you don’t know anything about that?”

Saga’s grasping at straws. Wake has to be the one responsible, because if he isn’t… What then?

Alan is silent for a moment, his face blank. “No… no, I don’t. I’m trying to remember… you said Finnish, right?”

“What are you talking about?” Ilmo cuts in, sounding very concerned. “Saga? What’s going on?”

“Yes, Finnish.” Saga looks at Ilmo, responding to Alan. With Alan claiming to know nothing, she’s willing to take answers from anyone. She’s starting to feel very, very scared for her partner.

“Give me the Clicker.” Alan says firmly, extending a hand through the bars. “It doesn’t matter what’s been happening on the outside, I’ll fix it all. Just give it to me.”

Ilmo bangs on the bars again. “Don’t fucking give it to him!”

Saga feels conflicted. On one hand, she’d worked so hard to get the Clicker. She’d risked her life, even, and it was all for the sake of saving Logan. As far as she knows, giving Wake the Clicker is the only way of getting her daughter back.

The new question that makes her hesitate is: does that extend to Casey?

Wake admitted to using Logan. She heard him say so himself, and she resents him for it. But he’s adamant in his stance that he didn’t use Casey in the same way. As much as Saga wants to blame it on him and believe he’s lying, there are too many facts that don’t add up. How would the addition of ‘Aleksi Kesä’ help the horror story? It only causes a delay, if anything. It’s a distraction and it’s unlike any of the other changes Wake has been making.

So if he has no idea, how will he be able to fix him? By handing over the Clicker, will she save Logan but doom Casey?

Even though her daughter comes first, she can’t bring herself to do that to her partner. She needs more information to get a better understanding of the situation.

“I don’t have it.” She lies.

“Thank God.” She hears Ilmo mumble.

Both of them are startled when Alan suddenly violently slams the bars of his own cell. “I knew something was different. Fuck!”

He pulls back, his fists clenched.

Saga realizes that with this lie, she needs a new plan ASAP.

Wake seems to have a similar thought process because he turns back around with wide, frantic eyes. “Saga, listen to me, you need to-”

He is cut off by all the overhead lights blacking out at once, leaving the three of them in total darkness.

Alan and Ilmo curse simultaneously.

Gunshots emanate from the door leading to the station, followed by shouts, followed by screams. Saga rushes over and tries to open it. It’s still locked.

Fuck. Not again.

Finnish translations:

"Nämä ei helvetti suostu jättämään minua rauhaan!" = "These people won't leave me the fuck alone!"

"Puhu järkeä niille!" = "Talk sense into them!"

"Mitä nyt? Mihin olet menossa?" = "What now? Where are you going?"

Thanks for reading! I hope you'll stick with me for the ride...

[blondieebruce]

NORAH PARKER as greek loves;

a “get to know your oc” post, but I’ll do it with the ones that fit them best

Philia - Affectionate, Platonic Love.

1. Does your OC have a Best Friend? If they do then how long have they known each other and how did they meet? If they don't then do they have a close group of friends they love equally? Or are they more of a loner?

Yes! Norah’s longest and most cherished friendship is with Amelie Auclair, whom she has known since kindergarten. They both clicked instantly and despite being somewhat different from one another, their friendship is one of the most important things in Norah’s life, specially after the incident on SCREAM. Norah also developed deep meaningful friendships with Jonathan Coleman and Paul Meize, who she also shares trauma with. She met them both around age 13, and sees Jon mostly like a little brother while harbors romantic feelings towards Paul.

The four of them constitute are known as “The Core Four”

2. Does your OC find it easy to make friends? Or are there barriers to them doing so? If so then are these due to issues of inclination, communication, or something else entirely?

After being betrayed by two of her friends, Norah can become aware and untrusting when it comes to new friendships, coming off even as a bit aggressive towards new people when she feels intimidated.

3. What qualities does your OC most value in a friend? Loyalty? Shared sense of humour? Or something else?

Loyalty and protectiveness. Norah thinks that if you love someone, you’d naturally feel the need to protective and take care of their well being when needed, even if it means putting your own at risk. She feels specially protective over Amelie and Jhonny.

4. Is your OC able to build close friendships with people very different from themselves Perhaps in terms of culture, age or personality?

Before 2016, Norah could be friends with total strangers if given enough time to talk and know them. In the nowadays, she’s very picky, choosing to maintain superficial relations with her college peers, mostly interacting with people that match her energy (in terms of personality, opinions, etc) and that are acquaintances with her best friends.

5. What is their most fervent wish for their best friends)? How far would they go to make it happen?

For now, Norah wishes for her friends to get over their trauma and fears and to live happily and safely. She really wants Amelie to find stability in her relationship, and can go as far as starting conflict with another of her oldest friends if she deems his behavior in that relationship to be harmful. Norah wishes for Jhonny to be like he used to before everything went down, less bitter , despite understanding the reason explaining why he’s acting that way.

She also wishes to rekindle her connection with Paul, feeling distant from him and sensing a sudden shift on his demeanor. She wishes she could make him feel safe again, and be able to protect him when the time comes where the might have to fight for their lives again.

[annoyinglandmagazine]

A Child in Her Mother’s Clothes

Summary: All is not well in Valinor under the light of the trees but the children cannot be allowed to know that. Alternatively Maedhros embodies the role of eldest daughter, Morgoth is creepy and Feanor is angry and paranoid (but is it really paranoia if people are actually out to get you?) CW for Morgoth.

‘Nelya, Nelya!’ The cries were followed by the thumping of little feet on the stone and wooden floors all the way from one side of their home in Tirion to the other until little hands were tugging at her skirts and pulling her down from her seat at the window. ‘Oh alright, alright, I’m coming sweethearts just give me a second to put my bookmark in!’ She laughed while swatting them away and carefully leaving the tome on the cushion to be retrieved later. She turned to her darling baby brothers who were tugging at her in impatience and if it had been but a year ago she would have been on the floor by now, with her steps being much less sure and the two little agents of chaos determined to make her trip over her long limbs.

‘Slow down! I was out riding earlier and you know how merciless Tyelko is on hunting trips. What did you want to show me?’ She got a rather rambling explanation that she smiled and nodded along to in the appropriate places and seemed to gather that they had found some interesting sort of frog in one of the forest streams and that the poor creature was most likely in an old jar. Well she’d solve that problem when it came to it. It would scarcely be the first time she’d had to explain that little elflings can’t keep every animal they find as a pet. Far from the first time. And not only to her own brothers.

She clasped their muddy hands and allowed herself to be led down to the courtyard by the two twins, chatting at her with great enthusiasm, and exchanged amused glances with the servants she passed on her way down the narrow winding back staircase that strictly speaking wasn’t a very proper place for the now lady of her house to be. Naturally she found herself there fairly regularly. The Feanorians weren’t a very proper family and even less so without Nerdanel there to remind them to at least make an effort where others could see. Just as they were going down past the central part of the castle there was a single booming knock on the door.

‘Go on ahead, I’ll come after you in a minute, I just need to see what they want.’ She waved them on and despite their complaints they obeyed her as they usually did in the end. As most people usually did in the end. She brushed off the mud specks on the folds of her gown left by the pads of small fingertips and pushed some loose strands of hair into a pin while striding to the entrance hall. She unbolted the door and fixed that smile onto her face, the one she’d been told made her look both nice and pretty by many and far less intelligent than she was by her father. She privately agreed with him on this matter but he could never understand the benefits of not playing your full hand when such a ploy would never have worked for him. He could never understand that when someone expects a naive and beautiful daughter they will accept that that is all there is with very little convincing and the many uses of this to the skilled actress.

She changed tack slightly once she saw who their unexpected visitor was, standing in the porch, sheltered by trees they’d planted themselves to give security and privacy from all her father’s enemies lurking behind every corner waiting to wheedle their way in the cracks as they already had into the children’s nightmares and peace of mind. She had felt rather inclined to yell at Atar for that one, there had been no need to frighten them so to justify their growing isolation that was truthfully more his fault than any other.

She may have yelled at him then, and no doubt the image would have reminded her painfully of some of her most recent memories of her Amme if she had (Atar always told her she looked uncannily like her mother when she was angry. Oddly she thought this was intended as a compliment). She may have if she hadn’t realised that it wasn’t only her brother’s dreams they haunted, that how fabricated they may or may not be was beside the point because, in that dark, steam filled forge with that light to turn all other light to shadow piercing through the haze, they were real to the only mind that truly mattered in this family.

And so when she saw one in front of her something in her grew wary and hardened in a way all but alien to her yet came on instinct. She dropped all the softness and false genuineness in her smile and when she spoke she stayed perfectly civil but drew herself up to her full height and allowed just a hint of that steel edge to peak out from under her smooth tone. ‘Hello. I expect you’ll have come here to speak to my father but as he is otherwise occupied at present I may answer your queries if that is satisfactory to you.’

Melkor smiled, also perfectly civil of course but with just a bit too much pleasure to be appropriate for this conversation. ‘I don’t suppose I could trouble you with coming inside for a minute? To await your father’s return.’ And of course there was no refusal that would be suitable for her to make to one of the Valar, not without causing graver insult than her father had yet which was certainly not her objective. She stood aside with more practiced smiles and words while she found herself praying without true knowledge why that the twins stayed outside.

They sat in the nearest drawing room for entertaining guests and he turned to her with another polite smile while looking her up and down appraisingly with cool, dark eyes. ‘You must be the eldest, Maitimë. A well chosen name.’ She felt cold claws of dread climbing down her back into the base of her stomach and it was a sensation she wasn’t familiar with. She had heard such comments before but only meant as slightly awkward compliments, never in a way that made her feel as if she were being threatened somehow, as if the Vala was seeing all the ways in which she could be twisted to his own devices.

She felt strongly aware of the house dress she was attired in, decent to greet company in of course but a thin summer garment that left much skin exposed and fitted to the rest in a way that left a deep discomfort with being appraised in such a manner. She understood that this was not the gaze of a nér unto a nís but somehow this was much more sinister in her mind. She did not like sitting here with him alone but knew that she should like it even less if the children were here also, though why she could not ascertain. He was a Vala, it was not as if there was any reason for worry here other than her father’s paranoia, she was simply working herself up.

‘Your father is in the forge is he not? Shall he grace us with his presence?’ This was said with a little smirk to her, much like one her grandfather would give her to let her in on a joke. It still failed to put her at ease however, in fact such uninvited familiarity just added to the growing sense of discomfort in having him here in their home, though she acted as though it did. She smiled back, the politician’s smile her father was much more fond of, ‘Why yes, I believe he should be along at some point in the next hour.’

He leaned forward in his chair to snag a lock of flame red hair and examine it between spindly fingers lazily as she became deathly still, hardly daring to chance a breath. He smiled ‘Feanor’s so very proud of you. You can just tell how important you are to him.’ He’s a Vala, he’s a Vala, he’s being friendly, don’t be rude you’re not your father, don’t cause a scene we can’t afford that he needs you to be the diplomat, the children are outside-

The fingers released her hair and in the process brushed against the pale freckled skin of her cheek in a lingering way that left no doubt to whether it was an accident. And the touch was like ice that burned and her heart was hammering in her chest and suddenly the only thought spinning through her mind was a desperate plea ripping itself out of every cell in her body. Atya.

When Feanor flung the door open less than a minute later Melkor’s hand was trailing down the side of her bare neck, his enjoyment being not of her smooth skin but of having one so strong willed and precious to Feanor freeze with fear, to exert control over her. And his eyes burned with white flame that he trained on the Vala with all his force. What may have happened next there is no way of knowing for at that moment a small child appeared at the doorway and turned to his father with wide eyes. ‘Why did you leave in the middle of our work Atar? Who is this?’

Feanor’s eyes never left Melkor’s, who was looking at the whole incident with and expression of mild amusement and confusion. ‘Nelya. Be a good girl and take your brother outside.’ Maedhros stood gracefully despite the tremors in her bones and crossed the room to Atarinkë, scooping him up into her arms in one motion and he rested his head on her shoulder reflexively as she strode out without any further word, willing her heartbeat to slow as she relied on its steadiness to calm her brother.

‘What’s going on Nelya?’ Maitimë spoke soothingly while lifting him above her head to a fit of giggles from the younger child. ‘Oh nothing’s going on little one, Atya is just going to talk to that person about work things, nothing you need to trouble yourself about. Amrod and Amras should be about here, let’s find something to play together, alright?’ And she lowered her voice to a playful whisper of the kind that worked so perfectly every time by implying the imparting of some great secret no others could know of. ‘And later you and I can make some honey cakes, just the two of us. Does that sound like a plan to you?’

[thevibraniumveterans]

REBELS REWATCH

S1E11 — IDIOT’S ARRAY

In the Ghost’s main cargo hold, Ezra sits atop a few crates, levitating his helmet and likely practicing his focusing skills. Nearby, Sabine sits on green and off-white speeder bike, receiving pointers from Hera. Zeb walks in, looking guilty; Hera is just as confused as Sabine.

Zeb explains his side of the story, while Ezra looks on, surprised at the revelation at Chopper being betted on, and to Lando, of all people.

Zeb and Ezra are hanging out by the holochess table, keeping an eye on Lando and Chopper, who are standing in front of a large mural of a phoenix that Sabine has painted.. Zeb notes, “Can’t believe the little bolt bucket’s actually waiting on that guy.” Ezra is entirely too smug at this turn of events, leaning back with one hand behind his head. Grinning, he says, “I can’t believe you lost Chopper. Good thing I wasn’t there. You’d have bet me.” Zeb replies, “Mmm, nah. You wouldn’t have covered the pot. Besides, I think Calrissian cheated.” Ezra tells him, “You’re just a sore loser. Lando seems nice enough.” Zeb, however, disagrees: “I’m telling you, I don’t like that guy.”

Sabine approaches Chopper and Lando, who greets Sabine and says, “I understand this is your work.” Ezra, however, becomes suspicious and leans forward, a frown replacing his grin. Lando continues, “Reminds me of Janyor’s protest paintings on Bith.” Sabine, being the Ghost’s residential artist who takes pride in her various pieces of artwork, shows that she understands historical and art-related references, something she likely got from her dad. She responds, “Janyor of Bith is a major influence.” Appreciative of fine art, Lando compliments Sabine’s artistry: “Well, your work is even more stunning in its simplicity.” Ezra gets up from his seat, telling Sabine, “Hey, I told you your stuff was good months ago.” Sabine frowns, and responds, “Yeah, but you didn’t know why.” This is curious because while Sabine is much more art-inclined, Ezra isn’t too much into the arts. He’s only said that because he might be a bit jealous, as Lando is a bit of a ladies’ man himself. However, it should be noted that Sabine told Ezra he “didn’t know why”, as a reference to how he didn’t know the specifics of what or why she was painting, who she was inspired by, and so on, but Lando, having pointed out a historical fact, understood the finer points of fine art, and complimented on the technicality of Sabine’s artwork. Lando notices this exchange, and says, “That’s hardly fair.” Sabine looks away. Lando continues, “He’s just a child with no experience of the galaxy.” (Which, in a way, is true, and as a result, ends up becoming something of an unintended backhanded insult.) Zeb, watching this whole interaction go down, tries to cover the fact that he’s laughing at Ezra’s expense. Ever proud of her artwork, and partly because hosts should impart a good impression upon their guests, Sabine asks, “I don’t suppose you’d like to see my more impressionistic pieces?” Sabine uses a technical term to showcase her knowledge and skill, not because she’s a showoff, but because it’s a good thing when an artist invites someone who is appreciative of their artwork’s specific technicalities. Lando replies, “I happen to be an impressionistic connoisseur. That means—” In the background, Ezra remains standing, hands on his hips, none too pleased. He looks away but interrupts: “I know what it means.” But he doesn’t. Sabine walks away. Ezra turns to Zeb and asks, “Hey, what does that mean?” Zeb replies, “A lot less than he thinks.” Having changed his mind, Ezra notes, “I don’t like that guy.” Yes, Lando is shady, charming, and a smooth-talker, but it’s less so about those and more so that it’s most likely, and pretty evident, that Ezra is jealous that some stranger is talking to his crush. It should also be noted that jealousy is not a good look on Ezra.

After some time, Sabine says to Kanan, “Quite a day you’re having. First, you lose Chopper, now Hera.” Sabine looks away, but interestingly, the shot stays on her just barely a second longer than is absolutely necessary.

The Ghost leaves. Inside, Ezra is tinkering with the speeder bike that Sabine had previously been checking out earlier this episode. Zeb, Lando, and Chopper approach with the cargo as promised. Ezra wonders what is inside, but Lando lies. Ezra is a bit suspicious, and Zeb is confused. There seems to be something alive in there.

Hera escapes the other ship in an escape pod as discussed, and Sabine heads to the airlock with Lando to intercept Hera.

Ezra and Zeb discuss whether they should open the crate; it is opened anyway, and a puffer pig comes out. Ezra thinks it’s “kinda cute” but doesn’t know what it is. The creature, however, sees Zeb and flees up the ladder, and Ezra and Zeb pursue it. The puffer pig bounds past the pilot’s bay where Kanan is sitting. Kanan is bewildered, and Ezra shrugs and continues chasing the poor animal. He and Zeb continue running around trying to catch the puffer pig, and pass the corridor where Chopper, Sabine, Hera, and Lando are standing. Sabine is surprised, as is Hera. Lando, unhelpfully, states, “That’s what was in the crate.” The puffer pig bumps into Chopper but continues running; Ezra takes advantage of that and tries to grab the creature, but falls down. Lando advises that the best course of action is to not scare the creature, but that is exactly what Zeb inadvertently does.

The puffer pig, well, puffs up. Sabine and Hera are astonished.The puffer pig scared stiff, blocks the hallway, momentarily separating Ezra and Kanan from Sabine, Hera, and Lando. On one side of the poor creature, Ezra overhears Lando on the other side suggest that he’d like to purchase some of Sabine’s artwork. On a surface level, this could mean that the Spectres get paid either way, which could benefit them. However, Ezra isn’t too pleased with Lando’s phrasing. Sabine asks Lando, “Really? My work. You’d pay?” Ezra clambers up the puffer pig, stating, “Oh, he’ll pay.” The creature gets scared further and expands again.

Of course, the Imperials discover the Spectres’ ploy, and fires upon them. Sabine, stuck on one side of the Ghost, fires back at the Imperials from the gunner’s bay.

Hera confronts Lando: “All right. Enough with the divide and conquer. You think by setting us against each other, you’ll keep us off-balance enough to get what you want. But what you want depends on my crew working together in sync. Is that clear?”

The Ghost touches down on Lothal, puffer pig and Lando in tow. The crew exits the ship, and Ezra tells Zeb, “This time, try to keep it calm. We don’t want you inflating it again.” Zeb protests: “Hey, it wasn’t my fault.” Half amused, Ezra responds, “It’s your faces fault.”

A shootout ensues, and Ezra and Kanan take cover behind a few crates. Ezra reaches for his newly constructed gun/saber combo, and Kanan immediately disapproves of Ezra using the saber. Ezra says, “You worry too much.” He takes aim, and downs a guard with an energy bolt. Kanan is surprised, amazed, and a little zealous: “Hey, mine doesn’t do that.” Ezra replies, “Nope. I might not be able to sword fight yet, but I can shoot.” Kanan grins: “Kid, you continue to impress.” Ezra notes, “…Just not as much as Lando.”

Taking advantage of the puffer pigs distractions, Sabine leaps onto a landspeeder, and jumps onto the other side of it, catapulting herself into the air, bounces off the puffer pig, and disappears to the other side of the building. Illuminated by the night sky, she takes aim at two assailants, and shoots twice, her shots scaring them enough to run.

Post shoot-out, the Spectres walk back to the Ghost. Zeb and Chopper head up the ramp, followed by Hera and Kanan. Ezra and Sabine are the last to board. Kanan and Hera have a little discussion. Hera says, “Well, we got Chopper back.” Kanan replies, “I”m looking for a positive here.” Hera tells him, “There are a lot of things we couldn’t accomplish without him. You should appreciate that more.” Behind them, Sabine and Ezra walk up the ramp. Evidently, Ezra has been paying attention to the conversation, because he proceeds to admit, “I always appreciated you, Sabine.” Note that here, the statement is completely DEVOID of any flirtatious intent and tone, and it’s only expressed with honest admiration. Sabine takes off her helmet, closes the ramp, smiles, and responds with, “Yes, Ezra, I know.” As Hera and Kanan continue their conversation, Ezra follows Sabine into the ship. Hera turns around to head back into the ship as well.

Sabine stops before a pile of crates, and grins: “Oh, hey, Chopper stole Lando’s fuel!” By the landing bay, Ezra watches the conversation, and smiles.

[pesterloglog]

Rose Lalonde, Dirk Strider

Act 1, page 610-614

ROSEBOT: Looks like you're getting pretty good at motivational speaking.

DIRK: Well someone needed to shake the rust off of her.

DIRK: She's getting nerves.

DIRK: Right before the big game.

DIRK: We're never gonna make it to nationals at this rate.

ROSEBOT: Ah, fuck. The sports.

ROSEBOT: How quickly I forgot them.

DIRK: There's gotta be some kind of sports penalty, for forgetting the sports.

ROSEBOT: Oh, definitely.

ROSEBOT: I've been very bad and I need to be punished, to preserve the integrity of the sports.

DIRK: Let me just slip into my jackass sports judge mime outfit and get to laying down the fucking sports law.

ROSEBOT and DIRK: Let's stop saying sports.

DIRK and ROSEBOT: Agreed.

DIRK: Speaking of outfits, though, look at you.

ROSEBOT: You like it?

DIRK: It's chic.

DIRK: I dig the return of the hood.

DIRK: You could deliver a whole hell of a lot of cryptic prophecies out from under that sucker.

ROSEBOT: Yes, well, I figured that if I'm to appear before our chosen peoples as a harbinger of their simultaneous doom and salvation, I may as well look the part.

DIRK: Do you feel the part?

ROSEBOT: It doesn't really matter what I feel.

ROSEBOT: We have a job to do, and I'm trying to enjoy myself to the best of my ability while we do it.

DIRK: Trying, huh.

ROSEBOT: Speaking frankly, I've grown tired of...

ROSEBOT: This.

ROSEBOT: Fussing over all the tedious minutiae of getting the baby's room ready.

ROSEBOT: The prospect of this Contest was entertaining to me for a time, but the longer it drags on, the closer we draw to the due date, the more it... repulses me.

ROSEBOT: I'm glad you've agreed that we're basically done tinkering here. I don't think I have much more patience for it.

DIRK: I can tell.

ROSEBOT: I'm also glad you've elected to hear Terezi out vis-a-vis the timeskip and save us the hassle of guiding the Deltritans manually.

ROSEBOT: I know it must be hard for you.

ROSEBOT: Dirk?

ROSEBOT: Dirk.

DIRK: Sorry.

DIRK: Got caught up with something.

ROSEBOT: Far be it from me to stand between you and your enigmatic somethings.

DIRK: You're welcome to stand wherever you like.

DIRK: Anyway, no, it isn't that hard for me.

DIRK: It'd be fun, but as I keep having to explain to people, I'm willing to compromise on certain points.

DIRK: Though I will say it's unfortunate to hear you making them, instead of our complainer on retainer.

ROSEBOT: What can I say?

ROSEBOT: I don't feel particularly inclined to play house right now.

DIRK: Not even with me, huh?

ROSEBOT: Not even with you.

ROSE: Thank you for taking me with you, Dirk.

DIRK: Yeah?

ROSE: I may be less than enchanted with this stage of the work, but I know it's important.

ROSE: It's just straying dangerously close to a lot of things I'm trying not to fixate on right now.

ROSE: Wounds that are still fresh, for me as a sum and for the myriad legions of my parts.

ROSE: Home.

ROSE: Family.

ROSE: Petty, little things.

ROSE: Personal things.

DIRK: Those are important, too.

ROSE: Not as important as this is.

ROSE: For all my temporary discomfort with the prospect of settling down on Deltritus and starting what could very loosely be considered a family with you, I want you to know that my heart is in what we're working towards-

DIRK: Technically, you don't have a heart.

ROSE: Shut up.

ROSE: - and that I'm happy to be here with you.

ROSE: Not drifting around in a constrictive, small pond, getting caught up in trivialities like politics and celebrity and romance,

ROSE: But saving the fucking universe.

DIRK: ...

DIRK: Well.

DIRK: You're welcome.

DIRK: I don't think there's anyone I'd rather be doing this with than you.

DIRK: The rest of them just don't have it in them right now to understand what it is we're fighting for, here.

DIRK: They can't grasp the stakes.

DIRK: Even now, they're on their way here, actively trying to stop us from saving them all.

DIRK: They'll probably catch us right before our entrance into the Game, actually.

DIRK: I won't insult you by asking if you're going to be okay when the time comes to face them, demanding answers they won't accept to questions they aren't even asking, because I know that you will.

DIRK: So I'm glad to have you with me.

DIRK: I'm glad you understand.

DIRK: I'm doing this for all of us.

[elspethdekarios]

For the 30 Questions ask meme about Tavs!!

Elspeth - 6, 7, and 26 👀

I spent entirely too much time on this...

6. How would the player go about meeting them in Act 1? What is their introduction?

As a companion, the player would find Elspeth by the docks close to Astarion–east of him, south of the nautiloid. She would be searching through discarded crates to find more sensible clothes. Canonically, she was abducted while running away from a party, and she’s wearing a silky blue dress and heels. She ditched the heels on the nautiloid, but her dress is ripped and stained, and it’s not at all practical for being stranded in the wilderness. I image you’d come upon her rummaging through a crate, and it would go something like this:

Elspeth: “Ugh! There’s got to be something other than dirty rags in here…. Hmm, this might work.…”

Player: 1. “What are you looking for?” 2. Step into her line of sight. 3. Leave.

Elspeth: “Oh! Pardon me–I didn’t see you there.” 

(response to option 1): “I’m searching for something to wear. As you can see, my current outfit isn’t exactly suitable for such conditions.” - then she asks if you were on the nautiloid/response to option 2

(response to option 2): “Wait… weren’t you on the ship? Corellon’s grace–someone else survived! How?” - player answers - El gives some kind of “Same for me” response - then she explains she’s looking for clothes/response to option 1

Elspeth: “I’m Elspeth, by the way.”

Player: “I’m ___.”

Elspeth: “Pleasure.” with a polite smile/head nod.

Elspeth notices a wound/scrape on the player - player looks down and notices it for the first time (I imagine it’s not actually shown, just implied that they didn’t realize it was there until she said something.)

Elspeth: “Nasty scrape you’ve got there. I can heal it, if you’d like?”

Player: 1. “You’re a healer? Can you remove the tadpole?” 2. “I’m not exactly inclined to trust a stranger.”

Elspeth: (option 1): “I am a healer. Unfortunately, I have no experience with mindflayer parasites… I wouldn’t even know where to start. But I do have ample training in healing wounds.” (option 2): “Understandable. I recognize my word isn’t much to go on, but I am an experienced healer. Unfortunately, I have no experience with mindflayer parasites… I wouldn’t even know where to start. But I do have ample training in healing wounds, if you change your mind.”

Player: 1. Let her heal it. 2. Refuse.

Elspeth: (option 1): “There we go. Good as new.” (option 2): no special dialogue, straight into next line that happens regardless of player’s choice: “I’m determined to find a solution to this tadpole predicament, and it appears you are too. Our odds are much improved if we work together.”

Player: 1. “You’re right. We should team up.” 2. “I don’t need your help.”

Elspeth: (option 1): “Let’s get going then.” (option 2): “Oh. Well… best of luck to you, then.”

7. Describe their arc. How would a player help resolve it? What choices can be made? Can your tav be turned down a dark path, or pulled to a lighter one?

El’s arc would have a lot to do with forgiveness and belonging. She has a very strained relationship with her family, and was surprised by some upsetting news moments before being taken by the nautiloid (full story here). She has literally zero time to process this before the tadpole becomes, by far, the worst of her problems. I imagine that El doesn’t want to flaunt her noble status to her newfound companions. It’s not that she wants to keep it a secret–she just doesn’t want to create a rift between herself and the others. It’s hindered past friendships and she’s noticed that people talk to her differently when they know who her family is: they’re more respectful, almost TOO respectful, and less authentic, like she might think less of them just on principle. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. El has never fit in with her family, and while she knows that she’s privileged to have been raised in a noble household, she doesn’t connect with the upper class like she’s expected to.

Anyway, she doesn’t bring it up at all until you meet Wyll (if you choose to not interact with Wyll, you’ll learn about it in Waukeen’s Rest when you hear about Duke Ravengard). Wyll is about ten years younger than Elspeth, but they ran in the same circles before his father exiled him from the city. She hasn’t seen him since then. They recognize each other immediately, and the rest of the party is like “y’all know each other??” and that’s when she mentions her family.

El’s storyline would be pretty chill until act 3. Acts 1 and 2 would be mainly talking to her, learning about her, getting her to open up about her troubling family dynamics. When you get to the Rosymorn Monastery, she has a short cutscene where she’s reflecting on her faith (she’s a cleric of Corellon, but has always had a liking for Lathander–dawn of a new day and all that). Here, the player can get a little snippet of her past, how she became a cleric, why she feels like the disappointment of the family, etc.

Act 3, though, would be the main plot/action of El’s storyline. Her sister’s name is on the list of victims left behind by the Bhaalists. Elspeth cannot stand her sister. Hate is too strong of a word, but they do not get along. Ariadne has always gone out of her way to make El feel belittled, ever since they were kids. But she can’t let her sister die, can she? 

I do think that this is where El can be led down a darker path if the player chooses. She’ll never be full evil or anything, but if the player chose to steer El towards being bitter and resentful towards her family in earlier conversations, she’s more likely to listen to the devil on her shoulder in act 3. She’d never agree to let her sister die, so that’s not an option, but the quest to save her sister involves some espionage, sneaking into a masquerade party, the party hiding their identities because Gortash has named them Public Enemies™ of Baldur’s Gate and we all know how the patriars love ole Gort. Anyway, long story short, the Bhaalists have planned for 2 murders to happen at this party: El’s sister and the young daughter (about 10 years old) of the party’s host. There is a way to save them both, if you’re able to be super stealthy and/or charismatic. This is the best option, obviously, but the player would be able to convince Elspeth to focus on one or the other. She feels immense guilt either way, but if she saves her sister at the expense of the child, it will haunt her for a long time, if not forever. Despite her sister being alive, this is the darkest path for her, as she blames herself for the child’s death. If she saves the child at the expense of her sister, she still feels immense guilt, and it will haunt her, but she takes solace in the fact that it was, objectively, the right thing to do.

26. Give us one of your tav's secrets!

When she was a young teenager, El took home a vial of oil from her potion-making class–an oil completely scent-less to humanoids, but a strong attractant for birds. She put a few drops of the oil into her sister’s perfume, just to see what would happen. Ariadne was bombarded by birds every time she went outside for weeks. She never realized it was the perfume, and El never told a soul. (Well, she’s probably told Gale by now lol)

[thelampisaflashlight]

Some mild venting below the cut, nothing too serious, but this makes it easier to scroll past. It's a long one, so just know that if you decide to dive in. Messy family stuff.

So two of my siblings are not really talking right now, they're not fighting, but they aren't in active communication.

For the sake of this post, we're call them Alice and Sue.

Alice is the older of the two -and the eldest sibling of the four of us- and the one who, as I understand it, the main cause of this dead air so to speak.

Out of the lot of us, Alice is the most like our mother in terms of temperament.

This is both a good and a bad thing, and, while not wholly her fault, it does lead to situations such as the one we're currently dealing with; Alice has recently had to leave her house and move into an apartment, and to top it all off, her husband, my brother-in-law, is in the hospital again.

So my aunt, we'll call her Jen, found out about this and offered to help her retrieve her belongings from a storage unit, because my aunt knows better than to undertake this task alone, she asked me if I would be willing to help out.

I said yes, as I haven't seen or talked to my sister in five years -she doesn't have my number, I don't have hers, I have offered to have Jen give it to her, she never got back to me, it is what it is- and figured there are worse ways to waste a Sunday.

Anyway, Sunday came and we had to reschedule last minute because of timing, not a problem, we're doing it this weekend instead.

Well, Aunt Jen asks me to see if I can't find other people to help out, and I say, "Yeah, I'll ask our brother and see if he can swing it."

And then she asks me about Sue.

Now, I already know Alice has issues with Sue, the details of which are... unclear.

The best I can explain it, is that Alice maybe has some resentment towards Sue that doesn't extend to our brother and myself since we're A LOT younger -talking two decades, folks, not one, but two-, whereas Alice and Sue are more or less a year apart.

Pretty much from jump street these two haven't gotten along, and while it may now go both ways, I have been told that hasn't always been the case, but my source on that is biased.

Read: the source is my father, who is neither Alice nor Sue's biological father, this is important for later, and he greatly favors Sue, as Sue was often mistaken for his child, whereas Alice greatly resembles our mom.

Anyway, Aunt Jen suggests the idea of having Sue help move Alice into her new home, and I express to her, not in a roundabout way, that I did not think it would be a good idea.

Which, of course, lead to questions, ones that I couldn't possibly know the answer to, and ones I was uncertain of whether or not *I* should be the one to answer.

Well, Sue found out I was going to help Alice move and she was...

Fine with it?

We talked a bit about it and she asked how long it had been since I'd seen Alice, and we talked a bit about her feelings on things.

Sue was pretty forthcoming with her reasons for not helping Alice, initially joking that she was being petty, but the truth is her reasons are not, how to put it?

They were valid reasons.

From having helped Alice move two times prior, her lack of communication/not initiating conversations, and...

...Not helping with their dad's end of life care and/or involving herself in the discussions about what they would be doing with him, but then delaying the internment indefinitely due to the chosen date not working for her personally.

Basically; Sue is tired of being the one having to reach out, and Alice is not inclined to asking for help/does not offer help when it is requested.

You're allowed to say you don't want to/can't help, but when it's a continued cycle of, "Can you...?" "No." it does tend to cause a rift.

But my aunt Jen doesn't see it that way.

She thought that maybe if Sue helped out this time, that maybe SHE would come around to talking to Alice, and that that would repair things.

I put it kind of bluntly when she asked again today and just said, "I can't be playing the middle man between these two, and I don't think it would be appropriate to force them to interact under stressful circumstances such as this."

Because, really, they might be my sisters, but they're both grown adults with jobs and families of their own, and I'm a twenty-something single nerd whose main priorities right now are not getting sick and being able to afford cat food.

If they want to talk, they'll talk, and if not, it's not my job to nudge them together, nor should it be.

It also does not help that I, too, am somewhat biased towards which sister I "like the best", but that's because one has been more present in my life and helped raise me after our mother passed, so I cannot act as a neutral party either.

It's impossible for me to go, "Well, let's hear both sides-" because I have only known one side of it for most of my life now, and that side almost adopted me when my home life was unstable as a child.

You see what I'm saying?

So when my aunt asked me why they weren't talking, I kept it as neutral as I could manage, coming from the position I am.

I want to help Alice, because she's my sister and she's needs the help, but I'm not going to drag Sue into it, because it wouldn't be good for anyone involved.

I wish I could say I can wash my hands of this situation after Sunday, but I also don't know how Sunday is going to go.

But we'll see.

And that's all you can really do.

[alterbikes]

Revolutionize Your Ride with the Alter Hub Motor Kit: The Smart Way to Go Electric

Meta Description 

Convert any bike to electric with the Alter Hub Motor Kit – smart, fast, and eco-friendly.

.

Introduction:

In today’s fast-paced urban world, electric mobility isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. Rising fuel prices, growing environmental concerns, and daily traffic congestion are pushing more people to seek smarter, cleaner ways to commute. Enter Alter Hub Motor Kits, a game-changing innovation from Alter Bikes, a pioneering electric mobility brand based in Ludhiana, India.

With Alter's hub motor kits, you can convert your traditional bicycle into a powerful electric cycle—quickly, affordably, and sustainably. Whether you're a daily commuter, a student, or an eco-conscious rider, this guide will walk you through the world of Alter Hub Motor Kits, explain how they work, and help you understand why they're the future of urban mobility.

What is the Alter Hub Motor Kit?

The Alter Hub Motor Kit is a complete electric conversion package that replaces your cycle’s front or rear wheel hub with an electric motor. It includes essential components such as:

Hub Motor Wheel (front or rear)

Battery Pack (typically Lithium-Ion)

Throttle and Display Unit

Controller

Wiring Harness and Connectors

Pedal Assist Sensor (PAS)

Brake Levers with Cutoff

This kit allows your bicycle to gain electric power assist, making your rides smoother, faster, and less physically demanding—perfect for commuting or leisure.

Why Choose Alter Hub Motor Kits?

✅ 1. Plug-and-Play Simplicity

Alter kits are designed for easy installation. Most users can convert their cycle within a few hours, using basic tools. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a beginner, the instructions are straightforward.

✅ 2. Affordable & Scalable

Instead of buying a brand-new e-bike, the kit lets you upgrade your existing cycle, making it a budget-friendly option. Kits come in 250W to 500W variants, suitable for city rides or slightly rugged routes.

✅ 3. High Performance

Alter hub motors are brushless and gearless, offering:

Quiet operation

Efficient torque delivery

Speeds up to 25–40 km/h (depending on model and local laws)

Up to 40–60 km range per charge

✅ 4. Customizable Options

Choose between front or rear hub motors based on your riding style:

Front hub: Easier to install, better for flat terrain.

Rear hub: Offers more traction and performance on inclines.

✅ 5. Eco-Friendly Commuting

Each electric conversion reduces your carbon footprint by miles, helping the planet while saving on fuel and maintenance costs.

Real-Life Example 1: Ramesh, Office Commuter from Delhi

Ramesh, a 32-year-old software engineer, used to spend nearly ₹2,500 a month on fuel. After installing an Alter rear hub motor kit on his hybrid bicycle, his monthly commute cost dropped to just ₹150 in electricity.

“I reach work without sweating, save time in traffic, and don’t worry about parking,” he says.

Real-Life Example 2: Anjali, Student in Pune

Anjali converted her old steel-frame bicycle using Alter’s front hub motor kit. She now covers 10–15 km daily for classes and errands.

“Installation took just a morning with a friend’s help. It's fun, light, and clean!”

Types of Alter Hub Motor Kits

🔄 1. Front Hub Motor Kit

Easiest to install

Suitable for city commuters

Lightweight, with decent power (250W)

Ideal for riders new to e-bikes

🔄 2. Rear Hub Motor Kit

Better torque and traction

Preferred for hilly routes or heavier loads

Supports up to 500W motors

🔋 Battery Options:

36V 7.8Ah for city commutes (up to 30 km range)

36V 10.4Ah and 13Ah for longer rides (up to 60 km)

🔧 Most kits come with smart BMS (Battery Management System) for safe charging and discharging.

What’s Included in the Kit?

Component

Function

Hub Motor Wheel

Provides electric power to rotate the wheel

Battery

Powers the motor (removable or fixed)

Controller

Regulates power flow and motor behavior

Display (LCD/LED)

Shows speed, battery level, and PAS mode

Throttle

Twist or thumb lever for manual speed control

PAS Sensor

Enables pedal-assist mode

Brake Cut-off Levers

Ensures safety by cutting motor power when braking

Wiring + Connectors

Pre-wired for easy plug-and-play setup

Installation Tips for Beginners

Choose the Right Wheel Size: Alter kits are available in 26", 27.5", and 700c sizes to match your cycle.

Mount the Motor Wheel: Replace the existing wheel with the motorized one.

Install Battery Mount & Controller: Most riders attach the battery to the frame’s bottle holder or rear carrier.

Connect Display, Throttle & Sensors: Route cables neatly using zip ties. Use waterproof connectors.

Test the System: Before riding, lift the wheel and test throttle/PAS response to ensure proper setup.

FAQs

❓ Is the kit waterproof?

Yes, most components are weather-resistant, but avoid heavy waterlogging or submersion.

❓ Does it require a license?

For 250W kits (under 25 km/h), no license or registration is required in India.

❓ Can it climb hills?

The 500W rear motor kits handle moderate inclines well, especially when paired with pedal assist.

❓ What is the warranty?

Alter provides 1-year warranty on most components and offers responsive after-sales support.

Maintenance and Care Tips

Keep connectors dry and clean

Charge battery regularly (don’t let it drop below 20%)

Lubricate your chain and brakes like on regular cycles

Get an occasional check-up from local bike mechanics familiar with e-bikes

Real-Life Example 3: Delivery Rider from Chandigarh

Ravinder, a Zomato delivery rider, used to rent petrol bikes daily. After investing in an Alter 500W rear hub kit, his delivery efficiency went up, and he saves ₹4,000–₹5,000 monthly.

“My Alter bike is light, fast, and always reliable—even during peak hours.”

Where to Buy the Alter Hub Motor Kit

You can purchase directly from:

👉 Official Website: www.alterbikes.com 👉 Flipkart & Amazon (select models) 👉 Local authorized dealers across India

Conclusion: Power Your Pedals with Purpose

The Alter Hub Motor Kit is more than a product—it’s a movement toward cleaner, smarter, and more affordable commuting. Whether you're tired of sweating through traffic, paying fuel bills, or simply want a greener lifestyle, this kit offers the perfect balance between performance, price, and practicality.

Take your existing bike and give it a new lease of life—with silent power and guilt-free speed. Go electric, go Alter!

Link: https://alterbikes.com/

[ladiesandwitches]

"There are people who do manage to achieve tests, and even atrocities, without leaving a trace of evidence behind of what they'd done, none that could be used in any prosecution, but they're not the FBI," Scully told her honesty, thinking of the shadow governments she had dealt with about over the years, ones she couldn't even believe existed when she first began her work with Mulder.

"No," she answered truthfully, offering a small smile with a sigh, her forehead lined with the concern of other thoughts and memories. "I don't think you're an abomination. What I think, Vivienne, is that you're different." And she wasn't the first 'different' person she had come across over the years, and while Mulder was always quick to declare supernatural forces or aliens, Scully was more inclined to turn her theories to a more grounded yet no less impressive idea; evolution.

"A deep emotional bond," Scully repeated, her blue-green eyes focused on Vivienne as she talked, trying to understand what was being explained to her, and what it meant for both of them. Pressing her lips together a moment, she voiced her musings aloud, processing her thoughts and theories while she spoke. "There are people I've met over the course of my work, and my own personal experiences, that I have been connected to, though there's been no reason or pattern to it. It's my belief that sometimes people are put into our path for a reason, that a higher power, maybe God, knows that there's a lesson to learn together, or a path to walk, even if it's only for a brief time, even if we're essentially no more than strangers." Scully's voice was quiet as she spoke, heavy with those experiences and with the struggles she'd had with her own faith over the years.

"Perhaps that's what this is; a necessary connection. A path we must walk together," she concluded, a small smile on her lips, emotion dancing in her eyes.

Looking out at the water, Scully nodded in confirmation.

"We're in Rhode Island," she explained. "Mulder's family kept a summer home here, but it hasn't been used since his sister disappeared when they were children." She looked at Vivienne. "He's the only one left now. He doesn't really care for the place, not unless we need to use it for something," she added with a wry grin, convinced the X Files was the only reason Mulder hadn't sold this place or burned it the ground. Even fanatics had to be practical sometimes.

"Vivienne," Scully protested. "It's the early hours of the morning. I'm not spending whatever time there is until sunrise whispering things into your ear. Any tests you want to do, we can do in the actual morning."

Surprisingly to Vivi, what Scully deducted was accurate both in medical and magical terms. It made sense that the machines went crazy, they were still registering her real body's functions, which now could hardly be called alive. “ This me is a physical, normal person, but that one in bed is the real one. And we're always linked. ” Listening to why it would be hard to get any tests done, part of her was glad and relieved there would be no attempts at that. Not for the lack of trust, but minimizing the risks of exposure. “ And here I thought the FBI and can pull this shit off without leaving a trace.. guess you'll just have to take my word for it. ”

Taking a moment to watch the woman, green eyes scanned her features. “ You think I'm an abomination, don't you? ” Smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

Vivi eagerly got up from the bed where she was sitting and busied herself with checking out the room, there was for sure a lot of wooden elements, even on the walls. She was a curious, and sometimes even noisy girl who learned through experience and touch.

“ When I astral — ” she spoke, picking up some figure from the dresser to check it out. It was pretty dusty itself and left a clean mark on top of the dusty dresser. “ I need to know where I want to be. Can't astral some place I have no idea of — unless.. ” Vivi put the figure back in it's place and turned to Scully, leaning back against the furniture. “ unless I focus on the person, not the place. With family or close friends, I can project by their side solely focusing on them, the location doesn't matter. I assume the same scheme would apply to hearing you while I'm somewhere else entirely. But it requires deep connection, strong emotional bond. ”

She crossed her arms in thought, brows knitted together. “ Which we don't have. And quite frankly, your position and possibilities attached to it make me frightened. Every last bit of common sense I have left tell me I should run as soon as I can stand…but still.. I heard you very clearly. ” No matter how much she wished it wasn't true.

Looking around, her gaze landed on the landscape outside the window. Even in the darkness of the night she smiled at the view. “ Is that the ocean? ” Hopefulness lingered in her tone as she came over to open the back door. At the first inhale of salty breeze and cold blow, Vivi closed her eyes, still smiling. Living in San Francisco all her life, she often found the best thinking spots on the beach by the bay or climbed a tree for a better view. There was nothing as soothing and calming as watching the ocean.

“ Let's test it? I'll go outside and you say something to my body, even quietly. I need to know it wasn't coincidental. ”