#wip: godless

[charitet]

THE WRITEBLR GARDEN'S ADVENT CALENDAR; day 11

prompt: magic system

— excerpt from the chapter 1 of godless

The sting of sugar root and raw nuts still linger on her tongue, the salty bitterness biting away at her teeth and throat. Yen sucks on the taste and focuses on the back of the guard’s head instead, as he leads her through the extricate passageways of the Tower. Young apprentices hastily rush past them, stacks of old strolls and leather books bundled under their arms, while older magicians shout out orders overhead. 

On any other day, the Tower would be quiet and vacant. Somber, like a Wither Beast watching over the city of Aberstwyth, but elegant. A staple of pride among newly graduates and recognized alumni from Caerleon in the spellcasting division. 

However, today was different. Everyone is adorned in the traditional cloaks and robes — sleek black on top, with galactic blue on the underbelly. No matter where Yen looks, she could see gold chains and accessories accompanying their clothes, glittering like luminescent stars against the beautiful night sky. As they got close to the grand kitchen, Yen catches onto the scent of freshly cooked honeydew buns and simmering pig meat. 

She slightly lifts her hood out of the way and sees a glimpse of dancing utensils on the tables. A young chief focuses intensely on the flying ingredients above her head, chiffon white flour and sticky dough patter hanging in suspended animation.

 On each corners they turn at, wicker baskets of island junipers and spirited easnies hang from the ceilings. Celebratory flowers, famous for their sweet and delicate fragnance. Staples of the Northern region. It must be a special occasion today for the magicians in the Tower.

[mouserrouser]

Rompopolo will know my wrath until I can't hate no more (my hate is endless)

[justarandomlambblog]

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 [END]

you know how you don't adopt cats, cats adopt you? Well here we have Narinder adopting a dad

(I encourage you to view each page in a new tab, it's all sketch so you can see all my thought and build lines but I think it's clear enough?)

This is sort of a prologue for this AU I've talked about and is one of like... 3 or 4 parts

That horrible moment realization, regret and grief hits you all at the same time

I like long-furred Narinder I think he should embrace manbun life /kidding (unless... (/j/j))

Ignore the perspective issues on the last page I got very tired (am sick today) and I am a firm believer in doing things bad but having fun. That being said I had zero intention of making backgrounds for this and just generalizing everything but then I drew the crumbling ancient temple platform and the divine battleground and it was over I needed backgrounds from there on out-

Does the world of Cult of the Lamb have the same meaning for middle fingers? Who knows, I just thought it'd be funny for Narinder to double-flip off Lamb as he's disappearing into the teleportation stone. Don't @ me <3

I didn't want there to be any dialogue so I hope the story is clear through the pictures alone but if not, there's an explanation below the cut

After being defeated, Narinder finds himself on the indoctrination stone, the manacles still around his wrists and neck. The Lamb offers him mercy- a place to live. But Narinder refuses. He gets to his feet on his own and runs to the teleportation stone, and the Lamb is too surprised for a moment to realize what's happening. They try to stop him, knowing how injured Narinder is and that this stunt will only aggravate Narinder's wounds, but Narinder is running on anger, regret, humiliation and adrenaline- and he is much older than the Lamb is and knows more locations than the Lamb does. He knows about the long-fallen territory on the very edge of the Old Faith's land, what was once a grand city of gods having become a divine battlefield eons ago; it is the only place he can think to go, stumbling his way down the stairs that are much too big for his newly mortal form and running for the forest beyond the Old Faith's border.

Running through the old beaten paths of the forest, he trips and finds himself unable to pull himself back up, his adrenaline fading almost as soon as he hits the ground and the pain of his wounds flares up. He allows himself to fall unconscious, thinking maybe he will just quietly perish out there in the woods, but is found by an older canine passing through. Finding the injured Narinder, the old dog puts him on the cart he pulls and takes him to his home, tending to his wounds.

Narinder wakes up in pain, finding himself in a strange, unfamiliar place, and his savior brings him food. Narinder struggles, his hands shakey and everything in pain, but he is resistant at first to the old dog's aid. Over time, as the dog tends his wounds and gives him clothes to wear and changes his bandages, Narinder begins to accept his help and allows him to help exercise his limbs while he's bed bound and, eventually, help him to walk again. Months pass them by, from summer to autumn to winter until it's spring. The old dog is happy for Narinder's progress and gives Narinder a fond pat on his head, unintentionally reminding Narinder of Shamura.

In the spring, Narinder is able to walk on his own, though he uses a cane to aid him. He explores the old dog's home, since the dog isn't around as much as he used to be now that Narinder is mostly independent again. Narinder spots him out a window, tending to a garden, and steps outside to discover he's on a farm. It's a large farm, though not very bountiful; it's a wheat field, one that clearly suffers from the lack of a god's blessing- in a world of gods, a godless village can only just get by. Beyond the fields are more homes and sheds, and people tend the fields.

He joins the old dog in the garden after being invited over, and the dog gives him a flower bulb to plant. Narinder remembers when he and Leshy did this exact same thing, with Leshy showing Narinder how to plant the flower bulb in the dirt; as he gently buries it, he can feel Leshy's phantom hands over his own, as if guiding him. To Narinder's surprise, not only does the flower bloom as soon as it has been covered, but it spreads out; the garden bursts to life with the strange black and white flowers, and they grow wildly through and around the garden, reaching all the way to three graves under a solitary tree.

Narinder is looking at his hands in shock, not having expected to be able to do this; he had thought his magic was gone, the last vestiges of it used to activate the teleportation stone when he escaped. As he looks at them, the manacle around his neck falls off, landing in his hands, and begins to dissipate into residual magic, and he remembers Leshy- Leshy, pleading with him to hold his tongue, to give up on his newest, heretical ideas, that the world isn't ready to hear it and the consequences would be too great and the other Bishops wouldn't allow him to pursue it. Realizing all at once exactly what he lost- what he threw away when he refused to heed his brother's warnings and wait for the right time, when the world was ready- he breaks down, doubling over in tears- the first tears he's allowed himself for nearly a thousand years, now. Hurt from the betrayal, regret for what he did and made the Lamb do, grief for what his siblings did in fear of him- it all hits him at once.

The old dog reaches out to him, and Narinder clings to him, letting himself completely break down. The kind dog just holds him while he cries.

(Not shown: the old dog shows Narinder the shrine, explaining what it is and what the painted flat stones are for. He gives Narinder flat stones to paint and goes outside to speak to the graves of his own family, even though it's begun to rain.)

Narinder paints four stones, each one with a symbol on top that he associates with his siblings (a book for Shamura, a diamond crystal for Kallamar, stalks of wheat for Heket, and a camellia for Leshy). He doesn't really forgive them for their betrayal of him, doesn't forgive them for locking him away for a thousand years- but it soothes an ache deep inside, to accept that even if he can't forgive them he can mourn them and regret his part in all this. That despite everything there was still love- it's conflicting, but it's almost like... closure. Or, at least, the start of it.

He makes tea and offers it to the old dog when he comes inside, and they sit together and drink tea while listening to the rain. The four stones sit on the shrine now, with the dog's family's stones, cementing the fact that Narinder has accepted that he isn't leaving this house.

Thus, the old dog becomes the adopted father of a 5,000+ year old cat ex(?)-god.

[chewytongue]

Miriam Unlocked Achievement: New Friend!

[justawrites]

Preview for the next chapter of God in a Godless Land <3

[k--havok]

soft touches, godless hands tainted love, holy grin no one can save me from my sin

Soft Touches, Godless Hands

An Adult Sci-fi/Fantasy Romance Series

· ─── ❖︎· · ─────── ·❖︎· ─────── · ·❖︎❖︎❖︎· · ─────── ·❖︎· ─────── · ·❖︎ ─── ·

Summary: Sapphic | Enemies to Lovers | 3rd Person POV | First Draft | Series

God has turned away from His flock of angels. The Golden City has grown cold and silent. And no angel knows why, not even the Seraphim, the ones who serve His Throne directly.

As angels begin to Fall, transforming into demons, the universe is thrown into chaos. Darkness is spreading, and cracks are beginning to form in the fabric of Space-Time.

With the population of angels dwindling, the seraph, Auriel, is tasked with the job of the archangels; to protect the third dimension and the beings that dwell on the planets within it.

Auriel is sent to Earth to follow up on reports of demonic activity. But as Auriel investigates the growing chaos, they realize there is more than just demonic activity afoot.

The demons know something that Auriel, and the rest of the angels do not. But to work with demons is heresy, especially the demon known as Beelzebub, the one who has Fallen the farthest, and broke Auriel's heart millennia ago.

To righten the universe, it may take more than Auriel's prowess as a seraph. There is something evil afoot. And perhaps the demons are not the propagators.

But if that is the case, then who is?

Themes:

Grey morality, foreshadowing/mystery, eldritch horror, cosmic horror, bringing order to chaos, friends to lovers to enemies to lovers, our relationships make us who we are, figuring out who you are, LGBT+ themes, giving in to temptations, longing for more, becoming worse but whole, learning to accept yourself, true evil does not exist.

Contains:

Graphic depictions of gore, violence, torture, cannibalism, and body horror. Depictions of mental illness. Religious persecution, imagery, and abuse. Graphic sexual content. Eldritch Horror. Co-dependent relationships. Misgendering. Genocide. Religious Bashing.

Main Characters:

Auriel

| They/Them | Seraph | Protagonist |

Auriel is one of the remaining four seraphs, who reign over all other angels and only kowtow to God Himself. Auriel is a seraph of Chasity, one of the seven heavenly virtues, and has spent the longest amount of time within the Golden City compared to the other seraphs.

Auriel is known to be no-nonsense, clever, and loyal to other angels and God as well. They have a strong, unwavering faith for themself and others. They are a minimalist that does not care for appearances, material wealth, or beautiful visas. At least, before they traveled to Earth, that is. Likewise, due to staying in Heaven for the majority of their millennia alive, Auriel does not care much for the Third Dimension or material world. Although loyal to a fault to God and the rest of His angels, it is an intense loyalty that succeeds everything else, even Auriel's sense of self.

Despite their virtues, Auriel is arrogant to the point of prideful. Logical to a fault, Auriel knows that they are among the most powerful angels, and does not hesitate to use that fact to intimidate foes and remind friends and subordinates alike. Likewise, Auriel is neurotic, and struggle when things are not under their control. They value routine and predictability over spontaneity. They have little humor, and the majority of the time remain serious. Despite their outwardly calm demeanor, Auriel lives in a constant state of stress and anxiety.

As a seraph, Auriel does not have a true body of flesh and blood, taking on forms of different creatures mattering on the need at the time.

In their human form, Auriel goes by Abigail Torres. They have brown skin, long black hair, and brown eyes. Their features are plain and unremarkable with a rectangle-shaped body. They wear plain clothes in the neutral colors of brown, white, black or gray consisting of loose trousers that allow them movement and a blouse.

In their true form, Auriel is made of energy and the light of the cosmos. They do not have the same senses as material beings, but can sense other angels, demonic activity, the passage of time, as well as wrinkles and faults in the fabric of space. Their true form burns with a holy light and fire, strong enough to sear and destroy those of the Third Dimension by merely existing. In their true form, Auriel is an eldritch creature consisting of many wings and eyes which they keep tucked around themself. These eyes do not "see" as a human would; each eye is dedicated to keeping watch of different parts of the universe, Heaven, other angels, and demons. Their body is mainly quadrupedal, but they do have opposable thumbs and can still choose to be bipedal if they wish. They do not have a real face or facial features, and so it shifts constantly, twisting with their own power and their emotion. Auriel's true form is a colorful one, and alight with thousands of colors, many unseen to the human eye.

Beelzebub

| She/Her, He/Him | Demon | Antagonist/Protagonist |

Beelzebub was once one of the seven seraphim. The third to Fall after Satan and Lucifer, Beelzebub was stripped of her holy light and her angelic name. After being stripped of such things, she was left with herself. Dubbing herself "The Lord of the Flies," Beelzebub set her sights on the Third Dimension to continue the rest of her bidding.

After being stripped of her connection to God, Beelzebub was left with only himself. Although such exile may have wrought others, Beelzebub was always confident in himself. Beelzebub is also known to be smart, and is always plotting or scheming. He tends to think his plans out thoroughly, and is good at reading other angels and demons alike. Beelzebub is also opinionated, charismatic, and humorous.

After her Fall, Beelzebub found herself enjoying tinkering with different Third Dimensional machines. She also has a soft spot for insects primarily found on Earth. She enjoys collecting and breeding rare insects.

Beelzebub still has many vices that grip him. Alcohol and sex being the two primary ones. But on Earth, Beelzebub is welcome to sink into his greed of power and material objects. Beelzebub walks as a false idol among humans, hoarding wealth for himself.

To walk on Earth, Beelzebub must possess unused human bodies, as he does not have the ability to create flesh and bone from scratch. Corpses are her go-to. However, demonic magic is not gentle or patient. And so it twists the appearance of whatever body Beelzebub tries to possess, and her true nature almost always shines through. Although Beelzebub can hide these changes from most humans, some of the more small, subtle shifts are noticeable to those perceptive enough.

Oftentimes, Beelzebub's human forms sport two curved horns, pointed ears, claw-like hands, fangs, and ashy or pale skin. Insects, especially flies, tend to follow him. Despite possessing corpses, Beelzebub usually does not smell. Beelzebub oftentimes also has insect wings sprouting from her back; usually that of a fly.

Links:

| #stgh | #Auriel | #Beelzebub |

Tag List:

If you want updates for this WIP, please let me know and I will add you to the tag list!

[scarletwix]

I am so incredibly nervous I don't think I'll be sleeping tonight lmao

[ollysoxisfree]

Oh lord. ALL of them??? Icy you're killing me lol

untitled document

side story: a list

feredirc11

6

(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄) kaomoji

uggg this bitch

looorrrreeee

in which cazador is a fucking idiot

ill advised lemon time

chapter 13

chapter 14

get rekt cuckador

untitled document

looking in

The Tail Thing (U ARE USING THE BALD EAGLE DIALECT)

possessive astarion (very pissed)

SQUID

Hunter: Morning After

(MANGROVE TREES LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO) aka Hunted

no mangrove only hornee

get fucked

The Spawn Thing

Wyll's Weird Willie: POV You are Ulder Ravenguard and your son was a weird censored

Blurbs

Chapter 1: Dark Kiss

BE MORE OF A DICK

Fuck Them Kids

kids blurb

LET THE GASLIGHTING BEGIN!!!!!

morning after

pre student

three

tav is having the time of his life

This Horny Bish

V Being A Manipulative Dick

V Being....surprise, surprise, a dick (but less this time)

Wyllstarion BDSM AU

I think that's everything

@renjunstolemykidneys suffer with me. i demand it.

WIP Folder Game

Thanks so much for the tags, @brabblesblog and @wilteddreamsofbaldursgate !!!💙💙💙

How to play:

post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

untitled document

untitled document

front door

aa edging

I'm terrible with just leaving things untitled lol. But I really don't have enough drafts to get them confused 😆

Tagging @snowfolly @grandmother-goblin @leomonae @ollysoxisfree

[sunflowervoltwentyeight]

Happy 28th! Here is my September 2024 fic rec, organized by word count, from longest to shortest. You can view my other fic recs here. Enjoy!

Godless, Graceless, and Young by kiddle / @bluejeanlouis (110k)

Seattle, Washington, 1991

It takes a special breed to have a slacker persona and still be a millionaire rockstar. Harry is about halfway there. He's the guitarist in a Seattle grunge band that could finally be headed somewhere, but he's also been sleeping on his bassist's sofa for the last three months and has been fired from every day-job he's had. Money doesn't equal success, but it does pay the bills.

When a job offer and a new lead singer stumble into Harry's life, he might be getting a lot more than he bargained for. Like a couple of extra gigs and a boy who can teach him more than just how to mix a few drinks, and it's gonna take a few band brawls and a whole lot of heart-searching to get there.

He's gotta have one somewhere...

Coax the Cold by mediawhore / @mediawhorefics (86k)

England, 1897.  

English Professor Louis Tomlinson’s passion for the occult has been a source of mockery and derision for most of his life. When he hears whispers of a travelling freak show newly established in London claiming the existence of a monstrous sea hybrid, half-man, half-fish, Louis sees it as his ticket to credibility amongst his peers. The summer he spends undercover working on the show, however, gives him much more than that.

Late Nights and Good Intentions by princelouisau / @princelouisau (71k)

“About last night,” Harry says suddenly, as if he’d been debating on whether to say anything. Louis whips back around to look at him.

“Do not finish that thought,” Louis says just as abruptly.

Harry looks at him oddly, as if assessing him. With a small frown, it seems the assessment is over. “I only wish to say that you do not have to dwell on it. The rest of the men will surely forget by tonight.”

“And you?” Louis asks, raising an eyebrow. “Will you forget?”

“I will remember every second of it fondly,” the Lord says, no trace of a tease in his words. or, a Victorian era au where Louis pines for his overprotective older brother’s very charming best friend.

For You, I Would Ruin Myself by wildestdreams / @thelavendrhaze (54k) WIP

It was the perfect last day of summer. They built sandcastles, wrote their names in the sand, and caught crabs, which they eventually let go when one of them pinched Louis and he was near tears. Afterward, they swam in the ocean, splashing each other playfully before moving toward one another in sync, lips pressing together in sweet kisses. When their skin turned prune-like, they returned to shore, laying out on their towels beneath the bright sun, snacking on fruit and chocolate while talking about everything and nothing.

At some point, Harry had shared, “I think this has been my favorite summer yet.”

“Why’s that?” Louis asked, a smile peeking out as though he already knew. He looked so pretty and cool with his sun-kissed skin and black Ray-Bans covering his eyes.

Harry rolled over on his towel until he was half-pressed against Louis and placed his palms on top of Louis’ chest, tucking his chin over them. “Because I had you.”

or

Harry’s unrequited crush on Louis turns into a whirlwind summer romance, only to leave him heartbroken in the end. Years later, a return to his hometown forces Harry to confront his past and the one person he was running from.

Tarnished but so Grand by tilthesundies / @tllthesundies (32k)

Louis hides in places. Harry always finds him.

I'll Be Your Love Tonight by dinosaursmate (20k)

“I don’t know how I’m ever going to walk away from you.” “So don’t.” Harry ran a fingertip over Louis’ thigh. “Stay with me.” - It's the summer of 1999 and Louis Tomlinson has been abandoned at a house party. A dispute over Smirnoff Ice and several night buses later, Louis is unsure how he'll ever walk away from this lovely, curly-haired boy.

Green in the Morning and Blue Afternoon by wildestdreams / @thelavendrhaze (14k)

“Harry,” Louis whispered beside him.

Harry hummed, his hand coming up to stroke Louis’ back. Louis was still on top of him, his body sagging against Harry’s, heavy and warm, and Harry loved it.

“I don’t think it was a one off.”

“Me either, Lou.”

or a Friends AU.

A Few of My Favourite Things by sweariwouldnt / @sweariwouldnt (8k)

Harry and Louis do cat sitting.

[lisenberry]

A little early for WIP Wednesday, but I've been thinking about this one for a while and it had me in a chokehold this morning. Snippet from something longer.

Alpha Bountyhunter!Price x Omega Saloon Madam!Reader

Western in the vein of Deadwood, Godless, and Silverado (thank you @thecoziestbean)

Title: I was born to run, you were born to stay (so hold me close)

CW: Violence, murder, sex work, ABO/Omegaverse, past trauma

“Are you the madam?”  The timbre of his voice spoke to a memory you’ll never forget.

If you had a doubt before, thinking your eyes and your olfactory deceived you, you were sure as shit now.

“I am.  And don’t bother, I know who you are.  A lawman in Chicago, before the war?”

“Yeah, I was there.” As if he got the question all the time. As if he was famous or something.

“Sergeant John Price?  You gunned down my daddy like he was a mad dog in the street.”

“I've killed a lot of daddies. Did he deserve it?”  He licked at the foamy bubbles of beer clinging to his thick, dark mustache before wiping it with the back of his hand.

His glacial eyes fixed on yours, assessing.

“Maybe.  But I sure as hell didn’t.” 

His gaze slipped down to the scarf around your neck, strategically placed to muddy your scent and disguise your bitten gland. 

“It's Captain now. Never met a mated whore before.”  He finished his drink with a long, thirsty pull.  Simultaneously changing the subject of his culpability in the wayward trajectory of your life, and daring to insult you for it.

“Widowed.”  You challenged his derision with a light tone, as you replaced his empty mug with a fresh fill.

“I’m sorry, and for the offense as well.  What happened to him?”  He didn’t seem very sorry.  In fact, you imagined it was a disposition as foreign to him as couth.  

“He was shot in the face.  Very tragic.”  A sweet, satisfied smile graced your lips.

“You sound real tore up about it.”

“I was.  The recoil on that rifle nearly dislocated my shoulder.”  Your boldness was rewarded with a surprised, choking snort.

“Is there a warrant out for your arrest anywhere?”  he asked, recovering with an inquisitive grin.

“You’d like that wouldn’t you.  Truss me up and drag me in?”  You were playing with fire, judging by the flare of hot blue light that accompanied the sharp huff of air into his nose.  Like a bull chuffing at the dirt.

But you were too long in the tooth to be simpering for ornery old alphas.  After what he’d done to you, it seemed only right to give him a bit of trouble.

“No, I imagine you’d just put me down all swift and quiet like, not wanting the fight.”  If he was going to insult your honor, you’d give it right back.

But he didn’t rise to the bait.  Not as quick to anger as that last lingering impression you had of him from years ago.  Shame, it was a sight.

“Do I have to worry about you, darling?” An unsettling warmth displaced any suspicion in his words.

You glanced down at the bar top, to see just how close his hand was to yours.  A tingle of electricity drawing you in against your will.

Can’t fight your nature, child.  It’d been the last thing your grieving mama said to you before you were loaded onto that stock car filled with young, first heat omegas.  Alongside the cattle slated for auction.  Each one moaning and crying a different tune.

“Reckon you’d be a fool not to, Captain.” 

[justarandomlambblog]

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 [END]

The second shackle comes off

Get adopted and feel loved, mangey cat

We're gonna pretend I didn't give Heket the wrong shaped crown aight? aught 👍

(explanation beneath the cut bc I didn't want dialogue)

The harvest comes. Narinder can't help but notice how sad the wheat fields are, the wheat growing small and patchy at best. He remembers how Heket would make the wheat fields flourish just by walking between the stalks. The memory of the fields she would create early in their godhood makes him feel somber, realizing now what the cost of being a godless land is; their entire lives are left to the limitations of the earth, without any god to help them thrive. These people are making the best of what they have, and they're happy even though it's not a lot.

Narinder notices some are harvesting wheat while others till the earth once it's been harvested, and the old dog explains that once this wheat is harvested they plant "winter wheat", which can be harvested in the spring before they plant their summer wheat. They till and fertilize the earth before planting the winter wheat, of course. Narinder tries his hand at harvesting the wheat, and the old dog begins to teach him how to use the sickle. Time passes.

Over the late summer, autumn and winter, Narinder learns how to live this provincial, modest life. He tills the fields with the other villagers, he sees feral beasts for the first time in over a thousand years, learns to collect eggs from said feral beasts, learns how and decides he doesn't like to collect milk (the godless lands have more feral beasts than the Lands of the Old Faith ever did), has finally regained enough strength to draw water from the village well without help, learns to bake bread (with great amounts of help so as to not waste the precious resources with the inevitable first fifty failures), and attends his first lantern festival. All in all, this marks his approach to his second year here, most of his first year spent indoors recovering. (His fur is also getting long, something something new me new hair something (totally not an excuse for me to draw hair))

At his first lantern festival, Narinder decides to partake in what is usually a coming of age tradition for the village; he gets an ear piercing, choosing a symbol that will essentially act as his written name. He chooses a symbol that is a crescent moon inside of a sun, thinking of Aym and Baal when he sees it. (Note: He is not scared/nervous about the ear piercing, he isn't bothered by a literal pinprick of pain, but the fact that someone he barely knows is this close with a needle is what worries him)

Later on, days or even weeks later, the old dog gives him a chain with their individual symbols on it, with a loose chain hanging from the other side of Narinder's sun-and-moon charm. Narinder questions this and the old dog explains the symbolism behind the charms; two charms with a chain extending between them indicates marriage/partnership, and two charms with another charm on the chain between them indicates that couple's child/children. The one Narinder has is the latter, with the second parent's charm missing, indicating that the old dog views Narinder as his own son, now. It takes a moment, but Narinder realizes all at once that this is the old dog's way of extending an invitation to become family- and it's been so long since Narinder had a family... (And yes, the old dog is fully aware that this cat is thousands of years old (Narinder was very vocal about this in the first weeks before he eventually stopped bringing it up), but that won't stop him from deciding he's gonna be this abandoned, fallen god's new family)

Narinder goes to sleep, and finds that despite everything- despite how simple and quaint and, frankly, not easy life in this little godless village is, he's happy. He has none of the luxuries that he had as a Bishop; no worship, no reverence, no servants, no silks or satins or veils or anything of the sort. Here he's just... one of the people. Just another face in the crowd. And he's happy. Happier than he's been in a long time. Unfortunately for Narinder, he is failing to realize that this godless village is a little less godless every day he's there. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The village wakes up to their fields flourishing like they never have before. The wheat is taller than the tallest villager, and no one is really sure what to do about this, but there is excitement throughout the village. Narinder thinks of Heket again, reminded once more how she would make the fields come alive. The shackle on his left hand opens up before dispersing into light, and he remembers the way she looked at him in the days leading up to his imprisonment, the quiet and somber warnings she would give him. He takes a moment to grieve before turning his attention back to the present, back to the family he's creating now.

[grissomesque]

At laaaaast, chapter 2 is up! ✨

Tags updated to include the off-screen death of Janeway's father (per Mosaic).

It’s clear from everything about him—his hunched posture, the cautious hope in his eyes—that he’s been working up to this admission for some time. And it makes so much sense that, now that he’s said it, she can’t believe she didn’t see this coming. Yet all she can think is: we’ll never see each other.

Oooh, for the “I can’t…” prompts, J/P and #13, please!

So! This is, based on a very wonderful comment/suggestion once upon a time, a bit of Play It Again, Sam backstory (though it can also stand alone). I hope it doesn't disappoint.

I have to bounce it over to AO3 because, turns out, this thing is eventually going to be three parts.

Thank you so much for this prompt, @lindsaybob 🤍

• words: 1.1k (part 1/3)

• rating: T

• warnings: Non-gratuitous descriptions of injury/violence (per Mosaic)

• relationships: Kathryn Janeway/Tom Paris

• summary: They are friends, she tells herself.

[Send me a prompt and I'll write you a thing!]

[pranabefall]

ノㅤA FOREIGNER'S GOD // zhongli x reader.

❝ she moved with shameless wonder / the perfect creature rarely seen / since some liar brought the thunder / when the land was godless and free / her eyes look sharp and steady / into the empty parts of me. ❞ — HOZIER.

synopsis. the gods lay within the earth, long forgotten and you seek one out in the aftermath of your consequences ( a funny story, really ). a dragon cloistered in the plains, his mind now a losing battalion, a war ; and between the annals of your contract with him, you take it onto yourself to uncover his true name. there was a curse placed upon him, shackling his claws, his mind, his body. a curse you must break. ( and fast. for he fragments. he is forgetting. he is forgotten ).

status. in progress // word count. 2k / 40k.

themes. canon divergence, alternate universe, beauty and the beast, spirited away, fairy tale-esque, immortal x mortal, angst, arranged marriage, eventual smut ( is also including : dragonfucking. yes. dragonfucking. ), hauntings, grave desecrations, curses, forgotten gods, unnecessary botany facts, cloud retainer indulging in assisted anarchy, zhongli is a victim to the assisted anarchy, past ! guili if you squint, violence and death, you'll probably hate me at the end of this fic i'm sorry beforehand, don't let the humor and sass fool you.

notes. minors do not interact. inspired by as gold as the gingko trees by localplaguenurse and the phoenix to his dragon by euniveve. a lot of thanks to eun and moth for listening to my mad ramblings!!! i'll try finishing a couple of chapters before posting!

links. ao3 mirror / playlist

CHAPTER LIST.

0. his garment is covered in dust. ( wc. 2.14k ノ pub. 27102024 )

01. from the poppy bole, for you i stole. ( wc. 500 ノ wip. )

[chewytongue]

Full wip on cohost

[the-cloudy-dreamer]

“Oneiros of the endless

The lord of the nether-realm

The king of the dream-world

The shaper of form”

I learned some clever lighting tricks and since this was on the back of my WIP projects I decided to use it as my testing grounds and…here it is!!

I also happened to discover this song that’s inspired by Sandman and thought it was very appropriate for this illustration, you should all give it a listen!

[k--havok]

Auriel

| They/Them | Seraph | Protagonist |

About:

Auriel is one of the remaining four seraphs, who reign over all other angels and only kowtow to God Himself. Auriel is a seraph of Chasity, one of the seven heavenly virtues, and has spent the longest amount of time within the Golden City compared to the other seraphs.

Auriel is known to be no-nonsense, clever, and loyal to other angels and God as well. They have a strong, unwavering faith for themself and others. They are a minimalist that does not care for appearances, material wealth, or beautiful visas. At least, before they traveled to Earth, that is. Likewise, due to staying in Heaven for the majority of their millennia alive, Auriel does not care much for the Third Dimension or material world. Although loyal to a fault to God and the rest of His angels, it is an intense loyalty that succeeds everything else, even Auriel's sense of self.

Despite their virtues, Auriel is arrogant to the point of prideful. Logical to a fault, Auriel knows that they are among the most powerful angels, and does not hesitate to use that fact to intimidate foes and remind friends and subordinates alike. Likewise, Auriel is neurotic, and struggle when things are not under their control. They value routine and predictability over spontaneity. They have little humor, and the majority of the time remain serious. Despite their outwardly calm demeanor, Auriel lives in a constant state of stress and anxiety.

As a seraph, Auriel does not have a true body of flesh and blood, taking on forms of different creatures mattering on the need at the time.

Appearance:

In their human form, Auriel goes by Abigail Torres. They have brown skin, long black hair, and brown eyes. Their features are plain and unremarkable with a rectangle-shaped body. They wear plain clothes in the neutral colors of brown, white, black or gray consisting of loose trousers that allow them movement, boots, and a blouse.

In their true form, Auriel is made of energy and the light of the cosmos. They do not have the same senses as material beings, but can sense other angels, demonic activity, the passage of time, as well as wrinkles and faults in the fabric of space. Their true form burns with a holy light and fire, strong enough to sear and destroy those of the Third Dimension by merely existing. In their true form, Auriel is an eldritch creature consisting of many wings and eyes which they keep tucked around themself. These eyes do not "see" as a human would; each eye is dedicated to keeping watch of different parts of the universe, Heaven, other angels, and demons. Their body is mainly quadrupedal, but they do have opposable thumbs and can still choose to be bipedal if they wish. They do not have a real face or facial features, and so it shifts constantly, twisting with their own power and their emotion. Auriel's true form is a colorful one, and alight with thousands of colors, many unseen to the human eye.