#xii ember

[xii-ember]

Finally made it to Solution Nine~

[inquisitornocturn]

≪─ ᴀ ᴍɪɴᴜᴛᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍɪᴅɴɪɢʜᴛ ─≫

⋟ 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬: y/n etc is not used, rating - E, blood drinking, vampire bites, use of Disciplines, seduction, arguing, canon-typical violence, hurt/sort of comfort, praise kink, pinning, fluff, mention of past SA, begging, improper use of Disciplines, teasing, throat fucking, cum swallowing, smut, PiV, vaginal fingering, creampies, choking, fingering, asphyxiation, chokehold (tags to be updated).

⋟ 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: From climbing the corporate ladder to being told you need to feast on human blood - this is your new life, Fledgling. The world has changed for you so drastically, you know you will need time to adjust and your new so called "boss" is not making it easy. He's sending you on tasks that feel like they were designed to get you killed. It makes you furious: at Sebastian, at your vampirism, at your lowly position in this brand new society you just stepped into. Still, LaCroix is just the type to get under your skin with ease, and he does it well. Too well. You are not too sure if you can resist his pull.

⋟ 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: ongoing

⋟ Chapter I - bite marks

⋟ Chapter II - embers

⋟ Chapter III - beyond control

⋟ Chapter IV - comfort chain

⋟ Chapter V - new obsession

⋟ Chapter VI - out from under

⋟ Chapter VII - deacons of the dark

⋟ Chapter VIII - club afterglow

⋟ Chapter IX - meeting the shadows

⋟ Chapter X - holding a breath

⋟ Chapter XI - daggers

⋟ Chapter XII - dangerous places

⋟ Chapter XIII - patchwork of facts

⋟ Chapter XIV - lights of downtown

[clockwork-ashes]

Masterlist

Outsider - Lucien Vanserra one-shot

Son of Autumn - Eris Vanserra short one-shot

Daylight - (Eris Vanserra one-shot) The smallest of stones, the greatest of ripples. Eris learns that Beron is not Lucien's father.

Only Embers - Eris lies to Beron to protect his mother's secret (short one-shot).

Wildflowers - Eris goes to visit Lucien in the Spring Court and instead just bothers Tamlin (one-shot).

Mirrors - The Lady of Autumn has a difficult conversation with her eldest son (one-shot).

First Date - (Gwyn x Az one-shot) Gwyn and Az go on their first date.

The Little Things - (Elain x Lucien one-shot) Elain knows how important the little things are when it comes to her relationship with Lucien.

Unknown - (Helion x LoA one-shot) The Lady of Autumn meets with Helion.

All Things End - (Helion x LoA) Part I // Part II

All You Have is Your Fire - (Elain x Lucien multi-chapter, in progress)

Part I // Part II // Part III // Part IV // Part V // Part VI // Part VII // Part VIII // Part IX // Part X // Part XI // Part XII // Part XIII // Part XIV // Part XV // Part XVI // Part XVII //

[aneurinallday]

The Tragedy of James Steerforth

Chapter XII: The Long Night

Night fell, and with it, Steerforth’s condition worsened. As David had feared, the blood-letting had weakened him, allowing the illness to tighten its grip like a vice. The chills turned to delirium, and he writhed beneath the quilt, his fists clenching into balls.

“Daisy,” he muttered, squirming, “Daisy…”

“I’m here,” said David. “Tell me what you need.”

But Steerforth continued to mumble his name, delirious. He’d coughed his throat raw, yet refused any soothing liquids, resisting the cup that was placed to his lips - he’d reached the point where he couldn’t even keep down plain water.

David and Ham sat on either side of the bed, and held his cold hands, and waited. David didn’t ask what words, if any, had been exchanged between Ham and Steerforth in his absence; but he could tell that the boat-maker felt as useless as he did.

Agnes couldn’t enter the sick-room, but she kept her own vigil from a distance. She sat downstairs by the fireplace, staring into the smouldering embers until they cooled, then staring into the ashes until she fell asleep. The house was left dark and silent, apart from the one circle of lamplight where Steerforth lay fading.

“Davy,” Ham said quietly, “Is Dr Barrow coming back?”

“No. No, he’s not.”

“Should we call another doctor? Or is it pointless…”

Without warning, Steerforth threw up. Ham quickly rolled him onto his side, while David was busy panicking.

“Davy, clean him up - don’t let him choke!”

David frantically grabbed a cloth and mopped up the spill, wiping Steerforth’s chin and cheeks. He was vomiting on an empty stomach - a thin bile with no real substance to it. Once he’d forced out what little was inside him, Steerforth subsided onto the pillows, gasping for air. David took away the stained pillow, and turned the others around just in case.

Abruptly, Steerforth startled, as if he’d woken from a dream.

“Where am I?” he exclaimed, staring around the room with wild eyes. “This isn’t my bed. This isn’t my home. Where am I?”

“You’re at my home,” said David, “You’re safe.”

“Where is my mother? Why isn’t she here?”

“I was going to send her a letter - you asked me not to.”

“No. No, I didn’t. Why would I ask such a thing? I want her here. I need her.”

“Alright. I’ll write her at once.”

David went to his desk, fumbling among his ink-pots and quills. He snatched a blank piece of paper and began to scribble.

“Ham,” he said, “I know I’ve asked too much of you already, but would you please find a way to get this note to Mrs Steerforth? The coaches won’t be running at this late hour, but there must be a courier willing to ride to Highgate. Take money from my coin purse.”

“But while I’m gone, what if he…? I don’t want you and Agnes to be alone when it happens.”

“Don’t worry about us.” David finished writing, folded up the paper, and sealed it with a stamp. He held it out to Ham. “Please, take it. She needs to see her son while he’s still able to talk. Otherwise they…they won’t be able to say goodbye.”

“Alright.” Ham took the note reluctantly.

“Thank you, my friend. Please be quick.”

“I’ll try.”

Ham went to the doorway, where he lingered for a moment, glancing back towards the bed and its ashen occupant, and the worried figure of David hunched over him.

It struck him how pointlessly cruel was the hand they’d been dealt in life. Fate had made David a lonely orphan, desperate to fit in and eager to please - had made Steerforth a feckless rogue, chasing whatever worldly pleasures he hoped might give meaning to his hollow life - had made Emily a poor fisher-girl, yearning to escape - had given Ham none of the qualities she dreamed of in a husband - and had thrown them all together as a joke.

Feeling that he was about to be overcome, Ham turned and left before the sadness could show in his face.

David began to write another note, this time to the Peggottys of Yarmouth, but before he could finish, Steerforth called out for him.

“Help me,” Steerforth wheezed. “Daisy, help me. I can’t breathe.”

David dropped his quill-pen and hastened to his side.

“What’s the matter?”

“I can’t breathe. I’m drowning. Help me, Daisy.”

“You’re not drowning, James. It’s your ailment - too much phlegm in your lungs. Try to sit up.” David plumped up the pillows, rearranging them so that Steerforth was propped upright. “There. That’s better, isn’t it?”

Steerforth’s breathing eased a little. His bleary eyes peered up at David.

“Is that you, Copperfield?” he croaked.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m here.”

“David Copperfield. I remember you. Fresh as a daisy. That’s what I called you - Daisy.”

“That’s right,” said David, “That’s right, it’s me. I’m your friend. I’m your Daisy.”

“What time is it?”

“A little past eleven, I think.”

“Do you think the theatre is still open?”

“I’m not sure.”

“We haven’t been to the theatre in so long. We should go again. Just the two of us.”

“Oh, yes?” David humoured him. “What would you like to see?”

“I want to see Planché’s extravaganza. It’s got nymphs and fairies and all sorts. It’s running at the Lyceum.”

“Well, it’s settled, then. I’ll buy the tickets.”

“Wonderful.”

Whatever lies Steerforth’s dying brain told itself, David played along. He knew that these were the confused ramblings of man who would soon be beyond speech.

Around midnight, he went to the bathroom to fetch more water  - cool, not cold, because he didn’t want to make the chills worse - and wash his hands. As he did so, he heard the thump of a body falling on the floor. He hurried back to find that Steerforth was no longer in bed, but standing in the middle of the room. He’d never looked more like a ghost than in that moment, his long white night-shirt hanging about him like a shroud, his face even whiter. He’d slung Agnes’ shawl around his shoulders and was attempting, without success, to tie a fashionable knot.

“Daisy, have you seen my hat?” he asked. His eyes were glassy and dazed.

“James, you need to get back into bed.”

“But we’ll be late for class.”

“Didn’t you hear? Class is cancelled today. You can sleep for as long as you like.”

“Oh, is it? I must’ve forgot.”

David quickly untangled the knotted shawl from around Steerforth’s neck, and helped him back into bed, tucking him in warmly.

“Tell me a story,” said Steerforth.

“Alright. What kind of story would you like?”

“Something exciting. Something with dragons.”

“How about Saint George and the dragon? Once, hundreds of years ago, near a peaceful little village in Cappadocia, there lived a huge, fire-breathing dragon with an insatiable appetite for treasure. His greed knew no bounds, and he threatened the villagers to hand over all their gold coins and shiny silverware, under pain of fire. All lived in fear of his wrath, and none dared oppose him. When the gold and silver he ran out, he demanded sheep and cattle instead; and when the sheep and cattle ran out, he demanded children.”

Steerforth’s eyelids began to droop shut.

“The villagers drew straws every day to decide which of their children would be sacrificed; until one day, a beautiful maiden was chosen. As she was being led to the dragon’s lair, a gallant knight rode by on a white stallion, and demanded to know what was going on. His name was George, and he was a brave and pious man who feared no dragon-fire. Horrified to learn of the village’s plight, he went to the lair himself and challenged the creature as it sat on its glimmering hoard. A terrible battle was fought, until finally, his trusty lance Ascalon pierced the dragon’s fiery breast, and down it fell - dead. And so the village was freed from the dragon’s reign of terror, and the maiden was rescued from her terrible fate.”

“What happened then?”

“Well, the villagers were so grateful to George that they offered him the dragon’s entire hoard, which it had guarded jealously; but he refused as he had no love for treasure, and he returned all their gold and silver to them. From that day on, they were as pious as him.”

“And what happened to the horse?”

“The horse was fine. His name was Bayard and he carried George for many an adventure.”

“But doesn’t George die at the end?” Steerforth muttered, his eyes closed. “Doesn’t his head get cut off?”

“No. Not this time. He hangs up his lance, retires, and lives to a ripe old age.”

“I want to hear about more dragons,” Steerforth pleaded, “Tell me another story. Tell me, Mother.”

David’s heart sank. Steerforth didn’t even know whose voice he was listening to.

“Alright, then,” said David, trying his best to hide his despair, “I’ll tell you about Margaret of Antioch, who had no horse and no lance; yet was greater than any knight, because the dragon she faced was Evil itself.”

The hours passed restlessly, tossing and turning in confusion, muttering incoherently. Towards dawn, a sudden and awful clarity gripped Steerforth, and he began to cry.

“I’m sorry, Daisy,” he wept, ”I’m so sorry. I’ve been so thoughtless and cruel. To you, to the Peggottys, to Mother, to everybody.”

Caught between sobs and coughs, he struggled to suck in enough air to speak.

“I’ve never - I’ve never cared for anyone but myself.”

“That’s not true. That’s not true at all. You cared for a lot of people.”

David attempted to wipe the tears and saliva from Steerforth’s face, but Steerforth couldn’t stop crying and coughing. He was slowly suffocating.

“I’m dying, aren’t I?”

David couldn’t bring himself to say yes.

“Why don’t you answer? We both know it’s true.”

“James…”

“Daisy, I don’t want to die with you angry at me. Please remember me as I was at school - your friend and protector. Or better yet, don’t remember me at all.”

“I’m not angry.”

“I don’t want to die,” Steerforth repeated hoarsely, his eyes turning to the dark ceiling. “I don’t want to die.”

“Everything’s going to be alright. I promise.”

“Help me. I don’t want to die.”

“Don’t be afraid.”

But Steerforth had already stopped listening, falling back into confusion. He lay moaning and occasionally crying out.

“Mother,” he moaned. “Mother!”

“She’s on her way, don’t worry,” David lied. He clasped Steerforth’s hand. “She’ll be here very soon.”

“Mother...”

No more words were exchanged that night; Steerforth was no longer aware of his surroundings. David was helpless to do anything but sit by him and pray for a swift end to his misery. As he held Steerforth’s hand, he could feel Death creeping about the room like an unwanted guest, waiting to claim Steerforth’s unhappy soul.

Eventually the agitation subsided, and Steerforth appeared as a corpse, unmoving. David kissed his forehead - a parting kiss, knowing that this was their farewell.

“I loved James Steerforth,” he whispered in the dying man’s ear, “Apart from his mother, nobody loved him more than I. He was the best friend an orphaned boy could ask for.”

No response came - Steerforth could neither hear nor feel him. He was too far gone.

“It’s alright,” David murmured, “It’s alright. You don’t have to keep suffering. If you need to let go, just let go.”

He looked down at Steerforth’s hand. Against his own healthy skin, it looked deathly pale.

“Just let go,” he repeated softly, as tears welled in his eyes.

He listened to the slow, rattling breaths, and measured the intervals in between, expecting each one to be his last - waiting for the pause that would become the final, endless silence.

But the silence never came. Steerforth breathed on, and on, and on until the sun rose.

Chapter XIII: The End

[dontspillthefrijoles43]

Lost Hero- XII Breisa

Inconveniences

Warnings: Teenagers being teenagers, demigods not getting a break, weird dreams, fluff if you squint

Word count: 800

Summary: Another thing after another, being a demigod sucks— especially being a Hecate kid

<<Prev

Next>>

__

Breisa realized that there were three things inconvenient to being a Hecate child.

The first thing was that magic required a lot of skill and patience for it to work. She had neither of those qualities. 

The second thing was how intrusive to another person's privacy. She would rather not know why Cal wants to bash in demigod faces. 

And the last was how scary and unpredictable it can be. 

How did Breisa come to this conclusion? Just pure frickin’ coincidence.

Take the argument that occurred in the hotel room. Leo’s anger had hit her point blank with a vengeance— there was something underlying in it. A spark. But not magic like hers. It was different. And powerful. 

Unfortunately the spark wasn’t the only thing. His anger caused a vision.

Briesa saw pieces of it on the way to the palace, but his anger made it clear:

White embers bursting from Leo's hands.

The same steel doors shut close to garage in flames— the sign on top of it said “Espranza’s” burning from both ends. 

Dirt women with that same sleepy smile. 

Leo had fire abilities.

That killed his mom.

That was the big secret.

 Knowing this was the worst. She had no right to pry into his mind and learn of this secret. Even if she kept pressuring him to tell. Only he could have given her that right to know. 

If it wasn’t for Breisa’s powers she would have been blissfully clueless. 

So yeah being a Hecate kid had major inconveniences.

But, there were some advantages. Like making mini snowmen to entertain Hockey buff. Who in turn let Leo reactivate Festus.

“Fight Fight!!” Cal cheered at the snowmen as they pushed and shoved at each other.

Breisa stood above the snowmen, moving her fingers like a puppeteer. Purple aurora (mist?) twisted along her fingers, some of it floated to the limbs of the snowmen. They moved with her fingers.

“How are you doing that?” Leo spoked suddenly. He had been quiet since the hotel room. 

 Festus clicked at the snow, he seemed curious as well. 

“Dunno.” She shrugged as nonchalant as possible, “Just thought what would entertain a big dumb violent Jock—fighting. So I thought about action figures. And well these guys came along. I guess I summoned them?”

Leo was about to ask another question, when footsteps were heard from the stairs. “Oh meirda. Here they come.”

 Breisa stopped moving her fingers causing the purple to fade and the snowmen melted into the ground.

“Awe.” Cal pouted. 

“Sorry.” Breisa muttered and quickly put her attention to Khione leading Piper and Jason down. 

At the bottom step, Khione turned to Piper. “You have fooled my father, girl. But you have not fooled me. We are not done. And you, Jason Grace, I will see you as a statue in the throne room soon enough.” 

“Boreas is right,” Jason said. “You’re a spoiled kid. See you around, ice princess.”

Khione’s eyes flared pure white. For once, she seemed at a loss for words. She stormed back up the stairs—literally.

Halfway up, she turned into a blizzard and disappeared. 

“Be careful,” Zethes warned. “She never forgets an insult.”

Cal grunted in agreement. “Bad sister.” 

“She’s the goddess of snow,” Jason said. “What’s she going to do, throw snowballs at us?”

Breisa stuck in a breath. She had a feeling that the snow goddess was more than capable of causing a couple of storms than snowballs.

Leo looked devastated. “What happened up there? You made her mad? Is she mad at me too? Guys, that was my prom date!”

“Seriously? Killer frosty as a date?” Breisa scoffed, but quickly caught herself. “Whatever man. Anyone want to share what the hell happened up there?”

 “We’ll explain later,” Piper promised, sharing a look with Jason.

“Yeah,” he agreed after a beat, “We’ll explain later.” 

Breisa gave a look to Leo, and he looked just as confused as her

“Be careful, pretty girl,” Zethes said to Piper. “The winds between here and Chicago are bad-tempered. Many other evil things are stirring. I am sorry you will not be staying. You would make a lovely ice statue, in which I could check my reflection.” 

“Thanks,” Piper said. “But I’d sooner play hockey with Cal.” 

“Hockey?” Cal’s eyes lit up. 

“Joking,” Piper said. “And the storm winds aren’t our worst problem, are they?” 

“Oh, no,” Zethes agreed. “Something else. Something worse.” 

“Worse,” Cal echoed. 

Breisa wondered what that meant.

“Can you tell me?” Piper gave them a smile. 

This time, the charm didn’t work. The purple-winged Boreads shook their heads in unison. The hangar doors opened onto a freezing starry night, and Festus the dragon stomped his feet, anxious to fly.

 “Ask Aeolus what is worse,” Zethes said darkly. “He knows. Good luck.” 

He almost sounded like he cared what happened to them, even though a few minutes ago he’d wanted to make Piper into an ice sculpture. 

Cal patted Leo and Breisa on the shoulder. “Don’t get destroyed,” he said, which was probably the longest sentence he’d ever attempted. “Next time—hockey. Pizza. And Fights!” 

“Come on, guys.” Jason stared out at the dark. He was eager to get going.  “Let’s go to Chicago and try not to get destroyed.”

__

Now gliding through the air, Breisa hoped and prayed that whatever was in Chicago would be easier.

After hearing about the interaction with Boreas—threats of being turned to ice, his personality flipped from Greek to Roman, and how their quest humored him— it didn’t seem likely that the ride would smooth over soon. 

Leo passed Breisa some sandwiches from his pack. She passed them back to Piper and Jason making sure she gave Piper the vegan one.

Leo had been weirdly quiet ever since they’d told him what happened in the throne room. 

“I still can’t believe Khione,” he said. “She looked so nice.”

“I think you’re mistaking niceness for bitchiness.” Breisa grumbled from behind him.

 “Trust me, man,” Jason said. “Snow may be pretty, but up close it’s cold and nasty.”

“We’ll find you a better prom date.” Piper smiled, but Leo didn’t look pleased.

 Neither him or Breisa mentioned much about their time in the hotel.

With what Breisa knew, she wondered if Leo would ever open up about his powers. 

But it seemed like that vision memory might be imprinted in his brain at the moment. She still felt awful for causing it. And deciding to deal with their issues later— Breisa they would break into arguing again.

His mood seemed to be affecting Festus, who grumbled and steamed as he tried to keep himself warm in the cold Canadian air. Happy the Dragon was not so happy.

 Nobody talked.

They were all in a mood. 

Breisa spaced out and stared into the starry sky. Snow flakes fell, landing into her curls. You could never get this view in East Los.

Her eyelids were getting heavy. She realized how tired she really was. 

But how could she possibly sleep right now? It would be better on a comfortable  bed.

“Deberías dormir.” Leo looked from the corner of his eye. “It’s a long way to Chicago, you know…It wouldn’t be good if you’re a delirious zombie when we land.”

“I'm the kid of a night goddess.” She argued, “I can stay up.”

“Tell that to the bags under your eyes.” Leo remarked,  “You already did a night watch. It's your turn to get some rest. Besides, they’re already passed out.”

Breisa looked to see that he was right. Piper was leaning back on Jason. Both were sound asleep.

With them looking all snuggled up– her whole body began to wear down. 

She yawned. “No me dejarás caer.”

“Can’t let you go splat,” Leo said. “Who else is going to manipulate dumb jocks with magic tricks?”

“Hmn.” Breisa hummed. Then leaned down and rested her head on his shoulder with her arms around his waist. Her sleep deprived mind was completely unaware of her actions.

The warmth that Leo radiated was cozy, safe. And he smelled like cinderwood and cinnamon. Surprisingly the army coat added to comfort, it almost felt like a pillow. 

The world began to melt away, and she began to dream…

—

“¡Aye, No!” The voice of her Tía cried. “That girl is in so much trouble when she gets home!” 

She was in the tiny  dining room-kitchen of their small apartment. Pacing between table and stove. 

The window above the dining table was open a bit—That meant she just had her cafecito and conchas. Tía Celia liked to enjoy it with the calming scenery of downtown. Especially since Christmas was coming around the corner.

Although right now she is not so calm. She still had her work uniform on. So she might’ve also just gone off.

The home phone was in her grasp. Which meant that she either got a call from Breisa’s school or her own half ass voicemail.

Neither would be considered good news. 

“Por Dios.” Tía sighed, “Mateo, you gave me a lot to work with. She’s exactly like us when we were young. Getting into trouble…¿Qué puedo hacer?”

Breisa felt guilty. She didn’t mean to worry her so much. 

“I know she’s a good kid.” Tía spoke aloud tearfully, “Was sending her away the right thing? I hope this would’ve helped…Am I a bad person?”

‘No!’ Breisa wanted to scream. ‘You aren’t a bad person, Tia! It’s my fault! I’m…I’m sorry.”

Her aunt paused. Like she heard her. 

Then she shook her head. “I can’t stress myself out. You wouldn’t have wanted that. Neither would Mija. I need to figure out how I’m going to find her. Especially if she’s staying with a friend.”

She began to dial a phone number. It rang.

Oh boy. Breisa thought. Tía Celica would not be happy once she figured out that she was across the country. Could chácalas travel that far? 

She just needed her to stay away. At least until she could get home. And explain everything. 

Breisa wished that Tía would just trust that she could handle herself. 

The strangest thing happened. Tía paused again. She looked around the apartment. Her eyes landed directly on Breisa's. They held eye contact for a brief moment, before she looked away. 

Tía hung up the phone. “I’ll wait. I can’t jump to conclusions. Not like last time…I just hope she calls soon.” 

Before Breisa could react the dream shifted. The world spun. And she was submerged in darkness. It was like murky water, but more goopy. 

She looked and moved around trying to adjust. But she only sank in.

“It will do you no use, little witch.” That familiar voice rumbled. Her accent stronger and more prominent than before.“You will not find much here. Not if I allow it.”

Bresia breathed uneasily. “What do you want? Why are you here?”

The voice cackled in delight,“To warn you, little witch. See my companions are coming after you and your friends.

If you stick with them, you’ll surely die…but if you choose to leave them. Betray them, so much better. Walk away.

I’ll give you back the life you deserve. You are so much better without them. With your loving aunt, who won’t worry any more. Maybe you’ll reunite with your father.”

Breisa hesitated for a moment. But she shook her head. “No! I’m not letting you get in my head. I won’t walk away. I won’t let you hurt them. We’ll stop you.” 

“Strong willed are we?” The voice growled, “Why do you protect?  High and mighty sky prince can not recognize his namesake. How do you know he is not dangerous? The girl is manipulative and she hardly knows you. She could easily use you.

And that Fire boy. You think he would forgive you for learning of his secret? And the things you have done to him? Surely the hate will drive you apart.” 

“Shut up!” Breisa snapped. Then she regretted it, but she held her ground. “I won’t leave them. You’ll have better than words.”

The voice snarled, “If that’s your choice. They only hold you back. Hope you have a nice trip demigod.``

Breisa felt cold breeze on her neck, the dream world spun—

And she woke up to everyone screaming.

 Breisa was free-falling through the air.

—

(A/N: Five months is a long time 😅, but I’m back. Posting slowly, trying to get to the meat of this this story. Hope you all enjoy this, editing for a really long time. [As well as other chapters before] Also it’s ✨Christmas season🎄✨ figured it be the best time to post this.)

Translations for the chapter— coming soon

[gavotte-paradisio]

Welcome to my blog

I might split this into separate posts once I become more proficient in tumblr but here goes:

Hi. I'm Lily. Please don't be the bad kind of weirdo in my comments and reblogs. Please feel free to be the good kind of weirdo. I am. I think most of us here are.

Featured character of the month: Luís Contreras aka Corvid (Miraculous Ladybug OC)

OC of the week: Worth Chaval (D&D character)

Fandoms I'm having brainrot for: Hatchetfield, Yaelokre/Meadowlark, Good Omens, Miraculous Ladybug, VHS Christmas Carols, Dungeons & Dragons, Lenda Urcana (Original urban fantasy world)

Characters I'm having brainrot for: Webby, T'noy Karaxis, Wiggog Y'Rath, Peter Spankoffski, Grace Chasity, Stephanie Lauter, PJ, Coda'al (OC), Hecaria Karaxis (OC), Millimaria(friendquaintance's oc) (Hatchetfield); Literally the entire Lark and Harkers, Luce (oc), The Mad Herald (oc)(Yaelokre/Meadowlark); Beelzebub, Crowley, Gabriel, Dagon (Good Omens); Butterflies in my Stomach! Gabi Grassete (AU), Butterflies in my Stomach! Nathalie Sancoeur (AU), Ariana Agreste (friend's oc)(Miraculous Ladybug); Literally all of the Matchstick Magi, Della, Clark the Narrator, Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge (VHS Christmas Carols); Célia (oc), G'eldonia Salein (oc), Cruz Alkibrit (oc), Eliana Dawsama(oc) (Dungeons & Dragons); Helene, Eárra,Ourélie,Saoirse,Makiese, The Iamedi, Crocus Carvidge, Félix Ortega

Fandoms I'll roleplay as and characters I'll roleplay from them:

Ever After High: Bianca Hearts (oc), Flori (oc), Lavendre Setsorciere D'Lilas (oc), Seth Setsorciere D'Lilas (oc), Amelia Volpe (oc), Belladonna Turm (oc), Amanda Leaford (oc), Sandra Fireball (oc), Catarino Gatto (oc), Ulysses Fierce (oc), Porter L'duc (oc)

D&D (due to the nature of the game they're all ocs): Celia, Aquamarine, Kaiden Windriver, Aelar Holimion, G'eldonia Salein, Megan Wren, Rowan Goldleaf, Tre (with the poofy hair), Jamira, Cassian Liadon, De-See Akachissa, Lamina, Ysabeaux Borges, Eliana Dawsama, Cruz Alkibrit, Worth Chaval

Undertale: Undyne, Mettaton

Delta Rune: Kris, Ralsei, Lancer

Doki Doki Literature Club: Monika

Pokemon Go: Blanche

Sanders Sides: All sides in interps of canon, plus: Leon Schneider (au of Logan) Ramses XII (au of Roman), Lycanthrope! Patton Sanders (au), Valentin Stadler (au of Virgil), Fae/Iguana! Roman Sanders (au), Fae/Gecko!Patton De Cartier (au), Fae/Box Turtle! Virgil Hemshade (au), Fae/Boa Constrictor! Prince Logan De Serpens (au) Fae/King Cobra! King Janus De Serpens, Tomezinho (au of Thomas), Seu Logan (au), Emilia! Roman (au), Tio Patton (au), Tio Virgil (au), Cobrinha (au of Janus), Saci! Remus (au), Emilie, Viscount of Picanosa (au of Dr. Picani), Tom Kirk (au of Thomas), L'gn Spock (au of Logan), Kirumi Uhura (au of Roman), Lev Chekov (au of Patton), Virgil McCoy (au), Naomi Sulu (au of Janus), Remus Scott (au), Elliot Walker (oc), Ava Watershed (oc), Verity (oc), Celeste (oc), Agatha (oc), Persephone (oc), Jane (oc)

Dance Central: Dare, Oblio

Just Dance: The Traveler, Mihaly, Jack Rose

Good Omens: Aziraphale, Crowley, Anathema Device, Beelzebub, Sercon (au of Aziraphale), Raphael (au of Crowley), Bee Moschella (au of Beelzebub), Seth Devall (au of Satan), Gabe Vanderskye (au of Gabriel), Tony MacAleister (au of Crowley), 'El Villalba (au of Muriel), Zed Vega (au of Aziraphale)

Encanto: Isabela, Dolores, Mirabel

SIX! The Musical: Aragon, Parr

Umbrella Academy (Netflix show, I haven't read the comics): Klaus, Ben, Viktor

Miraculous Ladybug: Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Adrien Agreste, Gabriel Agreste, Teen! Gabi Grassete (au), Teen! Emilie Graham De Vanily (au), Teen! Nathalie Sancouer (au), Baynard Travers (oc), Carlotta Contreras (oc), Luis Contreras (oc)

Descendants: Willamine Sanderson (oc), Jesse Hook (oc), Bianca-Rose of Hearts (oc), Mary-Gwen (oc)

Avatarverse (ATLA/TLOK/COTA): Aang, Zuko, Kyoshi, Akane (oc), Huilang (oc), Lee (oc)

The Sims 4: Caleb Vatore, Lilith Vatore, Morgyn Ember, L. Faba, Simeon Silversweater

CATS! (The musical): Munkustrap, Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees

The Summoner: Fletcher Wulf/Raleigh

MCU: Loki, Thor

Random books I read for class in high school: Prince Prospero (Masque of the Red Death) Red Death (Masque of the Red Death), Nick Carraway (The Great Gatsby) Reverend Hale (The Crucible), Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing), Banquo (Macbeth), Tiresias (Greek Mythology/Oedipus Rex), Creature/Adam (Frankenstein), Algernon Moncrieff (The Importance of Being Earnest)

Monster High: Scarlett Death (OC), Luano Lobi (OC), Coda'al (OC)

Nonfandom ocs and stuff from my wips: Blaise Mirren, Laura Vasquez, Joan Doe/Guo Xian, Crocus Carvidge, Andrew Anure, Calliope Rookwood, Felix Ortega, Saoirse, Makiese, Helene, Cato Caelius Cicerinus, Fujisaki Kei, Raven, Robin, Wren, The Knights of the Fungal Order

Synpaths:

Primary Synpaths: Janus (Sanders Sides), Roman (Sanders Sides), Logan (Sanders Sides), Aaron Burr (Hamilton), Jaskier (The Witcher (the Netflix show because I haven't read the books or played the games and I hear he's different), Algernon Moncrieff (The Importance Of Being Earnest)

Secondary Synpaths: Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender (the cartoon)), Aang (Avatar: The Last Airbender (the cartoon)), Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter (no I don't support she-who-I-won't-bother-to-name)), Belle (Beauty and the Beast (the 1991 Disney cartoon)), Michele Santana (3%), Juliana Crain (The Man in the High Castle(the Amazon Prime show, I haven't read the book)), Nick Carraway (The Great Gatsby) Reverend Hale (The Crucible), Isabela Madrigal (Encanto), Kris Dreemurr (delta rune)

I'm on the fence about these: Avatar Kyoshi (Chronicles of the Avatar), Lancer (delta rune), Emily Ostergaard (Women Playing Hamlet), Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit (I haven't read Lord of the Rings)), Hannah Foster (Hatchetfield)

Please feel free to comment, message, or AMA if anything I listed sounds interesting to you!

[samuraisam]

szokásos módon félrevezető cím, kép és kezdet a cikkhez. valójában nem 600 ezer üres lakás van, hanem 600 ezer nem lakhatási célra használt lakás - ebben benne van az üres, az airbnbtől a vendégházig az összes turisztikai használat, meg az iroda meg fogorvosi rendelő. konkrétabb adatok, tehát hogy hol miből mennyi van, úgy tűnik, nincsenek, a cikk is csak feltételezésekkel dolgozik.

budapesten 17,7 százalék a nem lakhatási célra használt lakások aránya, ezen belül az V. kerületben 37%, az I-VI-VII-VIII-XI-XII. kerületekben 22-32%, és a II meg XII-ban is a bp-i átlag fölöttti, tehát valószínűleg ezek belvárosi részein szintén jó magas. ehhez képest ezek azok a kerületek/városrészek, amik a legkeresettebek a lakáspiacon, és itt nem is valami torzító folyamatról van szó, hanem 1) ez az ország egyetlen nagyvárosának a belvárosa és 2) kb itt lehetne relatíve kicsi módosításokkal jó lakókörülményeket teremteni magyarországon belül.

ehhez képest ez az egész sehol nem téma (kivéve persze @praesensperfectum - valószínűleg részben azért is, mert ezek az adatok nincsenek meg sehol, de közben meg az ember budapesten ezt azért eléggé érzékeli, hogy mennyi lakásban van iroda stb. valamiért építészetileg meg városépítészetileg sem sikerült erre ötleteket vagy válaszokat találni a rendszerváltás óta, ha valahol valami épül, az jellemzően lakóépületek ahol minimális tér van a földszinteken irodáknak/üzleteknek, vagy pedig kurvanagy irodaházak/irodanegyedek (váci út, infopark) vagy ami még ennél is rosszabb, a városszéli iparipark-üzlet-irodanegyed. (valamiért pl. a felhagyott ipari területek ilyen jellegű újrahasznosítása sem jelent meg magyarországon, pedig ezzel tele van egész európa (csehország meg lengyelország is, nem csak a "nyugat"). ehhez képest budapesten mostanában dózerolják le a megmaradt műemlék gyárcsarnokokat és társaikat.)

eközben van egy csomó gazdasági szereplő (nem írok vállalkozást, mert pl. egy orvosi rendelő nem az), amelyik 1) túl kicsi, hogy egy ilyen irodaházban legyen, 2) az emberek lakóhelyének a közelében tud létezni/megélni. ezeknek lényegében nincs más választásuk, mint lakásokat "elidegeníteni" (németül mondják így, nem tudom van-e rá magyar kifejezés).

[fujijori]

FAVONIUS CODEX ━━

❝ Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrarywise━ what it is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. ❞

✸ GenPact (Genshin Impact)

━━━━━━━━━━━━

✦ CIVITA LIBERTATIS ━━ city of freedom

━ tba...

✦ URBIS CONTRACTIBUS ━━ city of contracts

━ tba...

✦ URBIS AETERNITATIS ━━ city of eternity

━ tba...

✦ URBIS SAPIENTIAE ━━ city of wisdom

━ tba...

✦ SNEZHNAYAN LACRIMIS ━━ snezhnayan tears

━ tba...

✦ PERTURBATIONEM SIDERUM ━━ misc.

━ tba...

✸ Ad Astra (Original Story) | TBA

━━━━━━━━━━━━

✦ ACT I. The Ember in the Abyss ━ Emily

✦ ACT II. His Royal Highness ━ King Nicholas

✦ ACT III. The Body is But a Canvas ━ Iris

✦ ACT IV. The Crow's Funeral ━ Skyler

✦ ACT V. Come to Life ━ Thomas

✦ ACT VI. Here Comes the General ━ Fa

✦ ACT VII. A Chef's Ambition ━ Pao

━━━━━━━━━━━━

✦ ACT VIII. Serendipity ━ Khai

✦ ACT IX. Fox Udon ━ Riku

✦ ACT X. Sealed and Sent ━ Greta

✦ ACT XI. Wolf in Sheep's Clothing ━ Eryx

✦ ACT XII. Down with the Monarchy ━ Xavier

✦ ACT XIII. The Academe ━ Noah

✦ ACT XIV. Smells Like Roses ━ Nina

✸ Written In The Stars (GenPact Fanfic) | TBA

━━━━━━━━━━━━

✦ PRELUDE. A Bard's Adventure

━ Follows the storyline of the official Genshin Impact webcomic/manga, as well as the snippets of Genshin lore revolving around Old Mondstadt and Lord Barbatos, mostly about how the Lawrence clan fell, Vennessa saving the people of Mondstadt, and some parts of early character backstories.

✦ ACT I. The Outlander Who Caught the Wind

━ Follows the Prologue Archon Quest at the beginning of the game, regarding the Traveler first meeting the citizens of Mondstadt, saving it from Dvalin, and finally being able to greet Lord Barbatos, who was disguised as a mortal bard, whom he dubbed 'Venti'.

✦ ACT II. Farewell, Archaic Lord

━ Follows the Liyue Archon Quest, in which the Traveler moves from Mondstadt to the city of contracts, or Liyue as the citizens call it. They meet the former Geo Archon, as well as make both friends and enemies, save yet another city from certain doom, and find passage to Inazuma.

✦ ACT III. Omnipresence Over Mortals

━ Follows the Inazuma Archon Quest, after the Traveler safely arrived at Inazuma. Upon their arrival, they meet an odd group of miscellanous friends, fight in a war against the Shogun, end the Vision Hunt decree, and witness a comrade's, as well as an enemie's, death.

✦ INTERLUDE. A Winter's Night Lazzo

━ Follows the Genshin Impact's official YouTube video "A Winter's Night Lazzo", wherein the Harbringers gather to mourn the death of Rosalyne, a comrade they lost in Inazuma, and begin to plan their next step in seizing yet another Gnosis. Later, it is revealed that the Doctor has decided to make an appearence in the Ciy of Wisdom, unfortunately for a young woman.

✦ ACT IV. Truth Amongst the Pages of Purana

━ Follows the Sumeru Archon Quest, where the Traveler is on the search for Lesser Lord Kusanali to inquire further about their missing sibling's whereabouts, only to get roped into more trouble involving the Akademiya and the Fatui, having to save Nahida and yet another city from evil.

✦ ACT V. Masquerade of the Guilty

━ Follows an original storyline (as Fontaine has yet to be released), in which the Traveler overhears news and chatter of an on-going event in the City of Justice, and makes a trip there with their trusty companion Paimon, only to find that a hero is needed yet again. The Traveler is reunited with a few old friends, as well as meets several new other acquaintences, including a figure that reminds them oddly of the God of Justice...

✦ ACT VI. Incandescent Ode of Resurrection

━ Follows an original storyline (as little is known about Natlan), where the Traveler and Dehya visit the City of War and meet a promising young street brawler who offers to aid them in their search for the Pyro Archon, Murata. During their stay, the Traveler agrees to participate in a brawling event, much like the Warrior's Spirit event, meeting a little but powerful girl named Iansan.

✦ ACT VII. Everwinter Without Mercy

━ Follows an original storyline (since Snezhnaya is as mysterious as the Fatui Harbringers are), where the Traveler is invited to visit Childe and his family, under the pretense of the Tsaritsa's wishes, which was to get closer, to observe and keep a watchful eye over the Traveler. The Tsaritsa has not yet viewed the Traveler as a threat, simply as an obstacle, or a pawn in a game she simply needs to find a way to maneuver around or knock over. Meanwhile, Teucer had wandered away from his brother's protective line of sight, and ends up in the Zapolyarny Palace.

✦ POSTLUDE. Come Find Me Again

━ Follows an original storyline (since the ending of Genshin Impact is unclear), where the Traveler has finally be reuinted with their sibling, however, they must fight against them in order to save the entire world of Teyvat. Their sibling desires to lay ruin to Teyvat, as they were devastated by the destruction of their home, and the Traveler must stop them from destroying an entire world. All the while the Unknown Archon watches over them both, knowing full well how this scene will play out...

[oughtabeinpxctures]

Tea Leaves and Worries

XII LE PENDU - PART II - WRITTEN WITH @phantomcurtaincall

Tired eyes shown with concern as Lèon dipped the towel into the water before placing it to her brow. His guilt nearly consumed him. He knew he had been focused on his work and their husband, but there was no excuse for him to have missed this. 

"How long have you been feeling ill, my sweet?" He asked softly. "You should have told me..."

She was humoring him. While she felt terrible, she wasn't that bad. But... she'd take the excuse to lay down a little longer. 

"Oh, I don't know... a few weeks? I'm sure it isn't anything serious. Julian was fine after a while."

"He was, but that was after treatment and rest, neither of which you've been receiving," 

While he was gentle in his chiding, but couldn't hide his worry. He pressed a hand to her cheek, feeling for a fever. 

"Have there been any other symptoms you've been experiencing? Any chills or sore throat?"

“No, no,” which is why she wasn’t so worried, “Just the nausea. Maybe a few headaches.” 

She’d been exhausted too, but they all were. She placed her hand over his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m fine, darling. It’ll pass,”

“You still should spend the rest of the day in bed,” he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek softly. 

“And if you’ll allow me, I’d like to examine you all the same. Even if it’s nothing, I’d rather be sure of it than leave anything to chance. I couldn’t bear it if anything worse comes of this.”

“Examine me?” She raised her eyebrows playfully, though she winced when her stomach turned again, “Let me have a few more minutes and some water before you go exploring.”

“Regardless, I shouldn’t stay in bed. I’ll be fine after a while.”

“You know how I meant that, but if you’re going to refuse to stay in bed, you may leave me no choice but to find ways to entice you to do so,” he said, a soft smile on his lips. “It’s been some time since the three of us have spent a day like that.” 

He went and filled a glass of water before bringing it back and offering it to her. 

“How often are you feeling nauseous, love? Is it consistent or does it come and go?”

She pushed herself up and opted to place the cool rag on the back of her neck. She thanked him for the glass and took a few drinks from it. 

“Oh, I don’t know,” she pondered for a moment, she hadn’t been putting that much thought into it. She had plenty of other things to worry about now, “I have my morning tea and normally that takes care of it. Will you let me put the kettle on?”

"I suppose, but only if you're right back in bed afterwards," He said, giving her a gentle, yet still concerned smile. "I know you're not one to stay in bed unless we're keeping you there, but please, darling, let me take care of you." 

He'd seen how this illness ravaged the bodies of those under his care. They both had seen how it had effected Julian. While cases were becoming less and less frequent with the population building an immunity, he wouldn't risk it. 

He offered her his hand to help her to her feet, simultaneously trying to think through symptoms. Perhaps she was right, perhaps it truly was nothing. She should have been experiencing other symptoms if it truly was the flu, and it was odd that the symptoms didn't linger 

"Has anyone else in the coven fallen ill lately?" He asked as they moved to their small kitchen. "Or anyone else you've been around? Any changes in what you've been taking in or doing?"

"No, no, none of that," she shook her head and led to their small kitchen. It was barely dawn, still cold, and before anyone from the vineyard had come by for them. She shivered before checking the inside of the stove and adding kindling. 

She couldn't bother looking for a match and opted to snap embers from her fingers to light the wood. She moved the half-full kettle over the closest burner. 

"You're overthinking this, dear. You worry too much," she smiled softly at him. She leaned against the sink basin and drew her dressing gown closer, and absently massaged her abdomen, "I hate to see you anxious. I promise this won't be another terrible thing."

"You and Julian are everything to me, you know I can't help but worry over you," He gently wrapped his arms around her, holding her from behind and placing a kiss to her neck. "If anything were to happen to you... I couldn't bear it." He knew it couldn't, and so he wouldn't let himself think of it. He knew too painfully well what hung over all of their heads. Instead, he focused on her, watching her movement with a small frown. "...Do you think it's your cycle? When was the last time you had it?" "I'm alright, darling, I promise," She settled against him, thankful for his care and warmth.

"My cycle?" she was bewildered by his inquiry. She was embarrassed by it, "I--... Oh, well, possibly...," she placed a hand on her chest. Come to think about it, she had been rather tender, "A few months, maybe--? Yes, that must be it," she turned and offered him an apologetic look, "Oh, darling, I'm so sorry to get you worked up,"

"Hush, think nothing of it," He said, nuzzling her and placing a kiss to her head. "I'm sorry for the inquiry."

While he had come to be unphased by it, he knew well enough that that sort of question wasn't exactly proper to ask. Still, her answer worried him.

"Forgive me for asking but... is that common with the way how you and your girls handle it?" He knew that they had created means of ensuring their health and safety. While he may not have understood it completely, he found it remarkable and applauded them for it. But perhaps something had gone wrong? A bad batch that could be causing her illness? "Nothing there has changed?"

She furrowed her brow, "What do you mean...?" "Oh, oh," she laughed softly, "No, dear, I'm just getting old. It hasn't been consistent in some time. I haven't been taking anything for it since I stopped working in the cabaret."

"You say you're getting old as if you aren't still as bewitchingly beautiful as the first time I laid eyes on you," He said, holding her close. "I look to have aged more in the last month due to stress alone than you have in all the years I've known you." Her answer caused him to pause for a moment, though he hid it by nuzzling against her once more. The thought was preposterous. He trusted her to know herself and her body, what was needed and what wasn't. And while it didn't reflect in her appearance in the slightest, he knew well that she was older than himself and Julian. As she herself had said, her cycles had been irregular. This was normal. It had to be. 

"...but all the same.... once you've had your tea, will you still allow me to examine you? I know I'm being ridiculous, I'm certain that you're right, but please, for the sake of my anxiety?"

"Oh, alright," she ran her fingers through his hair and pressed a kiss to his cheek, then gave him a coy smile "As long as you promise to make the most of it." 

She patted his face before turning to the hutch. She prepared both of them a cup of tea from a loose leaf mixture she had made. She set the cups on the table and poured the hot water from the kettle. The leaves and petals blossomed in the water and released fragrant floral notes over the black tea. 

She sat and held the warm cup close to her, "What else is worrying you? Besides the obvious..."

He took his own cup and breathed in the beautiful aroma. Truly, he hadn't drank tea all that often prior to her coming into his life, but it was something he had come to love and he cherished being able to enjoy it with his spouses. "Other than work as well, I suppose you mean?" He asked. "...I worry about Julian. About how he and Vengeance are fairing. And I worry that he's not attempted to reach out to the girl yet. I see her every so often as I'm going to work. She's still waiting for him. And..." He was hesitant to mention it. "...I worry for Sacrifice. I need to work soon."

"Of course...," she felt bad for letting it slip her mind. There had been so much going on in their lives together and separately that it was difficult to keep up with. "I haven't heard much from Vengeance lately," she said softly, as if he would hear, "Julian is... he's been in one of those moods. I think he's still upset about missing the last show... Have you talked to him about next season yet?" It was sore to mention. While it was sure to come, they had the time, it felt like it had already slipped away. She waved her hand over her cup and took the first sip from it. It was grounding and comforting. It cleared her mind and helped her continue with her suggestion. "Would that help you find your inspiration? It would help his focus too."

"I haven't spoken with him yet, no..." He truly hadn't thought much on their next season at all. He hadn't expected there to be one, or at least not one that he had been alive to be a part of. "Inspiration is only part of the trouble though, as you know," He said, daring to take a sip of his own tea. "...have your girls had any troublesome visitors as of late?"

She looked down into her tea and watched the leaves swirl around, "No, they haven't... at least nothing warranting an intervention." She wished they had. But they hadn't had as much trouble once the foreign soldiers left. "Have you not heard anything from your patients? Or is that bastard keeping you too far removed from them?"

"I've not heard anything, no," He said, sighing softly as he watched the swirling tea. "And it isn't the Doctor that's keeping me from my work. He's... genuinely been fascinating to talk with. I pity him. I don't suspect that things are exactly as they seem between him and his demon. But nevertheless... it has made my work difficult....I suspect it wants them as weak as possible..." He shook his head. He wouldn't allow that to happen. Neither of them would. "I'll find a way. Even if it means traveling into the city for a short time, the war may have made it easier, but there's no shortage of those deserving of being taken as muses in this world."

She reached and took his hand, rubbing it with her thumb, "I do wish you'd let me come with you. I hate you going alone..."

She took another drink and pondered a moment more. She wondered if Julian needed to do anything of the sort now. She wasn't about to ask though, not at this moment. "What can I do to help?"

"I..." He hesitated for a moment. Could he truly ask for this from her? Would it work? "....there's much that I don't understand and don't know about the demons. Vengeance and Sacrifice have both told me some, and Death has hinted at more, but there is much that I feel is missing, that even they themselves don't fully understand. Death, above all the others, I suspect is our biggest problem. It is ruthless, cold and seemingly sees itself above the others. It doesn't understand us, nor what Vengeance and Sacrifice have together.... and I suspect that it doesn't fully understand its host either." "We need to talk with him... without Death's interference or without it listening to us.... do you think you could create a binding that would allow that?"

"To bind Death?" she whispered in disbelief. It was a daunting idea. Binding Vengeance had been a feat, he was not even fully subdued. She had to enlist the help of her coven to harness the power to do so. Death would take that and more, it was far more powerful and far more dangerous. "I will not say it is impossible... but it will be difficult... Darling, for you I would do anything."

"I know. I wouldn't ask it of you if I thought there was another way," He said, reaching and taking her hand. "But... I fear Death is up to something. We need to speak with the Doctor, to get a better understanding of what it is doing and why. It has Legend and Chaos with it, and it's never been kind toward Sacrifice." He didn't know what it wanted or what it was trying to do, but he didn't trust it for a moment. "I'll talk with Vengeance about this... we still have some time. For now, I want to focus on you and Julian and on finding means of work. Taking care of you both will always come first to me."

"I know, but I wish you'd let us do the same..." she looked down into her tea before almost finishing it. She swirled the leaves around in the remaining tea before pouring the remains into her saucer and setting the cup upside down. "Promise me that you won't confront them until I have something to protect you. Death or Vengeance," while she had gotten to know Vengeance more and she didn't entirely distrust him, she maintained her hesitancies.

"I promise," It was one that bound him, but it was one that he would keep. He couldn't keep this hidden from her any longer. He knew she was far more capable, far more knowledgeable about how to deal with this. And while he desperately wanted to keep her safe, he knew keeping her in the dark could lead them all to further danger. "When I speak to Vengeance, I want you to be with me. While I desperately want to keep you safe and away from all of this, I know that you're far more capable of protecting yourself, our husband and me than I alone would be." "...what are they showing?"

“Thank you, dear,” she squeezed his hand in return. Not many men would offer her the respect, or even acknowledgment, of her experience and knowledge. She considered herself lucky to have both Lèon and Julian. “Oh, um,” she flipped her tea cup over and peered over it. Her brow furrowed as she studied the ambiguous shapes outlined by the leaves, “I’m not sure this time… it isn’t always fortuitous… May I see yours when you’re finished?” "Of course," He finished his tea, being careful not to drain it completely, before passing her the cup. "...Out of curiosity, is reading them something that you're able to teach someone? I truly would be fascinated to learn." He had grown up with science, logic, mostly black and white answers that could be found with reasonable explanations. While Sacrifice had opened his eyes to more of the world, she had brought his life into full color, had shown him true magic and wonder. He smiled softly at her, love so evident in his eyes. "...I don't tell you enough how much you and your abilities amaze me,"

“You’re too sweet,” she smiled sheepishly, glancing between him and the leaves. She had repeated the same process with his cup as she had hers. “This kind of divination is really just for fun. It doesn’t take much. Here,” she stood up and went to his side. She place the cup back in his hand, “the leaves fall and make little pictures. What do you see?”

"Hmm..." He looked at the cup, eyes narrowing as he moved the cup slightly, trying to see something more clearly. "That little bunch at the top looks almost like a small spider," He said, looking up at her before pointing at the cup. "Right there... do you see it?"

"Yes, I do..." she reached over and grabbed her cup to compare. "Right here in base... what do you think that is?" she had a feeling, but wanted his opinion. She didn't give this practice much weight compared to her others, but something was amiss. Their leaves were eerily similar.

He frowned, looking at her cup and the tiny spider nearly identical to his own. It seemed impossible, even she herself had said it was more just for fun. But still. It was unnerving. "...What does it mean?" He asked, looking back at her. "Do you think it's a sign of something?"

"It could... what do you associate with spiders? Are they good, are they bad?" she gave him a reassuring smile, "This is why I say it's for fun. It can mean whatever you want it to mean; which also makes it unreliable." She didn't want to worry him, but the symbols were clear. A sun, maybe, further down in the cups. Along the rims were long lines of the leaves. They seemed to meet when she held the cups together.

He smiled back at her, still worried, but relieved. "I've personally always seen them as good. They're relatively harmless and the webs they weave are beautiful," He said. "Is there anything else you're seeing? Or anything you think them to mean?"

She ran her fingers through his hair, “I think it’s saying we have a long road ahead of us. But we know that,” She pointed to a circle with a dot in it, “I think that’s a sun in an archaic symbol,” she smiled back at him, “Lots of positive signs for a long journey.” "Yes, I think so," He said, leaning into her touch.

He knew the journey ahead of them wasn't going to be easy. There were so many odds stacked against them, so many ways this could go horribly wrong. But he would do everything he could to protect the two people he loved more than anything in the world, and he knew they would do the same for him. 

[shmaptainwrites]

𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 [𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐍]

𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑺 𝑴𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻

PAIRINGS — Violet Bridgerton x fem!Reader [Modern!AU]

SUMMARY — If there was one thing that was universally acknowledged, it was that the Bridgertons were always in the spotlight.

WORD COUNT — 100K

WARNINGS — eventual smut, each chapter will be tagged with additional warnings, NSFW chapters will be marked by an asterisk *

NOTE — This fic has been a long time (a month so really not that long) coming and I can't wait to share this little universe with all of you! A special thanks to my cheerleaders @sleepyfireball and @lifesizehysteria who have been my endless support in this and also helped me with the title <3

[𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒]

AO3 Link

Chapter I: Affairs That Need Ordering

Chapter II: The Hundred Million That Got Away

Chapter III: When in Rome

Chapter IV: Tell Me More, Tell Me More

Chapter V: Complicit

Chapter VI: Stories in Parallel

Chapter VII: The More You Know

Chapter VIII: You Look Pretty When You Dance

Chapter IX: Lettie

Chapter X: A Stranger's Wedding With a Friend

Chapter XI: You Just...Came

Chapter XII: Seventeen

Chapter XIII: The Queen and the Jester

Chapter XIV: Girly Chat

Chapter XV: Overwhelmed

Chapter XVI: Lily

Chapter XVII: Vienna

Chapter XVIII: Work

Chapter XIX: Eggs Benedict

Chapter XX: Take Me Back

Chapter XXI: High Tea

Chapter XXII: Panic

Chapter XXIII: Embers and Ashes

Chapter XXIV: Bridgerton Birthday Bash

Chapter XXV: Mama Who Bore Me

Chapter XXVI: Rain, Rain, Go Away

Chapter XXVII: Ahead of Schedule

Chapter XXVIII: Mystery (Wo)Man

Chapter XXIX: Into the Limelight

[More chapters will be added as they are written]

TAGLIST

[smoldering-embers-the-fox]

[XII] -The Hanged Man-

tarot cards are neat.

i've always loved the intricate symbolism you can extract from each card.

went for some redder shading on the highlights… idk if it work well, but it's something.

154/366

AN: the posing on the card is so funny, and getting gravity to feel like it's working is hard :/

ANN: expect ones for BT0Z and Embers (they are fun to do!!)

[the-hem]

"The Fire Sticks." From the Chandogya Upanishad, the Exploration of the Mysteries of the Priesthood.

Chapter XII − Meditation on the Rathantara Sama

1 The rubbing of the fire−sticks is the syllable Him; the rising of smoke is the Prastava; the

burning is the Udgitha; the forming of embers is the Pratihara; the going out is the Nidhana.

This is the Rathantara Saman as interwoven in fire.

There are many words for fire in Sanskrit. We don’t know the specific type that Rathantara is. The translation is specific in that relates to Saman, so let’s extrapolate and say Rathantara is the illumination of Udgitha, the beauty of life, or is the fuel that consumes all ignorance about the beauty of life. Either works.

Him is the earth.

Prastava is resolution.

Pratihara is the path.

Nidhana is the Result.

Here is our mantra for this section then:

“OM, Rathantara Udgitha Him Prastava Pratihara Saman Nidhana Swaha”.

“The Great Soul, the Fire that is interwoven with the Beauty of Life purifies and restores all peace and blessings; let this be so in the lives of all beings.”

2 He who thus knows this Rathantara Saman as interwoven in fire becomes radiant with the light of Brahman and endowed with a good appetite; he reaches the full length of life, lives brightly, becomes great in children and cattle, great in fame.

For him the injunction is: "Do sip water or spit before the fire."

Spitting is a filthy habit, please refrain from it.

[multiplebirthinwebcomics]

Group 1 :

Garnet and Jade (Curious Case of the Ring Brothers)

Booster and Charlie Sanchez (Dumbing of Age)

Mona and Polly Theist (Flaky Pastry)

Jonas and Sidney Wagner (Long Exposure)

Sphinxes (Paranatural)

Mariwen and Merrick (The Forgotten Order)

Edie and Gladys Shaw (Widdershins)

Molly and Angel Dust (Zoophobia)

Group 2

Crow, Magpie and Raven Arrow (Ava's Demon)

Hashim and Xoltan (Ennui Go)

Alpha, Beta, etc. (In the Bleak Midwinter)

Money Twins (Lookism)

Fletcher and Milo (Realta)

Forte Bass and Outrageous Apple (Sleepless Domain)

Charles and Isabella (The Blind Prince)

Jodie and Julie Kim (XII : Of Magic and Muses)

Group 3

Calmia and Ellua Phlox (Dear Nemesis)

Morgan and Nathan Slater (Ennui Go)

Dani and Dorian Wytte (Hooky)

Rhododendron "Rhodey" and Rosemary "Rosie" Muscade (Leif & Thorn)

Elan and Nale (Order of the Stick)

Marie and Rosalie (Sister Claire)

Lucy and Ravyn (Slice of Life)

Iori and Lori Ripa (Unsounded)

Group 4

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (Alice's Nightmare)

Charlie and Claudette (Cirque Royale)

Iona and Ragnild Nibelungsen (Leif & Thorn)

Damien and Sam Day (Paranatural)

Amelia and Amaya (Señorita Cometa)

Walky and Sal (Walkyverse)

Sara and Siya Litriya (Unsounded)

Gabriel and Uriel (Your Wings and Mine)

Group 5

Balder and Ravn (Fjordsøn)

Dave, Dirk, Jade, Jake, Jane, John, Rose, Roxy (Homestuck)

Babs, Oldie, Todd and Tomo (Live With Yourself)

Byeonggeon and Byeonggwan Heo (Lookism)

Taylor and Tyler (Schoolbus Graveyard)

Nagyunn and Najin (The Ember Knight)

Arhen and Arienne Yuriana (The Twins' New Life)

Carmilla ans Idun (Vampire Husband)

Group 6

Aequali and Johann de Roma (Deor)

Izzy and Addy (Ennui Go)

Brenda and David (Jackson's Diary)

Selva and Warrick Chopper (Namesake)

Lucky, Don, Reijiro, Fanta, Mimin, Sikato, Sorachika (PPPPPP)

Lucas and Maria Lockhart (Star Children)

Ella and Elli Kaine (The Kaines Project)

Chunhyang and Mong-Ryong Kang (Villain with a Crush)

Thank you all for waiting !

Preliminaries will be 6 polls with 8 candidates each, the 4 options with the most votes in each of them win.

The one with the most votes among the 24 characters left will also be in the bracket

I'm setting them up as soon as I can

[xii-ember]

Badass screenshot from before the Hades fight ~

[thelustybraavosimaid]

Choice parts from Good Boi™️/Vanilla Dude™️ Jon Snow's chapters 🥰🥰:

Hours later, as the castle slept, three of them paid a call on his cell. Grenn held his arms while Pyp sat on his legs. Jon could hear Rast's rapid breathing as Ghost leapt onto his chest. The direwolf's eyes burned red as embers as his teeth nipped lightly at the soft skin of the boy's throat, just enough to draw blood. "Remember, we know where you sleep," Jon said softly.

The next morning Jon heard Rast tell Albett and Toad how his razor had slipped while he shaved. (Jon IV, AGoT)

...

And he had made as many enemies as friends at Castle Black...Rast, for one. Jon had once threatened to have Ghost rip his throat out unless he stopped tormenting Samwell Tarly, and Rast did not forget things like that. He was raking dry leaves into piles under the stairs just now, but every so often he stopped long enough to give Jon a nasty look. (Jon VII, ASoS)

--

And then he heard the laughter, sharp and cruel as a whip, and the voice of Ser Alliser Thorne. "Not only a bastard, but a traitor's bastard," he was telling the men around him.

In the blink of an eye, Jon had vaulted onto the table, dagger in his hand. Pyp made a grab for him, but he wrenched his leg away, and then he was sprinting down the table and kicking the bowl from Ser Alliser's hand. Stew went flying everywhere, spattering the brothers. Thorne recoiled. People were shouting, but Jon Snow did not hear them. He lunged at Ser Alliser's face with the dagger, slashing at those cold onyx eyes, but Sam threw himself between them and before Jon could get around him, Pyp was on his back clinging like a monkey, and Grenn was grabbing his arm while Toad wrenched the knife from his fingers. (Jon VII, AGoT)

--

"My lord is wise." Ser Alliser seized Jon by the arm.

Jon yanked away and grabbed the knight by the throat with such ferocity that he lifted him off the floor. He would have throttled him if the Eastwatch men had not pulled him off. Thorne staggered back, rubbing the marks Jon's fingers had left on his neck. "You see for yourselves, brothers. The boy is a wildling." (Jon IX, ASoS)

--

That morning he called it first. "I'm Lord of Winterfell!" he cried, as he had a hundred times before. Only this time, this time, Robb had answered, "You can't be Lord of Winterfell, you're bastard-born. My lady mother says you can't ever be the Lord of Winterfell."

I thought I had forgotten that. Jon could taste blood in his mouth, from the blow he'd taken.

In the end Halder and Horse had to pull him away from Iron Emmett, one man on either arm. The ranger sat on the ground dazed, his shield half in splinters, the visor of his helm knocked askew, and his sword six yards away. "Jon, enough," Halder was shouting, "he's down, you disarmed him. Enough!"

No. Not enough. Never enough. Jon let his sword drop. "I'm sorry," he muttered. "Emmett, are you hurt?"

Iron Emmett pulled his battered helm off. "Was there some part of yield you could not comprehend, Lord Snow?" It was said amiably, though. Emmett was an amiable man, and he loved the song of swords. "Warrior defend me," he groaned, "now I know how Qhorin Halfhand must have felt." (Jon XII, ASoS)

--

"Well," said Sam, "he will not want it said that Stannis rode to the defense of the realm whilst King Tommen was playing with his toys. That would bring scorn down upon House Lannister."

"It's death and destruction I want to bring down upon House Lannister, not scorn." (Samwell I, AFfC/Jon II, ADwD)

--

"I have no sister. Only brothers. Only you." Lady Catelyn would have rejoiced to hear those words, he knew. That did not make them easier to say. His fingers closed around the parchment. Would that they could crush Ramsay Bolton's throat as easily. (Jon VI, ADwD)

--

Cregan shook his head. Chunks of ice had formed about the tangles in his hair, and clicked together softly when he moved. "Never," he said. "Never, never, never."

I should make his head a wedding gift for Lady Alys and her Magnar, Jon thought, but dare not take the risk. The Night's Watch took no part in the quarrels of the realm; some would say he had already given Stannis too much help. Behead this fool, and they will claim I am killing northmen to give their lands to wildlings. Release him, and he will do his best to rip apart all I've done with Lady Alys and the Magnar. (Jon X, ADwD)

--

Burning shafts hissed upward, trailing tongues of fire. Scarecrow brothers tumbled down, black cloaks ablaze. "Snow," an eagle cried, as foemen scuttled up the ice like spiders. Jon was armored in black ice, but his blade burned red in his fist. As the dead men reached the top of the Wall he sent them down to die again. He slew a greybeard and a beardless boy, a giant, a gaunt man with filed teeth, a girl with thick red hair. Too late he recognized Ygritte. She was gone as quick as she'd appeared.

The world dissolved into a red mist. Jon stabbed and slashed and cut. He hacked down Donal Noye and gutted Deaf Dick Follard. Qhorin Halfhand stumbled to his knees, trying in vain to staunch the flow of blood from his neck. "I am the Lord of Winterfell," Jon screamed. It was Robb before him now, his hair wet with melting snow. Longclaw took his head off. Then a gnarled hand seized Jon roughly by the shoulder. He whirled…

…and woke with a raven pecking at his chest. "Snow," the bird cried. Jon swatted at it. The raven shrieked its displeasure and flapped up to a bedpost to glare down balefully at him through the predawn gloom. (Jon XII, ADwD)

--

The roar was all he could have hoped for, the tumult so loud that the two old shields tumbled from the walls. Soren Shieldbreaker was on his feet, the Wanderer as well. Toregg the Tall, Brogg, Harle the Huntsman and Harle the Handsome both, Ygon Oldfather, Blind Doss, even the Great Walrus. I have my swords, thought Jon Snow, and we are coming for you, Bastard. (Jon XIII, ADwD)

[afoolandathief]

Day 6 of Nano

WIP: Something Wicked

Status: Rewriting

NaNo profile: afoolandathief

NaNoWriMo 2022 Goal: 250 words a day

Words written today: 304

NaNo WC total (not counting prior work): 1,937

Total WC for rewrite: 35,180

So I've only done a pretty tame amount for this session on Something Wicked, but for now I'm going to stop here to get back into revising Those Horrid, Horrid Things (I miss my chaos monster family). If possible, I'll write some more SW later tonight and update this post!

Excerpt below ↓

From: CHAPTER XII (In Which Corpse Dick is Alluded to)

(TW for discussions of corpses, death, and cremation)

Amber’s blood-orange lips twisted as Ember maneuvered a mouse in front of an ancient-looking desktop computer. A noise of disgust came from the back of his throat.

“This guy’s family wants to bury him in an Elvis costume and wig?” he asked.

“He was a famous impersonator and the family’s providing everything,” Amber called back, not taking her eyes off Jade. “Why do you care?”

“Because I’ve got to look at it!”

“Well, if it makes you feel any better, you get to be the one to incinerate him, costume and all.”

Ember leaned back in his chair, a flare of something lighting up his ice-cold features for a moment.

“Yeah, that does help,” he said.

Bonus: Picrews of the Byrne twins

(Two children of the 80s: one a master of fire and one a master of death; but if you're trying to guess who's who based off their appearances, you're probably wrong)

Edit: I unfortunately could not include what Amber's necklace really should look like in this:

(that's her familiar. her lil buddy)