#yes i know incense isn't for smoking

[skele-bunny]

I am once again thinking about Phantom and him being shown more Quintessence culture by the elders...

CW - Heavy implications of abuse and slavery (but this is a fluff post! Also trauma healing for Phantom fr)

Bug has 0 fucking idea on his culture, only what he knows in his kithood and then learning from the others topside. He knows enough about their harmonies with the inner souls and connection to the astral. Phantom was taught by his captor about the importance of wind chimes and crystals, but beyond that? Nothing. No ceremonies, no basic breaking, nadda.

The Quintessence Ghouls enjoy getting together twice a month in the abbeys chapter house, and they go all out with it. It's clothing free but never sexual, just embracing their natural bodies and even their true forms. Ether ghouls even in the pits wore jewelry and body chains, they're decorative and very focused on the bodies.

Painting down multiple sigils around the room, with a giant one of protection on the floor where they meditate. Placing wind chimes near the windows and above the curtains, grounded amethyst near entrances and once again around the floor sigil. Candles lit around, incense sticks, and right in the middle being black tourmaline also in a powder form.

Phantom just sitting next to Swiss and Aether, trying to stop his laughter as they rub the tourmaline over his torso and back, then right down his forehead. He's lead by Aether on how to put it on him, whispering encouragements.

"Keep your attitude positive. When you place tourmaline on someone, your intentions matter. It's a double ended sword-- it can defend or it can put you as a target."

Since Phantom has too much trauma relating to chain bralettes and can't wear one, he's simply draped in a mesh cover, Aether weaving citrine into the cloth. He has a circlet resting against his forehead - Aether wearing a crown halo with shoulder and waist chains. Swiss only has a waist chain and garter on, but his horns are decorated with strings of chimes. Phantom is just in his unglamoured form while Aether's in his true, just fuzzy and silk at the same time. His horns are literally moving with galaxies, face still so gentle.

He's led in soft humming, then eventual prayer, how they intertwine hands and tails, moving side to side while they sit. How the sigils in the room start glowing and the room gets clouded in smoke.

He's shown to sit on his knees, hands on his lap and trying to push his essence forwards. He's... Not doing good at it. Swiss just places his hand on Phantom's back for that extra push and he's now in a projection. Sarra (1st era) is leading, calmly explaining to the group to eye their own bodies, remove their sigils of denial, cleanse themselves.

Phantom is just eyeing his body that's just covered in his Master's sigils. They're weak from the distance and how long he's been away, but it's just a sour reminder. Trying to reach out and pull it away. He's not strong with his magick so he's just left sitting there, staring at himself. He can see his physical body starting to cry, yet he isn't, but then a hand touches his shoulder in the astral. Looking over and seeing Enki (2nd era) just eyeing him.

"I could feel your distress, I'm sure the others can as well but I wanted to respond..." And now they're both looking at the sigils. "Such strong holds... Why don't we remove one together, yes? Then later, we'll stay with Sarra. He can remove a high majority of these."

Phantom just nods, and now Enki is directing him, slowly pulling at the weakest one. The mind. He's holding Phantom's hand as they start dragging the strings away, bundling it together until the very last one pulls away. Phantom pushing his hands together and smothering it, watching as it turns to stars and falls down into the void. Enki is just smiling the entire time, whispering strength into his ear while they start pulling at his hand binds.

"It always felt heavy to play or hold someone's hand... I never really understood why until now..." He's just mumbling, grabbing the strings again.

"With you being inexperienced, it's hard to understand when something is cast on you."

Stars again. Phantom just exhales, and is ready to go back in, thanking Enki with such genuine. He can see Aether and Swiss already back in their physicals, Aether holding his arm out for Phantom when he returns. For good reason, too! Phantom just completely falls forward, would've face planted if it wasn't for Aeth. He gathers himself before putting his tiny hand on Aether's giant, smiling as his hand doesn't feel heavy anymore. He takes Swiss and gives such a tight squeeze and the happiest expression.

There's mediation in between different sets, but Phantom's favorite of the entire session was the crystal exchange. Before the meeting, you were supposed to take one of the dearest crystals to you, and during the exchange you'd be led through the plane to exchange with someone who needed it most.

Phantom was led to a ghoulette he never met before, just smiling and tail wagging as he offered over his amazonite to her. She's just purring the entire time, thanking him and sharing scents before he goes back to his spot. Delta is one of three who offer theirs to Phantom. They're just purring as they hand over a tigers eye. Another ghoul he doesn't know offers a malachite, and then Sarra offers one too! It's so strange seeing this giant true form kneeling in front of this itty bitty ghoul, leaning down and speaking in ancient ghoulish that absolutely no one else knows. Sarra blessing his crystal before offering a handmade pendant of howlite.

Using his claws to carefully clip it on Phantom's wrist, moving to put his hand between his horns and continue mumbling in ancient. He's met with a tiny kiss on his forehead in the end.

After the ceremony, Enki leads Phantom to Sarra where he's now in a semi-glamour form. Aether deciding to stay just to accompany and it proves to be helpful! Settling Phantom in a pile of tourmaline as Aether, Sarra, Enki, and two others Phantom's seen in the infirmary before start slowly breaking sigils around and in him. With each sigil removed, Phantom feels lighter and lighter -- relaxed and at peace. Every now and then their hands will press against a certain spot, but Sarra has kept his hand right above his cervix the entire time.

"Whoever locked you was smart. This is my era of Magick." Sarra just mumbles, before he slowly twists his hand. "But still idiotic."

Phantom has a sudden extreme cramp before just as fast as it came, it leaves, and Sarra removes his hand. The last sigil gone. Aether is just smiling, carefully rubbing Phantom's cheek.

"How do you feel?"

He's quiet. Just slowly touching over his torso before he starts crying, being sat up and comforted. Just being sandwiched on all sides as he finally feels so... Free. There's no lingering touch, no magick restraining him. He's a bawling mess, crying his thanks over and over. Phantom is free.

[angelpassing-by]

THE FASTEST WAY IS SELDOM THE BEST

After an attempt, you try to comfort your lover and look through his recovery. Pairing: Tighnari x gn!reader Cw: impplied suicide attempt. A/N: I had some wips about character conforting reader, but none of them seemed good enough to post. I know this is a weird format, but though it would be comforting to read how you comfort someone. Again, English is not my firt language and I'm afraid I sound a bit too formal [it would be great if you had some tips in how to write not so robotically/essay like(?)]. If there is something you would like for me to write, message me, maybe I'll post some sort of guide lines to show what is it that I'm willing to write.

“I wanted to escape, maybe forever.”

Tighnari lies on the simple bed, head thrown against the embroidered pillows. His face – bronzed before – is pale and stained with tears, eyes lost in the ceiling of the room thinly veiled by the smoke of incense burning.

“I understand it, really” You respond trying to keep your voice even, but your lover says nothing, as if he can't believe you. You gently take is hand between your own and rub soothing circles on top of it with your thumb. “I know sometimes life becomes too daunting and the easiest way out seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel.” You whisper

Now he’s looking at you, his eyes glimmering with new pools of tears that threaten to spill into the blankets. “But you told me once that the fastest method is seldom the answer.” Tighnari chuckles, only a raspy sound that seems like a pained groan, but you can see the slight twitch in his ears and the way his frame sinks a little bit more into the mattress, as if more relaxed.

You begin then to reminisce of that particular day leaning against the bed frame and using one hand to caress your lover’s hair. Your voice is barely audible in the clutered room.

“It had been a quite long day, you were on duty and had proposed for me to join you – you didn't wanted me to be alone – and I was jumping from rock to rock in the edge of the path leading home. Do you remember?” A faint nod “For hours you had talked about the flowers and the little forest animas we encountered with such fondness it almost made me jealous” The corners of his mouth curve ever so slightly “You didn’t let me take some roses; said it would be a disaster to the ecosystem. And right there, just in the front of the village, in the middle of the path, lied a beautiful bird feather, it’s blue hues made it look like some sort of treasure or spirit buried beneath the damp dirt. I ran for it, carelessly, anticipating an impressive monologue about birds from you, but I ran too fast and the feather was too light”

“I remember, his hoarse voice cuts through the story” and through the tiredness, he smiles relieved.

“Yes” now you are also smiling sadly and you fingers keep brushing his hair with slow deliberate motions. “I ran too fast, and the feather flew out and into the bridge and as I chased it, it fell below the wooden structure. That’s when you caught up to me and told me .”

How could you not see it? It was so obvious, his tired movements, his longing stares at night, sitting in front of the bedroom window and sighing pitifully. You should have done something. That is what you repeat to yourself everyday sinc the incident happened, still convinced you could have done something to prevent it, although your lover has already told you that tha isn't a burden for you to carry. And obviously, everything seems so crystal clear in retrospective.

"We can't change the past, so holding grudges against it is simply futile." Those are words of wisdom from Tighnari on a rainy afternoon.

Tighnari is sitting outside on a kitchen chair propped on  some velvety green pillows that keep his weak body comfortably leaned into the firm wood. He has changed his usual ranger clothes for some flowy linen garments  and a blanket sent by Candace after the news reached Ardu Village is draped over his knees. It’s woven with a variety of reds and browns and depicts a forest scene populated by shadowy dusk birds and half hidden lizards.

After Collei left, settling in a quaint town in the proximities of Sumeru city, the cabin had fallen silent. Tighnari started to space out his lectures in wildlife and botanic, often preferring the warm seat next to the fire where you cooked. At first, everyone just thought of it as a domestic situation, both of you had even started thinking about children during the months prior to Collei’s departure, just a loving couple wanting to be together. But then he slowly started missing patrols; it was at some point commonplace to see Iraj and Nasring on your living room trying to convince your lover to leave the house and help them in their duties.

You should have known, but you were also going through a lot. Your cooking supplied the forest rangers and watchers and your stock of ointments and pomades were highly sought after by the townsfolk. With little to no time to spend with Tighnari, your living arrangement and relationship deteriorated with each passing day. It also didn’t help that Cyno stopped visiting Gandharva Ville after a while and that his letters, frequent and light hearted before, became rare occurrences with little more than bad news.

But now, Tighnari stretches carefully and happily looks at you at the other side of the kitchen window through his lashes. The sun is making him more optimistic, at least, that’s what he tells you at night, just before you both fall asleep in each other’s arms. Maybe it’s also the overexcited rambles that Collei sends through her letters or the short Genious  Invokation duels with Cyno during his recurring visits.

It has been well over a month, Tighnari is sitting, still too weak to stand for long periods of time, next to the stove. His soothing voice filling the inside of the home with vibrant colors of the rainforest through his tales. The counters are filled with  spice bowls and chopped vegetables whose stories Tighnari never forgets to tell you about. You place a steaming spoon of soup in front of his face.

“Do you like it?” You ask as you watch you lover frowning in a comically exaggerated thinking pose.

“It’s magnificent, love” He responds after a dramatic pause. His sweet words caress your skin and you can’t help but place a big kiss on his forehead, on then one over his nose. “Hey!” he playfully reprimands you, but you can see through the corner of your eye the wagging of his tail.

[gracev0609]

Free Love

Josh X Multiple Partners

WC: 2k+

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI, Explicit Sex, Orgy, Pure Porn, This won't be for everyone.

Disclaimer: This is fiction. I am not at all insinuating that Josh participates in group sex with his fans. This is a fake, fictional story.

Josh POV

You lived and breathed free love. It radiated throughout every part of your life, the way you loved your family, your friends. The way you loved your precious time at home, watering your plants watching them grow to loving your body and the mindful practice of yoga every morning. You loved taking time to cook yourself intricate meals, full of care. You also loved being outside, one with nature, observing the grass and trees, birds and bees as you elevated your mind while smoking the devils lettuce. You loved the road, and the travel, and the fans. Oh, you loved the fans.

Admittedly you loved the ego boost, the way they reached out for you, mouths hung open practically drooling. Knowing that your whorish antics were making their cocks strain and their cunts drip, you loved it. You couldn't deny that the praise of thousands of beautiful people didn't affect you. Your fans knew it, your bandmates knew it, there was no hiding the way you strained in your jumpsuits. It was all for them.

Each city had willing participants, you asked your security to rally up each guest you had handpicked and gather them in your green room. Once you had a group waiting for you, you always heard excited chatters through the door. They were theorizing why they were there. Why did I want them? The answer was a simple one for you, you loved them. You were thankful and grateful for your fans and their unwavering love, you just wanted to love them back. Offering them a spot in your bed was the ultimate show of thanks.

Opening the door handle, the voices stopped and all eyes were on you,”Hello beautiful! I hope you had a great time this evening.”

You made sure to look around, giving eye contact to each person in the room. Smiling when they nodded.

“I have a proposition for all of you. You're very welcome to say no, although I hope you say yes. I think you all are so beautiful, so full of love, I could feel each of your energies out there. Calling for me. So, well, my question is, do you want me? You're invited to my hotel room, I want to love on you all.” You paused letting them make up their minds. Two of your guests decided that they didn't want to, and you respected that, giving them a hug goodbye before letting them leave with security. The remaining five were given an address and a hotel room number as you left to go get prepared for your evening.

✨✨✨

Keeping the lights off you lit a few candles and incense, before settling in on the large bed. Wiping your hands on your soft linen pants you gathered paraphernalia in front of you and began to roll a few joints for the evening. Not long after finishing up for the evening, a knock came from the hotel door. Climbing off the bed you hurried to the door, checking your hair in the mirror before opening it.

“Welcome! Welcome! Come in, take your shoes off, get comfortable!”, you said, extending your arm to show your guests into the room.

Walking back over to the bed after closing the door, you unbuttoned your matching linen shirt letting it fall from your shoulders to the floor. Climbing back into bed your eyes met five other pairs, in various states of hesitation.

“Come on over, get comfortable! Get as undressed as you feel comfortable. There's water bottles in the mini fridge. I want you all to feel comfortable, it's just sex, it's not a big deal.”

A man with medium length wavy hair, pulls his shirt off and makes his way to the bed.

“If at any point any of you decide this isn't what you want to do anymore, please let me know. You're welcome to leave whenever.”

You smile when the most petite woman in the group climbs onto your bed, sitting next to the other participant. Not a second later the rest follow, removing various items of clothing and completing the circle on your bed.

You giggle lightly, grabbing your lighter, flicking the flame on,” Usually we light up at these kinds of things,” You stick the joint in your mouth, puffing on it, getting it lit. Wrapping your lips around the paper you take a deep inhale. Tilting your head up you blow the pale grey smoke above your head, showing off the expanse of your neck. Passing it to the man to your right, he takes it in his fingers.

“Be careful if you don't smoke often, this shits strong.”

By the time it's made it's way around the circle your brain is starting to feel fuzzy, the brush of the woman's fingertips against yours makes you feel warm, euphoric. Remembering why they're here through your haze makes your cock start to stiffen. Once the joint has dwindled and has been ashed out, you set your sights on the gorgeous woman sitting across from you. The way her heavy tits sway with each breath she takes captivates your attention. She smiles at you, eyes lidded, and you crawl your way across the mattress.

“Hi sweet girl. You look so pretty.”

You watch her hazy eyes try to focus on yours,”Hi Josh. You look prettier.”

“Never,” you whisper leaning in a bit closer,”Can I kiss you?”

She leans in, connecting your mouths together. Eagerly she moans into your mouth, grabbing your hand and placing it on her bare breast. Your cock twitches, fully hardening in your pants as you feel her nipple pebble and harden into your palm. She disconnects your mouths, pushing your head to her chest.

“Need to feel you Josh, oh my God I've thought about this so many times.”

You flick your tongue in quick succession over her nipple, surely making her core clench. You lick and suck for a few minutes, before pulling off of her, eager to lavish on someone else. When you sit back up, some of your participants are interacting with each other, making one another comfortable and warmed up.

Your lip curls when you lock eyes with the first man who joined your bed, his green eyes piercing. He boldly crawls into your lap, kissing and licking your neck, rolling his covered cock into yours.

You're panting when he finally removes his lips from your skin and he asks,” Can I suck on your cock? I bet you taste so fuckin good.”

You shimmy back onto the pillows, and giggle when you realize that you have an audience. They all are eager to see what has been hiding behind your jumpsuits.

Hooking your thumbs into your waistband,you pull down, unveiling yourself to the group. Grasping yourself in your hand you give yourself a few tugs, staring into each person's eyes, all of them reading the same expression. They're turned on, and they like what they see.

The green eyed man settles between your legs, as the petite woman snuggles into your side. Her long nails tickling and teasing the skin of your stomach,“Are we being good for you Josh? Want to please you.”

You look down between your legs at the man with his face inches away from your penis. You smile when you notice he seems transfixed on the way you're leaking from your slit.

Looking back to the girl with her chin on your chest,” You're all doing a fantastic job. I like to call my participants my rhinestones. Each of you are so special, each of you are so unique and sparkle differently. It's why I find you all so beautiful.”

Your praises were cut off by a hot mouth enveloping your length, tongue swirling around your tip, savoring the taste of your arousal.

“Fuck, he tastes so good.”

That sentence affects you more than you would admit, he's talking to them about you like you're not even there.

Your breath stutters when another tongue joins the man's, licking and mouthing your cock. Soon enough all five of your rhinestones mouths and hands were on your body. Licking, sucking, scratching and caressing.

The woman from earlier comes into your view again, a soft smile on her face.

You bring your hand to cup her cheek,” Hi my precious rhinestone. How are you, feeling good?”

“I'm feeling really good Josh. But, I feel empty. Can I have you inside me?”

“Of course, honey.”

You caress the heads in your lap, gently pushing them off of you,” Gotta take turns.”

She swings her thigh over your hip, immediately grinding her soaked folds over your length. You smile at her when she sighs content in the feeling of your flesh against her.

She tilts her hips up, sinking down on your length. She can't help but moan when she sits fully in your lap.

“Holy shit Josh. You feel… oh you feel incredible.”

Panting, your eyes roll back when you register that you're buried inside her tight wet cunt. You can help it when your cock twitches as she clenches around you, soaking your lap.

Her hands squeeze your pecs and she smiles sweetly,” You know I can feel that. You're just making me clench harder.”

You swallow the moan threatening to escape,” You're soaked, so turned on. Pretty little rhinestone so wet and glistening… come on love, move your hips. Fuck me.”

Sighing as she starts bouncing in your lap, your mind spiraled as you could feel every ridge inside her as her cunt sucked your throbbing length deeper within her.

After a few minutes you feel her start to flutter around you, and you snake your fingers down to rub her clit.

“Gonna cum on me? Go ahead sweetheart, I wanna feel it.”

You look around at the rest of your rhinestones, some entangled with one another, some pleasuring themselves.

Another beautiful man slid in next to you, placing wet kisses to your neck, “Can I ride your thigh Josh? Please, I want it so bad!”

“Go ahead, love on me.”

You groan when you feel the weight of him settle in on your thigh, shifting his weight, humping his slick cock against your skin.

Your mouth falls agape when the two people riding you start making out whining as they fall apart. First you feel a gush of slick release around your cock as her high slams into her, then you feel his hot sticky release splatter on your skin.

They both slump forward coming down from their highs and you praise,” Such a good job, so so beautiful.”

As most of your group met their ends you eyed the woman who had mostly kept to herself. Hooking your finger in a come hither motion, you beckon her,” Come here honey.”

She crawled over to you, eyes locked on your slick twitchy cock. You cupped her cheek in your palm,” Are you having fun?”

She nodded, still somewhat shy.

“Do ya want to touch me?”

She giggles, trailing her hand up and down your chest, traveling lower and lower. Her dainty fingers wrap around your thick cock, and you pulse.

“Josh?”

You hmm in response as she pumps your length, that familiar burn in your stomach returning once again this evening.

“Can you fuck me?”

“Climb on honey.”

She halts her hand and you silence a groan,” No Josh, I want you to fuck me.”

You chuckle, telling her to lay down. Instantly she parts her legs for you, and you smirk at the wetness glistening within her folds. You grasp your cock in your hand, swiping it through her slit. You shudder, you're so hard and ready to cum. Lining up with her entrance you shudder when you sink into her. Eagerly you pump your hips, aching to finally reach your orgasm for the night. She clenches tight around you like a vice making your eyes roll back. Leaning back onto your knees you pull her hips into your lap, thrusting into her harder and faster, the knot in your stomach tightening. Finally your gaze finds her face and she's looking up at you with adoration, eyes blown out with pleasure.

She sighs, and you realize that she's gently climaxing around you.

“What a good girl… I'm getting close.”

Her eyes flutter open,” I want it in my mouth Josh.”

Lust courses through your veins at the sound of her voice, pushing you even closer.

Quickly you pull out for her, holding your pulsating cock steady in your hand for her to latch on to. Her hot waiting mouth attaches to your length, swallowing you down, when finally the band in your stomach snaps and you're cumming hard into her mouth. When she feels that you've stopped spurting she pulls away from you, opening her mouth and showing you your mess before dutifully swallowing.

Petting her hair you praise her for being so good for you. You both flop down on the mattress, melding with the other spent bodies on the bed. As you caught your breath, your body still buzzing from your high, the woman curled into your side caught your attention,asking a question.

“We're not the only ones you've done this with are we.”

“No, my pretty rhinestone, you're not.”

“Why do you do it?”

“Why? Why not? I want to show my love to people as freely as I love the earth and the air I breathe. I want to love fiercely and passionately, in every aspect of my life.”

She relaxed into your side, pleased with your answer,” You're a beautiful person Josh.”

Fin.

[cienie-isengardu]

Does Bi-Han really has no idea where his brothers are living now?

To me, the most funny thing about the origin of the MK1 Shirai Ryu clan is Kuai Liang and Tomas' assumption that Bi-Han has no idea where their new clan is stationed.

We know from intros, Scorpion and Smoke do not share its location even with their allies so that Lin Kuei can't find it.

Kenshi: Why keep the Shirai Ryu's location secret? Smoke: So that the Lin Kuei can't find it.

But then we have Kuai Liang's ending:

"No sooner had Titan Shang Tsung had been defeated than Bi-Han and his loyalists hunted us down. Outnumbered, we fled to Japan. There we sought refuge from an old family friend. As children, we played together. But Harumi Shirai was a woman now, the head of her clan. Her strength, beauty, and intellect awed me. Also incensed by Bi-Han's betrayal, Harumi agreed to help me forge a new clan. One that would stand against him and defend Earthrealm. Her aid proved invaluable. And as time went on, we grew closer. To honor Harumi and pay respects to my new bride, I named the clan after her, calling it the Shirai Ryu. Now the battle against my brother begins in earnest. The Shirai Ryu won't rest until Bi-Han is defeated and the Lin Kuei's honor restored."

in which:

A) Kuai Liang and Tomas fled to Japan and sought refuge from Harumi Shirai who is called an "old family friend"

B) she and Kuai played together as a children

C) Harumi is the head of her own clan living in Japan so between Scorpion and Smoke and her, it is Harumi who own land, money and/or necessary goods for a clan to prospere AND to fund Kuai Liang's new clan

D) Kuai Liang named his clan, Shirai Ryu, in honor of Harumi.

With such a description, the chances that Bi-Han is not familiar with Harumi are pretty slim to none. He already knows Scorpion and Smoke are in Japan, as they were hunted down by Sub-Zero's loyalists. Kuai has no money so for him to start a new clan, he needs to ally himself with someone who can fund it and support the two former Lin Kuei - and Harumi Shirai is an obvious choice, as the old family friend.

But even if that was not the first Bi-Han's conclusion, the fact that Kuai Liang married Harumi Shirai AND named his clan the Shirai Ryu makes it clear where he is - around Harumi. Scorpion's clan may go into hiding but I doubt Harumi would abaddon her land and clan or force everyone under her rule/protection into hiding so Bi-Han doesn’t even need to search for his brothers, he needs find only Harumi, as Scorpion and Smoke will come to protect her against Lin Kuei.

Since these days it seems everyone, including Outworld and Netherrealm characters, know about Kuai Liang's marriage and Bi-Han is A) operating in Sun Do, the capital of Mileena's Empire and B) is know to collect secrets, it is no surprise he knows about brother's relationship with Harumi. As even intro dialogues outright says so

Scorpion: Stay away from Harumi. Sub-Zero: In this war, family isn't off limits.

and look, putting aside the threat, Bi-Han already considers Harumi part of the family even if they are enemies.

So yeah, the whole "keep Shirai Ryu's location in secret" is so hilarious to me, because the Shirai name is total opposite of secret for Bi-Han, as he knows Harumi and where she is living, if Kuai Liang and Tomas knew where they should go while fleeing to Japan.

Good job, Kuai! 

But you know what is even more hilarious? The fact that Kuai Liang has no real idea where is currently his older brother and goes asking allies and enemies alike for help or information. Like yes, he and Tomas know the Lin Kuei clan is operating somewhere in Sun Do, but Li Mei found them and confronted them about Shirai Ryu activity in her city, while they did not capture Bi-Han there. And sure, Sub-Zero may not stay in one place for too long, however his own ending

"I had broken the Lin Kuei free of Liu Kang's enslavement. We were now masters of our destiny and could take our place among Earthrealm's greatest nations. But taking and holding territory would require a vast army. I needed more fighters to make our presence felt. Then I recalled Shang Tsung's dragon warriors. An army of them would be unstoppable. But trafficking in such strong magic would surely draw Liu Kang's attention. Sektor advised me that we avoid detection by building our army using science, not sorcery. We've invested much time in this endeavor, and we are beginning to see results. Once again proving the depths of Sektor's genius. When we are done, all of Earthrealm will honor our desires and heed our demands. If not, they will face the Lin Kuei's wrath."

says Bi-Han wanted to take and hold territory for his clan and so Lin Kuei invested time and energy into building an army based on magic Dragon warriors. Though it is not specified, I think it is right to assume the building of the army happened on Lin Kuei territory,

as that was their best secured base of operation. Like sure, Liu Kang and Shirai Ryu knew where Lin Kuei home was based but as the clan was living in hiding for centuries, their land was probably well guarded and the headquarter was located in a naturally defensive place.

And I admit, the whole idea that Bi-Han knows perfectly well where his brothers are hiding while Kuai Liang and Tomas have no idea about Sub-Zero's whereabouts and can't find him because none of them thought - or dared - to check Lin Kuei home is way too more hilarious than it should be.

People may make fun of Bi-Han not being smart during story mode but damn, Kuai Liang for sure is no mastermind either. 

[waterdeep-weavemoss]

Enemies With Benefits

Day 27. Song is Throne by Saint Mesa. Raphael x Celeste.

'Well, if it isn't the little angel, come to bargain,' said Raphael softly. Celeste stood in the doorway, gleaming in gold mail.

'There's nothing angelic about me, devil,' she said. Her voice was soft and lilting, gentle and rounded like good wine. 'And I've not come to bargain. I ran into your associate, Korrilla, wasn't it? She seemed very insistent that you were waiting for me.'

'Hmm.' His mouth curved into a calculating smile. 'And if you are not here to bargain, sweet Celeste, what are you here for?'

She stepped inside, closing the door and setting her longsword carefully against the wall. 'Must we go around in circles? Your surrender, of course.'

Raphael threw back his head and cackled, eyes sparkling with glee. In the dim light, they glowed yellow, arresting in their strangeness. For anyone else it might strike fear, but she had seen eyes like it over and over again; had plunged her blade into their infernal guts and blackened hearts.

'What's interesting,' she continued unfazed, is the name of this room. The Devil's Den. It has implications, you know.'

'Do enlighten me, dearest.'

'It tells me you're a flesh and blood animal like anything else,' she said.

'Yes,' he said, taking a deliberate step forward. Even in human form he loomed over her- for a human she was short, five feet at full height. She stood fast, even as the heat of the hells rolled off him, even when he reached to tip up her chin, thumb ghosting over her full lower lip. 'What else?'

'That you can be killed.'

'You precious little thing,' he said, holding her delicate jaw. 'With your little human heart. Your undying hope is truly inspiring. But you won't kill me, angel. You don't have the guts.'

Her honey brown eyes drifted shut briefly and she sighed. The press of his fingers against her pulse, the heady incense burning in the room and the weariness of her body made her soften, leaning into his touch.

If she'd been clear headed, she'd have sent him to his knees and cut off his head. Instead the moment passed as he reached past her with his other hand for the hookah pipe behind her and took a draw from it; keeping a firm grip on her jaw, he breathed the smoke into her mouth. It was fragrant and heavy, settling on her tongue and sending dull pain pressing behind her eyes.

'Since you're here,' he purred. 'You might as well have a little fun.'

Her head swam with overwhelm. Her longsword felt far away, his hands warm and surprisingly gentle.

He's trying to muddle my head, she thought on a spark of clarity.

'You're tired,' he crooned softly. 'This room is well appointed. Rest. I am sure you will get right back to wanting to kill me in the morning.'

The devil picked her up with ease, her head cradled against his shoulder.

'I don't want to sleep,' she insisted. Waves of anger broke and dissipated against the smoke and desire and fatigue.

'Well, alright then,' he purred indulgently. 'It wouldn't be right to deny you, pretty creature that you are.' He laid her down, gently, settled into the bed behind her. He snapped his fingers, her golden mail vanishing, her warm skin glowing from the dying sun. 'I'll be gentle,' he whispered.

'You'd better,' she found herself saying as he pulled her back against his chest. His large hand covered her mouth as he slid carefully into her soft animal body. She whimpered against his palm, closed her eyes and melted into the bed, soft little cries pulled from her throat with every drag of his cock inside her. There was nothing but the slow build of warmth in her belly, his steady, measured self control, and the hand not against her mouth that drifted to knead her breasts.

She was falling apart. His name was muffled in his palm, her undoing a violent crash of want and need. Anyone else and she would be feeling bliss, but it was the devil at her back. The devil whose name she called in the throes.

'Don't you worry, little one,' he murmured against her throat. 'You can go back to hating me tomorrow.'

Tags:

@bluerosetarot @dansnotavampire @further-than-forever

@forget-me-maybe @poetryvampire @sasha199 @wandawillow

@boufsy @owlseeyoulaterpal @lanafofana @amorgansgal

@aryancunin @miradelletarot @marlowethebard

@crimson-and-lavender @reeseykins @medra-gonbites

@roguishcat @weaverofnetheril @galedekarioswifey @hyperfixationstation128 @12thhouse-sun

@astarryvamp @feedthepheasants @dabigstinky @dreamingofthewild @ladyofcrowsandcoffee

@femmefuck @spooky-lil-bee

[i-arch-my-backula]

What Horror characters smell like

Ok do I have requests to do? Yes. Am I doing this instead? Yes. Also this is my opinion for what I assume they smell like. Also I feel Lost boys brain rot coming on so please send in requests for them. Spoiler alert, most of them need a bath

Includes: The Sinclair brothers, The Lost Boys, Martin Mathias, and Billy Lenz

Warnings: Mentions of blood, murder and smoking

Bo Sinclair: He smokes and works on cars all day and smokes so he's going to smell like that. I feel like he has a constant cloud of cigarette smoke around him. That or motor oil. I feel like he's good at masking the blood scent he gets on him when he's been killing people.

Vincent Sinclair: I used to paint as a hobby for like five years so I know what paint smells like so I can be confident when I say that Vincent smells like paint water that's been sitting out for a few days mixed with the generic wax smell. If you're lucky enough to have never smelled paint water that's been brewing in a basement for days it's a sour smell that low key smells like alcohol.

Lester Sinclair: Like Bo he also smokes and being around roadkill all day doesn't help at all when it comes to his scent. He really just smells like rotting meat, sweat and cigarette smoke most of the time. He does clean up nice when he needs to. I can see him as a man who has some kind of nice cologne he wears from time to time.

Paul tlb: So vampires and drugs are a little tricky to figure out in my opinion. Like vampires still get high and stuff, but not as high as humans get. This being said Paul smells like weed half the time. When he doesn't smell like weed he smells like hairspray or just both at the same time. Paul single handily burned a big hole in the ozone layer with the amount of hairspray he uses.

Marko tlb: He also smells like weed but he keeps the smell off of him better. He has a small trace of hairspray from being around Paul all of the time. But on his own he just smells like gasoline from being around his bike all of the time.

Dwayne tlb: He's the only one who really keeps himself somewhat clean, which is hard when you're living in a literal cave. But he just smells kind of dusty most of the time. I can see him stealing cologne sometimes just because, but he's not too bad.

David tlb: He obviously bleaches his hair so I'm assuming half the time he smells like bleach. Not cheap hair bleach but like higher end bleach that he probably steals from beauty supply stores and stuff. He smokes too so if not bleach then most definitely cigarette smoke.

Martin Mathias: I forget the name of the guy he lives with but he probably burns lots of incense for like religious reasons and whatnot so Martin often smells like that, which isn't a horrible smell to be around if you're not sensitive to that kind of stuff.

Billy Lenz: He's one musty bitch. Like he's been living in attics and just random ass places for however long so he smells like dust and just musty all over. But never leave him around perfume of cologne because he will spray way too much of it on himself.

[bloodycyrano]

So.. The Gene Kelly cigarette trick is running rampant in my brain again, here's what I think members of Team Tadpole would think about smoking. Bonus, could they do the Gene Kelly Cigarette trick?

Karlach- Easy starter, it's cannon that she used to smoke cigars. I feel like she knows it's bad for her, and she does her best to get clean; but in high stress situations, she has that itch and sometimes just can't help herself-

6/10. She cannot do the Gene Kelly Cigarette trick. Not properly anyways. She definitely *could* do it, but the point is to not burn yourself in the process. Which.. Technically isn't a problem, given her general fireproof-ness, but I'm still reducing points for the fact that the burning end would be firm against the roof of her mouth the whole time. So in conclusion.. Yes she could, but not properly.

Astarion- Okay, this one might be a little off, but I think Astarion swears up and down he can't stand the smell of it, but absolutely has a hidden smoking addiction.- It wasn't something he'd touch as a Magistrate, pre-vampirism; But as a spawn? He was under constant stress, unwillingly luring attractive snack packs of all types back to Cazador, withstanding abuse, etc. I feel like on the rare occasion when he was able, he'd bum a smoke off of a random Baldur's Gate patron, and then probably get punished for it if he didn't manage to hide the scent well enough.

9/10. He ABSOLUTELY could do the Gene Kelly Cigarette trick. He'd do it with style- After all, he spent like 200 years seducing people.

Gale- No. I think he probably bought a pipe at one point in an attempt to be 'cool' and 'mature', fully intent on using it, and then he got violently ill the moment he actually took a drag. Tara had a very "I told you so" moment.

-7/10, Gale would probably accidentally choke to death if he attempted the Gene Kelly Cigarette trick.

Wyll- I think, as a matter of self care and principal, the blade of the Frontiers doesn't smoke. You probably couldn't pay him to, either. A very respectful decline, but absolutely fucking not.

2/10, Wyll Ravenguard couldn't, and wouldn't.

Shadowheart- She doesn't particularly enjoy smoking. I feel like she's used to smoke inhalation due to incense and ritualistic burning of herbs, perhaps. And maybe she's not a stranger to smoking rolled herbs and flowers.. But cigars or cigarettes? Absolutely not. It's not quite her taste..

5/10, she definitely can't, but she'd be very elegant about it and probably joke about it afterwards.

Lae'zel- Lae'zel sees no proper point in smoking, but she would just to prove a point if she had to. Through pure discipline, I feel like she could force herself to remain stoic and unbothered through smoking even without being remotely used to it.

4/10, she *could* do it, but not without hurting you in the process, and she'd see absolutely no point in it.

[dateamonster]

Wisps of smoke were sifting through the gap in the supply closet door, and Coach knew well enough what that meant. She opened the door and the girls inside startled, nearly upsetting the censer filling the space with the thick scent of sandalwood.

She took in the scene: four juniors surrounded by assorted sports equipment and spare jerseys, crowded around a channeling board in a circle of tea candles. It wasn't one of those cheap mass-produced boards with the characters only printed onto some varnished slab of plywood either. If she were to guess, Coach would peg it as belonging to one of their parents.

"Girls, we talked about this," she sighed. "No séances on school grounds."

One of the girls, a blonde wearing what appeared to be an homage to a Victorian mourning dress complete with black veil, began to whimper and the others flocked to her side with crystal pendants all a-jingling to comfort her.

"Have a heart, miss, her boyfriend just died."

The begrieved wailed, "Danny!"

"Shaunee, sweetie, we've been over this. Daniel isn't dead. He just changed schools."

"Same difference," a witchlet with a severe purple smokey eye muttered under her breath.

"He hasn't answered any of my texts in weeks," Shaunee sobbed, eyeliner already streaming down her face. "Something must have happened to him. I'm a quarter banshee, I know about this stuff!"

Coach repressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Okay, everybody out. And put out those damn candles, that's a fire hazard. This is your final warning, ladies. If I catch any one of you using magic unsupervised one more time, it's a week's suspension for all of you."

The young witches cried out their collective complaints.

"And I'm confiscating that board, too."

"Miss, no! My mom'll kill me!"

Called it. “Well luckily if she does I’ll have this handy board so I can make sure you're attending detention from beyond the grave."

"Detention?!"

"Yes, detention. You're lucky I'm not sending you straight to the principal's office." A collective shudder went through the group at the thought, Coach included. She didn't prefer to subject anyone to that, no matter how deserving. "You brought an unauthorized magical object into school and now my basketballs smell like a Bath and Body Works."

A couple of the girls smirked at one another with badly repressed laughter. "Smelly balls."

"What's that?" asked Coach. "You want to run ten laps?"

"We're not even in class right now!"

"Twenty laps it is. Hop to it."

Another collective groan as they trudged out to the track. Coach gathered up the channeling board, the candles, the incense, and took them to her office. She unlocked the bottom drawer of her desk and tossed the lot in, to rest with the confiscated bounty of semesters past. Firecrackers, vape pens, a compact grappling hook launcher, several softly glowing amulets of various ornate designs, a petrified severed lamb's head with taut leathery skin and haunting glass eyes that followed you around the room, and a couple accumulated grams of weed. And now this, of course.

Certainly, Coach thought, she had gotten into her fair share of trouble at that age, but back in those days she would have never dared talk back to a teacher like that. This generation was a new breed. Or maybe she was just going too soft on them.

The lamb's head distended its ragged jaw and emitted a low gurgling string of Old Arabic.

"Oh what would you know about it."

[mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess]

Terrible sense of direction

@ladysunami

😇🌿🧚 Angel (or heavenly spirit) Lan Zhan meets fae (or nature spirit) Wei Ying and is smitten. Up to you how the upright Lan Zhan ended up in the fae wilds.

Lan Wangji is not lost. He is not lost, shut up. He knows exactly where he is.

Kind of.

Anyway, he isn't lost, he absolutely intends to be here! ...in this big, dense forest that doesn't have a marked pathway anymore...

Okay, fine, he is lost. Whatever. It's not his fault his brother is terrible at giving directions! And it's also not his fault that Lan Xichen's flown off who knows where surrounded by nymphs after, not even waiting to see if Lan Wangji had any questions.

Shameless! They're not even supposed to - to - mingle with others like that! They're on official duty! And no, whatever Lan Xichen is doing with those nymphs is none of that. Lan Wangji is old enough to know what his brother means with "discussing private matters with our allies" and it doesn't involve talking!

So, here Lan Wangji is, in the middle of nowhere, lost like a dumbass. The whole Hanguang-Jun, lost. Ridiculous! Lan Wangji is angry and he's lost and he's going to take all that out on-

"Hey! Hey! You've cut off enough of my trees!" A voice comes seemingly from among the leaves, materializing into a beautiful man in flowing, dark robes. "I don't know what your deal is, but stop destroying my house!"

Lan Wangji is too pissed off to notice this man is, one, a fae. Two, incredibly hot. Three, showing too much cleavage.

He doesn't notice any of that, quiet!

"So?" The man continues, eyes crossed over his bare, shining, muscular - focus, Lan Wangji - chest, "Why are you here doing all this lumberjack business with a spiritual sword? Are you guys up in the Air Kingdom running out of jobs or something?"

Lan Wangji glares. He isn't going to laugh, that wasn't funny. It was not.

"I am on official business."

"Then you're very lost because we don't do that here."

"What do you mean? There is no-"

The forest spirit shifts his weight from one leg to the other, suddenly on guard. "We're, um, unaffiliated."

"Unaff..." realization and horror pass Lan Wangji's features consecutively. "Am I in the-"

"The Burial Forests, yes."

"Which means you're..."

The forest spirit smiles, eyes glinting red. "The Yiling Laozu."

The forest suddenly feels darker, sunlight now hidden by rows upon rows of thick leaves as dark smoke floats from deep within the ground, the Yiling Laozu's eyes shining ominously in the dark.

"You've heard what happens to those that cross my territory." A smile. "I'll send my regards to the Air Kingdom once I'm done with you."

---

Extra:

Lan Wangji sighs, contently, eyes opening to the breaking dawn. Wei Wuxian groans into his chest, poking his chest only a bit too hard.

"You're terrible! What happened with letting me be scary and take control? Now I won't be able to move for days! I have a night hunt coming up, Lan Zhan!"

"You initiated this in the first place. Should have expected it."

"Evil! Hanguang-Jun is evil!"

Lan Wangji laughs, "Mn. Very."

"Anyway, as punishment for tricking me, you get to return the incense burner to the forbidden library."

Lan Wangji's face falls. That is a horrible punishment. "Wei Ying..."

"None of that!

He lets his voice drop lower, "A-Ying..."

"Quiet! You think you can just A-Ying me and I'll limp into the library in front of your uncle to bring back the damn thing?! No way!"

Lan Wangji kisses him, sweetly and manipulatively. "Please?"

"...fine."

[quex-your-local-witch]

Herb Spotlight: Fleabane

Guess what bitches? It's ~Fleabane Season~

Fleabane is a "weed" (i.e., a wildflower in the Erigeron family) that is prevalent throughout North America, and grows like crazy if left to prosper in meadow-y areas. It looks very similar to domesticated daisies, albeit much smaller in flower size, more akin to German Chamomile. There are actually many different types of Fleabane, and the color of the petals can vary from white to yellow, or even a pinkish/purpley color. It's a composite flower, and it will have many flower heads per stem. Neat, huh?

Anyways, Fleabane had been used for thousands of years in North America by the indigenous peoples. It has both a variety of magickal and medicinal uses!

Magickal uses include:

Exorcism. Yes, like banishing-bad-sprits type of exorcism, along with banishment of negative energies. Burn it as you would any other herb bundle (sage, rosemary, cedar, etc) to exorcize a space of any negative entity or energy.

You can also use it to protect yourself by preventing bad spirits from arriving by hanging it around your home - either in bundles, or small sachets. Can be done in combination with St. John's Wort, wheat, and a few capers for best effect.

The seeds of the Fleabane flower tossed between the bedsheets promotes chastity. I guess if you really need someone (or yourself) to remain celibate for a time, this can come in handy - especially if the person co-sleeps with a partner.

Alignments of: feminine aspect, the planet Venus, and the element of Water.

Along with the metaphysical uses of Fleabane, there is a wide variety of medicinal uses for this plant (note: I am not a medical doctor. Do not take this as medical advice. Consult a physician or certified herbalist if you plan on taking it for any of these... ahem... more serious uses).

Medicinal uses include:

To reduce inflammation. Can be used in a poultice or a tea to treat inflammation about the body.

Wound ointment. Traditionally, the Cherokee made an ointment using the herb and tallow to made a balm or salve for cuts and scrapes, as it has astringent properties.

You can steep it in a Witch Hazel Extract solution to further enhance the astringent properties for use on skin.

The roots can be boiled in water to make a solution for "menstruation troubles" (i.e., to bring about a miscarriage. Dangerous. Do not do this).

Drinking a tea can also help break fevers and treat symptoms of the common cold

A diuretic, can help with certain kidney conditions (consult a doctor for this one to make sure no medications you are taking with interfere with its use. Do not use if you have a history of kidney disease) by breaking up any of the smaller particulates that would lead to kidney stones

Using the herb as an incense and inhaling the smoke can be used to treat head colds

Has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties from something called caffeic acid, which this plant has LOTS of!

Aids in digestion and can be used to treat diarrhea

May help with passive bleeding or minor hemorrhaging by being applied directly to the wound (don't take this advice, go to the fuckin ER)

Had been shown in some circumstances to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors (for the love of God, see a doctor for this, don't take the advice of a post on tumblr dot com to treat cancer)

Isn't this plant so cool? And you cloud have it growing in your yard right now! I know I do, because I harvested a fuck ton of it today, evidenced here:

I'm going to dry all of these bundles and process them into cut and shifted leaves/stems and flowerheads. The two small bundles in the middle will be hung from the ceiling to ward off negative spirits and energies.

Now for some fun facts!

Despite the name Fleabane and the association of repelling fleas and ticks, there is no proven evidence that this works... at least for the dried herbs. I haven't found any studies on this for live plants.

The entire plant is edible, and is high in vitamin C! It was used to treat scurvy, and the cooked leaves taste like spinach (you can eat them raw, but there's little hairs all over it, which are not pleasant to consume)

These plants are high in caffeine! If you make a tea out of the flower heads the same way you would Chamomile, you get a nice floral tea with a kick to start your day off right.

Remember kids! I am *not* a doctor, so don't be using this to treat some weird ailment or cancer. And please, for the love of God, do some research on herbs before you use them medicinally. But in terms of the metaphysical properties, go ham! Have a blast! Banish that weird ghost in your house that likes to watch you pee!

And as always, have fun with your craft!

Sources:

Department of Agriculture, United States. Erigeron Philadelphicus, L. USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ERPH. Accessed April 17, 2023.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications, 1985.

[ome-magical-ramblings]

Incense part #2, Consecrating and Blessing the censer with life.

Continuation of post #1 , this one deals with enlivening/breathing life into the censer and basically consecrating it. I would assume that you, the reader were able to secure some kind of censer. Now I know that these conditions of gathering the church, mosque, temple, holy dirt isn't feasible for some people, some people can't make too much smoke or can't handle too much incense. In any case this is an alternative to the above, from Draja Mickaharic's Spiritual Cleansing book. Charcoal, can, Saucer, A, B,C. I also I recommend self-igniting charcoal:

I also recommend making one of these small "resin heaters" if you CAN and you won't don't cut your fingers while making them. Also DON'T DON'T DON'T use synthetic incense mix with resin heater because if the flame reach the incense mix it might catch on FIRE. Your own personal safety is important, so big marks on THIS, be careful and whatever you want to think just if you can afford to buy a bucket of sand and put the censer there it would be better.

Now What? welp I would assume you have a specific censer or some kind of censer that you would USE for this, and you should the censer will be full of life and every time you use it then it will gain some of the flavor/incense of your work. The first idea you can use if you're burning with charcoal or without charcoal is that you don't want to scorch the resin/gum. a piece of aluminum foil or a tealight candle holder like the one I am using....of course you can use mica sheet, but I don't have the qash for that. In any case, the heat is more regulated this way and you get more out of your resin pieces in the long run. Instead of using 3 pieces of frankincense gum you only need one. Yes the incense help but it's like the wings of a bird, the incense and YOUR HEART/YOUR PRAYER is what carries the other wing of the bird. You set up the base of holy dirt/sand/ash, you put the charcoal, before you light it up you put it on your altar/place of working. You light up the charcoal in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit or whatever you start your working with. You will recite Gospel of John 1:1-14 for 7 times over the charcoal and breath into it from afar. Afterwards you put one frankincense and myrrh to bless the censer for the first time and bring life into it, and say Psalm 23 three times over it and present it in front of your icon of God/Divine Creator and if you don't have one just raise it up and ask God to bless it. Now take it to safe place for it to finish burning/charcoal to cool down. That's it for today, stay tuned tomorrow for the "next step".

[hskinhome]

Also, since I’m interested, how does a pendulum reading work? It’s okay if you’re not comfortable with it :3

-Pawnon

This may not be the best-worded response since I'm recovering from a cold and low on spoons, but I'll try my best to explain!

To start, pendulum readings are done "by the movements of a suspended object," according to Wikipedia. The object is often a cone- or prism- (or a mix of both) shaped crystal on the end of a metal chain, sometimes with extra decorations! That isn't to say it has to be like that, as Signless is the official, former WLF/FFBF necklace, and my other one (which I don't use as frequently anymore) is an old charm put onto a necklace chain! I've even seen people put paperclips on string to do their readings!

What also determines your answers is the mat or card below it that has the responses! Most commonly, the mats/cards will have "yes," "no," "rephrase," and "try again," but each one is different! You can also use a paper with the answers you're looking for written on it if you choose! I got my mat off Amazon, but you can also find them at metaphysical stores or most places that carry crystals and/or pendulums!

When you ask your question, I recommend sitting upright and straight to a. remain more grounded and b. get a clearer view of which way your pendulum is swinging. The direction it swings toward will be your answer, so pay attention and keep an open mind! If your pendulum is being fussy (which he can be quite often), I recommend swinging it through some incense or other cleansing smoke! I also created a water-based cleansing spell here if your pendulum is safe to place in water!

The other thing you wanna keep in mind is that generally, questions that are answered with "yes" or "no" will be the ones you respond with a pendulum. More open-ended questions can be hard to determine, and other forms of divination (such as tarot or rune readings) are better suited for them. That isn't to say you can't try! I just don't have much luck with them myself.

I hope this helps you, and let me know if you need anything else!

-Mod Nepeta

[myinternetcorner]

Withershins

Zaki put down his mug of mead and just stared at his wife for a few seconds. Finally, grudgingly: "Because everything I have a conversation, darling, it flows in alphabetical order. Just like I told you. I think the only way to stop it is not to talk at all."

"Couldn't you just be imagining this?" said Kazagha patiently. "It wouldn't be the first time you had an insane paranoid delusion. Remember when you thought the royal battlemage of Black Marsh was hiding behind every tree with lewd intent, intent on making you -- a middle-aged, fat, balding tailor -- into his personal sex slave? You don't need to be ashamed, but it's Sheogorath's way to make us all a little crazy sometimes. If you go to the healer--"

"Damn it, Kazagha!" snarled Zaki and stomped out, slamming the door behind him. He nearly collided with Siyasat, his neighbor.

"Excuse me," she said to Zaki's back. He clamped his hands over his ears as he stormed down the street, turning the corner to his tailor shop. His first customer was waiting out front, smiling widely. Zaki tried to keep his temper under control and took out his keys, returning the customer's smile.

"Fine day," said the young man.

"Gods!" hollered Zaki, sending the young man flying with a well-placed punch, and dashing away.

As much as he hated to admit that Kazagha was right, it was evidently time, once again, for one of the healer's herbal cocktails. Tarsu's temple to health, mental and physical, was several streets north, an impressive obelisk. Halqa, the chief herbalist, met him before he came in the hall.

"How are you today, Sa'Zaki Saf?"

"I need to make an appointment with Tarsu," said Zaki in his calmest voice.

"Just one moment, let me see how his schedule looks." Halqa said, looking over a scroll. "Is this an emergency?"

Kind of," said Zaki, and slapped his head. Why couldn't he say yes, or absolutely, or sure?

"Let's see," said Halqa, frowning. "The best I can do is next Middas. Would that work for you?"

"Middas!" cried Zaki. "I'll be a complete psychotic by Middas. Isn't there anything earlier?"

He knew what the answer would be before she said it. There was no alternative. In a way, he had forced the response. If only he had kept the conversation going until "Y."

"No," said Halqa. "I'm sorry. Do you want me to make the appointment--?"

Zaki walked away, gritting his teeth. He wandered the streets, his head down to avoid all conversations, until he looked up and discovered that he had walked all the way to the wharf. A sweet breeze was blowing along the water and he took several deep breaths until he felt almost normal. When his temper cooled, he could think again. What if this alphabetical conversation wasn't a delusion at all? What if what he felt wasn't paranoia, but acute awareness? He knew it was the classic dilemma: am I crazy or is there really something weird going on?

Across the road was a shop called ParaDocks, featuring a display of herbs, crystals, and vapors trapped in orbs . The sign in the window read "Mystical Consultation sunrise to noon." It was worth a shot, though Zaki was dubious. The only people who generally came down the wharf for healing were stupid adventurers who didn't know any better.

Incense burned in copious billows of pink and gold, obscuring and then revealing the clutter within. Jijjic death masks glowered down from the walls, smoking censors hung by chains from the ceiling, and the floor was a maze of bookshelves. At a wellworn table in the back a small man wearing a headress was tabulating a young lady's purchases.

"Okay," said the man. "Your total comes to fifty-seven gold pieces. I threw in the restorative scale conditioner for free. Just remember, the candle should be lit only after you invoke Goroflox The Unholy, and mandrake root does best in partial shade."

The customer gave a quick, shy smile to Zaki and left the store.

"Please help me," said Zaki. "Every conversation I hear or get involved in seems to be arranged alphabetically. I don't know if I'm going insane or if there are some kind of bizarre forces at work. To be honest with you, I'm normally a skeptic when it comes to your type of business, but I'm at the end of my rope. Can you do anything to make this madness end?"

"Quite a common problem, actually," said the man, patting Zaki on the arm. "When you get to the end of the alphabet, do conversations then go to reverse alphabetical order or start at the beginning of the alphabet?"

"Reverse alphabetical order," said Zaki, and then corrected himself. "Damn it! I mean, it starts from the beginning, all over again. I'm in agony. Can you call on the spirits and tell me, am I insane?"

"Sauriki," said the man with a reassuring smile. "I don't have to. You're quite sane."

"Thank you," said Zaki, frowning. "By the way, my name's Zaki, not Sauriki."

"Unusually close, eh?" said the man, patting Zaki on the back. "My name's Octoplasm. Follow me, please. I think I have just what you need."

Octoplasm lead Zaki down the narrow corridor behind the desk. The two men pushed past dusty cabinets filled with strange creatures in liquids, past heaps of neolithic stones, past stack after stack of moldering leather-bound books, into the dank heart of the store. There he picked up a small, squat cylindrical drum and a book, and handed them to Zaki.

"'Vampirism, Daedric Possession, and Withershin Therapy,'" said Zaki, squinting his eyes to read the book in the gloom. "What in Oblivion does this have to do with me? I'm not a vampire, look at this tan. And what's Withershin Therapy, and how much will it cost me?"

"Withershins, from the Old Cyrodilic withersynes, which means backwards," said Octoplasm in a serious tone. "It's the art of reversing the direction of things in order to gain access to the spirit world, and break curses, cure vampirism, and trigger all manners of apotropaic healing. You know the story about the guy who was told that slaughterfish live in hot water, so he said, 'Well, let's boil them in cold water'?"

"Xenophus," said Zaki instinctively, his brother having taken a rather esoteric upper level course in Cyrodilic philosophy as an elective in at the Imperial College thirty-one years before, and immediately wishing he hadn't. "And what do you do with the cylindrical thingy?"

Octoplasm lit a candle and held the object over it so Zaki could see more clearly. All along the cylinder were narrow slits and when Zaki peered within them, he saw a succession of old black and white drawings of a naked man leaping over boxes, one frame after the next.

"You spin it like so," said Octoplasm, slowly whirling the device clockwise so the man within leapt over the boxes over and over again. "It's called a zoetrope. Pretty neat, eh? Now, you take it and start spinning it counterclockwise, and while you're doing it, read this incantation I've marked in the book.

Seer's Stone"Found it, have you? Silenced the hands that betrayed, and took what was mine? Then let me have the stone, so that the voices can be shut out. Ah, child. I thank you for helping me. With the voices quieted for now, the words you seek have come to me. You shall have my... recommendation. Though I must warn you. I have seen things in your future. Things which may be, and things which will be. It will be up to you to decide the fate of many. Life and death are strange things, easily manipulated, and both will be altered by your hands."

If you speak to Dagail once you have obtained all recommendations she will say:Recommendation"Your time has come. The Arcane University needs you, child. Raminus Polus waits for you even now. Great things will befall you. There will be trials, but you will prevail. You must, for the good of the guild."

Mysticism Training

If you have started the training quest for Mysticism, she will tell you that will need to close more Oblivion Gates if you have not yet closed at least three gates:Training"Training, child? You would know more about the mystic energies of the world around us? The barriers between planes are weak. Do more to strengthen them; seal the portals to Oblivion.

[blackvahana]

(Un)Forgotten god, shadow of mankind. Present in the DNA of the masses.

Do we remember? Do we forget? We always remember, always skirt that shadow with our own consciousnesses. We say that the ocean is the subconscious mind, the depths seen but rarely seen through. And what lays in the unseen? What thing moves through waters as a part of them, never triggering responses in consciousness? What great thing of eyes lays at the place the waters become the depths of space?

What have we done? What battlefields, what forms - Forms - razed? Forms, what battlefield among and inside them stripping them to their bones? What happened to remove the crystalline gateways from the nascent point of the physical sky?

(Un)forgotten god, shadow of mankind, father of humanity. The coding, the reworking, the one who stirred the oceans with spear enticed and evoked by the Mother Earth. Brought down, a star fallen, an amniotic barrier broken, an eye opened. Something calls from within one of his dusty old libraries: The connective life of the pages themselves, the luminous form of the buried Shiva that doesn't transcend but forms the boundaries of existence itself.

Summarise the unforgotten, make idols, burn them into existence. Battlefields never left, birds' wings never unfolded, tomorrow erased - tomorrow erased - tomorrow erased.

-

I debate internally on which blog to put this, he says here. His skin is bright tinted blue and translucent like an incense-smoke-haze of light. He says here, because this is for me. It's not a channelling, not a piece of worship, nothing separate. It's a self declaration. "I can't raise you further than you're willing to go," I hear from him, but it's not directed at me.

-

Absent god, doing absent incarnations in absent people. Watching, in love with the druglike haze of the dreaming blurs. Lives bleed into one another, to the point where they transcend their boundaries of time and space. Where am I? Here? A hundred years ago? Enticed by the dark blue light show of blurring movement - I am still, the world moves. (Un)forgotten.

We dream, and we dream, and we dream more. Our world is nothing but hypnagogic babbling at best, popping suggestions of thoughts and regurgitations of places reflected in our sphere eyes. We see future, we see past, but from the depths, left playing like puppy-sharks in the spears of light radiating down.

"Doorways, counter(balance)s," hypnotised by the Sun. There is nothing to be, no one to go... no one to...

-

He says: Lives are gateways. Gateways lie unused.

---

I've been in the Astral today, specifically I was trying to work on something and... I come back to the same gateway I always come to. I know what things feel like, I have the muscle memory to create and destroy, I go through entire theatrical creations and reality has heard nothing.

I look then to the man behind the mirror - behind it. He doesn't touch reality. Observer, librarian, conceptualisation, God-created antithesis of God, the seam ripper. Terrific hound always following God's footsteps - His beloved friend. The one who holds God in his mouth.

I just... I'm working on a staff that sings, and that's the most pitiful set of words I can conjure. I am one of the heads of the Choir. I need no staff, they sing of my existence whether I'm around or not. I don't need to do anything to control them, let alone make something to channel them, and I certainly don't need to fail at it. The more I work, though, the more I'm realising this isn't the personal failure I was so ready to paint it as. Yes, recovering memories is so, so difficult, no life will ever remember and be aware of everything the unincarnated self is, but there's more to it than not trying hard enough. The gateway is severed, the nomansland between selves is blocked by ancient tendrils of a mass thickness the biggest buildings in the world would envy if they could.

I gave up, and went instead to what I know I can move around: His essence, bodies, energy. I move him instead. I digest his flesh as the strange, acidic, maddening venom I am, but mostly I move it. Ancient tendrils that even he had forgotten, or tried to. Old ruins of a body, face fractured like a broken statue, all parts still in existence except now some of it has become earth again, some has become dust in the wind... If I can't be myself, I'll be myself. I reached for him - me - and I felt it, dark, sultry, lantern-lit indulgence of a purpose. Unseen desires being fulfilled and secrets being knitted that should never get out, that sort of feeling of a revelation of the truth of the self. It feels tantalisingly taboo to cross the boundary of incarnation and unincarnated self, but is that not why I'm here?

This is all a lead up to what I have to say:

Unspoken, there is no speaking it. There is only the procession, the fanfare, and an invisible god with invisible bodies digested by Time and now... There is one who births Time. Absent god, absent ruler, absent father... but absent in his own lives?

[sannakartau]

FOURTY-FOUR SUNSETS

Suddenly it's 2024. I have been working on textile on my bed beneath sunrays especially visible with incense smoke in the air. But for some reason, aging came to my mind, leaving me with a serious inkling to write *somewhere* unserious for a change.

Is aging serious? Is it a serious experience to gather more years on one's back? Or are the assumptions surrounding aging the serious question?

This afternoon I reached out to a guy I dated a few years back. I'd seen him amongst my recommended friends' list on Facebook a few times, but today his profile picture was different. It now featured a bow tie, a very snazzy way of setting one's hair and a general millionaire superhero energy that I found interesting (read: arousing). If we're friends in real life, you probably know that my taste in men leans more towards bookish socialists than swole military men, but since I'd actually spent some juicy time together with him, I found it easier to appreciate his bougie ways.

So obviously, less than two years after dumping and blocking him, I unblocked him and sent him a text asking how he was. Girl's giddy! She's curious! She's willing! Yes, some months have passed, but now that your profile actually says 'Single', I can take a gander, can't I?

The only reason this act was possible is that I now have over 12 years of adulthood under my belt, including a good number of folks whose inboxes are assumedly open for a surprise visit by me. That's my take on aging at the moment: passing years are magnificent memory real estate filled with interesting moments, people, mistakes and a lot of other invaluable stuff. Each year (month, day...) has allowed me to open new spaces and deepen existing ones. I am flabbergasted thinking about the fact that if everything goes well, I can continue being a free agent for many times over that time. Isn't that wild?

But aging is also scary. Some people are less likely to find me attractive the older I seem. Aging comes with (oft internalized) expectations. You know, even the fact that it's Tuesday afternoon and I've been eating chips and playing with fabric, string and safety pins, trusting myself that some good will come from play, even that doesn't seem age-appropriate. It comes with a bitter dose of guilt and sadness.

By articulating it, I counter it. What else would I need or want to articulate?

I do hope I am able to keep wonder, joy and openness close to my heart as years go by. All I need to do is remember to read a certain book every once in a while.

[mankatzu]

Ok full post because some f@g dared me to answer every question

here we go. all 50 oc questions about shino. From this post

Do they have any crafting hobbies? - Not really, but Shino does take up watercolor painting post-canon, so that's crafty.

Do they wear perfume/cologne? If so what scents do they prefer?- I don't actually know how common straight up perfume was in this era of japan but I'm positive shino has like, 5 perfume oils on rotation. I actually just found out people would leave their clothes over incense burners to catch the scent so she definitely did that. Shino's "scent" in particular however is pomegranates, it's a part of her skin routine to dry them, turn them into powder and rub them with water over her skin to make it smooth.

Do they enjoy cooking? - Yes more or less, but she is NOT good at it. Like she will poison you if you let her make you bento. like just raw onions in there.

Do they enjoy baking? - Not really applicable since most japanese sweets to my knowledge don't involve stereotypical ovens like most of us in the west do. She enjoys baked food/deserts but just doesn't make it much.

Do they have any tattoos? If so what are they and do they have any special meaning? - She has no tattoos.

If they were badly injured, and for whatever reason couldn't go to a hospital, who would they go to for help? - Her mother and sisters, her teahouse is her safehaven.

Do they have any unusual fears? - Shino is afraid of the dark because . It's not like she can never be in darkness she has to sleep after all but she REALLY doesn't like being alone in the dark. Her kitty zakuro helps with that.

Do they collect anything? If so what and why? - if collecting clothes count, than yes. But nothing significant. She definitely collects gifts from her patrons.

When they're sick what do they do to feel better? - Resting, eating warm food and taking lots of baths.

Do they have any regrets? - Yes. I can't say what because of spoilers but lets just say she wishes she never became an actress.

Do they have any addictions? - Shino definitely becomes how you say, addicted to cigarettes post canon as she originally only smoked a pipe but yknow. its in like the cool and sexy way.

Do they have any sense of style? Regardless of the answer do they believe they have a sense of style? - Absolutely, I mean it's tough because fashion back then wasn't as diverse as it is now but shino is like. absolutely the person to match her kimono colors to the season and find the perfect coordinate each time.

Do they enjoy poetry? - She doesn't write it, but she has a moderate appreciation I'd say.

Do they have a hard time opening up to people? - Yeah, Shino has a hard time shifting out of "customer service" mode when she gets to know people. She usually does it to not ruin her perfect image but if you're around her enough (okita-kun) she'll relax around you.

What kind of sense of humor do they have? Or do they have one at all? - Absolutely, Shino is so fun and has a good-spirit about most things, she's just not like yknow. kevin hart at the apollo with her humor.

Do they have or want kids? - Shino would LOOOVE to have kids. it's just hard with the whole yknow amab gay thing.

How easily would they be convinced to do something that goes against their morals?- It would be hard. Shino may be someone living on the edge of the law technically but if she really disagrees with something morally I don't think she'd do it. MAYBE if it was like "you have to do this to save x person" kind of thing. i.e. trolly problem.

How easy is it to become their enemy? - hard, Shino isn't the type to really hold grudges, like she definitely might not like you but she'll dislike you in a mean girls way not "you're my ENEMY" way. like oh that bitch. that sort of thing

How easy is it to become their friend? - pretty easy, but only if you're becoming like a friendly acquaintance/work friend. Yknow the kind of person you see around often and strike up a conversation with but you wouldn't know their birthday. To become her true friend takes a lot more committed time.

Do they have a strong connection to their culture? - Yes and no? Like I think culturally she's very japanese and loves her own culture but I don't think she feels particularly attached to the concept of being japanese. like she's just vibing. I think like most in this time period until commodore perry and his goons knocked down their door the idea of like. Oh there are others completely different from me? didn't really cross her mind. Exposure to foreign influence in the way of their neighborhood doctor, "Shigu-sensei" (sigfried) has helped, though.

What is more important to them, friends or family? - Easily family. It's a found family but its found family nonetheless.

Would they ever betray someone for money? - Depends on the person and depends on the money and depends on the depth of betrayal... I think generally she probably wouldn't but depending on the amount she'd be very tempted. And if she went through with it she'd feel really bad about it.

How would they want to die? - Soundly in her sleep without any pain. or preferably in the arms of a loved one.

Do they have any enemies? - Nah. maybe someone who thinks she's the enemy but otherwise no.

Do they have a daily/nightly routine? - Yes! Every morning she wakes up early and eats breakfast with her family, and feeds Zakuro. Then she does their family's assigned chores and spends the early afternoon just chilling, might have a nap if she's feeling sleepy. Around I'd say like five or so she gets ready for customers and spends until 11pm or so serving. Then around 12-2 am she helps clean up, has a bath, and then turns in for bed. I'd say like once a week she has to do her little pomegranate ritual to keep herself clean.

stay tuned for part 2 ✌️ I had to split it because of block limit.