#you didn't ask but the reason i chose fam for you is because i think it's a very sweet but also very fun song

[chancheols]

Charmer skz!! Or should I say charmah

This is high praise, actually. Thank you 💕💕

Anon me a song that matches my tumblr vibe

[johaerys-writes]

I got u fam. Achilles was known to ransom captives rather than kill. Why? If he went to troy for glory, then why was he not out there killing left and right? Do you think that deep down it was against his nature and he was just “stalling”? What exactly was his plan to achieve glory? TSoA in a way implies Achilles did a lot of “stalling” to have more time with Patroclus, but I want to hear your take on the Iliad.

Hello, thank you for this ask! You raise a few different questions so let me answer them one by one.

Why does Achilles ransom captives rather than kill? What was his plan to achieve glory? In Book 1, Achilles explains exactly why he went to Troy, and his attitude towards the Trojans in general. This is what he says to Agamemnon at the agora:

For it was not on account of Trojans warriors I came to wage battle here, since to me they are blameless— never yet have they driven off my cattle, or my horses, nor ever in Phthia, where the rich earth breeds warriors, have they destroyed my harvest, since there is much between us, both shadowy mountains and clashing sea. But we followed you, O great shameless one, for your pleasure, to win recompense for Menelaos and for you, dog-face, from the Trojans; none of this do you pause to consider or care for.

Achilles doesn't have anything personal against the Trojans. He didn't come to Troy for the singular purpose of slaughtering them and their families, nor does he seem to revel in that violence, even though he also says that of all the Achaeans he is the one that conducts 'the greater part of furious war', as the strongest among them. He takes pride in his skill but he isn't bloodthirsty. He came to Troy as much for honour (i.e. winning recompense for the Atreides and restoring Hellas' honour as a whole, which is how the war was framed), as for glory. Therefore, helping Agamemnon win his war and bringing Helen back to Menelaus would have been Achilles' 'plan to achieve glory' if you want to call it that. I know that the take of Achilles being obsessed with his own glory and doing everything in his power to make sure he gets as much of it as he can is quite popular, but I believe that his reasons for fighting in the war are much more multi-faceted than that. And it's also something that he very eloquently explains throughout the Iliad as well.

Later on, in Book 21, when Lykaon (one of Priam's sons who had been sold by Achilles to slavery and managed to find his way back home) implores Achilles to spare him once more, Achilles tells him that he used to spare the Trojans because it is what his heart chose once, but that is no more. And then he kills him—which comes to show us that brutally slaughtering the Trojans he encounters isn't like him at all, and it is not what others expect of him.

As to whether it is in his nature or not, I really can't say. I do think that, as I said earlier, Achilles as a character isn't bloodthirsty or violent for the sake of being violent, he does not kill needlessly even when he does have that choice—we only see him slaughtering like that after Patroclus' death, which is essentially the breakdown of his character. But I believe it also has to do with his upbringing: in a previous ask I mentioned that Euripides in his Iphigenia at Aulis has Agamemnon explain to Menelaus (and the audience) that Chiron raised Achilles to be honourable and to stay away from wickedness. Achilles himself says that Chiron taught him to keep a single heart (i.e. to be steadfast and keep true to his words and actions), to be respectful of the gods and those he chooses to follow (the Atreides in this case) and do honour to them with his spear, unless they lead him or the people astray. That doesn't sound like someone who kills people left and right, nor like someone obsessed with glory no matter what is required to achieve it. And this is a portrayal that is encountered in other works of antiquity as well. Which tells me that this is the way Achilles was intended to be perceived: stubborn and hotheaded, but at the same time honourable, law abiding and very rigid in his moral code leader and warrior.

2. Was Achilles stalling? That is a question that does not really have a straightforward answer imo. Miller chooses to have Achilles stall so he can have more time with Patroclus, but the truth is that in the Iliad we have no evidence of that. Even the extent to which Achilles knew of the prophecy isn't conclusive: in Book 1, he already knows that he will never be leaving Troy and that he'll die there, but it is only in Book 18 that Thetis mentions that Achilles' death will come soon after Hector's. It is not clear in that exchange, at least to me, whether Achilles hears of it for the first time or if he has known it all along. So we can't really know whether he was delaying his own death, nor if he did it for the sake of Patroclus. I believe that anything we say on this topic is pure speculation.

As to why the war took as long as it did: there is no straightforward answer to this either. Perhaps the armies were evenly matched for the most part. Perhaps Troy's walls were just that strong. Perhaps it is the result of bad leadership: as it is hinted a few times in the Iliad, Achilles would get into arguments with Agamemnon and other leaders, presumably because he disagreed with their ways of doings things, which could mean that Agamemnon was just, well, an incompetent leader whose decisions caused the war to go on longer and longer. Perhaps it is a combination of all of the above. For all we know, Achilles, as the extremely straightforward and honourable person he is, wanted to do his best to make sure the Atreides win their war so they can all go back home—and he has already planned and prepared for his death in that case, as he tells Patroclus before he leaves to fight Hector that he expects him to come back safe from the fighting and take his son to Phthia to meet his grandfather and his clansmen after Achilles is gone.

That doesn't sound like someone who fears or stalls his death, but as someone who has prepared for it even if it saddens him. Besides, Achilles' greatest descriptor, 'swift-footed', does not imply a person who would be stalling when it comes to anything, rather a person that sees what he has to do and simply does it; although whether he was ever entirely sold on Agamemnon's and Menelaus' war is also debatable, if you ask me.

I hope I answered your questions!

[melonteee]

Oda is really good at foreshadowing because, while him having always had a clear complete backstory for each character from the get go isn't so sure, he clearly has character sheets for each of them that highlight the themes to be explored through them and what logically leads them to become who they are today (finding family in strangers for robin : why not bio fam? -> neglect. why realization at enies lobby and not jaya? -> betrayal in the past, needed proof of truthfulness. why this found fam and not another one? -> criminal lifestyle and previous experience of constant exploitation)

Then when he sets up a scene between characters, he takes all of those sheets into account and specifically choses what would make sense to be "revealed"/said between those characters (and in turn to the audience) at this specific point in time in the plot and in the overall story

Ex: Robin and Law's talk about the Will of D. It makes complete sense for both of them to have this talk in the story between each other specifically. Why didn't Robin ask any other D before Law ? The D clan aren't that plentiful when you think about it to the point Robin met 3 of them in her entire life. She didn't know how important it was back then so she never asked Saul. She probably asked Luffy but Luff-man doesn't care about those matters to the point he only found out he even had a dad at 17yo ("sorry Robin"). In short, Law is perfect for the job. And while his information fits at that point in the plot for Robin to uncover, we as an audience aren't ready for it yet.

Alternatively, when those character themes sometimes coincide between different characters, he simply ties them together to avoid redundancy

Bonney is a funny case to me because she was created in a week like most of the non-Strawhat supernovas but Oda made sure that her and these new characters wouldn't interfere or create plotholes with what he's already had in mind while leaving enough leeway to tie them more into the plot if needed. Bonney has the biggest leeway of any supernova because of her devil fruit powers. The fact it changes her age and we were only ever given an estimation means you could technically have her be born at nearly any point in time as well as be the daughter, mother or grandmother to anyone you wish.

Yet she fits so well as Kuma's daughter for a very simple reason: It makes the scene of Kuma sending Perona to Mihawk's island gain a layer of sense that was kinda missing and easily glossed over on a first read. Other than giving a demonstration of what Kuma's abilities could do pre-Sabaody and emphasize how much bigger of a threat he was compared to Moria even if they shared the same title, we never really got WHY Perona was spared like the strawhats were at Sabaody. There wasn't some grand vision to it, no tie to something he was part of like the Revolutionaries, ... So why ? Especially at that point in time where he was slowly but surely losing himself and any tie left to his humanity

But then Bonney comes in and their backstory is revealed. And that's when you begin to notice. You notice that Perona is a pink haired adult woman with a rather childish personality. Notice that her devil fruit can easily be underestimated and holds a lot of potential. Notice that Kuma mechanically asked her a really strange question which lacked an important key setup for it. Notice that the spot on Mihawk's island where he sent her to was safe from danger. And you realize

Perona might have reminded Kuma of someone very very close to him to the point his mind couldn't even fathom harming a look alike.

And chronologically at the time of this encounter, he's only seen Bonney as an adult once back at the Sorbet Kingdom where he ended up fainting at the sight alone

In a strange turn of events, things just fit and we're all happy for it

I have nothing to say you're just spot on about everything here. I am so desperate to see Oda's notes on when he makes arcs and characters for how he puts everything together. I can only hope he's kept all of them so, when One Piece ends, he can release a book with all his concept sketches and character/story plots to see exactly how he does it. I need to see how the gears turn u know

[fayesdiary]

12, 20, 25 for the character ask game for Rhea aaaand Veyle!

12) What's a headcanon you have for this character?

I like to view Rhea as the type of confused but supportive elderly person. The kind of elderly who doesn't entirely get it (especially considering how she is with social interactions), doesn't quite know the new terminology but is nevertheless 100% willing to comfort and aid however she can.

In particular I keep imagining a scenario when someone asks her if it's a sin for them to be trans, Rhea isn't sure what the word mean and when they explain it to her she ends up correlating them to the Nabateans' power to shift between human and dragon forms and so ends up giving words of comfort that don't entirely make sense for a human... but also says that hey, the goddess herself chose to present herself as a woman and changed her appearance from time to time Shapeshifter Sothis real, so why shouldn't you if it makes you love yourself more?

For Veyle, I like to think she takes crafting magic trinkets as a hobby, especially since she's part Mage Dragon. But if I may talk about Fell Xenologue Veyle for a moment, given the very limited info we have about her (that she was stern but kind), I picture her as having a demeanor similar to Evil Veyle outside (More formal and mature speech, seemingly colder demeanor and more willing to get her hands dirty) but with a far kinder heart, even if she's not very willing to show it out of fear that if she lets herself be vulnerable she'll break down. Basically a kid who had to grow up too fast in order to become a leader of her ragtag group of survivors.

20) Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

Rhea: Dimitri, Dedue and Claude are what come to mind because they would get her so well albeit for different reasons. Also I'm a Rhea/Annie/Mercie friendship truther and I swear they would work together so well.

Veyle: I'd say probably Timerra due to how down-to-earth and comforting she is!

Also for both of them I think the Nabatean and the Fell fams would and should be close friends with each other 💚💜

25) What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

Rhea: I'll go in more detail in the other ask I keep procrastinating, but first impression was that she was just another Emmeryn/Mikoto archetype and didn't think much of her. Now I adore her.

Veyle: Didn't think much of her beyond "cute girl" at first, but now I love her with all my heart and think she's one of the best characters of Fire Emblem!

[thisbuildinghasfeelings]

You know what, I find it really likely that Carlos told his parents it was a real marriage AND find it possible that Carlos and Iris never had to pretend for them either. Carlos hid his breakup from TK for 4 months, which included him moving into his first mortgaged home alone (since it seems like they were renting the townhouse), not to mention hiding him dating TK for months until the market run in and they didn't think anything of it, that we know of.

He's close with his family, but he keeps his personal life separate from them. I just think they realized it was a mistake within a few months, probably when Carlos got further into college and was finally feeling like he could be free to do what he wanted and they just drifted as their lives went separate ways - like a lot of high school friends and the reyes fam just...never said anything bc he never did.

I have a lot of thoughts about this, so thank you for providing me with this opportunity to ramble on about them, anon! I'm having a lot of Carlos-related feelings today.

I feel like Carlos must have told his parents it was a real marriage because marrying Iris to keep his parents from being disappointed in him was a huge part of the reason he married her in the first place. I want so desperately to know what Gabriel and Andrea were thinking when 17 year old Carlos comes out to them, then a few years later tells them he's marrying/has married Iris. Did they think he wasn't actually gay? Did they have any idea he was doing this at least in part to please them?

I imagine that when Carlos came out to them, Gabriel and Andrea didn't know what to say to him about it. They were probably afraid of upsetting or offending him by saying the wrong thing. In their minds, the best thing to do was to hug him, tell him they loved him, and then act as though nothing had changed. To them, it probably was meant to show Carlos that they loved him just the same as they always did and nothing had changed between them. Obviously, it meant something very different to Carlos. I believe they were coming from a well-meaning place that was nevertheless woefully insufficient for Carlos' needs.

When Carlos came to them and told them that he was marrying or had married Iris, he was probably desperate for their approval. He had done this big thing at least in part to keep them from being disappointed in him. Gabriel and Andrea likely would have seen Carlos' desire for their approval and so they probably did what they could to support him. They probably followed his lead and did not ask questions about whether things had changed since he came out to them when he was 17. And then Carlos probably took their reaction as a sign that he had made the right decision in marrying Iris.

Then, I feel like SOMETHING must have been said between them about the marriage falling apart. Carlos had to have told them at some point that the marriage was over. (Knowing Carlos, it was likely some time after he had come to terms with that fact himself.) I think it's very believable that they wouldn't have talked about it in any detail. At that point, Carlos probably felt more discouraged and upset than ever, at least as far as being able to be honest with his parents about that part of his life. He had done a big thing that was intended to fix himself and keep his parents from being disappointed in him, but he failed. He tried to make it work, but he couldn't. I'm sure Gabriel and Andrea could see how upset Carlos was about the whole thing. They probably chose not to push him or question him about it. And so they continued on for a decade, never discussing Carlos' sexuality, the pressure put on him, the pressure he was putting on himself, or his feelings that he had disappointed them by simply being who he was.

This is how I've made it make sense in my own mind, at least. I wonder if there's any chance we'll get any of this explained on the show. Probably not. I would love it so much if we did, though. Even just a tiny scrap of it would make me so happy.

[redphlox]

I just wanted to say that I really can't wait for the reveal of how Dabi survived the fire and what was he doing for all these 10 years, because I feel like Horikoshi reserved this part as a very tragic flashback actually told from Dabi's own pov (otherwise why don't include it with the rest of Todofam backstory?)

I just want to see broken Touya dealing with what happened to him and learn the explicitly stated reasons why he didn't come back home

hey there! i got this ask months ago but I'm answering now. i'm trying to be better about answering asks starting today.

you brought up something i've been wanting to talk about: 301-302 were told from BOTH Touya and the family's POV. That's why Hori set up an alternating narration and drew his art like this:

As in, alternating speakers and flashbacks, combined only for the reader. The family doesn't know Touya accidentally set himself on fire, or that his emotions power his quirk. To this day, they still don't know that. They're not even aware Touya is currently reflecting on their family's past, either. So, why would we get flashbacks and images of Touya crying so hard his eyes catch on fire while Rei and Endeavor talk in the present? Because we, the readers, do get Touya's POV. In the present, he's laying on the couch reminiscing whilst, literally at the same time, the rest of his family is at the hospital also talking about their past.

Chapter 301 opens with a flashback of Rei and Endeavor getting engaged, goes back to the present at the hospital, and then checks in on Touya in the present thinking about his family. Then the rest of the chapter is told in a flashback, combining both Touya and the family's thoughts. The family still has no clue this happened:

because how could they gather this info just from Dabi's reveal video? No. The omnicent narrator tells us the reader this information. The family is still in the dark about Touya aside from the fact that he's alive. We as the readers are the only ones to see this knowledge and these flashbacks integrated, especially those of Touya training alone and his quirk changing. It's not until this moment

that the narration steers away from Dabi and his thoughts and then focuses only on the rest of Todo fam in the present.

Anyway, I'm stating this to explain that 301-302 basically explained the Todoroki family origin, and why and how everyone in the family suffered because of Endeavor, not just Touya. That's why we don't see what happened to Touya after the fire - that's the moment when the Todoroki family story splits.

I also think we'll learn what happened to Touya during those 10 years sometime soon, probably verbally during a confrontation with Shouto. Honestly, though, I don't think much happened to him during those 10 years aside from trying to process what happened and silently seething that Endeavor seemingly went on with his life as though he hadn't lost his firstborn son. It probably hurt Touya a lot and fueled his desire to get revenge somehow.

I know a lot of people theorize that someone convinced Touya into not going home or whatever but I think Touya chose not to go home - what was there to go home to? He already thought his quirk and body incompatibility was a weakness, and now he had the permanent burn and scars to prove it. I talked about it a bit here and I can go on a separate rant but I don't think those 10 years were filled with much besides shame, anger, resentment, and a whole lot of anguish.

[symphonicmetal101]

this is probably the most random but coolest matchup i've ever participated in 💀 ok ok so uh i hate socks in bed, fuck getting my feet cold im NOT gonna put them on. i think the only valid chocolate chip cookies are the soft ones (this does not count if the cookies have extra chips,, i will look pass it if it's like this). if i ever woke up with bright orange hair i'd be fine with it but hunt down whoever the fuck thought it'd be a good idea to choose orange, i mean,, hello??? could've chose something better to suit my skin tone or sumn 🙄 i would die to have a pet sloth (if it wasnt part of endangered species then maybe i wouldve stolen one) just because of how they smile and shii. my fam actually calls me lucifer or morningstar because i'm apparently perfect and an angel (i like to pretend the reason for calling me that is because of cinderella's stepmom's cat, i love that bitch what an icon). i always quote that “what are thoseeee?” “these are my CROCS” vine but of course “CHRIS IS THAT A WEED” will always be iconic in my eyes.

[hope this wasn't too long and confusing though. i didn't want to make spaces between every fact/sentence bc tumblr spacing sucks and i dont want this post to be even longer.]

Im matching you with:

THIRTEEN

Gdjshdjshs ok so first things first cold feet? Too bad, Thirteen has cold feet too, under the covers turns into a wrestling match as you both try to use the others back/tummy/thighs as a heater.

No news to hunt her down, the little shit (affectionate) is right there, she was the one who dyed your hair your honour.

Endangered species or not, if tou want a sloth you'll have a sloth. A near immortal one. Because your girlfriend decided it would be a nice unbirthday gift bc she totally didnt forget when your birthday actually is and hopes if she misses it she can use this gift to her advantage

LMAO I love that about you

If you are as uptight as Lucifer, she'll get ya to loosen up right quick. If not then she just gives you more incentive to act out lmao.

Also Thirteen is definitely fluent in vines. You cant tell me she isnt.

Homie, if only you knew how much oof a rollercoaster the next ask is-

I wouldnt have minded either way but WHOOWHEE

Hope this was alright

Thanks for being patient!!!

[rebelcap]

We are just not friends —Part 17

Chris Evans x bi!latina!character (Sofia is a people of color, she's brown.)

Chris and Sofia meet when their best friends started dating, it all started at friends with loads of bumps on the road.  

Warnings: drinking, smoking, drug use (weed), assault, Chris being Steve Rogers, commitment issues, my girl Sofia kinda messy, lots of fucking (eventually) 

This is slow burn at its best, at least emotionally. 

Series masterlist

Everything was supposed to be fine by now, the fears, issues, differences, and maybe even some resentment between the couple have been talked over, discussed, and even reached some kind of compromise for them to thrive as they wanted, and they wanted that. 

But they haven't talked shit, straight back like anything had happened or at least pretend that nothing was going on, at first they were willing to but Chris had left the day after the party for some meeting that he couldn't reschedule and let Sofia know through a text—he did call she choose not to pick up because she was passed out drunk on her bedroom floor also she didn't exactly know if she wanted to have that conversation. 

Chris also realized that she didn't want to talk about it after telling her to have a little patience, 

"Because I don't think we should talk about it over FaceTime," He said as she smiled politely and waves a hand over the screen. 

"Yeah. It makes sense," 

She still can't lie for shit. He thought, Chris, nodded and rubbed his beard. He chose not to tell her that now, so he shut it. 

They picked up where they left off as soon he came back—sex was amazing as ever, they had a few dates and Sofia started hanging out a lot with Scott and Chris, sometimes she even came over for diner with his family. 

Chris knew she was struggling, always smiling but he knew her—he could see her discomfort through her smile at first he felt for her, he knew that it was out of her comfort zone but then it just started to bother him.

And they still haven't sat down and had a full-on conversation about what went down at the party. 

"Why do I feel that you hate them sometimes," Chris said as soon as the door closed on his apartment back to Boston. They just returned from his home back at concord, he wanted to stay the night she didn't, it was too much. 

"What are you talking about?" Sofia frowned as she took off her jacket and hang it while looking at him. 

"My family," He said, putting a special emphasis on me, she felt that as a low blow but didn't say anything about it, for now. 

"I don't hate them, Chris. Why would you say that?," She defended herself and walked to the kitchen and started the coffee maker, just for the sake of doing something. Chris was hot on her heels. 

"God, Sofia. I can see it all over your face sometimes," Chris made a face and she just stared at him. "Like you would rather be anywhere in the world than there."

"Are you serious?" She laughed, he had to be fucking with her right now. 

"Does this sound like a joke to you? are you that dense?" He spits and Sofia just stared at him, the smile whipped off her face, and just… stared at him. 

 "Fuck off, Chris" Sofia frown and walked back to the little closet. 

"Oh, right just fuck off. That's all you have to say?" He said, more accusing her and Sofia rolled her eyes at him. 

"You're being a fucking asshole with no reason at all,"  Sofia put her jacket. 

"I'm being the asshole!?," 

"Yes." Sofia threw her arms and sigh. "I'm sorry I don't fulfill your fucking girlfriend expectations." 

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I know you fucking hate how I am, you think that I don't hear you that time that you wish I was more like Jenny—God fucking Jenny." She put both hands on her head. 

So, Jenny. 

Chris and Jenny had dated her before he even knew Sofia and dated once again after he broke up with her most recent ex, the one that he went back to again. Sofía knew they talked, on the regular. Yeah, we're friends, she's great. 

Alright, Sofia couldn't care less because she trusted Chris with being a responsible adult and don't fuck with her feelings. 

Until she heard that, a while back while she was in the kitchen and Chris and Scott were chatting in the living room. 

Chris stayed quiet for a moment until Sofia just laughed, opening the door and walking out of the house. 

"Sofia, come on," Chris said, walking behind her and she ignored him. 

"What? it is what it is." She turned around and shrugged. "I told you I was fucked up, you said that I wasn't. This is me being fucked up and you're comparing me with your ex and accusing me to hate your family." 

"Then explain to me what's going on?" Chris asked, walking right behind her. "Sofia!" 

"Fuck off." She muttered and kept walking away leaving Chris on the sidewalk. 

From: Chris E. 

—I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Please come back, let's talk. 

He texted as soon he got back to the house, his head was nosy and it aches, he felt awful, angry, frustrated, and exhausted. And he still fucking love her so much and want her that it was insane. 

Sofía walked back to her apartment, silently crying all the way because she didn't want to be like that, her life was hard, she had a rough childhood and didn't want to hang out with her family, her dynamics were fucked up, violent and toxic. 

That's what she was used to, her normal. So when she started hanging out with Chris fam, man. They were all glad to be together, had fun, and went on vacation together, and did everything together like happy, functional, healthy dynamics. 

Of course, Sofia was going to freak the fuck out, it was weird and made her feel alienated. It wasn't their fault and honestly, they were a bunch of good people and it wasn't their fault. 

She couldn't possibly say this to Chris, no way. He would never understand it and she knew what family always came first for him. There's no way that she'll be that person in the middle, it wasn't going to end well. Already she was feeling like it was meddling between Evans and felt awful. 

Not Chris or they deserve her bullshit. 

"Fuck."

[lizzybeth1986]

Quick Thoughts on TRR Book 2 Chapter 18

• Predictions I had made for the two Finale chapters (probs not on my blog but I did say this to several mutuals):

1. Chapter 18 would be filler, Chapter 19 would be likely where shit hits the fan.

2. Diamond scenes would be split between the chapters, 2 LIs per chapter: Hana and Maxwell this chapter, Drake and Liam next chapter.

3. Why? Because Drake was the only LI with a diamond scene last week, and because given how ominous Liam’s future would be, there is a chance they will up the drama/tragedy quotient by having his diamond scene just before it strikes (remember how we got a love scene just before the fiasco at Coronation??). Hana and Maxwell have not had diamond scenes since NY, so obviously they would get a lion’s share of this chapter.

4. LIs would have significant conversations with the MC about their relationship during the diamond scenes. The scenes will be priced at 30 diamonds each - that was exactly how much they priced “last moments with LI” in Book 1. (I see they didn't do this for Maxwell possibly because no sex compared to what the other LIs are getting) (Future prediction: I think Drake’s scene might have some stuff on his real role in court but I can’t be sure, and hopefully Liam’s will expand on family history).

5. Another future prediction: We may or may not get another plot related diamond scene (similar to Olivia’s in the Book 1 finale).

• I didn’t anticipate the impromptu photoshoot or Bertrand and Savannah reuniting or Madeleine appearing at the end (tho I wasn’t exactly surprised she did, we were bound to see her sometime or other). But the rest? On. The. Money 😎

• Okay let’s start this shizz fam!

• Today’s title: Noble At Heart. Though it actually should have been I Got Land and A Fancy Title Only Because Pixelberry Wants to Justify Getting Me Involved In Some Really Complicated Political Shit The Next Book.

• We’re still not done impressing people. In fact we’re never going to be done impressing people. I fail to understand why the MC is so surprised about this. Boo, this is what you signed up for by being royalty/nobility. You’re not GOING to have a life of your own from now on *shrug*.

•

The epic shade Bertrand Beaumont, Duke of Ramsford, gave to Prince Leo tho 😂

•

I KNEW naming my duchy Daniel Henney was a good idea! 😁😁😁

• There are mixed responses on Liam’s new suit but I kinda like it? It defines his chest quite nicely I think xD xD I wish it had been a slightly duller/lighter shade of blue tho, similar to what we saw on the cover. The blue suit on the cover wasn’t this bright.

• I really wish his bow could have been silver instead of gold though? Blue and silver are Cordonia’s national colours and it would have been fitting to have him wear those to the Homecoming Ball.

• Also I think the extra diamond scene if you’re engaged to Liam is such a lovely bonus, even if I think the dress for that picture was a little too top-heavy for my tastes and WTF why does my MC have two left hands. But the picture looked sweet xD

(See the skirts are flowy and wonderful and the sleeves are lovely but I feel like there’s too much going on with the bodice!)

• Sample this dialogue exchange (if the MC says “we would have still found a way to be with each other”):

Liam: I know we have our share of history [in the palace ballroom], but to me, it will always be the place where I first saw you in Cordonia…the moment I realized you had come into my life to stay. Since then, I’d wondered time and again if I would ever stand beside you like this. Now that we’re engaged, there are a million memories I want to make with you.

MC: No matter how bleak things were, or how hard it got…I knew we’d find a way through.

Brb crying 😭😭😭😭

• I have a feeling there might be some emotional importance to this photograph later if you buy it - esp if something happens to Liam or they are not able to get married yet. It could be a reminder of happier, more hopeful times, or Liam could look at this and view it as motivation for a future he wants to give the MC. IDK how it will work out but it would be great if they did that.

• MC: Together, we’ll be unstoppable.

Liam: I think we already are.

Hold on to that thought, you two. You’ll need to prove it pretty soon the way this book is going.

• @feisty-mary pointed out that we get a caption for impressing Justin and speculated on a likelihood that it might have some importance in the future. That kinda depends on how the writers are going to spin his cryptic “our paths may cross again”. Ally? Enemy? He’s like Madeleine now, you don’t know yet which direction this character will be headed.

• Why did they make Hana’s selection look like an over-frosted cupcake? 😣 Stop doing my fashion queen dirty.

• Olivia’s selection was nice but I’m not sure about the tiaras for either.

• It’s interesting how they have gowns that are custom-made to suit what Liam is wearing (Hana mentions this): the pink gown I’m guessing is meant to suit Liam’s blue suit overall, and the gold one to match his bow.

• Fam this tiara is clashing with my pretty gold hairclip help.

• Now that Olivia has found out who was responsible for the threats, can’t do anything about it because it would hurt Liam, and basically feels she has nothing left to investigate, her work seems done. But is it really?

• There’s still so much story left to Olivia. Esp re: her parents. That’s why they’re keeping her appearances limited to just helping the MC this book. Book 2 is supposed to be about the MC clearing her name and defining her relationships, but Book 3 will undeniably be about Cordonia. Olivia’s story is a big part of that history so I guess it makes sense for them to put it off till then. @ladynevrakis and I have this theory going on about how Olivia’s parents might have been trying to protect Liam’s mom - I personally think that would be a great way to tie those two stories together!

• Only Olivia Vanderwall Nevrakis, Duchess of Lythikos, would suggest placing her future queen in a dungeon. Only Olivia 😂

• I’m not going to say much about the Hana lake scene, esp since it’s largely a sex scene and the non-diamond buildup is just as important, BUT HANA STANS CONGRATULATIONS I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU.

• So Hana’s going to stay with us, Drake might stay/visit, Maxwell might visit, Olivia might return to court when she hears about Liam and Liam…man that depends on what happens next chapter 😟 So we’re kinda starting to get a clearer idea of where the gang will be at.

• The scene with the guys, Bertrand, Savannah and Bartie was sweet, but my lack of investment in Bertrand/Savannah doesn’t really let me enjoy it. I think PB did all three characters (Bertrand, Savannah, Maxwell) a disservice by handling that story the way they did. Savannah’s story started out as this very emotionally charged mystery that kept Drake going in Book 1, and people got invested enough, but IMO it was handled so shoddily you end up feeling irritated at Savannah and Maxwell for how they handled things, and saddened because Bertrand’s entire character gets shortchanged so that the only thing he seems to care about anymore is Savannah (which is fine, but the reason I liked Bertrand in the first place was the way he was depicted before she came along). So Savannah is still a big part of Drake’s story, and the Beaumont brothers’ history, but the investment in her is simply not there anymore. At least for me. Sigh.

• Also CONGRATULATIONS MAXWELL STANS! The screenshots I saw looked sweet and I’m glad they had that all-important chat about how they want to move forward. I’m guessing Maxwell’s relationship will take time since they’d just confessed to their feelings in NY and they’d need a lot more development as a couple before they reach that stage. But I’m guessing that will happen in Book 3! Splurge on those diamond development scenes like your life depends on it till then! XD

•

If Liam is sending his personal security detail to guard me…then who’s guarding Liam?? 😱 😱 😱

• Adeleide looks very happy for the mother of a thwarted almost-queen. But she did mention that becoming royalty was changing Madeleine for the worse so I’m guessing she thinks her daughter almost dodged a bullet there. Plus, free booze.

This is Adeleide when she talks about Madeleine.

• I’m totally waiting for you to get that “hip hopera” of yours’ ready, Maxwell. Like Elvis Presley would say…

• I like the idea of Bertrand getting some love in his life…I just want to be able to enjoy the good ol’ curmudgeony go-getter Bertrand we all grew to love while we’re at it. Is that too much to ask for, PB? Is it?

• “Will Madeleine spoil your big night?” - I don’t think you would have placed her so early in the next chapter if that was the case, PB, cmon (then again, the message at the end of Chapter 18 last book didn’t sound that threatening either and look what happened there. So I could be wrong). Plus, I think we have bigger threats to worry about, threats we don’t even know about yet.

• So I saw a screenshot of what would happen if you’re with Liam and tell Hana you still want her, and she seems okay with it. I have the same problems with this scene that I have with the other scene - in fact more so because at this stage the MC is officially engaged to the other LI. But you know what worries me more? That there was such an intense reaction when Liam did it (including people stating they were glad they did not choose him and comments on Liam’s “integrity” - thankfully most of the people I followed pointed out how OOC it was) but almost-radio-silence when it came to the other LIs doing the same thing. I mean Drake last chapter still got to imply that he’d be more than happy to take us up on that offer if we chose the “tour of the room” option, and Hana here immediately agrees to what the MC wants if she implies that she is willing to cheat on Liam with her (unless the MC has Liam’s consent on this, that’s what it is). Very few actually commented on either. That’s not fair, fam. You can’t hold one LI accountable for something like this and not say anything about the others.

(People who may have taken the option to have sex with Liam while being with the other LI, and continued the chapter, does the MC inform their LI about this development?)

For me, the problem in both cases is that the MC doesn’t bother to ask the other person. She doesn’t say “look this is what I want to do, but I want to talk to both you and my fiance before I move forward”. She just takes what she wants from whoever she wants and the LIs just let her. It makes me feel sorry for them and really angry at her.

• Is it me or will Hana have an outdoor kink too? Homegirl has her first time with the woman she loves just as the setting sun kisses the lake xD

• Next chapters the finale, fam. The sex is going to be HELLA. The drama is going to be HELLA. And the wait for Book 3 is going to be…not hella.

• Will Liam finally have sex with my MC in a bedroom? Or will we find some other nice outdoorsy place since the hedge maze is already done? Whatever it is, we’d better get a scene absolutely worth 30 diamonds. No fade-to-black bullshit. LIAM STANS WILL RIOT.

• This is my MC to Liam next chapter:

Credit to @callmetippytumbles the genius who began the trend of putting gifs on her “Thoughts” posts. I can’t imagine NOT using them now thanks to you 😂

[punkscowardschampions]

Junior & Nancy

Junior: What are you gonna do? Nancy: I've never had less of an idea Nancy: What can I do? Junior: I wish I knew for you Junior: But no, I don't Junior: By the time I worked it out, I knew it was too late but maybe if I'd said something to you, we could've avoided it playing out like this Junior: I'm sorry Nancy: Don't apologise to me, please, I can't start sobbing outside of this office Nancy: You've done nothing wrong. It's me who messed everything up Junior: I'm sorry, no wait, scrap that Junior: You can't help what you felt Junior: You're not the first person to get a crush, everyone's just acting like it for the drama of the thing Nancy: But I chose to act on it Nancy: You didn't see her face. It was... Nancy: I've got no words for it Junior: Oh, Nance Junior: There's no other way she could react, or would've Junior: I'm not judging but how did you get this caught up? Its not like you Nancy: I thought she wanted me to. Genuinely I'm not just making an excuse Nancy: We had a connection. The way we'd talk, I didn't imagine that, I can't have Junior: At best though, that could never be more than friendship, she's a married teacher, a straight one Junior: not to go over it now, you know Junior: What a mess Junior: Tristan is being Junior: its bad Nancy: He has a right to Nancy: I'm so stupid, oh my god Nancy: They couldn't hold of mum or dad yet but when they do... Junior: Yeah but, he's trying to make it something it ain't, get the anger but I wish he'd keep the gay hate to a minimum Junior: Oh God, babe Junior: how mortifying Junior: I'll find a hole to bury you in Nancy: Thanks Nancy: I've literally become a lesbian stereotype. The predatory one Nancy: If my brother ever finds out I'm gonna have to get you to bury him too Junior: We're doing our best to keep it on the DL, strictest of confidence Junior: but if your rents talk to mine, he'll suddenly take an interest no doubt, eurgh Junior: You weren't being predatory, at least, that's now how you meant it Junior: and she's in the position of power so she always had the upper hand to push you away Junior: which, I guess, she did in the end Junior: would've been helpful if she'd have clued up before now but we can't blame her Nancy: I'm gonna have to move back, aren't I? How can I stay here. I can't Nancy: I love her and I've done this to her Nancy: What if she loses her job because of me? I might have wanted him to leave her, or vice versa, but I never wanted that Junior: Not necessarily Junior: She won't Junior: Not to rub salt in an open wound but its very clear it came from you and not her Junior: Its not going to come to that Junior: There's only this year left, we can stick it out together, I've got you Junior: anyway, rumours follow, don't they? Idk how but that's the magic of teens, better if you face it head on Junior: own it in the ways you can Nancy: You make everything sound so straightforward, no play on words meant Nancy: I should have told you everything Junior: I get why you didn't Junior: it got to be real when it was just in your head Junior: wow, sounds harsh but, yeah? Nancy: I'm gonna hear much worse Nancy: At least you're coming for a good place Junior: We need to decide on your side of the story, so we can stick to it Nancy: What's the point? Everyone already knows what happened Junior: Yeah, there's definitely the key facts you're not gonna be able to run from Junior: but its all about how you sell it Nancy: What are you saying I should do? I can't throw her under the bus Junior: No, of course not Junior: I'm not explaining it well 'cos I can't do it myself Junior: but you know, the old, hold your head up high regardless of how you're really feeling Junior: acting as if you're not as phased as you are, too, not lying about what happened, just acting as like its less of a thing so people will get bored, you know? Nancy: Have you met my mum? Holding my head up high won't be a problem Nancy: Casually trained at it Junior: Yeah, no, good Junior: I know its gonna be hard Junior: but it will help this all be over sooner Nancy: That'd be nice Nancy: It's new for the rumor mill but not me Junior: How long? Nancy: Since I came here, pretty much Junior: Oh, honey Junior: That's such a long time to have those kind of feelings Nancy: I know Nancy: How did I get here? Junior: I dunno Junior: We all build things up in our minds, fantasies and that Junior: it just got out of hand because it was uncheck Junior: like I said, you're not the first or last Junior: Its okay, it will be alright Nancy: You're only saying that to make me feel better, I get that, but it's kind of working anyway Junior: I'm honestly not Junior: You know what went down wasn't cool but I think the outcome is more than enough punishment without me needing to be a dick about it Nancy: but I wouldn't blame you if you were Nancy: You asked me so many times who I fancied, if I'd just said, it would have stopped it, I would have come to my senses enough not to try and kiss her Junior: But you wanted to Junior: more than you wanted to be logical and sensible Junior: for better, or worse, as its transpired Junior: its easy to beat yourself up about it now Nancy: I should've beat myself up before hand Nancy: Repeatedly over the head Junior: I'll get you a time-turner and a mallet, like Nancy: Much appreciated Nancy: Can you arrange a bodyguard too, for Rio more than Tristan tbh Nancy: She's gonna be livid Junior: Not with you Junior: She'll get it better than me, she's had her fair share of crushes, I'm sure Nancy: Have you really not? Nancy: Envy you at this point Junior: Nope Junior: I'm like a sexless slug Nancy: They have a nicer label for that, to let you know Junior: Yeah, I'm not into that Junior: Never say never, you know Nancy: Unlike you have my judgement Nancy: Unless* Nancy: Never say never with your straight, married, teacher Junior: When is it okay to laugh cos like Nancy: Go ahead Nancy: We have to Nancy: I can't cry rn and still face everyone Nancy: I'm not THAT good at holding my head high Junior: are you gonna take some time off or just Junior: face it from the jump Nancy: I think if I walk away it'll just make it harder to come back Nancy: If I'm staying here then I need to carry on Junior: Agreed, from that POV, definitely the best thing to do Junior: but don't force yourself to do things you can't Junior: we can go cry in the toilets whenever you need, okay? Nancy: Have a gorgeous mascara moment Nancy: Maybe my mum will force on a flight back to London Junior: Maybe Junior: Or roll up on you here Junior: such fun Nancy: Oh god, she probably will Nancy: I know I brought it on myself but....please no Nancy: Parent swap with me really quick? Junior: They'd despair but give it my best Junior: At least your Dad is going to be too awkward to say anything Junior: Small blessing Nancy: I wish that was a like father like son trait Junior: Thank god for the mute button Junior: shame it doesn't cover all communications, including IRL Nancy: Honestly Nancy: If I thought I hated Irish class before Junior: Yeah, no escaping how bad that's gonna be Junior: 😬 Nancy: If I pretend I've had a straight awakening now will that make it better or worse Nancy: She turned me everybody, nothing to see here Junior: I think it'll take you from the butt of the gay jokes to the butt of the slag ones Junior: which might be easier to handle but Junior: might have to display some straightness and we're not a convincing couple to say the least Nancy: Plus you're my cousin Nancy: That'd just create more rumors Junior: Yeah preferably you're going straight for someone not in the fam Junior: Idk, who are the most elligible bachelors around Junior: Hmm Nancy: Tristan's off the table Nancy: Lovehate only happens in YA Junior: Plus, all that rage, probably closeted himself, if we're following the rules of YA to the letter Nancy: And if we're going classical, he probably wants to sleep with his mum too Junior: 🤢 Junior: oh no Junior: flip the script on 'em, go for a younger boy Junior: preferably not weird young, like year below tops Nancy: Oh god Nancy: Boys are so Nancy: Even hypothetically it's a no Junior: 😂 Junior: I don't think you're gonna be pulling this off effectively any time soon Nancy: You're right. Back to the drawing board I go Nancy: Thanks, June, for talking me off the ledge Junior: Wouldn't be worth much as a bestie if I didn't Junior: we've got this Junior: it only FEELS like the end of the world Junior: that's comforting, right? 😏 Nancy: Until I think about how bad you said Tristan is handling what happened Junior: Yeah, well, reckon Rio will be having words Junior: he just needs to get it out of his system Junior: look sufficiently sorry and miserable and he should be satisfied, then you can get on with your life, like Nancy: I do feel sorry and miserable so as long as I can get it across instead of looking like a unrepentant bitch Nancy: We'll see Junior: Yeah Junior: he's not awful, like Junior: It probably sucks having teacher parents, but that ain't a reason to take out years of frustration on this sitch Nancy: He can't be that bad, she raised him Junior: Oh, babe Junior: you've got it so bad Nancy: I wish there was a mute button for feelings Junior: You've got to start putting in the work Junior: Conscious uncoupling Nancy: That'll be as much fun as having the chat with my parents Junior: I didn't promise fun Junior: Strictly business Nancy: This is why lesbians die at the end of every movie, isn't it? Nancy: No fun Junior: Mhmm, its not just bed death you've gotta avoid Junior: its alright, you've been scorned, that'll further your plot development, no need to die today Nancy: Just living with the heartbreak then. Fantastic Junior: Unfortunately Junior: Its survivable, so I'm told Junior: and there's lots of songs and films on the subject to keep you company Nancy: You're angling for a hetero rom-com watching session because the male leads are always hot. I see you Junior: You need some straight drama in your life Junior: it will make you feel so much better about your own Nancy: Her being straight was a big part of my drama Junior: Yes and no Junior: Even if she was gay, Nance, it wouldn't have happened, alright? Junior: You need to remember that Junior: what if you have a nice lesbian lecturer at Uni, you don't wanna go through this again, thinking it'll be different Junior: its a no go whatever the circumstances Nancy: I know Nancy: I'm trying Nancy: I don't want to go through this again Junior: I know Junior: Its a complete perspective overhaul Junior: It'll take time Junior: you'll get there Nancy: I better Nancy: I don't wanna be stuck here in this place Junior: You won't be Junior: You've got a whole life of new, better experiences waiting Nancy: Brain swap? If I was as smart as you I could graduate early Junior: You're plenty smart, its truly not that far off now Junior: Final stretch Nancy: You're right. It just feels like forever rn Nancy: My own fault Junior: It does though Junior: clock watching all day every day Nancy: Definitely Nancy: Same

[potterlifexreader]

Would you like to go with me?

Hello, Love bugs!

Neville X Reader

This one is a long one.

Warnings- swears. I don't think I have ever written a fic without swears.

Neville, reader, Yule ball. Reader wants to go very badly, but doubts anyone will ask her and she doesn't wanna be the third wheel on anyone else's date, so if she doesn't find one, she isn't going, so she is crying in her dorm because she thought maybe someone would ask. But then Neville plucks up the courage to ask and does, then he and her go to the dance (the next night) reader looks super stunning (all other girls are jells and guys are regretting not asking first) and Neville is super confident suddenly and asks her to be his girlfriend and then after the dance smut because I flurping need some Neville smut with insecure reader (and super confident Neville because ❤❤) thankssss sorry that was long and specific ,I'm just tired of everything around me RN. Love you FAM!

Life fucking sucked. It was the chance of a lifetime. You could go to the yule ball just like your mother did and her mother and so on. You were destined to be the only person in your family that didn't go to the ball. It was a bit humiliating considering there was a school just for men visiting and you couldn't find jack shit for a date. You were sulking in the pain of a broken heart when you heard a little tap at the door. All of your roommates were gone to the common room to practice their hair for tomorrow. You had to pull yourself together wiping away the little tears that were still hanging onto your cheeks before making your way to the door. Just as you were about to make fun of someone for forgetting their wand to get in you were stopped in your tracks. There in front of you stood Nevile. He looked relaxed in his school uniform with his tie missing and a few buttons undone. This made you painfully aware of what you were wearing. You old PJ shorts. A t-shirt from some muggle band you saw last summer. Lastly, your hair was in the same messy bun from when you were in the library and needed to get the hair out of your face.

“Hi, Neville. If you were looking for one of the girls they are all in the common room.” You were familiar with Neville showing up at your door from time to time. He was always helping your one roommate with herbology. He was an expert and her. Well to say it nicely was that she struggled.

“Uh no actually. I came to talk to you.” You would be a liar if you thought that you had heard him wrong. “ Can I come in?” You nodded as you couldn't seem to find your voice at this moment.

 “So what's up?” It felt odd, the small talk. You weren't used to it with him. Conversations always flowed easily between the two of you. He was the person you sat beside every day in potions. The both of you found Snape very intimidating. This helped grow your friendship even more. Your long conversations would simply move from potions to the great hall for lunch. Usually, you didn't get to see him again until dinner. There the two of you would pick up right where you left off. After all the years of getting to know each other, the both of you knew pretty much everything and anything. You were each other's personal vaults.

“I actually came here on a mission. I need to ask you something before I lose all of my motivation that I just got from the guys.” Neville took a deep breath making yourself even more nervous. “I want to ask you to the ball. That is if you want to go with me. I know it's pretty late to ask but I was so worried you would get asked by someone else. Then Malfoy told me you were asked by that one block from Durmstrang.” Neville was talking in circles making you even more confused than ever. You had to put your hand over his mouth just to get him to stop talking.

“Neville, are you asking me to go to the ball with you?” You didn't even bother trying to hide your smile from him. You were overjoyed with the thought that you would be going to the ball with one of your best friends.

“Yes. If you would take me.” Wrapping your arms around Neville you were filled with enjoyment.

“Absolutely! Stupid git Malfoy. I told you never to listen to him!” Neville nodded as the two of you continued hugging and talking about the excitement for tomorrow evening.

 The evening finally came. Getting ready wasn't that stressful due to the fact that your mother sent you a dress a lot more in advance as it wasn't a question in her mind that you would be going. You didn't really worry like your friends did about how to do your hair or makeup. You had learned long ago how to do all of that with magic. You chose to keep it all rather simple. The dress your mother sent was actually a pretty good pick. It was long and light purple. It wasn't anything poofy or over done. A few sparkles here and there but the point of the dress was to accent you. Not the other way around. 

Making your way to the common room you couldn't help but hear the little whispers coming from your classmates.You couldn't tell if they were good or bad because all of your attention was focused on him. He looked wonderful. Neville looked like a young man straight out of a muggle magazine. While your eyes were glued to him everyone in the room was looking at you. You would be described as a plan girl who got good grades and always followed the rules. Some may say they never really thought of you. Tonight was different. Reaching the bottom of the stairs you link your arm with Neville as he leads you to the great hall. Once inside you couldn't believe your eyes. It was just as your mother described it but better. The roof was changed from the candles to snow. Tables all around had the most ornate decorating. Once yourself and Neville watched the champions dance you both took to the floor. You had heard that Neville had been practising every day on his dance moves but you never expected to be lead around the room with such ease. 

As the night ran on and the band came to play you and Neville took your first break. Finding a table the two of you couldn't help but laugh at all of the people rocking out as the professor was crowd surfing. 

“I just wanted to thank you for coming with me to the ball y/n.” You knew your cheeks were red already from the dancing and you said a little prayer that Neville would chalk that up to dancing and not to the added fact that you were honestly a little embarrassed.

“I really don't think you should thank me. I mean I was the one who was dateless 24 hours ago. Neville had a little smile as he moved his chair closer to yours. Not only so the conversation would be easier but because you were a magnet to him. He had always been drawn to you since the day you met. He just finally had a good reason to be so close.

“How about we just call it even? Do you want to keep dancing?” The room was slowing down as the band took a break. You didn't want the night to end but you also wanted to be somewhere closer to Neville. The space between you felt unpersonable. 

“I want to keep dancing as you are the best dancer in the school. But I kinda just want to talk to you.” Neville nodded as he grabbed your hand leading you to the exact place he knew the two of you wouldn't be disturbed. The room of requirement.

(There will be a part 2 with smut. I just felt like it needed to be separate.)